Announcements for 5-14-23 

Youth Director News!  We are excited to announce that we have a finalist for the Youth Director position. Kaitlin Buntjer of Luverne, MN has been invited to participate in several ministry meetings over the next couple of weeks in order to interact with youth and youth leaders, meet the consistory and staff, and many other groups in our church.  She is married to Matt Buntjer and has 4 children.  If you see Kaitlin and her family, please make them feel welcome and get to know them.  We want to continue to surround this process in prayer and lift up our leaders as they seek God's will in hiring the right person for our church at this time.  

Young Adult Bible Study: Young Adult Bible Study “The Power of Knowing God” will begin on Friday, April 14 at 7pm. We will meet the following 6 Fridays at 7pm in the Youth Room.  All those under 25 are invited and welcome to attend. 

     Women’s Small Group Bible Study of Ephesians: All Women are welcome.  Meet for the next 6 weeks, on Tuesday     nights at 630pm in the Youth Room. Each week they will study one chapter of the book of Ephesians. April 11-May 16.

VBS registration is open! Please use the QR Code to register, or go to our church’s website. VBS is for kids age 4 (by June 7) – completing 6^th grade. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Amy Schulte at 712.470.4883. 

• Wednesday, June 7             9:00 am - 2:00 pm
• Thursday, June 8                 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
• Friday, June 9                       9:00 am - 11:30 am
• Friday, June 9                    11:30 am Program with Lunch to Follow
•  

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD: Thanks so much for participating in OCC this past fall.  The numbers are in and the numbers are up:  10,599,907 shoebox gifts packed and donated worldwide in 2022!  That number represents the number of children who will hear the Good News of Jesus Christ, and have opportunities to study what it means to be His disciples through The Greatest Journey lessons.

This year the 200 million^th shoebox gift (since OCC began in 1993) was given to a young girl in Ukraine.  Please continue to pray for all these children, that they would come to know Jesus as their friend and Savior, and be equipped to boldly share His love with families, friends, and communities.

Worship at Inspiration Hills: We are planning worship at Inspiration Hills on Sunday, July 9, 10:30-3:00.  After worship we will have lunch and camp activities.  Please sign up on Church Center or at the Welcome Center to let us know how many people are interested in activities.  Please note, this sign up does not guarantee the activities will be available.  It is for informational and planning purposes only. Questions?  Ask Valerie Lenderink, frcmusic@premieronline.net.  

The May Bridge is now available in the clear boxes next to the mailboxes. 

Church office hours: 9-1 Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Friday 9-12.

*Bulletin announcements need to be to the office by Thursday at 9am for the Sunday bulletin  

“God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us.”- Romans 5:5b

Please pray for…..                                                                                             

Makayla Klarenbeek 

Jan Spyksma (chemo)                                                                            Judy Netten (knee)

Karen Flier                                                                                               JoAnn Douglas                                                                                                     

Betty Vanden Heuvel                                                                         Sherri Weerheim

Janice Den Besten (Lyon Manor-rehab)                                           Nancy Bosma (Mary Klinkenborg’s sister) blood infection                       

Lorelei Reynolds (Laureen Schram’s sister)                                      Bonnie Wilson (Blair Wilson’s mom)

Melissa Moser (Kathy Moser’s daughter-in-law)                            Greyson Austin (Marlene Mellema’s grandson)           

Roger Van Maanen (Heather Van Wyhe’s dad)                              Sandra Smith (Laurie David’s mom) cancer     

Karen DeNoble (Dave DeNoble’s mom)                                            Bob & Arlene Sterler (Robbie Korthal’s parents)    

Lora Puttmann (Kellie Menning’s mom)                                           Nancy Aaker (Shari Kastein’s mom)

Kathy Kunze                                                                                           Debra Acreman (Rachelle Johnsen’s aunt) cancer

Mandie Sprock (Marilyn Mammenga’s daughter)                          Tricia Vant Hof (cancer treatment)

  ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

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

Ruth Van Aartsen                                                Edna Jongerius                                                    Hermina Gerritsen (Premier Estates #108)

Lucille Smit                                                           Wilma DeRoo                                                       Pam Foster

Lloyd Hoefert                                                       Joyce Mellema                                                     Missy Perkins

Harriet Hoff                                                          JoEllen Sorgdrager                                              Pearl Folkens

                                                                                Doris Calkins                                                         

           I am very grateful for all the cards, gifts, flowers and visits during my long recovery. I am so blessed to be a part of a loving caring church, especially Mary Hoogers, my care elder, who goes beyond the call of duty. ~Hermina Gerrison

                                                              ________________________________________________________________________________________               

                                                          Every Monday April through June @ 6:30pm

ALL are welcome!

Transportation for shut-ins to attend church is now beginning.

Contact Amy Ryals if you are interested in volunteering.

FIRST REFORMED CHURCH
 WORSHIP SERVICE
 May 14, 2023 at 9:30am

Prelude

WE APPROACH GOD

Welcome /Announcements/ Prayer

Hymn: It Is Well With My Soul #493 v. 1-4

Ministry of Music: Adult Choir, Cherub Choir and Handbells

Congregational Prayer

Senior Recognition and Second Grade Bible Presentation

Hymn: A Mighty Fortress #26, v. 1-4

WE HEAR GODS WORD

Scripture: Ephesians 6: 10-13 & Matthew 16: 13-18

Message: Stand Firm

Communion

WE RESPOND TO GOD

Closing Song: Standing On the Promises #271 v. 1, 3, 4

Benediction

(6^th grade & below may exit for Sunday School)

Sending Chorus: Standing On the Promises, chorus

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

Serving us today 5-14-23 

MINISTRY OF MUSIC- Singers & Ringers

NURSERY- Kayla Van Wyhe

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Reuben & Jean Fick

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Glenda Hellenga & Edie Korthals

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- 

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- Geneva Grooters

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER- Joel Vis

CHILDRENS MESSAGE LEADER- 

SOUND SYSTEM- Curt Dieren

VIDEO TAPING- Brad Rypkema

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Berlyn DeWit

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Scott Hunt

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- General Fund

Serving us next week 5-21-23

MINISTRY OF MUSIC- 

NURSERY- Heather & Anika Springer                    

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Scott & Amy Sieperda

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Evan & Linda DeBoer

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- Geneva Grooters

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- Fred Tilstra

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER- Pastor Steve

CHILDRENS MESSAGE LEADER- Pastor Steve

SOUND SYSTEM- Keith Van Beek

VIDEO TAPING- Breyden Dieren

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Brett Dieren 

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Jean Fick

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- Benevolent Fund

Sunday School 5-7-23

Last Year’s Attendance: 82                                    Last Week’s Attendance: 68

Last Year’s Offering: $71.25                                  Last Week’s Offering: $34.50

Upcoming Events  

SUNDAY 5-14-23:

Sunday School lesson: Session 1: Jesus Told Nicodemus about Eternal Life/ The Son brings Eternal Life

Senior Recognition and Second grade bible presentation

Communion

MONDAY 5-15-23:

6:30pm Grief Share *Children’s ministry center*

7pm Circle of Kindness

TUESDAY 5-16-23: 

6:30pm Women’s small group bible study “Ephesians” *Youth Room*

7:30pm Consistory Meeting

WEDNESDAY 5-17-23:

THURSDAY 5-18-23:

5pm Cookie Baking Club *kitchen*

FRIDAY 5-19-23:   

8am Men’s Bible Study

7pm Young Adult Bible Study “The Power of Knowing God” *Youth Room*

SATURDAY 5-20-23:

SUNDAY 5-21-23: 

Sunday School Lesson: Last Day of Sunday School