12.4.20 - Highlights from 11.28-12.4
Prayer Request
Dan & I are asking for your prayers. Wednesday Dan tested positive for covid and my test is Monday. Based on my symptoms I think I'm positive.
We've had fatigue, headaches, body aches, muscle aches, stomach aches, sinus issues, some settling in the lungs, shortness of breath, loss of smell, and taste. While these symptoms have certainly impacted us (none of this is pleasant) we are very grateful that we are able to be at home while we heal. We are gradually feeling better and have family checking in with us multiple times daily. Please pray complete healing over us and for all who are impacted by this disease. Dan & Joan Groenhout
Rachel Sluis went to be with Jesus on Friday, November 27th. Please pray for the family's deep loss.
Praise that Dan's recent bloodwork came back and his PSA count dropped by half in the past 3 months! We are grateful for this good news and for your prayers! Dan & Joan Groenhout
Jan Meyers is recuperating from surgery at McCauley Place in Muskegon. She is doing well and hopes to go home next week.
Carol and Terry Wyngarden for strength, endurance and patience.
Free Advent Devotional
ReFrame Media, the English-language ministry of Back to God Ministries International, has been working on a special email devotional series for Advent. The daily messages explore how the entire story of the Bible points to the promise of Christ's birth, and ultimately, to his coming again. You can find the devotionals and accompanying craft at todaydevotional.com/jessetree.
Congregational Meeting Video Updates
Attached is a video presentation in lieu of a congregational meeting. Also, please see the attached 2021 budget proposal and the attached Update letter that explains changes in the budget and gives some additional updates.
Please take some time this week to review this material in the way that is easiest for you and then submit your vote by dropping off a paper ballot or submitting your vote online by following this link. This should be completed and returned to the church office no later than Saturday, December 5 for your paper ballot or by noon on Sunday, December 6th, if you are using the electronic form. The votes will be counted at 1:00 on December 6th and an announcement about the results will be sent via email on Monday the 7th. Please be sure to only use one method of voting. We are requiring that you provide your name so that we can verify there are no duplicates. Jodi Deur and Tim McCastle will be the only people that will see these votes. While this is not the format we had hoped to have our congregational meeting in, we are thankful that we have the technology to allow us to communicate with the congregation given the current circumstances. Please reach out to Dave Baker or Jodi Deur if you have questions about the 2021 budget. If you have questions about the Transition Team process, please contact Tim McCastle, Dave or Jodi.
The Nedervelds
The Executive Team gave the Nederveld family a parting gift of cash on behalf of the Council and Congregation. As with everything this year, this wasn't the way we had hoped to send them into their new ministry. Nevertheless, we are so grateful to God for their ministry among us for these past three years and we didn't want to miss the opportunity to thank them. As of today, December 1st, the Nederveld's new address is 4689 N Shooks Ct, Hudsonville, MI 49426. Please feel free to send a personal note of thanks or encouragement to this address if you would still like to do so.
Weekly Giving
From mailed checks and Venmo for 11/29/20: Weekly giving: $3597.99 Weekly budget: $7612 Percent met: 47.2% YTD giving: $293,459.16 YTD budget: $365,376.00 Percent met: 80.3% The total gifts to November MOM (Luckeys/Every Child MInistry) = $880
Birthdays
12/9 Judith Tuls (send wishes to eric.tuls@fosanet.org)
Mission of the Month
Wycliffe Bible Translators (Lorri Scholten) - December Mission of the Month
Lorri teaches school in Oaxaca, Mexico for children of those that work for Wycliffe. Lorri has been teaching 1st and 2nd grade four days a week outside and the fifth day by Zoom.
Giving Envelopes
The 2021 giving envelopes are available for pick-up. This year we have opted for a "tear-off" type of envelope. As a reminder, the church office is open Monday-Friday from 9am-1pm.