Announcements for 1-4-26

“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”-John 10:10b

Our prayer concerns….                                                                                                                                          

Scott Hunt

Jeff Hrdicka                                                                                        

Merlin Groen

Betty Vanden Heuvel                                                       

Rod Grooters                                                                                           

Alice Feikema  (Hospice)                                                  

JoAnn Douglas

Janice Den Besten                                                           

Greyson Austin (Marlene Mellema’s grandson)

Ron & Cathy Birkeland                                                         

Todd Altman (Jack & Esther Altman’s son)            

Kathy Van Olst                                                                      

Bill Saeger (Jackie Groen’s brother)                                              

Kathleen Jacobsma (Brenda Vanden Top & Barb Tilstra’s mom)

Russ Carver (Rachelle Johnsen’s dad)

Kathleen Jacobsma(Brenda Vanden Top & Barb Tilstra’s mom) 

~Welcome baby Jordyn to Kaitlin and Matt Buntjer

Remembering our Nursing Home, Assisted Living & Senior Living Residents:

(addresses are available by request)

Pearl Folkens                                   Wilma DeRoo                     JoEllen Sorgdrager            Ruth Van Aartsen                           Joyce Mellema                     Alice Feikema                      Harriet Hoff                                 Arnie & Donna Kwikkel            Marlene Flier

• Our sympathies to Julie DeRuyter and family on the passing of her dad, Jake Van Voorst

• ~We would like to thank all the carolers who came to our home to sing to us on December the 14^th. ~Art & Roberta Flier
• ~Thank you for your prayers and expressions of sympathy following the death of my sister, Marlys Brink. Thank you also to our care elders, Fred and Sharon Tilstra.  -MarJean Stubbe and family 
• Our family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone for the cards, calls, texts, prayers, and expressions of sympathy during the loss of our dad and grandpa. Your kindness, love, and support have meant more to us than words can say and have been a great comfort during this difficult time. ~ Dan & Deb Kruse, Dan & Rhona Snyder and Garrett & Carly Sayler

• From Chuck Hoekstra and family: With deep gratitude, I want to thank our church family for the many expressions of love shown during my wife’s passing, with a special mention to The Cranes, our Care Elders, Peace Circle, Pastor Steve and Pastor Amy. Your prayers, cards, kind words, visits, and the meals that were so generously provided have been a great comfort to me and to our family. In a season of profound loss, you have been a tangible reminder of God’s care through His people. Thank you for walking with us, bearing this burden alongside us, and surrounding us with Christ’s compassion and hope

*Save the Date- Sunday, January 18, 2026 4:00

Women’s Ministry invites you to a Sanctity of Life speaker event at First Reformed Church.

Club 512 Volunteers for 1-7-26

Games:                1^st & 2^nd                         3^rd&4^th                                   5^th&6^th 

                    Maddie VandeWeerd         Jaxson Pytleski                   Ellie Hoefert 

                        Anika Springer                  Brady Kirch                       Ayda Vander Zee

                         Rhya Kelderman              Thane Jansma                    Ellea Pulscher 

                           Jayda Pytleski                                                 

Club 512 Snack helpers:  Peggy Metzger & Debbie Crane    

Midweek Meal Helpers: Glenda Hellenga, Randy Bosch, Jean Fick, Jill Jansma, & Kellie Menning

Nursing Home Chaperone: 

The January 2026 Bridge Newsletter is now available in the clear boxes next to the mailboxes it will no longer be available on online, so please visit the church to pick up a copy.

Secretary’s office hours: ~ Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9-1                                                      

**Bulletin announcements are due Fridays by 9am* 

Church and area happenings: 

FIRST REFORMED CHURCH
 WORSHIP SERVICE 
 January 4, 2026 at 9:30am 

Prelude: “Days Of Elijah”

WE APPROACH GOD

Welcome /Announcements/ Prayer

Welcome New Members: Corey & Heather Heimensen and Ryan Stroeh

Children’s Message

Praise Service:

“House Of The Lord”

“Battle Belongs”

Congregational Prayer

Offertory Hymn: “Living Hope”

Doxology

(Children and Worship may be dismissed)

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD

Scripture: Psalm 42

Sermon: What’s the Difference?

WE RESPOND TO GOD

Closing Hymn: “It Is Well With My Soul”

Benediction

Sending Hymn: “It Is Well With My Soul”

Mission statement: “TO SHARE THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS!”

 Serving us today 1-4-26

DOOR GREETERS- (N) John & Peggy Metzger (S) Cody & Jen Hoefert (SE) Shawn & Heather Van Wyhe

NURSERY- Elliet Kelderman & Jersie Klarenbeek

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Dusty & Ivy Ramsey

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Heath & Wendy Huisman

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- Jerry Pytleski

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- Ivy Ramsey

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR- Lindsey Anderson

SOUND SYSTEM- Brad Rypkema

VIDEO TAPING- Randy Bosch

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Mali Kellenberger

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Shannon Rodger

VAN DRIVER- Shawn Van Wyhe

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- Benevolent Fund

 Serving us next week 1-11-26

DOOR GREETERS- (N) Greg & Sherri DeJong (S) Jordan & Kellie Menning (SE) Dwayne & Sharon Postma

NURSERY- Brody & Gable Hartter and Whitney VV

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Girls League (cinnamon rolls for free will donation)

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)-  Girls League 

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- Lisa VandeStouwe

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- Mary Hoogers

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR- Danielle Hrdlicka

SOUND SYSTEM- Matt Kock

VIDEO TAPING- Justin Groen

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Caitlin Huisman

MEDICAL ASSISTANT-Scott Hunt

VAN DRIVER- Mike Klarenbeek

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- General Fund

ELDERS

Nate Schulte -2024-26

Randy Bosch, VP-2024-26

Joel Vis, Clerk- 2025-27

Rodney Vanden Top- 2025-27

JD Hommes- 2026-28

DEACONS

Shawn Van Wyhe, Benevolent Treas. -2024-26

Jordan Menning -2024-26

Evan Metzger, General Treas./ Property Chair-2024-26

Kade Griesse, Chair of Deacons- 2025-27

Brad Rypkema-2025-27

Jerry Mulder- 2025-27

Breyden Schulte-2026-28

Mike Pulscher, Clerk-2026-28

Kyle Grooters-2026-28

FINANCIALS as of 12-31-2025                                                                                                                                                                        

                              Last Sunday                      YTD Offerings                     YTD Budget

General Fund:       $43098.30                       $642,577.43                         $685,562.80

Benevolent Fund:  $5025.00                         $220,417.50                         $200,938.40

Sunday School 12-28-25

                Last Year’s Attendance: N/A                          Last Week’s Attendance: N/A

                  Last Year’s Offering: N/A                                Last Week’s Offering: N/A

Upcoming Events  

SUNDAY 1-4-26:

10:45am Sunday School Resumes: Lesson 43: Jacob’s Family Grows

MONDAY 1-5-26:

TUESDAY 1-6-26: 

7pm Faith Circle (Martha Room)

WEDNESDAY 1-7-26:

9-11am Mom Co. (Fellowship Hall)

2:30pm Club 512

5-6:15pm Midweek Meal (Roast Beef)

5:30pm Mary Spirit Bible Study (Martha Room)

6:15-7:30pm Jr. High Youth Group (Youth Room)

8-9pm Sr. High Youth Group (Youth Room)

THURSDAY 1-8-26:      

6:30pm Peace Circle (Meeting at Cheryl Hulstein’s home)

FRIDAY 1-9-26:   

8am Men’s Bible Study (Martha Room)

SATURDAY 1-10-26:    

SUNDAY 1-11-26:     

9am Evangelism Committee Meeting (Connections Room)

10:45am Sunday School: Lesson 44: Jacob returns to Canaan

10:45-11:30am New Member Class

2pm TEC Council Meeting (Youth Room)

1/4/2026                            What’s the Difference?                             Psalm 42

Intro: What is our deepest Longing/Desire?

1. Created to be in Relationship
   1. God

1. God’s People

1. Sin Problem
   1. Separated us from God
      1. God gave us Jesus

1. Separated us from One Another
   1. God gives us the church

1. Corrupted all of Creation
   1. Sin and Brokenness still exist

1. Psalm 42 Believers in a Broken and Sinful World
   1. Current Human Experience
      1. Pursuit of Happiness, Pain, Sorrow, Grief, Struggle, Trial, Death
         1. Mental, Emotional, Physical, and Spiritual 

1. Mocking from the World
   1. Where is your God? (What is the Difference?)

1. What should we do?
   1. Cry out to God
      1. Honest, Unedited, Raw

1. Remind yourself of God’s Promises, Character, and Love

1. Cling to Him for your life.