eBeacon
Rockford Reformed Church Weekly News
SUNDAY, APRIL 28
Big People, Small God
Proverbs 29:25 / Rev. Tim Meendering / 10:00 a.m.
Pre-Service Prayer @ 9:35 (Pastor Tim's Office)
Sunday School
Immediately following the service until 12:15
Adults - Fireside Room ( classes)
High School - Room 246
Middle School - Youth Room
Children - Fellowship Hall check-in

EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
2019 Directories
The latest church directory is printed and available in your mail folder in the office hallway. You may request extras from the front office.
Sign Up to Volunteer!
Check out the lobby this Sunday for ways to help out with Vacation Bible School! Job descriptions available. Not sure how you can help? Grab a donation tag, due by May 12. Stage set “work day” is Saturday, May 18, 10am-1pm, pizza lunch provided. We are collecting clean toilet paper tubes. Place in the blue 5 gallon bucket. See Beth Jennings with any questions!
We are currently collecting the following items that can be placed in the missions donation bin in the lobby: cereal, oatmeal, crackers, juice boxes. See the Missions & Outreach section at the end of this email for more urgent needs.
Sunday, May 5, 4pm. Join us in the Sanctuary for a Hymn Sing! This event is for anyone who loves to sing praises to God!
STAFF NOTES
Emillie Clayton - Director of Kids Hope

It is a blessing to be a part of Kids Hope USA. Kids Hope USA is a national mentorship program that works through church-school partnerships to facilitate positive mentorship relationships between members of the church and children at the school. As the director, I am blessed to see God working in the lives of mentors and students. I work with the most wonderful mentors and prayer partners here at Rockford Reformed Church. We are partnered with Valley View Elementary which has an amazing staff! It is a joy to serve in this role. Rockford Reformed Church currently is providing 22 mentors in the Rockford Public School System.

One amazing thing that these mentors are blessing their students with each week is confidence. Students are confident their mentor will SHOW UP each week. These kids look forward to that hour with their mentor so much, many days they are waiting at the classroom door. When mentors are committed to their meeting time, they are showing that their student can trust in them. Students grow in their self-confidence when they understand that this adult is SHOWING UP for them (and only them) each week. There are many paid specialist at the school who meet with a lot of students each day. When a child finds out that a mentor doesn’t meet with other children and they come just to meet with them, this makes the child feel valued and important, which leads to self-confidence. 

The mentors also build a student’s confidence by working with them on academics, emotional challenges, or social struggles. Mentors help students develop skills in areas where the student has had challenges. Mentors build a positive relationship with the student and they are able to identify and encourage areas of growth. Mentors can build a student’s confidence in math or reading. Mentors also build a child’s confidence in their relationships with friends. Mentors have had opportunities to build confidence in talking to adults and making eye contact during conversations. This is a mission Rockford Reformed Church has embraced for 19 years, in which time we have been blessed by and been a blessing to countless children. It has been a great way to build relationships in the community and it has been a good way to be the hands and feet of Christ in our Rockford community. As we seek God’s direction
for the future, I pray that the relationships we have built and the relationships we are building continue to bring opportunities to share God’s love and grace.

Let’s remember that every child - children in our home, grandchildren, neighbor children, and children in our church community - would benefit from a confidence boost. God has called us to love children and value their role in kingdom of God. Who is God calling you to encourage today? How might God be calling you to serve with children? Confidence is not just for kids, even adults benefit from confidence and encouragement, especially when we are serving and doing kingdom work. God’s word has the most amazing ability to build confidence in the lives of believers. It is packed full of encouragement for the children of God. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10. 

Have you been seeking confidence through the Bible? I pray that as a community at Rockford Reformed Church we are seeking God and finding the most abiding confidence through his amazing love.

If you are looking for an opportunity to serve with children, I would love to share about what it means to be a mentor or a prayer partner.
ADULTS - PRAYER & BIBLE STUDY
Karen Bazen, Adult Min. Leader; Kevin Johnson , Men's Min. Leader
Tuesdays, 7-8am, Fellowship Hall. Join us as we gather for coffee, breakfast, a devotional, and prayer.
Tuesdays, 9:30-11am, Room 212. Woman of God - Led by Carol Knox.
Every other Friday, 7-8am, Arnie's Restaurant. REAL - Relationship through Encouragement, Authenticity, and Love. REAL Men is a group that believes God is actively working in our lives, and that we all have a story that He wants us to tell. It is not a Bible study or an accountability group, and it is not exclusive to RRC, so invite others! Each meeting will feature a speaker. Note: Meet at Arnie's Restaurant, 34 S Squires St, downtown Rockford. The restaurant isn't open at that time, so we have the place to ourselves. Coffee and refreshments will be provided. N ext me eting: May 10.
A Life Group is a small group of 8-12 people that focuses on three priorities – sharing, study, and support. Life Group members will commit to meet together at least every other week through the school season—and even better, through the summer. We call these “Life Groups” because they are focused on (1) helping us grow in our life in Christ and (2) sharing life together. If you are interested in joining a life group or starting one up, please contact our Life Group Coordinator, Pam Jacobs.
ADULTS - JUST FOR FUN
Last Thursday of every month, 7-8:30pm, Fireside Room. This is not a Bible study or religious book study - books from a wide variety of genres are picked.  Next meeting: May 30 - The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
First Wednesday of every month, Fellowship Hall. Next meeting: May 1 - coffee at 10am
Adult Single Women's Lunch
Last Saturday of every month, 1pm. Next meeting: April 27 - Lunch at Rio Grand, then back to the Fellowship Hall for games and dessert. RSVP with Carol Knox (866-4845).
YOUTH MINISTRIES
Parents - please fill out our online Informed Consent Form for the 2018-19 school year!
Sundays, 6:30-8pm, Youth Room. Students in grades 9-12 spend time in worship, hear about God's word, and spend time in small groups. Special events throughout the year.
Final meeting this week, April 28
Wednesdays, 6:30-8pm, Youth Room. Students in grades 6-8 spend time in worship, hear about God's word, and spend time in small groups. Special events throughout the year.
Final meeting this week, May 1
High School: June 16-22 - Kentucky - $275
Middle School: July 21-27 - Ohio - $275
Promo codes available here.
CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES
Parents - please fill out our online Informed Consent Form for the 2018-19 school year!
Upcoming Dates
  • Last day of Sunday School - May 5
  • ROAR! (Vacation Bible School) - June 23-26
Promo codes available here.
We are currently collecting the following items. They can be placed in the giant wooden crate in the lobby.

North Kent Connect has put out an urgent plea to help them replenish their pantry. Their current supply is nearly depleted. Their biggest needs right now:

  • low-sugar cereal & oatmeal
  • canned tomato sauce & penne pasta
  • canned spinach, beets, & pears
  • monetary donations to help them purchase food in bulk
 
Throughout the year, we collect donation items for various community ministries such as North Kent Connect and Alpha Family Center of Cedar Springs. Signs in the lobby will tell you what items we are currently looking for.
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