10-20-22 E-News
Zion E-News (10-20-2022)
Nick and Jade, my oldest grandchildren, love to have sleepovers at our house. A couple weekends ago Haley participated in a triathlon so the kids knew in advance that they were sleeping over on Saturday night.
The calls started early in the week “Grandma, we get to sleep at your house Saturday, grandma, only 3 more days until our sleepover, Grandma, I’m bring my squishmallow to our sleepover.”
Not familiar with Squishmallow’s? 
True to their name, these pillow like toys are soft and squishy. Kellytoy in Vernon, California first introduced Squishmallows to the toy market in 2017. Since then, more than 82 million have been sold. They range in price from $10 to $100 and come in a wide variety of designs. (Think Beanie Baby craze in the 90’s.)
The night before the sleepover Jade came to Haley and said, “Well Mom, you might as well just drop us off tonight.” I’m guessing that when Jade woke her up at 5:15 the next morning asking if it was time to go to Grandma and Grandpas yet, Haley probably wished she would have!
Nothing spectacular is planned for these beloved sleepovers. They just genuinely delight in spending time with us, in having our full attention. After all, that is how we cultivate relationships right? They feel safe and secure, knowing that we will meet their every need.
I must admit, it feels good when they come busting through the back door yelling “We’re here for the sleepover!” It feels good to know they are excited to spend time with us.
When I reflect on those feelings, I am reminded of Psalm 147:11- God delights in those who reverence him and trust him and put their hope in his unfailing love. God does not delight in strength but he delights in us when we acknowledge our weakness and our need of him.
My Heavenly Father delights in me. He wants me to spend time with Him, to spend time in His Word, to talk to Him and to be still before Him and listen. He wants me to cultivate my relationship with him. Sometimes I have to let that sink in. Certainly, I’m undeserving and too often I let the “busyness” of life get in the way of spending time with God and begins to shows in all areas of my life. I start trying to solve my own problems, get overwhelmed, worn out, crabby. In general, life starts to fall apart. James 4:8 (NLT) says, “Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.” It is only when I do my best to live that out, to be passionate about cultivating my relationship with God, that I feel safe and secure, knowing that He will meet my every need. For the God of the universe delights in me. The God of the universe also delights in you!
~Connie Stegeman, Office Manager
Connect to God
AS 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.
Grow in Community
PRAYER REQUEST: Update from Shawn Landstra: We have had a busy 2 days at Mayo Clinic. The MRI of Steve’s brain revealed 2-3 very small spots. We met with a radiation oncologist who feels the best way to treat is gamma knife surgical procedure. This involves targeted pinpoint radiation. They were ready to present 2 clinical trials but no clinical trials can be pursued until these spots are taken care of. Steve will be having this procedure at 5:30am on Friday. A good friend I grew up with is a radiation oncologist here and has been helping fast track all of this for Steve. It is good to have someone we know here! We have met with 5 different doctors since yesterday morning. Steve feels very comfortable here and we will be pursuing his treatments here. He has a ct scan of his lungs this morning. Friday after the procedure, we meet with his primary oncologist to see if they want to do a round of chemo before doing another brain MRI in a few weeks. I know this is a lot of information…we feel the same! Prayers for every step of this process are appreciated. Barb Overweg had surgery on her thyroid on Tuesday and is recovering at home. Continue to pray for those in our congregation that deal with ongoing health issues.
ZION KIDS: All kids birth through 5th grade must be signed in at the Zion Kids Check-In Kiosk located in the lobby before the service. All Zion Kids must be picked up by a parent (please bring the corresponding tag to pick up your child) following worship. 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.
ZION YOUTH: Regular weekly meetings this Sunday.
High School Youth Group (9th-12th grade) meets every Sunday (unless otherwise noted) from 4 – 5:30 pm.
Middle School Youth Group (6th-8th grade) meets every Sunday (unless otherwise noted) from 5:45 – 7:15 pm.
YOUTH FUNDRAISERS: Our youth are selling Key Card Books ($30) and God’s Creation Calendars ($10) to help fund their summer mission trip. If you haven’t been contacted and would like to purchase either of these items please contact any one of our youth or call the church office at 616-534-7533.
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).
HAND2HAND could use donations of the following food: Snack Pack / Jello pudding cups, bags of cracker or snack cracker packs,rice krispie treats (prepackaged), granola bars, slim jim beef snack sticks, fruit snacks, and microwave popcorn.
IF YOU need help, either with food, personal care items, help grocery shopping, or with financial needs, please contact Jerrod Holzgen, our chair of deacons, and he can help connect you with the appropriate resources at Zion. His e-mail is Jholzgen@yahoo.com and his phone number is 616-520-1771.
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 2022/23 Budget: $205,223.40
Fiscal Year 2022/23 Contributions: $176,788.31
Giving Last Week: $10,125.45
E-News 10-13-22
Zion E-News (10-13-2022)
Have you ever had one of those weeks that just won’t end? I’m currently on day 11 of that week…it started with a check engine light in our van which led to me having to replace the EGR valve. It continued with a terrible grinding noise coming from the front brakes of our truck which had me replacing the brakes. And it is continuing today with the water heater in our house failing sometime on Thursday night (it is now Sunday).
We are promised in 1 Corinthians 10:13 “God is faithful, and He will not let you be tested beyond your strength but with your testing He will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it”. I have a feeling that God has a higher opinion of my strength and resilience than I do.
When I look back on these 11 days, though, I can see how God has provided through it. I was able to watch some YouTube videos to walk through the process of changing the EGR valve in the van to save us a high cost repair bill. Ever since owning vehicles, I’ve always known how to do a brake job from working on cars with friends and family. And I have family within a 5-minute drive that I can go and take a shower with hot water while we wait for the diagnosis and repair/replacement of our water heater (hopefully done by the time you read this).
While it can be challenging in hard times to see how God is present, I challenge you to seek him out and see how he continues to walk alongside you. He puts people in your life to walk through the hard times, allows for you to grow or learn a new skill to get through the challenge, or gives you the patience and strength to see it through. If you are going through hard times, please know that you aren’t alone and your family here at Zion is here to walk with you. Remember, God is always faithful and will be with you always, no matter what you may face.
Tom MacGraw – Deacon
Connect to God
THIS WEEK we will gather for worship at 9:30 am. This weeks service will be 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 (note change in time) next Sunday. The service will continue to be available on YouTube to watch at your convenience.
THIS SUNDAY we wrap up a four week sermon series called “The Church”. This series looks to God’s Word to provide a definition of what the Church is, what essentials each church should be carrying out and how a local church like Zion can faithfully focus outward (outreach), inward (discipleship) and upward (worship).
Grow in Community
PRAYER REQUEST: Pray for John and Sandy VerWys as Sandy has been hospitalized due to complications with her condition. Continue to pray for those in our congregation that deal with ongoing health issues.
WE EXPRESS our sympathy to Mary Evans and Rick and Nancy Steenbergen and their family in the passing of their husband/father Bill Evans. Bill went to be with his Lord on Friday, October 7. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, October 14, 2022 at Cook Memorial Chapel (East building), with visitation from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to service.
ZION KIDS: All kids birth through 5th grade must be signed in at the Zion Kids Check-In Kiosk located in the lobby before the service. All Zion Kids must be picked up by a parent (please bring the corresponding tag to pick up your child) following worship. 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.
ZION YOUTH: Regular weekly meetings this Sunday.
High School Youth Group (9th-12th grade) meets every Sunday (unless otherwise noted) from 4 – 5:30 pm.
Middle School Youth Group (6th-8th grade) meets every Sunday (unless otherwise noted) from 5:45 – 7:15 pm.
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).
HAND2HAND could use donations of the following food: Snack Pack / Jello pudding cups, bags of cracker or snack cracker packs,rice krispie treats (prepackaged), granola bars, slim jim beef snack sticks, fruit snacks, and microwave popcorn.
IF YOU need help, either with food, personal care items, help grocery shopping, or with financial needs, please contact Jerrod Holzgen, our chair of deacons, and he can help connect you with the appropriate resources at Zion. His e-mail is Jholzgen@yahoo.com and his phone number is 616-520-1771.
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 2022/23 Budget: $194,962.23
Fiscal Year 2022/23 Contributions: $166,662.86
Giving Last Week: $6,205.50
9-27-22 E-News
Zion E-News (9-29-2022)
The Fall season brings changes. There are the obvious changes like cooler temperatures and it’s getting darker earlier. However it can also be an enjoyable time of year. If you are into gardening for example, a lot of the things you planted are coming in and due for harvest. One tomato plant will generally feed the neighborhood as will the squash plants. Sometimes the biggest issue you deal with is how to get rid of the stuff. But, it is cool to see the end result of all the work you put into it all season long.
We also have raspberry plants by our fence. These are great and our neighbors really love them. The neighbors I am referring to are 6, 3, and 1ish. They are a joy. Anytime I am working in the backyard I am usually greeted by them and we have some great conversation. The other day my wife and I were in the house eating dinner and all of a sudden we hear some hollering outside and went out to see what was going on. It was my neighbors. They were out there calling my name because they wanted to tell me they had picked some of the raspberries that were hanging on their side of the fence. You see, I told them whatever was on their side they could eat. Well, they ran out but wanted more so I started picking them on my side and watching the joy on their face as they ate them up. Once we ran out, we tried to give them some tomatoes. That didn’t go over as well but the littlest one had no problem eating those just about as quickly as the raspberries. It wasn’t long before the two year old started picking what looked like berries that were on a weed plant. We told him that those are not good and you should throw them away. He was slightly confused because up to that point everything was edible. He didn’t understand and it took some convincing by his mom that we were right. They are not good. In our world today we have so many things available to us and not all of it is good. The problem is, as time goes by, it all begins to seem ok. Everything sort of blends together and, without guidance, we too could end up taking in the wrong things. I love my little neighbor friends just like my own grandkids and I don’t want to see them eat the wrong thing. Our Heavenly Father loves us even more and He too doesn’t want us to take in the wrong stuff. We need guidance as well. That’s why God has given us His Word, His scripture that we can use as our guide book on what is good for us and what is not. This is why it is so important to be in God’s Word daily. Without it, you will find yourself “blending” in with everything around you good or bad. Enjoy this time of year and next time you pick something to eat from some plant outside, remember to also “feast” on God’s Word.
~ Pastor Rick
Connect to God
THIS WEEK we will gather for worship at 9:30 am. This weeks service will be 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 (note change in time) next Sunday. The service will continue to be available on YouTube to watch at your convenience.
THIS SUNDAY we continue our message series called “The Church”. This four-week series will look to God’s Word to provide a definition of what the Church is, what essentials each church should be carrying out and how a local church like Zion can faithfully focus outward (outreach), inward (discipleship) and upward (worship).
We will also celebrate communion, also called The Lord’s Supper, is the family meal of Christians. We invite all committed followers of Jesus Christ to partake of this sacrament: those who are baptized members of a congregation that proclaims the gospel, who are at peace with God and with their neighbor, and who seek strength to live more faithfully for Christ. If you are not a Christian, or if you are not prepared to share in this meal, we encourage you to spend this time in prayer. We hope that this time is helpful to you as you consider your relationship with Jesus Christ and with His people, the church.
ISRAEL STUDY TOUR– Journey to the Land of the Text May 1-15, 2023
Join Dr. Dan Kroeze, Professor of Biblical Studies at Kuyper College, Rev. Evan Heerema and Kuyper students on a fascinating journey through Israel, the land God chose to enact his redemptive story for the world. Experience the Bible in a new light and return home to serve the God who equips us to be disciples of Jesus Christ. Visit www.landofthetext.com for trip details, brochure and to register.
Grow in Community
PRAYER REQUEST: Steve Landstra received results from a recent scan that showed that the chemo he has been on the past several months is not working. There are more very small spots and some spots have grown. His doctor is checking to see if there are any clinical trials that fit his situation. Hopefully there will be a clinical trial available! If there is not, he will start a different chemo. They are also looking at other options. Steve has been feeling good, and we ask for prayers that this continues and that they find the right treatment for him. Pray for Deb Tanis as she prepares to have a pacemaker implanted on Friday, Oct. 7. Sydney Mott completed 9 out of 12 chemo treatments and continues to do well. Elle Mott is experiencing some side effects from treatment so for now oral chemo has been stopped but she continues to receive radiation treatments.
ZION KIDS: All kids birth through 5th grade must be signed in at the Zion Kids Check-In Kiosk located in the lobby before the service. All Zion Kids must be picked up by a parent (please bring the corresponding tag to pick up your child) following worship. 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.
WE ARE starting to plan a family camping opportunity for summer 2023 at Dunes Harbor Family Camp in Silver Lake. While we don’t have a specific date (this will be determined later in October), we would like to determine if there is sufficient interest to move forward. If you would like to join us, please sign up ( you are not obligated at this time) on the bulletin board by the church office. Questions? Please talk to Pastor Rick or Jonell VanderWall.
ZION YOUTH: Regular weekly meetings this Sunday.
High School Youth Group (9th-12th grade) meets every Sunday (unless otherwise noted) from 4 – 5:30 pm.
Middle School Youth Group (6th-8th grade) meets every Sunday (unless otherwise noted) from 5:45 – 7:15 pm.
Serve the World
A SPECIAL OFFERING to support the Benevolence Fund will be received on Sunday, October 2. Zion’s Benevolence Fund balance is running low. Benevolent funds are managed by the Deacons and are used to help people in the church or surrounding community through financially-difficult times.
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 could use donations of the following food: Snack Pack / Jello pudding cups, bags of cracker or snack cracker packs,rice krispie treats (prepackaged), granola bars, slim jim beef snack sticks, fruit snacks, and microwave popcorn.
IF YOU need help, either with food, personal care items, help grocery shopping, or with financial needs, please contact Jerrod Holzgen, our chair of deacons, and he can help connect you with the appropriate resources at Zion. His e-mail is Jholzgen@yahoo.com and his phone number is 616-520-1771.
Administration
LAST CALL: If you would like any books from our library they are in room 207 and are free for the taking until the beginning of October, when the remaining books will be donated.
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 2022/23 Budget: $174,439.89
Fiscal Year 2022/23 Contributions: $153,418.86
Giving Last Week: $17,115.40
