Announcements for 6-8-25

Yee-haw! That’s a wrap on VBS 2025! Thank you to all the kids who came, and to all the volunteers who served! What an amazing week! Please join us in praying for each of the children who came to Wonder Junction - that they will continue to Marvel at Jesus, and Live for His Glory! And, that they will remember that Jesus came as a baby on a special rescue mission to save us from our sins. He will return for us one day. But in the meantime, we are called to share the Good News with those around us. Our mission offering was outstanding! With your help, we were able to raise $2,991.17 for Sleep in Heavenly Peace. They will be able to provide 12 new bunk beds, bedding, and pillows for kids in the Siouxland area. Thank you!

~Merlin and Jackie Groen are celebrating their 50^th Wedding Anniversary today and will be serving cake in the fellowship hall following worship in honor of their special occasion. 

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” – Matthew 5:4

Our prayer concerns….                                                                                                  

Chris Schwartze                                                              

Betty Vanden Heuvel                                                                                        

Rod Grooters                                                                                      

Eldora Krull

Alice Feikema                                                                 

JoAnn Douglas

Karen Flier                                                                     

Twilla Hoekstra 

Merlin Groen                                                                   

Greyson Austin (Marlene Mellema’s grandson)

Ron & Cathy Birkeland                                                             

Todd Altman (Jack & Esther Altman’s son)           

Kathy Van Olst                                                                     

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

Janice Den Besten                                                                           

Russ Carver (Rachelle Johnsen’s dad)       

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

Mandie Sprock (Marilyn Mammenga’s daughter)     

Bill Saeger (Jackie Groen’s brother)                                            

Doris Iwen (Lance Iwen’s mom)

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                               Harriet Hoff                                   Darlene Brinkhuis                                           Addresses available upon request at church office

~Thank you to everyone for the prayers and support given to our family in the recent loss of our son and brother, Mark Unekis. Our hearts ache at his unexpected loss, but the memories he left us with will live on forever.  

~Patrice Unekis, Rachel & Greg Poches, Daniel & Kari Bechtel-Unekis

Please pray for the students who will be attending camp at Inspiration Hills this summer!

June 9-13: Carter VW

June 16-20: Austen B, Nathen B, & Baylor H

The June 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**

Church & Local Happenings

FIRST REFORMED CHURCH
 WORSHIP SERVICE 
 June 8, 2025 at 9:30am 

Prelude: “Same God”

WE APPROACH GOD

Welcome /Announcements/ Prayer

Children’s Message

Praise Service:

“The Lion And The Lamb”

“Mighty To Save”

Congregational Prayer

Offering Hymn “Word Of God Speak”

(offering plates will be passed)

“Doxology” #625

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD

Scripture: Revelation 17

Sermon: Do Not Love the World

WE RESPOND TO GOD

Closing Hymn: “Jesus Paid It All”

Benediction

Sending Chorus: “Jesus Paid It All”

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

Serving us today 6-8-25

DOOR GREETERS- (N) Nathan & Ashley Kruse S) Bruce & Rachel Eckenrod (SE) Jerry & Jill Pytleski

NURSERY- Aubrey Kirch, Brielle Vander Lee, & Danielle Grooters 

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Women’s Ministry (Muffins for free will donation)

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Groen Family

SOUND SYSTEM- Sawyer Hrdlicka

VIDEO TAPING- Justin Groen

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Elise Kahl

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Kiya Griesse

VAN DRIVER- Shawn Van Wyhe

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- General Fund

 Serving us next week 6-15-25

DOOR GREETERS-(N) Dustin & Julie Timmerman (S) Glenda Hellenga (SE) Luke & Danielle Grooters

NURSERY- Olivia Lyman & Jayda Pytleski

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Ben & Nicole Gerleman

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Heath & Wendy Huisman

SOUND SYSTEM- Brad Rypkema

VIDEO TAPING- Johathon Kock

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Mali Kellenberger

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Nicole Larson

VAN DRIVER- Mike Klarenbeek

*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 6-1-2025                                                                                                                           Last Sunday                      YTD Offerings                     YTD Budget

General Fund:         $7,024.20                             $224,348.69                         $290,045.80

Benevolent Fund:  $9,576.25                              $107,003.90                         $85,012.40   

Upcoming Events  

SUNDAY 6-8-25:

9am Evangelism Committee Meeting (Connections Room)

11am Mission Committee Meeting (Martha Room)

MONDAY 6-9-25:

4:45pm Cookie Club

6:30pm Grief Share (Elijah Room)

TUESDAY 6-10-25: 

WEDNESDAY 6-11-25

9:30am Joy Circle (Rm 105)

12pm-2pm Prayer Time (Sanctuary)

THURSDAY 6-12-25: 

6:30pm Peace Circle (Martha Room)

FRIDAY 6-13-25:   

8am Men’s Bible Study

SATURDAY 6-14-25: 

SUNDAY 6-15-25:

6/8/2025                            Do not Love the World?                             Revelation 17

Intro: Rev. 17 Begins the 6^th Vision and Describes the Kingdom of the World   

1 John 2:15-17   Love God, not the World

1. Woman is the Symbol of the “World”
1. Riding on the Beast 
1. Given power by Satan
2. Named Babylon the Great (Opposition to God)

1. Prostitute
1. Dressed to Seduce 
2. Sell herself to the World for Fulfillment (1 John 2:16)
1. Pleasure (Objectify People for own gain)
2. Money (Money will Satisfy)
3. Power (Political victory will last)
4. Success (Sports, Music, Career will fulfill)

1. Drunk on the Blood of the Saints
1. Creates thirst for Violence
1. War, Abuse, Images, Videos, Games, Entertainment

1. Sits by Many Waters
1. Influence reaches every culture, tribe, tongue nation and language
2. Reason the Gospel is Countercultural wherever it is introduced.

1. Babylon is Judged
1. Woman is casts out, and the nation, empire, culture implodes on itself
2. Wake of broken people.

1. Call of the Church is to Love God 
1. James 1:27    (Love what God Loves and Hate What God hates)
1. Do not become polluted by the World.
1. Do not love the World and fall to its seduction

1. Love the broken, outcasts, marginalized (Fatherless, widowed, imprisoned, etc.)
1. Share the good news of Jesus and show them the Love of God.