Church Family - April 26th, 2026

Offering Prayers

Metha Van der Beek was in hospital this week for assessment.  She received a blood transfusion and returned home.  She is feeling a bit better and has a follow up appointment in May with Internal medicine.  Please pray that answers to her anemia and other systemic issues may be found.  Please pray that she will remain stable as she waits to be assessed further.  And as Metha waits, we pray that the transfusion will do its part to increase her energy and feeling of wellness.  We pray also for patience, peace, and strength, and for healing of whatever is causing these symptoms and changes in her body.

Theresa Jongerden remains at home (Albright) being treated for significant pain and continues to need our prayers.  Her meds distract her from the pain but are not managing it well.  We pray for relief, and for moments of connection and joy in the midst of hardship.  May God give her and her family peace, strength, endurance and grace on this road together.

Gert Draaistra has had surgery on his ear and has experienced a few hiccups with recovery.  Hinke has been experiencing some back pain that interferes with sleep and activities.  We pray for strength, patience and healing for both of them as they deal with these difficulties.

Tammy Ristow is scheduled to have shoulder replacement/repair surgery on April 30th following a longstanding injury.  We pray for peace of mind as Tammy prepares for surgery.  May God guide the surgeon’s and health care team’s hands.  We pray for a quick and smooth recovery and that, with effort and time, this surgery will restore Tammy’s shoulder function and eliminate her pain.  May she feel God’s comforting and encouraging presence throughout the whole process.

Mental health effects or impacts all of us, along with chronic disease, and other complex health and social challenges.  We give thanks for family and community who walk along with us on these rough roads.  We give thanks for Health Care providers who guide and support through testing, planning, and transitions. We give thanks for our Elders, Deacons, Pastors, Chaplains, Pastoral Workers and friends, who walk alongside us on these paths.  We give thanks to God for His presence to discern best choices and always offer Shalom in the midst of questions or trials.  We pray for strength, grace, wisdom and care for all those currently making significant decisions about health, life and home.  May God work in and through their processes and decisions.  May God be their beacon and tether.

We pray for college and university students as they have completed exams and now will often move, resettle, and shift to working for the summer or perhaps for a Co-op.  May those who are still looking for work find it.  May moves, adjusting to new living arrangements, and travels be safe and smooth.  May they and their families find peace and joy in their work, their many transitions, and their changing relationships.

We continue to pray for the tenuous peace deals being negotiated in the Middle East and for many other countries troubled by war and unrest.  May God’s Shalom enter into and embrace the lives of all those most impacted.  May we be agents, how we are able and where we can manage from a distance, of God’s peace and justice.  Praying for God’s blessing on all the people and organizations bringing light into dark places.

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:  Anna Geuze, Delina & John Wiersma, Pastor Peter De Bruyne, Lydia Koomans, and Sylvia Vellinga.  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

We give thanks for Peter Julke’s work with Youth via Upper Deck Youth Centre in Vineland (a ministry of Youth Unlimited).  They have drops ins, activities and events, and provide lunches for students to address food insecurity.  May God bless his efforts and give Peter and this ministry what it needs.  Upper Deck has an upcoming walk-a-thon fundraiser…details linked here.

We are reflecting on the Holy Spirit and Ministry this week and, as such, we give thanks for another wonderful and full Ministry Season at Mountainview!! Some Ministries finished their season long ago but most will finish this month (a few stay active over the summer and four, Community of Practice, Hanging Out With the Holy Spirit, Food Program/building relationships in St Catharines, and Kids@Mountainview Summer Camp, are just ramping up!): Alpha, Board, Book Club, Cadets (who still have a Puzzling Fundraiser soon), Coffee Break (day and evening), Community of Practice, Council, DivorceCare, Facilities, Friendship, GEMS (who are wrapping up with a sleepover this weekend), GriefShare, Hanging out with the Holy Spirit, Lenten Guided Prayer, Kids@Mountainview, Kids@Mountainview Summer Camp (there’s still space for campers!), Landscaping, Library, A/V and Media, Mission Circle, Knitwits, Prayer, Prayer & Potluck, Safe Church, Scripture memorization, Sentinal and Post-Service Prayer, Sisters in Stiches, Small Groups, Volleyball, Young Adults, Youth (who have one more Car Wash/Plant Sale Fundraiser coming), Food Ministry in St Catharines, Welcoming (Greeters, Ushers, Welcome Centre), Worship Team and Worship Ministry (planners, leaders, decorators, artists, actors, speakers, singers, instrumentalists).  So many moving parts, so much discipleship, so many needs met, so many relationships nurtured, so many gifts honoured and shared, all the glory to God!  We give thanks for the gifts, care and time provided by leaders and for the participants and all they contribute.  We are thankful for hearts that seek to find God where he is working live into that.  May those ramping up and those winding down each experience blessing in their rhythms of work, planning, connection, reflection, celebration and rest.

We also give thanks for our council team and particularly for its new members, as we install office-bearers today. Updates for the coming year include: Leah Koetsier (Elder; Clerk); Adam Bylsma (Elder, Vice Chair); John Bosch, Eric Feng, and Liz Witteveen (Pastoral Elders); and Veronice DeBoer, Andy Fluit, Jaco Haas, Chuck Vanderkolk, and Peter Van Geest Jr. (Deacons). We give thanks for those who have chosen to continue to serve and have been reaffirmed in their roles:  Greg Van Geest (Board Chair), Sandra DeVisser, Rita Fluit, Teresa Huinink, Tony Kamphuis, and Pauline Smit (Elders); and Dan Van Driel (Deacon).  We give thanks for those who chose to stand and were not drawn by lots. May their gifts be used in other spaces.  We give thanks for the faithful work of those stepping down:  Glenn Heinen (Clerk); Spencer Farrow (Chair of Elders); Anne Haas, Jordan Stuive, and Jeff Zondag (Elders); Peter Kralt, Dave De Graaf, Lisa Talsma, Lorie Toohey, and Derek DenBak (Deacons); Marion Bergshoef & Nellie Scholman (both with many years of dedicated service as Ministry of Service Coordinators for Neighbourhoods).

We give thanks for the gifts and service that each person standing for church office is offering to our community with open hearts and hands.  We give thanks for those who have graciously served.  We are truly blessed by the gifts of these leaders in caring, service, connection, support, and vision.  We pray for the Spirit's guidance and that we may walk in grace with one another in all aspects of our decision-making and church leadership.  May God bless Council as they plan together in the next few weeks for Neighbourhoods assignments, processes, and plans for the coming year.

We Celebrate The Coming Week’s Birthdays!

(Milestone Bdays listed by request) - On BRIDGE APP in the DIRECTORY see “UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS”

Sunday April 26 – Hayden Howard, Mike Nywening, Jonathan Monster, Kirk O’Neil
Monday April 27 – Bill Beck, Jack Stieva
Tuesday April 28 – Dean Farrow, Ethan Vanderkolk, BJ VanderPlaat
Thursday April 30 – Olivia Winter

REMINDER: The most up-to-date information for members, at any given time,  can be found in the Bridge App Directory.