WORSHIP NOTES​

• Series: Hebrews

• Scripture: Hebrews 2:5-18

• Title: Better Under

• Summary: Why is Jesus better? Even though Jesus was above the angels, He was better because he went below them.

• Offerings: Our first offering is for the General Fund. The second offering is for the Ministry Center / Building Fund.  An offering for this fund is taken the first Sunday of each month. While the Ministry Center was paid off in 2023, ongoing expenses occur and with increased staff and the potential of additional office and storage space, it’s important to keep looking to the future as we grow and have adequate funds available to expand if needed. While we aren’t actively raising money for the purpose of a future permanent home for Bridge of Hope, building money in this fund, along with equity in the Ministry Center, would someday help fund a permanent location.

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Ash Wednesday Service

Lent refers to the 40-day period leading up to Easter and corresponds to Jesus’ 40-day fast (Matthew 4). Throughout history, the Church has observed Lent as a way of recognizing our need for God’s transforming work through prayer, fasting, self-examination, repentance, and meditation on Scripture.

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Gather with us on Ash Wednesday as we begin the Lenten season. We will receive ashes and hold space for quiet reflection on our mortality, humanity, and limits, as well as our deep need for Jesus, who has no limits.

• Date: Wednesday, February 18

• Time: 7–8AM, 12–1PM, 6–7PM (come and go as you're able)

• Location: Ministry Center (43 2nd St NE, Sioux Center, IA)

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​​​​​​​ANNOUNCEMENTS

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OUR CHILDREN:

• A NURSERY is provided for children from birth through 2 years old. Nursery is held in the school’s music room. It’s to your left and down the hallway when exiting the gym. Look for the banner!

• PROMISE LAMBS is for children 3 through TK. They are dismissed part-way through the service and can meet their teachers by the gym door. 

• SUNDAY SCHOOL, for TK/K through high school students, meets after the worship service.

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Adult discipleship opportunities being offered this Spring!

At Bridge of Hope, we believe discipleship is central to the life of the church. It is how we learn to follow Jesus more closely, grow in our faith together, and commission one another to live out the mission of Jesus to the world. Many opportunities are being offered. Sign up by clicking on 2026 Winter/Spring Adult Discipleship Opportunities and then click on the links provided for various groups, or sign up after church today!

 

Summer Camp for Kids!

Inspiration Hills Camp and Retreat Center near Inwood, Iowa, offers wonderful options for camp each summer for those entering 1st grade through 12th. Registration opens tomorrow, February 2, at 9:00am; you can save money by registering early!

As in the past, Bridge of Hope is offering $50 towards the registration fee for each camper! Just list BOH as the church affiliate and Inspiration Hills will invoice Bridge for $50. Look for brochures on the information table or go to https://www.inspirationhills.org for more information and to register.

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First Friday Diners

This adult LINK group will meet on the First Friday of every month, excluding July and December. This year, we’ll split our time between a few area restaurants and the Ministry Center. While there’s no month-to-month commitment, we do ask that you text prior to Wednesday so we can plan and give the restaurant an idea of how many to expect. We hope to utilize party rooms wherever available. Restaurant costs will be on each individual. When we cater the meal to the Ministry Center, we’ll ask for a $10/person contribution to cover cost of food.

Our first gathering will be Friday, February 6—Soup & Dessert Night, 5:30 pm at the Ministry Center. Bring a pot of your favorite soup (even if it’s from a can)! You’re welcome to also bring a pan of dessert if you’d like to share one—let us know via text. Table service, beverage, bread, and crackers will be provided. If possible, please text “Coming!” to either Miriam Buss (712-578-1227) or Cindy Groeneweg (712-441-4336) by Wednesday, February 4.

 

POST HIGH SINGLE YOUNG ADULTS (MIK+):

Join us for A GAME NIGHT—Food, Fun, and Fellowship! Saturday, February 7 at the Luverne CRC in Luverne, MN. Meal will begin at 6:00pm with games to follow!  Please, RSVP before Wednesday, February 4 by texting Lee at 712-470-4244. Hope to see you there....and as always, bring a friend!  -Pastor Doug & Lee De Groot

 

​​​CONNECT & UNITE (Youth Group for 6th-8th grade {CONNECT} and 9th-12th grade {UNITE})​​

• February 11: UNITE Valentines Day Dinner Fundraiser*

• February 15: CONNECT Small Group Week

• February 25: UNITE - Week 3 Navigating Relationships Lesson

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• *Valentines Fundraiser Dinner for UNITE'S trip to El Salvador:

• Lasagna Making Sign-Up: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BsLsTVjd3H6Wx0PajC35WtOUjtPuI36cuTCKnpsgcJI/edit?tab=t.0

• Sign-Up to attend: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1NO-831eFlfbfroDLLy_EvC64DKG9iALPP9w3ibsWES4/edit?gid=0#gid=0

• Student Sign-up: https://docs.google.com/document/d/12GPcRq8InZCqFn-rttg-I07vwQNtrHOXgfYbRdbau4U/edit?tab=t.0

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The Care Team is extending an invitation to those interested in joining the team. There are 3 members who are going off in the upcoming months. We welcome males and females to help carry out our responsibilities of coordinating care and meal support for families welcoming children or for those facing hospitalization or physical challenges. The team also helps organize projects like lawn mowing, light house cleaning, or giving rides if a family needs a helping hand during a time of illness. If interested, please reach out to any member—Michelle Boer, Mary Borger, Des Coulander, Courtney Douma, Laurie Vander Weidi, or Ellen Korver as Council Liaison.

 

Tri-State Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) is accepting applications for the upcoming weekend at the First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids, Iowa. TEC is an interdenominational three-day Christian retreat designed to help high schoolers learn more about their faith and their community. The next TEC is February 13-15. If you would like to REGISTER or learn more, visit www.TriStateTEC.org or email TriStateTEC@gmail.com. The cost is $50 and includes a t-shirt & other special gifts. Scholarships are available upon request.

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Sunday Morning Announcement Form

Would you like an announcement made on a Sunday morning before or during the worship service? If so, please fill out the Sunday morning announcement form. Please submit the form by the Thursday before the Sunday you would like the announcement made, preferably earlier if possible. The form can be found here.

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Koinonia Prayer Requests

Prayer requests on Sunday mornings at Bridge of Hope have historically been taken verbally during worship. To help make sharing requests more accessible to all, a google form has been created so that people can share requests at a different time and method than verbally on Sunday morning. Prayer requests submitted this way will be included in the email that gets sent to the body each week on either Monday or Tuesday. (Please note: Any prayer requests submitted after the Koinonia Prayer email has been sent that week will wait to be emailed out until the following week. Also, requests made here will not be verbalized on Sunday mornings by the Pastoral Shepherd leading Koinonia Prayer.) Submitting an online prayer request can be done by following this link: https://forms.gle/bryoqnHv7zjy5cyj7.

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OUR CHURCH FAMILY

​This week, the community of believers in Sioux Center is praying for the congregation of Bridge of Hope and Pastors Sam & Gail. What a blessing it is to belong to the body of Christ!

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​​​CONGREGATIONAL ASSIGNMENTS

Today, February 1

Nursery: Angela P, Leyton D, Joren VG

Promise Lambs: Kristen O, Brielle & Taiya P

Coffee Service: Foreman

Shepherd Duties: Robb DH, Reggie H

Additional Mic Runner: Dave R

Check-ins: Jena D, Ruth R, Carla VDZ

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Next Sunday, February 8

Nursery: Callie M, Kara F, Rowan O

Promise Lambs: Kayla K, Autumn K, Gracin D

Coffee Service: De Haan

Shepherd Duties: Daren D, Brandon H

Additional Mic Runner: Aimee VM

Check-ins: Jill VS, Rachel P, Lindsey VP

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​​BRIDGE CONNECTION GROUPS

The body is divided alphabetically (by last names) into groups with an assigned Pastoral & Service Shepherd to offer care and support. Feel free to contact your Shepherd should a need arise. The groups are as follows:

A-B: Robb De Haan & Reggie Hostetler

C-G: Christina Postma & Brandon Huisman

H-M: Daren Dieleman & Klay Byker

N-T: Tim Foreman & Marcus Van Zee

U-Z: Ellen Korver & Tom Coulander

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STAFF & LEADERSHIP CONTACT INFORMATION

Pastor of Preaching & Vision ● sam@bridgecrc.org 

Pastor of Preaching & Discipleship ● gail@bridgecrc.org

Administrative Assistant ● office@bridgecrc.org 

Youth Director ● kira@bridgecrc.org

Sunday School Director ● sarah@bridgecrc.org

Congregational Caregiver ● aimee@bridgecrc.org

Congregational Caregiver ● mark@bridgecrc.org

Worship Coordinator ● becky@bridgecrc.org 

Treasurer ● treasurer@bridgecrc.org 

Council ● council@bridgecrc.org

Pastoral Shepherds ● bohps@bridgecrc.org

Service Shepherds ● bohss@bridgecrc.org

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GENERAL INFORMATION

Sunday Worship • 9:30am • Intermediate School Gym • 950 4th Ave NE

Office Hours ● Tuesday and Thursday 9-12 & 1-4

Mailing address ● 43 2nd Street NE, Sioux Center, Iowa 51250

Offices located 1 block south & ½ block east of the downtown stoplight.

Like us at www.facebook.com/BOHMinistry

Website ● www.bridgecrc.org

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GIVING BACK / WAYS TO TITHE

1.   Online: go to Bridge’s website (www.bridgecrc.org) and hit the “give” button on the home page; or go to https://bridgecrc.churchcenter.com/giving

2.   Giving App: Instructions on how to use the online giving app: https://pcogiving.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/217380608-Give-Online-with-Church-Center

3.   Text-to-give: First time users: Text 84321. Click on the link sent back to you, select Bridge of Hope, add an email address, and enter your payment information. Or follow these instructions: https://pcogiving.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/217380608-Give-Online-with-Church-Center. After the initial set up, just text 84321, enter in the amount you would like to give and hit send. (Only the dollar amount is needed if it is to the General Fund. If it’s to the second offering indicate dollar amount and “second” {i.e., $10 second}; if it’s to the Building Fund indicate amount and “building” {i.e., $10 building}.)

4.   E-tithing: Contact a Service Shepherd to get set up. (bohss@bridgecrc.org)

5.   Drop off at or mail to: Bridge of Hope; 43 2nd St NE; Sioux Center

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NOTE: At the Intermediate School, a First Aid kit can be found in the storage room in the north hallway. An AED (automated external defibrillator) can be found on the wall near the entrance to the building.