E-News 7-13-23
ZION E-NEWS (7-13-23)
If you’re reading this as it is released, I’m nearing the end of our mission trip to Holland with the middle school youth group. This is my first mission trip since 2019 and I have been looking forward to it all year. There is nothing like the spiritual high I feel while on, and for the time just after a mission trip.
Mission trips are where I decided to publicly profess my belief in God after a trip to the Dominican Republic. They are also where I felt called to volunteer with the youth group after I graduated, which I have been doing for the last 17 years, after a trip to Alaska. And like I said earlier, this is the time that I feel closest to God because I am serving alongside a community of believers.
Service is an important part of being a Christian, but that service doesn’t look the same for everyone. 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV) says “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms”. So, what does that service look like for you? Here are a couple of ideas for you…
Talk to Tom Boeve about getting involved with the Personal Care Pantry (and bring a ton of toothbrushes and toothpaste!). Come downstairs on a Hand2Hand packing day and work alongside your brothers and sisters as you fulfill the needs of students in Grandville Public Schools. Talk to Shawn Sanders and Sheila Johnson about dropping off food each week to Grandview Elementary. Call Becky Harkes and volunteer in nursery so you can serve the kids and their parents. Talk to Jill Austin and come help sort clothes for Threads. Go as a family to serve a meal at a local soup kitchen. Help remove pens and stack chairs after worship while Camp Zion is happening this summer. Volunteer at Camp Zion or sign up to provide food for them!
You won’t regret doing any of those things. And if none of those fit the gifts you were given, find some way to use your gifts! Using your gifts will change you and grow you.
~Tom MacGraw
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.
GROW IN COMMUNITY
PRAYER REQUEST: Barb Overweg did not have an ablation on her back as planned but was given a nerve block instead.Linda Tuit is recovering from hip replacement surgery. Pray for those in our congregation who have ongoing health issues.
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.
SERVE THE WORLD
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: $69,257.70
Fiscal Year 2023/24 Contributions: $64,284.70
Giving Last Week: $10,797.45
Meet Jenny. Jenny is not quite four years old. She entered the back yard, headed straight for the pool and if not for some fast moving adults would have jumped right in. Jenny can’t swim yet she has no fear. Once we had a lifejacket on her, there was no stopping her! She wanted to do everything the big kids were doing. She must have jumped off the diving board at least 50 times.