(Updated March 26)
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PALM SUNDAY PROCESSION (MARCH 29): Children and families are invited to begin our Palm Sunday celebration by processing into worship with palm branches. Please meet in the mixing area by the sanctuary center doors at 9:20am to line up. We look forward to celebrating this joyful tradition together!
GOOD FRIDAY COMMUNION: As we prepare to celebrate the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper on Good Friday, April 3, it is necessary to examine our hearts, souls, and minds, understanding how unworthy we are. We have not loved the Lord our God, ourselves, or our neighbors as we should. We are encouraged to use the days ahead to confess where we have failed to love and to ask for God’s redemptive grace and forgiveness The Family Gathering that was scheduled for today will not be meeting.
CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN LIFE ISSUES (CCLI) IS IN RECESS TODAY AND NEXT SUNDAY. CCLI will resume on April 12. Make plans to join us on the 12th for “Hidden in Plain Sight: Understanding Sex Trafficking” presented by Detective Corydon Ray with the Grand Rapids Police Department. This session will outline the dynamics of sex trafficking, common recruitment methods, and behavioral red flags. The class focuses on practical recognition skills, survivor-centered response, and appropriate reporting pathways. The full line-up of speakers can be found at the Discipleship Kiosk.
SUNDAY MORNING SUNDAY SCHOOL: Middle and high schoolers, head to the classrooms in the youth wing immediately following worship where your teachers will be waiting for you. There will be no classes on Sundays, April 5 and 12, due to Easter and spring break.
HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP: Youth group will meet this Sunday, March 29, from noon to 1pm in the youth center and will then not meet again until April 19 due to Easter and spring break.
MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP: Middle schoolers, find your leaders this Wednesday, April 1, at 6pm in the youth center. This group will be in recess on April 8 but will resume again on April 15.
YOUNG LIFE CLUB: CMC high schoolers are invited to “Club” on Mondays, 8:00-9:15pm, in the youth center. Come and join others from Holland Christian YL for food, games, and a message. All CMC youth are invited even if you don’t attend Holland Christian. Have questions – contact Youth Director Tim Fennell.
HOLLAND CHRISTIAN YOUNG LIFE CAMPAIGNERS BIBLE STUDIES: Wednesdays for HC guys, 7:15am, Room 266 at Holland Christian; Wednesdays for HC girls, 7:15am, Simpatico (Michigan Ave)—this is open to all CMC high school girls.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT SUPPER: Join us for supper in the Gathering Place from 5 to 6pm. Menu: chicken noodle soup and chili.
JOIN THE VBS DREAM TEAM!: Join us for Vacation Bible School June 22–26, 9am–noon, serving kids ages 4 through 5th grade! Help with games, crafts, snacks, music, or classroom support. Our goal is to reach 100+ kids and we will need 40 volunteers. 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.
WEDNESDAY MORNING SPRING WOW: Being a Good Neighbor – The ABC’s of Hospitality. Meeting on Wednesday mornings, 9:25-11:00am, May 6, 13, 20 and 27 (4 weeks). Come learn with other women how to be a good neighbor by being the Good News to all we meet. This four-week study will be practical, doable, engaging, empowering, and experiential, all led by CMC women. Sign up at the Discipleship Kiosk or by contacting Lori.
HOPE EXPLORED: Join Pastor Suzanne on Wednesdays, April 15, 22, and 29 (6-7:30pm / Room 162-163) for a three-session series on how Jesus fulfills our deep longings for hope, peace, and purpose. If you are discovering the hope of Jesus for the first time, this class is for you! Or if you are a long-time believer, come and be encouraged. Sign up at the Discipleship Kiosk.
THE CHOSEN – SEASON 4 WEEKLY WATCH PARTY meets Wednesdays through May 6 from 6-7:30pm in Room 166. Attend when you can! Season 4 highlights the high- stakes culmination of Jesus’s ministry, focusing on themes of clashing kingdoms, betrayal, and escalating opposition. The season covers major biblical events and is described as the most intense yet, leading to Holy Week and covering themes of grief, spiritual struggle, and the weight Jesus carries. You can just show up!
THUMBS (THURSDAY MEN’S BIBLE STUDY) is a gathering for men who want to explore Scripture together meets on Thursdays, 7:07-8:27am in the Green Room (just inside Entrance D). The group just began a study of Colossians and Philemon. To learn more or to sign up, contact Stephen at 513- 289-5295 (phone or text) or email SEMcarthy@aol.com.
MOVIE NIGHT: Looking for a fun & FREE activity for the whole family this spring break? Come to Movie Night on Wednesday, April 8, with your choice of two movies: Bolt or Light of the World! Doors open at 6pm; movies START at 6:30pm. (Please use Entrance D & E).
SNACK DONATIONS NEEDED: Please consider donating pre- packaged snacks or baked goods for our free family Movie Night on Wednesday, April 8. Donations can be dropped off at the church office by April 8.
TIE BLANKET WORKSHOP, on Saturday, April 18th from 10am–noon in the Gathering Place. Join us in working together to make blankets for families who do not have them. They will be donated to People Helping People. “A warm blanket isn’t just fabric. It’s warmth, rest, protection, and reassurance.” The goal is 100 blankets! All supplies are provided. Sign up in the mixing area. Questions? Contact Jill Breuker.
JOIN CHRISTIAN AUTHOR AND CMC MEMBER LYNN AUSTIN, on Thursday, April 23, 7pm, in the Gathering Place, as she discusses her new historic dual-time novel “The Lumber Baron’s Wife.” The novel, set in West Michigan, releases in April and will be available for purchase that evening.
NEXT FREE NON-CERTIFIED HEARTSAVER CLASSES: 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 Options: Wednesday, April 22, 6-7:30pm, Room 168; Tuesday, May 19, 10-11:30am, Room 167. Register at the Care Kiosk or contact Doris.
FOOD ITEMS FOR PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE: For the month of April, consider bringing pancake mix and syrup to the Collection Center in the mixing area.
JOIN EARTHKEEPERS FOR OUR ANNUAL ADOPT A HIGHWAY CLEAN-UP on Saturdays, April 11 and 18. Meet at 8:30am at the Zeeland Burger King on the corner of Chicago Drive and 96th Avenue. Please wear gloves and water-resistant footwear and bring a bucket to collect trash. Visibility vests will be provided. To sign- up, contact Jen (616-822-9794) or Al (verschure@sbcglobal.net).
WORLD RENEW DISASTER RESPONSE SERVICES OPPORTUNITY: If you are available to serve alongside others from CMC through April 2 (mix of day trips or longer overnights, depending on housing availability) in St. Joseph and Branch counties to assist with storm clean-up, contact Paul VandeBunte (616-291-5494 or paulvandebunte63@gmail.com)
ANNUAL MONTELLO PARK NEIGHBORHOOD CLEAN-UP: In partnership with 3Sixty, one of CMC’s ministry partners, on Saturday, April 25, from 9am to noon on CMC’s northeast parking area, the following volunteers are needed to: assist at the coffee station in the youth center, greet and verify residency, receive and sort items at the dumpsters, and provide a pickup and trailer. Also needed are those willing to distribute flyers throughout the neighborhood. Contact Doris if you are available. For more details, go to www.3-sixty.org/events.