*If anyone is musically talented on the piano or organ and would be willing to play on traditional Sundays, which is typically twice a month. Please contact the church office or Cheryl Hulstein. Thanks

    “…they flourish in the courts of our God”- Psalm 92:13b 

Our prayer concerns….                                                                                                         

Rod Grooters (Hospice)                                       

Jerry Pytleski

Merlin & Jackie Groen                                        

Roger DeBey (knee infection healing)

Scott Hunt                                                      

Bill Kastein

Jeff Hrdlicka                                                               

JoAnn Douglas

Betty Vanden Heuvel                                          

Linda Person (Kari Jurrens’ mom)                                       

Kathy Van Olst                                                  

Phyllis Fiegen (Tammi Top’s mom)

Russ Carver (Rachelle Johnsen’s dad)                               

Greyson Austin (Marlene Mellema’s grandson)

Janice Den Besten                                              

Todd Altman (Jack & Esther Altman’s son)

Ron & Cathy Birkeland                                              

Kaitlin Altman (Todd & Patty Altman’s daughter) thyroid cancer  

Bill Saeger (Jackie Groen’s brother)                                  

Alison Frohn (Jill Jansma’s Sister)                         

Betsy Mans (Cal & Cheryl Mans’ daughter in law- chemo treatments)

Welcome baby Paisley to Kaden & Ally Huisman

Our sympathies to Lee Van Veldhuizen & family on the passing of his brother, Bill

FRC Friends,

A lengthy but good update to share- Brain MRI 6-8-26 (exactly 9 months after tumor was discovered) shows a bit small tumor area, but more importantly it shows less blood flow feeding the tumor area which is credited to the use of the immunotherapy infusions that Jeff has had every three weeks since mid-April. He was doing those concurrently with oral chemo 5 nights per month.  

After reviewing the images with both Jeff’s neuro oncologist at Mayo and oncologist at Sanford it has been decided to discontinue oral chemo at this time and to do one more immunotherapy infusion in early July. He will have repeat imaging in August to see how the tumor responds to pausing treatment.  

The 6/8 MRI showed no signs of cancer spreading to other areas of Jeff’s brain (incurable grade 4 primary brain cancer typically only spreads within the brain, not to other areas of the body).

Both doctors were happy to see these results from the MRI at this point, and we are thankful for the prayers answered for quality time as Jeff is feeling as well as we could have possible hoped.

Romans 12: 9- Cling to what is good, Jeff and Danielle Hrdlicka Family

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*Faithfully Healing Infertility Class: Guiding Star of Siouxland is offering a class on infertility. If you are interested, please see the Women’s Ministry board or the local events bulletin board for more information and how to register. Registrations due by July 8.

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 *After thoughtful consideration, we have decided to discontinue our monthly newsletter “The Bridge”. We are sincerely grateful for everyone who has read, contributed to, and supported it over the years. We hope it has been a meaningful way to keep our church family informed and connected. Moving forward, important announcements, upcoming events and ministry updates will be available thru our weekly bulletin. Thank you for your understanding and if you would like information that we presented in the Bridge we are happy to provide you with that at request thru the church office.  

Secretary’s office hours: ~ Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9-1                                            

*Bulletin announcement deadline weekly is 9am on Fridays*

**Bulletin announcement deadline will be 9am on July 1st due to the church office being closed on Friday the 3^rd of July *

FIRST REFORMED CHURCH
 WORSHIP SERVICE 
 June 28, 2026 at 9:30am 

Prelude

WE APPROACH GOD

Welcome /Announcements/ Prayer

Ministry of Music: Ethanie & Alec Pulscher

Hymn: “Trust And Obey” # 349, v. 1-5

Hymn: “Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus” #350 vs. 1-4

Congregational Prayer

Offertory Hymn: “I Know Whom I Have Believed” #409 vs. 1-4

Doxology #625

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD

Scripture: Romans 3: 20

Sermon: Misery part 1

Communion

WE RESPOND TO GOD

Closing Hymn: “In My Life Lord Be Glorified” #394 vs. 1-3

Benediction

Sending Hymn: “In My Life Lord Be Glorified” #394 v. 1

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

Serving us today 6-28-26

DOOR GREETERS - (N) Cal & Cheryl Mans (S) Glenda Hellenga (SE) Marlene Bowers & Julius Damstra

NURSERY- Emery Jager & Carly Sayler

VAN DRIVER: Dale Klarenbeek

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Dan & Rhona Snyder

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Evan & Linda DeBoer

SOUND SYSTEM- Dustin Bosch

VIDEO TAPING- Breyden Dieren 

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Dave Hulstein

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Kristi Metzger

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- General Fund

Serving us next week 7-5-26 

DOOR GREETERS- (N) Mark & Sara Swartz (S) Marilyn McCoy (SE) Curt & Brenda Gisolf

NURSERY- No Nursery 4^th of July weekend  

VAN DRIVER: Ruben Fick                                        

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Dusty & Julie Timmerman

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Dwayne & Sharon Postma

SOUND SYSTEM- Brad Rypkema

VIDEO TAPING- Randy Bosch

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Dave Hulstein

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Shannon Rodger

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- Benevolent Fund

ELDERS

Nate Schulte -2024-26

Randy Bosch, VP-2024-26

Joel Vis, Clerk- 2025-27

Rodney Vanden Top- 2025-27

JD Hommes- 2026-28

DEACONS

Shawn Van Wyhe -2024-26

Jordan Menning -2024-26

Evan Metzger, Property Chair-2024-26

Kade Griesse, Chair of Deacons- 2025-27

Brad Rypkema, General Treas.-2025-27

Jerry Mulder, Benevolent Treas.- 2025-27

Braeden Schulte-2026-28

Mike Pulscher, Clerk-2026-28

Kyle Grooters-2026-28

FINANCIALS as of 6-21-26                                                                                                                                                                    

                               Last Sunday                      YTD Offerings                     YTD Budget

General Fund:         $727.50                                $215,017.85                          $339,354.18

Benevolent Fund:  $375.00                                 $122,787.22                          $95,574.28

Upcoming Events  

SUNDAY 6-28-26:

11am Rocky Mountain High Parent meeting (Sanctuary)

MONDAY 6-29-26:

TUESDAY 6-30-26:

WEDNESDAY 7-1-26:

THURSDAY 7-2-26:    

FRIDAY 7-3-26:   

Church offices closed 

8am Men’s Bible Study (Martha Room)

SATURDAY 7-4-26:    

SUNDAY 7-5-26: 

6/28/2026                         Understanding our Misery Part 1                   Rom. 3:20

Intro: Review Heidelberg Catechism (Q and A #1-2)

Responsive Reading (Q and A #3-5)

1. What is Misery?
1. Misery – Wretchedness, Exiled, Banished (Describes our reality before a holy God.)
1. Describes our standing and status before a Holy God.
1. Guilt of our Sin 
2. Judgment and Consequences of Sin
1. Sin Separates us from God and Others
2. Sin destroyed the harmony of Paradise
3. Sin continues to destroy harmony in all spheres of life.
2. Danger/Warning: We are wretched because we are exiled, wandering from God, filled with sin, in danger of Destruction; worst of all we don’t know it. 

We can’t know the depth, beauty, or sweetness of the cross without the knowledge of our misery. 

1. What is the Law of God?
1. Romans 3:20 Law of God is a Mirror or Judgment Stick
1. Reveals the heart and character of God (The Law Giver)

1. What is the Law of God?
1. Not Ceremonial or Civil
2. Moral and Eternal Law of God (the 10 Commandments)
1. Matt. 22:37-40 Love God and Love your Neighbor

1. What do we measure our lives by?
1. Others: I’m not as bad as others (Pharisee praying)
2. Ourselves: I have done good things…I’m a good person (Rich young man)
3. Subjective Moral Standards: My truth is my truth, and your truth is your truth.
1. 2 Consenting Adults, Entertainment (Violence, Sexual Content, Pornography), Abortion or Euthanasia. “If you don’t believe Abortion is right, Don’t have one.”
2. If misery is normal, then we should just live with it. (Fish out of Water)

1. God’s Law is the Only standard by which we can truly understand our misery.
1. Brings us to Repentance and the Cross

1. How do we know our Misery by the Law
1. Work of the Holy Spirit
1. Revelation, Conviction, Transformation

1. What can we do?
1. Put up our Sails (Bible, Prayer, Fasting, Confession)

Our Misery is what makes the cross Good News!