March, 2024
Hope is Springing up!
A springtime devotion
Just recently, God gifted us with a 72 degree, record breaking day, and with it, a taste of spring rose up in our hearts! A hope-filled expectancy of beautiful things to come. Windows open, sunglasses on, walking shoes ready. People everywhere came out of their homes to experience fresh air and the hope of spring! And then, just like that, the freezing cold of winter came rumbling back the very next day. Blowing wind, icy roads, snow falling. Winter returned full force. But here is the truth of our good God’s promise. Winter WILL pass and Spring WILL be ushered in. The newness of life WILL return. Birds WILL migrate back with a brand new song, Trees WILL blossom and begin to bear new fruit. The sun WILL warm the ground again causing flowers to push their petals above ground. And you WILL be able to open your windows, put your sunglasses on, and run outside and experience all the goodness of spring!
So often, it seems as the hard seasons of winter will last forever. We each have circumstances in our lives that seem unbearable and sometimes coming out of these seasons seem virtually impossible. BUT GOD!! He is the giver of new life and He promises us that He will never leave us nor forsake us. He promises that He WILL bring us into a new spring season of life, We can trust in Him with a hope-filled expectancy of new things to come.
Psalm 130:5 I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits and in His word I put my hope!
Wendy Bronkema
Upcoming Weekends!
Men’s Weekend #271
April 11-14, 2024
Brookside CRC
3600 Kalamazoo AVE SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49508
Theme: Hold Fast
Scripture(s): Hebrews 10:22-25
Song: He Will Hold Me Fast (Shane & Shane)
Fight Song: He Touched Me
Rector: Joe Hart
Co-Rector: Ron Renzema
Head Coordinator: Chad Stabler
Come and Support the Men of #271!
The following events will all take place at
Brookside CRC
Setup: 6:30 pm Wednesday, 4/10
Holy Hour: 7:30 pm Friday, 4/12
Rector/Rectoress Serenade: 7:30 pm Saturday, 4/13
Church Service: 10 am Sunday, 4/14
Serenade/Closing: Sunday, 4/14: 4 pm (Serenade)
4:30 pm (Closing) Please note new times!
Women's Weekend #272
April 25-28, 2024
Fifth Reformed Church
2012 Griggs SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Theme: Alive in Christ!
Scripture(s): 2 Corinthians 5:17 & Ephesians 3:17-19
Song(s): Wonderful, Merciful Savior
Rectoress: Emily Hancock
Co-Rectoress: Wendy Bronkema
Head Coordinator: Deanna Kwasteniet
Come and Support the Women of #272!
The following events will all take place at
Fifth Reformed Church
Setup: 8 pm 4/24
Holy Hour: 7:30 pm Friday, 4/25
Rector/Rectoress Serenade: 7:30 pm Saturday, 4/27
Church Service: 10 am Sunday, 4/28
Serenade/Closing: Sunday, 4/28: 4 pm (Serenade)
4:30 pm (Closing) Please note new times!
REMINDER… NEW CLOSING TIME!!!!
THE BOARD APPROVED A BYLAW CHANGE FOR THE SUNDAY SCHEDULE TO BEGIN ONE HOUR EARLIER AT 4 PM TO ALLOW CANDIDATES AND TEAM A MORE REASONABLE TIME TO GET HOME. SERENADE BEGINS AT 4 PM AND CLOSING BEGINS AT 4:30. THANKS!
Upcoming Events!
Spring Ultreya!
When: Sunday, May 19, 2024, 2:30 pm-4:00 pm
Where: St. Luke’s Lutheran Church
3215 4 Mile Rd NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
What: A time to meet in the sanctuary for a time of worship through singing and testimonies from weekends #271 and #272
Please note: There will not be a potluck!
Additional info:
Immediate family & kids are welcome
As always, wear your cross, name-tag, and bring your songbook.
Musicians: Bring your instruments (including vocalists) if you would like to help lead our time of singing!
4th Day Workshop
When: Tuesday, May 14, 2024, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Location: TBD
Summer Picnic
When: Saturday, August 4 (Time TBD)
Where: Wahlfield Park
IMPORTANT INFORMATION!!! Applications are currently being accepted for both the men’s and women’s spring weekends on our DeColores website! If you are sponsoring a candidate, there is a two step process to the application process. First, have your candidate fill out the online Candidate Application. Second, you, as the sponsor, MUST also fill out the Sponsor’s Recommendation in order for the application to be complete and processed. From this point forward, your potential candidate will not receive the invite from the Pre-DeColores board position until they have received both portions. It is essentially the same thing as filling out the second page of the paper application and the recommendation is one of the most important parts of getting your candidate on the weekend. Thank you so much for your diligence and attention to this.
The website has now been updated so the menu shows “Candidate/Sponsor info” to make it easier to find the online application. A question has also been added at the bottom of the candidate’s application that reminds them to contact their sponsor to fill out the sponsor recommendation asap.
If you have further questions, please email Thom & Shelley Stambaugh at: predecolores@gmail.com
One other important thing to note is that as costs for everything rise, donations to sponsor a candidate and also to serve as a team member have had to also increase to 100.00. Thank you for your understanding.
How to Help
Host Churches
If you know of a church who would be willing to host a DeColores weekend, please contact Joe and Sally Hart.
Spiritual Directors
We are encouraging the community to sponsor pastors or other people in the ministry on upcoming weekends to help grow our list of Spiritual Director able to serve on a DeColores weekend, If you know of someone, please forward their information to Joe and Sally Hart.
Communications
The board is forming a committee to help improve our ministry communications. Stay tuned on the website and our Facebook page for further information.
Rectors and Rectoresses
The board produced a new form/questionnaire to assist with the Rector/Rectoress nomination process. Look for it in the FAQ section of the website and attached here. Rector/RectoressNominationForm If you know someone who would make a great Rector or Rectoress, and they meet the qualifications, please submit their name to the DeColores President Couple prior to approaching them about being nominated.
Get Involved
If you are interested in participating in an inside or outside team position, don’t wait! Add your name to the list now by filling out the volunteer form on the following section of the website. Future Rectors and Rectoresses will be using this list as they select their team.
