Late Tuesday night, I arrived home from General Synod. I will share more of my personal reaction to General Synod after our Consistory meets in a few weeks. If you want to know what happened, you will find a summary of Synod here.

But, I do want to share what I truly enjoy about attending General Synod: the people.

We belong to a small denomination so you can genuinely get to know many people from across the denomination. The first night, I grabbed a soda with my friend Tom who has spent much  the last 20 years in New York City. I sat in worship the first night by Sherri and Mike Meyer-Veen who both went to seminary with me and are related to the Boeve’s from Zion. In the morning, I had breakfast with Randy Weener a dear friend who leads our denominations church planting efforts. Later, I met with my friend Ross who has served the same church in Iowa for 19 years. I preached at his installation and would like to take some credit for the call lasting so long. I reconnected with Seth Kaper-Dale who leads a church doing amazing work with refugees, job training, and housing.  I met the new pastor of a CRC church in Zeeland who is ordained in the RCA. Met Sebastian, a hispanic church planter, who is discipling hundreds of people every Saturday by simply teaching through the Heidelberg Catechism. His people love it! And I think of Cal Brouwer an Elder from southwest Minnesota who brought such wisdom, patience, and prayer to our work together. We got along so well that I got invited for a cup of coffee if I ever make it out to me in-laws farm in Minnesota! And on Sunday afternoon, I spent a couple of hours talking with Jon VanderWall (Pastor Rick’s son) about ministry and life. Relationships matter.

Just as relationships matter in our denomination, they matter at church. The small weekly connections before or after church. The deeper connections of small groups and discipleship groups. The deep family ties some of you enjoy at Zion. The ties our kids developing as they grow up together. They all bind us together and make our lives and our faith more rich and full.

We do not form these deep ties because we agree about everything in life. We do not agree about everything now and truthfully we never have. We find community in these relationships because of our common love for Christ. And, we experience love in these relationships because Christ’s love flows through each of us to those around us. We are the conduits of the grace and love of our God.

However, we do not always love one another perfectly. We fail to connect for a while. We say something insensitively. We make presumptions. Our fear or anxiety come out in hurtful bursts of anger or quiet withdrawal. When we see this failure to love well, it is imperative we take steps to both confess and make amends as well as put in the equally hard work forgiving those who have unintentionally hurt us.

But always, we say connected because of our common love for Christ and in Christ.

– Greg

Connect to God
This Sunday we will gather for worship at 9:30 am. The service will be live-streamed at 9:30 and replayed again at 11. You can find the services either on our Facebook page or at zionreformed.online.church. We will also rebroadcast a version of the service on WCET at noon on Friday and 4pm next Sunday. 

Churches are not places of model behavior. They have as many people struggling with sin, pain, and brokenness as those outside of church. Rather than being perfectly healthy communities, church is the place we can go to acknowledge, face, and deal with our brokenness. The book of James confronts the conflicts, tensions, and mess of church life head on. This week, as we continue our study of James, James encourages us to take a hard, close look at ourselves. He uses two words that might cause us to be a bit uncomfortable, humility and submission. Will that lifestyle help us in our struggles? We find the answer in James chapter 4.

This Sunday, we welcome Dr. Rachel Postle-Brown, the principal of Bursley Elementary. We have been partnering with Bursley Elementary and Kids Hope for the past year and are doing so again this year to provide mentoring to students and encouragement to the teachers of Bursley. We look forward to hearing from Dr. Brown.

Grow in Community
Please keep Larry and Marge Westra in your prayers as Larry undergoes surgery on his back today.

We give thanks that Jim Overweg was able to return home from the hospital yesterday and is continuing his recovery from Covid there.

Please also continue to keep Rog Beute and Steve Landstra in your prayers.

We are reading through the New Testament over the next year as a congregation. The reading schedule for this coming week is below:
10/25    Monday         2 John
10/26    Tuesday        3 John
10/27    Wednesday   Jude
10/28    Thursday       Revelation 1
10/29    Friday            Revelation 2

You can also find the reading schedule on our website under the Ministries tab.

Serve the World
We received the following request for help from Jenison Public Schools this week, If you, your friends, or your small group are looking for a way to serve in our community, you should check this out the opportunity. There’s a new class that’s meeting on Monday nights in Jenison that’s designed to create sustainable ways for under-resourced families to get ahead.  The class is sponsored by Rise Community Center in conjunction with Love Your Neighbor (formerly Love INC) and is called “Connections”.  It combines the power of community to support families and help them achieve their goals.  There is also a parallel curriculum for children and a meal provided each week.  This is where we’re hoping you could help!  Would you or your small group be willing to work together to provide a meal for Connections on a Monday evening. This could look however you would like, but some suggestions could include taco bar, soup and salad bar, sloppy joes, lasagna with salad, etc. You could also choose to support a local restaurant by purchasing the food. Meals would need to be delivered to Alive Ministries ( 263 Church St.) by 5:45 on Monday evenings and should serve approximately 40 people.  Groups are not required to stay, but if they would like to help with serving and cleaning up, it would be appreciated.  We are attaching the link for the signup genius.  Please feel free to share with your teams and have them sign up for dates that work best. Teams are also welcome and encouraged to sign up for more than one date if possible.

Connections Meal Signup

Thank you again for considering this important need!

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 2021/22 Budget:  $224,205.40
Fiscal Year 2021/22 Contributions: $162,466.31
Giving Last Week: $6,582.50

The E-News is coming out a day early this week because I am spending Thursday traveling to General Synod and attending the first few meetings.

As I look ahead to General Synod I am reminded this week that ultimately church is not about institutions and organizations, though we spend time and energy on those things. Church at its core is about commitments and relationships. We make commitments to one another whenever someone is baptized or makes profession of faith. We commit to pray for each other, to encourage one another in our journey with God, to care for each other, and to follow Jesus together.

I was reminded while meeting with my discipleship group on Monday that every time we celebrate communion, we are visibly living into community. We spend the week prior examining our lives to see where a relationship may have broken down, either because of something we have done or because of something done to us, and then we work to be reconciled with each other. And then we come to the table as one community united in and by Christ.

These sacraments are powerful tangible reminders of our commitments and our relationships. They are why, while I am called “pastor,” my actual title at ordination is Minister of Word and Sacrament. These sacraments shape and form us individually and as a community. They are why I value “sticking” with people even when we may struggle to get along or understand each other. We have made promises and we are doing the work to stay united in Christ.

For our denomination, these tangible signs of community are harder to see because we do not know one another day-to-day. We may not know one another at all. (I know almost no one who attends an RCA church in California or New York, as just one example.) And yet, these sacraments bind us not only in the local church but to believers around the world as a single body of Christ, made manifest in a million places and in millions of ways. I am praying for God to help me see the beauty and wonder of his body, the church, this week while I am at Synod.

If you want to know more about Synod or even follow along as decisions are made, there are all sorts of resources available at the RCA website. You can see the schedule, see the vote on every decision made, and even watch a slightly delayed livestream of the event. You can find all of that here.

– Greg

Connect to God
This Sunday we will gather for worship at 9:30 am. The service will be live-streamed at 9:30 and replayed again at 11. You can find the services either on our Facebook page or at zionreformed.online.church. We will also rebroadcast a version of the service on WCET at noon on Friday and 4pm next Sunday. 

Churches are not places of model behavior. They have as many people struggling with sin, pain, and brokenness as those outside of church. Rather than being perfectly healthy communities, church is the place we can go to acknowledge, face, and deal with our brokenness. The book of James confronts the conflicts, tensions, and mess of church life head on. This week, as we continue our study of James, we consider the power our words can have.

Grow in Community
We have several ongoing pastoral care needs in our church. Rog Beute remains at Mary Free Bed in quarantine until October 25 due to a Covid case on his floor. Jim Overweg continues his recovery from Covid. Gary Osterink is recovering from pneumonia. Steve and Shawn Landstra will learn more about treatment options for his lung cancer on Wednesday.  Larry Westra will have extensive back surgery on October 21.

We are reading through the New Testament over the next year as a congregation. The reading schedule for this coming week is below:
10/18    Monday         1 John 1
10/19    Tuesday        1 John 2
10/20    Wednesday   1 John 3
10/21    Thursday       1 John 4
10/22    Friday            1 John 5

You can also find the reading schedule on our website under the Ministries tab.

Serve the World
We received an update recently from Albino and Sandy Rodriguez, missionaries whom we support serving in Peru. Together they lead Casa del Maestro where they work to equip and empower Quechua youth in southern Peru. These young people learn how to navigate the modern world, provide for themselves, and contribute to society in order to bring sustainable, generational change. Many students attend La Casa del Maestro to continue their secondary education or complete pre-university or university courses. You can learn more about this ministry through a short video they sent. You can see the video here.

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.

Threads is in need of white plastic hangers for adult clothing and small white plastic hangers for kids clothing.   Donations could be placed in the wooden cart in the narthex or in the wooden Threads sheds on the front steps of church.  Thank you !

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 2021/22 Budget:  $212,995.13
Fiscal Year 2021/22 Contributions: $155,883.81
Giving Last Week: $7,747.50

This week, I want to share a recent phone call we received at church. But, Connie received the call, so she is the best to tell thus story. Her story follows below:

Last week I received a phone call, you know, one of those calls that starts out with “this is going to sound really weird”  (and it usually does).  “My name is Paula, I was actually just at your church but couldn’t figure out what door to go to. Do you know if you still have anyone on staff that might have been there in 2008?”

I replied that there were actually several myself included.

“Well, again, my name is Paula Jauch. I live in the area and I am an international motivational speaker and author on trauma and addiction.  She rattled off her website as I sat back in my chair wondering where this was all going.” Tonight I am the keynote speaker for Mel Trotter Mission and as I was preparing my speech God just laid it on my heart that I needed to call Zion Church. You see, I wasn’t always in the place I am now.  Back in 2008 I was a single mom with 4 kids, my mother had just died, Christmas was coming and I had nothing for my kids. I heard about the giveaway your church was holding so I went in hopes of finding winter coats for my kids. The parking lot was packed! People everywhere! I found myself at the back of a  very long where I stood for a very long time, amongst people who were yelling at each other and fighting. When I got inside there wasn’t much left.  I woman, I believe it was the pastors wife, came up to me and asked if I was looking for something specific. I told her my children didn’t have winter coats and I wondered if there were any left.  She said they were wiped out but she took down my name and phone number.  I thought that would be the last I would hear from her.  A few days later that lady called me and asked if she could take me shopping. She purchased winter coats for my kids as well as Christmas gifts for me to give them. I will never forget the kindness and generosity that was shown to me by that woman and Zion Church. And again I just felt God wanted me to call the church and share with them how they blessed me when I was in a really hard place.”

I thanked her for taking the time to call and share that and said I would make sure to share it with staff and others that were involved back in 2008. I also told her that although Zion no longer did that particular outreach event (we both laughed a bit and agreed that had gotten a little out of control) Zion was still passionate about community outreach but we go about it in a bit more focused way.  I explained that we have a Personal Care Pantry, partner with Hand2Hand, Kids Hope and most recently Threads which is a clothing boutique where people who are referred through various ways can come in once a month and shop for quality clothing, shoes, and accessories totally free of charge.  It services men , women, and children  of all ages.

“Really?’ Paula replied. That is so amazing! My husband and I own Striders Shoes in Grandville. Could Threads ever use any tennis shoes because occasionally we get a return and even if they were only worn an hour we can’t resell them.   If your ministry could use them we would be happy to donate them. They will be like new, boxed al all.”

I assured her that anything they brought would be a blessing to someone.

In ways we may never know, your faithful care and service to others over the years have made a difference in our community. Thank you for your faith expressing itself in love.

– Greg

Connect to God
This Sunday we will gather for worship at 9:30 am. The service will be live-streamed at 9:30 and replayed again at 11. You can find the services either on our Facebook page or at zionreformed.online.church. We will also rebroadcast a version of the service on WCET at noon on Friday and 4pm next Sunday.

Churches are not places of model behavior. They have as many people struggling with sin, pain, and brokenness as those outside of church. Rather than being perfectly healthy communities, church is the place we can go to acknowledge, face, and deal with our brokenness. The book of James confronts the conflicts, tensions, and mess of church life head on. This week, we continue our study of James, we are challenged to not settle for a dead faith but one enlivened by deeds of obedience.

Grow in Community
Rog Beute is hoping to return to Mary Freebed Hospital in the next day or so. If so, he will be moving to a unit that is currently not allowing visitors due to a Covid case on the floor. Prayers for healing, patience, and endurance on this road of recovery are appreciated.

Jim Overweg was admitted to the hospital on Tuesday with breathing problems due to Covid. He is currently on oxygen and this morning the doctors began discussing possibly needing to intubate him. Jim and Barb both ask for prayers of his breathing to be easier, for there not to be a need to intubate, and for healing as they both recover from Covid.

Steve and Shawn Landstra received word yesterday that the new spots on his lung are cancerous. They will be meeting next Wednesday to discuss treatment options moving forward. They both appreciate prayers for peace, strength and healing.

We are reading through the New Testament over the next year as a congregation. The reading schedule for this coming week is below:
10/11    Monday         1 Peter 4
10/12    Tuesday        1 Peter 5
10/13    Wednesday   2 Peter 1
10/14    Thursday       2 Peter 2
10/15    Friday            2 Peter 3

You can also find the reading schedule on our website under the Ministries tab.

Serve the World
Last Sunday, City Chapel was able to worship indoors together for the first time since the Covid shutdown in March of 2019! Without having a building of their own, they were unable to rent space for much of the past year. Thankfully, they have recently entered a rental agreement with laGrave CRC to use their youth building on Sunday mornings. Their first week fo worship went really well, people enjoyed the space (which also includes room for a kids ministry), and they even welcomed 5 first time visitors from three different households. We continue to pray for and thank God for the ministry of City Chapel downtown Grand Rapids.

The Deacons wish to thank the people of Zion for their generosity supporting RCA’s initiative to evacuate vulnerable Afghan people.  Contributions totaled $2459.00, well over the goal of $910 requested to safely evacuate and resettle one person. Thank you so much!  Way to go Zion!

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 2021/22 Budget:  $201,784.86
Fiscal Year 2021/22 Contributions: $148,136.31
Giving Last Week: $6,078.00

Our family is in the heart of a busy fall season and entering what Rachel calls Bandtober as our oldest child’s marching band commitment hits its peak over the next 6 weeks. But our nights are busy with cross country meets and robotics practices, football games and marching band competitions, in addition to all the normal hospital calls, church meetings, and other ordinary activities of life. 

But on Friday, I had about an hour to myself. I probably should have cleaned a bathroom, mowed the lawn, or gotten something done on the ever growing to-do list, but instead I went for a walk in the gravel pits at the end of 12th ave in Jenison. These walks alone in the woods are some of my best times to talk with God. We talk about my kids and Rachel, all of you at Zion, and my wonderings about the future of our church and denomination. 

Last Friday, we had all those normal conversations, but I also just stopped and sat and watched the grasshoppers in the grass, the sun kind of speckled coming through the leaves above. I want to tell you I feel the breeze in my hair, but mostly I felt it on the bald part  of my head. Nothing significant happened, there were no words from on high or tingles on my back, it was just good to be still and know I was with God.

I often feel the same way on a Sunday morning. Sometimes the songs really move me, but other times they are not particularly emotionally evocative. The sermon rarely surprises me with some new insight. I imagine this is the drawback of being the one preaching. (On a side note, didn’t Jeremy do a great job last Sunday?) Because I am involved in so much of the worship, it is rarely the acts of worship that stand out for me. It is almost always simply the experience of being with you all and watching you talk with each other and care for one another and serve our community together. I see God at work  in each of you as I have watched you over the years take courageous steps of faith, let go of those sins and idols that can trap us, and become more and more the people God has called you to be.

 I look forward to joining with you in the presence of God this Sunday.
 
– Greg

Connect to God
This Sunday we will gather for worship at 9:30 am. The service will be live-streamed at 9:30 and replayed again at 11. You can find the services either on our Facebook page or at zionreformed.online.church. We will also rebroadcast a version of the service on WCET at noon on Friday and 4pm next Sunday. 

Has this past year been hard? Have you struggled emotionally or spiritually? Wondered where God was? Got out of some important spiritual habits like: worship, prayer, and scripture reading? Then join us for the once a month series to reboot your faith. This week we talk about rebooting our spiritual lives by hearing God through scripture.

Last Sunday, we heard some great stories of the people care for and supported by Threads. This Sunday, we welcome Chris VanderZee from Intervarsity who will be sharing about a new partnership between Zion and a few other churches and Intervarsity to provide ministry experiences and leadership training to college students.

This Sunday, we will also be celebrating Communion, also called The Lord’s Super or the Eucharist. It 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.

Grow in Community
Rog Beute was moved to Blodgett Hospital yesterday due to some suspected internal bleeding. They are hoping the bleed can be stopped and it will help Rog regain his energy as he continues rehab therapy.

We are reading through the New Testament over the next year as a congregation. The reading schedule for this coming week is below:
10/4    Monday         James 4
10/5    Tuesday        James 5
10/6    Wednesday  1 Peter 1
10/7    Thursday      1 Peter 2
10/8    Friday           1 Peter 3

You can also find the reading schedule on our website under the Ministries tab.

Serve the World
We would truly appreciate your prayers this week as Tuesday, October 5 is our next shopping day for the Threads’ families. Every half hour, from 11am until 7pm, 3 different families will be shopping during for their specific shopping time slot.  Please pray for the families that Threads is serving:  that they feel God’s love and compassion, and that they feel welcome and comfortable in this new location. Please also pray for our volunteers that as they are used as Christ’s hands and feet they can demonstrate the love and compassion of God while serving these families.

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 2021/22 Budget:  $190,574.59
Fiscal Year 2021/22 Contributions: $142,446.81
Giving Last Week: $16,171.00
Afghan Evacuation: $2,459.00