THE CENTRAL CHANNEL July 2018

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1 THE CENTRAL CHANNEL July 2018 TABLE OF CONTENTS Not from the Pastor s Pen Shut-ins/Missionaries Thank You Page Upcoming Events Pages Congratulations! 150 th Anniversary Plaque Welcome? Life is? Schedule Page Calendar Page Birthdays and Anniversaries Let music swell the breeze, and ring from all the trees sweet freedom s song. Let mortal tongues awake; let all that breathe partake; let rocks their silence break, the sound prolong. Our father s God, to Thee, Author of liberty, to Thee we sing. Long may our land be bright with freedom s holy light. Protect us by Thy might, Great God, our King. NOT from the Pastor s Pen I have always been rather intrigued with ant hills and their occupants. Even as a kid I could watch them for hours going in and out of those little holes some carrying baggage twice their size back with them. So busy, so very industrious Hard workers, my dad used to say, just watch them. Then, of course, a little lesson on what the habits of ants can teach us when it comes to being productive, not idle, and certainly not lazy. However when ants invade your pantry and start marching through your territory, you look at them from a very different perspective. So, after a call to the pest control expert and advise taken, we are finding success and victory in our battle with these very industrious (and numerous) inconveniences. Steve s advice, as well although a bit annoying and not at all comforting: Calm down they won t hurt you and they don t eat much put the inconvenience in a more fixable and deal able momentary circumstance. Many not all, but many of life s problems are simply crazy inconveniences and we often make mountains out of ant hills. We just must keep that in mind and deal the problems at hand even ants that seem horribly intrusive to our comfort zone. Consider, if you will, how many people all over the world are inconvenienced by having to walk miles for a cup of clean water I find it amazing that, somehow, we are able to relate all things to God and discover lessons to learn even from ants. I suppose I will still find ants intriguing, industrious and ingenious little creatures as long as they stay outside where they belong and where they are happier and so am I. S Zwiep

2 SHUT-INS AND MISSIONARIES FOR JULY 2018 July 1-7 PHYLLIS HEERSPINK 514 Washington Ave Holland, MI Missionary Rev. Sergei Sosedkin Back to God Ministries International Russian Ministry July 8-14 MILLIE GEURINK 276 W 28 th Street Holland, MI Missionaries Rev. Dan and Jeananne Kuiper Resonate Global Missions in Juarez, Mexcio July DANY GUILLORY Benjamin s Hope 2999 Grace Circle Holland, MI Missionary Rev. Victor Atallah Middle East Reformed Fellowship - MERF July DANIEL SWIERENGA c/o Earl and Robin Jentes 1594 Jentes Rd Wooster, OH Missionary Then Duch Ministry in Cambodia Cambodian Fellowship CRC July 29 August 4 HERMINE MEIER 331 Harvest Ln Holland, MI Missionaries Mark and Deb Wilson Food for the Hungry in Cambodia "O God, Thy sea is so great and my boat is so small." God understands that we sometimes lose our way in the rough seas of life, causing us to feel overwhelmed and bewildered. But God never gives us more than we can handle. You can find that promise in 1 Corinthians 10:13.

3 I would like to thank those in our church family who have remembered me in prayer, with cards, calls and visits over the past few months. To be part of a very caring church means so very much! I thank the Lord that I am feeling much better! Thank you too for the many cards I received for my 88 th birthday! Jack Nykamp I have been overwhelmed with all the prayers, cards, and expressions of encouragment and concern for my recent knee replacement. It all has been so meaningful and such a great blessing. My special thanks to Pastor Chad for his prayers and visits. For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds, says the Lord. (Jeremiah 30:17a). I thank the Lord for hearing our prayers. Shar Mannes Thank you to so many of you for caring and asking about Brian since his accident in Colorado. What a blessing to know others are willing to prayerfully carry and share your concerns along with you. Brian continues to make slow but steady progress in healing and recovery. We praise God for sparing his life and for giving Jess an extra measure of strength and encouragment to minister to him and the kids. We are grateful as well for the healing mercies Brian is experiencing and continue to trust God for even more of His gracious provision. You all continue to bring joy into our lives with your love toward us thank you. Steve and Sue Zwiep Thanks to the many who wished me a Happy Birthday!, texted me, ed me and for the many birthday cards sent my way. What a caring and loving church! A special thank you to God for blessing me with 76 years. Marianne Bos Yesterday Yesterday has gone away, never to return, so let me live today with JOY while the embers slowly burn. Yesterday has gone away; tomorrow is at hand, so let me live today with HOPE, as I strive to understand. Yesterday has gone away; each moment now is past, so let me live today with LOVE, as tomorrow s die is cast. Yesterday has gone away, no more to abide, so let me live today in PEACE with the Master by my side! by Hope C. Oberhelman Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself. Matthew 6:34

4 UPCOMING EVENTS Summer Vacation Bible School starts tomorrow, June 25, through Friday, June 29, beginning at 5:30 p.m. and ending at 8:30 p.m. Enjoy the activities, snacks, crafts, and Bible stories surrounding the journey Christian makes in Pilgrim s Progress. Invite your friends! See you there! LUNCH TIME CONVERSATION: Starting this Tuesday, June 26, you have an opportunity to be involved with a time of study and reflection in the White Horse Inn Study Who Am I? This is a six-lesson study that discusses who God has designed individuals to be and how redemption affects not only a person s status before God, but also the way new believers live as new creatures in Christ. This study meets every other week in The Ministry Center from 12 noon to 1:00 p.m. Questions? Contact Jason Bruxvoort. Bring your lunch, a Bible, pen and paper and an appetite to dive into God s Word together! Seniors July Outing Join for a trip to a Lavender Farm in Fennville, MI on Thursday, July 12. See how the farm started and how they distill the flowers to make soaps and perfumes. Following the tour the group will stop for ice cream. We will leave the church at 1:00 pm and return around 4:00 pm. Cost for transportation is $3.00 per person. Ice cream on your own! There is a sign-up sheet at the back of church. You must sign up if you plan to participate.

5 Pastor Marc Van Berkum will be installed as our new Associate Pastor on Sunday morning, July 15, Our Sunday Morning Coffee Fellowship will be a special time to meet and greet and welcome Pastor Marc and his family to Central Avenue CRC! RYS Convention 2018 Claim the Promises 10 youth and 4 leaders from Central Avenue will be attending the convention this summer. Youth: Mandie Bosch, Lillian Bruxvoort, Claudia Dantuma, Holly Hilsman, Abigail Hilsman, Mallory Jackson, Elleh Steenwyk, Claire Sterenberg, Grace Vander Lugt, Kate Vander Lugt Leaders: Jason and Salli Bruxvoort, Pastor Chad and Rachel Steenwyk There will be prayer and a send-off in the evening worship service on July 15 and they will be leaving early Monday morning on July 16. The convention this year is July at Dordt College in Sioux Center, IA. The young people will be involved in all kinds of small group devotions, enjoying guest speakers, attending workshops and having fun with recreational activities, a day away and a talent show. This year s Theme: CLAIM THE PROMISES This year s Scripture: Acts 2:39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call. Pray for safety for all those traveling to the convention and pray for God s blessing on the young people and their leaders as well as all those serving and teaching that this would be a good experience for everyone and that they all would grow closer to the Lord and to one another.

6 Congratulations to our very special athletes! We are so happy for you in the abilities God has given and the successes you are enjoying! Keep up the good work! Michelle Kuipers won first place in each event in which she competed: 4X800 M Relay, 4X400M Relay, and the Open 800M. The Lady Maroons took home the runner-up trophy for the State Meet. Special Olympics celebrated their 50 th Anniversary this year so it was a special time to compete at the State Games at Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant this June. Jennifer Cook received a bronze medal in Standing Long Jump, a fourth-place ribbon in Shot Put, and a fifth-place ribbon in the 100M Dash. Robert Swierenga claimed two Gold medals in the horseshoe competition.

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8 The Central Avenue 150 th Anniversary plaque has been displayed in the case in The Gathering Room. Please take a moment some time to stop in and take a look and to once again give thanks to God for His faithfulness to His people here at Central Avenue CRC. To God Be the Glory!

9 What one word would you decide on if you were asked to fill in the following blank? Life is. I have thought about that a lot lately and have come up with many possibilities, but given only one choice I think I might whittle the list down and plug in the word challenging yes, that would be my word! I don t know about you but I have found that life is very challenging. But I don t necessarily conclude that something that is challenging is a bad thing. Challenging is usually reduced to being difficult and yes, life can be very difficult but something that is challenging involves possibilities, opportunities, decisions, choices so the real question we all have to maybe ask ourselves is Am I up to the challenge of life!? Here is what I have discovered the answer is that in and through myself I don t believe I am up to the challenge at all not by a long shot! We are bombarded on every side with really hard situations and circumstances. Things don t often turn out the way we anticipate or hope. Life takes some very unexpected turns and the journey seems to leave us rather weary and confused. The disappointments of life and the hardships we face make us long for some measure of understanding some explanation to make things just a little clearer. Is challenging sounding a little despairing? Is challenging ringing with a bit of negativity and resentment? I hope not because, I believe that when life is a challenge for us we learn much about ourselves and the Giver of life as well. Yes, we are weak; in our sin and weakness, we make choices and decisions that rather complicate our lives BUT God promises that if we look to Him in our weakness, we will find a strength that is simply inexplainable. Oh my, and we cannot deny that things don t often go the way we want them to go BUT God promises that when (not if!) we pass through the waters He will be with us and when we walk through the fire, we will not be burned! Life is filled with much that is unexpected and we just don t find the answers we are looking for BUT God tells us not to lean on our own understanding but to trust Him with all our hearts and that His wonderful grace is sufficient for each new day. And disappointments? Sure, life is filled with disappointments BUT God promises that He has purpose in everything and He has always what is best for us in mind. It would be so easy to be discouraged in the challenges of this life BUT God tells us that He is willing to carry the burden; He invites us lovingly to cast our cares on Him because He cares about us and He cares for us. So, are we up to the challenge? Of course, we are! We love and serve a faithful God Who is trustworthy and true. We have His Word; we have His promises; we have His Spirit that strengthens and empowers. We can be assured of His presence in all things and trust Him no matter what because all things are under His careful watch and He never makes a mistake He can t make a mistake! And just think of the possibilities when we simply trust and obey! Think of the opportunities when we learn to walk in His way, to do His will, to abide in His love! We must always remember that when life s road gets a whole lot bumpy and the ride isn t so fun or comfortable, we are not alone Jesus came so that we would understand and believe that nothing can separate us from His love because He has promised never to leave us, never to forsake us. Life is a challenge yes, it is but in Christ we can face the challenge. Why? Because we are more than conquerors in and through Him! Sue Zwiep Think about it a little bit what might your word be?!

10 NURSERY SCHEDULE July 1 A.M. Melanie Beckman/Lauren Bushouse P.M. Marianne Bos/Kate Vander Lugt July 8 A.M. Jodi Bruinsma/Abby Buter P.M. Anna Bouma/Ashlyn Horan July 15 A.M. Anna Bouma/Kirsten Buter P.M. Anne Bushouse/Megan Koeman July 22 A.M. Stacey Buter/Connie Knap P.M. Barb Knoll/Luke Bushouse July 29 A.M. Linda De Wys/Lexi De Vries P.M. Libby Ellerbroek/Avery Peters JULY COLLECTION SCHEDULE July 1 A.M. General Fund P.M. CRC World Missions July 8 A.M. Special Mission Commitment P.M. Cary Christian Ministries July 15 A.M. General Fund P.M. Reformed Youth Services July 22 A.M. General Fund P.M. Audio Scripture Ministries July 29 A.M. Moving Forward in Faith and Ministry P.M. Phnom Penh Bible School July 1 July 8 July 15 July 22 July 29 JULY USHERS AM Bill Gort Lynn Brouwer Cathy Haverdink Paul Haverdink PM Blake Zwart Zach Zwart Paul Zwart Hugh Slenk JULY GREETERS John and Gesine Horsting Jerry and Joan Nyhof Bob and Carlene Kaashoek John and Joanne Vander Schaaf Lloyd and Marjorie Wolters Bob and Cherrie Ritsema Karen Nealssohn Ann Telgenhof Judy Windemuller Glady Schrotenboer Steve and Sue Zwiep Jason and Salli Bruxvoort JULY VISITOR ASSISTANTS July 1 July 8 July 15 July 22 July 29 Al and Mary Teerman Carl and Carol Van Dyke Harwyn and Harley Berens Irv and Marianne Bos Paul and Ruth Bult JULY COFFEE FELLOWSHIP July 1 Fellowship Group #1 Steve Zwiep/Bill Beckman July 8 Fellowship Group #2 Steve Koeman/Ken Postma July 15 Fellowship Group #3 Craig Yonker/Dick Hengst July 22 Fellowship Group #4 Todd Vander Lugt/Casey Rozema July 29 Fellowship Group #5 Andy Visser/Eric Bruinsma

11 JULY 2018 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 9:30 am Worship :00 pm Worship 6:15 pm Young Adults at Steenwyks HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY! 8 9:30 am Worship with Celebration of the Lord s Supper 10:45 am Outdoor Coffee Fellowship :00 am Executive Committee Meeting Council Agenda Deadline :00 pm Worship 12 noon-1 pm White Horse Inn Discussion Group 7 10 pm CRASE Class at Fillmore 7:00 pm Backyard Book Club 15 9:30 am Worship with Installation of Pastor Marc Van Berkum 10:45 am Outdoor Coffee Fellowship WEEK OF REFORMED YOUTH CONVENTION at Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa 5:00 pm Worship and Conventioneer Send-Off 4:30 pm Family Hope Center Meal 22 9:30 am Worship 10:45 am Outdoor Coffee Fellowship noon-1 pm White Horse Inn Discussion Group noon-1:30 pm I.T.E.M. Luncheon :00 pm Worship 6:00 pm Deacons Meeting 7:00 pm Council Meeting 7:00 pm Backyard Book Club 29 9:30 am Worship with Professions of Faith 10:45 am Outdoor Coffee Fellowship :00 pm Worship 2018

12 JULY 2018 Birthdays Anniversaries JJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ July 1 Rosie Smit Ed Sterenberg Ruth Timmer Audrey Ems - 86 July 2 Ruth Klaasen Claire Bruinsma July 3 Gene Grotenhuis 85 July 4 Bertha Maat 94 Lisa Atallah - missionary Carrie Pifer July 5 Ken Postma Nick Hoekstra July 6 Harley Berens Lexi De Vries July 7 Juliet Troast July 8 Ron Kotman July 9 Lauren Bushouse Josh Jackson Todd Vander Lugt July 12 Megan Koeman July 13 Lloyd Bonzelaar 81 July 14 Velva Yonker Ashley Koeman July 17 Jo Sankey 84 Don Klaasen Joyce Suh - missionary Elizabeth Vander Lugt July 19 Paul Schierbeek July 23 Karen Nealssohn Tami Staat Eric Plaggemars July 24 Lois Nienhuis - 82 Don Evink July 25 Josiah Yonker Hugh Slenk Victor Atallah missionary July 26 Lynn Brouwer July 27 Rev. Chad Steenwyk Mary Vander Linde - 89 Ruth Bult - 80 Rev. Robert Ritsema Amy Kate Petersen July 28 Leesa Weed Lois Slenk - 82 July 29 Millie Geurink - 93 Sharon Berkompas Mary Suh - missionary July 1 Rich and Mary Cory Rick and Shari Smith July 2 Justin and Jan Otten July 3 Ron and Kaylene Johnson July 8 Marv and Lois Nienhuis - 63 July 11 Dirk and Stacey Hollebeek July 20 John and Hermine Meier - 62 July 27 Tom and Kelli Rozema July 29 David and Judee De Vries July 31 Jason and Salli Bruxvoort

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