Announcements for 3-23-25

~This morning our Kindergarten Class will recite their memory work. Next week, our 1^st Grade Class will recite Psalm 23 and John 3:16. Parents: please have your 1^st graders to their classroom by 9:15 AM. When they are finished, the children will join their families for the remainder of worship. Thank you!

The Building on Faith Fundraiser is Next Week! Join us after Church for lunch consisting of Hot Dogs, Sloppy Joe's, Coney Dogs, and Salads and Sides. We will also have gluten free options available. Also join us as we will be playing Bingo (No Cost), a Pie Auction, and Silent Auction. This year's event will support our Parking Lot Project and other Church Ministries. We look forward to seeing you for a time of Fellowship and Fun!

First Reformed 2^nd Annual 

Building on Faith Event

Sunday, March 30

• Join us for fellowship and enjoy a homemade meal (sloppy joes, coney dogs, hot dogs, salads, chips, cookies). Gluten free options will be available.
• Bingo will be played after the meal. There will be prizes for the winners and there is no cost to play.
• Live Pie Auction will take place between Bingo rounds.
• Silent auction items will be available to view before/after the church service.
• Proceeds will go towards our parking lot improvement project, along with Women’s Ministry, Men’s Ministry and RCYF.

Some Silent Auction Items donated already

~The updated church directory is available for 2025. You can request a copy from the church office, Thanks.

~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.

Club 512 Volunteers for 3-26-25

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 Vander Zee                   Avery Harman                   Quintin Sprock                                                                                                                            Aston Van Bee

Club 512 Snack helpers:  Peggy Metzger & Doris Schneidermann

Midweek Meal Helpers: Glenda Hellenga, Rachelle Johnsen, Kellie Menning, Amy Sieperda, & Kay Wynia

Nursing Home Chaperone:  Steve Crane 

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** 

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

~beginning on April 7^th 6:30pm- Contact Amy Ryals for more information

~Care Elders’ Training- April 3^rd @ 6:30pm

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

“In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry to Him reached His ears.”- Psalm 18:6    

 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                                Todd Altman (Jack & Esther Altman’s son)  

Kathy Van Olst                       Dannelle Gerdes (Scott Hunt’s sister, 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)    

Ron & Cathy Birkeland                       

Beth Gable (Allison Van Aartsen’s sister-in-law)

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 23, 2025 at 9:30am 

Prelude: “Holy Forever”

WE APPROACH GOD

Welcome /Announcements/ Prayer

Memory Work: Kindergarten: The Lord’s Prayer

Ministry of Music: Adult Choir

Praise Service:

“Good God Almighty”

“Great Things”

Congregational Prayer

Offertory Hymn: “Raise A Hallelujah”     

(offering plates will be passed)

“Doxology” #625

Children’s Message

(Children and Worship Dismissed)

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD

Scripture: Revelation 14: 1-5

Sermon: The Lamb on Mt. Zion

WE RESPOND TO GOD

Closing Hymn: “Jesus Paid It All”

Benediction

Sending Chorus: “Jesus Paid It All” 

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

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

 Serving us today 3-23-25

DOOR GREETERS- (N) JD & Lesa Hommes (S) Craig & Kay Wynia (SE) Jerry & Kerry Mulder

NURSERY- Melanie Wynia

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Hartter Family                 

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Ivy & Dusty Ramsey

CHILDREN & WORSHIP- Leader: Elise Kahl   Greeter: Ashlyn Timmerman

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER: Lisa Vande Stouwe

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- Laureen Schram

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR- Ashley Rypkema

SOUND SYSTEM- Sawyer Hrdlicka

VIDEO TAPING- Dave Hulstein

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Brett Dieren

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- April DeWit

VAN DRIVER- Mike Klarenbeek

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- General Fund

 Serving us next week 3-30-25

DOOR GREETERS-(N) Jarod & Emily DeBey (S) Garrett & Carly Sayler (SE) Laureen Gerritson

NURSERY- Kayla Van Wyhe & Jayda Pytleski

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Denise & Rich Roskam

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Scott & Deb Hunt

CHILDREN & WORSHIP- Leader: Brenda Van Hofwegen   Greeter: 

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- Marilyn McCoy

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- Barb Folkens

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR- Tara Bouwman

SOUND SYSTEM- Brad Rypkema

VIDEO TAPING- Randy Bosch

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Aubree Boender

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Jean Fick

VAN DRIVER- Paul Van Wyhe

*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 3-16-2025 

                               Last Sunday                      YTD Offerings                         YTD Budget

General Fund:         $7,506.40                              $96,761.80                           $145,022.90

Benevolent Fund:  $9,352.00                               $61,419.60                            $42,506.20      

Sunday School 3-16-25

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

                          Last Year’s Offering: $47.25                           Last Week’s Offering: $68.00

Upcoming Events  

SUNDAY 3-23-25:

Sunday School Lesson: Catastrophe: The Flood

2pm Tec Council Meeting (Youth Room)

MONDAY 3-24-25:

7pm BSF (Elijah Room)

TUESDAY 3-25-25: 

1pm Chili Prepping (Kitchen)

WEDNESDAY 3-26-25:

8:30am Staff Meeting (Martha Room)

12-2pm Prayer Time (Sanctuary)

2:30-5pm Club 512

5-6:15pm Midweek Meal (Chili)

6:15pm Jr. RCYF

8pm Sr. RCYF

THURSDAY 3-27-25: 

FRIDAY 3-28-25:   

8am Men’s Bible Study

SATURDAY 3-29-25: 

Building on Faith setup (all day)

SUNDAY 3-30-25:

11:30am Building on Faith Event (Fellowship Hall)

Sunday School lesson: God Saves Noah

3/23/2025                                     Two Kingdoms                          Revelation 14

Intro: Kingdom of the Satan vs the Kingdom of the Lamb

1. Kingdom of the Dragon (Satan)
1. Review Ch. 12 
1. Goal is to Destroy the Church

1. Kingdom is Characterized by Pride

1. Beast of the Sea = Political and Military Power

1. Beast of the Earth = False Philosophies/Religions
1. Worship Yourself: Find what makes you happy (Stuff, Money, Power, Pleasure)
2. Find Peace and Security in Power, Money, Things.
3. If he can’t get you to stumble, he will try to break you: Imprisonment and Killing

1. Kingdom of the Lamb (Jesus)
1. Review Ch. 12 
1. God protects his People from the Dragon

1. Kingdom is Characterized by Humility
1. Phil. 2 Humbled Himself: Lamb that was slain

1. God Exalted him to reign on Mount Zion
1. Heb. 12:22 Mount Zion is the Heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the Living God.

1. With His People 
1. 12 x 12 x 1000 = 144,000
2. Redeemed and First Fruits
3. Committed to the following Jesus
1. Being made pure, blameless
4. Sing a New Song = Jesus is Lord
1. 2 Cor. 5:17 If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation…

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

1. How do we carry out the Great Commission in Enemy Territory?
1. Recognizing the battle is not against flesh and blood. (Spiritual Battle)
1. 2 Kings 6 Elisha

1. We do not fight alone
1. Prayers of God’s People: Story of John Paton 
2. Isaiah 43:1-3 God Sustains His People