ZION E-NEWS (9-7-23)

Does anyone else think that we continue to make things more and more difficult? Did you know that on average Starbucks has about 130 different type of drinks they offer?  I still remember putting a quarter in an empty tin coffee can with a slit on the top and pouring my own coffee (2 types, regular and decaf).  I remember when I was the TV remote using one hand to manually turn the knob and change the 3 channels on the TV and the other hand would move the rabbit ears (and we only had 1 TV).  If you don’t know what rabbit ears are ask you parent or grandparent or find Pastor Rick and ask what he did before he cleaned and preached.  Finally, there are over 179 million copies of religious books sold each year that in reality all come back to 1 book, the Bible.  Don’t get me wrong, I love my choices at Starbucks and enjoy streaming and binge watch (no longer surfing), but I will admit I don’t pretend to read as many religious books now that Pastor Greg is gone and not “lending me” books I seriously never read but looked good on my shelf.
I know I make my walk with God too complicated or create goals to grow in my faith that are just not attainable.  So here are three simple challenges that I am trying to do to improve my Christ journey.  Perhaps you would like to give it a try as well.

1.  For 1 week write down how many hours you spent using technology for entertainment. Then write down how many hours you spent in prayer talking to your Heavenly Father.  Goal for the following week is simply to adjust that ratio by 3 – 5% with more time in prayer.

2.  For that same week compare your hours spent in using technology for entertainment to reading the Bible and create the same small goals.

3.  Finally, after you have heard the message from God on Sunday (or later if you watch or listen to the recording), decide for yourself or as a family what you were challenged with and how you want to behave differently that week.  Continue to talk about this throughout the week as a family, small group Triad, or call me!  Hold yourself accountable; don’t try doing it on your own.

Maybe we can agree to try to uncomplicate our walk with God during the month of September.  Try taking baby steps that are attainable.  Hold yourself accountable with your family, friends, or someone you can trust who will be real with you.

~Troy Austin

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.

ZION KIDS: Our education year starts this Sunday! 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!

GROW IN COMMUNITY

PRAYER REQUEST: Continue to pray for those in our congregation who deal with ongoing health issues.

ALL BUILDING AND GROUNDS issues or concerns should be directed to Troy Austin. You can reach him via email at troymaustin@gmail.com or call or text him at (616) 914-0141.

SERVE THE WORLD
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:  $161,601.30
Fiscal Year 2023/24 Contributions: $127,214.30
Giving Last Week: $8,554.95

ZION E-NEWS (8-17-23)

Trusting In God’s Plan:

Over the past couple weeks, I have been thinking a lot about God’s plan and how at times it is hard to see and even harder to trust in his plans. Throughout my life I have had these feelings. One of those times was when I was a freshman in high school, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. I questioned a lot of things and had a hard time trusting that this was God’s plan. During this time, I reflected on some specific verses, just so happens to be the life verse that my mom picked out for me.

Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NIV) “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

These verses helped me greatly during the days of my mom going through radiation & chemo. It gave me peace knowing that I could trust in God and that all would be ok. My mom just hit 15 years cancer free in July. My trust was right where I needed to put it, trusting in God. Life is full of uncertainties and challenges, often causing us to question the path we’re on. Yet, in the midst of these uncertainties, Jeremiah 17:7-8 provides a beautiful and reassuring image of a life anchored in trust and confidence in the Lord. This trust isn’t merely a superficial belief but a deep-rooted confidence in God’s character and promises. When we choose to trust in God, we align our hearts with His will, opening the door for His blessings to flow into our lives. Just as a tree’s roots seek out the life-giving water source, our trust in God’s Word and His guidance nourishes our spirits and helps us remain steadfast, even during the difficult seasons of life. These verses from Jeremiah hold a powerful message about faith, trust, and growth. As Zion navigates this transition, we are reminded that our reliance on the Lord is our greatest strength. Just as a tree thrives when rooted by a stream, our church community will flourish as we remain firmly rooted in our faith and trust in God’s guidance. Our transition as a church signifies a new beginning, an opportunity for growth, and a chance to deepen our relationship with God and with one another. Let us embrace this season with open hearts, knowing that God’s plans for us are filled with hope and purpose.

~Austen DeHaan

CONNECT TO GOD
THIS SUNDAY we are blessed to have Pastor JR Pittman share God’s word with us. Pastor JR is the founding and lead pastor of Ignite Fellowship Church right here in Grand Rapids.  He and his lovely wife Evette have been married over 32 years and have two adult sons, Joshua and Noah. Pastor JR is very passionate about evangelism and mentoring and enjoys golfing and good conversations at coffee houses. Pastor JR will share a message from Hebrews 10:23-25 Titled “Why Church?”  We are in a new era when many people don’t understand why God’s children assemble together. Even people who are presently in the local congregation cannot clearly articulate a basic doctrine; Why Church? Today I want to help equip and encourage you to have a solid understanding of the local church in a society where people are now leaving in large numbers. May you be blessed.

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.

ZION KIDS has switched over to our summer programming.Through Sept 3, we will hold one combined class each week for kids ages 3yrs old through 3rd grade.  We will sing songs, watch a Bible story video, pray together and have some playtime while service is happening in the sanctuary.  Children should check in at the child check in station each week as usual.

GROW IN COMMUNITY
DEAR ZION Reformed Church family, Thank you for your words of encouragement and kind expressions of gratitude as I finished my time at Zion last Sunday. Your words, cards, emails, gifts, hugs, handshakes, and ice cream sundaes made it a special day of reflecting on the past year and celebrating how God is leading you into the next chapter.  Blessings as you follow His leading!      Pastor Steve

YOU like to bake? We are looking for volunteers to make (or purchase) cookies to serve at coffee time after worship. If you would be willing to provide cookies occasionally please call or text Dianne Kooiker at 616-538-3179.

TWO CAMPING SPOTS have opened up for Zion’s family camping weekend (September 22-24) at Dunes Harbor. This happens to be their Harvest weekend so there will be some special events like a campground wide Trunk or Treat, tractor wagon ides, archery, hatchets, scavenger hunt, worship in the pavilion, evening movie, plus more.  If you are interested contact Pastor Rick or Jonell.
If you are interested contact Pastor Rick or Jonell.

ALL BUILDING AND GROUNDS issues or concerns should be directed to Troy Austin. You can reach him via email at troymaustin@gmail.com or call or text him at (616) 914-0141.

NURSERY COORDINATOR: Becky Harkes has resigned from her position as Nursery Coordinator. We are looking to fill that position. 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.

SERVE THE WORLD
HELP STUFF THE BUS! We partnered with Love Your Neighbor to provide backpacks and supplies for their Stuff The Bus campaign.  If you took a slip please return the backpack and supplies with the tag on the outside of the backpack by this Sunday, Aug. 13 or contact Tom MacGraw to make other arrangements to get it to him. Thank you!

WE ARE collecting toothbrushes and  tubes of toothpaste through August to meet our goal of providing toothbrushes and toothpaste to all of our Personal Care Pantry, Hand2Hand, and Threads participants in September. Donations can be placed in the Personal Care Pantry box in the narthex.  Thank you!

SUMMER is a great time to try out new ways to serve at Zion! It is also the time of year that people who are looking for a church home tend to visit and we want them to feel welcomed! We all know that first impressions are important! Our First Impressions Team is looking for volunteers to make coffee, serve as an usher, greeter, or to help at the child check in station. All of these tasks are very easy, require minimal  time commitment and you can pick your own schedule! Click here to sign-up through Sign-Up-Genius or call Connie in the church office at 616-534-7533 ext. 3 and she can help you with scheduling!

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:  $126,972.45
Fiscal Year 2023/24 Contributions: $107,644.45
Giving Last Week: $12,445.95
Benevolent Fund $328.00