TABLE
Calendar of Upcoming Events at First CRC
INVITATION
Sunday, March 15th: Lent Week 4
Lent Worship: Forgiven and Free: Christians are called to be a forgiving people first and foremost because
COMMUNION
We will be taking the feast “family style”, or together in groups of 20
or 30 people around the table at the front of the church. Starting from
the back of the church, please come forward using the inner aisles and
join the Communion circle. The bread and cup will be shared with you,
and you, in turn, will share it with the person on your left. Please
return to your seats via the outside aisles.
Sunday
March 15th
2015
Let it Be Said of Us
Pastor Joel Schreurs is preaching on “Forgiveness” from Luke 15 and Ephesians 4:11-16.
Reformed Foundations Class meets today, from 11-12noon in Emerson House.
Supper Club meets tonight, 5:30pm at Chris & Amanda Lighthiser’s Home.
Offering: General Fund
Nursery Leader: Sandie Posthumus
Helpers: Stephanie Den Braber, Jevon van Vliet, Becky van Vliet, Leah Monroe
Children In Worship: “The Good Shepherd”
Story Teller: Cathy Van Donselaar Helpers: Carissa Van Donselaar, Hayden Posthumus
Nursery Care during Sunday School Hour: Jill Newcombe
Prayer Ministry Elder: Donn Hansum & Bil Smit
Sound: Bob Reynolds Video: Elianah Reynolds PPT: Jack Waanders
DVD Delivery: Household 3
Coffee: Nolan & Joey Vander Ark
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND INTERCESSION
*COSING SONG
they are a forgiven people. As we journey toward the cross during this season, we will be reminded of our identity as
forgiven people each Sunday through the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. As we receive these gifts of grace each
week and are assured that Christ’s Body and Blood was given for “the complete forgiveness of all our sins,”
pray that we will be strengthened to share with others what we have received from Him!
BY STEPHEN FRYE
*POSTLUDE
__________________________________
Preacher: Rev. Joel Schreurs
Musicians: Christy Bol, Nick Borgia, David Csepe, Hunter Lawrence, Jessica Elgersma,
Pamela Hansum, Ari Waanders, Larry Young
Cover Image of Cross: Nicholas Markell
Monday, March 16th
6:30pm—Count Committee
PRAYER SUPPORT AVAILABLE
Following the worship service, if you would like prayer, or if you have
questions about the beliefs or practices of First Church, elders are
available at the front of the sanctuary to meet with you.
First Church is also blessed to have a group of women who meet
regularly for prayer. If you have something for which you would
like prayer offered up, please send your prayer request by email to
Cyndi at [email protected]
or Marj at [email protected].
We are committed to praying confidentially for you and your needs.
Save The Date for a CEP (Christian Education Program) Information
Meeting: Learn more about the commitment First Church has to
Christian Education. Attendance at one of these three meetings is
required to participate in academic year 2015-2016.
March 25th during Family Night, March 22nd or 29th, from 11-12n.
Questions welcome at [email protected]
Tuesday, March 17th
7:30am—4:30pm—Classical Conversations—Home-schooling Group throughout the building.
9:30am—Staff Meeting
9:30am—Senior Moments: Exploring The Mediterranean; Duffy’s Café at 11:30am.
7:00pm—Council Meeting
Wednesday, March 18th Family Night Worship
The season of Lent
Welcome to all our visitors. We hope you experience God’s peace,
Christ’s love and the Fellowship of The Holy Spirit with us today.
Please fill out a Connect Card found on the back tables.
We celebrate Communion today focusing on Christ’s forgiveness for
all our sins. All who are baptized and wish to serve our Lord are
welcome to join us for Communion.
Following the service, you are invited to come to the front if you wish
to have someone pray for you, or to attend one of these offerings:
Cup of coffee or tea in the back of the Sanctuary
Sermon Discussion Group in the Council room
Reformed Foundations Class in the Emerson House (South bldg.)
Sunday School for people ages 3-grade 12 in classrooms
9:30pm–11:00am—Ladies Morning Bible Study
5:45pm– 8:00pm—Family Night Meal/GEMS/Cadets/Unhurt Forgiveness Class & Coffee Break Bible Study
Band: Kevin Roberts
FORGIVEN
AND FREE
Thursday, March 19th
9:15am—Faith Café
9:00am—11:00am—Sew & Sews
Saturday, March 21st
10:00am—Dance Team Practice in the Sanctuary
1:00pm—3:00pm—Stamp Class
Sunday, March 22nd Lent Week 5
Pastor Joel Schreurs preaching on “Forgiveness”
Reformed Foundations Classes 11-12noon. CEP Meeting in Pit Stop Youth Group at First CRC (upstairs) at 5:30pm.
Offering: Eagle Lake Scholarship Offering
Nursery Leader: Charys Youngsma
Helpers: Brandon Baker, Beth George, Lauren Schwartz. Isaac Jonker
Children In Worship: “Jesus Enters Jerusalem”
Story Teller: Erin Reynolds Helpers: Carissa Van Donselaar, Hayden Posthumus
Nursery Care during Sunday School Hour: Shirley Van Heukelem
Prayer Ministry Elder: Paul De Boer Rick Schmitt
Sound: Paul De Boer Video: TBD PPT: Brett Van den Boogard
DVD Delivery: Household 3
Lord’s Supper Preparation: Household 3
Coffee: Mark & Sandy Barnes
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly
beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness,
humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each
other and forgive one another if any of you has a
grievance against someone.
Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Colossians 3:12-13
The Fourth Sunday of Lent
First Christian Reformed Church
1814 S. Emerson Street Denver, Colorado 80210 303-733-4936
www.firstcrcdenver.org
The Church Office is staffed from 9:00-3:00pm Tuesday through Friday.
First Church Connections is published for distribution at Sunday worship services.
Submit announcements to [email protected] by noon Thursday.
Pastor Joel Schreurs
Nancy Waanders
Kim Csepe
Shirley Van Heukelem
Rebecca J. Schaefer
Larry/Alyse Young
Minister of the Word
Worship Coordinator
Director of Faith Formation
Programs & Office Administrator
Administrative Assistant
Custodians
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
We are an intergenerational family of God,
celebrating, seeking and sharing abundant life in Jesus.
GATHERING
PRELUDE
PROCESSIONAL God’s gifts of grace are brought in to His people.
What Wondrous Love is This
*OPENING PRAYER AND SONG
SHARING KINGDOM CONCERNS
Christy Bol/Pam Hansum
»
LU 529
»
Gather Us In
»
*GREETING
»
*OUR RESPONSE OF PRAISE Here I am to Worship
LU 567
»
»
RENEWAL
CALL TO CONFESSION
LUKE 15:11-20
PRAYER OF CONFESSION Our Father We Have Wandered
Nichols/Hassler/Bach
ASSURANCE
LUKE 15:20-24
*SONG OF CELEBRATION
Your Grace is Enough
LU 698
*SHARING THE PEACE
As a sign of receiving God’s grace, we extend grace to each other with a
handshake or a hug and a simple phrase of blessing:“The peace of Christ be
with you.”
OFFERING OUR GIFTS
General Fund
All cash offerings received are distributed to the organization noted above. If
writing a check for today’s offering, please note the organization in the memo line
on the check. All checks not designated for a specific offering cause will be
allocated to the First CRC General Fund.
SONG OF ADORATION
My God, How Wonderful You Are
LU 548
(vs. 1, 4, 5, 6)
WORD
CHILDREN IN WORSHIP BLESSING
Children (ages 3-K) are dismissed to attend a worship service designed for their
comprehension and participation. Their worship center is downstairs in the Fellowship
room. As they leave, we share a blessing with them. Visitors and parents are always
welcome to attend.
Leader: As high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is God’s love for those who fear Him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Psalm 103: 11-12
People: The Lord be with you.
Children: And also with you
Luke 15:25-31
Ephesians 4:11-16
pg. 1048
pg. 1175
The Word of The Lord.
Thanks Be to God.
SERMON
The Whole Truth
Please pray for Ron Zoetewey and family. His brother-in-law, Ron Engel, passed away Friday morning.
Pray for healing and encouragement for those with vision problems, surgeries and hearing loss issues.
Praise for reconciliation and restored fellowship for damaged relationships.
Please pray for Bill Smit March 14-April 4 in Pensacola with World Renew Disaster Response Services.
(To encourage Bill with a note: WR—DRS, Bill Smit, 2308 North Spring Street, Pensacola, FL 32501)
Blessings and prayers for our sister in Christ, Ruth Lameris, celebrating 94 years March 14th!
Thank you for all the prayers, cards, visits, etc. you, my church family, have blessed me with while I am
on this journey. I so appreciate your care.”~ Margaret Zigterman
STEPHEN MINISTERS ARE HERE FOR YOU
Who could receive the care of a Stephen Minister? Someone like Esther who was faced with a major
decision and needed someone to listen to her concerns and offer encouragement. Or, Someone like Elijah
who thought he was all alone and needed a small voice to encourage him. If you would like to know more
about how a Stephen Minister could help you...please call: Alice Waanders #720-283-8084, Cyndi Berghuis
#303-290-9534, or Beth Posthumus #303-947-1085.
MISSION UPDATE
Hannah Van der Vorst posted a short report about her trip to Nicaragua with her Calvin College Engineering
Senior Design team on our website. She and her team visited a remote village to assess the water
purification needs with the intent of supplying this village with an ultraviolet water disinfection unit that the
team will be building. If you would like to learn more about her trip, Hannah will be in church this morning
(Spring Break) or you can read her post on our website: firstcrcdenver.org.
Apex Church Plant, a mission of Church Multiplication (a joint church-planting ministry of the CRCNA
and RCA), will be hosting an informational meeting Today, Sunday, March 15th at 6:00pm at the home of
George and Robin Saylor: 7217 South Yarrow Court, Littleton, CO 80128. Snacks will be served followed by
a brief presentation and Q & A time. If you are interested in attending, or want to know more:
RSVP to George: [email protected], or call/text 720-355-9571.
The Table Ministry invites your participation in their Spring Seed & Supplies Drive
In spite of the snow, a new season at The Table is about to begin! The Table Gardens continue to open
doors for us to engage the neighborhood with tangible grace. We invite your participation in the launch of our
gardens in 2015 by helping us collect some non GMO seeds and supplies. Look for a supply list in your
boxes and a collection bin in the foyer underneath the coffee. Financial contributions are always appreciated!
Planning Ahead For Honduras
Next fall we are planning two trips to Honduras: November 7-14, and December 5-12, 2015. These trips
are available to all CRC members ages 14-88. The cost is approximately $1900 per person with a valid
passport and current immunizations. Partial financial help will be available. Please contact Al Wassenaar:
[email protected].
NEW CLASSES AND UPCOMING EVENTS AT FIRST CRC:
(Un)Hurt: The Healing Power of Forgiveness, Wednesday Nights at 6:45pm.
We will follow the UnHurt Curriculum which leads us through practical steps toward forgiveness.
Please RSVP to Kim Csepe at [email protected]
Reformed Foundations Class: Wondering what it means to be a part of a “Reformed” church?
You are not alone! Join Pastor Joel during the education hour (11-12noon) today in the
Emerson House, and on March 22, & 29 to learn more about our “theological accent” and the
way it impacts life and ministry at First CRC. This class is designed for people who are new to
the Reformed expression of the Christian faith, and who are interested in membership at First
CRC, but all are welcome to attend. Childcare is available.
GEMS & CADETS PINEWOOD DERBY RACE
Join us for Race Night: This year’s Pinewood Derby race is on Wednesday, March 25th, in the
Sanctuary at 6:30pm. You won’t want to miss it! For the first time ever, we will see GEMs
competing in the race, and all the racers have some amazing cars to display. This is a high
energy night of fun, and spectators of all ages are welcome!
SENIOR MOMENTS
Today is the last day to sign-up for the March 17th event, “EXPLORING THE MEDITERRANEAN”
presented by Walt & Carol Ackerman. 9:30am Coffee time. NOTE: The time for the slide show
is 10:00am. Lunch at Duffy’s Café at 11:30am. Questions: Call Betty #303-514-6251, or Beth
#303-947-1085.
SUPPER CLUB
Supper Club will meet this evening, Sunday, March 15th at 5:30pm at Chris and Amanda
Lighthiser’s house: 4161 S. Joplin Street, Aurora, CO 80013 The theme this month is anything
green! Please bring food or drinks to share, and feel free to pass this invitation on! RSVP to
Maria at [email protected].
WELCOME TEAM
If you enjoy passing on the blessing of hospitality to others, consider joining the welcome team.
This is a team of greeters who come a little early to make sure that people are welcomed and
able to find out what they need to know on Sunday mornings. Whether you are newer or have
been around for decades, we invite you to be a part of this team. If interested, please contact
Kim Csepe at [email protected].
LIBRARY NEWS
Need to forgive and don’t know how? Pastor Joel Schreurs has recommended several books
that will tie into the Forgiveness series. “The Art of Forgiving”, and “Forgive and Forget”, by
Lewis B. Smedes The books can be found on the new book display shelf.
Celebrating Our Missionary Birthdays
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
SCRIPTURE
A nnouncements
Joel Schreurs
PRAYER
*Lets us know when to stand during worship; Bold print indicates when we speak together.
Victor Perez
Margaret Njuguna
March 22nd
March 29th
UPCOMING EVENTS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD & BEYOND
PLATT PARK CHILDREN’S CENTER ~ Save the Date, April 25th for PPCC’s Fundraiser Event
Platt Park Children’s Center is accepting teacher applications for the 2015-2016 school year. PPCC is also
seeking an assistant teacher for March-May of this school year. Call 303-282-7722.
SAVE YOUR COINS! ~ Navigator’s Eagle Lake Camps at Platt Park on August 3-7
It may seem like the distant future, but camp will be here before you know it. Next Sunday, March 22, we
have an offering scheduled to raise money for scholarships so that every child will have an opportunity to
participate in this exciting week of adventures and unforgettable experiences. So start saving your coins
today and let’s see how much money we can raise for these scholarships.
SPRING GROW GROUPS ~ APRIL 12-MAY10
GROW GROUPS: a time to grow in faith together, to grow in closer communion with God
and to grow in love for all by serving Him. This is a great way to connect with church family,
to give and receive encouragement, to listen to what God is saying and to nurture
relationships regardless of age, stage or spiritual maturity.
Grow group leaders will be contacting you with plans for a shared meal on April 12th, 11-12n.
Groups will meet during the education hour for fun, intergenerational study of God’s Word
the next three Sundays: April 19, 26 and May 3. The Spring session will culminate with group
service projects the week of May 10th.