Annual Report
Ann Arbor Christian Reformed Church
Annual Report for Church Year 2006-07
May 4, 2007
John Groen: Pastor of Worship Ministries Annual Report
Typically an annual report gives us the opportunity to look back at events and challenges of the past year and reflect on what has been accomplished. That being the case, I asked myself the question, “Where have I seen God at work during this time?” Following is some of what I have seen and experienced, with the caveat that I have not seen all the places where God has been active in this congregation we call the AACRC.
I see God at work through Carolyn – a cheery good morning, a smile throughout the day, work that’s done efficiently and well with a spirit that reflects Christ. What more can we ask for in an office administrator! Thanks Carolyn, for work well done.
I see God active in the worship planners. It’s been a year of transitions. Paul Herrema moved us from July to December with grace, poise, and his calm spirit. He was active in both our worship services. Then with God’s leading Paul became convinced that moving back to his former position of worship planner and choir director for the 845 service and planning for the 6 pm service was where he was best suited. Thanks Paul, for work well done.
Jan Musch continued in her role as organist and worship planner for the 845 and 6 pm services. Her duties also included weekly bulleting editing, and miscellaneous other duties, all done with Jan’s steady dedication and precision. Thanks Jan, for work well done.
Jen Boes took over the reins of worship planning for all the 1115 services in December, along with the weekly arranging of volunteers, being present and active in the weekly Saturday rehearsals and participating in the services every week. Thanks Jen, for work well done.
Becki Herrema provides a steady spirit and hand in her work as Director of Youth Ministries. Thanks Becki, for work well done.
I think all of us involved as staff in the planning of and participation in these services have discovered a rhythm of grace and growth. We’re happy to be where we’re at, and excited about where we can go.
Working with this staff is a joy. I thank God for them!
A large thank you to God to all the volunteers who are active every week in our worship services.
Now a request – if you have a voice to lend our God in praise, contact Paul. He’d appreciate new voices to come alongside the present ones in the 845 choir. If you have a voice or instrument to play, like guitar, violin, etc, contact Jen.
We would love to have a committed core of musicians who can play 75% of our services, who can commit to rehearsing every week at a set time and provide the back up for our vocalists.
God is at work through the Spirit, providing visions and dreams, and challenges.
The Wednesday evening youth programs of GEMS and Cadets and Middle School program are done so well. Thanks to Bill and the counselors who work with him. And of course to Den Mother Supremo – Lorri. Thanks to Nancy and her group of GEMS counselors. God is good.
It was a delight to spend time with some of our fifth and sixth grade youth as we prepared to make professions of faith. Thanks to them for sharing life with me and each other. May God grant them the daily joy of giggles and laughter as they serve him. God is so good.
I’ve seen God at work in the personal testimonies I’ve heard from a number of you in one-on-one conversation. God has healed, challenged, blessed, and provided growth, all in the midst of some very trying times. Some stories will never be heard by many, but the angels and God have heard. I know they rejoice.
I’ve seen God at work in the group that read “Free of Charge” with me last summer. Fun and challenging. God is good!
I’ve also seen God at work against the powers of darkness. We are not a perfect congregation. Some words and actions have hurt and hurt deeply, causing pain and frustration. God has never wounded, but has healed. God is good.
God is at work through people, some named here, many not. I see God at work in the challenges we face. He has proven steadfast, gracious, sometimes a bit frightening, but always loving. Where will we be next year? I have no idea. But God will be there and will lead us. God is good. Praise the name of the Lord!
Harvey Stob: Pastor of Congregational Life Annual Report
Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; knit my heart to yours, that I may fear your name. Psalm 86:11
This past year has brought a reordering of my job priorities that, I trust, is furthering our participation in our Lord’s mission in Ann Arbor. I know that it is reinvigorating my personal ministry. Recognizing the wonderful opportunity God is giving AACRC to minister to International students, and frustrated in its attempts to hire a full-time Director of International Ministries, the Outreach Committee asked Council to invite me to take on more leadership responsibilities in this important ministry.
In April of 2006, Council approved this request, noting that adjustments would have to be made in my job description to allow for my increased involvement with Internationals.
Last August, the Pastors Support Group began to make those adjustments by rearranging tasks within my job description. Because of the additional strong desire to have a Stephen Ministry in our church, Pastoral Care and International Ministries were brought to the top of the list of my responsibilities. Other responsibilities such as providing leadership to the Spiritual Life Ministry, Family Ministries, SCaTs, and Fellowship Groups Ministry, were to be handed over to interested people of the congregation. My availability for preaching has also decreased.
These adjustments were presented to the Shepherding Elders and to the Administrative Board for their review and approval and are now reflected in the current version of my job description.
• I am currently the chair of the International Ministries Team and lead its meetings. As part of this ministry, I lead a weekly Bible study for 5 Internationals.
• Pastoral Care is an important part of my job description. Hospital and home visits, counseling, and training are vital components of this ministry. The Stephen Ministry is a wonderful and growing ministry at AACRC. I am thankful for the dedicated men and women who have committed themselves to participate in it.
• I have long enjoyed teaching Adult Ed. classes. During this current program year, I taught two series of classes, the first called A Vision of the Moral Life according to the New Testament and the second, The Psalms: Songs and Cries from the Heart.
• As part of the Welcome and Enfold Team, I have again enjoyed leading two Inquirers Classes.
• I continue to be blessed by my participation in the Friendship Ministry as a Teacher/Mentor.
At its November 2005 meeting, Classis Lake Erie welcomed the Ann Arbor Hope Church and the All Nations Community Church of Toledo as emerging congregations. A third group of believers, now called the Canton CRC, was accepted as an affiliated Home Missions church. I was appointed as the mentor of the three pastors of these churches as well as the classical counselor and advisor to their respective congregations. Further, the AACRC was assigned to be the supervising congregation of the three groups.
In the CRC, mentoring partners normally meet once a month for general encouragement as well as for advice regarding specific situations. With emerging and developing churches such encouragement and advice is at times also required.
I try to meet with Pastors Bae and Jeong (AAHope and Canton CRC) once every month. Because of the distance to the Toledo church, I have normally been meeting with Pastor Pae once every 6 weeks.
In regard to my meeting the 3 congregations for encouragement and advice about becoming organized CRCs, we together have found it best to meet after a worship service. My preaching at those services has “put a face” on the CRC for them and has given me some credibility. Over the last 2 years I have preached 4 times in each church. These Sunday services are also extended, social events with a meal for everyone concluding their vibrant worship.
Pastoral Care – Stephen Ministry:
Last October, with gratitude to God, Dottie Elliot, Lillian Kuiper and I began the Stephen Ministry with a series of 2 ½ hour weekly training classes that stretched out for 3 ½ months. On February 18, 14 Stephen Ministers (including us leaders) were commissioned. We are now in the process of assigning Care Givers to Care Receivers. Once that is done, bi-monthly or monthly supervisory sessions will be scheduled in order to ensure that the best care is given.
Please continue to pray that our Lord’s compassion might be extended and
received through this special ministry.
The Pastoral Care Team:
For years this group of dedicated women has been a wonderful blessing to our church. Through their visits, cards, and calls, Christ’s presence and incouragement have brought comfort to so many of us. The Meals that Heal committee has complimented the Pastoral Care Team by providing meals to those who need them. The entire ministry of the Pastoral Care Team is now being evaluated to see how it can best compliment the Stephen Ministry.
International Ministries:
The Outreach Committee has been renamed and reorganized. It is now called International Ministries and is headed by the international Ministries Team. It provides encouragement and, when needed, advice to Coffee Break, BESEL and to Dinner Break. The International Ministry Team also has its own challenging mandate which includes
• Evaluating all the programs offered at AACRC to see if they are pre-evangelism, evangelism, or discipleship programs.
• Putting in place a curriculum for Sept. 2007-June 2008 that will offer a balance of pre-evangelism, evangelism, and discipleship courses.
• Setting up an International website/blog
• Recruiting and training people to be mentors and tutors for Internationals.
• Establishing a host friendship program that links AACRC members with International students.
• Creating a Resource Center for Internationals and for AACRC members—books, DVDs, journals, etc.
• Making contact with every International person who worships with us.
• Printing signs and brochures that welcome our International friends.
In addition to our Coffee Break and Dinner Break programs, we have offered a Pronunciation course, Western Civilization classes and Bible study classes for Internationals on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings.
BESEL (Believers who speak English as a second language) meets every
Sunday morning during the education hour for Bible study and once a
month for social activities.
Dinner Break Each month, on Saturday nights, we sponsor a dinner for
internationals. Following the dinner we have a mini concert by one of the
musicians of our church. Then we have someone speak for about 45
minutes on some topic of interest and importance. Attendance this year has
averaged 90 internationals, the majority of whom are Chinese scholars
and their families. We want to thank each Fellowship Group who gave the
gift of their effort and time to provide one of the dinners. We are also
thankful for other groups such as BESEL and Agape who also provided this
service. None of this significant ministry would be possible without the
support of the church and the efforts of many, including each of the
members of the Dinner Break Committee.
During the summer months, two picnics at the Carlson’s lake house provide
a wonderful social outing for Internationals.
Coffee Break
Ann Arbor CRC has once again been a busy place on Tuesdays. We had 4
international groups this year, 1 beginner group, 2 intermediate groups and
1 grow group, with approx. 47 women attending. We had 4 Grow Groups,
often consisting of both international and American women studying together, with about 39 women attending. We had 2 groups in the afternoon, with about 22 women attending, for a total of about 108 women coming to Coffee Break this year. We had over 100 children in our Coffee Break children’s programs. We offered a variety of Bible studies, including several different books of the Bible, a couple of topical studies and a Beth Moore intensive study. Once again, we were blessed with 46 faithful women who ministered to the women and children coming on Tuesdays. We were once again privileged to see God at work in the lives of the women and children attending Coffee Break this year. The second half of the year was particularly difficult for Vi and Audra Kokmeyer, two of our faithful staff, who were confronted with Ed’s terminal illness. We would appreciate your prayers on their behalf. We are always blessed with how God provides the staff we need each year despite our concerns, but would appreciate prayer that more young women would be led to participate in the Coffee Break ministry as the majority of our faithful staff are retirement age, though we are grateful that they have not “retired” from Coffee Break. We are also losing Jill Swierenga who has served as one of our children’s ministry coordinators, so we will need someone to take her place next year.
Shepherding Elders:
Our prayer and motivation comes from Hebrews 19:24: Let us consider how
we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
The Shepherding Elders has met monthly to learn pastoral skills, review
visits and calls we have made and especially to pray for the members of
AACRC. We also reviewed our pastors’ monthly activities reports and the
Pastoral Care Team reports. We were especially privileged to hear many
professions of faith and to welcome new members.
Three Shepherding Elders make up the Pastoral Support Team which met
quarterly with our pastors to review their job descriptions, discuss what is
going well in their ministries and what challenges they may be encountering.
Prayers of thanksgiving, encouragement and support are raised.
Dave Musch: Congregational Life Ministries Annual Report
Congregational Life Ministries (CLM) encompasses a diverse set of opportunities for people in our church to enhance their walk with God and grow closer together as one part of the body of Christ. Three people – Katherine Gottschalk, Dave Musch, and Pastor Harvey Stob – form a core group which oversees and encourages these ministry opportunities. Each ministry opportunity has one or more leaders who spearhead that activity. A brief report follows on the nine active CLM ministries:
Adult Sunday School (from Dan Lautenbach): Probably one of the more visible of the CLM, Adult Sunday School provides educational and teaching sessions between the two morning services. Bible studies as well as topical sessions are usually ongoing concurrently. Dan Lautenbach, John Bush, Mark Schult, and Pastor Harvey Stob ensure that the schedule is filled, class leaders are provided what they need, and the sessions end on time. Suggestions of topics and speakers are always welcome.
Advent by Candlelight (from Elaine Henke): This will be our 6th year to plan for our Advent by Candlelight evening. It will be held on Monday, December 3, 2007. We are averaging 200 women at this advent evening. We plan to continue because: the committee is very faithful and wants to continue; this is an excellent outreach for neighbors and friends; and, this evening binds us together as we begin Advent.
Agape (from Jocelyn Schiller): Agape continues to meet for weekly Bible studies and once or twice a month for fellowship. Our primary purpose in the last year has been to support each other as friends and to encourage spiritual growth in each other. In the fall, we had a weekend retreat with about 15 members. We hope to repeat the retreat this year. Several members have participated in events for Safe House and CAP. God has blessed us with several new members this past year and we continue to welcome anyone who would like to join us.
Dinner Circles (from Leslie Doorlag): Mark and Leslie Doorlag do their best to get people to sign up for Dinner Circles every Fall, and then figure out who goes to whose house, and what food they bring. These dinners put people together over good food and result in fellowship, learning, and new or closer relationships. So whether you are single or married, young or old, able to host or not, please sign up next Fall!
Fellowship Groups (from Dave & Mary VanderYacht): In the last year, nearly half of our church’s families have been blessed with spiritual growth, new friendships, prayerful support and enjoyable social outings through Fellowship Groups. There are 102 family units participating in 17 different groups. The groups vary in style and substance, yet all provide elements essential to the Christian life. One new group was formed in December. There’s a desire to start another group very soon, with several people already anticipating forming a core of such a group. It is hoped to start even more groups, to include a higher percentage of our congregation. People will be invited through the activities of Welcome and Enfold Committee, as well as information/signup sheets to be provided in August.
Friendship Ministry (from Roy Glover & Wayne Van Zomeren): Friendship Ministry provides an opportunity for our church to share God’s love with young men and women who have developmental disabilities. This year has been a very successful one with over 40 students and 23 teachers attending our meetings on a regular basis every other Thursday evening. Each of these meetings includes a time of group singing, group prayer, a Bible lesson and a time when teachers and students meet together one-on-one to encourage and pray for one another. A highlight of each meeting includes a time spent with Mickey Mouse and friends, a group of puppets who not only delight us with their antics but always seem to provide wonderful insights into the lesson theme for the evening. Another special event each year is the opportunity the ministry has to lead the congregation in a joyous, praise filled worship service. New teachers are always welcome. Those who have been part of this ministry over the years will attest to the fact that in giving to our students we receive so much more than we could ever ask or imagine. So why not give us a try, you won’t be disappointed.
Men’s Ministry: If you happen to come by church early in the morning on Wednesdays and Thursdays, you might see a small group of men meeting together to study, pray, catch up, and grow in Christ’s love together. These meetings are announced in the bulletins and new attendees are welcome. Likewise, a Tuesday night basketball gathering occurs during the winter and early spring months, with regular invitations and men of a wide range of ages trying to put the ball in the hoop.
Tuesday Night Dinners: If you were to venture into the home of George and Mary Lindquist on Tuesday evening (and trust me, you are welcome to do so), some 40 to 50 undergraduate and graduate students would be lining up for a feast and fellowship, escorted by a faithful core group of cooks, cleaners, and compatriots from our church. At one of many tables set up throughout the living area, Prof. Mo Kaldjian continues his former teacher/student association in a much different way (no grades!), and all are blessed. This dinner ministry has been going on for enough years that an alumni association could be (and perhaps is) in place.
Women’s Ministry (from Barb Okonkwo): In Sept. ‘06 we offered a weekly Bible study authored by Beth Moore entitled “A Woman’s Heart–God’s Dwelling Place”. The theme of the study was to explore how God used the Old Testament tabernacle to illustrate his deep desire to meet with, to dwell with his people. Each week, through in-depth study and/or video teaching by Beth we were challenged to allow God to complete his work in us and through us. This year we had 15 women attend this weekly series. One week we would separate into 2 groups for the review of our study material and the next week combine groups for viewing the video. The question raised by Beth at the beginning of the study and again at the end was “SO WHAT? Why spend all this time and effort exploring the Word, meditating on it, responding to it? The answer is found in Genesis 15:1 where God is speaking to Abram but also to each one of us, “…I am your very great reward”. We anticipate offering another Beth Moore series in the fall of 2007 and would encourage all women to consider attending.
Tim & Char Larsen: Missions Ministries Annual Report
“Missions is not the work of a disembodied Church, nor is it the work of a select few. Missions is the work of every believer concerned with fulfilling the Great Commission and expanding Christ’s kingdom for His glory. Everyone can be involved in God’s global work.”
Source unknown
Priorities:
• We feel strongly that we should seek to impact the lives of students studying in our community, so we support InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF), International Student, Inc. (ISI), and China Outreach Ministries (COM).
• We believe in training nationals for ministry, so we support HCJB Global/Christian Center for Communications.
• We need to support evangelism and the spreading of the Gospel, both at home and abroad, so we support Wycliffe Bible Translators, JAARS and Arab-American Friendship Center.
• We are equally committed to reaching out to the lost through medical and humanitarian efforts, so we support Fridsro Children’s Home in Sri Lanka and Worldwide Labs (helping medical facilities in underdeveloped countries to establish working laboratories).
• We also believe in the necessity of bringing the peace that only Jesus gives to those in the inner city, so we support opportunities provided through Angel Community Church and Detroit’s Afro-American Mission.
• Finally, we want to create opportunities to share our Lord’s message of peace and salvation both in the U.S. and around the world, so we partner with CRC’s Home and World Mission Agencies in education and planting new churches.
Adult Education:
• Norma & Roger Verhey Fridsro/Sri Lanka 10/01/06
• Priscila Ribeiro HCJB WR/Health Care 10/08/06
• Ed & Carol Bos Worldwide Labs 11/05/06
• Marie Heys Zimbabwe 01/07/07
• Peter Payne Divine Sovereignty 02/04/07
• Janet & Peter Payne Speaking of Jesus 02/11/07
• Peter Payne Suffering and Evil 03/04/07
• Brent Middle Kingdom/Olympic Fever 03/11/07
• Brent China and the Church 03/18/07
• Rev. Basem Qusous Arab-American Friendship Center 04/29/07
• Joel Huyser CRWM/Nicaragua 05/13/07
Children/Youth Involvement:
• Sunday School collection for India – Bethania Orphanage;
• Middle School missions trip to SERVE/Holland, MI;
• High School missions trip to Nicaragua.
One- time grants (through April ’07):
• China Outreach Ministries Annual Staff Conference Pennsylvania
• Christians for Armenia Ministry support Armenia
• The Navigators Binoy Philips (partial scholarship) Colorado
• Worldwide Labs, Inc. Equipment Kalamazoo, MI
• CR World Missions Huyser emergency assistance Nicaragua
• Canton CRC Church plant assistance Canton, MI
• Greater Europe Missions Joel Perry transition assistance Austria
• Serving In Missions Priscila Ribeiro assistance Niger
• China Outreach Ministries Deneger/07 trip expense China
• Arab-American Friendship Center Materials for Discipleship/Outreach Dearborn
• CR World Relief Committee Mark Wiersma CRECH Training Haiti
• InterVarsity Christian Fellowship Scholarships/Training Cedar Campus
Other activities/opportunities:
• Prayer Guide Directory update and distribution in September;
• Christmas greetings to all the missions/missionaries we support;
• Participation in Regional Conference of Advancing Churches in Missions Commitment at Ward Presbyterian Church in Livonia;
• Scholarship assistance for five students to attend Urbana (only one student applied from AACRC. The others were identified through InterVarsity);
• Financial assistance so that the Qusous family could attend the funeral of Basem’s mother in Jordan;
• Special offering to assist refugees who are devastated by the current civil war in Sri Lanka;
• ‘Missions Assessment Profile’ completed by Missions Team members to evaluate AACRC’s missions involvement;
• Invitation for Angel Community Church members to attend/participate in an evening service and dinner afterward;
• Assistance for Lois Craven’s transition (required for health reasons) from teaching through CRWM/Hungary to her new position in the U.S. as CRWM Director of Donor Relations;
• Attendance at Detroit’s Afro-American Mission Annual Banquet;
• Assistance for Joel Perry’s transition from ISI in Ann Arbor to ministry with the Greater Europe Missions in Austria; and
• Short-term mission/ministry involvement by AACRC members in Mississippi, Louisiana, Mexico, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Azerbaijan, and Niger.
Each year God also provides countless opportunities for us to reach out with the Gospel to undergraduate students and internationals through the University of Michigan. As a result, it has become increasingly difficult to decide how best to allocate the funds the Missions Team has been entrusted with: to the many organizations seeking funding or to those involved in reaching the vast mission field God has placed before us here in Ann Arbor.
The Missions Team continues its struggle to find ways for our congregation to be more involved on a personal level with those we support. We are grateful that almost half of our mission/missionary programs have been ‘adopted’ by a Fellowship Group, but the remaining programs are supported only by the Missions Team Coordinators and those individuals who have some personal connection to that mission/missionary. We cannot help but wonder whether AACRC should support fewer ministries and have a stronger relationship with each or continue to support a greater number of ministries knowing that our support will be more impersonal. Since our missions/missionaries value our prayers, correspondence, and visits as much (if not more than) our money, the Missions Team will be seriously considering this question in the year to come.
Changes in 2007 – 2008:
• Campus Chapel will now be funded through the Church Ministries Fund;
• Omanyo Davis (CRWRC – Uganda) will no longer receive support directly from AACRC; his new position as Team Leader – East/South Africa will be funded through CRWRC;
• We will add a CRWM person in China and Doug Sawyer with ISI in Ann Arbor, MI.
Goals for 2007 – 2008:
• Greater awareness among all AACRC members of the responsibility each of us has in the fulfillment of the Great Commission;
• Increased personal contact by the congregation (individually or in small groups) with the missions/missionaries we support;
• Updated Community and World Outreach Prayer Guide/Directory;
• Completion of the “Missions Policy Handbook” to provide written guidelines for the Missions Teams of AACRC;
• Increased mission vision/involvement of both youth and adults so that outreach becomes a regular, integral part of AACRC congregational life.
• Continued dialogue with sister churches such as Cornerstone, Hope, etc. regarding joint missionary efforts
Prayer Support:
• We thank God that in the past year team member Mary-Anne visited with missionaries Beltz, Craven, and Deibler; the AACRC Missions Policy Handbook is nearing completion; Ann Deckert provided temporary assistance with the newsletter; we were able to assist the Huyser’s during their time in the U.S.; and we were able to distribute prayer support/information at the time of Anna Greta Perera’s death.
• We pray for departing Missions Team members Tim & Beth DeVries (completing studies at UM and moving) and Dave & Kim Hubers (due to other commitments). Each one has a real desire to serve through missions. The Missions Team’s loss, disappointing as it is, will surely be others’ gain.
• We pray God will direct transitional matters as we re-think responsibilities, find new members to replace those who have left and those who have served for over five years. We believe the team should consist of people who have a heart for missions and who represent different age groups and ethnic backgrounds.
Missions Team Members during 2006-2007:
Tim & Beth DeVries, Dave & Kim Hubers, Tim & Char Larsen, Chloris Patrick,
Mary-Anne Schuur-Mavrodes, Rosaline Stoehr, and Titia VanderMoelen.
Council Representatives:
Harvey Stob and Teressa Streng
Todd Redder & Laura Kett: Service Deacons Annual Report
The overarching mission of the Service Deacons is to recognize and meet the needs of the church and community through the effective use of people and resources God has provided. The primary ways in which we are working to accomplish this mission are:
Congregational Support:
We receive and respond to requests from members of our congregation and others regarding physical needs, such as moving help, yard work, and hospital-related stays. We also provide assistance for short- and long-term financial needs, including arranging for support from outside agencies. Outside support may include general advice, budget counseling, etc. We also collect and manage a fund for Christian school tuition assistance and allocate the funds to those qualifying families who request it.
Community Support:
Each deacon serves as a liaison for one or more of the seven local benevolence agencies that our church supports. The agencies we support include Hope Clinic, Staples Center, Habitat for Humanity, Family Life Service / Pregnancy Counseling Center, Community Assistance Program (CAP), Emmanuel House, and Friends-In-Deed.
Our goal is to stay connected with the important work these agencies are doing in our community and to be proactive in supporting their efforts. A continuing emphasis is keeping our congregation and our youth connected to the needs and activities of the agencies. For example, this past January we coordinated a “Bottle Boomerang” collection for “Sanctity of Life” Sunday in cooperation with Family Life Services. Over $1,000 was collected in baby bottles to support pro-life efforts and education in our area. Over the next few months, we will be encouraging financial and volunteer support for a Habitat for Humanity house build event scheduled for this fall.
Communication:
We continue to work diligently at improving our communication with the congregation, with a particular emphasis on matching the gifts and interests of members with the many needs that exist in our surrounding community. To this end, we are in the early stages of establishing a consistent bulletin board space in the fellowship hall where we will maintain current information regarding our benevolence agencies and specific volunteer opportunities that members can get involved with. Communication will be a major focus of the diaconal action plans and priorities we will be developing and implementing in 2007-08 in response to the revised Vision Statement. Look for future improvements to the deacon page on the church website.
Stewardship:
We are also responsible for teaching and encouraging stewardship within our congregation. As part of “stewardship month” this past November we collaborated with the pastors and Adult Ministries to develop stewardship-focused sermon topics and adult education classes. Written materials were also developed and distributed to the congregation, including a stewardship guidance booklet and a devotional book.
The current group of Service Deacons includes Rita Aagenas, Laura Kett, Sean Kim, Robert Pu, Todd Redder, and Jim Steenstra. We are grateful for the blessings and service opportunities that the Lord has given our group over the past year, and we look forward to more challenging and exciting work in the coming year. We are committed to staying well-informed and being proactive in our service to our congregation and our community, and we ask for your prayers of support and encouragement.
We also covet your prayers for the seven benevolence agencies we support, and we encourage you to watch the bulletin, newsletter, church website, and the “Diaconal Ministries” bulletin board area for opportunities to support the essential work of these agencies through volunteer activities as well as your financial support.
Arnie Geldermans: Youth Ministries Annual Report
Pre-School Church Hour
During each morning service, preschool aged children meet to play, listen to Bible stories, sing, and do craft projects together. The class has 12 Angels (teachers) consisting of parents of the children in the class as well as other members of the congregation. We also have 24 Helpers consisting of parents, teens and other congregation members. Each Sunday the class has one Angel and one or two Helpers, and between 15 and 25 three to five year olds who participate. The Walk With Me curriculum in used each week during the school year, and this summer we will use the LiFE curriculum for a summer session to learn about God’s creation and thankfulness. Our goal is to make God known simply and clearly, using the stories and teachings of the Bible in an enjoyable way that children can understand. Our desire is for each child to come to know God, to experience Jesus’ love, and to respond to that love as the Holy Spirit works in each heart.
Contact people: Leslie Doorlag and Suzanne Kessler
Cadets:
The goal of Cadeting is to “effectively share Christ’s love with boys from our Church and our Community.”
This year we were blessed by having all 13 counselors from last year return. This is the first time this has happened and I am so thankful for that. Our church is blessed to have a team of such fine, devoted, Christian men to work with our boys.
The theme for Cadets this year is “Shaped for Service based on Isaiah 64:8 and Ephesians 2:10. This theme, chosen by the Cadet office, is shared by all 650 Cadet Clubs in 6 countries during this Cadet year. We’ve had some meaningful discussions with the boys on what this means to us and to them.
This year we’ve done some exciting merit badges – Rope Making, Cinematography, Astronomy, and Archery to name just a few. In addition the boys participated in three service projects – Samaritan’s Purse, Salvation Army dinner, and delivering CAP Thanksgiving meals. Our Middle School group had some special outings – SCUBA adventure and a weekend ski trip at Crystal Mountain. Still to come is our spring campout with Dads on the USS Silversides submarine, anchored in the Muskegon Harbor.
A highlight this year was a visit by two University of Michigan star football players – Jamar Adams and Michael Hart. These men gave moving testimonies of their relationship with Jesus and challenged the boys to do everything to the glory of God. Both the Counselors and the Cadets were inspired by their visit.
We would like to thank the congregation for your support, for your prayers and for your uplifting words of encouragement to us counselors. We are truly blessed to have such a loving and supportive church family.
Contact Person: Bill Vander Roest
Children’s Sunday School Ministry:
The Sunday School program is for children ages 4 years through 5th grade. The Ministry serves 50 or more children on most Sundays from September to June. A staff of about 30 dedicated leaders, helpers and substitutes volunteer in the Sunday School Ministry from September to June.
The Ministry uses a curriculum from CRC Publications, ‘Living In Faith Everyday’, or LIFE. LIFE includes Bible stories, lessons for applying scripture to the lives of the children, and scripture memory.
A music ministry and worship time is included in the Sunday School hour. The music ministry meets in two groups: one ages 4 years through 1st grade and the other 2nd grade through 5th grade. The desires and goals are for the children to develop an appreciation for worshiping God in music, to learn songs and hymns, and to enjoy singing together in a large group setting.
Rob and Kristin Mossel accepted the position of Sunday School Ministry Leaders in March. As Sunday School Ministry Leaders, their primary objective is to support the volunteers who work with the children. This includes ordering the curriculum, keeping the Sunday School closet stocked with supplies, and responding to requests from the classroom leaders.
The Mossels have begun to arrange teachers for the 07-08 year. As in past years, the goal is to have at least two leaders and two helpers for every class from age 4 to 5th grade. This ensures that no combination of leader and helper works with the children more than half the mornings during the Sunday School year. Please pray for God to provide classroom leaders and helpers.
Contact persons: Rob and Kristin Mossel
Teen Sunday School:
The 6th Grade class have been studying the Heidelberg Catechism using the LIFE (Living in Faith Everyday) curriculum. Through Bible reading, stories, skits, and dramatization the students are taken through the questions and answers of the Heidelberg Catechism and how they apply to what we believe and how to live our life.
The 7th and 8th Grade class has been using the newly developed “Walk With Me” curriculum. This material is organized into four week sessions of age appropriate lessons, each focusing on relevant topics. Examples of the topics being studied are making the tough choices in life, talking to God though prayer, how to read the Bible, building relationships, and Christian and culture.
The 9th and 10th Grade class has been studying material entitled “Questions Worth Asking” which is a study of the Heidelberg Catechism as a summary of the central truths of Scripture, and getting them to recognize and respond to the Heidelberg Catechism’s call to live out their faith in the world.
The 11th and 12th Grade class has been studying “What’s up with the Church Down the Street”. This material helps teens understand the beliefs and practices of other Christian denominations they come into contact with and to build understanding of the theology and worship practices of these other Christians—from a Reformed perspective.
Please pray for the volunteers as every week they teach and the students that they may learn and grow closer to Christ.
Contact Person: Arnie Geldermans
Middle School:
Middle School Youth Group meetings/activities: The goals of this group are to have fun, to build community, and to nurture deeper relationships with Christ in all those who participate. Large group meetings occur on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month and have been averaging around 18-21 youth per meeting. Evenings generally begin with games or an ice-breaker activity. Afterwards, the students normally gather in small groups, and meetings commence with discussions, projects, games, and other fun activities focused around one central topic of the night. The theme for the year was “Do You Dare” and we looked at ways that Jesus “dares” us to be more like Him. We explored dares about: keeping your word, forgiveness, money, judging others, loving god, humility, and faith. Highlights have been the July 2006 SERVE in Holland, Mich., our annual “rake-and-run” service project, working at Food Gatherers, making snack bags and encouraging posters for the men staying at the rotating shelter, two combined youth groups with Huron Hills Baptist, a trip to see the Detroit Tigers play, and a winter retreat run by Youth Unlimited. Please continue to pray for leaders and students alike as we strive to grow together in God’s grace.
Contact People: Ross Weener
High School Large Group:
The High School large group is intended for high school students to get together as one large group for a time of fellowship, fun, learning and service. Typically we meet twice a month for a variety of activities. Meetings on Sunday nights are typically topic lesson orientated. We studied topic such as music, intelligent design, watching and discussing The Passion. A service activity was the raising on funds to purchase bund beds, clean/repair them, and delivery them to families through Friends In Deed. Fun activities have been game nights, Christmas party, pumpkin carving and bonfires.
Contact Person: Mark Doorlag
High school small groups:
The teen small group ministry consists of groups that are similar to adult fellowship groups and are further divided into boys and girls groups.
Boys Small Group: This past year, up to thirteen high school young men and four leaders gathered twice monthly on Sunday evenings for a time of fellowship, spiritual growth, prayer and encouragement. Study materials this past year have included a Study of Revelation, NOOMA videos as well as other discussion and bible studies. It is the blessing of watching these young men grow spiritually, and develop closer relationships with others in the group.
Girls Small Group: There are two small groups for high school girls—one for the freshmen and one for 10th-12th graders. The freshman group has been working out of the book Small Group Questions and has done some bible studies as well. The girls and leaders did a sleep-over together and enjoyed the time of fun, fellowship and discipleship. The group is made up of 6 girls and 2 leaders.
The 10th-12th graders read Bill Hybel’s book Too Busy Not to Pray this year. The group was encouraged and challenged to commit to regular prayer time in the midst of very demanding schedules. It has been good to work towards having deeper relationships with Jesus, and to pray and fellowship together. The group averages around 10 girls each meeting, with 3 leaders.
Contact People: Dan Herrema and Kelly VanEe
Steve Van Singel: Facilities Ministry Annual Report
The Facilities Committee reports the following facilities accomplishments during this past year. The Building Use policy was updated and approved by the Administrative board. After much discussion and planning, the sanctuary platform was expanded, and a lift was added for handicap access. The nave and narthex carpeting was also replaced at this time. This project was coordinated by Art Henke. The projection screen was installed in the sanctuary, using a lift-boom mechanism that hides the screen along the front beam when not in use. This was designed by a Ken Ludema, George Lindquist, and Alex Klooster. Projects yet to be completed this spring include replacing the carpet in the downstairs corridor, replacement of more of the concrete stairs in the front of the building, and repaving of the upper parking lot.
Upcoming projects for the facilities and grounds include repaving the lower parking lot, purchasing new outdoor signs for the parking lots, planting new trees and shrubs around the grounds, continuing the replacement of the concrete stairs, and making covers for the heat pipes in the sanctuary.
The Administrative board has also asked the Facilities committee to help with the investigation into improvements for the sanctuary. Four areas identified by the Administrative board for possible improvement, if approved by the congregation, are improving the lighting, rebuilding the west side soffit, purchasing new pews, and replacing the flooring. The Facilities committee has been working with Hobbs and Black Architects to develop proposals and costs which will be presented at the Congregational meeting.
The position of Kitchen coordinator has been filled by Lillian Kuiper. We are very grateful to her for her willingness to serve in this area, and for the efforts she has already made in this past year. She is assisted by a few other interested persons that function as the “kitchen committee” of church members.
The position of Building coordinator is being filled by Art Henke. Art has worked on several projects this year, helping to keep up with the items that need attention in the building. We are grateful to Art for his willingness to serve in this position.
The position of Grounds coordinator is being filled by Hank Byma. Hank has been busy keeping the grounds of the church looking pleasant, and has completed many of the outdoor landscaping tasks with help from other church members. We are thankful for Hank’s willingness to continue his commitment to this important part of the work of the Facilities committee.
There are often items that need attention with regards to the facilities and grounds of the church. If you see something that needs attention, or would like to volunteer to help with a project, please speak to one of the following persons: Lillian Kuiper (kitchen), Art Henke (building), Hank Byma (grounds), or Steve VanSingel.