Announcements for 8-24-25

Are you building your life for Christ? The time to do so is now! BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) will have a women’s group meeting this year on Monday evenings at 7:00 pm in our church. Join us as we study “Exile and Return,” a powerful journey through the Old Testament, where God’s people were called to build His kingdom in a foreign land. For more information, please contact Carole Bosch at 402-981-5019.

Operation Christmas Child season is here!
We’re excited for a church-wide packing party this fall and need your help gathering supplies. A list of suggested donations is on the table in the gathering space. (Note: We already have plenty of crayons and hair bows.) As you shop for school supplies, small toys, and WOW! items, please pray for each child who will receive a box. Every gift is an opportunity to share the Gospel and invite children into discipleship. If you crochet or sew, contact Amy Schulte for handmade gift ideas. Let’s Share the Good News and reach children around the world for Christ!

PROPERTY ITEMS FOR SALE:  Cub Cadet 2X 26 in. 243cc Gas Two-Stage Snow Blower asking $600. MTD E660G 10 HP Snow blower asking $200. Stihl FS 40 C gas trimmer asking $75. Stihl gas leaf blower asking $50. Contact Rob Van Hofwegen if interested 507-220-8539.

Praise & Picnic Day – Sunday, September 7

In two weeks, our church service on Sunday, September 7 will be held at Island Park (west of the swimming pool). The worship service will start at 10:30 am. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets. Lunch will be provided after the worship service (BBQ beef sandwiches, hot dogs, homemade cole slaw, chips, soft serve ice cream, drinks). There will be activities for all ages including games, inflatables and corn hole tournament. 

We need help with this event. Please consider helping us in the following capacity:

• Help make the BBQ beef sandwiches on Wednesday, September 3 (evening). Roasts will be cooked. Help is needed to shred the roast and prepare the sauce. Need 5-6 people
• Help make cole slaw (chop cabbage and carrots and prepare the sauce) on Wednesday, September 3 (evening). Need 5-6 people.
• Servers for the meal – need 18 people
• Servers for the soft serve ice cream – need 4 people
• Help monitor the inflatables for 20 minutes – need 6 people
• Bring your corn hole board and bags for the tournament – need 12 sets
• Help with games and activities – need 4 people

There are sign-up sheets at the Welcome Center. Please save this date and we invite you to enjoy a beautiful day of worship and service!

~This small group is a “how to” and a “dig in” kind of study!

Have you been wanting to start a bible study but are unsure how to begin?  Have you been part of a bible study for years, but want more confidence to lead?  Or maybe you want to dig into God’s word with other women?  This small group is for you!

All are welcome.

We will study “Having a Mary Spirit” as we look at God’s word and how to apply it to our lives.  We will discuss ideas how to start small groups.  

We will hear from our Women’s Ministry President about what Women’s Ministry is and we will end with a teaching time on Oct 26 about how to facilitate a small group.

Register online: https://frcrockrapids.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3107719

The August 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 (note change)

**Bulletin announcements are due on Fridays at 9am. Thanks** (note change)

Care Elders’ Training

September 13^th @ 9am (Elijah Room)

“I love you, O LORD, my strength.”- Psalm 17:1                                   

Our prayer concerns….                                                                                                

Dustin Bosch                                                                  

Donna Kwikkel

Betty Vanden Heuvel                                                       

Karen Reemts                                                                                    

Rod Grooters                                                                                      

Eldora Krull (Hospice)

Alice Feikema  (Hospice)                                                  

JoAnn Douglas

Karen Flier                                                                     

Chuck &Twilla Hoekstra 

Merlin Groen                                                                   

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) 

Janice Den Besten                                                                         

Doris Iwen (Lance Iwen’s mom)   

Russ Carver (Rachelle Johnsen’s dad)                                          

Mandie Sprock (Marilyn Mammenga’s daughter)    

~Our sympathy to Betty Vanden Heuvel and family on the passing of her granddaughter, Allison Wessels  

~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             Darlene Brinkhuis

Eldora Krull                       Harriet Hoff                 

Alice Feikema (Crown Pointe -Sioux Center)

Addresses available upon request at church office

~Oaks’ Club (anyone over the age of 50)

September 15^th @ 1pm (meet at RR Historical Society Museum)

Church and area happenings:

FIRST REFORMED CHURCH
 WORSHIP SERVICE 
 August 24, 2025 at 9:30am 

Prelude: “Jesus Messiah”

WE APPROACH GOD

Welcome /Announcements/ Prayer

Mission Minute: Touch of Hope Haiti

Praise Service:

“The Lion And The Lamb”

“Revelation Song”

Congregational Prayer

Offering Hymn “How Deep The Father’s Love For Us”

(offering plates will be passed)

“Doxology” #625

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD

Scripture: Revelation 22

Sermon: Eden Restored

Communion 

WE RESPOND TO GOD

Benediction

Ministry of Music: Men’s Choir

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

Serving us today 8-24-25

DOOR GREETERS- (N) Matt & Jen Kock S) Justin & Sara Groen (SE) Dan & Rhona Snyder

NURSERY- Nathan & Ashley Kruse

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Evan & Linda DeBoer

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Dusty & Ivy Ramsey

SOUND SYSTEM- Brad Rypkema

VIDEO TAPING- Jonathan Kock

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Mali Kellenberger

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Jean Fick

VAN DRIVER- Lucas Bouwman

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- General Fund

Serving us next week 8-31-25

DOOR GREETERS- (N) George & Doris Schneidermann (S) Mark & Sarah Swartz (SE) Harvey & Nettie Roskam  

NURSERY- Aubrey Kirch, Brielle Vander Lee & Emily Grooters

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Cori Klarenbeek & Glenda Hellenga

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Jeff & Laureen Schram

SOUND SYSTEM- Matt Kock

VIDEO TAPING- Dave Hulstein

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Thane Jansma

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Kristi Metzger  

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 8-17-2025   

                                  Last Sunday                      YTD Offerings                     YTD Budget

General Fund:          $9,412.94                            $332,387.67                         $435,068.70

Benevolent Fund:   $6,231.00                             $143,824.20                          $127,518.60

Upcoming Events  

SUNDAY 8-24-25:

6pm Prayer Walk (Central Lyon School parking lot)

MONDAY 8-25-25:

8am 1^st Day of School MOMS IN PRAYER (Sanctuary)

11:30pm Quarterback Club (Fellowship Hall)

6:30pm Grief Share (Martha Room)

TUESDAY 8-26-25: 

WEDNESDAY 8-27-25:

6:30-8pm Education volunteer training meeting (Elijah Room)

THURSDAY 8-28-25: 

5-8pm Football Team meal (Fellowship Hall)

FRIDAY 8-29-25:   

8am Men’s Bible Study (Martha Room)

SATURDAY 8-30-25: 

SUNDAY 8-31-25:

MONDAY 9-1-25: 

Church offices closed for Labor Day

8/24/2025                         Eden Restored                         Revelation 22

Intro: Creation, Fall, Redemption, Spirit-filled Commission, Second Coming

1. Eden Restored
1. Throne in the Center of the City
1. God’s Dwelling place is among his People
2. River of Water of Life Flowing from the throne

1. Tree of Life
1. Abundance (12 Crops, no off season, both sides of River)
2. Leaves Heal the Nations. (Cain and Abel)
1. I am the Vine (John 15:5)

1. No Curse
1. Body, Mind, Spirit, Creation/Earth
2. No Darkness (God will be our light)
1. Joy, Beauty, Knowledge

1. Jesus IS coming soon.
1. Preparations of Jesus
1. Commissioned his Disciples
1. Filled them with the Holy Spirit
2. Sent them to the Nations
3. Opening hearts and minds to receive the good news.
2. Judgement Warnings
1. Seals, Trumpets, Bowls (Lead to Repentance)
3. Heavenly Place

1. Our Preparation of Jesus’ Return
1. Fulfill the great commission
2. Can’t Share what we don’t have 
1. Study God’s Word (Do not seal of the words)
2. Grow in faith and love in Christ.
3. Worship God!
1. With our whole Body…Minneapolis Miracle

1. Warning and Invitation
1. Jesus Declares who he is
1. Do not add or subtract from this Revelation. (Revelation is of Jesus)
2. Jesus plus or Minus Jesus

1. Jesus says Come 3x

Come to the table