Reflections of Grace
MAY 2019
N e w s f r o m G r a c e C o m m u n i t y C h r i s t i a n R e f o r m e d C h u r c h
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ARMED FORCES DAY
May 18
Armed Forces Day is a special holiday for people all over the world to come together and thank the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. First conceived by President Harry S. Truman, the holiday was established in 1949. The creation of a single day celebra-tion for all five branches of the United States military made sense due to its recent unification under the Department of Defense. Today, Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the third Saturday of every May. Armed Forces Day is a special holiday for people all over the world to come together and thank the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. First conceived by President Harry S. Truman, the holiday was established in 1949. The creation of a single day celebra-tion for all five branches of the United States military made sense due to its recent unification under the Department of Defense. Today, Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the third Saturday of every May.
Why National Armed Forces Day is Important
A. The Armed Forces Deserve our Respect Joining the U.S. Armed Forces is an incredibly selfless act that deserves recognition. Soldiers and the military personnel risk their lives ever day to keep citizens safe. This holiday is an opportunity for the average person to show support for that sacrifice.
B. It Helps Spread Awareness and Understanding National Armed Forces Day is an opportunity to educate yourself or others. The holiday was originally designed to help citizens better understand the military and its role in our society. We can all do our part by spreading knowledge and understanding.
C. It is for all 5 Branches of the Military The military is made up of 5 branches—the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard. This holiday is intended for members of all 5 branches. Originally it was meant to replace separate branch appreciation holidays, but these are also still celebrated today.
Copyright © 2017–2019 by National Today
In This Issue::
1 Armed Forces Day
2 Dept. of Health News Release
3 Measles Information
4 Ascension Day
5 Missions Calendar
6 Back to God Ministries News
7 Have a story for the newsletter?
How Can We Pray for You?
Safe Church
8 May Serving Schedule
9 Birthdays & Anniversaries
Fleece Blanket Making
10 Home Cooking—Recipe Page
11 Coloring Page
12 Hidden Pictures
13 Grace Church—Our Values
Newsletter Deadline
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H e a l t h
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The Feast of the Ascension of Jesus Christ, also called Ascension Day, Ascension Thursday, or sometimes Holy Thursday, commemorates the Christian belief of the bodily Ascension of Jesus into heaven. It is one of the ecumenical (i.e., universally celebrated) feasts of Christian churches, ranking with the feasts of the Passion, of Easter, and Pentecost. Ascension Day is traditionally celebrated on a Thursday, the fortieth day of Easter (following the accounts given in Mark 16:19, Luke 24:51 and Acts 1:2), although some Christian denominations have moved the observance to the following Sunday.
The ascension of Jesus is the departure of Christ from Earth into the presence of God. The biblical narrative in Chapter 1 of the Acts of the Apostles takes place 40 days after the resurrection: Jesus is taken up from the disciples in their sight, a cloud hides him from view, and two men in white appear to tell them that he will return "in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." In the Christian tradition, reflected in the major
Christian creeds and confessional statements, the ascension is connected with the exaltation of Jesus, meaning that through his ascension, Jesus took his seat at the right hand of God: "He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty."
Christian theology
The common thread linking all the New Testament ascension references, reflected in the major Christian creeds and confessional statements, is the exaltation of Jesus, meaning that through his ascension Jesus took his seat at the right hand of God in Heaven: "He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty." (Apostles' Creed) It implies the human Jesus being taken into Heaven and marks the begin-ning of Christ's heavenly rule, and its hold on the Christian imagination is evidenced by its importance in Christian art through the centuries.
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6 MAY 2019
Dear Partners in Ministry, In 2014, I asked you to pray for God’s guidance as we re-launched French ministry in West Africa. With your help, we were looking to establish ministry in more Muslim majority countries and develop local voices. Since that time, I have felt overwhelmed by God’s timely answer and provision. Our shared ministry in Burkina Faso through the leadership of Rev. Marc Nabie has already had a profound impact on French speakers! Rev. Nabie has helped launch new programs that speak specifically to needs in West Africa as well as continue French programs that also reach Haiti and Niger. One of the newest programs is a program specifically for young people and it will help people like Miriam (name changed for privacy). As the young daughter of a pastor in Burkina Faso, Miriam has known God’s Word since she could first speak. Yet her faith in God was mostly defined by fear. “Miriam had always been taught to strictly obey the Word of God, otherwise she would lose her salvation,” says Rev. Nabie. Miriam’s fear-based faith brought on a flood of guilt when she became sexually active. At her lowest point, these feelings caused her to consider taking her own life. Thankfully, Miriam discovered God’s message of grace through our French radio program. Rev. Nabie was preaching on the story of the fall of Adam and Eve.
For the first time, Miriam understood that our God is a God of grace and that He was ready to forgive her. Miriam doesn’t live far from the broadcast center so, upon hearing this message, she visited BTGMI’s French ministry team to learn more about forgiveness. “She left joyously with the assurance of forgiveness,” shares Rev. Nabie. “Since then, Miriam has been joyful in her faith and often calls us with updates.” We praise God for working in Miriam’s life and for faithful supporters like you who make this ministry possible! Serving together,
Rev. Kurt Selles Director, Back to God Ministries International
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Anyone holding a meeting or event at the church is asked to please remember to monitor who is entering the building when doors are left unlocked for attendees to come in, and to close and lock all the doors of the church after everyone has arrived. Please do not leave the doors propped open. Also, if you are the last to leave, please make sure ALL doors are locked before you go.
If we all do our part, we can make our church
building a safe environment for everyone to enjoy.
How Can We Pray for YOU?
If you would like our Pray-er Team to be ‘prayer
warriors’ for you, for a need in your life, or the
life of a loved one or friend, visit our website at:
http://www.gccrc.org/prayers_for_u
You can also visit our Prayer Room
on Sunday morning after the service — on the south
side of the building.
www.gccrc.org/online_giving
MAY 5
FROM THE EDITOR: Do you have a story or memory about how your ancestors came
to America?
Memories of growing up in another time with different clothes,
music, food prices, etc.?
Why not submit a story to the newsletter
and share your memories with others?
Or maybe you’ve had a “God” moment in your life? When something
happened that can only be explained as having come from God.
We’d love to have you share your story with others.
Submit your story for the newsletter by placing it in the newsletter box
on the wall outside the office. And please include your name!
MAY 12
ACCOMPANIST
5 Bob Cooper / Pedro Kialanda
12 Catherine Solle / Eleanor Lamsma
19 Bob Cooper / Diane Ritzema
26 Pedro Kialanda
CHILDCARE
5 Darlene Huisenga / Ruth Kuipers
12 Anna Huisenga / Hannah Soucek
19 Maria Kialanda / Sarah Huisenga
26 Ann Sroka / Barb Wassenaar
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
5 Ed Ritzema
12 Pastor Kooy
19 Bob Cooper
26 Diane Ritzema
GREETERS
5 Vince & Nancy Sommer
12 Catherine Solle / Karen Buikema
19 Tom & Darlene Huisenga
26 Fred Veen / Jean Kok
LIBRARY
Week 1 Evelyn Van Dellen
Week 2 Clareen Sluis
Week 3 Gloria Kamper
Week 4 Evelyn Luchtenburg
Week 5 Gloria Kamper
PRAYER ROOM
5 Vince & Nancy Sommer
12 Catherine Solle / Karen Buikema
19 Tom & Darlene Huisenga
26 Fred Veen / Jean Kok
PROJECTION TECH
5 Ed Ritzema / Eleanor Lamsma
12 Sarah Huisenga
19 Dave Phillips
26 Dave Phillips
SOUND TECH
5 Chris Van Kuiken
12 Chris Van Kuiken
19 Jim Kamper
26 Jim Kamper
USHERS
5 Carol Den Besten
Phyllis Johnson
Dean Unger
12 George Voss
Hank De Vries
Rich Boersema
19 Gary Schutt
Rich Mulder
Bonnie Mulder
26 Tom Huisenga
Vince Sommer
George Voss
M A Y S E R V I N G S C H E D U L E
8 MAY 2019
B I R T H D A Y S A N N I V E R S A R I E S
MAY
2 Ruth Kuipers
10 Aiden Soucek
12 Evelyn Jonker
13 Mary Huisenga Carol DeVries
14 Maria Kialanda
Mert Schutt
15 Candice Livingston
Rachel Canfield
17 Terry Unger
21 Elton Ivy
Steve Livingston
Dave Phillips
22 Helen Noort
Chris Van Kuiken
MAY
8 Larry & LeAnn Kooyenga
17 Bernie & Lynne Wiegers
19 Gary & Joan Schutt
24 Don & Mary Anderson
9 MAY 2019
JUNE
2 Dan Brucken Sr.
4 Karen Buikema
Alyce De Boer (Mrs.)
6 Larry Kooyenga
David Van Kuiken
7 Pedro Kialanda
10 Jean Kok (91)
12 Gary Schutt
15 Dorothy Brink-Schutt
Laura Soucek
16 Pam Johnson
John Roos
19 Carol Den Besten
21 Catherine Solle
23 Tena Vander Muil
Fred Veen
24 Alyce De Boer (Ms.)
27 Lin Vander Meulen
29 Evelyn Van Dellen
JUNE
1 Ken & Carol Schutt
2 Jim & Barb Wassenaar
3 Rich & Marilyn Vanden Bout
9 Warren & Ruth Kuipers
11 Bill & Phyllis Johnson
19 Ed & Diane Ritzema
20 Dan & Marilyn Brucken
25 John & Laverne Yff
BOOK CLUB — MONDAY, MAY 13 — 7:00pm Discussing “Educated” by Tara Westover
An unforgettable memoir about a girl who, kept out of school, leaves her survivalist family and eventually goes on to earn a PhD from Cambridge University.
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THIS LIGHT, LEMONY DESSERT WOULD BE PERFECT FOR YOUR MOTHER’S DAY MENU!
NO-BAKE CLASSIC ‘WOOLWORTH’ CHEESECAKE 1 3OZ. LEMON JELL-O
1 CUP BOILING WATER
1 BOX GRAHAM CRACKER CRUMBS -OR- 3 CUPS CRUSHED GRAHAM CRACKERS (DIVIDED)
1 STICK MELTED BUTTER
1 8 OZ. CREAM CHEESE
1 CUP SUGAR
5 TBSP. LEMON JUICE
1 CAN EVAPORATED MILK, WELL CHILLED (OR 1 1/2 CUPS HEAVY WHIPPING CREAM) INSTRUCTIONS: 1. DISSOLVE THE JELL-O IN THE BOILING WATER. COOL UNTIL SLIGHTLY THICKENED.
2. MIX 3/4 OF THE GRAHAM CRACKER CRUMBS AND MELTED BUTTER UNTIL WELL BLENDED AND PRESS INTO A 9X13 PAN. SAVE THE REST OF THE CRUMBS TO SPRINKLE ON TOP.
3. BEAT THE EVAPORATED MILK (OR WHIPPING CREAM) UNTIL FLUFFY.
4. IN A SEPARATE BOWL, BEAT CREAM CHEESE, SUGAR AND LEMON JUICE WITH MIXER UNTIL SMOOTH.
5. ADD THE THICKENED JELL-O TO THE WHIPPED EVAPORATED MILK AND SLOWLY MIX IN.
6. SPREAD THE FILLING OVER THE CRUST AND SPRINKLE WITH RESERVED GRAHAM CRACKER CRUMBS.
7. CHILL AT LEAST 2 HOURS OR OVERNIGHT, STORE COVERED IN REFRIGERATOR.
SUBMITTED BY BARB WASSENAAR
If you have a favorite recipe you’d like to share, put
a copy in the newsletter mailbox next to the office
and we’ll print it. Don’t forget to put your name on
it, and where it came from if you know. Recipes
without names will not be printed.
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Copyrighted works included in this publication have been
reproduced with permission and may not be further
reproduced. The distribution, selling, reproduction in any
form, or any use other than that intended by this publication
are prohibited and constitute an infringement of Copyright
laws and are subject to fines.
Grace
Community
Christian
Reformed
Church
10415 S. Kedvale Avenue
Oak Lawn, IL 60453
Office: 708.636.2848
Fax: 708.636.2847
www.gccrc.org
This Newsletter is a
publication of
Grace Community Church.
Contributions to the news-
letter are welcome and will
be considered for publica-
tion provided you include
your name with the submis-
sion.
If you have any
questions concerning this
newsletter, please
contact Barb Wassenaar
708.636.2848
Submissions for the
June 2019 issue are due no
later than
May 20, 2019.
Distribution:
Sun., June 2, 2019.
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