Zion E-News 3-14-24
ZION E-NEWS (3-14-24)
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.
PRAYER REQUEST: Continue to pray for those in our congregation with ongoing health issues.
SAVE THE DATE for a Spring Book Club! Would you like to grow in life-giving ways as you age? In Aging Faithfully, spiritual director Alice Fryling explores how to navigate the journey of retirement, lifestyle changes, and new limitations – and invites us to see God at work in new ways in the midst of it all. Join Pastor Marcia for one of two Book Club sessions to discuss the book together. RSVP for whichever day/time works best for you – Monday, April 29th at 6:30 PM or Wednesday, May 1st at 10:00 AM at Zion. This is open to anyone interested in the topic, regardless of your age! Books can be purchased on your own at a local bookstore or via Amazon here: Aging Faithfully book.
CARE PORTAL: We are in the process of helping a family who is dealing with the unexpected death of a child. They are in need of a new futon and the Zion CarePortal will be supplying this to them. Please continue to pray for this Jenison family.
BENEVOLENT FUND: The deacons approved and paid for some repairs on a neighbor of Zions car. Their car broke down and we were able to financially help them get this fixed so they have proper transportation. Thanks for your continued support of this fund.
SAVE THE DATE: On April 17th there will be a Women’s Bunco Night at church. Watch the bulletin for more information and sign up details!
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).
NOW HIRING!!! Camp Zion 2024 Teen Staff: We are now accepting applications for our Camp Zion 2024 Teen Staff positions. If you are a member of the Zion high school youth group and are looking for summer employment, we welcome you to apply. This experience will help you to build relationships with families in our community and gain lots of hands-on experience in servant leadership. Camp Zion will run June 17-Aug 1, 2024. Monday through Thursday each week. Below is a link to the online application. The full Camp Zion Teen Staff job description is posted on the bulletin board outside of the church office. Applications are due by March 31st. Camp Zion 2024 Job Application
IF YOU need help, either with food, personal care items, or 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.
WE CONTINUE to thank God for his provision of all of our needs and the generous support of our congregation with their time, talent, and resources.
Fiscal Year 2023/24 Budget: $473,260.95
Fiscal Year 2023/24 Contributions: $464,604.94
Giving Last Week: $9,938.73
Zion E-News 3-7-24
ZION E-NEWS (3-7-24)
REMEMBER TO “Spring Forward” and set your clocks ahead one hour on Saturday night!
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.
PRAYER REQUEST: Please pray for Jim and Barb Overweg and their family as they mourn the loss of their niece Tracy Scholten. Continue to pray for those in our congregation with ongoing health issues.
THE CHILI & MAC & CHEESE COOK-OFF FUNDRAISER was a huge success! Thanks to all of our contestants for the delicious entries they prepared, to those who donated gift baskets for the raffle, and to all those who participated and generously supported our High School Students. Congratulations to this year’s winners:
Megan MacGraw for her Mac ’N Cheese entry
Michelle Holzgen and Bronson Swan who tied for their chili entry
THREADS Clothing Ministry is having a huge end-of-the-season sale this Saturday, March 9 from 9am-1pm. All winter clothing & accessories (newborn through adult sizes) are priced at $1 each. 100% of the profits from this sale are used to purchase new clothing needs for this ministry. Please stop by & shop at the sale and spread the word about it! Cash Thank you!
THREADS UPDATE: Over 1,000 clothing items were given away at our shopping day at Threads on Tuesday, March 5!! Thank you, Lord, that Zion can bless and serve our community through this ministry.
Here is the breakdown of the numbers from Tuesday, March 5.
47 Families Shopped
158 People received clothing
921 Clothes were away
97 Accessories were given away
39 Families used the PCP Store
7 Haircuts were given
Hope these numbers put a smile on your faces and joy in your hearts! Jil
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 has a desperate need for 100% juice juice boxes. Donations can be placed in the shopping cart in the narthex. Thank you!
HAND2HAND will be packing food bags on Sunday, March 10 following worship. If you would like to help pack (it’s easy and it’s fun) head downstairs after worship and they will show you how!
NOW HIRING!!! Camp Zion 2024 Teen Staff: We are now accepting applications for our Camp Zion 2024 Teen Staff positions. If you are a member of the Zion high school youth group and are looking for summer employment, we welcome you to apply. This experience will help you to build relationships with families in our community and gain lots of hands-on experience in servant leadership. Camp Zion will run June 17-Aug 1, 2024. Monday through Thursday each week. Below is a link to the online application. The full Camp Zion Teen Staff job description is posted on the bulletin board outside of the church office. Applications are due by March 31st. Camp Zion 2024 Job Application
SUNDAY IS SAY IT DAY #4: We have been practicing the following Bible verse for the last four weeks in Zion Kids. Any student who can recite this verse from memory to their teacher in class on March 10, will be able to choose a prize from the Say It Day treasure box.
Preschool – 2nd Grade: “For the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth.” Ephesians 5:9 NIV
3rd-5th Grade: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of Light. For the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth.” Ephesians 5:8-9 NIV
IF YOU need help, either with food, personal care items, or 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.
WE CONTINUE to thank God for his provision of all of our needs and the generous support of our congregation with their time, talent, and resources.
Fiscal Year 2023/24 Budget: $461,718.00
Fiscal Year 2023/24 Contributions: $454,666.21
Giving Last Week: $9,124.73
Zion E-News 2-22-24
ZION E-NEWS (2-22-24) 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.
PRAYER REQUEST: Please continue to pray for those in our congregation who are dealing with ongoing health issues.
THROUGHOUT February we are doing a Shampoo and Conditioner donation drive to offset budget costs and provide more variety in choice for our Threads/Personal Care Pantry Customers. Donations can be placed on the cart by the church mailboxes.
SIGN UP TODAY for Zion’s Second Annual Chili Cook-off on Sunday, March 3rd after the morning service! Also new this year: a Macaroni and Cheese Cook-Off. Start dreaming up your recipes to submit and plan to join us for this fun event! There will also be activities for kids, led by our high school youth group students. While the event is free, we encourage you to consider a donation that will go toward the high school mission trip to Washington D.C. this summer.
THREADS Clothing Ministry is having a huge end of the season sale on Saturday, March 9 from 9am-1pm. All winter clothing & accessories (newborn through adult sizes) are priced at $1 each. 100% of the profits from this sale are used to purchase new clothing needs for this ministry. Please stop by & shop at the sale and spread the word about it! Cash Thank you! 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 has a desperate need for 100% juice juice boxes. Donations can be placed in the shopping cart in the narthex. Thank you!
IF YOU need help, either with food, personal care items, or 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. WE CONTINUE to thank God for his provision of all of our needs and the generous support of our congregation with their time, talent, and resources.
Fiscal Year 2023/24 Budget: $438,632.10
Fiscal Year 2023/24 Contributions: $436,380.75
Giving Last Week: $8,263.73
Zion E-News 2-8-24
ZION E-NEWS (2-8-24)
SUNDAY we will wrap up our message series on Re-Imagining Sabbath: Rest in a Restless World by looking at what Jesus himself had to say about Sabbath. We encourage you to continue learning about Sabbath and trying new Sabbath practices. Pastors Marcia and Jeremy have compiled some further resources for you to consider including books, podcasts, articles, and a parent prompt from The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding. These can be found on the Welcome Center counter in the Gathering Area.
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.
PRAYER REQUEST: Please continue to pray for those in our congregation who are dealing with ongoing health issues.
KAY SIKKEMA passed from this earthly life into her heavenly home on Saturday, February 3. We thank God for Kay’s life, and remember her family and friends as they remember, celebrate and grieve.
ASH WEDNESDAY: We invite you to join us Wednesday, February 14th at 6:30 PM for our Ash Wednesday service. Together we will worship, receive the imposition of ashes, and celebrate communion as we enter into the season of Lent. This is a meaningful service for all ages and we hope you will join us.
THROUGHOUT February we are doing a Shampoo and Conditioner 
donation drive to offset budget costs and provide more variety in choice for our Threads/Personal Care Pantry Customers. Donations can be placed on the cart by the church mailboxes.
SAVE THE DATE for Zion’s Second Annual Chili Cook-off on Sunday, March 3rd after the morning service! Also new this year: a Macaroni and Cheese Cook-Off. Start dreaming up your recipes to submit and plan to join us for this fun event! There will also be activities for kids, led by our high school youth group students. While the event is free, we encourage you to consider a donation that will go toward the high school mission trip to Washington D.C. this summer.
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 sticks, granola bars, Lance brand or that type of sandwich cracker, and microwave popcorn.
IF YOU need help, either with food, personal care items, or 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.
WE CONTINUE to thank God for his provision of all of our needs and the generous support of our congregation with their time, talent, and resources.
Fiscal Year 2023/24 Budget: $427,089.15
Fiscal Year 2023/24 Contributions: $409,162.56
Giving Last Week: $21,926.15
Zion E-News 1-25-24
ZION E-NEWS (1-25-24)
SUNDAY we will continue our message series on Re-Imagining Sabbath: Rest in a Restless World. Together we will look at how a rhythm of Sabbath was created and commanded by God for our good, in so many ways beyond physical rest. We’ll learn how Sabbath can lessen our anxieties, deepen our faith, and bring more joy to our lives.
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.
*WCET experienced a major power surge about 6 weeks ago that destroyed the majority of their equipment and their ability to broadcast our service. They are in the process of replacing that equipment and hope to be back up and running in the next couple of weeks.
PRAYER REQUEST: Please continue to pray for those in our congregation who are dealing with ongoing health issues.
CONSISTORY NOMINATION materials and ballots have been placed in the church mailboxes of each active confessing member (18 years and older). We are asking you to prayerfully discern and nominate up to four Elders and Deacons and return your nomination ballot to the box in the back of the sanctuary no later than Sunday, February 4.
HAND2HAND will be packing food bags this morning following worship. If you would like to help pack (it’s easy and it’s fun) head downstairs after worship and they will show you how!
FOR THE month of February we are doing a Shampoo and Conditioner donation drive to offset budget costs and provide more variety in choice for our Threads/Personal Care Pantry Customers. Donations can be placed on the cart by the church mailboxes.
ZION KIDS Say It Day #3: We will be practicing the following Bible verse for the next four weeks in Zion Kids, and we invite you all to join us. Any children who can recite this verse from memory to their teacher in class on Feb 4 can choose a prize from our Say It Day treasure box.
Preschool-2nd Grade: “No one has ever seen God. The one and only Son (Jesus) … has revealed Him. – John 1:18
3rd-5th Grade: “No one has ever seen God. The one and only Son (Jesus who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, He has revealed Him.”
– John 1:18
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 sticks, granola bars, Lance brand or that type of sandwich cracker, and microwave popcorn.
IF YOU need help, either with food, personal care items, with grocery shopping, or 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.
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: $392,460.30
Fiscal Year 2023/24 Contributions: $379,391.68
Giving Last Week: $16,213.75
