ZION E-NEWS 10-31-24
ZION E-NEWS (10-31-24)
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.
PRAYER REQUEST: Continue to pray for those in our congregation who deal with ongoing health issues.
SUNDAY we celebrate the Profession of Faith of Kylee Austin. We thank God for the way he continues to draw people to him and for the gift of new life he has made available to all who believe.
WE WOULD like to thank our Zion family for all the love and support shown to us following the death of Jim’s brother. Your calls, cards, visits, and prayers brought us comfort and peace in a time of great sorrow. We are blessed to belong to such a caring church. ~ Jim and Barb Peterson
ZION FAMILY CAMP: It’s time to start planning for our Family Camp for 2025! We will be going back to Dunes Harbor in Silver Lake, MI on September 19-21. 
We have tentatively reserved campsites and rustic cabins, so there is something for everyone. This will be the weekend of their fall fest, so there is Trick or Treating for kids, as well as the camp’s other planned activities. There is more information, and a sign up outside the church office for those who are interested in joining. (You will be asked to finalize your reservation later this year with your camping payment.) If you have questions, please talk to Rick or Jonell VanderWall (616-635-1743). We hope you will join us for this fun weekend!
DISCOVER ZION CLASS: Would you like to learn more about Zion? Pastor Marcia will be leading a Discover Zion class in the Youth Room on Sunday morning, November 3rd after the worship service. Brunch will be served. This is a great place to hear about Zion’s mission and vision, meet the ministry staff, and find out ways to get connected further in our community. If you are interested in becoming a member at Zion, we will share what membership looks like here as well. To RSVP, please email Pastor Marcia at mpratt@zionreformed.org.
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.”
YOUTH FUNDRAISERS: Our youth are selling 2025 God’s Creation Calendars ($10) and Key Card Books ($30). If you haven’t been contacted and would like to purchase one of these items you can call the church office at 616-534-7533.
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: $253,397.98
2024/25 YTD Contributions: $196,249.06
Giving Last Week: $5,250.73
Youth Group Trip Information
If you/your child is signing up for a mission trip, they need to attend at least 50% of youth group meetings (some exceptions can be made for special circumstances).
If they are going on the High School Mission Trip, they will need to be at Zion July 20, 2025 for the shareholder dinner and worship service.
If they are going on the Middle School Mission Trip, they need to commit to being there all week (no leaving for a sports practice or anything like that just because we are only 30 minutes away).
If they are going on either mission trip, they will be instructed to write a pre-trip devotional and will need to read each student/leader’s devotional each day leading up to the trip.
If you are someone who is interested in asking for help with finances, we have a “scholarship fund” that some church members donate to that can help reduce the cost of payments. Just email me if you’d like that kind of help.
Youth Group Trips
Middle School Winter Retreat (Spring Hill – Feb 7-9, 2025) – Full Cost: $240
Join another 800 or so youth at Spring Hill Camps in Evart, MI (1 1/2 hours north). Large worship sessions with a band, speaker, skits, and videos. Snow Tubing Hill. Gym with basketball, volleyball, high ropes course, crate stacking, dodgeball tournament, 3 on 3 basketball tournament, volleyball tournament. Broom Ball. Escape Rooms. Laser Tag. Game Room. And so much more! Sleep in cabins on bunk beds.
Middle School Holland Mission Trip (June 22-27, 2025) – Full Cost $300
Travel 30 minutes to Holland, MI and stay in the church basement of Calvary Reformed Church. Service projects at the church. Blacktop Rec kids program with Brain Boost Tutoring. Volunteer at places like Community Action House, Boys and Girls Club, Kids Food Basket, and more. Play sardines in a large church building. Go to Holland State Park. Go downtown Holland to see Street Performers. Daily devotions and worship times. Lots of group bonding. It will be the best week of your summer.
High School Winter Retreat (Spring Hill – Jan 24-26, 2025) – Full Cost: $240
Join another 800 or so youth at Spring Hill Camps in Evart, MI (1 1/2 hours north). Large worship sessions with a band, speaker, skits, and videos. Snow Tubing Hill. Gym with basketball, volleyball, high ropes course, crate stacking, dodgeball tournament, 3 on 3 basketball tournament, volleyball tournament. Broom Ball. Escape Rooms. Laser Tag. Game Room. And so much more! Sleep in cabins on bunk beds.
High School Kansas City Mission Trip (June 8-13, 2025) – Full Cost $550
Travel 10 hours to Kansas City, Missouri to serve through the organization CSM (same organization as the Washington DC and Nashville trips the last two years). Serve at a variety of ministry sites that are doing great things in the city. Go on a prayer tour and learn about some of the problems and solutions happening in the city. Morning Devotions. Evening Debriefing. Eating dinner at a variety of global cuisine restaurants and maybe restaurants that famous in Kansas City. Grow in your faith. Learn. Worship. Become super close with your youth group friends. More info to come as they give it to us.
Zion E-News 10-24-24
ZION E-NEWS (10-24-24)
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.
OUR MORNING OF SERVICE is finally here! We are so excited for our Morning of Service this coming Sunday, October 27th. We wanted to be sure you had all the details! And just another reminder – if you are not part of the Serving with Dignity class on Sunday afternoons, you are still absolutely welcome to join us on Sunday morning.
Notes on Gathering
1. Plan to join us at 9:00 AM on Sunday (yes, a half hour earlier than normal) to grab your t-shirt and also some pastries and fruit.
2. At 9:30 AM, we will begin together in the sanctuary with a short time of singing and a devotion, and to receive instructions for the rest of the day.
3. There will be no nursery or kids programming this weekend; families are encouraged to serve together!
Notes on Serving
1. We will have serving options for all ages and abilities. Please see the list below.
2. We will provide all supplies needed for the options listed EXCEPT raking – if you want to join others for raking, please bring a rake!
3. Please take pictures or videos while you are out serving and send them to Jeremy! His email is jzoet@zionreformed.org (preferable if you are sending from an Android phone) or you can text him at (616) 886-1620. Also – horizontal pics and videos are better than vertical!
Notes on Wrap Up
1. You can serve as long as your group determines. You do NOT need to return to church after your group is done.
2. We will have a few short debriefing questions for you to discuss as a group together when you are done serving together.
We are eager to spend this morning together loving each other and our community!
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.
PRAYER REQUEST: Continue to pray for those in our congregation who deal with ongoing health issues.
ZION FAMILY CAMP: It’s time to start planning for our Family Camp for 2025! We will be going back to Dunes Harbor in Silver Lake, MI on September 19-21. We have tentatively reserved campsites and rustic cabins, so there is something for everyone. This will be the weekend of their fall fest, so there is Trick or Treating for kids, as well as the camp’s other planned activities. There is more information, and a sign up outside the church office for those who are interested in joining. (You will be asked to finalize your reservation later this year with your camping payment.) If you have questions, please talk to Rick or Jonell VanderWall (616-635-1743). We hope you will join us for this fun weekend!
DISCOVER ZION CLASS: Would you like to learn more about Zion? Pastor Marcia will be leading a Discover Zion class on Sunday morning, November 3rd after the worship service. Brunch will be served. This is a great place to hear about Zion’s mission and vision, meet the ministry staff, and find out ways to get connected further in our community. If you are interested in becoming a member at Zion, we will share what membership looks like here as well. To RSVP, please email Pastor Marcia at mpratt@zionreformed.org.
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.”
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: $241,879.89
2024/25 YTD Contributions: $190,998.33
Giving Last Week: $10,062.73
Zion E-News 10-10-24
ZION E-NEWS (10-10-24)
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.
PRAYER REQUEST: Continue to pray for those in our congregation who deal with ongoing health issues.
DISCOVER ZION CLASS: Would you like to learn more about Zion? Pastor Marcia will be leading a Discover Zion class on Sunday morning, November 3rd after the worship service. Brunch will be served. This is a great place to hear about Zion’s mission and vision, meet the ministry staff, and find out ways to get connected further in our community. If you are interested in becoming a member at Zion, we will share what membership looks like here as well. To RSVP, please email Pastor Marcia at mpratt@zionreformed.org.
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.”
THIS FALL as part of our Serve with Dignity intergenerational learning opportunity 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. If you want a T-Shirt you must register TODAY! You can register for the Morning of Service by clicking here.
OUR NEIGHBORS at Western Michigan Comprehensive Treatment Center have invited our church to participate in a Trunk or Treat that they are sponsoring on Saturday, October 26th from 11 am – 1 pm and we are considering being involved in this – if you would be interested in helping to do a trunk, or volunteering to hand out treats by a trunk, or donate treats to hand out, please let Angie Walker know by October 13th.
ZION’S YOUTH GROUPS will be joining the rest of the congregation at the Serving with Dignity Class on Sundays from 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm, with dinner to follow (this means no traditional middle school or high school youth group meetings, rather, w
e are shifting all 6th-12th graders to this full congregation course).
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. The 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
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: $218,843.71
2024/25 YTD Contributions: $173,450.87
Giving Last Week: $9,480.73
Benevolent Fund: $794.00
