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I have several things today to keep us all informed… First, we praise God for his provision of Andew Zokoe, who will begin serving as our Director of Youth Ministries, beginning on January 8, 2024. Just as Ashley and Leigh were stepping down, Andrew was suggested as a candidate who may be interested, and after some due diligence, we are excited to have Andrew, Andrea, and their two sons, Ezra, 5, and August, 18 months, join us in our ministry together. The Zokoes already had some connections and had worshiped with us in the past. Through many conversations over the last several weeks, it has become clear to all that we will enjoy rolling up our sleeves together toward our vision.
Andrew has degrees from Kuyper College and Calvin Theological Seminary and has served in two student ministry leadership positions with Grandville churches. He is currently serving as a Development Specialist for Resonate Global Mission, a mission arm of the Christian Reformed Church. Andrea serves as a clinical social worker and currently works with the perinatal and postpartum population. Ezra and August should fit right in as Andrew reports that they are boundless energy, fun, and bring them immense joy.
We are grateful as Tim VanderZwaag is providing the teaching/leadership through the last two lessons on Daniel for two more student ministry gatherings in December and Pat Verburg is organizing their Progressive Dinner on the 16th. Thank you to Leigh and Ashley as they have prepared well for a transition so that Andrew can hit ground running after the Christmas/New Year’s break.
This coming Sunday is the start of the Advent (which means “coming”) season, where we focus on how Jesus has come and prepare for his coming again. We will start into a sermon series on Sunday that revolves around the candles of the traditional advent wreath. And so, this Sunday, we will learn what it means to have hope through “God with us” (from the story of Matthew 1:18-25). This sermon will serve well to prepare us for celebrating the Lord’s Supper together. The succeeding Advent Sundays will focus on the candles of peace, joy, and love.
Your mailman should soon be delivering a follow-up letter for the Welcome campaign as we are all encouraged to turn in our pledge cards on this Sunday as well. As the renovation work increasingly takes shape, and Sunday’s worship crowd was wonderfully full, I get more excited about what a grand difference it will all make for giving us room to interact and warmly receive our guests and each other.
Christmas Eve day is on a Sunday this year and so, we will be hosting and celebrating the birth of Christ at our traditional time of 10am AND through a Christmas Eve candlelight service at 4 pm. We may be bursting a bit at the seams but DO invite family and friends to join us for this time of worship and celebration together.
Plan to join us for our annual congregational meeting on December 10 immediately following worship. The two primary agenda items will be the affirmation of our budget and elder and deacon candidates for 2024. A budget summary will be distributed next week. The elders carefully considered the nominations from everyone, and after inquiring with candidates regarding their willingness to serve, the consistory presents the following to be affirmed for serving in these positions: Fred Bazen as serving deacon, Scott Jacobs as shepherding elder, and Jerry Swett as administrative deacon and treasurer. We are grateful for their willingness to serve in this way. We also extend our appreciation to Dianne Bennett, Stan Gonsior, and Karen Bazen who complete their terms this year.
As a follow-up to our “Love Your Neighbor” sermon on this past Sunday, some of you signed up with Volunteers In Service (VIS) as one way to serve and meet the needs of the neighbors in our community. I noted that North Kent Connect has recognized that affordable housing and transportation are two of the most pressing needs in our community and they have encouraged us to utilize the service that VIS provides in connecting transportation needs with church members who have a car and a bit of time. You can learn more and see that there are other ways to serve at this link as well. You can contact VIS directly, but they prefer to have you sign up here at the church so that they know that you come recommended from our leadership. In addition to the sign-up sheets on the tables in the Family Life Center, you can also sign up online through our website. Serving through the VIS connections can provide wonderful opportunities to develop new relationships, and to pray and share with our “neighbors.”
There are so many evidences of God’s gracious Spirit at work among us and through us. We are indeed moving toward our “someday” of bringing in the kingdom—his glorious reign in our community—through an every-day focus and dependence on the power of the gospel. Thank you for your faithfulness in giving toward our vision and ministries. New people are being invited and welcomed. Remember the statistic I quoted a few weeks ago—that for 86% of people who start attending church, it began with an invitation from a friend. So, invite a friend!
Several people have indicated a desire for exploring membership with us, and so we have scheduled a Discovery Class for January 7 and 14 at 5-7 pm. If you are just wanting to learn a bit more about us and what we are about, you are welcome to join us.
Thanks for enduring through this longer than normal update. We give thanks for our Lord and Savior’s persevering and powerful grace at work!
Grace and peace,
Pastor Tim
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