ZION E-NEWS (11-9-23)

Here’s a recap of our all church potluck last Sunday.

FOOD:  If you missed it, you really missed out! There were 14 crockpots containing a variety of delicious meats, casseroles, and vegetables, over 20 sides and salads, and 2 tables full of yummy desserts!

FELLOWSHIP:  With about 100 people in attendance we filled the basement with conversation and laughter.

FUN:  Pastor Marcia and Jonathan squared off against Pastor Jeremy and Kim in a round of the Shoe Game. To play the Shoe Game the couples each take off their shoes, and swap one so they each have one of their own and one of their partner’s. Then, sitting back to back they are asked a series of questions about the couple’s preferences, experiences, and personalities. For example, Who is the better driver? Who is the most likely to lose their keys? Who is more stubborn? The couple answers each question by raising the shoe that they believe represents the best answer, either their own shoe or their partner’s shoe. To make it even more interesting, the questions were asked by their daughters Lauren and Olivia who would occasionally share their opinions! It was a close game but the Zoet’s squeaked out the win. Not only did we get to know our pastors and their spouses better but they might have learned a bit more about each other too!

Many thanks to all who attended and to all those that helped with cleanup!

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.

PRAYER REQUEST: Please continue to pray for those in our congregation who are dealing with ongoing health issues.

FRIENDS OF Steve and Shawn Landstra have organized a card drive for Steve. If you would like to participate here is the information:
I’m reaching out with a heartfelt request on behalf of our friend Steve. During difficult times, the power of love and support becomes more significant than ever. We would like to create a collective outpouring of positive energy, encouragement, and well wishes for Steve on this Thanksgiving Day.
I’m inviting you to join us in creating a Thanksgiving Card Drive for Steve by sending cards, notes, and written prayers. Any words of comfort, strength and humor will serve as a source of solace and inspiration during this challenging journey. Steve’s birthday is on Nov 25, so that is something to celebrate as well.
If you’d like to contribute, please send your cards and notes by November 22 to:

Steve Landstra
c/o Deb Maddox
4070 Eagle Rock Ct.
Grandville, MI 49418

We’ll gather your cards and deliver them as one gift to Steve on Thanksgiving Day. Thank you for your support and help on this collective gift.  Denise Russell, Deb Maddox, Amy White & Kathy Cox

ZION YOUTH: Regular Weekly youth group meetings are on Sunday’s at the following times:
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.

YOUTH FUNDRAISERS: Our youth are selling 2024 God’s Creation Calendars ($10) and Key Card Books ($30).  If you haven’t been contacted and would like to purchase one please contact any one of our youth or call the church office at 616-534-7533.

THIS PAST September we had a great time camping at Dunes Harbor Family Campground. It was a great weekend with lots of food, fun, and stories around the campfire. Believe it or not, we are already planning next years camping weekend. Currently we have we have four cabins and ten campsites on the dates of June 6-9 being held for us. What we need to know is how many of you are interested. There is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board by the office or let Pastor Rick or Jonell know if you are interested. I know it is a ways off but it’s never to early to think about camping next year!

THREADS: Here are the numbers from shopping day on Tuesday, Nov 7.
46 Families Shopped (9 were new families)
142 People were shopped for
623 Clothes were given away
93 Accessories (shoes, jewelry, purses, etc) were given away

46 Families shopped in the PCP Store
9 People received Haircuts

Also, for this first quarter of this school year (September – November):
2,716 Clothes Given Away
275 Accessories Given Away

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: We are currently serving 100 kids each week! We could use food donations of the following: pudding cups, 100% juice, juice boxes, beef stick, granola bars, Lance brand or that type of sandwich cracker and microwave popcorn. Also, now-December 3 we are collecting Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie Mix and ready to use frosting (16oz) to include in the last bag delivered before Christmas. Donations can be placed in the shopping cart in the narthex by the Welcome Center. 

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.

WELCOME to Zion’s new Nursery Coordinator, Olivia DeHaan!  Olivia has been a longtime   member of Zion. She is married to Austen and is mom to Ruby. We are so grateful for her   willingness to step into this important role as we together care for our littlest ones here at Zion!   Thank you, Olivia! Olivia begins her role as Nursery Coordinator, let’s help her as she further   develops a team of volunteers. We are SO blessed as a church community to have precious babies   and toddlers, and there are several more babies on the way in 2024!  When we baptize babies, we make promises as a church community to be active participants as we together raise children in the faith. This begins already in the nursery!  Please consider serving our little ones and their families!  You can reach Olivia at odehaan726@gmail.com or (616) 914-4467.

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:  $265,487.85
Fiscal Year 2023/24 Contributions:  $222,453.88
Giving Last Week: $8,923.74

OUR THANKSGIVING EVE Service will be held on Nov 22 at 6:30PM.  The Deacons have designated the Thanksgiving Offering as follows:

• The first $1,500 received will be split evenly between the Personal Care Pantry, Hand to Hand and Threads to help needy families with Christmas.
• $2,000 for Care Portal
• The balance split evenly between ICCF (Inner City Christian Federation) and the RCA Refugee Care Fund

ZION E-NEWS (11-5-23)

We are excited about the wonderful response we’ve had for our all-church potluck that will be held this Sunday after worship. Olivia Zoet and Lauren Bosma will be leading a game to help us get to know their parents (your pastors) better – there will surely be some eye rolling and laughter! There will also be some conversation cards on the tables to help you get to know other Zion attendees better as we share our meal. If you have not yet signed up, we invite you to join us.  Please bring a main dish and salad/side or dessert. Drinks and paper products will be provided. To RSVP on SignUp Genius click here or use this QR code.

ZION KIDS CHRISTMAS PROGRAM:  The Zion Kids Christmas program will be held on Dec 10, during the morning worship service. Practices will be held on Nov 5, Nov 12, Nov 19 & Dec 3 following the morning worship service.  Children will move directly to room 205 following their classes and practice together until 11:30 am. Dress Rehearsal will be held on Saturday, Dec 9 from 9am-11am. If you would like your child to participate in the Christmas program please contact Rachel Verbrugge via email zionkids@zionreformed.org by Oct 29th.

ZION KIDS: THE SAY IT DAY prize boxes are stocked and ready to go for this Sunday!

Kids, if you are able to recite this Bible verse, “But God showed His great love for us byus while we were yet sinners.”  Romans 5:8 NLT, from memory to your teacher in class on Nov 5, you will be able to choose a prize from our Say It Day treasure box.  Adults, we don’t have a treasure box for you but we all know the ultimate prize is being able to store God’s word in our hearts and minds.

ZION YOUTH: Regular Weekly youth group meetings are on Sunday’s at the following times:
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.

YOUTH FUNDRAISERS: Our youth are selling 2024 God’s Creation Calendars ($10) and Key Card Books ($30).  If you haven’t been contacted and would like to purchase one please contact any one of our youth or call the church office at 616-534-7533.

THIS PAST September we had a great time camping at Dunes Harbor Family Campground. It was a great weekend with lots of food, fun, and stories around the campfire. Believe it or not, we are already planning next years camping weekend. Currently we have we have four cabins and ten campsites on the dates of June 6-9 being held for us. What we need to know is how many of you are interested. There is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board by the office or let Pastor Rick or Jonell know if you are interested. I know it is a ways off but it’s never to early to think about camping next year!

SERVE THE WORLD
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: We are currently serving 100 kids each week! We could use food donations of the following: pudding cups, 100% juice, juice boxes, beef stick, granola bars, Lance brand or that type of sandwich cracker and microwave popcorn. Also, now-December 3 we are collecting Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie Mix and ready to use frosting (16oz) to include in the last bag delivered before Christmas. Donations can be placed in the shopping cart in the narthex by the Welcome Center.

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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:  $253,944.90
Fiscal Year 2023/24 Contributions:  $213,630.14
Giving Last Week: $5,965.73

ZION E-NEWS (10-19-23)
“I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.”  Psalm 121:1

Late yesterday afternoon, I enjoyed a beautiful drive northwest along US-31 toward Norton Shores for Lauren’s OK-Green Cross-Country Championship meet. The sun had finally peeked out after several days of clouds and rain. And the trees were just ablaze with color. As I drove along, I was stunned and delighted by the radiant hues of reds and yellow, mixed throughout with the deep greens of evergreen trees.

The Cross-Country meet was held at Oak Ridge golf course, which backs up to PJ Hoffmaster State Park. While waiting for the runners to begin, I looked around at the sweeping views of rising hills around me, full of color. And the verse above came to mind.

There are many things I love about nature. Certainly fresh air is good for my body, and reveling in the beauty of creation is good for my heart. But there is something else that happens when I’m in nature. My mind and spirit calm. Because as I look around at the majestic world around me, I am reminded that we have a God who made all of heaven and earth. And that same God holds all of it, including us, in his all-powerful hands. When I spend time in nature, I remember again that the Lord who created is also the one who helps and sustains me.

We are in the height of fall beauty right now in West Michigan. I encourage you to take some time this weekend to get outdoors if you can, and to delight in the beauty of the trees. And while you do, breathe deeply and remember the promises of our creating, loving, helping God.

~Pastor Marcia

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 are on Sunday’s at the following times:
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
PRAYER REQUEST: Pray for Nancy Doornbos as she recovers from hip replacement surgery. Continue to pray for those in our congregation who are dealing with ongoing health problems.

THIS SUNDAY, October 22 we celebrate the Installation of our new Lead Pastor, Rev. Marcia Pratt during our morning worship service. We are excited about the future ministry of our church under Pastor Marcia’s leadership and look forward to celebrating this occasion as a church family. A cake reception will be held in the narthex following the service.

WHO LOVE A good fall potluck?  Join us on Sunday, November 5th after the morning service for a “Potluck Plus.”  Potluck: please bring a main dish and salad/side or dessert. Drinks and paper products will be provided. “Plus”: we will have some entertainment to help us get to know the pastors better!  And this is a wonderful chance to share a meal and get to know others at Zion better too. To RSVP on SignUp Genius click here or use this QR code.
There is also a sign up available on the bulletin board by the church office, or you can call the church office to RSVP as well. We hope you will join us!

YOUTH FUNDRAISERS: Our youth are selling 2024 God’s Creation Calendars ($10) and Key Card Books ($30).  If you haven’t been contacted and would like to purchase one please contact any one of our youth or call the church office at 616-534-7533.

THIS PAST September we had a great time camping at Dunes Harbor Family Campground. It was a great weekend with lots of food, fun, and stories around the campfire. Believe it or not, we are already planning next years camping weekend. Currently we have we have four cabins and ten campsites on the dates of June 6-9 being held for us. What we need to know is how many of you are interested. There is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board by the office or let Pastor Rick or Jonell know if you are interested. I know it is a ways off but it’s never to early to think about camping next year!

SERVE THE WORLD
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: We are currently serving 100 kids each week! We could use food donations of the following: pudding cups, 100% juice, juice boxes, beef stick, granola bars, Lance brand or that type of sandwich cracker and microwave popcorn. Also, now-December 3 we are collecting Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie Mix and ready to use frosting (16oz) to include in the last bag delivered before Christmas. Donations can be placed in the shopping cart in the narthex by the Welcome Center.

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:  $219,316.05
Fiscal Year 2023/24 Contributions:  $194,992.68
Giving Last Week: $16,927.73