Announcements for 12-1-24

Thank you for once again supporting the mission of Operation Christmas Child! Numbers in our area are up! Our church alone packed 190 boxes, which is a record for us. Additionally, most of the churches and groups who brought boxes to our drop off location also brought more boxes than last year. In total, we delivered over 1100 boxes to Sioux City on Monday. That represents 1100 kids who will be hearing the Good News, many of them for the first time. Please pray that the Lord would go ahead of these shoebox gifts and ready the hearts of the children to receive the gospel message, and to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. We also pray that each of these children would take part in the Greatest Journey and learn to be disciples in their own families and communities. Thank you to Craig Wynia for letting us use his trailer to transport boxes to Sioux City!

Christmas Caroling

We will be caroling the afternoon of December 15. All ages are welcome to participate. The commitment is only for a couple of hours but has a lasting impact. This is such a meaningful experience for the people we carol to and also for those who are caroling. There will be a time of fellowship with others afterwards while we enjoy sandwiches and goodies. How can you help?  We need:

• Carolers
• Homemade Christmas cookies as we would like to also give a little goodie plate to the people we are caroling to
• Help provide sandwiches / goodies for the carolers when they are done
• People to help organize this event (to call the people we will sing to, organize the routes, help with setup/serving the sandwiches/goodies for the carolers)

If you know of anyone who would love to be caroled to or if you are willing to participate in any way, please contact the church office or Sharon Postma at 712-470-0533.

“I will meditate on Your precepts and fix my eyes on Your ways.”- Psalm 119:15

Our prayer concerns….                            

Scott Hunt (Recovery from knee infection)

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)                          

*Condolences to the family of Steve Ellsworth   

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       

  The Sanctuary will be open for prayer each Wednesday from 12-2

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**

Club 512 Volunteers for 12-4-24

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:  Debbie Crane & Jan Spyksma

Midweek Meal Helpers: Glenda Hellenga, Audra Klinkenborg, Jill Jansma, Kay Wynia & April DeWit

Nursing Home Chaperone:  Steve Crane

Church & Local Happenings:

FIRST REFORMED CHURCH
 WORSHIP SERVICE 
 December 1, 2024 at 9:30am 

Prelude

WE APPROACH GOD

Welcome /Announcements/ Prayer

Advent Candle Lightning: Daniel & Myranda Moser family

Ministry of Music: Cherub Choir

Hymn: “It Came Upon A Midnight Clear” #128, v. 1-4

Hymn: “O’ Come All Ye Faithful” #145, v. 1-3

Congregational Prayer

Offertory Hymn: “Angels From The Realms Of Glory” #131, v. 1-4 

(offering plates will be passed)

“Doxology” #625

(Children and Worship Dismissed)

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD

Scripture: Luke 1: 5-25

Sermon: Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

WE RESPOND TO GOD

Closing Hymn: “Hark The Herald Angels Sing” #133, v. 1-3

Benediction

Sending Chorus: “Hark the Hearld Angels Sing”, #133, chorus

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

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

Serving us today 12-1-24

DOOR GREETERS- (N) Dale & Jill Jansma (S) Marcus & Kristi Kahl (SE) Tom & Sheryl Bouwman

NURSERY- Jen, Emory, & Alexis Lincecum

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Steve & Debbie Crane                      

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Springer Family

CHILDREN & WORSHIP- Leader: Elise Kahl     Greeter: Lily Jurrens

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- Christmas program practice      

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- Cindy Bosch      

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR- Tara Bouwman        

SOUND SYSTEM- Dustin Bosch

VIDEO TAPING- Eric Arnold

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Caitlin Huisman

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Brenda Van Hofwegen

VAN DRIVER- Jeff Hrdlicka

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- Benevolent Fund

Serving us next week 12-8-24

DOOR GREETERS-(N) Dusty & Ivy Ramsey (S) Colin & Rachelle Johnsen (SE) Dale & Cori Klarenbeek

NURSERY- Nathan & Ashley Kruse

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Girls League

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Girls League

CHILDREN & WORSHIP- Leader: Ashley Rypkema   Greeter: Taylor Rypkema

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- Christmas program practice  

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- Jean Fick

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR- Danielle Hrdlicka   

SOUND SYSTEM- Matt Kock

VIDEO TAPING- Justin Groen

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Elise Kahl

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Nicole Larson 

VAN DRIVER- Paul Van Wyhe

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- General Fund

                                                  FINANCIALS as of 11-17-24

                                     Last Sunday                      YTD Offerings                    YTD Budget

General Fund:            $11,663.10                         $504,503.17                        $804,499.00

Benevolent Fund:     $225.00                                $177,484.92                        $183,638.40    Online Donations:    $1,352.89                             $51,150.19  

Sunday School 11-24-24

                              Last Year’s Attendance: 110                              Last Week’s Attendance: 118

                              Last Year’s Offering: $60.00                             Last Week’s Offering: $89.00

Upcoming Events  

SUNDAY 12-1-24: 

Sunday School Lesson: God Creates the Universe

10:30-11:45am Sunday School Christmas program practice (Sanctuary)

4pm Guys Night (Leave church)

5pm Girls League (Youth Room)

MONDAY 12-2-24:

6pm-8pm Women’s Ministry Planter Class (Groen’s shop) 

TUESDAY 12-3-24: 

6:30pm Women’s Bible Study (Martha Room)

WEDNESDAY 12-4-24:

9-11am Mom Co. 

2:30-5pm Club 512

5pm Midweek Meal (pulled pork)

6pm Mission Committee Meeting

6:15pm Jr. RCYF

8pm Sr. RCYF

THURSDAY 12-5-24: 

FRIDAY 12-6-24:   

8am Men’s Bible Study

SATURDAY 12-7-24: 

SUNDAY 12-8-24:

9am Evangelism Committee Meeting (Connections Room)

Sunday School Lesson: Lesson 1

10:45-11:45am Sunday School Christmas program practice (sanctuary)

4pm Sunday School Christmas Program (sanctuary)

12/1/2024               Advent: Birth of John the Baptist Foretold         Luke 1:5-25 

Intro: Advent is the Preparation for Jesus’ Coming

Israel’s Situation: God silent for 400 years and Herod’s Reign 

1. Zachariah’s Prayer
1. Once in a Lifetime Opportunity
1. 18,000 priests: Division of Abijah
2. Holy of Holies: 
1. Burning of Incense (Contant Burning)
2. Prayers for Israel
3. Atonement: Sacrificial Lamb

1. Personal Prayer
1. Barron Wife

1. Prayer for Israel
1. Barron Israel (No Life, Silence) “Come Lord, Come”

1. Prayers for Our family, Our Nation: Come Lord Jesus, Come.

1. Lord Answers Zachariah’s Prayers
1. Angel of the Lord (Gabriel)
1. Do not be Afraid
2. Lord has heard your cry
3. You will give birth do a Son
4. He will fulfill personal prayers and corporate prayers
5. He will be a prophet
1. Malachi 4:5-6

1. Zachariah’s Unbelief
1. Doubt: Was resigned to the fact that God is silent…

1. Consequence for Doubt
1. Unable to Speak the Good News until it happens
1. God’s Promise, God’s Not Silent
2. Charades: To the Other Priest and to Elizabeth

1. Elizabeth: 5 months of seclusion
1. Are you expecting to hear from the Lord or resigned to his silence?

1. Elizabeth Rejoices
1. God uses barren and broken people to accomplish His Purposes

1. What John ultimately came to proclaim, has been fulfilled in Christ

Advent: Season of Preparation for the Coming of Jesus.

• 1^st Coming: Jesus established his Kingdom (Opened the Door)