This Sunday,  April 28

When Jesus was ending his earthly ministry, he told his disciples something shocking: they would do greater things than he did.  And this extended not just to his original disciples, but to all his followers.  Was Jesus right about this?  Is there any evidence that we do greater things than Jesus’ miracles?  We’ll look for an answer this Sunday as we wrap up our Unprecedented series.  We will also hear about our Guatemala Mission Team’s trip.

Next Sunday, May 5

God has been so faithful to us in this past ministry year.  Next Sunday we will celebrate His goodness and His strength during challenging times through worship, testimonies, and God’s word.

This Week’s Offering - Family Care Fund Formerly known as “Benevolence,” the Family Care Fund is used to assist members of our church family who are going through financial challenges.  Your gifts to the Family Care Fund are especially appreciated at this time.  Next week's offering will be for New Life Prison Church.

Celebration Sunday Lunch  We will celebrate God’s goodness and the gift of church family next Sunday, May 5, with a luncheon immediately after the service.  Please stick around and join us for good food and a chance to grow deeper in God’s family!

Annual Grounds Cleanup - May 4 Please bring garden rakes, pitchforks, shovels and wheelbarrows to help spruce up our landscaping on Saturday, May 4, from 8am-12pm.

Council Selection - May 12 On Sunday, May 12, we will select two new deacons and two new elders to serve a three-year term on our church council.  Nominated deacons are: Todd Mitchell, April Roessing, Jeremy Schipma, and Mike Waldo.  Nominated elders are: Kris Grek, Don Koster, John Kramer, Sara Meiste, Sherry Merz, and Dana Miller. Please continue to pray for this process and God’s leadership of our church.

The Calvin Alumni Choir You’re invited to immerse yourself in music on Saturday, May 11 at 7:30 pm in the sanctuary of First (Park) Congregational Church (10 Park Place NE). Entitled Mass: A Timeless Celebration, the choir will explore the elements of the mass liturgy interpreted by various composers. The first half features Arvo Part's Berliner Messe with a small orchestra. The second half includes compositions by Bach, Argento, and Gjello, among others. Please join us! The concert is free to attend.

Updating the Church Directory It’s time to update our church directory. Please check the table in the Commons to verify your address, phone numbers and email addresses are correct so we can make sure the directory is accurate for this year. You may make corrections on the sheets provided or send updated contact info to Office@ferrysburgchurch.com  

Online Directory Contact the office or check with a staff person or member of Council if you need the password to access our online directory.  We would like your family’s picture to be added to the directory!  Please send a photo to office@ferrysburgchurch.com.  Candid shots or professional photographs, whichever you prefer. 

FCC Men’s Softball Team
It’s time to oil up the gloves and start swinging the bats!  We will field a men’s softball team on Monday nights this spring and summer.  The season starts in late April and we hope to have a practice and a couple of scrimmages before then.  Contact Adam Assink if you are interested in being on the team (616-212-7551 / aassink15@gmail.com).

When's the best time to begin planning a Spring/Summer Golf League? 
Now, of course! With some spring weather of late, inquiries are beginning to be made about plans to once again offer an FCC Golf League.  Last year we had over 30 FCC members (co-ed) and other invited guests participate in our golf league! Once again this year we will be playing at Terra Verde Golf Club on Thursdays, from early May to late August, with tee times between 3:45 and 5:00 p.m.  To assist us in planning for a 2024 League, anyone interested in playing this season is asked to contact John Kramer (616) 822-1147 or Dan Wierenga (616) 308-3438, league co-coordinators. 

FCC Connections Emails
Want to stay in the loop with your church family?  Sign up for the Connections email.  An email goes out on Mondays, Thursdays, and Sunday mornings.  This is also how we communicate cancellations and other important information.  To sign up, send an email office@ferrysburgchurch.com.

Kids Hope Mentors Needed
It’s a simple and great way to make a difference and grow louder in God’s world.  If you are interested, send an email to judy@ferrysburgchurch.com or call our Kids Hope Director, Judy Ponstine, at 616-560-9542.

Ferrysburg’s Scuba VBS - Sign Ups! Kids and volunteers are invited to dive into an amazing undersea adventure and experience the ever-flowing, never-ending love of God the mornings of June 17-20. Kids 4 years-old through students entering fifth grade are invited to participate and everyone older than fifth grade is invited to volunteer.  Registration for volunteers and participants can be completed through this registration link or on our church website.

Saturday Prayer Meeting
FCC member Michael Grimm is hosting a time of prayer at church on Saturdays from 4:00-5:00pm.  You are invited to stop by to receive prayer and pray for others as well as share insights from God’s word.  Contact Michael for more information.

Women’s Coffee
Join us for coffee in The Grove on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at 9AM.

Men’s Coffee
Come for a cup of coffee and some conversation every Wednesday morning at 9AM.

Faith Impact Taekwondo Interested in learning self-defense and martial arts?  Come join us Monday nights 6-8PM in the FCC gym.  Class will be led by Rich Gauthier and his boys.  Ten and older are welcome.  If you have any questions, call Rich at 616-638-4009.

Youth and Education

Student Ministries

Base Camp (6-8th grade) meets from 6:30-8:00PM each Sunday.  We alternate between Lesson Nights and Community Nights.  Contact kyle@ferrysburgchurch.com for more information.

Summit (9-12th grade) meets at 12:00-1:30PM after Sunday Service.  Lunch is served each week.  We alternate between Lesson and Community Sundays, and also have High School Mentors attend the first Sunday of each month.  Contact kyle@ferrysburgchurch.com for more information.

GEMS (Girls Everywhere Meeting the Savior)
GEMS meetings have concluded for the season. First through seventh grade girls are encouraged to join us from 6:30-8:00 p.m. next September - March. New girls are always welcome! Information is available at www.ferrysburgchurch.com/gems.

MOPS (Mothers Of PreSchoolers)
FCC MOPS is a great place for moms to enjoy support, fellowship, and adult conversation!  Moms gather on the first and third Thursdays of the month from 9:30-11:00 a.m. with child care provided.  The next MOPS meeting will be on May 2.  Find out more at www.ferrysburgchurch.com/mops or on the FCC MOPS Facebook page.

GymJam
Kids and caregivers are welcome to join us for GymJam Thursday mornings, 9:30-11:00.  The bounce house will be inflated and the toys will be ready!  GymJam meets on Thursdays when MOPS does not meet.  You are invited to join the Ferrysburg Church GymJam group for occasional announcements and reminders.  Contact Kaylee Freeman (kaylee.rae.freeman@gmail.com) with any questions or to be added to an email list for updates/reminders.

Adult Education 

April 28: Jim Murphy

Jim is a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Spring Lake, is a lay missionary who speaks around the world. He will be sharing with us his personal experience in carrying a cross across the United States. Jim will touch on the significance of the cross in God's plan of salvation, and then he will give an overview of the actual 4200-mile journey, sharing some very touching stories.

May 5: Challenging Conversations: Giving and Receiving Constructive Feedback - Part 1

Have you previously, or will you, need to address a topic of disagreement or conflict with a family member, friend, or church member? Have you tried to share your faith with someone? How are you doing at giving and receiving constructive feedback? In this two-part series, FCC member Dan Wierenga will share some of the training he completed to become a chaplain, including Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) and Empowerment Coaching, with a focus on improving our personal conversations. We will examine “What Would Jesus Do (WWJD)?” and “How Would He Do It?”, seeking to learn how to balance grace and truth. Participants will complete DiSC and Enneagram communication style assessments to better know themselves and others.  “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in a way everlasting.” Psalm 139: 23, 24.

Community Announcements

Share Your Gifts at Love in Action
If you already volunteer with Love in Action, we want to say thank you!  Giving of your time is a precious gift and we are grateful.  Do you know all the ways there are to get involved at Love in Action? Receptionist, client advisor, financial coach, health and dental clinics, administrative assistant/data entry, Upscale Resale store, transporting and processing donations, central pantry, gardening/landscaping, maintenance, mobile food distribution (food truck).  We all have gifts to share, and when we share, we create opportunities to learn, grow, and connect with others.  Opportunities range from one-time events to ongoing, weekly scheduled shifts.  As a volunteer, you decide your schedule! Email love@loveinactiontricities.org for more information.