Announcements for 9-15-24

Thank you all for your participation. We had excellent participation and representation from First Reformed Church members. 

The question on the ballot was: "Do you authorize the Consistory of First Reformed Church to continue with the process of leaving the Reformed Church in America and joining the Alliance of Reformed Churches?  Yes: 96%   No: 4 %

What will happen next?  

1. The denomination committee will gather the necessary documents to petition West Sioux Classis and fill out the legal forms to join the Alliance of Reformed Churches.  
2. During the next couple of months, 
   1. The West Sioux Classis Executive team will meet with the consistory to walk us through a thorough process.
   2. The Denomination Committee will provide opportunities for the congregation to learn about the ARC, ask questions, and discuss the process.
3. After a lengthy process that is laid out by the RCA, we will have a final congregational vote to leave the RCA and join the ARC.   

 Thank you again for your participation and prayers, Denomination Committee

~We will not be starting adult choir until Oct 6. We will meet in the David Room and have a nursery during Sunday School if we have a need for it.  Thank you!

~If you are interested in membership at First Reformed Church or just want to know more about us, we are hosting a Membership Retreat on September 22 at Noon.  We will meet at Pastor Steve and Kayla’s home, enjoy a meal, and learn together about what membership is all about.  Contact Cheryl Van Beek, 470-0278 or frccheryl@premieronline.net for more information.

“Are you Decluttering this fall? 

The church nursery is looking for gently used wooden blocks, baby dolls and accessories, farm animals, and magna-tiles.

If you’re looking to move any of these items out of your home and would like to donate them to the nursery, please drop them off in marked bags/boxes near the coat racks by the elevator by Sept 29th. Thank you!”

~See Kayla VanWyhe with any questions.

“Love your neighbor as yourself, love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.” -Romans 13”9b-10

Our prayer concerns….

Loren Dengler                                                                  Kathy Van Olst 

Edna Jongerius (Ava’s Hospice House-1320 W 17^th St., Sioux Falls, SD 57104- if you’d like to send a card)

Lucille Smit                                                                                       Betty Vanden Heuvel

Esther Altman                                                                          Judy Netten                                                                                   Merlin Groen                                                                  Eldora Krull

Karen Flier                                                                                          Ray Eberts (Sue Faber’s brother-in-law) 

JoAnn Douglas                                                                     Russ Carver (Rachelle Johnsen’s dad)                   

Bill Saeger (Jackie Groen’s brother) can                                     Janice Den Besten

Doris Iwen (Lance Iwen’s mom)                                                       Dale Bryngelson (Pam’s husband) 

Todd Altman (Jack & Esther Altman’s son)                           Cindy Witt                                                    

Mandie Sprock (Marilyn Mammenga’s daughter)                      Marv Faber (Gordy’s brother)

Ellen Schram (Jeff Schram’s mom)                                                Nancy Bosma (Mary Klinkenborg’s sister)                        

Greyson Austin (Marlene Mellema’s grandson)                           Michelle Koele Vore (Jessica Harman’s cousin)

Roger Van Maanen (Heather Van Wyhe’s dad)                             Steve Ellsworth (Peggy Metzger’s dad)         

Carlton Woodruff (Rachelle Johnsen’s uncle)                                Nancy Aaker (Shari Kastein’s mom)

Remembering our Nursing Home, Assisted Living & Senior Living Residents:

Pearl Folkens                                                                 Wilma DeRoo                                          Loren Dengler

Ruth Van Aartsen                                                            Joyce Mellema                                      Lucille Smit                    

Eldora Krull                                                                     Edna Jongerius                                    Harriet Hoff

Doris Calkins                                                                      JoEllen Sorgdrager                                       Darlene Brinkhuis      

Addresses available upon request at church office

~

Bethel Reformed Church is hosting the 3^rd annual Women’s Conference at Bethel Reformed Church in Lester, IA and we

welcome the women of your church to join us! The event is Saturday, October 19^th from 8:30-12:30 and is centered around the theme of God’s Character’ He is faithful. He is good and kind…even if, even when, even though. There is no charge for this event, but we do ask that you register at www.eventbrite.com and search for Bethel Women’s Conference 2024. Transportation is available from Rock Rapids to Lester. Contact Cherl Van Beek if you would like to carpool

The September 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.

Church office hours: ~ Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 9-1. Friday 9-12.

*Bulletin announcements need to be to the office by Thursday morning at 9am for the Sunday bulletin

FIRST REFORMED CHURCH
 WORSHIP SERVICE 
 September 15, 2024 at 9:30am 

FIRST REFORMED CHURCH
 WORSHIP SERVICE 
 September 15, 2024 at 9:30am 

Prelude

WE APPROACH GOD

Moms in Prayer- Video announcement

Welcome /Announcements/ Prayer

Children’s Message

Hymn: “I’ve Got Peace Like A River” #498, v. 1-3

Hymn: “It Is Well With My Soul” #493, v. 1-4

Congregational Prayer

Offertory Hymn: “Amazing Grace” #202, v. 1-5

(offering plates will be passed)

Hymn: “Doxology” #625

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD

Scripture: Revelation 1: 1-3

Sermon: Introduction to Revelation

WE RESPOND TO GOD

Closing Song: “What A Friend We Have In Jesus” #435, v. 1-3

Benediction

Sending Chorus: “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” #335 

(6^th Grade and below may be excused for Sunday School)

Mission statement: “TO SHARE THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS

Serving us this week 9-15-24

DOOR GREETERS- (N) Schulte Family (S) Brad & Ashley Rypkema (SE) Ben & Nicole Gerleman

NURSERY- Jen Lincecum & Elise Kahl

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Korey & Val Krull                      

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

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- Paul Van Wyhe            

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- Geneva Grooters           

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR- Ashley Rypkema            

SOUND SYSTEM- Curt Dieren

VIDEO TAPING- Justin Groen

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Lincoln Kock

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Kristi Metzger

VAN DRIVER- Paul Van Wyhe

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- Benevolent Fund

 Serving us next week 9-22-24

DOOR GREETERS- (N) Mike & Erica Groen (S)Richard & Margie Rietsma (SE) Heath & Wendy Huisman

NURSERY- Nathan & Ashley Kruse

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Colin & Rachelle Johnsen

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Wendy Huisman

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- Amy Schulte         

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- Kerry Mulder           

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR- Tara Bouwman            

SOUND SYSTEM- Sawyer Hrdlicka

VIDEO TAPING- Brad Rypkema

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Aubree Boender

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Nicole Larson

VAN DRIVER- Lucas Bouwman

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- General Fund

                                                     FINANCIALS as of 9-8-24

                                     Last Sunday                      YTD Offerings                    YTD Budget

General Fund:             $5,807.00                           $383,967.27                        $616,212.00

Benevolent Fund:      $625.00                               $125,159.90                        $140,659.20                                 

Online Donations:     $935.60                               $37,516.71            

Upcoming Events  

SUNDAY 9-15-24: 

11am Reformed Tradition Sunday School class (sanctuary)

MONDAY 9-16-24:

12pm Quarterback Club

6:30pm Deacon/Elder Meeting

7:30pm Full Consistory Meeting

TUESDAY 9-17-24: 

2-4pm Retirement party for Brenda Vis (Fellowship Hall)

6:30pm Grace Circle

WEDNESDAY 9-18-24:

9-11am Mom Co. (Fellowship Hall)

6pm Youth Praise Team practice

7pm Praise Team practice

THURSDAY 9-19-24: 

6:30pm Peace Circle (Martha Room)

FRIDAY 9-20-24:   

8am Men’s Bible Study

SATURDAY 9-21-24: 

9:30-11am Moms in Prayer Outreach event (Fellowship Hall)

7pm “Sound of Hope” movie night

SUNDAY 9-22-24:

10:45am Sunday School

11am Reformed Tradition Sunday School class (sanctuary)

12-3pm Membership Retreat (Pastor Steve’s House)

7pm Mission Committee Meeting

7pm Come Matter Here Bible Study (Connections Room)

9/15/2024             Intro to Revelation:                          Revelation 1:1-3

Intro: Background of Early Church Commission

The purpose of Revelation:   Encourage the Church to fulfill the Great Commission.

1. What is Revelation?
1. Rev. 1:1 Unveiling of what must soon take place…From Jesus.

1. John wrote down what he SAW.

1. Blessed is the one who Reads and Hears.

1. Themes of Revelation
1. Jesus is Victorious over Evil

1. What the church must endure until the coming of Christ.

1. Warning for Unbelievers

1. Structure and Study of Revelation
1. 7 Parallel Visions
1. Each Vision Begins with Christ 1^st Coming.
2. Each Vision Ends with Christ’s 2^nd Coming (Final Judgement) 
3. Vantage Point (Example)

1. Bulk of Revelation is therefore revealing the trials and tribulations the church must endure while fulfilling its mission until Christ returns.  

1. Progression:
1. Visions 1-3: Worldly opposition to the church and its mission.
2. Vision 4-7: Deeper Spiritual Conflict between Jesus and Satan. 

1. Final Thoughts about Studying Revelation
1. Symbols: Example #7 (Always study in Context.)

1. Can’t mean something to us, that it didn’t mean to those it was written to.