11.6.20 Prayer Request, Thanks, Video, Bdays, MOM & more!
Prayer Request
Please remember Pastor Tom and Dar Pettinga in your prayers as they said good-bye to his sister Pat Pettinga last week. Pat was diagnosed with cancer and the time was not long before Hospice was called in. Pat's husband Bill especially needs our prayers of comfort and peace so please lift him up to our good and gracious God.
Thank You
I want to say thank you to all who remembered me with cards on my birthday. I am feeling well and due to medications and therapy my cough is pretty much under control. I will continue to stay out of the public due to my risk factors with contracting Covid-19.
Arley Bouwma
Click on this link: https://youtu.be/cYvkAsNLeoQ to watch the pastor appreciation for Pastor Cory.
Giving Numbers from 11/1/20, plus Venmo and mailed checks:
Weekly giving: $9,938.49 Weekly budget: $7,612.00 Percent met: 130.5%
YTD giving: $278,804.67 YTD budget: $334,928.00 Percent met: 83.2%
October's gifts for MOM Holtrops/Resonate Global Mission is $840.00.
Love in Action Needs
Volunteers Needed at Love in Action
As Love in Action works to meet the ever-increasing needs in our community during this very challenging time, we do find ourselves in great need of volunteers. We recognize that this is a delicate ask during this time, and there are certainly many who should stay at home.
However, as Love in Action is currently distributing twice as much food to the community as it was at this time last year, the volunteer need is crucial. Extensive safety protocols are in place, as is flexible scheduling. If you are interested, or would like to learn more, you can fill out our online interest form on our website, or contact Laura Liu, Community Engagement Coordinator, directly at laura@loveinactiontricities.org or 616.846.2701.
Christmas Donations
Love in Action would like to bless our Housing Guests and EmpowerU community members with Christmas assistance this year. If you would be interested in donating toward this program or learning more, please contact Laura Liu, Community Engagement Coordinator, directly at laura@loveinactiontricities.org or 616.846.2701.
Birthdays: 11/9 - Karlyn DeGram & Jim Jacobs 11/13 Peter Brink 11/15 Pete Brink
Every Child Ministries (ECM) Mark & Stacy Luckey - November Mission of the Month
ECM serves the “forgotten children” of Africa in Uganda, Ghana and the Democratic Republic of Congo. During this time of COVID 19 food was the most immediate need. Continue to pray that they are blessed with the essential provisions.
Printed Directory: As you may recall, this past Spring we had set up dates to take pictures for a new pictorial directory. Since we were not able to do this, we wanted to give you an opportunity to request a printed directory. Call or email Wendy in the office to let her know you want one and then stop by and pick it up during her 9am-1pm office hours. She'll be happy to see your smiling faces (hidden behind your mask of course!)😷
College Care Packages
It’s that time a year to send some “First Church love” to our college family members. We will be putting together the 8 care packages on Monday, November 23rd. A bin will be in the narthex for care package items and personal notes (these are a big hit and great encouragement). Some suggested items are gift certificates, hot chocolate, pens, candy, granola bars, baked goods, floss, fruit snacks, popcorn, snacks, lip balm, socks, etc. Any questions may be directed to Sue Poel at 616-510-0760. Our college family: Ian DeGram Ella DeWyn Lindsey Dick Matthew Dick Leah Hoffer Onika Langeland Sydney McCastle Josie Poel If you have a student in college and their name is no on the list, please contact the church office. PLEASE HAVE ITEMS TO CHURCH BY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22nd. 2-3 volunteers are need to put together the packages on Monday, November 23rd at 9:30am. Please contact Sue Poel if you can help. Thank you!