The Consistory at First Reformed Church would like to extend our deepest gratitude and thanks during Pastor Appreciation Month to Pastor Steve and Care Pastor Amy for their time, dedication, and love that they provide our congregation."

"Please make sure to give them a word of encouragement during the month of October."

“The LORD is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works.”- Psalm 145:9

Our prayer concerns….                                                                                                            

Rod Grooters (Hospice)                                       

Roger Oliver                                 

Roger DeBey                                                    

Marilyn McCoy

Scott Hunt                                                                   

Bill Kastein 

Cheryl Van Beek                                               

Janice Den Besten

Jeff Hrdlicka                                                               

JoAnn Douglas

Betty Vanden Heuvel                                           

Linda Person (Kari Jurrens’ mom)                                       

Kathy Van Olst                                                  

Bret Huisman (Heath’s brother) healing after heart surgry

Greyson Austin (Marlene Mellema’s grandson)                 

Ron & Cathy Birkeland                      

Todd Altman                                                               

*Congregational Care Midwest Network Zoom Opportunity- October 27^th @ 7pm

(open to all- if you are interested contact Amy Ryals)

*Oaks Club (anyone 50+) Lake Pahoja Nature Center & Lunch @ Chuds-Larchwood

 Thursday, Nov. 19^th @ 10:30 (leaving church at 9:45) RSVP to Amy Ryals

Club 512 Volunteers for 10-21-26

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

                           Serena Carey                                Piper Kruse                                      Ellea Pulscher

                          Lexie DeWeerd                      Jessa VandeWeerd                           Ashlyn Timmerman 

                          Connor Altman                          Jayda Pytleski                                 Mali Kellenberger

Club 512 Snack helpers:  Heather Heimensen & Bonnie Nail

Midweek Meal Helpers: Glenda Hellenga, Geneva Grooters, Rachelle Johnsen, Amy Kim, & Heather VW.

Nursing Home Helper:  Steve Crane           

*Announcements are due by 9am Thursday mornings*

*Secretary’s office hours* ~ Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 9-1     

Join us for a time of food, fun, and fellowship with a potluck following church service on October 25th. Bring your favorite dish to share as we grow together with our church family. All are welcome to attend!" We are also asking for volunteers to help serve and clean up, please sign up at the welcome center.

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

Prelude

WE APPROACH GOD

Welcome/Announcements/Prayer

Ministry of Music: Adult Choir

Hymn: “All Creatures Of Our God and King” #64 vs. 1-5

Hymn: “The Wonder Of If All” #65 vs. 1-2

Congregational Prayer

Offertory Hymn: “The Love Of God” #67 vs. 1-3

Doxology #625

(Children & Worship May Be Excused)

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD

Scripture: Matthew 6:12

Sermon: Forgive us our Debts

WE RESPOND TO GOD

Closing Hymn: “God Will Take Care Of You” #47 vs. 1-4

Benediction

Sending Hymn: “God Will Take Care Of You” #47, chorus

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

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

 Serving us today 10-18-26 

DOOR GREETERS – (N) Tom Bouwman (S) Jeff & Laureen Schram (SE) Steve & Jessica Harman

NURSERY- Danielle Grooters & Gracelyn Menning

VAN DRIVER- Mike Klarenbeek

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Men’s Ministry (serving monkey bread for free will donation)

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Men’s Ministry 

CHILDREN & WORSHIP-  Leader:  Sara Hrdlicka      Helper: Mali Kellenberger

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- No Sunday School OCC Christmas party

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- No Sunday School OCC Christmas party

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR- No Sunday School OCC Christmas party

SOUND SYSTEM- Dustin Bosch

VIDEO TAPING- Breyden Dieren

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Char LaFrenz

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Brenda VanHofwegen

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- Benevolent Fund

  Serving us next week 10-25-26

DOOR GREETERS- (N) Dusty & Ivy Ramsey (S) Scott & Amy Sieperda (SE) Dwayne & Sharon Postma  

NURSERY- Emery Jager & Elsie Buntjer & Emelia Stiltz

VAN DRIVER- Jeff Jager

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Steve & Debbie Crane

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)-  Kyle & Emily Grooters

CHILDREN & WORSHIP-  Leader:          Helper: 

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- Lesa Hommes

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- Fred Tilstra

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR- Tara Bouwman

SOUND SYSTEM- Sawyer Hrdlicka

VIDEO TAPING- Jonathan Kock

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Dave Hulstein

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Nicole Larson

*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

Braeden Schulte-2026-28

Mike Pulscher, Clerk-2026-28

Kyle Grooters-2026-28

                                                    FINANCIALS as of 10-11-26                                                                                                                  

                                  Last Sunday                      YTD Offerings                      YTD Budget

General Fund:         $32,091.54                           $386,685.72                          $556,540.86

Benevolent Fund:   $1,085.00                             $193,716.93                          $156,741.82

                                       *Online donations are now added to designated funds*  

Sunday School 10-11-26

                          Last Year’s Attendance: 98                                Last Week’s Attendance: 85

                          Last Year’s Offering: $77.00                              Last Week’s Offering: $75.00

Upcoming Events  

SUNDAY 10-18-26:

Sunday School: No Sunday School (OCC Packing Party)

5pm Father Son Bible Study

MONDAY 10-19-26:

8:30am Bethesda Staff Meeting (Martha Room)

12pm Quarterback Club (Fellowship Hall)

6:30pm Deacon/Elder Meeting

7:30pm Consistory Meeting (David Room)

TUESDAY 10-20-26:

12-2pm Sanctuary Prayer (Sanctuary)

6pm Grace Circle 

WEDNESDAY 10-21-26:

9-11 Mom Co. (Fellowship Hall)

2:30-5pm Club 512

5-6:15pm Midweek Meal

6pm Bible Study Prayer Focus (Martha Room)

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

8pm Sr. High Youth Group (Youth Room)

THURSDAY 10-22-26:    

FRIDAY 10-23-26:   

8am Men’s Bible Study (Martha Room)

SATURDAY 10-24-26:    

SUNDAY 10-25-26: 

Sunday School: Lesson 65: Israel Crosses the Jordan 

11:30am Potluck (Fellowship Hall)

10/18/2026                 Forgive us of our Debts             Matt. 6:12        

Intro: What is the purpose of the Lord’s prayer?   Foster Connection and Intimacy with God.

1. Why do we need Forgiveness?
1. Sin fundamentally distances us from God. (Gen. 3)
1. Debts- Describes what we owe God.
2. Trespass- Describes our sin against God.

1. Forgiveness = Cover, Remove, or Hurl Away
1. Our greatest need is reconciliation with God. 

1. Two Types of Forgiveness God Offers
1. Unconditional Forgiveness
1. Blood of Jesus covers our sin; Past, Present, and Future.
2. Movement from Enemy of God to Child of God. (Salvation in Christ)

1. Conditional Forgiveness
1. When a child sins, they are not kicked out of the family.

1. When a Christian sins, spiritual distance is experienced.
1. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sin, and purify us from all unrighteousness.

1. To Confess means agreeing with God about our sin.

1. Conditional Forgiveness allows us to experience the benefits of being a child of God.  (Joy, Peace, Love, Comfort, closeness with God)

1. Standard of Forgiveness
1. “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors”
1. I want you to forgive me the way I forgive others.
2. Forgiveness of on another effect your relationship with God. 

1. Two reasons Christians don’t experience fellowship (closeness with God)
1. Unconfessed Sin
2. Unforgiveness in your heart.

Purpose of prayer is to foster connection and intimacy with God.

Praying for forgiveness removes barriers of connection and intimacy with God.