Camp Zion Week 7
Hello Camp Zion Families,
This past week was a great one. It’s really hard to pick a favorite moment, but the days I watched all of your kids work on their service projects was definitely at the top of my list. There will be a lot of happy dogs and cats and families this fall because of your children’s willingness to do something good for someone else.
I can’t believe our last week of camp has already arrived. Week 7 is a little bit different because we will be eating lunch at Zion every day. We have our very own crew of lunch ladies coming in to prepare and serve food for us. There are no substitutions to what is on our menu, so if your child will not eat what is being served then send along a sack lunch for them to eat that day.
Week 7: Critter Week
Monday: Learning Lab
Tuesday: Visser YMCA. Bring Swimsuits and towels
Wednesday: Spartan-Nash YMCA. Bring Swimsuits and towels.
Thursday: Slip-n-slide. Bring swimsuits and towels.
Lunch Menu (water is our beverage everyday)
Monday: Pasta with choice of red or white sauce, garlic bread, green beans & watermelon.
Tuesday: Hot dogs, mac-n-cheese, jell-o & chips.
Wednesday: Build your own nachos & fresh fruit.
Thursday: Hamburgers, chips, fruit & frozen yogurt.
Looking forward to a fabulous final week.
Have a great weekend,
Rachel
Zion E-News (7-25-2019)
Early this morning, I met with three great guys from our church to talk about Discipleship Triads at our church. They had been meeting together for several years (I was involved for a long time in one iteration of the group), but had been hearing about the triad modeling we are starting to use in our discipleship efforts and they wanted to learn more.
When we think about spiritual maturity or spiritual leaders in the church, we often look for people who are the most engaged, the most involved, the busiest. We often equate busy-ness and lots of activity with becoming more mature. But, as Willow Creek’s research called Reveal a decade ago showed, church activity is not a very effective predictor or driver of spiritual maturity.
I came across a great article (based on a book) which highlights three commonly forgotten aspects of spiritual formation: bodies, brains, and communion. You can read the full article here. The basic point is that we are not simply souls in a body, but body-souls in one. What we do with our bodies, how we feed and treat our bodies affects our spiritual lives, too. And, our brains are significant. They affect how we think and perceive and act in the world. As some of have become painful aware through brain cancer and Alzheimer’s when brains change, people change. It is worth investing in Christian counseling to deal with the traumas and pains of our lives so we do not simply bury these experiences. When we bury, these traumas find other ways to work out in our lives and it rarely leads to healthy wise choices. And then finally, we are made for community and we grow best in community where we are known.
This is the great value I have found in the two discipleship triads I have been in (triads split regularly). We share our lives with each other. We confess struggles and sins. At its best, we experience a small Christian community in which we are both known and accepted. AA is the most successful human change program be cause it offers precisely this place to be known and invited to change.
Following God is hard. Doing so alone is nearly impossible. If you want a community to walk with you, join one of our triads. Shoot me an e-mailand I will get you connected or teach you how to start one of you own.
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, the sailors as Jonah about who he is and we discover a prophet whose identity is rooted in his ethnicity rather than in his God. When we fail to find our identity in Christ, we create false gods and begin walking down a path of exclusion rather than the loving embrace of God.
This Sunday, we will celebrate communion, also called The Lord’s Super or the Eucharist. This 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.
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
Mark VanderZouwen underwent knee replacement surgery on Tuesday and is currently doing well and recovering at home. We also congratulate Mark on his 6th place finish in the national school bus driving competition over the weekend.
Barb Overweg underwent a thyroid biopsy on Tuesday as well and she is awaiting test results sometime next week. She asks for prayers for positive results and peace during this time of waiting.
We congratulate Justin and Amanda Vasquez in the birth of their son Hayden Henry Vasquez on Sunday evening. He was 9 lbs 3 oz and 20.5 inches long. Mom and baby are both doing great.
We also extend our sympathy to Jim and Elaine Schripsema in the passing of their nephew, Joseph, earlier this month.
Rev. Gerry Mahler, former pastor at Zion from 1977 to 1980, passed away last week Friday. The memorial service will be held this Saturday at Calvary Church of Wayland at 11:30 am. Visitation will begin at 10 am and conclude shortly before the service starts.
We still have several open volunteer opportunities during August in our Summer Children’s Ministries. You can sign-up outside of Rm. 205 on Sunday or you can sign-up through the link below:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e044cafad2ca2ff2-summer1
Serve the World
Our high school students continue to serve in Lincoln, NE throughout this week with F Street Church. Please hold them in your prayers both in their service and in the travels home.
If you are interested in learning about other cultures or exposing your children to other cultures and want to support global mission work, come out to Johnson Park on July 20 from 2-8 pm for a Taste of Bangladesh. All proceeds will go to support Bangla Ministries Worldwide. You will be able to sample Bangla food, see Bangla clothing and play Bangla games as well as enjoy a petting zoo, bluegrass music and a chili cook-off. More information can be found outside the church office or here.
Also, we will once again be collecting donations for School Supply Santa through Sunday, August 4. You can learn more about what is needed in the announcement at the end of this e-mail.
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 see many of you there.
A couple of weeks ago, I shared a little about the Vision 2020 team and potential changes for our denomination. At General Synod, our national gathering, they shared three broad options for how we could move forward as a denomination given the ongoing tensions around issues of human sexuality. Each of their three options contained several variations of the options. The first option was to do nothing and stay the same. While the Vision 2020 team did not think this was a realistic option, it is a possibility. Alternatively, we could simply rearrange the furniture, so to speak, and focus on key theological beliefs we share in common and allow for permissible differences on a variety of social issues. You can read more about the third option here.
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: $88,734.56
Fiscal Year to date contributions: $77,326.04
Camp Zion 2019 Week 6
Hello Camp Zion Families,
This week we were intentional about creating time for simple fun and some down time at camp. Our whole staff commented on how they were able to connect with new groups of kids and share lots of funny moments together with them. The fieldtrips and activities are fun but it is these relational moments that we all love most about camp.
I need to give another shout out to our amazing CZ Teen Staff members Luke, Kim, Olivia & Julia and our full time volunteers Mackenzie, Josh & Tom for all the hard work they did to keep camp running smoothly at the beginning of this week. I took a couple of days off when my hubby was finally able to come home from the hospital. (Yay!)
Pastor Greg, Pastor Jeremy (JZ) and our Children’s Ministry Director Rachel all enjoyed coming in to offer some adult support but our teens were the ones in charge of our camp day. I couldn’t be more proud of them. I hope they all are able to get lots of R&R this weekend, they deserve it.
Here is what’s coming up next week.
Week 6: The Week with No Theme.
Monday: Bowling. Wear tennis shoes.
Tuesday: Camp Zion Serves
Wednesday: Learning Lab
Thursday: Roller Skating. Bring Socks.
Have a great weekend,
Rachel
Zion E-News (7-18-2019)
Over the summer, I have be rereading JRR Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. Other than the Bible, there is no book I have read cover to cover more often than this trilogy. It would be no stretch to say these are my favorite books of all time. Earlier this week, I came across a line that seemed particularly fitting for Camp Zion.
At one point in the story, one of the characters, Frodo, is struck by a spear in battle and everyone thinks he has been killed. But surprisingly, the spear has done no more than bruise him. Everyone is amazed he is even alive and the Gandalf says, “There is more about you than meets the eye.”
The same could be said of our Camp Zion staff over the past week. Because of Tom Verbrugge, Jr.’s hospitalization, Camp Director Rachel Verbrugge was not able to be present every day at Camp. Other staff filled in to provide another adult presence this week, but we did not lead camp. Our teen staff, Kimberly Verbrugge, Luke Austin, Julia Reynolds, and Olivia Davis led each days activities, directing other teen and adult volunteers, leading the games, coordinating with drivers, talking with parents, leading devotions and prayer, and more. They leadership skills they demonstrated were impressive.
When you get a chance, take a moment and affirm these young leaders in our church and Rachel Verbrugge for the way she has trained and encouraged these gifts in them.
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, we find our prophet confronted by both his own self-centeredness and the surprising righteousness of the pagans around him.
We will also be commissioning our High School mission trip team on Sunday as they prepare to travel to Lincoln, Nebraska on Monday. They will be serving all week at F Street Church (A Christian Reformed Ministry) in Lincoln in a variety of community ministries.
We also welcome Kristian VanNoord, whose work we support. She will be sharing with us about the work of Bethany Christian Services Resettlement efforts in Michigan to welcome and care for refugees arriving in the US after they have been forcibly displaced from their home countries.
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
Tom Verbrugge, Jr. returned home on Monday afternoon and is recovering well after battling a recent infection. They are thankful for the all the meals they received during Tom’s time in the hospital.
We hold Loren and Myra Renkema in our prayers as Loren continues under hospice care. Prayers for peace and comfort during this difficult time are appreciated.
Hayley Moore went through another round of chemotherapy last weekend following a recent cancer diagnosis and surgery. She was in great spirits on Sunday night while playing with her sister and returned home on Tuesday evening. Many have asked if they can assist the family with any meals. Due to a peanut allergy, the family cannot accept food from homes, but you can donate a gift card through grub hub if you would like. You can follow this linkto learn more.
We still have several open volunteer opportunities during August in our Summer Children’s Ministries. You can sign-up outside off Rm. 205 on Sunday or you can sign-up through the link below:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e044cafad2ca2ff2-summer1
Serve the World
If you are interested in learning about other cultures or exposing your children to other cultures and want to support global mission work, come out to Johnson Park on July 20 from 2-8 pm for a Taste of Bangladesh. All proceeds will go to support Bangla Ministries Worldwide. You will be able to sample Bangla food, see Bangla clothing and play Bangla games as well as enjoy a petting zoo, bluegrass music and a chili cook-off. More information can be found outside the church office or here.
Also, we will once again be collecting donations for School Supply Santa through Sunday, August 4. You can learn more about what is needed in the announcement at the end of this e-mail.
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 see many of you there.
A couple of weeks ago, I shared a little abut the Vision 2020 team and potential changes for our denomination. At General Synod, our national gathering, they shared three broad options for how we could move forward as a denomination given the ongoing tensions around issues of human sexuality. Each of their three options contained several variations of the options. The first option was to do nothing and stay the same. While the Vision 2020 team did not think this was a realistic option, it is a possibility. Alternatively, we could simply rearrange the furniture, so to speak, and focus on key theological beliefs we share in common and allow for permissible differences on a variety of social issues. You can read more about the second option here.
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: $77,642.74
Fiscal Year to date contributions: $67,973.04
Camp ZIon 2019 Week 5
Hello Camp Zion Families,
Bug week was a busy one around camp. Everyone seemed to have a good time with all of our activities especially on our trip to the museum. I love that place.
During this weeks Bible lessons we focused on Psalm 23:4 which says, “He (God) renews my strength”. Just like when we do a lot of physical activity and become tired sometimes the burdens we carry make our hearts and minds tired. When we are feeling weary in spirit God encourages us to turn to him in prayer and He will give us rest from our worries. God is here and available to talk to anytime of day in any circumstance.
I want to give a shout out to Kim, Luke, Olivia, Julia and Mackenzie who in a moments notice took over running all aspects of camp for a couple of days this past week, when I had to leave for a family emergency. Their training and natural leadership skills shined through in bright new ways this week. I am so incredibly proud of them. They are all super heros!!!
Here is what’s happening next week:
Week 5 – Transportation Week
Monday – Soccer Zone.
Tuesday – Movie Day & Slip-n-slide. Bring swimsuits and towels.
Wednesday – Learning Lab.
Thursday – 1st-3rd Grade = Play World. Bring Socks. 4th-6th Grade = Grandville Middle School Pool. Bring swimsuits and towels.
Have a great weekend,
Rachel
Zion E-News (7-10-2019)
Over the past few days I have been reading Francis Chan’s Letters to the Church. Per usual, Chan offers some challenging critiques of the American church including how we can reduce membership in the church to coming to a weekly worship service (and I would add other programmed events). At one point, he presents a fictional conversation between Peter and Paul about their favorite church and the programs it offers. One is interested in checking out the other’s church, but not that week because he is already too busy on Sunday with kids activities. It’s a pretty harsh critique of our willingness to settle for minimal to weak relationships and commitments to one another.
And then, earlier this week, I came across an article suggesting a simple and easy way to improve your experience of church. You can read the article here. The quick summary is to come 15 minutes early and stay 15 minutes longer after church. Basically, spend more time getting to know people in your church and give yourself time for relationships rather than rushing to church a few minutes late and then rushing home or to the next event of the day.
The challenging reality is that church is not about programmed events or weekly worship services or cool comfortable buildings, church is all about people and our commitment to them. The early church was known for their love for one another, for their care for each other and even strangers in the midst of plagues, and their welcoming embrace of old and young, rich and poor, men and women, slave and free, Jews and Greeks. These kinds of relationships take time. Not just commitment over weeks, months, and years, but also time every week and also during the week sharing our joy and concerns with one another. Sharing life together.
They early church shared life so well together that even non-believers were drawn to know more about Jesus, which is exactly what Jesus promised in John 17:20-23.
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
Did you catch that? People will come to know Jesus because of the unity they see evident in the church, because of the quality of our relationships, because of our love for one another.
Now we can’t know everyone in the church equally, but we can be intentional to develop some close friends through small groups, discipleship triads, serving teams, and simply reaching out to make a friend and be a friend and in the process we can help form a community that gives people a glimpse of the love of God and point them to Jesus. What can you do this week to develop these types of relationships?
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, we find our prophet in the midst of a ferocious storm, but even in the storms of life, God is still there with him and with us.
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
Tom Verbrugge, Jr. was hospitalized earlier this week due to a significant infection in his leg. Tom and the family ask for prayers for healing and peace during this time.
We hold Loren and Myra Renkema in our prayers as Loren continues under hospice care. Prayers for peace and comfort during this difficult time are appreciated.
Hayley Moore continues receiving both chemotherapy following a recent cancer diagnosis and surgery. Chemotherapy is expected to last about 6 months. This weekend, she will receive a different chemo drug and the family asks for both effectiveness and minimal side effects. Due to a peanut allergy, the family cannot accept food from homes, but you can donate a gift card through grub hub if you would like. You can follow this linkto learn more.
During the summer, we take a break from our regular children’s programming to allow our teachers have a break from prepping lessons each week. Instead, we show age appropriate Christian videos for kids ages 3 years old through 3rd grade. We are still looking for a few volunteers. Please consider volunteering to help over the summer! It’s a great way to get to know some of the awesome children in our church! You can sign up via the link below, or there’s a sign-up sheet outside of Room 205. There are still a couple of weeks that need some people to care for and support our children. Rachel Brower will meet with volunteers each Sunday before church so they know how to run the video. You must have gone through Keeping Kids Safe training and a background check in order to volunteer. If not, Rachel can meet with you to go over our policy. You can sign-up through the link below:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e044cafad2ca2ff2-summer1
Serve the World
If you are interested in learning about other cultures or exposing your children to other cultures and want to support global mission work, come out to Johnson Park on July 20 from 2-8 pm for a Taste of Bangladesh. All proceeds will go to support Bangla Ministries Worldwide. You will be able to sample Bangla food, see Bangla clothing and play Bangla games as well as enjoy a petting zoo, bluegrass music and a chili cook-off. More information can be found outside the church office or here.
Also, we will once again be collecting donations for School Supply Santa. You can learn more about what is needed in the announcement at the end of this e-mail.
Administrative Details
A couple of weeks ago, I shared a little abut the Vision 2020 team and potential changes for our denomination. At General Synod, our national gathering, they shared three broad options for how we could move forward as a denomination given the ongoing tensions around issues of human sexuality. Each of their three options contained several variations of the options. The first option was to do nothing and stay the same. While the Vision 2020 team did not think this was a realistic option, it is a possibility. Alternatively, we could simply rearrange the furniture, so to speak, and focus on key theological beliefs we share in common and allow for permissible differences on a variety of social issues. You can read more about the first option here.
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: $66,550.92
Fiscal Year to date contributions: $62,739.04
