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Forest Hills Presbyterian Monthly Newsletter | January 2017

1.8 Star Gifts

Communion by intinction Congregational Breakfast

1.9

Kids’ Food Basket

1.20 All Church Winter Retreat

1.27

High School Spring Hill Retreat

Mark Your Calendar

Happy New Year Forest Hills Family, I pray your holidays were filled with love, worship, fellowship and family. We were blessed with a full house on Christmas Eve, and over 60 attended our Christmas morning service. Our worship services were filled with scripture and song with special thanks to Ginger Block, Dave Bardolph, Jeremy Pollard, Matt Horist, Nancy Ryskamp, our worshipBand, choir, bells and many others, all led by our amazing Director of Music Ministry, Megan Horist. Thank you one and all. God was blessed indeed. Now we look forward to another amazing year of ministry as 2017 begins. Looking ahead, following worship on most Sundays we have interesting adult studies planned, my Bible study on Thursday mornings begins again with new and interesting stories, a mission trip to “Give Kids the World” in February, Lenten services and dinners, a Mystery Dinner planned by our Congregational Life team and many other opportunities for you to get “plugged in.” We are excited about a new year and hope you are as well. Please continue to pray for our staff, our missionaries and Compassion Children, our worship experiences, and all the amazing volunteers who give so much of their time and love to our church. God bless you all!!

Shalom, Jim

Missions

Operation Santa Claus. Thank you to our many volunteers who made calls, shopped, sorted, wrapped, delivered and donated items and money in support of our local community. A special thank you to FHPC Coordinators Mimi Cole and Kathy Sullivan for their extra care in leading these tasks. Angel Tree. Many Angel Tree gifts went to a family through King’s Table Ministries. These families have a student who is developmentally disabled and attends Lincoln School. Please pray for them as they go through their day-to-day activities which are more challenging than most. So many gifts were given, we may need a bigger tree next year! When we delivered the vanload of gifts and personal care items to this family, it stood out to us that the whole side of their home was draped with icicles. Please pray for warmth and no roof leaks this winter. The mom was so appreciative of the gifts. They will have six children in this blended family celebrating in the modest family room around the tree. These gifts provided more than enough to keep them busy Christmas morning! Pray that they felt love from Jesus as they opened each gift. Several gift cards were also donated for Meijer, Walmart, Home Depot, Shoe Carnival, etc. This will help extend the warmth of Christmas into the coming months. The fresh fruit baskets donated from Operation Santa Claus were also very appreciated. Please pray that they have enough to eat every day. We share wonderful conversation, laughs and big, genuine hugs in our short time together. The Mother thanked us many times and is thanking God for the people from our congregation who helped her family this Christmas. Thank you for all of your support in making this happen. Thanks also to Barb Hoogenboom for organizing with Wedgewood Christian Services and Hope Community which our congregation helped with a similar amount of generous gifts.

Kids’ Hope USA Mentoring. If you would like to be a part of one-hour-week mentoring at Kettle Lake Elementary or discuss prayer partner opportunities, contact Sheli Langejans at sheli@fhpcusa.org. Kids’ Food Basket – Monday, January 9, 12 – 1 PM. 10 volunteers are needed to pack sack suppers for children who would not have supper without them. Kids’ Food Basket is located at 2055 Oak Industrial Pkwy. Can you spare an hour? Sign up on the Missions slat wall. The Hospice of Michigan Flower Program needs your unwanted vases. Drop them off in the box in the coat room. Thank you! Pieceful Gathering Quilters. We last met on Thursday, November 10, had a great turn out of quilters and were able to complete several quilts to be donated to Blodgett Hospital. Thanks to all who provided food and to all who spent the day working on the quilts. Our next meeting is Thursday, January 12, 10 AM to 3:30 PM. We would love to have you join our group. You do not need to know how to sew or quilt, there are many other jobs to be done – designing the quilt top, tying, ironing, etc. It is a great day of outreach for our church as well as a fun day of fellowship. So mark your calendars for Thursday, January 12. Come and go as it works best for you. Feel free to give me a call if you have questions. –Mary Klynstra Food Distribution at the Mobile Food Truck: The Mobile Food Truck sponsored by FHPC will be at Cesar Chavez Elementary School, 1205 Grandville Ave., SW, on Saturday, February 25, 8:15 – 10 AM. We need 12-15 volunteers to unload food from the truck and set up for distribution. We will be distributing baked goods, produce and some dairy products. There will be some clean up after the distribution is finished. We welcome families to come and serve. Sign up on our website, www.fhpcusa.org.

Prayer Concerns

Recovering at Home In Retirement Facilities Jim Tschantz Dan Caris (Whispering Woods) Don Drury (knee replacement) Barbara Sjoerdsma (Clark Retirement) Steve Volkhardt Eleanor Vollwiler (Maple Creek) Clara Crittenden Julie Caris Sympathy Rene TerAvest Phyllis Fratzke and family on the passing of Vern Fratzke, Sunday, Dec. 18. Other Rhea Murray & Dick Ardrey (siblings of Anita Brocker), both had heart surgery Rachel Postma (family friend of Jim Pollard), needs 2nd heart transplant Mark Libich (son-in-law of Harry & Lyn Jones) chronic back problems Our Missionaries in India Prayers for a son, for continued sobriety Members of our Armed Forces Prayers for the nephew to stay clean from drugs Gabbi, granddaughter of Larry and Renee Donovan. (Gabbi suffers from Congenital Ullrich Muscular Dystrophy.)

Announcements

Thank you to all of the people who made Sunday morning coffee this past year! We couldn’t have done it without you. -Congregational Life and Delores Dodenhoff. Another Volunteer Opportunity: We are looking for a few new people to help count the offering on Sundays. It’s easy, only takes a few minutes and is just once a month. Contact the office if you can help—942-2752. The Preschool began enrolling for the 2017-2018 school year on Tuesday, January 3. Priority enrollment for church members, current families and alumni will run from Jan. 3-8. Community enrollment opens Jan. 9. Enrollment flyers are available in the lobby at the welcome desk. You can also call the preschool for a tour at 957-3239, or visit the website at www.fhpcusa.org. FHPC Engraved Endowment Bricks. The Endowment Committee has placed the first order of engraved bricks in the couryard area. Take a look sometime when you’re at the church. The Endowment Committee invites you to join with those members and have a brick placed with your name or the name of someone you choose. The brick could read “Charter Member” and list the name(s) chosen, or “The Jones Family” and then list the first names of family members. Please consider making a $250 gift to the Endowment Fund and having a brick engraved in the manner of your choosing. Order forms are available on the slat wall in the lobby.

Confronting the News with Scripture… begins on January 19 at 10:30 in the Bread House. If you would like to attend, please email Pastor Jim with your email and contact information so you can get the weekly story, jim@fhpcusa.org. New Member Information Meeting, January 24 at 6:30 PM in the lounge. If you would like information on the church, our vision, our history and how to become part of our family, please call or email the church and let us know you are coming. Everyone is welcome to attend this information session on Forest Hills Church. Call: 616-942-2751 or email Ginger at: office@fhpcusa.org. Pub Theology. Our next meeting will be Tuesday, January 10, 6:00 – 8:00 PM at the Derby Station in Gaslight Village in East Grand Rapids. The address is 2237 Wealthy St. SE. As always, please feel free to bring a friend. If you have any questions, please contact Al Rossi. All men are welcome! Women of the Vineyard. The January meeting will be at Kim Rossi’s at 7 PM on January 26. Kim’s address is 2206 Wilshire SE, East Grand Rapids. We will be covering the last session of our current video series. All women are invited to join us! Contact Jennifer Wolbers for more information. Volunteer Opportunity: We are in need of someone who will serve the church as Head Usher. This position ensures that we have ushers each week, and the method used to do that is up to the person filling this position. Please email or see Pastor Jim if you would like to serve God in this role. If you have further questions, talk with Jan Pietrzyk, who has faithfully served in this role for over 25 years.

Wednesday, January 4 7:45 AM Men’s Breakfast / The Gathering Place 9:00 AM Preschool Thursday, January 5 9:00 AM Preschool 6:30 PM Boy Scout Troop 345 / Fellowship Hall Friday, January 6 9:00 AM Preschool Saturday, January 7 Sunday, January 8 9:30 AM Celebration Worship Service / Sanctuary Communion served by intinction Pre-K – 4th grade dismissed to TRU Worship 10:30 AM Congregational Breakfast / Fellowship Hall 4:00 PM FiftySix & Jr. High Youth Group / Core 6:00 PM Sr. High Youth Group / Core Monday, January 9 9:00 AM Preschool 10:00 AM Staff Meeting / Lounge 12:00 PM Kids’ Food Basket /2055 Oak Industrial Pkwy 6:30 PM Boy Scout Committee Meeting / Room 26 Tuesday, January 10 9:00 AM Preschool Wednesday, January 11 9:00 AM Preschool 6:30 PM Jubilation Bells / Sanctuary 7:30 PM Sanctuary Choir / Choir Room Thursday, January 12 9:00 AM Preschool 10:00 AM Pieceful Gathering Quilters / Fellowship Hall 5:30 PM HR Meeting / Lounge 6:15 PM worshipBand Rehearsal / Sanctuary 6:30 PM Boy Scout Troop 345 / Fellowship Hall Friday, January 13 9:00 AM Preschool Saturday, January 14 Sunday, January 15 9:30 AM Celebration Worship Service / Sanctuary Pre-K – 4th grade dismissed to TRU Worship 10:45 AM Education Hour & Engage / Lower Level 6:00 PM Jr. & Sr. High Youth / Core Monday, January 16 9:00 AM Preschool 10:00 AM Staff Meeting / Lounge

Tuesday, January 17 9:00 AM Preschool 7:00 PM Board of Deacons / Lounge Wednesday, January 18 7:45 AM Men’s Breakfast / The Gathering Place 9:00 AM Preschool 6:30 PM Jubilation Bells / Sanctuary 7:30 PM Sanctuary Choir / Choir Room Thursday, January 19 9:00 AM Preschool 10:00 AM “Confronting the News…” / Bread House 6:15 PM worshipBand Rehearsal / Sanctuary 6:30 PM Boy Scout Troop 345 / Fellowship Hall Friday, January 20 9:00 AM Preschool All Church Retreat Saturday, January 21 All Church Retreat Sunday, January 22 Church Retreat 9:30 AM Celebration Worship Service / Sanctuary Pre-K – 4th grade dismissed to TRU Worship 10:45 AM Education Hour (no Engage) / Lower Level Monday, January 23 9:00 AM Preschool 10:00 AM Staff Meeting / Lounge Tuesday, January 24 9:00 AM Preschool 6:30 PM New Members Information Meeting / Lounge Wednesday, January 25 9:00 AM Preschool 6:30 PM Jubilation Bells / Sanctuary 7:30 PM Sanctuary Choir / Choir Room Thursday, January 26 9:00 AM Preschool 10:00 AM “Confronting the News…” / Bread House 6:15 PM worshipBand Rehearsal / Sanctuary 6:30 PM Boy Scout Troop 345 / Fellowship Hall Friday, January 27 9:00 AM Preschool Sr. High Spring Hill Retreat Saturday, January 28 Sr. High Spring Hill Retreat 9:00 AM Preschool Sledding with Dad & Breakfast 3:00 PM Hunky Dories & Mizpahs / Fellowship Hall

CALENDAR

Sunday, January 29 Sr. High Spring Hill Retreat 9:30 AM Celebration Worship Service / Sanctuary Pre-K – 4th grade dismissed to TRU Worship 10:45 AM Education Hour & Engage / Lower Level Monday, January 30 9:00 AM Preschool 10:00 AM Program Staff Meeting / Lounge Tuesday, January 31 9:00 AM Preschool 6:30 PM “Give Kids the World” Mission Trip Meeting

CALENDAR continued