Announcements for 3-2-25

~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.

~Good Friday Reader's Theater!  Actors wanted!  We will do a reader's theater during the Good Friday service on April 18.  Please sign up at the Welcome Center and indicate when you are available to practice, starting in April.  Please sign up by March 16.  Questions?  Ask Valerie Lenderink, frcmusic@premieronline.net.

Club 512 Volunteers for 3-5-25

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 & Bonnie Nail

Midweek Meal Helpers: Audra Klinkenborg, Jill Jansma, Rachelle Johnsen, Kellie Menning & Kay Wynia

Nursing Home Chaperone:  

The March 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**

Don’t be afraid for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.”- Isaiah 41:10

Welcome to Kyle & Emily Grooters’ new baby girl, Kovey Lynn 

Our prayer concerns….                                      

Kari Jurrens (after surgery healing)                                                                        

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)                             

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

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  

Church & Local Happenings

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

Prelude: “Great Things”

WE APPROACH GOD

Welcome /Announcements/ Prayer

Ministry of Music: Cherub Choir

Mission Minute: Seung & Amy Kim 

Praise Service:

“Battle Belongs”

“How Great Is Our God”

Congregational Prayer

Offertory Hymn: “Hymn Of Heaven”     

(offering plates will be passed)

“Doxology” #625

(Children and Worship Dismissed)

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD

Scripture: Revelation 12

Sermon: The Woman and the Dragon

WE RESPOND TO GOD

Closing Hymn: “Because He Lives”

Benediction

Sending Chorus: “Because He Lives” 

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

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

Serving us this 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)- Edie Korthals & Glenda Hellenga

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- Sawyer Hrdlicka

VIDEO TAPING- Eric Arnold

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Caitlin Huisman

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Nicole Larson

VAN DRIVER- Jeff Hrdlicka

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- Benevolent Fund

Serving us next week 3-9-25

DOOR GREETERS-(N) Ben & Nicole Gerleman (S) Mark & Sarah Swartz (SE) Nate & Amy Schulte

NURSERY- Heather & Anika Springer

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Girls League (Cinnamon Rolls *a free will donation will be taken*)

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Girls League

CHILDREN & WORSHIP- Leader: Elise Kahl   Greeter: Melanie Wynia

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- Fred Tilstra

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- Ivy Ramsey

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR- Lindsey Anderson

SOUND SYSTEM- Dustin Bosch

VIDEO TAPING- Justin Groen

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Berlyn DeWit

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Kiya Griesse

VAN DRIVER- Lucas Bouwman

*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 2-16-2025                                                                                                                                          Last Sunday                      YTD Offerings                     YTD Budget

General Fund:         $14,080.60                           $68,409.40                           $105,471.20

Benevolent Fund:  $280.30                                  $41,129.60                           $30,913.60     

                                       *Online donations are now added to designated funds*                    

Sunday School 2-23-25

                           Last Year’s Attendance: 84                               Last Week’s Attendance: 90

                          Last Year’s Offering: $62.50                             Last Week’s Offering: $94.00

Upcoming Events  

SUNDAY 3-2-25:

Sunday School Lesson: Effects of the fall

MONDAY 3-3-25:

7pm BSF (Elijah Room)

TUESDAY 3-4-25: 

WEDNESDAY 3-5-25:

9-11am Mom Co. 

12-2pm Prayer Time (Sanctuary)

2:30-5pm Club 512

5-6:15pm Midweek Meal (Pasta Hotdish)

6:15pm Jr. RCYF

8pm Sr. RCYF

THURSDAY 3-6-25: 

FRIDAY 3-7-25:   

8am Men’s Bible Study

SATURDAY 3-8-25: 

Grace Covenant Mission trip returns

SUNDAY 3-9-25:

Communion will be served today

Sunday School lesson: Effects of the fall

3:30pm-8pm Girls League & Guys Night (Reveal Night)

3/2/2025                The Mission of Satan                       Revelation 12

Intro: Rev. 1-11 Symptoms on the Surface; Revelation 12-22 The Root Problem

1. Who is this Enemy, the Dragon?
1. Satan’s Origins (Between Creation and the Fall)
1. Created to with Power to Glorify God
2. Led Rebellion against God Cast out with 1/3 of the angels 
1. Isaiah 14:12-15
2. Ezekiel 28:13-18
3. Rev. 12:3,7-9

1. Who is the Woman and her child?
1. Woman is God’s people (Church of Old and New Testament)
1. Symbol: Gen. 37 Joseph’s Dream
2. Genesis 3:15 From the woman will come the Christ

1. Child is Christ Jesus
1. Jesus is promised to be born in the lineage of David. “Pregnant Woman”

1. Satan tries to destroy Christ
1. Genesis 3:15
1. Enmity between the woman and the serpent

1. Waiting to devour the Child
1. Unlocking the mystery of the OT through Rev. 12

1. Satan Fails to Destroy Christ
1. Herod, Temptation, Pharisees, Sweating drops of blood, Wrongful execution
2. Jesus’ resurrection and ascension: Jesus is snatched up before God and the throne

1. Satan tries to destroy the Church
1. Woman = Full body of Christ
1. Scandal, false teachers, division, Persecution

1. God protects the Church
1. Rev. 12:6 and 14-16 (During the Church age)

22. Satan tries to destroy Individual Believers (Rev. 12:17)
1. Accuser: Past Sins and Blackmail from growing closer to God.

1. Adversary: Distraction and attacking our weaknesses

1. Tempter: Non-stop attack to find a foothold. (King David)

1. God has put his seal upon your foreheads.  

Jesus has declared victory, Be Encouraged; keep your eyes fixed on Jesus Heb. 12