Prayers:Your prayer support is appreciated for the following individuals and their special circumstances: Mary Vermeer (currently at the Rock Rapids Health Center for physical therapy), Donna Hulshof (receiving Hospice care at Fellowship Village in Inwood), Asher Menning (continue to pray about the blood clot in Asher’s right atrium), Aubree Boender (for complete healing of her arm), Dawn Vanden Top (recovering from surgery on her liver), Pam Foster, Bob Dreke’s sister (coping with Huntington’s Disease), Tanner Lincecum (pray that Tanner’s shunt will continue to be effective), Mykenah Horstman (pray that Mykenah’s spinal cord will not re-tether), Twilla Hoekstra (recovering from surgery), Greyson Austin, Marlene Mellema’s grandson/Meredith and Joe Vander Zee’s nephew (hospitalized at Mayo and recovering from surgery to remove his colon), Rosemary Harman (Steve Harman’s mother), Tony Schoneveld, Jessica Harman’s grandfather (has stage 4 COPD), and Russell Carver, Rachelle Johnsen’s father (recovering from surgery).

*Your prayers are also requested for the following individuals who are coping with cancer: Arlene Sterler (Robbie Korthals’ mother), Dave Kwikkel (Arnie and Donna Kwikkel’s son), and Gail Hartter (Eric Hartter’s mother).

Prayer Update: Thank you for your prayers over the past months for Marilyn Kuyper, Ethanie Pulscher’s aunt. At a recent check-up Marilyn’s doctor found that the cancer has spread. At this time Marilyn’s heart and kidneys are too weak for surgery or chemotherapy. Marilyn’s family is asking for continued prayers and for strength and comfort for Marilyn.

Sympathy: We extend our sympathy to Laurine and Don Gerritsen and their family on the death of Laurine’s mother, Gert Van Roekel, on October 4. Gert’s funeral was last Tuesday, October 9, here at First Reformed Church.

Thank You! Thank you for all the prayers for Greyson Austin. The 5 hour colectomy (colon removal) surgery at Mayo went well. His appendix was also removed. He will be there at least a week. A second and possibly third surgery will be done within a year. Eventually he would use the small intestine to function as his colon with no exterior bag; which will make everything normal for Greyson. Praising God for new medical procedures. We, as his family, thank our church for the many heartfelt prayers. We are asking for continued prayers – as he heals. ~ Marlene Mellema and families

Thank you to my faithful friends and family at First Reformed for their cards, prayers, food, and visits received this past week after Karen’s death. To Rev. Haggar & Sue for heartfelt support and to my faithful Care Elder, I thank you. Karen’s memories will live on. ~ Alice Feikema & families

Congratulations! to Paul and Josie (Menning) Moser on the birth of their daughter, Jade Lynn, on September 30. We rejoice with you on this special blessing in the life of your family!

JR RCYF: Those who are registered for the Ultimate Retreat will be leaving the church parking lot at 2:30pm on Saturday, Oct 20 unless other transportation arrangements have been made. REMEMBER a sleeping bag, tennis shoes and warm clothes. We will be outside! We will return around 3pm on Sunday, Oct 21.

SR RCYF: Girls League is meeting on Wednesday, October 17 at 630pm at Rosie’s. ALL HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND. Guys Night will meet at 8pm. We will be going to Pumpkins on Garfield Corn Maze. Dress Appropriately and you will need $5. We will be home around 930pm.

Pastor Dan will be attending a seminar at Sioux Falls Seminary this coming week, Oct. 15- 19. He will be fulfilling a Classis assigned pulpit supply at Bethel Reformed Church in rural Little Rock on Sunday, Oct. 21.

Advance Notice: Women’s Ministry Executive Committee will meet on Monday, October 22 at 7:00 pm in Room 345. This meeting is for all officers, chair persons, and circle leaders. An agenda will be placed in your mailboxes. Please bring your 2018 Women’s Ministry Booklet. Thanks - Geneva

To All Care Elders! Our Care Elder Fall Gathering will be held on Tuesday, October 23, at 7:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Our program for the evening will be “Care Eldering 202: Pitfalls that We Face”. This will be a humorous but informative presentation on “pitfalls” that might come our way as we serve and minister to our Care Groups. We will also have some delicious snacks for you and some questions to discuss around your table. We hope to SEE YOU ON OCTOBER 23!

It’s Operation Christmas Child time again! There are many opportunities for you to get involved: you can pack a shoebox or two on your own (shoeboxes are available in the gathering space), you can donate items for our packing party (sign-up sheet available in the gathering space), you can volunteer during collection week, or you can do all three! Each box has the potential not only to change a child’s life for eternity, but an entire family and sometimes community. Please see Amy Schulte for more details.

“Dream, Dream On!” is the inspirational message for Women’s Connection on Wednesday, October 17 @9:15am in the Whispering Heights Senior Center in Rock Valley. Sue Bader is the speaker. Jeaneen De Jager will do the feature on the work in Haiti and Beth Kats will sing! Brunch is $4.00 and an offering will be received for Stonecroft Ministries. Reservations are necessary so call Winifred at 470-5549 or Bertha at 476-2583 if you would like to come!!

Seeds of Faith Church in Lester will be having a free Movie Night Saturday, Oct 20th at 7 PM. We will be showing the movie “I CAN ONLY IMAGINE”. The movie is a gripping reminder of the power of forgiveness, and beautifully illustrates that no one is ever too far from God’s love. Based on a true story it shows how the Gospel can transform people and changes lives. Please join us! Due to some of the highly emotional scenes in the movie we recommend it for 10 yrs. of age and up.

Meals on Wheels: Monday – Friday, October 22 – 26, Rosewood Route – Roger & Carol Oliver; Town Route – Monday – Amy & Sue, Tuesday - Cheryl & Ashley, Wednesday – Amy & Sue, Thursday – Cheryl & Dave, and Friday – Pastor Dan & Val. Any questions, please direct them to Cheryl Van Beek

Hope Haven: Hope Haven’s 54^th Annual Society Meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at Hope Haven in Rock Valley beginning at 1:00 pm. Society members will have the opportunity to elect new Board members, review recent audit and budgets, and receive the annual report on the ministry of Hope Haven. Hope Haven is a society owned agency; therefore, you are encouraged to exercise your membership and become involved in the business of Hope Haven.

The 1^st Fall Inspiration Hills auction is coming up fast- Friday, October 26! This year’s auction proceeds will go towards the kitchen remodel. Everyone is invited to attend. Come for the fellowship, food and the amazing items! The doors open at 6:00pm when you can look over the donated items and enjoy soup and dessert. The auction will begin at 7:00pm. We are looking to have a number of larger items (dinners, tickets, outings, and meat bundles whatever you can think of). Smaller items and homemade goods are also welcome! We will combine them to make some awesome baskets. If you would like to donate items, please contact Cheryl Van Beek or Dave Heilman at Inspiration Hills 712-360-0140.

Justice For All invites you to join them for an informational meeting about upcoming Service & Learning Trips on Tuesday, October 16, 2018, at 7 pm at the JFA Ministry Center, 1335 Valley Drive. Hear details and experiences of what Service & Learning trips are about, as well as answering any questions about dates, times, and locations. Come check the possibility of where God may be leading you. If you cannot make the meeting but would like more information, please call Luke Grooters at JFA, 712-476-2804 or lukeg@jfa-nwiowa.org.

Offerings Sunday 10-7-18 Offerings to 10-7-18 Budget to 10-7-18

General Fund: $3,827.75 $214,526.91 $275,910.96

Benevolent Fund: $8,755.00 $123,539.23 $131,602.40

Building Fund: $555.00 $41,585.74 $95,555.60

Sunday Offering: October 7, 2018

Last Year’s Attendance: 110 Last week's Attendance: 129

Last Year’s Offering: $819.00 Last week's Offering: $137.00

This Week’s Lesson: Oct. 14 - Session 5 - The Tower of Babel

Next Week’s Lesson: Oct 21 – Session 6 – The Suffering of Job

OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE WEEK

SUNDAY:

MONDAY:

12:00 noon Quarter Back Club

Moms in Prayer-College and Careers 5:00pm

7:00 pm Circle of Kindness

TUESDAY:

Moms in Prayer-traditional group 12:00pm

6:30 pm Grace Circle

7:00 pm TEC mtg in the Youth Room

WEDNESDAY:

9-11 am MOPS

Moms in Prayer-traditional group-6:30pm and 8:00pm

6:30pm – Activity Night (verse to know: Genesis 1:27)

6:30 pm Girl’s League (see announcements for details)

6:30pm- Hand Bell Practice

6:30pm- Jr. RCYF

7:30pm- Praise Team Practice

8:00pm- Guy’s Night (see announcements for details)

THURSDAY:

Grandmas in Prayer-12:15pm

FRIDAY:

Moms in Prayer-College and Careers 7:00am

8:00 am- Men’s Bible Study in the Conference Room

SATURDAY:

SUNDAY: Pulpit Supply - John Hartog III