(Updated May 8)
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING FOLLOW-UP: Thank you to everyone who attended our congregational meeting last Sunday. We are grateful for your continued faithfulness. Copies of all documents that were distributed are available at the Information Kiosk. Additionally, if you would like a copy of the slideshow that was used or an electronic copy of the Executive Summary that was distributed, you may request these from the church office.
LEAD PASTOR SEARCH UPDATE: Thank you for your congregational affirmation of the Church Profile, Pastoral Ministry Model, and Lead Pastor Position Description. This allows us to take the next steps which are to post the position and solicit applications for our new lead pastor. Please pray for guidance and discernment in these next steps as we move forward.
CALLING ALL GRADUATES: Do you have a graduate in your family this spring? We would like to feature all graduates, any age, any stage (middle, high school, tech school, college, grad school, etc.) on Graduate Recognition Sunday, May 17. Please e-mail your graduate’s name and photo as well as the place from which they are graduating by Wednesday, May 15, to Doris. You may also include parents’/grandparents’ names. Please join us on May 17 to celebrate this milestone!
THE SHARED TABLE: This new event at CMC brought to you by the Growing Young Team is an opportunity for everyone at CMC to build relationships outside the church walls with others from our church family over dinner. The newly formed groups will meet sometime between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Sign up to host in your home or at a restaurant or park, be a guest, or sign up with a friend. Register at the Sign-Up Center in the mixing area near the Standing Stone. Questions–contact Patti Laninga (pjlaninga@gmail.com).
VERSITI BLOOD DRIVE will take place on Monday, May 18, in the youth center from 2:30 to 6:30pm. You can sign up to give at versiti.org/MI Did you know that when you make a donation, it will be used at local West Michigan hospitals? WE NEED 10 MORE PEOPLE TO JOIN THE VBS
DREAM TEAM!: Join us for Vacation Bible School June 22–26, 9 am–Noon, serving kids ages 4 through 5th grade! Our goal is to reach 100+ kids. We are looking for 10 helpers who will spend the day each day with a small group of kids. Our preschool section is full! It’s a fun way to serve and live into our mission of reaching out to all in Jesus’ name! Sign up by contacting Rachel B.
FACILITY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Would you be willing to help around CMC’s campus with landscaping work this summer? Contact Todd Oonk if you are interested.
WOMEN, YOU CAN STILL JOIN THE WEDNESDAY MORNING SPRING WOW STUDY: Being a Good Neighbor – The ABC’s of Hospitality. Meeting weekly on Wednesdays through May 27 from 9:25-11:00am in Room 167 (Jerusalem). Come learn with other women how to be a good neighbor by being the Good News to all you meet. This study will be practical, doable, engaging, empowering, and experiential. You can just show up! Questions: Contact Lori.
YOU’RE INVITED TO JOIN US AT PAINT A POT (390 E 8th St #6, Holland) on Saturday, May 16, from 10am to 12pm. Sign-up is required in advance; only 40 spots are available! Art pieces start at $6. Cash or credit are accepted; pay at Paint a Pot. Finger food will be provided, but we ask that you bring your own drink. Go to the Sign-Up Center TODAY to register. Questions? Contact Jill.
SPORTING CLAY SHOOT: Join us for a Night on the Course at Blendon Pines Gun Club on Wednesday, May 27, at 6pm. This will be a fun way to connect with others as we break clays together. Sign-up is required. For more details, please visit the Sign Up Center in the mixing area. Questions: contact Jill. All are welcome!
GUYS NIGHT OUT! will not meet this month. The team would like to encourage you to join the Sporting Clay Shoot on Wednesday, May 27. No experience? No problem! This is a great opportunity for fun, fellowship, and trying something new. Stop by the Sign- Up Center for more details. Questions? Please contact Jill for more details.
FOOD ITEMS NEEDED FOR THE MONTH OF MAY:
· PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE: canned fruit
· DOORS OF HOPE: oil, ketchup, applesauce, syrup, or grocery store gift cards. If you or someone you love is in need of food, our on-site food pantry, Doors of Hope, would love to help. Please contact Lynn White.
MOVEMENT WEST MICHIGAN ANNUAL MAYOR’S PRAYER BREAKFAST: All are invited on Thursday, May 14, 7-9am, to MidTown Center, 96 W 15th St. Theme: Next Gen Now—Rooted and Ready. Tickets: $10. Contact Marylin Bright (616-340-5134) by May 11.
CMC JOINS OTHERS FOR “31 DAYS OF PRAYER”: This initiative, organized by Movement West Michigan, is a community- wide event where local churches partner to cover the area with 24/7 prayer. 31 churches each take 24 hours to pray for their neighbors, leaders, and spiritual renewal. CMC has committed to Thursday, May 21, with 15-minute time slots. Register and pick up materials at the Prayer Kiosk on Sundays, May 10, or 17 or through Sign-Up Genius (https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0448AAA929A3F9C61- 63684595-onecommunity). You can pray on your own or with a friend or you can spend time at CMC and find prayer ideas inside Entrance B. The Prayer Team will also lead a prayer walk through the building from 6:30-7:15pm.
NEXT FREE NON-CERTIFIED HEARTSAVER CLASS: When you, your neighbor, or a family member experience a sudden cardiac arrest, by learning CPR you can improve their chances of survival. CMC is offering a 90-minute class where you will learn hands-only adults, child, and infant CPR; how to use an AED; and how to relieve choking. Class will be on Tuesday, May 19, 10- 11:30am, Room 167. Register at the Care Kiosk or contact Doris.
CROP HUNGER WALK: Did you know that the Holland/ Zeeland CROP Hunger Walk was 12th nationally in fundraising last year? For more than 47 years, over a million donors have given $4,500,000 to help hungry people both here and afar. This year’s walk is Sunday, May 17, at Centennial Park in downtown Holland from 1- 3pm. To sign up to walk or to donate, go to the Sign-Up Center in the mixing area or contact Bill Boersma (wrboersma@gmail.com).
CAMP BEECHPOINT SPRING CLEAN-UP: Volunteers are needed to assist with spring clean-up on Saturday, May 16, from 9am- noon. Lunch will be served at noon. Wear appropriate work clothes & bring rakes, backpack blowers, etc. Meet at Entrance D at 8am to ride in the church van. Sign up at the Sign-Up Center near the Standing Stone. Contact Henry Hofstra (616-321-0730) with ???s.
CMC is pleased to announce that applications for the 2026 Thanksgiving Offering are now available. An application may be picked up at the Information Kiosk, found on the CMC website, or request by emailing CMCSTGO@gmail.com Application deadline will be Friday, June 19. Please help spread the word by sharing this opportunity with organizations that may benefit from this year’s Thanksgiving Offering.
AWAY IN THE BASEMENT, A CHURCH LADIES CHRISTMAS: CMC’s Happy Town Christian Travelers is heading to Marshall, MI, for this dinner and show at Cornwell’s Turkeyville Dinner Theatre on Tuesday, November 10. Cost: $100 (includes dinner, show, and motorcoach transportation). Find flyers at the Info Kiosk. CMC church members will have from May 3-10 to register and pay at the Info Kiosk or the church office Monday through Thursday. On Monday, May 11, others from the community will be invited to register. 54 spots are available on a first come-first served basis. Questions, contact Doris.
3-SIXTY NEIGHBORHOOD CLEAN-UP DAY: The clean-up day on Saturday, April 25, here in CMC’s neighborhood and two others surrounding us was a huge success. Over 28,000 pounds of trash was collected, including 60 tires and nine appliances. Thanks to the CMC volunteers who participated.