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BULLETIN

Historically, a church’s announcements have been distributed in a weekly worship folder or bulletin each Sunday. The bulletin provided information regarding upcoming events, along with what’s happening during the worship service. While we no longer have a paper bulletin, we do still have  one, it's just digital. A QR Code is provided at church if you want to take a look on Sunday and that Sunday's worship notes and announcements are projected on the screen.

Bulletin for Sunday, December 3, 2023

(Some documents on the website are in pdf format and require Adobe Reader to open them.)

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For printing purposes, a PDF of this week's bulletin can be found here.

WORSHIP NOTES

--The message: Fear Not – This command is the most common in all of Scripture, and it’s a constant throughout the birth narrative of Jesus. Zechariah was afraid, Mary was afraid, Joseph was afraid, and the shepherds were all afraid. Yet their fear was the place they encountered God. What if your fear is a place you might encounter God? What if fear is not something to run from or avoid, but a starting place for an encounter with Immanuel, God with us? Join us in this season of Advent as we explore the stories of Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and what is at the root of the command, “Do not be afraid.”  On this first Sunday of Advent, Pastor Sam will bring our message—Title: Zechariah; Text: Luke 1:5-25.

--Baptism: This morning we are blessed to witness and celebrate the baptism of Ada Marie Byker daughter of Klay and Justine.

--Our first offering today is for the General Fund. 

--Second offering this morning is for the Building / Ministry Center Fund. *

 

Next Sunday, December 10, will be our Sunday School Christmas Program. It’s also the second Sunday of Advent and we’ll continue with our sermon series, Fear Not. Pastor Sam’s message, “Mary” will be based on Luke 1:26-38.

 

* Second Offerings in December:

Dec 3:   Building / Ministry Center Fund

Dec 10, 17 & 24: Celebrate Recovery – Celebrate Recovery is a biblically-based nation-wide recovery program designed to help those struggling with hurts, hang-ups, and habits (addictions) by showing them the loving power of Jesus Christ through the recovery process. It exists to see people experience full recovery and freedom through the power of Jesus Christ. Sioux Center’s Celebrate Recovery meets on Monday evenings at Bridge of Hope’s Ministry Center. The evening begins as a large group gathering which consists of worship and a lesson. Two smaller groups are then formed—a men’s & women’s group. These groups seek to be places of love, acceptance, and confidentiality as they share with and encourage each other.

Dec 31: Christian Education – This offering is for the purpose of further supporting Christian Education. Money received will go specifically towards the Christian Education share of the budget.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

Our Children:

  • A NURSERY is provided for those from birth to 2 years old. It’s down the hallway from the gym. Look for the sign indicating its location.

  • PROMSIE LAMBS for children aged 3 through TK (transitional kindergarten) is offered during the worship service. Children will be dismissed part-way through the service for a time of worship geared towards their age. They can meet the teacher/helper by the entrance to the gym and will be brought to their classroom which is held in the music room. 

  • SUNDAY SCHOOL for children TK through high school meets after the morning service until  11:30 / 11:40 a.m. 

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Sunday School families: We want to give you a glimpse into the next few months as we are shifting seasons from fall into the Advent season and new year.  We will have a few changes in our schedule due to our Christmas program and vacations.  

  • TODAY, December 3 we will have Sunday School.  Students participating in the Christmas Program will practice from 11:30 until 12:00 immediately following Sunday School.  Students not participating in the Sunday School program will be released at their regular time.

  • December 10 will be our Christmas Program.  We would like students participating in the program to come at 8:30 to practice.  We will serve a snack/light breakfast before the service at 9:30. There will be cookies after the service.  Christmas goodie bags will be passed out for all students, including college students!  There will be no Sunday School on December 10 due to the Christmas Program.

  • Here is a Spotify link with the music for Promise Lambs through 4th grade.  Listening to the music will help your child learn the words better before our program.  Thank you for your help with this! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2gwBs4jSdK8cNWP8TWFmrt?si=914bac6e559446f3

  • December 17 we will have regular Sunday School.

  • December 24  & 31 we will not have Sunday School due to Christmas vacation.

  • January 7 we will not have Sunday School; there will be a Sunday School teacher in-service.

  • Sunday School classes will resume in the new year on January 14. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to email Sarah at sarah@bridgecrc.org

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Youth Ministry (CONNECT—6th-8th & UNITE—9th-12th; Kira Ouwinga, Youth Director kira@bridgecrc.org)​

  • December 3: CONNECT 7-8:30pm at the Ministry Center

  • December 13: UNITE 7-8:30pm at the Ministry Center

  • December 17: CONNECT/UNITE CHRISTMAS PARTY!!

    • This will be at the Ministry Center from 7-8:30ish 

    • We will have regular and dessert pizza (gluten free as well) and cocoa with marshmallows!!

      • no need to feed your kids before

    • CHALLENGE: Come in your most festive and decked out CHRISTMAS gear and the winner will be rewarded with a special prize!

    • BYO $5 gift for our gift exchange game we will be playing!

      • each student/leader needs to have one gift in order to provide enough gifts for each of our students to end up with one at the end of the night!! 

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HOPE FOOD PANTRY:  Bridge of Hope has the opportunity to help reach out to people in our community by serving at the Hope Food Pantry the 1st Wednesday of each month. The next opportunity to serve is THIS COMING Wednesday, December 6. The shifts are 1:30-3:30 or 3:30-5:30. If you would like to serve, please contact Tiffany at 578.9675 or r_tpostma@hotmail.com. 

 

Council / Staff Christmas Party will be this Wednesday, December 6 at 6:30pm at the Ministry Center.

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Women’s Ministry presents: GIFT WRAP GATHERING at the Ministry Center THIS COMING Thursday, December 7 from 7:00-9:00pm (but come and go according to what works best for you!). Women, join us for a festive night of gathering together as you wrap your presents. Sip on hot chocolate, hot apple cider or Christmas punch while nibbling on Christmas cookies/muffins. Enjoy the fellowship of other women with Christmas music in the background as you tackle one of your Christmas tasks. The woman with the “best wrapped” gift may even win a prize! Wrapping paper, bows, and tape will be provided. If able, please bring along a scissors…and wrapping paper if you prefer your own. Also, plans for upcoming Women’s Ministry events/studies will be shared! Questions? Contact Judy Dirkse at judy@bridgecrc.org or adultdiscipleship@bridgecrc.org. (Women’s Ministry is sponsored by the Adult Discipleship Team.)

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Men’s Monthly Gatherings: Our next breakfast get-together will be on Saturday, December 9 at 8:00am at the Ministry Center. The Adult Discipleship Team is creating a time and space for men to hang out together, eat and enjoy each other’s presence once a month. Want to go deeper with a smaller group of men? Talk with Pastor Sam, Marcus Van Zee, or contact adultdiscipleship@bridgecrc.org.

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Additional announcements can be found in the Community Activities Sheet, a weekly publication of activities/events pertaining to the Christian Reformed churches in Sioux Center, as well as other churches within our community. It originated because of the repetitive nature of the common announcements being printed in Sioux Center church bulletins. It can be found here.

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OUR CHURCH FAMILY

This week the community of believers in Sioux Center is praying for the congregation of Centerpoint Church and Pastors Chris Godfredsen and Jamie Dykstra.

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CONGREGATIONAL ASSIGNMENTS

Today — December 3

Nursery Adult(s) & Helper(s): Jill VS, Deb K, Jake P

Promise Lambs Adult(s) & Helper(s): Abby F, Adalee H, Anna VP

Coffee Service: Ross & Shawn D

Greeters: Robb DH, Mark O, Dave R (greet) & Rich V (mic)

Check-ins: Jill VS, Mark B, Di M

 

Next Sunday — December 10

Nursery Adult(s) & Helper(s): NO NURSERY DUE TO SS CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

Promise Lambs Adult(s) & Helper(s): NO PROMISE LAMBS…DITTO

Coffee Service: Mark & Miriam B

Greeters: Tim F, Marcus VZ, Cindy G

Check-ins: Ruth R, Rachel P, Miriam B

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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 & Klay Byker

C-G: Dave Mulder & Andrea Westerbeek

H-M: Glen Boer & Mark Oostra

N-T: Tim Foreman & Marcus Van Zee

U-Z: Mark Buss & Tina Folkerts

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STAFF & LEADERSHIP CONTACT INFORMATION

Pastors ● sam@bridgecrc.org and gail@bridgecrc.org

Phone ● 817.673.7046 (Sam) and 903.617.7862 (Gail)

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Office ● ruth@bridgecrc.org

Office Phone ● 712.722.3951

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Youth Director ● kira@bridgecrc.org

Phone ● 712.441.0841

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Sunday School Director ● sarah@bridgecrc.org

Phone ● 712.441.7022

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Congregational Caregiver ● judy@bridgecrc.org

Phone ● 712.441.4488

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Congregational Caregiver ● aimee@bridgecrc.org

Phone ● 712.441.6231

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Worship Coordinator ● missy@bridgecrc.org

Phone ● 712.441.3106

 

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.

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