Growing in Discipleship Transformed for Ministry August 31, 2014 Sunday Worship 10:00 AM Welcome to Calvin Church In Worship: Our worship proceeds unannounced and follows the printed liturgy. The Chancel banner expresses the Christian belief that in one God there are three divine persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The color green represents the growing and liturgical season. Large print resources are available at the information desk. Our facility is equipped with the Loop hearing system. For Children: Ages 0-2: Infant and toddler nurseries are available. Preschool: The Little Children (TLC) gathers downstairs prior to the morning worship. Children s Bulletins are in the holder in the narthex. Fellowship and Information: Everyone is invited to the Fellowship Hall for refreshments following the morning service. An introductory church DVD is available at the Information Desk. All of our ministries are described in the colorful folders on the table near the nurseries. Church office hours: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday Thursday Bulletin deadline: Wednesday Noon 616-451-8467 Office@CalvinCRC.org www.calvincrc.org
I will give you counsel, and God be with you! Exodus 18:19 Ordinary Time Ten o clock August 31, 2014 Prelude: If You But Trust in God to Guide You [#407] Welcome and Announcements Call to Worship: Adoration Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! Bow down before Him, His glory proclaim. With gold of obedience and incense of lowliness, Kneel and adore Him: the Lord is His name! Fear not to enter His presence in poverty, Bearing no gifts to present as your own. Truth in its beauty and love in its purity These are the offering to lay at His throne. Georg Böhm Tom Fettke * Opening Hymn: Sing to the Lord, Sing His Praise #515:1,2,4,5 * God s Greeting CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE Call to Confession Hymn of Confession: What Adam s Disobedience Cost #34:1,3,5 Prayer lower portion of #34 Assurance of Pardon: Friends, believe the good news of the gospel. In Jesus Christ we are forgiven! PRAISE AND PRAYER * Song of Response: Jesus Loves Me 709:1-3 (Kindergarten 4 th grade children may come forward during the singing of this song.) Message for Children
Anthem: Be Still Be still and know that I am God, I m right here by your side. Be still and know that I am God, and in my love abide. Tipi Charles Refrain So few of you stop to hear the birds, stop to smell the fragrance in the air. My Kingdom is within you, be still and find me there. My peace I ve given you, my child, the world would steal it away. So seek my face, and read my word, then listen and obey. Oh, be still, be still, be still, I ll meet you there. Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession PREPARATION AND PROCLAMATION * Hymn of Preparation: Fill Thou My Life, O Lord, My God #356:1-3 Presentation of Offerings and Passing of Friendship Pads Offertory Prayer: Bob DeVries Offering for I.C.C.F. Offertory: Rhosymedre Ralph Vaughan Williams Prayer for Illumination Scripture Reading: Exodus 18:1-27 page 56 Reader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God! Sermon: Who Do We Allow to Give Us Counsel? Prayer of Application * Hymn of Response: If You But Trust in God to Guide You #407:1-3 * Affirmation of Faith: Apostles Creed front cover of hymnal * Glory Be to the Father #961 * Benediction * Doxology: Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow #965 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise him, all creatures here below; Praise him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen * Postlude: Fanfare and March Martha Sobaje Preacher: Rev. Douglas MacLeod Organist: Kenneth Bos Ministry of Music: Bill Bokhout Reader: Suzi Baas
Calvin CRC Announcements for August 31, 2014 WORSHIP Today, August 31 Morning Worship: Rev. MacLeod is preaching from Exodus 18 and Bill Bokhout is our guest soloist. Our offerings are for the Inner City Christian Federation. (ICCF). WELCOME TO CALVIN STUDENTS: Calvin College has invited us to transport students from school to church today. Students have moved into the dorms this past Wednesday. You are welcome to greet them, and even invite them to lunch today if you so desire! We are also interested in providing future transportation to and from Calvin College for our Sunday morning worship. Please contact Char Bulthuis if you would be willing to be on the transport team. Evening Worship: A combined service is being held at 5:30 PM at Plymouth Heights CRC. Rev. Sarah Albers is preaching on Psalm 27, and the offering is for Inner City Christian Federation (ICCF). WORSHIP SERVICES IN SEPTEMBER Morning of September 7: We begin the program year with Communion and a message from Exodus 19 on "A Holy People for a Holy God." This will be the last in the sermon series from Exodus for a while. Our offerings will be for Christian Education and Benevolence. Evening of September 7: In Genesis 12:10-20 Abram's faith, such as it is, is put on trial and teaches us some things about how living in faith is never easy. Our offerings will be for A.C.C.E.S.S. Morning of September 14: Pastor Doug's sermon theme: Having options is a powerful liturgy of our culture and it pushes against our living in the blessings of God's choosing a people for himself. Evening of September 14: This will be our annual Ministry Celebration evening. Morning of September 21: Not only will we celebrate infant baptism this morning but this will also be our annual "Music Dedication Service" with our handbells, choirs, and various instruments employed in our worship. Evening of September 21: Bring the whole family for a participatory worship service based upon the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashana, Sept 25) and the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur, Oct 4) Rev. Rick Anderson, raised in a Conservative Jewish family, will offer his unique testimony, dress in traditional clothing, explain these Jewish holidays, and even blow a ram's horn (shofar). Morning of September 28: Three of our high school youths will be making their public profession of faith and we will share with them in the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. Evening of September 28: Genesis 13; "Finding a Good Campsite" can be a tricky thing, but also illustrative of how we choose to position ourselves in life. Staff Notes: Pastor Bob will be gone for a week of vacation, September 3-10.
CHURCH FAMILY Paul Zwier (District #10) died on Thursday, August 21 and a Memorial Service took place on Monday, August 25. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to his wife Ellie as well as the rest of the family. We thank God for his faithfulness to Paul and pray that he will comfort all his loved ones. Paul was a dedicated member of Calvin Church for thirty-eight years and served in various capacities. We are grateful for his life and testimony of faith. Les Ippel (District #3) was admitted to Blodgett hospital last Tuesday because of difficulty breathing and a high fever. He was undergoing tests to determine the cause. Ruth Rice (District #11) was admitted to Butterworth hospital on Tuesday. After a series of tests, it was determined that she has a cancerous brain tumor. The plan was to have surgery for this last Friday. The family requests our prayers but that there be no visitors at this time. Berdie VanAntwerpen (District #12) is slowly loosing strength but does not experience pain. She is anticipating the day when she will be translated to her home in glory. She is deeply grateful for our love and prayers. Dick Wilkins (District #6) will try a new type of chemo treatment starting on Tuesday, September 2. Please pay that his body will tolerate this and that it will be effective. Thank you for all the wonderful notes we have received. We are truly blessed with wonderful friends and family! Bern & Mark Ritzema Thank you to our Calvin Church family for all the cards, thoughts, prayers, and flowers given to us at the time of mom's home going. All of these have helped to comfort us during this time of grieving. Marcia and Cornie Huizinga CHILDREN AND YOUTH MINISTRIES BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK: 8/31 Carolyn Prince (13!) 9/2 Grace Spoelma (9!) 9/5 Maria Poortenga (14!) 9/6 Sarah Brouwer (15!) CLASSES BEGIN: The Little Children program for our 2 through 4 year olds begins next Sunday, September 7. The TLC summer program continues through today. Parents may bring their children to their classes before the start of the worship service. The Worship Center classes will begin regular programming on September 14, and our Church School year will also begin on September 14. September 14 and 21 will be Intergenerational Church School sessions, and we will break into separate classrooms beginning September 28. 78ERS: WELCOME to our incoming 7 th graders: Adam Baker, Aaron Gronsman, Bobby Houskamp, and Jake Noordewier. Our first meeting of the year will be September 10, from 7 to 8:30 PM in the Catacomb. 78ers PARENTS are invited to attend an informational meeting at 6:30 PM on September 10 in room 16, next to the Catacomb. CYG: Our Calvin Youth Group program for those in 9 th through 12 th grade begins NEXT Sunday, September 7, from 6:30 to 9 PM. All high school youth are warmly welcomed to come to the Catacomb that evening to join us for the
start of a new year. A special WELCOME to our new 9 th graders: Abby Gronsman, Louisa Houskamp, Nick Overbeek, Maria Poortenga, and Jack Schierbeek. CYG PARENT MEETING: Parents of CYG youth are invited to attend an informational meeting on Sunday, September 7, from 6:30 to 7 PM. Note the change of date. We will meet in Room 16 which is next to the Catacomb. MEETINGS, ACTIVITIES, AND EVENTS FAMILY PROMISE THANK YOU: Thank you to everyone who helped make our Family Promise Week a success! Preparing meals, providing baked goods, playing with the kids, staying overnight, movers, laundry, everyone who volunteered we thank you! Our next turn comes the week of November 23-30. Keep this program in your prayers and consider volunteering. Jan, Kris, Karen, and Cindy. FAMILY ASSISTANCE PROJECT PROGRESS: This past week the building project was put out for bid to selected contractors. Pray for a properly competitive bidding process. Remember to send your favorite scripture passage to Pastor Rebecca. Forms are on the Information Desk. Next Sunday ADULT EDUCATION: Pastor Doug MacLeod and Lynn McBroom have each spent various times at the Abbey of Gethsemani on personal spiritual retreats. Have you ever wondered what this is like, or who is interested in doing such a thing, or why do they do it? Let them answer some of your curiosities and describe for you why they find this to be a blessing. They will show you some pictures from the Abbey and they ll offer some reflections on their experiences. SENIOR MEN: The Bible study for senior men will begin on Friday, September 12 at 7:30 AM. This group meets twice a month. New participants are always welcome. We will be continuing our study of Acts (chapter 11:19ff). Pastor Bob leads this group. HEALTH SAFETY & ABUSE-PREVENTION POLICY REVIEW SESSIONS: Policy Review sessions will be held September 7 and 14, 9:15 AM in Room 16. Reviews also occur as a part of our parent meetings for our 78ERS and CYG programs. The Health, Safety and Abuse-Prevention Policy is available for your yearly review. Copies can be checked out from the Information Desk, as well as from the Office. Electronic copies are also available by contacting Char Bulthuis or Kim Bultsma, office secretary. THE EASTOWN STREETFAIR is on Saturday, September 13, and the Evangelism Committee has arranged for Calvin Church to host a booth! The Streetfair is on Wealthy Street from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM and includes music, food, artists, and non-profits. We need your help that day in being hospitable to our neighbors. Please sign up at the information desk to sit at our booth and hand out water bottles, provide a tent for our booth, or help with set-up or take-down.
INTER-GENERATIONAL CHURCH SCHOOL returns this year! September 14 and 21 will be our first two Sundays of this important all-church faith formation event. Come to the Fellowship Hall at 11:30 AM on those Sundays and find a seat around one of the tables. The place mats on the tables are color-coded by age to encourage you to sit with folks of different ages. Nursery care will be available. Contact Pastor Rebecca with any questions. SERVING OPPORTUNITY! The Congregational Care Committee is composing a master list of volunteers for transporting non-driving members to church services, church programs, and midweek dinners. Can you help? Please sign up at the Welcome Desk or call the church office: 616-451-8467. VOLUNTEER NEEDS: Church School: We are seeking ONE more teacher to join the current teacher for our 3 rd /4 th grade church school class and ONE more teacher to join the current teacher for the 7 th /8 th grade class. We use team teaching; two teachers work together to cover class times throughout the school year. If interested, please contact Char Bulthuis. Nursery: We are seeking additional Nursery Supervisors who can join in a nursery coverage rotation once every four or five weeks. Please contact Char Bulthuis or Kim Wierenga if you are interested. Cadets: We are seeking a male volunteer to assist in the Cadet program which meets two Wednesday nights per month. MEMORIAL GIFTS: In lieu of flowers, financial gifts have been given to Family Assistance in memory of the following saints who have joined the church triumphant: Roger W. Boer, Louise DeMey, Beverly Zondervan-Jensen, Joan Bulthuis-Kromminga, Shirley Boomsma, Judy Koornneef, Larry Feenstra, and Joyce Edkins. We are very grateful to the families for their thoughtfulness in including Family Assistance in their list of agencies to receive memorial gifts. Thank you. The gifts received in late 2013 were used to buy jackets and boots for children. The winter was difficult for so many and we are very grateful to have had this reserve to purchase and to prepare for the coming winter. CALLING MUSICIANS OF ALL AGES Children in grades K-2 are invited to join the Cherub Choir and children in grades 3-6 are invited to join the Covenant Choir. Both choirs meet from 6:15-7:00 PM on Wednesday evenings and rehearsals begin on September 3. The Cherub Choir Director is Amy Netz and the Covenant Choir Director is Maria VandenBosch with Nancy Triezenberg as the accompanist. Melanie Tolsma directs Junior Handbells (grades 5-12) who begin rehearsing on Wednesday, September 10 from 5:30-6:30 PM. We need ringers (5-6 spots) for our bell choir. We will only have one group all ages this year! If you have rung bells before, never tried and can read music, have some time on Wednesday evenings 5:30-6:30 September - April, please contact Mrs. Tolsma - 803-5162! Sanctuary Choir rehearsals will begin Thursday, September 11, and we are hoping to add several new members this season. Please come and give us a try! The choir meets on Thursday evenings at 7:00-8:15 PM in the balcony choir room. The only requirement is a desire to sing, and we promise to make you feel welcome. Ken Bos directs with Lisa Meyer as the accompanist.
The Allegro Ringers, our adult handbell choir, will begin rehearsing on Wednesday, September 10, from 7:00-8:30 PM. Adults who are interested in participating are invited to contact the director, Luanne Barnes. Please call the church office with questions or contact one of the directors. We are looking forward to a great year of leading worship starting with the music dedication service on September 21. CALENDAR Today, Sunday, August 31 9:30a Prayer Time (Prayer Room) 9:40a Atrium Greeters: David & Sarah Williamson East Greeters: Dan & Melanie Yff Nursery Supervisors: Amy dejonge and Corey Visker Nursery Helpers: Bob, Donna, Bobby, & Louisa Houskamp Parking Attendant: Dave Dykgraaf 11:15a Library Volunteers: Suzi Baas and Simone Gibson Coffee Servers: Schoone-Jongen and DeKoster 5:30p Classis combined service at Plymouth Heights CRC Monday, September 1 Office is closed for the holiday Tuesday, September 2 9:30a Family Assistance 6:00p Building and Grounds Committee meeting 7:30p Elders and Deacons Wednesday, September 3 6:15p Cherub and Covenant Choirs Thursday, September 4 8:00a Clark Home seminars rooms 1 and 10 9:00a Take Charge meeting 9:30a Family Assistance Friday, September 5 8:00a Clark Home seminars rooms 1 and 10 Next Sunday, September 7 9:30a Prayer Time (Prayer Room) 9:40a Atrium Greeters: Dave & Becky Baker East Greeters: Rich & Fran Baker Nursery Supervisors: Jenna Jansen and Julie Wigboldy Nursery Helpers: John & Katie Kuiper Olivia Prince and Sam Koeman Parking Attendant: Walter Boer 11:15a Library Volunteers: Lois Huisman Coffee Servers: Rosema and Sytsma Adult Education: Spiritual Retreats at a Kentucky Abbey by Pastor Doug 11:30a MacLeod and Lynn McBroom Finance Committee in Prayer Room 4:40p Parking Attendant: Dan Yff