Announcements for 6-1-25

VBS is this week! Our theme this year is Wonder Junction: March at Jesus, Live for His Glory! There is a food supply list at the Welcome Center in the Gathering Space. Please check it out to see what you can donate. A couple notes for parents of kids attending: We will be having fun by wearing the same color shirts each day: Monday – Blue; Tuesday – Green; Wednesday – Purple. Wonder Junction t-shirts will be handed out to the kids just before the program on Wednesday. All are invited to join us for the program Wednesday at 11:30 am with lunch to follow. We are partnering with Sleep in Heavenly Peace this year for our mission focus. Their goal is that no child sleeps on the floor, but has a safe, comfortable place to lay their heads. Many in our area have been blessed with new beds after the recent floods. Each bed costs about $250. We can’t wait to see how many beds we can “build!” 

~The June 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 Thursday 9-1.

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

“May God be merciful and bless us. May His face smile favor on us.”- Psalm 67:1

Our prayer concerns….                                                                                                  

Chris Schwartze                                                              

Betty Vanden Heuvel                                                                                        

Rod Grooters                                                                                      

Eldora Krull

Alice Feikema                                                                 

JoAnn Douglas

Karen Flier                                                                     

Twilla Hoekstra 

Merlin Groen                                                                 

 Greyson Austin (Marlene Mellema’s grandson)

Ron & Cathy Birkeland                                                               

Todd Altman (Jack & Esther Altman’s son)           

Kathy Van Olst                                                                     

Dannelle Gerdes (Scott Hunt’s sister-chemo treatments)    

Janice Den Besten                                                                           

Ellen Schram (Jeff Schram’s mom)             

Beth Gable (Allison Van Aartsen’s sister-in-law)                          

Russ Carver (Rachelle Johnsen’s dad)

Bill Saeger (Jackie Groen’s brother)                                            

Mandie Sprock (Marilyn Mammenga’s daughter)     

Doris Iwen (Lance Iwen’s mom)

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                                 Lucille Smit                    Eldora Krull                              Harriet Hoff                                  Darlene Brinkhuis                                           

*Addresses available upon request at church office

First Reformed Church family, we are so appreciative of the love, kindness and support shown to Vi and family in the passing of Loren.  Thank you to Pastor Steve and Pastor Amy for the many hours spent with us and all that went in to conducting the funeral. Your prayers and devotion were priceless. Thank you to our Care Elder Dan S and to Cheryl VB for the countless ways you helped and supported us before, during and after the funeral.  Thank you to all those who worked the kitchen, the tech and sound crew, and ushers during the funeral. Thank you to the many church members that reached out with calls, texts, cards, food and gifts. This experience has been a vivid reminder of how special belonging to a body of believers is. You are wonderful and will not be forgotten! ~Vi Dengler and family

Church and Local Happenings:

FIRST REFORMED CHURCH
 WORSHIP SERVICE 
 June 1, 2025 at 9:30am 

Prelude: “God Of Wonders”

WE APPROACH GOD

Welcome /Announcements/ Prayer

Mission Minute: Grace Covenant

Baptism: Kovey Grooters

Praise Service:

“Build Your Kingdom Here”

“Promises”

Congregational Prayer

Offering Hymn

(offering plates will be passed)

“Doxology” #625

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD

Scripture: Matthew 25: 14-30

Sermon: VBS Series: Parable of the Talents

WE RESPOND TO GOD

Closing Hymn: “Victory In Jesus”

Benediction

Sending Chorus: “Victory In Jesus”

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

Serving us today 6-1-25

DOOR GREETERS- (N) Colin & Rachelle Johnsen (S) Tom & Sheryl Bouwman (SE) Justin & Sara Groen

NURSERY- Nathan & Ashley Kruse 

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Roger & Carol Oliver

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Jean & Ruben Fick

SOUND SYSTEM- Matt Kock

VIDEO TAPING- Randy Bosch

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Caitlin Huisman

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Brenda Van Hofwegen

VAN DRIVER- Lucas Bouwman

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- Benevolent Fund

 Serving us next week 6-8-25

DOOR GREETERS-(N) Nathan & Ashley Kruse (S) Bruce & Rachel Eckenrod (SE) Jerry & Jill Pytleski

NURSERY- Aubrey Kirch, Brielle Vander Lee, & Danielle Grooters 

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Women’s Ministry

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Women’s Ministry

SOUND SYSTEM- Sawyer Hrdlicka

VIDEO TAPING- Justin Groen

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Elise Kahl

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Kiya Griesse

VAN DRIVER- Shawn Van Wyhe

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- General 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 5-18-2025                                                                                   Last Sunday                      YTD Offerings                     YTD Budget

General Fund:         $9,569.30                           $217,324.49                         $276,861.90

Benevolent Fund:  $360.00                                $97,427.65                           $81,148.20  

Upcoming Events  

SUNDAY 6-1-25:

MONDAY 6-2-25:

9am-2pm VBS

6:30pm Grief Share (Elijah Room)

TUESDAY 6-3-25: 

9am-2pm VBS

7pm Faith Circle (Martha Room)

WEDNESDAY 6-4-25

9am-11am VBS

11:30am VBS program with lunch to follow (Everyone is welcome)

THURSDAY 6-5-25: 

FRIDAY 6-6-25:   

8am Men’s Bible Study

SATURDAY 6-7-25: 

SUNDAY 6-8-25:

9am Evangelism Committee Meeting (Connections Room)

11am Mission Committee Meeting (Martha Room)

6/1/2025                VBS: Parable of the Talents        Matthew 25:14-30

Intro: How do we live until Jesus Returns?

1. Understanding the Parable
1. Master = Jesus
1. Jesus ascended and will return
2. Jesus owns everything

1. Servants = Disciples
1. Entrusted with Master’s Wealth 
2. Expected to know the Master and Purpose for the Gift.
3. Expected to put the wealth to work.

1. What do the Talent’s represent?
1. Gospel: Jesus has entrusted the Disciples with the knowledge of Salvation
1. The Gospel is the Most Valuable Gift (Meant to be Multiplied)
2. Relationship with Jesus

1. All Earthly things God has given his disciples
1. Money, Abilities, Possessions, Influence, Positions

1. How then are we to live until Jesus Returns?
1. Grow in Relationship with Jesus
1. Constantly Receiving the Gospel (Not a one-time event)
2. Seeing the world through Gospel Glasses (Deut. 6:4-9)

1. Living with Gospel Glasses (Practical)
1. Money
2. Abilities
3. Possessions
4. Influences
5. Positions

1. A Disciples will bear fruit with what has been given, because he is abiding with Jesus. (John 15:5)

1. Wicked Servant
1. Will not bear fruit because he doesn’t know Jesus.  (James 2)