(Updated April 10)
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CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN LIFE ISSUES (CCLI): Sunday, April 12: “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. CCLI meets from 10:50-11:50am in the Chapel. Join us! The list of remaining speakers can be found at the Discipleship Kiosk.
SUNDAY MORNING SUNDAY SCHOOL: Middle and high schoolers, next Sunday, April 19, classes will resume in the youth wing immediately following worship where your teachers will be waiting for you.
MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP: Middle schoolers, find your leaders on Wednesdays at 6pm in the youth center. It will be a time of learning and also some fun activities.
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. 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.
THE UPPER ROOM @ CMC–COLLEGE/CAREER WORSHIP NIGHT: You are invited to CMC’s sanctuary on Thursday, April 16, for a worship night led by Hope College’s worship band. There will be appetizers and fellowship at 6:30pm in the Gathering Place with worship to follow at 7pm.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT SUPPER will be held from 5 to 6pm in the Gathering Place. Menu: beef and chicken tacos.
JOIN THE VBS DREAM TEAM!: Join us for Vacation Bible School June 22–26, 9am–Noon, serving kids ages 4 through 5th grade! Our goal is to reach 100+ kids. We are looking for 25 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 at rachelb@christmemorial.org
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.
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 THIS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, from 6-7:30pm in 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! If you are a long-time believer, come and be encouraged. Or if you know of someone in need of Good News, invite and attend with them! It helps us prepare for your involvement if you sign up at the Discipleship Kiosk, but you can just show up.
THE CHOSEN – SEASON 4, WEEKLY WATCH PARTY resumes on Wednesday, April 15 meeting weekly through May 6 (6-7:30pm / 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), 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.
FOOD ITEMS NEEDED FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL:
- PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE: pancake mix and syrup
- 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 at lynnw@christmemorial.org.
COLLECTION CENTER: As the mixing area continues to be updated, please notice that the Collection Center has been moved to an area near Entrance 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.
SIGN UP FOR THE TIE BLANKET WORKSHOP THIS Saturday, April 18, 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.
CMC DANCE CAMP JULY 14 & 15: This camp will be for dancers in 3rd grade through high school. The dates are July 14 & 15. Grades 3-5 will attend just on the 15th, while all other ages will attend on both dates. In the evening on the 15th, there will be a dance showcase! The camp will consist of discipleship, ballet technique, outreach, and performance. To sign up, please email Emma deVries.
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.
LEAD ELDERS LISTEN, SUNDAY, APRIL 19: Connie VandeBunte and Terry Edewaard will be available after the service in the Fireside Café to share a cup of coffee and listen to your comments.
SOCKS & UNDIES DRIVE: Consider donating items for the Lakota Sioux children ages 3-18 on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Our mission friend Re-Member will add them to back-to-school backpacks distributed this year. Preferred items–boys boxers or boxer briefs, kids- colorful socks, older kids-black or white socks from ankle height to mid-calf. Drop off your donations at the table near the Missions Kiosk in the mixing area through Sunday, April 26.
JOIN EARTHKEEPERS FOR OUR ANNUAL ADOPT-A- HIGHWAY CLEAN-UP Saturday, April 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).
GATEWAY MISSION THRIFT STORE: Don’t forget to give CMC’s name to the attendant when you drop off items because in return CMC earns gift cards that can be given to those in need.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD SHOEBOXES: Shoeboxes are needed for this ministry. If you have medium to large boxes (no boot boxes, please), drop them near the Collection Center in the mixing area.