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May Birthdays
| 5 |
Carey Taylor
Stacey Lillibridge |
| 6 |
Jaimie Spoelman |
| 10 |
Samantha Spoelman |
| 11 |
Kelly Spoelman
Eunice Speet
Nathan Dixon |
| 12 |
Pat Grossenbacher |
| 13 |
Alma Bouwman
Ben Rosel |
| 16 |
Sam Carnahan |
| 18 |
Shane Peters
Scott Veldman |
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| 20 |
Richard Taylor
Barbara Metten |
| 21 |
Wendy Maxwell |
| 22 |
Lorie Bennink
Hermie Kooima
Shane Feikema
Dave Lempke |
| 23 |
Megan Snyder |
| 27 |
Doug Smith |
| 28 |
Brian Cheadle |
| 31 |
Shea Anderson
Art Thiss |
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Pastor's Page
IMPROBABLE
"What are the odds of that?" one of the students asked.
"50/50," one of the youth sponsors answered without batting an eye.
You could tell by the look that the student didn’t quite understand. "Well, either it will happen or it won’t. 50/50."
It's hard to argue with that kind of logic.
A lot of people base their decisions on what is probable. Or they choose to believe what is true based on the probability of whether it could have happened or not.
As I read the Bible I am continually impressed that God is the Lord of improbability. Abraham and Sarah have no children and Sarah is well past childbearing years. It is highly improbable (read impossible) that they would have children. Yet God promised and God delivered. And what about the Israelites? They were among the smallest and least technologically advanced people. And they rose to great power against great improbability because God was for them. David was the youngest brother from the least of the tribes of Israel. It was unthinkable that he could be considered for king. Yet it was David whom God chose. And David became the greatest of the Old Testament kings. We could cite many more.
Jesus performed many miracles. What is astonishing is not the healing miracles he performed, it is the miracles dealing with nature. We hear of people being healed miraculously even today. But when was the last time someone walked on water? Could Jesus really have done all the miracles that are recorded?
There are many stories in the Bible that seem improbable. Whether they actually happened or not is up for debate. For some, the truth the story aims to teach is enough and whether the event happened doesn’t really matter. For others, if a story could be proven to be just a story, then they would choose not to believe. The probability of all the stories having actually happened just as they are recorded is very slim. But then, God is a God of improbability.
Perhaps the most improbable thing happened when Jesus became one of us and went to death on a cross so that we could be reconciled with God. It is the opposite of what we would do.
The improbability continues when we think of the fact that we have been entrusted with telling others about God's great love and how God never measures the odds. It seems like the most unlikely of ways for God to get the message out.
Are you facing something in your life that seems improbable to overcome or even get through? Remember that God continually makes the improbable happen.
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~~ Elder's Corner ~~
SpringTime Is Here - The Growing Season Is Coming
Each spring we look forward to seeing the new growth of flowers and trees. This is a time we can spend outside being a part of that rebirth. One of the things I really like is thinking about gardening. I enjoy looking through the seed catalogs seeing what is new for the coming growing season and planning on what it will be like to enjoy that new variety when we harvest it.
Another thought that comes to mind when I am in the garden is a statement my former Sunday school teacher, John Scholten, use to say. "Remember, boys, your spiritual life is like a garden. You need to spend some time in it daily - cultivating it. That is when you will see it grow." Often I think this was very sound advice when I think of how busy our lives get with all the activities we find ourselves involved in throughout the year. Often times our spiritual gardens find themselves put on the back burner. Yet one beautiful thing is each year we get another chance to start over again for the next growing season.
I will never forget the time that Ted DeMaagd once told me the story how he and God had planted a garden together. He even showed me a picture; everything was beautiful not a weed in it. Ted said Lydia and he were going on a trip out West for three weeks. He was going to leave the garden for God to take care of for that time. Well you can imagine Ted had a picture of the garden after three weeks; it did not look the same. His point to me was we are God’s working hands in our community, our jobs, our church and our families. It is necessary for us to take some time to help plant, cultivate and then bring in the harvest of relationships, support, praise and blessings. We are required to use the gifts and talents God has bestowed on each of us. If we make that commitment, we will surely see things grow and we will have a bountiful harvest.
Blessings for a wonderful and productive growing season!
In Christ,
Kevin Wiersma
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Deacon's Corner
~By Scott Veldman~
I've just completed my annual rite of Spring---the much anticipated, never duplicated Rock Hunt.
Some explanation is necessary. If you've ever visited our home, you'll see the flower beds, berms and various other landscape features in our yard are built with field stones.
Each Spring, I travel up and down the back roads around Coopersville searching for field stones the frost has heaved up through the soil in the fields and ditches over the winter.
When I discover a rock of the proper size and proportion, my rule is that I always stop to ask the landowner if it is o.k. for me to take the rock off their hands. Almost 100% of the time when I ask for this permission, I receive the same reply--a look of amusement, followed by "of course you can have that rock--as a matter of fact, take all you want." The old proverb is true--"one person's trash is another's treasure."
Turning "trash into treasure" is something we all should think about, particularly in light of the impact the struggling Michigan economy is having on many. I've read several reports recently that organizations such as Coopersville Cares are having a real struggle keeping up with the increased demand for food, clothing, etc. from those impacted by the economic downturn. I challenge you to go on your own "Rock Hunt" in your homes to find clothing that you no longer care to wear, furniture that others could use, and donate them to Coopersville Cares, Goodwill, or your charity organization of choice. The "rocks" you have no purpose for have a tremendous value to those less fortunate.
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The Special People's Picnic will be Wednesday, May 21, at 6:30PM. Watch for a sign up sheet to be posted in the narthex. Thank you in advance; this can’t happen without the help of volunteers like you!
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The ladies of the congregation are invited to join us in showering blessings on Lisa and Brianna Kingma. Please join us Saturday, May 3, at 11AM in the COS Lounge for a luncheon in honor of little Brianna.
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DeVos Children's Hospital Fleece Blanket Drive - When Kristen Stuck (Junior Miss Coopersville) was in the DeVos Children’s Hospital with her brain tumor, she decided that she wanted to do a blanket drive for the hospital. When children leave the hospital, they are all given a fleece blanket. Kristen was very touched by this gesture and wants to help them carry on the tradition. She has set a goal for herself to donate 100 blankets, and has asked for our help! They need fleece blankets of any color and size, infant through adult size, single layer only! A box will be placed in the narthex for you to place your donations. Our deadline is May 18, and Kristen will be here to share her gift of music. Please consider this wonderful cause and help out this 12-year-old girl! If you have any questions, see Cheryl Taylor.
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April Red Cross Blood Drive
The Red Cross thanks all who donated their time and blood. We had 33 presenting donors, of those, three were first time donors. The Red Cross was able to obtain 26 units of much needed blood. The next blood drive is June 2, from 12:30pm to 6:15pm.
This is the last blood drive that I will be organizing. It has been a wonderful experience but I feel that it is time to move on to other projects. I'm not sure where the Red Cross will be having their drives after June, but I'll let you know when I hear from them. Deb Smith
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The Congregational Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, May 4, following worship. The purpose of the meeting is to affirm the selection of nominees to serve on Consistory for a three year period. The following slate of nominees will be presented:
Elder – Barb Veeneman and Glenn Veeneman
Deacon – Kyle McClellan and Cheryl Taylor
Absentee ballots are available by contacting the church office. Absentee ballots need to be returned by May 1.
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Join us Sunday, May 18,
for Volunteer Recognition during worship and a potluck luncheon afterward.
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The May Scrapbook/Craft Night will be held Friday, May 16.
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Mark your calendars for July 20th through
the 24th and plan to help us take off
with 3-2-1 BIBLE ACADEMY! Please
see the sign up sheet in the narthex
if you think you’ll be able to give the
gift of your time to help make this
program a success for our children.
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Clean Up Day at FountainView Assisted Living
will be Saturday, May 3, 9AM – 1PM. This is for outdoor work, including general pick up, getting the ground ready for flower planting, washing outdoor windows, etc. Meet in building #3 for coffee before the work starts and lunch will be provided at 1PM.
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Camp Good Grief
Grief support for the whole family, will be held by Hospice of Michigan August 12-14, 5 to 8PM. This camp is designed for families that have experienced the death of a loved one. Each of the three evenings will include a variety of activities that will be fun for the whole family. Call 616/356-5258 for more details and to register.
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The 13th Annual Hospice of Michigan Walk & Remember
Join us for a 5K fundraising walk with family, friends, and the community as we walk and remember loved ones who have been touched by Hospice and help those in need. Saturday, May 17, at East Grand Rapids Middle School with check in at 8AM and walk at 8:35AM. For more information contact Roxanne Kiesling at 356-5266.
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Cran-Hill Ranch Spring Clean Up
May 3, beginning at 9AM. Stay the weekend and camp FREE! Call 231/769-7669 to reserve your free campsite.
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You are invited to attend a Continuing Education Seminar led by Dr. James De Jong on CBI’s Success: Bible Study and Reduced Recidivism. The seminar is sponsored by The Center for Advanced Studies at Crossroad Bible Institute and will take place on Tuesday, May 13, from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm at Crossroad Bible Institute, 2976 Ivanrest in Grandville ($5 box lunch provided). The seminar is free of charge, but advanced registration is requested. Please register by May 6 by calling CBI at 800-668-2450 or online at www.crossroadbible.org.
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There will be a spaghetti dinner benefit held at Church of the Saviour on Friday, May 9, 6 to 8PM, for Adam Singleton. Adam is a sixth-grader at Coopersville who was critically injured March 29. Donations will be accepted for the dinner cost, and cookbooks that have been created with recipes from friends, family, and the community will be on sale as well. There will also be a silent auction. Proceeds will be donated to the family to cover hospital and rehabilitation costs accrued since Adam’s accident.
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Perspective...
One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son
on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.
On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?"
"It was great, Dad."
"Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked.
"Oh yeah," said the son.
"So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?" asked
the father.
The son answered: "I saw that we have one dog and they have four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them."
The boy's father was speechless.
Then his son added, "Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are."
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May 4 ~ Seventh Sunday of Easter
Acts 1:6-14
Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35
1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11
John 17:1-11
May 11 – Pentecost Day
Acts 2:1-21 or Numbers 11:24-30
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 or Acts2:1-21
John 20:19-23 or John 7:37-39
May 18 – Trinity Sunday
Genesis 1:1-2:4a
Psalm 8
2 Corinthians 13:11-13
Matthew 28:16-20
May 25 – Second Sunday after Pentecost
Isaiah 49:8-16a
Psalm 131
1 Corinthians 4:1-5
Matthew 6:24-34
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| Serving Community |
East Greeters:
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May 4
May 11
May 18
May 25
June 1
June 8
June 15
June 22
June 29
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Joel & Jill Spoelman
Dean & Eileen Heath
Dave & Sharon Hekhuis
Robert & Theresa Kary
Bud & Nancy Kloosterhouse
Doug Leep & JoEllen Meerman
Mark & Kim Lempke
Dave & Cindy Lillibridge
Mike & Cheryl Lillibridge
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Coffee:
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May 4
May 11
May 18
May 25
June 1
June 8
June 15
June 22
June 29
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Art & Molly Thiss
LVH
Todd & Karla Van Houten
Bob & Barb Veeneman
Glenn & Kathy Veeneman
Scott & Shari Veldman
Kevin & Denise Wiersma
Bill & Lois Adema
Dan & Lynda Anderson
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Nursery:
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May 4
May 11
May 18
May 25
June 1
June 8
June 15
June 22
June 29
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D Rosel family
Sue Smith & Lori Bruins
T Smith family
Snyder family
Eric & Kelly Spoelman
Joel & Jill Spoelman
Dick & Cheryl Taylor
Ray & Natalie Tibbe
Art & Molly Thiss and LVH
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Sound System:
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May 4
May 11
May 18
May 25
June 1
June 8
June 15
June 22
June 29
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Jeff Smith
Kyle McClellan
Ray Tibbe
Bob Veeneman
Ray Tibbe
Jeff Smith
Kyle McClellan
David Rosel
Bob Veeneman
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Sunday School:
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May
June
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Summer Break
Summer Break
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Communion Set Up:
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May 4
June 1
July 6
August 3
September 7
October 5
November 2
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Denise Wiersma
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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