Announcements for 1-19-25

~The Consistory has called for a Congregational Vote to approve leaving the Reformed Church in America (RCA) and joining the Alliance of Reformed Churches (ARC.)  This vote will take place beginning Sunday, Jan. 5, and ending Sunday, January 26 at 10:45 am.  Information and ballots are available on the table in the gathering space with the ballot box. 

The Consistory has also called for a Congregational Meeting to take place on Sunday, January 26 at 11:30 am.  The results of the congregational vote will be revealed and representatives from both the RCA and the ARC will be present.  

~Take home an empty baby bottle BEGINNING SUNDAY, JANUARY 19,2025. Fill it with coins, cash, or check (Payable to Cherish House) and RETURN IT TO THE CHURCH BY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2025. Thank you! 

~Thank you for the cards, texts and expressions of sympathy shown to us in the passing of our Mother and Grandmother, Joan Fransman. Your kindness was very much appreciated. ~Edie, Darrin & Michelle, and Craig Korthals. 

“If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.”-1 Cor. 12:26

Our prayer concerns….                                      

Chris Schwartze (healing after an accident)

Rich DeBuhr                                                                                         Neil Schwartze 

Marilyn Mammenga (healing for leg fractures)                             JoAnn Douglas

Loren Dengler                                                                  Twilla Hoekstra (healing after surgery)

Merlin Groen                                                                   Greyson Austin (Marlene Mellema’s grandson)

Betty Vanden Heuvel                                                        Nancy Bosma (Mary Klinkenborg’s sister) 

Kathy Van Olst                                                                      Eldora Krull      

Karen Flier                                                                                          Ellen Schram (Jeff Schram’s mom)             

Marv Faber (Gordy’s brother)                                                       Russ Carver (Rachelle Johnsen’s dad)

Bill Saeger (Jackie Groen’s brother)                                           Janice Den Besten

Doris Iwen (Lance Iwen’s mom)                                                       Nancy Aaker (Shari Kastein’s mom)

Todd Altman (Jack & Esther Altman’s son)                           Carlton Woodruff (Rachelle Johnsen’s uncle)                                         

Mandie Sprock (Marilyn Mammenga’s daughter)                               

Remembering our Nursing Home, Assisted Living & Senior Living Residents:

Pearl Folkens                                                                      Wilma DeRoo                                      JoEllen Sorgdrager                                           

Ruth Van Aartsen                                                                 Joyce Mellema                                  Lucille Smit                    

Eldora Krull                                                                         Darlene Aeilts                                   Harriet Hoff

Doris Calkins                                                                          Darlene Brinkhuis                                    Loren Dengler

Addresses available upon request at church office       

Birthday & Anniversary List (if you’d like a copy, please see church office)

The January 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 Thursday 9-1.

**Bulletin announcements are due on Thursdays at 9am. Thanks**

Club 512 Volunteers for 1-22-25

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

                              Leo Groen                              Maddie Van Der Weerd                            Ephraim Hoefert

                           Kari Huygens                                  Kelsey Van’t Hul                                   Aubree Benz

                       Ashlyn Timmerman                          Ellea Pulscher                                       Ellie Hoefert

Club 512 Snack helpers:  Tracy Arnold & Jan Spyksma

Midweek Meal Helpers: Sr. RCYF Soup Supper                                                                                                            

Nursing Home Chaperone:  Steve Crane

Church and area happenings:     

Sign up for bible studies and events at https://frcrockrapids.churchcenter.com/registrations/events or scan the QR code 

FIRST REFORMED CHURCH
 WORSHIP SERVICE 
 January 19, 2025 at 9:30am

Prelude: “Here I Am To Worship”

WE APPROACH GOD

Welcome /Announcements/ Prayer

Praise Service: 

“Graves Into Gardens”

“The Lion And The Lamb”

“Great Are You Lord”

Congregational Prayer

Offertory Hymn: “Cornerstone”

(offering plates will be passed)

“Doxology” #625

(Children and Worship Dismissed)

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD

Scripture: Revelation 6

Sermon: Opening the Seals

WE RESPOND TO GOD

Closing Hymn: “Amazing Grace” v.1-4

Benediction

Sending Chorus: “Amazing Grace” v. 5

(6^th Grade and below may be excused for Sunday School)

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

Serving us today 1-19-25

DOOR GREETERS- (N) Curt & Anita Dieren (S) Billy & Natalie Kirch (SE) Lonn & Jammie Kellenberger

NURSERY- Rhya Kelderman & Jayda Pytleski

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Men’s Ministry (Monkey Bread *free will donation*)                   

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Men’s Ministry

CHILDREN & WORSHIP- Leader: Taylor Bosch   Greeter: Lily Jurrens

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- Fred Tilstra 

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- Todd & Stacy Dieren

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR- Danielle Hrdlicka       

SOUND SYSTEM- Keith Van Beek

VIDEO TAPING- Breyden Dieren

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Berlyn DeWit

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Kristi Metzger

VAN DRIVER- Jeff Hrdlicka

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- Benevolent Fund

Serving us next week 1-26-25 

DOOR GREETERS-(N) Scott & Deb Hunt (S) Marlene Mellema (SE) Keith & Chery Van Beek

NURSERY- Jen & Ellie Hoefert

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Ruben & Jean Fick 

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Lonn & Jammie Kellenberger

CHILDREN & WORSHIP- Leader: Heather Springer    Greeter: Anika Springer

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- Lisa VandeStouwe

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- Wendy Huisman

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR- Ashley Rypkema

SOUND SYSTEM- Curt Dieren

VIDEO TAPING- Brad Rypkema

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Aubree Boender

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Jean Fick

VAN DRIVER- Lucas Bouwman

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- General Fund

ELDERS

Chris Wright, Clerk-2023-25

Sharon Postma, VP-2023-25

Nate Schulte -2024-26

Randy Bosch-2024-26

Joel Vis- 2025-27

Rodney Vanden Top- 2025-27

DEACONS

Rob Van Hofwegen, Property Chair-2023-25

Justin Groen -2023-25 

Mark Boender-2023-25

Shawn Van Wyhe, Benevolent Treas. -2024-26

Jordan Menning, Chair of Deacons -2024-26

Evan Metzger, General Treas./ Personnel chair-2024-26

Kade Griesse, Clerk of Deacons- 2025-27

Brad Rypkema-2025-27

Jerry Mulder- 2025-27

                                                  FINANCIALS as of 1-12-2025                                                                                                                               Last Sunday                      YTD Offerings                     YTD Budget

General Fund:         $8,157.00                              $13,268.50                           $26,367.80

Benevolent Fund:  $375.30                                  $13,544.30                            $7,728.40       

Sunday School 1-12-24

                              Last Year’s Attendance: N/A weather             Last Week’s Attendance: 101

                              Last Year’s Offering: N/A weather                   Last Week’s Offering: $179.00

Upcoming Events  

SUNDAY 1-19-24:

Sunday School Lesson: Creation: Adam and Eve

11:45am Leadership Retreat

MONDAY 1-20-24:

6:30pm Deacon/Elder Meeting

7:30pm Consistory Meeting (David Room)

7pm BSF (Elijah Room)

TUESDAY 1-21-24: 

6:30pm Grace Circle

WEDNESDAY 1-22-25:

8:30am Staff Meeting (Martha Room)

2:30-5pm Club 512

5-7pm Sr. RCYF Soup Supper

6-7pm Mission Committee Meeting (Martha Room)

6:15pm Jr. RCYF

THURSDAY 1-23-25: 

FRIDAY 1-24-25:   

8am Men’s Bible Study

SATURDAY 1-25-25: 

SUNDAY 1-26-25:

Sunday School lesson: Creation: Dinosaurs and Dragons

11:45am Congregational Meeting (Sanctuary)

1/19/2025                         Opening the Seals                Revelation 6

Intro: Setting the Scene: Revelation 4-5        Lamb is opening the scroll by breaking the seals

1. First Seal is Opened
1. White Horse and Rider = Christ (Rev. 19)

1. Bent on Conquest = Good News going out conquering Sin, Addiction, Shame
1. Great Commission is the Catalyst Event for everything that follows.

1. Second Seal is Opened
1. Read Horse = Persecution against the Church.  

1. Peace taken from the earth: Imprisonment and Martyrs.

1. Result of this seal, will be the advancement of the Gospel

1. Third Seal is Opened
1. Black Horse = Economic Persecution against the Church.
1. Governments, laws, corruption, etc.
2. Poverty, loss of opportunities, etc.

1. Result = Advancement of the Gospel

1. Fourth Seal is Opened
1. Pale Horse = Death 
1. Worldwide Events: Natural Disasters, Disease, Famine, World Wars, Wild Beasts

1. Result = Advancement of the Gospel

22. Fifth Seal is Opened
1. Souls of Martyrs Cry out = When will you come! When will you judge evil!
1. Given White Robes
2. Told to wait until the appointed time.

1. The faithfulness of God’s people will advance the Gospel.  

1. Sixth Seal is Opened
1. Judgment Day = No Doubt
1. God’s people will be caught up together with Him.
2. God’s enemies will experience terror