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

ZION E-NEWS (5-4-23)

Congregational Meeting

Zion’s annual congregational meeting will be held this Sunday in the sanctuary and will begin 15 minutes after the conclusion of the worship service.  This meeting will include:

• A state of the church report
• A search team update
• Election of new Elders and Deacons by drawing of names
• A treasurer’s report
• A presentation of the proposed 2023-2024 budget (followed by a vote)

The double slate of nominated and consenting Elders and Deacon are:

• ELDER:    Michelle Holzgen,  Andrew Moore, Steve Northuis, Nancy Steenbergen
• DEACON: Andy Boeskool, Austen DeHaan, Adam Morehouse, Justin Steere

From the four Elders and four Deacons, two of each will be chosen by the drawing of names at the meeting. We are grateful for these individuals who are willing to serve on the Consistory (governing team) in these offices.

The meeting is open to anyone who attends Zion, but only active confessing members can vote. Childcare is not provided.  Parents, please pick up your child from the nursery or Zion Kids between the service and the meeting.

I hope you will stay and take part in this meeting.  As we reflect on the ministry at Zion, vote on a proposed budget and elect new Elders and Deacon, it’s a reminder that as members of Zion we volunteer, give, pray, and aim to connect people to the God who loves them.  God is at work through us to make an eternal difference for His Kingdom.

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.

GROW IN COMMUNITY
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 REQUESTS: Continue to pray for those in our congregation who are dealing with ongoing health issues.

SANDY VERWYS  went to be with her Lord and Savior on May 2, 2023. We extend our sympathy to John and his family and ask that you pray for peace and comfort for them during this difficult time.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Zion Reformed Church on Wednesday, May 10 at 3:00PM with a visitation 1 hour prior to the service.

WE EXTEND OUR SYMPATHY to Mark and Amy Lang and family in the passing of Amy’s mother, Betty Ballast.  Betty went to be with her Lord and Savior on May 3, 2023. Visitation will be held at Zaagman Memorial Chapel on Saturday, May 6th at 10 AM. A service will follow at 11 AM.

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.

SHAREHOLDERS:  Please sign up by Sunday, May 7 if you would like to be a Shareholders and support the high school youth on their 2023 Mission Trip to Nashville. Detailed information can be found in your church mailbox or on the round table with the donation box on it in the narthex.

CAMP ZION:  We are excited to          
introduce our Teen Staff for Camp
Zion 2023.  (pictured left to right)
Hope Eriks (6 weeks),
Kendall Deleon (1 week),
Olivia Zoet (7 weeks),
and Emily Verbrugge (7 weeks).
God has big things in store for this
group and we cannot wait to see
them learn and grow through all of
their experiences at camp.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: We are looking for 3 more volunteers to unlock and re-lock doors on Sunday morning, turn on lights, and if needed adjust thermostats. These volunteers would serve on a rotating basis (approximately once a month).  Instructions will be provided! If you live nearby, you could come over by 7:45 a.m. to open and then go back home until you return for the service. If you are interested, please contact Pastor Steve.

JOB OPPORTUNITY: We are looking to hire someone to do set up and tear down throughout the year (chairs and tables for meetings, special events, etc…). Per state law this person must be at least 18 years old. This role does not include setting up the sanctuary chairs following Camp Zion in the summer. That will be done by our Camp Zion teen staff. If you are interested in this paid role, (a couple of hours a week or less) please contact Shanda Vandepol at shandavandepol@yahoo.com or 616-308-0700.

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:  $492,536.16
Fiscal Year 2022/23 Contributions: $503,763.10
Giving Last Week: $15,407.45