Announcements for 2-23-25

Our Lost & Found is getting very full, if you could please look to see if any items may belong to you and take them, that would be great! We will donate any items left by March 9. Thanks. 

~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.

~Building on Faith Event – Sunday March 30

“Building on Faith” is an event to promote fellowship with one another while enjoying a meal and fun activities together. The event will be held at the church and lunch will be served shortly after 11:00. After the meal, a silent auction will be held on donated items, a pie auction will be held, and we will play some games of Bingo (no cost to play). The event is a fundraiser event with freewill donations going towards the parking lot improvement project that was completed last year. We made significant progress toward paying for the parking lot project. We currently have roughly $34,000 left to pay on the parking lot project. Also, this year a portion of the funds will go towards a few ministries within the church. Please consider how you can get involved, such as donating an item for the silent auction, pies for the auction, and salads for the meal. There are sign-up sheets in the gathering area. Please keep this date reserved and plan to attend this event, enjoy a good meal and fellowship with others.

~Immanuel Lutheran Church, Rock Rapids will be holding their Liver and Onion meal,

Pork Loin and MeatballS, Potatoes, Green Beans or Corn, Dinner Roll and Desserts

On March 2^th at 6:00 pm.  Please contact Immanuel Lutheran ~472-2245 if you would like to attend, by Wednesday, February 26^th. A freewill offering will be taken.

Club 512 Volunteers for 2-26-25

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

                              Leo Groen                               Maddie Van Der Weerd                           Ephraim Hoefert

                          Jayson Huygens                                Alexis Austin                                        Tanner Lincecum

                           Liam VanderZee                           Avery Harman                                       Quintin Sprock

                                                                                                                                                       Aston Van Beek

Club 512 Snack helpers:  Debbie Crane & Jan Spyksma

Midweek Meal Helpers: Glenda Hellenga, Rachel Eckenrod, Jean Fick, Carol Oliver, & 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**

The sanctuary will be open this Wednesday from 12-2 for prayer

 ~Sign up for Right Now Media (Bible-based video library) 

~Thank you for the cards, memorials, food, prayers, visits and support after Bob's unexpected death.  A special thank you to dear friends, Joy Circle, Pastor Steve, Pastor Amy, and Care Elders Laureen and Jeff Schram.  Your caring and love meant so much. ~Karen Reemts and Family of Bob Reemts 

“He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid.”- Deuteronomy 31:8

Our prayer concerns….                                      

Chris Schwartze                                                                                   Eldora Krull                                     

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

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)                             

Our Care Elders:

Steve & Debbie Crane                                          Steve & Jessica Harman                         Richard & Margie Reitsma

 Scott & Amy Sieperda                                         Rich & Denise Roskam                            Mike & Erica Groen

 Chris & Kristi Wright                                             Anita Dieren                                            Jody Vande Weerd

 Matt & Jen Kock                                                  Laureen Schram                                        Mary Hoogers

Gerald Postma                                                    Sara Hrdlicka                                         Wendy Huisman

Barb Folkens & Sue Faber                                    Geneva Grooters                                     Dan & Rhona Snyders

Bonnie Hoaglund                                                 Fred & Sharon Tilstra

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

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

FIRST REFORMED CHURCH
 WORSHIP SERVICE 
 February 23, 2025 at 9:30am

Prelude

WE APPROACH GOD

Welcome /Announcements/ Prayer

Ministry of Music: Adult Choir

Mission Minute: Dionne Jansma: Uganda trip

Hymn: “Standing On The Promises” #271, v. 1-4

Hymn: “This Is My Father’s World” #58, v. 1-3

Congregational Prayer

Offertory Hymn: “It Is Well With My Soul” #493, v. 1-4      

(offering plates will be passed)

“Doxology” #625

(Children and Worship Dismissed)

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD

Scripture: Revelation 11: 15-19, 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18

Sermon: The 7^th Trumpet

WE RESPOND TO GOD

Closing Hymn: “Now Thank We All Our God” # 556, v. 1-3

Benediction

Sending Chorus: “God Be With You” #602 

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

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

Serving us this week 2-23-25

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- 

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

Serving us next week 3-2-25

DOOR GREETERS-(N) Harvey & Nettie Roskam (S) Scott & Allison Van Aartsen (SE) Brad & Ashley Rypkema

NURSERY- Kay & Melanie Wynia

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Pytleski Family

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- George & Doris Schneidermann

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

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- Dwayne Postma

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- Glenda Hellenga

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR- Tara Bouwman

SOUND SYSTEM- Matt Kock

VIDEO TAPING- Eric Arnold

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Caitlin Huisman

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Nicole Larson

VAN DRIVER-Jeff Hrdlicka

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- Benevolent 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 2-16-2025                                                                                                                               Last Sunday                      YTD Offerings                     YTD Budget

General Fund:         $2,961.30                              $54.328.80                           $92,287.30

Benevolent Fund:  $4,792.00                               $40,849.30                           $27,049.40     

                                       *Online donations are now added to designated funds*                    

Sunday School 2-16-25

                              Last Year’s Attendance: 84                               Last Week’s Attendance: 96

                              Last Year’s Offering: $62.50                             Last Week’s Offering: $194.00

Upcoming Events  

SUNDAY 2-23-24:

Sunday School Lesson: Unit review

12-3pm Membership Retreat (Fellowship hall)

MONDAY 2-24-24:

7pm BSF (Elijah Room)

TUESDAY 2-25-24: 

WEDNESDAY 2-26-25:

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 2-27-25: 

FRIDAY 2-28-25:   

8am Men’s Bible Study

SATURDAY 3-1-25: 

Grace Covenant Mission trip leaves

SUNDAY 3-2-25:

Sunday School lesson: Effects of the fall

2/23/2025                         Review                   Rev. 11:15-19; 1 Thes. 4:13-18

Intro: Review where we have been…

1. 3 Major Themes of Revelation
1. Jesus has final Victory

1. Spiritual Battle is real

1. Judgement is Coming

Purpose of Revelation: Encourage the Church to fulfill the great commission until Christ’s Return.

1. 7 Visions of Revelation
1. All Vision begin at Christ’s Ascension and end with Christ’s Return

1. Vision 1: 7 Letters to the Churches
1. Spiritual and Physical struggles within the church
1. False Teaching, Lukewarm, Compromised Beliefs

1. Vision 2: The 7 Seals
1. Spiritual and Physical struggles between the Church and the World
1. Persecution, Economic Hardship, imprisonment, killed.

1. Vision 3: The 7 Trumpets
1. Church’s witness to the world that is being warned of the coming judgment
1. Famine, Disease, Overthrown Governments, Cultural lies/philosophies, Demon Possession, Wars.
2. Message to Repent
2. Conclusion of the Vision 7 begins with Satan being released
1. Purpose is to make clear who belongs to the Lord and who belongs to Satan
3. Resurrection of the Dead and Rapture
4. Final Judgment and Eternal Reign

1. What happens to those that die before Christ’s second coming? How does it all work?
1. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
1. Greive with Hope because of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus

1. Spirit is immediately with Jesus

1. Bodily Resurrection and Rapture at the 7^th Trumpet

1. Living Forever with Jesus with Glorified Body (1 Corinthians 15:51)