Zion E-News (6-14-2018)

On Saturday, June 9, General Synod 2018 approved Eddy Alemán as general secretary of the Reformed Church in America. The role of general secretary includes casting vision for the denomination and overseeing implementation of its mission. Speaking about his sense of call to apply for the position, he said, “Sometimes God calls us to places that we don’t want to go, but we need to say ‘yes.’”

I have known Eddy for a few years and have always been impressed by him. When Eddy was five months shy of 17, he left his home country of Nicaragua as a refugee. Nicaragua was in the midst of civil war in the 1980s, and Eddy moved to Canada before he could be drafted into military service. His older brother already lived in Toronto, and Eddy moved in with him. There, he went to school and worked as a tailor, which was his family’s business in Nicaragua. He also started attending church with his brother and soon became a Christian.

After serving in many roles in his church from Deacon to Elder to treasurer to driving vans and folding bulletins, he felt a call into ordained ministry. He served as an unofficial pastor for some time and eventually attended seminary at Western Theological Seminary, beginning his schooling just a year before I finished mine. Then he served in California leading a church planting effort in Paramount and finally joining our denominational staff a couple of years ago.

Mostly, I am in prayer for Eddy as he steps into this new role, hopeful for his leadership and also think it is pretty cool to have a Nicaraguan refugee, Canadian citizen, living in West Michigan as the head of our denomination. The church of God is more diverse than we often realize.

Connect to God
On Easter Sunday, God begins a re-creation of the world beginning with the resurrection of Jesus. While we are still waiting for this creation to be fully formed, we as Christians are called to live a Jesus shaped life so that our lives point people both to Jesus and this new world God is making. This week, we remember the God we worship is the God revealed to us by Jesus and this God is a God of love.

This Sunday, we celebrate with Kyle and Ashley VanderWall in the baptism of their daughter Eliza Grace. We also commission our Camp Zion summer staff, welcome the Week of Hope staff, and look forward to hearing from Albertha Kuiper from Wycliffe Bible Translators.

If you would like a copy of the worship service, you can receive a complete copy by contacting Tom Verbrugge or you can find the weekly messages on our website.

Grow in Community
Barb Peterson’s heart remains out of rhythm and she asks for prayers for healing, patience, and strength.

Bev Nagelkirk fell earlier this week and broke her hip. She underwent surgery on Tuesday and continues her recovery at the hospital.

If you have been in church the last few weeks, you may have noticed the many children we continue to welcome in worship. Due to the continued growth in our children’s ministry, we will have an additional rooms for children age 3 years old through 3rd grade to attend during worship. Many volunteers have already stepped up to staff this 2nd room. If you are interested and able to care for our kids on a Sunday, you can sign up outside of room 205.

Serve the World
Mark your calendars for this summer’s Neighborhood Park Party (formerly Hoops and Hotdogs) on June 19, July 3, July 17, and July 31 from 6-7 pm. These are great evenings to connect with neighbors, let the kids get some energy out on the playground, and enjoy a hotdog!

We will once again host a party in our parking lot on the 4th of July to watch the local fireworks beginning at 8 pm on the 4th. If you are able and interested in helping with this event, please contact Troy Austin.

City Chapel will be hosting their first preview service this Sunday at 10:15 meeting at City Flats Hotel downtown. If you want to check out this new church, show some support to Ron and Anna Radcliffe, or just need an excuse to go downtown, join City Chapel this Sunday!

Administrative Details
We continue to thank God for his provision of all of our needs and for the generous support of our congregation with their time, talent, and treasures.
Fiscal Year to date budget:  $21,750.40
Fiscal Year to date contributions:$14,657.00