Prayers:

• Pam Foster, Bob Dreke’s sister (coping with Huntington’s disease)
• Tanner Lincecum (pray that Tanner’s shunt will continue to work effectively) 
• Lambert Van Olst (is currently in remission with leukemia)  
• Karen De Noble, David De Noble’s mother (has been diagnosed with cancer; please pray for comfort as Karen goes through chemotherapy treatments)
• Thomas Bouwman, Tom & Sheryl Bouwman’s son (continues to make progress in physical therapy) 
• Anita Dieren (continues to recover from heart surgery)
• Lyle Kahl (waiting with chemotherapy & working on regaining strength)
• Greyson Austin (pray that Greyson’s medication, Humira, will continue to be effective for him)
• Caden Wright (please pray for Caden to remain healthy as he returns to school)
• Sharon Pap (is recovering at home from recent eye surgery)
• Janine De Bruin (pray for healing and recovery following a second surgery for Janine)
• Chuck Hoekstra (pray for healing and recovery from recent back surgery)
• Slate Stuerman, infant son of Scott & Kayla Stuerman (pray for Slate’s growth & healthy development; he remains in the NICU at Avera Medical Center in Sioux Falls)
• Talen Anderson (pray for recovery from hernia surgery on August 18)
• Gerald Postma (had surgery for a pacemaker on August 19; pray for healing and recovery)
• Ethan Hoefert (had back surgery on August 24; pray for healing)
• Bonnie Muller, MaryAnn Van Aartsen’s daughter (recently diagnosed with cancer)

*Your prayers are also requested for the following individuals who are coping with cancer:  Melissa Moser, see update below (Kathy Moser’s daughter-in-law), Marilyn Kuyper (Ethanie Pulscher’s aunt; continues to be treated for cancer and is experiencing a lot of fatigue), Arlene Sterler, Robbie Korthals’ mother (Arlene’s cancer has moved to her lungs; pray for Arlene’s doctors to have wisdom as they care for her), Trish Lombard, Tara Bouwman’s mother (recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer), Vicki Van Houten, Judy Netten’s sister (Vicki has finished her chemotherapy treatment; she is now getting a preventive treatment that will finish in November), and Gail Hartter, Eric Hartter’s mother (has had a reoccurrence of cancer).  

Please Pray! for Lyle Kahl. Lyle was admitted to the hospital early last week with flu like symptoms. Tests and a biopsy were performed, and the physicians have found that his cancer has spread and is now in his abdomen and liver. His doctors will be looking into immunotherapy but options are becoming limited. Lyle is home now but they anticipate hospice will be in his near future. Lyle and his family would appreciate your thoughts and prays as they continue to fight this uphill battle.

Update on Melissa Moser:  After re-scanning they have decided to radiate a spot on her spine to try to relieve pain, as of now it has worked!  Pray for direction for them and the doctors.  Thank you!

Thank You:  I have finished my radiation treatments!!!  Praise the Lord!!   I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to my church family.  Your texts, phone calls, & cards containing words of encouragement, your meals & gift cards, and most importantly your prayers have meant so much to me and my family.  Words cannot begin to express how much you all mean to us!!  Hedy, Curt, Dylan, & Kyla Kruger

It is time to be preparing for Consistory nominations.  If you have declined a nomination for Elder or Deacon in the past, and want to make yourself available to be nominated this year, please contact Pastor Dan by the end of the day today (September 20, 2020).   

Adult Choir Members & Friends!  We will be starting choir practice on October 4 following services in the sanctuary.  The practice will last until approximately 11:30 am.  Our first performance will be October 25.  All are welcome to join.  

Vacation:  Pastor Dan and Sue will be on vacation September 14-21. 

Consistory:  we meet on Wednesday, September 23. Elders and Deacons separate at 6:30 PM and full Consistory at 7:00 PM.

A Membership class will be offered starting on Sunday, October 4 after worship in room 200 for all those interested. Please let me know if you are coming so we can make up study guides.   Pastor Dan

From the Deacons:  It is preferred that you separate your checks that are to be issued to different funds for the collection on Sundays as it can be difficult splitting checks with accuracy.  Thank you!  

Shopping Carts:  Many of you have seen the shopping carts in the gathering space.   This year we are going to be more intentional about filling them and helping our local food pantry.  Each month we will have “food theme” and we are asking you to donate only the mentioned items.  The items will then be distributed at the “BREAD OF LIFE” events held in our county each month.  Help us shower our community with blessing.  September: dry cereal, granola bars, pop tarts

It’s time to start shopping for Operation Christmas Child!  Back to school sales are in full swing, and it’s a great time to buy items to fill our shoebox gifts for November. Please consider either contributing to our packing party (Nov. 11) or packing a box or two on your own. There is more information in the gathering space. Thanks!

Justice For All (JFA) is changing things up this year!  You’re invited to join us at the combined Fall Banquet & Annual Meeting/Fall Auction on Thursday evening, Oct 1, Dinner at 6:00PM at the Parkview Events Center of Rock Valley, IA.  Due to COVID, we will not be inviting a ministry partner to travel this year, but you will hear from many of them virtually! There will be a short business meeting.  The Fall Auction will be looking a bit different this year, as much of it will be online.  There will be a Silent Auction at the event and a complete list of online items will also be available.   Reservations for the meal are necessary and can be made by calling 712-476-2804 or emailing joeldw@jfa-nwiowa.org.  Please join us as we celebrate JFA ministry, both past and future, as well as support JFA ministry through the auction!  An offering will be taken for JFA ministry.

The report from the Vision 2020 Committee has been released with their recommendations for how the Reformed Church should proceed into the future with its current conflicts. You can access it on the internet at https://www.rca.org/ or request a copy from the church office.

* Watch the website for additional updates and cancellations:  rockrapidsfrc.org.

Nursery:  The downstairs nursery is NOT staffed with volunteers but is open if you need a place to listen to the service and occupy your children.  Thank you

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES:  Bulletins are provided.  We ask that your give your offering as you exit so that the money is not laying exposed in the plates during the service. We will continue to usher people in and out.

The Task Force for Re-entry met last week to discuss the start of Fall programs and music in worship. Our Christian Education ministry will proceed as “normal” with Wednesday activities beginning on September 16 and Sunday School beginning on September 20. Adult Choir will be surveyed to see how many are open to practice and performing. Bells are ready to go and communication will happen with parents of the Cherub Choir. We also discussed the nursery and snacks for after worship. 

ALSO… please remember, social distancing should still be practiced by keeping group gatherings to small numbers depending on the room. We are asking that you call the church office to reserve a room. The rooms available include 345, the Children’s Center, and 107. We also ask that the tables, chairs and door handles be wiped down with wipes provided in each room. Please limit where you go in the building.

      Offerings Sunday 9-13-20              Offerings to 9-13-20           Budget to 9-13-20

General Fund:                       $10,979.00              $216,545.35                     $280,692.73    

Benevolent Fund:                 $50.00                     $122,672.51                     $129,078.94

Building Fund:                       $55.00                     $17,294.67                       $58,417.45

*All events are subject to change      

OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE WEEK 

SUNDAY:   Pulpit Supply – Rev. Irwin Van Leeuwen

Sunday School Starts!

      Session 1:  The Fiery Furnace/God’s Presence Sustains His People 

MONDAY:

12:00 Noon Quarterback Club in the Fellowship Hall

7 pm Circle of Kindness

TUESDAY:  

9:15 am Staff Meeting

WEDNESDAY:  

2:30 – 5:00 pm Club 512 starts for the year

      5 – 6:30 pm Midweek Meal will be served.  All are welcome!

      6:30 pm Jr RCYF; 8:00 pm Sr RCYF

Consistory Meetings – 6:30 pm Deacons/Elders separately, full consistory at 7:00 pm

THURSDAY:   

FRIDAY:    

8:00 am Men’s Bible Study in 345

SATURDAY:   

SUNDAY:  

Sunday School – 

      Session 2:  Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream/God’s Authority Sustains His People