Announcements for 2-16-25

Due to cold and flu season, it has been recommended we do not shake hands during our morning greeting time or as we depart from worship. Thank you for understanding.

Registration is NOW Open for Summer Camp 2025 at Inspiration Hills.  This year’s theme is “Christ is the Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever!”

Note:  Our church pays ½ the cost of registration.  When you register only pay ½ and indicate you are part of First Reformed Church Rock Rapids.  Our church will be billed at the beginning of June.  There are brochures in the gathering space or check out https://www.inspirationhills.org/summer-camp for more information.  All Registration is done online.   ~If you have any questions, please contact Cheryl Van Beek or Amy Schulte.

Take home an empty baby bottle BEGINNING SUNDAY, JANUARY 19,2025. Fill it with coins, cash, or check (Payable to Cherish House) and RETURN IT TO THE CHURCH BY SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2025. Thank you! 

Church Directories are on the welcome center, please look at them and if it needs to be updated, please change it with the red pen, so we have the most updated information for 2025. I will leave them up for a couple weeks. Thanks Jammie 

~Save the Date:

“Building on Faith” fundraiser will be on Sunday, March 30. Funds will go towards the remaining costs of the parking lot improvements made last year and other church ministries.  Please give prayerful consideration on how you can get involved, such as donating an item for the silent auction, making a pie for the pie auction, making a salad for the meal, helping serve or clean-up after the meal. Please keep this date reserved and plan to attend this event and fellowship with others.

Club 512 Volunteers for 2-19-25

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:  Tracy Arnold & Bonnie Nail

Midweek Meal Helpers: Audra Klinkenborg, Randy Bosch, Rachelle Johnsen, ReNae Leuthold, & Amy Sieperda

Nursing Home Chaperone:  Steve Crane

The February 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**

~Thanks to everyone for their outpouring of support following the loss of Doris. ~ Don Calkins & Family 

“My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven & earth.”- Psalm 121:2

Our prayer concerns….                                      

Chris Schwartze (healing after an accident)                                                

Alice Feikema                                                                  JoAnn Douglas

Loren Dengler                                                                  Twilla Hoekstra 

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)         Mandie Sprock (Marilyn Mammenga’s daughter)  Todd Altman (Jack & Esther Altman’s son)                            

Dannelle Gerdes (Scott Hunt’s sister starting chemo treatments

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

 Loren Dengler                       Darlene Brinkhuis                                            

Addresses available upon request at church office       

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

FIRST REFORMED CHURCH
 WORSHIP SERVICE 
 February 16, 2025 at 9:30am

Prelude: “Even So Come”

WE APPROACH GOD

Welcome /Announcements/ Prayer

Children’s Message

Praise Service:

“This Is Amazing Grace”

“It Is You”

Congregational Prayer

Offertory Hymn: “Gratitude”         

(offering plates will be passed)

“Doxology” #625

(Children and Worship Dismissed)

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD

Scripture: Revelation 11: 1-14

Sermon: The Two Witnesses

WE RESPOND TO GOD

Closing Hymn: “Alleluia He Is Coming”

Benediction

Sending Chorus: “Alleluia He Is Coming” (chorus)

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

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

Serving us this week 2-16-25

DOOR GREETERS- (N) Ken & ReNae Leuthold (S) Korey & Val Krull (SE) Jeff & Angie Jager

NURSERY- Jen Lincecum & Elise Kahl

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Men’s Ministry (Monkey Bread *free will donation*)                  

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Men’s Ministry

CHILDREN & WORSHIP- Leader: Sara Hrdlicka    Greeter: Lily Jurrens

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER: Paul Van Wyhe

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- Barb Folkens

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR- Danielle Hrdlicka     

SOUND SYSTEM- Sawyer Hrdlicka

VIDEO TAPING- Breyden Dieren

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Tanner Lincecum

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Kristi Metzger

VAN DRIVER- Paul Van Wyhe

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- Benevolent Fund

Serving us next week 2-23-25

DOOR GREETERS-(N) Dan & Rhona Snyder (S) Matt & Jen Kock (SE) Justin & Sara Groen

NURSERY- Nathan & Ashley Kruse

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Steve & Debbie Crane

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Gary & Karen Van Wyhe

CHILDREN & WORSHIP- Leader: Jen Lincecum   Greeter: Alexis & Emory Lincecum

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- Fred Tilstra

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- Karen Reemts

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR- Ashley Rypkema

SOUND SYSTEM- Brad Rypkema

VIDEO TAPING- Dave Hulstein

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Thane Jansma

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Brenda Van Hofwegen

VAN DRIVER- Dale Klarenbeek

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- General Fund

DEACONS

Rob Van Hofwegen, Property Chair-2023-25

Justin Groen -2023-25 

Mark Boender-2023-25

Shawn Van Wyhe, Benevolent Treas. -2024-26

Jordan Menning, Chair of Deacons -2024-26

Evan Metzger, General Treas./ Personnel chair-2024-26

Kade Griesse, Clerk of Deacons- 2025-27

Brad Rypkema-2025-27

Jerry Mulder- 2025-27

FINANCIALS as of 2-9-2025                                                                                                                         Last Sunday                      YTD Offerings                     YTD Budget

General Fund:         $19,391.60                           $51,367.50                           $79,103.40

Benevolent Fund:  $3,660.00                               $36,057.30                       $23,185.20     

                                       *Online donations are now added to designated funds*              

Sunday School 2-9-25

                      Last Year’s Attendance: 86                               Last Week’s Attendance: 75

                              Last Year’s Offering: $63.96                             Last Week’s Offering: $61.00

Upcoming Events  

SUNDAY 2-16-24:

Sunday School Lesson: Corruption: Sin Enters the world

MONDAY 2-17-24:

6:30pm Deacon/Elder Meeting 

7:30pm Consistory Meeting (David Room)

7pm BSF (Elijah Room)

TUESDAY 2-18-24: 

6:30pm Grace Circle

WEDNESDAY 2-19-25:

9-11am Mom Co. 

12-2pm Prayer Time (Sanctuary)

2:30-5pm Club 512

5-6:15pm Midweek Meal (Pork Loin)

6:15pm Jr. RCYF

8pm Sr. RCYF

THURSDAY 2-20-25: 

FRIDAY 2-21-25:   

8am Men’s Bible Study

SATURDAY 2-22-25: 

SUNDAY 2-23-25:

Sunday School lesson: Unit review

2/16/2025                         Two Witnesses                        Revelation 11:1-14

Intro: Purpose of Revelation: Encourage the church to fulfill the Great Commission until Christ returns.

1. God’s People are Measured
1. Anatomy of the Temple and Luke 23

1. God’s People are Measured and Sealed Spiritually
1. Relationship with Jesus

1. Outer Courts remain unprotected

1. Nominal Christians will fall away

1. Numbers?
1. 42 months, 1,260 days, 3 ½ years
1. Represent the Church Age
2. Begins at Jesus’ ascension until His Return
1. (Rev. 12:5)

1. Two Witnesses
1. Who are the Witnesses?
1. Church filled with the Holy Spirit: Olive Trees and Lampstands
2. Ministers and Missionaries

1. What are they to preach?
1. Sackcloth: Mourn over Sin, preach repentance and the good news of Jesus.

1. How?
1. Given the power of the Holy Spirit: like Elijah, Moses, etc.
2. Satan will not be allowed to Stop the Church (Revelation 20)

1. Satan Released
1. Mission to Destroy the Church will be accomplished

1. Great Rejoicing by the wicked. (Cements their stance against God)

22. Judgment Day (After 3 ½ Days)
1. Revival of the Church
1. Hints at Resurrections, Church coming alive again

1. Rapture of the Church
1. 1 Thessalonians 4

1. 7^th trumpet Sounded: No more delay
1. Wicked will be destroyed and God’s Kingdom will reign forever. 

Application: You are the Witnesses; you are kept by God, not even death can overcome you until the Return of Jesus.