Our members who are celebrating an "Over 80” birthday this month:

Marge Van Ommeren 211 Kentucky Ave SW Orange City, IA 51041 *Marge will celebrate her 83rd birthday on October 16

Hospitalizations or Health Concerns…

 We pray for our church family who have been hospitalized or have health concerns: Chris Budden, Brent De Kok, Isaac Schmidt, Val Dykstra, Ruth Heidebrink, Teagyn Roorda, Lorna Bylsma, Cody Van Engen, Dan Zevenbergen, Joan Punt, Janene Van Gorp, Denny Van Ommeren, Debbie Hubers, Jim Feenstra

Congratulations...

 To Mike & Jamie Kamerman on the birth of a baby boy, Max Robert, born on September 3! Max was welcomed home by sisters Jaylee, Tessa, and Jenna. God’s blessings to you all!

Congregation Thank You Notes

 Ross & Stacy Hoekstra - Thank you for all the meals and gifts for Avett Jude. We appreciate the love you have shown us and we are glad that MRC is our church home!

 Shellie Vander Schaaf - Thank you, congregation, for the cards, cake, and beautiful flowers at my “farewell reception”. It’s hard to believe that it has been 16 years already that God called me to serve in the worship capacity at MRC. It has been such a blessing to see the Holy Spirit work in so many creative ways to bring people into a place where we can celebrate and honor our Lord each week. Your support during these years and now for the next phase that God has for me has been very much

appreciated. Blessings to you all as we continue to honor and worship our risen Lord!

 Lori Van Gorp - Thanks for the contributions of the single use shampoo and body wash for the Homeless Shelter. We will continue to collect and deliver them. Keep them coming. They are appreciated!!

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT GIVING THROUGH CHURCH ENVELOPES

A benefit to using envelopes is a gift of any amount, cash or check, is recorded versus giving through the plate where only checks of $250 or larger are recorded. At the end of the year, a full giving report can be requested which will include anything given through the envelopes.

It is convenient to give to your favorite charity through the church, but it is not the best practice. Many charities are already non-profit organizations that can give you the same tax benefit as giving through the church. Also, our classical assessments are based on total church revenue so giving to another non-profit will increase the assessment amount that our church pays to the classis.

Having checks from a company made directly to the church instead of yourself is a great way of giving. To keep compliance with IRS laws these donations will not show on your contribution statement at the end of the year.

We will be issuing giving envelopes for 2020 in the next few months. If you received envelopes last year and do not want them, or if you do not have envelopes and would like them, contact the asset management team. Dan Leusink or Matt Bartlett. “Don’t You Dare Give Up!”

The following comes from a devotional that was posted on Facebook: The battle is not yours, it’s the Lord’s. Whenever you’re down and can’t seem to pick yourself up— when you feel weak, overwhelmed, remember that your strength is form the Lord. Don’t you dare give up!

A Question: “How does God give us the strength that He promises?” Sometimes the Holy Spirit gives you a shot of courage and you move ahead. Sometimes you gain strength by talking to a friend who listens to you, and somehow it just helps. Sometimes God’s strength is given through being in a Life Group. As you share about what is going on and the group gathers around you and prays for you, you can feel God’s strength entering your mind and spirit. Sometimes friends or Life Groups are called “Jesus with skin on”.

If you aren’t in one of the life-encouraging Life Groups yet, you can join one at any time. If you have questions, please contact Marissa Maassen or Don De Kok.

STAFF APPRECIATION

October is staff appreciation month! DISCIPLESHIP PASTOR UPDATE Please show your appreciation to our staff by The Discipleship Pastor Search Team has shaking their hand, giving them a hug, taking decided to close the application window them out for a meal, or whatever you think at this time as we have received many best. There will also be a table with baskets for wonderful applicants. In fact, the team you to drop a Thank You card into located in has narrowed the pool down to three the fellowship hall throughout the month of candidates that we are truly excited October. We will also be having a time of about. We hosted in-person interviews with cake/cupcakes after the October 27 service. the applicants and their spouses the week

- Staff Relations Team of September 23. Please continue to pray for God’s leadership in this process and that He would make it abundantly clear who He has chosen to join us at MRC.

NOW HIRING – MRC WORSHIP DIRECTOR Are you passionate about leading worship? Do you enjoy leading teams of people? Are you blessed with a creative side? Maurice Reformed Church is looking for a Worship Director. This is currently a part-time position (25 hrs/week) with the potential to grow into more. This person would work closely with the Pastor, staff and volunteers to coordinate worship and other parts of the services. Qualifications:  Experienced and gifted in music  Sensitive to the dynamics of music in the worship service  Strong communicator  Skilled in leadership  Strong administrative skills would be a plus.

If this sounds like you, please visit our website for more information.

Sunday School - Please help your children with their memory verse! Deuteronomy 31:8 - “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Sunday School ends at 11:30. Please pick up your children at this time. Thank you!

AWANA

Awana continues to meet each Wednesday evening from 6:20-7:30. Please pick up your child in the sanctuary at 7:30 pm. October 30 will be Super Hero Night! Children and volunteers are encouraged to dress up as their favorite Super Hero! Prizes will be awarded! Games, Bible story, and snack will be centered on Super Heroes. It will be a fun filled night! Awana Mart open during activities.

CHILDREN AND WORSHIP

Children and Worship will begin on October 13. Children and Worship takes place during the church service for 3 and 4 year old children on the 2nd and 4th Sunday’s of the month. Volunteers are needed to teach and to help. You must be middle school aged or older to help. Please contact Bonnie Wolf soon! A schedule will be made when enough volunteers sign up. Thank you for making an impact on these kids’ lives!

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY OCTOBER MISSION

The mission for the month is to create hygiene kits that will be sent along with the load of wheelchairs going to Costa Rica. Children are encouraged to bring the following items to Sunday school on the following dates:

October 13: October 27: October 6: October 20: Soap (bar - 2.6 oz) Lotion (2 fl oz) Toothpaste (1.7 oz) NO SUNDAY Washcloths (2) Comb (new) Tooth brush (2 pack) SCHOOL Hand sanitizer Kleenex (travel pks)

NURSERY VOLUNTEERING If anyone would like to be added to the Nursery Volunteer list, please contact Lisa Smit for more AT MRC information. Thanks.

Volunteers Prayer Room - October Oct. 6 Steve & Julie Vis, Miranda Mulder Date

Oct. 6 Sandy Holtrop Oct. 13 AJ & Lisa Smit, Haley Holverson

Oct. 13 Dan DeVries Oct. 20 Caleb & Jill Haverdink, Cali Mulder Oct. 20 Laura Haverdink Oct. 27 Mark & Priscilla Jansma, Rachel Leusink Oct. 27 Jerry Vermeer

October Welcome Schedule

Main door - Judy Vlietstra NEWSLETTER ITEMS ARE DUE OCT. 20 Gym door - Lee & Emily Maassen

Wednesday Night Meal Schedule

October 2: Tater tot casserole, snicker salad, peaches, bread pudding or cookies

October 9: Hard/soft shell tacos, nachos with cheese sauce, pears, scotcharoo bars

October 16: Italian dunkers with meat sauce, cashew lettuce salad, mandarin oranges, dessert

October 23: Pork loin, cheesy potatoes, green bean casserole, roll, bar

October 30: Taverns, coneys, hot dogs, baked beans, chips, peaches, brownie

“...thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven…” - Matthew 6

SCHEDULE: LUNCH SCHEDULE: 2 dozen bars/cookies Oct. 2 - Lord’s Prayer, Pt. 1 Oct. 2 - Ciana VD, David VZ, Karlee H, Breanna J Oct. 9 - Sub Sandwich Assembly Night Oct. 9 - Jaylee K, Karson L, Jessica M, Maddie S Oct. 16 - Missional Focus Oct. 16 - Jared O, Jordan VDH, Ariana VD, Seth VS Oct. 23 - Service Night Oct. 23 - Parker VZ, Avery VD, Micah S, Landon R Oct. 30 - Harvest Party (6:30-8:00 pm) Oct. 30 - Provided (Harvest Party)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Sub Sandwich Fundraiser & Assembly Night - Wednesday, October 9 - On Wednesday, October 9 during Jr. GAP we will be assembling all of the sub sandwiches that were sold throughout the month of September. We are looking for about a dozen students to join us in getting started after school on October 9th at about 4 pm - contact Jon Eveland if you are interested. We will be assembling during the normal Jr. GAP time, but we would encourage the students to come earlier if they are able so that we can knock out all the subs. Subs will be available to pick up and ready to deliver at the end of the evening. Thank you for your support of the Jr. GAP ministry!

Jr. GAP Missional Focus - In light of our theme this year, we will be supporting, taking in offering during youth group and helping 3 different ministries (1 local, 1 regional, and 1 global) over the course of the year. The ministries were decided upon by the students and those ministries will be Katelyn’s Fund, Delivering Hope, and Remember Nhu. Over the course of the year, we will learn more about these ministries, but you are encouraged to search and seek out information online about each, or contact Jon Eveland with any questions. We are excited to be a small part in having a Kingdom impact by supporting these ministries!

Refuge Live - Wednesday, October 23 - 7:25-7:55 pm in The Refuge - Do you love God? Do you enjoy praising our Lord and Savior? If you said yes to either one of those questions, then Refuge Live is the place for you. Join us on October 23 for an awesome night of worship down in the Refuge from 7:25-7:55 pm. Grab a friend & head on down. All are welcome! We can't wait to see you there!

Newsboys Concert with Ryan Stevenson (Greatness of our God Tour) - Thursday, October 24 - 7:00-10:00 pm at The Rowenhorst Student Center - By popular demand, the “Greatness of Our God” Tour will once again bring together former members Peter Furler and Phil Joel with Newsboys’ Michael Tait, Duncan Phillips, Jeff Frankenstein and Jody Davis for an autumn outing bound for more than 30 cities around the country. If you would like to join, along with your family, please contact Jon Eveland. The cost of tickets will be $10 each.

Harvest Party - Wednesday, October 30 - 6:30-8:00 pm at Bob & Dee Ann Cleveringa’s acreage The Jr. GAP and Sr. High students will once again join together in our annual Harvest Party. We will leave MRC @ 6:15 pm on the buses and return just after 8 pm. We will have awesome food, fun activities, and great fellowship!

DATES TO REMEMBER October 9 - Sub Sandwich Assembly January 22 - Tubing Outing April 3-5 - Middle School Retreat October 30 - Harvest Party February 2 - Super Bowl Party April 26 - Jr. GAP Youth Sunday December 18 – Christmas Party March 4 - Waffle Fundraiser June 12-19 - Denver Mission Trip

Jr. GAP October Birthdays Avery Van Donkelaar - October 3 Ryan Muilenburg - October 11 Jacob Hargens - October 30

“...thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven…” - Matthew 6

SCHEDULE: LUNCH SCHEDULE: 2 dozen bars/cookies Oct. 2 - Lord’s Prayer, Pt. 1 Oct. 2 - Edyn D, Dylan F, Tayce K, Jon M Oct. 9 - Testimony Night - Ally Pettit Oct. 9 - Miranda M, Brittini O, Jalyn P, AJ S Oct. 16 - Missional Focus Oct. 16 - Hanah VB, Lexi VZ, Tyler A, Joseph B Oct. 23 - Service Night Oct. 23 - Tye B, Maddie D, Sam E, Landon H Oct. 30 - Harvest Party (6:30-8:00 pm) Oct. 30 - Provided (Harvest Party)

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Sr. High Missional Focus - In light of our theme this year, we will be supporting, taking in offering during youth group and helping 3 different ministries (1 local, 1 regional, and 1 global) over the course of the year. The ministries were decided upon by the students and those ministries will be Katelyn’s Fund, Delivering Hope, and Remember Nhu. Over the course of the year, we will learn more about these ministries, but you are encouraged to search and seek out information online about each, or contact Jon Eveland with any questions. We are excited to be a small part in having a Kingdom impact by supporting these ministries!

Refuge Live - Wednesday, October 23 - 7:25-7:55 pm in The Refuge - Do you love God? Do you enjoy praising our Lord and Savior? If you said yes to either one of those questions, then Refuge Live is the place for you. Join us on October 23 for an awesome night of worship down in the Refuge from 7:25-7:55 pm. Grab a friend & head on down. All are welcome! We can't wait to see you there!

Newsboys Concert with Ryan Stevenson (Greatness of our God Tour) - Thursday, October 24 7:00-10:00 pm at The Rowenhorst Student Center - By popular demand, the “Greatness of Our God” Tour will once again bring together former members Peter Furler and Phil Joel with Newsboys’ Michael Tait, Duncan Phillips, Jeff Frankenstein and Jody Davis for an autumn outing bound for more than 30 cities around the country. If you would like to join, along with your family, please contact Jon Eveland. The cost of tickets will be $10 each.

Harvest Party - Wednesday, October 30 - 6:30-8:00 pm at Bob & Dee Ann Cleveringa’s acreage The Jr. GAP and Sr. High students will once again join together in our annual Harvest Party. We will leave MRC @ 6:15 pm on the buses and return just after 8 pm. We will have awesome food, fun activities, and great fellowship!

Guys & Girls Retreat COMING - November 15-16 - We are excited that we will be doing a Guys Retreat and a Girls Retreat this fall for Sr. Highers! Both retreats will be the same weekend, at different locations. School calendars were considered, and this weekend has very limited conflicts for either MOC-FV, LeMars, Unity, West Sioux, or Sioux Center High schools. If you would like to attend, please contact Jon Eveland. More info to come!

DATES TO REMEMBER

October 30 - Harvest Party February 6 - Sweetheart Banquet May 11 - Senior Supper November 15-16 - Guys & Girls Retreat March 29 - Sr. High Youth Sunday July 24-29 - Rocky Mountain High

Sr. High October Birthdays: Caitlyn Bushby - October 5 Autumn Van Donkelaar - October 14

Moments in Missions

The special offering for the month of October is: Pioneer Home (please mark your check or envelope with “Special” & place in the plate with your offering)

The Pioneer Memorial Home is a Christian non-profit independent living facility that offers an affordable retirement choice to retirees and families in the Orange City area and has been a home for several of our members in the past. The Pioneer Home offers 24 hour on site daytime and overnight staff who serve the 26 Pioneer Home residents and provide meals and services for those that live in the “Estates”. The Pioneer Home has recently updated resident rooms, the kitchen and laundry facilities and installed Wi-Fi. Projected updates for the next years include concrete sidewalk and garage approach replacement, and replacement of the hallway and dining room lights with LED can lights or “Wafer” lights. Donations will be directed to any of these projects unless a project is specified.

The Pioneer Home residents enjoy visits, and programs throughout the year. If you have additional food from your garden, or from an event, and would love to bless the residents in the Pioneer Home, give them a call. Pray for the residents to enjoy their neighbors, and remain safe and in good health. Pray for the staff as they serve the Pioneer Home residents as an example of God’s love.

International Ministry Partners: Mark & Deb Wilson

Mark and Deb are on sabbatical in the states this summer and on September 8 we had the pleasure of hearing from Deb during a worship service. Deb shared with us the history of Cambodia and how persecuted the people were for many years, reducing the Christians to a mere 1% of the population. Now the country is free and is the perfect location for training and teaching pastors to be sent out to neighboring countries. Mark is a professor at the Phnom Penh Bible College while Deb serves with a Christian counseling organization.

Please remember the Wilson’s in your prayers as they still grieve the sudden loss of Mark’s father; sell their Michigan home; say goodbye to their son Zach, who is a Senior at Northwestern College; transition back to Cambodia; manage ongoing flooding of the Phnom Penh Bible College campus, and for Mark as he lives with chronic pain.

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message….” Colossians 4:2-3a (NIV)

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

3 4 5 1 2

8:30-9:30 AM 9 AM Staff 5:30 PM Meal Fellowship Meeting 6:20 PM Awana Through Fitness

1-5 PM Stitches 6:20 PM Jr. GAP of Love 7:45 Adult Choir 7:00 PM Mission *Room 9 Team Meeting 7:50 PM Sr. High 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

9:30 AM Worship 8:30-9:30 AM 9 AM Staff 2 PM Golden Hour 8:30-9:30 AM

Fellowship Meeting Fellowship Pastor Ross 5:30 PM Meal Through Fitness Through Fitness 10:45 Sunday School 6:30 PM 6:20 PM Awana

6:30 PM Bells Consistory 6:20 PM Jr. GAP Meeting 7:45 Adult Choir *Sanctuary

7:50 PM Sr. High

13—Adult Choir 14 15 16 17 18 19 Children & Worship 8:30-9:30 AM 9 AM Staff 5:30 PM Meal 8:30-9:30 AM 9:30 AM Worship Fellowship Meeting Fellowship 6:20 PM Awana Pastor Ross Through Fitness Through Fitness 1-5 PM Stitches 6:20 PM Jr. GAP 10:45 Sunday School 6:30 PM Bells of Love 7:50 PM Sr. High 5:30 PM Recycled Teens at

7:30 PM Good The Hideout in News Germantown 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

9:30 AM Worship 8:30-9:30 AM 9 AM Staff 5:30 PM Meal 8:30-9:30 AM 6:30 AM Elder’s Pastor Ross Fellowship Meeting Fellowship Breakfast 6:20 PM Awana Through Fitness Through Fitness 10:45 Sunday School 6:20 PM Jr. GAP

6:30 PM Bells 7:50 PM Sr. High

27—Master’s Ringers 28 29 30 31

Children & Worship 8:30-9:30 AM 5:30 PM Meal 9:30 AM Worship Fellowship 6:20 PM Awana Bob Abel Through Fitness

Staff Appreciation 6:30-8:00 PM 1-4 PM Yarn reception following Jr. GAP & Sr. High Connection the service Harvest Party

7 PM Faith Bible 10:45 Sunday School Study