Announcements for 2-2-25

~Greetings First Reformed Church,

We have officially tallied the results of our Congregational Vote.  The First Reformed Church overwhelmingly

approved the ballot measure to leave the RCA and join the Alliance of Reformed Churches.  

Yes votes: 98.7 %

No votes: 1.3 %

231 Ballots were cast.  

Thank you all for your prayers and participation in the process. Don't stop praying as we continue to share the good news of Jesus. We will give more updates later.  ~All for Jesus, Pastor Steve 

~2024 Budget Update

Members of First Reformed Church,

The deacons would like to thank you for your generous and faithful tithing throughout 2024. Through your support, we were able to pay 2024 expenses and made significant progress toward paying for the south parking lot. We currently have roughly $34,000 left to pay on the south parking lot project. We praise God for His provision through your giving to First Reformed in 2024. We are excited to see how God will continue to work in and through First Reformed Church of Rock Rapids in 2025. Thank you again for the contributions you made in 2024.  - The Deacons of FRC

~Adult Choir:  We are starting to work on our Easter cantata.  We will be presenting “Written in Red” this year on Palm Sunday.  We would love to have anyone who has sung it before, or anyone just wanting to sing with us to join us after church in the David Room downstairs following church.  Thank you!   Judy Gacke

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! 

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“For God alone my soul waits in silence; from Him comes my salvation.”- Psalm 62:1

Congratulations to Colin & Rachelle Johnsen on the birth of their 2 granddaughters, Lainey Mae Thompson & Elowyn Leigh Johnsen 

Congratulations to Kyle & Rochelle Ebel on the birth of their granddaughter, Elowyn Leigh Johnsen 

Condolences to the family if Doris Calkins, she passed away on January 28^th.

Our prayer concerns….                                      

Chris Schwartze (healing after an accident)

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)                           Dannelle Gerdes (Scott Hunt’s sister starting chemo treatments)               

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

Darlene Brinkhuis                                                                      Loren Dengler

Addresses available upon request at church office       

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

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**

Club 512 Volunteers for 2-5-25

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 & Debbie Crane

Midweek Meal Helpers: No Midweek Meal *Please support the CRC Soup Supper – Forester Community Building*

Nursing Home Chaperone:  Steve Crane

Church and local happenings:

FIRST REFORMED CHURCH
 WORSHIP SERVICE 
 February 2, 2025 at 9:30am

Prelude: “It Is You”

WE APPROACH GOD

Welcome /Announcements/ Prayer

Ministry of Music: Cherub Choir

Mission Minute: FRC Mission Teams update

Praise Service:

“Waymaker”

“Holy Forever”

Congregational Prayer

Offertory Hymn: “King Of Kings”        

(offering plates will be passed)

“Doxology” #625

(Children and Worship Dismissed)

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD

Scripture: Revelation 8:2-9, 9:21

Sermon: The Trumpets

WE RESPOND TO GOD

Closing Hymn: “Before The Throne Of God”

Benediction

Sending Chorus: “Before The Throne Of God”

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

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

Serving us today 2-2-25

DOOR GREETERS- (N) Conrad & Audrey DeNoble (S) Jeff & Laureen Schram (SE) Audra Klinkenborg

NURSERY- Wendy & Caitlin Huisman

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Springer Family                  

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Jeff & Laureen Schram

CHILDREN & WORSHIP- Leader: Taylor Bosch    Greeter: Mali Kellenberger

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- Dwayne Postma 

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- Cori Klarenbeek

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR- Tara Bouwman       

SOUND SYSTEM- Matt Kock

VIDEO TAPING- Eric Arnold 

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Caitlin Huisman

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- April DeWit

VAN DRIVER- Shawn Van Wyhe

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- Benevolent Fund

Serving us next week 2-9-25

DOOR GREETERS-(N) Lance & Cindi Iwen (S) Scott & Amy Sieperda (SE) Evan & Kristi Metzger

NURSERY- Ashlynn Timmerman & Avery Harman

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Girls League (Cinnamon Rolls)

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Girls League

CHILDREN & WORSHIP- Leader: Brenda Van Hofwegen   Greeter: Mali Kellenberger

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- Sarah Wilson

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- Ashley Kruse

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR- Lindsey Anderson

SOUND SYSTEM- Dustin Bosch

VIDEO TAPING- Justin Groen

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Elise Kahl

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Jean Fick

VAN DRIVER- Mike Klarenbeek

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- General Fund

ELDERS

Chris Wright, Clerk-2023-25

Sharon Postma, VP-2023-25

Nate Schulte -2024-26

Randy Bosch-2024-26

Joel Vis- 2025-27

Rodney Vanden Top- 2025-27

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 1-26-2025                                                                                                                               Last Sunday                      YTD Offerings                     YTD Budget

General Fund:         $9,974.30                              $27,108.10                           $52,735.60

Benevolent Fund:  $335.00                                  $23,580.30                            $15,456.80       

                                       *Online donations are now added to designated funds*                    

Sunday School 1-26-25

                              Last Year’s Attendance: 58                               Last Week’s Attendance: 91

                              Last Year’s Offering: $71.00                             Last Week’s Offering: $.00

Upcoming Events  

SUNDAY 2-2-24:

Sunday School Lesson: The Age of the Earth

MONDAY 2-3-24:

7pm BSF (Elijah Room)

TUESDAY 2-4-24: 

WEDNESDAY 2-5-25:

9-11 Mom Co. 

12-2pm Prayer Time (Sanctuary)

2:30-5pm Club 512

No midweek meal (CRC soup supper)

6:15pm Jr. RCYF

8pm Sr. RCYF

THURSDAY 2-6-25: 

FRIDAY 2-7-25:   

8am Men’s Bible Study

SATURDAY 2-8-25: 

SUNDAY 2-9-25:

Sunday School lesson: Stewards of God’s Creation

12pm Ice Fishing Event (Lake Pahoja)

2/2/2025                Trumpet Warnings                Revelation 8:2-9:21

Intro: Prayers of God’s People (Rev. 8:3-5) Cry of God’s People in Egypt

1. Framework of Revelation 8-9 “Plagues of Egypt”
1. Plagues had 3 purposes
1. Display God’s Presence and Power to Egyptians (ungodly)
2. Reveal the weakness of worldly “gods”
3. Warn that Judgement is coming (Pharaoh will not win)

1. Trumpets and plagues that accompany them have the same purpose.

1. First 4 Trumpets and Plagues
1. Hail and Fire upon 1/3 of the Land
1. If your security is in crops, animals, homes, etc. you will experience loss.

1. Blazing Mountain hurled into the Sea
1. Nations will fall (Jeremiah 51:24-25)
2. Security in Amazon (Shipments), government, politics, wealth

1. Star falling and poising the drinking water
1. Isaiah 14:12 Fall of Satan
2. Poisoning the culture: Influences us with lies
1. Security in Possessions, wealth, relationships, power, etc. 

1. Darkness (Veiled Light)
1. Confusion and inability to trust: Experts, Science, Religion, Truth

1. Trumpets 5 and 6 (Woe, Woe, Woe)
1. Demonic Activity on the Rise
1. Satan’s limited power
2. Spiritual, mental, physical, emotional harm: Depression, Anxiety, fear, loneliness, hopelessness, horror, desire to hurt yourself.

1. Evil of War
1. Experience of the Horrors of war
1. Mass causalities, wake after the war economically, psychologically, emotionally devastating.

1. Refusal to Repent

1. What does this mean for you and me?
1. Never stop sharing the good news of Jesus
1. God is merciful and these warnings will continue until the coming of Christ

1. God is Just and will not tolerate Evil forever. 
1. The final Judgement is coming.