Announcements for 2-1-26

We ask that you please refrain from shaking hands during worship. Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe and comfortable. 

~The deacons would like to thank you for your generous and faithful tithing throughout 2025. Through your support, we were able to pay 2025 expenses. We praise God for His provision through your giving to First Reformed. We are excited to see how God will continue to work in and through First Reformed Church of Rock Rapids in 2026. Thank you again for the contributions. -The Deacons of FRC

___________________________________________________________________________

“ I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well.”- Psalm 139:14

Our prayer concerns…. 

Bill Kastein                                                                    

Merlin &  Jackie Groen 

Scott Hunt                                                                     

Roger DeBey

Jeff Hrdicka                                                                                        

Rod Grooters

Betty Vanden Heuvel                                                       

JoAnn Douglas                                                                                        

Alice Feikema  (Hospice)                                                  

Kathy Van Olst

Russ Carver (Rachelle Johnsen’s dad)                                      

Greyson Austin (Marlene Mellema’s grandson)

Janice Den Besten                                                          

Todd Altman (Jack & Esther Altman’s son)

Ron & Cathy Birkeland                                                                                

Bill Saeger (Jackie Groen’s brother)                                                

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

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          Arnie & Donna Kwikkel                        Marlene Flier                              Harriet Hoff 

*Prayer Time- in the sanctuary, Wednesday 12-2 

~Please review your birthday and anniversary at the information desk

(make necessary corrections or additions on the paper please)

~I am deeply thankful to my church family for the prayers, kindness, and encouragement shown to me during my surgery and recovery. Your care was a great comfort and a true reflection of Christ’s love. I am especially grateful for our Care Elder’s faithful prayers and shepherding presence throughout this time. – Gordy Faber

~Thank you to the Grace Circle for the gift basket and visit. Your thoughtfulness is appreciated. ~Scott & Deb Hunt

Club 512 Volunteers for 2-4-26

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

                  Maddie VandeWeerd            Jaxson Pytleski                           Ellie Hoefert

                      Mali Kellenberger                 Brady Kirch                           Ayda Vander Zee

                        Taylor Rypkema                Thane Jansma                           Ellea Pulscher 

                         Anika Springer                                                                                                                               

Club 512 Snack helpers:  Doris Schneiderman & Jan Spyksma

Midweek Meal Helpers: No Midweek Meal CRC soup supper

Nursing Home Chaperone: 

Adult Choir:  We are starting to work on the Easter cantata that we will present on Palm Sunday, March 29^th.  We would love to have more people come to sing with us, please join us during Sunday School time down in the David room for practice. ~Thank you! ~Judy Gacke

The February 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* 

*Tri-State Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) is accepting applications

for the upcoming weekend at the First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids, 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 February 13-15, 2026. If you would like to learn more about TEC or register, please

visit www.TriStateTEC.org email TriStateTEC@gmail.com. The cost is $50 and includes a t-shirt & other special gifts. Scholarships are available upon request.

FIRST REFORMED CHURCH
 WORSHIP SERVICE 
 February 1, 2026 at 9:30am 

Prelude: “This Is Amazing Grace”

WE APPROACH GOD

Welcome /Announcements/ Prayer

Ministry of Music: Cherub Choir

Baptism: Noah Blankespoor

Praise Service:

“The Lion And The Lamb”

“Good God Almighty”

Congregational Prayer

Offertory Hymn: “Abide”

Doxology #625

(Children and worship may be excused)

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD

Scripture: Psalm 46

Sermon: Be Still and Know that I am God

WE RESPOND TO GOD

Closing Hymn: “How Great Thou Art”

Benediction

Sending Hymn: “How Great Thou Art” Chorus

(K-6^th grade Sunday School may be excused)

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

Serving us today 2-1-26

DOOR GREETERS - (N) Mark & Sarah Swartz (S) Curt & Brenda Gisolf (SE) Dan & Rhona Snyder

NURSERY- Aubrey Kirch, Brielle VL. & Sara Hrdlicka

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Chris & Jen Lincecum

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Steve & Jessica Harman

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- Fred Tilstra

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- Tara Bouwman

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR- Lindsey Anderson

SOUND SYSTEM- Matt Kock

VIDEO TAPING- Randy Bosch

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Caitlin Huisman

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- April DeWit

VAN DRIVER- Shawn Van Wyhe

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- Benevolent Fund

Serving us next week 2-8-26

DOOR GREETERS- (N) Glenda Hellenga (S) Steve & Debbie Crane (SE) Marilyn McCoy & Emelia Stiltz

NURSERY- Brooklyn & Ashlyn Timmerman

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

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Girls League 

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- Jerry Pytleski

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- Carol Oliver

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR- 

SOUND SYSTEM- Brad Rypkema

VIDEO TAPING- Justin Groen

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Lily Jurrens

MEDICAL ASSISTANT-Kristi Metzger

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

Ken Leuthold-2026-28

DEACONS

Shawn Van Wyhe -2024-26

Jordan Menning -2024-26

Evan Metzger, Property Chair-2024-26

Kade Griesse, Chair of Deacons- 2025-27

Brad Rypkema, General Treas.-2025-27

Jerry Mulder, Benevolent Treas.- 2025-27

Breyden Schulte-2026-28

Mike Pulscher, Clerk-2026-28

Kyle Grooters-2026-28

FINANCIALS as of 1-25-26                                                                                                      

                                  Last Sunday                      YTD Offerings                     YTD Budget

General Fund:         $6,673.30                              $35,560.61                           $54,296.67

Benevolent Fund:  $625.00                                  $23,557.41                           $15,291.88

                                       *Online donations are now added to designated funds*    

Sunday School 1-25-26

                       Last Year’s Attendance: 91                             Last Week’s Attendance: 81

                        Last Year’s Offering: $77.00                           Last Week’s Offering: $65.00

Upcoming Events  

SUNDAY 2-1-26:

10:45am Sunday School: Lesson 47: Joseph Rises to Power

1-5pm TEC planning meeting (church)

MONDAY 2-2-26:

7pm Created to Commune Small Group (Martha Room)

TUESDAY 2-3-26: 

7pm Faith Circle (Martha Room)

WEDNESDAY 2-4-26:

9-11am Mom Co. (Fellowship Hall)

12-2pm Prayer time (Sanctuary)

2:30-5pm Club 512

5-6:15pm No midweek meal *Please attend the CRC soup supper

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

8pm Sr. High Youth Group (at host site)

THURSDAY 2-5-26:    

FRIDAY 2-6-26:   

8am Men’s Bible Study (Martha Room)

SATURDAY 2-7-26:    

SUNDAY 2-8-26:     

9am Evangelism Committee Meeting (Connections Room)

Sunday School Lesson: Lesson 48: Joseph forgives his brothers

11:30am Ice Fishing Event (Lake Pahoja)

1-5pm TEC planning meeting (church)

Looking Ahead:

February 8^th: Ice Fishing Event (see announcements)

February 12-15^th: TEC at FRC

February 24- JFA Work Day

 Sermon Notes: 

2/1/2026                Be Still and Know that I am God                     Psalm 46

Intro: Hezekiah’s Faith (Backdrop of Psalm 46)

Recognition of Spiritual Threat from a Relentless Enemy (What should we do?)

1. Run to God
1. Refuge
2. Strength
3. Ever-Present Help in Trouble
1. Great I AM

VS. 2  Therefore, I will not fear…

1. Lay your Burdens Down
1. Example of Hezekiah 
1. Sack Cloth and Ashes, Laid the Report on the Alter

1. Tell the Lord your every Struggle, Fear, Doubt, and Questions
1. Lay the Burdens down (No matter how small)

1. Drink from the River of God.
1. Fill your minds, hearts, and time with the God’s word and his promises

1. Surround yourself with others who encourage, walk alongside, and pray for you.
1. Surround others; encourage, walk alongside, and pray with them.

Temptation to be filled with the things of this world: Lust, Greed, Fame, Pride.

1. Be Still and Know that I am God.
1. Demonstration of Trust
1. In His Work.
2. In His timing.
3. In His provision.

1. Trusting God’s Promise of His Eternal Kingdom
1. No more death, crying, mourning, pain, sin, corruption, disease, violence, broken relationships, etc.

Testimony to the World.