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April Birthdays
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| 1 |
Bradley Maycroft |
| 2 |
Jeremy Grossenbacher |
| 5 |
Kyle Kary |
| 6 |
Jill Spoelman |
| 8 |
Zachary Meindertsma
Rachael McClellan |
| 9 |
Dave Kingma |
| 10 |
Dorothy Lubberts
Jill Peters
Kimberly Miller |
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| 11 |
Traci Cheadle
Christian Feikema |
| 13 |
Lonnie Lillibridge
Brianna Kingma |
| 19 |
Quentin Bruins |
| 20 |
Justin Maxwell |
| 22 |
Dawn Barkel
Kim Lempke |
| 25 |
Todd Van Houten |
| 27 |
Kelli Van Houten |
| 30 |
Isaiah Vander Kooi |
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Pastor's Page
THE POWER OF THE CROSS
It was an old movie I saw as I was changing channels years ago. I happened to catch a scene in which some people were huddled together. They were scared and moving slowly. Suddenly Dracula appeared. He made his advance. One of the people held up a cross and Dracula covered his eyes and took a step back. It seems the cross had some power that he could not overcome.
That scene has been played out in similar ways in other movies and shows. The thought is that the cross has some magical power that can protect anyone who uses it. It is a thought that bothers me.
What is the power of the cross? In 1 Corinthians, Paul writes about the cross. In 1 Cor. 1:17-18, Paul says, "For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power. For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." The power is not in the cross. Paul says, "The cross of Christ." The cross is powerless and void of meaning without Christ. A few verses later, Paul writes, "but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles." The power of the cross is the power of God in that Christ died for us.
The power of the cross is that we must face the fact that Jesus Christ died for us. The cross only as a cross is meaningless. The true power lies with God and Jesus Christ. We are told in scripture "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:10-11, NRSV).
At the name of Jesus...that is where the power of the cross is found.
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~~ Elder's Corner ~~
by Molly Thiss
Recently an email came that included excerpts from Rick Warren's book, "Purpose Driven Life." One phrase in particular,
"What is the purpose of life?"
"In a nutshell, life is preparation for eternity, we were not made to last forever, and God wants us to be with Him in Heaven," Warren responded.
In this time of Lent and as we prepare for Palm Sunday and Easter we feel God does want us to be with Him in Heaven. We reread the scriptures, we listen to the sermons, we sing the songs, we see the symbols, we say the liturgy.
God really, really does want us to be with Him in Heaven.
Imagine yourself, you are by yourself, driving in the car, walking down a trail, sitting in solitude - alone. Imagine being one of the people on that day waving palm branches, getting a glimpse of Jesus riding on the donkey, many around you pushing, stretching their necks, also trying to see Him. The awe to see The One who had been teaching and doing miracles and here he was near you; you can see Him, maybe you could even touch the donkey or better yet the cloth of His garment. There is excitement and many voices. The air is perhaps dusty from all the footfalls. The day must surely be bright.
Forward to the scene of noisy, pushing soldiers, ugliness is in the air. Many are yelling to kill Jesus. He is made to carry a heavy timber cross up a hill; God could not help Him and we wonder why. Then Jesus is nailed to that cross, unthinkable. But it is happening before our eyes! A spear is slashed into His side. How can this be? We look unable to move; unable to believe this is real. There he is left to die, hanging between two thieves. The day has turned dark and frightening. Perhaps we still wait and we may even hear His words, "It is finished." Do we see Jesus as He is taken to a tomb? Do we see the huge stone rolled over the opening of the tomb? Jesus is gone!
Forward to Sunday morning. We hear that He is no longer in the tomb! He is risen! How can this be? What does this mean?
Christ is alive! He is going to heaven to prepare a place for those who believe in Him!
It is Easter! God reigns! Jesus lives!
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Holy Week Schedule
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April 5 |
| Palm Sunday Service |
9:30 a.m. |
| Messiah in the Passover event |
6:00 p.m.
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April 9 |
| Maundy Thursday Service |
7:00 p.m. |
| with Communion |
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April 11 |
| Good Friday Community Service |
12:00 p.m. |
| Coopersville United Methodist Church |
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April 12 |
| Sunrise Service |
7:30 a.m. |
| Easter Breakfast |
8:00 a.m. |
| Easter Service |
9:30 a.m. |
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Iowa Mission Trip, April 5-11
Thank you for your support of the fund raisers to send a group of people from our congregation to help those hardest hit by the Iowa floods. If you haven't yet paid for your burrito order, please take a moment to do so. The pop can drive is ongoing and your contributions are greatly appreciated!
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| The 2009 Church Dinner and Auction was a great success! Thank you to everyone who donated items, and to all the volunteers who put on the dinner and helped run the auction. Just over $15,000 was raised to help pay off roof related debt.
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L.I.F.T. Living In Faith Together
Join us following worship on April 19th at 11AM for the next program. There will be praise music, Bible study, and a family-friendly meal for all.
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Easter Prayer Vigil
 The prayer vigil will begin on Good Friday at 3PM and is broken down into half hour increments. Please consider signing up, even if you're only able to stay for one half hour session. Bring your Church Herald, your Bible, or other good book, or simply your thoughts for a time of reflection in the sanctuary. There will be inspirational materials available and you're welcome to bring your children as well! They would probably love to spend some quiet time with Mom or Dad reading stories in the sanctuary. If you're not able to come to the church building, sign up for the time you'd like and spend it at home in prayer.
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 The Scrapbooking/Craft Night
for the month of April will be on Friday the 17th.
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From the Thursday morning Bible Study:
From Jesus Calling by Sarah Young - Devotions for Every Day
of the Year:
COME TO ME FOR UNDERSTANDING, since I know you far better than you know yourself. I comprehend you in all your complexity; no detail of your life is hidden from Me. I view you through eyes of grace, so don't be afraid of My intimate awareness. Allow the Light of My healing Presence to shine into the deepest recesses of your being - cleansing, healing, refreshing, and renewing you. Trust Me enough to accept the full forgiveness that I offer you continually. This great gift, which cost Me My Life, is yours for all eternity. Forgiveness is at the very core of My abiding Presence. I will never leave you or forsake you.
When no one else seems to understand you, simply draw closer to Me. Rejoice in the One who understands you completely and loves you perfectly. As I fill you with My Love, you become a reservoir of love, overflowing into the lives of other people.
Psalm 139:1-4; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Joshua 1:5
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 American Red Cross Blood Drive -
Monday, April 6, 12:30-6:15PM at the Coopersville United Methodist Church. We need your donations to help provide the 2,000 blood products used in Michigan every day. Each pint can save up to four hospital patients. Donating blood is safe, it's simple, and it saves lives. To become a blood donor, you must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in general good health. The need is constant. The gratification is instant. Give Blood.
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Annual Spring Clean-Up at Cran-Hill Ranch
Saturday, May 2, 9am - 5pm.
 We need people of all ages and skills to help us get the ranch ready for summer. Lunch provided free of charge. Bring your trailer and camp on Friday and Saturday for free and join us for Sunday service. If you are planning to come please RSVP Cran-Hill Ranch at (231)796-7669.
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ATTENTION YAH's:
"Stories of Hope" Senior Day Luncheon - April 29, 11AM - 1PM. Enjoy a delicious, hot lunch and inspiring program on the Bethany Christian Services campus. We'll share laughter and God's love beginning with devotions and an overview of Bethany's many services - local, national and international. Then you'll hear a story of hope from a family Bethany has served. A brief, optional campus tour follows the program. Cost is $5. See the sign up sheet in the narthex or contact the office by April 17 if you would like to attend.
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 Teens! MOSES (Making OurSelves Equipped Servants) still has a few spots left on Spring Break mission trips. Trip dates are April 2-11. We will be doing construction and hurricane relief in Mississippi and Texas. Make YOUR Spring Break count for Christ! There are also openings to serve this summer for 12 or 19 days assisting with VBS, building homes, and leading sports camps. For more information, contact Judy VanderArk at 616-949-0344 or  . Check out our website at mosesweb.org. MOSES Bible Study meets every Wednesday night at Faith Community CRC, 5250 Byron Center Avenue in Wyoming. We begin at 7:30 with praise and worship, move into small group to study scripture, and conclude with a time of fellowship and snacks. For more information, contact the MOSES office at 616-949-0344.
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Brenda, 16, has been waiting two years for a mentor. She likes horses, music, shopping, making crafts and playing volleyball. Brenda needs to know that God cares about her. Todd, 12, likes running, taking bike rides, playing sports, and volunteering. He's waited over a year to be able to hang out with a guy. There are 34 other youth like Brenda and Todd waiting for someone like you to care about them. For more information, an application and training dates, contact Rachel at Barnabas Ministries at 616/748-8453 or  .
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Just for Laughs...
It was Palm Sunday and, because of a sore throat, five-year-old Johnny stayed home from church with a sitter. When the family returned home they were carrying several palm braches. The boy asked what they were for.
"People held them over Jesus' head as He walked by," his mother answered.
"Wouldn't you know it," the boy fumed. "The one Sunday I don't go, He shows up!"
One Easter Sunday morning, as the minister was preaching the children's sermon, he reached into his bag of props and pulled out an egg. He pointed at the egg and asked the children, "What's in here?"
"I know!" a little one exclaimed. "Pantyhose!"
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April 5 ~ Palm Sunday
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
Mark 11:1-11 or John 12:12-16
Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 31:9-16
Philippians 2:5-11
Mark 14:1-15:47 or Mark 15:1-39, (40-47)
April 12 ~ Easter Sunday
Acts 10:34-43 or Isaiah 25:6-9
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
John 20:1-18 or Mark 16:1-8
April 19 ~ Second Sunday of Easter
Acts 4:32-35
Psalm 133
1 John 1:1-2:2
John 20:19-31
April 26 ~ Third Sunday of Easter
Acts 3:12-19
Psalm 4
1 John 3:1-7
Luke 24:36b-48
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| Serving Community |
East Greeters:
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April 5
April 12
April 19
April 26
May 3
May 10
May 17
May 24
May 31
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Chuck & Connie Cook
Angel & Heather Dominguez
Jeannette Eisen
Mary Estrada
Joel & Jill Spoelman
Shane & Monica Feikema
Byron & Joy Flanders
Dennis & Pat Grossenbacher
Joel & Jill Spoelman
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Coffee:
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April 5
April 12
April 19
April 26
May 3
May 10
May 17
May 24
May 31
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Troy & Tracy Snyder
Dick & Cheryl Taylor
Art & Molly Thiss
Ray & Natalie Tibbe
Todd & Karla Van Houten
Barb & Bob Veeneman
Glenn & Kathy Veeneman
Kevin & Denise Wiersma
Bill & Lois Adema
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Nursery:
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April 5
April 12
April 19
April 26
May 3
May 10
May 17
May 24
May 31
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Veldman family
G Veeneman family
Tibbe family
Barkel family
Bennink family
Berg family and Traci Cheadle
Bruins family
Cheadle & Anderson families
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Sound System:
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April 5
April 12
April 19
April 26
May 3
May 10
May 17
May 24
May 31
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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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April 5
April 12
April 19
April 26
May 3
May 10
May 17
May 24
May 31
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Shari & Melissa Veldman
Shari & Melissa Veldman
Shari & Melissa Veldman
Shari & Melissa Veldman
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Communion Set Up:
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April 5
April 9
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Denise Wiersma
Molly Thiss (Maundy Thursday)
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Return to CoS Home Page
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