The other day, Rachel was working on a Friday and I had all four kids on my own and needed a little break. So, I made them all read for an hour. They could read anything they wanted, but they had to be reading. Caleb and Noah found books right away. I read to Eliana for a while and then she went to read some shorter books in her bedroom. But, Ethan couldn’t find any books to read of his own.

He and I started going through some of my books at home. He did not want to read any of my spy novels, but was interested in a book on sports and math by a former professor of mine, Wayne Winston. That book was mostly about baseball and he wanted to study basketball. Thankfully, I have a book all about the statistical analysis of basketball. He happily spent the afternoon reading the book and writing a computer program to calculate different advanced stats for a player. Rather than an hour, he spent all afternoon reading, thinking, puzzling over, and problem solving because he was curious about the topic.

Curiosity, that internal drive to understand something, leads to learning as an adult. It leads to growth and development in our skills and interests. Looking at my books this morning in my office, I can tell I am curious about church leadership, planting churches, understanding Paul’s theology, history, politics, and God in general. While I don’t have any books on grilling, I am also interested in developing my grilling skills. But, you won’t find any books on plumbing or small engine repair or carpentry (though I have one book on how to finish a basement from when we added a playroom in our basement several years ago).

You probably have different areas of life that pique your curiosity. I think these are a gift from God. This innate curiosity helps shape us into the unique people God has called us to be. And, in the church, we need all those different interests and gifts. Some of us are curious about how to help people in economic hardship. Others about how to teach children. Others about evangelism and telling people about Jesus. Others about home maintenance or how cars work. Others about money and how to manage and oversee its use. And the list could go on and on.

However God made you, whatever strikes your curiosity, there is a purpose. God needed you to have that interest, to develop that skill, to share your gifts, for a reason. To reach someone new for Christ. To bless someone who is struggling. To love someone who feels abandoned and alone. To help the church be wise and faithful with its resources.

How might God be calling you to use your gifts and interests to bring him glory this week?

Connect to God
Do your finances bring you fear or freedom? Whether you’re digging out of debt or planning for your future, now’s the time to build a foundation that endures. Investing in a brighter tomorrow starts by Making Change today. Our lives are too valuable, our calling too great, and our God is too good to waste our lives on meaningless things. This Sunday we listen to the wisdom of Proverbs and remember that debt induced Stress is Bad.

Near the end of the sermon, Pastor Greg will mention a 10 day study in Proverbs on finances from Dave Ramsey. That study can be found here.

This Sunday, we look forward to welcoming Rachel Montgomery and her 4 children and to baptizing Ariah, Judah, and Elijah. We give thanks to God for the gift of each child and this family in our community.

If you would like a copy of the worship service, you can receive a complete copy by contacting Tom Verbrugge or you can find the weekly messages on our website.

Grow in Community
Mark Steenbergen remains hospitalized due to fluid retention around his heart following open heat surgery. Mark and Kim both ask for prayers for patience and a quick return of strength and the ability to go home.

Noah Johnson has returned to his parents home following a trampoline accident on Saturday breaking his leg. They ask for prayers for patience and strength during a planned 12 week recovery.

If you have been in church the last few weeks, you may have noticed the many children we continue to welcome in worship. Due to the continued growth in our children’s ministry, we will have a second room for children age 3 years old through 3rd grade to attend during worship every week this summer except on Sunday July 1 and July 8 due to the lower attendance expected around the 4th of July.

Serve the World
CityFest West Michigan will be held the weekend of September 8 and 9. For the last several months, the Luis Palau team has been working with churches and local service agencies to help churches connect with their community and celebrate all the ways the church is already blessing West Michigan. On September 8 and 9, there will be concerts, X-game type events, and the proclamation of the gospel. As part of the festival, we are looking for people who willing to be Festival Friends who will be trained in helping someone make those first few steps of discipleship. If you are interested in being a Festival Friend, there will be training on August 7 at 7 pm at Remembrance Reformed Church. We will also offer training at our next Leaders Meeting in August 26.

Mark your calendars for this summer’s Neighborhood Park Party (formerly Hoops and Hotdogs) on July 3, July 17, and July 31 from 6-7 pm. We had a great time at the first Park Party and are looking forward for the next 3. These are great evenings to connect with neighbors, invite a friend, let the kids get some energy out on the playground, and enjoy a hotdog!

We will once again host a party in our parking lot on the 4th of July to watch the local fireworks beginning at 8 pm on the 4th. If you are able and interested in helping with this event, please contact Troy Austin.

Administrative Details
Beginning this fall, we will be giving our first time visitors a new 30oz Zion travel mug and a free beverage at Biggby. But, you can get your very own Zion travel mug already this Sunday. We will be selling the mugs for $20 and you can buy as many as you want. They come in two colors, silver and gunmetal and both have a cool looking Zion logo. Cups will be available for purchase in the lobby following worship. (If you don’t want to buy one on a Sunday, they will also be available from the office during the week.)

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: $43,500.80
Fiscal Year to date contributions: $33,201.00

The past week or so, I have watched a couple of old episodes from a Star Trek series. In those episodes they encountered new alien species and each time they approach the people wanting to learn more about these new beings and to build relationships with them. The shows are not made particularly well or creatively, but they are mildly entertaining.

As I have reflected on this ongoing pattern, I am struck by this attitude of curiosity rather than fear, of openness rather than “closedness,” of embracing new experiences rather than old patterns, and of prioritizing understanding over power. Sure, they face some violent enemies, some powerful adversaries, some confusing situations, and encounter some bizarre cultures, but they stick to their values of relationship, knowledge, and an avoidance of war and violence. Turning on the news, I am reminded it is all an imaginary utopia.

But I wonder, as people who believe in a good, all-powerful, loving, and present God, why do we as Christians so often seem to live out of fear of the new and the unknown? We, of all people, should respond to our world with curiosity and an openness to new experiences and perspectives. We should be the first to seek relationship, mutuality, and the good of others when we meet new people.

And yet, we often live out of fear. God must know this because one of the most common commands in all of scripture is to not be afraid. Psalm 118 serves as a call to worship for the people in a time of conflict and danger, but in verse 6 all the people say:

The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?

I watch the news and see the social media posts and so many of us seem to be responding out of fear and anxiety rather than a confident trust in God. May we find our confidence and our hope in our God so we can face the controversies of the day without fear, but with a heart wondering what God might be up to today.

Connect to God
Do your finances bring you fear or freedom? Whether you’re digging out of debt or planning for your future, now’s the time to build a foundation that endures. Investing in a brighter tomorrow starts by Making Change today. Our lives are too valuable, our calling too great, and our God is too good to waste our lives on meaningless things. Today we consider how less is more when we choose to focus on the right things.

This Sunday, we look forward to hearing from Albertha Kuiper from Wycliffe Bible Translators and commissioning our Middle School youth group as they prepare to serve in Holland, MI at Blacktop Rec this summer. We will also have a video update on City Chapel and their first preview service from last week.

If you would like a copy of the worship service, you can receive a complete copy by contacting Tom Verbrugge or you can find the weekly messages on our website.

Grow in Community
We celebrate and thank God with Matt and Katie Eling who welcomed Eden Margaret into the world yesterday morning. Eden is 7lbs 7 oz and 21 inches long. Mother and baby are both doing great.

Bev Nagelkerke is at Brookcrest for rehab and is doing well after her hip replacement. Continue to pray for those that deal with ongoing health issues.

If you have been in church the last few weeks, you may have noticed the many children we continue to welcome in worship. Due to the continued growth in our children’s ministry, we will have a second room for children age 3 years old through 3rd grade to attend during worship.

If you are in a Bible study, reading through a book of the Bible with a couple of friends, or just want some good background on a book or theme of scripture, you should check out thebibleproject.com. This site has a plethora of video teaching on themes, key ideas, Hebrew words, and simple overviews of entire books of the Bible. If you are just learning about the Bible, I would start with the series on “How to Read the Bible.” You will find a clear and simple way to begin understanding the different types of writing in the Bible. It is a great resource for any beginning study of scripture.

Serve the World

The Personal Care Pantry is in urgent need of brown grocery bags. Lots and lots of brown grocery bags. If you are able to donate any new or slightly used brown grocery bags this Sunday it will be greatly appreciated!

CityFest West Michigan will be held the weekend of September 8 and 9. For the last several months, the Luis Palau team has been working with churches and local service agencies to help churches connect with their community and celebrate all the ways the church is already blessing West Michigan. On September 8 and 9, there will be concerts, X-game type events, and the proclamation of the gospel. As part fo the festival, we are looking for people who willing to be Festival Friends who will be trained in helping someone make those first few steps of discipleship. If you are interested in being a Festival Friend, there will be training on August 7 at 7 pm at Remembrance Reformed Church.

Mark your calendars for this summer’s Neighborhood Park Party (formerly Hoops and Hotdogs) on July 3, July 17, and July 31 from 6-7 pm. We had a great time at the first Park Party and are looking forward for the next 3. These are great evenings to connect with neighbors, invite a friend, let the kids get some energy out on the playground, and enjoy a hotdog!

We will once again host a party in our parking lot on the 4th of July to watch the local fireworks beginning at 8 pm on the 4th. If you are able and interested in helping with this event, please contact Troy Austin.

City Chapel hosted their first preview service on Sunday and welcomed 86 people in worship, including 20 well wishers from supporting churches. The target for their first preview service was 50 people so they exceeded their target and continue to be on track for a successful launch. They needed to set up more chairs, included many people in planning and organizing the service, and everything went off very well with only a few minor issues to address before their next preview service on July 22. Until than, continue to hold Ron and Anna and the entire launch team in your prayers and join me in thanking God for  a successful first preview service!

Administrative Details
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: $32,265.60
Fiscal Year to date contributions: $24,588.00