Announcements for 10-26-25

The following have been nominated for the positions of Elder and Deacon for 2026  

Elder nominees: Matt Kock, Bob Tilstra, JD Hommes, & Ken Leuthold

Deacon nominees: Dustin Bosch, Eric Hartter, Lucas Bouwman, Mike Pulscher, Kyle Grooters, Braeden Schulte & Kris Krull

*If anyone has evidence of any Biblical grounds that any of these persons should not be on Consistory, please inform one of the Elders.

~Today is the day! We will fulfill our Mission and Vision Statements by Sharing the Good News. We will Grow Deeper Together as we Reach Our Neighbors for Christ! These gifts are more than material items. These shoebox gifts have the powerful ability to impact a child for Christ. The items in the boxes will fade away, but they open the door to an eternal gift that will never perish. Join us following worship in packing boxes and praying for each child who will receive our gifts. Don't forget to include letters and photos! If you haven’t written a letter, paper and pens will be available. And don’t forget the most important part – Prayer!

~REGISTER FOR A HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME! Tri-State Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) is accepting applications for the upcoming weekend at the First Presbyterian Church in Sibley, Iowa. TEC is an interdenominational three-day Christian retreat designed to help high schoolers learn more about their faith and their community. The next TEC is November 21-23, 2025. If you would like to learn more about TEC or register, please visit www.TriStateTEC.org or email TriStateTEC@gmail.com. The cost is $50 and includes a t-shirt & other special gifts. Scholarships are available upon request.

The October Bridge Newsletter is now available in the clear boxes next to the mailboxes it will no longer be available on online, so please visit the church to pick up a copy.

Secretary’s office hours: ~ Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9-1                                                     

**Bulletin announcements are due on Fridays at 9am. Thanks** 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and

 your thoughts in Christ Jesus.”- Philippians 4:7

Our prayer concerns….                                                                                                                                      

Jeff Hrdicka (radiation & chemo treatments)                       

Merlin Groen

Betty Vanden Heuvel                                                       

Rod Grooters                                                                                            Alice Feikema  (Hospice)                                                  

JoAnn Douglas

Karen Flier                                                                     

Twilla Hoekstra (Fellowship Village-Inwood)

Janice Den Besten                                                           

Greyson Austin (Marlene Mellema’s grandson)

Ron & Cathy Birkeland                                                           

Todd Altman (Jack & Esther Altman’s son)            

Kathy Van Olst                                                                      

Bill Saeger (Jackie Groen’s brother) 

Mandie Sprock (Marilyn Mammenga’s daughter)                       

Russ Carver (Rachelle Johnsen’s dad)

Kathleen Jacobsma (Brenda Vanden Top & Barb Tilstra’s mom)

-Our sympathies to Lance Van Der Weerd and family as his dad, Tom passed away

~Thank you to our church family for the thoughts, prayers, cards and kind words upon the death of my sister-in-law, Patty VA.  ~Cindy and Randy Bosch

Thank you so much for all the beautiful cards & texts at our moms passing. Jesus was with me all the way. Special thanks to Amy Ryals for all her care and support. ~Steve & Debbie Crane

Birthday & Anniversary List (if you’d like a copy, please see church office)

Remembering our Nursing Home, Assisted Living & Senior Living Residents:

Pearl Folkens                           Wilma DeRoo                                 JoEllen Sorgdrager 

Ruth Van Aartsen                   Joyce Mellema  (Peaceful Pines Senior Living-Brookings)   Harriet Hoff                            Alice Feikema                                   Donna Kwikkel                                           

Addresses available upon request at church office

~Thank you to all the volunteers that participated in our fall clean-up day! We appreciate the time and effort you gave to help clean   up around the church.   -FRC Property Committee

Club 512 Volunteers for 10-29-25

Games:               

 1^st & 2^nd                                               3^rd&4^th                                                5^th&6^th 

Maddie Van Der Weerd                  Jaxson Pytleski                                    Leo Groen

Jayda Pytleski                                     Brady Kirch                                     Connor Altman

Mali Kellenberger                               Thane Jansma                                    Jayden Daale

 Club 512 Snack helpers:  Heather Heimensen & Peggy Metzger 

Midweek Meal Helpers: Glenda Hellenga, Linda DeBoer, Geneva Grooters, Carol Oliver & *1 needed*

Nursing Home Chaperone: Geneva Grooters 

~The Sanctuary will be open for Prayer on Wednesday from 12-2

Church and area happenings:

FIRST REFORMED CHURCH
 WORSHIP SERVICE 
 October 26, 2025 at 9:30am 

Prelude: “Indescribable”

WE APPROACH GOD

Welcome /Announcements/ Prayer

Ministry of Dance: Robin’s School of Dance

Praise Service: 

“House of the Lord”

“Promises”

Congregational Prayer

Offering Hymn “Reckless Love”

(offering plates will be passed)

“Doxology” #625

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD

Scripture: Luke 10: 29-37

Sermon: Good Samaritan

WE RESPOND TO GOD

Ministry of Music: Adult Choir

Benediction

(6^th Grade and below may be excused for Sunday School)

Mission statement: “TO SHARE THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS!”

Serving us today 10-26-25

DOOR GREETERS- (N) Todd & Stacy Dieren (S) Cody & Jen Hoefert (SE) Roger & Carol Oliver

NURSERY- Elliet Kelderman & Jersie Klarenbeek

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Brad & Ashley Rypkema

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Gary & Karen Van Wyhe

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- Fred Tilstra

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- Lesa Hommes

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR- No SS (OCC packing party)

SOUND SYSTEM- Dustin Bosch

VIDEO TAPING- Jonathan Kock

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Thane Jansma

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Jean Fick

VAN DRIVER- Paul Van Wyhe

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- General Fund

 Serving us next week 11-2-25

DOOR GREETERS- (N) Dave & Heather Springer (S) Steve & Jessica Harman (SE) Lisa VandeStouwe

NURSERY- Brody & Gable Hartter & Whitney Van Veldhuizen

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Lonn & Jammie Kellenberger

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- George & Doris Schneidermann

CHILDREN & WORSHIP:  Leader: Brenda Van Hofwegen         Greeter: Mali Kellenberger

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- Dwayne Postma

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- Ashley Kruse

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR- Danielle Hrdlicka

SOUND SYSTEM- Matt Kock

VIDEO TAPING- Randy Bosch

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Caitlin Huisman

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- April DeWit

VAN DRIVER- Dale Klarenbeek

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- Benevolent Fund

ELDERS

Chris Wright, Clerk-2023-25

Sharon Postma, VP-2023-25

Nate Schulte -2024-26

Randy Bosch-2024-26

Joel Vis- 2025-27

Rodney Vanden Top- 2025-27

DEACONS

Rob Van Hofwegen, Property Chair-2023-25

Justin Groen -2023-25 

Mark Boender-2023-25

Shawn Van Wyhe, Benevolent Treas. -2024-26

Jordan Menning, Chair of Deacons -2024-26

Evan Metzger, General Treas./ Personnel chair-2024-26

Kade Griesse, Clerk of Deacons- 2025-27

Brad Rypkema-2025-27

Jerry Mulder- 2025-27

                                            FINANCIALS as of 10-19-2025       

                                  Last Sunday                      YTD Offerings                     YTD Budget

General Fund:         $6,745.94                              $452,710.79                         $553,723.80

Benevolent Fund:  $4,242.00                               $185,563.20                       $162,296.40

                                       *Online donations are now added to designated funds*  

Sunday School 10-19-25

                        Last Year’s Attendance: 82                              Last Week’s Attendance: 94

                       Last Year’s Offering: $50.00                            Last Week’s Offering: $71.00

Upcoming Events  

SUNDAY 10-26-25:

Sunday School Lesson: No Sunday School (OCC packing party)

5-7pm Small Group Facilitator workshop (Elijah Room)

5pm Women’s Bible Study (Martha Room)

MONDAY 10-27-25:

TUESDAY 10-28-25: 

WEDNESDAY 10-29-25:

6am Men’s Bible Study (Martha Room)

12-2pm Prayer Time (Sanctuary)

2:30pm-5pm Club 512 

5pm-6:15pm Midweek Meal *Chili* (Everyone is welcome)

6:15pm Jr. High Youth Group (Youth Room)

8pm Sr. High Youth Group (Youth Room)

THURSDAY 10-30-25: 

FRIDAY 10-31-25:

8am Men’s Bible Study (Martha Room)

SATURDAY 11-1-25:                                                                                       

SUNDAY 11-2-25:

Sunday School Lesson: Lesson 37: Issac: Child of Promise

5pm Romans & Christians Event (Borman Forster Fields)

5pm Women’s Bible Study (Martha Room)

10/26/2025                                  Parable of the Good Samaritan           Luke 10:25-37 

Intro: Teacher of the Law, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”

1. How Do You Read the Law?
1. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind.
2. Love your neighbor as yourself

Next logical question: “How can anyone inherit eternal life?”

1. Who is my neighbor?
1. Parable of the Good Samaritan
1. ½ dead man
2. Priest/Levite
3. Samaritan (history)

1. Not all in the family of God, but all are neighbors.
1. Gen. 1:27 Made in the Image of God
2. Sacred Value from the womb to the tomb
1. All who think, believe, and live differently than you.
2. Race, Religion, Politics, Identity, etc. 

1. How do I love my Neighbor?
1. Samaritan example
1. Recognizing Human Value. 
1. Messy, Inconvenient, Costly
2. Physical, Spiritual, Mental, Emotional
2. Don’t ignore your neighbor in their suffering.  (Priest and Levite)

1. John 15:12 “A new command I give to you. Love one another as I have loved you.” 
1. Laid down his life for us, while we were still sinners. (Rom. 5:8)
2. Jesus never affirmed or condoned sin…instead he died for it.

1. Loving your neighbor like yourself, is impossible apart from a relationship with God.
1. Example of Marriage: Our love has limits
1. If I am broken, I don’t have the ability to love you fully
2. No person can “complete or fix me” Only God can. 

1. When I am growing in my relationship with God
1. I grow in my capacity to see others, love others, and sacrifice for others.

1. God’s love never runs dry.