Ø    This morning God’s faithfulness will be celebrated in the sacrament of infant baptism. Avery Lynn, daughter of Scott & Stacy Albers will be baptized. Welcome to family and friends!

Ø    Next Sunday morning we look forward to witnessing several of our youth publicly share their faith. The Lord’s Supper will also be celebrated.

Ø    Where did our young adults go? Facing the challenges of ministry for a new generation, pastors, elders and young adults are invited to an open evening of discussion about ministry for young adults in Classis Zeeland. This forum will be held here at Second CRC on Tues., Oct. 21, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. with pizza dinner included. RSVP to office@2ndcrc-allendale.org by noon on Monday, Oct. 20.

Ø    Just Between children need more adults (18 yrs. and older) and young people (10 – 18 yrs.) to share God, play and enjoy time with them during morning church services. The more folks who are able to help, the fewer times each will be needed.  PLEASE consider helping these young children learn more about God in a way that they learn best!  Materials are waiting for YOU.  Also a new director is needed to take over for Wendy Sweezer.  Contact Lorie DeYoung at 895-7649 or lady@altelco.net as soon as possible.  Thank you.

Ø    It is time for cookies again at GVSU. If you would be willing to bake some for the wonderful students after their church service on Oct. 26, please call Mary Espinoza at 895-5251. Thank you.

Ø    Help is needed for chair setup and take-down after Connections Night and for special events. If you are interested or would like more information, please talk to Dave Feenstra or Bill Stehouwer.

Ø    All items for the next issue of our newsletter will be due Oct. 26. Second Thoughts will be available on Nov. 9 and will include schedules etc. into January. Please submit information by placing a hard copy in the newsletter mailbox (bottom row, 2^nd from left) and if possible emailing it also to Gailepunt@aol.com.

Ø    Special Thanks: The council would like to thank John and Ali Knoppers for their years of service on the church Fellowship Committee. As they are retiring from this position, we are looking for one or more people who would be willing to take over. If you are interested or would like to know more, please speak to John and Ali or Dan Ondersma.

Ø    That chill in the air means it is time for the Halloween Open House and Pumpkin Walk. Preparations are under way and the only thing missing is your commitment. Please contact Adam Todd (895-6087), Rachael Veldman (895-1651), or sign up in the lobby to let us know you are ready to help make a special night for the children of Allendale and to share our church with the community. Look for the display in the lobby to find out what items need to be donated and for sign up sheets. Also check your mailbox for a sheet with important dates. Thanks.

Ø    Mark your calendars…it's BAG LADIES!!  We've started up again for the year and plan to have our first meeting on Oct. 28 from 7pm-??? in the triple room.  Bring your scrap booking, quilting, cross stitching, Christmas cards, coupons to sort, recipe book to type...ANYTHING that can be put in a bag!  Email Erin Ensing at erinensing@hotmail.com or call her at 895-6594 if you plan to attend...even if just for a little while.  Hope to see you there!!

Ø    Love INC’s food pantry is in URGENT NEED of supplies. Suggested donations are: boxed meals, boxes potatoes, flour, sugar, pancake mix & syrup, spaghetti sauce/noodles, soup, catsup/mustard, cooking oil, canned meals, snack food, crackers, laundry detergent, shampoo/conditioner, fabric softener/sheets, bar soap. Thank your for your support!

Treasurer’s Report – September 2008:

Prayer List

Church Prayer Line: 892-8700 CRC                     Prayer Line: 1-888-CRC-PRAY     

Ø    Missions and Missionaries: Zach & Sharon Segaar-King and family in Haiti (currently home on leave); Mississippi Christian Family Services in Rolling Fork, MS; Chaplain Larry Norman and Forgotten Man Ministries; Rob & Betty Wood in Quito, Ecuador

Ø    You are invited to an Open House celebration in honor of Albert Potgeter’s 80^th birthday. The event will be held today, Oct. 19, from 1-3 pm at 9273 Garfield in Coopersville. Cards may be mailed to Albert’s home address at 6988 Pingree, Allendale.

 Ø    Urgent request from CRWRC Disaster Response Services: Hurricane Ike has left 11,000+ homes in Texas, Louisiana, and Indiana damaged. Over 5000 homes in Iowa also had major flood damage in June. Countless volunteers are needed now and into the coming months to help with clean up and repair. Please prayerfully consider how you might help. For more information, contact Art Opperwall, Groups Manager, opperwaa@crcna.org, 800-848-5818 or 224-0843, or Torey Kittleson, Assistant, kittlest@crcna.org, 800-848-5818.

Ø    You are all invited to take part in the Allendale Community Christmas Musical.  Performances will be Sat., Dec. 6 (outdoors) and Sun., Dec. 7 at the Allendale High School Fine Arts Center, and will include refreshments and other opportunities to connect with the community. Choir rehearsals begin today, Oct. 19, here at Second CRC at 4 p.m. in the triple room. Come join in this musical presentation of the Good News of the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ.  Questions? Please call Jeff Bond at 895-4833. The Allendale Wesleyan Church is organizing this event.

Ø    Christmas is right around the corner so why not start your shopping now!  The students at Allendale Christian School are holding their “Holiday Wishes” fundraiser now through Nov. 3.  Items available include: holiday gift wrap, gifts, cookies, nuts, chocolate, etc.  Wreaths from KP Tree & Nursery can also be ordered. Please place all orders with an ACS student or contact Diana Overweg (895-6014) or Denise Gulker (892-4868).  If you are interested in placing a  wreath order, call Rachelle Brown (895-5030).  Pickup date: Dec. 2 at school.  Proceeds benefit technology at ACS.  Thanks for your continued support! 

Ø    Lamont Christian School will host a Chicken Dinner on Oct. 25 from 5 – 7 p.m. If you know you will be attending, please call the school at 677-1757 so they can get an idea how much chicken to cook. To-Go orders will also be available. 

Ø    The Christian Rest Home Women’s Service Board is hosting a concert featuring The Staffmen Quartet and The Voices of Victory Quartet today, Oct. 19, at 8 p.m. at Westend CRC. An offering will be received for ongoing needs at the facility.

Ø    On Oct. 23 at 6:30 p.m. the Bible League Contacts of the Zeeland Division will host a Fall Fellowship Supper at Rusk Chr. Ref. Church. A family style dinner for $10, with ham/chicken, green beans, coleslaw, baked potatoes, roll, dessert, and beverages will be served. Clair & Diana Van Zeelt of Holland will share their travels to Africa, music by Lee & Marcia Seinen and an offering will be received for the “Africa Project.” For reservations, call Dorlene Vander Ploeg at 895-4434 by Oct. 20.

Ø    Unity Christian will host an open forum on the Covenant Christian Education Plan (CCEP) on Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. and you are invited. Milton Kuyers and Mike DeVries have spent considerable time reviewing and updating the opportunities for the plan and they will be present. Please call Unity (669-1820) if you plan to come.

Ø    The Unity Chr. High School 2008-09 P.A.C.E. Campaign will begin Oct. 27 with a goal of $300,000. Your P.A.C.E. (Partners in Advancing Christian Education) pledges and gifts are crucial in providing tuition assistance and keeping tuition affordable.  As Michigan’s economy lags, more families have asked for tuition assistance. Your participation in P.A.C.E. helps assure that finances do not hinder the children from receiving Jesus’ blessing through a Christian education.  Please give this your prayerful consideration.

Ø    MOSES (Making OurSelves Equipped Servants) will hold its annual fundraiser auction on Oct. 24 at Grandville Christian Middle School. 5 p.m. - Silent Auction & Pig Roast; 7 p.m. - Live Auction. Contact Judy at 949-0344 or mosesjudy@gmail.com for details.

Ø    Teens, you are invited to join the MOSES Bible Study! It meets every Wed. at 7:30 p.m. at Faith Community CRC, 5250 Byron Center Ave. in Wyoming.  For more information, please call the MOSES office at 949-0344.

For Your Information:

Ø    Nursery for infants and toddlers is available during both services. Partway into each morning service young children are invited to “Just Between” (for 2 ½ - 3 year olds) in room 122 or “Children’s Worship” (for 3-5 year olds) which meets in rooms 127 & 129.   

Ø    Sermons: Outlines, if used, are available on the carts in the back of the auditorium. Bibles are there also. Previous week’s sermons can be obtained at the Information Desk in CD format or can be accessed at the church website: www.2ndcrc-allendale.org.   Click Here to go to the Sermon page.

Ø    For those with special needs: The entire facility is barrier free. Large print bulletins are available at the Information Desk. The auditorium is equipped with a hearing loop. If you have a hearing aid, please set it to “T” for better hearing during the service. The best reception is at the center of the auditorium.

Click here to email the church office a bulletin announcement.