Grace Christian Reformed Church 255 Tweedsmuir Ave. W., Chatham, ON, N7M 5K4, 519-436-1558 Telephone Worship Services: 519-436-0041 (dial 5 min before the service) Fax: 519-436-1241 E-mail: office@chathamgrace.com Web: www.chathamgrace.com

Congregational Assistance Plan (CAP) – 866 347-0041

10AM WORSHIP SERVICES:

WELCOME: We welcome you to Grace CRC! TODAY: We gather on this Lord’s Day to worship, led by Pastor William, and begin a new sermon series titled “Jubilee in June.”

NEXT SUNDAY: As we meet to join in praise and worship, we are led by Pastor William.

5 PM COMBINED EVENING SERVICE AT FIRST CRC: (First CRC Dial In: 519-351-8880)

TONIGHT: Grace CRC is in charge of Combined Evening Worship. SR. PASTOR: Pastor William Koopmans (519-360-1072) william.koopmans@chathamgrace.com YOUTH PASTOR: Pastor Jake Snieder (519-359-7424) jake.snieder@chathamgrace.com PASTOR OF VISITATION: Pastor Fred Heslinga (519-676-3310) fred_heslinga@sympatico.ca CLERK: Ron Middel (519) 358-6248 themiddels@sympatico.ca TREASURER: Hank Batterink (519-351-4800) hbatgracecrc@gmail.com ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: Kathy DeKoter (519-436-1558) office@chathamgrace.com WORSHIP COORDINATOR: Cheryl-Lynn DeGraaf worship@chathamgrace.com

Who We Are

We are called Christian because we confess, belong to, and follow

Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.

We are called Reformed because our history is rooted in the 16th

century Protestant Reformation. We continue to affirm the

Reformation teachings of salvation by faith in Christ alone, and the

Bible as the only rule of faith and conduct.

We are called Church because we are part of the universal family of

God, through which our relationships to God, to each other, and the

world are nurtured.

May 29, 2016

Verse of the Week: This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” Matthew 18:35 TODAY’S SERVANT ROSTER:

ELDERS: Richard Vyn, Richard Koomans DEACONS: Will Holsappel, Hilda Douma COFFEE SOCIAL: Doug & Sherry Wiersma, Ron & Meike VanVeen, Stewart & Marsha Vyn NURSERY: Jolene Medenblik, Jessica Pieterman, Mackenzie Biggs, Kathy Hoekstra, Alex Blommestyn PM: Edith Brinkman, Ainsley McNamara USHERS: Tom Rintjema, Ken Bosman, Grace Blokzyl

MORNING OFFERINGS:

Sunday May 29, 2016: Soccer Camp 4 Christ 2016

Sunday, June 5, 2016: Joint Refugee Sponsorship Committee

SENIOR HOME MINISTRY:

There is a worship service on Sunday, May 29 at Riverview Gardens at 2:30 pm.

CHURCH ACTIVITIES HAPPENING THIS WEEK:

Tues: 6:30 pm, Executive Council

Wed: 8 pm, Young Adults

Fri: 5-7 pm, Bike rodeo (please see bulletin announcement for more details!) BACK FROM SABBATICAL: The past two months have been productive! I have worked diligently on writing my commentary on Haggai in the series Historical Commentary on the Old Testament. No, it is not quite finished. Some final editing, polishing and proof-reading remain -- but the end is in sight. And now I am enthusiastic to be back into congregational ministry at Grace. Pastor William

bulletin password: grace

Please have all bulletin items in by Thursday at 7pm. Office Hours: Mon. – Fri., 9 am to noon

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

LIBRARY NEWS: “War Room” by Chris Fabry, proves that prayer is a powerful weapon. Tony and Elizabeth Jordan’s marriage is failing. Tony focuses totally on his career and Elizabeth resigns herself to increasing bitterness. Then she meets, Miss Clara, an older, wise widow who challenges Elizabeth to start fighting for her family instead of against her husband. A compelling drama with humour and heart.

WHAT’S NEW?:

NEW DATE FOR CHURCH PICNIC: The church picnic day has been moved from June 12 to August 14. Stay tuned for more details about this exciting event!

FROM THE DEACONS: WORLD RENEW is involved with the Fort McMurray fire. Anyone who would like to donate to this project, consider giving by clicking on: worldrenew.net./albertafires

JUBILEE IN JUNE: This is more than a catchy title. It gets at the Biblical truth that God has a plan to set his people free. There are various forms of debt -- financial, emotional, spiritual, relational -- that can make us feel trapped, alone, hopeless. God offers us hope for healing, forgiveness and a brighter future. For the next five weeks we will be following a series of messages that focus upon these themes. Pastor William

BIKE RODEO: The countdown is on until the annual bike rodeo, this Friday, June 5! We are still looking for volunteers for the bike rodeo!!! We really need YOU to help in a small way to make a big difference! Various jobs and hour long time frames between 4 and 7pm: set-up, registration, face-painting, repairs, inspection and clean-up. Also, everyone is welcome to mingle with the community over a ballpark and baked goods!

USING YOUR GIFTS IN WORSHIP SURVEY: There are so many different components of worship and the Worship Committee encourages each person in the congregation at Grace to get involved! Please fill out the survey from your mail slot(there are extras on the table in the narthex) and return to Cheryl-Lynn DeGraaf’s mail slot or slide under the office door…Mail slots have multiple copies of the survey – please distribute to your family, including students back for the summer. Thank you!

NEIGHBOURLINK: NeighbourLink will be looking for a new network coordinator due to the upcoming retirement of Diana (Sis) Lalonde this fall. Please see the Community Events bulletin board for the job posting details.

Council Meeting Summary

1. Council met on Wednesday, Wednesday, May 18th. Chair Bill Dieleman welcomed everyone,

especially the new elders and deacons. Deacon Paul Hoekstra led in opening devotions.

2. Council was delighted to interview and approve candidates who wish to profess their faith: Laura

Dieleman, Bryce Koomans, Ainsley McNamara, and Kate Taekema. Profession of Faith is

scheduled for June 12th.

3. The recently approved Giving Disclosure Policy continues to be discussed. Further details will be

made available to the congregation, once the specifics of the policy are completed.

4. A request was received to have the ability to submit questions prior to a Congregational Meeting.

Council agrees that we will provide the opportunity in a more clear fashion from now on.

5. An Ad-hoc Committee is being formed to review the recent Worship Survey and Worship

Workshop.

6. Items of correspondence, various committee Minutes were reviewed.

7. The outgoing office bearers were thanked for their service. We wish them a time of rest and

renewal.

8. The new office bearers signed the Covenant for Office Bearers.

9. District Assignments were made as follows:

District One: Elder Albert Postma / Deacon Will Holsappel

District Two: Elder Richard Koomans / Deacon Matt Weverink

District Three: Elder Joel Hoekstra / Deacon Paul Hoekstra

District Four: Elder Ella Heslinga / Deacon Hilda Douma

District Five: Elder Jack Koopman / Deacon Betty Schiestel

Senior’s Elder: Richard Vyn

Note: The districts are currently being revamped as we have reduced to five districts.

10. Elder Richard Vyn closed the meeting with prayer.

11. Next meeting: June 15th.

CLASSIS CHATHAM HIGHLIGHTS

Tuesday, May 24, 2016 hosted by Westmount CRC, Strathroy

Rev. Peter Hoytema of the host church welcomed all delegates and led in a time of worship and devotions.

Classis Prayer Coordinator, Rev. John VanTil led in a prayer session encouraging all present to break into

small groups and pray in connection with Pentecost.

26 churches of Classis were present (regrettably Chatham-Calvary was not able to attend), including 66

delegates and 7 first-time delegates. The latter all signed the Covenant for Office Bearers.

Classis was declared constituted and Elder George Flikweert of Chatham-First CRC and Rev. William

Koopmans of Chatham-Grace CRC were seated as Chair and Vice-Chair respectively. Mr. Ron Middel was

seated as the Clerk.

An Ad-hoc Committee of the Classical Ministries Committee has been appointed to conduct a review of

Classis’ position of Youth Consultant. All churches are encouraged to complete and submit a survey

recently distributed.

The practice of holding the January meeting of classis on a Saturday was reviewed and will continue.

Rev. Dirk Miedema (Aylmer) was approved as our Alternate Synodical Deputy.

Mr. Bob Dieleman was approved as the auditor for classis.

The Licensure to Exhort for Mr. Walter Miedema was extended for a period of two years.

Classis was informed of the trend to have London-Forest City North identified more as a church plant than

as a second site for Forest City Community Church, however at this time it is still operating as a branch of

FCCC.

The Home Missions Committee of classis is currently in need of additional members and a reinvigorated

mission. Special attention to this concern will be addressed by the Classical Ministries Committee.

Interested individuals from classis are encouraged to consider joining what CMC prayerfully expects will be

a refurbished and active classical Home Missions Committee. If you have interest, please contact the Stated

Clerk.

In (strict) Executive Session, following discussion, consideration, and prayer, Classis, with concurrence of

the Synodical Deputies, approved the resignation of Richard Vander Vaart as Minister of the Word of the

CRCNA.

Classis was blessed with a variety of other speakers and reports.

Classis adjourned at 4:15 p.m. to meet again at Aylmer CRC in Strathroy on Tuesday, September 27, 2016 at

9:00 a.m., DV.

YOUTH MINISTRIES

YOUTH:

YOUTH GROUP (Gr.9-12): TONIGHT: No youth group on Sunday night. We are at the All Ontario Youth Convention. NEXT WEEK: Join us for our final Youth Group evening of the season at Pastor Jake's home from 7-9pm. Bring a lawn chair. We will have a campfire and play some outdoor games.

YOUNG ADULTS:

THIS WEEK: College and University students who are back for the summer are more than welcomed to join us! We meet at Pastor Jake's home this Wednesday at 8 pm.