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August Birthdays
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| 2 |
Jenica Skuse |
| 4 |
Keeley Heath |
| 5 |
John Bennink |
| 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 |
| 22 |
Steve Veldman
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| 25 |
Jaime Maxwell |
| 26 |
Gerald Walt |
| 28 |
Jennifer VanDoorn |
| 31 |
Brad Lillibridge |
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Pastor's Page
HOW TO RUN ON A TRAIN BRIDGE
As a high schooler, I spent two summers working with a company that tore out old railroad lines and repaired sidings. These two summers led to many unique experiences and encounters.
The company I worked for had projects all over—from surrounding states all the way up to north of Traverse City. The old rail lines ran through some hot, dusty places and through some very scenic places.
What the bulk of our work entailed was salvaging the metal for scrap, the ties for resale and the rail either for scrap or resale to Latin American countries. Access to the rail lines was limited. From time to time that meant it was a few miles between access points. Long walks in or out were common.
Every once in a while we would encounter a bridge. Some bridges were short and solid. I remember one place where we worked that we encountered a larger bridge. It was a wooden trestle, the kind people like to paint or take pictures of. It was on that bridge that I learned how to run on a train bridge.
So how do you run on a train bridge? On a train bridge, the ties are precisely positioned. The gap between ties is always the same. The best way to run is to keep your head up and your eyes on the ties and trust that every step the ties will be under your feet. If you try to watch the ties, you will be constantly changing your stride or getting dizzy from the constant passing of the ties over the beams beneath them.
I realize that most of you will never run on a train bridge. I share this with you because it is an illustration of faith. Trying to see everything before putting our feet down will cause us to slow, falter or lose perspective. Only when we trust God completely can we run our best.
Hebrews 11:1 says, “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” (NLT) Running on a train bridge without looking at the ties is one of the hardest things to do, but it is the best way to run. It is similar with our journey with God. Trusting God to put things into place or provide for us what we need can be very difficult, but it is the best way to go.
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~~ Elder's Corner ~~
by Barb Veeneman
One early autumn afternoon I noticed our golden retriever, Bozack, wandering in and out of the wild brambles, bushes and small trees that border the east side of our yard. Then several times he would enter in, and back out of a narrow opening in a wall of thick brush that has grown up within some of the border. OK something's up; I walked over and looked around and into the brush...nothing...chalked it up to "goofy mutt" syndrome. I had things to do in the house but I kept looking out the windows, Bozack was still "investigating." I needed to see what he was seeing. This time I got down on my knees, and looked into the brush on his level of vision. There it was, stretched out on its side, with a hind leg that was crooked and broken – a deer. I could see that it was breathing, but exhausted. I figured it had been hit by a vehicle on the expressway beyond the woods behind us. It made it through the woods and deep into the brush. Bozack is by my side looking at it and then at me. I look away from them both, and out of the corner of my eye I see Bozack's favorite toy. It's an old bicycle tire (tug toy); we keep it by the house and he waits for us to initiate play – he does not carry it around. I realized he'd brought his toy to play with his new friend. You can imagine my reaction! After I had composed myself, I knew the "right thing" had to be done. The Ottawa County Sheriff Department was called, two deputies came over, and one mercy shot was administered; they took the deer away.
From this lesson I know I have to get down on my knees and ask God to open my eyes to vision other than my own. To share with others who are in need of physical, emotional, and/or spiritual comfort. And above all, give control over to God, for the kingdom, the power, and the glory are His.
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Deacon's Corner
At our last Consistory meeting we discussed the economy and its effect on our members and community. We decided to start a benevolence fund as we are aware of several members who could use some assistance. If you can help please use your special giving envelopes or write on your regular envelope what amount you would like to go into the benevolence fund.
Thank you. God bless you, Cory Bruins
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 There will be a Whitecaps Game Night on Tuesday, August 18, at 7PM for the COS family. The cost per ticket is only $4, with the Church Life Council donating the other $5. A group of 20 or more is needed, however, to get this rate so please sign up on the sheet in the narthex no later than August 2. |
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 Directory Update
Dean and Eileen Heath’s new address was incorrectly listed In some July newsletters. Please make a note that the correct address is:
Heron Manor
2106 Leonard Street NE, Apt. 212
Grand Rapids MI 49505
616/818-4526
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 Monday Morning Women’s Bible Study begins Monday, September 14, at 9:30AM with Breaking Free – Making Liberty in Christ a Reality in Life by Beth Moore.
Beth writes, "Our theme will come from the book of Isaiah because it is a book about the captivity of God's children, the faithfulness of God, and the road to freedom."
If you are interested, desire more information, and possibly want to join this Bible study, please contact Dawn Barkel, Jeanne Luben, Molly Thiss or Betty Bergsma.
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 There will be no Scrapbooking/Craft Night
for the month of August. The group will again meet in September on Friday the 18th.
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 Are you in need of additional giving envelopes? If you are, please call or email the office. A new box of envelopes will be placed in your narthex mailbox.
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 The ladies of our congregation are invited to come help us shower blessings on little Jack Cecil Pierre Luben on Saturday, August 1, at 11:00AM. Jack was born on June 25th and has been growing fast and furious. :-) We hope to see you there!
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 July newsletter correction – Thank you to Amy Pitz for providing the prizes for this year’s Special People’s Picnic. Thanks go to the people of the congregation for the purchase of fruit from Family Fare that was also given out to attendees.
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 Used eyeglasses continue to be collected for use by people living in the garbage dumps of Mexico City. Last month 240 pairs of glasses were sent from COS to Pennsylvania to be cleaned and classified by volunteers. Then the glasses are taken to Mexico City by teams who are going to conduct clinics for the families living in the various dumps there.
If you have used eyeglasses or sunglasses to donate (including the eyeglass case, if available), leave them in my mailbox in the narthex or give them directly to me.
Thank you,
Roger Luben
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 Volunteers are needed for this year’s Sunday School program. Please contact Debbie Meindertsma if you’re willing to help out for any time period, even one Sunday for an hour would be great. The curriculum includes everything you will need, just bring a smile for the students! 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 ( ).
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 JYF FUNDRAISER
Do you have cell phones that you no longer use?
Please consider dropping them in the collection boxes placed around the church building. JYF is conducting a fund raiser by collecting unwanted cell phones and mailing them to Pace Butler Corporation. No chargers or other accessories are needed, just the cell phone and its battery.
Pace Butler will sort the phones and send JYF a check for the value. A price sheet is posted in the narthex if you would like to look your phone up. Thank you in advance for your contributions!
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 Mark your calendars for some fun and fellowship at this year’s Church Picnic! It will be held Saturday, September 12, at 4PM here at COS. For those of you who enjoy golf, we hope to have a group go to Pigeon Creek in West Olive before the church picnic for a fun round at 1PM.  The format is friendly and novices are very welcome! See the sign up list posted in the narthex for the golf game, please sign up asap if you’re interested. Or you can call the church office at 997-8050, or Doug Leep at 299-3674, if you would like to participate. Look for fun prizes, delicious food, games for the kids, and other great things at this year’s picnic! |
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Did you happen to take any pictures during the period of time the church roof and towers were being repaired? If you did, please let the office or Bud Kloosterhouse know.
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New Items in Library
Adult Miscellaneous
Jesus and His Times by Reader’s Digest, (3 VHS tape set)
Great Wonders of the World by Reader’s Digest, (3 VHS tape set)
The Visual Bible, Matthew by International Bible Society, (4 VHS tape set)
Sedona, Red Rock Country by RB Production TV, (VHS tape)
Grand Canyon, Mountain inside out by RB Production TV, (VHS tape)
Animals
Peg Leg Pete by Mel Ellis
Bible Reference
The Jews God’s People by Hilla & Max Jacoby
Joshua, Man of Fearless Faith by W. Phillip Keller
The New Oxford Annotated Bible by Oxford University Press
3,285 Bible Questions & Answers by Emily Filipi
NIV Pictorial Bible by Zondervan
Who’s Who in the Bible by Joan Comay
Biography
Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy
Gianna by Jessica Shaver
Mother Teresa, A Simple Path by Lucinda Vardey
Children
Tell Me the Story by Max Lucado
The Children of the King by Max Lucado
Christian Living
Sex God by Rob Bell
Your Place In This World by Michael W. Smith
Getting Through the Going Through Stage by Robert Schuller
Be Happy You Are Loved by Robert Schuller
Come Thirsty by Max Lucado
A Deepening Love Affair by Jane Thibault
Can You Drink the Cup? by Henri Nouwen
I Never Found That Rocking Chair by Richard Morgan
Christmas
The Christmas Story by Denise Johnson
Faces at the Manger by J. Barrie Shepherd
Devotionals/Bible Study
Clippings from My Notebook by Corrie ten Boom
May I Have This Dance? by Joyce Rupp
Secret Strength by Joni Eareckson Tada
Come to the Feast by Marchiene Rienstra
Quiet Moments for Women by June Bacher
No Wrinkles on the Soul by Richard Morgan
Family
10 Things I Want My Daughter to Know by Annie Chapman
Fiction
The Courting of Nellie Fisher #2, The Forbidden by Beverly Lewis
The Courting of Nellie Fisher #3, The Longing by Beverly Lewis
Big Sky Dreams #1, Cassidy by Lori Wick
Big Sky Dreams #2, Sabrina by Lori Wick
Big Sky Dreams #3, Jessie by Lori Wick
The Centurion’s Wife by Davis Bunn & Janette Oke
Silent Night by Mary Higgins Clark
Eyes of Elisha by Brandilyn Collins
Joseph, A Novel by Joyce Landorf
The Messiah by Marjorie Holmes
Fiction Paperback
Small-Town Brides by Janet Tronstad & Debra Clopton
Wings #4, Soldier’s Reunion by Cheryl Wyatt
Humor
Maybe (Maybe Not) by Robert Fulghum
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.
Money
The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
Non Fiction
Amazing Grace, the Story of America’s Most Beloved Song by Steve Turner
Where Angels Walk by Joan Anderson
The Walk West, A Walk Across America 2 by Peter & Barbara Jenkins
The Road Unseen by Peter & Barbara Jenkins
An Album of Memories by Tom Brokaw
In Search of Stones by M. Scott Peck, MD
Reference
The Good House Book by Clarke Snell
The World Atlas of Golf by Pat Ward-Thomas
Self Help
Success is Never Ending Failure is Never Final by Robert Schuller
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Volunteers needed for Coopersville Cares Annual Sale
See the sign up sheet in the narthex by August 2 for the annual benefit sale for Coopersville Cares. Help is needed Monday, August 10, through Saturday, August 15, both men and women, for different shifts. Contact Bernice Feringa with questions at 837-9888.
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Cran-Hill Ranch Presents Senior Fall Dinners
Each day starting 11:45AM September 29th through October 1st and October 6th-8th. 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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W.O.W. Worship on the Waterfront
Grand Haven Waterfront Stadium – rain or shine
Sunday Evenings 7:30-8:45PM
No Cost No tickets
August 2 Matt Maher
August 9 Singing Crusaders
August 16 Caraway Puppet Celebration
August 23 Peder Eide
August 30 Chris Hansen & The Horns of Power with Marcia Kloote
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Godstock II – Revival at the River Continues
August 5-8 the Supernatural Training Center will be hosting Godstock II at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids. The goal is to bring unity to the Body of Christ while pollinating cross culturally and across denominational lines. There will be worship, teaching, a kids' zone, and opportunities for prayer, healing and other ministry. The event will be 7-10PM on Wednesday and Thursday, 10AM-10PM Friday and Saturday. Visit the website at www.supernaturaltraining.org to learn more.
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 Degage Ministries 9th Annual Walk-a-Thon Fundraiser will be held on Saturday, September 19, 9:30AM. TAKE IT TO THE STREETS 2009 features a walk through Heartside Neighborhood that highlights topics important to our community such as poverty, homelessness, social justice and many others. Each participant is encouraged to set a fundraising goal of $50 or more. Pledge sheets and a sample letter may be used when asking for support. These documents may be downloaded at www.DegageMinistries.org, or call 616/454-1661 for more information.
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Just for fun...
A mom was concerned about her Kindergarten son walking to school. He didn't want his mother to walk with him. She wanted to give him the feeling that he had some independence yet know that he was safe.
So she had an idea of how to handle it. His mother asked a neighbor if she would please follow him to school in the mornings, staying at a distance, so he probably wouldn't notice her.
The neighbor said that since she was up early with her toddler anyway it would be a good way for them to get some exercise as well, so she agreed.
The next school day, the neighbor and her little girl set out following behind Timmy as he walked to school with another child he knew. She did this for the whole week.
As the two walked and chatted, kicking stones and twigs, Timmy's little friend noticed the same lady was following them as she seemed to do every day all week. Finally she said to Timmy, "Have you noticed that lady following us to school all week? Do you know her?"
Timmy nonchalantly replied, "Yeah, I know who she is."
The little girl said, "Well, who is she?"
"That's just Shirley Goodnest," Timmy replied, "and her daughter Marcy."
"Shirley Goodnest? Who the heck is she and why is she following us?"
"Well," Timmy explained, "every night my Mom makes me say the 23rd Psalm with my prayers, 'cuz she worries about me so much. And in the Psalm it says, 'Shirley Goodnest and Marcy shall follow me all the days of my life' so I guess I'll just have to get used to it!"
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August 2~ Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a or Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15
Psalm 51:1-12 or Psalm 78:23-29
Ephesians 4:1-16
John 6:24-35
August 9~ Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33 or 1 Kings 19:4-8
Psalm 130 or Psalm 34:1-8
Ephesians 4:25-5:2
John 6:35, 41-51
August 16~ Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
1 Kings 2:10-12, 3:3-14 or Proverbs 9:1-6
Psalm 111 or Psalm 34:9-14
Ephesians 5:15-20
John 6:51-58
August 23~ Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11), 22-30, 41-43 or Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18
Psalm 84 or Psalm 34:15-22
Ephesians 6:10-20
John 6:56-69
August 30~ Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Song of Solomon 2:8-13 or Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9
Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9 or Psalm 15
James 1:17-27
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
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| Serving Community |
East Greeters:
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August 2
August 9
August 16
August 23
August 30
September 6
September 13
September 20
September 27
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Phil Luben & Keeley Heath
Roger & Jeanne Luben
Jaime & Wendy Maxwell
Jim & Laura McClellan
Kyle & Rachael McClellan
Sue Meindertsma
Todd & Debbie Meindertsma
Phil & Barb Metten
Tom & Donna Muller
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Coffee:
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August 2
August 9
August 16
August 23
August 30
September 6
September 13
September 20
September 27
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Rodger & Theresa Cheadle
Chuck & Connie Cook
Angel & Heather Dominguez
Mary Estrada & Lisa Maycroft
Jeannette Eisen & Sue Allen
Shane & Monica Feikema
Byron & Joy Flanders
Dennis & Pat Grossenbacher
Dave & Sharon Hekhuis
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Nursery:
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August 2
August 9
August 16
August 23
August 30
September 6
September 13
September 20
September 27
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Mike Lillibridge family & Carey Taylor
Rick Lillibridge family
Jim McClellan family
Kyle McClellan family
Meindertsma family & LVH
Miller/Hekhuis families
Mooney family & Melissa Veldman
Muller/Maxwell families
Pitz family & Kathy Veeneman
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Sound System:
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August 2
August 9
August 16
August 23
August 30
September 6
September 13
September 20
September 27
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Kyle McClellan
Ray Tibbe
David Rosel
Will Rosel
Kyle McClellan
Ray Tibbe
David Rosel
Will Rosel
Kyle McClellan
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Sunday School:
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August 2
August 9
August 16
August 23
August 30
September 6
September 13
September 20
September 27
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Summer Break
Summer Break
Summer Break
Summer Break
Summer Break
Summer Break
Tracy Snyder & Natalie Tibbe
Tracy Snyder & Natalie Tibbe
Tracy Snyder & Natalie Tibbe
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Communion Set Up:
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August 2
September 6
October 4
November 1
December 6
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Denise Wiersma
Molly Thiss
David Rosel
Phil Metten
Lois Adema
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Return to CoS Home Page
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