Zion E-News 8-8-24

ZION E-NEWS (8-8-24)

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 view at your convenience.

WE ARE so excited to celebrate the sacrament of baptism on August 18th  with three families who will be presenting their children for baptism. Baptism is a sign and seal of God’s covenant of grace with us and our children. The sacrament of baptism is done in community; we as a church make promises to help nurture these children in their faith. One way we as a church family can tangibly express this commitment is by writing and sharing a blessing with the child being baptized.  Since this is something new we will be doing with baptism, we want to give you time to reflect on this and to prayerfully learn about and think of a blessing you could write down to share with each baptism. You may write this blessing on your own piece of paper you have at home and bring it with you on August 18th, or you can write it out on the 18th on the piece  of paper that we will provide.  A blessing can include words of encouragement, empowerment, commendation & protection. You can find a scripture passage to use or you can write your own blessing. If you really want to make it personal, you can use the name of the child being baptized in your blessing. Their names are: Gibson DeHaan, Ruthie Eling, and Lucy Moore. If you have questions about this, feel free to reach out to Pastor Marcia, Pastor Jeremy, or Angie.

PRAYER REQUEST:  Pray for Emily Morehouse, Patti Steere and Lauren Bosma as they finish out their time in Cusco, Peru where they served alongside Zion’s mission partners, Albino and Sandy Rodriquez, and travel home. They will be helping to lead workshops for young adults who live and study at La Casa del Maestro. You can learn more about the ministry here: https://www.casadelmaestro.org/home

WE’RE UNDER CONSTRUCTION! Our offices and nursery are in the process of some much-needed updates.  It has made things a little crazy around the church this week but we  are excited and thankful for contractors who are working hard to get us back in to our regular space! Because of the timing of painting and carpet installation, we will not be able to offer nursery this Sunday, August 11th.  Your babies and toddlers are welcome in the worship service (we love all generations of noise) or you are welcome to our family room. Here is a peek at the work in progress:

  SAVE THE DATES:

SAVE THE DATE!  Threads is having a huge end of the season sale this Saturday, August 10 from 9am-1pm. All summer clothing & accessories (newborn through adult sizes) are priced at $1 each. 100% of the profits from this sale are used to purchase new clothing needs for this ministry.
*CASH OR CHECKS ONLY  ~  OPEN TO THE PUBLIC *

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, or financial needs, please contact Austin DeHaan, our chair of deacons, and he can help connect you with the appropriate resources at Zion. His e-mail is austin331@gmail.com and his phone number is (269) 762-9748

WE CONTINUE to thank God for his provision of all of our needs and the generous support of our congregation with their time, talent, and resources.

2024/25 YTD Budget:  $115,180.90
2024/25 YTD Contributions:  $92,506.30
Giving Last Week:  $7,674.73