Reformed Informer. Pastor Wayne Sneller

Transcription

1 Reformed Informer FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, SULLY MONTHLY NEWSLETTER MARCH 2017 Pastor Wayne Sneller It was one of those days. Demands. Deadlines. Decisions. Endless interruptions mixed with a nagging headache that Tylenol wouldn t erase! Right in the middle of this, I stopped to scan a devotional on my computer. It left me pondering an incident that just happened to me on vacation! I was enjoying a very lazy morning in bed. In fact, the night before I had anticipated sleeping in and gleefully placed the Do Not Disturb sign outside of my hotel room door! The next thing I remembered was hearing a voice in the distance, Housekeeping. The words resonated in the hallway outside my door! Again, Housekeeping echoed outside of my darkened hibernation chamber! I adjusted my pillow and thought of the Do Not Disturb sign that I had placed outside of my door. I knew that the announcement of maid service was meant for the guy next door. I was going back to sleep! That incident reminded me of the attitude towards our God when He comes knocking at the door of our heart and our everyday lives. We often feel exhausted or overwhelmed and put out the Do Not Disturb sign to our Lord. Ironically, this is when we need him most! When we most could use a good cleaning and a freshly made attitude change, we put out that Do Not Disturb sign. We nestle back into our routine to face the trials and draining situations that faced us the day before! Don t get me wrong, we need refreshment, we need sleep. We need to rest but, too often we tell God to stay away. We put out the Do Not Bother Me sign on the most important things of our lives and miss the opportunity to find refreshing grace. We are in the beginning of Lent. The forty days that walk us into the throne of the Easter Celebration, the power of witnessing and proclaiming Christ s victory over sin and death! Don t miss the power of Christ over the everyday things of your life! He came to clean up the messes, the sin of our lives. Allow Him to Houseclean every room of your heart! Take down that Do Not Disturb sign and prepare to be refreshed spiritually, mentally, and physically by the power of our Lord! Enjoy the results of a good Housecleaning! In Christ, Pastor Wayne

2 Jeff Knouse, Youth & Education Director Facebook page: Meet in the Lighthouse Sunday, March 12, 5 pm Sunday, March 26, 5 pm Youth Retreat at Hidden Acres Christian Center in Dayton, Iowa Friday, March 31 April 2. Meet in the Well Sunday, March 5, Youth Service at 9:30 a.m. NO FAITHWALKERS Sunday, March 12, 6 pm Snacks: Madison Johnson & Dylan Roozeboom Sunday, March 19, 6 pm Snacks: Kayla Van Dyke & Baylee Jansen Sunday, March 26, 6 pm Snacks: B.I.G (Believers In God), 7:15 pm Lynnville Friends Every Friday morning at 7:30 am all 9th 12th grade are invited to come for rolls, donuts, chocolate milk, and prayer. Invite your friends! It s a great way to end the school week! IMPACT SERVICE 2017 The Impact kids did an INCREDIBLE job with the youth service this past Sunday! This year, the kids planned the whole service, were assigned to teams, and then led the service. The kids led the worship, performed a hilarious skit, ran sound and PowerPoint, were ushers and greeters, etc. The kids were energetic and passionate about what they were doing, and I am so proud of them for their efforts! If you missed out, we hope to see you next year! Looking ahead the Primary Sunday School Department (1st 4th grade) will be singing on Palm Sunday, April 9, 2017 during the morning worship service. Kindergarten 3rd Grade Saturday, March 4 5:30 8:30 pm Pizza and a beverage Craft, game and a movie! Invite your friends to join you! Bring your favorite pillow or sleeping bag to lay on the floor while watching the movie Registration requested by: Thursday, March 2 Please call (church) or (Lynn Dunsbergen) frcsully@netins.net Adult must register child/children when leaving them at church (registration forms are available online at sullyfrc.org under Ministries/Kidz Movie Night)

3 The STARS Wednesday After School Club for Kindergarten-5 th grade will soon be completing their year on March 8. The Bible lessons this year have been from Bible Stories in Five Minutes, a book from The Big Picture Interactive series. The last two Bible memory verses learned are Philippians 4:6-7 and Ephesians 4:32. For the last half of the year, Skill Badge time has been filled with a wide variety of activities: making mosaics, making Valentine bead hearts (idea from Dorothy Van Genderen), Kara Warrick from Iowa State University Extension teaching aerodynamic activities, Jeremy and Becky Rozendaal teaching the kids about raising hogs, with a video tour of their hog building, Becky Rozendaal helping the kids do some fizzy heart art, and building robots using Mars Rover Robotix kits loaned from Iowa State University Extension. Two weeks were spent on teaching the kids how to sew on a button. Deb Johnson and Lois Vander Leest came and added some much needed help. Based upon the number of Band-Aids handed out at STARS, it was determined that sewing is much more hazardous than hammering and nailing! For the last two weeks, plans are to have Eleanor Jansen lead the kids in decorating felt bags and Rebecca Jochems teach about first aid. With approximately 68 kids enrolled in the program, many willing volunteers are needed throughout the year. Thank you to the following people: Bible Leaders: Shirley Dunsbergen, Lynnette Fikse, Arloa Harthoorn, Eleanor Jansen, Marlis Van Zante, and substitutes Henrietta Terpstra and Tammy Sneller, Bible Memory Leaders Jeff Knouse and Julie Van Manen, Crew Leaders: Jan DeGoey, Elaine Droppert, Rhonna Fihhr, Daphne Hackert, Barb Jansen, Susan Jansen, Deb Johnson, Carleen Maasdam, Shelly Rozendaal, Ali Schnell, Marsha Vanden Hoek, Julie Van Manen, Lorie Van Soelen, Laureen Van Wyk, Carol Ver Ploeg, Karna Ver Ploeg, and Lynn Wyma, School Walkers: Jan De Goey, Ryk De Goey, Darrel Jansen, Jeff Knouse, Karna Ver Ploeg, and substitute Elaine Droppert, Substitutes: Verna Hackert, Tammy Sneller, Linda Van Maanen, Sharla Van Wyk, Mariah Vos, Marissa Vos, Taylor Vos, and Cayla Wichhart, and Student Helpers: Logan Baarda, Alyssa Bassett, Brandon Graham, Luke Kramer, Aiden LeCompte, and Meleisha Vos. Thank you to church custodian Rod Zuidema who faithfully cleans the remains of whatever snack and activity the STARS kids have enjoyed. Thank you Sully First Reformed Church for the awesome support of this worthwhile program! Eloise Vos STARS Coordinator Lenten PANCAKE NIGHT MARK YOUR CALENDARS Wednesday, March 1, pm Gathering Place at FRC Invite your family and friends for pancakes with all the toppings! Freewill Donation We have to go boxes available if needed!

4 Jasper County TAKE AWAY HUNGER! Be a part of a local mission to help families near and far to receive a well-balanced meal. Saturday, March 25 at the FCC Building in Lynnville. Line will run on the hour from 9 am 1 pm. Provide 12 people per team, $30 per team member (this covers food, packaging and shipping). This takes about one hour of your time. Kids age 8 and over should be accompanied by an adult. Include your neighbors, co-workers and club members! Everyone is welcome. For information or to sign up please call or friendschurch@netins.net. Please sign up your teams by March 18. *SHARE Iowa March orders need to be in by March 10. This is located on their website at or you can pick up a form outside the church office. Pick up will be Saturday, March 25 at 8:30 am in the north entry. **DONATIONS NEEDED** Launching Arrows is hosting the very first annual prom for individuals with special needs in our communities. Our mission is to celebrate these individuals, let them know their lives matter, that they were created with a purpose, and to treat them like the kings and queens they are. We are looking for: - dresses of any type, size, and style (for example: old bridesmaids dresses, mother of the bride dresses, prom dresses...just any type of semi-formal and formal dresses are welcome!) - jewelery - shoes- clutches - decorations of any type. If you have any of the above, please put in the box located in the Gathering Place. If you would like to volunteer on May 13 by doing makeup, hair, fingernails, or decorating please let Kelsie know! Kelsie Van Haaften or bkvh2012@hotmail.com for more information, go to *We would love to extend an invitation to our Beautifully Broken Conference on Saturday, March 25, 9:00am- 4:00pm, at Third Church in Pella. This conference is intended for those who are divorced, going through a divorce or separated, or those who have been affected by divorce. It will be a day of owning our shattered dreams, learning about what brokenness looks like, what forgiveness looks like, and steps towards healing. There will be a time of worship, teaching and prayer. Looking forward to what God has in store!! Cost is $20 per person and includes lunch and a book. Scholarships are available if needed. To register for the conference or see more information, visit trcpella.com/beautifullybroken. *Hospice of Pella Volunteer Training Starts March 23 April 27 from 9 11:30 am at the Comfort House meeting room. Sign up, or for more information call Hospice of Pella at Jeremy & Susan Beebout & family jesubeeb@juno.com Website: Medical and agricultural development needs are extreme in Niger, one of the poorest countries in the world. Niger has only a rudimentary health system, so disease is widespread, and the country is always teetering on the edge of famine. Jeremy and Susan Beebout work with the Evangelical Church of the Republic of Niger (EERN) to build ministry programs, enabling Nigerien Christians to share Christ's love with the people of Niger by addressing their health and agricultural needs. Jeremy, an agronomist, works with agricultural development efforts. Susan, who is a doctor, helps develop the church's health ministries. The couple has four children, Lydia, Eliza, Abigail, and Benjamin. The Beebouts serve in partnership with Evangelical Church of the Republic of Niger. Please Pray: For wisdom for the EERN leadership as they seek to guide the church to follow where God is calling. For the Clinique Olivia staff as they share the love of Christ with patients. For guidance as the rural development program expands. For Lydia, Eliza, Abigail, and Benjamin as they grow in the understanding of their faith and the world around them.

5 Birthdates: Chris February 20 Kelly June 3 Anniversary: December 17, 2016 If Chris & Kelly De could have ordered their perfect wedding day, it may not have included ice, snow, and cold temperatures. However, when you plan your wedding in December, it may be just what you get! They were married at First Reformed Church on just such a day and even with the cold, snow and ice, the wedding and the pictures were beautiful!! An apartment in Reinbeck, Iowa is where they now call home. Chris is taking classes to become a CPA and he has a degree in Accounting and Finance from UNI. Kelly is doing her student teaching in Marshalltown and will graduate in May from UNI with a degree in Elementary Education. They love to play board games with friends, hike, riding bicycle and just being outdoors. Individually, Chris plays music and reading and coloring are some activities Kelly enjoys in her spare time. Brent & Sandy De are Chris parents and he has two sisters: Meggan Vasileiadis and Morgan De who all grew up in Sully. Kelly grew up in the Grundy Center area and later moved to the L-S area. Her parents are Jean & Scott Coffin and she also has two sisters: Katy Sevcik and Kristy Sevcik. Chris & Kelly met at Lynnville-Sully school and later reconnected in college at UNI. A great place to worship Jesus! is one of Kelly s thoughts on First Reformed Church. As a couple, they would love to see more groups develop for young married couples to connect and grow together in Christ! Sort of like Faithwalkers, but smaller groups of couples just living life together! Thanks Chris & Kelly for letting us Get to Know You Better!

6 March 1 Dale De Penning ~ Brenda Jansen Ryan Mortvedt Grace Van Gorp (90) Danis Hedrick (81) March 2 Duane Brand (80) March 3 Brevin Hansen March 4 Carol Ver Ploeg March 5 Ryanne Jansen March 6 Deb Johnson Wayne Zegers (80) March 10 John Roozeboom March 11 Krystal Van Dyke March 12 Sandy Rozendaal March 13 Baylee Jansen ~ Russ Rozendaal Hailey Scandridge ~ Alma Terpstra March 14 Kendall Rozendaal March 15 Eric Brand ~ Julie Keen March 16 Chase Jansen ~ Loren Vos March 17 Brent Rozendaal ~ Corrina Rozendaal March 18 ChyAnne Huyser March 19 Carrie Mortvedt ~ Maury Van Der Wilt March 20 Jan De Goey March 21 Andy Dunsbergen March 23 Megan Ross ~ Stephanie Rozendaal March 24 Kendra Fikse March 25 Doyle Ver Ploeg ~ Rory Vos March 26 Jade Van Rees March 27 Barb Maasdam ~ Payton Scandridge Felix Torres ~ Ellington Dunsbergen March 29 Zachary Dykema ~ Julie Roozeboom March 30 Jennifer Kramer March 31 Tammy Vos ~ Clarence Wyma March 11 Charles & Joyce Brand 63 years Kendall & Darci Jansen 29 years March 12 John & Julie Roozeboom 24 years March 15 Bob & Marilyn Rozendaal 9 years March 17 Randy & Nancy Huyser 45 years March 23 Andy & Jamie Dunsbergen 4 years Craig & Barb Maasdam 38 years March 26 Gene & Eleanor Jansen 53 years Birthday Blessings: Grace Van Gorp and her family are thanking God for 90 years of blessings as she celebrates her birthday Wednesday, March 1. Well wishes and cards may be sent to 122 N 5th Ave W A204, Newton IA Phase II LIFT Group Meetings (Living in First Together) Will be held on Sunday, February 26, March 5 & 12 after the morning worship service in the Gathering Place. Coffee time will still continue as usual! A nursery will be provided! These meetings will contain directed questions aimed at identifying areas for improvement and renovation in our church facilities. These meetings will be led by elder/deacon teams and facilitated by Pastor Wayne. The intent is to have both members and non-members contribute to this process. It is desired to specifically have our youth and post high involved. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. James 5:16b Dear Lord, we know You love us enough to take us to different places and are always preparing us for what lies ahead. Help us to trust whatever You have in mind for us. We might think we know what's best for us, but we are not seeing what lies ahead the way You do. We want to submit to Your plans for us and for your church s future. Help us to walk in faith and not depend on ourselves to reach the place You have for us and that we will be the people You want us to be when we get there. In Jesus' Name, Amen

7 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Corky Boat Jake & Kelsi Bowman Audrey Brand Charles & Joyce Brand Duane & Donna Brand Eric, Faye, Carter & Abigail Brand Verlan & Helen Brand Travis, Karissa & Aiden Chapman Duane, Joni, Coltin & Cheyanne Collins Gary & Laura Lee Creasy Wayne & Reda Daniels Justin, Jayme, Conner, Chase & Caulen Deal Frances De Cook Carl & Joyce De Goey Ryk & Jan De Goey Brent & Sandy De Bryan & Carna De Chris & Kelly De Clarence De Eric De Johnnie & Delia De Margaret De Morgan De Tracy De Dale De Penning April 1 Donavon & Darlys De Penning Howard De Penning Kathryn De Penning Nick De Penning Bryce, Katelyn & Brinley Doane Gerald & Elaine Droppert Andy, Jamie, Christian & Ellington Dunsbergen First Reformed Church 807 3rd St. PO Box 208 Sully, Iowa frcsully@netins.net Deadline: March 26

8 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 3:30 pm STARS 5 7 pm Lenten Pancake Night 6:15 pm 6th 8th 6:45 pm 9th 12th 2 6:30 pm LS Wrestling Banquet in Gathering Place 3 7:30 am Prayer Breakfast 4 5:30 8:30 pm Kidz Movie Night 5 9:30 am Faithwalker Youth Service 10:45 am Sunday School 10:45 am LIFT Group Mtg. 6 pm Pastor Wayne Sneller No Faithwalkers 6 6:30 pm Cub Scouts 7 9 am Sewing Days 2 pm Staff Mtg 8 3:30 pm LAST STARS Night 5:30 STARS Family Nite Meal 6:15 pm 6th 8th 6:45 pm 9th 12th :30 am Prayer Breakfast 11 8:30 am Garden Club in the Well 12 9:30 am Pastor Wayne Sneller 10:45 am Sunday School 10:45 am LIFT Group Mtg. 5 pm IMPACT 6 pm Pastor 6 pm Faithwalkers 13 6:30 pm Cub Scouts 14 2 pm Staff Mtg 15 NO FAMILY NIGHT 6:30 pm Elders Mtg. 6:45 pm Deacon Mtg 7:30 pm Consistory NO PRAYER BREAKFAST New Member Sunday 9:30 am Pastor Wayne Sneller 10:45 am Sunday School 5 pm Combined worship at Sully CRC Gospel Singers Men s Chorus 5:30 pm Young Couples Bible 20 6:30 pm Cub Scouts 21 2 pm Staff Mtg 22 5:30 Family Nite Meal 6:15 pm 6th 8th 6:45 pm 9th 12th :30 am Prayer Breakfast 25 8:30 am SHARE pick up 8 12 Bridal Shower 26 9:30 am Pastor Wayne Sneller 10:45 am Sunday School 5 pm IMPACT Youth 6 pm Faithwalkers 6 pm Pastor 7:15 pm BIG 27 6:30 pm Cub Scouts 28 2 pm Staff Mtg 29 5:30 Family Nite Meal Last one! 6:15 pm 6th 8th 6:45 pm 9th 12th :30 am Prayer Breakfast Youth Retreat at Hidden Acres Christian Center in Dayton, Iowa 6th 8th grade thru April 1