Announcements & Prayers for 9-20-26

“The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.”- Psalm 145:18

Our prayer concerns….

~Our sympathies to Jackie Groen & family for the passing of her brother, Bill Saeger                                               

Rod Grooters (Hospice)                                       

Marilyn McCoy

Roger DeBey                                                    

Janice Den Besten

Scott Hunt                                                               

Bill Kastein

Jeff Hrdlicka                                                               

JoAnn Douglas

Betty Vanden Heuvel                                           

Linda Person (Kari Jurrens’ mom)                                       

Kathy Van Olst                                                  

Bill Saeger (Jackie Groen’s brother)

Greyson Austin (Marlene Mellema’s grandson)                

Ron & Cathy Birkeland                      

Todd Altman                                                               

Bret Huisman (Heath’s brother) 

~Welcome baby Halle to Dalton & Kenzie Skidmore

~Thank you to our church family for the cards, messages, food, gifts, and other expressions of sympathy following the loss of John’s dad.  We are grateful for the support! May God bless you for your kindness!  ~John and Peggy Metzger

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Dear FRC Family-

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you”

Philippians 1:3

I am so thankful for the way you encourage and care for me here at FRC, as a church member and as part of the ministry staff.   I am entering a season where I will continue to covet and cherish that kindness, your grace and your prayers. Next Wednesday, September 23, I will have surgery for breast cancer followed by chemotherapy and radiation.   Please pray for my family, my doctors and for me as we navigate this new journey.  

Trusting in the Lord with all my Heart… 

Cheryl Van Beek 

~Our Operation Christmas Child Packing Party is just around the corner!  We are still looking for some supplies. Our September focus is on T-shirts (particularly for boys – all sizes) and WOW! Items (small toys/fun items). Please place any items you wish to donate in the provided basket in the Gathering Space. Do you like to crochet? Contact Amy Schulte if interested in making frisbees. Patterns and yarn will be provided. Please be in prayer for every child who will receive one of the boxes we pack on October 18 – that their hearts are ready to hear the Good News, they accept Jesus as their Savior, and that they would become disciples in their own communities. 

~On Wednesdays the east and south entrances of our church will be EXIT ONLY.  Please enter our building using the North Office Entrance.  Thank you in advance.

~Adult Choir starts today in the David Room (just down from the Nursery). Everyone is invited to join us

~Bethel Women’s Conference~ Women, when you hear the word HOME, How does your heart feel? What emotions get stirred up deep inside? Join us as we spend the morning reminiscing about HOME-acknowledging the hard while also recognizing the blessings! And then, as scripture tells us, “Let us be reiminded that this world is not our permanent home…that the Lord is preparing a place with HIM, for those who have surrendered and placed their trust and lives in His hands.”~Hebrews 13:14

Hosted by Bethel Reformed Church of Lester, IA

Registration opens September 1st with limited seating

Please see the following website for more information/registration:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bethel-womens-conference-2026-tickets1997452070914?sff=oddtdtcreator

Worship, Message, Brunch, Activitiy, Coffee Bar and Door Prizes.

*Announcements are due by 9am Thursday mornings*

*Secretary’s office hours* ~ Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 9-1                                                     

Club 512 Volunteers for 9-23-26

Games:                1st & 2nd                      3rd&4th                                5th&6th 

                           Serena Carey              Piper Kruse                          Ellea Pulscher 

                          Lexie DeWeerd         Jessa Vande Weerd          Ashlyn Timmerman

                           Brody Buntjer              Jayda Pytleski                    Mali Kellenberger                                   

Club 512 Snack helpers:  Bonnie Nail

Midweek Meal Helpers: Glenda Hellenga, Cindy Bosch, Kellie Menning, Amy Sieperda, & Heather Van Wyhe

Nursing Home Chaperone: Geneva Grooters

FIRST REFORMED CHURCH
 WORSHIP SERVICE 
 September 20, 2026 at 9:30am 

Prelude: “Praise To The Lord The Almighty”

WE APPROACH GOD

Welcome/Announcements/Prayer

40 Days of Prayer Campaign

Ministry of Music: Judy Gacke & Sherri DeJong

Praise Service: 

“Come Thou Fount”

“It Is Well”

Congregational Prayer

Offertory Hymn: “As The Deer”

Doxology #625

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD

Scripture: Matthew 6: 5-18

Sermon: Lord’s Prayer: How do we pray?

WE RESPOND TO GOD

Closing Hymn: “Hymn Of Heaven”

Benediction

Sending Hymn: “Hymn Of Heaven”

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

Serving us today 9-20-26

DOOR GREETERS – (N) Brad & Ashley Rypkema (S) George & Doris S. (SE) Ken & ReNae Leuthold

NURSERY- Carly Sayler & Elsie Buntjer

VAN DRIVER- Dale Klarenbeek

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Men’s Ministry (Serving Monkey Bread for free will donation)

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Men’s Ministry

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- Kerry Mulder

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- Fred Tilstra

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR- Tara Bouwman

SOUND SYSTEM- Sawyer Hrdlicka

VIDEO TAPING- Breyden Dieren 

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Isaiah DeWit

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Brenda Van Hofwegen

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- Benevolent Fund

Serving us next week 9-27-26

DOOR GREETERS- (N) Marilyn McCoy & Emelia Stiltz (S) Matt & Jen Kock (SE) Jerry & Jill Pytleski

NURSERY- Jen Hoefert & Elliet Kelderman

VAN DRIVER- Ruben Fick

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Garrett & Carly Sayler    

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Pytleski Family

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- Wendy Huisman

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- Amy Kim

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR- Dayna Altman

SOUND SYSTEM- Dustin Bosch

VIDEO TAPING- Jonathon Kock

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Char LaFrenz

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Nicole Larson 

*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 9-13-26                                                                                                                                

                                Last Sunday                      YTD Offerings                      YTD Budget

General Fund:         $7,520.32                             $323,251.15                          $502,244.19

Benevolent Fund:  $475.00                                 $173,608.93                          $141,449.93

                                       *Online donations are now added to designated funds*      

Upcoming Events  

SUNDAY 9-20-26:

Sunday School: Lesson 61: Moses Sends Spies

10:45am Adult Choir Rehearsal (David Room)

5-7pm Father Son Bible Study 

MONDAY 9-21-26:

12pm Quarterback Club (Fellowship Hall)

4:45pm Cookie Club (Kitchen)

6:30pm Deacon/ Elder Meeting 

7:30pm Consistory Meeting (David Room)

TUESDAY 9-22-26:

12-2pm Sanctuary Prayer (Sanctuary)

12:30pm Staff Meeting (Martha Room)

WEDNESDAY 9-23-26:

9-11am Mom Co. (Fellowship Hall)

2:30-5pm Club 512

5-6:15pm Midweek Meal

No Jr./ Sr. High Youth Group due to Coronation

THURSDAY 9-24-26:    

6-7pm Sr. High Leader team meeting (Youth Room)

FRIDAY 9-25-26:   

8am Men’s Bible Study (Martha Room)

SATURDAY 9-26-26:    

SUNDAY 9-27-26: 

Sunday School: Lesson 62: God Judges Rebellion

10:45am Adult Choir Rehearsal (David Room)

9/20/2026                  Why is Prayer important?        Matt. 6:5-18

Intro: The depth of your prayer life reflects the depth of your relationship with God. 

1. What is prayer?
1. Talking with God.
1. Gift built into our design. (Made in God’s image)

1. Why did Jesus teach us to Pray?
1. Poor Examples (Man Focused Prayer)
1. Matt. 5 and Luke 18 Parable
1. Glorify Me and/or give me what I want.

Depth of your prayer life reflects the depth of your relationship with God.

1. Example: Husband and Wife interacting on Facebook.
1. Communication happens Online(Public), nut minimal in public how deep is the relationship?  

1. To give a good example: 
1. Private, Humble, Honest, Vulnerable (In Secret)
1. Jesus modeled this to his disciples

1. God focused prayer
1. Glorifies God (Praise, adoration, thanksgiving)
1. Reminding us who God is. (Our Father…)

1. Aligns your will and desires with God’s. 
1. I want what God desires (Your Kingdom come your will be done…)
2. Connecting you with God. 

1. Impact of Prayer
1. Changes the Heart, not always the circumstances.

Depth of your prayer life reflects the depth of your relationship with God. 

1. My Story

Depth of your prayer life reflects the depth of your relationship with God.