Cascade Fellowship Chris an Reformed Church In Christ We Live, We Love, We Serve March 2015 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 1 Peter 4:10 (NLT)
When I was a girl in our church s girls club, a popular game was Fruit Basket Upset. In this chao c, large group version of musical chairs, a counselor would secretly assign a fruit to each girl seated in a circle of chairs. During the game one girl would stand in the middle of the circle and call out a fruit apples or oranges or bananas and all the girls assigned that fruit would jump out of their seat and race for another one as the girl from the center tried for one of theirs. The one girl le standing a er the chaos would then con nue the game by taking her place in the center and calling out a fruit. If the girl wanted to increase her odds of ge ng one of the seats, she could call Fruit basket upset! and complete chaos would ensue as every girl would jump out of her seat and race for another. As the game went on, strategies would emerge both by the caller and the seated girls. Some mes girls would work out a plan to switch seats or slide to the side to limit the caller s chance to get their seat. Or the caller would learn who had which fruit and stand strategically next to her when she called the fruit, then grab her seat. I remember well one game in which I was assigned cherry. Not a commonly called fruit, I waited quite a while before it was called. When it finally was, I leapt out of my chair ready to compete for a seat only to discover I was the only girl assigned cherry. As it was against the rules to reclaim your own seat, I had to give up my seat and become the girl in the middle. A er that, whenever a girl wanted to be assured of a seat, she would calmly In this issue Reflec on... p. 2 Dear Friends.... p. 3 Children s Ministry Corner. p. 4 Taking Care of the Snake... p. 5 Youth Ministries........ p. 6 Worship..... p. 7 Focus on Missions.. p. 9 Council Clips.. p. 10 Deacons Kiosk.. p. 11 Offering Schedule p. 11 Challenges in Faith.... p.12 March 2015 call cherry and I would (graciously, I m sure) give her mine. Oddly enough, this game reminds me of volunteering. Whenever leaders of groups using volunteers need something, they call out the need and hope people jump up to volunteer. Volunteers learn to try different seats to find ones that suit their gi s. As leaders learn who has which gi s, it becomes easier to call on those who can fill their needs. They also learn who can be counted on to serve faithfully and willingly, and who can be counted on to step up when you have a desperate need. Unfortunately, some mes those we grow to count on can become overused and burned out. Then it may be me to call Fruit basket upset! and hope everyone wakes up and scrambles to fill new seats. Wouldn t it be lovely to see all of God s people scrambling to find their place, producing fruit for Him in the Kingdom? Melinda H Gra as Ago Tibi To our volunteers: In La n gra as ago bi means thank you. I chose that tle because I want you to spend an extra moment looking at, a emp ng to pronounce, and generally thinking about the phrase thank you. I believe that extra moment is important because it s not enough to extend an everyday normal thank you since your service in our Worship Arts Technology ministry is so much more appreciated than that. Your efforts are just as important as the songs we sing and the Scripture we read. You are an integral part of our mission to bring the Gospel of Christ to all people. So Gra as Ago Tibi! To all: Please consider joining our ministry. We need help in order to achieve a rota on in which our members serve an average of once per month. As it stands now, some of our volunteers are serving three mes per month. All training is provided and we have a fun me together. Please use the form included in this month s newsle er to convey your interest in helping out. Don L, Worship Arts Technology Director
Dear Friends, This month s newsle er is centered in the idea of volunteering. Without a doubt, the Church is the largest volunteer organiza on in the world. Whereas most other religions have an obliga on of service (do this or that in order to receive God s blessing), Chris anity calls us to respond in love by choice. Jesus is our example. In Philippians 2 Paul writes of Jesus, Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant. He made Himself. A choice. He volunteered. Cascade Fellowship is a community of choice. Nobody has to come. There is no penalty imposed. We choose to come together in Jesus name and bind our lives with one another. As part of that choice, we also then volunteer our me, talents, and treasure to God and each other. Hopefully we do this out of grateful love, not fear, guilt, or obliga on. In his first le er, Peter writes, Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a mul tude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gi you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God s grace in its various forms. (1 Peter 4:8-10) I am so overwhelmed and thankful for the many ways I see the people of CFCRC live this out. Every Sunday scores of people show up to serve by gree ng, teaching, making coffee, leading worship, caring for li le ones, driving students, running equipment, and so on. One Monday a month dozens of people show love by serving at the Mobile Food Pantry. On Tuesday mornings, women give me to share the love of Christ with community women and their children. On Wednesday nights we care not only for our own youth, but serve many from the community, a er others prepare food for us to enjoy. Members give countless hours to work behind the scenes as part of the many commi ees giving vision and oversight to what we do. Every spring the lawn and grounds burst into color as volunteers uproot weeds and plant flowers. Men and women choose to let their names stand for Elder and Deacon and then serve Christ and the Church in those roles. The list goes on and on. THANK YOU!!!!! Thank you for choosing to follow Jesus with both your heart and life. Thank you for your sacrifice in doing so. I know that there are mes when you might get weary, discouraged and maybe even a li le resen ul. And yet you keep serving as you are able. Remember who it is you are ul mately serving: your Savior, Christ the Lord. Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed.con nue to work out your salva on with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Phil 2:12-13 Pastor James We make a living by what we do, but we make a life by what we give. Winston Churchill
Laura B Children s Ministry Director Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24 Our Children s Ministry volunteers love children and serve God in our numerous children s ministries because they want to make a difference in children s lives. Over 100 people serve in various roles in addi on to weekly helpers in the nursery. We take our role very seriously, making sure children are safe, growing in their rela onship with Jesus, and building rela onships. Because of these goals, everyone ajends Child Care & Protec on Training, fills out a volunteer applica on, signs a code of ethics, and understands the role they are filling before serving. Each of our volunteers is vital to the success of the ministry! Enjoy some of our volunteers in ac on!
Taking Care of the Snake Pastor Doug My friend Joni was an RN at the Wycliffe Bible Translators base clinic in Papua New Guinea. Wycliffe a racts a lot of people with advanced degrees in linguis cs. They are good at abstract concepts and analyzing grammar. Joni is a prac cal, no-nonsense nurse. One day Joni awoke to find a dangerous looking snake on her open window sill. This happens in the jungle. Fortunately, there was a screen, but it was thin and the snake was thick and aggressive. So she called for help. The first responder was an accomplished linguist, an expert in two different South Asian language groups. With a brave effort he managed to close the window, but the snake was now trapped between it and the screen. A crowd gathered in Joni's room and watched a second person join the ba le. He too was an accomplished translator. He arrived outside, but when he started up his improperly placed ladder, it broke the glass on the upper half of the window. This got the snake really agitated, but it was s ll wedged between the intact lower half of the window and the now barely-hanging-in-there screen. At this point Joni again called for help: "Is there someone here without a PhD who can get rid of this snake?" This story illustrates several truths about Chris an volunteers in the church or other ministries. 1. There are needs to which somebody should respond. Cries for help cannot be ignored. 2. Showing up is good, but what really counts is doing the job and doing it well. Excellence and accountability apply to volunteer jobs too. 3. The thought counts for something, but it's best to match actual gi s and abili es with the specific need. 4. The job can be a one me deal, or one can volunteer to "take care of the snakes" long term. Both are good, but the long term volunteer saves others a lot of me and trouble. 5. Sure, one can hire it done, but that s not always best if one cares about being a good steward of God's gi s and resources. 6. If there is a need, both the job and volunteer are important. "Big" and "li le" just don't apply. All members of the Body are necessary. The base maintenance man eventually helped the terrified snake find a more appropriate habitat. Joni was grateful, as one should be. But taking care of the snakes doesn't always get one a "thank you," and that's OK, because for Chris ans, serving Christ and His church is truly its own reward.
Youth Ministries Words of Gratitude and Encouragement Recently I was talking with a friend from church. As we were catching up, she talked to me about serving at church and the challenges it can cause for their family. Although they are all excited and willing to serve, volunteering means they are not able to par cipate in other spiritually rejuvena ng programs at church. I realized how true that was. I write now not only to say a BIG THANK YOU to all the volunteers who support church programs, but also to fill you with encouraging words from Scripture that you may be spiritually renewed yourselves! Our Father in Heaven assures us that as we give, even more will be given back to us. God makes us willing to serve. He does not force us to serve. As you give of your me, be confident that He not only know how many hairs are on your head, but He knows your heart for serving! Whenever you wonder whether it s worth it, read through these verses and be reminded how God views you. His master replied, Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master s happiness! Ma hew 25:23 A faithful man will be richly blessed. Proverbs 28:20 The King will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me. Ma hew 25:40 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Ma hew 5:16 For we are God s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free. Ephesians 6:7-8 Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the Lord delivers him in mes of trouble. The Lord will protect him and preserve his life; he will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desire of his foes. The Lord will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness. Psalm 41:1-3 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 2 Corinthians 9:12-14 Lisa G Youth Director
God s Ways, Our Ways My husband and I started a ending Cascade Fellowship when we were in college at Calvin. Cascade offered two service mes then and we enjoyed sliding into the later service, socializing for a bit a er the service and then heading on our way. At the me, all we were looking for was a nice place to worship and feel welcomed. I had too much going on and was too busy for any type of commitment or involvement in volunteering at church. A few years later, Dan and I married, officially joined the church, and started ge ng more involved. Someone found out that I played the piano and before I knew it there was music in my box for a Sunday coming up. What!? I didn t sign up for this anywhere! Play the piano during a church service? Nope, sorry! That s not for me! For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 Fast-forward seven years or so a friend encouraged me to try being part of a praise team. Ah, again? I thought. I just didn t know. It would be so fun, she encouraged me. Just give it a try! I ll be there on the team too. Well needless to say, I completely loved it. I connected to worship in a way I never had before. My soul was energized and my spirit filled. I drew closer to God through my worship. I con nued to grow in my knowledge and passion of leading and par cipa ng in worship as me went on. I thank my God every me I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day un l now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to comple on un l the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:4-6 Fast-forward another eight years and here I am today. God s ways and God s plans were certainly not mine. But his ways are bigger and be er! Praise God! I never could have imagined I would be where I am today leading worship weekly and con nuing to grow my gi s and talents and also grow spiritually, mentally, and emo onally. God con nues to work in me as Paul promised in Philippians the God who began a good work will carry it on to comple on un l the day Christ returns. Oh how I pray this con nues to be true more and more! Leading worship and being part of praise teams here at Cascade Fellowship is such a gi to me. It is a joy and has grown me in ways I never could have imagined. I thank every individual who serves with me each week! I serve with some seriously amazing folks! They are dedicated, passionate, hard working, dependable, compassionate and talented, and most importantly they love God fiercely. Are you interested in using your gi s to help lead worship with us? I encourage you: It will be so fun, Just give it a try! I ll be there on the team too. I know you will connect to God through worship in a way you never have before. Your soul will be energized and your spirit filled. God will use you and it will be awesome! Let s talk! Lynn S, Worship Director lynn@cascadefellowship.org
With or Without you None the wiser Julie B, Ministries Director She said to me this morning, I d just rather do it myself than try to find someone, I don t like rejec on. I laughed and offered my knee-jerk (emphasis on jerk) response, What if I had that a tude? And some mes I do. Some mes volunteers step into roles they don t love, pu ng their love for Jesus above their comfort. I love to match a person s gi s and interests with a role they fit perfectly, but some mes volunteers serve in roles they don t like. If they do it with smiles in their hearts, we are none the wiser. I love this because God o en transforms their hearts in the midst of it what was intended to bless others blessed them in the process. Last Sunday the coffee team was especially challenged as the brewer misappropriated coffee and the latch on a dispenser didn t retract properly. The rest of the congrega on happily drank their coffee and enjoyed a cookie, none the wiser. Every Cascade Sta on, over 100 people walk thru the meal line to select their evening meal, offering modest payment. A er hours of purchase, prep, set up, service (and love) go into it, these diners eat happily, none the wiser. Bible study leaders invest me and prayer into those they teach, week a er week. Some mes weary, these leaders put their needs aside to minister with compassion and love to others none the wiser. Month a er month, evening mee ngs fill class and conference rooms with hours of prayer and discussion about the future of Cascade Fellowship. Some mes I think about them as I snuggle at home on the couch. Do you? Or are you none the wiser? None the wiser is a fun place to be, right? Sort of like that phrase, Ignorance is bliss. But that s not what God desires of us. He wants us to be cheerful givers of our me and energy! The work I do is completely reliant upon volunteers sharing God s gi s with His church! Volunteers are not paid not because they are worthless but because they are priceless unknown And no kidding, what would I do without you?! Palm Sunday, March 29 Walk through the final days of Jesus A multi-sensory experience for families to travel together, gaining a greater understanding of and appreciation for Jesus last week. More information & volunteer opportunities available at the Children s Check In Counter! Or contact Laura B (laura@cascadefellowship.org) July 6-10, 2015 Spring Hill Summer Day Camp this July! Hosted by Cascade Fellowship For kids completing grades K-4th Registration now open! Register at springhillcamps.com/experiences/day-camps/locations/ cascade-fellowship-crc-grand-rapids-mi Partnership Opportunity with Community CRC Community CRC in Wyoming, MI seeks volunteers from CFCRC to help lead a four session Basic Chris anity discipleship training course, for people in the church's neighborhood who want such an experience. Each small group would have co-leaders from CFCRC and Community. For more informa on about this service and growth opportunity contact Dick H, Amy ds, or Doug VB.
Missions At Cascade Fellowship: Introducing
Council Clips Administra ve Board Mee ng Date: February 10, 2015 Finance Report: a. January giving: $ b. This month s expenditures are below budget c. 2015 expenditures are budgeted 3.2% above giving received in 2014. Chris an School Tui on Assistance: team working on applica on process for 2015-16; if current giving con nues, a surplus may be available to put towards next year Building & Grounds: Long Range Facili es Planning Team dissolved Sabba cal Policy: M/S/A; send to full council Youth: update on visioning team, Youth Director posi on Impaired Venue Communica on: Admin board to work on formal policy Coffee: M/S/A to purchase new 3 gallon coffee makers Ministering Elders Mee ng Date: January 20, 2015 Membership: the membership of Phil & Trudy E was received and approved Reports from Pastors and staff received and discussed; MEs are tremendously grateful for the final giving count. Praise God! Youth Ministries: began assessing our vision, needs, and goals for the posi on of Youth Director Missions Support reviewed and discussed update on mission trip to Hai Community Bible Experience: scheduled for February, March; designed as a series augmented by small group discussions Biologos: Dr. Ruth Bancewicz, God in the Lab, scheduled for March 18 Care for Members: discussed part of Care Group #1, to resume in February; also discussed visits with other members Mee ng Date: February 17, 2015 Membership: Discover Cascade to be held in March: 1st, 8th, 22nd, and 29th. Shoots classes on March 4th and 8th. Mee ngs scheduled with new members. Reports from Pastors and Staff received and discussed (included Youth Ministry posi on, Sabba cal Policy, and Nomina on Team updates) Summer Sermon Series: Expository series based on Gala ans being considered Spring Hill and BioLogos Planning underway Missions Team: Mission Support Team hos ng lunch March 1 for young CFCRC adults interested in career cross-cultural mission service Communion scheduled for Maundy Thursday. Bread vendor review has begun. Easter: services 8:30 and 10:30 AM Summer Service Times 8:45 AM and 10:30 AM was discussed. M, S, A to be presented to Full Council Care for Members discussed remainder of CG #1 and all of CG #2 Requested Announcements Ada Chris an School is hos ng an open house on March 11 from 10am 12am. Join us for a tour and see the many ways we foster wisdom through a Christ-centered educa on and community. For more informa on, please call: 616-676-0254 (3 s, 4 s, and Young 5 s) 616-676-1289 (K-8) Job Opportuni es: Safe Haven Ministries is seeking a Building Maintenance Coordinator. Interested applicants should complete Safe Haven s employment applica on found on our website at www.safehavenministries.org/employment. Chris an Schools Interna onal has two openings in the Employee Benefits Department.: Half- me posi on administering the dayto-day ac vi es of the school pension plan, and Full- me posi on as administra ve assistant to the Vice-President. For more informa on, please contact Howard Van Mersbergen at hvanmersbergen@csionline.org. Compassion without Compromise: Caledonia Chris an Reformed Church invites you to a end two special presenta ons providing loving, Biblical answers on the issue of homosexuality Sunday, March 1, & March 8 at 5:00PM. Pastor Adam Barr and Pastor Ron Citlau, co-authors of COMPASSION WITHOUT COMPROMISE: How the Gospel Frees Us to Love our Gay Friends, combine Biblical answers with prac cal, real world advice on how to discuss the issue with people you care about. Support for Caregivers: Are you a caregiver caring for a loved one at home? Are you lonely, struggling, or in need of support and encouragement? We provide educa on on community resources, emo onal support, and companionship for the caregiver journey. Group meets the second Tuesday of each month, 10-11:30am, at SarahCare Adult Day Center, 2211 E. Beltline NE, GR MI 49525. Register at 616.364.6800. Free care for your loved one is available during the mee ng (with registra on). Current medical informa on for loved one is required.
DEACONS KIOSK TREASURER S REPORT Month Received Monthly Gain/(Shortfall) Year-to-Date Gain/(Shortfall) December January SPECIAL OFFERINGS RECEIVED FOR JANUARY Growing with the Lord Building Fund Faith Promise Rafiki Foundation (Youth Offering) Christian School Tuition Assistance Sharing Fund External Ministries MARCH OFFERING SCHEDULE FIRST OFFERING The first offering collected each Sunday morning is for Cascade Ministries. These funds are directed towards church budget expenses such as utilities, salaries, and ministry expenses. In addition, a portion of this offering supports the $316.76 per adult member assessment the CRC denomination asks each church to contribute through Ministry Shares to the denomination s shared ministry efforts (including Back to God Hour, Calvin College & Seminary, Faith Alive, Home Missions, and Specialized Ministries). SECOND OFFERING The second offering collected each Sunday morning supports various ministries inside and outside our church. Our service deacons carefully choose these ministries each month. They are identified and described below. Date Special Ministry External Ministries Fund Sunday March 1 Sunday March 8 Sunday March 15 Sunday March 22 Sunday March 29 Faith Promise Missions Fund supports the mission efforts of our church both in support of our missionaries and for short-term mission projects. The Growing with the Lord Building Fund supports the completed building project. Calvin Seminary educates and trains leaders in the Christian Reformed Church, equipping students through a Reformed approach to minister to people today. The Sharing Fund allows deacons to provide direct financial assistance for benevolent and emergency needs to those in our congregation and community. Community Bible Experience offers churches a new way to read Scripture, reading the Bible as a story and encouraging small group discussions. Our External Ministries Fund supports 8 ministries chosen annually by the Service Deacons. This year funds collected will be equally divided and distributed to the following organizations: ACCESS 6 ACCESS of West Michigan Bethany Christian Services Criminal Justice Chaplaincy Health Intervention Services Mel Trotter Ministries Wedgwood Christian Services World Renew (formerly CRWRC) Use your weekly giving envelopes (write in EMF) or one of the blue envelopes provided in the pews. Give any time throughout the year. Christian School Tuition Assistance Fund Update 2014-2015 Tuition Assistance Cascade Fellowship has committed to assisting 9 families to send 19 children to Christian schools this year. Thank you for your loving support! 2014-2015 School Year Total Assistance Needed: $ Total Met: $ Collected in December: $ Collected in January: $ Applying for Tuition Assistance for 2015-16 Christian school aid forms are available on our church website under Communications/Forms for families seeking tuition assistance for the 2015-2016 school year. No charge to apply, but families must be members of Cascade Fellowship to qualify for assistance. Forms must be sent to PSAS by April 1. The Christian School Tuition Assistance team will notify parents of recommended support in May. If you have questions or would like an application emailed to you, contact Ken B.
Focus on Missions: Challenges in Faith Rachel T I traveled to Costa Rica January 8-16, 2015, with the women s soccer team at Trinity Chris an College. We partnered with the organiza on SCORE Interna onal. During this trip we used soccer as a tool to share the Gospel and reach children and teens in various communi es. My heart yearns to travel and serve around the world. In previous trips, my focus was on how I could be a blessing to the people I come in contact with. Yes, this is a great mindset to go with, but for me this trip was a li le bit different. I had a great week leading soccer camps, playing with kids in a Children s Home, fellowshipping with women in a single women s ministry, hearing tes monies, and spending alone me with the Lord. But for some reason by the last day, I felt confused and numb to how I felt about the trip. I thought I was supposed to feel a certain way, and I wasn t feeling that. I talked with a member of the coaching staff about what I hoped to gain from the trip or what I learned from this experience. Quietly I sat there and thought about the past week. It wasn t my first experience with absolute poverty, or children with no shoes or clean water, so I didn t feel that impacted me as much as previous trips. The one thing that stuck out in my mind was the quiet me I spent with the Lord every morning. This was the me of the day I felt most at peace, confident, and so in love with the Lord. That me energized me and prepared my heart for the day of service. I told my coach that I wanted to challenge myself to con nue doing this even when we returned to the States. Sadly, it was the first me a er a mission trip I have ever challenged myself to do that. When we returned home from Costa Rica, my faith was immediately challenged. I was put in a situa on where I had to make a conscious decision to uphold my faith or choose not to do something which contradicted my beliefs. Without hesita on I chose to defend what I believe and my faith in God. I thought by making this choice the outcome and result would be easy, but I was wrong. Backlash from the people that my decision impacted a acked my beliefs, character, and faith. If I chose my faith, why were people a acking me? Why was it so hard? I thought I made the right decision. I dove into the Word, spending me daily with Jesus, journaling and praying. Days passed and I realized I was finally doing what I challenged myself to do in Costa Rica. It took something so hard to get on my knees and surrender to the only One who could make sense of my pain. Costa Rica may not have impacted my life in the way you may have expected, but it sure challenged me and helped me realize the importance of my faith. The Lord orchestrated the past month and a half perfectly. He knew that it was only through Costa Rica that I would realize the significance of having a rela onship with Him; so when I faced a vital decision, I would ul mately choose Him. Since I ve been home I con nually look forward to spending me in the Word, journaling, and in prayer. Although I was hurt by the cri cisms of others regarding my decision, it made me fall farther to the ground in surrender to the Lord. So today my heart not only remembers the people I met in Costa Rica and the experiences I had, the pain and the hurt since I returned, but how much I am in love with my Savior. He has my heart more than ever before.