He Reigns

One of the most beloved and beautiful statements of comfort and peace is the first question and answer of the Heidelberg Catechism.  The question is, “What is your only comfort in life and in death?”  The answer is that I belong, body and soul... to my faithful savior Jesus Christ.  Far be it from me to be critical of this wonderful formulation of faith.  But I think that this question and answer makes an assumption that we need to acknowledge.  It assumes correctly that Jesus is the best person to belong to.

He is.  Here’s why.  Jesus reigns.  Jesus is Lord over all things.  He is Lord of all places.  Jesus reigns in the darkest night.  He reigns in the midst of pain and in the midst of joy.  He reigns during a pandemic.  He reigns as humans scratch and claw for power.  Therefore (and the catechism goes on to say this) Jesus is capable of making all things work together for my salvation.  It isn’t just that we belong to Jesus.  We belong to the Lord of the universe.  He reigns.  And that is why it is so awesome to belong to Him.  

The Power of "And"

I recall a leadership seminar where the presenter suggested using the word “and” in place of the word “but”.  Used this way, “and” kept the conversation going and opened up new possibilities for dialogue.  Not bad advice.  I’d like to suggest using “and” in place of a different word: “or”.  We live in a culture that requires us to reject one thing in order to hold onto another.  Our culture gives us just one brush to paint people, events, and ideas.  A person is good or bad.  An event is understandable or terrible.  An idea is brilliant or foolish.  

I think this binary way of thinking is partly responsible for the divisions we face in our country and even in the American Church.  Perhaps it would help if we used the word “and” instead.  While sin is always wrong, the people who commit sins are both sinners and saints.  There is evil in the best of us and goodness in the worst of us.  Most ideas have some merit and  some weaknesses.  It doesn’t make every idea worth pursuing or every person worth trusting.  But maybe if we started looking for the “and”, we would come to understand each other a little better.  We could disagree without malice.  We could reach different conclusions with common respect.

Presence

When a birthday or a holiday draws near, it can be difficult to think of good gift ideas for the people around you. Do you get them something new at the risk of them not liking it? Do you get them the same thing from years past? While gifts come and go with years, there is one gift that stands the test of time. That is the gift of presence.

Part of the culture in FCC Student Ministries is a mentor program where high school students choose an adult from FCC to walk alongside them during a highly formational time of their lives. While this adult may impart wisdom or experience to their student mentee, the biggest gift they can offer is their presence. The impact of having caring adults present in the life of a teenager goes far beyond the time that student is in high school and is also one of the biggest factors in students maintaining strong faith as adults.

Jesus was the perfect example of God’s presence. Even the name “Emmanuel” carries the meaning “God with us.” As Jesus is present in our lives, adults can be present in the lives of younger generations and be a Christ-like influence on our students.

Extension

No single person can be everywhere or be good at everything. In fact, none of us are called to be everywhere and do everything. You probably aren’t called to go to Nicaragua or work in prison ministry or share the Gospel with Muslim people groups. But isn’t it great that some people are? Isn’t it awesome that families like the Holtrops and the Admiraals and the DeLanges are called to go to these places? By supporting them, we can extend our reach and participate in God’s kingdom in a multitude of ways.

This coming Sunday we will vote on calling Becky Tjapkes to be an extension of our ministries as she shares God’s presence and hope with people at the end of their lives. Becky is a hospice chaplain. We have the opportunity to partner with and support her by being her calling church. We will vote on this during the service on Sunday. In extending her a call, we will be extending our impact - and God's grace - beyond ourselves.

Your Next Free Minute

What do you do when you have one free minute?  Some examples of free minutes might include waiting for your child to finish practice, the time you stand in line at the restaurant waiting to be seated, or at the grocery store waiting to check out.  You might have a free minute while your eggs are cooking or while you’re pumping gas.  A free minute could happen while you are on hold with customer service.  The time between the end of one task and the start of another could also be a free minute.  So what do you do with these free minutes?

Typically we pull out our phone and check Facebook or Twitter or our email.  It might be just enough time to send a quick text or check our calendar.  Maybe you make a phone call and find someone to keep you company while you wait.  Most of the time we have free minutes, we fill them with distractions.  Here’s a challenge for you this week.  What if you used your free minutes to pray?  What if you offered God a list of things you were thankful for that day?  What if you prayed for a friend who is struggling?  That seems like a much more productive way to use a free minute.  So there’s the challenge.  This week use some of your free minutes to pray.  Are you in?

Let the Children Come!

Last Tuesday morning our church gym was full of smiles and excitement as about 20 moms and a lot of kids played freely in the gym as our weekly GymJam resumed. On Thursday volunteers finished assembling our new play structure in the new playground area so kids can now play as adults visit nearby. Yesterday we embarked on a new season of Sunday morning ministries with about 50 volunteers committed to sharing the love of Jesus, the amazing greatness of our God, and God’s epic story. This Thursday we will welcome new and returning moms and kids to our thriving MOPS ministry. And next Monday we will kick off a new GEMS year with over 40 girls, including at least 20 girls who are new to GEMS. 

Praise God for our opportunity to welcome kids at FCC! As a church that welcomes all kinds of people, we are so thankful for the opportunity to serve kids and have an impact on their lives. A survey by the International Bible Society indicated that 83% of Christians make their first commitment to Jesus between the ages of 4 and 14. Join me in praying that we are able to nurture kids’ faith well and help them put down strong roots of faith.

Change

We are in a time of dramatic change right now.  The days are getting shorter.  The breeze is more refreshing.  Before long growth will slow down and the leaves will change colors before falling in our yards.  Students are wrapping up summer jobs and family vacations and going back into a more structured time called the school year.  Parents, too, are involved in these changes as alarms go off earlier.  In just under a month’s time, we went from a house of six people to a house of three.  We move into new seasons of parenting, work, and health.  People move in and out of our lives.  

Sometimes I want to freeze time and live in an eternal now.  Things are good.  I’ve made progress on knowing how to live in this season of life.  Can’t I just live a while longer in this moment now that I understand it better?  But time won’t cooperate with my request.  It keeps moving forward.  And with the progression of time comes change.  I’m reminded of a line from a classic hymn: “Change and decay in all around I see.  O God, who changes not, abide with me.”  And that’s the one thing that will never change: God, and his abiding presence in our lives.  At the end of the day, we weren’t made for a set of circumstances.  We were made for God.  And that will never change.

Kingdom Investment, Round Two

In 2021 we were able to pay off our church mortgage, freeing up $48,000 annually.  We decided to use these funds to impact the world in Jesus’ name - to make a kingdom investment.  As Kyle shared yesterday, this has allowed us to sponsor the Benchuk family as they resettle in the US from Ukraine.  It’s already time to start thinking about how to make a kingdom investment in 2023.  On Sunday after the service, we will gather in the gym at tables for about 20 minutes to hear your thoughts and ideas on how to make that investment in the coming year.  

Please start thinking and praying about ways that we can serve our community and world.  We are especially looking for ideas that allow for participation within our church family and are focused on our community, rather than on ourselves.  Ideas should also be connected to our church’s vision and personality.  For example, food ministries, refugee sponsorship, and housing would all be consistent with our values.  Thank you for participating in this endeavor by brainstorming and praying!

Weddings and Anniversaries

Yesterday in our worship service we recognized a couple who were celebrating their 60th anniversary.  Later on in the day I did a wedding for a couple who will wake up today to their first full day of married life.  Sara and I are somewhere in between with 24 years under our belts.  It’s a long way from day one to year 60.  There are a lot of highs and lows.  There is much forgiveness, tears, and compromise along the way.  

One thing I’m sure about is that no one gets to year 60 on accident or by dumb luck.  A 60th anniversary - any anniversary, for that matter - is the result of intentional decisions, sacrifice, and commitment.  If you’re married and reading this, what can you do today that will put some fuel in your marriage tank?  What conversation, act of kindness or romance would make a contribution to the health and endurance of your marriage.  And if you’re not married and reading this, say a prayer for the marriages in your life.  Pray that God would keep them strong and protected.

Living in the Future Now

Shortly after moving to the tri-cities, I learned that the Coast Guard Festival is the unofficial end of summer.  Honestly, it’s a bit mystifying to me how summer could be over in early August, but that’s the prevailing wisdom.  As soon as Coast Guard is over, sports begin and people start thinking about going back to school.  Given the brief window of beautiful summer weather, it’s especially regrettable that we have to say goodbye to summer so soon.

This phenomenon of living our lives with one foot in the future can be problematic.  If I look ahead too far, I can miss the gift and the joy that is the present moment.  But I’ve also discovered that hope for the future can make the present moment even sweeter.  As followers of Jesus, we are invited to live in the present with one foot firmly in the future.  We look ahead to a coming kingdom and a new creation.  With that solid hope, we can savor the present moment all the more deeply.  We are free to embrace all the joy this world offers and know that it can’t compare to the joy of the next.

Gathering Places

Gathering Places

A few weeks ago I was blessed with the opportunity to spend a week at the extended family cottage in Fremont. Our girls joined us for the week and other family and friends were also able to spend some time with us there. While I am grateful to be able to regularly stay in touch with our kids through texts, phone calls and FaceTime, nothing beats being together in person. Spending time goofing off out on the water, sitting together in the sun, and enjoying meals together helps deepen our connection.

I’m grateful for opportunities for our church family to gather in person, too. Psalm 122 starts by saying, “I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’”  It is so good when we can be together. While technology gives us great options when we are unable to physically gather due to illness, Covid exposures, or travel, we can connect and grow together so much better in person.  May our upcoming months and year be filled with opportunities to worship and grow with our church family!

Living in Joy

When our founding fathers drafted the Declaration of Independence, they identified three inalienable rights: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  Perhaps they should have aimed a bit higher with the last one.  Why not “the pursuit of joy”?  We sometimes talk about the difference between happiness and joy.  Happiness is usually more fleeting.  It’s based on our circumstances and our expectations being met.  Joy, on the other hand, runs much deeper.  Joy is a state of being that we live in.

I suppose then, that by definition, you can’t really pursue joy.  Joy is not something you acquire as much as the result of a deep, abiding truth: we belong to God and nothing can change that.  Since joy springs from an unchangeable truth, it remains even when happiness is fleeting.  Joy survives even in the midst of pain and suffering where happiness fades.  Go ahead and pursue happiness this week.  It’s your inalienable right.  But if you fail to catch it or it gets away from you, be assured that there is something greater that you will never lose: joy.  As God’s children, joy actually pursues us.

Covenant Contribution

When we baptize an infant, we aren’t just witnesses - passive bystanders while God makes amazing promises.  We are there making our own set of promises.  God will do much of his work in that child’s life through you and me.  Specifically, here is what we commit to: Do you, people of the Lord, promise to receive this child in love, pray for him/her, help instruct him/her in the faith, and encourage and sustain him in the fellowship of believers?  There are many ways to keep this promise, but here is a very practical one: share a Sunday morning with our covenant children.

Giving a few Sundays a year to support our children’s faith nurture ministries is an excellent way to make a covenant contribution.  By spending just an hour or less with our children, you are tangibly and powerfully keeping the promises we’ve made to them at their baptism.  You’ll know better how to pray for them and encourage them in the future.  Courtney Wolffis will be in the Commons after church next Sunday to talk to you about participating.  Please consider this opportunity to make a covenant contribution.  You can also email Courtney for more information: courtney@ferrysburgchurch.com.

Identity

How do you introduce yourself to people?  When you are trying to explain who you are, what kinds of information do you share?  You might talk about your occupation or the place where you work.  You might talk about your children or grandchildren.  In the course of conversation you might describe your hobbies, your favorite sports teams, or your political convictions.  All of these are interesting tidbits about your life.  None of these things define you.

I realize it would be a little awkward to go around introducing yourself as a child of God.  But it would be worth taking a moment or two every day to remind yourself of that basic truth.  Introduce yourself to… yourself as a child of God.  And not just because it’s true, but because it’s the only identity strong enough to hold you.  You can lose your job.  You can be disappointed by your family.  Hobbies come and go.  Sports teams lose.  Politics is a rollercoaster.  But we have a Father whose love never fails.  We have a Father who has chosen us to be his permanent children.  That’s who you are: a child of God.  It’s the most true thing about you.

Connect Groups

Connect Groups

One of the core components of our vision is to grow deeper in God’s family.  God didn’t gather us and give us to each other simply because it would be more efficient.  He did it so that we could be blessed through knowing each other and building relationships.  We care for each other during times of sickness and sorrow.  We support one another through various challenges.  But even beyond all that, God gathered us so we could simply enjoy the gift of being together.

Connect Groups are a way to grow deeper in God’s family by simply being together and sharing a common interest.  This summer we are featuring Connect Groups for people who like to golf, bike, and kayak.  We have groups for those who walk their dogs, play an instrument, or enjoy gardening.  And if you don’t see anything that grabs you, how about inviting people to join you in something you love to do?  Talk to Cyndi McKinney for help in getting it started.  Finally, these Connect Groups are more than just growing deeper in God’s family.  They are an opportunity to grow louder in God’s world by inviting your friends and neighbors to join us.  It’s a great way to introduce people to our church family with a simple, low-pressure activity.  For a list of all our Connect Groups and a sign up, go to click here.

A Prayer for VBS

Dear Father,

We thank you for this opportunity to share Good News with children in our church and community.  We recognize that our best efforts cannot make lasting change.  We need your power to truly change these young lives.  We pray that you would fill us with that power.  We pray that every volunteer would be sensitive to the leading of your Spirit.  Give them words to speak and actions that convey your love.  Give them a spirit of teamwork and unity.

We ask that you would open the hearts of the children to the powerful message of the Gospel.  We pray for the children who do not know you as Father and your Son as Savior.  May they receive the message and be changed.  We also pray for the children that do know your love.  May they grow even deeper in it.  May this week give you glory.  May it bring your kingdom closer to earth.  We pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

VBS Relationships

The first time my oldest daughter attended Ferrysburg’s VBS, her crew leader was Elaine Knoll. That year’s VBS had a treasure theme, but one of the real treasures was the relationship established between Katelyn and Elaine throughout that week. “Grandma Elaine” was 70 years-old when she served as a crew leader that year. I can still remember watching her pull Katelyn around in a laundry basket during one of the games and seeing her help Katelyn complete her VBS booklet. After VBS week, Grandma Elaine would talk to Katelyn at church, drop a card in the mail sometimes, and occasionally meet up with her at McDonald’s. I’m forever grateful for their special relationship that formed during VBS. Please join me in praying for beautiful intergenerational relationships to form during Monumental VBS. 

Answered Prayers

The Benchuks, a Ukrainian family who had to flee from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, landed safely in Chicago shortly before Memorial Weekend. After the holiday weekend, our Refugee Care Team and a few other church members were able to meet the Benchuks and their temporary host family, the Vander Kamps. We were able to share a meal, hear from the family about their story, and share a little bit about ourselves as well.

As the evening progressed, we mentioned to the Benchuks that they are an answered prayer for us and that they blessed us by being here and allowing us to come alongside them. Dima, the father, was confused about how we could be blessed by his family needing so much. He shared how he is used to being the one that helps others, not the one who is needing help. In a time that is already hard for Dima and his family, he is learning how to be the one that is being served instead of the one who serves others.

The Bible repeatedly calls us to draw nearer to God and ask for help. We are not designed to walk through life on our own, and Jesus modeled this in his ministry by living in community with his disciples. When we serve each other, it allows us to express our love for those around us as image-bearers of God. While it is a blessing to be served in times of need, it is also a blessing to be given the opportunity to serve.

War Memorials

Next Monday we will take one day to remember those who have died for the freedoms we enjoy every day.  It is with some trepidation that I approach Memorial Day.  I have great admiration and deep gratitude for all who serve our country in the armed forces.  But may we never confuse that specific appreciation for soldiers with the wars in which they are called to fight.  Regardless of how one feels about the necessity or justness of any war, war itself is always a sinful tragedy.  As we gain close up views of the atrocities taking place in Ukraine, the horror of war is clearly in focus.  The fact that we live in a world where we must have a Memorial Day should trigger deep lament and sadness.  The honor with which we hold fallen soldiers should be surpassed by our disdain for the brokenness that causes us to send them into battle in the first place.

If you go to Washington DC and view the various war memorials you will see the cost of freedom - thousands of names etched in marble and granite.  It is also the cost of disobedience.  It is the price tag of rebelling against God and breaking a creation founded in peace.  Sin entered the world.  And now image bearers of God kill each other in the name of country, principle, or self-interest.  On this side of the new creation war may be unavoidable.  But let us never make our peace with it.

Looking for Resurrection

Typically, we think of the resurrection as an event that happened 2,000 years ago. It was a one-time occurrence that we can look back on and celebrate. It does some very wonderful things for us, but it is a moment in history. For the past several Sundays, we’ve been talking about the resurrection as an earthquake. And the truth is that it has never stopped quaking. Since that day in Jerusalem, the tremors have been going on. If we pay attention, we can still feel them.

We experience the rumble of resurrection when God answers a prayer. We feel it when we forgive or are forgiven. The tremors can be felt when we worship or take delight in the work of our hands. Any time we experience joy or hope or sacrificial love, the earthquake is still happening. All of these things have their roots in the resurrection of Jesus. Yes, Jesus was raised to new life at a moment in history. But the resurrection continues on in all of these ways. If you keep your eyes and heart open, you will see and feel it all around you today.