The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness;
His mercies begin afresh
each morning.
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NLT)
April 27, 2022
VIS is back attending deacons meetings!

VIS has missed meeting with deacons in person over the past few years and is very excited to have met recently with deacons from 4 churches, and have 7 additional deacon meetings scheduled over the next few months. What happens when VIS attends a meeting?

1.We celebrate and give thanks for the ways we see God at work.

"We have had several new people from the neighborhood attend."
"We just held a new member's class and another one is already needed."
"Church members are faithful in collecting food and/or backpacks for the community."

2.Deacons identify challenges they are facing in their work.

"Benevolence needs. How to help beyond the physical need."
"Knowing the resources available."
"Need financial mentors."
"Knowing when our help is really enabling someone."
"How to prevent burnout."

The purpose of meeting with deacons is to learn from deacons what they are facing and then to discern how VIS can best support their work. These conversations are the beginning of a relationship between VIS and a church. VIS is available anytime to deacons as a resource or support service. It is our privilege to serve together with you. If you would like VIS to attend your deacon meeting, please call 616.459.7500 or email Suzanne at sreinink@visgr.org.

"Thank you VIS, for attending our meeting. This was the best and most productive meeting I have attended in a very long time."
(Pastor of Community Outreach)
Prayer Praises

Below are answers to prayers that were requests a few months ago. God is good! Thank you for praying with us!

Give thanks that Rodney was able to receive a new kidney. Praise that he is feeling better and thankful for the blessings his volunteer has been to him through the VIS card ministry. 

Praise for an answer to prayer that an elderly couple are now in the same facility and no longer separated.

Prayer Requests

VIS friend who is a single mom struggling with post-partum depression.

For additional volunteers to serve the many VIS friends who need assistance.
Community Engagement
Sign Up Today!

When: Wednesday, May 4
Time: 6:30pm-8pm
Where: Princeton Christian Reformed Church

Building a relationship is the beginning of doing life together and sharing the gospel. How can we meaningfully connect with our neighbors as people of faith? We hope you can join this discussion. To register Click Here
Deacon Orientation Training
Save the Date!

Monday, August 15
Wednesday, August 24
Tuesday, August 30
Thursday, September 15--Daytime

Locations and a link to register will be available at a later time .

This training is for new deacons or current deacons that may want to have a refresher on the role of the deacon.

All trainings are from 6:30pm-8:30pm unless otherwise noted.

There is no cost to attend but an RSVP will be required to assure we have enough materials.
Can You Help?
VIS receives many serving opportunity requests. If you are able to assist
with these requests, please let us know.
Thank you!
1) Haircut Needed  
Melanie is 62 years old and homebound due to health issues with her legs. She would appreciate having someone come to her home to cut her hair. She is willing to pay, if necessary. Melanie would sit in her wheelchair while her hair is being cut.
Location: Breton and 43rd SE. (Contact Rosemary at rtymes@visgr.org or call 459-7500 if you can help).  


2) Mother's Helper
Andrea is a young single mom with a four month old son. She is suffering from post-partum depression. She would love to have the help of a woman who is willing to walk beside her and support her through this time.
Location: Near Buchanan and Burton.
(Contact Debbie at dbjones@visgr.org or call 459-7500 if you can help)


3) Organizing
Amy is 58 and moved to Grand Rapids. She is in a much smaller home and needs help organizing. Amy suffers from a brain injury, PTSD, and ADHD. She can do physical tasks but needs help deciding what to do and in what order.
Location: Near Collindale and Leonard NW. (Contact Rosemary at rtymes@visgr.org or call 459-7500 if you can help)
4) Cleaning
Ann is 86 and needs help with light housekeeping. She has all of the cleaning supplies and would like help every two weeks if possible.
Location: Grandville. (Contact Rosemary at rtymes@visgr.org or call 459-7500 if you can help)


5) Friendly Visitor and Walking Friend
Vivian is 88 and a widow. She gets lonely and would like someone to visit with her and encourage her to walk outside. Her husband was a heavy smoker, so there is still the smell of stale smoke in the home.
Location: Near 40th and Burlingame. (Contact Rosemary at rtymes@visgr.org or call 459-7500 if you can help)

VIS has many more opportunities to serve than are listed in this newsletter. For more information contact Debbie Jones at dbjones@visgr.org