Zion E-News 9-26-24

ZION E-NEWS (9-26-24)

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.

FOR THE next couple of months, there will be road construction on 36th Street between Kenowa and Canal. While you can drive on 36th currently, the driveways into Zion are affected. Please plan to enter the parking lot from the north side, off Fair Meadow.

YOU MAY have noticed over the summer a few different configurations of chairs in the sanctuary. We recognize people have different needs and preferences, and we are working towards a more hospitable space for all. Thanks for helping us make Zion a welcoming place!

PRAYER REQUEST: Emberlynn Jones, one year old daughter of Kerrissa Jones, is recovering from surgery to remove a sixth digit from her hand. Continue to pray for those in our congregation who deal with ongoing health issues.

CHURCH-WIDE BIBLE MEMORY: Led by our children, who regularly memorize Scripture for “Say It” days, we will be working together on a church-wide Bible memory challenge this fall. Our text is Philippians 2:1-4 from the New International Version: “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: We are looking for more people willing to serve on the First Impressions Team – particularly in the area of Ushers and Welcome Table.  Contact Angie at awalker@zionreformed.org if you would like to know more or are interested in serving.

MORNING OF SERVICE: As part of our intergenerational learning opportunity on Serving with Dignity this fall, we will be hosting a church-wide Morning of Service on Sunday, October 27th. We will begin in the sanctuary at our normal service time of 9:30 AM, and will open our time together with a song, meditation, and prayer. We will then spend the rest of the morning serving together!  EVERYONE is welcome to join us for the Morning of Service, even if you are not signed up for the Serving with Dignity class. We will have options available for all ages and abilities. You can register here for the Morning Of Service. And for those who sign up, you will receive a new Zion t-shirt to wear that d

ZION’S YOUTH GROUP meets weekly at the following times:
4:00-5:30 pm – High School (9th-12th grade)
5:45-7:15 pm – Middle School (6th-12th grade)
For youth group meetings on Sundays, please enter through door “D” in the back of church, next to the youth room/chapel.
We need everyone to fill out new Release/Registration Forms. You can do that online here or visit the Youth Group page on Zion’s Website for a link.

FIRST REFORMED CHURCH in Grandville invites you to a Women’s Conference called Flourish-Refresh, Restore, Thrive on Oct 19 from 9am-noon at the church. Event includes a charcuterie food table, workshops, some fun activities, and various resources. Workshop Topics include: Self Care, Parenting Adult Children, Difficult Conversations, Faith Formation for Children & Families, and Aging Faithfully. Registration is open (just $5 a ticket at the door). Registration link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090E4EA9A82AA3F58-51393951-flourish

Our church has decided to participate in Grandville’s Fall Festival by creating a scarecrow. (Thanks to Jacki Deiter for her creative skills!) The Festival is Friday, Oct 4 from 5-10 pm and Saturday, October 5th from 11am – 4 pm.  There is a contest for the most votes for a scarecrow and we would love it if you are able to vote for Zion’s scarecrow!  Voting runs from 11am – 3pm on Saturday, October 5. One vote per event goer. No absentee voting. 1st, 2nd, 3rd place and honorable mention will be announced around 3:30 near the blue information tent.  The scarecrows will be up until Friday October 11th.  More information on the fall festival can be found here 

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 Austen 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:  $195,807.53
2024/25 YTD Contributions:  $153,452.41
Giving Last Week:  $14,592.73