Family Ties - November 2008

November Birthdays

1	Judy Prichard JimiLynn Meerman
2	Brooke Maycroft
3	Bud Kloosterhouse Joe Roper
4	Mychala Spoelman
6	Carly Bruins
10	Jeff Smith Cohen Mooney

16	Cheryl Taylor
18	Casey Bruins Eileen Heath
19	Samy Lempke
21	Vesta Heath
23	Caitlyn Beiser Rebeccah Dixon
27	Ben Wiersma
29	Denise Wiersma

Pastor's Page
THE INADVERTANT WISDOM OF A 4-YEAR-OLD
     I recently visited a playground with my son. As you are likely aware, most playgrounds now have “structures” rather than monkey bars, swings, a slide and a merry-go-round. The play structure soon became a couple of ships.
     After watching for whales and sharks it was time for swimming with the sharks. When I suggested that might not be the best thing, he told me it was safe as long as we had bait fish to feed them.
     Then we were off on another activity. Pretty soon I was ordered to stand on one part of the structure while he was on another and the two were connected by a tunnel. We were now on two different boats. That’s when he yelled out, “You’ll have to pull me. My compeller’s broken.”
     I had to chuckle. “Do you mean propeller?” I asked.
     “Yeah, my propeller is broken.”
     It was the compeller that set me thinking. In 2 Corinthians 5:14 Paul writes, “For Christ’s love compels us…” (NIV). What Paul is talking about is the urgency with which he and his companions are working to share God’s good news. And it is done with sincerity of heart, unlike some others who apparently did it for show. Paul went to great lengths to share the good news with others. Paul says, “If it seems that we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit” (NLT).
     When Paul gives a reason for his hard work he says it is Christ’s love. Christ’s love compels him (NIV), urges him on (NRSV), controls him (NLT) and moves him to such extremes (MSG).
     What is Christ’s love compelling you to do? Or are you stuck in the water because your compeller is broken? Let Christ’s love be the first and last word in everything we do (2 Cor. 5:14b, MSG, paraphrased).

~~ Elder's Corner ~~
by Kevin Wiersma

Reunion, Relationships, Restored

     For my ten-year class reunion each class member was asked to write words of advice/encouragement or words of wisdom that would be published in a book for each of us to have and read. This was a neat idea. However, when it came time to think of something to write it seemed harder than some of the exams we took in school. I really struggled. I wanted what I wrote to be meaningful, encouraging and not sound silly because my peers would be reading what I wrote. Here is my statement: In life we need to strive to make good and positive memories with family, friends and people that cross our path on our life journey. As we become older these memories and relationships are what we will have to hang onto and cherish. We need to build strong relationships that will carry us through the tough times. We need to be there for others and family in their tough times too. I feel this is true about our church family. I have attended Church of the Saviour since 1984 when I met a beautiful long blond haired organist at a wedding. I have many fond memories of helping out at Youth Club and working with John Bennink, Kirk Hemmen, Tom Kloosterhouse, Chad and Kara Bergsma, and Katy Peck to name a few. I could tell you some pretty good stories about them too. Also I taught senior high Sunday School which brings back some warm memories with Kristi and Bob Veeneman, Heather McIntire, Becky Rosel, Eric Lillibridge, Quentin Bruins and I could go on. These are fond memories for myself because of the connections we made. My point is, the older I get the more I realize life is about relationships and memories. These are what help us through the tough times and also give us friends to share our joys with. I like to remember a poem I learned at Cran-Hill Ranch. It goes like this: A sorrow shared is but half the trouble ... but a Joy that is shared is Joy made double! =) I ask myself what would my life experiences be like, if I would not have experienced the love and friendship of the family of God at Church of the Saviour? I would have missed out on the wisdom and humor of Ted; the genuine love and support of a lady like Lydia; working alongside men like Gerald, Bud and Bill around God's house; enjoying the meals prepared by Eileen, Nancy, JoEllen, and Sue; having a short conversation before church with Alma and feeling the warmth of a fellow believer like the sun on your back on a warm day. I have enjoyed having clean dishes, windows and floors by a man that has more energy than the "Energizer Bunny." All of this does not just happen. It takes a family, the family of God, doing what we can and what was laid upon our hearts working together to bring blessings to God and each other.
     We all have choices every hour, every day, and every week to be a part of the family of God and bring praise and honor to God through our actions. Then to bless others with the blessings we have received from hearing God's word through Pastor Dave, the liturgy, choir, children's sermon, coffee fellowship, a good conversation, joys and concern time, prayer, giving of our tithes and offerings, being in the Spirit's presence, and maybe just holding the hand of the person sitting next to you during the benediction.
     Our God has blessed us richly, each in so many ways. May God daily bless our church family as we continue to build new and wonderful memories and relationships together. Relationships that will sustain each of us with friendship, love, wisdom, guidance and support through tough times. I pray we will receive enough of each of these gifts to last a lifetime. I am excited about the future of Church of the Saviour as we travel together on life's journey. I trust God will allow us to reap what we sow in our relationships here at Church of the Saviour. Here is a thought for the day. Grandpa Walt always says: "To have a friend, ya gotta be a friend."

Blessings to you with sincere love in Christ,
Kevin Wiersma

~~ Deacon's Corner ~~
~by Scott Veldman~

It's Auction Time!

Now that the roof is nearly completed, we have to pay the good folks who did the work!

As you know, our primary fund-raiser to build up the funds necessary for our roof repair has been the annual COS Auction. Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 14, 2009 and make plans to attend our auction.

If you're handy, now's the time to start creating that special something for sale. If you're not handy, now's the time to solicit your favorite business for a donation to sell at our auction.

L.I.F.T. Living In Faith Together
Roadside cleanup went well during the October 19 L.I.F.T., and there was plenty of delicious food shared during the potluck. L.I.F.T. meets again November 16 following worship for another terrific meal by JoEllen Meerman, then we will divide into groups for Bible study.

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, November 26, at 7:00PM for the ecumenical Community Thanksgiving Service. Location information will be included in the weekly bulletin.

On November 6, two days after the elections, the Healing Hands team will leave for Nicaragua. The first two days will be spent working in the barrios (neighborhoods) of Managua, Lomas de Guadalupe and El Recreo. It will be too dangerous for us to work outside the capital just before their elections on Sunday.

On Monday we will hold clinics in the village of Chichigalpa, two hours NW of Managua. Tuesday the 11th we will work in Emmanuel, Wednesday in Guana Castal, Thursday in Los Lirios and Friday in Catarina. In addition to the medical clinics, we will be dispensing eye glasses and family pictures. The children will be an important part of the ministry, also.

Thirteen people will be a part of the team from Michigan, including two retired surgeons. Dr Mir, Dr. Patty, and a dentist, Dr. Allen from Managua will join us along with translators and counselors. We ask for your prayers during this time not only for safety and health, but that many will see the love of Christ in us and accept God's grace in their hearts.

Roger Luben

At this time the finishing touches are being put on the roof project. Overall the project has gone well – a few surprises, some good and some not so good. The Deacons are still in need of approximately $25,000. If you are interested in loaning some of the funds please contact Doug Leep at 299-3674.

Thanksgiving Baskets
Donations for Thanksgiving baskets can be dropped off during regular office hours the week of November 10, after worship on November 16, or on Monday, November 17. Please check the sign up list in the narthex for required items. Those in need must register with Coopersville Cares for a basket and be able to pick up the food on November 20 between 10AM and 1PM.

Don't forget Daylight Savings Time ends on November 2!

Scrapbooking/Craft Night for November will be on Friday the 21st at 6:00PM.

Fall is here and Christmas is on its way! Think about ordering SCRIP now to use for your holiday shopping. It’s easy and can be a great benefit to COS! See the order form in this month’s newsletter, or stop by the info table in the narthex.

JYF Bake Sale
Plan to stop by our table in the gym during Fellowship on Sunday, November 9, to purchase some treats from the JYF Bake Sale! The funds raised will be used for this year’s Christmas Break activity. Last year the youth group went to Pando Winter Sports Park in December and enjoyed every moment of tubing during a snowstorm!

The weather could not have been better for this year’s CROP Walk! COS brought in over $1700 in pledges, and well over $7000 was contributed overall. Thank you to everyone who walked or pledged.

Facing Foreclosure? Trained counselors at Home Repair Services can help you sort out options and negotiate with lenders. If you’re facing foreclosure, or know someone who is, call 241-2601. Home Repair Services is a non-profit organization serving lower-income homeowners and offering free repair services in Kent County.

Journey’s Center for the Church’s Learning at Western Theological Seminary presents Fresh Perspectives on the Lord’s Supper on Tuesday, November 18, 9AM to 2PM. Roman Catholic view by Mark David Janus, Lutheran view by Mark Rich, United Methodist View by J. Lynn Pier-Fitzgerald, and Reformed view by I. John Hesselink. Registration is $65, which includes lunch. Register online at journey.westernsem.edu or call 1-800-392-8554 ext 167.

November 2 ~ Twenty-Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Joshua 3:7-17 or Micah 3:5-12
Psalm 107:1-7,33-37 or Psalm 43
1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
Matthew 23:1-12

November 9 – Twenty-Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25
Psalm 78:1-7
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Matthew 25:1-13

November 16 – Twenty-Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
Judges 4:1-7 or Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18
Psalm 123 or Psalm 90:1-8, (9-11), 12
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Matthew 25:14-30

November 23 – Christ the King Sunday
Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24
Psalm 100 or Psalm 95:1-7a
Ephesians 1:15-23
Matthew 25:31-46

November 30 – First Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 64:1-9
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Mark 13:24-37

Serving Community
East Greeters:	November 2 November 9 November 16 November 23 November 30 December 7 December 14 December 21 December 28	Troy & Tracy Snyder Eric & Kelly Spoelman Dick & Cheryl Taylor Art & Molly Thiss Ray & Natalie Tibbe LVH Todd & Karla Van Houten Gert Veeneman Glenn & Kathy Veeneman
Coffee:	November 2 November 9 November 16 November 23 November 30 December 7 December 14 December 21 December 28	Bud & Nancy Kloosterhouse Doug Leep & JoEllen Meerman Jaime & Wendy Maxwell Dave & Cindy Lillibridge Mike & Cheryl Lillibridge Rick & Lonnie Lillibridge Jill & Joel Spoelman Phil Luben & Keeley Heath Roger & Jeanne Luben
Nursery:	November 2 November 9 November 16 November 23 November 30 December 7 December 14 December 21 December 28	Lempke family D Lillibridge family & Valerie L M Lillibridge family & Carey T R Lillibridge family & Stacey L J McClellan family Kyle & Rachael McClellan Meindertsma family & LVH Miller & Hekhuis families Mooney family & Melissa Veldman
Sound System:	November 2 November 9 November 16 November 23 November 30 December 7 December 14 December 21 December 28	Kyle McClellan Ray Tibbe Bob Veeneman David Rosel Will Rosel Kyle McClellan Ray Tibbe Bob Veeneman David Rosel
Sunday School:	November 2 November 9 November 16 November 23 November 30 December 7 December 14 December 21 December 28	Molly Thiss & Lisa Maycroft Laura McClellan & Beka Wiersma Laura McClellan & Beka Wiersma Laura McClellan & Beka Wiersma Laura McClellan & Beka Wiersma Lisa Kingma & Debbie Meindertsma Lisa Kingma & Debbie Meindertsma Christmas Break Christmas Break
Communion Set Up:	November 2	David Rosel

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