Prayers:Your prayer support is appreciated for the following individuals and their special circumstances: Pastor Dan (recovering from recent surgery), Brock Klarenbeek (scheduled for surgery on May 2 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN to correct his sunken chest), Harriet Hoff (recovering from foot surgery; currently a resident at the Rock Rapids Health Center), Alice Feikema (recovering from surgery on her leg; recuperating at her daughter Lois’ home), Arietta Beyenhof (recovering from knee replacement surgery), Mykenah Horstman (pray for the plans to get Mykenah fitted for a brace that she can wear at night), Pam Foster, Bob Dreke’s sister (coping with Huntington’s Disease), Tanner Lincecum (recently at Mayo Hospital for treatment of recurring headaches), Bonita Schwan, Norma Jansma’s daughter (being treated for cancer and is also dealing with the death of her son Elijah in an accident in Spain), Thomas Bouwman, Tom & Sheryl Bouwman’s son (has experienced some improvement; has recently met his physical therapy goals)), Danny Bolerjack, Danielle Bouwman’s father (recovering from a stroke), Lena Jolee Olivier, Marilyn and Bill Mammenga’s infant granddaughter (pray for continued growth and healthy development), Zucker Freerks, Sara & Justin Groen’s nephew (pray for Zucker to maintain good health during the spring months), Greyson Austin, Marlene Mellema’s grandson/Meredith & Joe Vander Zee’s nephew (see prayer update below), Andrew Perry, Anita & Curt Dieren’s brother-in-law (pray for Andrew’s blood clots to dissolve), Jon and Dani Markus (prayers for Leo, their unborn baby boy who has ongoing health concerns), 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: Gail Hartter (Eric Hartter’s mother), Marilyn Kuyper (Ethanie Pulscher’s aunt), Dave Kwikkel (Arnie and Donna Kwikkel’s son), Stacy Dieren (has started chemotherapy treatments), Arlene Sterler (Robbie Korthals’ mother; see prayer update below), and Jeremy Hespen, Merlin & Jackie Groen’s nephew (recently diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma).

Prayer Updates: Please pray for Melissa Moser, Kathy Moser’s daughter-in-law. Melissa is experiencing new liver cancer progression, and she will be starting a trial drug in Iowa City soon. Also pray for Arlene Sterler, Robbie Korthals’ mother. Arlene’s blood work is low, and she is very weak and tired. Arlene’s doctor has stopped her chemotherapy treatments at this time. Arlene hopes to resume her radiation treatment in the next weeks when her blood count has improved.

Update on Greyson: At this time Greyson remains in the Mayo Hospital. They feel it is very possible that he has Crohn’s as well as colitis that caused his colon to be removed last October. The surgery to reconnect his small bowel on May 7 has been put off 6 months to a year. They have begun the Remicade infusions again to help with the inflammation and bleeding. Please pray for the infusions to work to accomplish this purpose. We are so thankful that Grey is able to eat and drink again right now, and so is he. Please pray that the Lord may surround him with His loving arms to lift his spirits, and that He may give the doctors the knowledge of how to treat him. We are so thankful for your many, heartfelt prayers; and for all the care you continue to express to Greyson and our family. In Christ, Mike & Carrie Austin

Prayer Update: Please continue to pray for Bonita Jansma Schwan as she is experiencing serious conditions and side effects from previous cancer surgeries. Currently Bonita has been placed on bed rest through June 4. Bonita is also experiencing emotional stress due to the death of her 22-year-old son, Elijah Schwan, in an accident in Spain. Services for Elijah are pending at this time.

Thank you: We want to thank you all for the support, prayers, and thoughts given to us this past week with Tyler’s health scare. We were blessed as they caught it in its early stage and with medication – hopefully he will stay healthy. We especially want to thank Sue, Cori’s Moms in Prayer Group, Cheryl Van Beek, Karyn Boer, Julie De Ruyter, Shannon Klarenbeek and many more who called or texted us. We thank God placing us in such a loving church family. With gratitude we thank you all. ~ Dale, Cori, and Tyler Klarenbeek

Baptism: Today we joyfully administer the sacrament of baptism to Cora Lyn Wilson, the daughter of Blair & Sarah Wilson and sister of Reagan Wilson.

The Council of Churches will be meeting at 1:30 pm today at the First Reformed Church.

It’s VBS time again! Our theme this year is Roar: Life is Wild, God is Good. Due to the numerous snow days, VBS will be a 3 day event this year. Wednesday, June 5 and Thursday, June 6 will be from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Friday, June 7 will be from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Lunch will be served all three days. Also note: Our program will be at 11:30 AM on Friday. All are welcome & encouraged to attend. We are still looking for a few volunteers: Crew Leaders, Preschool KidVid Cinema, Preschool Crafts (Friday only), Elementary Service Project (Friday only). There are registration forms on the table in the gathering space. Please fill one out for each child attending. There is also a link for online registration on our website. Paper registrations may be placed in Amy’s mailbox, or turned in at the church office. We look forward to another week full of energy, fun, and learning to be wild about God!

Summer Special Music: We are in search of your special talents this summer. We have a sign-up sheet in the gathering space on the information table and would love to have you sign-up for a Sunday to share of you talents for special music this summer. If you have any questions please contact Brad Rypkema or Dustin Bosch. Thank You.

GriefShare: Our next GriefShare session will be on Monday, May 6, 6:45-8:45 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Our topic for this week will be “Lessons of Grief – Part One.” We will learn about an overlooked reason regarding grief being so painful. We will also address why going to church can be difficult as well as the benefits of helping others. Please feel free to join us!

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!

Offerings Sunday 4-28-19 Offerings to 4-28-19 Budget to 4-28-19

General Fund: $10,035.55 $103,736.02 $127,323.50

Benevolent Fund: $500.00 $58,689.66 $58,703.55

Building Fund: $4,403.26 $10,186.51 $42,173.09

Sunday School Offering: April 28, 2019

Last Year’s Attendance: 101 Last week's Attendance: 111

Last Year’s Offering: $134.24 Last week's Offering: $130.15

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

Presence

Next Week’s Lesson: Unit 8 – May 12 – Crossing the Jordan/The Call to Courage

OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE WEEK

SUNDAY: 1:30 Council of Churches at FRC

Baptism

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

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

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

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

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

9:30 am Joy Circle in 345

6:30 pm Hand Bells

7:30 pm Praise Team

THURSDAY: Grandmothers in Prayer at 12:15 pm

7:00 pm Peace Circle in 345

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

SATURDAY:

SUNDAY: Senior Recognition Sunday

Pulpit Supply – Rev. Doug Van Aartsen