Zion E-News 10-19-23

ZION E-NEWS (10-19-23)
“I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.”  Psalm 121:1

Late yesterday afternoon, I enjoyed a beautiful drive northwest along US-31 toward Norton Shores for Lauren’s OK-Green Cross-Country Championship meet. The sun had finally peeked out after several days of clouds and rain. And the trees were just ablaze with color. As I drove along, I was stunned and delighted by the radiant hues of reds and yellow, mixed throughout with the deep greens of evergreen trees.

The Cross-Country meet was held at Oak Ridge golf course, which backs up to PJ Hoffmaster State Park. While waiting for the runners to begin, I looked around at the sweeping views of rising hills around me, full of color. And the verse above came to mind.

There are many things I love about nature. Certainly fresh air is good for my body, and reveling in the beauty of creation is good for my heart. But there is something else that happens when I’m in nature. My mind and spirit calm. Because as I look around at the majestic world around me, I am reminded that we have a God who made all of heaven and earth. And that same God holds all of it, including us, in his all-powerful hands. When I spend time in nature, I remember again that the Lord who created is also the one who helps and sustains me.

We are in the height of fall beauty right now in West Michigan. I encourage you to take some time this weekend to get outdoors if you can, and to delight in the beauty of the trees. And while you do, breathe deeply and remember the promises of our creating, loving, helping God.

~Pastor Marcia

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: All kids birth through 5th grade must be signed in at the Zion Kids Check-In Kiosk located in the lobby before the service. The nursery will be staffed for kids birth – 3 yrs.  Preschoolers meet in room 206.  K-2nd graders meet in room 205. 3rd – 5th graders meet in room 207.  Please bring the corresponding tag to pick up your child after worship. We’re excited to begin the year!

ZION YOUTH: Regular Weekly youth group meetings are on Sunday’s at the following times:
High School Youth(9-12 grade) meet from 4:00 – 5:30 pm.
Middle School Youth (6-8th grade) meet from 5:45 – 7:15 pm.

GROW IN COMMUNITY
PRAYER REQUEST: Pray for Nancy Doornbos as she recovers from hip replacement surgery. Continue to pray for those in our congregation who are dealing with ongoing health problems.

THIS SUNDAY, October 22 we celebrate the Installation of our new Lead Pastor, Rev. Marcia Pratt during our morning worship service. We are excited about the future ministry of our church under Pastor Marcia’s leadership and look forward to celebrating this occasion as a church family. A cake reception will be held in the narthex following the service.

WHO LOVE A good fall potluck?  Join us on Sunday, November 5th after the morning service for a “Potluck Plus.”  Potluck: please bring a main dish and salad/side or dessert. Drinks and paper products will be provided. “Plus”: we will have some entertainment to help us get to know the pastors better!  And this is a wonderful chance to share a meal and get to know others at Zion better too. To RSVP on SignUp Genius click here or use this QR code.
There is also a sign up available on the bulletin board by the church office, or you can call the church office to RSVP as well. We hope you will join us!

YOUTH FUNDRAISERS: Our youth are selling 2024 God’s Creation Calendars ($10) and Key Card Books ($30).  If you haven’t been contacted and would like to purchase one please contact any one of our youth or call the church office at 616-534-7533.

THIS PAST September we had a great time camping at Dunes Harbor Family Campground. It was a great weekend with lots of food, fun, and stories around the campfire. Believe it or not, we are already planning next years camping weekend. Currently we have we have four cabins and ten campsites on the dates of June 6-9 being held for us. What we need to know is how many of you are interested. There is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board by the office or let Pastor Rick or Jonell know if you are interested. I know it is a ways off but it’s never to early to think about camping next year!

SERVE THE WORLD
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).

HAND2HAND: We are currently serving 100 kids each week! We could use food donations of the following: pudding cups, 100% juice, juice boxes, beef stick, granola bars, Lance brand or that type of sandwich cracker and microwave popcorn. Also, now-December 3 we are collecting Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie Mix and ready to use frosting (16oz) to include in the last bag delivered before Christmas. Donations can be placed in the shopping cart in the narthex by the Welcome Center.

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:  $219,316.05
Fiscal Year 2023/24 Contributions:  $194,992.68
Giving Last Week: $16,927.73