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August Birthdays
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Jenica Skuse |
| 4 |
Keeley Heath |
| 5 |
Heather Dominguez |
| 6 |
Tom Miller |
| 7 |
Lynda Anderson |
| 9 |
Ariana Rosel |
| 13 |
David Lillibridge |
| 15 |
Dennis Grossenbacher |
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| 17 |
Bob E. Veeneman |
| 21 |
Donna Muller
Tim Smith |
| 22 |
Steve Veldman |
| 25 |
Jaime Maxwell |
| 26 |
Gerald Walt |
| 28 |
Jennifer VanDoorn |
| 31 |
Brad Lillibridge |
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Pastor's Page
SERVANT-HOOD
Over the past few weeks I have engaged in what has now become an annual activity for me. Each July, I thoroughly enjoy following and watching the Tour de France. It is a bicycle race that covers over 2,170 miles in 21 stages with only two rest days. While there are several awards given there is one that is the most sought after: the yellow jersey.
The Yellow Jersey in the Tour de France signifies the person who has the fastest overall accumulated time. Lance Armstrong won the Tour an amazing seven times. As incredible a bike rider as he is, he didn’t win it all on his own.
What has been fascinating for me over the past few years is learning about the teams that enter the Tour. Each team is comprised of nine riders. While there may be variances, eight of the riders are there to get their best man into the yellow jersey. Many times, the names of eight team members will only be spoken as they set a pace for their big man.
There tend to be two places where the Tour is won or lost: time trials and the mountains. Time trials are individual races against the clock. Every rider races the same course, but they are started at intervals. For the mountain stages, like every stage other than time trials, all the riders start together. But it is in the mountains where you see some of the most incredible riding. On one stage this year, the average pro cyclist was estimated to spend 1 hour and 15 minutes riding up a mountain. The ones who were riding for a stage win or riding for a hope at winning the Tour would have spent 35 minutes on the same slope.
It is also in the mountains that true servant hood is witnessed. As I mentioned earlier, there are eight riders on a team who are there to see one of their teammates succeed. Every year I am impressed with the way these riders will push themselves to the point of utter exhaustion setting the pace up the mountain so their big man doesn’t have to use as much energy. If the big man wins, the papers never give attention or praise to the teammate(s) who forged the way; all praise is reserved for the big man of the team.
While no analogy is perfect, I see something worth noting here. We are teammates with Jesus Christ. Our aim and our desire is not to take glory for ourselves, it is, rather, that Jesus gets the praise as we humbly serve him. We count it a privilege to see Christ glorified and what an honor that we can serve in such a way that we can be part of the victory.
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~~ Elder's Corner ~~
by Barb Veeneman
Our celebration of worship always ends with a benediction. Some definitions of benediction in the dictionary: 1. An expression of good wishes. 2. The invocation of a blessing; esp.: the short blessing with which public worship is concluded. 3. Something that promotes goodness or well being.
Some of the benedictions found in the Bible:
II Corinthians 13:14
"May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."
II Thessalonians 3:16
"Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you."
II Peter 3:18
"Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever! Amen."
Number 6:24, 25, & 26
"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."
Our tradition of gathering together and holding hands while receiving the benediction reminds me that we are a family of Christ followers. Listen very carefully the next time you hear the benediction. What an awesome gift God’s words are to us. Let the benediction be a source of strength and joy for your week ahead.
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Monday Morning Women's Bible Study begins
Monday, September 8, at 9:30AM. We invite all to join our study of Daniel: Lives of Integrity, Words of Prophecy by Beth Moore.
Daniel faced pressures and temptations similar to those of a Christian in today's world. Beth writes "I make you two promises based on the authority of the word of God: you will neither waste your time nor become bored. Each Bible study has been a ride in one way or another. This one is a rocket ride – with the windows open."
For more information, see Dawn Barkel, Jeannie Luben, Molly Thiss or Betty Bergsma.
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Scrapbooking/Craft Night for August has been canceled. We will resume next month on September 19.
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If you will be attending the Church Life-sponsored outing to see school bus races at Berlin Raceway or a Whitecaps' game at Fifth Third Ball Park, please contact Barb Veeneman about getting your tickets and paying for them. Barb's number is 837-9555.
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To all potential Sunday School volunteers:
Please contact Debbie Meindertsma if: 1) you are interested in making a four week (or any--one week is great, too) commitment to teach; 2) you would prefer to teach a solid month or scatter the time throughout the school year; and 3) you have a preference to when in the year you'd like to teach. We are hoping to have 18 volunteers so we'll be able to run September through May. Contact Debbie via phone (895-6142) or e-mail ( ). Thank you for your willingness to help teach the children of our congregation!
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From the Thursday morning Bible Study:
Happy summertime! Isn't summer supposed to be those relaxing, restoring, lazy days? Oh well...Now fall again is just around the corner so while we have a little summer left, let's think about RESTORATION. We talked about it before we quit for the summer. We are still reading Rob Bell's book Velvet Elvis. Rob writes about salvation being more than just Jesus dying on the cross in our place, Jesus getting what we deserved, we get what Jesus deserved. But he says it is much more – it's a way of life. "Salvation is living more and more in harmony with God, a process that will go on forever."
"Which leads us to forgiveness. The point of the cross isn't forgiveness." (Really!?) "Forgiveness leads to something much bigger; restoration. God isn't just interested in covering over our sins; God wants to make us into the people we were originally created to be. It is one thing to be forgiven, it's another thing to become more and more and more the person God made you to be. It is one thing to be saved, to believe in Jesus. It's another thing to be healed. It's possible to be saved and not be a healthy, whole, life-giving person. It is possible for the cross to have done something for a person but not in them."
As we enjoy our summer vacations and breaks from normal church and school activities, let's think about the upcoming fall church activities and think about how we as a church can become 'more and more the people God wants us to be.'
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New Items in Library
Adult Miscellaneous
When God Doesn’t Make Sense, Four Cassettes by James Dobson
Animals
Pet Birds by Matthew Vriends
Outwitting Dogs by Terry Ryan and Kirsten Mortensen
The Alien Animals, The Story of Imported Wildlife by George Laycock
Bible Reference
First the Blade by Drayton Mayrant
Reformation Heroes by Diana Kleyn
David, A Man of Passion & Destiny by Charles Swindoll
Favorite Psalms by John Stott
Biography
Joni, A Step Further by Joni Eareckson
Children
Oh, the Places You'll Go! By Dr. Seuss
Christian Living
Getting the Most Out of Life by Reader's Digest
Jumping Hurdles by Steve Brown
A Treasury of Courage & Confidence by Norman Vincent Peale
The Amazing Results of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale
How to Make Positive Imaging Work for You by Norman V Peale
The Faithful Christian, An Anthology of Billy Graham by William Griffin
Active Spirituality by Charles Swindoll
105 Days of Prayer by Jackie McCullough
Happy is the Man by Robert Ozment
Devotionals/Bible Study
Youth Group Trust Builders by Group Pub
Apply It To Life: Evangelism For Every Day by Group Pub
Apply It To Life: Faith In The Workplace by Group Pub
Fiction
Father Tim #1, Home to Holly Springs by Jan Karon
Desert Roses #2, Across the Years by Tracie Peterson
Fiction Paperback
The Forever Husband by Kathryn Alexander
The Wedding Jewel by Doris Fell
The Dad Next Door by Virginia Myers
Since You’ve Been Gone by Marta Perry
Brides of the Season #1, Baby on the Way by Lois Richer
Caroline and the Preacher by Anna Schmidt
Dry Creek #1, An Angel for Dry Creek by Janet Tronstad
For Love of Zach by Cheryl Wolverton
The wedding Quilt by Lenora Worth
His Brother’s Wife by Lenora Worth
Fostered by Love #2, Heart of the Family by Margaret Daley
Pennies from Heaven #1, Healling Tides by Lois Richer
Heartland Homecoming #2, A Dream to Share by Irene Hannon
Four Little Blessings by Merrillee Whren
A Treasure Worth Keeping by Kathryn Springer
Her Unlikely Family by Missy Tippens
The Doctor’s Bride by Patt Marr
Tiny Blessings Tale, A Holiday to Remember by Steeple Hill Pub
Dropped Stitches #2, A Dropped Stitches Christmas by Janet Tronstad
Mule Hollow #7, Next Door Daddy by Debra Clopton
Fiction 4 in 1
New Mexico Sunset by Barbour Pub
Health
Disease Free by Prevention Magazine
The Immune Advantage by Prevention Magazine
Alternative Medicine by Mayo Clinic
Senior's Guide to Pain-Free Living by Prevention Magazine
Humor
Forever, Erma by Erma Bombeck
Magazines
We have a shelf of magazines. Please take what you would like to read. If you have magazines to share, they can be put on the shelf.
Non Fiction
Plenty for Everyone by Corrie TenBoom
Poetry
Somebody Loves You by Helen Steiner Rice
The Best Loved Religious Poems by James Lawson
Reference
Today Is Forever by Avery Color Studios
Smart Storage by Lisa Skolnik
Antique Trader Book Collector's Price Guide by Richard Russell
Building Your Own Greenhouse by Mark Freeman
Women
A Woman God Can Use by Alice Mathews
When God Shines Through by Claire Cloninger
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Worship on the Waterfront will be held Sundays in August at the waterfront stadium in Grand Haven 7:30-8:45PM rain or shine. There is no cost nor any tickets needed to attend W.O.W. Check out the website at www.worshiponthewaterfront.org or call 616/842-6600.
August 3 Chris Hansen & The Horns of Power with soloist Marcia Kloote
August 10 Peder Eide
August 17 Jami Smith
August 24 Christ Memorial Choir
August 31 Virginia Hill
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Sea to Sea 2008 Bike Tour
A Massive Project to Combat a Massive Problem
The bike tour will be making a stop in Grand Rapids on August 17 at Fifth Third Ballpark. Free general admission tickets are required for the celebration and can be ordered at 616/244-0761 or online at events.seatosea.org.
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Cran-Hill Ranch Presents Senior Fall Dinners
Each day starting 11:45AM September 30th through October 2nd. Whether you attend as part of a group or on your own, this will be an unforgettable day of good old-fashioned fun at Cran-Hill Ranch. Not only will you enjoy a wonderful meal, but afterwards we will tour the grounds via horse drawn wagon and celebrate our amazing creator as He paints the hills with beautiful fall colors. To register call 231/796-7669 or visit www.cranhillranch.com.
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Just for Laughs...
An exasperated mother, whose son was always getting into mischief, finally asked him, "How do you expect to get into Heaven?" The boy thought it over and said, "Well, I'll run in and out and in and out and keep slamming the door until Saint Peter says, 'For Heaven's sake, Dylan, come in or stay out!'"
One summer evening during a violent thunderstorm a mother was tucking her son into bed. She was about to turn off the light when he asked with a tremor in his voice, "Mommy, will you sleep with me tonight?" The mother smiled and gave him a reassuring hug. "I can’t dear," she said. "I have to sleep in Daddy’s room." A long silence was broken at last by his shaky little voice: "The big sissy."
While driving in Pennsylvania, a family caught up to an Amish carriage. The owner of the carriage obviously had a sense of humor, because attached to the back of the carriage was a hand printed sign..."Energy efficient vehicle: Runs on oats and grass. Caution: do not step in exhaust."
A little boy opened the big family Bible. He was fascinated as he fingered through the old pages. Suddenly, something fell out of the Bible. He picked the object up and looked at it. What he saw was an old leaf that had been pressed between the pages. "Mama, look what I found," the boy called out. "What have you got there, dear?" With astonishment in the young boy's voice he answered, "I think it's Adam's underwear!"
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August 3 ~ Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
Genesis 32:22-31 or Isaiah 55:1-5
Psalm 17:1-7, 15 or Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21
Romans 9:1-5
Matthew 14:13-21
August 10 ~ Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 or 1 Kings 19:9-18
Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b or Psalm 85:8-13
Romans 10:5-15
Matthew 14:22-33
August 17 ~ Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Genesis 45:1-15 or Isaiah 56:1, 6-8
Psalm 133 or Psalm 67
Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
Matthew 15(10-20), 21-28
August 24 ~ Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Exodus 1:8-2:10 or Isaiah 51:1-6
Psalm 124 or Psalm 138
Romans 12:1-8
Matthew 16:13-20
August 31 ~ Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Exodus 3:1-15 or Jeremiah 15:15-21
Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45c or Psalm 26:1-8
Romans 12:9-21
Matthew 16:21-28
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| Serving Community |
East Greeters:
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August 3
August 10
August 17
August 24
August 31
September 7
September 14
September 21
September 28
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Jim & Laura McClellan
Kyle & Rachael McClellan
Sue Meindertsma
Todd & Debbie Meindertsma
Phil & Barb Metten
Tom & Donna Muller
Bruce & Amy Pitz
John & Marty Richardson
Phil & Barb Metten
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Coffee:
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August 3
August 10
August 17
August 24
August 31
September 7
September 14
September 21
September 28
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Cory & Lori Bruins
Arlene Bubnik & Gert Veeneman
Rodger & Theresa Cheadle
Chuck & Connie Cook
Angel & Heather Dominguez
Mary Estrada & Lisa Maycroft
Jeannette Eisen & Sue Allen
Shane & Monica Feikema
Byron & Joy Flanders
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Nursery:
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August 3
August 10
August 17
August 24
August 31
September 7
September 14
September 21
September 28
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Barkel family
Bennink family
Berg family & Traci Cheadle
Bergsma & Vander Kooi families
Bruins family
Anderson/Cheadle families
Dominguez/Ferwerda families
Feikema family & Kathy Veeneman
Flanders/Maycroft families
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Sound System:
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August 3
August 10
August 17
August 24
August 31
September 7
September 14
September 21
September 28
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Bob Veeneman
David Rosel
Will Rosel
Kyle McClellan
Ray Tibbe
Bob Veeneman
David Rosel
Will Rosel
Kyle McClellan
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Sunday School:
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August
September 7
September 14
September 21
September 28
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Summer Break
TBA
TBA
TBA
TBA
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Communion Set Up:
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August 3
September 7
October 5
November 2
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David Rosel
Marv Bergsma
Denise Wiersma
Molly Thiss
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