Announcements for 8-31-25

~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.

Next Sunday - Praise & Picnic Day – Sunday, September 7

Next week, September 7, our church service 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 September 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)

~My thanks for the prayers, cards, visits, calls, and food following my fall.  Special thanks to Amy Ryals and to Laureen Schram, my Care Elder.  I was so blessed by your support and concern.  ~Karen Reemts

~To Our Church Family,
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to our church family for your gifts of meals, cards, visits, calls, texts, offering help, gift cards, and most importantly your prayers during and after Dustin’s hospitalization and recovery. We expected nothing when this happened and we were overwhelmed from church families that showed our family so much kindness and for that, we can’t say thank you enough. We never imagined what we thought was a minor routine illness would turn into something more serious.
Your gifts have helped reassure Dustin that he could take some much needed time off his job to recover.
 We are just so grateful and feel very blessed. Thank you again!! ~Dustin, Taylor, Ellie, and Emmett Bosch

“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.”- Isaiah 43:2a

Our prayer concerns….                                                                                                                                      

Betty Vanden Heuvel                                                       

Dustin Bosch                                                                      

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)    

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                     Donna Kwikkel     Alice Feikema (Crown Pointe- Sioux Center)                                      Addresses available upon request at church office

Oak’s 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 31, 2025 at 9:30am 

Prelude

WE APPROACH GOD

Welcome /Announcements/ Prayer

Children’s Message

Hymn: “I’ve Got Peace Like A River” #498, v. 1-3

Hymn: “How Firm A Foundation” #275, v. 1-4

Congregational Prayer

Offering Hymn “Pass It On” #309, v. 1-3

(offering plates will be passed)

“Doxology” #625

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD

Scripture: Jonah 1

Sermon: God’s Unexpected Work

WE RESPOND TO GOD

Closing Hymn: “Gentle Shepherd” #458

Benediction

Sending Hymn: “Thy word” #272

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

Serving us this week 8-24-25 

DOOR GREETERS- (N) Doris & George Schneiderman 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

 Serving us next week 9-7-25

DOOR GREETERS- 

NURSERY- 

COMMON GROUND (before worship)-       Praise and Picnic at Island Park

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- 

SOUND SYSTEM- Matt Kock

VIDEO TAPING- 

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- 

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Brenda Van Hofwegen  

VAN DRIVER- Mike 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 8-24-2025                                                                                        Last Sunday                      YTD Offerings                     YTD Budget

General Fund:          $11,381.60                          $343,769.27                         $448,252.60

Benevolent Fund:   $235.00                               $144,059.20                         $131,382.80

                                       *Online donations are now added to designated funds*                

Upcoming Events  

SUNDAY 8-31-25:

MONDAY 9-1-25:

Church offices closed for Labor Day

TUESDAY 9-2-25: 

12pm Quarterback Club

7pm Faith Circle (Martha Room)

WEDNESDAY 9-3-25:

9-11am Mom Co. (Island Park)

5pm Picnic Prep (Kitchen)

6:15pm Jr. Youth Group Kick-off (Youth Room)

8pm Sr. Youth Group Kick-off (Youth Room)

THURSDAY 9-4-25: 

5-8pm Football Team meal (Fellowship Hall)

FRIDAY 9-5-25:   

8am Men’s Bible Study (Martha Room)

SATURDAY 9-6-25: 

SUNDAY 9-7-25:

10:30am Praise and picnic at Island Park  

8/31/2025             Jonah: God’s Unexpected Work                     Jonah 1

Intro: Are you aware of how God is at work?

1. God is aware of the Brokenness and Sin.
1. Nineveh

1. Jonah

1. Sailors

1. You and Me

1. God’s Unexpected Work
1. Nineveh

1. Jonah

1. Sailors

1. You and Me

1. Do miss out on the Joy of the Lord’s Work
1. Jonah missed the opportunity to see the Sailor’s Faith

1. What do we miss out on because we are unwilling to follow God’s call.
1. Forgiveness, Difficult Conversation, Helping someone in need. 

Pray For God to Open Your Eyes