Zion E-News (9-5-2019)

/in /by

For the past month, I have been trying to meet with someone from our denomination. But, due to pastoral care calls, important unplanned meetings, travel schedules, and now yesterday my accidentally putting our meeting in Mountain time rather than Eastern time in my calendar, we will be trying to meet again next week.

All these scheduling challenges have got me thinking about the challenge of maintaining relationships. Life is busy. In our family, it is rare for all of us to be home one the same evening. Between church commitments, the kids extra-curricular activities, and time with their friends, every waking moment is often full.

I have come to the not very insightful conclusion that relationships require lots of intentionality and consistency. We have to decide they matter to us. We have to put time on the calendar. Or, those moments will get eaten up by the to-do list and the other demands for our time.

This is true for small groups meeting, for discipleship triads, for youth group, for Sunday worship. Either we make these times to gather a priority and put them before all the other items pushing their way onto our agenda or our attendance will quickly become sporadic, nominal, and eventually not really hardly ever at all.

Someone once said that you can tall a lot about someone’s spiritual life and worship by looking at their checkbook. I think the same could be said of our calendars. If someone looked at your or my calendar, what would they think came first in our lives? What would they say mattered to us?

Connect to God

Have you ever felt strapped for cash? Like the money can’t quite stretch to cover all the bills? Like you keep working, but you can’t get ahead? This Sunday we begin a 5 weeks series looking to God for his wisdom about our money so we can move from being strapped to free.The first week, we look to scripture for a biblical framework to begin thinking about money, wealth, and generosity.

As we begin our formal education year, we will also commission our teachers, youth leaders, and small group leaders during worship on Sunday.

If you would like a copy of the worship service, you can receive a complete copy by contacting Tom Verbrugge or you can find the weekly messages on our website.

Grow in Community
Jim Oudbier is recovering at home from knee replacement surgery today. Continue to pray for those in our congregation who deal with ongoing health issues.

We extend our sympathy to Ryan and Treasure Trombley as they mourn the loss of their daughter Hope Grace who was stillborn on Sunday, September 1. Please pray for peace and comfort for the entire family in this difficult time of loss.

Our Sunday School ministry will begin this Sunday, September 8. Following is some important information for the year:

  • Our kid’s programming will go until 10:50. If church gets out before that, feel free to grab a cup of coffee & chat until pick-up time.
  • Kids ages birth-4th grade need to be checked in. (5th graders are “grandfathered” in this year, and don’t need a name tag.)  Kids 3rd grade and younger must be checked out, but 4th & 5th graders are free to leave on their own.
  • We’re encouraging kids birth-age 3 to be dropped off before church starts in their classrooms.
  • Kids in Kindergarten-5th will start out as a large group in Room 205, and then split into age-based small groups.
Here are the room assignments for this year:
  • Nursery – Room 207 (where the 3 yr. olds were last year)
  • 3 yr. olds – Room 208
  • 4 yr. & young 5’s – Room 206
  • Kindergarten – Room 203
  • 1st grade – Room 204
  • 2nd/3rd grade – Room 209
  • 4th & 5th grade – Chapel/Youth Room

Following Labor Day, all adults who are serving in a new role, will be invited to go through some leadership training. We have a great team of coaches to assist in this training. The training will be a combination on-line video and text resources through RightNow Media and face-to-face conversations with a coach and other members of Zion. If you are serving in a new role this year, you can expect someone to contact you in the next 7 to 10 days..

If you haven’t yet signed up for RightNow Media, a great free resource of Christian videos for kids and adults alike, you can do so here.

Youth and Worship Pastor Jeremy Zoet will be on sabbatical from August 5 to October 1. During this time he will not respond to calls, texts, or emails. In his absence please direct all communication to the following people:

Worship: Sarah McAnally at (810) 434-6841 or feelinsnappy@gmail.com.
Middle School Youth: Rachel Verbrugge at (616) 258-3291 or verbrugge.family@att.net.
High School Youth: Shanda VandePol at (616) 308-0700 or shandavandepol@yahoo.com.
If an emergency arises, contact Pastor Greg at (616) 340-7785.

Serve the World
Earlier this week, our church was approached by Kids Hope USA and Bursley Elementary school to consider becoming a Kids Hope partner with Bursley. Kids Hope USA connects local church with local schools to provide mentoring and tutoring of students during the school day. Consistory will be discussing this request on Tuesday and we ask for your prayers as we seek to determine our capacity to join in this work.

This Sunday, we welcome Doug McClintic, formerly on staff with our Regional Synod and now the European Church Planting Coordinator for the RCA. In that role, Doug provides support, strategic coordination, and expertise to congregations, classes, regional synods, and other agencies in European church planting efforts. He partners North American congregations with the next generation of European churches to develop a strategy of local empowerment, collaboration, and evaluation. 

Doug will also be leading a workshop on taking faith risks on September 12. The announcement and a link to sign-up are below.

Administrative Details
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: $155,285.48
Fiscal Year to date contributions: $119,239.05

Zion E-News (8-29-2019)

/in /by

On Wednesday evening, after grabbing a quick supper, I drove to Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs to walk around and pray. I had forgotten how busy it gets and so praying became a little more difficult with all the distractions. But, I did stop for a while to watch a couple of rock climbers. It was  coed team of climbers. She was leading the way and placing the ropes for him to follow up. She was clearly the more experienced of the two.

That’s the way much of life works, the more experienced lead and prepare the way for the less experienced to follow.When we are born, it is parents modeling how to resolve conflict, manage emotions, and schedule our days. When we begin our careers, it is mentors who show us the rope. And, when we begin to follow Jesus, we all need a model to follow.

Two thousand years ago, the 12 disciples could simply follow Jesus, but ever since then, we have learned to follow through the example of those who have gone before us. In 1 Corinthians 4:16, Paul urges the Corinthians to imitate him. In chapter 11, he clarifies that they should follow him as he follows Christ. This is who discipleship works. One new believer following someone a little further ahead as each tries to follow the example of Christ.

On Monday, I reconnected with Phil Schuiling. He was the Sr. Pastor at the first church i served. I first learned how to pastor by following his example and that of Wayne Brouwer and Wayne Leys, other mentors of mine. Each taught me a little something different about how to follow Jesus while leading in the church. Before that, it was my parents and grandparents. Who was it for you? Who first showed you how to follow Jesus?

As I watched the climbers, she kept pausing in her work to tell the man following what she was doing, to look back and offer him both encouragement and advice. She was teaching him how to climb so next time he could lead the way.

And maybe, just as importantly as who you have followed, who are you leading? Who is following your example? Hopefully, if you have children, you could say your children. But are there others? Where are you investing in the next generation of believers? In those who are just learning to follow?

This is the command of God for every believers, to go and make disciples, teaching them to obey all that Jesus has commanded us. How are you living in to this calling today?

Connect to God

An angry prophet. A fearsome and hated enemy. An overwhelming storm. And a surprising message of a merciful God to his people. The story of Jonah is one of the most well-known stories in the Bible. It is also one of the most misunderstood. Many people, even those who are not religious, are familiar with Jonah: a rebellious prophet who defies God and is swallowed by a whale. But there’s much more to Jonah’s story than most of us realize. In the final week of our study of Jonah, Jonah throws a temper tantrum at the mercy of God and God seeks to gently reveal against his amazing compassion and grace to this most stubborn of prophets.

If you would like a copy of the worship service, you can receive a complete copy by contacting Tom Verbrugge or you can find the weekly messages on our website.

Grow in Community
Kay Sikkema is recovering from a fall late last week and is hoping to return home in the next couple of days.

This Sunday, the nursery will move from its former location to Room 207. This will be its new location throughout the year.

Our Sunday School ministry will begin on Sunday, September 8. Following is some important information for the year: 

  • Our kid’s programming will go until 10:50. If church gets out before that, feel free to grab a cup of coffee & chat until pick-up time.
  • Kids ages birth-4th grade need to be checked in.(5th graders are “grandfathered” in this year, and don’t need a name tag)  Kids 3rd grade and younger must be checked out, but 4th & 5th graders are free to leave on their own.
  • We’re encouraging kids birth-age 3 to be dropped off before church starts in their classrooms.
  • Kids in Kindergarten-5th will start out as a large group in Room 205, and then split into age-based small groups.
Here are the room assignments for this year:
  • Nursery – Room 207 (where the 3 yr. olds were last year)
  • 3 yr. olds – where the toddler nursery was last year
  • 4 yr. & young 5’s – Room 206
  • Kindergarten – Room 203
  • 1st grade – Room 204
  • 2nd/3rd grade – the old infant nursery/the old library
  • 4th & 5th grade – Chapel

Following Labor Day, all adults who are serving in a new role, will be invited to go through some leadership training. We have a great team of coaches to assist in this training. The training will be a combination on-line video and text resources through RightNow Media and face-to-face conversations with a coach and other members of Zion. So, if you are serving in a new role this year, you can expect someone to contact you shortly after the holiday weekend.

If you haven’t yet signed up for RightNow Media, a great free resource of Christian videos for kids and adults alike, you can do so here.

Youth and Worship Pastor Jeremy Zoet will be on sabbatical from August 5 to October 1. During this time he will not respond to calls, texts, or emails. In his absence please direct all communication to the following people:

Worship: Sarah McAnally at (810) 434-6841 or feelinsnappy@gmail.com.
Middle School Youth: Rachel Verbrugge at (616) 258-3291 or verbrugge.family@att.net.
High School Youth: Shanda VandePol at (616) 308-0700 or shandavandepol@yahoo.com.
If an emergency arises, contact Pastor Greg at (616) 340-7785.

Serve the World
Next week Sunday, the 8th, we will be welcoming Doug McClintic, formerly on staff with our Regional Synod and now the European Church Planting Coordinator for the RCA. In that role, Doug provides support, strategic coordination, and expertise to congregations, classes, regional synods, and other agencies in European church planting efforts. He partners North American congregations with the next generation of European churches to develop a strategy of local empowerment, collaboration, and evaluation.

Doug will also be leading a workshop on taking faith risks on September 12. The announcement and a link to sign-up are below.

Administrative Details
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: $144,193.66
Fiscal Year to date contributions: $115,114.05

Consistory Communiqué
Each month, the consistory of Zion will provide a “snapshot” of their discussions, decisions, and points of information to keep the congregation better informed. You are encouraged to contact an elder for additional clarification or discussion.

August Consistory Meeting

  • The Reformed denomination continues to wrestle with questions on sexuality, among other issues. Multiple options to resolve this debate were proposed during Synod 2019 and will be voted on during Synod 2020. As Synod 2020 approaches, consistory is looking at providing more insight and possible teaching on these topics.
  • Following an audit on Camp Zion, Consistory is considering changes that include an increased focus on targeting more academically and socially at-risk kids through West and Central Elementary Schools.
  • One of Zion’s goals for the next 90 days is to begin the process of reviewing and redesigning the youth group ministry.
  • Andrew Moore from Community Reformed in Zeeland has begun the process of planting a church in Grandville. Andrew will be sharing more on this church plant with Consistory in September.

This Week’s Bulletin

/in /by

9-1-19 Bulletin

Zion E-News (8-22-2019)

/in /by

School is back in session. Kids hop on busses, Lunches get packed. Bedtime delayed. All the signs of the end of summer are in the air.

The same is true here at church. Carpets are being deep cleaned. Furniture moved around. Rooms decorated. Just this week, Roxie VanderHeide, Heidi Ondersma, Jacki Deiter, and Tami Hewitt were all preparing for the upcoming education year. Tom and Robbi Boeve and Craig Doornbos were busy inn the basement bringing in product for our next Personal Care Pantry distribution. Pastor Rick was preparing the sanctuary for a wedding on Saturday. Rachel Brower was setting up rooms for the Leaders Meeting on Sunday and walking volunteers through their Sunday school rooms and responsibilities.

A lot happens behind  the scenes to make church happen every week. Most is never seen by anyone. It is not done for thanks or credit. Rather, humble people faithfully serve out of love for God and his people. And in the process, God is glorified, out neighborhood is blessed, and children and adults learn a little more about the God revealed in Jesus.

Thank you to all those who serve week after week and year after year.

Connect to God

An angry prophet. A fearsome and hated enemy. An overwhelming storm. And a surprising message of a merciful God to his people. The story of Jonah is one of the most well-known stories in the Bible. It is also one of the most misunderstood. Many people, even those who are not religious, are familiar with Jonah: a rebellious prophet who defies God and is swallowed by a whale. But there’s much more to Jonah’s story than most of us realize. Now that Jonah has preached a sermon that was fair at best, the people listen, repent, and turn from their evil ways. But Jonah is not happy with this outcome. As a matter of fact, he is downright angry and wants to die, not something you would expect after the people responded to his preaching . Why is Jonah so angry? This morning we will continue to try to understand this prophet and what’s bothering him so much that he would rather be dead.

Also during worship, we will celebrate with Justin & Amanda Vasquez the baptism of their son Hayden Henry and with Jesse and Paige Vasquez the baptism of their daughter Kinsley Rose Alice.  As they celebrate their child’s life, we give thanks to God for the gift of new life he has made available to all who believe. We thank God as well for the covenant he has established all the way back with Abraham to include children in his family. We honor this faithful God as we welcome Hayden and Kinsley into the covenant community at Zion.

If you would like a copy of the worship service, you can receive a complete copy by contacting Tom Verbrugge or you can find the weekly messages on our website.

Grow in Community
On Labor Day weekend, the nursery will move from its current location to Room 207. This will be its new location throughout the year. Other room assignments will occur on the first Sunday following Labor Day as we begin our new education year. All room assignments will be in the bulletin.

Following Labor Day, all adults who are serving in a new role, will be invited to go through some leadership training. We have a great team of coaches to assist in this training. The training will be a combination on-line video and text resources through RightNow Media and face-to-face conversations with a coach and other members of Zion. So, if you are serving in a new role this year, you can expect someone to contact you shortly after the holiday weekend.

If you haven’t yet signed up for RightNow Media, a great free resource of Christian videos for kids and adults alike, you can do so here.

Youth and Worship Pastor Jeremy Zoet will be on sabbatical from August 5 to October 1. During this time he will not respond to calls, texts, or emails. In his absence please direct all communication to the following people:

Worship: Sarah McAnally at (810) 434-6841 or feelinsnappy@gmail.com.
Middle School Youth: Rachel Verbrugge at (616) 258-3291 or verbrugge.family@att.net.
High School Youth: Shanda VandePol at (616) 308-0700 or shandavandepol@yahoo.com.
If an emergency arises, contact Pastor Greg at (616) 340-7785.

Serve the World
In this Sunday’s Moment for Mission, Luke Austin will share an update on the Personal Care Pantry. With Luke heading off to college, Tom Boeve is now leading this ministry. If you would like to be involved, join us Monday 8/26 at 5:30 for setup and prayer; the program is from 6-7pm. There are roles for all types: Are you a people person? You can help take item orders, pray with people, and/or take packages out to vehicles. Not a people person? You can help set up or fulfill orders and run the items from the basement to the narthex. And we can always use more Spanish-speakers for translation!

Administrative Details
Mark your calendars, our next Leaders Meeting will be this Sunday, August 25 from 5-7 pm. This will be a great night of food, worship, ministry specific training, and great time with friends. In addition, we will be conducting our annual training about our child protection policies this night. If you volunteer with children or teens in any capacity in our church, you are strongly encouraged to attend this meeting. You cannot serve in these roles without going through this training and a background check. We look forward to seeing you there. In addition, Rob Holland from Lifeline Community Church will be with us to share some stories of what God is doing through your support of Lifeline to change lives in Wyoming.

Thank you to everyone who quickly offered to serve in our children’s minsitry on Sunday night. So many people stepped forward we had to turn some of them down. I was especially impressed by the number of youth who stepped up. We have many students with a habit of 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 to date budget: $133,101.84
Fiscal Year to date contributions: $106,357.05

Consistory Communiqué
Each month, the consistory of Zion will provide a “snapshot” of their discussions, decisions, and points of information to keep the congregation better informed. You are encouraged to contact an elder for additional clarification or discussion.

August Consistory Meeting

  • The Reformed denomination continues to wrestle with questions on sexuality, among other issues. Multiple options to resolve this debate were proposed during Synod 2019 and will be voted on during Synod 2020. As Synod 2020 approaches, consistory is looking at providing more insight and possible teaching on these topics.
  • Following an audit on Camp Zion, Consistory is considering changes that include an increased focus on targeting more academically and socially at-risk kids through West and Central Elementary Schools.
  • One of Zion’s goals for the next 90 days is to begin the process of reviewing and redesigning the youth group ministry.
  • Andrew Moore from Community Reformed in Zeeland has begun the process of planting a church in Grandville. Andrew will be sharing more on this church plant with Consistory in September.

Zion E-News (8-15-2019)

/in /by

Several months ago now, Rachel’s brother’s father-in-law Dan passed away quite suddenly. Dan and I came to know each other through this in-law connection, but he also became something of a mentor to me. On occasion, he would share book recommendations and we both kept tabs on one another. He served in the Church of God in various church in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio and finally Oklahoma (I think). He was a joyful and generous pastor. I am also social media friends with his wife and so I have been praying for her during this time of grief and checking in every so often. Earlier this week, she shared a post on grief by John Pavlovitz that touched me about his grief when his father died. I know several people in our church are mourning the loss of spouses and parents and friends and children and so I want to share it with you. You can check out John’s blog here, the post follows:

My dad died very suddenly three days ago.

The first few seconds of that morning phone call will be burned into my memory for the rest of my life; the one where I heard my youngest brother’s voice quivering as he told me that my father had passed away in his sleep while on a cruise with my mom on his 70th birthday. The words sent me immediately to my knees on the front lawn and sometimes I feel like I’m still there, at least a good part of my heart is.

Since then, I’ve been what I would call a Grief Zombie; walking around in an odd, contradictory haze of searing pain and complete numbness, which each like to take rapid turns overpowering me. It’s as-if I’m being sucker punched by sadness one second and bear hugged by gratitude the next.

But all the while, since that life-altering phone call (as those who have experienced the loss of someone they love, know) I’ve had to continue to dostuff; take the kids to school, buy bananas, go to the gym—partly because things still need to get done, and partly because these mundane, ordinary things help keep you from completely losing it in the face of the pure insanity of your reality.

Over the last three days, as I’ve navigated parking lots, waited in restaurant lines, and sat on park benches, I’ve done so, pushing back tears, fighting to stay upright, and in general, being just seconds from a total, blubbering, room-clearing freak out.

I’ve felt like I’ve wanted to wear a sign that says: I JUST LOST MY DAD. PLEASE GO EASY.

I mean, other than my embarrassingly bloodshot eyes and the occasional puberty-recalling break in my voice, it’s not like anyone would knowwhat’s happening inside me or around me.

And while I don’t want to physicallywearmy actual circumstances on my chest, I know that if I did, it would probably cause people around me to give me space or speak softer or move more carefully, and it would probably make the impossible, almost bearable.

But even as I’ve wished that people could see the personal hell that I’mgoing through, I’m aware of the acute blindness that I usually live with and the tremendous ego that exists in the request itself.

Why am I so special?

Why is my pain any more pressing than anyone else’s?

Why do I assume that everybody but me is alright?

Why do I expect everyone around me to be any sturdier than I feel?

This week, I’ve been reminded that I am surrounded by Grief Zombies all the time. Maybe they aren’t mourning the sudden, tragic passing of a parent, but wounded, broken, pain-ravaged people are everywhere, everyday stumbling all around me—and yet most of the time I’m fairly oblivious to them:

Parents whose children are terminally ill.

Couples in the middle of divorce.

People grieving loss of loved ones and relationships. 

Kids being bullied at school.

Teenagers who want to end their lives.

Spouses whose partners are deployed in combat.

Families with no idea how to keep the lights on.

Young moms with little help, little sleep, and less sympathy.

Yet none of them wear the signs.

None of them have labels.

None of them come with written warnings reading, FRAGILE: HANDLE WITH CARE.

And since they don’t, it’s up to you and me to look more closely and more deeply at everyone around us; at work, or at the gas station, or in the produce section, and to never assume they aren’t all just hanging by a thread.

We need to remind ourselves  just how hard the stories around us might be, and to approach each person as a delicate, breakable, invaluable treasure—and to go easy.

As you walk, drive, and click around this week, people won’t be wearingsigns but if you look with the right eyes, you’ll seethe signs.

Life is fragile. Hold it carefully.

People are fragile. Handle them gently.

You are fragile. Take it easy.

– John Pavlovitz

Connect to God

The story of Jonah is one of the most well-known stories in the Bible. It is also one of the most misunderstood. Many people, even those who are not religious, are familiar with Jonah: a rebellious prophet who defies God and is swallowed by a whale. But there’s much more to Jonah’s story than most of us realize. As we continue our study of Jonah, he finally goes to Nineveh where he preaches a sort sermon on God’s wrath, the whole city repents, and God relents. What might we learn from the most effective culture transforming sermon in scripture?An angry prophet. A fearsome and hated enemy. An overwhelming storm. And a surprising message of a merciful God to his people.

If you would like a copy of the worship service, you can receive a complete copy by contacting Tom Verbrugge or you can find the weekly messages on our website.

Grow in Community
On Labor Day weekend, the nursery will move from its current location to Room 207. This will be its new location throughout the year. Other room assignments will occur on the first Sunday following Labor Day as we begin our new education year. All room assignments will be in the bulletin.

If you haven’t yet signed up for RightNow Media, a great free resource of Christian videos for kids and adults alike, you can do so here.

Youth and Worship Pastor Jeremy Zoet will be on sabbatical from August 5 to October 1. During this time he will not respond to calls, texts, or emails. In his absence please direct all communication to the following people:

Worship: Sarah McAnally at (810) 434-6841 or feelinsnappy@gmail.com.
Middle School Youth: Rachel Verbrugge at (616) 258-3291 or verbrugge.family@att.net.
High School Youth: Shanda VandePol at (616) 308-0700 or shandavandepol@yahoo.com.
If an emergency arises, contact Pastor Greg at (616) 340-7785.

Serve the World
This Sunday, Chris Winkler of Wycliffe USA will share a ministry update. If you would like to learn how we as a church or you yourself can further support missionaries, the Zion Missions Team is hosting a discussion led by Chris on “Missionary Care 101” in the sanctuary following the service. If you would like to get involved in Zion Missions, this is a great place to start.

City Chapel continues to meet throughout the summer and recently celebrated the completion of a Vital Worship grant that helped fund their worship leader and some cool art events this past year. Like many churches in not on the lake shore, they have seen their attendance drop a little this summer, but continue to see new people each week. Please continue to pray for Ron and Anna and the entire City Chapel team as they strive to reach the downtown community with the gospel of Jesus.

Administrative Details
Mark your calendars, our next Leaders Meeting will be on Sunday, August 25 from 5-7 pm. This will be a great night of food, worship, ministry specific training, and great time with friends. In addition, we will be conducting our annual training about our child protection policies this night. If you volunteer with children or teens in any capacity in our church, you are strongly encouraged to attend this meeting. You cannot serve in these roles without going through this training and a background check. We look forward to seeing you there. In addition, Rob Holland from Lifeline Community Church will be with us to share some stories of what God is doing through your support of Lifeline to change lives in Wyoming.

We still need adults to serve in our childcare for this evening. If you attend Leaders Meetings regularly and your children enjoy the childcare, I would urge you to consider taking a turn to serve during the meetings as well. You can sign-up through the Connection Card this Sunday. Currently, no adult has volunteered to serve.

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: $122,010.02
Fiscal Year to date contributions:     $97,131.05

Consistory Communiqué
Each month, the consistory of Zion will provide a “snapshot” of their discussions, decisions, and points of information to keep the congregation better informed. The minutes are included as an attachment. Comments and questions can be easily shared using the Google Form included below. These comments and questions will be shared as points of information during our next Consistory meeting. Furthermore, you are encouraged to contact an elder for additional clarification or discussion.

August Consistory Meeting

  • The Reformed denomination continues to wrestle with questions on sexuality, among other issues. Multiple options to resolve this debate were proposed during Synod 2019 and will be voted on during Synod 2020. As Synod 2020 approaches, consistory is looking at providing more insight and possible teaching on these topics.
  • Following an audit on Camp Zion, Consistory is considering changes that include an increased focus on targeting more academically and socially at-risk kids through West and Central Elementary Schools.
  • One of Zion’s goals for the next 90 days is to begin the process of reviewing and redesigning the youth group ministry.
  • Andrew Moore from Community Reformed in Zeeland has begun the process of planting a church in Grandville. Andrew will be sharing more on this church plant with Consistory in September.

This Week’s Bulletin

/in /by

8-18-19 Bulletin

This Week’s Bulletin

/in /by

8-11-19 Bulletin

Zion E-News (8-8-2019)

/in /by

Last Saturday, El Paso, TX and Dayton, OH experienced what has become an all too common occurrence. Thirty-one people, parents and children, siblings and friends, whose lives were cut violently short by hate filled violence. People are having all sorts of conversations about how to prevent future attacks. As usual, there is talk of gun control and mental illness. Very few, however, are talking about how we have all contributed to a culture that allows hateful dehumanizing beliefs to become acceptable enough that some people take the hate filled rhetoric seriously and put it into action. 

We help contribute to this culture when we politely listen to people make racist or sexist jokes and statements or when we treat as normal and acceptable a politician or political commentator talking about people from another party as enemies or traitors. And, when we value ideological purity and radical change more than compromise and the willingness to listen to new information and to make the small incremental changes. Or, when after tragedies like this weekend, we look to blame the other group rather than look at how we may have contributed to a culture of violence and division.

One of the things I have always admired about Jesus is how he could draw these 12 disciples from such hugely varying backgrounds together and get them sold on a common vision of God’s kingdom revealed in Jesus. Among his disciples were people from the priests and from the middle class, from the tax collectors who cooperated with the Roman occupation and zealots who dedicated their lives to preparing for a rebellion against Rome and pretty much everyone in between. I can only imagine the heated arguments they had walking down the road with Jesus as these worldview and values clashed. 

And then, in the early church, they first included Greek speaking Jews who were somewhat suspect for simply having not moved back to the promised land and then later gentiles who did not even follow the most sacred traditions of the Jewish Christians. They included everyone from prostitutes and slaves to retired Roman soldiers to wealthy women and small business owners. And here they all were, stuck together trying to figure out how to love like Jesus did. It’s no wonder it got messy and Paul had to write so many letters to straighten these new little churches out. And yet, they stayed together and created Christian community despite their many differences.

I wonder if a significant part of our witness in such an outraged and divided culture is simply to do life together at church: Republicans and Democrats, old and young, men and women, rich and poor, native born and immigrant, white, Hispanic, black, and Asian. Not all agreeing with each other, but simply loving each other, not in spite of, but because we see the blessing in all our differences as we each reflect differently the glory of our God as his image bearers. This is the image we find in Revelation 7:9 which says:

“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.”

I bet that would be appealing to a people who have grown tired of division, tired of the anger, tired of the outrage, and who long for something more.

Connect to God
An angry prophet. A fearsome and hated enemy. An overwhelming storm. And a surprising message of a merciful God to his people. The story of Jonah is one of the most well-known stories in the Bible. It is also one of the most misunderstood. Many people, even those who are not religious, are familiar with Jonah: a rebellious prophet who defies God and is swallowed by a whale. But there’s much more to Jonah’s story than most of us realize. As we continue our study of Jonah, Jonah is doing some thinking in the belly of a fish at the bottom of the sea. Given time to think, Jonah begins to think about the mercy and grace of God and it leads him to a renewed commitment to praise and obey God. When we fathom not only our desperate need, but also all it cost God to save us, we naturally respond in praise and obedience.

This Sunday we also celebrate another great ministry season for Camp Zion and welcome Justin Meyers whom you can read more about a later in the E-news.

If you would like a copy of the worship service, you can receive a complete copy by contacting Tom Verbrugge or you can find the weekly messages on our website.

Grow in Community
Betty DeVries has been dealing with vertigo and is undergoing treatment. Prayers for improvement would be appreciated. Continue to pray for those in our congregation who deal with ongoing health issues.

We extend our sympathy to Tim and Judy Mekkes in the death of their brother-in-laws Bruce O’Conner on July 29 and Dan Stachawiak on August 4 and to Rob and Deb Melville in the passing of Deb’s father, Arnold VanDyken on August 7. Please pray for  peace and comfort for the Mekkes and Melville families during this difficult time.

Congratulations to Cory and Ashley Gross who on the birth of their daughter, Avery Nicole, who was born at 9:45AM on August 2. Avery weighed 7lbs 10 oz and was 20 1/2” long.  Mother and baby are both home and doing well.

If you haven’t yet signed up for RightNow Media, a great free resource of Christian videos for kids and adults alike, you can do so here.

Youth and Worship Pastor Jeremy Zoet will be on sabbatical from August 5 to October 1. During this time he will not respond to calls, texts, or emails. In his absence please direct all communication to the following people:

Worship: Sarah McAnally at (810) 434-6841 or feelinsnappy@gmail.com.
Middle School Youth: Rachel Verbrugge at (616) 258-3291 or verbrugge.family@att.net.
High School Youth: Shanda VandePol at (616) 308-0700 or shandavandepol@yahoo.com.
If an emergency arises, contact Pastor Greg at (616) 340-7785.

Serve the World
In this Sunday’s Moment for Missions, Justin Meyers of Al Amana Center in Oman will share how God is working through dialogue with Muslims and Christians. Justin will be available for questions and further discussion in the Narthex following the service. Learn more at www.alamanacentre.org.

On Sunday August 18, Chris Winkler of Wycliffe USA will share a ministry update. If you would like to learn how we as a church or you yourself can further support missionaries, the Zion Missions Team is hosting a discussion led by Chris on “Missionary Care 101” in the sanctuary following the service. If you would like to get involved in Zion Missions, this is a great place to start.

City Chapel continues to meet throughout the summer and recently celebrated the completion of a Vital Worship grant that helped fund their worship leader and some cool art events this past year. Like many churches in not on the lake shore, they have seen their attendance drop a little this summer, but continue to see new people each week. Please continue to pray for Ron and Anna and the entire City Chapel team as they strive to reach the downtown community with the gospel of Jesus.

Administrative Details
Mark your calendars, our next Leaders Meeting will be on Sunday, August 25 from 5-7 pm. This will be a great night of food, worship, ministry specific training, and great time with friends. In addition, we will be conducting our annual training about our child protection policies this night. If you volunteer with children or teens in any capacity in our church, you are strongly encouraged to attend this meeting. You cannot serve in these roles without going through this training and a background check. We look forward to seeing you there. In addition, Rob Holland from Lifeline Community Church will be with us to share some stories of what God is doing through your support of Lifeline to change lives in Wyoming.

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: $110,918.20
Fiscal Year to date contributions: $  93,941.04

Good-bye Camp Zion 2019

/in /by

Hello Camp Zion families,

It has truly been a pleasure to spend the last 7 weeks with your children. They are smart, kind & funny people who managed to wiggle their way into all of our hearts. Thank you for gifting us the opportunity to spend time with each of them this summer. What fun we have had playing games, dancing, going on trips, journaling, doing service projects, and learning about God together.

Sunday August 11th is Camp Zion Sunday. As part of our morning worship service we will be sharing a bit about our summer together and showing a couple of video clips of our summer adventures. We would love to have all of you join us. Service begins at 9:30am. Most everyone parks in the back of church and enters at door C or D. The child check in station will be near Door D. Nursery is available for kids 0-2yrs. Children & Worship class is available during service for kids 3yrs-3rd grade.

I’ve been asked a questions repeatedly this week.

“Ms. Rachel, can I be a volunteer at Camp Zion?”

It is exciting that your kids love camp so much that they want to come back and volunteer. We hope that they will. Currently we do have a couple of requirements for kids wanting to volunteer at Camp Zion

  • The soonest former CZ campers are allowed to volunteer is the summer they are entering 8th grade. There is a difference between being a camper at Camp Zion and being a volunteer at Camp Zion. We’ve found that a year off helps with the transition between the two.
  • We also ask that they be involved with Zion Youth Group during the school year. This extra time spent with Jeremy, myself, and our other youth leaders gives our young teens an age appropriate way to learn more about God, Zion, service and leadership before choosing to volunteer at camp.

Although Camp Zion has wrapped up for this summer there are plenty of other opportunities throughout the year to get your families connected into Zion. More details about all of these can be found on the Zion website www.zionreformed.org

Sunday Morning Worship. 9:30am each week. Nursery is available for children age 0-2.

Children & Worship. These classes are available during the Sunday morning worship service. Summer classes for children 3yrs old – 3rd grade are being held now. Fall classes for children 3yrs-5th grade begin Sept 8th.

Middle School Youth Group (6th-8th grade) Sunday evenings 5:45 pm – 7:15 pm. Classes begin Sept 22nd.

High School Youth Group (9th-12th grade) Sunday evenings 4pm – 5:45pm. Classes begin Sept 22nd.

Camp Zion 2020. I will be emailing you all with details next spring. 🙂

Park Play Date.  Aug 8th, 2019. 9:30am-11:30am. Everyone is welcome!  Bring your kids and hang out at the Zion playground with other parents from the neighborhood and church. There will be a bounce house and light refreshments to enjoy as well.

If you haven’t done so already check out the Camp Zion Facebook page or Instagram (camp.zion) to see all of the photos we’ve taken this year. I’ve been scrolling through them all day – so many fun memories.

Thanks again for sending your kids to Camp Zion this year. We had a wonderful time together. I hope to see you all again before next summer.

Blessings,
Rachel

Zion E-News (7-25-2019)

/in /by

Last night, I was at church during Praise Team practice getting some reading and administrative tasks done when the office is a little quieter than in the day. I caught last few minutes of practice in the sanctuary and saw a Camp Zion staff member, Luke Austin, sitting at a table diligently writing. School’s not in session. No one writes letters any more. I wondered what he might be doing. So I asked.

For about an hour, he had been writing notes to Camp Zion participants letting them know how much he enjoyed being with them this summer, the strengths he saw in them, and offering words encouragement to them as they prepare to go back to school in a couple of weeks. I don’t know how many kids to whom he was writing notes, but it was not insubstantial. This took some time and thought. He was using the influence God had given him through his role at camp to bless, love, and encourage these kids and to also give them a glimpse of God’s love for them as well.

This sort of attention to others, diligence in the unseen activities of life, and encouraging spirit don’t happen in a vacuum. It is both taught and caught, Taught by parents and teachers and other adults in students lives in formal lessons and casual conversations. And, it is also caught when it is modeled by those same people in a young adults life.

I love Luke’s response when I asked him how he decided to do this. Had he been told? Had it seen others do it? And he said, “I guess it’s because of my parents. I probably don’t give them enough credit for how they have influenced me.”

When I think about the future in our church, this is what gets me excited. We want to create environments and opportunities not only for students, but also for us as adults, to grow in our ability and practices to be a positive influence for Christ in our workplaces, neighborhoods, schools, and homes. How might you intentionally use the influence you have to bless others today through a kind word or a helping hand in the name of Jesus? (To be clear, if people know you are a Christian, everything you do is in Jesus’ name whether you want it to be or not.)

I wonder what God could do with 300 people who, like Luke, used the influence they have to bless others and point them to Jesus.

Connect to God
This Sunday we celebrate all God has been doing in and through our Middle and High School students through their mission trips to Chicago, IL and Lincoln, NE this summer. Students will share testimonies and Pastor Jeremy will be delivering the message on John 4:27-42. In this text, we see the power of the Samaritan woman’s story as it brings others to faith in Christ. Is it time for Zion to put an emphasis on sharing our stories with each other and others? Today we propose that It’s Story Time.

If you would like a copy of the worship service, you can receive a complete copy by contacting Tom Verbrugge or you can find the weekly messages on our website.

Grow in Community
We extend out sympathy to Myra Renkema and family in the passing Loren Renkema on Monday. The funeral service for Loren will be held at Zion on Friday at 11 am. Please holy Myra in your prayers during this difficult time of loss.

Join us Thursday morning, August 8, from 9:30 to 11:30 for a playdate at our park. There will be light refreshments, a bounce house, and more. Come join us and invite a neighbor, too!

Following worship this Sunday, those two supported a high school student going on the mission trip as a shareholder are invited to a meal with the students. There will be time during dessert to talk with your student about their experience on mission trip. We look forward to seeing all our shareholders and students on Sunday.

Youth and Worship Pastor Jeremy Zoet will be on sabbatical from August 5 to October 1. During this time he will not respond to calls, texts, or emails. In his absence please direct all communication to the following people:

Worship: Sarah McAnally at (810) 434-6841 or feelinsnappy@gmail.com.
Middle School Youth: Rachel Verbrugge at (616) 258-3291 or verbrugge.family@att.net.
High School Youth: Shanda VandePol at (616) 308-0700 or shandavandepol@yahoo.com.
If an emergency arises, contact Pastor Greg at (616) 340-7785.

Serve the World

We continue to collect donations for School Supply Santa through this Sunday, August 4. You can learn more about what is needed in the announcement at the end of this e-mail.

Today, we concluded another great ministry season for Camp Zion. Just this week, one of our campers shared with a staff member that they think they are starting to believe in God because of what they learned at camp. Their parents don’t believe, but they are beginning to and they wanted to go to church. So, this Sunday, for the first time, they went to church with a friend and they thought it was really interesting and fun. Each year, we see campers make these first steps of faith, start reading a Bible for the first time, learning to pray, and more.

Week of Hope, the mission groups we host each summer, also conclude their ministry season this week. They have seen teens make first time decisions to follow Jesus, take new steps of obedience, and deepen their walk with God. Please pray for safe travels for Alison and Caitlin as they will be driving back to Loveland, CO this weekend for their end of summer debrief.

Administrative Details
Mark your calendars, our next Leaders Meeting will be on Sunday, August 25 from 5-7 pm. This will be a great night of food, worship, ministry specific training, and great time with friends. In addition, we will be conducting our annual training about our child protection policies this night. If you volunteer with children or teens in any capacity in our church, you are strongly encouraged to attend this meeting. You cannot serve in these roles without going through this training and a background check. We look forward to seeing you there.

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: $99,826.38
Fiscal Year to date contributions: $84,621.04