Zion E-News 11-16-23

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ZION E-NEWS (11-16-23)
As we look ahead to our holiday season, we want to make you aware of some worship plans. Our Thanksgiving Eve service will be held on Wednesday, November 22nd at 6:30 PM. The first Sunday of Advent is December 3; we will celebrate communion together that morning. In light of the Thanksgiving offering we will be receiving for various ministries, we will not receive a benevolence offering along with communion on Dec. 3rd.

On December 10th, our children will lead us in worship by sharing “Wow Christmas” – it is always a special morning, and we are excited to celebrate with our kids.

Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday this year, so our Christmas Eve worship service will be held at our regularly scheduled time of 9:30 AM.

This is a wonderful time of year as we give thanks to God for his continued faithfulness, and marvel again at the gift of Jesus’ birth at Christmas. We encourage you to invite others to join us as we celebrate together!

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.

OUR THANKSGIVING EVE Service will be held on Nov 22 at 6:30PM.  The Deacons have designated the Thanksgiving Offering as follows:

  • The first $1,500 received will be split evenly between the Personal Care Pantry, Hand to Hand and Threads to help needy families with Christmas.
  • $2,000 for Care Portal
  • The balance split evenly between ICCF (Inner City Christian Federation) and the RCA Refugee Care Fund

PRAYER REQUEST: Please continue to pray for those in our congregation who are dealing with ongoing health issues.

FRIENDS OF Steve and Shawn Landstra have organized a card drive for Steve. If you would like to participate here is the information:
I’m reaching out with a heartfelt request on behalf of our friend Steve. During difficult times, the power of love and support becomes more significant than ever. We would like to create a collective outpouring of positive energy, encouragement, and well wishes for Steve on this Thanksgiving Day.
I’m inviting you to join us in creating a Thanksgiving Card Drive for Steve by sending cards, notes, and written prayers. Any words of comfort, strength and humor will serve as a source of solace and inspiration during this challenging journey. Steve’s birthday is on Nov 25, so that is something to celebrate as well.
If you’d like to contribute, please send your cards and notes by November 22 to:

Steve Landstra
c/o Deb Maddox
4070 Eagle Rock Ct.
Grandville, MI 49418

We’ll gather your cards and deliver them as one gift to Steve on Thanksgiving Day. Thank you for your support and help on this collective gift.  Denise Russell, Deb Maddox, Amy White & Kathy Cox

ZION YOUNG ADULTS! Save the Date: Tuesday night, January 2nd Jeremy and Marcia are hosting a gathering at Ken and Sheila Johnson’s home. Join us for a night of fun, catching up with old friends and meeting new ones. Mark it on your calendars – more details coming soon!

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.

THIS PAST September we had a great time camping at Dunes Harbor Family Campground. It was a great weekend with lots of food, fun, and stories around the campfire. Believe it or not, we are already planning next years camping weekend. Currently we have we have four cabins and ten campsites on the dates of June 6-9 being held for us. What we need to know is how many of you are interested. There is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board by the office or let Pastor Rick or Jonell know if you are interested. I know it is a ways off but it’s never to early to think about camping next year!

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).

HAND2HAND: We are currently serving 100 kids each week! We could use food donations of the following: pudding cups, 100% juice, juice boxes, beef stick, granola bars, Lance brand or that type of sandwich cracker and microwave popcorn. Also, now-December 3 we are collecting Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie Mix and ready to use frosting (16oz) to include in the last bag delivered before Christmas. Donations can be placed in the shopping cart in the narthex by the Welcome Center. 

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.

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:  $277,030.80
Fiscal Year 2023/24 Contributions:  $233,347.61
Giving Last Week: $10,893.73