Announcements for 4-21-24 

~This morning our 4^th grade class will recite the Books of the Bible. Next week, our 5^th grade class will recite the Beatitudes. Parents: please have your 5^th graders to their classroom by 9:15 AM. When they are finished, the children will join their families for the remainder of worship. Thank you!

VBS Registration is open! Please visit https://rockrapidsvbs.myanswers.com/jungle-journey/ to get your

4 year-old – 6^th grader registered. VBS will be June 5-7, 2024. We are also looking for volunteers. If you are interested in helping, please contact Amy Schulte at 712.470.4883. Thanks!

~Bible Reading Plan: You can grab a bible reading bookmark from the Welcome Center or sign up at the Welcome Center for a daily text with the scripture reading for the day! 

The 2024 church directory is now available in the church office. If you would like a copy, contact the church office and we will get one to you! 712-472-3729 or frchurch@premieronline.net. 

~Please check the lost and found area on the south side of the coat rack behind the welcome center. There have been a lot of items left from church and there are still a few pans left from the RCYF soup supper. If not claimed by May 1^st we will donate. Thanks

~Mark your calendars for the Annual May Breakfast! All are welcome for an inspiring message and delicious breakfast. Saturday ~ May 4 ~ 9:00 AM. The Rock Community Church.  Speaker - Jessica Remme of the Oaklyn Foundation Music provided by Annie and Josie McMahon RSVP by May 1 by emailing therockcc@premieronline.net or calling The Rock Community Church at 712-472-2324. 

                            The April Bridge is now available in the clear boxes next to the mailboxes.

                          Church office hours: ~ Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 9-1 & Friday 9-12.

*Bulletin announcements need to be to the office by Thursday at 9am for the Sunday bulletin

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.” Psalm 23:4a 

Our prayer concerns….                                                                                        

Twilla Hoekstra                                                                                      Judy Netten                                                         

Barb Hoogendorn                                                                                 Merlin Groen

Karen Flier                                                                                              Kari Jurrens 

Makayla Klarenbeek                                                                            Betty Vanden Heuvel                         

Eldora Krull                                                                                              Janice Den Besten                                                                                                               JoAnn Douglas                                                                                      Nina Koedam (Terry Koedam’s mom)

Todd Altman (Jack & Esther Altman’s son)                                      Cindy Witt                                                            

Melissa Moser (Kathy Moser’s daughter-in-law)                             Mandie Sprock (Marilyn Mammenga’s daughter)

Ellen Schram (Jeff Schram’s mom)                                                    Nancy Bosma (Mary Klinkenborg’s sister)                    

Greyson Austin (Marlene Mellema’s grandson)                              Michelle Koele Vore (Jessica Harman’s cousin)

Roger Van Maanen (Heather Van Wyhe’s dad)                              Sandra Smith (Laurie David’s mom) cancer     

Carlton Woodruff (Rachelle Johnsen’s uncle)                                 Nancy Aaker (Shari Kastein’s mom)

Doris Iwen (Lance Iwen’s mom)                                                         Steve Ellsworth (Peggy Metzger’s dad)          

 Grief Share: Monday nights through June 24 @ 6:30pm

Our 2^nd Annual Parenting your Parents’ Workshop- April 25^th @ 6:30pm

__________________________________________________________________________________________Church Events

~Sourdough bread making class information- Saturday, May 11^th at 10AM in the Elijah room. Sarah Wilson will be teaching. The class will be $15 and will include a Danish dough whisk, a banneton bread proofing basket, and sourdough starter. Please bring a glass jar of any size to take the sourdough starter home in. Participants will ‘make and take’ a loaf of bread to take home to bake. A sign-up sheet will be located in the Welcome Center or you can sign-up by texting Brenda Van Hofwegen at 712-470-5139. 

Bible Studies:

Mondays @ 6:30pm Young Adult Bible Study 

Tuesdays @ 6:30pm Women’s Bible Study (Martha room)

Wednesdays @ 6am Men’s Bible Study (Martha Room)

Wednesdays @ 6:30pm Proverbs Bible Study (Martha Room)

Sundays @ 10:45am Doing life with adult children (Rm 355)

Moms in Prayer:

Sundays @ 7pm Traditional (Prayer Chapel)

Mondays @ 5:45am Traditional (Connections room)

Mondays @ 5pm College & Careers (Connections)

Tuesdays @ 8:30am College & Careers (War room/rm 355)

Tuesdays @ 8:30am Traditional (Nursery)

FIRST REFORMED CHURCH
 WORSHIP SERVICE 
 April 21, 2024 at 9:30am 

Prelude: “You Are My King (Amazing Love)”

WE APPROACH GOD

Welcome /Announcements/ Prayer

*please pass the fellowship pads*  

 Memory Work: 4^th Grade, Books of the bible                                                     

Mission Minute: “Mission Trips” 

Praise Service

“Same God”

“Leaning”

“How Great is Our God”

Congregational Prayer                                                           

*4-5 yr. olds dismissed for Children & Worship*

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD

Scripture: Esther 5-10 

Sermon: Salvation 

WE RESPOND TO GOD

Offertory and Closing Song: “In Christ Alone”

(Offering plate will be passed) 

Benediction

Sending Chorus: “In Christ Alone”

*6^th Grade and below may exit for Sunday School*

Mission statement: “TO SHARE THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS!

Serving us today 4-21-24

DOOR GREETERS- (N) Lisa VandeStouwe (S) Dave & Heather Springer (SE) Steve & Jessica Harman

NURSERY- Alexis & Emory Lincecum

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Sawyer & Sara Hrdlicka

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Wendy Huisman

MINISTRY OF MUSIC-             

CHILDREN & WORSHIP:  Leader: Ashley Rypkema   Helper: Taylor Rypkema

SOUND SYSTEM: Sawyer Hrdlicka

VIDEO TAPING- Breyden Dieren 

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Thane Jansma

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- 

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER: Fred Tilstra

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES: Rob & Brenda Van Hofwegen

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR: Katie Boender

VAN DRIVER: Mike Klarenbeek

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- Benevolent Fund

Serving us next week 4-28-24

DOOR GREETERS- (N) Dalton & Kenzie Skidmore (S) Dave & Heather Springer (SE) Greg & Sherri DeJong 

NURSERY- Kayla Van Wyhe & Jayda Pytleski

COMMON GROUND (before worship)- Scott & Amy Sieperda

COFFEE BREAK (following worship)- Rypkema Family 

MINISTRY OF MUSIC- Adult Choir

CHILDREN & WORSHIP:     Leader: Taylor Bosch    Helper: Mali Kellenberger

SOUND SYSTEM- Curt Dieren 

VIDEO TAPING- Brad Rypkema

PROCLAIM PRESENTER- Berlyn DeWit

MEDICAL ASSISTANT- Kristi Metzger

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER LEADER: Lisa VandeStouwe

SUNDAY SCHOOL COOKIES: Dwayne & Sharon Postma

SUNDAY SCHOOL HALL MONITOR: Ashley Rypkema

VAN DRIVER: Dale Klarenbeek

*THE LOOSE OFFERING- General Fund

FINANCIALS as of 4-14-24

                                            Last Sunday                    YTD Offerings                  YTD Budget

General Fund:                    $12,393.50                        $136,946.67                     $256,755.00

Benevolent Fund              $635.00                              $52,861.75                        $58,608.00

Online Donations:            $810.00                              $14,333.44

Sunday School 4-14-23

                              Last Year’s Attendance: 78                                 Last Week’s Attendance: 85

                              Last Year’s Offering: $28.75                               Last Week’s Offering: $131.00

Upcoming Events  

SUNDAY 4-21-24:

Sunday School Lesson: Session 3: Stephen Was Arrested/ The Murdered Servant

5:30pm Esther Movie (Fellowship Hall & Sanctuary)

MONDAY 4-22-24:

6:30pm Grief Share (Elijah Room)

TUESDAY 4-23-24: 

WEDNESDAY 4-24-24:

8pm Sr. RCYF

THURSDAY 4-25-24:  

6:30pm Parenting your parents (Fellowship Hall)

FRIDAY 4-26-24:   

8am Men’s Bible Study

SATURDAY 4-27-24:

9-11am Women’s Ministry Event (Fellowship Hall) *Shelly Meester will be speaking*

SUNDAY 4-28-24: 

Sunday School Lesson: Session 4: The Church Spread Out/ The Scattered Church

11:30am-1pm Building on Faith Fundraiser (Fellowship Hall) *see bulletin insert for more information*

*for all bible studies and moms in prayer times and dates refer to the announcements*

4/21/24   Sermon Notes

Esther 5-10   Salvation

Intro: Review Chapters 1-4

1. Chapters 5-10
1. Esther’s Request

1. Haman’s Fall

1. Victory over Enemies

1. Feasting and Remembrance 

3 Observations of Salvation

1. Great Reversal
1. Haman and Mordecai
1. Jesus’ Humiliation and Exaltation (Phil 2:5-8)

1. Jews destined for Annihilation and Victory over their Enemies.
1. Death to Life:  Dead in sins, made alive in Christ.  (Romans 6:23) 

1. Saving Faith
1. Esther’s Faith: Puts her life completely in God’s hands.
1. Not by her works, beauty, or desire

1. Eph. 2:8-9 For it is by grace you are saved through faith…
1. Trusting that Jesus did what you could not do. 

1. Revival
1. Renewed Relationship with God
1. Rejoicing, Feasting, Remembrance 
2. Lord’s Supper and Heavenly Banquet