📸 NEWS FLASH

Reformed Rebuilder Sequel … Remember the Reformed Rebuilders? You don’t? Ok, so maybe over 60% of you are too young to have known about this group! Well, we have an opportunity in front of us that is Reformed Rebuilder-esque. This opportunity is with the disaster response arm of World Renew to help with the recovery effort for people impacted by the floods last year in the Rock Valley, Iowa area. You may ask - aren’t we a day late and a dollar short? Not really. What we’ve learned in conversations with World Renew is that areas impacted by natural disasters need significant time to “stabilize” and emotionally process what’s happened and they are generally initially assisted by well trained disaster relief organizations. The big need, where FRC can help, comes after this stabilization period, when individuals & communities need help with repair and rebuilding to get their lives, post-disaster, back on track. FRC’s Deacons are seeking to put together a team to help rebuild homes in Rock Valley, IA either the week of April 12 - 19 or April 19 - 26. Here’s the skinny: 

• This is an excellent serve opportunity to rebuild communities and renew hope for individuals,

• There is no cost for housing (there are churches who are hosting teams of, up to 25 individuals)

• Individuals of various skill levels fit the bill - from drywalling/finishing to painting; assisting with installs of cabinets, trim and flooring, exterior work such as front porches, siding. Candidly, some homes were entirely gutted down to the studs after the floods. 

The Deacons want to start by getting an idea of individuals that may be interested. We’d love for you to simply sign-up at this LINK (or the Welcome Center) which will mean you’d be interested in hearing more (we’ll hold a group information session in the coming weeks). Signing up does NOT lock you in for the trip. Please pray about this opportunity to be a part of a disaster recovery team.

You Heard It Here First: Families with children - Mark your calendars for VBS on June 16-19. We can't wait to Start the Party and Celebrate the Good News of Jesus! This sure sounds like a party themed VBS (yup, nothing gets past us), and it’s just a few weeks after our big 175th anniversary party on June 1st which needs to be on your calendar as well!

📰📢 HEADLINERS

🛒🥔📋The Connect Team’s Shopping List is growing … but, they can’t get the shopping done until we get everyone signed up for the next Wed. Nite Family Meal! Online readers, click HERE to let us know you’re coming on Wed., Jan. 22. Or, drop on by the Welcome Center to register! The team is serving up a baked potato bar with an ice cream dessert between 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM. We’ve been routinely topping 100 diners and would love to see you there!

Shop Til You Drop… Are you in search of a reason to go shopping? Look no further. How about picking up a few baby things for the Anchor of Hope drive which is a wrap up to the family Advent Reading book and is also a nod of support to Sanctity of Life Sunday on January 19th. How about taking your kids along and letting them pick out a few things to donate?? Just drop off any of the below items to the donation table on or before Jan. 19. PS: If you prefer not to shop, we will accept cash donations and shop for you. Just drop off in the Office!

• Diapers (sized 3-6) and Pull Ups (all sizes)
• Crib Sheets
• Baby Carriers
• Potty Training Seats
• Bottle Brushes & Drying mats
• Kiddo dishes, spoons, and cups
• Small toys - rings and other things for 6-12 month olds to hold and play with
• Books for kiddos under 5
• Winter clothing for kids 0-2 (no coats - we were gifted a few cases of coats from the Knights of Columbus)
  
• Snack containers

This Tuesday - if you or someone you know who lives in Oostburg, Gibbsville, or Hingham could use some assistance, we hope to see you at the food pick up this Tuesday night from 6:00-7:00 PM.

Are you 18-29 years old (nope, wishing you were 18-29 does not count!)? Consider starting your New Year with Christian community at Acts 29 on Sunday @ 6:30. Food, Fellowship, and Bible Study.  Come join the fun!

🤠 WEEKLY ROUND UP

📩 Fifth grade parents - check your Email. We’d tell you more here but our Investigative Reporter is MIA this week. 

❄️ High School Silver Birch Retreat!  Will be Feb 21st - 23rd with speaker Luke Schouten talking about Who Do You Want Me To Be? The online link to the Encompass Winter Retreat sign-up has been emailed out to high school families (or, Online Readers, click HERE) and contains the link to the retreat brochure as well. Cost is $75.

📙 Ladies in the Eernisse and Missions Circles, you may pick up your Bible Study Book ("The Twelve Disciples") at the Welcome Center. And being the inclusive newswire that we are, Gentlemen it’s time to get registered for the Men’s Prayer Breakfast on Sat. Feb 1st. Go to frcoostburg.org or if you’re new to this, pop over to the Welcome Center and they will take care of you!

🔢 The January 5th attendance hit 354 and the offering topped $23,000. Donations to the Special Offering options total $90. We’ll give you breakdowns as to how much for each fund (Love INC Resettlement Program and Pastor Elijah with Living Hope Uganda) starting next week, once more donations come in.

🙏 Thank you to the congregation for the beautiful poinsettia, the numerous Christmas cards and greetings, the visit from the Carolers, and the visits from the Care Team, Craig & Lu Mentink.  ~ Muriel Ledeboer

🍪C ookie-Baking Volunteers Needed for the after-church coffee time. Supplies are getting a bit low. To help us out, click HERE or there is a link on frcoostburg.org or sign-up on paper in the Fellowship Hall!

The Special Offering options for January & February are Pastor Elijah (Living Hope Uganda) and Love INC’s Refugee Resettlement program. If you have a preference for your donation, simply mark your envelope. Undesignated monies will be split between the two.