The Colfax Center
HEARTLINE
HOLLAND, IA
www.colfaxcenterchurch.org
MARCH-APRIL, 2017
The Inexhaustible God
“God is inexhaustible, His love is eternal, His mercies are endless…”
Dr. Martyn-Lloyd Jones
“Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of he earth.
He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.” Is. 40:28
Weariness, fatigue, and exhaustion—these are all part of our present human experience. Maybe you
remember a time when you were able to “run and not grow weary and walk and not grow faint.” For
me, those times are increasingly in the rear-view mirror. Yet, the exhaustion and fatigue that we experience in this life is not merely physical. We too—along with all of creation have a constant spiritual
groaning: “And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies… (Romans 8:23)” In the
heart of every Christian, there is a groaning—a longing—a restlessness—a yearning to be set free. It
can be exhausting to battle daily against the lusts of your own heart. It is exhausting to struggle to love
others. It can be depressing to see how slowly we grow in grace. It is draining to live in a broken
world—where we victimize others and we ourselves are also victims. Do you ever grow tired of your
lack of growth? Do you ever grow weary of your complaining spirit? Do you ever reach the point of
exhaustion when it comes to the discontentment of your heart?
Yet—as we ponder our own spiritual weariness—we must remember that God does not grow weary.
He is not in need of a vitamin infusion. He does need to work out at the local YMCA. He is inexhaustible…Let that thought settle into your soul for a moment. The Creator of the ends of the earth does
not grow tired or weary! Which means that though we get tired of ourselves, our struggles, our lack of
growth in holiness, our failure to forgive and love others; God is never exhausted by our prayers, struggles,
tears, sighs or groans. God is not surprised, taken back, or annoyed by our constant cries and tears.
In fact, one of the hallmarks of Christian living is that even though our lives are characterized by joy in
the Lord, there is also present a holy dissatisfaction. In the heart of every Christian must be an ever increasing hunger and thirst for righteousness and a groaning to be finally set free. So when you are exhausted and weary spiritually; when you are despondent over your sin, remember that God never places your prayers on hold. In fact, according to Psalm 34:17-18, He invites and welcomes His weary ones
to cry out to Him: “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their
troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
Well, you may say “I am weary of myself and God is inexhaustible. That sounds great, but how do I
really know that this God does not grow weary of me?” Great question…How do we know?
We can’t see God, but we have seen and heard from His Son:
“Come to Me, all who are weary and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).”
Pastor Robby
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“Time in the Wilderness”
2017 COMMUNITY LENTEN WORSHIP SERVICES
Starting at 7:00 PM each Sunday evening of Lent,
at locations listed below.
DATE
HOST
MESSAGE
SUBJECT/THEME
SPECIAL MUSIC
PRAYER
March 5
PVC
Robby
Time of Learning
Mark 1:12-15
PVC
Stout Reformed
Colfax
Pleasant Valley
March
12
Colfax
Stephen
Time of Challenge
Mark 1:12-15; 2 Corinthians 4:8-11
March
19
Stout
Ken
Time of Dependence
Mark 1:12-15; Hebrews
4:14-16
Stout
Colfax
March
26
PVC
Olga
Time of Doubt
Mark 1:9-15; Mark 9:24b
PVC
Colfax
April 02
Colfax
Rick
Time of Comfort
Mark 1:9-15; 2 Corinthians
12:7b-10
Colfax
Stout Reformed
April 09
Maundy Thursday,
Good Friday &
Easter Plans @ Colfax
Palm Sunday
6:30 pm at Colfax
Lenten Lunches will be held weekly
12:00-1:00 pm on Wednesdays,
beginning March 8 through April 5,
at the Grundy Center Community Center
in the Wilts Room.
Soup will be served followed by a speaker.
The church will be open on
Host Churches:
Maundy Thursday Services,
Good Friday. We encourage you
to come and pray.
Easter will be celebrated right
here at Colfax with a Sonrise
Service, followed by breakfast
and then morning worship.
March 8 - Orchard Hill w/Ivester Church of the
Brethren
March 15 - American Lutheran w/First Baptist
Mar 22 - Bethany Presbyterian
March 29 - First Presbyterian w/Colfax Center
Apr 5 - United Methodist
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July is just around the corner! RYM Panama City Beach, Florida is for
all rising 9th graders-graduating seniors AND your friends!!
The dates of the camp are July 10-15.
The total cost is $400.
Please be in prayer for how God might provide transportation for our group of 30+ people!
If you would like to donate to this opportunity for our youth, please designate on your offering or send to:
Colfax Center Church, 18935 K Ave, Holland, IA 50642.
This is a tremendous time of worship, teaching, and fellowship for our students.
For more info on RYM, you can go to www.rymonline.org.
Youth Group & RYM:
The Youth Group (6th-12th grade) will continue to meet
on Wednesday nights at 5:30 at the Grames.
There will be a time of food, fellowship and study.
We will keep looking at the four-fold pattern in Scripture,
Creation--Fall--Redemption--New Creation.
Also, there will be a very important Parent's Meeting
(for RYM) on Wednesday, March 22 at 7 PM.
Right now we have 27 students going and 5 adults. On this night we will
be talking more about RYM and some possible fundraisers.
Please make sure someone from your family attends.
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Calling ALL Bakers……
There are a couple events planned to support our youth in going to camp.
Saturday, April 15 - Cupcakes, Cupcakes, Cupcakes!!!
Please contact Jill Borchardt if you are willing to provide cupcakes for our youth to sell at
The Mill on Saturday, April 15th. Cupcakes can be brought to the church on
Friday, April 14th or to The Mill by 9:00 am on Saturday, April 15th.
***************************************************************************************************
Saturday, May 13 - Bake Sale at The Mill
This is our 3rd Annual Bake Sale in support of our youth.
If you are willing to provide baked goods, please contact Jill Borchardt. Goods may be
brought to church on Friday, May 12th or The Mill by 9:00 am on Saturday, May 13th.
Bluegrass & BBQ/Community Cookouts:
We are beginning to pray and make plans for some
Community outreach opportunities
this Spring and Summer.
There will be a Community Outreach Meeting
on Sunday, March 26, at the Grames.
Lunch will be provided.
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Midweek at Colfax
We would like to thank all who contributed or helped with our mid week meals and activities this year. Everyone's donations and time spent with our youth was much appreciated! We
had another successful and fun year!
Thank you!
Activity Coordinators: Rhonda Samo and Sheryl Johnson
Food Coordinator: Fran Harms
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We would like to thank everyone for the cards,
calls and gifts we received for our 40th wedding
anniversary. It was very thoughtful of everyone.
Ron & Karen Arends
The students at Corbett-Miller Hall, Eldora
Training School, would like to say “Thank You” for
the gifts given at Christmas. They have enjoyed the
Word Find Books and stocking hats. They also
appreciated the time the volunteers spent with them
Thank You,
Karen Kruger for the azalea shared
February 12 in memory of her mother,
Elsie Kruger.

 Orene Eberline & family for the
red roses shared February 12th in memory of Verne.
Thanks again!
Eldora Training School
The students at Corbett-Miller Hall, Eldora
Training School, would like to say “Thank You” for
the gifts given at Christmas. They have enjoyed the
Word Find
Our Books
familyand
juststocking
wants to hats.
ThankThey
Youalso
for all you
appreciated
the time
the volunteers
spent
with
did
for our Mom
(Carrie
Kruger). She
was
a them
Thanks again!
wonderful
and caring Mom and Grandmother. She
made so many things that she gave to all of us that
brings back so many memories. She is with her Lord
& Savior, which makes us happy, but is a sad time for
us as we miss her so much...her smile and always
caring about everyone else. Thank you for your
wonderful Care Team that always took such good care
of her. We appreciate it very much. She spoke so
highly about her church friends too.
Our family would like to thank the Colfax
congregation for the cards, memorials and acts of
kindness during and after Bill’s funeral services. Also,
thank you to Pastor Robby and the ladies serving
lunch, which made the funeral service special.
Blessings,
Eldora Training School The William Kuhlman Family
Paul, Barb and family
Bernerd, Marlene and family
We extend our
sympathy to the
family and friends
of Carrie Kruger
and Bill Kuhlman.
I want to thank the Colfax group that came to
my birthday party: Chuck & Ruth Thoren, Tom &
Sandy Simms, Curt Tjepkes, Richard Lamfers, Cathy
Janssen, Rebecca Randall, and Fran Harms. I enjoyed
their company.
George Schmidt
The Iowa Presbytery will meet
at Colfax Center Church
on Saturday, March 11th.
Everyone is invited to attend
the Worship Service
at 10:00 am.
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Eli Harberts is Graduating from
Grundy Center High School in May!!!
The Care Team is hosting
a Graduation Fellowship for Eli
following worship on Sunday, April 9th!
Please join us! Everyone is welcome!
Christian Education Team Report
Christian Education Team Report
The Christian Education team has changed with the annual rotation effective in February.
Those
serving Education
through 2017
arehas
Elichanged
Harberts,
Julie
and Linda
Kruger.inNew
members
The Christian
team
with
theTjepkes,
annual rotation
effective
February.
appointed
by Session
two-year
terms through
2018 are
and New
Davidmembers
Pruin.
Those serving
throughserving
2017 are
Eli Harberts,
Julie Tjepkes,
andKylie
LindaWillis
Kruger.
Rotating
off
are
Karen
Dieken
and
Amy
Launstein.
appointed by Session serving two-year terms through 2018 are Kylie Willis and David Pruin.
Rotating off are Karen Dieken and Amy Launstein.
The CE team will be meeting quarterly. Our first meeting was February 21st and the next
meeting
May
The CE will
teambewill
be15th.
meeting quarterly. Our first meeting was February 21st and the next
meeting will be May 15th.
Spring Fling 2017 will be held Saturday, April 8th. Nedra Vaughn is the Coordinator.
Lots
of Fling
hands 2017
are always
needed
and appreciated.
If youNedra
wouldVaughn
like to offer
help, please
Spring
will be
held Saturday,
April 8th.
is theyour
Coordinator.
contact
Nedra.are always needed and appreciated. If you would like to offer your help, please
Lots of hands
contact Nedra.
Plans are in place for the Mid-week (led by Amy Stahl) and the Elementary Sunday School
children
to place
sing during
Sunday worship
during
the and
Lenten
season. Please
watch
the
Plans are in
for the Mid-week
(led by Amy
Stahl)
the Elementary
Sunday
School
bulletin
childrenfor
todetails.
sing during Sunday worship during the Lenten season. Please watch the
bulletin for details.
Abbey Harberts is this year's Director for Vacation Bible School. A team of about 20
volunteers
is needed
to run
this program.
be in prayer
to howAGod
can
you20
in
Abbey Harberts
is this
year's
Director Please
for Vacation
BibleasSchool.
team
ofuse
about
this
ministry
our Colfax
children
and our
community.
volunteers
is for
needed
to run this
program.
Please
be in prayer as to how God can use you in
this ministry for our Colfax children and our community.
Please be in prayer that these programs will be used by the Lord to further His Kingdom, and
all
accomplishments
willthese
be toprograms
His Glory.
Please
be in prayer that
will be used by the Lord to further His Kingdom, and
all accomplishments will be to His Glory.
CE Team
(Linda Kruger, Eli Harberts, Julie Tjepkes, Kylie Willis, David
CEPruin)
Team
(Linda Kruger, Eli Harberts, Julie Tjepkes, Kylie Willis, David Pruin)
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January-February 2017
Nursery Attendants
Mortified Men Schedule:
Date
Worship
Sunday School
Mar 5
Mar 12
Mar 19
Mar 26
Kathy & Mary Pruisner
Nedra Vaughan/Jolyn Stahl
Samantha Lamfers/Kristie Salo
Susie & Mollie Grames
Kristle Davis
Doug Wiers
Kathy Pruisner
Sandy Wiers
Apr 2
Apr 9
Apr 16
Apr 23
Apr 30
Amy & Jordan Launstein
Nick & Kristle Davis
Lori & Carlie Willis
Karen & Macy Boomgarden
Sheila S/Sheryl Johnson
Sheryl Johnson
Kathy Pruisner
Doug Wiers
Amy Launstein
Kristle Davis
May 7
Doug & Sandy Wiers
Lori Willis
March -April
COFFEE FELLOWSHIP
Mar 5
Mar 12
Mar 19
Mar 26
Jake & Wava Hemmen
Steinmeyer/Samo
Fran Harms; Carol Krull
Leon & Sheryl Johnson
Apr 2
Apr 9
Apr 16
Apr 23
Apr 30
Donn & Pam Anderson
Elaine & Lorraine Sents
Dave & Victoria Pruin
Eldon & Linda Kruger
Jesse, Lori, Mardean Willis
May 7
Curt, Julie, Minetta Tjepkes;
Norma Hook
March 6--Justice & Equity
March 20--Authority & Leadership
March 27--Husband & Father
April 3--Wife & Mother
April 10--Wickedness & Evil
April 24--The Future
May 1--The Lord
May 8--The End of the Path
March - April
FLOWER SCHEDULE
Mar 5
Mar 13
Mar 19
Mar 26
Still Available
Still Available
Still Available
Still Available
Apr 2
Apr 9
Apr 16
Apr 23
Apr 30
Still Available
Still Available
Still Available
Still Available
Still Available
May 7 Still Available
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Discovering the Westminster
Eternity
I am in the third week of a miserable cold. Winter’s grip is strong and chilling. My uncle has been
stricken with cancer. My cousin Kay’s soul has gone home.
Lord give me clarity to see glimpses of the eternity that you have planned for your people. Once again, I
turn to the Catechism -Q. 38 Shorter Catechism: “What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection?”
A. “ At the resurrection, believers being raised up in glory, shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in
the day of judgment, and made perfectly, blessed in the full enjoying of God to all eternity.”
I don’t want to die. I want to live a long life even if it is sometimes hard. I will cling though and make it my
comfort in life to know that I will be “made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God to all eternity.”
Thank you Lord,
Amen
P.S. This was written in January
David Pruin
Missionaries of the Month

March - Jason & Liz Polk; Jay & Holly Eastman

April - Ben & Susie Thomas; Larry Hoop
If you would like to receive updates from our missionaries,
please let Karen Dieken know and she will add you to the
distribution list so you can pray for them.
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April Birthdays
March Birthdays
1 - Sheila Steinmeyer, Ruth Thoren,
2 - Westin Steinmeyer
3 - Jim Heeren
4 - Kalianne Venenga
6 - Heather Lamfers, Ron Randall
7 - Nick Davis, Taylor Launstein
8 - Jenny Kruger
9 - Beau Arends, Jay Arends, Rex Wilson
10 - Devin Davis, Doug Hayungs, Eldon Kruger,
David Steinmeyer
13 - Leah Anderson, Steve Steinmeyer
15 - Noel Grames, Jesse Kruger,
Merlyn Mennen, Pat Neessen,
Molly Sherman
17 - Taryn Annesley, Alicia Wolters
18 - Norma Hook
21 - Susie Grames
22 - Dawson Stahl
23 - Jean Ralston
24 - Steven Eilers
26 - Jason Arends
27 - Brandon Gage
30 - John Kuhlman, Marlene Mennen
1 - Sheryl Johnson, Randy Seehusen
4 - Dale Launstein, Cole Norris,
Koby Sherman
6 - Mary Pruisner, Leona Rhoads
8 - Abigail Harberts
9 - Brett Eberline
10 - Philip Harberts
14 - Isaiah Grames, Amy Launstein
19 - Jim Albers
20 - Bryce Eberline
23 - Shawn Samo, Peg Stahl
25 - Eden Davis, Brittany Kopf
26 - Kiplyn Aalfs, Jensen Nederhoff,
Staci Schipper
27 - Macy Boomgarden, Jesse Willis
30 - DeLoris Bakker; Kaibree Nisius
Early May Birthdays
1 - Samantha Lamfers, Justin Stahl
2 - Dave Pruin
3 - Kyle Venenga
Need
A Ride?
If you need a ride to church, doctor appointments or any other
transportation needs,
please call a member of our Transportation Team.
In March:
Chuck/Ruth Thoren 319-824-6521 (home) 319-239-1354 (cell)
Tom Simms 319-824-6879 (home) 319-404-5272 (cell)
In April:
Chuck/Ruth Thoren 319-824-6521 (home) 319-239-1354 (cell)
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