HIGHLIGHTS CARMEL REFORMED CHURCH - "Can't Wait For Sunday"
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HIGHLIGHTS CARMEL REFORMED CHURCH
“Can’t Wait For Sunday”
APRIL, 2021
Greetings Carmel Church Family,
Every Easter, we focus in on the empty grave of our risen Savior, and rightly so. But we often
gloss over the most relatable part of the resurrection story; the darkness, fear, doubt and despair the dis-
ciples of Jesus experienced before the resurrection. While we know the end of the story, we often find
ourselves in the same place as these disciples on that dark Sabbath day.
Have you ever sat in that doctor’s office and wept because your unborn child has no heartbeat?
Have you ever prayed for a loved one with the faith to move mountains, but the LORD seems far from
you? Have you ever been stuck in depression, in a struggle with mental illness or addiction and God
seems unable or unwilling to take it from you? Have you ever questioned all that you once believed
about God? Is he really in control, does he love me, why is this happening? You are not alone.
Go with me behind that closed door where the Disciples were hiding, a day after Jesus had been
crucified. It was the Sabbath day. A day set aside to worship and to rest with God, but none of that
was happening this particular Sabbath. The disciples were lost and confused. They had seen Jesus per-
form countless signs and wonders, but now he was dead. The same Jesus, who taught with authority
and claimed to be God, lay lifeless in the sealed tomb. They could not see him nor go to the tomb for it
was the Sabbath, the darkest Sabbath in history. They could not bring themselves to hope. Imagine the
despair and disbelief. They not only were grieving over their beloved friend and teacher, but now eve-
rything they once believed to be true, they doubted. Was Jesus truly the Son of God? Was Jesus just a
man, was he not the Messiah? How could it end this way? How can he really be dead? Father, why
did this happen? Why is this happening? We will all have times when it seems so dark that we can’t
see our hands in front of our face. When the walls are closing in and God seems too busy to hear our
cries.
What do we do in those times of hopelessness? How do we not lose faith? Where does our hope
come from? We take our next step forward because we know the end of the story. We know because
of the Scriptures that no matter what happens, God really is in control. Not that God is the author of the
evil or pain we experience, but he certainly allows us to experience pain, doubt and heartache that are
the direct result of sin. We know in the pit of our soul that Jesus is who he said he is, even though we
can’t always see it. Jesus allowed his disciples to sit in darkness on that Sabbath day with little to no
hope.
But he did not stay in that tomb and the darkness in our lives does not have the final say. We
may walk through the darkest of valleys for days, months or even years, but we know the end of the
story. We know that death could not hold Jesus in that grave. We know that darkness will not remain.
Our hope is in the risen Savior and Lord; the one who has the final say over hurt, pain, disease, loneli-
ness, depression, addiction, sin, and even death. While we might never get the answers to the why; we
(continued on next page)(continued from previous page) Call the church office by
noon on Monday, to let us know
know the final outcome. We know the end of
who your special music will be.
the story.
If you are unable to have special
Death did not have the final say over Jesus, music the scheduled time, please
yet his disciples had to live through the darkest try to exchange with someone.
Sabbath in history. While God was still in
control, all seemed lost. Knowing the whole Top name is AM; bottom is PM:
Easter story, we can see that in God’s perfect
timing he will restore all that is broken, redeem Apr. 4 - Music Committee
all that is lost, and give light to all that is dark. Warren Vonk
Do not lose hope and do not fear tomorrow. Apr. 11 - Randy Vander Weide
God holds all things in his hands, and most Ken Verburg
importantly he holds you. Apr. 18 - Bob Ver Mulm
Henry A. Wolfswinkel
John 10:28 “I give them eternal life, and they Apr. 25 - Henry J. Wolfswinkel
shall never perish; no one will snatch them out Jerry Wolfswinkel
of my hand.” May 2 - Larry Wolfswinkel
Because Jesus lives, we have hope in his Dale Woudstra
promise to never leave us nor forsake us. There May 9 - Cherub Choir
is nothing that can separate you from his love. Chad Wynia
Even when you are in too much pain to pray, May 16 - Kelly Zinnel
Jesus prays to the Father on your behalf. You Blake Zomer
are never alone, you are loved, and you are May 23 - Tom Zwart
His! That is the true Easter Story. Paul Albert
May 30 - Jake Anderson
Pastor Steve Mitchell Banks
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
NEW ARRIVALS
REFRESHMENT SCHEDULE
Congratulations to Nate and Lexy
R - serve on Sunday morning; C - each bring 5 doz-
en cookies.
Van Ginkel on the birth of a son,
April 4 - R-Ryan Oostra, Dale Woudstra; C- Lawson Jase, on February 28. He
Misty Zwart, Lavonne Riphagen, Gabi Lueva- weighed 8 lbs. 5 oz. and was 21 inches long.
no, Tonia Woudstra, Sarah Nibbelink. Lawson has a big brother Waylon, who is 16
April 11 - R-Marlin Van Voorst, Glenn Van- months old.
der Lugt; C-Shelly Sandbulte, Rachel Terpstra, Congratulations to Austin and
Clarice Van Maanen, Donna Renes, Sue Note- Shalee Hofman on the birth of a son,
boom. Kezden Jon Laroy, on March 20. He
April 18 - R-John Leusink, Verlyn Van Re- weighed 6 lbs. 4 oz. and was 17.5 inches long.
genmorter; C-Sherri Wolfswinkel, Glenda Van Carmel Church grandparents are Tim and Kristi
Meeteren, Cheryl Lange, Rachel Van Roekel, Gesink.
Sandi Vonk. Congratulations to Chris and
April 25 - R-Harold Vander Vliet, Denny De Whitney Van Essen on the birth of a
Jong; C-Nora Bohl, Hannah Smolders, Lin De son, Tate Allen, on March 23. Tate
Jong, Rhonda Sandbulte, Fonda Post. weighed 6 lbs. 9 oz. He has a big brother, Kos-
May 2 - R-Mike Haverhals, Tom Zwart; C- ton, who is almost 2. Carmel Church grandpar-
Ronda Leusink, Colleen Bomgaars, Frieda ents are Harold & LaVonne Van Essen. CC
Bartels, Lorna Vander Vliet, Mimi Sandbulte. great-grandparents are Herb & Alice Remmer-
de.Our annual Prayer Day CARMEL VBS
for Crops and Industry ser-
vice will be held Wednes- Our theme for this
day, April 7, at 7:00 p.m. year is Mystery Island. At
Join us for this special ser- Mystery Island we’ll un-
vice as we gather to ask God’s blessing on our cover the truth about our
crops and industry for the coming year. Pastor Creator God! Each day, the kids will learn
Steve will share some thoughts at this service more about one of God’s amazing attributes
of worship and prayer. Carmel members will (great, almighty, ruler, Emmanuel, trustwor-
participate in a season of prayer. An offering thy) and how that applies to their lives.
will be received for the Christian Care Fund. Registration for Carmel families and regu-
Mark your calendar now and plan to attend this lar attenders (along with grandchildren) is
special service. March 28 - April 4. K - 8th grade (present
grade) can register online at:
* * * * * * * * * * * *
https://vbspro.events/p/events/244d02
Carmel Women’s Preschool registration for those who will be
Ministry will be hosting a 5 years old, on or before August 1, 2021 and
Mother-Daughter Banquet going to kindergarten, can register at the
on Wednesday, May 5, in church office. The VBS directors will have a
the Fellowship Hall. The table in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday, March
Theme will be “Living 28 and April 4. You can also register your pre-
Life with Zest.” The schooler at that time.
speaker will be Angela Perigo, Pastoral Care Volunteers are encouraged to sign up
Assistant at Dordt University. online as well. We can’t have a successful
The evening will begin with punch at 6:00 VBS without YOU! You can sign up by also
p.m. and the meal will be served at 6:30 p.m. using the link above.
They will also have a photo booth from 5:30 - Registration for the community will open
6:30 p.m. and again after the speaker. Photos on April 12, at 7:00 a.m. If we are at our ca-
will be taken by Brynn Van Voorst. pacity they will need to call the church office
The Triple Box will cater a delicious meal. to be put on a waiting list.
They will begin selling tickets for the Banquet Please note that masks will not be required,
on April 4. Deadline to get tickets is April 25. and with the large number of children, social
Tickets are: distancing will not always be possible. How-
$15 for 10 yrs. - Adult ever, we will make every effort to ensure extra
$12 for 5 - 9 years measures of cleanliness of our facility. If you
$7 for 2 - 4 years are not comfortable with the situation, please
1 year & under are free use your own discretion when registering.
Tickets may be purchased from the follow- We ask for your prayers for all those in-
ing people: Taylor Wolfswinkel 712-441- volved in this ministry. Pray that God will be
3392; Cheryl Sandbulte 712-395-0027; Sherri glorified and many lives will be blessed.
Wolfswinkel 712-441-1018 or at the church
office. * * * * * * * * * * * *
VBS needs donations of any of
* * * * * * * * * * * * these containers: large and small
pringles cans, 16 oz. plastic contain-
What should you do after eating ers such as peanut jars, and 12 oz.
so many Easter treats? frozen concentrate containers. Do-
nations can be left in the container by the mail-
Eggs-ercise!!
boxes. For questions, you can contact Fonda
Post or Anita Van Ravenhorst.The Middle School Re- SR. RCYF TACO SUPPER
treat is a fun weekend for Jr.
High students and their adult AND AUCTION FUNDRAISER
leaders. It will be held at
The Sr. RCYF will have a Taco Supper
Hidden Acres Christian Cen-
and Auction Fundraiser on Wednesday, March
ter in Dayton, IA. The synod partners with
31. They will be serving tacos with all the
Northwestern College students to plan an awe-
fixings and ice cream for dessert for a freewill
some weekend of worship, large group ses-
donation. They will also have a silent auction
sions, small groups, youth group time and of
of items donated by Sr. RCYF members. You
course recreation and games!
can bid on the items until 6:45 p.m. when the
The theme this year is “Magnify”. We have
bidding will close. The highest bidders will
ideas of ourselves that are too simplified, too
be announced at 7:00 p.m.
broad, and or influenced by people and culture,
So come on out and enjoy some tacos and
and we need to take a closer look. Sometimes
bid on the auction items. The Sr. RCYF
we have the same issue with our idea of God,
would appreciate your support.
and we need to take a closer look. The Bible
tells us about times when Jesus gave humanity
* * * * * * * * * * * *
an up-close, magnified, encounter with God
and showed God’s character to be different
than what we expected VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The MSR begins the evening of Friday, To Serve at the Banquet
April 9. The retreat runs through Sunday
morning, April 11.
Those attending the retreat are: Josie Bom-
gaars, Rylee Bomgaars, Ben Haverhals, Averi
Huizenga, Izabella Klein, Lane Maassen, Dela-
nie Roland, Tielyr Rozeboom, Eli Segar, Addi- Carmel will be serving at The Banquet
son, Terpstra, Lane Van Kekerix, Kavri Van in Sioux Falls,
Kekerix, Breckyn Van Vugt, Covey Wynia and on Thursday, April 1.
Elyse Zwart Going along as adult leaders are:
Jared and Rachel Terpstra, Ross and Nikki Hul-
stein, Shawn and Jami Sandbulte and Pastor The Banquet is now doing some inside
Steve VanWyhe. seating as well as take-out. So we need to
Keep them in your prayers that they may have 6 people help prepare the meal and need
have safe travels and an awesome weekend of to be at the Banquet at 2:00 p.m. Sign up at
worship, friends, games and fun. the Coffee Station.
We also need a few more people to help
* * * * * * * * * * * * serve and put together take-out orders. You
would need to be at the Banquet by 5:15 p.m.
The new phone directory will be Sign up at the Coffee Station. If anyone is
in your mailbox soon. Please note interested in carpooling, please contact Lea-
that the mailboxes will be rearranged Ann Van Regenmorter.
to accommodate the membership Monetary donations are also needed to
changes for the last year. Check to purchase supplies and milk for the meal. You
make sure the box is yours before removing the may put your donation in the box near the sign
contents. Your box is above your name. up sheet. Please consider giving of your time
or a donation.
* * * * * * * * * * * * Small containers are also appreciated. Put
Why shouldn’t you tell an Easter egg a joke? containers in the boxes under the Coffee Sta-
tion.
It might crack up!Deacon’s Corner – April
Fundraising Campaign: Thank you for your continued support of our fundraising cam-
paign for the upgrading of our audio/video system and building improvements. We will
begin moving forward with the audio/video upgrade late spring or early summer. We ask
for your patience and understanding as we work on this project. The need for building im-
provements are still being assessed at this time. If you wish to give to this campaign, please mark A/V
Building Improvements in the memo of your check. To date we’ve raised approximately $113,500.00.
Outreach Fund – The Outreach Fund is available to assist Carmel Reformed Church members partici-
pation in mission projects/trip by providing financial assistance for registration and travel expenses.
This does not include normally scheduled JR/SR youth group trips. The fund will reimburse ½ of travel
and registration costs up to $500.00 per individual per calendar year. Please contact the Outreach Fund
deacon Monty Prins, or one of the other deacons for an application form.
Christian Care – The Christian Care Fund is available to assist with financial needs for those who are
encountering difficult circumstances and are struggling to cover their basic financial needs. Please see
the Christian Care Fund deacon, Marlin Sandbulte, if you are in need of assistance.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
HOPE HAVEN’S ANNUAL BENEFIT AUCTION
Hope Haven will host their Annual Benefit Auction on Friday, April 9, at Te Slaa Trucking in
Hull (corner of Hwys 75 and 18). Help support the local and global ministries of Hope Haven through
this exciting evening of fun and fellowship.
The evening’s schedule is: doors open at 4:30 p.m.; food booth opens at 5:00 p.m.; the live auc-
tion begins at 5:30 p.m. Visit hopehaven.org/auction to see a list of items. Choose from hundreds of
items—including smart electronics, grills, outdoor games, power tools, appliances, toys, gift cards and
so much more! The whole family is invited to this community event!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ROYAL FAMILY KIDS CAMP SEARCHING FOR VOLUNTEERS
Royal Family Kids Camp NWIA is searching for volunteers for their 2021 camp! This camp
has touched every heart that has ever entered it! (campers and volunteers) The 2021 camp dates are:
August 2 through August 6! If you are interested in serving these kids you can contact RFKC at:
info@royalfamilykidsnwia.org and they will reach out to you with a link to the application! You can
also go to their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/rfkcnwia and find the application there as
well! If you have any questions please feel free to email RFKC!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
INSPIRATION HILLS NOW HIRING FOR SUMMER CAMP
Inspiration Hills has many different positions open for Summer Camp 2021! Please visit the
website at www.inspirationhills.org if you are interested in:
Worship Coordinator Wilderness Coordinator Ropes Coordinator
Saddle Up Coordinator Counselors Mowers
Campground & Weekend Host Kitchen Cook & Helpers LifeguardsOPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
February, 2021
Thank you so very much for supporting the
ministry of Operation Christmas Child this past
November. EVERY shoebox gift is a Gospel
opportunity for the child who receives it.
Praise God for over 9.1 million shoeboxes
packed in 2020! The drop sites in Rock Rapids
and Sioux Center together received nearly
4,000. Although these numbers represent, in
general, about a 10% decrease from 2019, we
give thanks for this remarkable giving despite
the pandemic.
Amazing also, is that shoebox gifts built online
(“Build-A-Box”) in our Upper Midwest Region
(IA, SD, ND, MN, WI, Greater Chicago and
northern IL) increased by more than nine
times…going from 2,503 in 2019 to 22,912 in
2020!
As we celebrate these numbers, we know that
each shoebox represents a child who will have
the opportunity to know Jesus as their friend
and Savior, and to be equipped to boldly share
His love with family, friends, and community.
Please remember to pray for the children re-
ceiving these shoebox gifts and the Greatest
Gift, in the weeks and months ahead.
Thank you for being a part of the Great Com-
mission!
Gratefully,
Loralie Wiese, Sioux Center
OCC Church Relations
“I am God, and there is no other; I am God,
and there is none like Me. I make known the CULTIVATING KINDNESS
end from the beginning, from ancient times,
what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will Kind hearts are the gardens.
stand, and I will do all that I please.’ “ Kind thoughts are the roots.
Isaiah 46:9-10 Kind words are the flowers.
Kind deeds are the fruits.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Take care of your garden
“No pain, no palm; no thorns, no throne; and keep out the weeds.
no gall, no glory; no cross, no crown.” Fill it with sunshine,
—William Penn kind words and kind deeds.
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow16 - Terry Van Regenmorter
The Micah Albert’s
17 - Wyatt Zomer
The Colton Mesman’s
18 - Hannah Woudstra
APRIL Chloe De Jong
Chad Robertson
1 - Mark Swets 19 - Dylan Frangenberg
2 - Aliza Madsen 20 - Koston Van Essen
Decker Hulstein Mrs. Sarah Fedders
Mrs. Kim Niemeyer The Vince Sandbulte’s
3 - Aria Vande Vegte 21 - Matthew Bomgaars
Joanne Luevano Mrs. Kiley Landman
4 - Sloane De Wit The Sean Robinson’s
Tim Bomgaars The Paul Schelling’s
Mrs. Lin De Jong 22 - The Gary Sandbulte’s
6 - Mrs. Brenda Janisch 23 - Rodney Moget
7 - Mrs. Mary Ann Zinnel 24 - Leah Nibbelink
Milt Van Ravenswaay Mrs. Karen Stiltz
8 - The Matt Davelaar’s 25 - Carter Van Meeteren
9 - Vada Byker Marlin Sandbulte
10 - Bill Plantage 26 - Sarah Hooyer
11 - Tacey Van Kekerix Rick Sandbulte
Lane Maassen 27 - Karsten Niemeyer
Beau Van Voorst Mrs. Lexy Van Ginkel
Shirley Van Voorst Chad Wynia
Mary Brommer The Josh Vanden Top’s
13 - Lane Klarenbeek 28 - Verlyn Van Regenmorter
The Jerry Rus’ The Blake Zomer’s
14 - Cambri Hulstein 29 - Paul McAlpine
Quinlynn Klein Jan De Jong
Jerry Rus Mrs. Alice Remmerde
15 - Lane Even 30 - Ron Schmith
Jim Vande Zandschulp
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Summer Camp at Inspiration Hills are filling up fast. Pick up a brochure from the
stand by the mailboxes or go to the website: www.inspirationhills.org and check out all
the different camps. Remember Carmel Church pays for 1/2 of the registration fee for one
camp, per student, per year. Call the church office if you have any questions. Also let the
church office know which camp your child will be attending.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Palm Sunday, March 28, 9:30 a.m. The Nursery Choir (TinyTot class - 1st grade) will
present the special music as we celebrate Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
On Thursday, April 1, Carmel Church will be serving at the Banquet in Sioux Falls.
Volunteers can sign up at the Coffee Station, as well as make a monetary donation.
Good Friday Service. Friday, April 2, 7:00 p.m. We will celebrate the Sacrament of the
Lord’s Supper.
Easter Sunday, April 4, 9:30 a.m. Join us as we celebrate our RISEN LORD!! There
will be NO Sunday School on Easter.You can also read
