June 2010

THE CHIMES

The Chimes is published by First Reformed Church ● 630 State Street, Holland, MI 49423 ● 616-392-8085 ● www.firstchurchofholland.org Volume 29, Number 6 ● Submit articles to te.delong@sbcglobal.net by the 20th of each month ● Editor: Ellen DeLong

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1 Megan Fritz

Scott Hamberg

Eugene Raywood

2 Taylor VanMalsen

4 Thomas Bossardet, Sr.

Lia Stronks

Doris Weller

5 Ava Powers

6 Jessica Klooster

Greg Reifsnyder

7 Ray TerBeek

8 Rob Buit

Sarah Eckert

Lenora Ridder

9 Peggy Ebels

Brian Geerlings

Egbert Texer

Darren VanOrder

Tucker VanRegenmorter

Jeane Walvoord

11 Bruce Eckert

Barbara Kleinheksel

Tammy Toth-Powers

Paige Weersing

12 Dick Doeden

Austin Durfee

Howard Topp

14 Dorothy DeRoo

Lynda Hoffman

Catherine Ristola Bass

Michelle Timmer

16 Beryl Walkotten

17 Helen DeWitt

Betty Luth

Kathleen Rosendahl

19 Mark DeHaan

Tom Mieras

Joshua Wierenga

21 Robert Weller

22 Jim Aalberts

23 Christian Hoeksema

24 Melissa Bussies

25 Laurilee Etterbeek

Norma Parker

26 Alexei Etterbeek

Deane Tubbergen

Richard Wyman

27 Mercedez Silva

28 Mary Venhuizen

29 Becky Pratt

30 Jeffrey Nykerk

Kelly Wierenga

31 Keith Walker

HAPPY JULY BIRTHDAY!

Here is what you need: Lawn chairs and/or blankets Dish to pass

Here is what is provided: Main meat dish, table service and drinks Carpooling and rides (if you need one) will be leaving

First Church at 9:30 am Lawn Chairs (if you need them) A tent for those who can’t be in the sun

On June 13 we will revive the tradition of a First Church All Church Picnic and it will be with our daughter church ‘Embody’ at their site (4608 66th Street, Holland, MI 49423).

Mark your calendars for an exciting event that is both a return to a great piece of First Church history AND a part of our vital future.

…………………….now if we can just get rid of these pesky picnic ants!

COME ONE, COME ALL

TO A COMBINED WORSHIP SERVICE & PICNIC

ON JUNE 13, 2010 STARTING AT 10:00 AM

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July anniversaries are located on page 11.

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HAPPY JULY ANNIVERSARY!

Gary & Linda Speet 7/3/1965

Scott & Jill VanderStoep 7/9/1988

Duane & Jeanne Rumrill 7/10/1976

Tom & Paige Weersing 7/11/2009

Keith & Cari Cravotta 7/15/2006

Randy & Wendy Schregardus 7/16/1988

Glenn & Ginger Chittenden 7/17/1993

John & Cheryl Russcher 7/17/1992

Richard & Cheryl VanOss 7/17/1976

Steve & Stacy Wiegerink 7/18/1998

Craig & Darlene Kleinheksel 7/19/1975

Mark & Deb Neitzel 7/20/1996

Paul & Doris Alderink 7/21/1950

Chris & Deborah Proper 7/21/2007

Gordon & Trudy Smith 7/21/1951

Jerome & Marilyn Wassink 7/21/1962

Larry & Lynne Vork 7/23/1993

Scott & Jillaine Vereeke 7/28/2007

Justin & Jennifer Goebel 7/29/2006

Jeff & Jill Raywood 7/31/1999

         June 6:       Dan Gillett, preaching      John 1:1‐5      “Even A Little Light Always Beats Darkness”   

                Graduation Sunday and Communion 

 

        June 13:      Combined worship service and church picnic at Embody Christ Fellowship 

 

        June 20:      Dan Gillett, preaching      John 2       “Wedding Wine:  Little Thing, Real Love”  

                             Installation and Ordination of Elders and Deacons 

 

        June 27:     TBA 

Shawn & Moira Green 6/1/2001

Paul & Doris Boerigter 6/2/1950

David & Peggy Ebels 6/2/1971

Jeffery & Katherine Welch 6/3/2006

Donald & Beth Dickens 6/4/1983

Christopher & Joy Koopmans 6/4/2005

Donald & Lavina Barkel 6/7/1957

Kirk & Pam Johnson 6/8/1996

Darren & Marcy VanOrder 6/8/2002

Lou & JoAnn Benes 6/9/1955

Chad & Michelle Hoffman 6/9/1995

Chad & Nikki Kleinheksel 6/10/2000

Shawn & Sarah Rozeboom 6/10/2006

Larry & Loretta Horn 6/11/1977

Bill & Diane Keizer 6/11/1959

Bob & Maggie Larson 6/11/1983

Robert & Libby Riemersma 6/11/1994

Tom & Jess Scholten 6/12/1999

Charles & Rachel Blodgett 6/14/1952

Bill & Amy Houskamp 6/14/1997

Darrell & Debra Koopmans 6/14/1975

David & Loretta Sue Krieger-Baxter 6/15/1985

Paul & Marilyn Dunning 6/16/1989

Daniel & Christina Voss 6/16/2007

Thom & Barb Coney 6/17/1967

Matthew & Christine Immink 6/17/2006

Tom & Mary Ann Mieras 6/19/1964

Matt & Julie Sall 6/20/1998

Tom & Raemichele Arnold 6/22/1991

John & Rose Mieras 6/22/1991

Joel & Amy Seguna 6/23/2007

Peter & Jennifer VanRegenmorter 6/23/1989

Keith & Dana Walker 6/23/1990

Russell & Thelma Hopkins 6/24/1960

Robert & Sue Carlson 6/25/1977

Mark & Nancy Schrotenboer 6/25/1982

Todd & Dawn Mulder 6/26/1993

Paul & Marsha Northuis 6/26/1958

Andrew & Heather Bossardet 6/28/2008

Robert & Julia Cosgrove 6/29/2002

Don & Sharon Frantz 6/29/1991

Mark & Phyllis DeHaan 6/30/1973

Harold & Dorothy DeRoo 6/30/1949

Marty & Margaret Miller 6/30/1950

Robert & Bonna Weller 6/30/1950

HAPPY JUNE ANNIVERSARY!

How long will you be here? When is your next trip? I never would have imagined that I would spend so much time responding to these questions of location and transit. I kind of like to imagine myself as a homebody. I like to think that I have normal routines in my life- beyond laundry, that is. And, if truth be told, I sometimes wish that “staying in touch” wasn’t such a daily and worldwide task.

Nevertheless, these questions of arrivals and departures keep coming up, pointing to our uniquely transient lifestyle. After all, we are gone a lot, making our home in many places. “Good bye” and “Hello” are words and actions that are deeply embedded in our routines. And, thankfully, the world wide web is a generous coping mechanism-- and a total God-send in the realm of grandparents and grandbabies. Questions about our travel itinerary surround us when we’re in Holland, India, or elsewhere. And, really, don’t be afraid to ask! These questions remind us that we are loved, and that people in this place expect us to come home and hope that our time here will be long enough. JP, Leila, and I came home to Holland about 1 1/2 months ago. Jet lag makes those first couple of weeks a bit hazy, but before we have had much opportunity to think about it, we’re back in the swing of things. JP has been very busy as he continues to raise funds for the new Ministry Center that is about to begin con-struction in India. Also, if you haven’t already heard, JP is seeking ordination with the RCA, and so is pre-paring to take his oral Classis examinations. Leila and I manage to find about 1,000 things to do every day, only some of which involve getting into daddy’s hair at the office. We are grateful to be in Holland as summer approaches, and as of right now, our next trip to India as a family is not set. We will determine those dates as the completion of the Ministry Center in India ap-proaches. Until then, it looks like JP will make at least one trip back to India, and it is likely that some or all of us will travel the nation hither and yon, sharing about all the great things that God continues to do through audio Scriptures.

FROM THE SUNDARARAJANS

COME CHEER ON THE FIRST CHURCH

MEN’S SOFTBALL TEAM!

All games are played on Monday nights on Field #3 at the Matt Urban Sports Complex (32nd St.).

Schedule:

June 7 at 6:30 p.m. June 21 at 7:30 p.m.

June 14 at 6:30 p.m. June 28/July 5 - byes

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1 Loretta Sue Krieger-Baxter

Kathy Krol

William Mulder

Zachery Neitzel

Adriana Prins

2 Trevor Bussies

Kevin Krol

3 Jack Doeden

Todd Mulder

4 Chuck Kleinheksel

5 Andrew Bossardet

Ruby Klooster

Ellie Norden

6 Gabrielle Hoffman

Thelma VanderPloeg

Jackson Wiegerink

7 Joseph Slenk

Madelyn Timlowski

8 Marlene Mokma

Gabriel Zwyghuizen

9 Todd Billings

Ken Strabbing

Lavina Weerstra

10 Leah Simmons

11 Andrea Henry

Andrea Meurer

Amber Tejeda

12 Cody Slenk

13 Benjamin Ashby

Beth Poll

Merle Prins

Christopher Timmer

Daniel Voss

14 Chasten Griep

Harvey Laman

15 Sage Doeden

Jeff VanFossan

16 Xander Fredericksen

17 Matthew Okkema

Melanie Zwyghuizen

18 Charlotte Lance

Anne Thielman

Shelby VanDyke

19 Shirley O'Brien

William VanLangevelde

20 John Mieras

Terry Prins, Jr.

21 Bruce Alderink

Alexander Daniels

23 Barb Coney

Leona Texer

Paul Wiegerink

24 Becky DeVries

Marilyn Tate

25 Brian Evenson

Will Houskamp

Wendy Schregardus Jennie Zweering

HAPPY JUNE BIRTHDAY!

26 John Amaya

Jeff Nienhuis

27 Beatrice Serne

Jean VerHulst

28 Cari Kleinheksel

Lois Kleinjan

29 Joel Seguna

JUNE ANNIVERSARIES

ARE ON

THE NEXT PAGE

The following names are in addition to those listed in the May Chimes as hav-ing served in the Armed Forces:

KOREAN WAR

Irv Steketee

VIETNAM WAR

Dave Weersing

Loren Redder

I know that most of you are here primarily on Sundays. Did you ever wonder how often or how much our building is used throughout the week?

Recently, I arrived at church to discover Black River Charter School students arriving so they could take some Advance Placement tests in our basement. We might’ve put them in the Family Life Center but there was voting going on in there. Or course, we had to also move the Evergreen Commons exercise classes downstairs as well. They use our Family Life Center during Tulip Time. So they also had to be relocated to the basement for that particular day. The kids of the “Moms in Touch” were in the nursery and so that space was bustling as well. People were in and out to meet with staff. I saw someone arrive with bags of items for the care closet. I saw a mailperson deliver the mail to the office and grab a drink and use the restroom. Our one glitch was having the guys arrive in the early evening to play basketball, but the voting was set up in there and we’d forgot to let the guys know.

The above may not be typical, but it’s not necessarily atypical either. We have a busy church fellowship, but we also have a busy building that is being used by our community. My devotions today took me to 2 Cor. 1 where it talks about our God being a God who says yes. The ultimate yes we know from God is through his Son Jesus Christ.

Somehow it seems right to therefore be a part of a church that constantly finds a way to say yes to our neighborhood and community.

Blessings,

Pastor Dan

BTW (short for by the way) the Black River kids just finished a cooking class in one of our kitchens. Guess who got to be one of the official ‘taste judges’ for the class????? Serving Jesus can sometimes be very sweet!!!

When on vacation, be with us in spirit.

The rest of the summer be with us in person.

BOATERS & JOG-GERS

SUNDAY SERVICE

Want an early, casual church service?

Come to our 8:00 a.m. service here at First Church

This abbreviated service will include a mes-

• 4 • • 9 •

NEWS & NOTES FOR THE CONGREGATION

Design a tee shirt for your Dad for Father’s Day. Color the shirt with his favorite colors and deco-rate it with things that remind you of him - like golf, fishing, baseball, football, favorite foods and maybe his high school or favorite college colors.

Father’s Day is Sunday, June 20. Don’t let Dad see your drawing till then!

NEWS from Sandra Wisner

Site Volunteer Coordinator, Cusco, Peru

Wycliff Associates

Dear First Church,

I continue to host teams that come to work with the ministry of ATEK and translating materials that come and go in the office. I have also taken on new responsibilities within the ATEK organization using my educational background to help develop scope and sequence of teaching materials. The most significant news I have to share this month is my engagement to Albino (Ahl BEE no) Rodriquez.

Albino and I first met when I arrived in Peru in June 2008. We work together at ATEK. He’s the coordina-tor of publications and authors. Our wedding date is set for July 29 in Cusco. We know that God has great plans for our future, and we desire to honor and glorify Him in our relationship. For now, I will re-main as support staff with Wycliffe Associates; Albino will continue to work with ATEK.

Prayer requests that we ask you to lift up:

**for our language acquisition. I need to continue working on Spanish and now Quechua. Albino is learning English.

**that we are able to raise 100% of the financial backing that will consistently sustain us. Albino’s salary supplements the required support amount, but it is not enough to support us both.

**for our new life together as a married couple. That we would continue to put our Lord and Savior first in everything and that all we do would bring glory to Him.

Thank you for your support. In Him,

Sandy Wisner and Albino Rodríguez

For English communication: E-mail: sandyjoy98@hotmail.com;

Pictures: http://sandyjoy98.spaces.live.com

For Spanish communication: E-mail: atek_albino@hotmail.com

Our blog (under construction): http://lacasadelmaestro-rodriguez.blogspot.com

What do you know?

Michigan in Peru!

(Check out the image on the rock.)

The Chimes newsletter will not be printed in July.

See you in August!

• 6 • • 7 •

UPDATE

Greetings, friends and family! It is definitely time to let you know how things are going for our new church plant. God is doing some amazing things here south of Holland, MI. We have seen a slow and steady growth in many ways. Before I share with you about some of those ways let me tell you how our family is doing: Great. We’re doing great. We feel as though we are starting to find a really good stride and are finding terrific joy in our work as well as our new friends and fellow worshipers.

“Can I help organize?” Those are the most beautiful words spoken to a church planter—especially one who is not gifted in admini-stration. But that’s exactly what Abbie asked me last month. She’s joyfully putting to-gether outreach activities as well as large event planning. It’s her thing. God made her with the ability to organize and she’s now using her gift for God’s glory and the encour-agement of the body of Christ.

Food has become a great opportunity for us to fellowship together. We are finding any opportunity to have a potluck. As a matter of fact, we tend to have communion monthly followed by a meal together. Like the two men on the road to Emmaus, Christ can be recognized when bread is broken. Good news: I need to purchase a few more ta-bles!

Women are gathering and finding a place for open and honest conver-sation about the intersection of life and faith. There are many who call themselves “seekers” or “non-religious”, but they are essential to our family at Embody. Here’s a recent quote from one of the gatherings of women, “I just feel like my life is changing for the better.” We can see many who are meeting the risen Christ and it makes a difference in their lives.

We celebrated Easter together for the first time. It was a joyous time and full of gratitude for a place and a peo-ple where such a diversity of people can celebrate the resurrection of Jesus together.

What’s Happened: Since our launch in September, 2009 we have grown from a group of 45 or so to a group of 75. This is very encouraging and exciting. It’s good to see that God is blessing our work and our willingness to follow God’s plan for our congregation. Numbers are great, but not the main thing; the main thing is finding that people’s lives are being changed by meeting Jesus Christ. What else has happened: we have found that we are moving from being individuals who happen to worship in the same place to becoming a family where joys are celebrated, concerns are heard, and life is shared in every day circumstances.

Things We Need: Lawn Mower, Tables, Chairs, Sound System, Kids’ tables/chairs,

What’s Next: We’ve been working on doing a few things and doing them well. We feel as though the relationships are being built and that trust is being established. The summer will be a time of relationship building and doing life together. Also...planning for fall.

• In the Fall we will begin Children in Worship: an opportunity for kids to worship in an authentic and very hands-on way. 3 adults will be trained to lead our children through stories of the Bible and how to respond to God.

• Our space fits about 90 people...so...something will have to give. We don’t know how, but this is what is next.

• We have spent a lot of time building relationships and establishing trust. This summer will be a continuation of that, but it will also be preparation for building opportunities for discipleship: chances for people to take the next step in their faith...whether the first step or the 302nd step.

How You Can Pray: • You can get a good look at what to pray about on a regular basis

by following my blog: www.embodying.wordpress.com. It has info on our church as well as life at the Daniels’ home.

• Pray that God will give us opportunities to share good news with people in our neighborhoods, both in word and in deed.

• Pray that hundreds of people will come to know who Jesus truly is and to have a new relationship with Him. We see a lot of people who have been hurt by the church...so pray that we can be a place of healing and hope.

• Pray for Dana and Jim. This is a big leap of faith, and while God is faithful and we trust Him, this kind of exciting venture can cause stress on any marriage. Pray that God will continue to put His hedge of protection around our family.

• Pray for marriages in general in our area. The stresses of jobless-ness and fear of the unknown causes difficulties and many families are struggling right now.

• Pray for God’s guidance and open doors regarding our worship space. There will be large choices to make in the near fu-ture...please pray for clarity.

How You Can Help: First Church has been a great “mother” church and has been an incredible help as we have gotten started. Your prayers and financial support are invaluable. The paper you’re holding in your hand is the same thing I am sending out to my friends and family around the country. The “How You Can Help” section, however, is different. You are able to do something that they can’t. And that thing (aside from praying) is the most useful thing: Invite a friend to Embody. Bringing a friend to Embody who might not feel comfortable in a traditional church setting is the single biggest help you can give.

Of course, we are still in the expensive “start up” phase of our new church, and any financial support you can give would be greatly appreciated. We are seeing an increase in our own giving, and this is encouraging...in fact we are pres-ently able to cover roughly half of our own costs (a good place to be after only 9 months). Please prayerfully consider how God wants you to help us move forward. Every size gift is helpful. If you can’t give, and even if you can...please pray. Thank you immensely. (Check out the “Things We Need” line at the bottom of the other page. Used, New, or $ to help purchase these things is needed.)

Love and Gratitude - Jim, Dana, Alex and Madalyn Daniels

1. What’s Happened

2. A Few Stories

3. What’s Next

Embody Christ Fellowship Mailing Address: 630 State St., Holland, MI 49423 Web: www.embodychrist.com Email: im@embodychrist.com

Potluck Lunches

Commissioning our First Missionary

• 8 • • 5 •

As you walk into the school room, usually most of the students are busy doing reading or working on a project that the teacher has

given them. Then one of the students spots you and announces “David, your tutor is here!” And that is all it takes, everyone looks up or stops what they are doing until David has left the room. Needless to say, the smile on David’s face as he proudly walks out leaves a few of those left behind students a little envious and wondering why they can’t have a tutor also. As for this tutor (Larry DeVries), seeing that smile on his face is worth the effort of leaving whatever else I was doing to spend one, fast hour with him. The teacher usually gave us spelling words to work on and a couple of books we could read. Sometime he needed some help on simple math problems too. But whatever it was, we had a good time doing it. As a tutor, I have seen many different ways the tutors interact with their students and that is what makes it work. There is no written law that says you must do the work this way or you must do the work that way. You just do what works for you and your child. Some weeks nothing gets done and that’s OK too. For those who have given their time this year as a volunteer in the Kids Hope program and their prayer partners, we’d like to honor you with this month’s award. They are: Jo Benes (Lou Benes), Sue Carlson ( Judy Bylsma), Judy DeVries (Don Frantz), Larry DeVries (Dale Nienhuis), Pam John-son (Jane Lindemuth), Lois Kleinjans (Pastor Mary), Loretta Sue Krieger (Sue Liang), Jane Lindemuth (Pam Johnson), Margy Larson (Marianne Daubenspeck), Judy Unema (Nick Unema). Wouldn’t you like to be a part of this wonderful program? Talk to any of these tutors or see Margy Larson so she can get you on the list for next fall. There is a ‘special’ child waiting to meet you.

YOUTH NEWS ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! THE BIG RED TULIP AWARD

LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE...

That the Kleis family can trace 7 generations involved in First Church all the way back to a relative that came over on the boat with Dr. Van Raalte.

That this year’s senior class is the 'low' census group of our young people. Graduating classes will now start getting significantly bigger.

That Josh Gillett won the all conference champi-onship in high jump at the height of 6’2”.

That on May 4 Jason Naber (in his own “masterful” way,) declared that it was Star Wars Day and came up with this original quote “May the fourth be with you!”

Father’s Day June 20

ADVENTURE! The Senior High youth group will be traveling to the Red River Gorge in Kentucky for a wilderness adven-ture trip June 20-26. Rustic camping, rock climbing/ rappelling, day hiking, rafting, non-commercial caving and showering under a waterfall are some of the things in store for us during the week. The bigger picture how-ever, is that in being withdrawn from the technology and the normal comforts of life that we would be drawn closer together in our relationships. Also that we would gain a greater appreciation for God’s magnificent creation, and that we would be tested both physically and mentally throughout the week. Please pray for safety, and for God to have a significant impact on the group.

Life is fragile Handle with prayer

……….as seen on a church sign along the road

Josh Gillett, graduating from Zeeland West and going to Central Michigan University

Jeff Horn graduating from Holland High and going to Hope College

Jennifer Tiethof, graduating from Holland High and going to Grand Rapids Community College

MEET OUR GRADUATES

CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES FOR YOUR FUTURE!