Zion E-News 7/27/23

ZION E-NEWS (7-27-23)

I am a HUGE reader. Last year alone I read over one hundred books and this year I have already read over fifty. Last summer when the Zion library was dismantled I repeatedly browsed through all the books and ended up filling a big box to take home.Surprisingly, it hasn’t been the stories I’ve  enjoyed the most, but the library check-out cards tucked inside. Each book has a card with signatures on it from all of the church members who read the same book.  Some are still members, some have moved on to other churches and some have passed away.  Those cards are a lovely reminder to me of the people that I formed friendships with inside the lil’ library at Zion. Multiple people from multiple generations united over their love of reading.
During the Camp Zion interview process this year one of our candidates mentioned how she has noticed former teen-staff members talking with adults from our church after Sunday services.  She knew that those adults had come to volunteer at camp and thought it was very cool how the teens and adults had formed a connection and were now comfortable carrying on conversations with each other.  She was looking forward to broadening her friendship circle to include more adults from our church and hoped that being a camp staff member would help with that.  I found it really interesting that she recognized a need for that connection from the older generations of people in our church family.
Psalm 145:4 reads, “Let each generation tell its children of Your mighty acts; let them proclaim Your power.”
Psalm 78:6 reads, “We will not hide them (the stories of old) from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.”This call of older generations to teach the next isn’t limited to our own family units, but is a call to reach out and connect to all generations of people in your life. The younger need to seek out the older, the older need to seek out the younger. Spend time together, listen to one another, share your personal stories, find your common interests, and ultimately share about the things you have learned or the questions you have about the Lord God who loves us all.

~ Rachel Verbrugge

CONNECT TO GOD

AS WE GATHER in person for Worship each Sunday at 9:30am the service can also be viewed on our website at zionreformed.online.church and streaming on our YouTube channel. We will also rebroadcast a version of the service on WCET at noon on Friday and 10:30AM on Sunday. The service will continue to be available on YouTube to watch at your convenience.

ZION KIDS has switched over to our summer programming.Through Sept 3, we will hold one combined class each week for kids ages 3yrs old through 3rd grade.  We will sing songs, watch a Bible story video, pray together and have some playtime while service is happening in the sanctuary.  Children should check in at the child check in station each week as usual.

GROW IN COMMUNITY
PRAYER REQUEST: Barb Overweg is recovering from the ablation that was done on the right side of her back last Monday.  Pray for those in our congregation who have ongoing health issues.

PASTOR STEVE’S last Sunday with us is August 13. Following the worship service we will celebrate him and his service to Zion with ice cream sundaes. We encourage you to write a card or note of thanks and place it in the basket at the back of the sanctuary and we will present them to him on August 13. (Blank cards are available in the back of the sanctuary for your convenience.)

DO YOU like to bake? We are looking for volunteers to make (or purchase) cookies to serve at coffee time after worship. If you would be willing to provide cookies occasionally please call or text Dianne Kooiker at 616-538-3179.

FOR THOSE who signed up for Dunes Harbor camping, an information letter has been placed in your Zion mailbox. Also, a sign up for food has been placed on the bulletin board by the church office. Please take a minute to review it and sign up before the end of July. If you have questions, please contact Rick or Jonell VanderWall.

THREADS CLOTHING MINISTRY is having a huge end of the season sale on Saturday, August 12 from 9am-1pm.  All summer clothing, shoes, and accessories (newborn through adult sizes) are priced at $1 each.  100% of the profit from this sale is used to purchase new clothing needs for this ministry.  This sale is open to the public.  Please help spread the word about the sale and follow us on facebook and instagram (threadsclothingministry) for more information about Threads.

SERVE THE WORLD
HELP STUFF THE BUS! We have partnered with Love Your Neighbor to provide backpacks and supplies for their Stuff The Bus campaign. Tags that show what is needed for each bag will be on a table in the narthex. Please return the bag, supplies, and tag by Sunday, August 13 See Tom MacGraw if you have any questions.

WE ARE collecting toothbrushes and  tubes of toothpaste through August to meet our goal of providing toothbrushes and toothpaste to all of our Personal Care Pantry, Hand2Hand, and Threads participants in September. Donations can be placed in the Personal Care Pantry box in the narthex.  Thank you!

SUMMER is a great time to try out new ways to serve at Zion! It is also the time of year that people who are looking for a church home tend to visit and we want them to feel welcomed! We all know that first impressions are important! Our First Impressions Team is looking for volunteers to make coffee, serve as an usher, greeter, or to help at the child check in station. All of these tasks are very easy, require minimal  time commitment and you can pick your own schedule! Click here to sign-up through Sign-Up-Genius or call Connie in the church office at 616-534-7533 ext. 3 and she can help you with scheduling!

DONATIONS of the following items (full size – not travel size) are needed for the Personal Care Pantry and can be placed in the box in the narthex marked “pantry donations”.  Laundry Soap,  Bar Soap,   Dish Soap,  Disposable Razors,  Shampoo,  Conditioner,  Toothpaste,  Paper grocery bags, Deodorant, Tampons, Maxi Pads, Paper towels (1 or 2 pack) and  Toilet paper (1-4 pack).

IF YOU need help, either with food, personal care items, help grocery shopping, or with financial needs, please contact Tom MacGraw, our chair of deacons, and he can help connect you with the appropriate resources at Zion. His e-mail is thomas.m.macgraw@gmail.com and his phone number is (616) 315-7938.

ADMINISTRATION
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 2023/24 Budget:  $92,343.60
Fiscal Year 2023/24 Contributions: $80,374.60
Giving Last Week: $7,817.45