ZION E-NEWS (5-25-23)

A big event and a few staffing updates

We don’t mistakenly overlook Christmas and Easter.  We gear up for each during the seasons of Advent and Lent.  Store displays and advertisements remind us of these two Christian holidays.  Yet, there is a third major Christian holiday we often overlook, and it could be even easier to miss during Memorial Day weekend.  This Sunday is Pentecost.  This was the day, recorded in Acts 2, when the Holy Spirit came following the ascension of Jesus.  This Sunday’s message will remind us of how the Holy Spirit is at work and is crucial for our faith.

Along with reminding you about Pentecost, I also want to share a few staffing updates.

1.  Pastor Rick is retiring from full-time work at Zion on June 1 (though he is using vacation time the rest of this month). He has signed a contract to provide visitation to our Friends at Home over the next year. He will visit them at least quarterly and serve them communion.  He may choose to visit others on his own (wearing a friend hat rather than a pastor hat!). He is also available, if he is asked and willing, to do funerals.

Other pastoral care (hospital visits, pre-surgery prayer, etc….) will be picked up by Pastor Steve (and eventually the Lead Pastor) and Pastor Jeremy. They are also available to do funerals. Our Elders can also provide basic care.

Moving forward, if you have a need for pastoral care (phone call, visit, prayer email, etc…), please contact the office or notify the Lead Pastor or Associate Pastor.

You can express appreciation to Pastor Rick by dropping a card in the designated box in the back of the sanctuary by June Also, let’s not bombard Pastor Rick with care or custodial questions that are beyond his contracted work.  Just as the pastors are picking up the care needs, we have re-established a building and grounds team that you can go to with facility matters.

2.  We have hired two part-time custodians to cover the custodial work that Pastor Rick has done.  Nicole Wilder and Rachel Mouw began working at Zion this week.

3.  We have hired a building organizer to set up and take down tables and chairs as well as setting up other items like the communion table, baptismal font or for larger events.  Mariah Murphy began serving in this role this week.

Serving Together,
~ Pastor Steve

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 is switching over to our summer programming. Beginning this Sunday, May 28 through Sept 3 we will hold one combined class each week for kids ages 3yrs old through 3rd grade.  We will sing songs, watch a Bible story video, pray together and have some playtime while service is happening in the sanctuary.  Children should check in at the child check in station each week as usual.

GROW IN COMMUNITY

PLEASE JOIN US for a special Prayer Service on Sunday, June 11.  We will meet in the Youth Room after morning worship to spend time praying for the Lead Pastor Search Team and the search process.  A prayer guide will be distributed.

PRAYER REQUEST: Continue to pray for our Search Team, Matt Eling, Jill Austin, Ken Cook, Kathy MacGraw, Andrew Moore, Patti Steere, Kyle VanderWall, and Pastor Steve. Pray for those in our congregation who have ongoing health issues.

AT THE ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING  Michelle Holzgen and Nancy Steenbergen were elected to the office of Elder and Andy Boeskool and Austen DeHaan were elected to the office of Deacon. These new officers will be ordained and installed on Sunday, June 4.  The 23/24 Budget was approved at $600,233.46.

SAVE THE DATE! The Ordination and Installation Service for Jeremy Zoet will be held at Zion on Sunday, June 25 beginning at 9:30AM.

ON SUNDAY, JUNE 4 we will honor pastor Rick for his 23 years of service at Zion and celebrate his retirement with a cake reception following worship. We encourage you to write Rick a card or note of thanks and place it in the basket at the back of the sanctuary and we will present them to him on June 4.

SERVE THE WORLD
HAND2HAND is looking for volunteers to deliver food to Grandview Elementary School.  Delivery would be every Wednesday or Thursday between 3:30-4:00PM  beginning in the fall and continue weekly during the regular school year schedule. Food is packed in totes so volunteers would need to be able to lift the totes which can weigh up to 40lbs.  Contact Sheila Johnson or Shawn Sanders if you have more questions or would like to help.

CAMP ZION will begin on June 19 and we have some items we could use on our wish list.  Recyclable items include: paper towel tubes, egg cartons & empty cereal boxes.  We also have some items on our Amazon Wish List.  Any items you would care to donate can be placed in the Camp Zion donation box near the church mailboxes or shipped directly to church.

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 Jerrod Holzgen, our chair of deacons, and he can help connect you with the appropriate resources at Zion. His e-mail is jerrod.holzgen@gmail.com and his phone number is 616-520-1771.

ADMINISTRATION
We continue to thank God for his provision of all of our needs and for the generous support of our congregation with their time, talent, and treasures.

Fiscal Year 2022/23 Budget:  $523,319.67
Fiscal Year 2022/23 Contributions: $527,699.45
Giving Last Week: $5,836.45

ZION E-NEWS (5-18-23)

     This week marks the end of my full time job here at Zion. This Sunday, May 21, I have the opportunity to preach and then when I’m done, lock the doors for the last time. I would not be completely honest with you if I didn’t say this comes with mixed emotions. I’m excited about this next chapter in life but also will miss taking care of the facilities and working each day with some really great people. I will still be working part time as a calling pastor, visiting and caring for those who are not able to come to church anymore, but the day to day stuff will look a bit different. Thank you so much for allowing me to be not only your custodian but your pastor as well. It has been an absolute joy to work and walk along side of each one of you.
     As I reflect on the past 23 years, one of the things that really hits me is how fast time goes. Retirement was always something off in the distance and all of a sudden, it’s here.
When I first started, Kay Sikkema was still working as the secretary. She was just finishing up her time here after 30 years of working. I’m not going to make that number but I came close.
Some of the things I remember early on were certain people that helped me with some of the ideas I had. For example, wanting to change the lighting and add ceiling tiles in the classrooms downstairs. Steve Nauta, a former member and great friend, and I came up with the “Adopt-a-room” idea to raise the money and together we put up ceiling tile and lighting so the classrooms were a bit nicer. I had the opportunity to oversee the sanctuary upgrade we did about 16 years ago, the parking lot and playground upgrade, and more recently the bathroom upgrade and basement “facelift” (which should be done fairly shortly). To be able to talk to the construction people, the volunteers, and a multitude of other people has been pure joy. When I took on the role of pastor, going back to school and everything that was involved in becoming a Commissioned Pastor, you were there, encouraging me, praying for me and supporting me. I am forever grateful. Zion is one awesome family. I could go on and on (as most of you know, that comes fairly easy for me 🙂 but I think it is important to note here that things do change. Zion is also about to enter the next chapter of its story. Soon we will have a new Senior Pastor, Jeremy will be a great associate Pastor, Connie will continue to hold everything together as she has done so well over the years, and all of us will continue to follow God’s leading. And together, we will continue to make a difference in this community. Because that’s who we are and what we do well.I love you all so much and now, I will be able to talk a little longer after church because I won’t have to run off and “do things”. However, if I seem a little fidgety, thinking I need to still do stuff, just give me a little time and grace. I’m sure it will eventually pass. 😉

~Pastor Rick

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 will have a Hysteroscopic Myomectomy on May 23. Please pray that the procedure goes well  and for favorable results.  Continue to pray for our Search Team, Matt Eling, Jill Austin, Ken Cook, Kathy MacGraw, Andrew Moore, Patti Steere, Kyle VanderWall, and Pastor Steve. Pray for those in our congregation who have ongoing health issues.

THE FAMILY of John VerWys thanks the Zion family for their Christian love shown to them during Sandy’s illness and passing into Glory. A special thanks to Pastor Rick, Dianne Kooiker, Jeremy Zoet and the Zion ladies who assisted during the celebration service. Thanks also for the cards and other expressions of love. What a joy to be a part of the Zion community.

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.

AT THE ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING  Michelle Holzgen and Nancy Steenbergen were elected to the office of Elder and Andy Boeskool and Austen DeHaan were elected to the office of Deacon. These new officers will be ordained and installed on Sunday, June 4.  The 23/24 Budget was approved at $600,233.46.

SAVE THE DATE! The Ordination and Installation Service for Jeremy Zoet will be held at Zion on Sunday, June 25 beginning at 9:30AM.

ON SUNDAY, JUNE 4 we will honor pastor Rick for his 23 years of service at Zion and celebrate his retirement with a cake reception following worship. We encourage you to write Rick a card or note of thanks and place it in the basket at the back of the sanctuary and we will present them to him on June 4.

SERVE THE WORLD
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:  The nursery is looking for a few more volunteers to serve in the nursery on Sunday mornings. Volunteers serve about one time every five weeks. If you are interested in helping, please contact Becky Harkes at (616) 889-3396, rebeccaharkes@gmail.com, or in person after church.

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).

HAND2HAND could use donations of the following food:  Snack Pack / Jello pudding cups, bags of cracker or snack cracker packs,rice krispie treats (prepackaged), granola bars, slim jim beef snack sticks, fruit snacks, and microwave popcorn.

IF YOU need help, either with food, personal care items, help grocery shopping, or with financial needs, please contact Jerrod Holzgen, our chair of deacons, and he can help connect you with the appropriate resources at Zion. His e-mail is jerrod.holzgen@gmail.com and his phone number is 616-520-1771.

ADMINISTRATION
We continue to thank God for his provision of all of our needs and for the generous support of our congregation with their time, talent, and treasures.

Fiscal Year 2022/23 Budget:  $513,058.50
Fiscal Year 2022/23 Contributions: $521,863.00
Giving Last Week: $8,154.45

ZION E-NEWS (5-11-23)

As Mother’s Day approaches, we take time to reflect on the incredible gift of mothers and motherhood. The most significant mother in the Bible is of course Mary, the mother of Jesus. I don’t know about you, but I’ve often thought it would be nice if the Bible gave us more detail about the childhood of Jesus and the motherhood of Mary. What we do know of Mary though, is her devotion to God and her willingness to submit to God’s will. In Luke 1:38, Mary speaks to the angel Gabriel, saying, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” As I reflect on my own mother’s life and legacy, I would imagine most people who know her well, especially her kids and grandkids, would say this too is the prayer of Carla’s life: “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” My mom is not a perfect mom. No mother is. Her kids and grandkids might sometimes be annoyed by some of her imperfections and tease her once in a while about said imperfections, but we know at the center of her being is a desire to be devoted to God and a hope for others to do the same. My hope and prayer is that this devotion to God may also be the core desire of all the moms at Zion. For out of a life devoted to God come the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). When that fruit of the Spirit comes out, that’s the good stuff of moms that we admire and feel safe with.

Yet we also know this is not everyone’s experience of their mom or Mother’s Day. For some, Mother’s Day is a day of pain because of a mother who let us down. For others, Mother’s Day is a day mixed with grief because of the painful death of a child or of a mother. Because of this, Mother’s Day can feel like a dark cloud is surrounding us and we don’t want to feel the things we are feeling. But we don’t have to run away from these feelings. God gave us emotions to process life and your emotions are valid and can be leaned into. It’s okay to hurt, to long for, to be disappointed, or to feel depleted. Why else would Scripture tell us that “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18)?

Whatever Mother’s Day is for you, remember that it’s often not the same for someone else. So on this Mother’s Day, may we find ourselves rejoicing with those who rejoice and mourning with those who mourn (Romans 12:15), that we may be encouragement and love to one another as the body of Christ and a light to the world.

-Jeremy Zoet

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

CONGRATULATIONS TO our 2023 Graduates:  SAMANTHA ERIKS is graduating from Jenison High School. She plans to attend Hope College to major in Spanish & Undecided, most likely with a Writing minor.   IAN LOBBES is graduating from Jenison High School. He plans to attend GRCC this fall but is undecided on a major.

IF YOU were unable to have your photo taken for our online directory and would like to have one posted you can email a photo (jpeg format) to Connie at cstegeman@zionreformed.org and she will upload it to your profile.

PRAYER REQUEST: Continue to pray for our Search Team, Matt Eling, Jill Austin, Ken Cook, Kathy MacGraw, Andrew Moore, Patti Steere, Kyle VanderWall, and Pastor Steve. 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.

AT THE ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING  Michelle Holzgen and Nancy Steenbergen were elected to the office of Elder and Andy Boeskool and Austen DeHaan were elected to the office of Deacon. These new officers will be ordained and installed on Sunday, June 4.  The 23/24 Budget was approved at $600,233.46.

SAVE THE DATE! The Ordination and Installation Service for Jeremy Zoet will be held at Zion on Sunday, June 25 beginning at 9:30AM.

ON SUNDAY, JUNE 4 we will honor pastor Rick for his 23 years of service at Zion and celebrate his retirement with a cake reception following worship. We encourage you to write Rick a card or note of thanks and place it in the basket at the back of the sanctuary and we will present them to him on June 4.

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!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:  The nursery is looking for a few more volunteers to serve in the nursery on Sunday mornings. Volunteers serve about one time every five weeks. If you are interested in helping, please contact Becky Harkes at (616) 889-3396, rebeccaharkes@gmail.com, or in person after church.

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).

HAND2HAND could use donations of the following food:  Snack Pack / Jello pudding cups, bags of cracker or snack cracker packs,rice krispie treats (prepackaged), granola bars, slim jim beef snack sticks, fruit snacks, and microwave popcorn.

IF YOU need help, either with food, personal care items, help grocery shopping, or with financial needs, please contact Jerrod Holzgen, our chair of deacons, and he can help connect you with the appropriate resources at Zion. His e-mail is jerrod.holzgen@gmail.com and his phone number is 616-520-1771.

ADMINISTRATION
We continue to thank God for his provision of all of our needs and for the generous support of our congregation with their time, talent, and treasures.

Fiscal Year 2022/23 Budget:  $502,797.33
Fiscal Year 2022/23 Contributions: $513,708.55
Giving Last Week: $9,945.45