Forest Hills Presbyterian Church

Monthly Newsletter

From the Pastor February greetings brothers and sisters! It has been a very busy start to the new year with many ministries resuming after the Christmas break, which is truly wonderful. My Thursday morning Bible study has over 25 folks who are very dedicated. Our discussions are always lively and thought provoking which I really appreciate. We are now preparing for our annual mission trip to “Give Kids the World” with 14 people participating this year. I am traveling out a few days early, not only to get things arranged, but also to take a few days of study leave and get caught up on my reading. A special shout out to Larry Chesner who began a new Soup Ministry here! Last Saturday, we prepped and prepared several gallons of soup which sold out on Sunday morning in 7 minutes. All the proceeds will go to our deacons which is wonderful. Larry and many others also serve on our Breakfast Club team which prepares our amazingly delicious congregational breakfast on the first Sunday of each month. Thank you ALL for your love and dedication to keeping us well fed. What a blessing to have so many loving and caring individuals in this church. Hope this February finds you well and I look forward to seeing many on you on Sunday mornings. In His Love, Pastor Jim

FEBRUARY 2017

Mark Your Calendar Feb. 5

ACCESS 6 Collection Sunday Boy Scout Pancake Breakfast

Feb. 12

Communion Soup Ministry

Feb. 13

Kids’ Food Basket

Feb. 17 Kids’ Night Out

Feb. 18

Griffins Hockey Game Outing

Feb. 25 Mobile Food Truck

Feb. 26

Congregational Meeting Family Event

Feb. 28

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

In Medical Facilities Jim Tschantz (Porter Hills Rehab) Rene TerAvest (Laurels of Kent) Sympathy Susan Sedelbauer & family on the passing of Norman Sedelbauer, Jan. 26. A memorial service was held at FHPC on Tuesday, Jan. 31. Family of Barbara Sjoerdsma on her passing January 14. Recovering at Home Other Bev Ayres Rhea Murray & Dick Ardrey (siblings of Anita Brocker), heart surgery Steve Volkhardt Rachel Postma (family friend of Jim Pollard) needs 2nd heart transplant Clara Crittenden Our missionaries in India Julie Caris Members of our Armed Forces

Prayers for a son, for continued sobriety In Retirement Facilities Prayers for a nephew to stay clean from drugs Dan Caris (Whispering Woods) Gabbi, granddaughter of Larry and Renee Donovan. Eleanor Vollwiler (Maple Creek) (Gabbi suffers from Congenital Ullrich Muscular Dystrophy)

Prayer Concerns

Missions International Brunch Fundraiser, March 5. In 2017 FHPC will have the opportunity to help enroll adults with little or no education into a Mission India Adult Literacy Project and also help fund a Children’s Bible club for one year. We hope to support up to 150 adult students. Literacy is life-changing, it brings hope of a brighter future to India’s poor.

On March 5, the Missions Team, together with your help and the help of the Breakfast Club will be hosting an International Brunch Fundraiser for the Mission India Adult Literacy Project and Children’s Bible club. The Missions Team would love for the congregation to show their support in three ways: 1. Sign up to bring your favorite International Dish; 2. Donate toward the Adult Literacy program and Children’s Bible club; and/or 3. Help with set-up or clean-up.

Sign up on the Missions slat wall or at www.fhpcusa.org.

Kids’ Food Basket - Monday, February 13, 12 – 1 PM. 10 volunteers are needed to pack sack suppers for children who would not have supper without them. Kids’ Food Basket is located at 2055 Oak Industrial Pkwy. Can you spare an hour? Sign up on the Missions slat wall. Kids’ Hope USA Mentoring. If you would to be a part of one-hour-week mentoring at Kettle Lake Elementary or discuss prayer partner opportunities, contact Sheli Langejans at sheli@fhpcusa.org.

ACCESS 6 Food Collection, Sunday, Feb. 5 Please remember non-perishable food, paper and personal products for our local food pantry. Thank you! Food Distribution at the Mobile Food Truck The Mobile Food Truck sponsored by FHPC will be at Cesar Chavez Elementary School, 1205 Grandville Ave., SW on Saturday, Feb. 25, 8:15—10 AM. We need 12-15 volunteers to unload food from the truck and set up for distribution. We will be distributing baked goods, produce and some dairy products. There will be some clean up after the distribution is finished. We welcome families to come and serve. Sign up on our website, www.fhpcusa.org

Pieceful Gathering Quilters. Our next meeting is Thursday, Feb. 9, 10 AM to 3:30 PM. We would love to have you join our group. You do not need to know how to sew or quilt, there are many other jobs to be done. It is a great day of outreach for our church as well as a fun day of fellowship. So mark you calendars for Feb. 9, come and go as it works best for you. Feel free to give me a call if you have questions. – Mary Klynstra

Announcements Mission Trip to “Give Kids the World” - Please be in prayer for our members who are traveling to Florida to serve at “Give Kids the World” during the week of February 18-25. This is a place where families that have children struggling with life-threatening illnesses go when they are visiting the central Florida area attractions. Many “Wish” organizations, such as “Make a Wish,” send families to GKTW. We will be serving meals, offering smiles and support as they journey through the village, helping with transportation and many other duties. Those going on the trip this year are: Ed & Sue Grimaldi, Eric & Jill Tarpinian, Cheryl Raguse, Laura VerBrugge, Dickson & Kathleen Small, Al & Kim Rossi, Reggie Harris, Nick & Judy Herrick and Pastor Jim. Please pray for travel mercies and that our hands and hearts will touch those struggling families with the love of Jesus Christ. Thank you in advance for your prayers of support. Please Welcome our New Members joining our Forest Hills family of faith on February 5: Mark, Heather and Zoe Libich, and James, Gretchen and Jimmy Smilde. Congregational Meeting, February 26, 2017, 10:30 AM A Meeting of the Congregation of Forest Hills Presbyterian Church will be held on February 26, 2017, at 10:30 AM, in the Sanctuary, for the following purposes: (1) to receive reports from church officers, program leaders and staff; (2) to receive 2016 Financial Statements; (3) to receive the 2017 Budget; and, (4) to transact any other business which rightly may be raised.

“Confronting the News with Scripture…” continues are 10:30 AM on Thursdays in the Bread House (lower level). If you would like to attend, please email Pastor Jim with your email and contact information to get the weekly story. Call the church office or see the bulletin for active dates of the class. jim@fhpcusa.org UpNext, (Adult Ed) Sunday’s, 10:45 AM in the Bread House: Feb. 12, 19 & 26 – Nancy Janisch. The series is entitled “Cross Talk – Why is Salvation Necessary and How Does it Work?” There will be handouts, a bibliography, some quotes from theologians, as well as Bible verses to look up and discuss. Please join us for some stimulating dialog and a great learning opportunity. Pub Theology. Our next meeting will be on Monday, February 6 from 6 – 8 PM at the Derby Station is Gaslight Village in East Grand Rapids, 2237 Wealthy St. Please note that this is a change from our normal day in that it is the first Monday of the month verses our normal second Tuesday. This is to avoid meeting on Valentine’s Day. All men are welcome to join us. Contact Al Rossi with questions.

Griffins Hockey, Saturday, Feb. 18. Sign up in the lobby for tickets at the discounted price of $17. You must sign up and pay in advance. Doors open at 6 PM, game starts at 7 PM. We’re planning an optional dinner before the game at a place to be announced soon. The next Women in the Vineyard will be Thursday, Feb. 23, 7 PM at Sandi Winston’s, 7383 Buccaneer, Grand Rapids. All women are invited to join us! Contact Jennifer Wolbers for more information. Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper—Tuesday, Feb. 28, 5:30—7:00 PM. Join us for FHPC’s annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake & Sausage Supper. We will borrow some traditions from Mardi Gras with music, decorations and lots of pancakes and sausage! We will have a gourmet pancake station as well! A free-will offering will be received. Save the Date! Sunday, March 19, 5:00 PM for the All Church Mystery Surprise Dinner! Includes a full, gourmet dinner catered by Professional Chef, Chris Hull. The cost is $10 per adult, $5.00 for children, 6 to 12, under 6 is free. Make your pre-paid reservations before or after the church service.

CALENDAR Wednesday, February 1

7:45 AM Men’s Breakfast / The Gathering Place 9:00 AM Preschool 6:30 PM Jubilation Bells / Sanctuary 7:15 PM Sanctuary Choir / Choir Room Thursday, February 2 9:00 AM Preschool 10:00 AM “Confronting the News…” / Bread House 6:15 PM worshipBand / Sanctuary 6:30 PM Boy Scout Troop 345 / Fellowship Hall Friday, February 3 9:00 AM Preschool Saturday, February 4 Sunday, February 5 – ACCESS 6 Food Collection 9:30 AM Celebration Worship Service / Sanctuary Pre-K – 6th grade dismissed to TRU Worship 10:30 AM Pancake Breakfast / Fellowship Hall 10:45 AM Confirmation Class / Core 6:30 PM Youth SuperBowl Party / Chesner’s Home Monday, February 6 9:00 AM Preschool 10:00 AM Program Staff Meeting / Lounge 12:00 AM All Staff Meeting / Lounge Tuesday, February 7 9:00 AM Preschool 5:00 PM Missions Committee / Lounge 5:30 PM New Elder Orientation / Oasis 6:30 PM Session / Lounge Wednesday, February 8 9:00 AM Preschool 6:30 PM Jubilation Bells / Sanctuary 7:30 PM Sanctuary Choir / Choir Room Thursday, February 9 9:00 AM Preschool 10:00 AM Pieceful Gathering Quilters / Fellowship Hall 10:30 AM “Confronting the News…” / Bread House 5:30 PM HR Meeting / Lounge 6:15 PM worshipBand Rehearsal / Sanctuary 6:30 PM Boy Scout Troop 345 / Fellowship Hall Friday, February 10 9:00 AM Preschool Saturday, February 11 Sunday, February 12 9:30 AM Celebration Worship Service / Sanctuary Communion served by intinction Pre-K – 6th grade dismissed to TRU Worship 10:45 AM UpNext (Education) / Lower Level 10:45 AM Confirmation Class / Core 4:00 PM Middle School Youth / Core 6:00 PM High School Youth / Core

Monday, February 13 9:00 AM Preschool 10:00 AM Staff Meeting / Lounge 12:00 PM Kids’ Food Basket /2055 Oak Industrial Pkwy 6:30 PM Congregational Life / Lounge 6:30 PM Boy Scout Committee / Room 26 Tuesday, February 14 9:00 AM Preschool Wednesday, February 15 7:45 AM Men’s Breakfast / The Gathering Place 9:00 AM Preschool 6:30 PM Jubilation Bells / Sanctuary 7:30 PM Sanctuary Choir / Choir Room Thursday, February 16 9:00 AM Preschool 10:30 AM “Confronting the News…” / Bread House 6:15 PM worshipBand Rehearsal / Sanctuary 6:30 PM Boy Scout Troop 345 / Fellowship Hall Friday, February 17 9:00 AM Preschool 6:00 PM Kids’ Night Out / Lower Level Saturday, February 18 6:00 PM Griffins Hockey / Van Andel Arena Sunday, February 19 9:30 AM Celebration Worship Service / Sanctuary Pre-K – 6th grade dismissed to TRU Worship 10:45 AM UpNext (Education) / Lower Level 10:45 AM Confirmation Class / Core 4:00 PM Middle School Youth / Core 6:00 PM High School Youth / Core Monday, February 20 “Give Kids the World” Mission Trip (through Friday) 9:00 AM Preschool 10:00 AM Program Staff Meeting / Lounge 7:00 PM Finance Committee / Lounge Tuesday, February 21 9:00 AM Preschool 6:00 PM Cub Scouts Banquet / Fellowship Hall 7:00 PM Board of Deacons / Lounge Wednesday, February 22 9:00 AM Preschool 6:30 PM Jubilation Bells / Sanctuary 7:30 PM Sanctuary Choir / Choir Room Thursday, February 23 9:00 AM Preschool 6:15 PM worshipBand Rehearsal / Sanctuary 6:30 PM Boy Scout Troop 345 / Fellowship Hall 7:00 PM Women in the Vineyard/ Sandi Winston’s

CALENDAR continued

Friday, February 24 9:00 AM Preschool Saturday, February 25 8:15 AM Mobile Food Truck / Cesar Chavez Elementary Sunday, February 26 9:30 AM Celebration Worship Service / Sanctuary Pre-K – 6th grade dismissed to TRU Worship 10:30 AM Congregational Meeting / Sanctuary 10:45 AM UpNext (Education) / Lower Level 10:45 AM Confirmation Class / Core 4:00 PM Middle School Youth / Core 6:00 PM High School Youth / Core Monday, February 27 9:00 AM Preschool 10:00 AM Program Staff Meeting Tuesday, February 28 9:00 AM Preschool 5:30 PM Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper / Lounge