Announcements for 12-22-24

The Grooters family will be serving cake in the fellowship hall on December 29^th in honor of Rod & Lavonne’s 

70^th Wedding Anniversary!

Thank you for the many expressions of sympathy shown to us in the passing of our father & husband, Steve Ellsworth. We appreciate all the texts, calls, visits, food & prayers. We are grateful to be a part of such a caring congregation. ~ Jeanne Ellsworth & John & Peggy Metzger

“But seek 1^st the kingdom of God & His rightousness & all these things will be added to you.”-Matt. 6:33

Our prayer concerns….                            

Rich DeBuhr (stitches after a fall)                                                    Neil Schwartze (stitches after a fall)

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       

Please review the church’s birthday/anniversary calendar at the information desk

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

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

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

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**

*Church offices will be closed December 24^th and 25^th for the Christmas holiday and also January 1^st, 2025 for the New year holiday! Thanks

Church & Local Happenings  

   Sign up for bible studies at https://frcrockrapids.churchcenter.com/registrations/events or scan the QR code. 

FIRST REFORMED CHURCH
 WORSHIP SERVICE 
 December 22, 2024 at 9:30am

Prelude: “Infant Holy Infant Lowly”

WE APPROACH GOD

Welcome /Announcements/ Prayer

Advent Candle Lightning: Dan & Dawn Aeschliman 

Ministry of Music: Olivia Lyman & Aubree Boender

Praise Service: 

Praise Service: 

“Born On That Day”

“Behold a Manger”

Congregational Prayer

Offertory Hymn: “What Child Is This”

(offering plates will be passed)

“Doxology” #625 

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD

Scripture: Luke 2: 1-21

Sermon: Birth of Jesus

WE RESPOND TO GOD

Closing Hymn: “Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem”

Benediction

Sending Chorus: “Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem”

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

Serving us today 12-22-24

DOOR GREETERS- (N) Glenda Hellenga (S) Luke & Danielle Grooters (SE) Janine DeBruin

NURSERY- Alexis & Emory Lincecum

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Heath & Wendy Huisman                    

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Colin & Rachelle Johnsen

CHILDREN & WORSHIP- Leader:     Greeter: No Children & Worship (resumes January 5^th)

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- No Sunday School (resumes January 5^th)   

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES-

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR-         

SOUND SYSTEM- Sawyer Hrdlicka

VIDEO TAPING- Brad Rypkema

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Thane Jansma

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Jean Fick

VAN DRIVER- Shawn Van Wyhe

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- General Fund

 Serving us next week 12-29-24

DOOR GREETERS-(N) John & Peggy Metzger (S) Craig & Julie DeRuyter (SE) Dustin & Julie Timmerman

NURSERY- Kayla Van Wyhe & Kenley Korthals

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Rypkema Family

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Dwayne & Sharon Postma 

                                   (Serving Cake for Rod & Lavonne Grooters 70^th Anniversary)

CHILDREN & WORSHIP- Leader:   Greeter:  No Children & Worship (resumes January 5^th)

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- No Sunday School (resumes January 5^th)

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- N/A

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR- N/A

SOUND SYSTEM- Dustin Bosch

VIDEO TAPING- Randy Bosch

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Brett Dieren

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Kristi Metzger

VAN DRIVER- Mike Klarenbeek

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- General Fund

                                                  FINANCIALS as of 12-15-24

                                     Last Sunday                      YTD Offerings                    YTD Budget

General Fund:            $2,221.00                            $553,742.17                        $855,850.00

Benevolent Fund:     $5,310.00                            $198,219.92                        $195,360.00                                 

Online Donations:    $5,185.00                             $58,721.69         

Sunday School 12-15-24

                              Last Year’s Attendance: 67                              Last Week’s Attendance: 77

                              Last Year’s Offering: $96.00                             Last Week’s Offering: $43.00

Upcoming Events  

SUNDAY 12-22-24:

No Sunday School (Resumes on January 5^th, 2025)

MONDAY 12-23-24:

7pm BSF 

TUESDAY 12-24-24: 

Church Offices Closed

5:30pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 

WEDNESDAY 12-25-24:

Church Offices Closed “Merry Christmas”

THURSDAY 12-26-24: 

FRIDAY 12-27-24:   

8am Men’s Bible Study

SATURDAY 12-28-24: 

SUNDAY 12-29-24:

No Sunday School (Resumes on January 5^th, 2025)

Cake will be served in the Fellowship Hall for Rod & Lavonne Grooters 70^th Anniversary

12/22/2024                      Birth of Jesus    Luke 2:1-21 

Intro: Christmas Story is the Gospel Story

1. God works through our Story
1. Actions and Consequences = Law of Sowing and Reaping
1. Ceaser Augustus: Census
2. Mary and Joseph go to Bethlehem
3. Our Decisions, Choices and Actions have consequences.

1. God is active in your story.
1. Bringing you to the place you need to be. 
1. Prophecy for baby to be born in Bethlehem. (His Plan)
2. You can’t mess up his plan. (Child, Good/Bad choices, etc.)

1. Good News
1. Angels share the Good News
1. Message was for all people!
2. Shepherds: Unto You a Child is Born
1. Isaiah 9:2
3. Message of a Savior
1. Mesiah and Lord

1. Sign Given the Child both human and Divine
1. Baby in a Manger
2. Heavenly Host 

1. Good News of Jesus shared with you. 
1. Jesus came to us, because we could not go to him! (Messiah and Lord)
2. Came to remove our sin, so that we might have a relationship with Him.

1. Response of Faith
1. Shepherds Response was Faith: Let’s Go and they went!
1. Left sheep in the field
2. Heart Transformed, Purpose Gained, Eternity Changed

1. Our response to Jesus in faith
1. Heart Transformed
2. Purpose Given
3. Eternity Changed