Prayers:Your prayer support is appreciated for the following individuals and their special circumstances: Debbie Crane (recovering from knee replacement surgery on 4-17-18), Loren Dengler (recovering at home following heart surgery), Art W. Flier (recovering at home from hip replacement surgery), Eldora Krull (will have a heart procedure on April 25), Alice Feikema (recovering from foot surgery), 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), James Garnmeister, Frances Weerheim's grandson (recovering from heart surgery), 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, and Frances Weerheim (hospitalized due to an infection).

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), Jeff Jankord (Deb Markus' brother), and Brittany Bouwman (Tom & Sheryl Bouwman's daughter-in-law).

Sympathy: We extend our sympathy to Brenda and Alan Koel and their family on the death of Alan's father, Dorman Koel, on April 18.

Thank You to our caring congregation for all the prayers, cards, phone calls, visits and food we received following my recent surgery. Thanks also to Sue and our care elder Brian H for their visits. I am grateful for the many acts of kindness and that I am doing so well after a very short time. Jan Spyksma

Thank You: We would like to thank everyone for the cards, thoughts, prayers and continued support in the passing of our nephew, Elliot Taylor. We are so thankful for such a caring church family as ours. Ken & Tami Murray family

Baptism: This morning we celebrate the sacrament of baptism as it is administered to Everly Jean, and Bentley Soline Moser, twin daughters of Daniel and Myranda Moser and Gracyn Beyenhof, the daughter of Nick and Laura Beyenhof.

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.

Council of Churches: Next Sunday, April 29, the Council of Churches will meet at 1:30 pm at the Christian Church of Disciples.

Consistory Note: John Hulshof, our current Vice President of Consistory, asked to be relieved of this position in order to be more available with Donna’s impending surgery and treatment. The Consistory elected Chris Wright to replace him as Vice President.

The Mid-Week Meal has been moved to this morning, Sunday April 22, at 11:45 am due to the bad weather we had on the 18^th. All are welcome to attend.

Memory Work: This morning our 4^th grade class will recite the Books of the Bible. Next week, our 5^th grade class will recite the Beatitudes. Parents: please have your 5^th graders to their classroom by 9:15 am. When they are finished, the children will join their families for the remainder of the worship. Thank you!

COLLEGE CARE PACKAGES: We will be sending a note and care package to our college students on April 23! If you would like your student to receive one, please sign up in the gathering space. NOTE: you need to sign up again even if your student has received one in the past! THANK YOU!

Looking for something to do on a Saturday night? Come join our 40 Days of Community group for a night of burgers and bingo. Saturday, April 28th we will be hosting a night of Bingo and Burgers in the fellowship hall at 5:00 pm. RSVP to Jennifer Lincecum at 712-470-5855. If you need a ride we can provide. Hope to see you there and bring a friend!

5^th Sunday Services: The Services for the 5^th Sunday evening services will be at Peace Lutheran Church on April 29^th starting at 6:30 pm. Music will be provided by the group with the Kroon brothers.

Join us on April 25th for our Annual All-Church Skating Party. We will meet at Skate City in Sioux Falls (2901 W 3rd Street) from 6-8 PM for a night of fun and fellowship. Cost is $3/skater, which includes skate rental. Please be sure to say you are with First Reformed Church to get the discount. Inline Skate rental is $1 extra. There will be concessions available. See you there!

HOMELESS MISSION NEEDS: We will be collecting items to give to the homeless when we go on the Urban Plunge. Items being collected are: soap, body wash, washcloths, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and razors. These items will need to fit into a gallon size Ziploc bag. Please see Cheryl Van Beek for more info.

Food for the Spirit: As a result of the 40 Days of Community there is a new ministry available at First Reformed Church. One of the small groups is providing meals to anyone in the area with needs. They have prepared meals and they are in the freezer in the kitchen. Please share these with anyone you feel will benefit from them, or help yourself if you are in need. There is a sign out sheet on the freezer door. This ministry is for the sick, anyone who is grieving, celebrating a new birth or just needs a little help. If you would like to help make meals or donate towards this ministry, please contact Cheryl Hulstein, Judy Gacke, Darsha Tuenge, Ev Breuer, Julie De Ruyter, Audra Klinkenborg, Diane Altman, Deb Markus or Lora Berg. “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” Psalm 34:8

GriefShare: Our next GriefShare session will be on Monday, April 23, 6:45-8:45 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Our topic this week will be on the question of "Guilt and Anger". We will learn about how to deal with false guilt. We will also address how to grieve relationships that are conflictual as well as how to handle grief-related anger. Please feel free to join us!

Mothers and Others Event: Growing in God’s Love, Wednesday May 2^nd at 6:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Tickets are available for $6 per person and $4 for a children’s meal. See the flyer in your mailbox for ticket ordering information. We are asking for pictures of you and your daughter(s) by April 25^th. Please place photos in Katie Boender’s mailbox. Ticket reservations can also be placed in Katie’s mailbox or given to Val in the office.

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.

Hope Haven: Back by popular demand, the highly acclaimed southern gospel singing group, The Inspirations from Bryson City, NC will be presenting a benefit concert on Saturday evening, April 28 at 6:30 pm at the BJ Haan Auditorium on the campus of Dordt College in Sioux Center. The Inspirations have been performing since 1964 and the group has received every honor and award that southern gospel has to offer. The concert will also feature the Triumphant Sound Quartet from Lawton, IA and the Four For Him Quartet from Sanborn, IA. Tickets will be $15.00 per person and sold at the door only. The doors will open at 5:00 pm. All proceeds from the concert will benefit the local and global ministries of Hope Haven. Mark your calendars now for Saturday evening, April 28 for a great night of gospel music!

What’s in Your Purse? Join us at the 2018 May Breakfast at the RR Peace Lutheran Church. The ladies invite you to join them for a morning of fellowship and fun. Open to women of all ages. Saturday, May 5 at 9:00 am. Please bring your favorite unique purse!

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 4-15-18 Offerings to 4-15-18 Budget to 4-15-18

General Fund: $667.00 $83,269.54 $103,466.62

Benevolent Fund: $2,890.00 $55,599.28 $49,350.09

Building Fund: $0.00 $5,480.00 $35,833.35

Sunday School: 4-15-18 (There was no Sunday School last week due to the weather)

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

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

OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE WEEK

SUNDAY: Baptism

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

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

TUESDAY:

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

6 – 8 pm All Family Skating Party in Sioux Falls

6:30 pm Hand Bells

7:30 Praise Team

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

12:15 pm Grandmothers in Prayer

6:00 pm Bethesda Council Meeting in 345

FRIDAY:

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

Urban Plunge thru the 29^th in Omaha

SATURDAY:

SUNDAY: One Way Up – Pulpit Supply

1:30 Council of Churches at Christian Church of Disciples