The Link Monthly Newsletter
Robyn Long and her husband Ron moved to Pella in July 2007 to
be closer to her son and his family, also to be a "granny nanny" to
her then newborn grandson! Prior to moving to Pella, Robyn
worked as the Data Center / Office Manager for Builders Club
Group, a promotional incentive program for the home building
industry. After 13 years on the job, she was ready for a 'change' – even if it meant 'changing' diapers!! Since her move to Pella
she joined Peace Lutheran Church and became Treasurer in 2008.
Her term ended on December 31, 2011. She is very interested in
music, sings in her church choir, and leads summer worship
services with the Peace Women's Team that she helped organize.
She loves to sew, and socialize. She and Ron have a total of 6
grandchildren, ranging in age from 1 to 10! Spending time with
family is by far her greatest pleasure. God has blessed her with a
wonderful family, new friends and now her position here at FRC.
Stop by the church office any time to introduce yourself.
"In Our Own Time"
One of my favorite Bible passages is the prayer for revival in chapter
3:2 of the prophecy of Habakkuk. The prophet realizes that the forces
of history--indeed, the trajectory of the Lord's dealings with them
makes it an unlikely time for revival. After all, Habakkuk has had to
announce God's judgment. The hardships of their time were related in
no small way to God's own displeasure against them for their
misdeeds. But Habakkuk's faith has been formed around the story of
the mighty acts of God, the One whose name is the Lord, the One
who is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and mercy. And
so he prays for revival. He does not think, "Now is not a likely time
for revival. Now is not a time to hope for God's saving help. We need
to let go of our hopes and lower our expectations." Instead he thinks, "Why not now?" So he boldly prays, "In our time revive it; in our
own time make it known; in wrath may you remember mercy." The
transition time between pastors is often a time when churches lower
expectations. It's not seen as a time to expect God to do much. It's an
interval to pass through before better days can come. Habakkuk
reminds us that the Lord's mighty acts can break into history precisely
at times like these. During this transition time we are praying that
God will help us prepare the way for a new pastor. But there's no
reason not to pray that even in this time of waiting, God will display
his power to renew us and show us great mercy. Wouldn't that be
great preparation!
Grace and peace, Pastor Paul
- Thank you First Church, for being patient and under-standing during my
weeks as church secretary. I had great support and help from many people but
I must give an "extra thank you" to Shirley Borgman, Judy Smid and Arlene
Dahm as they came in many hours and assisted in the office. I am delighted
and excited to give my keys to Robyn and go back into retirement. Joan
- Thank you to our 15 volunteers who delivered meals to
senior citizens in the Pella area during the first two
weeks of January. This community service now has 3
routes with a total of approximately 25 participants.
Thank you to Shirley Uitermarkt who coordinates this
project each time.
- Thanks to everyone who remembered us with
expressions of sympathy and support at the recent
death of our brother, Bill Vande Kieft, in Dearborn,
MI. We deeply appreciate your many kindnesses at this
difficult time, and we feel blessed to be part of the
family of God at First Reformed Church. Henry and
Milly Vande Kieft
- I would like to express my sincere thanks to everyone
who remembered me on my 85th birthday! Thank you
also to the church for the lotion and also to Wilbur and
Gladys Newendorp for the poinsettia. It was so nice to
be remembered! Julie Vos
- Thank you so much for your congregation's recent gift
to Hope Ministries. I truly appreciate your giving spirit
and compassion for homeless and hungry men, women
and children. Hope Ministries
- The prayer and financial support that Central receives
from your congregation is truly appreciated. Your gift
to Journey Scholarship Fund has an immediate impact
on our students through operating support, scholarship
aid and program assistance. Thank you so much for
your support, it means so much to Central and the
students.
Community Opportunities
- Community Opportunities
Psalms Worship Festival January 22, 2012 at 3:00pm, First CRC in Pella will be hosting a Psalms Worship Festival, led by Dr. Martin Tel
of Princeton Seminary, Dr. Christian Teeuwsen of Redeemer College, and Dr. James Schaap of Dordt College. Psalms in a variety
of settings from the new psalter, Psalms for All Seasons, will be used. Come and join us for worship with the Psalms.
- Families First "Meet and Eat" parenting sessions January 24, 2012 This class will take place from 12:00 – 1:00 in the meeting room of
the Pizza Ranch. Lunch is available at NO COST. No registration is necessary, just come when you can. Free childcare is also available at
Second Reformed Church nursery (please call 628-8331 to ensure that we are adequately staffed).
- Celebrate Calm coming to Pella: Are you at your wit's end? Want to stop yelling and power struggles? Do you need help calming your
explosive household? Tired of yelling at, negotiating with and bribing your child? Do you want your child to take responsibility for his
assignments, chores and attitude? You are invited to attend a free Workshop on Thursday, January 26 from 5:30 – 7 pm at Grace
Fellowship in Pella. We promise you will laugh and leave with a dozen practical strategies that really work. Come see Kirk Martin and his
teenage son, Casey. The Workshop is free and there is no need to register. Bring your family and friends.
- Are you serious about teaching children? Would you like to sharpen your teaching skills? Well you can! Through CEF with 'Teaching
Children Effectively®'- a course designed to offer a fresh approach to evangelizing & teaching children. This class will be on Monday
nights (starting Feb 6- Apr 23) from 6:;30-9:00 pm at CEF office 221 1st Ave East Oskaloosa. It is a college accredited 30-hour course.
Cost is $75 (all materials are included along with completion certificate)
Won't you pray about joining us and reply by January 20, 2012 @ 641-673-3947 or jlakeilccef@yahoo.com. You can learn more by
going to indianlakescef.org under the tab 'CEF for churches'.
|
On January 8 we were privileged to install
Denise Van Wyk and Nela Spoelstra as
deacons and Jerry Nikkel as an elder. Jerry
Ellis will be installed as an elder at a later
date. Denise Van Wyk is pictured as she was
being ordained to the office of deacon.
Thank you to these people who have
consented to provide leadership for our
congregation.
Thank you also to the following people who
are retiring from Consistory: Don
Rouwenhorst, Darrell Shaefer, Verle Boot
and Jim Dugger.
-
Continue in prayer for the health concerns of
the First Church people that are struggling
with serious health issues, those taking chemo
treatments and those who have recently had
surgery. Pray for Arlene Dahm, who recently
had surgery and Esther Bensink as she
re-covers from the flu.
- Pray for the family of Ruth Squibb, Deen
Oscarson, Anna Koopman, Mary & Carl
Tysseling. May God wrap his loving arms
around them and give them peace.
-
Thank God for answered prayers for the new
staff who have been led to be a part of the
ministry of First Church? Pray for Robyn
Long as she ministers in the position of
Administrative Secretary and for Barb De
Vries who has accepted the position as music
director of First Church.
Facility Update
Goals for 2012 from the FRC facility team: we have a beautiful, but
aging, building. It is our duty to maintain and up keep the church,
while watching our budget.
There are 2 major projects that we are getting bids on:
1. Windows. This was originally a 3 phase project, 2 phases are
done. We are getting a bid for the remaining windows but we
may split this job into 2 more phases.
2. Parking lot repair. The North side is not in good shape. Brad
Uitermarkt is graciously putting a plan together on how we
could accomplish this if money wasn't an issue. We will get
that price and then decide what to do.
Then there are minor things that we are planning to fix:
1. There is a roof leak; a contractor is going to investigate this.
2. We need plaster repair in a few places, a contractor will do
this.
3. We need painting in a few places. Jerry Nikkel, bless his
heart, will do this.
4. Lattice skirting needs replaced around the deck of the house
that Pastor Kevin lives in.
And whatever else comes along. Prayers are welcomed!!
This hard working team consists of: Tim Van Roekel – Chairman;
Jerry Nikkel – Consistory rep; Glenn Van Wyk, Eleanor Boot, Brad
Uitermarkt, Jerry Den Adel.
Prayer Circle
At my Bible Study early this fall, mention was made that prior to calling Pastor
Korver at Third Reformed Church, there was a core group of people that met to
pray: for the church, the search committee, and the person that God was preparing
for their church. That obviously worked for them, and mention was made that
maybe that's where our church has been wrong in the past. Because of that
conversation, I talked to Jaren and Donna Steenhoek, and we promised to meet to
pray for our church as we begin the process of searching for and calling a new
pastor to 1st Reformed Church. Some of you may remember that I talked at our
congregational meeting about it. Since then, several people have said that they are
also interested in joining this Prayer Circle. I would like to extend this to the rest of
the congregation. We will send out emails to those that have email, and will call the
remainder of the list to ask for prayer when the consistory is meeting to form the
search committee, and then as the search committee meets to consider possible
candidates.
If you would like to be a part of this group, please feel free to contact me or Jaren or
Donna Steenhoek. If you are unable to meet with us at church while we pray, but
would like to pray from your home, please just join us whenever you can.
Cheryl Newendorp 626-3033 knfarm@dybb.com
Jaren & Donna Steenhoek 628-1523 jdsteenhoek@iowatelecom.net
Dustin DeHaan, 604 C Ave E, Oskaloosa, IA 52577
Derek & Anna Groenendyk, 860 E 10th St
PVT Matt Mitchell
C Co 1-22nd Avn Reg
1003 Peal Place Dr
Ft. Eustis, VA 23604 (until March 27, 2012)
January Sunday School Lessons
This month's theme is Game-On: Self Control. We will be
exploring how to live our lives better while we travel through
the book of Proverbs. As we are doing all kinds of crazy, fun
and exciting things in Sunday School, we would like to
personally invite parents downstairs to experience our large
group time from 10:00-10:30. The kids would love to share the
excitement with you, the parents. Below is a preview of the
month ahead.
January Memory Verse:
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should
be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
James 1:19 NIV
Week One:
Theme: A Broken-Down Wall (Proverbs 25:28)
Bottom Line: God can give you the power to control yourself.
Week Two:
Theme: Slow to Anger (Proverbs 16:32)
Bottom Line: Pause before you lose your temper.
Week Three:
Theme: Reckless Words (Proverbs 12:18)
Bottom Line: Select your words carefully.
Week Four:
Theme: Too Much of a Good Thing (Proverbs 25:16
Bottom Line: Know when to Stop
|
