Prayers:Your prayer support is appreciated for the following individuals and their special circumstances: Harriet Hoff (recovering from foot surgery on April 18), Mykenah Horstman (pray for the plans to get Mykenah fitted for a brace that she can wear at night), Arietta Beyenhof (recovering from knee replacement surgery), Tanner Lincecum (pray that Tanner’s shunt will continue to be effective), Pam Foster, Bob Dreke’s sister (coping with Huntington’s Disease), Stacy Dieren (has started chemotherapy treatments), Thomas Bouwman, Tom & Sheryl Bouwman’s son (diagnosed with paracardial effusion; has been able to return to work but has physical limitations), Greyson Austin, Marlene Mellema’s grandson/Meredith & Joe Vander Zee’s nephew (see update below), Jeremy Hespen, Merlin & Jackie Groen’s nephew (recently diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma), Andrew Perry, Anita and Curt Dieren’s brother-in-law (pray for Andrew’s blood clots to dissolve), Lena Jolee Olivier, Marilyn and Bill Mammenga’s infant granddaughter (pray for continued growth and healthy development), Danny Bolerjack, Danielle Bouwman’s father (recovering from a stroke), Jon and Dani Markus (prayers for their unborn baby boy and ongoing health concerns), Gayle Wagenaar, Conrad and Audrey De Noble’s brother-in-law (diagnosed with acute leukemia), Tony Schoneveld, Jessica Harman’s grandfather (has stage 4 COPD), and Zucker Freerks, Sara & Justin Groen’s nephew (pray for Zucker to maintain good health during the spring months).

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

Prayer Update on Greyson Austin: Greyson has had a good couple of weeks with eating, drinking, and gaining some weight. His next appointment at Mayo will be on May 6 with surgery on May 7 if all appears well. His surgeon plans to complete the last half of the beginning surgery by reconnecting his small bowel to be used for his colon with no colostomy anymore. Our family has leaned on your prayers so much in the past, and we would be so grateful for your prayers again. Please pray that the surgery will go well and that there will be healing without complications or infection. With our thank you, Mike, Carrie & Greyson Austin and families

Professions of Faith: This morning we celebrate the professions of faith in Jesus of nine individuals who met with the Elders and shared their decisions to follow the Savior. They include: Caden Wright, Tim Lyman, Brenda Van Hofwegen, Emily Grooters, Kyle Grooters, Madisen Iwen, Andrew De Noble, Devon Miller, and Zach Springer.

If you no longer have a landline telephone, please contact the church office so we can update our prayer chain announcement calling system. As of right now there are many calls that go unanswered. It will more efficient and help to get these messages out in a timely manner if we can update our phone system. Thank you.

GriefShare: Our next GriefShare session will be on Monday, April 22, 6:45-8:45 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Our topic this week will be “Complicating Factors”. We will learn how traumatic experiences affect our grief. We will also address how to deal with nightmares and flashbacks as well as how our thinking affects our emotions. Please feel free to join us!

IT’S TIME FOR SPRING CARE PACKAGES FOR OUR COLLEGE STUDENTS!

Sign up in gathering space today if you would like one sent to your son or daughter. Deadline to sign up is April 24.

They will be mailed out on Monday, April 29. If you would like to assist in preparing the packages, let Cheryl Van Beek know.

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.

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 4-14-19 Offerings to 4-14-19 Budget to 4-14-19

General Fund: $9,324.00 $90,934.87 $112,132.50

Benevolent Fund: $560.00 $50,537.66 $51,797.25

Building Fund: $0.00 $5,783.25 $37,211.55

Sunday School Offering: April 14, 2019

Last Year’s Attendance: 0 Last week's Attendance: 117

Last Year’s Offering: $0.00 Last week's Offering: $109.00

This Week’s Lesson: Unit 7– April 21 – Easter: Jesus’ Crucifixion and Resurrection/Fear Gives Way

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

OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE WEEK

SUNDAY: EASTER SUNDAY!

Confessions of Faith

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

All Family Event at Air Madness! (Includes middle school)

6:30 pm – Hand Bells

7:30 pm – Praise Team

7:00 pm Sr RCYF (NOTE: Time change!)

THURSDAY: Grandmothers in Prayer at 12:15 pm

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

SATURDAY:

SUNDAY: Pulpit Supply – Jason Jackson