Prayers:Your prayer support is appreciated for the following individuals and their special circumstances: Donna Hulshof (hospitalized at Avera Hospital in Sioux Falls for tests), Eldora Krull (fell and dislocated her shoulder; is recovering at home), Elmer Aeilts (currently at Select Specialty Hospital on Sanford Hospital's campus), Ted Hoogendoorn (recurrence of cancer), Verlyn Vermeer (recovering at home from knee replacement surgery), Pam Foster, Bob Dreke's sister (coping with Huntington's Disease), Dawn Vanden Top (health concerns with her liver), Lester Harman, Steve Harman's father (recovering from surgery due to an infection), James Garmeister, 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.

Your prayers are also requested for the following individuals who are coping with cancer: Frances Weerheim, Gert Van Roekel (Laurine Gerritsen's mother), Steve & Dave Kwikkel (Arnie and Donna Kwikkel's sons), Brittany Bouwman, Tom & Sheryl Bouwman's daughter-in-law), Marilyn Kuyper (Ethanie Pulscher's aunt), Lorelei Reynolds (Laureen Schram's sister), and Jeff Jankord (Deb Markus' brother).

Thank you so much for the thoughts, prayers, and kind words that were given to our family after the loss of Tom’s sister, Carol. Thank you Sue for reaching out to us so often before and after Carol’s passing. These kind actions have meant so much to us not only recently but over the past year as well. ~ Tom & Jody Vande Weerd and family

Wednesday, February 14: There will be no full Consistory meeting in February.

WELCOME! This morning we officially welcome Karen Reemts who has transferred her membership from Immanuel Lutheran in Rock Rapids to First Reformed. We also commission Karen as a Care Elder as she and her husband Bob will be working as a team.

BYLAW REVISIONS: Over the last year the consistory has made revisions to our bylaws. We are making copies available to anyone who would like to review them. Please request a copy from our secretary, Val Sneller during weekday operating hours (8:00 am – 4:30 pm).

Mid-Week Meal: All are welcome to join us this Wednesday, February 14th at 5:45 pm for our Mid-Week Meal. On the menu: Chicken and Rice Soup, Vegetable Soup, Garlic Bread and Ice Cream Sundaes. Come out for a time of good food and great fellowship! For the next few meals, we are in need of meat. If you are willing to donate hamburger, picnic hams, or pork roast, please contact Amy Schulte. Thank you!

Used Greeting Cards: Just a reminder that we are still taking all kinds of used greeting cards in the drawer next to the mailboxes.

Advance Notice for Women's Ministry - Executive Committee Meeting on Monday, February 26, 2018 at 7:00 PM in Room 345. This meeting is for all officers, chairpersons, and leaders of the circles. An agenda will be placed in your mailboxes. If you are unable to attend, please send someone to take your place. It is important that your input is received!

Care Elders Winter Gathering on February 27 at 7:00 PM! Mark your calendars for an informative evening of learning, fellowship, and sharing about our ministry as Care Elders. We are pleased to welcome Natalie Krull from Sanford Hospice as our speaker. Natalie will share with us about hospice care including the history of the hospice program as well as the criteria for receiving hospice care. Sue will also share some brief thoughts on the topic "When God Doesn't Make Sense". We will have some delicious treats waiting for you, too! See you on February 27 at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall!

Are you looking for support, understanding, and tools to deal with your grief from the loss of a family member or friend? We have good news! GriefShare is coming! We will be offering this class at our church again this year, beginning on March 5 at 6:45 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. GriefShare features Biblical, Christ-centered teaching that focuses on grief topics associated with the death of a loved one. The DVD videos include nationally respected grief experts and real-life stories of people, followed by a small group discussion about what was viewed. Please contact Val or Sue at the church office (472-3729) to register for this class. We hope to see you there!

Nursery Volunteers Needed! We are in need of some more volunteers for nursery on Sunday mornings. If you feel this is something that you can help us out with, please call or email Meredith Vander Zee at one of the following: 712-400-9559 or vanderzeemeredith@gmail.com. We really appreciate ALL of our volunteers! Thank you in advance.

It’s About That Time of Year Again!!! Are you ready for the summer fun and warm nights to star gaze? We are! Inspiration Hills Camp registrations started February 1, 2018. Brochures are on the information desk in the gathering space. If you have any questions please contact Cheryl Van Beek.

Boyden First Reformed Church will be a host-site on Friday, February 23, 2018, for “Work as Worship”, a one-day retreat. You can join thousands of business leaders across the country to hear from experts, be encouraged, and discuss how to connect your faith and work. For information about this awesome opportunity and registration, please contact Pastor David Poppen at 507-920-6588 or email him at poppendpp@hotmail.com. You can also go to www.workasworshipretreat.org.

FINANCIALS

Offerings Sunday 2-4-18 Offerings to 2-4-18 Budget to 2-4-18

General Fund: $6,858.53 $22,619.53 $34,488.90

Benevolent Fund: $8,414.00 $22,548.00 $16,450.03

Building Fund: $255.00 $1,315.00 $11,944.45

Sunday School: 2-4-18

Last Year’s Attendance: 123 Last week's Attendance: 106

Last Year’s Offering: $84.00 Last week's Offering: $96.50

OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE WEEK

SUNDAY:

MONDAY: 5:30 pm - College & Careers

TUESDAY:

9:30 am Charity Circle

WEDNESDAY: 6:30 pm & 8:00 pm Mom’s in Prayer

9:30 am Joy Circle in 345

5:45 Mid-Week Meal – Assisting: Glenda Hellenga, Jennifer Lincecum, & Briana Erickson

6:30 pm Pioneer Club (4^th Grade to Lyon Manor)

6:30 pm Hand Bells

6:30 Jr RCYF

7:30 Praise Team

8:00 pm Sr RCYF

THURSDAY: 6:00 am & 6:30 am Mom’s in Prayer

12:15 pm Grandmother’s in Prayer

FRIDAY:

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

SATURDAY:

SUNDAY: