“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”- 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Our prayer concerns….                                                                                                                                      

Marlene Flier (in RR- Avera swing bed)                           

Jeff Hrdicka                                                                                        

Merlin Groen

Betty Vanden Heuvel                                                       

Rod Grooters                                                                                           

Alice Feikema  (Hospice)                                                  

JoAnn Douglas

Karen Flier                                                                     

Twilla Hoekstra (Fellowship Village-Inwood-Hospice)

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)

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

*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                                  Alice Feikema                           Donna Kwikkel (moved to Onawa, IA- address available upon request)                               Harriet Hoff     

Addresses available upon request at church office

Christmas Caroling

We will be caroling the afternoon of December 14. The commitment is only for a couple of hours but has a lasting impact. This is such a meaningful experience for the people we carol to and for those who are caroling. There will be a time of fellowship with others afterwards while we enjoy sandwiches and goodies. How can you help? We need:

• Carolers – all ages are welcome!
• Homemade Christmas cookies as we would like to also give a little goodie plate to the people we are caroling to
• Help provide sandwiches / goodies for the carolers when they are done
• People to help organize this event (to call the people we will sing to, plan the routes and groups, help with setup/serving the sandwiches/goodies for the carolers)

If you know of anyone who would love to be caroled to or if you are willing to participate in any way, please contact the church office or Sharon Postma at 712-470-0533.

The December 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* 

Club 512 Volunteers for 12-3-25

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

   Lily Jurrens                                   Thane Jansma                                      Ellea Pulscher 

   Taylor Rypkema               

Club 512 Snack helpers:  Bonnie Nail & Doris Schneidermann     

Midweek Meal Helpers: Glenda Hellenga, Randy Bosch, Rachel Eckenrod, Jill Jansma & ReNae Leuthold

Nursing Home Chaperone: Steve Crane

Church and area happenings:

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

Prelude: “Blessed Be Your Name”

WE APPROACH GOD

Welcome /Announcements/ Prayer

Lighting of the Advent Candle: Luke & Emily Grooters

Praise Service:

“Holy Forever”

“What A Beautiful Name”

Congregational Prayer

Offering Hymn: “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus”

(offering plates will be passed)

“Doxology” #625

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD

Scripture: Isaiah 9: 2, 6-7

Sermon: Hope

Profession of Faith: Emory & Alexis Lincecum, Ashlyn Timmerman

WE RESPOND TO GOD

Closing Hymn: “Go Tell It On The Mountain” 

Benediction

Sending Hymn: “Go Tell It On The Mountain”

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

Serving us today 11-30-25

DOOR GREETERS- (N) Dale & Jill Jansma (S) Marcus & Kristi Kahl (SE) Gary & Karen Van Wyhe

NURSERY- Jarod & Emily DeBey

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Chris & Jen Lincecum

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)-  JD & Lesa Hommes

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- 

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- Rachelle Johnsen

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR- Tara Bouwman

SOUND SYSTEM- Brad Rypkema

VIDEO TAPING- Dave Hulstein

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Brett Dieren

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Jean Fick

VAN DRIVER- Mike Klarenbeek

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- General Fund

Serving us next week 12-7-25 

DOOR GREETERS- (N) Dusty & Ivy Ramsey (S) Colin & Rachelle Johnsen (SE) Tom & Sheryl Bouwman

NURSERY- Brooklyn & Ashlyn Timmerman

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Steve & Debbie Crane

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)-  Ken & ReNae Leuthold

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- 

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- Cori Klarenbeek

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR- Dayna Altman

SOUND SYSTEM- Valerie Lenderink

VIDEO TAPING- Randy Bosch 

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Lily Jurrens

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Kristi Metzger

VAN DRIVER- Jeff Jager

*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 11-23-2025 

                                Last Sunday                      YTD Offerings                     YTD Budget

General Fund:         $11,721.30                           $530,592.72                         $619,643.30

Benevolent Fund:  $285.00                              $200,407.50                         $181,617.40

Sunday School 11-23-25

             Last Year’s Attendance: 118                           Last Week’s Attendance: 107

             Last Year’s Offering: $89.00                          Last Week’s Offering: $64.00

Upcoming Events  

SUNDAY 11-30-25:

Sunday School Lesson: Lesson 41: Esau Sells His Birthright

10:45am Sunday School Christmas Program practice

5-7pm Girls League (Youth Room)

MONDAY 12-1-25:

TUESDAY 12-2-25: 

7pm Faith Circle (Martha Room)

WEDNESDAY 12-3-25:

9-11am Mom Co. (Fellowship Hall)

12-1pm Prayer Time (Sanctuary)

2:30pm Club 512

5-6:15pm Midweek Meal (Chili)

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

8pm Sr. High Youth Group (Youth Room)

THURSDAY 12-4-25:                                                                                   

FRIDAY 12-5-25:   

8am Men’s Bible Study (Martha Room)

SATURDAY 12-6-25:      

SUNDAY 12-7-25:     

Sunday School Lesson: Lesson 42: Jacob Steals the Blessing

4pm Sunday School Christmas Program (Sanctuary)

11/30/2025                                              Hope                                                Isaiah 9:2, 6-7

Intro: Advent Theme: Hope

1. We live in a Dark World
1. Israel at war, uncertain future

1. Today’s Culture
1. news, social media, disease, war, famine, inflation, etc.

1. Darkness: Hopelessness, Isolation, Loneliness, Fear, Anxiety, Unknown

Prophecy of Isaiah 9 Hope Foretold

1. Light Coming into the World
1. Light brings Hope, Peace, Truth

1. Jesus is the Hope of the World
1. John 1
2. Luke 1
3. John 3:16
4. Jesus brings Hope, Peace, Truth into a Dark World
1. Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace

Jesus is the Hope Fulfilled

1. What or Who is your Hope in?
1. Hope according to the World
1. Hope in ourselves: success, wealth, hard work, abilities
2. Hope in Others
3. Hope in Things

1. Hope in Jesus
1. Heb. 12:2
2. Growing closer to Jesus: Hope Grows
3. Drifting from Jesus: Hope Wanes

Hope For Today