WELCOME! We extend a warm welcome to everyone, particularly those who are visitors at our worship service this morning. We pray that you will receive a special

blessing as we worship our Lord together. Join us in Friendship Hall immediately following the worship service for coffee and fellowship. This evening we will meet at Cedar Hill CRC in Wyckoff for a joint worship service at 6 PM.

Our vision at MPCRC is that all would experience the joy and blessing of …Living for Jesus

   Learning God’s Word

      Loving our neighborsLast week Pastor Rod preached on the first of those 3 key elements of our church's vision for our members and our community and world, based on Paul's teaching in Philippians 1:21--"Living IS Jesus". Living for Jesus involves 1). Being united with Christ; 2). Being captivated by Christ; 3). Becoming like Christ in character and passion for serving God and sharing the Gospel; 4). Overflowing with the joy of Christ.  Today Pastor Rod will preach on the second key element of our vision, emphasizing how "Learning God's Word" means growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus (as Peter teaches in 2 Peter 3:18). We learn God's truth about who He is and His great plan of redemption to make us part of His kingdom. Our learning also changes us, helping us live for Jesus and serve Him and others more effectively, which increases our joy and His glory. Our desire is that all our

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016 TODAY AT OUR CHURCH

members and all from our community would know Jesus and grow in Him continually through Learning God's Word. 

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Our regular Children’s Worship schedule begins today for children age 3 years thru 1st grade. We meet in the Bethel Room in the newly renovated church basement. Ask any usher for directions to the classroom.

Baptism next week--Next Sunday, September 25, we will celebrate God's covenant promises with the baptism of Joseph Alexander Shevtsov, son of Misha and Natasha Shevtsov. Though they have been worshiping with us for a long time, their membership, along with Sofia's and Timothy's, was received recently from their church in Odessa, Ukraine. We welcome them to our church family, and pray that their whole family

will experience God's covenant love and blessing in their family and with our congregation. 

Ushers and Greeters, and anyone who might wish to join in these important ministries, there will be a brief meeting in the front of the sanctuary immediately following the morning service today (before coffee hour).

SUNDAY SCHOOL STARTS TODAY AND DO WE HAVE NEW STUFF FOR YOU!!!! A New Name: Kids Adventure Place (or KAP)! New Rooms! New Curriculum! New Music! New Time! WOW! KIDS ADVENTURE PLACE begins TODAY, September 18 right after church and will end at 12 noon. KIDS will have a snack, sings songs, play games, and learn life lessons. THIS YEAR, –6th, 7th, 8th graders- will lead the singing, put together the Christmas Program, learn how to lead in the Church and your community, learn how to be good neighbors, and LOVE JESUS!! WE HAVE NEW LESSONS!!  We will dive into the Bible with interactive DVD lessons brought to us by some special friends.  I’m looking forward to a GREAT year!!! Catechism classes also start TODAY!We'd like you to "take a walk" with us as we study the book Walk on Water by John Ortberg. The Bible talks about many walks, the first one by God in the Garden of Eden. Abraham walked with his son Isaac. Moses walked through the Red Sea. Joshua walked around Jericho. Disciples walked to Emmaus. Christ walked to Golgotha. Our book focuses on Peter getting out of the boat and walking on water. Peter's walk is an invitation to experience it too--stepping out in faith to do what God has called us to do--even if we are fearful. (Ideas from the preface of If You Want to Walk on Water You

Have to Get Out of the Boat.) Howard Jost will lead the discussion, 11:15 AM - 12 Noon in the Friendship Hall. Please join us!

The special offerings for September & October are as follows:September 18 - Faith PromiseSeptember 25 - Good Shepherd MissionOctober 2 - E.C. Tuition AidOctober 9 - AM - Christian Reformed Disability Concerns;

PM - Back to God MinistriesOctober 16 - Faith PromiseOctober 30 - Mustard Seed Schools

THIS WEEK AND FUTURE EVENTSClassis Hudson has a joint Classis meeting Monday evening and Tuesday, hosting by our church. Pray that the Lord will bless those meetings, and encourage the leaders from the dozens of churches represented there. 

HEARTS OF PRAISE CHILDREN'S CHOIR is HERE!!We have started rehearsals here, at MPCRC every other Thursday from 3:45-5:15. Come join us, ages 5- 13, to sing God's praises.  We will have lots of fun, but most importantly, learn to sing with the voices God has given, in praise to Him. (Like our name says)  Learn, with your friends, how much fun it is to sing together. If you have never sung in choir before, come join us anyway.  God still wants to hear you praise Him! We will be preparing for our Christmas concert, so come and join the fun! Parents please call Trudy at 201-406-9671  or email jvbec@aol.com to sign up your child or for questions you may have. Looking forward to seeing many of you at our rehearsal on Thursday Sept 22nd. (And tell your friends).

Please join us at the Tides for the Holland Christian Home Annual Dinner on Wednesday, September 21 at 6pm. Our own Don Wisse will be emcee for the evening. If you would like to be seated at the MPCRC table(s) please see Jackie Streelman, or contact the HCH directly for your tickets and mention MPCRC.

RUTH CIRCLE - WOMEN'S AFTERNOON BIBLE STUDY: Ruth Circle will begin on September 27th at 1:30 PM. (Due to a scheduling conflict we are starting one week later than planned). Pastor Rod will be leading us in Lesson #1, The Parable of the Sower.  Please pick up your book from Ruth Latona at the coffee hour or call her at (201)783-8234 to order one.

THE SENIOR BELL CHOIR will begin rehearsals on Wednesday, September 28th at 7 PM in the Old Council Room. Any questions please see Mark Schipper.

THE MIDLAND PARK SENIOR CRUSADERS October meeting will be a Harvest Luncheon at the Brownstone in Paterson on October 5th at 12 noon. Cost is $15 and if you would like to attend, please call Lois Faber at (201) 796-5779 by September 22nd.

FAMILY FUN DAY: Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 8 for Family Fun Day here at our Church from 12-4 pm. We are planning a fun-filled day with a classic car show, bake sale, flowers, games and crafts for kids. The Praise Band, GEMs and Cadets are all contributing their talents and time. We need baked goods. We also need a few more volunteers. A sign-up sheet is in the Narthex. Support our Renewal Lab efforts to become a church that is Living, Learning and Loving our Community and Church. Thank you for joining us in making this event a celebration of our Church Life.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! The Booster Club will kick-off our new year with our 2nd Fall Fish n’ Chips Dinner scheduled for Wednesday, October 19th from 5:30 - 7 PM in the Friendship Hall. In addition to fish and chips, the menu will include homemade cole slaw, desserts and beverages. Chicken tenders will also be available. Cost for adults is $15.50 and children under 12, $8.50. Please mark your calendars and look for the sign-up sheet in the Narthex today!

The Senior Choir will meet on Thursday, October 27th at 7:30 PM to begin rehearsals for Thanksgiving. Contact Mark Schipper (201) 694-7198 with any questions.

DEACONESSES - Please pick up your September/October visiting schedules from your church mailbox.

YOUTH ANNOUNCEMENTSGEMS will be starting their new year on September 27th for all girls’ grades 1st through 7th! On-line registration is available. Any questions contact Tammy Trommelen at (201) 248-9145. Hope you can join us!CADETS: Each week a light supper is served at 6:15 for Cadets who want to eat and then play before the meeting starts and counselors are also welcomed to join us. I would like to know who will be eating each night so please let me know by Monday night if you will be at supper. See you soon!

LinC (9th-12th grades) our first regular meeting will take place Sunday, September 25th at Faith Community Barn from 6- 8:30 pm.  Please join us for food, games, worship and a lesson.  Contact Joan (551-427-3070) or Emma (973-277-8816) with any questions.  Hope to see you there.Heirborne (7th & 8th grades) join us for our next regular meeting on Wednesday, September 28th from 7-9 pm at Cedar Hill Church (422 Cedar Hill Ave, Wyckoff). All 7th & 8th graders are invited to join us for games, snack, worship and lesson! ALSO: plan to join us on Friday, September 30th, 7-9 pm for the HEIRBORNE BANANA BASH!! EVERYTHING we do will have to do with bananas! Questions? Contact Allison Dykstra at 973-557-5013 or adykstra92@gmail.com.The Homeless Sheltering Program is once again preparing for the upcoming year. So much of our success is based on volunteers and donations. This year we are in need of the following items: twin bed sheets (flat sheets only), pillowcases, new pillows with a washable cover, wash cloths, boxers (size large mostly), long underwear, toothbrushes, deodorant, winter hats, coats, socks, gloves, individual cereal box packs, and name tag stickers. Travel sized toiletries are very popular as well. Odd items you may have in your attic like board/card games or backpacks are good too. Also we will have our used clothing coat rack for the men, (they love denim jeans). We could also use some medium sized plastic bins to keep the clothing in. Please be in prayer for how you can help and look for the sign-up board to be out in October. Any questions see Mike Holmes or Steve Wisse.

The Newsletter Committee is working on the fall issue.  Please let us know if you are having a special birthday (80 & above in 5 year increments) or anniversary (50th and above in 5 year increments).  We are also looking for engagements, weddings, sports achievements, or any articles of interest to our congregation.  Digital pictures can be used with your articles.  Please place you information in the newsletter box or call any member of the committee.  The deadline is September 18.

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER: TODAY: Pastor Rod. NEXT WEEK: Mark Stokes.

GREETERS: TODAY: Harold Van Goor (North), Mary Jo Gilmour (Center), Ron & Rita Popjes (South). NEXT WEEK: Bill Douma (North), Mark & Grace Wisse (Center), Howard & Shanti Jost (South).

USHERS: TODAY: 9:30 AM - Mark Wisse, Al Laauwe, Ern Wiegers. (Alternate: Kevin Shea). NEXT WEEK: 9:30 AM - Bernie Kuipers, Kevin Shea, Bill Sytsma.

NURSERY ATTENDANTS: TODAY: 9:30 AM - Tammy Trommelen, Anika Trommelen. NEXT WEEK: 9:30 AM - Pat & Art Hoogmoed.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE: THIS WEEK: Star Stokes. NEXT WEEK: Pastor Rod & Gordie.

CHILDREN’S WORSHIP: TODAY: Teacher - Laura Gorter; Helper - Kristin Golden. NEXT WEEK: Teacher - Laura Gorter; Helper - Katie Hefty.

SECURITY: TODAY: Joe Paulter. NEXT WEEK: Al Laauwe.

DEACON’S OFFERING PRAYER: TODAY: Rich Vriesema. NEXT WEEK: Sam Steen.

PRAYER ROOM: TODAY: Ruth Latona. NEXT WEEK: Lydia Gorter.

SUNDAY REFRESHMENTS: TODAY: Joan De Rosa. NEXT WEEK: Grace Wisse.

POWERPOINT: THIS WEEK: BUILD - Steve Wisse. PROJECT - Saskia Trommelen. NEXT WEEK: BUILD - Kyle Streelman. PROJECT - Calvin Gorter.

ACTIVITIES & OPPORTUNITIES THIS WEEK

Sunday 9:30 AM - Morning Worship Service11:00 AM - Adult Education, Catechism and Children’s Sunday School 6:00 PM - Evening Worship Service at Cedar Hill CRC

Monday - 9:15 AM - Community Bible Study Leaders 7:00 PM - Classis Hudson Meeting 7:30 PM - Administrative Board Meeting

Tuesday 9:00 AM - Classis Meeting Continues 6:15 PM - Cadet Supper 7:00 PM - Cadets 7:00 PM - Ladies’ Evening Bible Study Begins

Wednesday 9:15 AM - Community Bible Study

Thursday 8:00 AM - Quilters 3:30 PM - Hearts of Praise Children’s Choir 7:30 PM - Friendship Ministries

Friday 6:30 AM - Men’s Fellowship Group in the Library 7:00 PM - Worship Team Rehearsal

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2016MORNING WORSHIP

9:30 A.M.

Prelude:

Come, All Christians, Be Committed HayesHe Who Began a Good Work in You HayesChildren’s Medley Hayes

Welcome

Moment to Focus Our Hearts Be Still and Know that I Am God Silent Prayer *Opening Hymn of Praise: The Ends of All the Earth Shall Hear

*The Lord Greets Us~~We Greet Each Other

*Hymn of Affirmation: Jesus Loves Me

Children’s Message

Commissioning of Teachers and Leaders (The children may then leave for Children’s Worship)

*Hymn of Dedication: O God, Great Father, Lord and King

Prayer for the Spirit’s Leading Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 3:11-18 (p. 1896)

Message:

Learning God’s Word…Growing in the Grace and Knowledge of Jesus

*Hymn of Response: Speak, O Lord

Congregational Prayer

Offering-- First Offering for the General Ministries of MPCRC Second Offering for Faith Promise (While the offering is received, please sign the maroon fellowship booklet)

Offertory:Children of the Heavenly Father Hobby

Offertory Prayer

*Benediction

*Closing Song: My Friends, May You Grow in Grace

Postlude:All Hail the Power of Jesus’ NameBroughton

*Please stand as you are able.

Minster: Pastor Rod GorterOrganist: Candy Steen Opening Prayer: Samantha StokesChildren’s Message: Star StokesScripture Reading: Saskia TrommelenCongregational Prayer: Pastor Rod