Prayers:Your prayer support is appreciated for the following individuals and their special circumstances: Ruth Hocking (hospitalized due to pneumonia in the Rock Rapids Hospital), Debbie Crane (recovering from knee replacement surgery on 4-17-18), Loren Dengler (recovering at home following heart surgery), Eldora Krull (recovering at home following a heart procedure), Steve Crane (ongoing cancer treatment), Donna Hulshof (receiving infusion treatments for mouth and body sores), Dawn Vanden Top (health concerns with her liver), Pam Foster, Bob Dreke's sister (coping with Huntington's Disease), and Tracy Draayer, Jessica Harman's mother, as she cares for Jessica's grandparents (Alice Schoneveld has stage 4 cancer; Tony Schoneveld has stage 4 COPD) at their home in California.

Your prayers are also requested for the following individuals who are coping with cancer: Frances Weerheim, Gert Van Roekel (Laurine Gerritsen's mother), Ted Hoogendoorn (receiving Hospice care at the Rock Rapids Health Center), Steve & Dave Kwikkel (Arnie and Donna Kwikkel's sons), Marilyn Kuyper (Ethanie Pulscher's aunt), and Brittany Bouwman (Tom & Sheryl Bouwman's daughter-in-law).

THANK YOU so very much for all the cards, food and phone calls for both Steve and I. God has richly blessed us in so many ways. Love in Jesus, Steve & Debbie Crane

Moved: Frances Weerheim has moved to Accura Health Care, 1912 Zenith Ave. Room 107A, Spirit Lake, IA 51360. If you drop her a card or letter of encouragement in her new surroundings they will help her read them.

Out of the Office: Pastor Dan and Sue will be out of the office from April 23 – May 7. If you have any concerns or needs please contact one of the Elders or your Care Elder.

BABY GIRL SHOWER! There will be a baby shower (girl) Open House on Saturday, May 12, 2018 in the fellowship hall from 2 – 4 pm at First Reformed Church for Alex Grooters. All are welcome.

Hearing Devices Available: Are you having difficulty hearing the service? Our church has a hearing assistance system. If you are having difficulty hearing during the worship service and would like to try a transmitter, please check at the sound booth at the back of the sanctuary or with Dave Hulstein.

GriefShare: Our next GriefShare session will be on Monday, May 7, 6:45-8:45 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Our topic this week will be "Stuck”. We will learn about how to prevent getting stuck in grief. We will also address some common misperceptions that hinder healing as well as why the path to healing is not always smooth. Please feel free to join us!

Vacation Bible School! VBS Planning is underway! Our theme this year is “Shipwrecked: Rescued by Jesus” and will be held here at First Reformed Church on June 4-8 from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. We are looking for volunteers. From station leaders to kitchen help, nursery to crew leaders…there is a place for you! Please sign up at the table in the gathering space. Registration is now open. Please visit www.vbspro.events/p/2018shipwreckedvbs. All children ages 4 (as of June 4) through completing 6th grade are welcome to attend.

This morning we celebrate our Sunday School year. We will present Bibles to our second graders and recognize those with outstanding attendance. Our last day of Sunday School is Sunday, May 20th.

ATTENTION the Bible League International Spring Salad Luncheon is scheduled for Monday May 7, 2018 at 11:30 at the 1st Christian Reformed Church of Orange City, Iowa (408 Arizona Ave. S.W.). Come learn about the work of Bible League in Latin America and enjoy the music of the Siouxland Women’s Chorus. You are asked to bring a salad for every two people to share. Drinks will be provided. Please gives this prayerful consideration. It would be so GREAT to have a large group come together to support the work of Bible League International

FINANCIALS

Offerings Sunday 4-29-18 Offerings to 4-29-18 Budget to 4-29-18

General Fund: $1,824.00 $100,081.54 $117,262.10

Benevolent Fund: $220.00 $53,589.28 $55,931.02

Building Fund: $9,290.92 $14,770.92 $40,611.13

Sunday School: 4-29-18

Last Year’s Attendance: 90 Last week's Attendance: 78

Last Year’s Offering: $134.00 Last week's Offering: $82.00

OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE WEEK

SUNDAY: Roger Voskuil - Pulpit Supply

MONDAY: 5:00 pm – Moms in Prayer - College & Careers

6:45 pm – 8:45 pm GriefShare in the Fellowship Hall

TUESDAY:

9:15 am Staff Meeting with Dave

7:00 pm Worship Music Committee Meeting

WEDNESDAY: 6:30 pm & 8:00 pm Moms in Prayer

9:30 am Joy Circle in 345

THURSDAY: 6:00 am & 6:30 am Moms in Prayer

12:15 pm Grandmothers in Prayer

7:00 pm Peace Circle in 345

FRIDAY:

8:00 am- Men’s Bible Study in the conference room

SATURDAY:

SUNDAY: SR Recognition Sunday