THE CENTRAL CHANNEL November 2018

Transcription

1 THE CENTRAL CHANNEL November 2018 TABLE OF CONTENTS NOT from the Pastor s Pen Shut-ins and Missionaries for November Missionaries Cards Student Care Packages Christmas Cards/Greetings Thank You Page The Lord is My Shepherd Upcoming Events Five-Point Calvinist Plagues and Promises GEMS Global Audio Scripture Ministries Schedule Page November Calendar Birthdays and Anniversaries Let all things now living A song of thanksgiving to God the Creator triumphantly raise, Who fashioned and made us, protected and stayed us, Who guides us and leads to the end of our days. We are so blessed by the gifts from Your hand, I just can t understand why You ve loved us so much. We are so blessed, we just can t find a way or the words that can say, Thank You, Lord, for Your touch. When we re empty You fill us til we overflow; When we re hungry You feed us and cause us to know that we are so blessed - Take what we have to bring; take it all, everything. Lord, we love You so much! NOT FROM THE PASTORS PEN There is always so much to learn it seems just when we think we are informed and understanding we find instruction, enlightenment, a different perspective to consider and, in fact, a brand-new way of looking at something. The commitments we are looking at for Central Avenue CRC and our place in this world as Christ s church are a lot more involved than perhaps we have ever considered for ourselves as God s people here and now - and when embraced make life a whole lot more rich and wonderful. Being an active and vital part of the church involves a great deal more than we maybe have ever been willing to give. When we are young, we are taught that calling ourselves Christian defines who we are, how we live, how we interact with others. It determines the choices and decisions we make. We are to find our very identity in Christ and in Him alone. Chosen and set apart in this world, but not of this world a people who belongs to God a nation to be a light in a very dark and sinful world.

2 To me it often appears that the church - both broadly and in general, as well as in our own congregation - seems to have become in many ways at best lukewarm in the commitments we are examining. It is good for us to look at these commitments as a family of believers, but it is even more important to look closely into our own hearts. What are our personal priorities? Is it Christ Jesus we put at the forefront of everything? Are our lives truly reflecting Him? Are each of us who are gifted and capable truly investing in the life of the church? Are we putting into action what we say we believe? Have we become complacent on many levels and have we gotten to a place in our own lives where instead of serving, we are happier being served? Anything that is worthwhile takes effort. It is always easier to sit back and do nothing than it is to roll up sleeves and get to work. But the work of the church and the ministry at Central Avenue is ongoing and will continue to be by the grace and blessing of God until Jesus returns. Will He find us faithful to the commitments we are confessing? Or will He find that we have just been warming the pews every Sunday without a heartfelt, genuine desire to be the people He intended us to be? It is important to remember that even with our shortcomings and failures in ministry as God s people, He will continue to build His Church and His kingdom will continue to come; but God uses the heartfelt efforts of His people and with His blessing, the church grows stronger and God adds to its number as well. The next generation will carry on will they have seen and learned that involvement, participation, dedication and devotion to the Lord and to the mission given to all of us is of the greatest importance so that the work of the church brings glory and honor to the God Who entrusted us with all of Truth and Life eternal? Will they understand that above all else that God calls them to do in this world, the mission of the church is the most important and the very best calling they could ever hear and answer? It is so easy and so enticing to make the things of this world, the things and activities here with which we busy ourselves, personal interests and desires more important than anything else. For some reason we continue to consider this place our home. It is true that God gives us work and recreation; He gives us much to enjoy along with responsibilities that need to be addressed; and yes, there are demands that must be met. But as we consider the commitments of being who we are in Christ, I believe that we should be more eager and excited to put some of those other things in a better perspective and focus more and more on the treasures we should be laying up in heaven. Those are the things that bring the most joy, the most fulfillment. Those are the things that we won t just one day leave behind as rather empty and meaningless and quite frankly with which we just wasted our time. We will have instead found the joy of life here on earth and then the blessing of joy eternal with the One Who called us to be His family, His children, His disciples. May it be our heartfelt desire and our prayer to truly be the church God intended us to be for Him. May He help us to diligently work together as one in Christ to bring Him the glory due His name. And may we, determined in our commitments to serve Him and one another, find joy and blessing in grander measure. S Zwiep

3 November Shut-ins/Missionaries October 28 November 3 GRADUS LUBBERS Resthaven Care Center 280 West 40 th Street Holland, MI Missionaries: Rev. Gil and Joyce Suh Resonate Global Missions - Cambodia November 4-10 MARY VANDER LINDE First & Main of Metro Health Village 5812 Village Drive SW Wyoming, MI Missionary: Leanne Geisterfer World Renew in Honduras November INEZ KUIPERS Hallmark Living Room # nd Street Holland, MI Missionaries: Rev. Pablo and Sheryl Canche Resonate Global Missions in Mexico November TRUDY BAKER American House Lakeshore # James Street Holland, MI Mission: I.T.E.M. - International Theological Education Ministries Rev. Will Hesterberg November 25 December 1 PHYLLIS HEERSPINK 514 Washington Avenue Holland, MI Missionaries: Rev. Sergei Sosedkin Back to God Ministries International Russian Ministry As has been done in the past, holiday notes and cards for our missionaries will be mailed out for you. If you would like to take advantage of this mailing, please have your cards ready by Sunday, November 11, If you prefer to send a personal greeting, you will find addresses for our missionaries listed at the back of our church directories. Following is the list of missionaries/missions we support: Leanne and Caspar Geisterfer Rev. Gil and Joyce Suh Rev. Mark and Deb Wilson Rev. Daniel and Jeananne Kuiper Rev. Victor and Lisa Atallah Rev. Pablo and Sheryl Canche Rev. Dave and Blanca Gifford Rev. Will Hesterberg (I.T.E.M.) Rev. Sergei Sosedkin You may insert your cards and notes in the box that has been made available in the church narthex. Thank you!

4 COLLEGE STUDENT EXAM CARE PACKAGES Please remember our college students at the holidays! 24 gift bags will be set in the narthex for your treats and goodies for them! You should have received a copy of the list of our college students and where they attend in your mailboxes. Please note that the college students are encouraged to get their bags while they are home for their Thanksgiving break so the deadline to received contributions will be any time before Thanksgiving Day worship. YOUTH GROUP CHRISTMAS CARD DELIVERIES Christmas Greetings for those who are unable to worship with us regularly will be delivered by our young people on Sunday, December 9. Bags for each of the following will be set in the narthex. Trudy Baker Carolyn Bareman Shelby Beagle Lloyd Bonzelaar Rev. Ted Brouwer Elsa Deventer Julie Eggebeen Harold and Millie Geurink Ella Groman Dany Guillory Flip and Phyllis Heerspink Kathy Kotman Bernie and Dina Klompmaker Alma Krol Inez Kuipers John Kunen Gradus and Florence Lubbers Flip and Bertha Maat John Meier Shirley Nivison Hermina Nyhof Jeany Rozema Donna Schurman Bob Sluiter Daniel Swierenga Rose Tieman Ruth Timmer Mary Vander Linde Lew Vander Ploeg Ida Visser Leesa Weed Dewey Westra

5 Thank you! Dear Central Avenue friends, Thank you for the beautiful cards and kind expressions of sympathy on the death of my (our) mom. They were very much appreciated! Dianne and Bob Swierenga Thank you to all of you who remembered me at my recent birthday. The many cards and kind wishes were appreciated and enjoyed. Les Brouwer Thank you so much for all the cards, calls and wishes for my birthday. I am so blessed! Thank you, Central Avenue family! Jo Katerberg Many thanks for all the kind expressions of sympathy and the beautiful cards that I received after the recent death of my brother. I appreciated everyone s thoughtfulness so much. Thelma Pelon Thank you for cards, phone calls, and verbal best wishes received for my birthday. All were appreciated! Gladys Schrotenboer I wish to thank everyone for their prayers, cards, kind words and meals brought in to us. Also, to Pastor Marc for his visit in the hospital. We have such a caring church family at Central Avenue! Lois Nienhuis WE would like to thank you for the cards and messages received on our anniversary, and also for Myrt s birthday. They were very much appreciated. Jerry and Myrt De Vries Thank you for all the cards, messages, and phone calls received while recuperating from my hip surgery. It surely was comforting to know people were thinking of me when going through my recovery. Jerry De Vries Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, please know that we have been greatly comforted by your expressions of sympathy through cards, s, and personal contact, concerning the homegoing of our brother-in-law, Bill Fraely, Thank you all! Please continue to remember our sister, Marya, and her daughter, Alison, as they deal with the reality of Bill s absence from their lives. Rich and Mary Cory Dear Central Avenue family, we would like to thank you for your love, support, and prayers over the past several years as we dealt with Hermine s many health issues. Your support shone to our family displayed in the number of people who came to the visitation and/or funeral and the incredible number of beautiful and meaningful cards, calls, visits, and kind words of sympathy we received since her passing are so overwhelming! Mom was very special to our family and will be sorely missed, but we take comfort in knowing that she is now with her precious Savior and Lord and is free of pain. Your kindness and continued prayers are very much appreciated. Love, John and Bea Meier, and the Meier family

6 The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want. That s Supply! He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. That s Rest! He leadeth me beside the still waters. That s Refreshment! He rstoreth my soul. That s Healing! He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness - That s Guidance! For His name sake. That s Purpose! Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death That s Testing! I will fear no evil That s Protection! For Thou art with me. That s Faithfulness! Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. That s discipline! Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. That s Hope! Thou annointest my head with oil. That s Consecration! My cup runneth over. That s Abundance! Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. That s Blessing! And I will dwell in the house of the Lord That s Security! Forever! That s Eternity! Submitted by Bea Meier

7 UPCOMING EVENTS! We will be making PIGS IN THE BLANKET sometime soon! Please be watching your bulletins for more information and the date when volunteers and helpers will be needed! Central Avenue will be involved in the OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD ministry again this year. There is a table at the back of church by the elevator to receive your donations for the boxes that will be prepared toys, hygiene items and school supplies are the contributions requested. Please do not include toothpaste, used or damaged items, war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures, chocolate or food. We will also need monetary donations to cover postage to ship the boxes. NOVEMBER 7 IS THE DEADLINE FOR MAKING DONATIONS! Thanks for your help! Because our GEMS are in charge of this ministry this year, please direct all of your questions to Lisa Mast. Seniors will be enjoying breakfast together at Southside Inn on Thursday, November 8, at 9:00 a.m. You need to sign up on the sheet in the narthex so we will have a count of how many people will be going so those at the restaurant can plan and prepare for us. SENIORS will enjoy and EVENING OF CHRISTMAS PRAISE with DINNER at the Christian Reformed Conference Grounds on Friday, December 7. Tickets are $17.00 per person and you must sign up on the sheet in the narthex if you plan to attend. Questions can be directed to Irv and Marianne Bos.

8 MITTEN-PLUS DRIVE is ongoing!! Newly made or purchased items can be brought to church any time before November 24. Bags are placed in the hallways by the elevators to receive those mittens, scarves, gloves, hats, sweaters etc. to help those who are in need. All sizes for adults and children are needed. Every donation benefits someone! If you have any questions, please contact Elaine Plaggemars. Please note that the SUPPLIES/FOOD DRIVE for Holland Deacon s Conference will take place during the month of November. The contributions will go to My Brother s House III at 448 West 29th Street. Specific needs/requests are as follows: Pasta noodles, Breakfast cereals, Lunch pack chips, fruit, etc., Peanut butter and jellies, Canned meats chicken, tuna, ham, Laundry detergent pods, Toilet paper, Paper towels, napkins, Facial tissue, Dishwasher pods. Tables will be set up at the back of church to receive your donations. Thank you ahead of time for your generosity! MARK YOUR CALENDARS! The Zeeland Civic Chorus will be presenting The Messiah on December 6 at First CRC in Zeeland at 7:00 p.m. The presentation here at Central Avenue CRC this year will be on Tuesday, December 11, also beginning at 7:00 p.m.

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11 I have to begin with WOW! When Margo Hoekstra and I were in Ontario for the GEMS Leadership Conference this past summer and I looked at her and said, What if we get this box and use what s in it to host a fundraiser dinner at church? We never imagined it would have turned out the way it did!! Of course, at the time Margo looked at me like most people do Are you nuts? You are biting off way more than you can chew! But, God had this wild idea from the beginning. On Oct. 10 about 80 people came to eat some rather eclectic and spicy food and to donate to the mission of GEMS Girls Clubs, to help bring girls into a living, dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ. This mission is not just for North America! This mission is worldwide!! And the leadership of GEMS is wanting to get the message out that God s girls need us and the world needs them. A HUGE Thank You! to all of you who came and supported this mission of helping to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Without your support, we would not have raised the $664 (after the cost of our Global partnership and the cost of food) that went directly back into our club here at Central Ave! Exciting things are happening on Wednesday nights in the upstairs of the Ministry Center. I would like to share some stats with you about our GEMS club so far this year. We have 32 girls attending our club this season. Out of those girls, 17 are from CACRC, 3 are from Cambodian Fellowship, and 13 are friends from outside our church. Of those 13, 3 girls do not currently have a home church. This is amazing!! We are reaching out in Gods love and truly being a blessing. As I reflect on the themes from GEMS since I have been involved, I can see how they have impacted the girls hearts by the way they are wanting to have their friends join them. The theme the first year ( ) was Bring the Message based on Isaiah 6:8, the girls began bringing the message to a few friends and the club grew. The next theme was Choose Truth (Psalm 119:105). The girls chose to let the light of Jesus shine on their path as well as continue to bring the message. The theme for was Love Overflows (1 Thessalonians 3:12), the love for the mission of GEMS started welling up in their young hearts and was about to burst forth! Last year we learned how to walk In His Steps (1 John 2:6). Let me tell you, these girls are walking in HIS steps in amazing ways. This year as we look at what it means to Be a Blessing, we have already witnessed great things from our Heavenly Father. We have grown as a club and watched girls who walk in our door shy and timid, bound out of the door an hour and a half later and return for the next meeting, excited to hear more and be loved. In today s society where not only young girls but young people in general, are looking for a place to belong and feel accepted and know that they are loved by our Creator based on their faith alone. I am thankful to God that HE is using our little club to be that place for a short time for some of these girls. None of this would be possible without the leading of the Holy Spirit, prayers from leaders and church members, parents who are willing to transport children back and forth, leaders who pour into these girls and the financial backing of our church family. Thank you seems too simple, yet I have no other words except. Praise be to GOD for making all of this possible. Blessed to be a Blessing, Lisa Mast

12 In our world today, there are millions of people who cannot read a Bible even if they had one in their own language. Audio Scripture Ministries provides audio Bibles so they can HEAR God s Word. Each month, a Praise and Prayer Guide highlights what is happening around the world. Here are excerpts from the October issue: We are grateful for the shipment of 1,100 audio Bibles sent out from the Holland office for distribution in Mozambique, Africa. Some of these audio Bibles are loaded with Bibles in the Lomwe language, others in the Chuwabo language, and some are empty and will be loaded with Scriptures in other languages by our workers in Mozambique headed by Chad Vanden Bosch of Overisel Reformed Church. Pray for ASM s partners in India as they record three new tribal languages this year. Bible translations in these languages were recently completed, but many of the people in those language groups will need to wait for the audio recording because they are oral learners. Praise God for the 400+ families in Oaxaca, Mexico who received audio Bibles last month. Pray as they listen to Scripture that they would develop a hunger for God s Word. For more information about this amazing ministry, please go to Submitted by Rev. Lloyd Wolters

13 NOVEMBER 2018 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY FOOD/SUPPLY DRIVE FOR HOLLAND DEACONS CONFERENCE ALL MONTH WITH DONATIONS GOING TO MY BROTHER SHOUSE III 1 6:30 am Men s Bible Study 2:45 pm Kid s Life 2 9:00 am Prayer 3 4 END OF DAYLIGHT SAVINGS 9:30 am Morning Worship 10:45 am Coffee Fellowship Sunday School Adult Sunday School 11:00 am Catechism :30 am Men s Bible Study 9:00 am Seniors Breakfast 9 9:00 am Prayer 10 5:00 pm Evening Worship 7:00 pm Elders Meeting Wednesday Activity Night 5:30 pm Dinner begins 6:30 pm Choir Rehearsal 6:30 pm GEMS/Cadets 6:30 pm Men s/women s Bible 2:45 pm Kid s Life 5:15 pm Middle School ETC Outing to Rebounderz 11 VETERAN S DAY 9:30 am Morning Worship 10:45 am Coffee Fellowship Sunday School Adult Sunday School 11:00 am Catechism 12 COUNCIL AGENDA DEADLINE! 13 7:00 am Executive Committee Mtg :30 am Men s Bible Study 2:45 pm Kid s Life 16 9:00 am Prayer 17 5:00 pm Evening Worship 6:15 pm Middle School ETC/ High School Youth Group 6:30 pm Worship Committee Mtg 7:00 pm Administration Committee Mtg 8:00 pm Leadership Team Mtg 6:30 pm Choir Rehearsal 6:30 pm Cadets Service Project 6:30 pm Men s/women s Bible 18 9:30 am Morning Worship with Cambodian Fellowship 10:45 am Coffee Fellowship Sunday School Adult Sunday School 11:00 am Catechism 5:00 pm Evening Worship noon Lunchtime Discussion 4:30 pm Serving the the Family Hope Center 21 6:30 pm Choir Rehearsal 22 9:30 am THANKSGIVING DAY WORSHIP SERVICE 23 9:00 am Prayer 24 Deadline for MITTEN PLUS DRIVE donations 25 9:30 am Morning Worship 10:45 am Coffee Fellowship Sunday School Adult Sunday School 11:00 am Catechism 2:15 pm Messiah Rehearsal 5:00 pm Evening Worship 26 6:00 pm Deacons Meeting 7:00 pm Full Council Meeting Wednesday Activity Night 5:30 pm Dinner begins 6:30 pm Choir Rehearsal 6:30 pm Kids Activities 6:30 pm GEMS/Cadets 6:30 pm Women s Bible 6:30 pm Men s/women s Bible 29 6:30 am Men s Bible Study 2:45 pm Kid s Life 30

14 NOVEMBER NURSERY SCHEDULE November 4 A.M. Sarah Visser/Lauren Bushouse P.M. Marianne Bos/Kate Vander Lugt November 11 A.M. Melanie Beckman/Abby Buter P.M. Anna Bouma/Ashlyn Horan November 18 A.M. Stacey Buter/Lillian Bruxvoort P.M. To be determined November 22 Thanksgiving Day Lisa Mast/Abigail Visser November 25 A.M. Linda De Wys/Lexi De Vries P.M. Ellen Walters/Avery Peters NOVEMBER CHILDREN S WORSHIP November 4 Teacher: Shelly Koeman Helper: Marinna Ellerbroek November 11 Teacher: Carol Van Dyke Helper: Kirsten Buter November 18 Teacher: Jen Peters Helper: Ashley Koeman November 25 Teacher: Jill Ellerbroek Helper: Emily Kuipers WEDNESDAY ACTIVITY NIGHT November 7 Menu: Soup Night, Salad bar, Rolls, Carmelitas November 28 Menu: Turkey, Dressing, Sweet Potatoes, Green bean casserole, Rolls, Pumpkin pie NOVEMBER COFFEE FELLOWSHIP November 4 Fellowship Group #1 November 11 Fellowship Group #2 November 18 Fellowship Group #3 No Coffee Fellowship on Thanksgiving Day November 25 Fellowship Group #4 MEN S BIBLE STUDY REFRESHMENTS November 1 Paul Sterenberg November 8 Jerry Mannes November 15 Pastor Chad November 22 THANKSGIVING BREAK November 29 Andy Visser NOVEMBER USHERS A.M. Silas Peterson Kevin Ellerbroek Ed Knoll Barb Knoll P.M. Bill Beckman Steve Buter Wade Nykamp Kruz Ellerbroek NOVEMBER COLLECTION SCHEDULE November 4 A.M. General Fund P.M. Kid s Life November 11 A.M. Moving Forward in Faith and Ministry P.M. Christmas Gifts for Missionaries November 18 A.M. General Fund P.M. GEMS International November 22 Thanksgiving Envelopes November 25 A.M. Special Mission Commitment P.M. Benjamin s Hope NOVEMBER GREETERS November 4 Jon and Jen Peters Mary Van Hof/Beth Vandenbroek November 11 Tom and Carrie Pifer To be determined November 18 Scott and Shelley Plaggemars Ken and Ruth Postma Thanksgiving Day Tom and Kelli Rozema Paul and Audrey Schierbeek November 25 Nathan and Kristen Schierbeek Casey and Hilary Rozema NOVEMBER VISITOR ASSISTANTS November 4 Paul and Judy Koeman November 11 Jerry and Shar Mannes November 18 Doug and Joyce Roossien Thanksgiving Day Jay and Carolyn Schreur November 25 Paul and Amy Sterenberg

15 November 2018 Birthdays Anniversaries NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN November 1 Lois Prins November 2 Wade Nykamp Jeananne Kuiper* November 3 Paul Van Dyke - 80 November 4 Ben Shaffer November 14 Raj Troast Kirsten Buter Sil De La Garza Kate Vander Lugt November 15 Henry Steenwyk November 16 Brenda Vander Berg Jan Otten November 28 Tapon Baroi November 25 John Horsting - 80 Sadie Van Langevelde- 90 November 5 Eli Mast November 6 Kathy Cook Phil Persenaire- 85 November 7 Stacey Jackson Andrew Smith Ivie Shaffer Eli Ashby November 8 Sue Hoekstra November 10 Bob Sluiter - 80 November 13 Shar Mannes Ron Johnson November 17 Scott Plaggemars Anna Bouma November 18 Donna Schurman - 87 Ann Telgenhof Anne Bushouse Ben Beckman November 21 Ivan Brand November 23 Laura Cagle Jerry De Vries Victor Baroi November 24 Rich Cory Henry Bloemendal 90 November 2 Paul and Linda Zwart Irv and Marianne Bos - 56 November 25 Dewey and Lois Westra November 26 Bob and Carlene Kaashoek - 58 November 28 Ken and Sue Hoekstra November 29 Tom and Rita Bird November 30 Derrick and Tami Staat