Zion E-News (5-17-2018)

Watching the news earlier this week about the US opening an embassy in Jerusalem and the accompanying protests in Gaza, my mind went almost immediately to Jesus’ command to love our neighbors as ourselves. I wondered, “What would it look like for our country to love Israelis and Palestinians like ourselves?”

This is probably a rabbit hole not worth pursuing, but down I went. I tried to put myself in the shoes of a Palestinian who was driven, or whose grandparents were driven, from their home 70 years ago, and who now lives behind a tall wall, surrounded by armed soldiers, with limited economic prospects. And then to see my oppressors claim my capital as their own. I might become angry and frustrated and be tempted to act out violently.

And then I thought about Israelis. What would it be like to grow up knowing that my people were systematically exterminated in a World War and were persecuted for centuries before in Europe? How might I feel if we finally had reclaimed our ancestral home only to suffer several wars and hundreds of terrorist attacks from people trying to take our land away? I might defend myself with violence. I might  struggle to have compassion for those affected by my decisions and who now feel oppressed by my people.

It only takes a few minutes to realize there is no simple right or wrong answer to the issues facing Israelis and Palestinians and that no one is completely in the wrong or the right. It is a true mess of hurt and wrong and mistakes and sin on both sides. Love begins by listening and simply trying to understand the experience of the other person.

And in that regard it is like many difficult situations in our lives. Coming alongside a friend going through a divorce. Caring for a child who can’t seem to keep a job. Listening to a gay or transgender neighbor. Walking with friends recovering from abuse. Dealing with almost any conflict among grown children. Discussing politics with just about anybody. Building friendships with people from different economic or ethnic backgrounds. All challenge us to understand someone else’s experience to love them well.

When I meet with couple for pre-marital counseling, one of the first skills we practice is listening actively. It is amazing how many conflicts get resolved or lose their energy when people feel understood. And, I am always surprised in myself that when I work to understand someone else’s experience how my response and compassion change.  Simply being heard often deflates the anger and opens up the possibility of reconciliation.

We can’t solve Middle East peace, but maybe we can bring a little more peace to our lives by listening to understand and then responding in love.

Connect to God
This Sunday we will celebrate and bless 11 high school graduates from our youth group. During the service, Pastor Jeremy will reflect on each students experience, offer them a gift, and maybe some wise counsel as they transition into their next phase of life. Because we want to take the time to truly celebrate each graduate, we will be having a shorter message on Sunday. Think homily. But we do so, because this week, we will be thinking about how a Jesus.Life embraces community. Part of how we embrace community as a church is by taking the time to celebrate with our graduates.

We will also celebrate communion during worship this week. On behalf of the Board of Elders, I encourage you to examine your life and relationships, seek reconciliation where needed, confess where appropriate, and offer others the same grace god has given us, so that we can come to the table on Sunday with true joy and gratitude and in unity but he grace of the Holy Spirit.

We will no longer be having a Children’s Message during worship because of the sheer number of children and the recognition that through Children and Worship we already provide worship and teaching that is age appropriate for our youngest members. This Sunday kids will be invited up to the steps to be prayed over before they are dismissed to Children and Worship. We will publicly thank Kelly Osterink for her faithful service for well over a decade in teaching our children each Sunday at a later time.

We are still looking for more volunteers for our summer children’s ministry. You can sign up here.

If you would like a copy of the worship service, you can receive a complete copy by contacting Tom Verbrugge or you can find the weekly messages on our website.

Grow in Community
We extend out sympathy to Jim Oudbier in the passing of his beloved wife, Joanne, on Wednesday afternoon. The funeral will be Monday at 11 am at Zion with visitation one hour prior. Visitation will also occur on Sunday afternoon from 1-4, also at Zion.

Carol Vandelin underwent knee replacement surgery on Tuesday and is currently recovering well at her daughter’s home.

Mark Steenbergen will have open heat surgery tomorrow and asks for prayers for peace, healing, and strength through the surgery.

Cake will be served following worship on Sunday to celebrate with all of our graduates.

Love offering- As we celebrate communion on Sunday, we will also hold a special love offering for our Benevolence funds. Benevolence funds are used to care for the financial and physical needs of members of our community and the neighborhood. The Deacons encourage our congregation to give generously not only to the ongoing ministries of Zion through the budget, but also to give through the love offering to support one another in times of need.

Serve the World
We will be packing for Hand2hand following worship on Sunday i the basement. If you are able to help set-up and pack, your assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Administrative Details

Our next Leaders Meeting will be this Sunday, May 20 from 5-7 pm. We will start the evening with a meal and then talk a little about the vision and direction of Zion, breakup into ministry teams, and end the evening with some training by Pastor Jeremy. We have a great night planned. If you volunteer in any capacity, you are both invited and strongly encouraged to attend this evening of community and ministry. If you do not yet serve anywhere in the ministries of Zion, but would like to get involved, please join us as well and we will get you connected that night. Sign-ups for the leaders meeting will begin this Sunday May 6. Childcare will be provided for children 5th grade and under.

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.

Year to date budget: $530,745.50
Year to date contributions: $522,075.11

Beginning Easter Sunday morning, we will spend the Easter season, and a little beyond, considering the basics of a Jesus shaped life. Join us beginning April 1 at 9:30.

Join us beginning June 24 as we begin a four-week series on handling our finances called Making Change.

We don’t get a lot of wildfires around Michigan, though there was one in Newaygo last night. But, when Rachel and I lived in Colorado, there were wildfires every summer. When we visited 5 years ago, there was a significant fire south of Denver and many people lost their homes. I remember further back, almost 20 years ago driving with a friend to help him move out to LA and being amazed by small little fires along the side the highway. People just drove by like it was no big deal.

Unlike the people in LA, I have never gotten used to wild fire. Fire is dangerous. It moves in unexpected ways. It consumes and destroys. And yet, it also leads to new growth and health and life. When a fire goes through a pine forest, as it burns, it unlocks all the pine cones and sends millions upon millions of seeds out into the world, already beginning to replace the trees that have burned. According to foresters, most forest trees need to be exposed to fire every 50 to 100 years in order to invigorate new growth in the forest.

I think the same is true for churches. Not that churches need to burn, but that every few decades churches need a revival, a fresh influx of the fire of the Holy Spirit, a renewed passion for God and evangelism and seeking after the kingdom of God. I sense God may be doing something like that in our midst. May we fan the flames and catch fire ourselves.

Connect to God

On Easter Sunday, God begins a re-creation of the world beginning with the resurrection of Jesus. While we are still waiting for this creation to be fully formed, we as Christians are called to live a Jesus shaped life so that our lives point people both to Jesus and this new world God is making. This week, we consider the need for wisdom as we seek to live according to the ways of Jesus’ kingdom.

From the Sunday after Memorial Day through Labor Day, we take a break from our regular children’s programming. This gives our teachers a much needed break from prepping as people are in and out for vacations. In its place, we will be showing the children ages 3 through 3rd grade a Christian video each week (during the worship service), such as Veggie Tales, or Hermie and Friends.

You can sign up here to work in our summer Children’s ministry.

If you would like a copy of the worship service, you can receive a complete copy by contacting Tom Verbrugge or you can find the weekly messages on our website.

Grow in Community

Our Young at Heart group invites everyone at Zion to a “Peace of Mind Seminar” where you can learn how planning for your final wishes can shield your family from an unnecessary emotional burden. This informative seminar will be held on May 9th at 6:30 pm at church.

This Saturday is a church wide spring clean-up. If you are able to use a rake, pull a weed, shovel mulch, or help us eat some donuts (I assume there will be donuts), you are invited to join us on Saturday at 8 am.

We received a gracious note from Chelsea Reynhout recently I wold like to share with you:

“To our family at Zion –
I can’t thank you enough for your love, support, and encouragement over the last 3 years. From the very beginning, you did more than just generously share your space with me, you invited Eric and I into your family with open arms. You helped God plant the seeds of confidence and desire in me to become a pastor. My new congregation and I are eternally grateful! I experienced yet again your generosity and love in your hosting of my ordination service. Everyone worked so hard to make it one of the best moments of my life. Thank you to the band for blessing my soul and to everyone who worked so hard on the details — from the powerpoint to the cake! Thank you for being you — a place where a lost seminary student can find a home. Sending our love from Newaygo! Visitors welcome! Chelsea”

If you are up in the Newaygo area this summer, I know Chelsea would be blessed by your encouraging visit. She is currently serving Newaygo Family of God Church.

Serve the World

Our summer staff for Camp Zion have been hired. The high school staff this year will be: Makaylee Kempema, Luke Austin, Brad Sanders, and Kim Verbrugge. We had many great applicants and appreciate the enthusiasm and gifts of each. We are excited to see how God will use these teens, our many volunteers, and Director Rachel Verbrugge to bless our neighbors this summer.

Administrative Details

Our next Leaders Meeting will be on Sunday, May 20 from 5-7 pm. We will start the evening with a meal and then talk a little about the vision and direction of Zion, breakup into ministry teams, and end the evening with some training by Pastor Jeremy. We have a great night planned. If you volunteer in any capacity, you are both invited and strongly encouraged to attend this evening of community and ministry. If you do not yet serve anywhere in the ministries of Zion, but would like to get involved, please join us as well and we will get you connected that night. Sign-ups for the leaders meeting will begin this Sunday May 6. Childcare will be provided for children 5th grade and under.

Our annual Congregational Meeting is this Sunday following worship. We will be approving our annual budget and electing our new Elders and Deacons. In addition, we will review this past year and look ahead to where God is calling us next as a community.

The following people were nominated for the office of Elder:
Kyle VanderWall, Josh Sanders, Brian Davis, and Mike Knott.

The following people were nominated for the office of Deacon: Jerrod Holzgen, Chip Harkes, Mark Radcliff, and Aaron Huizenga.

Our new Elders and Deacons will be chosen by lot at our congregational meeting on May 6 from these nominees. Pleas be in prayer for each of our nominees.

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.

Year to date budget: $509,515.68
Year to date contributions: $505,838.11