Chapter 18
There Will Be a Day When You Feel Like You “Fit”
Sometime after Adam and Eve committed their world-changing act of disobedience in Garden of Eden, I can imagine Adam walking with his young sons Cain and Abel. They happen to pass by the ruins of the Garden of Eden. One of the boys asked their father, “What’s that?” Adam replied, “Boys, that’s where your mother ate us out of house and home.”
A lot happens in Scripture following the time Adam and Eve took that bite of fruit that gave mankind perpetual indigestion. As a result, they attempted the first cover up. But since their leaf loincloths were not very practical, God sacrificed an animal to clothe them. The pair was banished from the Garden and began life anew as exiles away from their homeland.
It wasn’t the only time God’s people lived as exiles. They spent a few summers in Egypt. Then more wandering in the wilderness of Sinai. Later, the Babylonians captured the nation of Judah and deported its people to captivity. The first group deported included the young, elite men who would be trained as leaders. In that group were Daniel and his friends Hananiah, Shadrach, and Azariah. They were given the Babylonian names of Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego. (If you decide to give your child a Babylonian name, you might try “Intobedwego.”)
While in exile these young men lived powerful, purposeful, prayer-filled lives. They remained on a diet that helped them find more energy than other workers. They prayed to their God when they were told not to. They were bold to do what was right regardless of the obstacles placed in their path. And they made a difference.
It may be difficult to put yourself in their shoes, but according to 1 Peter 2:11-12 those who follow God today are exiles too. Peter writes: “Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the Gentiles that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”
You may have days when you just don’t seem to “fit” in this world and that’s a good thing. It’s simply because as a child of God you don’t. You were made to live with him. Until we are home in heaven, you and I are exiles. Until then, we have things to do. We can add some good to this life so that others can get a glimpse of God. We can make a difference.
According to Peter there will be a day God will “visit” us. That’s when the exile will end. And that’s when you and I will “fit.”
(written by Pastor Rick Brown of Christbridge Fellowship in Tomball, Texas. )
Sunday, February 1, 2015
TODAY: NEXT SUNDAY:
NURSERY: Angela Zomermaand, Jackson VanderWindt Cherie Van Beek, Kalena Dekkers
Audrey Broek, Cassady Dekkers Tammy Sieck, Joey Schoonhoven
USHERS: Jacob Z., Don Mulder, Gerald Postma Randy Sieck, Dave Statema, Jeff Statema
GREETERS & COFFEE SERVERS:
Willard & Donna Koopmans (4 doz cookies) Doug & Susan Ten Napel
Randy & Tammy Sieck (4 doz cookies) Rod & Wanetta Vander Plaas
ORGANIST / PIANIST: A.M. Celia Ten Napel Donna Koopmans
P.M. Emily Sudbeck Sara Hulshof
PRAISE TEAM: Gerald, Rhonda, Kaitlyn, Carmen Cherie, Ryan, Sydney, Jorja
LIBRARIAN: AM Patsy Bootsma Wanetta Vander Plaas
OFFERING: AM Christian Education The Table (Craig and Jeanine Broek)
PM Christian Education The Table (Craig and Jeanine Broek)
PRAYER FOR:
· Pamela Fedders and Patsy Bootsma as they recovery from surgery.
· Priscilla Lockhorst, Fann Westra & Willard Koopmans
· Betty Juffer, Sadie De Vries and Gert Mulder who are under Hospice Care—and their families.
· Please pray for Gilbert and Mildred De Weerd, Jason, Earl, Tim and Sylvia, Dick, Kory, Megan, Joanne, Deb and all the elderly.
Congratulations to Alfred J and Winnifred De Jong who will be celebrating their 65th Wedding Anniversary on Friday, February 6. We rejoice with you and praise God for His blessings to you.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
--BAPTISM - Today we celebrate the baptism of Lincoln Kramer, son of Mike and Debra, with big brothers Jackson and Mason.
--HILLCREST SERVICE – Monday, February 2 at 6:30 pm
Pastor Norlyn, chair, Benjy Weida, Curtis De Vries, Marlin Schoonhoven, Kathy Van Wyhe, Brian Gradert, Kevin Eisma, Eric Faber, Arlin De Weerd, Doug Anema, Brad Fedders, Justin Dekkers (Chairman is requested to call Hillcrest (551-1074) before 9 A.M. on the morning of your service to remind them that your group will be there in the evening.)
--COUNCIL will meet on Monday February 2 at 8:15pm. Brad Dekkers has lunch and devotions.
--UNITY CHRISTIAN PLANNING MISSION TRIP TO NICARAGUA - A team of students from Unity Christian High School will be going to Nicaragua next summer on a mission trip. They will have a Tip Night at the Sioux Center Pizza Ranch on Monday, February 2 from 4:45 - 8:30. The students going on the trip will be serving you.
--ALL AREA YOUTH GROUPS: Pastor Zan and Troy Kooima with Happy the Dog will be putting on a praise & worship night for area youth groups. It will be held this coming Wednesday night, February 4 from
7-9 pm at the Living Water Community Church in Orange City. It is free to all youth groups. All we ask is that you bring some cookies / bars to share. Any questions, call / text / email, Lee De Groot at 712-470-4244 /
--BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS: Please put any bulletin announcements in Pam De Wit’s Church mailbox or via email () by NOON on Thursday, February 5. Thank You.
--UNITY CHRISTIAN HOMECOMING 2015 will be held on Friday, February 6. Unity alumnus from the class of 2005, Sarah Breen Graham, will speak at the chapel at 1:00 p.m. The Homecoming court will be presented after the speaker. Evening activities, beginning at 3:45 p.m., will include basketball games, presentation of Homecoming royalty, and dance team performances. All alumni and friends of UCHS are invited to the afternoon and evening activities.
--OPERATION PROM will host this year’s day of pampering and "shopping” for a free dress for girls who need them on Saturday, February 7, at the Sioux Center First Reformed Church Family Life Center. Private appointments can also be made when registering online at www.frcsc.org/operationprom.cfm . Anyone with a dress to donate may drop it off at the Sioux Center, West Sioux, Central Lion, Western, or Unity High School offices any school day between 8:30-3:30. If you have questions, call Kayla at 441-3999.
ADVANCE ANNOUNCEMENTS
--2014 CITIZEN OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED - We are looking for the community’s help for nominating our 2014 citizen of the year. When nominating someone all we ask is if you can give a few examples/reasons why your nominate them. Nominations can be made/dropped off at the City offices, Ireton Vet Services, Iowa State Bank or mailed to the Booster Club. Please submit your nominee by February 10.
--ENJOY AN EVENING OUT – PROCEEDS GO TO NICARAGUA TEAM - If you are looking for a babysitter so you and your sweetheart can celebrate Valentine's Day, Unity Christian's Nicaragua Trip team members are offering babysitting services on Saturday, February 14 from 5pm-9pm in two locations. You can either bring your kids to Unity in Orange City or to Faith CRC in Sioux Center. We ask that you RSVP by Thursday, February 12 to Rhonda Van Donge at or 441-3722. We will have games planned, activities for the kids, and pizza for supper. The cost is freewill donation, with the proceeds (minus the pizza for supper) going toward our trip this summer.
--MISSION TRIP: I have been presented with the opportunity to go on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic with the Faith CRC Salt Team through Christian Reformed World Missions. The main reason for the trip will be to help the congregation of Duquesa replace their existing worship facility. Their current facility is rusting and rotting away due to heavy infestation of termites. We will be helping to build a better and larger facility for them to worship in. I will be gone February 20-28. To help defray some of the costs an upcoming second offering is being taken. Thank you in advance for any financial support and please be in prayer for our team and the congregation of Duquesa as we work together to achieve this goal. Thanks again, Ryan Zomermaand
--SAVE THE DATE: The Christian Education Service Auction will be held on Thursday, March 19 at 7:00. More info to come!
--CORNERSTONE PRISON CHURCH ANNUAL BENEFIT BANQUET will be held on Monday,
April 13 at Trinity Christian Reformed Church in Rock Valley, IA 6:30 p.m. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. Save your spot by calling Trinity CRC at 712-476-5292 or go to the website www.cornerstonepcsd.org.
--SUNDAY MORNING DRIVERS WANTED - Check the back table –If you signup—please call Chris on Saturday night. THANKS! To everyone who has helped already!!
COMMUNION SCHEDULE 2015
Feb 22- Lent 1, April 3 Good Friday, May 17 or 24 Pentecost, (Memorial Day)
July 12, Sept 13, Oct 25 Reformation Day PM, Nov 1 Advent
WORSHIP SERVICES CALENDAR AND ACTIVITIES:
Feb 8 6:00 PM Unity’s Bel Canto will join us.
Feb 15 9:30 AM Rev Bob Pollema
Feb 15 6:00 PM Combined Service at Lebanon CRC
Mar 8 6:00 PM Ireton CRC hosting the Community Prayer Service
Mar 15 6:00 PM Combined Service at Ireton CRC
THE STORY:
1 Feb Chpt 18 Daniel in Exile - Daniel 1-3, 6, Jeremiah 29-31
8 Feb Chpt 19 The Return Home - Ezra 1-6, Haggai 1-2, Zechariah 1, 8
15 Feb Chpt 20 The Queen of Beauty and Courage - Esther 1-9
22 Feb Chpt 21 Rebuilding the Walls - Nehemiah : Ezra 7, Nehemiah 1-2, 4, 6-8, Malachi 1-4
PRAISE TEAMS FOR FEBRUARY:
Feb 1 Gerald, Rhonda, Kaitlyn, Carmen
Feb 8 Cherie, Ryan, Sydney, Jorja
Feb 15 Verla, Don VS, Angela, Brent
Feb 22 Gerald, Rhonda, Cinda, Katie
WEEKLY CALENDAR
Sunday, Feb 1 9:30 AM Worship Service
10:45 AM – 11:30 AM Sunday School/Catechism all ages 3yr to Highschool
10:45 AM – 11:45 AM Adult Sunday School – “The Story “ - Chapter 18
6:00 PM Worship Service
Monday, Feb 2 6:30 PM Hillcrest Service
8:15 PM Council Meeting
Wednesday, Feb 4 6:30 – 8:00 PM GEMS
7:00 – 8:15 PM Adult Study “The Story” Bible Study - Chapter 18