Announcements for 7-5-26

For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! 

Romans 11:36

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                                                  

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                                              

Bill Saeger (Jackie Groen’s brother)                                 

Alison Frohn (Jill Jansma’s Sister)                          

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

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

Christian Literature - Our box for collecting Christian Literature is back in place under the south coat rack along with a complete list of acceptable items.  We have just finished our April to June Words of Hope devotional and encourage you to drop your copy in the collection box.  Devotionals are one of the most requested items. Your donation can make an eternal impact!

*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.

 *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*

 Church and area events:

FIRST REFORMED CHURCH
 WORSHIP SERVICE 
 July 5, 2026 at 9:30am 

Prelude

WE APPROACH GOD

Welcome /Announcements/ Prayer

Children’s Message

Hymn: “My Country ‘Tis Of Thee” #571 v. 1,4

Hymn: “America” #572 v. 1

Hymn: “God Of Our Fathers” #573 v. 1,2,4

Congregational Prayer

Offertory Hymn: “Nearer Still Nearer” #392

Doxology #625

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD

Scripture: Romans 1: 18-32

Sermon: Our Misery (We fall short)

WE RESPOND TO GOD

Closing Hymn: “O How He Loves and Me” #513 v. 1, 2

Benediction

Sending Hymn: “May The Grace Of Christ Our Savior” #608 v. 1

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

NURSERY- No nursery volunteer

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

Serving us next week 7-12-26

DOOR GREETERS- (N) Art & Karen Flier (S) Ken & ReNae Leuthold (SE) George & Doris S. 

NURSERY- Jen Hoefert & Elsie Buntjer 

VAN DRIVER: Lucas Bouwman                                     

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Edie Korthals & Glenda Hellenga

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Edie Korthals & Glenda Hellenga

SOUND SYSTEM- Matt Kock

VIDEO TAPING- Justin Groen

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Caitlin Huisman

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Brenda Van Hofwegen

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- General 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

Ken Leuthold-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 6-28-26                                                                                   

                                Last Sunday                      YTD Offerings                     YTD Budget

General Fund:         $15,578.50                          $230,596.35                      $352,928.35

Benevolent Fund:  $1,081.41                              $123,868.63                         $99,397.25

                                       *Online donations are now added to designated funds*    

Upcoming Events  

SUNDAY 7-5-26:

MONDAY 7-6-26:

7am Inspiration Hills bus stop 

TUESDAY 7-7-26:

7am Inspiration Hills bus stop 

WEDNESDAY 7-8-26:

9:30am Joy Circle

7am Inspiration Hills bus stop 

THURSDAY 7-9-26:    

7am Inspiration Hills bus stop 

FRIDAY 7-10-26:   

7am Inspiration Hills bus stop 

8am Men’s Bible Study (Martha Room)

SATURDAY 7-11-26:    

SUNDAY 7-12-26: 

Sermon Notes: 

7/5/2026                                        Misery Part 2                                         Rom. 1:18-32

Intro: Review Misery Part 1: Not Right: Unable to keep God’s Law, inclined to hate God and our neighbor.

Q #6 Did God Create man wicked and perverse?

A #6 No, but God created man good and after his own image, that is, in righteousness and true holiness, that he might rightly know God is Creator, heartily love him, and live with Him in eternal Happiness, to praise and glorify Him.

1. Our Creation (Not a Manufacturer Error)
1. Created Good and Righteous = Right relationship with God. (Pleasing in every way) Gen. 1:31
1. We were created Righteous (Adam and Eve) Gen. 1:27
1. In God’s image: To know Him, Love Him, and Live with Him eternally.
2. God wants his creation to know him.
1. Psalm 19, Romans 1:20, Ecc. 3:11

Q #7 From where, does this depraved nature of man come?

A #7 From the fall and disobedience of our first parents, Adam and Eve, in Paradise, whereby our nature became so corrupt that we are all conceived and born in sin.

1. Our Corruption
1. Godlessness and Wickedness = Rejection of God
1. Rom. 1:18-23 
1. By nature we don’t love Him, though he is worthy of our Love.
2. We don’t thank Him, though he is the source of all good things.
3. We don’t worship the One True God, instead created things. 

1. Idolatry (Commandment #1 Rejection of God for another)
1. Often think this doesn’t apply to us, but we couldn’t be more wrong
1. Sports, Recreation, Children, Spouse, Entertainment, Job, House, Money, Us

1. Consequences of our Idolatry 
1. Freedom in Sin leads to Slavery to Sin. 
2. Eternal wrath (Separation from God)
3. Giving us what we “want”
1. Rom. 1:24-31
2. Cultural Examples from Paul: Unnatural Relations (Homosexuality)
1. “Surely this doesn’t apply to me”
2. Read the rest of the list (All these things are Unnatural and Debased)
4. Once we Reject God(Idolatry) the door is open to every kind of sin.

Q #8 But are we so depraved that we are completely incapable of any good and prone to all evil?

A #8 Yes, unless we are born again by the Spirit of God.

1. Our Recreation         2 Cor. 5:17
1. Our Story does not end in Genesis 3
1. Promise, Covenant, Incarnation, Redemption, Recreation

1. True Freedom = Free from slavery to sin; to live the life you were created for.
1. Know God, Love God, Live with him.