Zion E-News 9-14-23

ZION E-NEWS (9-14-23)

1 Corinthians 12:12-27

Unity and Diversity in the Body
Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body.  And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body.  If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?  But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.  If they were all one part, where would the body be?  As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”  On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty,while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.  If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

This fall, I have the opportunity to coach Eliza and Teddy’s soccer teams. With Eliza’s age group, the extent of coaching is making sure they’re kicking the ball in the right direction and cheering like crazy when they do something well.

With Teddy’s age group, coaching looks a bit different. He moved up a division, which comes with a larger field, more players, and specific positions that each have their own role to play in the larger game. The players all know their positions and are right where they need to be before the whistle blows. As the game is played, however, the tendency for the kids is to “creep” toward the ball – where the action is – and therefore become out of position. We’re teaching them the importance of being in position – playing their role – even if it feels like they’re not doing anything at the moment. We remind them that even though it FEELS like they’re not doing anything at the moment, they are – spreading the defense, protecting the weak side, freeing up space for their team mates, and being ready for the ball when it comes their way.

This reminds me of the passage in 1 Corinthians. As a team, as a community, as a church – we’re one body with many parts. We’ve all been given different gifts and roles to play and we need to lean into them. Every role matters, whether it’s where the visual action is right now or it’s serving faithfully behind the scenes. We are all an important part of the body of Christ and God uses all of us. Thank you all for faithfully praying for the church and serving in whatever capacity you’re able to in this season of your life. Your role matters and is valued.
~Ashley VanderWall

CONNECT TO GOD
AS WE GATHER in person for Worship each Sunday at 9:30am the service can also be viewed on our website at zionreformed.online.church and streaming on our YouTube channel. We will also rebroadcast a version of the service on WCET at noon on Friday and 10:30AM on Sunday. The service will continue to be available on YouTube to watch at your convenience.

ZION KIDS: All kids birth through 5th grade must be signed in at the Zion Kids Check-In Kiosk located in the lobby before the service. The nursery will be staffed for kids birth – 3 yrs.  Preschoolers meet in room 206.  K-2nd graders meet in room 205. 3rd – 5th graders meet in room 207.  Please bring the corresponding tag to pick up your child after worship. We’re excited to begin the year!

ZION YOUTH: Regular Weekly youth group meetings start this Sunday, Sept 17th.
High School Youth(9-12 grade) meet from 4:00 – 5:30 pm.
Middle School Youth (6-8th grade) meet from 5:45 – 7:15 pm.

GROW IN COMMUNITY
ZION’S ANNUAL Keeping Kids Safe child protection policy training will be held this Sunday, Sept. 17. We will meet in the youth room following the morning worship service. This training is mandatory for all adults (and highly encouraged for those who are not yet 18) working with children & youth in any of our ministry programs. Please plan on attending one of these available classes.

PRAYER REQUEST: Continue to pray for those in our congregation who deal with ongoing health issues. 

DO YOU like to bake? We are looking for volunteers to make (or purchase) cookies to serve at coffee time after worship. If you would be willing to provide cookies occasionally please call or text Dianne Kooiker at 616-538-3179.

TWO CAMPING SPOTS are available for Zion’s family camping weekend (September 22-24) at Dunes Harbor. This happens to be their Harvest weekend so there will be some special events like a campground wide Trunk or Treat, tractor wagon ides, archery, hatchets, scavenger hunt, worship in the pavilion, evening movie, plus more.  If you are interested contact Pastor Rick or Jonell.

ALL BUILDING AND GROUNDS issues or concerns should be directed to Troy Austin. You can reach him via email at troymaustin@gmail.com or call or text him at (616) 914-0141.

NURSERY COORDINATOR: We are looking to hire a Nursery Coordinator. If you are interested in this position you can view the job description here. If you have questions or would like to know more, please contact Shanda VandePol (our P&A chair) at: shandavandepol@yahoo.com or at 616-308-0700.

SERVE THE WORLD
HAND2HAND will be packing food bags this morning following worship. If you would like to help pack (it’s easy and it’s fun) head downstairs  after worship and they will show you how!

DONATIONS of the following items (full size – not travel size) are needed for the Personal Care Pantry and can be placed in the box in the narthex marked “pantry donations”.  Laundry Soap,  Bar Soap,   Dish Soap,  Disposable Razors,  Shampoo,  Conditioner,  Toothpaste,  Paper grocery bags, Deodorant, Tampons, Maxi Pads, Paper towels (1 or 2 pack) and  Toilet paper (1-4 pack).

IF YOU need help, either with food, personal care items, help grocery shopping, or with financial needs, please contact Tom MacGraw, our chair of deacons, and he can help connect you with the appropriate resources at Zion. His e-mail is thomas.m.macgraw@gmail.com and his phone number is (616) 315-7938.

ADMINISTRATION
We continue to thank God for his provision of all of our needs and for the generous support of our congregation with their time, talent, and treasures.

Fiscal Year 2023/24 Budget:  $173,144.25
Fiscal Year 2023/24 Contributions: $149,723.03
Giving Last Week: $22,508.00