Announcements & Prayers for 11-1-26

The following have been nominated for the positions of Elder and Deacon for 2027  

"Elder Nominations: Curt Dieren, Matt Kock, John Metzger, and Bob Tilstra

Deacon nominations:  Bryce Hunt, Dustin Bosch, Sawyer Hrdlicka, Mike Groen, Eric Hartter, Lucas Bouwman, and Dusty Ramsey.

*If anyone has evidence of any Biblical grounds that any of these persons should not be on Consistory, please inform one of Elders. 

Thank you to each and every one of you who expressed your love for our family in the days leading up to and after Rog’s death. As a church family you supported us in a wonderful variety of ways, using the gifts God has given you. We are blessed!    ~ With love, Carol, Amy, Seung, and extended family

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”- Psalm 119:105

Our prayer concerns….

Rod Grooters (Hospice)                                       

Todd Altman                                

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                                                  

Ron & Cathy Birkeland                      

Greyson Austin (Marlene Mellema’s grandson)                

Warren Dayton (Nettie Griffin’s Great Nephew)

Mark Van Roekel (Sharon Tilstra’s brother-in-law)            

Jan Spyksma (Knee Surgery)

*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 11-4-26

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

                           Serena Carey                           Jessa VandeWeerd                                Ellea Pulscher

                          Lexie DeWeerd                          Ellianna Hoefert                              Ashlyn Timmerman

                          Ayda VanderZee                      Emmalynn Hoefert                            Mali Kellenberger

Club 512 Snack helpers:  Debbie Crane & Bonnie Nail

Midweek Meal Helpers: Glenda Hellenga, Jen Lincecum, ReNae Leuthold, Char LaFrenz, & Amy Sieperda 

Nursing Home Helper:  Steve Crane                                            

*Announcements are due by 9am Thursday mornings*

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

*Election Day is Tuesday! Need a ride to the polls? Contact the church office 712-472-3729. 

*Friday, November 27, 2026

Our church has the opportunity to participate in the Sioux Falls Skyforce basketball team's event to raise funds for the American Brain Tumor Association. The team will be wearing Brain Cancer Awareness jerseys designed by Kylie Morris, daughter of Jeff and Danielle Hrdlicka. FRC has been asked to sing the National Anthem before the game. They have also asked for 15-20 people to hold the large flag during the singing of the National Anthem. In addition, the youth can participate with being a part of the Fan Tunnel where they line the court and high-five the players as they run out on the court.

We will have a sign-up sheet in the Gathering Space for you to indicate which activity you would like to participate in. ALL participants will get a ticket for FREE ADMISSION to the game. All participants are asked to be at the Sanford Pentagon by 6:00 on Friday, November 27th• We hope we can have a large group to show our support for Jeff and Danielle and family. Thank you!!

Contact Judy Gacke if you have additional questions.

~Tri-State Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) is accepting applications for the upcoming weekend at Maurice Reformed Church in Maurice, Iowa. TEC is an interdenominational three-day Christian retreat designed to help high schoolers learn more about their faith and their community. The next TEC is November 20-22, 2026. If you would like to learn more about TEC or register, please visit www.TriStateTEC.org or email TriStateTEC@gmail.com or scan the QR code. The cost is $50 and includes a t-shirt & other special gifts. Scholarships are available upon request.

FIRST REFORMED CHURCH
 WORSHIP SERVICE 
 November 1, 2026 at 9:30am 

Prelude

WE APPROACH GOD

Welcome/Announcements/Prayer

Ministry of Music: Cherub Choir

Mission Minute: Youth for Christ

Praise Service:

“Battle Belongs”

“Same God”

Congregational Prayer

Offertory Hymn: “Promises”

Doxology #625

(Children & worship may be excused)

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD

Scripture: Genesis 15:1

Sermon: God is our Shield and Reward

WE RESPOND TO GOD

Closing Hymn: “Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me”

Benediction

Sending Hymn: “Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me”

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

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

Serving us today 11-1-26

DOOR GREETERS – (N) JD & Lesa Hommes (S) Rich & Denise Roskam (SE) Curt & Hedy Kruger

MINISTRY OF MUSIC- Cherub Choir

NURSERY- Ashlyn & Brooklyn Timmerman

VAN DRIVER- Dale Klarenbeek 

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Barb Dreke & Jeanne Ellsworth

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Lonn & Jammie Kellenberger

CHILDREN & WORSHIP-  Leader: Emily DeBey                Helper: Jayda Pytleski

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- Emily Grooters

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- Lisa Vande Stouwe

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR- Dayna Altman

SOUND SYSTEM- Matt Kock

VIDEO TAPING- Randy Bosch

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Brett Dieren

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Brenda Van Hofwegen

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- Benevolent Fund

Serving us next week 11-8-26

DOOR GREETERS- (N) Corey & Heather Heimensen (S) Colin & Rachelle Johnsen (SE) Gary & Karen VW.

MINISTRY OF MUSIC-  

NURSERY- Kayla Van Wyhe & 

VAN DRIVER- Ruben Fick

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Girls League (serving cinnamon rolls for free will donation)

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)-  Girls League

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- Tara Bouwman

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- Geneva Grooters 

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR- Lindsey Anderson

SOUND SYSTEM- Brad Rypkema

VIDEO TAPING- Justin Groen

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Laurine Gerritsen

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Tom Vander Lee

*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 10-25-26                                                                                                                                          Last Sunday                      YTD Offerings                      YTD Budget

General Fund:         $29,356.27                           $420,354.37                          $583,689.19

Benevolent Fund:  $635.00                                 $201,646.93                          $164,387.76

                                       *Online donations are now added to designated funds*        

Sunday School 10-25-26

                 Last Year’s Attendance: 94                                 Last Week’s Attendance: 78

                  Last Year’s Offering: $71.00                               Last Week’s Offering: $68.00

Upcoming Events  

SUNDAY 11-1-26:

Sunday School: Lesson 66: Israel Conquers Jericho

5-6pm 5 Habits of Tech ready family book discussion (Connections Room)

MONDAY 11-2-26:

12pm Quarterback Club (Fellowship Hall)

TUESDAY 11-3-26:

12-2pm Prayer time (Chapel)

7pm Faith Circle (Martha Room)

WEDNESDAY 11-4-26:

9-11am Mom Co. 

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)

THURSDAY 11-5-26:    

FRIDAY 11-6-26:   

8am Men’s Bible Study (Martha Room)

SATURDAY 11-7-26:    

SUNDAY 11-8-26: 

Sunday School: Lesson 67: God Gives Victory

5-6pm 5 Habits of Tech ready family book discussion (Connections Room)

11/1/2026          God is our Shield and Reward          Gen.15:1 

1. God is our Shield and Reward
1. Shield: Divine Protection from temptation, discouragement, attacks, etc.
1. Eph. 6:16
2. Shield is only effective if you are behind it.
1. Submitting to the Lord’s Leadership in everything.
2. Reward
1. Not a means to and End (False picture of heaven)
2. The Reward is God
1. Love, Joy, Peace, Fulfillment

1. Covenant with Abraham
1. Abraham’s faith 
1. God promised him ridiculous things…Descendants and Land

1. Covenant Making Process
1. Blood Covenant = Animals cut in two: both parties walk through the middle.
1. If I am unfaithful, may I be like these animals.
2. God ties this covenant to the Promise of the Land.

1. Joshua 3
1. Promised Land across the Jordan River (Flooded)
1. People ½ mile back, Priest stand in the River.
2. Joshua obeyed by faith.

1. Water Stopped Flowing (I am your Shield and Reward)

1. Covenant Promise
1. Abraham did not pass through the animals.
1. God did on behalf of his people.
1. Taking on the full weight of their unfaithfulness toward God.
   
    
2. Jesus became the Lamb of God, who takes away the Sin of the World.
3. (John 1:29)
1. John 3:16, Isaiah 53:6 

God is our Shield and our exceedingly great Reward.