Fall Kick-off!
It’s been a great summer season, but we’re ready to get back to our regularly scheduled program! Sunday, September 8, 2024 (just two weeks away) will be our Fall Kick-off, where we will remind ourselves of our mission as a local church and learn about the options for discipleship, fellowship, and service for the Fall months. After worship, there will be a Sign-up Fair in the Fellowship Hall and a First Kids Walk-thru and scavenger hunt. Each Team as well as Student Ministry and Bethlehem Journey will have tables with a representative to share about their programs and volunteer opportunities.
Then, at 11:30, Sloppy Joes, Hotdogs and fixin’s will be served outside in the circle drive. Tables will be set up for our most senior friends, so bring your own lawn chairs if you’re able. Also outside will be a bounce house, dunk tank for our mean pastors and interns, and yard games. It will be a great afternoon to hang out as a church family and celebrate what God is going to do over the next several months. No charge and feel free to invite friends!
Student Ministry Update from Hayden
It’s been an incredible summer in youth ministry as we continue to see God work in so many ways. Just this past Sunday, multiple young men and women shared their testimonies with each other after a long day of swimming, tubing, and more. It was incredible to see these high schoolers’ hearts for the Lord and openness to share their struggles, triumphs, and revelations, but ultimately how they saw God’s amazing grace through it all. Which makes me glad to report that this hasn’t been a rare sight this summer. As middle schoolers and high schoolers alike have been showing their love for the Lord and their desires to grow in him and be a light to others. So, as the summer winds down and the fall breeze can be felt, we pray that we can continue to foster and create environments that allow the Holy Spirit to move and encourage the youth to seek the Lord and be on fire for him. Thank you to the youth that continue to seek, the parents, the supporters, and everyone else who makes this possible.
Bethlehem Journey Date Change
To the relief of most of our Team Leaders, we have adjusted Bethlehem Journey back to it’s regular date, which is the first weekend in December. The dates for this season’s event are December 5, 6, & 7. And with that worked out, we are very excited to bring back this awesome Christmas celebration! The set-up and practice schedule has been finalized and we will open sign-ups at the Fall Kick-off. We need actors, hospitality workers, set designers and setup help. This is truly a whole church event, so please think about how you could serve. Then get ready for pumping some Christmas Spirit into the City of Portage!
Tech Team Leader
Dan Kallaward, who’s been serving faithfully for many years as the Tech Team Leader, has decided to step down due to some changes in his job and family life schedule. We want to thank Dan for all he’s done heading up that team and are grateful to have him still on the schedule for Projector and Sound! This also means that we are looking for a new leader for this team. The Tech Team Leader should be a member of the church (or willing to pursue membership), have a good aptitude for technology and a willingness to learn, be comfortable scheduling volunteers and able to help implement technologies and programs that help the Worship Team create a God-honoring environment for Sunday mornings. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Kyle.
Prayer Requests and Praises
- Laura VanSweden has surgery for her melanoma removal tomorrow (8/23).
- Praise for a growing number of high schoolers at the high school yg meetings. A recent hangout lasted over seven hours and included everyone sharing their testimonies with one another!
- Ask the Lord to bless the Fall Kick-off and some of the fresh ways of communicating how to be involved in life at First Reformed.
- Pray for Allysa Pfiefer (Kirby) as she continues to seek answers to some health questions.
- For healing for Ron Terpstra’s plantar fasciitis, especially with his upcoming trip to Alaska.
- For college students returning to classes, and especially for incoming Freshman, that they would connect with good, healthy communities of faith.
