Announcements for 9-5-21

 ~Women's Ministry is planning a Sunday School Kick Off Brunch the week before Sunday School starts, September 12th, immediately after the worship service.  We would like to invite the entire congregation to stay after the service on the 12th and enjoy fellowship with breakfast pizza, rolls, yogurt, and fruit.   Free Will donation will go towards Women's Ministry. 

~Also, on Sept 12 following the Morning worship service and brunch, Pastor Troy will present an overview of Transitional Ministry and a current reality of First Reformed. Together we will begin to envision what God's emerging future is for our ministry in Rock Rapids. Come prepared to share some stories of where you have seen God at work over the history of First and to dream about what God is calling us to in the future.

Stations of Worship: Join us for our second Stations of Worship on Wednesday, September 15!  We will serve a meal at 5:30. The Stations will start at 6:30.  Come and go between stations as you please.  There will be corporate prayer, a prayer labyrinth, scripture reading, an open hymn sing with an organist (6:30-7:00), and contemporary worship (7:00-7:30).

Job Opening: We are looking to fill our custodian/ maintenance position. It is a part time position, hours up to 25 per week. Inquiries about the position or to send your resume, please email or call the church office: frchurch@premieronline.net or 712-472-3729.

Coming Soon: Bible League’s Spreading the Fragrance of life dinner is Monday evening, September 20. The daylong conference is Tuesday, September 21. Both events will be held at the First Reformed Church in Sioux Center. Register online at bibleleague.org/tickets. Cost $20 for dinner; $40 for conference. 

 Join Praise Team and Tech Crew: We are welcoming new members!  Instrumentalists, vocalists, sound crew, livestream, and presentation volunteers needed!  Not sure?  Join us for one rehearsal (8/25, 7:00pm) and one Sunday morning (8/29) without committing to a team yet!  Informational meeting for all Wednesday, September 1, 7:00 pm. In the sanctuary, please contact Valerie Lenderink if you plan on attending: frcmusic@premieronline.net, or call or text 314-637-8383

*Choir starts September 12 after the service in the choir room*

 Ladies: Mark your calendars for September 18 as Awaken Hope is coming to Des Moines. Hope is rising. It declares freedom, joy, and peace. We will not be disappointed! Join us as we hear messages from Sally Burke (Moms in Prayer International President) and Cathi Armitage (MIP Global Ministry Director), among others. For more information and to register, please visit momsinprayer.org/events/awaken-hope-des-moines. If you have any questions, please contact Amy Schulte. Hope has a name – Jesus. We would love to see you there!

~It’s Operation Christmas Child time once again…and Back-to-School Sales are in full swing! It’s a great time to stock up on items for our OCC Packing Party on November 10^th.  Please visit the information table in the gathering space where you will find a supply sign-up. Items are requested to be at church no later than Sunday, October 31^st. Please also prayerfully consider packing a shoebox (or two!) on your own. Shoeboxes are available for you to use. Thank you for your support!

ATTENTION: Welcome Back Grace Circle members! Also, welcome to anyone who might have an interest in an awesome circle. A reorganizational planning meeting will meet at Jean Fick’s home on Tuesday, September 21^st at 6:30. Mark your calendars ahead. Any questions? Call or message Jean @ 712-540-8564.

Save the date!  Night of Renewal is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 8 at 7pm in the First Reformed Fellowship Hall.  All are welcome to join us for snacks and fellowship as we hear testimonies from Missy Bass and Heather Erickson, both of Hills, MN.  These mothers are a part of Game Plan 4 Hope, which was started in Sept. 2019.  It rose out of the hearts of two families who have been through life-altering experiences and felt the need to help others that are going through similar situations. Please join us in hearing their personal stories and the mission of Game Plan 4 Hope.

*Dordt University’s First Mondays Speaker Series presents Dr. Abby Foreman, Professor of Social Work and Public Administration and Co-Director of the Kuypers Honors Program at Dordt University. Dr. Foreman has a particular interest in exploring how Christians and the broader society have responded to the needs of vulnerable people, and studies the intersection of this response among individuals, church, community non-profits and various levels of the government. Please join us at 11 a.m., Monday, September 6 in the BJ Haan Auditorium for her presentation, “Making Space in our Community for Others.” This event is free and open to the public. Find more info at www.dordt.edu/first-mondays-speaker-series. Contact Ruth Clark at Ruth.Clark@dordt.edu or by calling 722-6507 with any questions.

-Praises to God, for all the volunteers of the church that are willing to serve!

-Appreciation to our LORD, for all the activities that take place in our facility!

-Thank God that baby Neil was able to come home from the NICU (son of Chris & Ashley Schwartze)

Please continue to pray for: 

Scott Van Aartsen                                                                                  

Marilyn Kuyper (Ethanie Pulscher’s aunt)  

Doris Calkins                                                                                            

Diane Snyder (Dan Snyder’s mom)

Wayne Grooters                                                                                     

 Gary Hermanson (Nikki Van Beek’s dad)    

Curt Wynia                                                                                               

 Gail Hartter (Eric Hartter’s mom)

Pam Foster                                                                                              

 Lora Puttman (Kellie Menning’s mom)

Lori Johnson (Dan Snyder’s sister)                                                      

Seung Kim (Roger & Carol Oliver’s son-in-law)

Butch Blum (Art & Roberta Flier’s son-in-law)                                  

Bob & Arlene Sterler (Robbie Korthal’s parents)  

Curt Smook (Kay Wynia’s dad)                                                            

Karen DeNoble (Dave DeNoble’s mom)

Lorelei Reynolds (Laureen Schram’s sister)                                       

Tina Carenza (Chelsea Hunt’s mom)

Greyson Austin (Marlene Mellema’s grandson)                              

Veryl Blue (Anita Dieren’s dad)

Melissa Moser (Kathy Moser’s daughter-in-law)           

Let’s join together in prayer this week, focused on our schools:

Monday: students in K-6^th grades

Tuesday: students in 7^th & 8^th grades

Wednesday: students in 9^th-12^th grades

Thursday: college students

Friday: school staff

*The September Bridge is now available in the holder next to the mailboxes*

   ~~ We will not be putting the Focus on the Family brochure in the mailboxes anymore. If you would like a copy, you can pick one up in the holder next to the mailboxes. Thanks 

~Sunday’s bulletin will now be available via your phone. Just scan the QR code on the bulletin stands or the welcome                   center.

          *Offering will be collected in the back of the church until further notice*                                                                                                       

      **Please Call Church Office to reserve Meeting Rooms**

 Church Office Hours:  Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 9am-1pm and Friday from 9-12

                *Bulletin announcement deadline is now Thursdays at 11am, call, email or drop off at the church office *

FIRST REFORMED CHURCH
 MORNING WORSHIP 
 September 5, 2021 at 9:30am

WE APPROACH GOD

Prelude

Welcome /Announcements/Prayer

Opening Hymn: To God Be the Glory, p. 66

Call to Worship

Hymn: Amazing Grace, p 202, vs. 1-2, 4

Congregational prayer

Children’s Message

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD

Message: The Sweetest Gift of Grace: Repentance

Scripture Reading: Romans 2: 1-11 

Prayer of Response     

WE RESPOND TO GOD

Closing Hymn: Nothing but the Blood p. 195, vs. 1-2, 4

Benediction

Sending Chorus: Doxology p. 625

MINISTRY OF MUSIC- Ev Breuer

NURSERY- Mike & Shannon Klarenbeek Family 

COMMON GROUND/ COFFEE BREAK- Cori Klarenbeek & Amy Hartter

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER- Jen Kock

SCRIPTURE READER – 

SOUND SYSTEM – Dustin Bosch

VIDEO TAPING- Randy Bosch

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Jaina Groen

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Brian Hellenga

*THE LOOSE OFFERING – General Fund

MINISTRY OF MUSIC– Videos

NURSERY- Jen, Tanner, Emory and Alexis Lincecum

COMMON GROUND/ COFFEE BREAK- Edie Korthals

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER- Cheryl Van Beek

SCRIPTURE READER – Evan De Boer 

SOUND SYSTEM – Keith Van Beek

VIDEO TAPING – Justin Groen

PROCLAIM PRESENTER – Kadence Boender

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Kristi Metzger

*THE LOOSE OFFERING – Benevolent Fund

FINANCIALS

                                    Sunday 8-29 -21             YTD Offerings                  YTD Budget

General Fund:         $1,150.00                        $239,983.59                       $ 273,318.77 

Benevolent Fund:  $250.00                           $125,510.80                        $125,429.40

Building Fund:       $3,595.00                         $25,739.00                         $57,876.84

Upcoming Events  

SUNDAY 9-5-21:

MONDAY 9-6-21: 

LABOR DAY (church offices closed)

TUESDAY 9-7-21:

11:30 Quarterback club

6:30 Grief Share

WEDNESDAY 9-8-21:

7pm Night of Renewal 

THURSDAY 9-9-21: 

7pm Peace Circle

FRIDAY 9-10-21:   

8am Men’s Bible Study

SATURDAY 9-11-21: 

SUNDAY 9-12-21: 

Choir practice starts after church

Women’s ministry’s Sunday school brunch following church (see announcements)

Transitional Ministry vision meeting following brunch (see announcements for more information)

Looking Ahead:

September 15:   Stations of Worship

September 19:   Sunday school begins

September 21:  Grace Circle meets again

September 22:   Club 512 begins

September 23:  Oaks club meets (time & activity TBD)

September 29:  JR & SRCYF begins                                                                                        October 10:      Children in worship begins