March 22, 2023

Dear Rockford Reformed Church Family and Friends,

There are a few things to catch us up on today. First, as the final step in a process that began about a year ago, the North Grand Rapids Classis voted last night to grant our request to be released from the RCA to join the ARC. Thank you for your prayers and grace as we have navigated through this process. As we noted in our recent congregational meeting, there is no need for a name change. We will persist with the same vision of “Someday” the kingdom coming into our community through an every-day, relentless focus and dependence on the gospel.

There will be one more Priorities sermon in the series on this Sunday before we start into Holy Week. We will learn about the vital priority of “His Glory” from Jesus’ prayer and final teaching in John 17:1-6, 22-26. This text and focus will also naturally lead us into a celebration of communion together.

Our Palm Sunday, we will turn to Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem recorded in Matthew 21:18-22 and see what it means to be “Bearing Fruit.” Family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers are always welcome to join us for any of our gatherings. But, Easter is a worship gathering where some are more inclined to say yes than other times. And so, pray about and for someone whom you can ask and then do it! It will be a grand celebration of Christ’s resurrection with expanded music and instruments.

We will soon welcome some new members during a worship service. But, for now, I just want to highlight and congratulate Jon and Marissa Brinks who were received by the elders in February. Amelia Ann was born on March 12 and all are doing well. I look forward to introducing them and others to you all soon.

Trivia Night will be a great time for fun, fellowship, and connecting. Our team will consist of various neighbors from our cul-de-sac. Thank you to all the families who have joined together to put on this great event. I have three big pork butts ready for the smoker starting early Friday morning.

God is at work in us and yet, just getting started. We look forward with great hope and confidence in him.

Grace and peace,

Pastor Tim