Announcements for 9-21-25

Nomination Ballots: It’s that time of year as we choose our deacons and elders to serve our church. Nomination letter and ballots were emailed. Ballots are due back by October 5^th. Please place them in the box marked ballots across from the mailboxes. Please, prayerfully consider your nominations!

*Family Devotional books that follow our Sunday School lessons are available on the table in the Gathering Space. These are available to anyone who is interested.

~REGISTER FOR A HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME! Tri-State Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) is accepting applications for the upcoming weekend at the First Presbyterian Church in Sibley, Iowa. TEC is an interdenominational three-day Christian retreat designed to help high schoolers learn more about their faith and their community. The next TEC is November 21-23, 2025. If you would like to learn more about TEC or register, please visit www.TriStateTEC.org or email TriStateTEC@gmail.com. The cost is $50 and includes a t-shirt & other special gifts. Scholarships are available upon request.

*This small group is a “how to” and a “dig in” kind of study!

Have you been wanting to start a bible study but are unsure how to begin?  Have you been part of a bible study for years, but want more confidence to lead?  Or maybe you want to dig into God’s word with other women?  This small group is for you! All are welcome. We will study “Having a Mary Spirit” as we look at God’s word and how to apply it to our lives.  We will discuss ideas how to start small groups.  We will hear from our Women’s Ministry President about what Women’s   Ministry is and we will end with a teaching time on Oct 26 about how to facilitate a small group. Register online: https://frcrockrapids.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3107719

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.

Secretary’s office hours: ~ Monday, Wednesday and    

                                                 Friday 9-1 (note change)

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

Club 512 Volunteers for 9-24-25

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

                   Maddie Van Der Weerd                         Jonathon Kock                                 Connor Altman

                     Ashlyn Timmerman                         Lincoln Klosterbuer                              Leo Groen

                      Mali Kellenberger                                Brody Buntjer                                 Liam Vander Zee

Club 512 Snack helpers:  Heather Heimensen & Peggy Metzger

Midweek Meal Helpers:   Glenda Hellenga, Linda DeBoer, Rachel Eckenrod & Rachelle Johnsen

Nursing Home Chaperone: 4^th Grade- Geneva Grooters 

“To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul.”- Psalm 25:1

Our prayer concerns….                                                                                                                                      

Jeff Hrdlicka                                                                   

Jamie Vande Weerd

Dustin Bosch                                                                  

Merlin Groen

Betty Vanden Heuvel                                                       

Rod Grooters                                                                                           

Alice Feikema  (Hospice)                                                  

JoAnn Douglas

Karen Flier                                                                     

Chuck &Twilla Hoekstra 

Janice Den Besten                                                           

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) 

Doris Iwen (Lance Iwen’s mom)                                                      

Mandie Sprock (Marilyn Mammenga’s daughter)

Russ Carver (Rachelle Johnsen’s dad)                                              

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

Donna Kwikkel                                Harriet Hoff                             Alice Feikema                                                                                          

Addresses available upon request at church office

The Sanctuary will be open for Prayer on Wednesday from 12-2

FIRST REFORMED CHURCH
 WORSHIP SERVICE 
 September 21, 2025 at 9:30am 

Prelude: “Shout Out To The Lord”

WE APPROACH GOD

Welcome /Announcements/ Prayer

Mission Minute: Manna Market 

Children’s Message

Praise Service: 

“This Is Amazing Grace”

“Same God”

Congregational Prayer

Offering Hymn “Lead Me To The Cross”

(offering plates will be passed)

“Doxology” #625

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD

Scripture: Jonah 4

Sermon: Am I a Jonah?

WE RESPOND TO GOD

Closing Hymn: “Be Thou My Vision”

Benediction

Sending Hymn: “Be Thou My Vision”

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

Serving us today 9-21-25

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

NURSERY- Jayda Pytleski & Whitney Van Veldhuizen

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

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Men’s Ministry

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- Dwayne Postma

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- Whitney Van Veldhuizen

SOUND SYSTEM- Sawyer Hrdlicka

VIDEO TAPING- Breyden Dieren

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Brett Dieren

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Kiya Griesse

VAN DRIVER- Dale Klarenbeek

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- Benevolent Fund

Serving us next week 9-28-25

DOOR GREETERS- (N) Craig & Kay Wynia (S) Jerry & Kerry Mulder (SE) JD & Lesa Hommes 

NURSERY- Emelia Stiltz & Mali Kellenberger

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Cori Klarenbeek & Julie De Ruyter   

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Pytleski Family

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER- Jerry Pytleski

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES- Jerry & Jill Pytleski 

SOUND SYSTEM- Dustin Bosch

VIDEO TAPING- Johathan Kock

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Berlyn DeWit

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Shannon Rodger

VAN DRIVER- Ruben Fick

*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

                                             FINANCIALS as of 9-14-2025 

                                Last Sunday                      YTD Offerings                     YTD Budget

General Fund:          $19,292.30                         $373,323.31                          $487,804.30

Benevolent Fund:   $345.00                               $149,801.20                          $142,975.40

                                       *Online donations are now added to designated funds*  

Sunday School 9-17-25

                          Last Year’s Attendance: 106                           Last Week’s Attendance:117

                        Last Year’s Offering: $109.00                         Last Week’s Offering: $59.00

Upcoming Events  

SUNDAY 9-21-25:

MONDAY 9-22-25:

12pm Quarterback Club (Fellowship Hall)

TUESDAY 9-23-25: 

6:30pm Grace Circle

WEDNESDAY 9-24-25:

8:30am Staff Meeting (Martha Room)

2:30pm-5pm Club 512 

5pm-6:15pm Midweek Meal *Grilled Pork Burgers*

6:15pm Jr. High Youth Group (Youth Room)

8pm Sr. High Youth Group (Youth Room)

THURSDAY 9-25-25: 

5-8pm Football Team meal (Fellowship Hall)

FRIDAY 9-26-25                

8am Men’s Bible Study (Martha Room)

SATURDAY 9-27-25: 

SUNDAY 9-28-25:

*Pastor Dan Haagar will fill our pulpit today*

Sermon notes: 

9/21/2025                                     Am I Jonah?                                            Jonah 4 

Intro: Recap of Jonah 1-3

1. Jonah 4
1. Jonah’s Anger 
1. I deserve God’s Mercy/Grace/Love, but they do not.
1. God’s Response: Is it right for you to be angry?

1. Plant, Worm, Heat
1. God’s Object Lesson:
1. Shade, Worm, Heat
1. Reveals what is going on in Jonah’s heart.

1. Yom Kippur: I am Jonah

1. Am I Jonah?
1. Lack Luster Prayer Life
1. Jonah Treats God like a Vending Machine
2. Why a consistent prayer life important?
1. Takes the focus off of us, and puts it on God.
2. Changes our hearts.
1. Imagine Jonah praying for Nineveh?

1. Self-Righteous
1. “I am a Hebrew”
1. I’m Good, They’re Bad: Us vs Them
2. Prodigal Son Parallel
1. 2 ways to Rebell (younger and older son)

1. Lost Sight of God’s Mission
1. God’s Mission is not about your happiness, but your holiness.
1. Creation, Sin, Redemption
2. Jonah lost sight of God’s mission.
1. Busyness of life, consumption of things of the world, seeking happiness for us, our kids, or others.

Am I Jonah?