Hope Within. Education Committee. See MORE Pinewood Derby Photos on Page 7! May 2016 Volume 12 Issue 5. Inside This Issue:

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1 H O P E R E F O R M E D C H U R C H May 2016 Volume 12 Issue 5 Hope Within Inside This Issue: A Word From Our Pastor 2 National Day of Prayer 3 Vacation Bible School 4 Library News 5 Young at Heart 6 Cadet News 6 Pinewood Derby Photos 7 Join us on Sundays: 9:30 a.m. Worship Education Committee Greetings from the Education Committee, It's hard to believe another year has flown by and we are already planning for '16-'17! A big THANK YOU to all of the many volunteers who have helped out with Mid-week classes, Sunday School, nursery, Children in Worship and VBS throughout the past year! We appreciate all of the individuals who help our programs run so smoothly! The last day of Sunday School will be coming up on May 15. (Classes will resume again on September 18). One change that will take place this fall during Mid-week is that classes will begin at 6:15, instead of 6:30. (There will still be a meal beginning at 5:30 and classes will dismiss at 7:15.) If you would like to get involved with our youth, there are several volunteer opportunities available! If you have an interest to help out at VBS in August, please see Julie or Allison. If you have an interest to teach Sunday School or head up/help with the children's' Christmas program in December, please see Bob Durian, Matt/ McKenzie Bronsink, or myself. If you have an interest to help in nursery, contact Laura Strunk or in Children in Worship, contact Angie Vreeman. Prayerfully consider how God is calling YOU to be a part of the important educational programs here at Hope! There s only one more edition of the Hope Within before the summer break. If you have anything you would like to share for June, July or August, get your submission in by May 22, 2016! We look forward to another great year ahead! Karla Durian, on behalf of the Ed Committee See MORE Pinewood Derby Photos on Page 7!

2 Page 2 Hope Within Pedaling Pastor: 24 on the 24 th Ride Summary Miles Completed: 294 My first goal was to beat my mileage from 2008 (212). My second goal was to ride over 250 miles. My third goal was to break 300 miles. God provide great weather, no flat tires, no wipeouts, no dog bites Monies Raised (to date): $3962 This effort was a community effort to bless the most vulnerable children in areas where Compassion International does its work to raise kids out of poverty in Jesus name. It is my prayer that these funds protect boys and girls from being exploited by those who seek to do them harm. If you pledge money you can bring it in to me or put it in the offering plate. If you pledged per mile feel free to do the math (multiple your pledge amount by 294). Checks should be made out to Hope Reformed Church, put compassion on memo line and include offering envelope number if you want credit for tax purposes. Thank you for your generosity and support of this wonderful ministry. Time in the Saddle (riding time): 21 hours, 26 minutes, 15 seconds I had to get off my bike for a few reasons: use the bathroom, eat and take one, one hour nap from 3:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m.) Riding Partners: Scott Poehlman (rode with me for 2 hours), Jeff Offringa (1 ½ hours), Betsy, Madelyn & Joise Frens (1 hour) After lunch Scott took me on a delightful ride through the countryside between Plainwell and Martin. Before supper Betsy and the girls cruised with me on the Kalamazoo River Trail. After supper Jeff took me on a ride around Eagle Lake. These wonderful people were a huge encouragement during the long ride and I bless the Lord for the time they gave to keep me going. Ride Area: Martin (furthest north), Portage (furthest south), Mattawan (furthest west), Gull Lake (furthest east) This region in which we live is a delightfully beautiful place on earth for which I give thanks to God. The theater of God s glory was on full display as I pedaled around and took in the sights, sounds and smells. I feel like I was watching the earth grow greener with each mile. The tulips, blooming tress and dandelions provided some amazing color. Ride Highlights: Riding with family on the Kalamazoo River Trail, all the food I ate (especially the waffles and egg breakfast my family made me before worship), the sunset over Eagle Lake, the sunrise over the Kalamazoo River, the prayerful send off, the nap & the welcoming celebration at the end. photos on next page...

3 Page 3 YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO INVITE YOUR FRIENDS AND ATTEND THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER EVENT Thursday, May 5, 2016 on the steps of City Hall across from Bronson Park from noon un-l 1:00 You are encouraged to begin your preparation for our National Day of Prayer which takes place on Thursday, May 5. We have lost many of our freedoms in American because we have been asleep. I feel if we do not become involved and support the annual National Day of Prayer, we could end up forfeiting this freedom too faith Dr. Ben Carson You are encouraged to stand with our community as we approach the Lord together for our nation. Please join us on the steps of City Hall across from Bronson Park from noon until one as we can join various leaders in prayer for our community, state and nation on Thursday, May 5. Bring a hat and wear sunscreen if it s sunny, wear a sweatshirt if it s cool outside, bring a chair if it s easier for you have a place to sit. Rain will not be a problem as a church nearby will open for us. Join your Kalamazoo community in public prayer for our nation. Let s honor God with our presence and prayers. -Nancy Schripsema

4 Page 4 Hope Within Come join us underground this summer as we explore Cave Quest! We hope this journey will help kids begin to deepen their faith by exploring who Jesus is the light of the world and ground kids in the rock-solid foundation of Jesus love, a love that takes us through life s dark times. At Sing & Play Rock, we will sing, watch skits and hear about our daily bible point. Deep Bible Quests will have us experiencing the Bible in active, hands-on ways. We ll grab a snack at Cavern Café and watch a video about real kids shining their light for Jesus each day. We will run and jump at Spelunker Games. And at Imagination Station, we ll experiment with Sciency-Fun gizmos. Date: August 8 th 12 th 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Age 3 Entering Grade 6 Please call the Church Office at to register or visit the following link: Questions? See Julie or Allison

5 Page 5 Library News Books that are still missing: SUBMERGED by Dani Pettrey LOCK, STOCK, AND OVER A BARREL by Melody Carlson SUNSET by Karen Kingsbury SUNRISE by Karen Kingsbury THE COVENANT by Beverly Lewis These are all parts of series and will need replacing if they are not found! We have many donations which will be showing up in the library in the next few weeks including: There are several new DVD s including: China Cry A true story of persecution in China. Misty of Chincoteague Every year I taught second grade, I read this story to the children. It is a story based on an island off the Virginia coast. There is an actual island where wild ponies live and each year there is a roundup for many of these ponies to be brought to the mainland. You would be able to see this yourself if you travel to this area at the far east shore off a peninsula bordering the Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Maryland, -Grace Apotheker Hearts of Fire Eight stories of women in the underground church and their stories of costly faith, including Tara s whose father told her Either you marry or you die if you are a Christian. Then there is no place for you in this city you will die here alone. The Kentucky Brothers Series by Wanda Brunstetter THE JOURNEY THE HEALING THE STRUGGLE Day of Redemption Series by Shelley Shepard Gray DAYBREAK RAY OF LIGHT EVENTIDE One-on-One by John Wooden High Calling by Evelyn Husband The story of Rick Husband, commander of the space shuttle, Columbia, which crashed in Texas.

6 Page 6 Hope Within Young At Heart Our April gathering was full of good food at Andrea s in Galesburg and memories of past cars at Go Go Classic Autos! Some of us even had a cool ride in an old caddy! On May 17th we plan to head to Holland, Michigan to tour Windmill Island Gardens. It will be just a few days after Tulip Time, so there should be lots of colorful flowers, plus a visit to the old windmill. The guided tour will start at 10 a.m. and at noon we will go to nearby Russ's Restaurant for lunch. If you need to join a carpool please call us at There will be autos with empty seats available. The Island Tour is $8 each (If we have at least 20 in our group). Lunch is on your own. Be sure to sign the sheet on the narthex table! Date: Tuesday May 17th Time: Plan to be ready to go about 9 a.m. Cost: $8 for tour, lunch on your own For a ride: Call Expect: A good time -Lana and Jerry Loedeman P.S. driving directions will be available Cadet News It's almost summer again and time for camping! Every year in early June that Cadet Campground in Glendale is the location for the Summer Camporee. This year the dates are June 16th - 18th Activities include fishing, canoeing, kayaking, marksmanship, archery and crafts. Jerry will be going and would like to have some boys and their dads go along. We set up our tents on Thursday June 16th in the evening and go home on Saturday afternoon June 18th. Each club camps together and eats together so the more the merrier. Cost is $30 per person which includes all food and activities. See Jerry for details.

7 Page 7 Pinewood Derby Pinewood Derby Car & Pedaling Pastor Photos Courtesy of Denny Collison

8 Hope Church Committees & Leadership Church Life Members: *Allison Dillon, Judy Larsen, Ken Larsen, Paul Witteveen, Karen Schaap, Miranda VanderMeeden Mission: minister especially to the social and recreational needs in the life of the congregation, including planning & facilitating fellowship activities. Congregational Care Members: *Gayle DeYoung, Sue Johnston, Linda Joy, Kathy Rozek, Gretchen Rustenholtz, Ron Stolk, Markie VanPutten, Rick Wielopolski Mission: minister especially to the spiritual, emotional and physical needs in the life of the congregation, including small groups, prayer chain, and a care network for congregant members. Education Members: Shauna Collison, Julie Dintaman, *Karla Durian, Betsy Frens, Ed Moore, Sue VanderMeer, Don VanLandegent Jr. Mission: implement ways and means for congregants to become firmly grounded in the Word of God through Scripture study, including Sunday school, Family Night, and other educational programs. Executive Members: specifically comprised solely of Sr. Pastor and consistory VP, Clerk, Chair of deacons, and Treasurer Mission: carry on the duties of consistory including giving direction to all paid staff and serve as a sounding board for the pastor *indicates the committee Chair Mission Members: Denny Collison, Mike Koets, Lana Loedeman, *Jeff Offringa, Karen Schaap, Steve Thomas Mission: initiate and promote all activities pertaining to missions including contacting missionaries and mission causes that receive our support. Outreach Members: John Beeman, Joel Bell, Elaine Breuer, Laura Cousineau, *Scott Poehlman, Shayne Stolk Mission: promote and prepare the congregation to an effective ministry of evangelism, including visitor follow-up and assimilation, public relations and promotion of disciple-making ministries to the local neighborhood and community. Property Members: Matt Bronsink, *Kathy Doornbos, Don VanDonselaar Mission: general oversight of building and grounds, maintenance and equipment including supervising the church calendar for use of church property. Worship Members: Al Apotheker, Tom Drenth, Kent Frens, Pat Gernaat, Heather Offringa, Sara Poehlman, *Nancy Schripsema, Allison Dillon, Marian Veld, Sue Williams Mission: plan and implement all musical activities for service, ensure flowers or arrangements are in sanctuary, recruit and train ushers and greeters and ensure sound equipment is operational, including taping of services. Consistory 2016 Elders & their congregational group John Beeman N-S Tom Drenth A-F Linda Joy T-Z Ed Moore, (VP) T-Z Kathy Rozek G-M Steve Thomas N-S Mari Wielopolski, (Clerk) G-M Paul Witteveen A-F Deacons Matt Bronsink Kathy Doornbos Larry Gillum, (Chair) Jeff Offringa Karen Schaap Don VanderMeer, (Treasurer) Don VanLandegent Jr. Hope Reformed Church 910 Jenks Kalamazoo, MI Phone: office@hoperca.org We re on the web!