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A Real Church of Real People Ottawa Reformed Church Welcome We believe that “church” is not a building. It is people in relationship with God because people matter. We seek to be a real church of real people living in a real world searching for real answers. Join us to discover more. December Preaching Schedule 12/1. AM - Dr Jim. PM - Pastor Mike 12/8. AM - Pastor Mike. PM - Children's Program 12/15. AM - Dr Jim. PM - Pastor Mike 12/22. AM - Dr Jim. PM - Lessons & Carols 5 PM Christmas Eve Service - Dr Jim & Pastor Mike 12/29. AM - Dr Jim. PM - Pastor Mike Morning Sermon Series: Christmas Past, Present and Future Evening Sermon Series: Philippians Student Registration Upcoming Events Calendar Sunday Worship Services: 9:30 AM & 5:00 PM Office hours: Monday-Thursday 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Sermons Location Our Ministries Young Children NURSERY CHILDREN & WORSHIP SUNDAY SCHOOL CREW (Wednesday) VBS Youth JR. HIGH YOUTH SR. HIGH YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL GEMS/CADETS ( Wed.) PRAISE TEAM BIBLES & BOWS KIDS' ARCHERY ORC PLAYERS ORC DANCE Young Adults YAP PRAISE TEAM ORC PLAYERS ORC DANCE Adults MEN'S RECHARGE PRAISE TEAM BIBLE STUDIES HOME BIBLE STUDIES LAMB LYNNELLE PIERCE SINGLE WOMEN'S More... HAND2HAND HEALTH MINISTRIES KIDS HOPE LIBRARY MEN'S BASKETBALL ORC OUTDOORS BIBLES & BOWS TOOL TIME MINISTRIES WIT & WISDOM WOW KNITTING Giving

Youth Jr. High Youth Sunday School is a place for middle school students to deepen their understanding of who God is, the Bible, and the church's beliefs. We meet in the Junior High Room in the GRACE Center (GC 104) from 11:00-11:45 AM. Junior High Youth Group is for students in 7th & 8th grade. Join us on Wednesday nights from 6:30-8:00 PM in the Youth Room of the church's lower level. We meet September 18, 2024 - March 26, 2025. Please see our church calendar for exact dates. Our time together consists of games, teaching, and small groups. We play a variety of games to build friendships. During our teaching time, we focus on the Great Commandment: How to love God, love others, and love ourselves. Small groups are when the night's teachings are discussed and applied to help students grow in relationships with other believers. Other opportunities include fun events, local service projects, and a winter retreat. Join us as we learn about God together! Friends are always welcome! Sr. High Youth Sunday School is a place for high school students to deepen their understanding of who God is, the Bible, and the church's beliefs. We meet in the Youth Room in the church's lower level from 11:00-11:45 AM. Senior High Youth Group is for students in 9th-12th grade. Join us on Sunday nights from 6:15-8:00 PM in the Youth Room in the church's lower level September 15, 2024 - March 30, 2025. Please see the calendar for exact dates. Our time together consists of games, teaching, and small groups. We play a variety of games to build friendships. During our teaching time, we focus on the Great Commandment: How to love God, love others, and love ourselves. Small groups are when the night's teachings are discussed and applied to help students grow in relationships with other believers. Other opportunities include fun events, local service projects, a winter retreat, and a summer mission trip. Join us as we learn about God together! Friends are always welcome! GEMS - Girls Everywhere Meeting the Savior Ottawa Reformed GEMS welcomes girls in 2nd-6th grades. We meet on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:00 PM in the GRACE Center from September 18, 2024 through March 26, 2025. Please see our church calendar for exact dates. Each week, we explore God's Word and learn through Bible lesson, singing, and prayer. We also enjoy time together earning badges and working on craft projects. Our 2024-25 theme is "Transformed: Changed by God’s Word From the Inside Out." Just as caterpillars do not become butterflies overnight, we cannot expect girls to instantly experience God’s total transformation, but we can trust that girls will be equipped to know, live, and walk in God’s capital “T” Truth as their hearts and minds are engaged with God and His life-changing Word.” Our 2024-25 Theme verse is Romans 12:2 "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will”. Our club verse is Micah 6:8b "And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Special activities include a fall pumpkin walk, the Pinewood Derby, and more! Cadets The Ottawa Reformed Cadets is for boys in 2nd-6th grades. Our Cadet ministry is led by a committed group of men who maintain a goal of leading boys to walk in the light of Jesus Christ. We meet on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:00 PM in the GRACE Center from September 18, 2024 thru March 26, 2025. Please see our church calendar for exact dates. Activities include a lesson from our Quest Bible Lesson and time used to earn badges, build crafts or explore God's creation. Special events include camping trips, Fall Fun Fest, Snow Derby, and the Pinewood Derby. The official sport of our Cadet group is Dodge Ball! Kids' Archery League meets in January and February, beginning Tuesday, January 7, 2025 in the GRACE Center gym from 6:30-7:30 PM. Bring your own compound or traditional bow, or use one of ours! Kids Archery League Bibles & Bows involves archery & Bible study! All adults and children 10 years old and older accompanied by an adult are welcome to come shoot. Following the “bows”, any or all persons that came to shoot are encouraged to join us in studying God’s Word. Join us for six weeks on Tuesday evenings in the GRACE Center gym. Bibles & Bows meet in February and March. This offering is supported by ORC Outdoors. For more information, email "orcoutdoors@gmail.com ". Bibles & Bows Praise Team Hallelujiah! Praise the Lord! Praise God in His Sanctuary! Are you someone who is sitting in your church seat, when all of a sudden, the Praise Team starts heading up the stairs and you're already excited and start to tap your feet a bit, or maybe it's your hands against your legs, starting to pound a beat, wondering what song will they lead off or what instruments will be used?? If that sounds like YOU... it's time to get our of your seat 'cuz we have a place for you and a team to join, praises to lift high and a JESUS to love by worshipping Him in spirit and song, giving Him all glory due Him!! This is not a team for professionals. As a matter of fact, it's a team for "all in" Jesus lovin' people who wanna use their gift of music to praise the One who gave their gift to them and to help prepare the hearts of people to receive the spoken word of God. We laugh alot, we help each other out, we gain new friendships, we encourage each other and we give of our BEST in our singing and playing to lift His name up! Any further questions about this ministry, please contact Kristin at kbredeweg@ottawareformed.org ORC Dance Dance class is on Monday evenings in February through April. Boys and girls, ages 5 and up, of all skill level are welcome to join. Class are from 6:30-7:30 PM and is located in the Grace Center Gym. This is a fun class that helps kids learn gymnastics skills, dance technique, social skills - all while worshiping Jesus Christ! ORC Players The Ottawa Reformed Church Players is a collection of youth and young adults that express their love for Christ through acting, dance and song. The group consists of up to 30 people between the ages of 5 through early 20's. The make-up is not only members and friends of ORC but, also represents kids from surrounding communities. The group puts on a number of different types of quality performances throughout the year. Shows range from full scale plays with singing and dancing at local theaters, to smaller performances during church worship services. ORC Players is open to any youth with or without experience. The group consists of a nice combination of experienced actors and actresses, and people with little to no experience. No auditions needed - just the desire to have fun & entertain!

How you can give and help our church and our community Giving page top In Person Attend one of our services on Sunday and you can have an opportunity to give when the offering plate is passed through your seating. You may place cash, checks, or giving envelopes in the offering plate. BY MAIL Mail your check to: Ottawa Reformed Church 11390 Stanton Street West Olive, MI 49460 Attn: Treasurer ONLINE We have partnered with Tithe.ly as a safe and easy method of online giving. You can give to Ottawa Reformed Church online through Credit, Debit and ACH bank transactions as well as choose the frequency of your giving. Whether you forgot your checkbook, you're sick, or you embrace the digital world, online giving is a great tool to give to ORC at any time. Go to Tithe.ly ways to give: In Person Attend one of our services on Sunday and you can have an opportunity to give when the offering plate is passed through your seating. You may place cash, checks, or giving envelopes in the offering plate. BY MAIL Mail your check to: Ottawa Reformed Church 11390 Stanton Street West Olive, MI 49460 Attn: Treasurer ONLINE We have partnered with Tithe.ly as a safe and easy method of online giving. You can give to Ottawa Reformed Church online through credit, debit and ACH bank transactions and choose the frequency of your giving. Online giving is a convenient way to give to ORC at any time. Or...take out a specified amount from your bank account based on an established schedule using an E-tithing Authorization Form thru ACH bank transactions. Go to Tithe.ly QR CODE Scan this QR code to make a pledge to the Building Project. A donation match has been offered for the remaining pledges needed to begin the project. Every dollar pledged will be doubled! Ways to Give more ways to get involved kids hope Kids Hope USA is a one-on-one mentoring opportunity where mentors spend one hour a week with their student who is considered an 'at-risk' elementary school child. We follow the "One Child, One Hour, One Church, One School at a time" of Kids Hope USA. Ottawa is partnered with Roosevelt Elementary School in the Zeeland community. More about Kids Hope at ORC. Hand2hand Hand2Hand Ministries is a resource for children at Roosevelt School facing hunger over the weekend. Healthy food is provided for these children so they have a greater opportunity to succeed academically, emotionally, and physically. More about Hand2Hand at ORC . More Ways to Get Involved community and Global GATEWAY mission Ottawa Reformed Church works with the Gateway Mission, along with other area churches, to help meet the needs of our community, individuals and families. There are various ways to receive assistance or get involved and volunteer through Biblically based programs and services. Opportunities through the Holland Rescue Mission include: Emergency Shelter Assistant, Facilities Assistant, Mentoring, Thrift Store Assistant, Kitchen Assistant, Barber/Beautician, and more. Love inc Ottawa Reformed Church works with Love INC , along with other area churches, to help meet the needs of our community, individuals and families. There are various ways to receive assistance or get involved and volunteer. Opportunities through Love INC. include: prayer, Life Skill Program, bike repair, food pantry, furniture, work search, New to You store, transportation, medical equipment, car repair, new closet, Christmas assistance, Love N Stitches, ESL and SKILL (Showing Kindness in Labors of Love) small home repair projects. Our local Love INC GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT Missions - The people of Ottawa are committed to serving with their skills to meet needs both locally and around the globe. Supported Missionaries & Missions - Larry Barber (Church of Grace) Austin & Tate Bonnema , (Overland Missions) Campus Ministries (Grand Valley State Univ. ) CranHill Ranch Mission India Multiplication Network Ministries Daniel (GlobalGrace Fellowship ) Right to Life of Holland Brian & Sheryl Roby (Mission to the World ) Jacob Tornga (Int'l Assoc. for Refugees ) Chad & Dara Vanden Bosh - Mozambique ( Audio Scripture Ministries ) Western Theological Seminary Words of Hope, Grand Rapids, MI Barbara Yandell (Horizons International ) Community & Global

Adults LAMB (L earning A bout M y B ible ) LAMB Bible Study is a group for women of all ages. They are currently studying "OLD TESTAMENT CHARACTERS" Bible Study guide. LAMB Bible Study meets in the GRACE Center Room 105 on Tuesday mornings from 9:30-10:30 AM. Seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. Micah 6:8 Lynelle Pierce Bible Study A Bible study on the book of Genesis, led by Lynnelle Pierce, takes place on Monday evenings beginning at 6:30 PM in the sanctuary. Our Fall 2024 study will begin in September 2024. Please view our website calendar for the most current information. Also visit Lynnelle's website for resources and more information. Men's Recharge Men of all ages are welcome to join as we engage in Bible discussion, enjoy a light breakfast, share fellowship, and spend time in prayer. We meet in the Meeting Grounds Room on the church's main level on Tuesday mornings at 5:30 AM. This Bible study is led by various men. Praise Team Praise Team generally meets on Wednesday evenings to practice for Sunday morning service. This is not a team for professionals. In fact, it's a team for "all in" Jesus lovin' people who wanna use their gift of music to praise the One who gave His gift to us and help prepare the hearts of people to receive the spoken word of God. Age is just a number ... so if you love Jesus, you're the perfect age for this team! Contact Kristin to join! kbredeweg@ottawareformed.org The Single Women's Bible Study The Single Women’s Bible Study is open to all single women. It is Bible study, lunch, and much more. Together we share our joys and concerns as single women, uplifting each other in fellowship and prayer. This study meets on the third Sunday of each month at the home of Beverly Jaarsma following the morning service. Home Bible Studies Adult Bible Study groups meet on a monthly basis in the homes of Ottawa families to study God's Word together, ask questions, and grow in relationship with one another.

More... Hand2Hand Hand2Hand Ministries is a resource for children at Roosevelt School facing hunger over the weekend. Healthy food is provided for these children so they have a greater opportunity to succeed academically, emotionally, and physically. See this list of needed items. Any and all donations are greatly appreciated. "I want to thank everyone who has been giving all along. Without you, this program would not work!! Thank you - Kim D". Health Team Ministries The Health Team Ministry at Ottawa Reformed Church is an avenue to address spiritual, emotional, and physical health issues. This Ministry is supported by Spectrum Health Zeeland Community Hospital and relies on volunteer support from members. Some of the things that the Health Team Ministry does: Provides general health-related information for the congregation and surrounding community. Supports our "Medical Assistance Team" while enhancing their services to ORC. The Medical Assistance Team provides medical assistance during church functions and services. Brings various health information and displays to events held at Ottawa. Conducts blood pressure screenings at various ministry events. We are always looking for people interested in coordinating health programs to serve on our team committee. Our Health Team & Medical Assistance Team is led by Elisabeth Vander Zwaag. Kids Hope Kids Hope USA is a partnership that builds bridges between churches and their local elementary schools. At Ottawa Reformed, we partner with children, parents, and teachers from Roosevelt Elementary School in Zeeland. Our goal is to help children at the time in their lives when values are formed, self-esteem is developed, and basic academic skills are acquired. These are very critical years, and we want to help by pairing up children with a positive adult mentor from Ottawa Reformed Church. Learn more about becoming a mentor or prayer partner for Ottawa’s KHUSA ministry or contact Lori Geerts. Library "Check out" our collection of fiction, non-fiction, teen, t'ween and children's books. Our non-fiction section is filled with devotionals, spiritual & family books. We've recently expanded our teen & t'ween fiction sections with many new exciting series. We are constantly adding to our existing series and adding new authors. We have over 100 family friendly DVD's & VHS tapes and over 150 children's DVD's & VHS tapes. Check out our PUZZLE LIBRARY also! Men's Basketball Men's Basketball meets in the winter months and begins on December 5, 2024. Join us Thursday nights at 6:30 PM in the GRACE Center gym. Contact Kevin Bekius with any questions. ORC Outdoors The ORC Outdoors group is an outreach to bring men, women and children who enjoy being out in God's creation together for various events. Whether it's hunting, fishing, or just taking a hike in the woods, we love to participate in activities that allow us to enjoy God's great creation! Some events hosted by ORC Outdoors include: archery league, wild game dinners, auctions, Bibles & bows, clay pigeon shoots, fishing tournaments, and sledding at Pigeon Creek Park. For more information email "orcoutdoors@gmail.com" . Tool Time Ministries What is Tool Time Ministry? The Bible makes it clear that there are a wide variety of “gifts” given to believers by the Holy Spirit, I Corinthians 12 and Romans 12. One of these gifts is the gift of “service” Romans 12:7. “Service” has a wide meaning, but it means “doing for others what they cannot do for themselves.” There will always be people who need help because their physical and/or financial circumstances do not allow them to do the tasks for themselves. Our members and neighbors look to the church for our help. That's where Tool Time Ministries comes in. Wit & Wisdom The Wit & Wisdom group is open to anyone who is "retired" (62 or over) and would like a place to plug in and get to know some of the other Seniors at Ottawa. We have a diverse group of people attending our events; couples, singles, widowed, or some have a spouse that doesn't care to attend. We're sure you'll feel comfortable no matter what situation you're in. We offer an assortment of events that we enjoy. Some are outings and some are held right at Ottawa Reformed Church. If you can only come to a specific event or two, or all of them, we'd love to get to know you better as we enjoy fun and fellowship together. Watch our church bulletin, calendar, and/or the west bulletin board in the church's lobby for details on upcoming events! WOW Knitting (Winning Ottawa Women) This knitting group simply meets to knit "together" both their knitting projects and their relationships. They often make prayer shawls, or other items for those in need. WOW Knitting offers knitting and crocheting and generally meets the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month in the church library at 7:00 PM. Please watch the calendar for specific dates. Women of any age and experience level are welcome! Contact Sandy DeGlopper for more information. Kids Hope Hand2Hand

SCHEDULES & Special communications Nursery Schedule: Nov & Dec Nursery Schedule: Jan & Feb Valet Parking Schedule: Oct-Jan Greeter Schedule: Oct - Dec Greeter Schedule: Jan - Mar Coffee & Juice Schedule: July-Dec Coffee & Juice Schedule: Jan-June Hospitality Center July-June Medical Assistance Team: Sep - Dec Children's Message Schedule: Dec-Feb

Harvest Network Gathering Recordings: For those who could not make it to our first annual Harvest Network Gathering, or for those who want to review what happened, we were able to record most of the sessions. You can check them out here. Harvest Gathering 2024 - YouTube FoundryGR: One Free Class Session Opportunity: You’re invited to join The FoundryGR at No Cost to you for one class session in the Distinctives of Reformed Theology course from 12pm-3pm on Tuesday September 17 at Community Reformed Church in Zeeland. During that time together, we will be focusing on Ecclesiology, the study of the Church. We’ll interact with each other about how we even use that term, “church,” in so many different ways. We’ll be discussing the attributes of the church as One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic, how those relate to what the Reformed tradition refers to as the “marks” of the church: preaching, discipline, and the sacraments. And in this course, we will take a deeper look at the sacraments, especially the Reformed view on baptism and the Lord’s Supper or Communion. Along the way with all these, we will be engaging what the Belgic Confession and Heidelberg Catechism have to say on each of these and looking more closely at numerous scripture passages that teach these views. See this short video from Dr. Jeff Fisher. Spiritually Healthy Leaders (Make Note that the Foundry is Inviting all Current Church Leaders to Participate in this Class) October 15, October 29, November 12, November 26 Blessing of the Outdoorsmen Hopkins Community Church is hosting the Blessing of the Outdoorsmen on September 28, 2024, from 4:30 to 7:30 pm. This event, like the Blessing of the Bikes, is intended to be a time of fellowship and fun, along with Evangelism and prayer for those who have been and will be engaged in hunting and fishing this year. There will be food and games, prizes, and raffles. We also feature speaker Matt Frank, a great Christian and outdoor enthusiast. He will share His testimony, and we will have a time of prayer and blessing for all outdoorsmen and women. This event is open to all. We would like to invite you and the whole Harvest Network of churches to join us for it! See the flyer below for more information Harvest Festival You are invited to join Dunningville Reformed Church for their Annual Harvest Festival. There will be a meal, followed by an auction of handmade crafts and household items, which will benefit local charities. Here are the Dates and Times: October 17 Dinner - 5:00pm- 6:15pm, Auction begining at 6:30pm. We are on Facebook and YouTube (1) Harvest Network | Facebook Harvest Network - YouTube Blessings, Gary Jarvis Harvest Network Staff

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Young Children We offer a nursery for both of our Sunday services staffed by two adults and one youth age ten or older. The nursery is located in room 6 in the lower level of the church (All volunteers have passed a background check). Nursery Children & Worship Children & Worship is an exciting way that young children, ages 3 years through Kindergarten , experience God while learning about God. We worship in a special place apart from the congregation so that the children learn a joyful way to worship God. The children are dismissed to "Children and Worship" following the Children's message. We use a sensorimotor style of storytelling where God is experienced. The children respond to the stories of God through working with the story figures and art materials. The intent of worship is to experience and praise God. We learn that God is one of mystery, awe and wonder. We worship God using a greeting, praise song, Biblical stories and parables, prayer and blessing. This remarkably provides a way for young children to tell stories about God to others! Sunday School Sunday School classes are offered for all ages following the morning service from 11:00 -11:45 AM. Regular classes begin September 15, 2024, and will conclude on May 18, 2025. CREW - Children Really Exploring the Word CREW is for children ages 3 years through 1st grade . Children have the opportunity to participate with their peers while learning Biblical truths in story and song. The goal of this ministry is to enjoy God together as we learn and grow in Him. We meet in classrooms in the lower level of the church building from 6:30-8:00 PM on Wednesday nights from September 18, 2024 through March 26, 2025.

Jim grew up in Lapeer, Michigan and his wife, Linda, grew up in Beaverdam. They met at SpringHill Camps in Evart while Jim was at Hope College and Linda was at Calvin College. Jim and Linda married in 1987 and immediately moved to New Jersey to pursue master’s degrees; Jim at Princeton Theological Seminary and Linda at Rutgers University. In 1990, they moved to Scotland so that Jim could complete his PhD in Theology at the University of St. Andrews. Jim has served as the lead pastor of First Reformed Church of Rocky Hill in New Jersey, Lakeland Reformed Church in Vicksburg, Michigan, and New Hope Community Church in Gilbert, Arizona. He has served as an executive pastor for Centerpoint Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan and for the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California. He was installed at Ottawa Reformed Church on July 28, 2019. He also currently serves as the chairman of the board of trustees for Western Theological Seminary, and he is an adjunct professor for Fuller Theological Seminary. Jim and Linda have four children, Adam, who is married to Julia; Elisabeth, who is married to Ian; Zachary; and Joshua. Jim loves running, biking, hiking, and kayaking. He is excited to be at Ottawa Reformed to share the good news of the Gospel through preaching and teaching and to equip the church for the work of ministry.

At the last Consistory meeting, four young women confessed Christ as their Savior! Praise God!