Announcements for 8-10-25

 “The LORD is my Helper; I will not fear.”- Hebrews 13:6b

Our prayer concerns….                                                                                                  

Betty Vanden Heuvel                                                       

Karen Reemts                                                                                    

Rod Grooters                                                                                      

Eldora Krull (Hospice)

Alice Feikema  (Hospice)                                                  

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- cancer treatments)   

Janice Den Besten                                                                          

Doris Iwen (Lance Iwen’s mom)   

Russ Carver (Rachelle Johnsen’s dad)                                          

Mandie Sprock (Marilyn Mammenga’s daughter)    

Bill Saeger (Jackie Groen’s brother) 

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                                 Darlene Brinkhuis

Eldora Krull                                  Harriet Hoff                  

Alice Feikema (Crown Pointe-Sioux Center)

Addresses available upon request at church office

*OAKS CLUB* 

(anyone 50 or older) meeting at the church for coffee/tea 

August 11^th at 1pm in the Connections Room

Operation Christmas Child season is here!

We’re excited for a church-wide packing party this fall and need your help gathering supplies. A list of suggested donations is on the table in the gathering space. (Note: We already have plenty of crayons and hair bows.) As you shop for school supplies, small toys, and WOW! items, please pray for each child who will receive a box. Every gift is an opportunity to share the Gospel and invite children into discipleship. If you crochet or sew, contact Amy Schulte for handmade gift ideas. Let’s Share the Good News and reach children around the world for Christ!

Men’s Choir:  Pastor Steve has set Sunday, August 24, as his final sermon of the series from Revelation. The special music that morning will be “Midnight Cry” sung by a men’s choir. Mark Swartz will be directing with Jerry Stubbe as pianist. We are asking for men, young and old, to join us!  All ages are welcome. We will practice after morning worship on August 3, 10 and 17.  Please meet in the David Room (located in the church basement near the nursery) immediately following worship

PROPERTY ITEMS FOR SALE:  Cub Cadet 2X 26 in. 243cc Gas Two-Stage Snow Blower asking $600. MTD E660G 10 HP Snow blower asking $200. Stihl FS 40 C gas trimmer asking $75. Stihl gas leaf blower asking $50. Contact Rob Van Hofwegen if interested 507-220-8539

Praise & Picnic Day - Sunday, September 7

Our church service on Sunday, September 7 will be held at Island Park (west of the swimming pool). The worship service will start at 10:30 am. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets. Lunch will be served after the worship service. There will be activities for all ages including games, inflatables, and corn hole tournament. We do need help with this event. Please consider helping us in the following capacity:

• Serving the food
• Serving the soft serve ice cream
• Observe kids at the inflatables (20 minute shift)
• Help with the games and activities (after worship service and before the meal)
• Provide corn hole boards and bags

We would appreciate your help. There is a sign-up sheet at the Welcome Center. Please save this date and we invite you to enjoy a beautiful day of worship and fellowship! 

Back by popular demand!  The 2025 FRC Amazing Race is scheduled for August 17 at 4pm. Sign up your team of    2 members (must be 18 or older) by the August 10 deadline! Use the QR code or the link provided.

*VFW Post 6960 of Rock Rapids would like to invite you to the Veteran’s Mural Replacement Fundraiser on August 14^th, 2025 in the US Bank Square. They will be serving a pork loin sandwich, sweet corn and water. They will serve from 5-7pm. A free will donation will be accepted.

The August 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    

                                                 Friday 9-1 (note change)

**Bulletin announcements are due on Fridays at 9am. Thanks** (note change)

FIRST REFORMED CHURCH
 WORSHIP SERVICE 
 August 10, 2025 at 9:30am 

Prelude: “Holy Spirit Come” 

WE APPROACH GOD

Welcome /Announcements/ Prayer

Baptism: Eden Grooters

Ministry of Music: Paul Van Wyhe

Praise Service:

“Holy Forever”

“Here I Am To Worship”

Congregational Prayer

Offering Hymn “Even So Come”

(offering plates will be passed)

“Doxology” #625

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD

Scripture: Revelation 21: 9-27

Sermon: City of God

WE RESPOND TO GOD

Closing Hymn: “In Christ Alone”

Benediction

Sending Chorus: “In Christ Alone”

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

Serving us today 8-10-25

DOOR GREETERS- (N) Scott & Amy Sieperda S) Evan & Kristi Metzger (SE) Steve & Debbie Crane

NURSERY- Wendy & Caitlin Huisman

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Women’s Ministry (muffins)

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Schweitzer Family serving cake for Diane and Wayne’s 50^th Wedding Anniversary

SOUND SYSTEM- Sawyer Hrdlicka

VIDEO TAPING- Justin Groen

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Elise Kahl

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Shannon Rodger

VAN DRIVER- Dale Klarenbeek

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- Benevolent Fund

Serving us next week 8-17-25

DOOR GREETERS-(N) Korey & Val Krull (S) Jeff & Angie Jager (SE) Ken & ReNae Leuthold

NURSERY- Brody & Gable Hartter & Danielle Grooters

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Wayne & Geneva Grooters

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Men’s Ministry

SOUND SYSTEM- Dustin Bosch

VIDEO TAPING- Breyden Dieren

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Caitlin Huisman

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- April De Wit

VAN DRIVER- Jeff Hrdlicka

*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 7-27 thru 8-3-2025   

                               Last Sunday                      YTD Offerings                     YTD Budget

General Fund:            $20,586.62                   $301,750.73                         $408,700.90

Benevolent Fund:     $10,869.00                    $136,953.20                         $119,790.20

                                       *Online donations are now added to designated funds*      

Upcoming Events  

SUNDAY 8-10-25:

9am Evangelism committee meeting (Connections Room)

10:45am Men’s Choir practice (David Room)

MONDAY 8-11-25:

1pm Oaks Club Gathering (Fellowship Hall) 

5:15pm Women’s Ministry Executive Committee Meeting (Martha Room)

TUESDAY 8-12-25: 

7pm Mission Committee Meeting (Martha Room) 

WEDNESDAY 8-13-25:

9:30am Joy Circle (Room 105)

5:30pm Peace Circle (Fellowship Hall)

THURSDAY 8-14-25: 

FRIDAY 8-15-25:   

8am Men’s Bible Study (Martha Room)

SATURDAY 8-16-25: 

SUNDAY 8-17-25:

10:45am Men’s Choir Practice (David Room)

2-4:30pm TEC Meeting (Youth Room)

4pm Amazing Race

8/10/2025                         City of God                                  Revelation 21:9-27

Intro: New Jerusalem, Holy City = Place of Perfect Fellowship with God and his People

1. Holy City is a Gift from God
1. Comes down out of Heaven from God.

1. Designed to be our Eternal Home.
1. Designing a Church Building

1. City of God’s Design
1. 4 Walls
1. 1400 miles Long, Wide, and High
1. Great Commission will be Fulfilled
2. 200 Feet Thick
1. Eternal Peace and Security
2. No fear, anxiety or threats

1. Foundation
1. Names of the 12 Apostles
1. The foundation for the church and the fulfilment of the great commission was the Apostles Teachings. (Early Church)
2. Lots of False teachers… “What did the Apostles teach?”
2. 12 Precious Stones
1. God Showing off…in a good way.
2. Anisotropic vs Isotropic Properties

1. 12 Gates
1. Made of a Single Pearl
2. Angels sitting on the gates
1. Identify this as the city of God.
3. Names of the 12 Tribes of Israel.
1. Covenant received by Faith.
4. Gates will never be shut.
1. No Night, No Shame, No Deceit

1. No Temple
1. Temple is the place you expect to encounter God.  
2. God will always be present with his people. 

1. No need for Son or Moon
1. God’s glory is the light and the Lamb is the lamp. (Light of the World)
2. No shadow, No darkness, no fear.