Announcements for 8-17-25

Are you building your life for Christ? The time to do so is now! BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) will have a women’s group meeting this year on Monday evenings at 7:00 pm in our church. Join us as we study “Exile and Return,” a powerful journey through the Old Testament, where God’s people were called to build His kingdom in a foreign land. For more information, please contact Carole Bosch at 402-981-5019.

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.

Church and area happenings:

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! 

*NOTICE - Christian Literature has been collected by our church for many years.  We have just been notified that our drop site in Orange City will no longer be able to store our donations which are later taken to Minneapolis by the Vogel Paint Co.  As a result, we will only be able to collect material until next Sunday, August 24.  At that time, all material will be packed and our final delivery to Orange City will be made. Acceptable materials include:  Bibles, Bible helps, Devotional Books, Books on Prayer and Books on Evangelism.  This does not give us much time to clean a closet but keep in mind that Bibles and Devotionals are always the number one request.  An inquiry has been made in an effort to find a new drop off location.  We will update you if we are successful.  Thank you for all your donations in the past.  People all around the world are also thankful!   

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)

“You are the God who sees me.”- Genesis 16:13b

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                                                                      

Bill Saeger (Jackie Groen’s brother) 

Janice Den Besten                                                                           

Doris Iwen (Lance Iwen’s mom)   

Russ Carver (Rachelle Johnsen’s dad)                                          

Mandie Sprock (Marilyn Mammenga’s daughter)    

Our sympathy to the family & friends of Tyler Den Besten who passed away on Sunday, August 10^th & funeral was Wednesday, August 13^th                                                                                                   

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

FIRST REFORMED CHURCH
 WORSHIP SERVICE 
 August 17, 2025 at 9:30am 

Prelude 

WE APPROACH GOD

Welcome /Announcements/ Prayer

Hymn: “Immortal Invisible” #25, v. 1-4

Hymn: “Amazing Grace” #202, v. 1-5

Congregational Prayer

Sermon: Part one “Triggered: What shall we do with our anger?”

Scripture: Ephesians 4:26

Offering Hymn “Fairest Lord Jesus” #88, v. 1-4

(offering plates will be passed)

“Doxology” #625

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD

Scripture: Ephesians 4:26

Sermon: Part two “Triggered: What Shall we do with our anger? 

WE RESPOND TO GOD

Closing Hymn: “Nearer My God To Thee” #393, v. 1-5

Benediction

Sending Chorus: “God Be With You” #602, v. 1-2

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

Serving us today 8-17-25

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

NURSERY- Danielle Grooters & Brody & Gable Hartter

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Wayne & Geneva Grooters

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Sue Faber and Barb Folkens

SOUND SYSTEM- Dustin Bosch

VIDEO TAPING- Breyden Dieren

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Caitlin Huisman

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- April DeWit

VAN DRIVER- Jeff Hrdlicka

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- Benevolent Fund

 Serving us next week 8-24-25

DOOR GREETERS- (N) Matt & Jen Kock (S) Justin & Sara Groen (SE) Dan & Rhona Snyder  

NURSERY- Nathan & Ashley Kruse

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Evan & Linda De Boer

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Rypkema Family

SOUND SYSTEM- Brad Rypkema

VIDEO TAPING- Jonathan Kock

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Mali Kellenberger

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Jean Fick  

VAN DRIVER- Lucas Bouwman

*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 8-10-2025       

                                   Last Sunday                      YTD Offerings                     YTD Budget

General Fund:           $21,224.00                          $322,974.73                         $421,884.80

Benevolent Fund:    $645.00                               $137,593.20                         $123,654.40

                                       *Online donations are now added to designated funds*      

Upcoming Events  

SUNDAY 8-17-25:

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

2-4:30pm TEC Meeting (Youth Room)

4pm Amazing Race

MONDAY 8-18-25:

6:30pm Deacon/ Elder Meeting

7:30pm Consistory Meeting

TUESDAY 8-19-25: 

6:30pm Grace Circle

WEDNESDAY 8-20-25:

THURSDAY 8-21-25: 

FRIDAY 8-22-25:   

8am Men’s Bible Study (Martha Room)

SATURDAY 8-23-25: 

SUNDAY 8-24-25:

6pm Prayer Walk (Central Lyon School parking lot)