This Week's Announcements:

WHTC (1450 AM) broadcasts our worship service at 11 a.m. on Sundays.  Each worship service is recorded on CD.  A $2 donation is suggested. Please contact the church office if you would like a CD of a particular week.

Healing Prayer Service will be held after 11 a.m. worship next Sunday, March 7.  Come and seek the quiet presence of God, share music and liturgy, and consider bringing your requests for personal prayer and anointing.  The liturgy will offer an opportunity to offer prayer for those struggling with economic stresses and anxieties both locally and around the world. 

Prayers for People of Faith: From Water Missions International – “we are so grateful for the love and support we have received since the Haiti earthquake on January 12.  So far, we have sent more than 50 Living Water Treatment Systems to Haiti and hope to send many more.  We are honored that you have chosen to support Water Missions International as a ministry that is close to your heart.  Please continue your prayers for the people of Haiti.” 

Prayers for Justice and Peace:   Pray for the Center for Women in Transition.  This agency works to create and sustain an environment that enhances the voice, opportunities, and strength of women and girls in Allegan and Ottawa counties.

Please sign up in the Gathering Area today!
Visual Imagery for Worship for the Season of Lent ~
Our worship environment has been enhanced thanks to the careful work of a team of people.  Watch for changes as the season continues.  Thank you to Rachelle Oppenhuizen, Kari Miller-Fenwood, Ric Beltran, and David Hawley.

ADULT EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES for the Season of Lent:
ACTS OF DIVERSITY
through March 28                             9:40 am                                               Room 106
This study of the book of Acts, led by Ed Anderson, will focus on how the Holy Spirit moved the infant church from a small homogeneous group to an organism that included the cultural and ethnic diversity of the world. Acts also honestly records the ensuing conflicts that incorporation of diversity engendered. It is a book of special relevance to today’s church.
            February 28:    The shadow side of diversity (Acts 3-6)
            March 7:          Diversifying leadership (Acts 6-7)
            March 14:        Geographical diversification of the church (Acts 8-11:18)
            March 21:        A diversified “consistory” launches intentional international mission
                                     (Acts 11:19-14:28)
            March 28:        The Jerusalem Conference: The outcomes and costs of conflict resolution
                                     (Acts 14-18:22)
THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS
through March 28                             9:40 am                                               Commons 1
Forgiveness has the power to release people from cycles of revenge and open doors to reconciliation and restoration. Milt Nieuwsma and Judy Parr will lead discussions based on the PBS DVD The Power of Forgiveness.
            February 28:      Forgiveness and Justice in Response to the Holocaust
            March 7:             What We Can Learn from the Irish and the Amish
            March 14:           Forgiveness and Emotional Health: Responses to 9/11
            March 21:           Forgiveness and Reconciliation
            March 28:           The Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa

Healing Tree: The Health Ministry has created a Healing Tree for the season of Lent in the Gathering Area in front of the Health Ministry bulletin board.  This tree is a call to forgiveness, healing, and restoration.  The book of Revelation envisions a river of life flowing through the city with the tree of life growing on its banks: “And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.”  Lent is a time of reflection and soul searching.  It is the perfect time to seek healing.  There are leaves available for you to write down the prayer requests you have for this season of Lent.  Perhaps you need forgiveness or need to find a way to forgive.  Perhaps you need healing in body or soul or perhaps you carry a burden for the healing of someone you love.  Perhaps it is the healing of the nations that weighs heavy on your heart.  Offer these prayers on the healing tree.  And then take a leaf with you and commit to pray for the healing of the nations. 

You’re Invited!  Women of Hope Church and of Third Reformed Church are invited to a Lenten Brunch to be held at 10:00 a.m. on March 18 in the Hope Church Commons.  Circle members of Hope Church will serve the brunch and Pastor Jill Russell will lead the morning’s program.  Please make your reservations at the Hope Church Office (392-7947) by Monday, March 15.

CAH Pantry Update:  Has the bailout trickled down to relieve the pantry of some of its burden for supplying food to the neediest?  Has the need tailed off any?  We all know the answer – and we keep on responding with tangible help – thanks to you!  Canned protein foods and fruit are always needed.  Empty spots include detergents for all purposes, hair products, dental products, bar soap, garbage bags.

To learn more about Todd and Ellen Engle's international adoption, see their blog at RussianStarfish.Wordpress.com. Please keep them and their new family members in your prayers. If you'd like to provide other support, donate to the Engle Adoption Fund at any Macatawa Bank branch, or talk to Kristen Gray, Kay Hubbard, or Lois Maassen.

From the Health Ministry: We can help dental care at the Holland Free Health Clinic simply by pointing and clicking!  The Holland clinic has qualified as one of sixteen clinics in the U.S. to win a $20,000 grant from Tom’s of Maine.  The funds would be used to purchase new x-ray equipment and supplies.  Votes will determine the winner of these grant funds.  Go to tomsofmaine.com/community-involvement/dental-clinic.aspx, follow the prompts, scroll down to the Holland site and vote.  You can vote every day!

Health Tip:  Check out the article on food and moods in the January issue of Tufts University Health Letter.  Take a copy form the Health Ministry Book Cart.

Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance:  We are seeking volunteers for Calling All Colors Conference at Grand Valley State University on Friday, March 12.  The dialogue will examine stereotypes surrounding people of Middle Eastern descent and promote greater understanding of people of diverse ethnic backgrounds.  If you are interested in facilitating a dialogue on diversity and race issues with a small group of high school students, there will be training available in Holland (March 9, 4 p.m.) and Grand Haven (March 10, 3:30 p.m.)  The dialogue is Friday, March 12, from 10 a.m. – 12 noon at Grand Valley State University, Allendale campus.  Lunch is available after the dialogue.  For more information or to sign up to help with this project, call Sarah at 846-9074 or program@ethnicdiversity.org

Les Beach Memorial for Prayer Chapel and Bethabara:  The Hope Church Consistory has received with gratitude the memorial gifts for Leslie Beach who died in September of 2008, and we celebrate the refurbishment of the sanctuary prayer chapel and the provision for retreats at Bethabara for which Carla Beach has designated those funds. The prayer chapel is available each Sunday and on weekdays during office hours for those who desire a place of contemplation, prayer and peace; the Bethabara retreat center in Saugatuck offers a beautiful setting for retreat (http://bethabara.net). Through this memorial Hope Church will cover the costs of those from Hope Church who wish to have a retreat day at Bethabara. We are grateful to God for Les’ life at Hope Church, Hope College, and in many places beyond, in which prayerful contemplation nourished paths of service to and care for others.

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MARCH 2010 CALENDAR

1	5:00 p.m. Executive Committee meeting 6:15 p.m. Stewardship and Finance Ministry meeting 7:30 p.m. Easter Vigil meeting
2	11:00 a.m. Exercise
3	6:15 a.m. Men's Breakfast 9:00 a.m. Circle 1 5:45 p.m. Lent Meal 6:30 p.m. Lent Activities 7:00 p.m.Chancel Choir
4	7:00 p.m. Volleyball at First United Methodist Church
7	8:30 a.m. Early Worship 9:40 a.m. Chancel Choir 9:40 a.m. Church School/Nursery 11:00 a.m. Worship 11:15 a.m. Children in Worship 12:15 p.m. Healing Service
8	3:00 p.m. Health Ministry meeting 7:00 p.m. Consistory meeting
9	10:30 a.m. Coffee Time at Warm Friend 11:00 a.m. Exercise
10	6:15 a.m. Men's Breakfast 5:15 p.m. Carillon Choir 5:45 p.m. Lent Meal 6:30 p.m. Lent Activities
11	7:00 p.m. Volleyball at First United Methodist Church
14	8:30 a.m. Early Worship 9:40 a.m. Chancel Choir 9:40 a.m. Church School/Nursery 11:00 a.m. Worship 11:15 a.m. Children in Worship 6:30 p.m. Fish Club 6:30 p.m. High Hopes
15	5:00 p.m. Outreach and Hospitality Ministry meeting 6:00 p.m. Fellowship Ministry meeting 6:00 p.m. Community & World Ministry meeting 7:00 p.m. Congregational Care Ministry meeting 7:30 p.m. 150th Anniversary Committee meeting
16	11:00 a.m. Exercise
17	6:15 a.m. Men's Breakfast 1:00 p.m. Hope Church Readers 5:45 p.m. Lent Meal 6:30 Lent Activities 7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir
18	10:00 a.m. Women's Lenten Breakfast 5:00 p.m. Personnel Committee meeting 7:00 p.m. Volleyball at First United Methodist Church
19	6:00 p.m. PACT (Parents and Children Together) dinner for families with children ages birth through grade 5.
21	NAME TAG SUNDAY 8:30 a.m. Early Worship 9:40 a.m. Chancel Choir 9:40 a.m. Church School/Nursery 11:00 a.m. Worship 11:15 a.m. Children in Worship 5:00 p.m. Creation Care Prayer Service at 3rd Reformed Church
22	7:00 p.m. Christian Education Ministry meeting 7:30 p.m. Worship, Prayer, and Spirituality Ministry meeting
23	11:00 a.m. Exercise
24	6:15 a.m. Men's Breakfast 5:15 p.m. Carillon Choir 5:45 p.m. Lent Meal 6:30 p.m. Lent Activities
25	7:00 p.m. Volleyball at First United Methodist Church
26	10:00 a.m. PACT (Parents and Children Together) play time 9:00 p.m. High Hopes Lock-In through Saturday morning
28	PALM SUNDAY PIZZA SUNDAY BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC 8:30 a.m. Early Worship 9:40 a.m. Chancel Choir 9:40 a.m. Church School/Nursery 11:00 a.m. Worship 11:15 a.m. Children in Worship 12:15 p.m. Pizza Sunday 5:45 p.m. Fish Club
30	11:00 a.m. Exercise
31	6:15 a.m. Men's Breakfast

 

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Hope Church | 77 West 11th Street | Holland, Michigan 49423 | (616) 392-7947

A Congregation of the Reformed Church in America