Happening This Sunday

February 3, Intergenerational Sunday School will meet at 9am. Everyone is welcome to this family friendly time. Our 10am worship will be a Prism service—a combined Standard English/Basic English service in the large sanctuary. Everyone is invited to stay for a simple all-church meal in the café immediately following worship.

Next Sunday

The Joyful Noise Orchestra will be leading the music for our worship next Sun. Feb. 10.  Anyone who plays an orchestra or band instrument is welcome to join this intergenerational group. We welcome beginners and experienced players.  There will be rehearsals this Wed. Feb. 6 at 6:30pm and on Sun. Feb. 10 at 9am.  Music is available in the music room to be picked up today.  Please sign up in the music room or email Maria Stapert (music@coscrc.org).  If you have any questions, ask Maria. 

Also on Sunday, February 10, those who participated in the African Drumming Class with Leah Ivory last year are invited to lead a couple of songs during communion.  We will learn and rehearse the songs on Wednesday, February 6 from 6-6:30pm and on Sun. Feb. 10 from 8:45-9am.  If there are others who would like to learn the songs and join on the djembes, please contact Maria Stapert (music@coscrc.org). 

Youth News

Sun. Feb. 3 – 9am – IGSS: What are your hopes for the church? Several of our high school students will be sharing their hopes.  Come and support them—and spend time listening to and sharing your hopes.

11:45am – All-Church Lunch! Join us at the YOUTH TABLES for a delicious meal and spend time catching up with other students.  Following lunch, we will head to the youth room ‘til 2pm for a group discussion and some game time. 

Sun. Feb. 10-17 – Meet with small groups

Sat. – Sun. Feb. 23-24 – High School Winter Retreat! We will leave COS at 10am on Sat., Feb. 22 to go to the Beversluis cottage in N. Muskegon, and return to COS around 2:30pm Sunday.  All high school students are invited to attend!  Our topic: Gender, Sexuality, and the Church—continued.  Mr. Larry Borst will guide us through discussions around this topic, looking at what scripture says, and help us learn how to navigate discussions with people who hold different viewpoints. 

RSVP required!  Contact Annette.ediger@coscrc.org to reserve your spot.

Church News

Knitters’ Night Out – Saturday, 9 February at 7:30pm.  Knitters (and other needle crafters) are welcome to join us at Deanna van Dijk’s home, 1852 Radcliff Ave SE, Grand Rapids.  Email dvandijk@calvin.edu or phone 427-3825 with questions.

The Thursday Bible study resumes this week Thurs. February 7, 2019.  We will be studying RUTH and ESTHER, using a study by Kathleen B. Nielson, Crossway Books.  We will begin with an Introduction to Ruth this week. Prepare by reading Ruth. Study guides will be available when first we meet.  We will meet Thursdays, 9:30–11am, in the café area.  Childcare provided.  ALL ARE WELCOME!

The Memory Caregivers Support group meets this Tuesday, February 5 at 10am in the COS Living Room.

Save the date: our ‘Yikes, where is my memory going’ meeting is rescheduled for Tues., Feb. 26, 10am – COS living room. (This is a different group than the caregivers support group which meets this week.)

Sunday, April 7 will be a VERY special day!   COS will host a big BIRTHDAY celebration with lots of food, singing and dancing to which ALL will be invited!  Curious?  Watch for more details in the bulletin and check this connection in the near future: #10thbesbirthdayparty 

Transportation to and From Church: Do you come to church with a few empty seats in your car or van?  Would you like them filled with some wonderful people?   Once….or twice… or more times a month, you can be a part of bringing people to church, or bringing people home after church or both.  Interested?  Please contact Paul Brink at Look forward to hearing from you and working something out. 

Parents of Children in K-12 Christian Schools: If you are in need of financial assistance, it’s time to apply for the tuition assistance program for the 2019/2020 school year. Updated step-by-step instructions can be found here: coscrc.org/education. Application is completed online; you will find the direct link to the COS FACTS page on the website. Don’t wait for your taxes; apply now using 2017 taxes and meet the earlier deadlines!
Important deadlines: You should have submitted your name using the online form by Feb 1 • Submit FACTS app and documentation by March 1.
• Mandatory Face-to-face meeting will take place March 20 between 6-9 pm.  After your application has been received you will get an email to sign up for a meeting time.

This Wednesday, Feb.6, 6:30 – 8pm Michelle Warren, Advocacy and Strategic Engagement Director for Christian Community Development Association will be available to meet COS members and talk about the CCDA initiative “Locked in Solidarity: Awareness and Action on Mass Incarceration.”   Sponsored by COS’s Prisoners in Christ and the Anti-racism and Reconciliation Team. Please stop by after the Wednesday supper.   More information at www.prisonersinchrist.org

Registration is open for the February 21-23 and March 7-9 Understanding Racism Workshops. These workshop experiences are designed to explore the deep racial complexity of the United States and begin to explore paths for reconciliation. Our goal is to gain insight in understanding systemic racism through the eyes of faith and Scripture.

We encourage all leaders and members at Church of the Servant to attend one of these workshops. This effort helps us to become focused and work together to address one of our country’s greatest troubles. Register on line at CORRnow.org. Questions?  Contact janice.mcwhertor@gmail.com

Simply give update- We are delighted to report that the 1018 Simply Give campaign generated $22,870 for the COS food pantry!  Thank you!!