Zion E-News (4-14-2022)
As I am writing, it is Maundy Thursday morning. My morning has been filled with practicing sermons for Easter and our service tonight. I have read lots of scripture focused on the death and resurrection of Jesus. Sometimes, as I reflect on this weekend, I am simply overwhelmed by the love of God for us.
Reflecting on the traditional communion prayer, one line struck me powerfully this morning. At one point in the prayer, we proclaim the great mystery of the faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
The last line, Christ will come again reminds us that this world will not always be the way it is. There will not always be famines caused by war. There will not always be bombs dropping in Ukraine. There will not always be fear between police and the citizens they swear to protect. There will not always be divisions and fear mongering and truth spinning, but one day all will bow before the throne, from every tribe and nation, and the one who is the Truth will make all things new and whole and clean again.
As the prayer ends, we say, “Even so, come Lord Jesus.” After watching the news last night and seeing the protests downtown and the violence in Ukraine and then reading about a severe famine in Mauritania due to violence in Mali, I long for the day when Christ will return and bring peace and justice to our world. May we live as glimpses of that coming peace and justice wherever God has placed us today.
– Greg
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 4pm next Sunday. The service will continue to be available on YouTube to watch at your convenience.
The deepest love poured out of the greatest sacrifice in history. A love that heals. A love that forgives. A love that welcomes. This Easter we celebrate the reality of Christ’s resurrection! Join us for worship as we reflect on the resurrection story in Luke 24:1-12.
This Resurrection Sunday we look forward to Abby Hart making Profession of Faith! Abby is the daughter of Jen and Jeff Hart and is an 8th grader at Holland Middle School. She has been attending youth group and morning worship since 2019 and is involved as a lead vocalist in the worship team and serves with preschoolers in Zion Kids. Join us in congratulating Abby this Sunday as she professes her faith in our risen savior, Jesus Christ!
Grow in Community
Larry Westra is expecting to have neck surgery on this afternoon, April 14 to fuse vertebra 2-6 (entering from the back of the neck this time, the front is already fused) using rods and screws. Please pray that it will not be necessary to include the first vertebra as that would leave him with very limited range of motion, and that the surgery and recovery will go well.
We want to offer a special thanks to Rick VanderWall, Connie Stegeman, and Steve Stegeman who painted almost the entire sanctuary the week before Palm Sunday. We wanted to both put on a fresh coat of paint and match the lobby paint color prior to the new carpet being laid in the next month or so. There are a few spots yet to go, but they (especially Steve) put in a lot of time and we are very grateful.
Thanks to everyone who helped our youth group reach the $15,000 goal for the Alaska Mission Trip! Because of your generosity, we will be hosting a Youth-Led Worship Night, April 24 at 5:30 pm. Mark your calendars and come support our youth while enjoying an extended time of worshipping our faithful God together!
Our youth are looking for Shareholders for our 2022 Alaska Mission Trip. Becoming a shareholder means that you will donate $40 or more to help offset the costs of the trip. As a shareholder, you will be matched up with one student and commit to praying for them before the trip, during the trip, and after the trip. There are all sorts of benefits for shareholders like: a meal with your student after the trip, an update from the student during the trip, a copy of their pre-trip devotionals, the knowledge you played a role in a student’s spiritual growth and so much more.
Serve the World
We held another Threads shopping day this week. Twenty-seven families were able to shop for clothes for 106 people and found 777 pieces of clothing for their families. In addition, 21 of those families also received personal care items from our Personal Care Pantry. In addition to those who came on the official shopping day, in partnership with Deaf Teen Quest, we were able to help two teen girls find promo dresses. And, with JPS, we also helped a young mom find dresses for her four daughters so they could all attend a Daddy/Daughter Dance at their school with their uncle. These are all tangible ways you are showing the love of God to people in our community.
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
On Tuesday, the Consistory met for our regular monthly meeting, In addition to our regular business of reviewing progress toward the goals set for our staff, receiving updates on our church plant, and an update on the latest Classis meeting, we also approved a proposed budget for our next fiscal year and the slate of Elders and Deacons to be affirmed by our congregation at our congregational meeting following worship on May 1. Copies of the budget will be made available in the lobby for those who are interested in reviewing it prior to the congregational meeting.
As you may recall, after using a single slate of nominees last spring, the Consistory decided to do so again this year following one of the two methods for choosing Consistory members described in our denomination’s Book of Church Order. As prescribed in the Book of Church Order, the congregation will nominate people for the offices of Elder and Deacon. Using these nominations as a significant guide, the Consistory will choose the 2 Elders and 2 Deacons to stand on this single slate. The two Elders nominees this year are Tim Mekkes and Eric Zondervan. The two deacon nominees are Ashley Gross and Ashley VanderWall. These nominees will be affirmed at the Congregational meeting by vote of the congregation.
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 2021/22 Budget: $504,462.15
Fiscal Year 2021/22 Contributions: $476,140.50
Giving Last Week: $12,395.82
Registration Open
Registration is now open for Camp Zion 2022.
June 27 – Aug 4, 2022.
Mon-Thurs each week.
9am-12pm each day
(Closed July 4 & 5)
Spaces are limited and filled on a first come first serve basis; and are available to children from the Grandville and Jenison School districts entering 1st-6th grade in the fall of 2022.
Click on the following link to register today.
Camp Zion 2022 Registration
Zion E-News (3-31-2022)
Late last week, I had a casual conversation with a few people from church. We talked about lots of light hearted topics. It was truly delightful, though it did make me a bit late for supper. The hazards of really enjoying the people of Zion.
In the course of the conversation, one of them mentioned their friend’s church was leaving the Reformed Church in America, our denomination, because the RCA had changed its position on LGBTQ issues. I know this is the perception some churches have in our denomination, but I want to assure you this is not the case. In 1978, the RCA approved a position paper devoted to reflecting on both the morality of certain behaviors and the church’s response to LGBTQ people. The RCA has reaffirmed this paper numerous times in the last 45 years.
In the paper, the RCA said two important points. First, it upheld the traditional understanding of scripture that homosexual behavior is outside of God’s will for people, though being LGBTQ is not sinful in any way. And secondly, it stated the church had an obligation to love and welcome LGBTQ people as image bearers of God who are loved by God. As part of recognizing the inherent worth of LGBTQ people, we should also work to defend the rights and dignity of those who identify as LGBTQ.
Our Classis, the local body of churches we belong to in the RCA, recently made an assurance to those churches concerned about LGBTQ issues in the RCA that we continue to uphold the RCA position and therefore will not allow churches to host a gay wedding or ministers to officiate at a gay wedding. In addition, our Classis will not ordain someone as a Minister of Word and Sacrament who is in a gay relationship. These are the boundaries, but within those boundaries churches are allowed to include and welcome LGBTQ people however their Elders deem appropriate.
I know with the diversity of opinions on this topic in our congregation, some may be troubled the position of the RCA is not conservative enough, while others likely wish it was more inclusive and welcoming. When Jesus prays for our unity in John 17, I think it is for moments like this that we will do the work to stay in relationship and treat with dignity and respect those with whom we may disagree. May we continue to find our unity in our common love for Jesus and desire to follow him as we each grow in our knowledge and understanding of his love and his will for us and our world.
– Greg
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 4pm next Sunday. The service will continue to be available on YouTube to watch at your convenience.
During Lent we will be looking at the life and ministry of Jesus to see both how he was tested and found true and how we have been given a faith that can both endure and help carry us through every test of life. This Sunday, we consider The Parable of the Lost Son, often referred to as The Parable of the Prodigal Son. As we look at this story, we contemplate which characters we relate to most, and what we can learn about who God is and who we are from these characters and their story.
We still have some “You’ve Been Egged” bags at church. If you have a neighbor or friend with kids, this could be a great way to offer a little gift to them and make a gentle invite to church on Easter. Anyone is welcome to take a bag home with them to share so take some time today to prayerfully consider who in your life may be open to an invite or who simply likes candy.
On Sunday, April 10, we will be welcoming Josiah and Alyssa Walcott, missionaries whom we support through Youth for Christ. Currently, they are serving youth at a military base called RAF Alconbury in England.
Grow in Community
Kids Get to Wave Palm Branches in Church! On April 10, all kids 3 years old through 5th grade are invited to wave Palm Branches in church during one of the opening worship songs! I always love including the kids in our main worship service, and they get to help usher us into Holy Week! If your child would like to be included, please check them in at church few minutes earlier than normal. Preschoolers will meet in their room before church starting at 9:15, and elementary kids will meet in Room 205.
Thanks to everyone who helped our youth group reach the $15,000 goal for the Alaska Mission Trip! Because of your generosity, we will be hosting a Youth-Led Worship Night, April 24 at 5:30 pm. Mark your calendars and come support our youth while enjoying an extended time of worshipping our faithful God together!
Our youth are looking for Shareholders for our 2022 Alaska Mission Trip. Becoming a shareholder means that you will donate $40 or more to help offset the costs of the trip. As a shareholder, you will be matched up with one student and commit to praying for them before the trip, during the trip, and after the trip. There are all sorts of benefits for shareholders like: a meal with your student after the trip, an update from the student during the trip, a copy of their pre-trip devotionals, the knowledge you played a role in a student’s spiritual growth and so much more.
Serve the World
Several weeks ago now, Tom and Robbi Boeve received a letter from Emily in Kenya. Emily is a woman they met while serving on a short-term mission trip several years ago to support Jeremiah and Mary Kuria. She recently had some health issues and was writing to update them on her health. But, she also wanted all of you to know that even now, the work done and time spent together serving reminds her of the goodness of God’s people and gives her hope when life is challenging. As I have read over her letter several times, I am particularly thankful for the way Tom has continued to build and maintain a relationship from the trip. So often, we can make mission trips about the work we do, but we know the real gift is the relationships and care we show one another. Great job, Tom!
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
The remodel of our bathrooms began in January and is completed! There are no pictures to show because you need to come to check them out yourself. Thank you to Pastor Rick and the team from Johnson Construction for the great work they did for us.
Members of Zion Reformed Church received a nomination form in the mailbox last week Sunday. This form is used to nominate people to be considered to serve an upcoming 3-year term as an Elder or Deacon at Zion. The following people have said they are willing to be nominated for these roles: Tom Boeve, Deb Coke, Ashley Gross, Tracy Lobbes, Tim Mekkes, Adam Morehouse, Emily Morehouse, Ashley VanderWall, and Eric Zondervan. Furthermore, after using a single slate of nominees last spring, the Consistory decided to do so again this year following one of the two methods for choosing Consistory members described in our denomination’s Book of Church Order. As prescribed in the Book of Church Order, the congregation will nominate people for the offices of Elder and Deacon. Using these nominations as a significant guide, the Consistory will choose the 2 Elders and 2 Deacons to stand on this single slate. The slate of Elders and Deacons will then be approved by the congregation at our annual congregational meeting on Sunday, May 1 following our worship service.
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 2021/22 Budget: $482,041.61
Fiscal Year 2021/22 Contributions: 457,052.18
Giving Last Week: $37,400.50
Zion E-News (3-24-2022)
Zion E-News (3-24-2022)
God must be trying to get my attention regarding social media, because I have two different videos or podcasts pop up directly addressing the negative side effects of social media (depression, increased polarization, anxiety, lost productivity, and so on). The first showed up when I was editing the video of our service on YouTube. It was a video made by a comedienne who struck my funny bone during the early days of the pandemic. The video was all about how we use social media to numb the pain of sadness and to fill the void of loneliness and all it does is increase both those feelings. And then the video ended with an ad for counseling. I thought that was a great partnership!
The second was a podcast I frequently listen to hosted by Heather Thompson Day who is a communications professor and talks with people about using social media to have an impact for Jesus. (Sort of.) But this week, her guest was a social scientist who studies social media and who because of her study is no longer on social media. Yes, she really thinks it is that bad for most of us.
But what struck me in that interview was a comment the guest made about mono-tasking. Simply doing one thing at a time rather than two or three of four things at once. She used the example of driving. Just driving. Not listening to the radio or a podcast. Not calling people. But simply paying attention to the act of driving. Her counsel was that mono-tasking helps our brain slow down and focus better and as a side effect can also help us get more done.
I have been feeling particularly busy the past couple of weeks as evenings have been full with church and kids activities and several of my days have been eaten up by extra church meetings, including this Saturday. When I feel busy, my mind rushes from one thing to the next and I find it difficult to focus, not only on the task at hand, but also the people with me.
For the past couple of days, I have been working hard to mono-task. As a simple example, I did not check e-mail while brushing my teeth or scroll on twitter while eating breakfast or call anyone while driving across town for a meeting on Tuesday. When I came home for the day Tuesday a little after eight, normally I would have chose to watch TV or surf the internet news sites, but instead, I chose to sit and chat with the kids for an hour and be present with them.I chose to be fully present to each activity and I could feel my anxiety and sense of hurry slow down. The same has been true in my devotions as I have worked hard to be present with God. As I have been thinking about mono-tasking, I keep coming back to Psalm 46:10 which says, “Be still and know that I am God.”
In a world of both frenetic hurry and the artificial hurry of social media distraction, it is good for me to be still and present to God, to those around me, and the work God has placed before me at that moment.
– Greg
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 4pm next Sunday. The service will continue to be available on YouTube to watch at your convenience.
During Lent we will be looking at the life and ministry of Jesus to see both how he was tested and found true and how we have been given a faith that can both endure and help carry us through every test of life. This Sunday, we consider The Parable of the Lost Son, often referred to as The Parable of the Prodigal Son. As we look at this story, we contemplate which characters we relate to most, and what we can learn about who God is and who we are from these characters and their story.
This Sunday, after church, we will be distributing “You’ve Been Egged” bags to our children. Every family who participates in kids ministry is welcome to take one for themselves, and we also encourage everyone to take one or more to “Egg” another person or family, by dropping it off at their home. There are a couple of reasons we’re doing this. First, we want to give our kids (and all of us!) an opportunity to do something to bless our friends & neighbors. And second, we know that around Easter, some people are looking for a place to worship. We simply want to extend a personal invitation to them to join us at Zion. If you decide to “Egg” someone’s house, be sure to write your name on the gift bag if you leave it by their front porch, or personally deliver it to them. A huge thank you to the high school youth group who put together each of the “You’ve Been Egged” bags.
Grow in Community
Denice Kooiker, Dianne’s daughter-in-law, continues to improve this week and was able to have two drainage tubes removed, is hoping to have another one removed today, and is praying to return home sometime this weekend.
Thank you to all those who attended the Alaska Mission Trip Fundraiser at Culver’s on Monday this week. Through your generous support, we raised $1,402 from the tip jars plus however much we earned in the percentage of sales. Thank you for your support of our youth.
Our youth are looking for Shareholders for our 2022 Alaska Mission Trip.Becoming a shareholder means that you will donate $40 or more to help offset the costs of the trip. As a shareholder, you will be matched up with one student and commit to praying for them before the trip, during the trip, and after the trip. There are all sorts of benefits for shareholders like: a meal with your student after the trip, an update from the student during the trip, a copy of their pre-trip devotionals, the knowledge you played a role in a student’s spiritual growth and so much more.
Serve the World
Chris and Christie Winkler, missionaries whom we support with Wycliffe Bible Translators will be hosting a virtual meeting tomorrow at 12 pm. This session will be on Zoom but you do not need a Zoom account in order to participate. At the specified time, please use this link to visit with us. (If you don’t do video conferencing, that’s fine–for either session you can call 312-626-6799 and use meeting ID 960 093 2513 to access by any regular or mobile phone.)
So they have a rough idea of our turnout, they would like people to RSVP via Facebook Events at the link below (you do not need a Facebook account): Friday, March 25, at 12 p.m. ET
If you forget to RSVP, you are still welcome to attend. If you want to learn more about the important ministry of Wycliffe in translating the Bible all around the world, please plan on attending tomorrow at noon via zoom.
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
The remodel of our bathrooms began in January and is right on schedule! There are lights in the bathrooms, counters, and mirrors. We are hoping the work will be completed as early as next week and no later than Easter Sunday! You can check out the progress in some pictures below. The first shows the new women’s restroom and the second shows the men’s restroom.
As a reminder, during the remodel, the only restrooms available on the main floor of church can be accessed through the doors at the front of the sanctuary. They are single stall uni-sex restrooms.
Members of Zion Reformed Church received a nomination form in the mailbox last week Sunday. This form is used to nominate people to be considered to serve an upcoming 3-year term as an Elder or Deacon at Zion. The following people have said they are willing to be nominated for these roles: Tom Boeve, Deb Coke, Ashley Gross, Tracy Lobbes, Tim Mekkes, Adam Morehouse, Emily Morehouse, Ashley VanderWall, and Eric Zondervan. Furthermore, after using a single slate of nominees last spring, the Consistory decided to do so again this year following one of the two methods for choosing Consistory members described in our denomination’s Book of Church Order. As prescribed in the Book of Church Order, the congregation will nominate people for the offices of Elder and Deacon. Using these nominations as a significant guide, the Consistory will choose the 2 Elders and 2 Deacons to stand on this single slate. The slate of Elders and Deacons will then be approved by the congregation at our annual congregational meeting on Sunday, May 1 following our worship service.
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 2021/22 Budget: $470,831.34
Fiscal Year 2021/22 Contributions: $419,651.68
Giving Last Week: $23,752.30
Ukraine Refugee Support: $7,104.00
