Announcements for 4-20-25

~This morning our 2^nd Grade Class will be reciting The Apostle’s Creed. Next week, our 5^th grade class will recite the Beatitudes. Parents: please have your 5^th 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!

~MARK YOUR CALENDAR - May 4 is fast approaching and you will not want to miss hearing Bethany Kuhlmann speaking to all ages about “Dating and Relationships”.  This event is for anyone from middle school through adults.  All adults are encouraged to attend as many no longer have teens at home but are in contact with grandchildren, young people in church and school activities.  We are not all aware about what is happening on social media and the pressure young people are under.  This Council of Churches event will be hosted by Peace Lutheran Church on Sunday, May 4 at 4 p.m.  Please join us.  There is no cost to attend but a free will offering will be taken to further the ministry of the Rock Rapids Council of Churches. ~Thank you for your help in promoting this event.  Questions can be directed to Pastor Alex.

~Ladies! Plan to attend Bible League’s Spring Salad Luncheon with your friends on Monday, May 5 at Rock Valley First Christian Reformed Church (1401 16^th Street, Rock Valley IA). Please bring one salad for every four ladies in your group. The Luncheon begins at 11:30 AM; featured speaker is Gayle Walhof who will tell of her 4-year journey in publishing her book “Songs of Naamah – A Novel of King David’s Harem”. Updates from BLI will be given, and a freewill donation will be received. Join us for this FUN event!

Our prayer concerns….                                                                                                  

Chris Schwartze                                                                                   

Rod Grooters                                                                                      

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)

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       

The April 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** 

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

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

Church & Local Happenings

FIRST REFORMED CHURCH
 WORSHIP SERVICE 
 April 20, 2025 at 9:30am “Easter Sunday”

Prelude: “Graves Into Gardens” 

WE APPROACH GOD

Welcome /Announcements/ Prayer

Memory Work: 2^nd grade “The Apostle’s Creed” 

Children’s Message: Ellea Pulscher: The Three Trees

Praise service: 

“Jesus Messiah”

“Mighty To Save”

Congregational Prayer

Offering Hymn: “Christ The Lord Is Risen Today”

(offering plates will be passed)

“Doxology” #625

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD

Scripture: Luke 24: 13-35

Sermon: The Road to Emmaus 

Baptism: Shannon Rodger & Olivia Lyman

WE RESPOND TO GOD

Benediction

Sending Chorus: “Christ The Lord Is Risen Today”

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

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

Serving us this week 4-20-25

DOOR GREETERS- (N) Lisa Vande Stouwe (S) Dave & Heather Springer (SE) Dwayne & Sharon Postma

NURSERY- Anika Springer & Alexis Lincecum

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Rich & Denise Roskam       

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Glenda Hellenga & Janine DeBruin

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- Fred Tilstra

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR- Ashley Rypkema

SOUND SYSTEM- Valerie Lenderink

VIDEO TAPING- Justin Groen

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Tanner Lincecum

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Brenda Van Hofwegen

VAN DRIVER- Lucas Bouwman

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- Benevolent Fund

Serving us next week 4-27-25

DOOR GREETERS-(N) Dalton & Kenzie Skidmore (S) Chris & Jen Lincecum (SE) Greg & Sherri DeJong

NURSERY- Avery Harman & Ashlyn Timmerman

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Scott & Amy Sieperda

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- JD & Lesa Hommes

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- Lisa Vande Stouwe

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- Karen Reemts

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR- Tara Bouwman

SOUND SYSTEM- Brad Rypkema

VIDEO TAPING- Dave Hulstein

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Thane Jansma

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Kiya Griesse

VAN DRIVER- Shawn 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 4-13-2025                                                                                   Last Sunday                      YTD Offerings                     YTD Budget

General Fund:         $7,484.30                              $166,433.18                         $197,758.50

Benevolent Fund:  $350.00                                  $72,627.60                           $57,963.00     

                                       *Online donations are now added to designated funds*                    

Sunday School 4-13-25

                        Last Year’s Attendance: 85                             Last Week’s Attendance: 74

                        Last Year’s Offering: $131.00                         Last Week’s Offering: $32.00

Upcoming Events  

SUNDAY 4-20-25:

Sunday School Lesson: Easter Lesson 2

Easter Sunday “HE IS RISEN”

MONDAY 4-21-25:

6:30pm Deacon/ Elder Meeting

7pm Consistory Meeting (David Room)

6:30pm Grief Share (Elijah Room)

TUESDAY 4-22-25: 

6:30pm Grace Circle

WEDNESDAY 4-23-25

8:30am Staff Meeting (Martha Room)

6:15pm Jr. RCYF

8pm Sr. RCYF

THURSDAY 4-24-25: 

4-6pm CLHS Prom Meal Decorating (Fellowship Hall)

FRIDAY 4-25-25:   

8am Men’s Bible Study

8pm CLHS Prom Meal (Fellowship Hall)

SATURDAY 4-26-25: 

SUNDAY 4-27-25:

Sunday School lesson: Easter Lesson 2

12-3pm Membership Retreat (Youth Room)

4/20/2025               Easter Changes Everything   Luke 24:13-35

Intro: Easter Changes Everything: Disciples (Luke 24:1-13)

1. Walk to Emmaus
1. Processing: Jesus’ Life, Teaching, Death, “Resurrection News” (Their calling)

1. Jesus joins them
1. Kept from Recognition
2. Draws out the Disciple’s lack of faith.

1. Jesus’ Rebuke
1. Fools
1. Psalm 14:1 A Fool says in his heart, there is no God.  
2. Do you not believe what the Bible says about the Messiah?

1. Jesus Teaches 
1. Greatest Sermon Never Recorded
1. Jesus, the Messiah cannot be fully understood without the Old Testament.
2. The Old Testament cannot be fully understood without Jesus, the Messiah. 

1. Beginning with Moses
1. Gen. 1-3 Creation and Fall
2. Gen. 6-9 Noah’s faith
3. Gen. 12 Covenant with Abraham
4. Gen. 22 Abraham and Issac on Mount Moriah
5. Exodus Moses and the Passover 
6. Kings and Prophets pointed to a Messiah: Not a political ruler
1. Isaiah 52-53 the Suffering Servant
2. Ezekiel: Valley of the dry bones (Resurrection)

1. Easter Morning Everything Changes
1. Finally recognize Jesus: Breaking of Bread
1. “Hearts burning within us”

1. Without Easter 
1. The cross is an Empty Promise
2. Faith is Foolish
3. Witness is pointless
4. Future is Dark

Adult Baptism: Shannon Rodger and Olivia Lyman