Last week Wednesday, I had the privilege of sharing some of our story at Zion with a group of other church leaders from our Region (Michigan, Ohio, and Kentucky). The day was focused on creating systems to intentionally develop leaders in the church: to prepare, equip and inspire them. 

In preparation for my talk, I did some research on our church over the past 12-18 months. This is what I learned. Something happened the week of Easter 2017. Since that Sunday, our Children’s Ministry (age birth through 3rd grade) has grown by 40% in 14 months. Our total attendance has grown by almost 30% weekly (but we did to get as accurate a count until this fall.) Since last September (not counting Labor Day weekend) to this May (not counting Memorial Day weekend), our average worship attendance is up by just over 11% in 9 months.

Looking back over the last 12 months, it is no wonder we were constantly scrambling and adjusting to make room for all the children in our church, changing patterns and room assignments, recruiting and equipping new leaders in Children and Worship and Sunday School. As our education year is no completely winding down, I am so thankful for the any people who stepped up, tried something new, put in extra time to develop quality Children’s programming, as well as for all the ways we have worked to welcome new people and help them get connected. We don’t do it perfectly and we have some work to do, but we certainly try.

Because in the end, church is not about numbers, financial or worship attendance, but about individuals people getting connected to God and one another and together following our Savior in serving this world God made and loves. Let us all thank God for the way he has allowed us to join Him in his redemptive work this year.

Connect to God
On Easter Sunday, God begins a re-creation of the world beginning with the resurrection of Jesus. While we are still waiting for this creation to be fully formed, we as Christians are called to live a Jesus shaped life so that our lives point people both to Jesus and this new world God is making. This week, we consider how Jesus shaped people live out of a sense of vocation, of calling from God to join in his work of redeeming the world in the particular ways God has made them. 

This Sunday we have the privilege of ordaining and installing 3 of our new Elders and Deacons. Chip Harkes, Josh Sanders, and Mike Knott will all be installed this Sunday. Aaron Huizenga will be installed on the 10th. As we welcome these new members to our Consistory, we also thank God for the faithful service of Ken Cook, Tim Mekkes, Jeff VanderHeide, and Dave Geenen over the past 3 years.

There are still a few more opportunities to serve and bless the children of our church in our summer Children’s Ministry. You can sign up here.

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
Thanks to our building and grounds team for cleaning out the garage and the old Cadet room this evening. We continue to work hard to maintain our facilities and maximize our ministry space.

Serve the World
Mark your calendars for this summer’s Hoops and Hotdogs on June 19, July 3, July 17, and July 31. These are great evenings to connect with neighbors, let the kids get some energy out on the playground, and enjoy a hotdog!

City Chapel will be hosting their first preview service on Sunday, June 17 at 10:15 meeting at City Flats Hotel right downtown. If you want to heck out this new church, show some support to Ron and Anna Radcliffe, or just need an excuse to go downtown, join them in only 2 weeks!

Every year, approximately 1,000,000 young people walk away from the Christian faith. Statistically, most people decide on their faith by the age of 35. The oldest millennial is now 38 and the oldest Generation Z is 18. We are at a peak opportunity to reach and influence the next generations, but so far, we are not doing very well. If trends don’t change, over 40 million young people will leave the faith by 2050. If we can only improve our retention to that of the Gen X generation, that number would fall by 22,000,000. If you want to learn more about how to reach next generations, the opportunities available to us, and how you can be involved, check out www.greatopportunity.org.

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.
Year to date budget:  $551,975.32
Year to date contributions: $548,537.11

Over the past couple of weeks, I have been delighting in the many ways our new playground has been used. Last week, I stopped by to visit with a support group taking advantage of the picnic tables on a beautiful sunny day. Sunday afternoon children played on the toys near the end of the visitation for Joanne Oudbier and before our leaders meeting. And, every sunny afternoon, I see moms and dads walking kids over to play on the slide or give a push on the swings. As the grass continues to grow, we look forward to kickball and soccer games and all the Camp Zion kids playing in the cool grass rather than the hot pavement this summer. 

I am especially thankful today for the vision and generosity of Zion to offer this convenient and simple place for families to connect and enjoy the beautiful summer and spring weather of Michigan.

Connect to God
On Easter Sunday, God begins a re-creation of the world beginning with the resurrection of Jesus. While we are still waiting for this creation to be fully formed, we as Christians are called to live a Jesus shaped life so that our lives point people both to Jesus and this new world God is making. This week, we consider how a Jesus shaped life at its core is an embodied life. Not looking to escape this world, but fully engaged in the physical world in which we live.

This morning we welcome Jed Gerken as the newest member of Zion. Jed is the father of Grady Gerken and we are delighted to have him join us.

We will no longer be having a Children’s Message during worship because of the sheer number of children and the recognition that through Children and Worship we already provide worship and teaching that is age appropriate for our youngest members. This Sunday kids will be invited up to the steps to be prayed over before they are dismissed to Children and Worship. We will publicly thank Kelly Osterink for her faithful service for well over a decade in teaching our children each Sunday at a later time.

We are still looking for more volunteers for our summer children’s ministry. You can sign up here.

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 extend out sympathy to Ann Muizelaar in the passing of her husband Gerald Muizelaar on Saturday. The funeral was held this afternoon. 

Mark Steenbergen continues his recovery from open heart surgery on Friday.

We congratulate Matt and Katie Wagner on the birth of their son, Josiah Roger, who arrived at 6:03am on May 20. Josiah weighed in at 6lbs 14oz and is  20 1/2 inches long! Both mom and baby are doing great.

Serve the World
On Monday night, our Personal Care Pantry cared for many families in our community. As they provide basics of life like soap and shampoo, our team also prays with and for our guests. As we pray with neighbors, we often encounter situations of brokenness and pain. Marriages falling apart. Domestic violence. Cancer. Addictions. I am so thankful for our faithful volunteers who step into these difficult moments with the love and grace of God.

Hand2Hand has wrapped up for the school year. Thank you to all who helped buy, donate, pack and deliver food to students in Grandville schools. I was just talking with a family recently about their experience when money was tight and food was short. While a few meals may not seem like much to many of us, when life is hard, these simple gifts provide not only physical nourishment, but also nourish hope and souls as people are reminded they are not alone. Thank you Hand2Hand Team!

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.
Year to date budget:  $541,360.41
Year to date contributions: $542,297.11