Announcements for 12-7-25

“…whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, worthy of praise, think about these things.”-Philippians 4:8

~Our sympathies to Chuck Hoekstra and family on the passing of Twilla Hoekstra

~Our sympathies to Dan Kruse & Rhona Snyder on the passing of their dad, Dick Kruse

Our prayer concerns….                                                                                                                                          

Jeff Hrdicka                                                                                           Merlin Groen

Betty Vanden Heuvel                                                           

Rod Grooters                                                                                        Alice Feikema  (Hospice)                                                      

JoAnn Douglas

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

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) 

Russ Carver (Rachelle Johnsen’s dad)                                           

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

~Welcome baby Noah, born to Brady & Tiffany Blankespoor on November 29^th

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

Pearl Folkens                    Wilma DeRoo                 JoEllen Sorgdrager   

Ruth Van Aartsen             Joyce Mellema                 Alice Feikema                                     

Harriet Hoff                    Arnie & Donna Kwikkel     Marlene Flier

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Prayer Time in the Sanctuary- Wednesdays from 12-2 

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FRC Friends,  

Many thanks to all for meals, visits, cards and most importantly your prayers. Radiation treatments have been completed along with the first round of oral chemotherapy. We are thankful that side effects from the treatments were very minimal and that I have felt relatively good throughout the entire process. We now have a waiting period until the 2^nd week of January when an MRI will be done. We ask for prayers granting us peace and patience during this time an that we can fully enjoy and cherish the upcoming Holiday Season with our Family and Friends while keeping our Savior at the center of it all. 

~Romans 12: 9- Cling to what is good ~Jeff & Danielle Hrdlicka and Family.

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~Thank you to the Women’s Ministry for the lovely holiday planter. Mary Hoogers found the perfect spot to place it and it looks very festive by my front door. ~Betty Vanden Heuvel

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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* 

*South parking lot users: Please, park as far forward as possible in the designated stalls to help keep the drive-through lane clear. Thank you!

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.

Club 512 Volunteers for 12-10-25

Games:               

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

Maddie VandeWeerd                      Jonathon Kock                                      Leo Groen 

 Mali Kellenberger                        Lincoln Klosterbuer                            Liam Vander Zee

    Jayda Pytleski                                 Brody Buntjer                                      Jayden Daale  

 Ashlyn Timmerman                                                                                     Connor Altman

Club 512 Snack helpers:  Heather Heimensen & Peggy Metzger     

Midweek Meal Helpers: Audra Klinkenborg, Jen Lincecum, Kellie Menning, Amy Sieperda & Kay Wynia

Nursing Home Chaperone: Steve Crane

Church and area happenings: 

FIRST REFORMED CHURCH
 WORSHIP SERVICE 
 December 7, 2025 at 9:30am 

Prelude

WE APPROACH GOD

Welcome /Announcements/ Prayer

Ministry of Music: Cherub Choir

Lighting of the Advent Candle: Craig & Kay Wynia

Hymn: “Angels We Have Heard On High” #132, all

Hymn: “Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem” #141, all

Congregational Prayer

Offering Hymn: “O Come O Come All Emmanuel” #123, All

(offering plates will be passed)

“Doxology” #625

(Children and Worship may be excused)

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD

Scripture: Isaiah 40: 3-5

Sermon: Preparation

WE RESPOND TO GOD

Closing Hymn: “O Come All Ye Faithful” #145, all

Benediction

Sending Hymn: “O Come All Ye Faithful” #145, chorus only

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

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

Serving us today 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

 Serving us next week 12-14-25

DOOR GREETERS- (N) Jerry & Jill Pytleski (S) Nathan & Ashley Kruse (SE) Bruce & Rachel Eckenrod

NURSERY- Emelia Stiltz & Emily Grooters

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

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)-  Girls League

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- Fred Tilstra

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- Glenda Hellenga

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR- Tara Bouwman

SOUND SYSTEM- Sawyer Hrdlicka

VIDEO TAPING- Justin Groen

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Caitlin Huisman

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Brenda Van Hofwegen

VAN DRIVER- Dale Klarenbeek

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- General 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 11-30-2025   

                                  Last Sunday                      YTD Offerings                     YTD Budget

General Fund:         $10,310.35                           $540,903.07                         $632,827.20

Benevolent Fund:  $1,779.00                               $202,186.50                         $185,481.60

                                       *Online donations are now added to designated funds*          

Sunday School 11-30-25

                       Last Year’s Attendance: 118                           Last Week’s Attendance: 98

                       Last Year’s Offering: $89.00                           Last Week’s Offering: $74.00

Upcoming Events  

SUNDAY 12-7-25:

Sunday School Lesson: Lesson 42: Jacob Steals the Blessing

4pm Sunday School Christmas Program (Sanctuary)

MONDAY 12-8-25:

TUESDAY 12-9-25: 

6pm Night Mom Co. (Fellowship Hall)

WEDNESDAY 12-10-25:

8:30am Staff Meeting (Martha Room)

9:30am Joy Circle 

12-1pm Prayer Time (Sanctuary)

2:30pm Club 512

5-6:15pm Midweek Meal (Baked Potato Bar)

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

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

8pm Sr. High Youth Group (Youth Room)

THURSDAY 12-11-25:      

6:00pm Peace Circle (Martha Room)                                                                              

FRIDAY 12-12-25:   

8am Men’s Bible Study (Martha Room)

SATURDAY 12-13-25:      

SUNDAY 12-14-25:     

Sunday School Lesson: Christmas Lesson

9am Evangelism Committee Meeting (Connections room)

2-4pm TEC council meeting (Youth Room)  

6:30pm Mission Committee Meeting (Martha Room)

12/7/2025                                                 Preparation                                            

Isaiah 40:3-5

Intro: Advent Theme: Preparation

Preparation in the Wilderness: Highway for a King

1. Voice Calling = God’s word to God’s people
1. Why prepare?
1. Glory of the Lord will be revealed.  
1. Lord is accomplishing his purposes, don’t miss it.
2. Christmas Party: Prepared vs Not Prepared

1. Biblical Examples of Preparation
1. Joshua 3
1. 40 years in the Wilderness 
2. Unlearning their identity as Slaves and Growing in their identity as God’s people.

1. Israel and the Exile

1. John the Baptist: Prepare the way for the Lord
1. Repent, get your selves ready…Don’t miss it!

1. God is calling you to Prepare.
1. What is the Wilderness?
1. Places in between: Day to day living in a broken world.  
2. God is equipping and preparing you now for his work tomorrow.

1. What does preparation look like?
1. Humility and Pride
2. Sin and Obedience to God’s word
3. Learning to Trust God in the Wilderness

1. Glory of the Lord Revealed
1. God is doing moving and working in unexpected ways.  
2. Don’t Miss It!