Sunday, May 3, 2026, 9:30 am Pastor Jeff Vanderhooft will be leading our worship service this morning. We are continuing our series focusing on the Psalms. This week’s Scripture passage is Psalm 91 and the sermon title is “Refuge in God”
This education and worship year, as a congregation we will immerse ourselves in the voice and language of the Psalms. We will learn the languages of lament, wisdom, royal, thanksgiving, hymn, trust and praise which will lead us into a deeper and fuller relationship with Christ.
Please join us for a town hall meeting following the morning worship service today. The budget and the list of council nominees will be presented. Affirmation forms for council nominees, 2026/2027 budget, and the building for community funds transfer will be available immediately following the meeting and will be due back next Sunday, May 10.
Communion We will be celebrating Communion together next Sunday, May 10. Take time this week to prepare your heart and mind for our celebration.
Sunday Morning April 19 Volunteers
Nursery – Jamie Ballast Sign up HERE to help
Little Lambs – Taylor Rottman, Clara Wojczynski
Coffee – Mary Leep, Ada Van Der Weide, Elaine VanEssen
Congregational Life
Office Hours Office hours are typically Tuesday - Thursday, 9am – 2pm.
Things Coming Up
May 3 – Worship Service, 9:30am
Town Hall Meeting, 10:45am
May 7 - National Day of Prayer at Community CRC, 12pm
Shofar Brass, 7:15pm
May 10 - Worship Service, 9:30am
Birthday Blessings – May! Let’s celebrate with our Covenant friends as they celebrate another year of God’s faithfulness and love!
Faith Bosserman - May 1
Elaine Van Essen - May 8
Phil Berger - May 14
Marcia Theule - May 22
Council Update Council has proposed a budget for the next fiscal year, along with a list of names of new council members. Copies of the budget summary for the next fiscal year were in your mailbox. Copies of the full budget are available by request from the office. Council nominations have been discussed and discerned by the nominations team based on recommendations from the congregation, and those individuals have discerned as well. Council is recommending approval of the full slate of names. Those nominated for Pastoral Elder are Steve Hirdes and Cheryl Kruithof; Administrative Elder is Peter DeKievit; and Deacon are Ken Cope and Jon Kwekel. Council is also proposing the transfer of the Building for Community Funds into the Covenant CRC Building Fund. Please spend some time in prayer and discernment for council nominations, the budget, and the Building for Community funds transfer. There will be a congregational meeting TODAY after the service for discussion of these items. Affirmation forms will be available immediately following the congregational meeting and are due back next Sunday, May 10.
National Day of Prayer Thursday, May 7, 2026, is the National Day of Prayer. You are invited to attend the Classis-wide prayer service on that day from 12:00-12:45pm at Community CRC (150 Burt St SE, Wyoming, MI 49548). Join us for a time of Scripture reflection, singing, and prayer for unity, repentance, and the spreading of God’s glory.
Thank You As the choir season has ended, the congregation extends a thank you to the choir members for sharing your time and talent in leading us in worship. Thank you for using your gifts to minister to us in our worship and to praise God! We look forward to hearing you again next season.
Southwood Blessing Box This May, we are going to bless and encourage the Southwood teachers and staff with a “Blessing Box” for all they do each day to teach and support the students in our community. Instead of providing individual blessing bags, this year we are going to gather snacks, candy, and drinks for a large “Blessing Box” for the entire staff at Southwood School to enjoy. If you would like to donate one or more items for this “Blessing Box”, please check the board in the narthex. The board is filled with different item tickets for the “Blessing Box.” Take one or more tickets, purchase the item(s) on the ticket, and return the item(s) to the bin by Sunday, May 10.
FINANCIAL
This week’s offering is for: Ministry Fund
Total Offering Received: $28,964
Impact Burundi: $12,626
May Offering Schedule
May 3 - Ministry Fund
May 10 - World Renew
May 17 - Streams
May 24 - Mission Fund
May 31 - Benevolent Fund
Adult Discipleship
Higher Ground – Men’s Bible Study – We have wrapped up our meetings for this season, but we will plan to meet a handful of times over the spring and summer for coffee, pie, or ice cream. Keep an eye out for meetup details in future News & Notes.
The Well – Tuesday Morning Women’s Bible Study – We have wrapped up our meetings for the season.
Women in the Word – Thursday evening Women’s Bible Study – We hope you will consider joining us in the fall!
Youth Discipleship
Graduation Sunday – Photos Needed On Sunday, May 17, during the worship gathering we will be recognizing and celebrating our 8th grade, 12th grade, and college/university/graduate school students who are graduating at the end of this school year. If you or your child is one of these graduates, please email a photo and graduation info to Pastor Henry or the church office so that we can include it in the graduate slide show.
BIKE TRIP 2026 – Students, Bike Trip 2026 is coming up on June 7-10. Details are coming to your mailbox soon!
Furniture Ministry
Please pray for the Furniture Ministry:
Pray that the Bibles and devotionals we give out will be read and that the Word of the Lord is effective
Pray for the safety of our volunteers and clients
Pray for the families in need. Pray they feel seen and loved by our ministry
Pray for Kari as she reaches out to churches and businesses in our area to help fill volunteer needs and mattress needs
Items needed this week:
Baking Pans (9×13, 9×9)
Silverware
Glasses
Cooking Utensils
Toasters
Cutting Boards
Shower Curtains
Bath Rugs
Bath Towel Sets (body, hand, face)
As the school year is winding down, here is a list of the last food donations we are looking for:
Mixed Fruit Cups - need 110
Microwave Popcorn - need 103
Tropical Fruit Cups - need 111
Pop-tarts - need 106
Belvita Bars - need 107
Goldfish Crackers - need 111
Ritz Fresh Stack Crackers - need 85
Please place any donations on the black cart in the church narthex by Sunday, May 10, 2026
Any Questions? Ask Heidi.
Pray for the Kids Hope students and mentors will be filled with JOY.
“May my children be filled with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 1:6
This week, lift up our neighbors who continue to come to the Streams Food Center seeking both provision and stability. Current needs at the Food Center include cereal and larger-sized diapers, simple but essential items that make a meaningful difference in the day-to-day lives of the families we serve. You may bring your donations to the bins at church or directly to Streams. Thank you for continuing to pray for and give to our neighbors.
Prayer Requests
Do you have a prayer request or a praise / thank you? Call your Pastoral Elder or Pastoral Care Assistant, leave a message on the church office phone at (616) 455-5120, or send an email to prayer@covenant-crc.org.
Prayer Requests
Madelon Gelder fell and broke her hip. She had surgery on Thursday. Please pray that the surgery was successful and for complete healing. (Elder: Patterson)
Please Continue to Pray for
We give thanks to God that Ethan Schaiberger has returned home safely after his honorable discharge from the Army. (Elder: DeVries)
Please pray for American civilians and military members who are in the Middle East and who may be in harm’s way. Please pray for their safety. Pray specifically for TJ Brigham (US Navy stationed out of Bahrain) and Katie Westra Kamdem and her boys (live in UAE).
Click HERE for the May Prayer Newsletter
Please Pray for Our Missionaries
We support several missionaries and mission groups who serve in the United States and in other countries. Through our prayers and gifts we helpthem bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to people throughout the world.
Click here to see information from our missionaries on the website.
Requested Announcements
South Christian High School Tuition Assistance Benefit Flower Sale, April 13 – May 22 Speyer’s Farm Market is getting ready for spring in the greenhouse and is once again generously offering a Spring Benefit Sale for the South Christian High School Tuition Assistance Fund. Purchase a $25 Speyer’s Farm Market gift card, and $5 will be donated to the Tuition Assistance Fund. Gift cards can be purchased at the SCHS office and redeemed at Speyer’s located at 6484 Eastern Avenue SE. Gift cards can be used all season.
SPRING WORK WEEK at SON-Life Camp & Retreat Center – May 11-15, 2026 Come out and help us get ready for another amazing summer of ministry! We’re looking for anyone willing to serve for a few hours or for the week! Fellowship with others, do some projects and camp for free! Be sure to contact us to let us know you will be joining us. Call the office at 269-792-2081 or email us at office@son-lifecamp.org.
Summerfest SON-Life Camp & Retreat Center (189-126th Ave; Wayland) will be holding their annual Summerfest Family Fun Day & Auction on Saturday, June 6, 2026. We are currently looking for donations for the fundraising auction. We would love to include your baked goods, homemade items, business items or services. Non-perishable items may be dropped off at the SON-Life Camp office. Baked goods should be brought on the day of the event. Please contact the camp office at 269-792-2081 or email: office@son-lifecamp.org with questions and let us know if you can help!
Covenant Council Corner
Council Members
Chair of Council: Dave Ballast
Vice-chair of Council: Jaci Lubbers
Clerk of Council: Dave Geldersma
Chair of Pastoral Elders: Matt Brinks
Chair of Deacons: Tom Wolffis
Council
Council Minutes, November 2025
Council Minutes, December 2025
Council Minutes, January 2026
Council Minutes, February 2026
Council Minutes, March 2026
Administrative Elders
Administrative Elder Minutes, October 2025
Administrative Elder Minutes, November 2025
Administrative Elder Minutes, December 2025
Administrative Elder Minutes, January 2026
Administrative Elder Minutes, February 2026
Pastoral Elders
Pastoral Elder Minutes, August 2025
Pastoral Elder Minutes, October 2025
Deacons
Deacon Minutes, July 2025
Deacon Minutes, August 2025
Deacon Minutes, September 2025
Deacon Minutes, October 2025
Deacon Minutes, November 2025
Deacon Minutes, December 2025
Deacon Minutes, January 2026
Deacon Minutes, February 2026
Deacon Minutes, March 2026
Mission Team
Mission Team Minutes, July 2025
Mission Team Minutes, September 2025
Mission Team Minutes, February 2026