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Jan
30

Mid-WeekMusings

Mid-Week Musings

January 15, 2025

Suggested Reading: Numbers 6:24-26

Dear NBRC Family & Friends,

For my final “Mid-Week Musings” as your pastor, I’d like to leave you with these words as found in the Bible in Numbers 6:24-26 (KJV):

24 The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:

25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

Pastor Ron

Prayer suggestion: As you pray, please ask God to bless me, and those traveling with me, with a safe trip to Iowa.

(On Sunday morning, January 19, the guest worship leader and preacher will be Rev. Doug Fauble. The sermon title is “God Directing Us Back Home” and the Scripture lesson will be from Matthew 2:1-12.)

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Jan
29

Mid-WeekMusings

Mid-Week Musings

January 8, 2025

Suggested Reading: Psalm 32:8-10

Dear NBRC Family & Friends,

Many of you have asked questions about Wellsburg Reformed Church (WRC) and the City of Wellsburg, Iowa. For this week’s “Musings,” I’d like to share some information that will hopefully answer some of those questions.

Located in northeast Iowa and in Grundy County, the City of Wellsburg is roughly 30 minutes west of Cedar Falls. Other nearby towns are Waterloo, Marshalltown, Grundy Center, and Des Moines.

Wellsburg is a close-knit, small rural community with a population of 700-800 people. Recreation opportunities include a nine-hole golf course, a municipal swimming pool, and a gym. There’s a city fire department, a public library, and a convenience store that sells gas and food items. A recently renovated city park borders the property of the church. Education opportunities include Timothy Christian School (K-8) and the AGWSR (Ackley-Geneva-Wellsburg-Steamboat Rock) School District (pre-school through high school). Churches in Wellsburg include WRC, First CRC, St. Paul Lutheran Church, and United Reformed Church.

Wellsburg Reformed Church is affiliated with the Alliance of Reformed Churches and was established in 1897 by immigrants from Germany. It has roughly 90 members. The recent Search Team included members ranging from teenagers through age 71. Located next to the church on one side is a large parsonage and located next to the church on the other side is the church-owned cemetery. Together with First CRC, the church is involved in a dynamic mid-week ministry for children and youth that meets September through March. The four churches in Wellsburg host a joint community Vacation Bible School. The church families worship together usually once a month during the summer. On the fifth Sunday of each month WRC and First CRC worship jointly at alternating locations.

I hope this answers at least some of your questions. I’m certain I’ll have lots to learn as I get acquainted with a new community, a new state, and a new church family.

Pastor Ron

Prayer suggestion: As you pray, ask God to bless me with a smooth transition into life and ministry in Wellsburg!

(On Sunday morning, January 12, the guest worship leader and preacher will be Rev. Scott VanOostendorp. The sermon title is If You Don’t Go, Don’t Bother.” The Scripture lesson will be from Exodus 33:12-23.)

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Jan
22

Mid-WeekMusings

Mid-Week Musings

January 1, 2025

Suggested Reading: Isaiah 43:19

Dear NBRC Family & Friends,

Thank you for the Christmas cards, kind words, and generous Christmas gift I recently received. Thank you, too, for the words of care and concern spoken by so many of you as I prepare to conclude serving as your pastor. Whether or not I’m your pastor, please know I will think of and remember as you as friends.

My last Sunday with you as your pastor will be next Sunday, January 5, but my official duties won’t end until on or around January 15, 2025. The time in between will be spent tending to last details, calling on those of our church family unable to worship with us in person, wrapping up loose ends, etc. During that time, you are welcome to call upon me for any pastoral needs that might arise as I will yet be serving as your pastor.

Per the current schedule:

 Packing at the house will begin on January 17.

 Loading at the house, at Hamilton Reformed Church, and at NBRC will happen on January 20.

 The moving truck will travel to Wellsburg, Iowa, on January 21, and unloading in Wellsburg will happen on January 22.

 My first Sunday in the pulpit at WRC after the move is scheduled as being February 2 and an installation service is tentatively scheduled for Sunday morning, February 23.

As my time of departure grows closer, so does the realization of how difficult saying “goodbye” will be. But the sense of peace I have in the midst of so much uncertainty assures me that this is indeed God’s plan.

I wish each of you a very happy and healthy new year. Throughout the new year, may each of you grow closer to God and in your faithfulness to Him.

Pastor Ron

Prayer suggestion: As you pray, ask God to prepare you for whatever new thing He might have planned for you.

(On Sunday morning, January 5, the sermon title is The Foundation of Your Hope. The Scripture lesson will be from Ephesians 1:3-14. Scott Mohr will be ordained and installed as an elder.)

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Jan
1

Mid-WeekMusings

Mid-Week Musings

December 25, 2024

Suggested Reading: Luke 2:20

Dear NBRC Family & Friends,

The shepherds who were visited at night by an angel of the Lord while keeping watch over their flocks experienced the glory of the Lord shining around them. After they received news that in the town of David a Savior had been born, and after they heard the heavenly host praising God, the disciples hastily traveled to Bethlehem where they found Mary, Joseph, and the baby who was lying in a manger. After their visit, the shepherds left and shared with others “what had been told them about this child” (217b, NIV). Eventually, the shepherds returned to their fields and flocks and they did so “glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told” (2:20, NIV).

For many, Christmas Day might be the most favorite day of the year. For Christians, it’s the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus. For many Christians and non-Christians alike, so much planning and thought go into celebrating this special day. But eventually the day not only comes, but it also goes. Just like that, Christmas Day is over for another year.

How will you leave Christmas Day this year? Tired and exhausted? Surprised by how much money you spent on gifts? Ready to take down and pack away the decorations? Annoyed with the relative you find obnoxious and with whom you have to put with once a year? Eager to find your spot in the line at a store to make a gift return or an exchange? Or, maybe you’ll leave Christmas Day wishing it wasn’t over so soon.

However else you leave Christmas Day, may you leave it experiencing the hope, peace, joy, and love that come with knowing Christ as Savior and Lord. And may you leave it glorifying and praising God!

Pastor Ron

Prayer suggestion: As youpray, ask God to help you glorify and praise Him.

(On Sunday morning, December 29, 2024, Rev. Mitch Brink will be the guest worship leader and preacher. The sermon title is No News Is Good News and the Scripture lessons will be from Galatians 1:6- 12 and 2 Corinthians 11:1-6.)

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Dec
25

Mid-WeekMusings

Mid-Week Musings

December 18, 2024

Suggested Reading: Luke 1:46-55

Dear NBRC Family & Friends,

After Mary was told by an angel that she would give birth to a son who would be great and be “called the Son of the Most High” (1:32, NRSV), Mary visited her barren and older cousin, Elizabeth, who had received some rather amazing news herself. She, too, would bear a son who would “be great in the sight of the Lord” (1:15, NRSV).

During Mary’s visit with Elizabeth, Mary shared a beautiful song of praise which has come to be known as the Magnificat, from the Latin for “magnify.” In it, Mary magnifies the Lord and proclaims His goodness. She recalls great things God had done, and would do, for her personally. Even though Mary had not yet given birth to the child who would be great and called “the Son of the Most High” (1:32, NRSV), she believed God’s promise that she would. Mary also recalled great things God had done for Israel. As Mary recalled God’s acts, her soul magnified the Lord and her spirit rejoiced in God her Savior.

As you continue your journey through the season of Advent and beyond, take time to consider the great things God, the Mighty One, has done for you. In response, may your soul magnify Him and may your spirit rejoice in Him!

Pastor Ron

Prayer suggestion: As you pray, thank God for the great things God has done for you.

(On Sunday morning, December 18, 2024, the sermon title is Recognizing the Work of God and the Scripture lesson will be from Luke 1:39-45.)

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Dec
11

Mid-WeekMusings

Mid-Week Musings

December 11, 2024

Suggested Reading: Luke 2:10

Dear NBRC Family & Friends,

This year, Sunday, December 15, is already the Third Sunday of Advent, or “Gaudete Sunday.” A common theme for the Third Sunday of Advent is “Joy” and the word “gaudete” is a Latin word meaning “rejoice.”

To help us celebrate the theme of “Joy,” we will be singing the well-known hymn “Joy to the World!” Rather than focusing on shepherds, barnyard animals, or a star in the sky, “Joy to the World” focuses on the joy Christ’s birth brought mankind.

The candle that will be lit Sunday morning in the Advent wreath is the pink or Joy Candle, since pink is a color that symbolizes joy. Lighting this candle is a reminder of the joy that filled the hearts of the humble shepherds as they returned after having visited Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus. It’s also a reminder that Jesus is the source of lasting joy.

As you prepare for “Gaudete Sunday” and for the lighting of the Joy Candle, spend time contemplating those people and things that are sources of joy in your life and give thanks to God for them. Also, consider that Jesus is a source of joy in the lives of those who believe in Him.

Pastor Ron

Prayer suggestion: As you pray, thank God for those people and things that are sources of joy in your life, and ask Him to help you be a source of joy in the lives of others.

(On Sunday morning, December 15, 2024, the sermon title is Rejoice! and the Scripture lesson will be from Philippians 4:4-7.)

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Dec
4

Mid-WeekMusings

Mid-Week Musings

December 4, 2024

Suggested Reading: Luke 3:1-6

Dear NBRC Family & Friends,

One of the characters Christians often recall as they prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus is Zechariah and Elizabeth’s son, John the Baptist. Luke’s list of names and titles that begin chapter three of the Gospel of Luke make it clear that John began preaching “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (NIV) during a time of Roman rule. But rather than preaching in the “hub” of Jerusalem and in the midst of religious and political activity, John began preaching in the wilderness.

John prepared the way for Jesus by calling people to prepare to receive Jesus through self- examination and repentance. Commentator William Barclay states,


When a king proposed to tour a part of his dominions in the east, he sent a courier before him to tell the people to prepare the roads. So John is regarded as the courier of the King. But the preparation on which he insisted was a preparation of heart and of life.
(William Barclay, The Gospel of Luke in The Daily Study Bible Series, Revised Edition, Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 1975, 32.)

To repent is to change one’s mind, to turn around, to reorient oneself. John’s call to repentance was a call to commit to a new way of life by turning away from a previous way of living, a turning from sin and to Christ, to seek God’s forgiveness.

In the text, the word of God to proclaim a message of repentance didn’t come to an important religious or political figure. It came to John, a man who lived in the wilderness, wore camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and who ate locusts and wild honey (Mark 1:4-6). Wouldn’t you think God would have chosen someone more influential or powerful to proclaim such an important message? In the Bible, God often chooses ordinary people to do extra-ordinary things. Consider, for example, the Virgin Mary. Don’t think you’re too ordinary or too unimportant to be used by God!

John called people in his day to prepare their hearts for the coming of the Messiah. People today need to be called to prepare their hearts for when Jesus comes again. Is God calling you to proclaim that message to someone? Do you need to hear that message for yourself?

Pastor Ron

Prayer suggestion: As you pray, ask God to help you be prepared for the coming of Jesus, and to help others be prepared for His coming, too.

(On Sunday morning, December 8, 2024, the guest worship leader and preacher will be Rev. Ron VerWys. The sermon title is That Beautiful Name and the Scripture lesson will be from Matthew 1:18-25.)

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Nov
27

Mid-WeekMusings

Mid-Week Musings

November 27, 2024

Suggested Reading: Micah 5:2

Dear NBRC Family & Friends,

Many have already begun preparing for the celebration of Christmas. Christmas music is being played, Christmas trees have been decorated, gifts have been purchased, and plans for family gatherings have been made. Compared with some, you might be feeling behind schedule in your personal Christmas preparations! On Sunday, December 1, the church will also begin preparing for the celebration of Christmas, not the commercialized version, but the version that celebrates the birth of Jesus.

This year, December 1 is the First Sunday of Advent. The word Advent means “coming” or “arrival.” The season of Advent is a time of preparing. Not only should we prepare our hearts for celebrating Christ’s birth, or His first arrival on earth as a baby, but we should also examine our hearts to determine our preparedness for His second arrival, or His coming again when He returns “to judge the living and the dead.” The season of Advent is also a season of waiting. Christians not only wait for the arrival of celebrating the birth of Jesus, but we’re also waiting for His return.

The season of Advent includes the four Sundays preceding Christmas. Each of these Sundays represents something Jesus offers the world: hope, peace, joy, love. As you prepare and wait this Advent season, think about how you can tell others about what Jesus offers, and may you experience each of these gifts in your own lives.

Pastor Ron

Prayer suggestion: As you pray, thank God for the hope, peace, joy, and love that Jesus offers.

(On Sunday morning, December 1, 2024, the sermon title is Waiting for God. The Scripture lesson will be from Psalm 25:1-5. The sacrament of the Lord’s Supper will be administered. Following the worship service, the annual congregational meeting will be held in the fellowship room. Everyone is invited to attend the meeting, but only confessing members have voting privileges. Have a safe, healthy, and an enjoyable Thanksgiving Day!)

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