Prayers:Your prayer support is appreciated for the following individuals and their special circumstances: Pastor Dan (recovering from surgery on April 23), Alice Feikema (scheduled for surgery on her leg on April 26; she will be recuperating at her daughter Lois’ home), Harriet Hoff (recovering from foot surgery; currently a resident at the Rock Rapids Health Center), Arietta Beyenhof (recovering from knee replacement surgery), Tanner Lincecum (currently at Mayo Hospital due to recurring headaches), Pam Foster, Bob Dreke’s sister (coping with Huntington’s Disease), Mykenah Horstman (pray for the plans to get Mykenah fitted for a brace that she can wear at night), Greyson Austin, Marlene Mellema’s grandson/Meredith & Joe Vander Zee’s nephew (upcoming surgery on May 7), Lena Jolee Olivier, Marilyn and Bill Mammenga’s infant granddaughter (pray for continued growth and healthy development), Thomas Bouwman, Tom & Sheryl Bouwman’s son (diagnosed with paracardial effusion; has been able to return to work but has physical limitations), Danny Bolerjack, Danielle Bouwman’s father (recovering from a stroke), Jon & Dani Markus (prayers for Leo, their unborn baby boy who has ongoing health concerns), Andrew Perry, Anita and Curt Dieren’s brother-in-law (pray for Andrew’s blood clots to dissolve), Zucker Freerks, Sara and Justin Groen’s nephew (pray for Zucker to maintain good health during the spring months), and Tony Schoneveld, Jessica Harman’s grandfather (has stage 4 COPD).

*Your prayers are also requested for the following individuals who are coping with cancer: Stacy Dieren (has started chemotherapy treatments), Jeremy Hespen, Merlin & Jackie Groen’s nephew (recently diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma), Arlene Sterler (Robbie Korthals’ mother), Gail Hartter (Eric Hartter’s mother), Marilyn Kuyper (Ethanie Pulscher’s aunt), and Dave Kwikkel (Arnie and Donna Kwikkel’s son).

A Note of Praise! Gayle Wagenaar, Conrad and Audrey De Noble’s brother-in-law, has had 7 months of treatment for acute leukemia. Gayle recently had some tests completed, and he is considered to be in remission at this time.

Sympathy: We extend our sympathy to Norma Jansma, Todd & Andrea Jansma, and Jackson Jansma on the death of Norma’s grandson, Elijah Schwan, on April 18. Elijah was killed in an accident in Spain. Elijah is a nephew of Todd and Andrea Jansma as well as a cousin to Jackson. Elijah’s mother is Bonita Jansma Schwan. Funeral services for Elijah are pending.

GriefShare: Our next GriefShare session will be on Monday, April 29, 6:45-8:45 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Our topic for this week will be “Stuck”. We will learn about how to prevent getting stuck in grief. We will also address some common misperceptions that hinder healing as well as why the path to healing is not always smooth. You are welcome to join us!

End of Year Event: Wow! What an end to a fantastic year of Midweek Activities! Ninety jumpers + spectators met at Air Madness on Wednesday, April 24th for a fun night of jumping, laughing, and talking. Thank you to all who attended and made the night a success!

The Women’ Executive Committee Meeting will be held on Monday, April 29 at 7:00 p.m. in Room 345. This meeting is for all Women’s Ministry Officers and Circle Chairpersons. If you are unable to attend, please send a substitute. Your participation and input is important for the mission of Women’s Ministry.

Community May Breakfast -Ladies you are invited to attend the Community May Breakfast which will be held on Saturday, May 4, at 9:00 a.m. here at First Reformed. Please join us for a spring morning of sunshine, breakfast and fellowship. Mary Hoogers will speak on the topic “Bloom Where You are Planted”, special music by Sherri De Jong and Judy Gacke. Bring a favorite artificial flower.

ATTENTION the Bible League International Spring Salad Luncheon is scheduled for Monday May 6, 2019 at 11:30 at the Alton Reformed Church at 305 8^th Street, Alton, Iowa. Come and enjoy a fashion show featuring clothes form the Bible for Missions Thrift Center. John Scafe, the national director of Bibles for Missions Thrift centers will also be at the luncheon. You are asked to bring a salad for every two people to share. Drinks will be provided. Please give this prayerful consideration. The attendance has been down and it would be so GREAT to have a large group come together to support the work of Bible League International.

Parade Entry for Heritage Days 2019 - How cool would it be to have a First Reformed Church entry in the 2019 Rock Rapids Heritage Days Parade?!! A planning meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 7 at 7:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. If you are interested, we would love your help! If you are unable to attend this meeting but would like to participate or help, please contact Dwayne or Sharon Postma at 712-470-0533. Thank you!

Transitioning and/or needing a place to belong? Contact the ATLAS office at (712) 472-9016 and request an appointment to learn more about where and how you can serve! With the ministry growth, opportunities to bless and be blessed exist everywhere: our Lost But Found Store Manager (Vicki) is seeking volunteers to work in the thrift store as well as others with a pickup and hitch to pull a 14 foot trailer to Justice For All in Rock Valley. “Let us spur one another on toward love and good deeds!” (Hebrews 10:24)

Offerings Sunday 4-21-19 Offerings to 4-21-19 Budget to 4-21-19

General Fund: $2,765.60 $93,700.47 $119,728.00

Benevolent Fund: $7,652.00 $58,189.66 $52,250.40

Building Fund: $0.00 $5,783.25 $39,692.32

Sunday School Offering: April 21, 2019

Last Year’s Attendance: 101 Last week's Attendance: 85

Last Year’s Offering: $34.24 Last week's Offering: $85.00

This Week’s Lesson: Unit 7– April 28 – Balaam & Balak/The Blessings on God’s People

Next Week’s Lesson: Unit 7 – May 5 – Moses’ Farewell/The Promise of God’s Presence

OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE WEEK

SUNDAY: Pulpit Supply – Jason Jackson from Sioux City

MONDAY: Moms in Prayer – College & Careers at 6:30 am

Moms in Prayer – College & Careers at 5:00 pm

7:00 pm Women’s Executive Committee Meeting in 345

6:45 pm – 8:45 pm GriefShare in the Fellowship Hall

TUESDAY: Moms in Prayer – Traditional Group at 12:00 pm

9:15 am – Staff Meeting with Cheryl

WEDNESDAY Moms in Prayer – Traditional Group at 6:30 pm & 8:00 pm

9 – 11 am MOPS

6:00 pm Mothers & Others Event

Hand Bells

Praise Team

THURSDAY: Grandmothers in Prayer at 12:15 pm

Walk in Love Circle in 345

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

MOPS Night out in 345

SATURDAY:

9:00 am – May Breakfast in the Fellowship Hall

SUNDAY: 1:30 Council of Churches at FRC

Baptism