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Volume 42 Published by First Reformed Church, Randolph, WI Issue 7

One of the most decisive moments in church history came about through the Apostle Peter literally stepping through a doorway. That doorway belonged to a Roman centurion named Cornelius. Cornelius had been in his own personal search for God, and according to the angel, Peter held the missing piece, the Gospel of Jesus. But this invitation raised one serious issue: Peter was Jewish. Cornelius was Roman. Peter knew his culture’s rules about race.

“You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile,” Peter said in his first words to Cornelius, “But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean” (Acts 10:28). Peter’s step through Cornelius’ doorway literally changed the complexion of the Christian church as the Gospel of Jesus Christ moved from a “Jewish thing” to good news for every nation, tribe, people and language (including us!). To use today’s labels, Peter would’ve been cheered by some as “progressive” or grumbled at by others as “radical”, but one thing you will not find in the story of Peter meeting Cornelius – an “agenda”. Crossing the racial barrier was not Peter’s idea. It was the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of the Jesus Peter loved, the Spirit that Peter suddenly recognized was alive and active in this very different man, Cornelius. “Surely,” Peter says, “no one can stand in the way of their being baptized. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have” (10:47). I have no grand solutions on the persistent frictions we have over racial issues in our country, and it’s not wise to toss off pat answers as if fixing these problems is simple. But I do have a personal course of action to share that gives me hope: I want to start learning from more people of other races what they know about Jesus. I have said often that one upside to our pandemic shutdown is that it has become possible anytime to (virtually) walk in the door of almost any church in America, including churches that are non-white. For me it has begun with weekly following the preaching of Dr. Tony Evans, pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, as well as our own Pastor Francois Russell at Randolph UMC, and not because I expect them to talk about race, but because I hope for the experience Peter had with Cornelius: Hearing in the voice of someone different than me the love and wisdom and Spirit of the Jesus we both follow. For all about race that is hard to understand, how better to have our souls broadened than to learn from Black, Latino, Asian or Arab brothers and sisters more about the Jesus we love and share? In a time when many of us from our home couches are poking our heads into new churches more than ever before, perhaps God is giving us a fresh way to mold our hearts. God’s Kingdom come, Pastor Luke

Inside this issue…..

1. Pastor’s Page

2. Birthdays and

Anniversaries

3. Thank Yous,

Announcements and

Events

4. Consistory News

5. July Lectionary

6-10. Missionary Letters

11. Childrens’s Page

July 2020

the MESSENGER 406 S. HIGH STREET—53956 WEBSITE: WWW.RANDOLPHFIRSTREFORMED.COM

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Birthdays and Anniversaries

Happy Birthday

2 Saige Pfeffer 4 Colton Alsum 5 Grace Homan Nelson Alsum 6 Sarah Leystra 7 Darren Alsum 9 Stacy Jahn 11 Matt Van Buren Kyle Roberts 12 Corey Pfeffer 14 Keri VerHage Macy Kohlbeck 15 Judie Ireland Sarah Schumacher 16 Mary Ann Westra Tyler DeVries 17 Evelyn Wiersma 18 Allie Omen 20 Perle Macheel Tom Tietz 22 Grant Meyer 23 Wyatt Braker 24 Alyssa Zuhlke 27 Mauneen Dykstra

If your birthday or anniversary is missing or

wrong, please contact Jana at 210-2784 or

1strandolphoffice@gmail.com

Happy Anniversary 1 Bill & Pam Otte 11 Jim & Janet DeVries 23 Bob & Marion Griffith 29 Wayne & Delaine Zuhlke

Women’s Bible Study will be resuming on Monday, July 27 at 6:30 p.m. We will be studying Lesson 34 Romans.

Men’s Bible Study will meet Tuesday, July 7 and July 14 at 7:30 a.m. You can pick up the bible study material on the

shelf in the narthex.

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Thank Yous..Announcements..Events

We would like to thank our church family for all the gifts, phone calls, kind words and cards. Also a special thank you to Pastor Luke and Joelle for their phone calls, prayers and visits. We feel your prayers and we really appreciate your thoughtfulness. -The Nick Meyer Family

Thank you to the church for the Bible for graduation, to Judy Ireland for the bookmark, to the Needlework Group for the afghan and to Sister’s Keepers for the Subway gift card. The gifts are much appreciated. -Grant Meyer

We would like to thank Pastor Luke and the congregation for all their prayers for us during Bill’s recent surgery and recovery. Thanks also for the many beautiful cards. -Bill & Gert Gaastra

Pedal for Troops trikeathon was held on Monday, June 22 at Rascals & Rockers Dayschool. We want to thank the following biker: Ava & Grayson Berger, Charlie Jenkins, Harper & Baylor Hughes, Hadley & Porter Stiemsma, Quinton, Maddox and Paxton Stiemsma, Oscar & Hazel Meagher and the following sponsors: Corey & Brooke Stiemsma, Keli Stiemsma, Jay & Bridget Jenkins, Maynard & Deb Jenkins, Grandma & Papa, Pat Meagher, Mike Meagher, Blondie, Naomi, Amy Kenny, Joe & Katie Meagher all from Randolph, Brad & Martha DeYoung, Marc & Jennifer Berger from Friesland, David & Linda Hughes, Carl & Rita Stiemsma, Anita Riphahn from Cambria. Del-lene Swast, Fond du Lac; Elke Saylor, Whitefish Bay; Carol Schneider, Waupun; Deb VandeZande; Brandon; Chris Sentz, Miliwaukee; Jeff & Donna Saylor, Beaver Dam. who helped to raise $ 1026.00 in pledges and our sideline coaches, Sarah & Tracy Saylor, Violet and Katelyn Saeman. As the children pedal their bikes for each branch of the military. We honored the veterans attending by giving them pie and ice cream. Thanks for your ser-vice: Charlie Henke, Danny Sadoski, Don Sadoski, Cornie Katsma, Carl Stiemsma and to shut in veterans Chuck Dykstra and Buzz Vander Hei. Thanks to the following for donating an item to the silent auction or purchased an item which raised $520.20, The Dump, Seneca, Cathy & Sam Ramirez, Juene Kueffer, Cambria; Schamburgs, Phyllis Fuller, Wendi Dykstra, Judy Sjoerdsma, Hugh & Jane Roberts, Charlie Henke, Cornie Katsma, Cori ,Don, Deb, Danielle, Jackson, & Tessa Sadoski, Randolph; Carol’s Cone’s, Pardeeville; Grande Cheese, Wyocena; Rio Shopper. WXRO, Beaver Dam, Jean Smit, Friesland, Loretta Hagen Pewaukee; Royal Neighbors of America, Doylestown, Cathy & Doris Scott, Madison, Angie Traska, Raina and Selah, Deforest, Richard Solis, Linda Lugar, Tortolano family, Rhode Island, Brandon Meat Market, LeRoy Meat’s, Golf Course, Fox Lake. We were proud to award the American Legion Auxiliary National Youth Good Deed award to Tessa Sadoski, Ran-dolph; for making face masks during the pandemic and to Sam Ramirez, Cambria;For “Bake for Books” . He made baked goods and sold them and the funds raised went for books at school for students to encourage reading. A special thanks to Ardy Pickhardt, Judy Sjoersma, Saylors & Saeman families, Jean Smits, Cathy Scott for all of your help and to WXRO, Monday Marketeer, Randolph First Reformed & Presbyterian Church . -Linda Hughes

I would like to say “Thank-you” to my church family for their prayers, phone calls and the many meaningful cards, words of encourage-ment and delicious food brought into us. I am so blessed to have so many Christian friends. However my battle is not over yet. I need radiation for the next four months. So I would welcome more prayers again. God is so good...he’s so good to me. Thanks again and to God be the glory. -Elsie Haima

Dear Friends On behalf of Wisconsin Right to Life Dodge County Chapter we would like to thank you for your recent check and donation of $70.00 that we received from your benevolent fund. It is truly the support and help from churches as yours that allow us to spread the word about Saving All Lives. -Robert C Strassmann

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June Consistory Minutes

June Consistory Meeting – 06/08/2020 6:50PM

Absent: Seth Braker and Scott Alderden

Deb Cupery opened with prayer.

Pastor Luke’s Report: Online worship will continue as well as dial in devotions. Pas-

tor Luke and Pastor Keith will continue to provide summer activities for the RCYF and

Cornerstone groups.

Elders report - Al VanHerwaarden: Jason Weaver was present at the Elder’s meeting

to make Profession of Faith.

Property report – Hugh Roberts: Planter repair and sidewalk lifting completed – step

repair in progress. Motion made, supported and carried to approve a bid from Gen-

eral Asphalt to resurface and reline our parking lot for $12,000.00

General Fund Finance Report: The balances on hand as of May 31, 2020 were Gen-

eral Fund: $53,480.34 Benevolent Fund: $22,425.01 Building Fund: $92,195.04 of

which $63,082.03 is designated for the Roof. Motion supported and carried to accept

the Financial Report. Carley Reuter wedding can move forward as our insurance poli-

cy covers liability related to communicable diseases.

A motion from the Executive Team: For the remainder of June we will hold outdoor

worship services on Sunday morning 9:30am and an indoor service Sunday at

5:00pm. A motion was amended to read: For the remainder of June and July 5 & 12,

we will hold outdoor worship services on

Sunday morning at 9:30am. Inclement

weather would move the service inside but

radio reception would still be available in the

parking lot. Motion as amended was sup-

ported and carried. Consistory will re-

evaluate outdoor worship at our next consis-

tory meeting.

Motion to adjourn, supported and carried.

Meeting adjourned at 7:28pm with Pastor

Luke closing in prayer.

Submitted by Daryl Katsma

May Financial Report………. General Fund: Offerings $14,574.38 Disbursements $11,053.29 Benevolent Fund: General Offering $ 1190.00 Special Offering $ 315.00 Disbursements $ 1968.75 Child Evangelism $ 50.00 Dodge Cty Right-to-Life $ 165.00 Sisters Keepers $ 100.00 Emily Dykstra $ 475.00 -Monthly Pledge Building Fund: Offerings $ 849.47 Disbursements $

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July Lectionary Readings

Jul 1, 2020 Jn 7:25-31 Isaiah 61 Pr 19:24-25 Psalm 6

Jul 2, 2020 Jn 7:32-36 Isaiah 62 Pr 19:26-27 Psalm 6

Jul 3, 2020 Jn 7:37-39 Isaiah 63 Pr 19:28-29 Psalm 6

Jul 4, 2020 Jn 7:40-44 Isaiah 64 Pr 20:1-2 Psalm 6

Jul 5, 2020 Jn 7:45-52 No Reading Pr 20:3-4 Psalm 60

Jul 6, 2020 Jn 7:53-8:11 Isaiah 65 Pr 20:5-6 Psalm 60

Jul 7, 2020 Jn 8:12-20 Isaiah 66 Pr 20:7-8 Psalm 60

Jul 8, 2020 Jn 8:21-30 Romans 1 Pr 20:9-10 Psalm 60

Jul 9, 2020 Jn 8:31-36 Romans 2 Pr 20:11-12 Psalm 60

7/10/2020 Jn 8:37-47 Romans 3 Pr 20:13-14 Psalm 60

7/11/2020 Jn 8:48-59 Romans 4 Pr 20:15-16 Psalm 60

7/12/2020 Jn 9:1-12 No Reading Pr 20:17-18 Psalm 11

7/13/2020 Jn 9:13-34 Romans 5 Pr 20:19-20 Psalm 11

7/14/2020 Jn 9:35-41 Romans 6 Pr 20:21-22 Psalm 11

7/15/2020 Jn 10:1-18 Romans 7 Pr 20:23-24 Psalm 11

7/16/2020 Jn 10:19-21 Romans 8 Pr 20:25-26 Psalm 11

7/17/2020 Jn 10:22-39 Romans 9 Pr 20:27-28 Psalm 11

7/18/2020 Jn 10:40-42 Romans 10 Pr 20:29-30 Psalm 11

7/19/2020 Lk 13:22-30 No Reading Pr 21:1-2 Psalm 79

7/20/2020 Lk 13:31-33 Romans 11 Pr 21:3-4 Psalm 79

7/21/2020 Mt 23:37-39; Lk 13:34-35 Romans 12 Pr 21:5-6 Psalm 79

7/22/2020 Lk 14:1-6 Romans 13 Pr 21:7-8 Psalm 79

7/23/2020 Lk 14:7-14 Romans 14 Pr 21:9-10 Psalm 79

7/24/2020 Lk 14:15-24 Romans 15 Pr 21:11-12 Psalm 79

7/25/2020 Lk 14:25-35 Romans 16 Pr 21:13-14 Psalm 79

7/26/2020 Lk 15:1-7 No Reading Pr 21:15-16 Psalm 59

7/27/2020 Lk 15:8-10 Job 1 Pr 21:17-18 Psalm 59

7/28/2020 Lk 15:11-32 Job 2 Pr 21:19-20 Psalm 59

7/29/2020 Lk 16:1-9 Job 3 Pr 21:21-22 Psalm 59

7/30/2020 Lk 16:10-13 Job 4 Pr 21:23-24 Psalm 59

7/31/2020 Lk 16:14-15 Job 5 Pr 21:25-26 Psalm 59

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