I am sad today. Heartbroken. And unsure what to say.

I was not shocked, horrified, or surprised by the events in our Capitol yesterday. I have been worried about and praying against such violence since the election and my concern had only grown in the past few weeks.

I know in our congregation there are diverse responses to the events of yesterday. In a politically polarized society it is hard for almost all of us to see an event without first translating it through our political lens to ensure “our guys” are the good guys. I have no desire to argue with people about their political opinions. You can have whatever concerns about the election you may or may not have. I am not going to try to convince you otherwise. I am not a politician for a reason. In light of eternity, politics is not very important. But the kingdom of God is.

I am a pastor and my job is to help us learn to view the world through the lens of scripture and to engage the world as followers of Jesus. Therefore, I am heartbroken today because the name of Jesus was tied to violence, anger, and hatred yesterday. Crosses were set up by protestors. A Christian flag was brought into the Capitol. Through the actions of protestors, the Jesus who taught us to love our enemies, to pray for those who persecute us, to speak the truth, to not speak an angry word against another was tied to angry vitriol, noose hanging, window breaking, and bomb setting.

Friends, God has no chosen nation, only a chosen people that reside in every nation on earth, the church. Our primary citizenship is not in the US, but in the kingdom of God. We are not in a war for the soul of our nation. We are envoys sent by God to tell the world of his love, mercy, and justice. God already won the war through Jesus. We only need to show our neighbors there is something better for them than the divisions, fear, anger and anxiety of our world. That witness was damaged yesterday and it breaks my heart. We, the church in America, need to repent of our idolatry of politics, parties, and our nation and come back to our first love, Jesus.

I invite you to join me in praying a prayer I posted yesterday from the Worship Book, 1970:
God of ages, eternal One: in your sight nations rise and fall, and pass through times of peril. Now when our land is troubled, be near to judge and save. May leaders be led by your wisdom; may they search your will and see it clearly. If we have turned from your way, reverse our ways and help us to repent. Give us your light and your truth; let them guide us; through Jesus Christ who is the light of this world and our savior. Amen

By his grace,

Greg

Connect to God
This Sunday we will gather online at 9 and 11 am. You can find the services either on our Facebook page or at zionreformed.online.church. We will also rebroadcast the service on WCET at noon on Friday and 4pm next Sunday.

We all have goals, plans, hopes, and dreams for our future. Things we want to start—or maybe stop—doing. But how do we get there? In this series to start the new year, we will explore some spiritual and practical steps you can take to become the person you want to be in five years. This week, we look to the story of Elisha to see how God can work in the decisive and the small acts of obedience.

Grow in Community
Our book discussion the Color of Compromise is hoping to begin meeting on January 18 at 7 pm. If you are interested in thinking together about racial divisions in our culture and the role of the church, this would be a great place to be a part of that conversation. If you are interested in this book discussion, please contact Sheila at sheilaj2494@yahoo.com.

Would your child like to go to camp next summer?  Our church offers a 50% off scholarship to any church member who would like to send their child to camp. Many kids from our church have gone in the past, and it’s been a great experience for them, and they’ve grown in their faith. Camp Geneva is a Reformed church camp on the shores of Lake Michigan. They offer day camps for kids going into 1st-4th grade, and overnight camps for kids going into 3rd grade through High School. You can check out their website here.   Please contact Connie Stegeman, our church secretary, or Children Ministry Director Rachel Brower for the discount code that you’ll need for your registration.

You can still join us in reading through the New Testament over the next year. We are encouraging everyone to use the Through the Word app on Apple or Android devices. Today, we started the book of Mark. If you have not joined us yet, now is a great time to start. Simply read one chapter a day Monday through Friday.

The reading schedule for this week coming is below:
Monday: Mark 3
Tuesday: Mark 4
Wednesday: Mark 5
Thursday: Mark 6
Friday: Mark 7

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

Serve the World
We received word this week that our Kids Hope mentoring partnership with Bursley Elementary can officially begin next week. Please be in prayer for all those mentoring students as these new relationships are build.

For our Christmas Eve service, we held a special offering to support the Interfaith Hospitality Network. which provides housing and support to families facing a housing crisis in partnership with local churches. I am overwhelmed by your generous support. You gave $6,100 on Christmas Eve to support this ministry. Thank you!

If you need help, either with food, personal care items, help grocery shopping, or with financial needs, please contact Chip Harkes, our chair of deacons, and he can help connect you with the appropriate resources at Zion. His e-mail is chip@harkeslandscape.com and his phone number is 616-299-4804.

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 to Date Budget:  $325,694.68
Fiscal Year to Date Contribution: $318,378.47
Giving Last Week: $7,280.12

This has been an atypical year for many of us, but for me at least, one thing stayed constant. I read a lot of great books. I think between my Kindle, free ebooks, and physical books, I read close to 30 books this year.

This year, I made a point to read a wider range of authors so my list includes a few women, several people of color, an Australian, and some favorites of mine like Chuck DeGroat at Western Theological Seminary and Ed Stetzer at Wheaton College. Some of my top ten books I found myself nodding along in agreement, others challenged me to see things from a new perspective, and others presented views that I am still considering what I agree with and what I may want to discard. For me, at least, the goal of reading is not to confirm my current beliefs, but to challenge and explore what I think I know to see where I may need to grow, change, or reconsider in light of scripture or others expertise. (For example, I know nothing about rocket science, but I learned a ton about leading in unknown circumstances from a book about how rocket scientist think.)

So without further ado, following are the “top” ten books I read in 2020, in no particular order:

1. The Color of Compromise by Jemar Tisby – Tisby in this sweeping books highlights the many ways the church has compromised to the gospel to support slavery, segregation, and white supremacists views throughout our nations history. This was a really hard book to read.
2. Jesus and John Wayne by Kristin Kobes Du Mez – Du Mez is a professor at Calvin University and in this survey of 75 years of evangelical history she highlights choices made that, from her view, have compromised out witness in the world. I read this book in a week and have been troubled by it as I continue to process the insights she brought to evangelical history.
3. Get Out of Your Head by Jennie Allen – Allen is the founder of the IF gatherings and is a delightful writer. She is very influential among many women and brings great insight into how we can better manage our thought life.
4. Leadership for a Time of Pandemic by Tod Bolsinger – Bolsinger, from Fuller Seminary, has written some really impactful books on leading the church in a changed culture and this little book spoke to the importance of prayer, reflection, experimentation, and community during the upheaval of the pandemic.
5. Reading While Black by Esau McCaulley – I realized recently that I mostly read commentaries written from a white European perspective and so read this great introduction to how the black American church reads scripture. It was really well worth every minute of my time.
6. Reframation by Alan Hirsch and Mark Newell – Hirsch is a “futurist” of the church and in his latest book urges the church to rethink how we think about church.
7. Think Like a Rocket Scientist by Ozan Varol – Varol shares lots of fascinating stories about leading change and designing new things.
8. Fierce Free Fire by Jen Hatmaker – Hatmaker is just really very funny and I can’t remember much about this book except how much I enjoyed reading it back in April. I think I stole some stories to use as sermon illustrations early in the pandemic.
9. When Narcissism Comes to Church by Chuck DeGroat – DeGroat wrote a fascinating book on how church culture can draw narcissists into pastoral leadership and even reward them for their narcissism. I have often joked that you have to be a bit of a narcissist to be a preacher and think God has a message to give your congregation each week through you. Apparently, a lot of pastors are narcissists and so it’s not much of a joke, just a sad reality.
10. Christians in an Age of Outrage by Ed Stetzer – I have read this book three times now, twice this year. It remains for me an insightful and timely book about the anger and division of our present culture and how as Christians we can respond in ways that put the focus back on the gospel.

What books have influenced you this year?

– Greg

Connect to God
This Sunday we will gather online at 9 and 11 am. You can find the services either on our Facebook page or at zionreformed.online.church. We will also rebroadcast the service on WCET at noon on Friday and 4pm next Sunday.

Most of us are familiar with the events of the first Christmas, The manger, The shepherd watching sheep. The angels singing. The wise men. The little baby wrapped in cloths lying in the manner. But what if this birth is not just any birth, but the one event on which all of history turns and that can transform our lives. Join us this advent season as we meet Jesus who comes to us as the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. This week, we meet Jesus who comes to us as the true Prince of Peace.

Christmas is just around the corner. As your family celebrates Christmas this year, plan on joining us for our Christmas Eve worship service at 4:00, 6:30 and 9:00 pm on Christmas Eve. The service will include a reading of the Christmas story for kids, some classic Christmas carols, and a message about the certainty of our God in uncertain times. Join us at zionreformed.online.church to start your Christmas celebration focused on the our savior.

Grow in Community
Harv Berens was admitted to the hospital last night due to a hemorrhaging on his brain. They are hoping to have surgery on Friday or Saturday to relieve pressure. Please keep both Harv and Harriet in your prayers as they are apart during this time due to the hospital Covid policies. Prayers for healing, comfort, and hope are greatly appreciated.

You can still join us in reading through the New Testament over the next year. We are encouraging everyone to use the Through the Word app on Apple or Android devices. This app not only has the scripture readings, but also a 9-10 minute teaching on the passage of the day. This could be a great way for our Discipleship Triads to study together or for a small group or family to do devotions together. If you are unsure how to install the app, we have made a short instructional video to show you how to do so on an iPhone. You can find that video here.

The reading schedule for this week is below:
Monday: Matthew 16
Tuesday: Matthew 17
Wednesday: Matthew 18
Thursday: Matthew 19
Friday: Matthew 20

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

Beginning in January, Sheila Johnson will be leading a book discussion on the book The Color of Compromise by Jemar Tisby. If you are interested in thinking together about racial divisions in our culture and the role of the church, this would be a great place to be a part of that conversation. If you are interested in this book discussion, please contact Sheila at sheilaj2494@yahoo.com.

Serve the World
Many of you may have seen news stories about the rising homelessness issue in our Grand Rapids community. This year for our Christmas Eve Service we will be holding a special offing to support the Interfaith Hospitality Network. The IHN provides children and their families with shelter, basics needs, and assistance in finding housing. Unlike many homeless shelters, dads and older boys are able to stay with the rest of the family which is so important in maintaining the strength of their family unit. 90% of the families they serve find housing and 85% are still housed two years later. If you are able, we encourage you to give to this important work in our community at this time.

If you need help, either with food, personal care items, help grocery shopping, or with financial needs, please contact Chip Harkes, our chair of deacons, and he can help connect you with the appropriate resources at Zion. His e-mail is chip@harkeslandscape.com and his phone number is 616-299-4804.

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 to Date Budget:  $294,175.84
Fiscal Year to Date Contribution: $277,995.35
Giving Last Week: $25,487.00

Dear Congregation,

Your Consistory met last night for our regular monthly meeting. Our time together was spent predominantly discussing: whether or to not gather again for worship, how to care for those who are not currently participating in worship, and how to care for the broader community during this time.

In consideration of the Kent County Health Departments request for churches to not meet in person during this time and the continuing positivity and case rates in Kent and Ottawa County, we have chosen to continue gather only online for worship through January 10. It goes without saying that if the Health Department orders change or if cases and hospitalizations continue to fall, we will reconsider this decision as we long to meet face-to-face as a community.

This is also a good time for us to remember the church is not a building or even a gathering for worship. The church is the people of God and the relationships that bind them together. We are the church. We are the church when small groups gather online or in phone calls. We are the church when we send an encouraging card or drop off Christmas treats at someone’s home. We are the church when we pray in groups of two or three for one another and for our world. 

We are the church when we feed hungry kids through Hand2Hand and support financially struggling families through the personal care pantry. We are the church when we actively support teachers and local schools in this challenging school year. (You can do precisely that by writing an encouraging note or card to the staff at Bursley Elementary, our Kids Hope partner, and drop it off at church or my home by Sunday morning to be included with some treats we will be giving them on Monday morning.) We are the church when we visit elderly neighbors and offer a listening ear to overwhelmed parents of school age children. Though we may not be meeting physically together, we are still the church of God both called to God and sent by God in mission to the world he loves.

We also ask you to join us in praying for God’s church during this time, that our actions might bring glory to his name and reveal his love for others; for Zion and our staff, that we might be a light in this community; for our elderly members who are feeling isolated and alone; for those currently sick with Covid-19; for opportunities to share our help in Christ; and for each of us to spread the love of Christ rather than the anger of our culture in all our interactions both in person and on line.

This has been the most difficult year in church life that I can remember, and yet, our God continues to remain faithful. During this season of Advent, our world waits for its deliverance in political figures and vaccines. While we celebrate potential vaccines as well, our hope rests in the coming of Jesus who one day will return and make all things new and whole again. Until that day, may we live in light of his coming kingdom and as faithful ambassadors of his mercy and love.

By his grace, 

– Greg

Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his loving devotion endures forever.
– Psalm 107:1

Though it has been an unusually year of lock downs, masks, social distancing, and more anxiety than normal, it is also true that our God has been good to us. We have woken up each day. We have enjoyed food to sustain us. The sun continues to rise and set. Rain falls in its season and we enjoyed an unusually warm fall. And through it all, God has remained faithful and present in our lives.

As I was thinking over this past year, I wrote down a list of all things for which I am thankful, following are a few highlights:
1. My parents celebrated through 50th wedding anniversary this summer. I am thankful for their great example of fidelity and love for one another.
2. Our family enjoyed two weeks in the mountains this summer and it always does good for my soul to be in Colorado.
3. On a related note, I am thankful for our trailer that allowed us to spend two weeks out west.
4. Ethan started driving and Noah completed driver’s ed this year. I am thankful for my four kids who continue to grow into adults I want to spend time with and for no accidents or speeding tickets in our first year of teenage drivers.
5. We went on lots and lots of walks this spring and early summer. I am thankful for all the great parks in Ottawa County.
6. Teachers. I cannot imagine the flexibility teaching has required this year. I am so thankful for all the hard working teachers who have adapted and learned new skills to teach the children and teens in our community.
7. My discipleship triad. I have been in two triads this year and both challenged and encouraged me and kept me focused on listening to and follow Jesus.
8. Our staff. It has been an odd year to work for a church. Much of what we do has been centered on large group gatherings. Our staff at times have live don our phones calling and reaching out to people, tried new ways to meet virtually and outside at a distance, and worked hard to focus on all we could do rather than on what we could not do at any given moment. They are a joy to work with.
9. You. In a year of constant change and general low-grade anxiety in our culture, you have been gracious with each other, supportive in times of crisis, and faithful to God and to the community of Zion.
10. Jesus whose love and grace continues to be the foundation of my life.

Happy thanksgiving!

– Greg

Connect to God
Join us tonight at 6:30 for our Thanksgiving Eve service at zionreformed.online.church. While we are not meeting physically together, we have put together a great compilation of Zion members thanking God for all sorts of blessings this past year. We look forward to seeing you at 6:30 tonight!

This Sunday we will gather online at 9 and 11 am. You can find the services either on our Facebook page or at zionreformed.online.church. We will also rebroadcast the service on WCET at noon on Friday and 4pm next Sunday.
Most of us are familiar with the events of the first Christmas, The manger, The shepherd watching sheep. The angels singing. The wise men. The little baby wrapped in cloths lying in the manner. But what if this birth is not just any birth, but the one event on which all of history turns and that can transform our lives. Join us this advent season as we meet Jesus who comes to us as the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.

Grow in Community
Beginning this Monday, we will be reading through the New Testament as a church over the next year. We are encouraging everyone to use the Through the Word app on Apple or Android devices. This app not only has the scripture readings, but also a 9-10 minute teaching on the passage of the day. This could be a great way for our Discipleship Triads to study together or for a small group or family to do devotions together. If you are unsure how to install the app, we have made a short instructional video to show you how to do so on an iPhone. You can find that video here.

The reading schedule for this week is below:
Monday: Matthew 1
Tuesday: Matthew 2
Wednesday: Matthew 3
Thursday: Matthew 4
Friday: Matthew 5

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

Beginning in January, Sheila Johnson will be leading a book discussion on the book The Color of Compromise by Jemar Tisby. If you are interested in thinking together about racial divisions in our culture and the role of the church, this would be a great place to be a part of that conversation. If you are interested in this book discussion, please contact Sheila at sheilaj2494@yahoo.com.

Serve the World
Our Thanksgiving offering this year will be used to support:
1. The Wyoming Family Network
2. The Pregnancy Resource Center
3. Jibit Aisha
Donations can be made via mail or online at our website. At the website, you can choose to donate to the general fund or to our thanksgiving offering. Thank you in advance for your generous support of these ministries.

If you need help, either with food, personal care items, help grocery shopping, or with financial needs, please contact Chip Harkes, our chair of deacons, and he can help connect you with the appropriate resources at Zion. His e-mail is chip@harkeslandscape.com and his phone number is 616-299-4804.

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 to Date Budget:  $262,657.00
Fiscal Year to Date Contribution: $221,161.35
Giving Last Week: $11,163.84
Thanksgiving Offering: $1,900.00

Dear Congregation,

Your Consistory met last night to discuss how to respond to the latest orders from the MDHHS. Just as schools have been adjusting to these guidelines for the next three weeks, we are thinking through how we can both follow these guidelines and continue to worship our God, care for one another, and love our community well.

After considering recommendations from our staff, we decided to cancel all youth and children’s programming and to hold worship only online for the next 3 weeks. Further, we will not be allowing any use of our building by members or outside groups for special events during the next three weeks. We will continue to use the building for both Hand2Hand and the Personal Care Pantry.

I know this is sad news for many of us. It is for those of us on Consistory, too. We want to be clear that we are choosing to meet online because we think this is the best way to love our neighbors during this time. We want to do our part to help slow the spread of Covid-19 so that:

1. The doctors and nurses and all who work in our healthcare system will not be overwhelmed and will be able to care well for those who are sick.

2. Students can go to school in person because we know the strain virtual learning puts on families, students and teachers.

3. Nursing homes and assisted living centers allow visitors because we know the pain and suffering cause by the isolation experienced by many of the older people in our community.

I know this may feel like discouraging news to many in our congregation. Honestly, it is discouraging to me, too. And, we also know there is light at the end of this tunnel. Two possible effective vaccines appear to be on the way. But even more importantly, our God is with us. I woke up early this morning with the old hymn “His Eye is on the Sparrow” running through my head. It is a beautiful hymn that speaks of the presence of our God in times of suffering, depression, and loneliness. Even then, it reminds us, our God is still with us and he watches over us.

God is watching over you today. He is watching over Zion. He watches over our community and our country. We can trust in his care. He will carry us through.

– Greg