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Thank you so much for celebrating the covenant of call last Sunday! I’m so grateful for Chris Noordyke and the search committee for all of their work. Martha Irwin and Darcy Hartley pulled off a smashing reception, with decorating help from Gail Duchon and Marsha Steensma.
The Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniel was fantastic, and I have all four of her books, if you would like to read them. She is witty and highly intelligent, and she loves the church – sometimes that’s a rare combination! Rick Hamilton was here from the Michigan region to preside at the installation, and he will be back with us on Jill’s last Sunday, April 14.
Also visiting us were the Rev. Laurie Crelly from East Church (UCC) in Grand Rapids, Rev. John and Lisa Martek from Church of Christ (DoC) in Luther, MI, Rev. Rick Dykema from Ada Congregational (UCC), Rev. Peter Morgan and Rev. Bob Oliveria from Cowden Lake Christian Church (DoC), Rev. Zach Martin and Ann McCauslin from Central Woodward Christian Church (DoC) in Troy, Rev. Deltonte Powell from Vermont Christian Church (DoC) in Flint, Sharon Ongaro and Rosalie Karunar from Journey of Faith (DoC) in Ann Arbor, Jane Scholtens from Wyoming Park Bible Fellowship, Carol and Rick Rienstra from Church of the Servant in Grand Rapids, Valerie Peacock from Belding Congregational (UCC) and my mother, Dorothy Davidson, from First Christian Church (DoC) in Abilene, Texas. AND many, many folks from Cascade Christian Church!
And just like that, I’m all installed and lit up like a light bulb . . . can’t wait to see what the future holds for all of us!
Yours, on the journey,
Gail Davidson, Senior Minister
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Holy Week Activities
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Palm Sunday | March 24: Children will sing and process with palms at the 9:30 service. Palms will also be available at the 11:00 service. Youth will be hosting a fundraiser brunch following both services.
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Maundy Thursday Service | March 28, 6:30 in the sanctuary: This service centers around the Last Supper and includes communion.
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Good Friday | March 29 at noon: A joint service with area churches at Thornapple Community Church, 3260 Thornapple River Drive.
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Easter Sunday | March 31, 9:30 sanctuary and 11:00 chapel: Includes our choir performing at both services.
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Women's Night Out
Friday, March 8 | 5:30pm
Please join the women of the church for a Lenten Fish Fry at St. Mary, Great Mother of God Catholic Church. This is International Women’s Day and we will celebrate by gathering at Saint Mary and enjoying all you can eat fish and side dishes at 5:30. If you wish to car pool from Cascade Christian meet in the parking lot by the office at 5:00PM. St Mary, Great Mother of God Catholic Church is located at 402 Amity St SE, Lowell. The cost is $13 for all you can eat, with desserts for $1 extra.
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Crock Pot Cook-Off
Sunday, March 3 | 12:00-2:00pm
Plan to attend our annual Crock Pot Cook-Off Youth Fundraiser and sign up to bring a dish to enter. Awards will be given for best appetizer, best entrée, best dessert, and best name. Contact the church office to sign up. Donations are used to subsidize youth events, making them more accessible to all our students.
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Easter Choir Rehearsals
Tuesdays | 6:00pm
We are putting together a choir to share a song with live accompaniment in both Sunday morning services on Easter (March 31). Rehearsals start on Tuesday, February 27 at 6:00pm in the Sanctuary. For information, contact Ron Hurd.
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Ministry in the Kent County Jail
For a number of years, we have supported the chaplain’s office at the Kent County Jail by providing Easter packets for their clients. This year, we will provide 2,000 of those thanks to the generosity of your SAMO ministry team. This packet includes an Easter meditation from Gail, a blank card that folks can mail to their family or friends (with a stamp, so that it does not have to go through the correction system mail service and be labeled as such), and chocolate candy. Representatives from the jail will be here to supervise the packing on Thursday, March 14, beginning at 9:30am. We will be in Centennial Hall, and volunteers are welcome! Contact Diane Phelps for more information.
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Soup & Sandwich
Last month, Home Repair Services brought the program, which was excellent. Our own Adam Homan serves as their youngest-ever board president! Executive Director Joel Ruiter talked about the importance of home ownership for building generational wealth, and the disparity between percentages of black and white homeowners in Grand Rapids. Home Repair Services targets “vulnerable” populations like seniors and those below the poverty level to provide repairs and modifications like ramps and grab bars in the bathroom. You can also attend free classes at their facility to learn to remodel your own home – no matter what your income level. Our SAMO ministry provides monthly funding to the organization. Thanks to Deb Wisneski and Jan Schichtel for a Mardi Gras themed lunch!
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Camp Crystal Summer 2024
Camp Crystal has overnight and full-day summer camps for all ages – elementary, middle and high school, young adults, and families! Grades 2-12 can enjoy overnight camp, parents or grandparents can attend Day Camp with younger children, and adults can look forward to family camp and retreats.
This summer's theme is "Linked by Love". We see God’s love in close friends and family. Through the life and example of Jesus Christ, we will explore what the Bible says about how the love of God changes us and helps us to be disciples who bring wholeness to a broken world.
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2024 Dates:
Elementary Camp (Entering Grades 2-6) | June 16-21
Day Camp (Age 5 - 6th Grade) | June 25-27
Middle School Camp (Entering Grades 7-9) | July 14-20
High School Camp (Entering Grades 10-12 | July 14-20
Family Camp | July 21-27
Beloved Community Camp | August 8-11
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The Camp Crystal Scholarship Application deadline is March 1st.
We want as many people as possible to come with us to Camp this summer. If you know of anyone who would like to come to camp but needs financial assistance, please make sure they apply today!
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Changes at the Cascade Child Development Center (CDC)
We held an open house on Sunday, February 11, in the Infant/Toddler and Preschool areas to showcase all the new furniture and toys, with an opportunity to meet Director Maria Christianson! This was a long-awaited upgrade in our facility. Maria’s office has also recently been repaired after the flood hit it, and you can find her on the second floor. As Dana Froumis, board chair, says, “We are all one!” The church board serves as the CDC board as well, and it meets on the third Thursday of each month at 6:00pm. Many of the families in the CDC belong to other churches, but Cascade Christian builds goodwill among the community by providing the vital ministry of high-quality child care.
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Special Offering for Disciples Mission Fund
Disciples Mission Fund (DMF) is the way Disciples churches fund global and homeland ministries, colleges and seminaries, general youth and young adult programming, Search and Call and so much more!! We will receive offerings on Palm Sunday and Easter, March 24 and 31. Envelopes will be available, or you can designate "DMF" on your check.
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Transportation Volunteers Needed
Are you looking for ways to put your LOVE into action? Volunteers In Service (VIS) can help! Transportation was the #1 request VIS received in 2023 and we need more people who are willing to sign up as a driver. Transportation could be picking up food from a pantry or grocery store, driving someone to a medical appointment or taking them on errands. If you are willing to join our list of transportation volunteers, please contact Debbie Jones at dbjones@visgr.org or 616-459-7500 ext. 116.
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GriefShare: Grief Support Group
Thursdays | 10:00-11:30am (Coffee House)
Everyone is welcome to attend Grief Share, a support ministry for those experiencing loss. We meet every Thursday through April 11 in the church coffee house from 10:00-11:30 to watch a video and discuss an aspect of grief. For more information please call Jill at the church office.
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Gail, Jill, and Adam providing "Ashes-to-Go" on Ash Wednesday. | |
Forest Hills Adult Community Band Concert
Sunday, March 3 | 2:30pm (Right after Crock Pot Cook-Off)
Gail Davidson and Sara Preston play in the band, and the GoTeam bought an ad in the program book, welcoming folks to Cascade Christian Church! We would love to have a great group there! The concert is at Forest Hills Eastern High School Auditorium (2200 Pettis Ave NE, Ada). Use the parking lot and auditorium off Knapp St SE. Doors open at 2:10 and there will be a pre-concert talk with director John Martin at 2:15.
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Healthy Heart Presentation
Sunday, March 10 | 10:35am (Right after 9:30 Service)
Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Your heart is extremely important to take care of because it helps your body get the proper oxygen and nutrients it needs to help you live a long and healthy life. Curious to know how you can improve your overall heart health? Molly Cope, RN, BSN and her colleagues from the University of Michigan – Flint's Graduate School of Nursing program will be presenting an informal session on improving your overall cardiovascular health on Sunday, March 10 in the church Coffee House immediately following the 9:30 service. All are welcome!
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March Recurring Events
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DAYS FOR GIRLS: Saturday, March 9, 1:00-4:00pm | All are invited to meet in Centennial Hall to help create menstrual care kits for those in need around the globe.
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SOUL WARMERS: Mondays, March 11 & 25, 2:00-4:00pm | Knitting and fellowship in Room 112. Beginners and experienced knitters are welcome!
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SOUP & SANDWICH LUNCH: Thursday, March 21, 12:00pm | Join us for a delicious lunch and time of fellowship and sharing in Centennial Hall. This month, Chuck and Gail Snow will be sharing about their 2020 New England Adventure.
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BOARD MEETING: Thursday, March 21, 6:00pm | This month's meeting will be held via Zoom. All are welcome, contact the church office for the link!
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DIVERSITY & INCLUSION: Saturday, March 23, 9:00am | Join us in the Coffee House for a time of meaningful discussion.
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GAME NIGHT: Friday, March 22, 7:00pm | Bring a drink and a snack to share and meet in the Chapel Basement. Contact Debbie Jones with any questions.
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COLLEGE BOX MINISTRY: Tuesday, March 26, 5:30pm | Meet in Centennial Hall to pack March's care boxes.
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VETERANS GROUP: Wednesday, March 27, 10:00am | Veterans are invited to connect in the Coffee House on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Contact Mel Bauman for more information.
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Sunday School
Sundays during the 9:30 Service
Join us for Sunday School at 9:30 every Sunday. We begin with worship in the sanctuary with our families, and then go up to Sunday School after the children’s moment. There are activity bags in the entry way of the sanctuary for children to use during worship. Please return the bags at the end of the service or in Sunday School. Parents are to come to the upstairs classrooms in the Education Building to get their child after the service is over. There is a child sign-out sheet by the door.
Our crib room for infants and toddlers is located on the first floor of the Education Building and is available at both the 9:30 and 11:00 services.
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Lenten Sonshine Contest
During the season of Lent we encourage our children to do “something more” rather than give something up. Our children will receive/have been given a Lenten devotional book and other fun activities to use during the season of Lent, and each activity they complete will earn them Sonshine dollars to spend on Easter Sunday. It is the church’s hope that children will enjoy these faith building activities in the forty days before Easter. They can also get points by coming to Kid Club, Sunday School, bringing their Bibles, bringing a friend, memorizing scripture, the books of the Bible, and the Lord’s Prayer. The Lenten Sonshine points can then be spent on Easter Sunday for fun toys, treats, and prizes. Please see Jill if you need a Lenten devotional, and come to Sunday School each week to tally up your points.
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Bible Sunday
In keeping with a long time tradition at Cascade Christian, the church gave out Bibles on Sunday, February 18 to children in fourth grade on up. Being that it was mid-winter break, some children did not yet get their Bibles and we will award them in the coming Sundays. Bibles were shared with Emerson Condon, Wyatt Fonnesbeck, Madilynn Noordyke, Luke Noordyke, Sean O’Brien, Ariana Reavis, Lacey Scharfschwerdt, Jia Solberg, Kaylee Stein, and Mark Stein. If your child has not received a Bible from the church please contact Jill.
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Camp Crystal
Elementary aged children are invited to Elementary Camp, June 16-21, and/or Day Camp, June 25-27 at Camp Crystal. These are both great introductory camps at our regional camp facility—Crystal Conference Center. Check the camp out online at www.crystalconferencecenter.org.
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Easter Sunday
Sunday, March 31
Join us for a big Easter Celebration on Sunday, March 31 at 9:30 in Centennial Hall. Bring your Sonshine dollars to spend, be ready for prizes like stuffed animals, jewelry, crosses, eggs, toys, and Easter candy . We will also have a Veggie Tale movie and fun Easter crafts as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus!
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Parents' Night Out
Friday, March 22 | 5:30-8:00pm
Children are invited to come to Centennial Hall in the Education Building from 5:30-8:00pm on Friday, March 22 while their parents have a night out. Infants through fifth graders are welcomed to join in a light supper, a movie, crafts, snacks, and games. Kids - This night will be a pajama party – and you are invited to bring a sleeping bag and wear your pj’s while your parents have a night out. Parents, children MUST be registered for this event – email Jill or call her at 616.949.1360, or click the button below. Registrations MUST be received by noon on Wednesday, March 20.
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Kid Club
Wednesdays through Easter | 4:00-5:30pm
Children in kindergarten through fifth graders are invited to Kid Club, a Bible study small group that meets on Wednesdays from 4:00-5:30pm. Join us to study the life of Jesus, his miracles, parables, and the events of Holy Week. We meet in the upstairs of the Education Building (follow the signs to the room). It is helpful if families pre-register by emailing Jill or calling the church office at 616.949.1360.
This class is repeated for children of families coming to the Wednesday night classes from 6:30-7:30. Please contact Jill for more information.
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Weekly Events
Sunday School and Wednesday Night Youth Group continue to meet weekly for Middle & High School students. Join us Sunday mornings at 11:00 for Sunday School. On Wednesday Nights we have separate studies for 5th-8th grade and high school from 6:30-7:30pm, followed by an optional hour to hang out and have fun together until 8:30pm.
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SpringHill Winter Retreat
In early February, Cascade Christian's youth group joined several Michigan Disciples youth groups (47 people in all!) at the SpringHill Winter Retreat for a weekend of intense fun and faith formation. We engaged in a ton of activities, like snow tubing, escape rooms, laser tag, and came together for four worship sessions and small groups throughout the weekend. It was a very formative and fun outing for our region's youth.
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Griffins Game
Friday, March 1 | 6:00pm
We will be going to the Griffins on Friday, March 1st. Tickets are covered, so just bring money for food. We will be meeting at the church at 6:00pm and should return home sometime between 10:30-11:00pm.
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Middle School Madness
Friday, March 15 | 5:30-8:00pm
Middle School Madness returns! One Friday each month starting on March 15th, we're hosting an evening where Middle Schoolers can gather for dinner, group activities, and hanging out with friends. We'll gather in the Middle School room from 5:30-8:00pm. This is a GREAT opportunity for our Middle Schoolers to introduce their friends to our safe, loving, and supportive community.
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Friday Fun Night
Friday, March 22 | 5:30-8:00pm
Students in 5th-12th grade are invited to attend Friday Fun Night on March 22nd from 5:30-8:00PM, where we'll have an evening of food, friends, and fun! This is a casual and open event - perfect for inviting friends!
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Palm Sunday Brunch Fundraiser
Sunday, March 24 | Following both services
On Palm Sunday the youth of our church will be hosting a brunch for the whole church. Sign up here to help us serve!
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Unused Equipment Sales
In February, the youth group sold the retro gaming consoles & games that have been sitting unused in the Middle School room. From the sale, we were able to donate $200 to Week of Compassion and $200 to the Patterson Scholarship Fund.
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Save the Date:
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Camp Cleanup Weekend: May 17-18 | Every year we go to Camp Crystal for a weekend in May to help get the camp ready for the summer. This trip is free and a great opportunity to serve a place we all love! Families are welcome to join us.
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Elementary Camp: June 16-21 | If your student is interested in being a Counselor-in-Training, please click here to apply by March 1.
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Mackinac Island Trip: July 23-25 | Mark your calendars for our annual Mackinac Island trip!
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Middle School & High School Camp: July 14-20 | Sign-ups start January 15 and scholarship applications are due March 1! Click here to apply for a scholarship.
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- Our sympathy to Pat Galloway, Ron Galloway, and Phyllis VandenBerg in the death of their brother Al Galloway on February 22. Funeral arrangements are pending.
- Mike O'Brien is being evaluated for a bone marrow transplant.
- Jim O'Brien is having eye surgery on February 22.
- Russ Swanson is at Butterworth Hospital after surgery.
- Pam Dykhuizen, Barb Dykhuizen and others are at the Huron Valley Women's Prison doing ministry this weekend.
Those in Care Centers:
Joanne Crawford (Mission Point)
Margie Duiven (The Woods; Don is at home)
Angie Gilder (Raybrook)
Fay Johnson and Barb Bryant (Sentinel Pointe)
Doris McNeeley (Green Acres, Ionia)
Bonnie Merritt (Holland Home, Raybrook)
Ron Bly and Barbara Peters (Sunrise)
Dorothy Rieger (StoryPoint, Rockford)
Phyllis Smith (Sunrise)
Scott Zeeryp (Eaton Co. Health & Rehab, Charlotte, MI)
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Joan Blain – March 1
Emma Bacle – March 1
Leanna Barnett – March 1
Sue Barger – March 3
Wendy McGillicuddy – March 3
Cooper James – March 3
Laurie Schultz – March 4
Jeff Reavis – March 5
Michael Armour – March 5
Jane VomSteeg – March 7
Michael Noordyke – March 7
Melinda McKinley – March 7
John Hamstra – March 9
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Alan Doering – March 10
Robert Berkeley – March 15
Ken Parker – March 15
Rick Powers – March 16
Sawyer Placinski – March 16
Carol O'Rourke – March 21
Rachael Farwell – March 23
Heather Bacle – March 25
Gail Duchon – March 25
Carlee Koessel – March 26
Grace Powers – March 26
Debbie Jones – March 30
Jessica Sullivan – March 30
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Contact the church office to add your birthday to the monthly list! | | | | |
