November 22, 2020

 TODAY

 This Sunday Pastor Kory will continue with the series Plot Twist.  The sermon from Joshua 2 will be Rahab.

 This service will be livestreamed to Facebook and YouTube. 

 The second offering box will be for Christian Education.

THANKSGIVING SERVICE

 In light of the church closure, we will not be holding our traditional Thanksgiving morning worship service. We will be assembling a 25-30 minute video devotion, including songs, expressions of thanks, prayer, and a brief meditation. This will be posted to Westend’s Facebook and YouTube pages. If you would like a DVD of this service mailed to you please let Nichole in the office know by emailing: office@westendcrc.org

NEXT SUNDAY

Next Sunday Pastor Kory begins a new series titled Foresight/Hindsight.  Next week’s sermon is Superior To Angels, from Hebrews 1:5.

The second offering will be for New City Kids.

PRAYER REQUESTS

We pray for the far-reaching impacts of the current Coronavirus situation.  With the increasing number of COVID cases, please pray for those who are anxiously waiting for test results, for our healthcare workers who are especially exposed right now and for those who are worried about the impact this will have on their health and livelihood.

Please remember our shut-ins and senior members who are more deeply affected by the isolation of COVID restrictions.  Many are very lonely and feel especially isolated with holiday’s approaching.

* Prayer Line * 453-2288 *

Our prayer line is always available to take your prayer requests, or to listen to prayer updates.

After the recorded message, you may leave your prayer needs for our intercessors, who will pray for you.

Identifying yourself is optional.

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Congregational Zoom Meeting will be held this Sunday(November 22) at 11am.  This will be an informational meeting on the proposal to upgrade our audio/visual system.

Join the zoom meeting here:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87436569808?pwd=SjBkUUhVMlJWNXZkOVhWOHBmOE1RUT09

Please use the below form to cast your vote.  Paper ballots will be available at the NORTH entrance for those not able to electronically vote. Paper and electronic proxy ballots will be available until November 29th. 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf44aJFot7SPdnjrCBQMg76ubACHkJU0ocXZvJwrvDfG3pXow/viewform?usp=sf_link

CEMC Meeting is moved from November 24^th to December 15^th due to the virus conditions.  We will keep the committee updated on committee related items as needed.

Thanksgiving is coming and we need your help! This has been a year unlike anything else, but we still have much to be thankful for. Please tell us or show us what you are thankful for this year. Send a phrase, sentence, photo, or video (or all of the above!) to video@westendcrc.org by Monday, November 23 (preferably earlier) so we can include it in the Thanksgiving worship service. (Please note: by sending your photos and videos you authorize us to include them in our in-person and live-streamed worship service.)

Did you know you can set up an automatic debit when giving your tithes and gifts? If set up as a safe and secure automatic debit from your checking account, the church pays no service fees and giving can happen automatically on a schedule of your choosing!

Please contact the church office for more information: 616-453-3077,  admin@westendcrc.org or office@westendcrc.org.

Last call! We are updating the Westend address/phone directory.  Have you moved since the last one was printed?  Do you need to update your email or cell?  Please send updates to the church office: office@westendcrc.org.

THANK YOU!

Thank you to our church family for sending your thoughts, prayers and many cards of kindness.  It means so much to our family to be thought about and prayed for during such a hard time of saying goodbye.  We have the assurance Ralph is sheltered in the arms of God.  What a comfort.  –Doris VerBeek & Family

YOUTH

We are taking a break from all youth group activities and meetings due to the strong increase of COVID cases.  We will resume our normal schedule once things settle down and it becomes safe for us to get together.  We are looking forward to gathering again soon, but for now, be safe and know we miss you!

THIS WEEK

TODAY – 11/22

  9:40 AM   Morning Worship

TUESDAY – 11/24

  6:30 PM   Divorce Care       

WEDNESDAY – 11/25

  6:30 AM   Men’s Bible Study

  8:00 AM   Men’s Life – New Beg

THURSDAY – 11/26

Happy Thanksgiving!!!  

NEXT SUNDAY – 11/29

  9:40 AM   Morning Worship

FINANCIAL UPDATE

Offerings     10/26-11/15               wkly goals

Ministries   $22,461      $12,228

Chr Ed       $2,241          $1,538

Faith Pr     $3,182

November 15, 2020

TODAY

This Sunday Pastor Kory will begin a new series titled Plot Twist.  The sermon from Genesis 37-45 will be Joseph.

This service will be livestreamed to Facebook and YouTube.  The services will also be available on those same channels after the service is completed. Like or subscribe to Westend on Facebook and YouTube for the easiest access!

The second offering box will be for Benevolence.

NEXT SUNDAY

Next Sunday Pastor Kory will continue with the series Plot Twist.  The sermon from Joshua 2 will be Rahab.

The second offering box will be for Christian Education.

OUR CHURCH FAMILY

We extend our sympathy to the family and friends of Kit Post, who passed away on Monday morning. A private graveside service was held on Thursday afternoon. 

While it is disappointing to miss gathering together, let’s not forget that we can encourage one another by way of social media, email, phone calls and snail mail!  Pray for the health for our congregation, as many in our church community are testing positive for this virus. 

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Due to the church closure we will no longer be holding an in person congregational meeting – we will be holding a zoom meeting instead.  The purpose of the meeting will be to vote on a proposal to upgrade our audio/visual system.  The request is up to the amount of $20,150 – this is the combined cost of an audio and video upgrade (see details below).  The proposal was approved by the Administrative Board and by the full Council.  Please stay tuned for more details on the zoom meeting.  Any questions prior to the congregation zoom meeting can be directed towards Mike Terrell, moderator of council or Jeremy Marsman,  Administrative Director.

Thanksgiving is coming and we need your help! This has been a year unlike anything else, but we still have much to be thankful for. Please tell us or show us what you are thankful for this year. Send a phrase, sentence, photo, or video (or all of the above!) to video@westendcrc.org by Monday, November 23 (preferably earlier) so we can include it in the Thanksgiving worship service. (Please note: by sending your photos and videos you authorize us to include them in our in-person and live-streamed worship service.)

Did you know you can set up an automatic debit when giving your tithes and gifts? If set up as a safe and secure automatic debit from your checking account, the church pays no service fees and giving can happen automatically on a schedule of your choosing!

Please contact the church office for more information: 

616-453-3077  admin@westendcrc.org or office@westendcrc.org

The Youth Group will once again sell frozen homemade apple pies.  You can purchase a full-sized pie for $10 or a mini pie for $5.  Please email your order to bmyers@westendcrc.org.  Pies will be made with strict sanitary procedures so you can be confident that they will be both safe and delicious!  Perfect for the holidays!

If anyone is willing to mask up and help make apple pies we would love any extra help- even if it’s just for a little while!  We will be making pies Friday Nov. 20 from 3-6pm and Saturday Nov. 21 from 9-1pm.  Please let Brian know if you’re interested in helping out with this fun event!

We plan to update the Westend address/phone directory.  Have you moved since the last one was printed?  Do you need to update your email or cell?  Please send updates to the church office:  office@westendcrc.org.

THANK YOU!

Joanne Kooi would like to thank the congregation for all the prayers and cards that she received over the past couple of months.  She is recovering well following her triple heart bypass surgery.  Steve Kooi continues to struggle with his Scleroderma Disease.  He is using his oxygen more each day as he continues to struggle with his breathing.  Please continue to pray that the medicine he is on keeps the disease under control.  Thank you.  

YOUTH

LIFE – We will still be making apple pies!  We can use all the help we can get so please reserve Friday, November 20 and Saturday November 21 to help with that if you are able!

We are taking a break from all other youth group activities and meetings due to the strong increase of COVID cases.  We will resume our normal schedule once things settle down and it becomes safe for us to get together.  We are looking forward to gathering again soon, but for now, be safe and know we miss you!

* Prayer Line * 453-2288 * 

Our prayer line is always available to take your prayer requests, or to listen to prayer updates.  After the recorded message, you may leave your prayer needs for our intercessors, who will pray for you.  Identifying yourself is optional.

THIS WEEK

TODAY – 11/15

  9:30 AM   Morning Worship

*This service will be livestreamed to Facebook and YouTube.

TUESDAY – 11/17

  6:30 PM   Divorce Care

  7:00 PM   Men’s Group        

WEDNESDAY – 11/18

  6:30 AM   Men’s Bible Study

  8:00 AM   Men’s Life – New Beg

  5:00 PM   Feeding America

THURSDAY – 11/19

  6:30 PM   Ladies Bible Study

Friday – 11/20

  3:00 PM   LIFE – Pie Making

Saturday– 11/21

  9:00 AM   LIFE – Pie Making

NEXT SUNDAY – 11/22

  9:40 AM   Morning Worship

*This service will be livestreamed to Facebook and YouTube.

November 8, 2020

TODAY

Today concludes our Mission Emphasis week.  Our guest preacher will be Jerome Burton from Coit Community CRC.

The second offering box will be for Christian Education.

NEXT SUNDAY

Next Sunday Pastor Kory will begin a new series titled Plot Twist.  The sermon from Genesis 37-45 will be Joseph.

The second offering box will be for Benevolence.

OUR CHURCH FAMILY

We extend our sympathy to the VerBeek family as they grieve the loss of Ralph earlier this week. We pray for God’s peace and comfort for the family. 

We pray for all those in our community who have been impacted by Covid-19. We are especially mindful this week of Marv and Carol DeHaan after Marv spent some time in the hospital and of Jim and Ruth Padilla DeBorst, our missionary partners in Costa Rica, who were diagnosed with the virus. 

We praise God that Mark Koning’s most recent round of scans all came back clear. 

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Earlier this week, a message was sent out about a special congregational meeting to vote on a proposal to upgrade our audio/visual system.  The request is for up to $20,150 – this is the combined cost of an audio upgrade and a video upgrade.

New Office Hours!  The office will now be open Monday-Friday 9am-3pm. 

We would like to welcome our new administrative assistant Nichole Quigley!  Nichole is bringing many years of administrative assistant experience to our church staff.  Her family has been attending Westend for just over a year.  Please join us in welcoming her to the team.

If you are interested in your child participating in this year’s Children’s Christmas program, please fill out the form below by Sunday, November 8.  In order to follow the church guidelines and keep everyone safe, we will not be able to add any additional children to the program after November 8. We are creating a Christmas program around the number of participants so we need to know our numbers by November 8. 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSejSmEybU2PcgB_QO3kCM-ccwkYPQz4OkmbdjV3ghyCJ3VKBQ/viewform

The Youth Group will once again sell frozen homemade apple pies.  You can purchase a full-sized pie for $10 or a mini pie for $5.  Please email your order to bmyers@westendcrc.org or fill out the form that can be found at the Connection Center.  Pies will be made with strict sanitary procedures so you can be confident that they will be both safe and delicious!  Perfect for the holidays!

If anyone is willing to mask up and help make apple pies we would love any extra help- even if it’s just for a little while!  We will be making pies Friday Nov. 20 from 3-6pm and Saturday Nov. 21 from 9-1pm.  Please let Brian know if you’re interested in helping out with this fun event!

We plan to update the Westend address/phone directory.  Have you moved since the last one was printed?  Do you need to update your email or cell?  Please send updates to the church office:  office@westendcrc.org.

THANK YOU

We would like to give a huge thank you to Rose Dykstra for her years of dedicated service as our church secretary! Rose is retiring and she has been such a huge blessing to our church staff and family!

The Christian Education Ministry Committee would like to thank all who supported the burrito fundraiser this year!  Almost $1,100 was raised to support families who need help with the tuition of Christian Education.

YOUTH

JRock – Broomball this Friday!  We will meet at Westend at 6:30 and head over to Griff’s Ice House to have some fun slip sliding on the ice playing broomball.  It’s like hockey without the skates!  We will grab some ice cream when we are done and finish up at 9:30pm.

We will meet again Sunday, November 22 from 3:45-5:30.

LIFE – Join us this Sunday from 6-8pm as we discuss just how loved we are by God and how that shapes our identity.

We will be making apple pies again this year.  We can use all the help we can get so please reserve Friday, November 20 and Saturday November 21 to help with that if you are able!

Join us for Broomball on Saturday November 28^th!  We will meet for pizza at the church at 6:30pm and wrap up at 9:30pm

afterLIFE- Join us for Broomball on Saturday November 28^th!  We will meet for pizza at the church at 6:30pm and wrap up at 9:30pm

THIS WEEK

TODAY – 11/8

  9:15 AM   Morning Prayer Time

  9:45 AM   Morning Worship

  6:00 PM   ExtremeLIFE

MONDAY– 11/9

  7:00 PM   AD Board

TUESDAY – 11/10

  6:30 PM   Divorce Care

WEDNESDAY – 11/11

  6:30 AM   Men’s Bible Study

  8:00 AM   Men’s Life – New Beg

FRIDAY – 11/13

  6:30 PM   JRock Activity

NEXT SUNDAY – 11/15

  9:15 AM   Morning Prayer Time

  9:45 AM   Morning Worship

  6:00 PM   LIFE

* Prayer Line * 453-2288 *

Our prayer line is always available

to take your prayer requests,

or to listen to prayer updates.

After the recorded message,

you may leave your prayer needs

for our intercessors, who will pray for you.

Identifying yourself is optional.

VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE

Today, November 8

Nursery:

Staci Carroll

3’s & 4’s:

Tyler Harms

Greeters:

Larry Maat, Larry Meringa

Ushers:

Christy Prins

Next Sunday, November 15

Nursery:

Holly Milanowski

3’s & 4’s:

Bethany Hoekzema

Greeters:

Ushers:

November 1, 2020

TODAY

Today begins our Mission Emphasis week, and our guest preacher is Cody Zuiderveen from Grand Valley Campus Ministries.  His sermon, Can’t Taste?  Add Salt, is from Matthew 5:13.

Our second offering cause today is Faith Promise.

NEXT SUNDAY

Next Sunday concludes our Mission Emphasis week.  Our guest preacher will be Jerome Burton from Coit Community CRC.

The second offering box will be for Christian Education.

OUR CHURCH FAMILY

Please wish Alma Kuiper birthday blessings, as she celebrates her 90^th birthday this Tuesday, November 3.

Our condolences go out to Gord and Marcia Cappendyk and their family.  Their son Todd perished in a house fire last Sunday.

We also remember the family of John DeVries, former pastor of Highland Hills, who passed away last week.

Please pray for Ralph VerBeek who is hospitalized with an infection. 

Dan Langeland is home and recovering after returning to the hospital early last week.

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Children’s Ministries start today!  Nursery and 3s & 4s Worship begin with many safety precautions in place.  An email was sent out with details, and we want to thank our Children’s Ministry Team for their work.  Please check to see how you can volunteer to help!

This is Mission Emphasis Week, and an email with a summary of our Mission causes, along with a link to make Mission pledges, was sent out earlier.  If you prefer to use printed pledge forms, they are available at the Connection Center.    

The Youth Group will once again sell frozen homemade apple pies.  You can purchase a full-sized pie for $10 or a mini pie for $5.  Please email your order to bmyers@westendcrc.org or fill out the form that can be found at the Connection Center.  Pies will be made with strict sanitary procedures so you can be confident that they will be both safe and delicious!  Perfect for the holidays.

We plan to update the Westend address/phone directory.  Have you moved since the last one was printed?  Do you need to update your email or cell?  Please send updates to the church office:  office@westendcrc.org.

This Christmas season we plan to again bless those in our community – particularly Shawmut families.  In November, we will have information available about Christmas gifts you can buy that have been requested by a family.  If someone you know could use help in buying Christmas gifts for their family, please pick up a letter from the Connection Center to pass on. 

YOUTH

JRock – We will meet this afternoon, 3:45 – 5:30.  We will likely be meeting inside so please bring your mask.

JRock – Our next activity will be Friday, November 13.  Save the date!

LIFE – We meet this evening, 6 – 8.  We will likely be meeting inside so please bring your mask.

LIFE – We will be making apple pies again this year.  Please reserve Friday, November 20 and Saturday November 21 to help with that.

THIS WEEK

TODAY – 11/1

  9:15 AM   Morning Prayer Time

  9:45 AM   Morning Worship

  3:45 PM   JRock

  6:00 PM   LIFE

TUESDAY – 11/3

  6:30 PM   Divorce Care

  7:00 PM   Men’s Group

WEDNESDAY – 11/4

  6:30 AM   Men’s Bible Study

  8:00 AM   Men’s Life – New Beg

  6:30 PM   GEMS & Cadets

  6:30 PM   Ladies’ Bible Study

THURSDAY – 11/5

  6:30 PM   Ladies’ Bible Study

NEXT SUNDAY – 11/8

  9:15 AM   Morning Prayer Time

  9:45 AM   Morning Worship

  6:00 PM   ExtremeLIFE

* Prayer Line * 453-2288 *

Our prayer line is always available

to take your prayer requests,

or to listen to prayer updates.

After the recorded message,

you may leave your prayer needs

for our intercessors, who will pray for you.

Identifying yourself is optional.

VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE

Today, November 1

Greeters

Michelle Falk, Geoff Cleveland

Ushers

Christy Prins, Rog Mellema

Next Sunday, November 8

Greeters

Larry Maat, Larry Meringa

Ushers

Christy Prins

FINANCIAL UPDATE

Offerings 10/25          wkly goals

Ministries  $    6,060     12,228

Chr Ed       $     2,354       1,538

October 25, 2020

TODAY

Pastor Kory will conclude the sermon series ECTV.  His sermon, from Ecclesiastes 11-12, will be God Bones.

We will continue to live-stream the service on YouTube and Facebook.

NEXT SUNDAY

Next Sunday begins our Mission Emphasis week.  Our guest preacher will be Cody Zuiderveen.

The second offering box will be for Faith Promise.

OUR CHURCH FAMILY

Dan Langeland had surgery on Thursday to remove a tumor on his kidney.  The outcome is not yet known.  He expects to stay in the hospital briefly and return home by the weekend.

Please remember our shut-ins and others who are more deeply affected by the isolation of Covid restrictions.

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

The CEMC meeting will be held inside church this Tuesday, October 27, at 6:30.

Burrito orders can be picked up this Wednesday afternoon from 3 to 6.

We are so thankful in GEMS to have an unexpected number of girls in our program this year.  That blessing has caused a need we haven’t addressed in many years – we need more counselors.  Due especially to our social distancing we try to limit our class sizes to accommodate both our leaders and our girls.  If you feel a tug in your spirit to lend a hand, we will welcome you with open arms!  Please contact Deb Kok ASAP if you are willing to help.   We would love to see you join this vital ministry in leading our GEMS to know the Savior.

The Youth Group will once again sell homemade apple pies.  You can purchase a full-sized pie for $10 or a mini pie for $5.  Please email your order to bmyers@westendcrc.org or fill out the form which can be found at the Connection Center.  Pies will be made with strict sanitary procedures so you can be confident that they will be both safe and delicious!  Perfect for the holidays.

We plan to update the Westend address/phone directory.  Have you moved since the last one was printed?  Do you need to update your email or cell?  Please send updates to the church office:  office@westendcrc.org.

This Christmas season we plan to again bless those in our community – particularly Shawmut families.  In November, we will have information available about Christmas gifts you can buy that have been requested by a family.  If someone you know could use help in buying Christmas gifts for their family, please pick up a letter from the Connection Center to pass on. 

Please remember to set your clocks back an hour next weekend, as Daylight Saving Time ends.

YOUTH

JRock – Our next meeting will be Sunday, November 1, 3:45 – 5:30.  We will likely be meeting inside so please bring your mask.

JRock – Our next activity will be Friday, November 13.  Save the date!

LIFE – There is no LIFE meeting tonight.  Our next meeting is Sunday, November1, 6 – 8 PM.  We will likely be meeting inside so please bring your mask.

LIFE – We will be making apple pies again this year.  Please reserve Friday, November 20 and Saturday November 21 to help with that.

THIS WEEK

TODAY – 10/25

  9:15 AM   Morning Prayer Time

  9:45 AM   Morning Worship

TUESDAY – 10/27

  6:30 PM   Divorce Care

  6:30 PM   CEMC meeting

WEDNESDAY – 10/28

  6:30 AM   Men’s Bible Study

  8:00 AM   Men’s Life – New Beg

    3-6 PM   Burrito Pick-up

  7:00 PM   Council

NEXT SUNDAY – 11/1

  9:15 AM   Morning Prayer Time

  9:45 AM   Morning Worship

  3:45 PM   JRock

  6:00 PM   LIFE

* Prayer Line * 453-2288 *

Our prayer line is always available

to take your prayer requests,

or to listen to prayer updates.

After the recorded message,

you may leave your prayer needs

for our intercessors, who will pray for you.

Identifying yourself is optional.

VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE

Today, October 25

Greeters

Ben Cleveland, Dave Bustraan

Ushers

Faye Kragt, Jim Goote

Next Sunday, November 1

Greeters

Michelle Falk, Geoff Cleveland

Ushers

Christy Prins, Rog Mellema

FINANCIAL UPDATE

Offerings 10/18          wkly goals

Ministries  $    5,923     12,228

Chr Ed       $        495       1,538

October 18, 2020

TODAY

Last Sunday, we started worshiping indoors!  If you missed the information about reopening, you can still visit:   https://youtu.be/oEbhBDFu4nU

Pastor Kory will continue the sermon series ECTV.  His sermon, A Very Common Makeover, is from Ecclesiastes 9-10.

We will continue to live-stream the service on YouTube and Facebook.

NEXT SUNDAY

Next Sunday Pastor Kory will conclude the sermon series ECTV.  His sermon, from Ecclesiastes 11-12, will be God Bones.

The second offering box will be for Christian Education.

OUR CHURCH FAMILY

Martha Besteman was hospitalized earlier this week with a blood clot in her leg.  She has returned home and is recovering well.

We extend our sympathy to the Stapleys.  Deb’s brother Tim passed away last weekend.

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Crazy Delicious Burritos for Christian Education!  Orders are due TODAY – Sunday, October 18 – for burritos from Trini’s in Sparta.  If you haven’t had them before, trust us, they’re fabulous!    Burritos come frozen, and are a great last minute meal with no prep.  Order forms are available at the connection center.  Questions?  Contact Jamie Mata.

Thank you!  The final tally of crazy acts of kindness was 202!  The Christian Ed Committee is so thankful for all of you who shared an act of kindness to help us reach our goal.  We are thankful for the donors who sponsored the acts of kindness!  We were able to raise $16,000 to help families who need assistance.  Be sure to check out the CEMC article in the next Westend Window.

Needed – sturdy boxes for our October 21 Feeding America drive-thru.  If you have boxes that could hold 3 grocery bags, please leave them in the Café.

The CEMC meeting will be held inside church on Tuesday, October 27, at 6:30.

This Christmas season we plan to again bless those in our community – particularly Shawmut families.  In November, we will have information available about Christmas gifts you can buy that have been requested by a family.  If someone you know could use help in buying Christmas gifts for their family, please pick up a letter (coming soon) from the Connection Center. 

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Westend is looking for our next Worship Director.  Interested applicants can find the job description and how to apply at http://westendcrc.org/worship-director/

THIS WEEK

TODAY – 10/18

9:15 AM  Morning Prayer Time

9:45 AM  Morning Worship

TUESDAY – 10/20

6:30 PM  Divorce Care

WEDNESDAY – 10/21

6:30 AM  Men’s Bible Study

8:00 AM  Men’s Life – New Beg

5:00 PM  Feeding America

6:30 PM  GEMS & Cadets

6:30 PM  Ladies’ Bible Study

NEXT SUNDAY – 10/25

9:15 AM  Morning Prayer Time

9:45 AM  Morning Worship

* Prayer Line * 453-2288 *

Our prayer line is always available

to take your prayer requests,

or to listen to prayer updates.

After the recorded message,

you may leave your prayer needs

for our intercessors, who will pray for you.

Identifying yourself is optional.

VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE

Today, October 18

Greeters

Adam Veltema, Randy Smits

Ushers

Sue Mellema, Faye Kragt, Jim Goote

Next Sunday, October 25

Greeters

Ben Cleveland, Dave Bustraan

Ushers

Faye Kragt, Jim Goote

FINANCIAL UPDATE

Offerings 10/4 & 11    wkly goals

Ministries $ 19,395    12,228

Chr Ed     $    1,720      1,538

Faith Pr   $    4,529

October 11, 2020

TODAY

Today we will worship indoors!  For more info about our reopening, visit https://youtu.be/oEbhBDFu4nU.

Pastor Kory will continue the sermon series ECTV.  His sermon, from Ecclesiastes 7-8, will be Fix Him/Her Upper.

We will continue to live-stream the service on YouTube and Facebook.

NEXT SUNDAY

Next Sunday Pastor Kory will continue the sermon series ECTV.  His sermon, A Very Common Makeover, is from Ecclesiastes 9-10.

The second offering box will be for Audio Scripture Ministries.

OUR CHURCH FAMILY

We rejoice with Irv and Tres DeRuischer who celebrate their 75^th wedding anniversary tomorrow.

Please remember shut-ins both in and outside our church membership.  Residents of Coventry Woods have contacted Westend and the deacons are looking for 2-4 volunteers to call a couple of ladies who need someone to talk to.  Please contact April Myles.

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Update from the MPT and Westend Church’s latest Covid-19 response.  We are so glad to have the opportunity to now gather indoors for worship!  Additionally, we are now holding several ministries and Bible studies indoors.  We are thankful to God for His faithfulness.

In light of the recent rulings by the Michigan Supreme Court the MPT would like to affirm the ‘Westend – Back To Church’ phases and guidelines.  These guidelines will remain as presented and approved.  The Westend guidelines are a good way to safely gather indoors as believers. 

Church leadership will regularly be referring to local and state health departments and guidelines for the latest safety suggestions and requirements for indoor gatherings.  The Administrative Board will monitor any and all changes and regulations put forth by these governing bodies.  The Ad Board will regularly discuss and make changes to our guidelines as they prayerfully see fit. 

Blessings, the Ministry Preparedness Team

Our Backpack Festival has become a School Supply Giveaway – same idea, different format.  Kids will be coming this Wednesday, 5:30 – 7:00, to fill backpacks with supplies.  We could still use some backpacks for girls.  If you wish to buy any, please drop them off before Wednesday afternoon.

Cadets and Parents!  This Saturday, October 17, we will have a service project working at Gleaners food bank.  Please be at church at 8 AM, and we’ll return around noon.  Questions?  Contact your son’s Cadet Counselor.

Needed – 50 sturdy boxes for our October 21 Feeding America drive-thru.  If you have boxes that could hold 3 grocery bags, please leave them in the Café.

Crazy Delicious Burritos!  Christian Ed is selling burritos from Trini’s in Sparta.  Remember how much you enjoyed them last time?  Burritos come frozen, and are a great last minute meal with no prep.  Order forms are available at the connection center.  Questions?  Contact Jamie Mata.

Crazy Acts of Kindness:  Thank you to all who have submitted acts of kindness to our challenge for Christian Education!  Thank you to the group of donors who sponsored this challenge!  We are almost to our goal, and there is still time to share an act of kindness before the deadline of Monday, October 12.  Drop a note in the box next to the collection box or email your act to junelatsma@gmail.com.  We are excited to finish strong.

Children’s Ministry update.  We’re excited to see your kids inside church soon!  We will use the month of October to prepare for coming inside, and will not offer any in-person children’s ministry for the month, but will have videos for families on the WE Kids facebook page.  We continue to offer activity bags for families that worship in person.  Please pray for our programs and consider volunteering with these awesome kids!

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Westend is looking for our next Worship Director.  Interested applicants can find the job description and how to apply at http://westendcrc.org/worship-director/.

Westend is seeking applicants for the position of part-time administrative assistant.  For more information, go to our website, http://westendcrc.org/administrative-assistant/.  If you are interested in this employment opportunity, contact Jeremy Marsman at admin@westendcrc.org.

YOUTH

LIFE meets tonight at 6 PM in the church parking lot.  Bring a lawn chair.

JRock will have a bonfire night at Rodenhouse’s this Friday, 6:00 – 9:30.  Parents can drop kids off at church at 6:00, or at Rodenhouse’s at 6:30. 

ExtremeLIFE will have a bonfire night at Rodenhouse’s this Saturday, 5:30 – 9:30. 

THIS WEEK

TODAY – 10/11

  9:15 AM   Morning Prayer Time

  9:45 AM   Morning Worship

  6:00 PM   LIFE

MONDAY – 10/12

  7:00 PM   Ad Board

TUESDAY – 10/13

  6:30 PM   Divorce Care

WEDNESDAY – 10/14

  6:30 AM   Men’s Bible Study

  8:00 AM   Men’s Life – New Beg

  5:30 PM   Backpack Giveaway

THURSDAY – 10/15

  6:30 PM   Ladies’ Bible Study

FRIDAY – 10/16

  6:00 PM   JRock bonfire

SATURDAY – 10/17

  8:00 AM   Cadets project

  5:30 PM   ExtremeLIFE bonfire

NEXT SUNDAY – 10/18

  9:15 AM   Morning Prayer Time

  9:45 AM   Morning Worship

October 4, 2020

TODAY

We gather together for outdoor worship today.  Pastor Kory continues the sermon series ECTV.  His sermon, from Ecclesiastes 5-6, will be Hope Hunters International.  During the service, we will celebrate communion.

We will continue to live-stream the service on YouTube and Facebook.

NEXT SUNDAY

Next Sunday we will worship indoors!  For more info about our reopening, visit https://youtu.be/oEbhBDFu4nU.

Pastor Kory will continue the sermon series ECTV.  His sermon, from Ecclesiastes 7-8, will be Fix Him/Her Upper.

The second offering box will be for Christian Education.

OUR CHURCH FAMILY

Please pray for the Langelands as Dan waits for a treatment plan to address a tumor on his kidney.

Please remember our service men and women who serve at home and abroad.

We also ask that you remember shut-ins and the elderly.  Westend has been contacted by a resident at Coventry Woods, and the deacons are now looking for 2-4 volunteers to call a couple of ladies at Coventry who are lonely.  Please contact April Myles.  

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Westend is seeking applicants for the position of part-time administrative assistant.  For more information, go to our website, http://westendcrc.org/administrative-assistant/.  If you are interested in this employment opportunity, contact Jeremy Marsman at admin@westendcrc.org.

Westend is also looking for our next Worship Director.  Interested applicants can find the job description and how to apply at http://westendcrc.org/worship-director/.

The Ladies’ Wednesday evening Bible study begins this week on October 7, and will continue the 1^st and 3^rd Wednesdays each month at 6:30.  The video series Gideon will be studied.  If you’ve ever struggled with insecurity or had trouble accepting your limitations, this study will help you see how God can use your weakness to unlock His strength.

GEMS meet this week ladies!  We will have our first indoor meeting so be ready for some adjustments.  We look forward to greeting you at the north entrance, and giving you instruction when you enter about where to go and what your schedule will be.  Questions?  Contact Deb Kok.

The Cadet program begins this Wednesday.  If you would like your son to join us, please email westendcadets@gmail.com so we can connect.  If you don’t have email you can call or text Ryan Faber or let Len Hudson know. 

Needed – 50 sturdy boxes for our October 21 Feeding America drive-thru.  If you have boxes that could hold 3 grocery bags, please leave them in the Café.

Children’s Ministry update.  We’re excited to see your kids inside church soon!  We will use the month of October to prepare for coming inside, and will not offer any in-person children’s ministry for the month, but will have videos for families on the WE Kids facebook page.  We continue to offer activity bags for families that worship in person.  Please pray for our programs and consider volunteering with these awesome kids!

Crazy Acts of Kindness.  Thank you all who have shared their craziness in the past week.  We know it may feel awkward to share when we do something nice, but it is for a good cause!  Our three-week total is 126 acts of kindness.  Only 34 more to go before we reach our goal of 160 by October 12!  Let’s keep being the hands and feet of Jesus!

This week’s list:

Kids – helped give baby sister a bottle, picked up her pacifier (a lot!), helped little sister finish a puzzle, made a card for sick person, unloaded portion of dishwasher, helped grandma make muffins for a neighbor, brought flowers to a teacher, shared candy with a sad brother.

Adults – took friend to appointment, babysat, made goodies for someone, made meal for family, helped stranger load his boat, took friend on an outing, donated crafts, helped cut down a tree, cards to shut-ins, sent email encouragement, knit hats for Kids Hope, visited elderly.

Crazy Delicious Burritos!  Christian Ed will again sell burritos from Trini’s in Sparta.  Remember how much you enjoyed them last time?  Burritos come frozen, and are a great last minute meal with no prep.  Order forms are available at church on Sunday, or if you are reading this via email, look for the attachment!  Questions?  Contact Jamie Mata.

YOUTH

JRock meets this afternoon at 3:45 in the church parking lot.  Bring a lawn chair.

LIFE meets tonight at 6 PM in the church parking lot.  Bring a lawn chair.

JRock will have a bonfire night at Rodenhouse’s on October 16. 

ExtremeLIFE will have a bonfire night at Rodenhouse’s on October 17. 

THIS WEEK

TODAY – 10/4

  9:45 AM   Morning Worship

  3:45 PM   JRock

  6:00 PM   LIFE

TUESDAY – 10/6

  6:30 PM   Divorce Care

WEDNESDAY – 10/7

  6:30 AM   Men’s Bible Study

  8:00 AM   Men’s Life – New Beg

  6:30 PM   GEMS & Cadets

  6:30 PM   Ladies’ Bible Study

NEXT SUNDAY – 10/11

  9:45 AM   Morning Worship

  3:45 PM   JRock

  6:00 PM   LIFE

FINANCIAL UPDATE

Offerings 9/27        weekly goals

Ministries  $  10,924     12,228

Chr Ed         $       3,025    1,538

September 27, 2020

TODAY

We gather together for outdoor worship today.  Pastor Kory continues the sermon series ECTV.  His sermon, from Ecclesiastes 4, will be Flip or Flop.

We will continue to live-stream the service on YouTube and Facebook.

NEXT SUNDAY

Next Sunday Pastor Kory will continue the sermon series ECTV.  His sermon, from Ecclesiastes 5-6, will be Hope Hunters International.

The second offering box will be for Faith Promise.

OUR CHURCH FAMILY

We praise God that Mary Koets has completed her radiation treatments.  She will have additional scans in a few weeks.

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Westend is seeking applicants for the position of part-time office secretary.  Our current secretary, Rose Dykstra, plans to retire and we thank her for her years of dedicated service.  If you are interested in this employment opportunity, contact Jeremy Marsman at admin@westendcrc.org, 616-453-3077.

Westend is beginning the search process for our next Worship Director.  Interested applicants can find the job description and how to apply at westendcrc.org/worship-director/

The Thursday evening Ladies’ Bible Study begins this Thursday at 6:30 and will study Finding God Faithful, a study on the life of Joseph by Kelly Minter.  Meetings will be the 1^st and 3^rd Thursdays each month, and held in the basement.  Questions?  Contact Faye Kragt.

The Cadet Pinewood Derby will be held October 3 at Trinity CRC in Sparta (note change of venue).  Call Len or Ross for details.

The Ladies’ Wednesday evening Bible study begins October 7, and will continue the 1^st and 3^rd Wednesdays each month at 6:30.  The video series Gideon will be studied.  If you’ve ever struggled with insecurity or had trouble accepting your limitations, this study will help you see how God can use your weakness to unlock His strength.

The Cadet program is planning to start in October.  If you would like your son to join us, please email westendcadets@gmail.com so we can connect.  If you don’t have email you can call or text Ryan Faber or let Len Hudson know. 

Children’s Ministry update.  We’re excited to see your kids inside church soon!  We will use the month of October to prepare for coming inside, and will not offer any in-person children’s ministry for the month, but will have videos for families on the WE Kids facebook page.  We will continue to offer activity bags for families that worship in person.  Please pray for our programs and consider volunteering with these awesome kids!  We can’t wait to see all the kiddos again soon!

Crazy Acts of Kindness:  Thank you to everyone who has participated!  So far we have had 40 reported acts of kindness, which means we have 120 more to go to reach our Christian Education fund-raising goal of 160 acts by October 12.  There are several ways to let us know what you have done:  drop a note in the box on Sunday, email June at junelatsma@gmail.com, or tell any committee member at church on Sunday.  

Here are the acts from this week:  baked cookies for the football team, made masks for co-workers, babysat grandchildren over a weekend, moved a friend from one city to another, delivered mum plants to three friends, prepared meals for three families, cleaned up outdoor brush for elderly neighbor, made phone calls to encourage dear friends, wrote Sympathy cards, prayed for Pastor Kory and our church leaders, watched son’s children for the weekend, sent two get-well cards, edged a neighbor’s sidewalk, and sent nine thank-you cards.  God is using us to be His hands and feet on the West side of Grand Rapids and here at Westend!

Crazy Delicious Burritos!  Christian Ed will again sell burritos from Trini’s in Sparta.  Take this time to consider how much you enjoyed them last time, and how many you would like to order this time.  Official order forms will be available soon! 

YOUTH

LIFE meets tonight at 6 PM in the church parking lot.  Bring a lawn chair.

JRock meets next Sunday at 3:45 in the church parking lot.  Bring a lawn chair.

LIFE meets next Sunday at 6 PM.

JRock will have a bonfire night at Rodenhouse’s on October 16.  Save the date.

ExtremeLIFE will have a bonfire night at Rodenhouse’s on October 17.  Save the date.

THIS WEEK

TODAY – 9/27

  9:45 AM   Morning Worship

  6:00 PM   LIFE

TUESDAY – 9/29

  6:30 PM   Divorce Care

WEDNESDAY – 9/30

  6:30 AM   Men’s Bible Study

  8:00 AM   Men’s Life – New Beg.

THURSDAY – 10/1

  6:30 PM   Ladies’ Bible Study

NEXT SUNDAY – 10/4

  9:45 AM   Morning Worship

  3:45 PM   JRock

  6:00 PM   LIFE

FINANCIAL UPDATE

Offerings 9/13, 9/20   wkly goals

Ministries  $  52,138     12,228

Chr Ed       $   16,841       1,538

VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE

Remember when we had a whole column of volunteers listed for various church programs, including nursery and children’s worship?  Please pray for these ministries and consider volunteering for a Sunday with the kids.  Contact Alisha if you can help.

* Prayer Line * 453-2288 *

Our prayer line is always available

to take your prayer requests,

or to listen to prayer updates. 

After the recorded message,

 you may leave your prayer needs

for our intercessors, who will pray for you.

Identifying yourself is optional.

Dear Congregation of Westend,

The Ministry Preparedness Team (MPT) met last Thursday to review and approve our team’s recommendation for a re-opening plan for Sunday morning worship.  A group of five individuals met to discuss and prepare a written plan.  This plan was presented, reviewed, and discussed in detail by the MPT.  After much deliberation, we voted to approve the written recommendation and we submitted the plan to AD board for approval.

On Monday evening, The AD board met with the focus being too approve the guidelines for each ministry group based on what phase we are in (4,5,6) and the size of the ministry group (small, medium, or large) and the re-opening plan for Sunday morning worship.

After several hours of discussion and discernment, the AD board approved the following:

-Guidelines for all groups in all phases and specific guidelines pertaining to COVID.

-Guidelines for group sizes, mask wearing, social distancing and food service.

-Building use as it pertains to group sizes and where each group can meet.

-Sunday morning worship re-opening plan

-Worship service resuming indoors on October 11^th.

The next step for the MPT is to prepare both a written document and a video presentation to outline the approved guidelines for returning to indoor programming.  We will also continue to work with the individual ministry teams to help them prepare a plan.

We welcome any thoughts or concerns you may have.  Please feel free to contact anyone on the MPT to share those ideas.  Our team consists of:

Doug Stapley                        Jeremy Marsman                  Jane VandePol                     Faye Kragt

Julie Bulson              Luanne Hoekzema               Luke Verbeek

Please continue to pray for this team and that the Holy Spirit guides us as we discern what God is calling Westend to do.

In His name,

Westend’s MPT