Dear Congregation of Westend,

The Ministry Preparedness Team (MPT) met for the second time last Thursday (8/27) to prepare a plan for AD Board’s approval regarding the reopening of Westend’s ministries.

Our goal was to set the guidelines for each ministry group to follow based on what phase we are in (4,5,6) and the size of the ministry group (small, medium, or large).  We have accomplished this and will present this in a simple chart form. 

Our next meeting will focus on a plan for Sunday morning worship and Children’s worship. We will prepare our thoughts/ideas and then sit down with the worship team to prepare a formal reopening plan for approval by the AD board.  When this is completed, we will start meeting with staff members and ministry coordinators to review the guidelines and assist each ministry with its own reopening plan.

As we move forward, we are working hard to honor the diverse opinions and comfort levels of our Westend congregation.  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

Dear Congregation of Westend,

The Ministry Preparedness Team (MPT) met for the first-time last Thursday (8/20) to prepare a plan for Administrative Board’s approval regarding the reopening of Westend’s ministries.

When we started this process, we began by taking a small sampling of the congregation (approximately 30 people) and the following became clear.  First, our congregation has mixed thoughts about returning to inside programs and second, that 80-85% of those sampled would like to continue our programs outside weather permitting.  Based on this information, the Ad Board voted to continue with outside programming until Oct 1.

We are all aware that Michigan weather can change quickly and Oct 1 will be her soon, therefore, it is the plan of the MPT to have written guidelines and a plan for indoor worship / children’s worship for approval at the September Ad Board meeting.

To accomplish this, we are following this plan:

1.     Identify phases for Westend Church (like Michigan’s reopening plan)

2.     Determine guidelines for staff/ministry coordinators to follow based on:

a.    Masks

b.    Social Distancing

c.     Group size

d.    Food service

3.     Category for each Ministry at Westend

a.    Small group, 0-20 people

b.    Medium group, 21-50 people

c.     Large group, 51 people and above

4.     Meet with/guide each ministry team with a re-opening plan

Our timeline is as follows:

Meeting #1                Identify phases (completed)

Meeting #2                Determining guidelines (work in progress)

Meeting #3,4             Meet with each Ministry coordinator

September 14           Present to Ad Board for approval

Meeting #5,6             Continue to work with Ministry coordinators

Please pray for this team and that the Holy Spirt will guide us as we discern what God is calling Westend to do.  We are working hard to make sure we honor the diverse opinions and comfort levels of our Westend congregation.

In His name,

Westend’s MPT

Dear Congregation of Westend,

Beginning in March, so many of our work and family routines experienced a drastic change due to COVID-19. The last five months have been difficult.

The Administrative Board and Westend staff have been working on your behalf to adapt worship and ministry methods. Some of the changes seem like a negative – not worshipping in our sanctuary and not being able to gather together with our church family. Other changes have created new opportunities to engage and bless, like online access to Sunday morning worship services and the goodie baskets delivered to some of our shut-ins.

Though the Ad. Board and staff have spent many hours in discussions regarding COVID’s past, present, and future impact on our ministries, we realize regular communication about those discussions has been missing. We apologize and will do better.

Here is an update from our recent Administrative Board meeting:

• A Reopening Committee was formed to write a step-by-step plan that will be used to guide Westend toward safe, indoor worship. The plan will be presented to the Ad. Board for consideration in October.
  • The committee is led by Doug Stapley.
  • The Reopening Committee and Ad. Board will provide regular communication to the congregation.
  • The Reopening Committee will also be making specific plans for our other ministries, such as Sunday School and Westend Wednesday activities.
• Outdoor worship will continue until at least October, longer if weather allows.
• Our normal fall ministries (GEMS, Sunday School, Cadets, etc.) will not begin in person until at least October. 

We understand and acknowledge the deep desire to worship inside, especially with fall and winter approaching.  We long for this return to normal in our lives.  At the same time, this desire for normalcy must be balanced with our Christian desire to respect the life, health and safety of others.  Our collective actions can protect others if done wisely.

Please continue to pray for our church, our country, and our world.  Please also pray for your church leaders that our Heavenly Father may bless us with wisdom, courage, and discernment.

In His Name,

Westend CRC Administrative Board

Reopening Committee

• Doug Stapley – Chair
• Julie Bulson
• Jeremy Marsman
• Jane VanDepol
• Faye Kragt
• Luke Verbeek
• Luanne Hoekzema

September 20, 2020

TODAY

We gather together for outdoor worship today.  Pastor Kory continues the sermon series ECTV.  His sermon, from Ecclesiastes 3, is Plant It or Uproot It.

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 4, will be Flip or Flop.

The second offering box will be for Christian Education.

OUR CHURCH FAMILY

Congratulations to Sarah Mellema and Scott VanDommelen who were married yesterday.

We rejoice that Joanne Kooi has returned home after her surgery and pray for a smooth recovery in the weeks to come.

We give thanks that Kit Post’s condition has improved and her memory has returned after an episode last week.  We pray for her continued journey with Hospice.

Invitation from Westview Church:

America is in trouble.  Our communities are hurting, our people are divided, and there’s fear and uncertainty all around us.  Let’s join together and do the most important thing – PRAY!  Westview (2929 Leonard NW) will host a 2 hour time of prayer on their lawn Saturday, September 26, from noon to 2.  Come when you can, stay as long as you want.  To God be the glory!  Questions?  Contact the Westview office 616-453-3105 or mary@westviewcrc.org.

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Crazy Faith Update.  In just 3 days, we have 13 crazy acts of kindness – goodies baked for a neighbor, dinner for a neighbor family, cards to shut-ins, donuts for teachers, disposable wipes for classrooms, yard cleanup for a neighbor, closed a pool for family member, fixed brakes for daughter-in-law, hauled in neighbor’s garbage cans, baked goods for staff members, donuts for a friend, hauled away neighbor’s brush pile, shared produce with neighbors.  Thank you to all who shared!  We are looking forward to many more over the next 3 weeks.  Our goal is 160 acts of kindness by October 12 to raise $16,000 for the Christian Ed Fund.

The Cadet counselors will meet today after the worship service in the Café.

CEMC will meet this Tuesday, September 22, at 7:00. 

GEMS begins this Wednesday!  We are excited to see you for a new season of celebrating together that we are friends of God.  We will meet in the south parking lot.  Please wear a mask as we gather in groups on the hill, share some time together, do a fun activity, and have a snack.  Remember that our time frame is shorter for this meeting – 6:30 to 7:30.  Questions?  Contact Deb Kok.

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

Divorce Care is a caring group of people who will walk alongside those who are experiencing one of life’s most difficult experiences.  The 13-week program is a Christ centered way of navigating through the process of recovery.  It includes a video series and workbook featuring experts on divorce.  The cost is $20.  We encourage you to invite friends and family who may be experiencing a divorce or separation to join us.  The next class starts this Tuesday, September 22, at 6:30 PM in the Cafe’ at Westend Church, 1015 Westend Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49504.

For more information you can email Deb Stapley dstapley5@sbcglobal.net  or go to divorcecare.org.

The Thursday evening Ladies’ Bible Study will begin October 1 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.

Good news!  The Cadet program is tentatively 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.  More information is coming soon.

THIS WEEK

TODAY – 9/20

  9:45 AM   Morning Worship

11:15 AM   Cadet Counselor mtg

MONDAY – 9/21

  7:00 PM   Ad Board

TUESDAY – 9/22

  6:30 PM   Divorce Care

  7:00 PM   CEMC meeting

WEDNESDAY – 9/23

  6:30 AM   Men’s Bible Study

  8:00 AM   Men’s Life – New Beg.

  6:30 PM   GEMS

  7:00 PM   Council

NEXT SUNDAY – 9/27

  9:45 AM   Morning Worship

September 13, 2020

TODAY

We gather together for outdoor worship today.  Pastor Kory begins the sermon series ECTV.  His sermon, from Ecclesiastes 1 and 2, is Hope Hunters.

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 3, will be Plant It or Uproot It.

The second offering box will be for Hope Unexpected.

OUR CHURCH FAMILY

We express our sympathy to Lois Kragt and her family in the death of their dear husband, father, and grandfather, Larry, on September 5.

Joanne Kooi’s triple bypass surgery went well.  She is recovering at Spectrum.

Martha Besteman had a small heart attack and is recovering at Spectrum.

Kit Post’s condition has deteriorated considerably in the past days.  Her family anticipates that her earthly journey is soon coming to a close.  Pray for peace for Kit and her family during this time.

Congratulations to Brent and Stephanie DeKryger, whose son, James Ellison, was baptized Saturday at a backyard ceremony.

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

CEMC will meet Tuesday, September 22 at 6:30.  Please note the earlier time due to being outdoors and darkness arriving sooner.

GEMS is planning to begin our new season as never before.  Please save Wednesday, September 23.  We will gather outdoors for a get together from 6:30 – 7:30 PM to see each other again face to face.  We will be socially distanced, masked, and sanitized, but we look forward to seeing as much of your face as possible.  Look for a letter in the mail this week, along with a registration form.  Questions?  Contact Debbie Kok.  We are excited to see you!

Good news!  The Cadet program is tentatively 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.  More information is coming soon.

Cadet Counselors are needed for the coming season.  Please contact Len.

YOUTH

JRock – beach trip to Grand Haven this Friday, September 18, 5:00 – 9:30.  Come for pizza, beach games, and ice cream!

THIS WEEK

TODAY – 9/13

  9:45 AM   Morning Worship

MONDAY – 9/14

  7:00 PM   Ad Board

WEDNESDAY – 9/16

  6:30 AM   Men’s Bible Study

FRIDAY – 9/18

  5:00 PM   JRock beach trip

NEXT SUNDAY – 9/20

  9:45 AM   Morning Worship

FINANCIAL UPDATE

Offerings 9/6          weekly goals

Ministries   $    7,338    12,228

Chr Ed         $         530      1,538

Faith Prom  $     2,021

September 6, 2020

TODAY

We gather together for outdoor worship today.  Pastor Kory concludes the sermon series Legacy.  His sermon, Pray, is from Luke 11.  During the service we will celebrate communion.

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

NEXT SUNDAY

Next Sunday Pastor Kory will begin the sermon series ECTV.  His sermon, from Ecclesiastes 1 and 2, will be Hope Hunters.

The second offering box will be for Christian Education.

OUR CHURCH FAMILY

Mary Koets is now halfway through this series of radiation treatments.  Please pray that God will give her strength during this time, and pray that the treatments will be effective.

Please remember our senior members who live under continued shut-down conditions.  Many are very lonely and feel isolated during this extended time.

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

There will be no Children’s Worship today.

Cadet Counselors will meet this Wednesday, September 9, at 7 PM in the Café.

Cadet Counselors are needed for the coming season.  Please contact Len.

GEMS is planning to begin our new season as never before.  Please save Wednesday, September 23.  We will gather outdoors for a get together from 6:30 – 7:30 PM to see each other again face to face.  We will be socially distanced, masked, and sanitized, but we look forward to seeing as much of your face as possible.  Look for a letter in the mail this week, along with a registration form.  Questions?  Contact Debbie.  We are excited to see you!

We are still taking donations for our backpack festival, which we hope to have sometime when in-person classes begin. A bin for school supplies will be outside the Café on Sunday mornings. 

YOUTH

JRock – beach trip to Grand Haven Friday, September 18, 5:00 – 9:30.  Come for pizza, beach games, and ice cream!

LIFE – beach trip to Grand Haven this Saturday, September 12, 4:30 – 9:45.  Come for pizza, beach fun, and ice cream!

THIS WEEK

TODAY – 9/6

  9:45 AM   Morning Worship

WEDNESDAY – 9/9

  6:30 AM   Men’s Bible Study

  7:00 PM   Cadet Counselor mtg

SATURDAY – 9/12

  4:30 PM   LIFE beach trip

NEXT SUNDAY – 9/13

  9:45 AM   Morning Worship

FINANCIAL UPDATE

Offerings 8/30        weekly goals

Ministries   $    5,811    12,228

Chr Ed         $     1,659      1,538

August 30, 2020

TODAY

We gather together for outdoor worship today.  Pastor Kory returns and continues the sermon series Legacy.  His sermon is Give, from Luke 16.  During the service Natalie Jo Veltema, daughter of Adam and Kristin, will be baptized.

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

NEXT SUNDAY

Next Sunday Pastor Kory continues the sermon series Legacy.  His sermon will be Go, from Acts 8.  During the service we will celebrate communion.

Next week we will begin receiving a second offering again.  A separate box will be available near the first one.  The offering will be for Faith Promise.

OUR CHURCH FAMILY

Please pray for Kit Post who is now receiving hospice care. 

We rejoice with David Hoekzema and Katie Schaner, who were married on August 15.

Please remember our shut ins and those who are in senior living facilities, who may feel especially lonely and isolated at this time.

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Wednesday we will have an ice cream social, 6:30 – 7:30 PM, in the parking lot.  Come for the ice cream, and come for the social!

GEMS is planning to begin our new season as never before.  Please save Wednesday, September 23.  We will gather outdoors for a get together from 6:30 – 7:30 PM to see each other again face to face.  We will be socially distanced, masked, and sanitized, but we look forward to seeing as much of your face as possible.  Look for a letter in the mail this week, along with a registration form.  Questions?  Contact Debbie Kok.  We are excited to see you!

Due to the delay in reopening schools, our backpack festival has been postponed.  We hope to hold it some time in October.  Donations are still appreciated, and the bin for them will be outside the Café on Sunday mornings. 

THIS WEEK

TODAY – 8/30

  9:45 AM   Morning Worship

WEDNESDAY – 9/2

  6:30 AM   Men’s Bible Study

  6:30 PM   Ice cream social

NEXT SUNDAY – 9/6

  9:45 AM   Morning Worship

VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE

TODAY – 8/30

Set Up – Jim Goote, Renz and Nate Verbeek, Pedro Hernandez

Parking Lot – Larry Maat, Renz Verbeek, Dick Heys

Tear Down – Riley family, Larry Maat, Dick Heys, Pedro Hernandez

FINANCIAL UPDATE

Offerings 8/16,23    weekly goals

Ministries   $  10,146    12,228

Chr Ed         $         970      1,538

August 23, 2020

TODAY

We gather together for outdoor worship today.  Rev Beverly Weeks will be our guest pastor.  During the service Jace Michael Koning, son of Mike and Nikki, will be baptized.

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

NEXT SUNDAY

Next Sunday Pastor Kory returns and continues the sermon series Legacy.  His sermon will be Give, from Luke 16.  During the service Natalie Jo Veltema, daughter of Adam and Kristin, will be baptized.

OUR CHURCH FAMILY

Dave and Bea Zylstra have moved into the DeVos Center at Holland Home. 

Kit Post has declined in health and has moved to a recovery facility.  Her address will be available soon.

We celebrate with Jerry Horstman, who turns 90 on Tuesday.

Please remember those affected by covid in other parts of the world.  From the Holtvluwers, we learn that Cledia, a pastor and strong community leader in Honduras died of covid.  Please pray for her family and community. 

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

The CEM committee meets this Tuesday, August 25 at 7 PM on the patio of the church office (inside if it’s raining).  Please bring a lawn chair.

On Wednesday, September 2, we will have an ice cream social, 6:30 – 7:30 PM in the parking lot.  Come for the ice cream, and come for the social!

Due to the delay in reopening schools, our backpack festival has been postponed.  We hope to hold it some time in October.  Donations are still appreciated, and the bin for them will be outside the Café on Sunday mornings. 

YOUTH

All high school and post high youth are invited to gather this evening, 5:45 – 7:00, for pizza and ice cream.  Please bring a lawn chair.

* 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 – 8/23

  9:45 AM   Morning Worship

  5:45 PM   Youth pizza & ice cream

TUESDAY – 8/25

  7:00 PM   CEM meeting

WEDNESDAY – 8/26

  6:30 AM   Men’s Bible Study

  7:00 PM   Council

NEXT SUNDAY – 8/30

  9:45 AM   Morning Worship

VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE

TODAY – 8/23

Set Up – Renz and Nate Verbeek, Micah Graybill, Pedro Hernandez

Parking Lot – Larry Maat, Renz Verbeek, Dick Heys

Tear Down – Larry Maat, Dick Heys, Micah Graybill, Pedro Hernandez

NEXT SUNDAY – 8/30

Set Up – Jim Goote, Renz and Nate Verbeek, Pedro Hernandez

Parking Lot – Larry Maat, Renz Verbeek, Dick Heys

Tear Down – Riley family, Larry Maat, Dick Heys, Pedro Hernandez

August 16, 2020

TODAY

We gather together for outdoor worship today.  Our Youth Pastor, Brian Myers, will bring us the message I’m Not Done Yet, from Joshua 14.

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

NEXT SUNDAY

Next Sunday Rev Beverly Weeks will be our guest pastor.  During the service Jace Michael Koning, son of Mike and Nikki, will be baptized.

OUR CHURCH FAMILY

We rejoice with Jerry Horstman who will turn 90 on August 25.  As in-person celebrations are restricted, his family has requested that you remember him with a shower of birthday cards.

We also rejoice that Christie VanKuiken has returned safely from Liberia.  She plans to be here until December while she completes student teaching.

THANK YOU

Many thanks to the COW group, led by Mike, who came and did an amazing amount of work.  They helped move storm-damaged trees and pull down an above ground pool that was also damaged.  Their help was hugely appreciated.  ~ Claire Titcombe 

Thank you to our church family for the many prayers and cards honoring our Mom, Annette Broodman.  God blessed Mom with 96 years to live and sing His praises, and she is now with her best friend, Jesus.  As Mom often quoted, “Surely the lines for me have fallen in pleasant places.”  ~ Jane & Carl VandePol

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

The CEM committee meets Tuesday, August 25 at 7 PM on the church office patio (inside if it’s raining).  Please bring a lawn chair.

How crazy was your Crazy Faith?  Before covid we were challenged to do something crazy in support of Christian Education.  The CEM committee would love to hear from you!  Please email June at junelatsma@gmail.com with a brief description.

Due to the delay in reopening schools, our backpack festival has been postponed.  We hope to hold it some time in October.  Donations are still appreciated, and the bin for them will be outside the Café on Sunday mornings. 

THIS WEEK

TODAY – 8/16

  9:45 AM   Morning Worship

WEDNESDAY – 8/19

  6:30 AM   Men’s Bible Study

NEXT SUNDAY – 8/23

  9:45 AM   Morning Worship

VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE

TODAY – 8/16

Set Up – Renz Verbeek, Pedro Hernandez, Micah Graybill

Parking Lot – Larry Maat, Dick Heys, Renz Verbeek

Tear Down – Riley family, Pedro Hernandez, Larry Maat, Dick Heys, Micah Graybill

NEXT SUNDAY – 8/23

Set Up – Renz and Nate Verbeek, Micah Graybill, Pedro Hernandez

Parking Lot – Larry Maat, Renz Verbeek, Dick Heys

Tear Down – Larry Maat, Dick Heys, Micah Graybill, Pedro Hernandez

FINANCIAL UPDATE

Offerings of 8/2 & 8/9           weekly goals

Ministries         $       16,951       12,228

Chr Ed               $          1,855         1,538

Faith Prom        $          3,365

August 9, 2020

TODAY

We gather together for outdoor worship today.  Pastor Kory begins the new sermon series Legacy.  His sermon today is Next Gen Legacy, from Acts 2:38-39.  During the service, April Myles and Christy Prins will be installed as Deacons.

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

NEXT SUNDAY

Next Sunday our Youth Pastor, Brian Myers will bring us the message I’m Not Done Yet, from Joshua 14.

OUR CHURCH FAMILY

Mary Koets began radiation treatments and will receive treatments 5 days a week for the next several weeks.

Larry Kragt was hospitalized at Blodgett with breathing and kidney concerns.  He is improving but continues to need our prayers for healing and recovery.

Dave Zylstra has returned home after spending a few days in the hospital and is feeling much better.

Greg Gant has returned home and continues to improve.  Praise God for such a miraculous recovery so far!

Please remember our shut ins and those who are in senior living facilities, who may feel especially lonely and isolated.

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

How crazy was your Crazy Faith?  Before covid we were challenged to do something crazy in support of Christian Education.  The CEM committee would love to hear from you!  Please email June at junelatsma@gmail.com with a brief description.

Due to the delay in reopening schools, our backpack festival will be rescheduled to some time in October.  Donations are still appreciated, and the bin for them will be outside the Café on Sunday mornings. 

WSCS has garden fresh veggies for your dinner table.  On Tuesdays in August you can stop by the garden stand 9:30 – 11:30 for squash, cucumbers, beans, herbs, tomatoes, and zinnias.  The stand is on the south side of the school, and proceeds benefit the school garden program and the Northwest Food Pantry.

THANK YOU

Thanks to the group of young people, led by Sue, that came and did work for me at my house.  Thanks to Brian as well.  I appreciate all that you did.  ~ Elaine VanKuiken

THIS WEEK

TODAY – 8/9

  9:45 AM   Morning Worship

MONDAY – 8-10

  7:00 PM   Ad Board

WEDNESDAY – 8/12

  6:30 AM   Men’s Bible Study

NEXT SUNDAY – 8/16

  9:45 AM   Morning Worship

VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE

TODAY – 8/9

Set Up – Jim Goote, Pedro Hernandez

Parking Lot –

Tear Down – Riley family, Pedro Hernandez

NEXT SUNDAY – 8/16

Set Up – Renz Verbeek, Pedro Hernandez, Micah Graybill

Parking Lot – Larry Maat, Dick Heys, Renz Verbeek

Tear Down – Riley family, Pedro Hernandez, Larry Maat, Dick Heys, Micah Graybill

FINANCIAL UPDATE

Offerings of 8/2    weekly goals

  Ministries      $      5,553    12,228

Chr Ed            $          300      1,538