Announcements for 10-12-25

Our Operation Christmas Child Party is just a couple weeks away! Did you know that the shoebox is just the beginning? Before kids receive their boxes, the Gospel is shared with them.  After boxes are distributed, kids who have made decisions to follow Christ are given the opportunity to go through a 12-week Discipleship Class called "The Greatest Journey." Taught by trained ministry leaders, kids learn how to evangelize in their own families and communities. It is truly the multiplication effect! One box has the ability to reach about 10 people with the Good News!

Kids Grades K - 6th (Cherub Choir)

We have an opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus by singing songs to the residents and staff at Premier Estates and Lyon Specialty Care on Sunday, October 12. We will meet at the church at 3:00 pm (north parking lot) and anticipate to be done around 4:30. We are also in need of adult drivers to transport the children to these two facilities. If you are willing to be a driver, please contact Amy Schulte or Sharon Postma

*Family Devotional books that follow our Sunday School lessons are available on the table in the Gathering Space. These are available to anyone who is interested.

~REGISTER FOR A HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME! Tri-State Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) is accepting applications for the upcoming weekend at the First Presbyterian Church in Sibley, Iowa. TEC is an interdenominational three-day Christian retreat designed to help high schoolers learn more about their faith and their community. The next TEC is November 21-23, 2025. If you would like to learn more about TEC or register, please visit www.TriStateTEC.org or email TriStateTEC@gmail.com. The cost is $50 and includes a t-shirt & other special gifts. Scholarships are available upon request.

Bethel Women’s Conference 2025

Discover the beauty of letting go and embracing who you were truly made to be - it's a journey worth taking.

Date and time:

Saturday, October 25 · 9am - 12:30pm CDT. Doors at 8:15am 

Location:

Bethel Reformed Church, 2314 Iowa 9 Lester, IA 51242             

 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-beauty-of-a-surrendered-life-created-in-his-image-for-his-glory-tickets-1474982645799?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

The October 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 on Fridays at 9am. Thanks** 

Club 512 Volunteers for 10-15-25

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

                   Maddie Van Der Weerd                        Jaxson Pytleski                                    Leo Groen

                          Jayda Pytleski                                     Brady Kirch                                      Jayden Daale

                     Ashlyn Timmerman                             Thane Jansma                                 Liam VanderZee

Club 512 Snack helpers:  Peggy Metzger & Bonnie Nail 

Midweek Meal Helpers: Glenda Hellenga, Rachel Eckenrod, Geneva Grooters, Rachelle Johnsen, Audra K. 

Nursing Home Chaperone: 

FRC friends- A sincere thank you to all for meals, visits, gifts cards and most importantly your prayers. Because of those prayers, I have recovered wonderfully from the surgery that took place on 9/11. A special Thank you to Bonnie H., Amy and Pastor Steve for their visits. I ask for your continued prayer and support as this journey continues this coming week with the start of chemo and radiation treatments. I especially ask that you pray for strength, courage and peace for my family during this difficult time as they process what lies ahead. ~Romans 12:9- Cling to what is good. Jeff Hrdlicka

“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good“- Romans 12:9

Our prayer concerns….                                                                                                                                      

Jan Spyksma (healing after knee replacement)

Jeff Hrdicka                                                                        Merlin Groen

Betty Vanden Heuvel                                                        Rod Grooters                                      Alice Feikema  (Hospice)                                                   JoAnn Douglas

Karen Flier                                                                          Twilla Hoekstra 

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) 

Mandie Sprock (Marilyn Mammenga’s daughter)                       

Russ Carver (Rachelle Johnsen’s dad)

Birthday & Anniversary List (if you’d like a copy, please see church office)

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

Pearl Folkens                                                                  Wilma DeRoo                                        JoEllen Sorgdrager                                           

Ruth Van Aartsen                                                             Joyce Mellema                                    Darlene Brinkhuis

Donna Kwikkel                                                                 Harriet Hoff                                        Alice Feikema                                                                                          

Addresses available upon request at church office

The Sanctuary will be open for Prayer on Wednesday from 12-2

Church and area happenings:

FIRST REFORMED CHURCH
 WORSHIP SERVICE 
 October 12, 2025 at 9:30am 

Prelude

WE APPROACH GOD

Welcome /Announcements/ Prayer

Children’s Message: Dustin Rodger

Mission Minute: Grace Reigns

Hymn: “I Have Decided To Follow Jesus” #376

Hymn: “Amazing Grace” #202, v. 1-5

Congregational Prayer

Offering Hymn “Just As I Am” #342, v. 1-5

(offering plates will be passed)

“Doxology” #625

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD

Scripture: Luke 15: 11-32

Sermon: The Prodigal Sons

WE RESPOND TO GOD

Closing Hymn: “Seek Ye First” #42, v. 1-3

Benediction

Sending Hymn: “The Family Of God” #282, v. 1

(6^th Grade and below may be excused for Sunday School)

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

 Serving us this week 10-12-25

DOOR GREETERS- (N) Mike & Ethanie Pulscher (S) Tait & Emly Anderson (SE) Tom & Kayla Vander Lee

NURSERY- Alexis Lincecum & Ashlyn Timmerman

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Girls League (Cinnamon Rolls for free will donation)

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Girls League

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- Geneva Grooters

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- Sheryl Bouwman

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR- Tara Bouwman

SOUND SYSTEM- Brad Rypkema

VIDEO TAPING- Justin Groen

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Mali Kellenberger

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Shannon Rodger

VAN DRIVER- Shawn Van Wyhe

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- General Fund

 Serving us this week 10-19-25

DOOR GREETERS- (N) Judy Netten & Merlin DeJong (S) Wayne & Geneva Grooters (SE) Marlene Bowers &          

Julius Damstra

NURSERY- Wendy & Caitlin Huisman

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Men’s Ministry (Monkey Bread for free will donation)

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)-  Men’s Ministry

CHILDREN & WORSHIP:  Leader: Ashley Rypkema          Greeter: Taylor Rypkema

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- Dwayne Postma

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- Julia Bryngelson

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR- Lindsey Anderson

SOUND SYSTEM- Sawyer Hrdlicka

VIDEO TAPING- Breyden Dieren

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Elise Kahl

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Kristi Metzger

VAN DRIVER- Mike Klarenbeek

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- Benevolent Fund

ELDERS

Chris Wright, Clerk-2023-25

Sharon Postma, VP-2023-25

Nate Schulte -2024-26

Randy Bosch-2024-26

Joel Vis- 2025-27

Rodney Vanden Top- 2025-27

DEACONS

Rob Van Hofwegen, Property Chair-2023-25

Justin Groen -2023-25 

Mark Boender-2023-25

Shawn Van Wyhe, Benevolent Treas. -2024-26

Jordan Menning, Chair of Deacons -2024-26

Evan Metzger, General Treas./ Personnel chair-2024-26

Kade Griesse, Clerk of Deacons- 2025-27

Brad Rypkema-2025-27

Jerry Mulder- 2025-27

FINANCIALS as of 10-5-2025 

                               Last Sunday                         YTD Offerings                         YTD Budget

General Fund:         $5,149.80                             $434,729.85                         $527,356.00

Benevolent Fund:  $23,492.00                            $180,286.20                         $154,568.00

                                       *Online donations are now added to designated funds*                    

Sunday School 10-5-25

                               Last Year’s Attendance: 105                           Last Week’s Attendance: 103

                               Last Year’s Offering: $76.00                            Last Week’s Offering: $84.00

Upcoming Events

SUNDAY 10-12-25:

9am Evangelism Committee Meeting (Connections Room)

Sunday School Lesson: Lesson 35: Sodom and Gomorrah 

5pm Women’s Bible Study (Martha Room)

MONDAY 10-13-25:

12pm Quarterback Club (Fellowship Hall)

TUESDAY 10-14-25: 

6pm Night Mom Co. 9 (Fellowship Hall)

WEDNESDAY 10-15-25:

6am Men’s Bible Study (Martha Room)

9-11am Mom Co. (Fellowship Hall)

12-2pm Prayer Time (Sanctuary)

2:30pm-5pm Club 512 

5pm-6:15pm Midweek Meal *Lasagna*

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

8pm Sr. High Youth Group (Youth Room)

THURSDAY 10-16-25: 

5-8pm Football Team meal (Fellowship Hall)

FRIDAY 10-17-25:

8am Men’s Bible Study (Martha Room)

SATURDAY 10-18-25:                                                                             

SUNDAY 10-19-25:

Sunday School Lesson: Lesson 36: God’s Covenant with Abraham

5pm Women’s Bible Study (Martha Room)

The Prodigal Sons                 Luke 15:11-32 

Intro: What is the Purpose of Parables?  Draw his disciples into a deeper relationship.

1. Two Distinct Audiences
1. Sinners and Tax Collectors

1. Pharisees and Teachers of the Law

1. Younger Son (Tax Collectors and Sinners)
1. Wants His Inheritance

1. Father’s Response (Unexpected)

1. Wild Living, Regret, Repentance
1. More you remove yourself from the Father, the more confused you are about your purpose and identity. ((I am no longer your son.”)

1. Father’s Response 

1. Sprints to meet His Son (Kezazah Ceremony)
2. Claimed him as his Son

1. Older Son (Pharisees and Teachers of the Law)
1. Stays and does the “Right” Things

1. Anger towards his father’s actions

1. Doesn’t know the heart of the Father.
2. Complaint: “I earned it, He has not.”

1. Father’s Response: Invitation to join the Party 
1. Deeper Relationship with the father and the younger son. 
2. Humility vs Pride

God invites us but does not force us into a deeper relationship with Him.

Union with God requires humility.