ZION E-NEWS (5-2-24)

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.

THE ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING will be held in the sanctuary after worship this Sunday, May 5.  The meeting is open to anyone who attends Zion, but only active confessing members can vote. Childcare is not provided. There will be a brief time for refreshments and picking up children from Zion Kids between the service and the meeting. This year’s double slate of nominated and consenting individuals are:
Elders                                                           Deacons
Matt Eling                                                    Jacquie Knott
Rachel Eriks                                               Adam Morehouse
Mark Gazan                                                  Josh Sanders
Andrew Moore                                              Justin Steere
From the four Elders and four Deacons, two of each will be chosen by the drawing of names at the meeting. A copy of the proposed budget is available in the back of the sanctuary.

MISSION TRIP SHAREHOLDER information has been placed in your church mailbox. As a Shareholder, you will be matched up with one student and commit to praying for them before, during, and after the trip. Shareholders are given copies of the pre-trip devotionals written by the students, are contacted by their student before the trip, receive a postcard from their student during the trip detailing what they have been doing, and are invited to a Celebration Lunch after the youth-led mission trip service on July 14. If you would like to partner with our youth and support their summer mission trip to Washington DC by becoming a MISSION TRIP SHAREHOLDER place your completed registration card and payment in the jar on the table in the narthex or turn it in to the church office by May 12, 2024. Extra registration cards are on the information table in the narthex.

CONGRATULATIONS to our Camp Zion 2024 Teen Staff members. Hope Eriks, Olivia Zoet, and Abby Ursiny.

We are excited to see these girls in action this summer and cannot wait to see how much they learn and grow.

DEAR ZION FAMILY, Thank you so much for your generous giving! It means so much that you took an offering specifically for me. Your love and care for me is so appreciated! The amount you gave covered the rest of my startup costs, which is incredible! Throughout this whole process, I have seen the Lord going before me and providing in His timing. I hope you know that Zion church has been a huge part of that! I truly consider it a privilege to be able to see firsthand how the body of Christ cares for one another and works together toward the same purpose: to see more and more people have a clear understanding of the Gospel and a deep relationship with God.  In Christ,   Emma DeVries

DEAR FRIENDS, I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for the overwhelming support and generosity you have extended in response to the recent tragedy in Mai Mahiu. The outpouring of love and support from each and every one of you has been truly remarkable, and I am deeply touched by your kindness and compassion. Your willingness to lend a helping hand during this difficult time is a testament to the strength of our faith and the power of our love for God. Your contributions and words of encouragement, have been so encouraging. Your generous support enabled us to provide food, clothing, and hygiene products immediately for those who lost everything in the flooding, and will continue to help us provide for urgent needs as they arise. Mary is running point with our Pastor and the church elders.  Words cannot adequately express the depth of my gratitude for your generosity and kindness. Please know that your support has made a meaningful impact and has brought light into the darkness for those in need. As we continue our efforts to support the affected families and rebuild communities in Mai Mahiu, I am reminded of the power of unity and compassion. Together, we can overcome any challenge and make a positive difference in the world around us. Once again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your unwavering support and friendship. Your love and generosity are truly appreciated, and I am honored to count you among my friends. With heartfelt gratitude, Jeremiah Kuria

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 needs volunteers to make coffee, serve as an usher, greeter, or 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! To sign up to provide cookies please contact Debbie Coke at (269) 680-5490.

SAY IT DAY #6: Kids, we will be practicing the following Bible verse for the next four weeks in class and at home. Anyone who can recite this verse from memory to their teacher in class on May 12, will be able to choose a prize from the treasure box.
Preschool – 2nd Grade: “Yours, Lord is the kingdom, and you are exalted as head over all.” 1 Chronicles 29:11b CSB
3rd-5th Grade: “Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in the heavens and on earth belongs to you. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom, and you are exalted as head over all.”   1 Chronicles 29:11 CSB

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, 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:  $554,061.60
Fiscal Year 2023/24 Contributions:  $521,958.05
Giving Last Week: $8,851.73