Pastor Bill led our morning worship.  The message was based on Mark 13:24-37 and titled "Keep Watch", referring to the return of Jesus Christ to this God's creation to redeem it once and forevermore.  Until Jesus Christ's' return each of God's children has an assigned task to perform . . . and with God's help, to His honor and His glory.  May God help each of us to be active and obedient participants, obeying His mandate for us until the second coming of Jesus Christ.   Come quickly, Lord Jesus!

1. Sara V. asked for prayers for South Christian School community and K. families.  The death of Joel has hurt and troubled all family members, the SCHS community, and specifically Anna H., who was a friend of Joel's.  May God comfort, give peace, surround all those suffering with His love and presence.
2. Anne D.'s daughter thanked the congregation for all of its kindness shown to her mother, Anne D., and to herself.
3. Josh A. returned from Kenya encouraged with resolution signed by 32 Kenyan pastors who are committed to peace and reconciliation within the Christian church in Kenya. 
4. Toresa B. brought to our attention the SWAP PARTY which will happen Saturday night at Bates Place from 7-9 pm.  Please bring gently used household items for swapping with someone else.
5. Bryan B. continues to praise God for God's Kitchen serving a community meal on Monday nights in our church Fellowship Hall.  Everyone is welcome to come for meal, fellowship, and the building of relationships between our church and the community we serve.  Bryan also thanked God for the excellent turnout of 154 neighbors who came to receive food from the last Food Truck event of the summer. 
6. Kris B.asked for prayers for Rick's dad who needs heart surgery again.  Pray that God will give him patience and strength for that event in his life.
7. Mrs. Van M..praised God for the time of sharing in our church service.  She and her husband are returning to Netherlands next week and she is going to make another effort to begin this practice of sharing in her home church.
8. Tia, daughter of Robert and Anita B., asked for prayers for her friend who is sad because her grandmother passed away and, if living, the grandmother would have celebrated a birthday this coming week.
9. In response to the sermon, Linda K. asked for God's powerful blessing on the intense work she feels called to do by God.  May God bless her (and all of us) with energy, enthusiasm, health, and an obedient heart/minds to do what we are called to do . . . until He comes again . . . for His honor and glory.

CHURCH FAMILY

Pray for Nancy M. as she travels repeatedly between Battle Creek and Grand Rapids for blood tests. 
 

Continue to pray for Jimmye V., his family, and all those touched by this pain as he awaits further court action. 
 

Congratulations and God’s blessings to Brendan B.-H. and Ana Victoria B. who were married last Saturday in Antigua, Guatemala.  The couple will be living in Blacksburg, Virginia as Brendan completes his doctoral work in international development.  Ana will complete her bar exam in Guatemala. 
 

Pray for parents, teachers and students as they prepare for the start of a new school year. 
 

“On June 17, 18 & 19, 135 teens came into our space to be trained and to compete for jobs.  At the end of those three days we chose over 40 teens to help run our 2010-11 ministries.  For the next four years these teens will be mentored, trained, pastored and prepared for college and a life of Shalom.  Ironically, by the time they graduate and go off to college, they will have stolen our hearts and inspired us far more than we could inspire them.”  Read more of this prayer letter update from Trevor and Linda R. (New Jersey) at www.newcitykidschurch.com.

The latest prayer letter from James and Sarah Z. (Laos) is on the table at the back of the sanctuary.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Search Committee Update: The Search Committee met twice in August and has begun the work of searching for our next pastor.  Our first task will be to help the congregation articulate what we should look for in this person.  Soon after Labor Day everyone in the congregation will receive a survey which will ask for input about the most important qualities in a pastor and provide an opportunity to suggest names of potential candidates.  Please watch for this survey. Additionally, a series of focus groups are being planned for later in September. If you are invited please attend.  The Council asked the Search Committee to attract a quality pool of candidates.  We intend to make the search as broad as possible.  We are eager to see where God will lead us.  We are open to everyone’s input. Please pray for God’s constant presence as we seek His will for our congregation. 
 

Church Picnic:  Plan to head to Millennium Park immediately following the morning service where your fellow church “Grill Team” members will be ready to serve you a picnic lunch.  Just bring yourselves, everything will be provided!  If needed, directions are available in the fellowship hall. 
 

Coming Soon: Another season of Midweek is being planned and we are looking forward to our time together! We will have an informational meeting on September 15 at 6 pm for everyone involved in serving at Midweek this year.  Please save this date!  We will have a kick-off picnic on Sept. 22, Sept. 29 will be a regular meal and classes will begin on Oct. 6. 
 

Sunday Education Event:  On Sunday, September 12, from 4:30-6:30 pm, we will have a special event sponsored by the Education Committee. This time of learning and fellowship will be led by Rev. Wayne Brouwer, a long-time pastor in the Christian Reformed Church (most recently at Harderwyk CRC in Holland) and currently a visiting professor at Hope College and Western Seminary. He will lead us in considering the question of “What is Discipleship?” or “What does it mean to follow Jesus?” This event will serve as an introduction to our new Sunday morning “Discipleship University” as well as our year of learning and following at First Church. Coffee and cookies will be served and activities for children are being planned. 
 

Monday Night Meals: We continue to marvel that God’s Kitchen is coming to our church each Monday night 5 – 6:30 pm to serve food to our community.  To view a Fox 17 News story about this program, go to: http://www.fox17online.com/videobeta/39a60550-6a4a-46a3-ae54-6e5f9fdbe4ad/News/Community-Meeting-to-Stop-Violence-08-23-10. 
 

The annual High School Youth Group beach volleyball kick-off is Sunday, September 12. We will leave for North Shore beach directly following the morning service and will return late afternoon. This event is for incoming freshmen in high school thru seniors. Last names starting with “B” bring a plate of fruit, last names starting with “D” bring a 2-liter of pop, last names starting with J-R bring a salty snack, and last names starting with V-Z bring a dessert.  We can’t wait to kick-off our ministry year together! Contact Sarah V. with any questions. 
 

All Youth Group Parents: Please come to an informational meeting on Sunday, September 12 from 9 – 10 am in the East room.  We’ll talk about the year ahead, gather information, and answer questions. Coffee and treats provided! Hope to see everyone there. 
 

Middlers: Remember to stay after the church picnic today for our middler kick-off.  Bring a beach towel and bathing suit, and perhaps a water bottle.  We’ll return you to your homes late afternoon.  This will be a great opportunity to welcome our 6th graders and talk about the upcoming year.   
 

Household 1: Plan to meet at church on September 13 following the morning service for lunch.  Families, bring a main dish and salad, singles/couples bring a dessert.  Hope to see all of you there! 
 

New Testament Readings for this week are: Sunday: Revelation 16-17, Monday: Revelation 18-20, Tuesday: Revelation 21-22. 
 

Bates Place is hosting a “Swap Party” this Friday from 7-8:30 pm.  Bring 3-5 gently used items (by Wednesday) to exchange for other items at the event.  More information on the bulletin board by the mailboxes. 
 

Classis Grand Rapids East Prayer Time: You are invited to a prayer time for Seymour CRC, 12 noon on Thursday, September 2 to pray for their ministry and community. This will be held at Seymour Church and is part of a monthly schedule; the next prayer meeting will be at Eastern Ave. CRC on October 7 at 12:00 noon.