Lent, March 26, 2023
This Week:
On this fifth Sunday of Lent, Rev. Karen Campbell will preach from Ezekiel 34:1-6 and 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 in the larger worship service. Rev. Andrew Mead will preach in the All Nations Worship Service in Room 4. This Sunday we will celebrate God’s faithfulness as Graham Kort, Miriam Kort, and Celia Kort publicly profess their faith in Jesus Christ; we rejoice with them in this important decision and milestone in their lives; and we welcome them as professing members of the Church.
Following the worship services, we invite you to stay for Sunday school for all ages. Our adult education class, God’s People Seeking, features a panel on mental health.
The 10 am large sanctuary service will also be broadcast via Zoom. Sign up for our Newsletter to receive the Zoom links.
Children’s Ministry News:
The remaining winter/spring season dates for Wednesday Night activities are April 12 and 19. Families with children in 2nd-6th grade, please plan to stay to watch your kids race their pinewood derby cars on April 19!
Church News:
Current Giving for the Month of March: $81,135
March 2022 Giving: $86,662
Monthly budgeted General Fund Giving is: $118,873
Luminous screening and discussion sponsored by COS on March 29. The study of celestial objects has always been revealing and provocative. In a fascinating story of discovery, courage, and intrigue, Sam Smartt’s visually stunning film Luminous tells of Larry Molnar’s recent prediction that two stars would collide and become a supernova. Should this unprecedented forecast come true, this would be an incredible scientific breakthrough for Larry and Calvin’s astronomy program. But what transpired next has become an inspiring testimony of Larry’s integrity and faith and an illuminating story about the collaborative process of science. Join us on Wednesday, March 29 at 6:30-9:00 pm at the Bytwerk Theater in the DeVos Communication Center at Calvin for a special screening of Luminous and discussion with Larry and Sam. You can learn more and watch the trailer here. If you would like to contribute to underwriting this free COS-sponsored event, please contact Annette Ediger, Ben Videtich, or David Koetje.
Save The Date – The annual Spring Workday is scheduled for Saturday, April 15 from 9:00am-1:00pm, with lunch provided. Everyone is welcome to attend. There will be tasks for all skill levels, both indoor and outdoor. A specific list will be published early April. Thank you for caring for our campus!
The March/April show in the Artery features photographs by Bob and Kris Brown. They both enjoy taking an ordinary photo and turning it into something amazing. The show will hang until April 27. A meet and greet for Bob and Kris will be held on April 2.
Callery Pears: Did you know we have 6 of these trees in our parking lot? The Creation Care Team has wanted to cut these trees down for several years. This spring it will happen on either Monday, March 27th or Monday. April 3rd weather permitting. See this article for more information on these trees. The team welcomes anyone experienced with chainsaws and has one to help with this process. Also needed are persons willing to move the brush to the side of the yard. Contact Hope Bradley to get on the list of contacts. Hope1033@gmail.com.
Friends of the Heeringas are wanting to relocate from Walker and are looking to buy a 3 bedroom home with a finished basement. Please contact Amy Heeringa at amy.heeringa@gmail.com if you have any leads.
Inclusion Team: Friends in Christ, a new group has formed for two purposes. The first purpose is support for LGBTQ+ people and allies. The second purpose, which is closely connected to the first purpose, is advocacy for inclusivity and best inclusion practices here at COS. We pray and hope that all sexual minorities would feel welcome, loved, supported, accepted, and deeply valued as co-laborers in the kingdom of God. Situated within the Congregational Life ministry umbrella, the team also interfaces with the good work the Next Steps team is doing. Approximately 11 people are involved, so the team doesn’t necessarily need more people, but they wanted to let the congregation know about their endeavors. If you do feel compelled to join, or simply want to know more, drop a call or email: ben.videtich@coscrc.org
2023 Holy Week Worship Services
Palm Sunday, April 2, 10 am
Large Sanctuary and 10 am All Nations Worship, Room 4
The Palm Sunday worship service begins with a palm processional, after which we turn our focus toward Holy Week with a reading of the Passion narrative. We will intersperse the reading with hymns. If you want to participate in the palm processional, please meet in the café prior to the 10 am worship services.
Maundy Thursday, April 6, 7 pm
Maundy Thursday is a worship service remembering the upper room. We gather around tables in the fellowship space to hear the words of Christ and to break bread.
Good Friday, April 7, 12:15 and 12:30 pm
Our Good Friday service will be an outdoor prayer walk reflecting on the stations of the cross. Groups will follow the COS nature trail beginning at 12:15 and 12:30 pm. Liturgies will also be available on Good Friday for those who would like to follow the service at another time. Those unable to take part in the prayer walk are invited to follow along with our service video, linked here.
Easter Sunday morning, April 9, 10 am in the large worship space
Morning worship begins with a procession of flowers to dress the communion table. It is our custom at COS to bring potted plants and flowers from our homes to process in and “dress” the communion table. We will then gather the flowers to brighten the Easter Brunch tables (12 pm) in the fellowship space. You are invited to participate in this tradition. Parents: Children’s Worship and Little Lambs will not be offered Easter morning to allow children and our volunteers to celebrate Easter with their families in the sanctuary.
Following the service, we welcome you to join our annual Easter Brunch. Here are some more details on the brunch: Place your food in the café on one of the serving tables before the service. Have the food ready to be served—cut, sliced, and uncovered. The ovens and fridge in the kitchen will be available as will serving spoons and knives. Enjoy the spectacular Easter service and then head to the café to enjoy fellowship together. Don’t forget to pick up your flowers from the front of the church to help ‘dress’ the café and then take your flowers home. Your serving dish will be on a table near the kitchen.
Last names beginning:
A – E bread, muffins, bars or cookies
F – K veggies
L – R fruit
S – Z something brunchy—egg dish, deviled eggs, etc
Easter Sunday evening, 6 pm
Evening worship will center on individual testimonies and reflections on the resurrection.