Westwood Christian Reformed Church
FINDING AND FOLLOWING JESUS
November 19, 2017
*indicates please stand in body or in spirit
Gathering
*Call to Worship
*Build Your Kingdom Here
*Let God Arise
*God’s Greeting/We Greet One Another
Minute of Ministry
*Let Your Kingdom Come
(Children ages 3-1st grade are dismissed for Children’s Worship)
Offerings: The first offering is for funds that support the ministries of Westwood Church, and our denomination, the Christian Reformed Church. The second offering is for Westwood’s Tuition Assistance Fund.
Offertory: Faith Promise Video
Prayers Of His People
Scripture: 1 Samuel 6
Sermon: “Homecoming"
Prayer
*Death Was Arrested
*Call to Discipleship
*I Will Rise
*God’s Blessing
*Sending
NEWSLETTER
Items for the Sunday Newsletter are due in the church office by 9:00 a.m. Thursday (unless otherwise indicated).
Welcome to worship at Westwood CRC! A Christ-centered community inspiring people to find and follow Jesus! It is a joy to have you worshiping with us today. If you are a visitor and would like more information about us, we invite you to fill out a Connect card in the pew racks and return it to the box on the Connect Center or place it in the offering bag. We invite you to stay after the service and enjoy refreshments, which are available at both the Lobby and Kitchen Coffee Spots.
Hearing aid units which are wirelessly connected into our sound system are available for those who might find them helpful. They can be found near the office window at the entrance of the building. If you need help with them speak to one of the connect greeters
TODAY IN WESTWOOD
Today Pastor Mike is preaching from 1 Samuel 6 – “Homecoming”.
On Thanksgiving Day we would like to include a time of recounting God’s gifts. Please fill out the slip of paper included in the bulletin (I Am Thankful For…) and place it in the jar near the Information Center.
Children’s Worship for 3 year olds – 1st grade meets today during this service for fun, meaningful learning and praise. When children are dismissed, a teacher will meet you at the back of the Worship Center to direct you downstairs.
Prayer after morning service: After every morning Sunday service, the Prayer ministry is offering intercessory prayer for anyone who desires it. Trained intercessors are available by the prayer room to pray prayers of thanksgiving, healing, support, and salvation for you or someone close to you. This is done in complete confidentiality and love.
Prayer Notes
· Congratulations to Scott & Kara (Stanton) Courtney, regular visitors to Westwood, who were united in marriage this past week! May God bless your marriage and family with unconditional love, abundant joy, and strength for each day.
· Thank you for praying for Omo & Mariam. We heard on Monday that they were approved for a 2-bedroom unit at Candlewyck Apartments for December 15. They can stay in their current housing until then. We praise God for this answered prayer!
STEWARDSHIP:
Financial update: Through October, we are $50,000 behind budget in our General Fund Collections ($450,000 collected vs. $500,000 budgeted through October). This is about $40,000 less in collections than what we had at this time last year. We have been able to cover about half of the shortfall with reduced spending so far this year. While we often see an increase in giving near the end of the year, we would ask that you please review your plans for 2017 and prayerfully consider what you can give to Westwood.
Weekly Giving – Weekly Budget for 2017 - $11,634.61
Envelope Giving 11-12-17 $6,728.20
Online Giving (Nov. 10 - Nov. 16, 2017) $2,234.00
Envelope Giving 11-12-17
Faith Promise $420.00
Tuition Assistance $80.00
Special Offerings 11-12-17
Back to God Hour Ministries $483.35
On Thanksgiving Day we will have two offerings: a monetary offering for Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes, and a food offering for Westwood's Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry.
Next Sunday morning the offering will be for the Christian Resource Center.
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
There is High School Youth Group tonight from 6-8 p.m.
There will be no Discipleship classes next week due to the Thanksgiving Holiday.
Upcoming Adult Discipleship Classes:
Please join the Adult Discipleship class in Room 101 on Sunday, Dec. 3, at 9 am to learn more about the Kalamazoo Christian Resource Network and the connection with our congregation. How God is using the time and talents of our congregation to minister to our neighbors. Susan VanderLugt will provide us with an overview of the CRN and share how God uses her, the team of volunteers, and our financial support to address immediate needs in our community.
The Prophet Isaiah in his writings to Israel before and during captivity implores the righteous to “Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause” (1:17). On Sunday Dec. 17, the Adult Discipleship class in Room 101 will welcome a special guest speaker – Natalia Carvalho-Pino, Director of Intercultural Student Life at Kalamazoo College. Natalia, a native of Brazil, will share some of her life story that directs tragedy and forgiveness toward social justice work. Please join us at 9 am in Room 101.
TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY meets for the final lesson this week. The theme“On the Verge: Passing the Baton” is taken from Deuteronomy 31:1-13.
Adult Choir will meet on the main floor from 6:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m. this week Wednesday.
NO WOW until next semester – January 10, 2018
You are invited to join us in worship this Thanksgiving morning at 9:30 a.m. Pastor Mike will be preaching from John 10:11-15 – “Just Enough.” Please note, to honor the time of our students and volunteers, there will not be a Thanksgiving breakfast fundraiser. We look forward to a great holiday together!
On Thanksgiving Day we would like to include a time of recounting God’s gifts. Please fill out the slip of paper included in the bulletin (I Am Thankful For…) and place in the jar near the Information Center.
55 Alive Christmas Dinner – December 6 at noon at church. The food will be catered by Mary Sipsma. Cost is $13 per person. Please bring a gift for the Food Pantry (shampoo, etc.). Sign-up sheet is at the information center. Call Ria Medendorp if you have any questions.
Our Youth Christmas Program will be a part of Worship on Dec. 10, 10am. Practices for Preschool-5th grade are on Sundays @ 9:30am, and Preschool-1st grade also during Children’s Worship. All singers, readers, and actors will practice downstairs on Sun., 12/3 at 9:00am and on Wed., 12/6 at 6:00pm.
Thank you for your poinsettia purchases which allow our GEMS Club to enjoy so many “extras” – African Sister Club partnership, GEMS shirts and magazines, etc. Pick up your plants at church on Fri., Dec. 1, 12p-3p or Sat., Dec. 2, 10a-12p.
THANK YOUS
“There are no words to express the gratitude we feel towards you for all the kind messages, gestures, memories shared, and above all – prayers. We loved seeing so many friendly faces during this time. Ric loved his church family, and we are forever grateful!”
- Mark, Scott, Holly & Family
“Thank you Westwood family for all the support, words of encouragement, prayers, and cards during the last few months and the passing of my mom.” It is such a blessing to have such a wonderful supportive family of God!”
- Dave & Ginny Hoekstra
“Thank you for the cards, prayers and visits after my fall and move to Park Village Pines. I really appreciated it. It is wonderful to be part of such a wonderful church family.”
- Grace Mulder
MISSIONARY NEWS
FROM OUR MISSIONARIES, CARLOS AND JUVE MENDOZA: "I just finished with the Kalamazoobrigade, we were able to treat about 900 people from the villages. I thank the Lord for the opportunity of joining hands with American volunteers to touch lives in Jesus'Name!.” Praise God also for 30 new believers who heard the gospel and committed their lives to Jesus.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Kalamazoo Christian High School’s Kenya Group are having a Kid-sitting night fundraiser; Parents take the night off to shop, have dinner or just enjoy time with no kids around. All potty-trained kids up to 6th grade are welcome to join us at the high school (2121 Stadium Drive) on Friday, November 24 from 4 until 9pm. There will be plenty of chaperones, dinner and activities to keep them busy and send them home tires. All donations will go to the Kenya Mission Trip in July 2018.
Reformed Heritage Christian School invites you to their annual Holiday Open House & Silent Auction on Monday, December 4th from 6-9 PM. This free event will be held at Second Christian Reformed Church’s Activity Building, 3015 Nichols Road, and will be featuring 25 vendors and crafters. Come shop, bid, and have an enjoyable time!
CHRISTMAS CAROL SING:Grace CRC presents, "How to Save the World: The Story of Christmas through Scripture and Song," onSunday, December 10 at 7p.m. Feel free to join us for our evening worship service at 5 p.m. as well. Alight lunch will be served between the worship service and the 7 p.m. carol sing.
Park Village Pines, the Christian assisted living facility in Kalamazoo, has full and part-time Medical Caregiver and Personal Caregiver openings on our Resident Care Team. Medical Caregivers must possess basic medical terminology and medical knowledge, as well as experience in administering medications. Personal Caregivers require basic training/experience related to assisted living care, and would preferably possess a CNA. Park Village Pines is also looking for a full-time prep cook for our Dining Services department. For more information please contact Eric Hines, Human Resources Manager at (269) 364-6058 or visit our webpage www.parkvillagepines.org/careers.
UPCOMING WORSHIP
Next Sunday we welcome Jessica Joustra, former member of Westwood and daughter of Scott & Renee Driesenga, as she leads us in worship. Jessica will be preaching from Exodus 20:1-17 – “The Pattern for Thankfulness”.
Youth Christmas Program
This year, the Youth Ministry will bring the Christmas Program to the regular worship service onDecember 10th @ 10 AM!
Christmas Eve: One day, Two services! Worship Leadership Team is excited to invite you to our upcoming Christmas Eve services.
Sunday, December 24 we will worship at 10 AM and 6 PM. The morning service will celebrate the final Sunday in Advent while the evening service will prepare our hearts on the eve of Christ's birth! We encourage you to visit and worship with another local church on Christmas Day!
Connector Greeters
Today: Nick & Annette Leep & Family
Next Week: Dottie Jansen & Cindy Buist
Valet Parkers
Today: Bruce Triemstra, Jack Westra
Next Week: Jim Ritsema, Greg DeGroot
Worship Hosts
Today:
Larry & Sherry DeFouw, Ann Haak, Pat Scheffers
Thanksgiving Day:
John Gritter, Duane & Nancy DeHaan
Next Week:
Jeff & Karen Blamer, Paul & Pam Dyben
Coffee Hosts
Today:
Myra DeLoof, Gladys DeVries, Alex & Regan DeWaal
Next Week:
Randy & Joy DeJong, Brad & Nancy Dyksterhouse
Children’s Worship
Today:
PreK: Luann Ritsema, Robert Kloosterman
K-1: Mei Lanting, Ashley Lanting, Steven Kloosterman
Next Week:
PreK: Leah VanderKooi, Dona Zwart, Madalyn Vlietstra
K-1: Cheri Dykstra, Jordan Triemstra
Nursery Attendants
Today:
*Supervisor Christy Kline
Helpers Barb Sportel, Faith Kline
Thanksgiving Day
*Supervisor Nicole Spencer
Helpers James Spencer, Kevin Maul, Aaliyah Smith
Next Week Sunday:
*Supervisor Julie Flanders
Helpers Sally A. Triemstra, Rachel Feddema
Calendar of Events
Monday 11-20
9:30 a.m. Prayer Group
7:00 p.m. Pastoral Council
8:15 p.m. Men’s Basketball
Tuesday 11-21
10:00 a.m. Adult Bible Study
4:00 p.m. Food Pantry
Wednesday 11-22
6:15 a.m. Men’s Bible Study
7:30 p.m. Praise Team
Thursday 11-23 – THANKSGIVING DAY
9:30 a.m. Worship Service
Westwood Christian Reformed Church
620 Northampton Rd., Kalamazoo, MI 49006
Phone 269-381-8691 - Email:
Sunday Worship – 10:00 a.m. * Senior Pastor Mike Koetje
Phone prayer line: 1-877-333-9336
Our Website: www.westwoodcrc.org
WiFi Login ID WestwoodCRC; WiFi connection – W620connect
Website Member password – W620member