A new biography on the life of Eugene Peterson came out last week. Written by a former student and friend of Eugene, and now professor at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Winn Collier paints a captivating picture of Peterson. I have read Peterson’s own theological autobiography a few years ago and several other of his books and sermons, so I am thoroughly enjoying another perspective on the author of the Message paraphrase of the Bible.

Early in the book, Collier tells a story of Eugene struggling with some spiritual depression while attending Seattle Pacific College (now University). He is sent to the pastor who goes off on a rant about sex. He tries to meet with the pastor again and gets the same rant. So then, he is sent to a spiritual giant in the church who tries to pour more Biblical knowledge into him. Peterson was discouraged.

And then, a friend sends him to the coarse, gruff Reuben. Reuben was the kind of guy you wanted on your side in a dark alley, but not someone you would think to talk with about your emotions. But Eugene was desperate so he got up the courage and shared his struggled with Reuben. Reuben agreed to meet every Tuesday and Thursday in the church basement. And foe the rest of the summer, they just talked. No big spiritual language. But Reuben treated Peterson life a person and listened to him. They talked about everything and nothing. And, over the summer. the spiritual depression lifted.

Years later, Eugene reached out to Reuben, now in his eighties, to thank him for their time together and tell him all it meant to Eugene. The influence Reuben had on his life. And then there was a long silence. Then Reuben replied:
“You know, I’m just sitting here in my bed. I’m very ill and can’t do much. And you’re telling me that those Thursday night at the church changed your life? No one’s ever said anything like that to me before. They liked me to fix things for the, But they never seemed to want me for much more than that.”

And then Reuben cried.

That little story has stuck with me for a few days now. Three thoughts linger for me. First, it is so important for us to let people know when they have made a difference in our lives. We can assume they know, but they probably don’t. Tell people when what they do has mattered to you. Thank people.

And secondly, being a spiritual mentor to people does not require the theological and biblical knowledge church people often think it does. The gospel is not very complicated: God loves you more than you can imagine. Go love God back and love other people, too. What most people need is not head knowledge, but to experience being known, accepted, and loved as they are. To be seen and listened to. To be heard and valued.

And thirdly, as an unhandy person, I am always a little bit in awe of people who can fix things and are good at building things. I find it all overwhelming.I really value people who can do what I do not understand! And, I hope no one ever feels like they are only valued because of what they can do. Whether you are involved serving in a ministry or fixing things around the church, your work is certainly appreciated, but even more, you, your unique personhood, matters to me, to this church, and to God.

Today is Maundy Thursday, the day we remember Jesus washing his disciples feet, and this day I am thankful for Reuben and all the unsung heroes of church like him. Who may feel unnoticed in their service and wisdom, but are seen by God.

Greg

Connect to God
This Sunday we will gather in person at 9:30 am and online at both 9:30 and 11 am. You can find the services either on our Facebook page or at zionreformed.online.church. We will also rebroadcast the service on WCET at noon on Friday and 4pm next Sunday.

He is risen! This Sunday, we celebrate an empty tomb, a risen king, and new world of life breaking into this world of death. It has been a long year and much has not gone according to our plans, but on Easter we remember that even in our darkest moments, God can speak and bring new life and hope. This Easter, we question how can we as an Easter people  live to give witness and testimony to this new kingdom of our God?

Grow in Community
If you would like to keep up with Steve Landstra’s health journey as he battles lung cancer, the family has set up a CaringBridges page and you can find it here.

We are reading through the New Testament over the next year as a congregation. The reading schedule for this coming week is below:
Monday: Acts 2
Tuesday: Acts 3
Wednesday: Acts 4
Thursday: Acts 5
Friday: Acts 6

You can also find the reading schedule on our website under the Ministries tab.

Serve the World
Registrations for Camp Zion open today. If you have a child who could benefit from Camp Zion, the link is here. Please be in prayer for all our campers and staff as the summer season draws nearer.

Solomon’s Porch, a Wesleyan congregation in Jenison, recently closed. For years, they have been hosting the ministry Threads that provides gently used clothing to families in need in Jenison, Grandville, and Hudsonville schools. With the closing of Solomon’s Porch, this ministry is looking for a new home. Would you join me in praying for wisdom to discern if this is a door opening for Zion to be an even better neighbor to our community. You can read more about Threads below written by Beth Morey with JPS:

“Threads provides free clothing, accessories, and diapers for families in Jenison/Hudsonville/Grandville in a manner that demonstrates the love of God.

“At Threads, we are not only about providing basic needs for our families, but doing it in a way that maintains dignity and respect in the process.

“By coming alongside families who are struggling and meeting some of their most basic needs, we are able to empower them to better tackle their life circumstances.

“The reach of this ministry goes beyond just providing clothing. When a person or a child feels proud of what they’re wearing, they feel better about themselves. This increases their confidence and makes other aspects of their life a little better.

“For one family there was a father-daughter dance coming up at school and their eight-year-old was told she couldn’t attend because the family did not have enough money to buy a new dress. At Threads she was able to find a dress and shoes that were beautiful and fit her well. She stated, “Now I can go to the dance next week!” She was so excited that she would have something nice to wear and be able to participate in her school dance.

“On the morning of Christmas Eve our Threads coordinator received a message from one of our clients who is a foster parent. She had just brought two-year-old twins into her home the night before and they only came with the clothes they were wearing. Since it was a holiday, her other resources were not available. Our coordinator was able to meet the family at Threads and provide them with diapers, clothes, and shoes, so they didn’t have to go to a store on Christmas Eve to purchase those essentials. One of the best parts about this ministry is being able to partner with other families who are already giving so much time and energy to better their community.”

If you need help, either with food, personal care items, help grocery shopping, or with financial needs, please contact Chip Harkes, our chair of deacons, and he can help connect you with the appropriate resources at Zion. His e-mail is chip@harkeslandscape.com and his phone number is 616-299-4804.

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 to Date Budget:  $451,770.04
Fiscal Year to Date Contribution: $431,555.98
Giving Last Week: $6,393.51
Benevolent Fund Offering of 3/21: $1,140.00

3-28-21 Bulletin

During the month of January, the RCA is emphasizing the spiritual practice of generosity. Earlier this week I received an e-mail from Billy Norden that I appreciated as he shared his journey with generosity. It follows below almost in its entirety.

“Having me take the lead during generosity month is dripping with irony. I feel like I’m someone who is one of the least naturally inclined toward generosity. Generosity is the vegetable of my spiritual diet.

“Don’t get me wrong. I’ve always been inclined to be generous with my time and talent—but giving money, well, let’s just say that took work. When I was lamenting having to pay for airport parking on a family vacation because we couldn’t score a free ride to the airport, my wife turned to our seven-year-old and said, “Daddy has trouble parting with money.” Truer words have never been spoken. It was early in our marriage that she initiated our giving regularly to our church, and it was anything but natural for me.

“I do give of my money now (it’s really all God’s, but you know what I mean.) Giving away money comes naturally to some, but I have a hunch most people are like me. It takes practice, work, and discipline to be generous with money and eventually enjoy giving it away. I’ve never been naturally inclined to eat vegetables but know they are critical to my diet. As an adult, I’ve learned to be intentional about adding them to my diet, I’ve learned to cook them in a way where I really enjoy them, and I’m more satisfied and feel so much better when they’re a part of my life. Generosity with our finances is no different. It takes some discipline, but it helps us to be so much healthier.”

Earlier this week, I received a letter from a member of Zion telling a story of how Zion came alongside their family many  years ago when everything had fallen apart relationally and financially. And then, I noticed the Benevolent fund offering again this past week. And I am reminded the spirit of generosity continues at Zion.

Thank you for the ways you give freely of what you have to bless others.

Greg

Connect to God
This Sunday we will gather in person at 9 am and online at both 9 and 11 am. You can find the services either on our Facebook page or at zionreformed.online.church. We will also rebroadcast the service on WCET at noon on Friday and 4pm next Sunday.

Beginning March 28, Palm Sunday, our in-person worship time will go back to 9:30 am. We look forward to seeing you then and hope you enjoy the extra half hour of sleep each Sunday morning.

Christianity at its core is not about thinking the right things about God or knowing our Bibles inside and out, but about following Jesus. The earliest believers were called Christians because they looked and acted like little Christs, little Jesuses.  This morning we are excited to welcome Julianna Kempema back to Zion as she shares a message from Mark 9.

Grow in Community
Zion Families! Pick up your “Eggs of Easter” gift at church this coming Sunday! It is a 12-day devotion for families to lead them towards the true meaning of Easter. There’s also some candy filled eggs included, just for fun. And, if you’re not worshiping in person, we’re happy to drop one off at your home.  I made some extras too, if someone would like to gift one to a grandchild, niece, nephew, friend or neighbor. Limited extras available.

We express our sympathy to Dave and Tami Hewitt and family in the sudden passing of  his father, Arthur Hewitt, on Sunday and his step-mom, Carol, on Monday.  May God give them peace, comfort, and hope in this time of deep loss.

Jim and Barb Overweg would like to thank everyone for the prayers for our son-in-law Clyde.  He is improving and at Blodgett  for therapy.  He still has a ways to go and we would appreciate your continued prayers for him, our daughter Brenda, and our granddaughter Anna.

We extend our congratulations to Justin and Amanda Vasquez as they welcomed two healthy babies into the world on Friday, March 12. Emersyn Grace was born at 8:45 at 19 inches long and weighing 5 lbs 4 oz and Quinton James was born at 8:46 at 18.5 inches long and weighing 5 lbs 10 oz. Amanda and both babies are doing well.

If you would like to keep up with Steve Landstra’s health journey as he battles lung cancer, the family has set up a CaringBridges page and you can find it here.

In the last decade, a giant cultural wave has swept the North American church into a brand new world — a pluralistic, complicated, high-tech/low-touch world that has only been accelerated during this Covid-time. Facing the challenge of engaging a jaded world, a fresh expression has emerged alongside the traditional church. If you have any interest in church planting or how to reach new generations, join us for a 3 week discussion led by Andrew Moore of the book Fresh Expressions of the Church. You can sign-up for this book discussion by e-mailing Pastor Greg at gbrower@zionreformed.org.

We are reading through the New Testament over the next year as a congregation. The reading schedule for this coming week is below (and thank you to everyone who reminded that Luke only has 24 chapters and not chapters 25 and 26 I included in last weeks e-mail):
Monday: John 13
Tuesday: John 14
Wednesday: John 15
Thursday: John 16
Friday: John 17

You can also find the reading schedule on our website under the Ministries tab.

Serve the World
Camp Zion will be occurring again this summer. If you have or are a teen interested in working at Camp Zion this summer, make sure you apply by filling out the application at the link below by the end of March. It is a great way to invest your summer in blessing our neighbors.
Camp Zion Teen Staff Job Application

If you need help, either with food, personal care items, help grocery shopping, or with financial needs, please contact Chip Harkes, our chair of deacons, and he can help connect you with the appropriate resources at Zion. His e-mail is chip@harkeslandscape.com and his phone number is 616-299-4804.

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 to Date Budget:  $430,757.48
Fiscal Year to Date Contribution: $413,448.47
Giving Last Week: $5,115.00
Benevolent Fund Offering of 3/14: $2,620.00