HRC Heartbeat December 2014

“Like” us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/HamiltonReformedChurch

3554 M-40 Hamilton, MI 49419 269.751.5145

hamiltonreformedchurch@gmail.com www.hamiltonreformedchurch.org

Here We Go A’Caroling

December 14 – 4:30pm

Imagine that one of the best Christmas presents you receive this year would be

to have some of your church family at your doorstep, remembering you during

this busy season by bringing you the gift of a few Christmas carols. You are

invited to join us as we visit a few of our local friends at home. The gift of song

is NOT necessary, just the desire to bring a moment of joy to others during this

special time of the year. Bring a finger food to share during a time of fellowship

back at church afterwards. Hot chocolate will be provided.

Advent Carol Sing

November 30 – 6:00pm

Jack TenCate will lead us on this first Sunday in Advent as we begin December

celebrating the real meaning of Christmas. A special offering will be received

for Love INC. Invite your friends and neighbors!

Children’s Christmas Program

December 14 – 9:30am

Join us at our morning worship service as the primary and middle school

students present their Christmas Program.

Community Worship Service

You are invited to Hamilton CRC on December 28 at 6:00pm for a special service

to close out the old year and begin a new year.

Christmas Morning Worship Service

Join us Christmas morning at 9:30am as we celebrate the birth of our Savior.

October Consistory Notes

The Elders approved the transfer request of Isabelle Hanse-Amundsen to the Third Reformed Church in

Holland. The Elders approved the baptismal request of Elissa (Weerstra) Daley for her daughter,

Carrisa. The Elders accepted the professions of faith from Jackie Devereaux, Tyler Taratuta, Brittney

VandenBrink and Rebecca VandenBrink.

The nursery has been re-carpeted. The engine was replaced on the lawn tractor. Facilities continue to

work with a roofing company to address some leaks in the sanctuary roof.

Current Balances:

General Fund $17,403

Building Fund $27,766

Building Maintenance $15,313

Memorial Fund $17,428

Love Fund $7,137

The congregational meeting was held on Monday, November 10. At that meeting the slate for

Consistory was presented consisting of Deacons Mike Bosch and Jeff Mulder and Elders Jim Kraker

and Les Meiste. The 2015 Budget was approved by the Consistory for presentation to the congregation

at the meeting.

The next Consistory meeting is scheduled for December 8.

Lessons from the Angels

To frightened shepherds on the first Christmas Eve, a host of

angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth

peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14, KJV).

Nineteenth-century minister Charles Kingsley explained how

these key words tell the meaning of Jesus’ birth and give

meaning to our lives.

Glory “That little babe, lying in the manger among the

cattle, was showing the very highest glory of the great

God who had made heaven and earth. To stoop, to

condescend, to have mercy, to forgive — that is the

highest glory of God.”

Peace “God is not selfish. He sacrificed himself for us.

Sacrifice yourselves then for each other! Give up your

own pride, your own selfishness, your own interest for

each other, and you will be all at peace.”

Good Will “God loves you, and He wills to raise you out

of this selfish, quarrelsome life of sin, into a loving,

brotherly, peaceful life of righteousness. That babe in the

manger at Bethlehem is a sign to you and me that God

will freely give us that spirit of love if we ask for it.”

From the HRC

offices to your home,

the staff wishes you and your

loved ones a most blessed

Christmas season. It is our

prayer that the anticipation and

thrill of the Christ Child will

fill your heart and that the

salvation He delivered will be

deeply rooted within your soul.

It has been our pleasure to serve

you this past year and we pray

God’s blessing upon you as we

enter a new year.

The HRC Staff

Dates to Remember

November 30 – Advent Carol Sing

December 1 – Senior Breakfast at Trestle

December 1 – Ridder Leadership Meeting

December 2 – Women’s Ministry Secret Pal

Reveal

December 3 – Women’s Missionary Society

December 3 – E.D.G.E. to MOB

December 6 – Christmas Program Rehearsal

December 7 – Communion

December 8 – Consistory Meeting

December 10 – E.D.G.E./C.I.A. Shopping for

Love INC Family

December 11 – Community Kitchen

December 12 – Hamilton El. Released Time

December 13 – Christmas Program

Rehearsal

December 14 – Children’s Christmas Program

(am service)

December 14 – Christmas Caroling

December 14 – No Evening Worship Service

December 16 – Quilting Group

December 18 – Red Cross Blood Drive

December 19 – January Heartbeat Deadline

December 25 – Christmas Morning Worship

Service

December 25 – Church Office Closed

December 26-January 2 – Pastor Tom on

Vacation

December 28 – Community Worship Service

at Hamilton CRC (pm service)

January 1 – Church Closed for Holiday

Love INC Pantry Collection Update

Thank you to all of those who gave grocery items

for the Food Pantry of Love INC located at

Hamilton Christian Reformed Church. There were

a total of 97 food items donated during the month

of October. Thank you so much for your support!

December Collection

During the month of December our collection will

be for the Love INC Personal Needs Pantry here at

HRC. There is an ongoing need for the following

items: detergent, fabric softener, paper towels,

tissues, and especially toilet paper.

The collection tote will be in the lobby. Your

donations will be greatly appreciated!

You feasted Thanksgiving.

You conquered Black Friday.

You shopped Small Business Saturday.

You worshipped & regrouped on Sunday.

You networked Cyber Monday.

It’s time for…Giving Tuesday!

Please consider Love INC on December 2,

a global day dedicated to giving back.

There is an easy

and convenient way

you can show your

support to Love INC! Every time you shop at

smile.amazon.com, 0.5% of your purchase goes to

the Love INC ministry at NO EXTRA COST to you!

Please make sure to select Love In the Name of

Christ of Northwest Allegan County as your

nonprofit organization, as there are 137 Love INC

organizations in the United States. To sign up,

visit: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/38-3484039

Thank you for your support!

Red Cross Blood Drive

The next Hamilton area Red Cross

Blood drive will be on Thursday,

December 18, from noon until

5:45pm in the Fellowship Hall. The need is

constant…the gratification is instant! Give blood!

For more information or to schedule an

appointment (not required), call 1-800-RED

CROSS, or go to redcrossblood.org, sponsor code:

hamiltonreformed

Christmas Prayers

Christmas should be a time of celebrating love, joy and peace. But for some

it can be a time of hunger, loneliness and sadness. So many families suffer

from unemployment and health issues and that can make Christmas a time

of stress and worry instead of a celebration of Jesus’ birth. Will you pray for the

Kids Hope students and their families, and also many in our community and around the world that are

going through difficulties? Pray that in the midst of their hurt, they will seek Jesus.

12 Days of Christmas Prayers (Taken from the Kids Hope USA website)

1. Faith – Ephesians 2:8-9, “Father God, it is by Your grace and through our faith, that we have

been saved. This is not from us, but a gift from you, not by our works.”

2. Hope – Romans 15:4, “May the God of Hope fill (insert name here) with all the joy and peace in

believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit he/she may abound in Hope.”

3. Love – 1 John 4:19, “Help (insert name here) to love because you first loved us.”

4. Forgiveness – 1 John 1:19, ‘Thank you for being faithful and just in forgiving (insert name

here)’s sins and thus purifying him/her from all unrighteousness.”

5. Mercy – Luke 6:36, “Help (insert name here) to be merciful, just as You are merciful to us.”

6. Kindness – Ephesians 4:32, “Let (insert name here) be kind and compassionate to others and

forgiving, just as through Jesus, You forgave us.”

7. Generosity - 2 Corinthians 9:11, “Let (insert name here) be enriched in every way, to be

generous in every way, and to give the glory and thanks to you Lord!”

8. Compassion – 1 Peter 3:8, Let (insert name here) live in harmony with others, be sympathetic

and compassionate, love as brothers/sisters, and be humble.”

9. Joy – Romans 12:12, “Let (insert name here) be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and learn to

be faithful in prayer.”

10. Salvation – John 14:6, “Thank you for providing Jesus who is the way, the truth, the life and the

only way to You.”

11. Obedience – James 1:22-25, “Help (insert name here) to learn Your Word and do what it says.”

12. Life – John 10:10, “Thank you for coming so that (insert name here) may have life, and have it to

the full.”

The Kids Hope Christmas Party is coming up and we need your new or gently used items for our

“shopping” time for the kids. Items may be placed in the box by the Welcome Center and are

needed no later than Monday, December 15. Thank you so much!!

May God bless you and your families this Christmas season.

Serving Him,

Jill Deters

December Missions of the Month

Teen Challenge

HAYM

Family Night Meal Recipes

Corn Chowder Recipe

Sauté one onion in a stick of butter

Transfer to a (big) crockpot and add:

2 cans cream of chicken soup

3 cans cream style corn

2 cans whole kernel corn, drained

1 quart half and half

3 cans diced potatoes drained

1 lb. Velveeta cut in cubes

Salt & pepper to taste

3+ c. pre-cooked ham, cut up (or you

could use chicken)

Can simmer all day in crockpot.

Cheesy Hash Brown/Ham Casserole

2lb. bag frozen hash browns

1 stick oleo

½ small onion, chopped fine

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 16 oz. sour cream

1 8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese

2 or more cups cooked ham, diced

Salt & pepper to taste

Sauté onion in melted oleo. Mix in rest of

ingredients. Place in 9x13 casserole dish

that has been sprayed with Pam. Bake at

350 for 1 hour. Check and see if lightly

browned on top and bubbly. If not,

continue baking for 30 minutes more. May

cover with foil the last 30 minutes (if

browned but not thoroughly hot) and

continue baking.

Secret Pal Reveal Night

Tuesday, December 2, at 7:00pm

Church Fellowship Room

Games, Prizes, and Dessert

Have a “secret pal” from last year’s party?

It’s time to exchange gifts.

Ladies, have you ever wanted to join in the fun of

having a “secret pal”? This is where you start!

ALL welcome for a night of fun and fellowship!

If you have any questions, contact:

Misti Lindholm or Barbara VanGelderen

Youth Group News

E.D.G.E. and C.I.A. will be shopping together for

our Love INC “adopted” family on Wednesday,

December 10. We will be leaving church at 6:00pm

and should be back around 8:00pm. Students

should either eat at the Family Night Meal or at

home before arriving for our shopping trip. We will

be buying the items needed that night. Some of the

kids asked if they could donate money toward this

and that would be awesome but is not necessary.

Contact Lisa, Michelle, Rick, or Phil if you have any

questions.

E.D.G.E. – Our "Winter Blast" weekend retreat is

quickly approaching. We will be joining HAYM

January 9-11, 2015 at Grace Adventures. The cost

is $75 if paid by December 1. If you need another

retreat form, please see one of the leaders.

Wednesday Night Family Meal

December 3

Elders

December 10

Mission Committee

When your group signs up, please list what you are

planning on serving. It’s nice for those with food

sensitivities to know ahead of time what the meal is.

Leona Boerigter

Royal Park Place

500 Parkside Dr., #164

Zeeland, MI 49464

Jill Broekhuis

Tendercare Health Center

1221 E. 16th St., #415

Holland, MI 49423

Della Folkert

75 Old Mill Dr., #14

Holland, MI 49423

Georgianna Joostberns

Resthaven Care Center

David’s House #404

280 W. 40th St.

Holland, MI 49423

Austin Kalmink

3711 48th St.

Hamilton, MI 49419

Marv Kaper

3589 M-40

Hamilton, MI 49419

Florence Koops

Resthaven Maple Woods

49 E. 32nd St., #233

Holland, MI 49423

Hessel & Verna Lampen

Royal Atrium Inn

400 Parkside Dr. #129/131

Zeeland, MI 49464

Ron Lezman

Railside Living Center

Alzheimer/Dementia Unit

7955 Byron Center SW

Byron Center, MI 49315

Alma Lohman

11066 Melissa Lane

Lillian, AL 36549-5566

Frieda Lugten

4554 135th Ave.

Hamilton, MI 49419

Sarah Lugten

Resthaven Care Center

280 W. 40th St., #54

Holland, MI 49423

Rika Nyeboer

Royal Park Place

500 Parkside Dr., #200

Zeeland, MI 49464

Bob Nyhoff

1898 Lakeview Dr.

Zeeland, MI 49464

Maynard Reimink

Clifford Sims VA Nursing Home

4419 Tram Rd.

Springfield, FL 32404

Pearl Sprick

Resthaven Care Center

Rachel’s Cottage #311

280 W. 40th St.

Holland, MI 49423

Our Friends at Home

Remember our

Friends at Home

this Christmas season

with a card

or small gift.

It’s a Birthday

Party for Jesus!

On Wednesday,

December 10,

Kid Connection will be

having a birthday party

for Jesus (including

birthday cake!).

6:40-7:45pm

All kids three years old – 5th

grade are invited to join us

in the Red Carpet Room!

Missionary Updates

There is a new update packet

by the Missionary Board with

updates from:

Ron & Barb Wayner

(& Kingdom Air Corps)

Tabitha (Heth) Zurita

Ron & Ruth VerWys

Sandi Nyboer

Mark & JoAnn Hibma

Bethany Flynn

(new missionary)

Pick up a copy and see how

God is at work around the

world through the

missionaries we support.

Advent

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

30 November

Be Watchful!

You do not know when the Lord is

coming. Therefore, be watchful.

Mark 13:33-37

1 December

The Mountain

We shall climb the Lord’s mountain

and prepare for His coming.

Isaiah 2:1-5

2

Lord of Heaven

We praise You, Lord God, and await

the arrival of Your Son, Jesus Christ.

Luke 10:21-24

3

Loaves & Fishes

We sit at the Lord’s table and share a meal with Him and are truly satisfied.

Matthew 15:29-37

4

Peace on Earth!

Trust in the Lord. God sends us His

only Son, who comes to bring

peace.

Isaiah 26:1-6

5

Out of Darkness

Bring the love and the light of the Lord into your homes this

Advent season.

Isaiah 29:17-24

6

Work for the Harvest

Jesus needs you to work in his fields, to go out and preach

His message of love.

Matt. 9:35-10:1,5-8

7

Prepare the Way

John the Baptist helped prepare the way for the coming of the Christ Child.

Mark 1:1-8

8

Blessed Be God

God chose us so that we may praise

His glory in His Son, Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12

9

We Are Lost Sheep

If we are lost and frightened, count on

Jesus to find you and bring you safely home.

Matthew 18:12-14

10

Come to Jesus

When we are tired and feeling lonely,

Jesus is by our side to give us comfort.

Matthew 11:28-30

11

Rejoice in the Lord!

Advent is an ideal time to give thanks for the many gifts God has given us.

Isaiah 41:13-20

12

We Are His People

The Lord is coming and will take up a dwelling and live

among His people.

Zechariah 2:14-17

13

Sing & Pray!

Remember, singing is like praying twice.

So sing some Christmas carols.

Matthew 17:9-13

14

Glad Tidings!

Jesus came to bring the Good News to all, even the lonely and brokenhearted.

Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11

15

A Perfect Gift

Jesus came, not to rule this world, but

to give us all the gift of eternal life.

Matthew 21:23-27

16

Belief & Change

True belief requires that we open our hearts and accept

God’s will.

Zepheniah 3:1-2, 9-13

17

Messiah

Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary, was of the house of David and came to save

us all from sin.

Matthew 1:1-17

18

Remember

As we prepare for the Lord, turn your

hearts to your families, your

friends and those in need.

Matthew 1:18-25

19

Service

Jesus came to serve, not to be

served. Become a servant as part of

your Advent journey.

Luke 1:5-25

20

“Do Not Fear”

Where did Mary find such courage? She believed and

trusted in God.

Luke 1:26-38

21

Repentance

Make this Advent a time for forgiving those who hurt us and seeking God’s

forgiveness.

Romans 16:25-27

22

Song of Mary

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the

Lord; my spirit rejoices in God.”

Luke 1:46-56

23

He Is Near

The Christ Child’s birthday is near.

Are we prepared to welcome Him as our

Lord and Savior?

Luke 1:57-66

24

The Journey Nearly Over

The waiting, the preparation is near an end. Tomorrow the world changes.

Luke 1:67-79

25

Joy to the World!

God has sent His only Son, Jesus Christ. “Glory to God on high, and on earth peace…”

Luke 2:1-14

2014

Daily Scripture and

Reflections in Preparation

for Christmas

Glory to God in the

highest and on earth

peace to those on whom

his favor rests.

Luke 2:14

Ministry Helpers for December

We thank our Ministry Helpers for giving of their time!

If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Romans 12:8

Ministry December 7 December 14 December 21 December 25 December 28

Greeters Ryan & Misti

Lindholm and family Steve & Linda Lipe

Rob & Shelly McCormick

Matt & Reba Mokma Les & Deb Meiste

Nursery Karen TerHaar Nicki Boerman

Kathy Weerstra Jessi Groenheide

Kim Sharda Lisa Hulst

- - Reba Mokma

Arlene VanDine

Children’s Message

Communion Children’s Christmas

Program Barbara

VanGelderen - - Rev. Keith Lohman

Tech Booth Camera

Missy Eustice Jerry VanLente

Tech Booth PowerPoint

Jessi Groenheide Joshua Driscoll Craig Poll Jodi Granfors

Tech Booth Sound

Tim Bleeker Paul Koopman Paul Bosch Brian Kleinheksel Jeff Mulder

AM Pianist/ Organist

Nancy Kleinheksel Deb Meiste Nancy Kleinheksel Nancy Kleinheksel

Ruth Brink Nancy Kleinheksel

Praise Team Brian, Tim &

Company Youth Praise Team Joyful Sound

Musical Instruments & All Praise Teams

Dale & Tanya

PM Pianist/ Organist

June VanFarowe Christmas Caroling No Evening Service

Deb Meiste - - Community Service

at HCRC

Valet Parking

Rob McCormick

HRC Volunteer Opportunities

There are MANY opportunities to help out at HRC. Stop by the bulletin

board by the kitchen to sign up.

Children’s Message – We would like to continue offering Children’s

Messages, and in order to do this, we need volunteers. The winter

schedule will be posted soon. Please contact Cassie for more

information.

Cookies – The new sign-up sheet is up for December and January.

Valet Parking – The 2015 schedule is posted on the bulletin board.

December Birthdays

& Anniversaries

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

Rick Ende

Larry Haverdink

Ashlyn King

2

Wayne & Ruth Keegstra (26)

3

Dale & Thelma Brower (37)

4

Sandy Mulder

5 6

7 8

Scott Devereaux

Matt & Reba Mokma (2)

9

Cheryl Bleeker

Holly Fales

10 11 12

Reed Lampen

Jim & Wanda Kraker (2)

13

Lisa Kempkers

Rika Nyeboer*

14

Clifford Sale

Howie VanderPoppen

15 16

Jack Eding

Stu Woldring

17

Lottie Hieftje

Jim & Barbara VanGelderen (43)

18

James Devereaux

Kenny Timmer

19 20

Deb Meiste

21

Howie & Carol VanderPoppen

(52)

22

Steve & Linda Lipe (27)

23

Mike & Gracie Bosch (9)

24 25 26 27

Hessel Lampen*

28 29

Don Lampen

Isaac VanDine

30

Rylan McCormick

31

*Please see

the church

directory for

address.

Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity, which marks the likely spot of Jesus’ birth, has a four-foot-high

entrance. Throughout the centuries, the height of the entrance has been lowered twice: once to prevent

looting and once to keep out camel- and horse-riders.

Because visitors must bow as they enter, this has become known as the Door of Humility. It’s a

reminder of the reverent, submissive posture our hearts should take as we approach our newborn Lord

and Savior. It’s also a reminder that Jesus is the narrow door (Luke 13:24), the only path to eternal life.

As you worship this Christmas season, whether or not you’re physically able to

kneel, enter Jesus’ presence with a humble and thankful heart. He alone

deserves our reverence because he alone is able to save.

Special Birthday Blessings

Rika Nyeboer will celebrate her 93rd

birthday

on December 13.

Hessel Lampel will celebrate his 97th birthday

on December 27.

Please remember them with a card or small gift.

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

8:30am Senior

Breakfast at

Trestle

10:00am Pantry

7:00pm Ridder

Leadership

Meeting

2

9:30am Women’s

Bible Study

7:00pm Secret

Pal Reveal

3

10:00am Pantry

1:30pm Women’s

Missionary Society

5:30pm Family Meal

6:00pm Youth Praise

6:20pm E.D.G.E. to MOB

6:40pm Kid Connection

4

8:45am Staff Mtg.

9:00am Moms in

Prayer

5:00pm Pantry

5

10:00am Pantry

6

6:00am Men’s

Bible Study

9:30am Christmas

Program

Rehearsal

7

9:30am Adam

Van Der Stoep

Communion

10:45am Sunday

School Classes

5:45pm Sunday

Evening Study

6:00pm Pastor Ron

6:00pm C.I.A.

8

8:30am Prayer

Group

10:00am Pantry

7:00pm

Consistory

Meeting

9

9:30am Women’s

Bible Study

10

10:00am Pantry

5:30pm Family Meal

6:00pm Youth Praise

6:00pm E.D.G.E. & C.I.A.

Christmas Shopping

6:40pm Kid Connection

6:40pm Women’s Bible

Study

11

8:45am Staff Mtg.

9:00am Moms in

Prayer

5:30pm

Community

Kitchen

12

10:00am Pantry

Hamilton El.

Released Time

13

9:30am Christmas

Program

Rehearsal

14

9:30am Children’s

Christmas Program

10:45am Sunday

School Classes

4:30pm Caroling

6:00pm NO Evening

Worship Service

15

10:00am Pantry

16

1:00pm Quilting

Group

17

10:00am Pantry

18

8:45am Staff Mtg.

9:00am Moms in

Prayer

12:00pm Red

Cross Blood Drive

5:00pm Pantry

19

10:00am Pantry

20

6:00am Men’s

Bible Study

21

9:30am Pastor Tom

6:00pm Pastor Tom

22

8:30am Prayer

Group

10:00am Pantry

23 24

25

9:30am

Christmas

Morning Worship

Service

26

27

28

9:30am Rev. Keith

Lohman

6:00pm Community

Service at

Hamilton CRC

29

10:00am Pantry

30 31

December 2014

Calendar items are subject to

change.

Check the HRC Pulse for updated

weekly events.

LLPP Preschool Schedule

Monday-Wednesday-Friday: 9:00am & 12:30pm

Tuesday-Thursday: 9:00am

Pastor Tom on Vacation

Pastor Tom on Vacation December 26-January 2