GPS will meet this Sunday, January 27 at
January 27 during our
Next Sunday
On February 3 Intergenerational Sunday School will meet at
Youth News
We are going to continue to join the adult Sunday school class this week to talk about racism in Grand Rapids. This week’s class will look at Racism and Housing Discrimination. See you at 9 am in the cafe area! And yes, there will be donuts!
Join us again today for 4-for-4 (noon-2 pm). Here’s what’s happening: We’ll join together for lunch, then take your pick:
1. Continued racism discussion
2. Brownie baking
3. Board games
4. Joe ball
The Annual Winter Retreat will take place Sat., Feb. 23-Sun., Feb. 24. We will continue our discussions on gender, sexuality and the church with sessions facilitated by Mr. Larry Borst. See you there!
Church News
The Thursday morning Bible study will resume on February 7, 9:30-11am in the café with the books of Ruth and Esther. Study books will be available the first day we meet. Prepare if you’d like, by reading the book of Ruth.
The Joyful Noise Orchestra will be leading the music for our worship on Sunday, February 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 on Wednesday, February 6 at 6:30pm and on Sunday, February 10 at 9:00am. Music is available in the music room to be picked up today. Please sign up in the music room or by emailing 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 6:00-6:30pm and on Sunday, February 10 from 8:45-9:00am. If there are others who would like to learn the songs and join on the djembes, please contact Maria Stapert (music@coscrc.org).
Save the date: our ‘Yikes, where is my memory going’ meeting was cancelled last week due to ice. It is rescheduled for Tues., Feb. 26, 10am – COS living room.
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
1st Saturday of the month-All English language learners K-8 are welcome to COS for a game morning at 10am.
Needed: 1) Students 2) leaders who want to get to know these students and to help them learn the games 3) drivers to get them to and from their homes. Contact Mugs Mast.
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:
• Please submit your name using the online form by Feb 1 – This will help
the team prepare for applications and track the process.
• 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.
COS’s Prisoners in Christ team will host a conversation with Michelle Warren, author of “The Power of Proximity,” on Wed. Feb. 6, 6:30 – 8pm at COS after the church supper. Michelle serves as the Advocacy and Strategic Engagement Director for the national Christian Community Development Association (CCDA), based in Chicago, founded by Rev. John Perkins. She will focus on CCDA’s initiative “Locked in Solidarity: Awareness and Action on Mass Incarceration.” For more information, go to www.prisonersinchrist.org
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
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
Are you looking for a good book or magazine to help you learn more about the amazing diversity among God’s children in our gender and sexuality? There is a resource section in the library which can help us gain knowledge and facilitate our discussions as we extend justice and affirmation for all God’s beloved. The bookcase is located between the couch and the door to the café. Feel free to borrow but return in a couple of weeks so more can check them out.