Announcements for 1-26-25

~Annual giving receipts have been placed in church mailboxes and mailed out. A receipt is given if an offering is greater than $250 or given in a designated contribution envelope. Contributions given through retirement accounts or online (Stripe/planning center) will be receipted by those accounts. If you feel you should have received a receipt and didn't, please contact Jammie in the church office.

~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 today 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 today 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! 

*Our condolences to the family of Bob Reemts, as he passed away on Thursday, January 23rd.

“Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not look anxiously about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”- Isaiah 41:10

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)                                                                       

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 1-29-25

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

                              Leo Groen                              Maddie Van Der Weerd                            Ephraim Hoefert

                           Jayson Huygens                              Alexis Austin                                       Tanner Lincecum

                           Liam VanderZee                             Avery Harman                                        Quintin Spock

                                                                                                                                                       Aston Van Beek

Club 512 Snack helpers:  Bonnie Nail & Doris Schneidermann

Midweek Meal Helpers: Glenda Hellenga, Audra Klinkenborg, ReNae Leuthold, Rachelle Johnsen & Randy Bosch                                                                                                               

Nursing Home Chaperone:  Steve Crane

Church Happenings

FIRST REFORMED CHURCH
 WORSHIP SERVICE 
 January 26, 2025 at 9:30am

Prelude

WE APPROACH GOD

Welcome /Announcements/ Prayer

Ministry of Music: Adult Choir “Bread of Life”

Hymn: “Immortal Invisible” #25, v. 1 ,3, 4

Hymn: “A Mighty Fortress” #26 v. 1, 2, 4

Congregational Prayer

Offertory Hymn: “How Great Thou Art” #4, v. 1-4         

(offering plates will be passed)

“Doxology” #625

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD

Scripture: Revelation 7-8: 1

Sermon: The Sealed Multitude and the Seventh Seal

Communion

WE RESPOND TO GOD

Closing Hymn: “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” #43, v. 1-3

Benediction

Sending Chorus: “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” #43, Chorus

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

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

Serving us this week 1-26-25

DOOR GREETERS- (N) Scott & Deb Hunt (S) Marlene Mellema (SE) Keith & Cheryl 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

Serving us next week 2-2-25

DOOR GREETERS-(N) Conrad & Audrey DeNoble (S) Jeff & Laureen Schram (SE) Audra Klinkenborg

NURSERY- Wendy & Caitlin Huisman

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Chris & Jen Lincecum

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Jeff & Laureen Schram

CHILDREN & WORSHIP- Leader: Elsie Kahl   Greeter: Brooklyn Timmerman 

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- Dwayne Postma

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- Cori Klarenbeek

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR- Tara Bouwman

SOUND SYSTEM- Matt Kock

VIDEO TAPING- Eric Arnold

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Caitlin Huisman

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- April DeWit

VAN DRIVER- Dale Klarenbeek

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- Benevolent Fund

                                                  FINANCIALS as of 1-12-2025                                                                             

                                Last Sunday                      YTD Offerings                       YTD Budget

General Fund:         $3,685.30                              $17,133.80                           $39,551.70

Benevolent Fund:  $9,701.00                               $23,245.30                          $11,592.60       

Sunday School 1-19-25

                              Last Year’s Attendance: 91                               Last Week’s Attendance: 93

                              Last Year’s Offering: $37.00                             Last Week’s Offering: $56.00

Upcoming Events  

SUNDAY 1-26-24:

Sunday School Lesson: Creation: Dinosaurs and Dragons

11:30am Congregational Meeting (Sanctuary)

MONDAY 1-27-24:

7pm BSF (Elijah Room)

TUESDAY 1-28-24: 

WEDNESDAY 1-29-25:

12-2pm Prayer Time (Sanctuary)

2:30-5pm Club 512

5-6:15pm Midweek meal (Baked potato bar)

6:15pm Jr. RCYF

8pm Sr. RCYF

THURSDAY 1-30-25: 

FRIDAY 1-31-25:   

8am Men’s Bible Study

SATURDAY 2-1-25: 

SUNDAY 2-2-25:

Sunday School lesson: The Age of the Earth

1/26/2025                         Who Can Stand?                    Revelation 7-8:1

Intro: Who Can Stand? Recap of Vision #2

1. God’s Seal on His Children
1. What does the Seal mean?
1. Protection
2. Identification
3. Authenticity 

1. Given the ability to Stand before God.

1. Who is given God’s Seal?
1. I “heard” the Number 144,000
1. 12 OT Tribes 
2. 12 Apostles 
3. 1000 (Incalculable number, yet complete) 
4. 12 x 12 x 1000 = 144,000

1. Sees the Great Multitude (Ones who are given the seal)
1. Every Nation, Tribe, People, and Language.
2. Standing Before the Throne of God (Who can stand?)
1. Salvation belongs to our God…
3. White Robes and Palm Branches

1. Where did these people come from?
1. Came out the Great Tribulation
1. John numbers himself among those who came out of the Great Tribulation.

1. Every Believer (Sealed with the Holy Spirit) will experience trials and tribulations.
1. The great tribulation will take place until the 7^th seal is opened.
2. Promises of those who are given the seal of God.
1. Sustained, protected and provided for in our earthly tribulation
2. In Glory, never experience hunger, thirst, suffering, confusion or grief. 

1. 7^th Seal
1. Silence for half an hour
2. Awe of the finished work.

Gift of the Table for God’s people