Zion E-News 10-5-23

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ZION E-NEWS (10-5-23)

It happened again this week. It happens every fall, in fact.

I was outdoors doing some chores, and the 83 degree sun was beating down on me. I was sweating. And getting annoyed. When I came in the house, I commented to my husband Jonathan, “I know I say this every year, but I am DONE with summer. It’s October for goodness sake. I’m sick of being hot!”

One year, I posted this annoyance-with-fall-heat sentiment on Facebook, and was met with a wide variety of reactions. My summer-loving friends were aghast. What??  Summer in Michigan is the best!  Why would you want to be done with this?  Do you know what fall means?  Yes, yes I do. It means winter is coming. No, I am not ready for snow and cloudy skies. But I AM ready for fall!  Some of my friends agreed with me. Summer is wonderful, but it’s time for something new. Bring on the sweatshirts and jeans, the pumpkin spice lattes and chili suppers. Snuggle up in cozy blankets to watch football, take a hike surrounded by the beauty of changing leaves. I’m eager for all of it!

It has been said that the only constant in life is change. Seasons come to a close, and new seasons begin. Sometimes we are not ready to let go of a current season. It has been beautiful and joy-filled. Other times, we are ready to leave a season behind. It has been challenging for any number of reasons. We eagerly await something new. Most of the time, we are holding a mixture of emotions. We may be grieving the loss of some parts of the past season, while also looking forward with anticipation to the goodness yet to come.

Thankfully, we have a God who is with us in all of it. A God who can hold all of our different emotions at once; a God who is tender with our grief and fears, and who also strengthens us with encouragement and hope.  One of my favorite Bible verses is Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

We are in a new season here at Zion. And perhaps some of us are in new seasons as individuals or families too. Let’s make space for each other as we process the emotions that change can bring. And let’s also continue to point each other to the God who holds all it, and each of us, in his hands.

~Pastor Marcia

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.

David: The Complicated King David was known as the “Man After God’s Own Heart” but he was anything but perfect. His life was filled with courage, joy and success, but also many heartaches and personal failures. Yet through it all, one thing was constant: his dependence on God and trust in God’s unfailing love. Join us at Zion this fall as we explore the life of David and find encouragement to bring our own complicated lives to the God who loves us.

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 are on Sunday’s at the following times:
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
PRAYER REQUEST: Mary Evans is currently in rehab at The Oaks of Byron Center following a hospital stay.  She is waiting for tests that will hopefully provide answers and a plan for the future. Please pray for healing, discernment, comfort and peace. Steve Landstra has not been feeling well the past several weeks. A new brain MRI revealed several new small spots. Please pray for Steve to find some relief from these symptoms. Please also pray for clarity in how to proceed with treatment. Most of all please boldly pray for a miracle of complete healing! Continue to pray for those in our congregation with ongoing health issues.

THE MOTT FAMILY has been dealing with a lot lately with the recent passing of Amy’s mom and the health problems and hospitalization of Steve’s mom Carolyn. Steve’s mom was released from the hospital and will be living with Steve and Amy as she recovers. A friend started a meal train for them to try to help lighten the load. If you would like to help out with a meal you can sign up here: https://takethemameal.com/CYZU9241?fbclid=IwAR3mW8dchPHr4TEsm1XrP-POxRZO_CsCp_Z4UoR9K3jwRtwnstZTXKm_XxE

THE INSTALLATION SERVICE for our new Lead Pastor, Rev. Marcia Pratt, will be held on Sunday, October 22 during our morning worship service. We are excited about the future ministry of our church under Pastor Marcia’s leadership and look forward to celebrating this occasion as a church family.

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.

YOUTH FUNDRAISERS: Our youth are selling Key Card Books ($30) and 2024 God’s Creation Calendars ($10).  If you haven’t been contacted and would like to purchase either of these items please contact any one of our youth or call the church office at 616-534-7533.

SERVE THE WORLD
THREADS UPDATE: Here are the numbers from the Threads Shopping Day on October 3:

  • 46 Families Shopped (5 were new families)
  • 156 People received clothing
  • 675 pieces of clothing were given away
  • 75 accessories were given away
  • 19 Haircuts were given
  • 41 Families used the PCP Store

A HUGE thank you to each one of you for donating your time and talents to love on and care for the people that walk through the Threads’ door!

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:  $207,773.10
Fiscal Year 2023/24 Contributions:  $172,831.22
Giving Last Week: $11,394.73  Benevolent Fund:  $721.00