ZION E-NEWS (10-17-24)

AS WE GATHER in person for Worship each Sunday at 9:30am the service can also be viewed on our website at zionreformed.online.church and streaming on our YouTube channel.

FOR THE next couple of months, there will be road construction on 36th Street between Kenowa and Canal. While you can drive on 36th currently, the driveways into Zion are affected. Please plan to enter the parking lot from the north side, off Fair Meadow.

PRAYER REQUEST: Continue to pray for those in our congregation who deal with ongoing health issues.

DISCOVER ZION CLASS: Would you like to learn more about Zion? Pastor Marcia will be leading a Discover Zion class on Sunday morning, November 3rd after the worship service. Brunch will be served. This is a great place to hear about Zion’s mission and vision, meet the ministry staff, and find out ways to get connected further in our community. If you are interested in becoming a member at Zion, we will share what membership looks like here as well. To RSVP, please email Pastor Marcia at mpratt@zionreformed.org.

PRAYER REQUEST: Continue to pray for those in our congregation who deal with ongoing health issues.

                                                                                                                                                                                           

  SENIOR FRIENDS: Pastor Marcia and Angie would love for you to join them On Thursday morning, Oct. 24th at 10:00AM for some coffee and conversation at Zion. Not sure if you are a senior? You decide! All are welcome.

DISCOVER ZION CLASS: Would you like to learn more about Zion? Pastor Marcia will be leading a Discover Zion class on Sunday morning, November 3rd after the worship service. Brunch will be served. This is a great place to hear about Zion’s mission and vision, meet the ministry staff, and find out ways to get connected further in our community. If you are interested in becoming a member at Zion, we will share what membership looks like here as well. To RSVP, please email Pastor Marcia at mpratt@zionreformed.org.

CHURCH-WIDE BIBLE MEMORY: Led by our children, who regularly memorize Scripture for “Say It” days, we will be working together on a church-wide Bible memory challenge this fall. Our text is Philippians 2:1-4 from the New International Version: “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

THIS FALL as part of our Serve with Dignity intergenerational learning opportunity we will be hosting a church-wide Morning of Service on Sunday, October 27th. We will begin in the sanctuary at our normal service time of 9:30 AM, and will open our time together with a song, meditation, and prayer. We will then spend the rest of the morning serving together!  EVERYONE is welcome to join us for the Morning of Service, even if you are not signed up for the Serving with Dignity class. We will have options available for all ages and abilities.

CANDY DONATIONS NEEDED:  We are participating in a
Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 26th from 11 am – 1 pm that our neighbors at Western Michigan Comprehensive Treatment Center are sponsoring.

We are anticipating a large number of children and we want to make
sure we have enough candy to share with all Trunk-or-Treaters!! If you would like to donate candy and help make this a  ‘fun’tastic’ event for kids in our community you can place your donation in the blue tub in the narthex. Thank you!

ZION’S YOUTH GROUPS  will be joining the rest of the congregation at the Serving with Dignity Class on Sundays from 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm, with dinner to follow (this means no traditional middle school or high school youth group meetings, rather, we are shifting all 6th-12th graders to this full congregation course).

DONATIONS of the following items (full size – not travel size) are needed for the Personal Care Pantry and can be placed in the box in the narthex marked “pantry donations”.  Laundry Soap,  Bar Soap,   Dish Soap,  Disposable Razors,  Shampoo,  Conditioner,  Toothpaste,  Paper grocery bags, Deodorant, Tampons, Maxi Pads, Paper towels (1 or 2 pack) and  Toilet paper (1-4 pack).

IF YOU need help, either with food, personal care items, or financial needs, please contact Austen DeHaan, our chair of deacons, and he can help connect you with the appropriate resources at Zion. His e-mail is austin331@gmail.com and his phone number is (269) 762-9748

WE CONTINUE to thank God for his provision of all of our needs and the generous support of our congregation with their time, talent, and resources.

2024/25 YTD Budget:  $230,361.80
2024/25 YTD Contributions:  $180,935.60
Giving Last Week:  $7,482.73

 

CHURCH-WIDE BIBLE MEMORY: Led by our children, who regularly memorize Scripture for “Say It” days, we will be working together on a church-wide Bible memory challenge this fall. Our text is Philippians 2:1-4 from the New International Version: “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

THIS FALL as part of our Serve with Dignity intergenerational learning opportunity we will be hosting a church-wide Morning of Service on Sunday, October 27th. We will begin in the sanctuary at our normal service time of 9:30 AM, and will open our time together with a song, meditation, and prayer. We will then spend the rest of the morning serving together!  EVERYONE is welcome to join us for the Morning of Service, even if you are not signed up for the Serving with Dignity class. We will have options available for all ages and abilities.

 

 

CANDY DONATIONS NEEDED:  We are participating in a Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 26th from 11 am – 1 pm that our neighbors at Western Michigan Comprehensive Treatment Center are sponsoring.  We are anticipating a large number of children and we want to make sure we have enough candy to share with all Trunk-or-Treaters!!

If you would like to donate candy and help make this a  ‘fun’tastic’ event for kids in our community you can place your donation in the blue tub in the narthex. Thank you!

 

ZION’S YOUTH GROUPS  will be joining the rest of the congregation at the Serving with Dignity Class on Sundays from 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm, with dinner to follow (this means no traditional middle school or high school youth group meetings, rather, we are shifting all 6th-12th graders to this full congregation course).

DONATIONS of the following items (full size – not travel size) are needed for the Personal Care Pantry and can be placed in the box in the narthex marked “pantry donations”.  Laundry Soap,  Bar Soap,   Dish Soap,  Disposable Razors,  Shampoo,  Conditioner,  Toothpaste,  Paper grocery bags, Deodorant, Tampons, Maxi Pads, Paper towels (1 or 2 pack) and  Toilet paper (1-4 pack).

IF YOU need help, either with food, personal care items, or financial needs, please contact Austen DeHaan, our chair of deacons, and he can help connect you with the appropriate resources at Zion. His e-mail is austin331@gmail.com and his phone number is (269) 762-9748

WE CONTINUE to thank God for his provision of all of our needs and the generous support of our congregation with their time, talent, and resources.

2024/25 YTD Budget:  $230,361.80
2024/25 YTD Contributions:  $180,935.60
Giving Last Week:  $7,482.73

 

 

ZION E-NEWS (9-14-23)

1 Corinthians 12:12-27

Unity and Diversity in the Body
Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body.  And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body.  If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?  But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.  If they were all one part, where would the body be?  As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”  On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty,while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.  If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

This fall, I have the opportunity to coach Eliza and Teddy’s soccer teams. With Eliza’s age group, the extent of coaching is making sure they’re kicking the ball in the right direction and cheering like crazy when they do something well.

With Teddy’s age group, coaching looks a bit different. He moved up a division, which comes with a larger field, more players, and specific positions that each have their own role to play in the larger game. The players all know their positions and are right where they need to be before the whistle blows. As the game is played, however, the tendency for the kids is to “creep” toward the ball – where the action is – and therefore become out of position. We’re teaching them the importance of being in position – playing their role – even if it feels like they’re not doing anything at the moment. We remind them that even though it FEELS like they’re not doing anything at the moment, they are – spreading the defense, protecting the weak side, freeing up space for their team mates, and being ready for the ball when it comes their way.

This reminds me of the passage in 1 Corinthians. As a team, as a community, as a church – we’re one body with many parts. We’ve all been given different gifts and roles to play and we need to lean into them. Every role matters, whether it’s where the visual action is right now or it’s serving faithfully behind the scenes. We are all an important part of the body of Christ and God uses all of us. Thank you all for faithfully praying for the church and serving in whatever capacity you’re able to in this season of your life. Your role matters and is valued.
~Ashley VanderWall

CONNECT TO GOD
AS WE GATHER in person for Worship each Sunday at 9:30am the service can also be viewed on our website at zionreformed.online.church and streaming on our YouTube channel. We will also rebroadcast a version of the service on WCET at noon on Friday and 10:30AM on Sunday. The service will continue to be available on YouTube to watch at your convenience.

ZION KIDS: All kids birth through 5th grade must be signed in at the Zion Kids Check-In Kiosk located in the lobby before the service. The nursery will be staffed for kids birth – 3 yrs.  Preschoolers meet in room 206.  K-2nd graders meet in room 205. 3rd – 5th graders meet in room 207.  Please bring the corresponding tag to pick up your child after worship. We’re excited to begin the year!

ZION YOUTH: Regular Weekly youth group meetings start this Sunday, Sept 17th.
High School Youth(9-12 grade) meet from 4:00 – 5:30 pm.
Middle School Youth (6-8th grade) meet from 5:45 – 7:15 pm.

GROW IN COMMUNITY
ZION’S ANNUAL Keeping Kids Safe child protection policy training will be held this Sunday, Sept. 17. We will meet in the youth room following the morning worship service. This training is mandatory for all adults (and highly encouraged for those who are not yet 18) working with children & youth in any of our ministry programs. Please plan on attending one of these available classes.

PRAYER REQUEST: Continue to pray for those in our congregation who deal with ongoing health issues. 

DO YOU like to bake? We are looking for volunteers to make (or purchase) cookies to serve at coffee time after worship. If you would be willing to provide cookies occasionally please call or text Dianne Kooiker at 616-538-3179.

TWO CAMPING SPOTS are available for Zion’s family camping weekend (September 22-24) at Dunes Harbor. This happens to be their Harvest weekend so there will be some special events like a campground wide Trunk or Treat, tractor wagon ides, archery, hatchets, scavenger hunt, worship in the pavilion, evening movie, plus more.  If you are interested contact Pastor Rick or Jonell.

ALL BUILDING AND GROUNDS issues or concerns should be directed to Troy Austin. You can reach him via email at troymaustin@gmail.com or call or text him at (616) 914-0141.

NURSERY COORDINATOR: We are looking to hire a Nursery Coordinator. If you are interested in this position you can view the job description here. If you have questions or would like to know more, please contact Shanda VandePol (our P&A chair) at: shandavandepol@yahoo.com or at 616-308-0700.

SERVE THE WORLD
HAND2HAND will be packing food bags this morning following worship. If you would like to help pack (it’s easy and it’s fun) head downstairs  after worship and they will show you how!

DONATIONS of the following items (full size – not travel size) are needed for the Personal Care Pantry and can be placed in the box in the narthex marked “pantry donations”.  Laundry Soap,  Bar Soap,   Dish Soap,  Disposable Razors,  Shampoo,  Conditioner,  Toothpaste,  Paper grocery bags, Deodorant, Tampons, Maxi Pads, Paper towels (1 or 2 pack) and  Toilet paper (1-4 pack).

IF YOU need help, either with food, personal care items, help grocery shopping, or with financial needs, please contact Tom MacGraw, our chair of deacons, and he can help connect you with the appropriate resources at Zion. His e-mail is thomas.m.macgraw@gmail.com and his phone number is (616) 315-7938.

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 2023/24 Budget:  $173,144.25
Fiscal Year 2023/24 Contributions: $149,723.03
Giving Last Week: $22,508.00

 

 

ZION E-NEWS (7-13-23)

If you’re reading this as it is released, I’m nearing the end of our mission trip to Holland with the middle school youth group. This is my first mission trip since 2019 and I have been looking forward to it all year. There is nothing like the spiritual high I feel while on, and for the time just after a mission trip.

Mission trips are where I decided to publicly profess my belief in  God after a trip to the Dominican Republic. They are also where I felt called to volunteer with the youth group after I graduated, which I have been doing for the last 17 years, after a trip to Alaska. And like I said earlier, this is the time that I feel closest to God because I am serving alongside a community of believers.

Service is an important part of being a Christian, but that service doesn’t look the same for everyone. 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV) says “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms”. So, what does that service look like for you? Here are a couple of ideas for you…

Talk to Tom Boeve about getting involved with the Personal Care Pantry (and bring a ton of toothbrushes and toothpaste!). Come downstairs on a Hand2Hand packing day and work alongside your brothers and sisters as you fulfill the needs of students in Grandville Public Schools. Talk to Shawn Sanders and Sheila Johnson about dropping off food each week to Grandview Elementary. Call Becky Harkes and volunteer in nursery so you can serve the kids and their parents. Talk to Jill Austin and come help sort clothes for Threads. Go as a family to serve a meal at a local soup kitchen. Help remove pens and stack chairs after worship while Camp Zion is happening this summer. Volunteer at Camp Zion or sign up to provide food for them!

You won’t regret doing any of those things. And if none of those fit the gifts you were given, find some way to use your gifts! Using your gifts will change you and grow you.

~Tom MacGraw

CONNECT TO GOD

AS WE GATHER in person for Worship each Sunday at 9:30am the service can also be viewed on our website at zionreformed.online.church and streaming on our YouTube channel. We will also rebroadcast a version of the service on WCET at noon on Friday and 10:30AM on Sunday. The service will continue to be available on YouTube to watch at your convenience.

GROW IN COMMUNITY

PRAYER REQUEST: Barb Overweg did not have an ablation on her back as planned but was given a nerve block instead.Linda Tuit is recovering from hip replacement surgery. Pray for those in our congregation who have ongoing health issues.

DO YOU like to bake? We are looking for volunteers to make (or purchase) cookies to serve at coffee time after worship. If you would be willing to provide cookies occasionally please call or text Dianne Kooiker at 616-538-3179.

SERVE THE WORLD
WE ARE collecting toothbrushes and  tubes of toothpaste through August to meet our goal of providing toothbrushes and toothpaste to all of our Personal Care Pantry, Hand2Hand, and Threads participants in September. Donations can be placed in the Personal Care Pantry box in the narthex.  Thank you!

SUMMER is a great time to try out new ways to serve at Zion! It is also the time of year that people who are looking for a church home tend to visit and we want them to feel welcomed! We all know that first impressions are important! Our First Impressions Team is looking for volunteers to make coffee, serve as an usher, greeter, or to help at the child check in station. All of these tasks are very easy, require minimal  time commitment and you can pick your own schedule! Click here to sign-up through Sign-Up-Genius or call Connie in the church office at 616-534-7533 ext. 3 and she can help you with scheduling!

DONATIONS of the following items (full size – not travel size) are needed for the Personal Care Pantry and can be placed in the box in the narthex marked “pantry donations”.  Laundry Soap,  Bar Soap,   Dish Soap,  Disposable Razors,  Shampoo,  Conditioner,  Toothpaste,  Paper grocery bags, Deodorant, Tampons, Maxi Pads, Paper towels (1 or 2 pack) and  Toilet paper (1-4 pack).

IF YOU need help, either with food, personal care items, help grocery shopping, or with financial needs, please contact Tom MacGraw, our chair of deacons, and he can help connect you with the appropriate resources at Zion. His e-mail is thomas.m.macgraw@gmail.com and his phone number is (616) 315-7938.

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 2023/24 Budget:  $69,257.70
Fiscal Year 2023/24 Contributions: $64,284.70
Giving Last Week: $10,797.45