ZION E-NEWS (11-14-24)

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: Alden Deiter is recovering at home from surgery on his hip. We extend our Christian sympathy to Steve and Kathy Northuis in the unexpected passing of Kathy’s father, John Duiven, last Friday. John was also brother-in-law to Dick and Trudy Weber. Please pray for the family as they celebrate, remember and grieve a beloved man. 

WE LOOK FORWARD to celebrating baptism again this Sunday!We will once again have the opportunity to write a blessing for our sweet little one Eleanor MacGraw. You are welcome to bring a blessing written ahead of time at home, or use one of the blessing cards Sunday morning at church.Together, let’s pour out words of love and life over Eleanor!

Musicians: we would like to try something new and have duets and trios of people playing Christmas music in the narthex or hallways as people enter the building during Advent this year. If this is something that interests you, please connect with Pastor Jeremy.

THREADS UPDATE: We had a steady flow of shoppers at Threads during the shopping day on Tuesday, November 5.  We also welcomed 6 new families who were first-time shoppers at Threads.  Here are the numbers from the November 5 shopping day at Threads.

• 57 Families Shopped (6 of these were new families)
• 184 People received clothing
• 741 Pieces of clothing were given away
• 121 Accessories were given away
• 50 Families used the PCP Store
• 0 Haircuts given (no volunteer hairstylists available)

This was the third month of the fall quarter (September – November), and we gave away over 3,200 articles of clothing during this quarter!  What a blessing to be able to serve our community through this ministry and to be able to show Christ’s love and compassion to them.

Thank you to the service day groups who made frozen meals and baked goods for the struggling Threads’ families.  These meals were extremely appreciated.  Also, thank you to the service group who picked up donated clothing from the surrounding neighborhood.  These donations, which included new socks and underwear, helped restock the Boutique.

Threads is not only about helping meet clothing needs, but it is about building relationships.  This past month one of the moms that shops at Threads decided to come and help sort clothing with us on our sorting night.  She wanted to find a way to give back in a way that she could.  She then showed up a couple of weeks later with her daughter, so they could both help sort.  What a beautiful way for her to serve and give back!

We continue to covet your prayers for this ministry and everyone involved in it.  We especially ask for prayers for three of the moms who are battling cancer and for the husband of one of our volunteers who is also battling cancer.  Please faithfully pray for these families.              ~Jill
ZION FAMILY CAMP: It’s time to start planning for our Family Camp for 2025! We will be going back to Dunes Harbor in Silver Lake, MI   on September 19-21. We have tentatively reserved campsites and rustic cabins, so there is something for everyone. This will be the weekend   of  their fall fest, so there is Trick or Treating for kids, as well as the camp’s other planned activities. There is more information and a sign-up   outside the church office for those who are interested in joining. (You will be asked to finalize your reservation later this year with your   camping payment.) If you have questions, please talk to Rick or Jonell VanderWall (616-635-1743). We hope you will join us for this fun   weekend!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

OUR THANKSGIVING EVE Service will be held on Nov 27 at 6:30 PM. As we enter this season of thanks, we invite you to give generously to the Thanksgiving offering that will support these ministries who are loving people in the name of Jesus both locally and around the world.

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.”

IF ANYONE is willing to help put a few Christmas lights on a couple of trees/bushes outside in the front of the church please connect with Angie Walker. We’d like this done by December 1st.

YOUTH FUNDRAISERS: Our youth are selling 2025 God’s Creation Calendars ($10) and Key Card Books ($30).  If you haven’t been contacted and would like to purchase one of these items you can call the church office at 616-534-7533.

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:  $276,434.16
2024/25 YTD Contributions:  $217,830.25
Giving Last Week:  $8,989.73

ZION E-NEWS (11-7-24)

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: Pray for Mark VanderZouwen who had knee replacement surgery on Tuesday and is recovering at home.  Pray for pain relief, fast healing, and complete recovery. Continue to pray for those in our congregation who deal with ongoing health issues.

THANK YOU to our Zion family for all the prayers, cards, and words of encouragement following the passing of our father. Our parents Cornie and Thelma were truly grateful to be a part of the caring community of the people of Zion. ~Mark & Cindy VanderZouwen and Dawn VanderZouwen

HAND2HAND will be packing food bags today following worship on Sunday. If you would like to help pack (it’s easy and it’s fun) head downstairs after worship and they will show you how!                                                                                                                                                            

 ZION FAMILY CAMP: It’s time to start planning for our Family Camp for 2025! We will be going back to Dunes Harbor in Silver Lake, MI on September 19-21. We   have tentatively reserved campsites and rustic cabins, so there is something for everyone. This will be the weekend of their fall fest, so there is   Trick or Treating for kids, as well as the camp’s other planned activities. There is more information and a sign-up outside the church office f     for  those who are interested in joining. (You will be asked to finalize your reservation later this year with your camping payment.) If you   have  questions, please talk to Rick or Jonell VanderWall    (616-635-1743). We hope you will join us for this fun weekend!

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.”

YOUTH FUNDRAISERS: Our youth are selling 2025 God’s Creation Calendars ($10) and Key Card Books ($30).  If you haven’t been contacted and would like to purchase one of these items you can call the church office at 616-534-7533.

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:  $264,916.07
2024/25 YTD Contributions:  $208,840.79
Giving Last Week:  $12,591.73

ZION E-NEWS (10-31-24)

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.

SUNDAY we celebrate the Profession of Faith of Kylee Austin. We thank God for the way he continues to draw people to him and for the gift of new life he has made available to all who believe.

WE WOULD like to thank our Zion family for all the love and support shown to us following the death of Jim’s brother. Your calls, cards, visits, and prayers brought us comfort and peace in a time of great sorrow. We are blessed to belong to such a caring church.       ~  Jim and Barb Peterson

                                                   ZION FAMILY CAMP: It’s time to start planning for our Family Camp for 2025! We will be going back to Dunes Harbor in Silver Lake,     MI on September 19-21. We have tentatively reserved campsites and rustic cabins, so there is something for everyone. This will be the   weekend of their fall fest, so there is Trick or Treating for kids, as well as the camp’s other planned activities. There is more information, and   a  sign up outside the church office for those who are interested in joining. (You will be asked to finalize your reservation later this year with   your camping payment.) If you have questions, please talk to Rick or Jonell VanderWall  (616-635-1743). We hope you will join us for this fun weekend!

DISCOVER ZION CLASS: Would you like to learn more about Zion? Pastor Marcia will be leading a Discover Zion class in the Youth Room 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.”

YOUTH FUNDRAISERS: Our youth are selling 2025 God’s Creation Calendars ($10) and Key Card Books ($30).  If you haven’t been contacted and would like to purchase one of these items you can call the church office at 616-534-7533.

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:  $253,397.98
2024/25 YTD Contributions:  $196,249.06
Giving Last Week:  $5,250.73