Announcements for 1-18-26

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

“…for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.”- Matthew 6:8

Our prayer concerns….                                                                                                                                          

Scott Hunt                                                                                      

Russ Carver (Rachelle Johnsen’s dad)

Jeff Hrdicka                                                                                        Merlin Groen

Betty Vanden Heuvel                                                       

Rod Grooters                                                                                            Alice Feikema (Hospice)                                                   

JoAnn Douglas

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)                                              

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 

Harriet Hoff                  Arnie & Donna Kwikkel              Marlene Flier

*We would like to Thank everyone for they prayers, gifts, and support after the loss of my father Jake Van Voorst. It was greatly appreciated. ~Craig & Julie DeRuyter

Club 512 Volunteers for 1-21-26

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

                      Maddie VandeWeerd       Jaxson Pytleski                   Ellie Hoefert

                       Taylor Rypkema                 Brady Kirch                     Ayda VanderZee 

                       Anika Springer                   Thane Jansma                    Ellea Pulscher 

                        Rhya Kelderman                                                                                                                                 

Club 512 Snack helpers:  Bonnie Nail & Doris Schneidermann    

Midweek Meal Helpers: No Midweek Meal *Sr. Youth Group Soup Supper 5-7pm

Nursing Home Chaperone: 

The January 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*

Church and Area Happenings:

FIRST REFORMED CHURCH
 WORSHIP SERVICE 
 January 18, 2026 at 9:30am 

Prelude: “Graves Into Gardens”

WE APPROACH GOD

Welcome /Announcements/ Prayer

Installation and Ordination of Kyle Grooters

Praise Service: 

“Good Ground”

“Great Are You Lord”

Congregational Prayer

Offertory Hymn: “Here I Am To Worship”

Doxology

(Children and Worship may be excused)

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD

Scripture: Psalm 121

Sermon: Encouragement for the Journey

Communion

WE RESPOND TO GOD

Closing Hymn: “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”

Benediction

Sending Hymn: “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” chorus

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

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

Serving us today 1-18-26

DOOR GREETERS- (N) Curt & Anita Dieren (S) Steve & Jessica Harman (SE) JD & Lesa Hommes

NURSERY- Wendy & Caitlin Huisman

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Men’s Ministry

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Men’s Ministry

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- Marilyn McCoy

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- Laureen Schram

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR- Dayna Altman

SOUND SYSTEM- Sawyer Hrdlicka

VIDEO TAPING- Breyden Dieren

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Elise Kahl

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- April DeWit

VAN DRIVER- Jeff Jager

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- Benevolent Fund

Serving us next week 1-25-26

DOOR GREETERS- (N) Rich & Denise Roskam (S) George & Doris S. (SE) Brenda & Rodney VT

NURSERY- Nathan & Ashley Kruse

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Collin & Rachelle Johnsen

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)-  Edie Korthals & 

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- Dwayne Postma

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- Barb Folkens

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR- Tata Bouwman

SOUND SYSTEM- Dustin Bosch

VIDEO TAPING- Jonathan Kock

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Berlyn DeWit

MEDICAL ASSISTANT-Jean Fick

VAN DRIVER- Dale 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 1-11-26                                                                                                                                          Last Sunday                      YTD Offerings                     YTD Budget

General Fund:         $10,427.50                            $16,173.85                           $27,148.33

Benevolent Fund:  $435.00                                  $8,879.41                               $7,645.94

                                       *Online donations are now added to designated funds*        

Sunday School 1-11-26

                         Last Year’s Attendance: 101                          Last Week’s Attendance: 92

                         Last Year’s Offering: $179.00                        Last Week’s Offering: $110.00

Upcoming Events  

SUNDAY 1-18-26:

10:45am Sunday School: Lesson 45: Joseph becomes a slave

4-5pm Sanctity of Life Event (Fellowship Hall)

MONDAY 1-19-26:

6:30pm Deacon/ Elder Meeting

7:30pm Consistory Meeting (David Room)

TUESDAY 1-20-26: 

6:30pm Grace Circle 

WEDNESDAY 1-21-26:

9-11am Mom Co. (Fellowship Hall)

12-2pm Prayer time (Sanctuary)

2:30-5pm Club 512

5-7pm Sr. Youth Group Soup Supper (Fellowship Hall)

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

THURSDAY 1-22-26:      

FRIDAY 1-23-26:   

8am Men’s Bible Study (Martha Room)

SATURDAY 1-24-26:    

SUNDAY 1-25-26:     

Sunday School Lesson: Lesson 46: God Blesses Joseph

1/18/2026                                     Encouragement for the Journey         Psalm 121

Intro: Faith Journey:         Where are you?      Where have you been? 

1. Encouragement from Psalm 121 (Song of Ascent)
1. Active Reliance on God.
1. Where does your help come from?
1. Self, Others (Last Resort)

1. Maker of Heaven and Earth
1. The Lord knows what you are going through

1. The Lord knows how he made you. (what you need)

1. Where is your Focus?
1. Problems, struggles, heartache

1. One who is bigger and walks with you.

1. God’s Continuing Care
1. God never leaves you nor forsakes you.
1. Does not sleep or remove himself from you.

1. Will not allow your foot to slip.
1. 1 Corinthians 10:13
1. When we do fall into temptation, doesn’t leave us in it. 

1. Salvation belongs to our God.
1. You cannot be stolen away by the Evil one. 

1. You Salvation is not dependent on you, but on Jesus. 

God encourages us through the Lord’s Supper