Happening This Sunday
Sunday, March 29, we will continue to worship in homes, individually but still as the body of Christ. The sermon title is “Present and Powerful.” May God be present with each of us as a reminder of the ties that bind us together in His love.
Youth
Summer Mission Trip Registration Extension: if you are in grades 8-12 and are thinking about participating in our SERVE summer mission project here in Grand Rapids from June 20-27, the registration deadline has been extended 2 weeks! Please let me know by Monday, April 13 if you would like to attend.
Mobile Food Pantry needs your help April 4! It’s going to look a little different, but MFP is happening next Saturday—and we need your help. Due to COVID 19, we will be distributing from COS’ parking lot instead of the community building at Camelot Woods and we will need MORE HELP than usual. People will drive up to receive their food, rather than walk through a line. And volunteers need to be under the age of 60, which eliminates a lot of our regular volunteers. If you are able and willing to join us Saturday, April 4, 9:30-11:30, please email Dan and Marji Voetberg. This is a great opportunity to be outside, to see other people, and provide assistance to those who need it, all at the same time.
Middle School: Crossword puzzle: Check the answers to last week’s Heidelberg Catechism—and let me know if I owe you a slurpee!
Church News
The current corona virus is affecting each of us in diverse ways. While we are not meeting together as one body, the church staff is working to create ways for us to continue to worship and continue to feel connected. In addition, we continue to serve the needs of the community and world in a variety of ways ranging from our food pantry to missions support. Some in our congregation are concerned about the economic impact of the outbreak–whether in terms of retirement funds, business income, or employment. Church of the Servant is committed to maintaining full compensation for both our salaried and hourly employees in these challenging times. As a result of these factors, it is more important than ever that those of us who are able to support the work of COS financially continue to do so. Indeed, we have been amazed and touched by your ongoing generosity over the past week and so far we are on track to meet or even exceed our budget needs for the month. Those of you who give through automatic debit (ACH) may of course continue to do so. You can also give directly online (https://bit.ly/cos_offering), or via text or mobile apps (find more information at https://www.churchoftheservantcrc.org/giving/ways-to-give-to-cos/), or mail in your check. Our staff, neighbors, and world are grateful for your faithfulness in these unusual days.
Financial Update – Last week’s offering and online giving: $69,731.27. Total Giving for this month: $122,173.44 (1 Sunday left). Our monthly General Fund budget is $119,028.
Food Pantry: Due to the stay at home order, COS will be changing our Food Pantry protocol. We will not have open pantry hours on Monday and Wednesday mornings. Instead, access to food pantry will occur via appointment. Please call either Ellen at 901-5684 or Lori at 291-6132 to schedule an appointment. They will be able to meet you at Door E of the church to assist with giving food, personal care items, and hand-crafted face masks. Thank you!
Phone contact: We know how important human contact is, for not just our mental well-being but for our spiritual well-being. Rather than send emails or texts, we encourage many of you to pick up the phone and be in touch with members in our church family so that no-one feels alone. Pastor Karen is available during the hours of Monday 2-4 pm and Wednesday 6-8 pm on the following number: 516-7086 (note change from last week). She would love to hear from anyone and welcomes any kind of conversation, so please feel free to give her a call. Pastor Andrew will also be very happy to converse, preferably on Tuesday and Thursday from noon-2pm, at 401-0321 (note change from last week).
April 22nd– Please (tentatively and optimistically) keep this date on your calendar for the COS Spring Clean-up Day. It will be from 4pm-Dusk.
Facility Coordinator Opening: Church of the Servant is looking to hire a part time (up to 25 hrs /week) person to join our staff team and be responsible for our building’s operation and maintenance needs. Strong Facility Management experience preferred. Start date: May 26, 2020. See the position description at: www.coscrc.org/employment Please send your letter of interest and resume to: lori.wiersma@coscrc.org by April 30, 2020.
For one of our BES attendees: A young woman will be delivering her baby boy soon. This is her first child. Infant clothes, blankets and other baby items, or a gift card would be greatly appreciated.
Registration is still open for the June 5-6, Understanding Racism Workshop. A two-day workshop from 8:30-5pm each day, this workshop experience is designed to explore the deep racial complexity of the United States and to begin to explore paths for restoration. Register on line at CORRnow.org.
Prayer Concerns and Church Family News
Alexandria Vander Kodde went to be in the loving arms of Jesus, on March 20, 2020. We hold her mom, Cindy VanderKodde and her family in prayer, as they will miss her smile and presence in their lives. A private graveside service was held Tuesday, March 24, and a celebration of life will be scheduled later this spring. Cards may be sent to 1140 Noble SE GR MI 49507.
We thank God for his provision for us during this time of uncertainty and for the promises given to us in his love. We continue to pray for wisdom for our leaders and health care communityas we struggle with the ramifications of COVID-19. We pray for God’s mercy for those who are vulnerable or already sick and for health care workers who are exposed to illness or feeling overwhelmed with needs. We ask that God will keep us from fear of the future, and give us an assurance of his powerful presence with us.
Our prayer focus this week is the ministry of Sam and Elizabeth Schoofs in Chad, Africa.