Reflections of Grace MARCH 2020 Grace Community Christian Reformed Church Newsletter 1 Lent is a solemn religious observance in the Christian liturgical calendar. The season of Lent is observed in the Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Methodist, Moravian, Oriental Orthodox, Reformed, and Roman Catholic Churches. Some Anabaptist and evangelical churches also observe the Lenten season. How did Lent get started? Lent began in the early centuries, and was used as a time to prepare new members for the Church. The early Christians tried to imitate Jesus Christ and the way that he lived by translating what he did into their lives, and in the way they prepared others to be received into the Church. Reference: www.fullycatholic.com/the-origin-of-lent/ How are the 40 days of Lent calculated? In order for Lent to include 40 days on which fasting could occur, it had to be six full weeks (with six days of fasting in each week) plus four extra days—Ash Wednesday and the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday that follow it. Six times six is thirty-six, plus four equals forty. Reference: www.learnreligions.com/how-the-days-of-lent-calculated Why do we celebrate Lent? Lent is the Christian season of preparation before Easter. The Lenten season is a time when many Christians ob- serve a period of fasting, repentance, moderation, self- denial and spiritual discipline. The purpose is to set aside time for reflection on Jesus Christ—his suffering and his sacrifice, his life, death, burial, and resurrection. Reference: www.thoughtco.com/what-is-lent-700774 In This Issue: 1 LENT 3 10 Things to Give Up for Lent That Aren’t Diet Coke 5 Birthdays / Anniversaries GEMS Scrapbooking Event FREE Community Lunch Art Connect/REACH/Bible Study 6 Who is Jesus? “What Love My God” theme song 7 Grace Church Council Communique 8 From the Pastor’s Desk Calling All Instrumentalists Council Meeting 9 LENTEN Prayer Breakfast Faith Formation / Spring Ahead Shred Day / Book Club 10 God-Sightings at Grace Church 11 Stewardship Spotlight 13 Operation Blessing newsletter 14 Missionary Prayer Calendar 15 How can We Pray for YOU? Women’s Bible Study Groups From the Editor / Library News Keep our building safe Lenten Devotional from TODAY 16 Home Cooking 17 Church Activities Calendar 18 Serving One Another (Schedules) 19 Fun Pages 21 Grace Church—Our Values Newsletter Deadline What is Maundy Thursday? Maundy Thursday is the Thursday before Easter, believed to be the day when Jesus celebrated his final Pass- over with His disciples. Continued on next page
Transcript
Reflections of Grace MARCH 2020
G r a c e C o m m u n i t y C h r i s t i a n R e f o r m e d C h u r c h N e w s l e t t e r
1
Lent is a solemn religious observance in the Christian liturgical calendar. The season of Lent is observed in the Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Methodist, Moravian, Oriental Orthodox, Reformed, and Roman Catholic Churches. Some Anabaptist and evangelical churches also observe the Lenten season.
How did Lent get started?
Lent began in the early centuries, and was used as a time to prepare new members for the Church. The early Christians tried to imitate Jesus Christ and the way that he lived by translating what he did into their lives, and in the way they prepared others to be received into the Church.
In order for Lent to include 40 days on which fasting could occur, it had to be six full weeks (with six days of fasting in each week) plus four extra days—Ash Wednesday and the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday that follow it. Six times six is thirty-six, plus four equals forty.
Lent is the Christian season of preparation before Easter. The Lenten season is a time when many Christians ob-serve a period of fasting, repentance, moderation, self-denial and spiritual discipline. The purpose is to set aside time for reflection on Jesus Christ—his suffering and his sacrifice, his life, death, burial, and resurrection.
Most notably, that Passover meal was when Jesus washed the feet of His disciples in an extraordinary display of humility. He then commanded them to do the same for each other.
Why should Christians commemorate Maundy Thursday?
Good Friday gets a lot of attention, as well as Easter Sunday, of course, but the events of Maundy Thursday, while not as dramatic and monumental as Christ's death and resurrection, are integral to the story that God has been writing since the beginning of time. In Jesus' act of washing the disciples feet and in His crying out to His Father to "let this cup pass from Me," (Matt. 26:39), we see his humanity and the great sacrifice He paid for our sins. And that is something we would do well to reflect upon often.
3 Nathan Livingston 4 Bill Bruinius 5 Hendrik Martin 7 Clara Togtman Thaymer Jonker 9 Darlene Huisenga 19 Evelyn Luchtenburg 20 Brandon Livingston 21 Austin Livingston 23 Carol Bruinius 24 Christine Ismail 30 Char Kros
APRIL
1 Adam Canfield Ross Canfield 4 Kaitlyn Van Kuiken 6 Laverne Yff 10 Ray Ismail
Bonnie Mulder 11 LeAnn Kooyenga 13 Matt Mulder 22 Max Canfield 28 Ed Jongsma Diane Mudde 30 George Voss
B I R T H D A Y S a n d A N N I V E R S A R I E S
MARCH
2 Thaymer & Evelyn Jonker
6 Pedro & Maria Kialanda
8 Ed & Diane Mudde
16 Ray & Christine Ismail
21 Gordon & Lin Vander Meulen
APRIL
4 Robert & Carol Bruinius
30 Jim & Gloria Kamper
March 14 @ 12 noon
The Worship Team has chosen the song, “What Love My God” by CityAlight as our theme song for
the season of Lent. CityAlight is a worship music project from St. Paul’s Church in Castle Hill,
Australia. Their website, cityalight.com, shares the following mission statement about their music:
“The sound of a church singing has preceded almost every great revival in church history. The church
is God’s witness and representative on earth. Is there any wonder that a tremendous power comes about when the representative voice of God in the earth is singing?”
“We desire to get out of the way so the truth upon which all our songs are built can properly shine. We
pray that the lyrics and melodies of these songs would fix eyes and hearts and minds on Jesus. We pray that our songs might join the many thousands of songs written through history to encourage
the church, and when they have played their role, to make way for the next ones. And we rejoice that
one day the only name left standing will be the name of Jesus, as it should be.
Yours together in Jesus’ service, The CityAlight Team”
What love my God would bring You down to earth
What king would take a low and lonely birth Yet to this dark and broken place You came
To sleep beneath the stars that You had made
What love my God would send the Way of Life To walk the road rejected and despised
That You might know the weakness I possess And be my rock of strength and righteousness
Chorus:
O Your love my God like a flood As heaven opened up pouring out on us O praise the King who came to the world
In His love like a mighty flood
What love my God could hold You to the tree To bear that overwhelming debt for me
The Son of heaven leaves the Father's side The Healer bleeds the Life was made to die
Chorus: O Your love my God like a flood
As heaven opened up pouring out on us O praise the King who came to the world
In His love like a mighty flood
What love my God so gracious and extreme Was strong enough to come and fight for me To go through hell and down into the grave
And raise me up to see You face to face You raise me up to see You face to face
Chorus:
O Your love my God like a flood As heaven opened up pouring out on us O praise the King who came to the world
Publishing (Integrity Music [DC Cook])), Farren Love And War Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (Integrity Music [DC Cook])), Integrity's Alleluia! Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing (Integrity Music [DC Cook]))
Wh
o is
LENT Sermon Series: Who is Jesus? That’s a question that gets asked, either directly or indirectly, several times in the Gospel of Mark. Each time this ques-tion is addressed, more and more about Jesus is revealed to the characters in the story. The thing is, we already know who Jesus is. Even if we were reading the gospel for the first time, Mark tells us, the reader, right away. “The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” —Mark 1:1. The question, then, becomes more of a clarifying one. We know who Jesus is, but what does that mean? How does it challenge our conceptions and misconceptions about Jesus? How will revealing the different answers to this question
in Mark’s gospel challenge and encourage us to understand more fully Who Jesus Is? Jesus? Pastor Matt
Grace Community CRC Council Communique
Council Meeting, February 3, 2020 I) Opening: President Ken Schutt opened the meeting by continuing his reading in the book of Acts.
He opened with prayer.
II) Minutes of council meeting held December 2, 2019 were approved as presented.
III) Financial Report: Financial reports from October 2019 through January 2020 were distributed. Jim Wassenaar reported that year-end giving was very good; we have a deficit of only $544 as of the end of January.
IV) Pastor Michael’s report: Pastor Michael plans to offer a newcomers class, hopefully in March. He highlighted a number of ways he saw God’s answer to prayer during the January Pray Initiative.
V) Pastor Matt’s report: Matt continues his work with Grace and Jacob’s Well. He enjoys interacting with the REACH group. Another luncheon is being planned for this week’s Art Connect. Another discussion on the book Growing the Church in the Power of the Holy Spirit will take place on
Sunday, February 16. He and Trudy are discussing potential changes to our website, along with input from Barb. Discussion was held about continuing with a second, part time staff position. Matt will meet with Jacob’s Well Leadership Team to inquire about possibly calling someone for both JWCC and Grace. Executive Team will follow up. Pastor Michael will also develop a list of other possible part time ministry workers.
VI) Team reports: a. Elders: Minutes received for information. Elders are asked to consider a follow up ministry plan
for repeat visitors. b. Deacons: Minutes received for information. A Widow/Widower luncheon will be held on April 25. c. Building and Grounds team: Jim Kamper reported that we have submitted a down payment for
repair of the stained glass window and will get on their schedule within the next few months.
d. Fellowship team: Elders will look into possible dates for future congregational luncheons. e. Prayer team: The prayer initiative was held in January. Thanks for the many participants. f. Care team: Poinsettias were distributed to 24 shut-ins in December. These are much appreciated. g. REACH Team: They are thankful for new attendees.
VII) Classical, Denominational items: a. Delegates to the February Classis meeting. Pastor Michael, Matt Mulder and Trudy Kooy are selected to attend the February classis meeting as delegates from Grace Church. b. Motion to recommend Matt Mulder as an elder delegate to synod, adopted. c. The deacons completed a survey as requested by Classis Chicago South; Eleanor will submit this to Classis Chicago South stated clerk.
VIII) Correspondence: A request from SWCCS to meet with our council was received. Eleanor responded, indicated which dates our council meets.
IX) The meeting was closed in a time of group prayer.
X) Next council meeting date: March 2, 2020.
Respectfully Submitted,
Eleanor Lamsma, Clerk
7
Calling All Instrumentalists! The instrumental group will be accompanying the Maundy Thursday worship service on April 9 @ 6pm. If you play a string or wind instrument and would like to participate in this group, please let Diane Ritzema know as soon as possible, so she can prepare your music.
From the Pastor’s Desk Lent is a time of year when the days lengthen and we begin to look ahead to the celebrations of Good Friday and Easter. In Lent, we meditate on Jesus’ suffering, how he took on the status of a servant, humbling himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:8) Lent is marked by soulful reflection, remembering how Jesus came to carry our sorrows and how the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53:6). Lent is a somber journey of renewal, marked by repentance and prayer as we remember Jesus’ life giving sacrifice for us.
In Lent, we also recall Jesus saying: Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take
up their cross and follow me (Mark 8:34). We consider how we are called to follow Jesus’ in humility
and service. Just like Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the wilderness in preparation for his ministry,
many use the 40 days of Lent to fast – from certain foods or from electronic screens, for example. The
fasting helps sharpen our hunger for the peace and comfort that Christ can give through his forgiving
grace.
As you enter this time of reflection, I pray that God will help you see Jesus, the Lamb of God, who takes
away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
8
Next Council Meeting
Monday, March 2 @ 7:00pm
9
Daylight Savings Time Ends
March 7th
LENTEN
Tuesday Coffee Break
invites all women to our Lenten Prayer Breakfast March 10 from 9:15-11am.
Pastor Matt Mulder will lead us in a
Lenten prayer and meditation.
We’ll have a breakfast potluck, so bring a dish to share.
Invite your friends!
A FAITH FORMATION TIP from Faith Formation Ministries of the Christian Reformed Church in NA
“Faith 5 is a simple faith
formation practice that
your family or house-
hold can do together. First, share your highs
and lows of the day. Then read a Bible verse
or story together. Talk about how the Bible
reading might relate to your highs and lows,
and pray for one another’s highs and lows,
and bless one another. Faith 5 is great for
people for all ages! Check out Faith5.org for
more.
—SHRED DAY—
Bring your old financial documents to the public shred event presented
in partnership with Oak Lawn Bank & Trust
9am-1pm on Saturday, March 21 at the Oak Lawn Public Library
(9427 S. Raymond). For more information
call 708-422-4990 or visit www.olpl.org
10
J. Church members have mentioned how they are appreciating praying for the church in January and have seen God answering.
K. The entire service for Feb. 2 was a God-Sighting: Songs, readings, prayers.
L. The sequence Feb. 9 of Just As I Am to the prayer of confession to Create in Me a Clean Heart was very powerful.
M. The praise team humming Be Still for the Presence happened spontaneously at rehear-sal, and then worked so well in the service. Several people commented on how it drew them into a place of worship.
N. Our church willing to deal with a difficult topic, such as lament, in the Blue Christmas service.
O. Visitors are very thankful for our church and feel welcome.
P. The number of visitors and returning visitors we have had since the beginning of the year.
Q. The number of people at the community lunch on Sat., Feb. 8.
Do any of these resound with your heart? Have you had a God-Sighting recently in any aspect of your life? Has God been working in you to trans-form you through his word? Have you stepped out of your comfort zone and followed Christ’s leading? Have you seen God working in worship? Have you seen God working outside of worship?
The Worship Team would love to hear your stories. Write them down on the sheets provided in the foyer and place them in Diane Ritzema’s mailbox or tell a Worship Team member. We’ll compile these God-Sightings and display them for all to see. We will grow as a congregation as we hear how God is working in each other’s lives.
The Worship Team:
Bob Cooper, Brain Kamper, Pedro & Maria Kialanda, Michael Kooy,
Eleanor Lamsma, Matt & Larissa Mulder, Ed & Diane Ritzema, and David Van Kuiken
For many years now, the Worship Team has reflected on and recalled God-Sightings at our monthly
meetings. What is a God-Sighting? It can be any way in which God speaks to us individually or as a church. These God-Sightings can be totally unex-pected, or can be the results of careful planning. Basically, it is how we see God working in our in-dividual lives or in the life of our congregation. For example, the Worship Team compiled this extensive list for the services from the beginning of December 2019 to February 9, 2020:
A. Blue Christmas Service—liturgy, silence built into the service, instrumental group, large number of people participating in activities within the service.
B. Prayer Labyrinth—the number of people who attended, including the GEMS and REACH groups. The stations were all well received.
C. Using songs in different parts of the liturgy than normal can breathe a fresh meaning into the songs.
D. God is using leaders and volunteers when we aren’t operating at 100% health—physically or emotionally.
E. Christmas service was a blessing. One of our church members volunteered for the nursery that morning. She gave up her worship on Christmas to let others worship. Willing readers in the Lessons and Carols service on Christmas Day.
F. Gerry Erffmeyer’s sermons at the beginning of January were both so relevant to our church.
G. Echoes of the Holy Spirit series—visuals, theme song, fresh take on the work of the Ho-ly Spirit in the Old Testament.
H. Services working together thematically so well.
I. The ending of Matt’s sermon on 1/26— truly inspired.
at Grace
Community Church
Continued on next page 11
12
13
14
Anyone holding a meeting or event at the church is asked to please remember to monitor who is entering the building when doors are left unlocked for attendees to come in, and to close and lock all the doors of the church after everyone has arrived. Please do not leave the doors propped open. Also, if you are the last to leave, please make sure ALL doors are locked before you go.
If we all do our part,
we can make our church building a safe environment
for everyone to enjoy.
How Can We Pray for YOU?
If you would like our
Prayer Team to be ‘prayer warriors’ for you,
for a need in your life, or the life of a loved one or friend, visit our website at:
http://www.gccrc.org/prayers_for_u
You can also visit our Prayer Room
on Sunday morning before or after the service —
Room 5 on the south side of the building.
BACK TO GOD MINISTRIES
INTERNATIONAL:
LENT is a season to focus on the hope of Jesus Christ.
Receive a free TODAY devotional email series to help you refresh, refocus, and renew
your faith during LENT. Or download the ebook!
Subscribe at
www.gccrc.org/online_giving
FROM THE EDITOR: Do you have a story or memory
about how your ancestors came
to America or life growing up
in “the olden days”?
Memories of another time with
different clothes, music,
food prices, etc.?
Or maybe you’ve had a “God” moment
in your life that impacted you and your
spiritual journey? When something
happened that can only be explained
as having come from God.
Why not submit a story to the
newsletter and
share your memories?
We’d love to be able to share
your story with others.
Submit your story for the newsletter by
placing it in the newsletter box on the
wall outside the office.
And please include your name!
15
Stop in the church library and ‘check out’ these new reads on the NEW BOOKS shelf:
Tending Roses, Good Hope Road, and The Language of Sycamores by Lisa Wingate
The Sinners’ Garden by William Sirls
Shades of Light by Sharon Garlough Brown
Overcomer (from the creator of War Room) by Chris Fabry
No Less Days by Amanda G. Stevens
On the book cart in the foyer: Glory Days by Max Lucado
16
Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole Author: Stephanie @PlainChicken.com
16 oz. cooked ham, chopped 1/4 tsp. onion powder (optional)
3/4 cup shredded swiss cheese 8 count refrigerated crescent rolls
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese 4 count refrigerated crescent rolls
8 oz. cream cheese, softened 1 TBSP. poppy seeds
1 TBSP. Dijon mustard 5 eggs
1 TBSP. Worcestershire sauce 1 1/2 cups milk
1 TBSP. brown Sugar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray.
1) Mix together ham, cheddar, swiss, cream cheese, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, brown
sugar, and onion powder.
2) Separate rolls into 12 triangles. Cut each triangle in half lengthwise, making 2 triangles.
3) Scoop 1 TBSP. of ham mixture on the wide end of each triangle. Roll up the crescents and
place in baking dish.
2) Sprinkle tops of rolls with poppy seeds.
3) Whisk together eggs and milk and pour over the crescent rolls.
4) Bake for 30-40 minutes, until egg mixture is set.
NOTES: You can easily make this casserole ahead of time. Here are some ways to do that— 1) You can make the casserole in advance and refrigerate overnight.
2) Make the ham mixture ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to assemble casserole.
3) Freeze a baked casserole for later. To reheat, thaw completely and reheat in the microwave or covered in the oven for about 30 minutes.
If you have a favorite recipe you’d like to share, put a
copy in the newsletter mailbox next to the office.
Please put your name on it and where it came from,
