Announcements for 1-5-25

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.  

Church Potluck

Next Sunday, January 12, we will be having a potluck meal starting around 11:35. Please bring a hot or cold dish to share. Drink and tableware will be provided. Come for fellowship, fun and enjoy some delicious food. All are welcome! We do need some people to help with set-up (from 10:30 - 11:35) and with clean-up (after meal - 1:00ish). If you are willing to help, please sign up at the Welcome Center, contact the church office, or contact Sharon Postma 712-470-0533 or Joel Vis 712-330-9463.

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”- Genesis 1:1

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                                            

Addresses available upon request at church office       

Senior Companion Seminar will be held here at FRC on January 16^th @ 6:30pm in Elijah Room

                 Please come to get information on receiving care from this program or for volunteer interest

                                     Contact Amy Ryals (229) 296-3019 with any questions

  Care Elders’ Training @ 9am on January 11^th in the Elijah Room

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

The December 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**

Sign up for bible studies at https://frcrockrapids.churchcenter.com/registrations/

events or scan the QR code 

FIRST REFORMED CHURCH
 WORSHIP SERVICE 
 January 5, 2025 at 9:30am

Prelude: Forever Reign

WE APPROACH GOD

Welcome /Announcements/ Prayer

Ministry of Music: Cherub Choir

Congregational Vote/ Meeting Announcement

Praise Service: 

“God Of Wonders”

“Revelation Song”

Congregational Prayer

Offertory Hymn: “Worthy Is The Lamb”

(offering plates will be passed)

Doxology” #625

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD

Scripture: Revelation 4

Sermon: God is on the Throne

WE RESPOND TO GOD

Closing Hymn: “Holy Holy Holy” (Nicaea)

Benediction

Sending Chorus: “Holy Holy Holy”

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

Serving us this week 1-5-25

DOOR GREETERS- (N) Tom & Jody VandeWeerd (S) Steve & Debbie Crane (SE) Mary Hoogers

NURSERY- Kay & Melanie Wynia

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Rypkema Family                   

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Edie Korthals & Glenda Hellenga 

CHILDREN & WORSHIP- Leader: Rochelle Ebel  Greeter: Jayda Pytleski

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- Sarah Wilson 

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- Laureen Schram

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR- Tara Bouwman        

SOUND SYSTEM- Matt Kock

VIDEO TAPING- Eric Arnold

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Caitlin Huisman

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Brenda Van Hofwegen

VAN DRIVER- Paul Van Wyhe

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- Benevolent Fund

Serving us next week 1-12-25 

DOOR GREETERS-(N) Joe & Judy Gacke (S) Stuart & Lindsey Anderson (SE) Pam & Julia Bryngelson

NURSERY- Berlyn DeWit & Maddie Van De Weerd

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Girls League (Serving cinnamon rolls *free will donation*)

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Girls League

CHILDREN & WORSHIP- Leader: Rochelle Ebel    Greeter: Ashlyn Timmerman

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- Paul Van Wyhe

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- Kellie Menning

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR- Lindsey Anderson

SOUND SYSTEM- Sawyer Hrdlicka

VIDEO TAPING- Justin Groen

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Lincoln Kock

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Nicole Larson

VAN DRIVER- Dale Klarenbeek

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- General Fund

                                                  FINANCIALS as of 12-29-24

                                     Last Sunday                      YTD Offerings                    YTD Budget

General Fund:            $49,103.63                         $714,225.14                        $890,084.93

Benevolent Fund:     $25.00                                  $203,386.89                        $203,176.00                                 

Sunday School 12-29-24

                              Last Year’s Attendance: NA                               Last Week’s Attendance: NA

                              Last Year’s Offering: NA                                    Last Week’s Offering: NA

Upcoming Events  

SUNDAY 1-5-24:

Sunday School Lesson: Creation: Days and Kinds

10:45am Adult Discipleship classes begin: “The Next Right Thing” book study (Rm 377) 

10:45am “7 Arrows” bible study (Sanctuary)

MONDAY 1-6-24:

6pm 4-H meeting (Fellowship Hall)

6pm Class with Cheryl (Connections room)

6pm “Doing Life with your Adult Children” book study (Rm 377)

5:45pm Cookie Club (Kitchen)

TUESDAY 1-7-24: 

WEDNESDAY 1-8-25:

8:30am Staff Meeting

12-2pm Prayer Time (Sanctuary)

THURSDAY 1-9-25: 

6:30pm Peace Circle (Martha Room)

FRIDAY 1-10-25:   

8am Men’s Bible Study

SATURDAY 1-11-25: 

9-11am Care Elder’s Meeting (Elijah Room)

SUNDAY 1-12-25:

Sunday School lesson: Creation: Animals and Man

11:45am Church Potluck (Fellowship Hall)

10:45am The Next Right Thing” book study (Rm 377) & “7 Arrows” bible study (Sanctuary) 

1/5/2025                God is on the Throne                       Revelation 4 

Intro: Goals for 2025

1. Revelation Review
1. John on Island of Patmos

1. 7 Parallel Visions: Church Age (First Vision Rev. 1-3)

1. Purpose of Revelation: Encourage the Church to fulfill the Great Commission until Christ Returns

1. Major Themes of Revelation:
1. Jesus is Victorious
2. Spiritual Battle Against the Church
3. Judgment is Coming

1. Vision #2 Begins with God on the throne.
1. Symbolism

1. Rainbow Encircling the Throne

1. Thunder and Lightning

1. 24 Elders

1. 4 Living Creatures
1. Lion
2. Ox
3. Man
4. Eagle

1. 2025 Goal for First Reformed Church?
1. Live like God is seated on the Throne.
1. Never Stop Approaching the Throne: (There because of Jesus)

1. Spiritual Battle: To Encourage the Church to Endure

1. Fight Temptation and Lies

1. Boldly Proclaim the Good News

1. Love like you are loved; Forgive like you are forgiven.