ZION E-NEWS (11-9-23)

Here’s a recap of our all church potluck last Sunday.

FOOD:  If you missed it, you really missed out! There were 14 crockpots containing a variety of delicious meats, casseroles, and vegetables, over 20 sides and salads, and 2 tables full of yummy desserts!

       

FELLOWSHIP:  With about 100 people in attendance we filled the basement with conversation and laughter.

FUN:  Pastor Marcia and Jonathan squared off against Pastor Jeremy and Kim in a round of the Shoe Game. To play the Shoe Game the couples each take off their shoes, and swap one so they each have one of their own and one of their partner’s. Then, sitting back to back they are asked a series of questions about the couple’s preferences, experiences, and personalities. For example, Who is the better driver? Who is the most likely to lose their keys? Who is more stubborn? The couple answers each question by raising the shoe that they believe represents the best answer, either their own shoe or their partner’s shoe. To make it even more interesting, the questions were asked by their daughters Lauren and Olivia who would occasionally share their opinions! It was a close game but the Zoet’s squeaked out the win. Not only did we get to know our pastors and their spouses better but they might have learned a bit more about each other too!

Many thanks to all who attended and to all those that helped with cleanup!

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.

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 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.

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

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!

THREADS: Here are the numbers from shopping day on Tuesday, Nov 7.
46 Families Shopped (9 were new families)
142 People were shopped for
623 Clothes were given away
93 Accessories (shoes, jewelry, purses, etc) were given away

46 Families shopped in the PCP Store
9 People received Haircuts

Also, for this first quarter of this school year (September – November):
2,716 Clothes Given Away
275 Accessories Given Away

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.

WELCOME to Zion’s new Nursery Coordinator, Olivia DeHaan!  Olivia has been a longtime   member of Zion. She is married to Austen and is mom to Ruby. We are so grateful for her   willingness to step into this important role as we together care for our littlest ones here at Zion!   Thank you, Olivia! Olivia begins her role as Nursery Coordinator, let’s help her as she further   develops a team of volunteers. We are SO blessed as a church community to have precious babies   and toddlers, and there are several more babies on the way in 2024!  When we baptize babies, we make promises as a church community to be active participants as we together raise children in the faith. This begins already in the nursery!  Please consider serving our little ones and their families!  You can reach Olivia at odehaan726@gmail.com or (616) 914-4467.

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:  $265,487.85
Fiscal Year 2023/24 Contributions:  $222,453.88
Giving Last Week: $8,923.74

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