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June Birthdays
| 6 |
Troy Snyder
Isaac VanderKooi |
| 7 |
Ray Walt |
| 8 |
Allyson Richardson |
| 12 |
Jeanne Luben |
| 14 |
Cheri Bos |
| 15 |
Eric Lillibridge
Ryan Taylor |
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| 16 |
Joel Spoelman |
| 17 |
Tristan Tibbe |
| 20 |
Rich Roper |
| 23 |
Byron Flanders |
| 24 |
Ann Roper |
| 29 |
Joy Flanders
Matt Smith
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| 30 |
Cheryl Lillibridge |
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Pastor's Page
IDENTITY
About two months ago we received a phone call from our bank. They were curious about a couple of charges on our check card. We verified that we did not make the charges and asked them to cancel our cards, issue us new ones and remove the charges.
We have watched our statements closely for any new fraudulent charges and haven’t seen any yet. But I am still leery. In today’s world where we have become less personal and more technologically based, it isn’t too difficult to imagine that it could happen again. Or that something else could happen.
Just a few days ago I received a mailing from a book club. I had recently placed an order with Amazon so I was expecting something. But I didn’t think the package would be quite this big. It was also strange that it wasn’t in a package that had "Amazon" plastered all over it. In all my previous dealings with Amazon, it came in one of their boxes. But I also know that they deal with many publishers and manufacturers and that some things ship direct from the retailer rather than Amazon.
I opened the package. There were books inside, but they weren’t any books that I had ordered. I began looking at the invoice. It hadn’t been charged to a credit card and there was an amount due. I called the company. I explained that I hadn’t ordered the books or enrolled in their book club. I was told that someone was using my name and address and had placed the order online. They were very polite, cancelled the account and told me I could keep the books I didn’t want.
My suspicion is growing. How many other things have been done in my name that I don’t know about? Even more, if it continues to escalate, how will anyone know who the real "me" is?
The most comforting thought I have in all of this is that there is One who will always know my identity. God has made me and God knows me. That is an identity that can never be stolen. I am known intimately by God, and so are you. No matter what happens in life God never loses track of you.
We all have a desire to be known. God knows you—the real you—and loves you. It is in God that we find our true identity.
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~~ Elder's Corner ~~
Our mission trip to Nicaragua
April 3 - 10, 2008
There were thirteen of us that went, ages from early twenties to seventy-four years old. Two of our people could speak Spanish. We had a total of twenty-six duffle bags and suitcases at fifty pounds apiece. Nineteen had clothes, crafts and medical supplies, besides we each had carry on and a back pack.
We left Jenison at six a.m. with three loaded vehicles toward the Detroit airport. We parked in a lot and a bus took us to the airport. We checked everything in and the plane left at eleven fifty-two a.m. We flew to Houston, Texas, then to Managua, Nicaragua. Because all of you were praying for us, and we had a letter from the missionaries of the orphanage, and our shirts said "Operation Love Nicaragua," the custom agent took one look at all our bags and sent us on our way, never looking in any bag. This was an answer to everyone's prayers.
Missionary Tim Bagwell met us at the airport and took us to Hotel Tacomo where we stayed. Tim and Chris Bagwell have been missionaries in Managua for six years. They started and operate this orphanage, they have forty-one children in a rental house. There are beds and bouncy seats everywhere. The children are well taken care of by the native ladies.
Five acres of land was bought and given to them for a new orphanage by a doctor from Traverse City, Michigan. Some of us worked digging a trench for a cement wall to go around the property. Some people wired together re rod for the wall until noon, then it was too hot at 98 degrees. Some people sorted clothes and we spent time at the orphanage rocking and feeding the children.
We had a medical clinic at the new property and at a church with crafts and games for the children while they waited to see the doctor. We had a doctor and two nurses with us. We went to a hospital and handed out stuffed animals to the children in the hospital. We handed out hygiene kits to mothers with newborn babies.
We went to the poorest part of the city; one family had started a church in front of their house. The houses are not much, all have dirt floors and partial roofs, but the students were dressed in white shirts and blouses and were studying their multiplication tables.
On Sunday we went to a church service at the Christian Academy, an English school for Americans and Nicaraguans, then we went to at church service at some people's backyard where they started a church. There was also a couple from Michigan and the preacher asked the gal if she would translate as he preached. He had a sermon on justification by faith. The teenagers had two dramas. One was Christ's crucifixion and resurrection, the other one was how to reach people for Christ in the community. We ate dinner in their backyard. They furnished fresh fruit and we bought boxed chicken for everyone.
Wednesday we spent at a lake resort. Thursday we got up at 3:45 a.m. to get to the airport for our 6:30 a.m. plane. We got home at ten p.m. The week flew by too quickly, our time there was too short.
We want to thank all of you who helped by donating clothes, supplies, and offered financial support, and all the prayers offered for us and our mission. If any of you have the opportunity to help people of a different culture and country, go for it. We need to get out of our comfort zone and be the presence of Christ in the world and at home.
Thank you again, Bud and Nancy Kloosterhouse
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The Special People’s Picnic was again enjoyed by all who attended, including the many helpers from individual homes and from Church of the Saviour. We had 75 clients and caregivers join us this year. A special thank you goes to Buth Farms, who donated the meat, and to Sue Meindertsma, who prepared the food.
Thanks also to Kathryn Hamm of Michigan Family Independence Agency for sending the invitations. JoEllen Meerman decorated the center pieces that were donated by Ottawa Kent Gardens. Many members of the congregation donated food and time.
We look forward to another successful picnic again next year.
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DeVos Children’s Hospital Fleece Blanket Drive – COS contributed over 40 blankets to help Kristen Stuck in her service project of donating blankets for pediatric patients.
Thank you for your support!
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The June Scrapbook/Craft Night will be held Friday, June 20.
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June Red Cross Blood Drive
There will be a Blood Drive at COS on Monday, June 2, 12:30-6:16PM.
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Church Life
Mark your calendars for fun during Fellowship!
Sunday, June 22
Strawberry shortcake
Sunday, July 13
Soft pretzels/cotton candy
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The church office will be open Tuesday through Thursday, 9AM to 1PM, during the summer months.
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Vacation Bible School will be July 20th through the 24th and COS plans to join with the Coopersville United Methodist Church to offer a great program for the children in our community. If you think you’ll be able to give the gift of your time to help make this program a success, please see the sign up board in the narthex.
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The June 2008 issue of the Church Herald has arrived and is in the COS Library for your review.
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From the Thursday morning Bible Study:
In our study of Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell, Rob explains that Jesus would have used the Hebrew word "shalom" for the word “peace.”
Shalom is an important word in the Bible and means more than simply "peace." Many of us understand peace to mean the absence of conflict. The Hebraic meaning of shalom is more than just the absence of conflict or strife. Rob asserts that "shalom is the presence of the goodness of God." It’s also the presence of wholeness, completeness. When Jesus told the woman at the well to go in peace, he was placing the blessing of God on all of her, not just her physical body. Rob explains that for Jesus, being saved or reconciled to God involves far more than the saving of your physical body or your soul – it involves the whole being. "God’s desire is for us to live in harmony with him – body, soul, spirit, mind, emotions – every inch of our being."
Remember as we "pass the peace of Christ" to others, that we are placing the blessing of God to the whole person – body, soul, spirit, mind and emotions! Shalom.
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MetroHealth is offering a free prostate cancer screening on Thursday, June 5, at Metro Health Burton. The screening takes place 4:00-8:00PM. Walk-ins are welcome but pre-registration is encouraged and begins May 28. Metro Health Burton is located at 1925 Breton SE in Grand Rapids, call 616/252-7070.
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Cran-Hill Ranch is in need of volunteers for their Special Needs - Friendship Camp - Ministry. Friendship camps are scheduled in June, July and August. Come for just one or all three. Anyone 18 and older wanting to serve this special population is encouraged to contact Mal Reeve, Program Director at 231-796-7669 or  . More information and volunteer forms are available from www.cranhillranch.com.
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Degage Ministries invites you to an open house on Thursday, June 5, 4:00-7:00PM. There will be an opportunity to view the newly renovated facility, a dedication ceremony, and dessert and light refreshments. Parking is available at LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church at 107 LaGrave in Grand Rapids. Degage is located at 144 S. Division Avenue, phone number 454-1661, www.degageministries.org.
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Ernie Haase and Signature Sound will be in concert Saturday, July 12, at 6:00PM at Central Wesleyan Church in Holland. Tickets $18 groups of 20 or more, $20 advance/$25 at the door. Call 1-800-430-1049 or mail Trinity & Communications, P.O. Box 5021, Fort Wayne IN 46895. Walk in locations for tickets at Parable Christian Stores and Baker Book House in Holland. Central Wesleyan is located at 446 West 40th Street.
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The 202nd Reformed Church in America General Synod
will be held on the campus of Hope College, June 4-10. Members of the RCA are invited to attend portions:
- Thursday, June 5, General Synod Opening Worship 7:30PM
- Friday, June 6, President’s Report 10:45AM and the General Secretary’s Report 7:30PM
- Saturday, June 7, address by Richard Mouw 7:00PM
- Tuesday, June 10, General Synod Closing Worship 5PM
Volunteers are also needed to transport attendees from the airport to Hope (contact Larry Schuyler at 616/394-0550), to act as greeters at the airport (contact Julie Ploeg at 616/532-2428), and to help run shuttles if you’re familiar with the campus (contact Dave or Sally Tapley at 616/355-2538).
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Something to think about...
Two Wolves
One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a
battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between two 'wolves' inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego.
The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity,
humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."
The grandson thought about the situation for a minute...
He then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf wins?"
The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."
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June 1 ~ Third Sunday after Pentecost
Genesis 6:9-11, 7:24, 8:14-19 or Deuteronomy 11:18-21, 26-28
Psalm 46 or Psalm 31:1-5, 19-24
Romans 1:16-17, 3:22b-28, (29-31)
Matthew 7:21-29
June 8 – Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Genesis 12:1-9 or Hosea 5:15-6:6
Psalm 33:1-12 or Psalm 50:7-15
Romans 4:13-25
Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26
June 15 – Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Genesis 18:1-5, (21:1-7) or Exodus 19:2-8a
Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 or Psalm 100
Romans 5:1-8
Matthew 9:35-10:8, (9-23)
June 22 – Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
Genesis 21:8-21 or Jeremiah 20:7-13
Psalm
28:1-10, 16-17 or Psalm 69:7-10, (11-15), 16-18
Romans 6:1b-11
Matthew 10:24-39
June 29 – Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
Genesis 22:1-14 or Jeremiah 28:5-9
Psalm 13
or Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18
Romans 6:12-23
Matthew 10:40-42
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| Serving Community |
East Greeters:
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June 1
June 8
June 15
June 22
June 29
July 6
July 13
July 20
July 27
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Bud & Nancy Kloosterhouse
Doug Leep & JoEllen Meerman
Mark & Kim Lempke
Dave & Cindy Lillibridge
Mike & Cheryl Lillibridge
Rick & Lonnie Lillibridge
Phil Luben & Keeley Heath
Roger & Jeanne Luben
Jaime & Wendy Maxwell
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Coffee:
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June 1
June 8
June 15
June 22
June 29
July 6
July 13
July 20
July 27
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Glenn & Kathy Veeneman
Scott & Shari Veldman
Kevin & Denise Wiersma
Bill & Lois Adema
Dan & Lynda Anderson
Joel & Dawn Barkel
Steve & Lynne Bennink
Chris & Traci Berg
Marv & Betty Bergsma
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Nursery:
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June 1
June 8
June 15
June 22
June 29
July 6
July 13
July 20
July 27
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Eric Spoelman family
Joel Spoelman family
Dick Taylor family
Tibbe family
Thiss family & LVH
Van Houten family
Bob Veeneman family
Glenn Veeneman family
Veldman family
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Sound System:
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June 1
June 8
June 15
June 22
June 29
July 6
July 13
July 20
July 27
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Ray Tibbe
Jeff Smith
Kyle McClellan
David Rosel
Bob Veeneman
David Rosel
Jeff Smith
Kyle McClellan
Ray Tibbe
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Sunday School:
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June
July
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Summer Break
Summer Break
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Communion Set Up:
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June 1
July 6
August 3
September 7
October 5
November 2
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Molly Thiss
Lois Adema
David Rosel
Marv Bergsma
Denise Wiersma
Molly Thiss
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Return to CoS Home Page
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