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Why is it that churches often get stuck and turn inward, and what can be done to reverse this inwardly-focused approach? Often times, as a church grows larger (or even just older) it tends to focus on maintaining and servicing those that are already there. Internal ministries overwhelm outward mission. Any church can be overwhelmed by this temptation. Yet, many places in Scripture point to the church as a body of servants—being used by God to minister to one another and to a hurting world.
1 Peter 4:10 says, "Each of you should use whatever gift you
have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
The key phrase here is "each of you." Each and every church member is to serve others. Most of the time we see verses like this it is to serve one another inside the body, but there are so many verses about the poor and hurting that we know many are called to serve beyond the body. I believe that we can serve "in, through, and beyond" our local church.
But unfortunately, there is a huge chasm between this passage and our practice. The problem is that the majority of people in the majority of churches are unengaged in meaningful ministry and mission. They come for worship and then return home and do very little to serve others.
It has been said that there are four categories of people that come to church—three categories that they want and one they do not.
Category one: The visitor or seeker
Category two: The growing disciple beginning to take steps
Category three: The mature disciple serving others
Category four: The person who thinks they're mature but is unengaged and serving no one.
Obviously I am discouraging you from finding yourself in category four. If you find yourself unengaged and serving no one, it’s time to make a change.
Let’s move from being passive spectators to active participants in the mission of God.
Let’s move from engaging no one to serving others with the love of Jesus.
Let’s experience the power of God at work among us as we each use our God given gifts in ministry.
Blessings,
Pastor Chris DeGraaf
Our Call
God is calling Trinity church to be transformed into an outward missional
focused church that advances the Good News of the God’s Kingdom
into the lives of people in our community and beyond.
April 2014
CONNECTIONS
Moving Forward in Faith
Our teams have been meeting and plans for change are moving forward. We are excited to see several of our commitments taking shape as we step out in faith. Below you will see a few of the tangible projects that are in process. We ask that you continue to pray for all of the logistics to come together as these projects take shape. You are a vital component to the success of our For-ward in Faith campaign: your prayers, your encouragement, your pledge commitments, and your participation greatly appreciated.
Progress Report
Roof - a contractor has been selected and we are getting our quote finalized for the replace-ment of the roof on the work schedule for this summer.
Search Team for Pastor of Senior Adult Ministry and Care – Our team has been doing some great work in our search process. The job description and advertisement for the position have been finalized. We will be making the advertisement public in mid-April and expect to be taking resumes into May.
Landscaping – Our contractor has been selected and the final plans for the landscaping are being put together. Some changes to our landscaping will be taking place in the next few months. More information will be communicated as the plans are finalized.
Custodian– This month the Consistory will place an advertisement in our church publications as we begin the process of looking for a part-time custodian. This position will be a combi-nation of building upkeep/cleaning as well as coordination of volunteers to have our building continually ready for our ministry programs.
EASTER OFFERING World Cassette Outreach of India (WCOI), a partner ministry of the Reformed Church in
America and Audio Scripture Ministries, has been helping people in India hear God speak to
them in their own language through Audio Bibles for over 30 years. They work with Bible
translators to reach the 60% of India that are functionally non-literate. The Mega Voice Player, a
solar powered digital player is a perfect tool for the visually impaired, the elderly, the disabled and
even busy people who are constantly on the move. At WCOI, they believe the gospel “is the
power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” (Romans 1:16). Therefore, the
primary focus is on the Word.
WCOI’s headquarters is in Bangalore, India. They have faithfully been recording, producing and
distributing audio Bibles in and from the same cramped, deteriorating building since their
inception. A new Ministry Center has been under construction for some time, and the final stages
are near. With the collection of the last needed funds, they anticipate the building project to be
done by spring.
You can help finish this project with your financial contributions through Trinity’s Easter offering
on April 20. You can also join with WCOI in proaying for the Ministry Center and its ministry.
They want to be faithful stewards of all that God has done so far, and they want to be willing and
ready servants as they participate in God’s work in and through the new facility.
If you use the offering envelopes the church
provides please use the special Easter offering
envelopes to give towards this cause.
Lent – Journey of Love
Following Christ to the Cross
Week 5 (April 6)
Mind of Love
Spend 15-30 minutes a day listening to God
or meditating on His Word.
Palm Sunday (April 13)
Victory of Love
Plan a special outing and invite someone along.
Easter Sunday (April 20)
Feast of Love
Invite someone new for dinner.
Lenten Journey of Love - Anonymous
It seems we have so little time
To do the kindly things;
Before we realize the truth
We find that time has wings.
We plan to give a word of cheer
To one who needs a friend;
We plan to see someone who’s ill
Who may be near the end.
And there’s a letter we should write
To someone who is sad;
Our words may be just what he needs
To cheer and make him glad.
It’s easy to procrastinate
And leave such tasks undone;
But such a course will bring regrets
When life’s short race is run.
There is a cure for all these ills
Just three words tell us how;
Show Christ’s LOVE – don’t hesitate
And simply: “Do it now!”
Lent – Journey of Love
What we will be doing: Construction projects on campus and nearby. Vacation Bible School for 40-60 local
children.
Travel: We will be taking 12– passenger vans from Holland or you may choose to drive yourself. (It is rough-
ly an 8 hour trip.) Some mileage reimbursement may be available.
Tentative Travel Plans: Morning departure on Saturday, July 19th, and arriving home late afternoon on
Friday, July 25.
Housing: We will be staying on the campus of Jackson County Ministries. Accommodations are dormitory
style.
Meals: 3 meals per day are provided for us by JCM. You may be responsible for 1-2 meals en-route.
Cost: $125/person or 300/family of 3 or more. The remaining cost will come from Hands-On Endowment
and a fundraiser. The Sign-up deadline is April 27th with 50.00/person due. The Balance is due June 1st
Questions, Contact Gretchen Fisher (399-6615)
Trinity Family Mission Trip July 19-25, 2014
Jackson County Ministries
Annville, Kentucky
Jesus lived, died and rose
again to show how great
God’s love is for all people.
Join us as we retell the story
of God’s love for everyone!
We look forward to having
you join us for any of our
weekend worship events.
We will celebrate
Communion at the Good
Friday and Easter morning
worship services.
Good Friday April 19 7:00 pm
Easter Reflection April 20 6:00 am
Easter Worship April 20 9:30 am
Bring your children ages 3-10 for
a fun time of crafts and snack,
followed by hunting for Easter
Eggs and hearing the amazing
story of God’s love for all His
children!
The Easter Egg hunt will be Saturday April 12
from 10:00-11:30 am at Trinity Church!
Sanctuary Choir
Our Sanctuary Choir will continue to assist in
praising God during worship. We would love to
have you join the choir on the following Sun-
days. Meet in the choir room at 8:45 am.
April 6 & 20(Easter)
Ali Neevel is traveling to Sierra Leone, Africa in May and will
be working in an orphanage which is in desperate need of a
few things. Here is a list of some of the items needed:
Diapers: (Sizes 1 &2)
Wipes
Shampoo
Diaper Rash Cream and Ointment
Shorts & T-Shirts sizes 18mnths-2t
Twin Size Sheets
If you would like to donate please leave items at church.
Nothing has to be brand new, but in usable shape. Thank
You!
SPRING CLEAN UP
There will be a spring clean up day at
Trinity Church on Saturday April 19th
starting at 8 am. Come when you can, stay
as long as you can! There will be much
work to be done after this long winter!
FAMILY NIGHT DATES
April 2 April 9 - Spring Break - No Activities April 16 April 23 April 30
WEDNESDAY NIGHT SCHEDULE
Dinner 6:00-6:30 pm Kids.Com 6:30-7:00 pm Travelers 7:00-8:00 pm Go Fish 6:30-8:00 pm Worship 7:00-7:55 pm
On April 23rd following dinner children ages K-5th grade will be traveling to Crazy Bounce.
If your child is under the age of 5 we ask that a parent be present. All expenses will be paid
for. The bus will be transporting kids to crazy bounce and there will be chaperones as well,
the bus will bring the kids back to the church. Hope you can join it should be a fun time!
April 2014 Calendar
April 1 Basketball for All Teens and Adults
6:30PM
April 2 Men’s Bible Study 6:30 AM
Homeschool Play Time 11:00 AM
Kinderdance 4:00 PM
Family Dinner 6:00 PM
Go Fish Middle School Youth Group 6:30 PM
Kids.Com Choir 6:30 PM
Travelers Kids Class 7:00 PM
Wednesday Night Worship 7:00 PM
April 3 Women of the Word 9:30 AM
Worship Planning Team Meeting 10:30 AM
Trinity Serving Community Kitchen at Western
Seminary 11:00 AM
Consistory Meeting 7:00 PM
April 6 Worship and Communion 9:30 AM
No Sunday School - Spring Break
April 7 Monday Work Crew 8:00 AM
April 8 Prayer Group Meeting 10:00 AM
Basketball for All Teens and Adults 6:30 PM
April 9 Men’s Bible Study 6:30 AM
Homeschool Play Time 11:00 AM
Kinderdance 4:00 PM
Care Closet 4:30 PM
April 10 Women of the Word 9:30 AM
Worship Planning Team Meeting 10:30 AM
Turning Pages Reading Group 12:00 PM
Informational meeting with Marlin and Sally Vis
7:00 PM
April 12 Easter Egg Hunt 10:00 AM
April 13 Palm Sunday Worship 9:30 AM
Sunday School For All Ages 11:00 AM
April 14 Praise Team Practice 7:00 PM
Search Team Meeting 6:30 PM
April 15 Basketball For all Teens and Adults
6:30 PM
April 16 Men’s Bible Study 6:30 AM
Homeschool Play Time 11:00 AM
Kinderdance 4:00 PM
Family Dinner 6:00 PM
Go Fish Middle School 6:30 PM
Kids.com Choir 6:30 PM
Mission Team 7:00 PM
Travelers Kids Class 7:00 PM
Worship 7:00 PM
April 17 Women of the Word 9:30 AM
Worship Planning Team Meeting 10:30 AM
Ladies Night Out 5:30 PM
April 19 Spring Clean up 8:00 AM
April 18 Good Friday Worship 7:00 PM
April 20 Easter Sunrise Worship 6:00 AM
Easter Worship 9:30 AM
No Sunday School - Easter Break
April 21 Monday Work Crew 8:30 AM
Search Team Meeting 6:30 PM
April 22 Prayer Group Meeting 10:00 AM
Basketball for all Teens and Adults 6:30 PM
April 23 Men’s Bible Study 6:30 AM
Homeschool Play Time 11:00 AM
Kinderdance 4:00 PM
Care Closet 4:30 PM
Family Dinner 6:00 PM
Go Fish Middle School Youth Group 6:30 PM
Kids.Com Choir 6:30 PM
Travelers Kids Class 7:00 PM
Worship 7:00 PM
April 24 Women of the Word 9:30 AM
Worship Planning Team Meeting 10:30 AM
Turning Pages Reading Group 12:00 PM
April 27 Worship 9:30 AM
Sunday School For all Ages 11:00 PM
April 28 Women’s Bible Study Circle 9:30 AM
Praise Team Practice 7:00 PM
April 29 Basketball For All Teens and Adults 6:30
PM
April 30 Men’s Bible Study 6:30 AM
Homeschool Play Time 11:00 AM
Kinderdance 4:00 PM
Family Dinner 6:00 PM
Go Fish Middle School Youth 6:30 PM
Kids.Com Choir 6:30 PM
Travelers Kids Class 7:00 PM
Worship 7:00 PM
Birthdays
Betsy DeGraaf 4/1
John Bedard 4/2
Olivia DeGraaf 4/5
Pat Bosma 4/7
Alyssa Shull 4/8
Doug VandeWege 4/8
Jeanne Thomson 4/9
Carol DeBoer 4/10
Tyler Schurman 4/10
Jessica Myaard 4/12
Kathy Nyhoff 4/12
Marilyn Brower 4/13
Bob Koning 4/13
Shirley Nienhuis 4/13
Roger Mulder 4/15
Steve Remillard 4/15
Stuart Emmons 4/17
Ross Helmus 4/17
Marlene Plaggemars 4/17
Crystal Lundy 4/18
Bryan Gezon 4/19
Del Kuipers 4/19
Kim Schrotenboer 4/19
Hazel Dirkse 4/20
Joyce Dozeman 4/20
Al Nienhuis 4/20
Chris DeGraaf 4/23
Juliane Knap 4/23
Shirley Perez 4/23
Gord Kossen 4/24
Betty Diekema 4/27
Judy Groteler 4/27
Bill VanAuken 4/27
Jan VanAuken 4/28
Anniversaries
John & Barb Schulze 4/4
Milt & Cheri Bos 4/6
Merle & Alyda Boes 4/8
Carl & Connie Dykhuis 4/10
Paul & Dianne Moker 4/11
Jim & Lynda Simmons 4/17
Vern & Isla DeFouw 4/18
Larry & Becky Gezon 4/19
TRINITY CONSISTORY
Elders
Jim Allen
Carol DeBoer
Dan Kruithof
Dianne Moker
Doug Schurman
Bill VanAuken
Deacons
Kelly Brink
Kevin Brower
Rob Harrington
Ross Helmus
Tom Lampen
Steve Schurman
Trinity Reformed Church
712 Apple Ave Holland, MI 49423
Phone: (616) 396-6526 Fax: (616) 396-8513
Website: www.trinityrc.org E-mail: [email protected]
Pastor: Chris DeGraaf [email protected]
Youth Ministry: Jon Wolters [email protected]
Worship Coordinator: Becky Bierma [email protected]
Ministry Team Chair Persons
Pastor Chris DeGraaf - Executive [email protected]
Doug Schurman - Finance [email protected]
Dianne Moker– Mission Team [email protected]
Steve Schurman - Building and Grounds [email protected]
Teresa Harrington - Spiritual Growth [email protected]
Bill VanAuken - Worship [email protected]
Jason Shoemaker– People Care [email protected]
If you would like to join one of the Ministry Teams or if you have any ministry ideas,
please share by contacting one of the Chair Persons.
