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~ page 2 ~
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Marc Hoogstad (youth pastor)
Please pray for those of our congregation who are not able at this time to come to
church. We think of Hillie E, Sharon , Jean P, Ken S, Aaf S, Trudy , Janny , Erie V and
Sandra V.
1105 Exmouth Street
519-336-8808
~ MILESTONES: Happy birthday and God’s blessings ~
Jan 19 Bert L
Jan 27 Andy V
Jan 20 Alice R
Jan 29 Michelle V
Chris V
Jan 31 Sonja D
Jan 21 JT S
Greta P
Jan 22 Amy V
Rob V
1934 – 2015
The purpose of First Church in Sarnia is:
LOVE
SHARE
The love of God is celebrated.
The love of God is shared.
The love of God mobilizes us to care.
W
CARE
Sunday, January 18, 2015
ELCOME! What a privilege it is to begin this new week in the Lord’s
presence as well as in the company of His people. We trust that you will experience the
warmth of Christian fellowship, the inspiration of worship, and the peace that comes from
an awareness of God’s presence. May the Lord’s Spirit fill us richly with His presence,
love, and power to enable us to worship Him with joy and thanksgiving in our hearts. We
extend a special welcome to all our guests. It’s a joy to have you among us, we hope
that you’ll take a moment to sign our guest book in the entrance way. If we can be of
any further assistance to you, please do not hesitate to contact today’s Greeters, an
elder, or to call the church office.
This morning we welcome Seminarian David VanEyk, from Chatham, and this
evening Pastor Allan Farris, from Paterson Memorial Presbyterian church here in Sarnia.
We are thankful for their presence with us here today and pray that God will bless them
as they bring His Word; and us as we listen and respond to that Word.
Following this morning’s worship service, everyone is invited to join us
downstairs in the fellowship hall for a time of conversation and coffee, tea or
juice. The prayer room upstairs is also always open after the service, and
there will be people there to pray for you for whatever concern you may have.
Our Church Family: Sharon L had surgery to repair a broken ankle this week. She
faces 3 months of therapy, learning to walk on crutches, no weight on 'fixed leg', no
driving a car, and finding respite care. Please keep her in your prayers.
Congratulations to Doris and Libardo R on the birth of their first granddaughter. Samara
was born to Ximena and Brian on Saturday Jan. 10th.
Redeemer~ Please pray for John H. His blood count did not allow for his fourth chemo
treatment last week. He hopes to have it this week. Pray too for Pastor Jack and Pat W
as Jack has more tests and as they wait for results.
Living Hope~ Rick and Brendan B are leaving on Monday the 19th for a two-week
mission trip to Nicaragua. They're going together with a group from Woodstock through
Nicaragua Mission of Hope, and they'll be serving at the Nehemiah Center in Managua.
Jack K's condition is weakening as he continues his battle with mesothelioma cancer.
We continue our prayers for him and Ekkie as doctors estimate Jack may be entering
the final months of his life.
Please continue to pray for Coba F whose continuing to battle an infection in her foot
that has been quite debilitating for her.
OUR GIFTS WE BRING
Today:
Next Week:
AM: 1. Ministry Shares 2. John & Jane Huizinga – Samaritan Foundation
PM: Diaconate
AM: 1. Ministry Shares 2. Calvinist Cadet Corps
PM: Diaconate
~Deacon’s Corner~
Our second morning offering is for John and Jane Huizinga’s mission work for the
Samaritan Foundation in the Dominican Republic. While they continue to work to
provide simple homes, churches, schools and medical clinics to the poor, they have
started a new agriculture and children’s evangelism outreach program. Check
out www.thesamaritanfoundationdr.com or TheSamaritanFoundation on Facebook to
read more about their work.
Our evening offering is for the diaconate. Our deacons provide local financial support to
families both within and outside of our fellowship.
~page 3~
~Our thanks today to~
Serving Elders/Deacons
AM: * Dianna B, Harry V, Pete V, Brad R
PM * Fred Z, Ed D, Carol P, Brad R
Josh and Karly S, Sean and Rebecca S
John and Cheryl D
Ushers: Tracey and Fred Z
Stephen N
Projection Tech: Rick K
Sunday School: John D, Adam K, Cheryl S, William S
Prayer Room:
Marg R, Bert H
Library Attendants: Liz L, Sherry C, Angela C
Nursery:
Heidi D, Stacey H, Marg R, Adam C
Coffee Servers:
Greeters:
Sound Tech:
~Scheduled for Next Sunday, January 25, 2015~
Serving Elders/Deacons:
A M: *Shirley K, Alex K, Jake V, Jack T
P M: *Shirley K, Alice R, Diane P, JT S
Bert and Liz L, Jake and Lucille V
Michael and Ethel D Ushers: Patti K, Mitch V
Sound Tech:
Nate S
Projection Tech: Sandy S
Sunday School:
John D, Adam K, Cheryl S, William S
Prayer Room:
Fred Z, Diane P
Library Attendants: Jeannine S, Helen S, Kelly V
Nursery:
Lisa R, Nicole S, Jeannine S, Mikayla V
Coffee Servers:
Greeters:
2
ANNOUNCEMENTS
ANNIVERSARY - Our 81st church anniversary falls on Thursday, February 5th. To
celebrate the blessing of another year, please join us in the fellowship hall on Sunday
February 1st for coffee and cake after the morning service. Hartelijke gefeliciteerd met
de verjaardag van je kerk! (Congratulations on the anniversary of your church!)
Praying for our ATLAS team: As our mission team heads out tomorrow to work and
serve in the Dominican Republic, they covet our prayers. If you would like to be part of
the prayer support team here at home, please sign up on the sheet on the table by the
office. Shorter updates will be posted on our Facebook page, but you will also receive
the full update along with prayer items by email. If you don’t have email, we’ll find a way
to get the information to you! On behalf of the team, thanks for your prayers, Marg R
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL will be meeting on Tuesday January 20 at 7:30 pm.
~page 4~
CLASSIS CHATHAM will meet on Saturday, Jan 24th at Grace CRC in Chatham. Our
delegates are Harry V, Bert H, Dianna B, and Diane P, alternate.
NOMINATIONS FOR ELDERS AND DEACONS: It is the time of year when we need to
think and pray about nominations for elders and deacons. Retiring elders are Ed D, Bert
H, Alex K, Diane P and Harry V, and retiring deacons are Brian H, Carol P, and Freda S.
Please take a moment to thank these people for their faithful service.
We require 5 new elders and 3 new deacons and offices are open to both men and
women who are confessing members. Please prayerfully consider who you feel are
gifted for these tasks and submit their names in writing or by email to Harry V
hverburg12@gmail.com . It is suggested you take a moment to speak with those you are
nominating to encourage them. Pray that those nominated will consider this a calling
from God and trust in his equipping for the task.
POT LUCKS: It's that time of year again! The beginning of each New Year can bring
such hope and promise; not to mention some good times of fellowship with friends and
family! We invite you to join us in celebrating the blessings of another New Year with
your congregational district at the Annual District Pot Lucks. Please bring a main dish as
well as either a salad or a dessert. Single people who are not able to prepare a large
dish are encouraged to bring whatever you can, or at very least just bring yourself!
Districts 1, 3, 5 and 7 will be on January 25 (that is NEXT WEEK). Districts 2, 4, 6, and
8 will be on February 22. If you are unsure of which district you are in, please refer to the
lists on the bulletin board located on the wall adjacent to the library on the back of the
sanctuary.
HEALTHFUL REMINDER - At this time of year, especially, the spread of illness from
viruses and bacteria can happen very quickly and affect a large number of people. Many
of us will bounce back pretty quickly, but we should consider those with health conditions
that may complicate their ability to fight off illness. With that in mind, please remember to
practice frequent and thorough hand-washing, particularly if you will be greeting people,
serving food or drink, caring for babies or toddlers, or will be in contact with someone
with a compromised immune system. If you have been in close contact with someone or
you yourself have been sick, please consider staying home for 48 hours after exposure,
or after symptoms are gone. If you are a scheduled greeter and would prefer not to
shake hands, feel free to keep your hands in your pockets or behind your back, and
greet with a smile instead! :)
The best way to know that you've done a pretty good job of washing your hands is after
wetting your hands, work soap into a rich lather, and scrub (both sides, between fingers,
and under nails) for 20 seconds...keep track of the time by humming the "Happy
Birthday" tune from beginning to end twice.
~page 5~
I will be out of the country on the ATLAS mission trip, combined with a week’s vacation.
For those 2 weeks Kristy N will be filling in for me in the church office, with normal office
hours. Please have your bulletin announcements in to the church by 4:30 on
Wednesdays as usual (firstcrc@xcelco.on.ca ), or put them in my mail slot, where she
can retrieve them. The office will be closed on Tuesday, February 3, but will be open
February 4 and 5.
Thank –you!
~Betty
GEMS SPAM NIGHT: We will be having another SPAM night for Gems on Friday,
Jan. 23 from 6:30pm-8:30pm at Living Hope Church. Come on out for a fun movie night
and relax with friends! On Monday Jan. 26 there will be no GEMS for the girls but
instead there will be a meeting for the counselors.
GEMS ANNUAL SOUP AND CHILI DINNER: Would you like to
have a fun night out with great fellowship and even better
food? Please join us at the GEMS Annual Soup and Chili fundraising
dinner at Sarnia Christian School on Saturday, Feb. 7 starting at 4:30 until 6:30pm.
There is a flyer in your mail slots with all the information you need. Mark your calendars
and enjoy an evening and let the GEMS serve you!
CATECHISM is cancelled for this week Wednesday, January 21st due to exams. Please
join us again on the 28th as we continue our exciting Youth Alpha program, from 7:00 to
8:00 p.m. We will show an informative, relevant video followed by a lively, topical
discussion about our faith. All students from grade 9 through 12 are welcome and
encouraged to attend!
~page 6~
FANSHAWE CHAPLAIN- If you or someone you know is attending Fanshawe College
this semester, Chaplain Kelly Sibthorpe and Good News CRC welcomes you!
Good News Church is located five minutes from campus! Contact Chaplain Kelly
Sibthorpe through Facebook messenger or e-mail at chaplainkjs@gmail.com or text 226236-5201. We have great student events/Bible Study to help you connect with others.
Peace- Chaplain Kelly
LAST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH COFFEE SOCIAL on Friday, January 30th at
10:00 am in the Fellowship Hall of Living Hope Christian Reformed Church.
YARN CLUB -Knitting and crocheting blankets and sweaters for the babies
of the Dominican Republic. We will meet on Wednesday January 21, at First
CRC in the library, from 1 - 3.
FREE VHS MOVIES: All VHS movies need to go. If your VHS player still works,
please help yourself to our fiction movies. In their place the library committee has
purchased many DVD movies including Veggie tales, Adventures in Odyssey, and many
family friendly movies etc. Come check them out!
ATTENTION CURLERS: You are invited to be part of the annual LDCSS Curling
Bonspiel, February 14, 2015, at the Aylmer Curling Club. Cost $500.00 per team,
sponsors are encouraged. All snacks and lunch provided free for curlers. To register,
please contact Albert at 519-773-3238 or email agweesjes@gmail.com by Jan 31, 2015.
DENOMINATIONAL MINISTRIES
~SARNIA CRC YOUTH~
FUSION: The definition of overrated is anything that is given too much hype. We all
know things that we would consider to be overrated, but there are lots of things that are
overrated when it comes to Jesus and growing to be more like Him. Come find out what
those are in this 3 week series, Overrated.
SERVE 2015: Plans are being made for this summer's SERVE trip! While the location
has yet to be confirmed, the date will be July 11-18. There is space for 10 students. If
you know you already want to go, contact Pastor Marc for the registration information!
YOUNG ADULTS: Join others from Ontario for a weekend retreat on January 30February 1 at Maranatha CRC in Woodstock. Featured speaker Sid Ypma. This
weekend will include small-group sessions, social time, food and activities! For more info
visit the Facebook page “YA Retreat 2015” or email ya.retreat.team@gmail.com
GROUNDWORK - Silence and Solitude: Jesus incorporated silence and solitude into his
own life regularly. So on today’s Groundwork we’ll talk about silence, studying examples
from Mark and 1 Kings. Join the weekly conversation: subscribe for free weekly email
notifications at ListenToGroundwork.com; visit GroundworkOnline.com to find a local
radio station or listen now.
KIDS CORNER - All for One: Lucas is a new kid in Liz’s class, but he’s different; his skin
is red. Skink uses this as an excuse for bullying. But the kids decide to frustrate Skink’s
plans and they all show up at school with red skin. Follow the Kids Corner adventures of
Liz and his pals every week: subscribe for free at getkidscorner.com. Find more great
resources for kids and parents at kidscorner.net
~page 7~
~page 8~
POSITION OPENING - Program Consultant, Tanzania: World Renew, an agency of the
Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA), has a full time opening for a
Program Consultant in Tanzania. We require someone who has a proven track record in
partner consultations on program quality, implementation and management, as well as
organizational governance and resource development experience. Visit
www.worldrenew.net/careers for more information; to apply, submit your current resume,
a cover letter indicating your relevant skills and experience and your response to the
downloadable follow-up questions to lchiarot@worldrenew.net. Application deadline is
Feb. 2.
GOT A QUESTION ABOUT ACCESSIBILITY? - Disability Concerns and our network of
hundreds of volunteer disability advocates are eager to help your church overcome
barriers of attitude, architecture, and communication. Contact us at
disabilityconcerns@crcna.org or 888-463-0272.
POSITION OPENING - World Renew, an agency of the Christian Reformed Church in
North America (CRCNA), has a full time opening for a Country Consultant (Country
Director) in Haiti. We require someone who has a proven track record in delivering
program results while also building organizational and community capacity. This position
will be based in Haiti and provide leadership in the development of World Renew’s
strategy in-country and will provide leadership to the overall strategy and policies of the
Ministry Team. Visit www.worldrenew.net/careers for more information; to apply, submit
your current resume, a cover letter indicating your relevant skills and work experience
and your response to the downloadable follow-up questions to lchiarot@worldrenew.net.
Application deadline is Feb. 2.
MISSION TRIP IN 2015: - Start planning your 2015 mission trip with World Renew
Disaster Response Services today and spend a week repairing disaster-damaged
homes for those in need! Accommodations vary between sites and the cost is
approximately $0-25 per person per day, depending on the location. See
worldrenew.net/drs to get started or call 800-848-5818.
FREE WEBINAR - Join us on February 4 when Mike Hogeterp and Mark Charles will
present "Icebergs in History-The Doctrine of Discovery". They will examine how the DoD
may have shaped our relationships with Indigenous Peoples and address key questions:
"What is the DoD?" "Why is it important?" and "What does it have to do with ministry
today?" For details and registration for this free, one-hour event, visit
crcna.org/webinars.
PROGRAM INNOVATION ASSISTANT - If you have a love for working with
adolescents, gifts in administration, enjoy exploring new approaches and solutions, et tu
parle francais aussi, come to Senegal . Work with WR’s program team to develop and
run annual training workshops along with on-the-job training of the adolescent health
educators. Details about this one-year hands-on volunteer opportunity can be found at
www.worldrenew.net or contact volunteer@crcna.org.
HIGH ADVENTURE SUMMER CAMP - Rock climbing, orienteering, rope courses, arts
and crafts are some of the activities at this adventure camp high in the Staja mountain
region of Romania, where youth are challenged in creative problem solving, facing and
conquering fears, team work, compassion and more. You are invited to be a North
American Christian role model and come alongside Romanian camp leaders in this
unique ministry that empowers youth with the skills to live life well. Additional details can
be found at www.crwm.org or contact volunteer@crcna.org.
SERVE AND LEARN IN EGYPT - Come see the pyramids of Giza along with other
ancient sites of Egypt—all while serving God’s people.
CRWM’s service and learning trip will take place from April 27-May 7. Visit
crwm.org/EgyptSALT to sign up.
BAD WEATHER PROCEDURE: Winter is upon us, and in the event of bad weather
which would necessitate canceling a worship service this would be the procedure:
The decision will be made at least 2 hours before the service (by 8:00am or 4:30pm)
Elders would call the people in their district to advise them.
Please listen to the following radio stations for cancellations:
WNFA 90.7 FM
FOX FM 99.9 AM
CHOK 1070 AM
If we can be of assistance……
Youth Pastor Marc Hoogstad (O) 519-337-6485
E-mail: marc.hoogstad@gmail.com
Office Hours (at Redeemer CRC) are Tue. and Thurs. from 2 to 5 p.m.
Office Administrator:
Betty Boot (O) 519-336-8808
E-mail firstcrc@xcelco.on.ca
Church Office hours are Tue. & Wed. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. & Thurs. 9 am. – 4 pm
Harry Verburg (519-331-8919)
E-mail: hverburg12@gmail.com
Chair of Council:
Recording Secretary: Lucille VanderVies (519)542-3080
E-mail: jakevdv@ebtech.net
Clerk of Council:
Dianna Brown (519)330-0793
E-mail: dbrown@gamble-ins.com
Pastoral concerns: Contact either Harry Verburg (see his info above), or
Diane Plug (519)383-1096 E-mail: dplug@ebtech.net
Prayer Coordinators
Ethel DePooter (519-336-3169) and Ann Veenkamp (519-383-0887)
Treasurer:
Ray Kapteyn (519-332-0868)
E-mail: rkapteyn@hometrak.net
Custodians: Doris Calderon & Libardo Rubio (519-491-6609)
DorisCalderon25@hotmail.com
The Network:
www.crcna.org/network
Please have all bulletin announcements into the office by 4 p.m. Wednesday
Website: www.sarniafirstcrc.com