1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

HOPE
REFORMED CHURCH
June 2015
Volume 11 Issue 6
Hope Within
Vacation Bible School
Inside This Issue:
A Word From Our Pastor
2
Education Committee
3
Small Group Ministry
3
Graduates
4
Library News
6
Meet our New Member
7
Transportation Ministry
8
Meal Ministry
8
New Chairs
8
A Unique Retreat
9
Strawberries for Sale
9
The Hope Within will return
in September. The deadline
for the September issue is
August 23rd.
SAVE THE DATE:
August 10-14th 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Ages 3 – Entering Grade 6
At Everest VBS, kids embark
on the coolest adventure of
the summer! Everest VBS is
filled with incredible Biblelearning experiences kids
see, hear, touch and even
taste! Sciency-Fun Gizmos, team-building games, cool
Bible songs, and tasty treats are just a few of the
standout activities that help faith flow into real life.
Plus, we’ll help kids discover how to see evidence of
God in everyday life. Questions? See Julie or Allison.
INFORMATION:
∗
We need lots of help! If you’re willing to volunteer for the week of VBS (group leaders,
group helpers, center leaders, kitchen staff,
etc.), please come see Julie or Allison soon!
∗
Keep your eyes open for our annual donation
board and registration in July.
∗
Mark your calendar for Saturday, August 8th
when we’ll need help getting everything
ready for the week ahead. There will be
painting, decorating, craft preparation, etc.
Contributors:
Pastor Kent, Karla Durian, Ruth
Wiers, Gayle DeYoung,
Ed Moore, Mary Nap, Mari
Wielopolski, Lana Loedeman &
Jerry Loedeman
Support Staff:
Laura Strunk (Editor), Ed Moore,
Jerry Waalkes, Gayle DeYoung,
& Markie VanPutten
Page 2
Hope Within
The man who had received the five talents went at once…
In my Pentecost sermon, “Eager Waiting” preached on Sunday, May 24, I referred to Jesus’
Parable of the Talents (cf. Matthew 25:14-30). In this story Jesus told the servants who receive 5 and 2 talents are commended by their master for multiplying their talents; but the
one who received one talent, fearfully buried it in the ground and returned it to the master
is seriously condemned. Jesus wants us to use our talents (skills, money, time and other
resources given to us) to increase Jesus’ kingdom on earth. During that preaching moment
on May 24 I forgot to mention something I planned on saying, so I’m using this newsletter
as a platform to name that something that struck me in this parable.
The detail that caught my attention is that the first and second servants didn’t wait to invest
their master’s talents. Jesus says, “[they]… went at once.” In other words, they got busy
for their master right after he left on his journey. They were immediately industrious.
Jesus, our master, expects us, his followers, to employ all the gifts he has lavished on us.
Before his return, he expects us to invest them in such a way that they multiply and increase his influence in this world. And he wants us to get at it now. He doesn’t want us to
wait until we are “adults” or until our kids move out of the house or until we retire and have
more time. Yeah right! He wants us to get going at once with whatever he has offered us
through the gifting of his Holy Spirit.
A wonderful biblical example of going at once into mission is Peter and the other apostles
on Pentecost in Jerusalem (cf. Acts 2). Right after the Spirit descended on them in the upper room where they were staying, they hit the streets speaking in all kinds of languages
as the Spirit enabled them. And on that day 3,000 people were added to their number.
I hope we will not wait for the fall to come, when we will have more time (yeah, right!), to
dig into God’s Word, devote ourselves to prayer, forgive someone who has hurt us, serve
our community, and volunteer to serve in a ministry of the church. I pray we go at once
and find a way to serve at Jesus Loves Kalamazoo, volunteer for the Everest Vacation Bible
School, attend to the needs of a person having a tough time making ends meet. There are
so many opportunities for us to get busy for Jesus and his kingdom mission on earth. It is
really easy for us to say, “I don’t have time right
now,” or “I’ll be more ready when….” But our
master expects some immediate industriousness from us. And who knows how the LORD
will bless our efforts. May the LORD bless and
keep us as we go at once and live the life the
Spirit empowers us for.
Grace and peace,
PK
Page 3
Education Committee
The Education Committee oversees all of the education needs and programs within
Hope Church - Sunday School classes, VBS, GEMS, Cadets, Jr & Sr High youth groups and
adult classes. The members include: Ed Moore, Betsy Frens, Sue VanderMeer, Shauna
Collison, John Beeman and Karla Durian. All of the church volunteers who give of their time
to help teach and lead these programs are key to the survival of our ministry.
Each time we meet, we discuss the current status and upcoming needs of all of our
educational programs. We are also in charge of finding people within the congregation who
are able and willing to use their talents and abilities to help further God's kingdom through
these ministries. Whether it is teaching Sunday School, leading a youth group, helping with
VBS or an adult class, volunteers are vital to the success of our programs. We have been
very fortunate the last number of years to have so many church members 'stay on' in their
current volunteer positions. But when a need arises to fill a vacant position, it is our job to
find the right people!
Speaking of which, we have several 'openings' available! We are currently seeking
new Jr High and Sr High Youth Group leaders for this fall! Our current Sr. High class will
have an average of about 10 kids. Our Jr High will have close to 20. We ask for prayers on
the behalf of those that God is preparing for these important roles. We also ask YOU to
prayerfully consider if this is a position that God is calling you to be a part of. If you would
be willing to engage in this conversation, please contact Pastor Kent or any of the Ed Committee members.
We are happy with the success of our past programs and look forward to many more good things
God has in store for the children and adult ministry
here at Hope!
Karla Durian
Chair of the Education Committee
Members: John Beeman, Shauna Collison, Betsy Frens
Julie Dintaman, Ed Moore, Sue VanderMeer
Education
COMMITTEE
Small Group Ministry
Thank you to everyone who completed and submitted a small group
survey. It has been exciting to see the interest in small groups and a new
group will be forming in the fall. Surveys are still available on the table in
the narthex for those who have not had a chance to complete one.
Hope
Within
Hope
Within
Page 4
Graduates
Tyler Cousineau is now a graduate of Kalamazoo Central High
School. He has no particular plans beyond high school at the
moment but he will probably accompany his father in a move to
Tennessee in the near future. Tyler grew up at HRC and spent a
couple of years in the high school youth group.
Tyler lists world history as a favorite subject in school especially the time period around World War II. For fun he enjoys
riding his bike on his own or with friends and he has read
approximately 500 fantasy books including the Harry Potter
series. Tyler enjoys talking and playing video games with his
dad. Favorite games include Dynasty Warriors and Assassins
Creed. Family get-togethers for birthdays and holidays play a
significant role in his life as well.
Matthew VandeMeer is now a graduate of Portage Northern
High School. His immediate plan is to work toward a CDL
(Commercial Driver’s License) for the purpose of driving
trucks. He is also interested in an industrial job where he would
be operating heavy equipment. Matt lists wood shop (Furniture
& Cabinetmaking Course) as his favorite class. Here he developed his skills by getting experience with a wide range of tools
and equipment in a variety of building projects. He even had
opportunity to help others with their projects.
Areas of enjoyment for Matt include family get-togethers. As
you might guess from his picture hunting is high on his list of
fun things, especially small game and deer hunting. This summer he will be taking a trip to Wyoming with brother John, dad
and uncle Don to engage in a prairie dog hunt. This will include
a stop in Wall, South Dakota for some sight seeing.
Matt has been active in the Hope senior high youth group. He was part of the Chicago mission
trip. Here he enjoyed working with a group of underprivileged kids at a YMCA center. He also
was involved with 2 Genesis Youth Ministry retreats in Traverse City. Here youth are placed
together in an atmosphere of fun & fellowship where God’s unconditional love is evident.
Continued on next page...
Page 5
Kari Havenaar is now a graduate of Plainwell High School. She
will be attending Eastern Michigan University in the fall majoring in Anthropology and participating on the women’s rowing
team. Long term she wants to travel the world and gain experience through different cultures, on how they live.
During her senior year Kari was captain of the Women’s Swim
and Dive team. Here she served as an example and mentor for
newer swimmers. She received a special award as best laugh
out of whole class of 2015. For a couple of years she participated in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Plainwell School District program. Kari’s favorite subjects were art and science. “I love art
because there are so many different ways that you can express
yourself and still make a genuine piece that other people may
like.” In science her favorite class was biology.
For fun Kari likes to read, write and talk the ear off her mom.
She also enjoys painting and making gifts for all the relatives.
She identifies sister Erika as her rock and advisor helping her
get to where she is today. “God has a plan and you just have to figure that out.”
Her message to the Hope congregation: “Life is an obstacle course. You choose the way you
go, and it may hinder you in the end. But there is always an alternative route that can be chosen, and can better your life. Being wise is good, but making the right decisions along the way
is better.”
College and Beyond
Rachael Charles has just received her Associate of Liberal Arts at KVCC. This Fall
she will be transferring to Grand Valley State University to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Social Work.
Lee Blanchard has received a Certificate of Achievement as a ServSafe Food Handler presented by the National Restaurant Association. His studies involved completion of the Food Handling Guide and 1000 hours of kitchen experience. On May 26
he served as the chef at the Gospel Mission where he currently lives. Next studies
will be directed toward food management.
Hope
Within
Hope
Within
Page 6
Library News
Non-Fiction
What Good is God?
by Philip Yancey
In What Good is God? journalist and spiritual seeker Philip
Yancey travels the globe in search of an answer to a query posed
the world over. It’s a universal question, one that “occurs in some
form to every person who experiences pain or death or poverty or
unfairness – in other words, to everyone,” says Yancey. What good
is God in a world where terrorists attack tourist sites in Mumbai,
where women and children are sold into sexual slavery, where a
gunman kills 32 students and staff on a college campus, and where
six million people in South Africa alone suffer with HIV/AIDS?
Or, on a more personal level, does faith really matter when you’re struggling with an
addiction, when you get laid off from your job and your home is in foreclosure, or when chronic depression sets in?
This book recounts Yancey’s search, including meetings with leaders of the underground church in China, with Dalits (untouchables) in India, with prostitutes, alcoholics, and
Bible college students in the U.S., and with charismatic Christians in Johannesburg. Each stop
provides a fascinating clue to answering life’s most profound questions. As he relives these
ten memorable occasions, the author tells the dramatic “story behind the story” as well as
what he said at the time to the people he encountered. This unique combination provides a
compelling reading experience, as well as firsthand evidence that faith really does make a difference, even when belief is severely tested.
Fiction
Bridge to Haven
by Francine Rivers
Hollywood, 1957
To those who matter in Hollywood, Lena Scott is the hottest rising star to hit the silver
screen since Marilyn Monroe. Few know her real name is Abra. Even fewer know the price
she’s paid to finally feel like she’s somebody.
To Pastor Ezekiel Freeman, Abra will always be the little girl who stole his heart the
night he found her, a wailing newborn abandoned under a bridge on the outskirts of Haven.
Zeke and his son, Joshua – Abra’s closest friend – watch her grow into an exotic beauty. But
Zeke knows the circumstances surrounding Abra’s birth have etched scars deep in her heart,
scars that leave her vulnerable to a fast-talking charmer who lures her to Tinseltown.
Hollywood feels like a million miles from Haven, and naïve Abra quickly learns what’s
expected of an ambitious girl with stars in her eyes. She discovers too late that fame comes at
a devastating price.
Continued on next page...
Page 7
One Perfect Spring
by Irene Hannon
Independent single mom Claire Summers is doing her best to make lemonade out of the
lemons life has handed her. Workaholic Keith Watson is interested only in the bottom line –
until a letter from Claire’s eleven-year-old daughter reaches his desk and changes everything.
As the executive assistant to a philanthropic businessman, Keith is used to fielding
requests for donations. But the girl isn’t asking for money. She wants help finding the long-lost
son of a neighbor. As Keith reluctantly digs into this assignment in his usual results-oriented
style, he has no idea how involved he and Claire will become – nor how unusual the results will
actually be. Who could have guessed that a child’s kindhearted request would bring love and
hope to so many lives…including his own?
Through compelling characters and surprising plot twists, fan favorite Irene Hannon
offers this tenderhearted story that demonstrates how life is like lilacs – the biggest blooms
come only after the harshest winters.
***
Wilka Andrus is now a member of Hope by reaffirmation of faith.
She had been visiting various churches with her friend Marion
Louis when they decided to try Hope. She had previously been
invited to try us by her friends Mary and Sharon Kornoelje. In
addition to discovering some old acquaintances (Harold Block
was an old classmate), she found the congregation to be accommodating and warm. She particularly appreciates Pastor Kent’s
preaching and for being who is.
Fun activities have been reduced mostly to walking with friends
having given up her bicycle and golf due to health concerns. She
misses golf. However, family times retain a special place. Wilka,
who has a twin sister, has a son, grandson and twin daughters.
Apparently twins run in the family. The entire family will spend
the beginning of June in Florida enjoying a family reunion.
Hope
Within
Hope
Within
Page 8
Transportation Ministry
If you are having
an issue finding a
ride to a medical
appointment or to
our Church events,
Hope Church is
here to help! Kindly call the Church
Office and let Gretchen know the date,
time and destination of your transportation need. She will contact one of our
friendly volunteers who will then call you
to solidify the plans.
If you are interested in volunteering for
this ministry, please call the Church Office and ask Gretchen to add you to the
list. She will need your phone number
and the days and times you’re available.
Office Phone: 269-349-9788
Meal Ministry
Hope Church
has a ministry
of providing
meals to those
with lengthy
health issues,
recent hospitalizations, or
a new baby.
We are thankful to those who prepare (or purchase) and deliver
these meals. If you would like
to assist with this ministry, please
contact:
Lorraine Witteveen,
269-381-8041.
New Chairs
We have a new set of chairs for our Fellowship Hall !! And
they all match !!! The chairs were purchased through
Memorial Fund donations in honor and memory of Sandrea
Thomas, Gary Nap, Rena Brand, Jerry Mejeur, Bette LePert,
Marilyn Klepper, Marian Nickel, Barb Schuur, and Rena
Penny. Funds were also contributed by our Church Life
Committee.
A huge thank you to the crew who unloaded and unwrapped
our 250 chairs: Marvin, John & Matt VanderMeer, Don
VanderMeer, Ron Kornoelje, Ken Schiedel, Denny Collison
and Larry Gillam !!!!
Page 9
A Unique Retreat - Advance Notice
Save the date for an opportunity to glorify God through great music and speakers!
Thursday, September 10, 2015 at Friendship CRC in Byron Center the Bible League
International Volunteers are hosting a day of spiritual renewal and fellowship.
The featured speaker is Valerie Elliot Shepard, the only child of Elizabeth & Jim Elliot,
missionaries to the Quichua Indians in Ecuador. Men and Women will enjoy her testimony of
living with the tribe where her father was killed in 1956 along with four other missionaries.
She is a pastor’s wife, homeschooled eight children, and teaches Bible studies.
Following the 5:00 p.m. banquet, a concert by Captivating Keyboards will end the day with
wit, wisdom and wonder in music. If you’ve seen and heard them before, you will not want to
miss another opportunity. Invite someone who has not experienced their musical talent for a
wonderful treat.
You’ll find brochures in your mailbox on the narthex table. The registration deadline is
August 13th, so you have a few weeks to decide. Young at Heart: This would be a great way
to get together, carpooling to all or part of this special day.
You can make a difference in the lives of people in South America by providing Bibles
through the special offering, as well as being inspired and praising God in this unique
setting.
For more information contact Lana Loedeman, 375-5175
Strawberries For Sale
Summer is here and that means an abundance of fruits and
vegetables. If you would like some Michigan Strawberries,
Jerry Loedeman will have extras this year.
We will be selling them for $3.50 per quart and we will
begin picking after the first of June. Call if you would like
2-30 quarts and we will let you know when we have them
ready. Home: 375-5175, Cell: 808-0897
Hope Church Committees & Leadership
Church Life
Members: Judy Larsen, Ken Larsen, Loretta
Moore, *Allison VanderMeer, Markie VanPutten
Mission: minister especially to the social and recreational needs in the life of the congregation,
including planning & facilitating fellowship activities.
Congregational Care
Members: *Gayle DeYoung, Sally Drenth, Sue
Johnston, Linda Joy, Kathy Rozek, Gretchen Rustenholtz, Mari Wielopolski
Mission: minister especially to the spiritual, emotional and physical needs in the life of the congregation, including small groups, prayer chain,
and a care network for congregant members.
Education
Members: John Beeman, Shauna Collison, Julie
Dintaman, *Karla Durian, Betsy Frens, Ed
Moore, Sue VanderMeer
Mission: implement ways and means for congregants to become firmly grounded in the Word of
God through Scripture study, including Sunday
school, Family Night, and other educational programs.
Executive
Members: specifically comprised solely of Sr.
Pastor and consistory VP, Clerk, Chair of deacons, and Treasurer
Mission: carry on the duties of consistory including giving direction to all paid staff and serve as a
sounding board for the pastor
Mission
Members: Denny Collison, Mike Koets, Lana
Loedeman, *Jeff Offringa, Karen Schaap, Gary
Schripsema, Steve Thomas
Mission: initiate and promote all activities pertaining to missions including contacting missionaries and mission causes that receive our support.
Outreach
Members: Joel Bell, *Scott Poehlman
Mission: promote and prepare the congregation
to an effective ministry of evangelism, including
visitor follow-up and assimilation, public relations and promotion of disciple-making ministries
to the local neighborhood and community.
Property
Members: Denny Collison, *Kathy Doornbos,
Alex Schramm, Don VanDonselaar
Mission: general oversight of building and
grounds, maintenance and equipment including
supervising the church calendar for use of church
property.
Worship
Members: Al Apotheker, Doug Charles, Tom
Drenth, PK Frens, Pat Gernaat, Heather Offringa, Sara Poehlman, *Nancy Schripsema, Allison
VanderMeer, Marian Veld, Sue Williams
Mission: plan and implement all musical activities
for service, ensure flowers or arrangements are
in sanctuary, recruit and train ushers and greeters and ensure sound equipment is operational,
including taping of services.
*indicates the committee Chair
Consistory 2015
Elders & their congregational group
John Beeman
N-S
Dennis Collison (Clerk) N-S
Tom Drenth
A-F
Mike Koets (VP)
A-F
Linda Joy
T-Z
Loretta Moore
T-Z
Sue VanderMeer
G-M
Mari Wielopolski
G-M
Hope Reformed Church
Deacons
Joel Bell
Doug Charles
Kathy Doornbos
Larry Gillum (Chair)
Ken Larsen
Jeff Offringa
Scott Poehlman (Treasurer)
Alex Schramm
910 Jenks
Kalamazoo, MI 49006
Phone: 555-555-5555
Fax: 555-555-5555
Email:
We’re on the web!
www.hoperca.org