Announcements for 11-9-25

The following have been nominated for the positions of Elder and Deacon for 2026  

Elder nominees: Matt Kock, Bob Tilstra, JD Hommes, & Ken Leuthold

Deacon nominees: Dustin Bosch, Eric Hartter, Lucas Bouwman, Mike Pulscher, Kyle Grooters, Braeden Schulte & Kris Krull

*If anyone has evidence of any Biblical grounds that any of these persons should not be on Consistory, please inform one of the Elders.

The November 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** 

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“…to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”- Ephesians 3:21

Our prayer concerns….                                                                                                                                      

Jeff Hrdicka (radiation & chemo treatments)                       

Merlin Groen

Betty Vanden Heuvel                                                       

Rod Grooters                                                                                           

Alice Feikema  (Hospice)                                                  

JoAnn Douglas

Karen Flier                                                                     

Twilla Hoekstra (Fellowship Village-Inwood)

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)

~Congratulations to Kade & Kiya Griesse on the birth of their new baby girl, Hazel Kay who was born this past Monday

~Asking for prayers for our Grandson, Greyson Austin, 23, who will be having Thyroid Cancer surgery to remove it on Thursday, November 13, at Mayo. Physicians have said it can be curable. This our prayer. We continue to appreciate your prayers for Greyson and thank you from our hearts. ~The Family of Greyson Austin                                                                                                                               

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                             Donna Kwikkel             Harriet Hoff                                       Alice Feikema                                                   

Addresses available upon request at church office

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~Surviving the Holidays (a one-night grief seminar)

November 24^th @ 6:30pm- everyone is welcome

(if you have any questions, please contact Amy Ryals)

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

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: On November 16, 2025 we will be hosting our annual Volunteer Fair. Prayerfully consider where you will serve in 2026! See the list and descriptions of volunteers needed in the November edition of “THE BRIDGE”. Registration time: November 16-23 in the gathering space. 

~2025 General and benevolent budgets have been placed in mailboxes and sent out. Copies of the budget are available at the church office if you didn’t receive one. We will hold a budget meeting on November 16^th from 10:45am-11:45am in the sanctuary. Thanks ~FRC Deacons

Club 512 Volunteers for 11-12-25

Games:                

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

Maddie Van Der Weerd                 Jaxson Pytleski                                    Ellie Hoefert

Taylor Rypkema                                 Brady Kirch                                    Ayda VanderZee

 Jayda Pytleski                                  Thane Jansma                                    Ellea Pulscher

Ashlyn Timmerman                                                                                           

Club 512 Snack helpers: Heather Heimensen & Bonnie Nail

Midweek Meal Helpers: Glenda Hellenga, ReNae Leuthold, Jen Lincecum, Kay Wynia & Geneva Grooters

Nursing Home Chaperone: Geneva Grooters

Church and area happenings:

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

Prelude: “Gratitude”

WE APPROACH GOD

Welcome /Announcements/ Prayer

Mission Minute: Operation Christmas Child

Praise Service:

“My Lighthouse”

“Goodness Of God”

Congregational Prayer

Offering Hymn: “Abide”

(offering plates will be passed)

“Doxology” #625

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD

Scripture: Luke 14: 15-24

Sermon: Parable of the Great Banquet

WE RESPOND TO GOD

Closing Hymn: “How Great Thou Art”

Benediction

Sending Hymn: “How Great Thou Art”

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

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

Serving us today 11-9-25

DOOR GREETERS- (N) Chris & Jen Lincecum (S) Greg & Sherri DeJong (SE) Dalton & Kenzie Skidmore

NURSERY- Nathan & Ashley Kruse

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

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)-  Girls League

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- Dwayne Postma 

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- Chelsea Hunt

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR- Dayna Altman

SOUND SYSTEM- Brad Rypkema

VIDEO TAPING- Justin Groen

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Mali Kellenberger

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Kiya Griesse

VAN DRIVER- Ruben Fick

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- General Fund

 Serving us next week 11-16-25

DOOR GREETERS- (N) Rich & Denise Roskam (S) Curt & Hedy Kruger (SE) Curt & Sandy Wynia

NURSERY- Aubrey Kirch, Brielle VanderLee & Danielle Grooters

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Men’s Ministry (Monkey bread for freewill donation)

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)-  Men’s Ministry

CHILDREN & WORSHIP:  Leader: Taylor Bosch         Greeter: Ashlyn & Brooklyn Timmerman 

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- Jerry Pytleski

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- Karol Hanson

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR- Tara Bouwman

SOUND SYSTEM- Sawyer Hrdlicka

VIDEO TAPING- Breyden Dieren

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Elise Kahl

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Shannon Rodger

VAN DRIVER- Lucas Bouwman

*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 11-2-2025                                                        

                             Last Sunday                      YTD Offerings                     YTD Budget

General Fund:      $7,098.80                          $480,364.24                      $580,091.60

Benevolent Fund:  $7,281.00                         $193,124.20                         $170,024.80

Sunday School 11-2-25

                      Last Year’s Attendance: 112                           Last Week’s Attendance: 101

                      Last Year’s Offering: $117.00                          Last Week’s Offering: $72.50

Upcoming Events  

SUNDAY 11-9-25:

9am Evangelism Committee Meeting (Connections Room)

Sunday School Lesson: Lesson 38: Abraham’s Test

11-1pm Ukraine Drop off sight (South church parking lot)

MONDAY 11-10-25:

TUESDAY 11-11-25: 

6pm Night Mom Co. (Fellowship Hall)

WEDNESDAY 11-12-25:

8:30am Staff Meeting (Martha Room)

9:30am Joy Circle (Rm 105)

12-2pm Prayer Time (Sanctuary)

2:30pm-5pm Club 512 

No Midweek meal *Catholic Church Soup Supper*

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

8pm Sr. High Youth Group (Youth Room)

THURSDAY 11-13-25:                                                                                   

6:30pm Peace Circle (Martha Room)

FRIDAY 11-14-25:   

SATURDAY 11-15-25:      

SUNDAY 11-16-25:     

Sunday School Lesson: Lesson 39: A Bride for Issac  

9:30am Congregational Meeting  

9:30am Communion

10:45am Budget Meeting (Sanctuary)

11:30am All Church Potluck (Fellowship Hall)

11/9/2025          Parable of the Great Banquet              Luke 14:15-24

Intro: Setting the Scene Luke 14:1-14

• Sabbath Setup

• Jesus Makes Observations of the Sabbath Feast.
• Jesus Teaches them, but they just don't get it.

"Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast of the Kingdom of God."

1. Parable of the Great banquet
1. Invitation goes out to Friends, Family, Neighbors
1. Feast is Ready
1. Excuses

1. Instructions to Bring in the poor, crippled, lame (Still Room)

1. Instructions to bring everyone else.

1. Parable Explained
1. Initial Invitation went out to Israel through the Prophets
1. Get Ready, look for the Messiah to initiate the Kingdom of God

1. Announcement, "All things are ready"
1. Luke 4
1. Signs and Wonders

1. Excuses
1. Seinfeld: Politely saying "No"

1. Invitation to the marginalized Jew; outcasts, poor, possessed, etc.

1. Invitation to all Gentiles
1. Great Commission
1. Samaritan Woman

Ill.         Warning to those familiar with Jesus

a. All are invited, but you must accept the invitation!