Church Family - August 9th, 2026
Offering Prayers
We are very saddened to share that Cheryl Vangameren passed away on Thursday morning. We pray for her husband Roland and for their daughter Debbie and her family as they continue to adapt to so much and now are grieving Cheryl’s loss. They give thanks that she is at peace but miss her greatly and are overwhelmed a bit in the aftermath of such a rapid decline. May God grant strength, wisdom, calm, comfort, and peace that passes understanding. May God’s sustaining spirit of enfold them and comfort all who mourn. Memorial details will be shared by email once they are confirmed.
We pray for all who have been affected by the recent flash floods and pray for individuals and communities across Niagara as they pick up the pieces, clear, clean and repair damage, and deal with stress and loss. May God grant wisdom to those leading and grace, peace, and support/resources to those weathering the effects of the storms.
And a specific local request: “Covenant CRC in St. Catharines asks for your prayers as we have experienced a flood in our church basement (2x). So many members of our congregation and our neighbours are also experiencing significant loss and economic hardship in addition to the stress and frustration of this disaster. Please keep Covenant and the people of the city St Catharines and NOTL in your prayers.”
We pray for all those affected and evacuated in wildfires in Northern Ontario, especially affecting entire indigenous communities, but now also in BC. We pray for safety and security for all those involved, the firefighters, first responders, medical staff, politicians, community members, businesses, animals and ecosystems. We pray for diminished winds, increased rain, resources to control the fires, stamina, grace, comfort and peace in the middle of this storm. As disasters increase with climate change, and as rebuilding and restoration are considered, we pray for wisdom to plan how we can adapt and strengthen to protect God’s creation and our communities from such devastating damage.
Gerry Bijsma will be undergoing hip surgery on August 13. We praise God that this could take place relatively quickly after a long wait for a consultation. We pray for a smooth and effective surgery and a recovery without complications, back to full function, and free of pain.
Please join us in holding up in prayer those who manage daily burdens of one kind or another (chronic or acute illness, grief, mental health, loneliness, loss of abilities). We think specifically this week of: Henny & John Vanderkolk, Rina VanTellingen, Rita Klomps, Susan (Alida) VanderVaart, Dorothy Veenhof, Bertha Vermeer, Anna DeBruyne (Jr.), and Anne Fisher. May God give them each what they stand in need of. May God give wisdom and strength to those who walk alongside them. We also pray for those who are dealing with issues of which we are not aware.
Giving Thanks
“Thank you for the pouring out of Christian sympathy in the passing of our mom, Oma and Great Oma (Ria VanStaalduinen). The texts, phone calls, emails, prayers, visits, meals and flowers were overwhelming and very comforting! Thank you so very much.”
John & Sandra DeVisser and family
John & Renee Teitsma have made the move to Evergreen Terrace. Their new address is Suite 204-275 Main St E, Grimsby, L3M 5N8. We pray a blessing on them as they transition to their new home and the Evergreen community.
This week Ken Frid turns 92 and Reinhard Mech turns 93! We give thanks to God for each day, year and blessing granted to both Reinhard and Ken and praise God for his faithfulness through the good and hard places. We celebrate together with Ken and Reinhard and their families as they reflect on God’s grace in their lives.
We give thanks for a wonderful week filled kids exploring their gifts in soccer, drama and choir. We were able to highlight some of these gifts in a choir/musical theatre showcase on Friday. We are thankful that we could invite family & friends of campers into what we are doing at camp. We pray for health as we enter into our final week of camp. Several staff members are beginning to feel sick. We pray that we will be able to feel healthy and strong to finish our camp ministry well. We are thankful for the connections we have made with campers and staff through the last 5 weeks and pray that the seeds that have been planted in hearts will continue to grow.
We give thanks for Sovann’s ongoing development and community work and leadership with World Renew in Cambodia. We are thankful for his specific gifts that guide this work. Please visit this link for updates on the ongoing efforts in Cambodia through World Renew.
We Celebrate The Coming Week’s Birthdays!
(Milestone Bdays listed by request) - On BRIDGE APP in the DIRECTORY see “UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS”
REMINDER: The most up-to-date information for members, at any given time, can be found in the Bridge App Directory.
Sunday August 9 – Ron Posthumus, Karin Terpstra
Tuesday August 11 – Samantha Snyder
Wednesday August 12 – Kim Buma, Reinhard Mech (93), Katrina Vermeer
Thursday August 13 – Cinde Draaistra, Patty Feddema
Friday August 14 – Ken Frid (92), Natalie Posthumus