FIRST CRC MINISTRY NEWSLETTER
May 17, 2015
LOCAL MINISTRY
SONG SHEETS are available for all three services for those who are unable to stand or cannot see the screen. You will find them at
the Welcome Center.
DAILY UPDATES! Please join us in receiving daily Prayer Requests and Updates. The Prayer Request emails will also include daily
ministry updates. To get signed up, visit the Prayer Ministry pages on our church website or call the church office.
ONLINE SERVICES: If you or a family member are a shut-in or have an illness which prohibits you from attending Sunday services,
we’ll bring the service to you! We began to live stream the 8:30 and 10:00 services on Sunday, March 29. Find the link on our
website banner at www.firstchristianreformed.org. The entire service will be available until Wednesday of the following week. After
that, only the sermon will be available for approximately one month.
WORSHIP DVDs: 8:30 and 10:00 a.m. worship DVDs are now available to be checked out from the Church Library. We will continue
adding new ones each week.
MINISTRY NEWSLETTER: If you have not been receiving the newsletter in your email inbox on Fridays, please email or call the
church office and we would gladly get you added to our database.
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING: The Spring Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday evening, May 31, 2015, at 5:00 pm. In a
service of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord for His gracious guidance this past year, we will select new Elders & Deacons, be
introduced to our new Church Logo, receive an update on the land sale, and be introduced to Katka Biswa (pastor of the Nepalese
Church). Those nominated for Elder (4 to be selected): Terry Boon, Virg De Jongh, Don Kooiman, Eric Maas, Steve Ruiter, Marcus
Scholten, John Sjaarda and Brad Van Kalsbeek. Those nominated for Deacon (4 to be selected): Brian Aukes, Nathan Buys, Kevin
Fykstra, Justin Overman, Josh Soodsma, Scott Van Horssen, Cory Van Maanen and Alex Vis. The evening will begin with a potluck
supper at 4:00 pm in the Activity Center. A complete Agenda can be found on the Church website or a paper copy can be found at
the Welcome Center.
POTLUCK SUPPER: There will be a potluck supper on Sunday, May 31, before the Spring Congregational Meeting. The supper will
begin promptly at 4:00 p.m. in the Activity Center. Families/singles whose last names begin with the letter A-M are asked to bring a
salad or dessert. Families/singles whose last names begin with the letter N-Z are asked to bring a main dish. Please bring your own
eating utensils and plates. Coffee, lemonade and water will be provided. There is limited oven, freezer, and refrigerator space so be
sure to bring your dishes prepared and ready to serve. We encourage everyone to join us for a wonderful time of good food and
fellowship.
SENIORS AND FRIENDS PLEASE NOTE: The May Seniors Social, originally set for May 21, has been cancelled. Our next social is
scheduled for June 18.
TUITION ASSISTANCE: Today, May 17, is the deadline to apply for tuition assistance for the 2015/2016 school year! Apply online at
Firstchristianreformed.org under the "Resources" tab. The Tuition Assistance Ministry seeks to provide financial assistance for those
desiring Christian day school for their children. Assistance is awarded based on financial need as determined by Christian Tuition
Assistance Services, a third party confidential assessment service. Please feel free to contact us or your Deacon if you have any
questions! Our committee: Nathan Engbers, John Sjaarda, Mark Veurink, Brad Van Surksum, Billy Pollema, Tim Ackerman.
“THE JOURNEY”: “You might already have discovered for yourself how radically different traveling alone is from traveling together.
I have found over and over again how hard it is to be truly faithful to Jesus when I am alone. I need brothers and sisters to pray with
me, to speak with me about the spiritual task at hand, and to challenge me to stay pure in mind, heart and body.” Henri Nouwen
We are looking for approximately 12 men and 12 women who are interested in joining a fellow group of travelers, into a personal
exploration of three primary questions in each individual’s life: Who is God” Who am I? What does God desire to do through me?
Travelers will make a significant commitment to an eight month process.
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 Informational Meetings: Informational meetings will be held in Classroom #1 between services on Sunday, June 7 and
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14 . If you would like more information about “The Journey” prior to these meetings, please contact Ron DeWit, Director
of Pastoral Ministry, at 338-6904 or email at [email protected].
STEPHEN MINISTRY: Encourage One Another… In 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul writes, “Therefore encourage one another and build each
other up... Encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” God has called us all to build up and encourage one
another. For those who are experiencing a really difficult time, our Stephen Ministers can provide the special encouragement, care
and support they need until they are past the crisis. If you would like more information about Stephen Ministry please look over the
brochure in your church mailbox or call Ron DeWit, Director of Pastoral Ministry at the church office; 338-6904 or email at
[email protected].
HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE GRADUATES: We would like to congratulate you and your achievements in the June Action Line.
Please email Glady at [email protected] with the following information: where you are graduating from, what kind
of degree, and your future plans. Please have your info into the church office by Tuesday, May 19.
TWO HOURS OF FUN AND SERVICE: On Thursday June 11, you are invited to sign up for a two hour shift sitting at the Hospitality
Desk in the Sioux Falls Airport to greet delegates coming to the Synod of Christian Reformed Church that will be meeting at Dordt
College. Shifts are available from 10 AM to 10 PM. Volunteers from all generations invited. Contact Carl Zylstra (712-441-1846) or
the church office.
CADET CAMPOREE CLEAN-UP: We are planning a Camporee Clean-up in the Black Hills on June 12-13. This cleanup is preparation
for the 2017 International Camporee. We will be cleaning up dead brush and trees and put them into piles for a winter burn. We
welcome anyone who is willing and able to come help us clean up the site. We will return on Sunday, June 14. Please Contact Chad
Kooiman at 605-360-4738 or Kris Anderson at 605-731-9817 with any questions or to volunteer to come and help. Thank you!
ENFOLDING MINISTRY
WELCOME! We are glad you are here! If you would like more information about our church or our ministries, please visit the
Welcome Center. Coffee is served in the Activity Center.
PRAYER MINISTRY
Katie van Engelenhoven and Stacey Faber have started a meals ministry at SFC and are asking you to pray for this ministry.
HEALTH MINISTRY
Spring has sprung! Are you getting ready to put in your garden? The produce table will be set up again this summer so consider
planting an extra plant or two to share with others from the congregation. Also, we are looking for a few more large decorative
baskets to put the produce in on Sundays. If you have one to donate, please contact Kari Davelaar.
YOUTH MINISTRY
HSM (High School Ministry)
Profession of Faith Class
The Profession of Faith Class will continue this Monday, May 18, at 7:00pm at the church offices.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
IMPORTANT DATES:
May 17: Today is the last Day of Children’s Church for this ministry season. See you after Labor Day!
May 28-30: GEMS Camp
June 7-11, 2015: VBS. Theme: Everest 2015 VBS Expedition "Conquering Challenges with God’s Mighty Power.”
June 18-20: Cadet Summer Camp-out at Lake Pajoha. If your Cadet son is planning on attending this fun event, please call Chad
Kooiman at 605-360-4738 or Kris Anderson at 605-731-9817 to get a registration form
EVEREST VBS: Kids ages 4-3rd grade (completed) register by visiting www.firstchristianreformed.org before May 31. We need your
help! We are looking for Crew Leaders, Crew Leader Helpers, and people to bring snack items! Visit the table in the Activity Center
to sign up. VBS “Base Camp Sing & Play Music” CD’s are available at the church office for $5.
DEACON’S MINISTRY
Today’s “Offering of the Day” is designated for the Tuition Assistance Fund. Tuition assistance provides financial support for families
who are in need of help with the cost of Christian school tuition for the 2014-2015 academic school year.
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The May 24 “Offering of the Day” is designated for the Luke Society. The Luke Society supports Christian health professionals
worldwide to provide health care, health education, community health management, and development activities. Learn much more
about their mission and ministry locations around the world at www.lukesociety.org.
Attention: The Deacons are sponsoring an adult bicycle drive through the month of May for the Center of Hope’s “Bike to Work
Ministry.” All adult bikes are accepted - new and bikes that are gently used or only need minor repairs. Don’t have a bike to
donate? All monetary donations will be appreciated and will benefit the “Bike to work Ministry.” Make checks payable to First
Christian Reformed Church designated to the Center of Hope. You can drop your bike off by the Cadet room on May 30 or we can
come and pick your bike up. Contact Justin Prins [email protected] or Jade Vander Haar [email protected].
May 10, 2015:
General Fund
Building Fund
Faith Promise
Offering Amount
7,857.00
162.00
355.00
Ministry Shares
Tuition Support Fund
Touching Tomorrow Today
Offering Amount
3,913.67
870.00
3,420.00
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
SUNDAY:
8:30 /10:00
MONDAY:
10:30 am
7:00 pm
TUESDAY:
10:30 am
2:00 pm
7:30 pm
Children’s Church
Sr. Circuit
Profession of Faith Class
Sr. Circuit
Ladies Bible Study
MomsNext
WEDNESDAY:
6:30 am Men’s Bible Study
6:30 pm Stephen Ministry
THURSDAY:
6:45 pm Praise Team practice
FRIDAY:
10:30 am Sr. Circuit
SATURDAY:
7:30 am Men of Integrity
4:00 pm Wedding of Matt Vande Kamp & Kayla Broekhuis
MISCELLANEOUS ANNOUNCEMENTS
Thank you to the congregation for the calls, texts, emails, visits and "goodies" brought both while Kortney was in the hospital, and
Abby's surgery. Special Thank you for the many visits, scripture and prayer! How wonderful to be a part of such a compassionate,
loving and caring community! Lamentations 3:22-23: "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an
end; they are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness."
-Bryan and Barb Pollema and family
NEWS FOR JUNE ACTION LINE: Due May 19. Please send your articles and schedules to [email protected].
HOPELINE: The HopeLine in Sioux Falls is now also looking for volunteers for Saturday nights as well as Sunday nights. It is an
exciting opportunity to minister to many more teens and young adults who are hurting, lost, and confused, and we are praying God
raises up a new team of volunteers to help us. If you are interested in learning more or volunteering with The HopeLine, e-mail Jen
DeJong at [email protected]
FASTING, FILLED, AND FLOWING: As part of our Year of Service, from now until May, each Care Group will be taking a turn serving at
The Banquet. Please continue to collect the following for The Banquet:
 cool whip and other disposable containers for leftovers
 personal sized toiletries, such as shampoo and toothbrushes
 children’s books
 magazines less than 6 months old
We would love to help them out by collecting these items and having the Care Groups deliver them when they serve. Please bring
them to the box in the kitchen or contact Kari Davelaar. Thanks for helping to care for the less fortunate in Sioux Falls.
OPEN HOURS: If you need to pick or drop something off at church, the doors are opened Monday through Friday from 11am-1pm as
well as any other time there are ministry groups meeting at church. Thanks!
GEMS DISHCLOTHS: Are available for sale at the church office.
Stop in and see Glady or email her at
[email protected]. $6 for a package of 3. Thanks for your support of GEMS!
DAYS FOR GIRLS INTERNATIONAL: The Sioux Falls chapter of Days for Girls International continues to provide reusable feminine
hygiene kits to girls/women that live in countries that don't have access to them. We are in need of sewers to help with a project. If
you can help please contact Claire Van Voorst, 323-7562, or Karen Vis, 376-6668.