30 bikes and 6 cars left the Centre Mall for West Side Park in Rock Rapids, joining the First Reformed Church for the 9th year at their annual outdoor service. We were greeted by a light breakfast of cinnamon rolls, fruit, juice, and coffee and many smiling welcoming faces from their congregants. Following the breakfast their praise team led us in worship, followed by the Commissioning of Care Elders, a testimony and song from Valerie Lenderink, and a message from Pastor Dan Haggar entitled "Stepping Out". Scripture was read from Matthew 14: 22-23 which tells the story of Peter stepping out of the boat and walking on the water at Jesus command. We were all encouraged to "Step Out" when we feel the nudging of the Holy Spirit even though we may be fearful of what we are asked to do.
Because of the Covid-19 virus pandemic, we did not specify a specific place for lunch in order to follow the directive of social distancing to help prevent it's spread. This was our last scheduled ride of the 2020 season in which the first 2 of 4 rides were cancelled. We appreciate the nice turnout for this ride and once again thank the committee for their help in planning these rides. We hope by next Summer this virus will be behind us and we can once again enjoy a full schedule of rides. We thank the Lord for protection for the riders and for the fellowship and worship we enjoy together. HOPE TO SEE YOU IN 2021!!! Karl K.
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10 bikers left the Centre Mall on a rain threatening morning, but once again God was good to us and kept us dry on our trip to Little Sioux Park just South of Correctionville, Ia. 2 local churches: Cushing- St. John Lutheran and Correctionville - Salem Lutheran which is a country church shared their annual outdoor service with us. We enjoyed worshiping with the and meeting some of the people who normally attend these churches. We worshiped inside their beautiful shelter house located near the small lake in the park. It turned out to be a beautiful scenic ride and a pleasant day with clouds and lower temperatures. I am certainly glad we didn't cancel as this was the first ride we were able to have this year due to the Covid-19 Virus.
7 Bikes and 4 cars braved cool temperatures (59 degrees) and drizzle as they left the Centre Mall parking lot for the worship service at American Reformed church in Luverne, MN. Sioux Center native Mike Altena is the pastor there and graciously invited us to join there service. Since I was not one who braved the elements this morning, I can't comment on how the trip went. It was an anxious few days for me leading up to this, our final ride for the season, watching the forecast which fluctuated daily trying to decide whether to cancel, postpone, or go ahead with our ride. I finally decided to let it up to the riders to use there own judgement. I was surprised to see those 7 bikes, with riders dressed for the weather, when I arrived at the mall to see them off and to pray with them for a safe ride. We even had a young coupe
On a rain threatening morning 14 bikes, 11 cars, and approximately 50 people left the Centre Mall for the worship service at the Rock Rapids 1st Reformed Church. The traditional outdoor service had to be moved inside due to the rainy forecast. We were greeted with a breakfast of rolls, muffins, fruit, juice, and coffee when we entered the fellowship hall. Following the breakfast we entered the sanctuary where the praise team led us in worship and praise with several familiar songs. Following a childrens message, Pastor Dan Haggar delivered a message about "Where is our treasure?" We have 2 choices: our treasure is on earthly things or our treasure is on heavenly things. He pointed out how earthly treasures can lead to fear and worry, whereas heavenly treasures can lead to faith and confidence. He concluded by saying that when we store up treasures in heaven, we are promised that our earthly needs will be met. A very thought provoking, as well as convicting message.
Following the service several of us enjoyed food and fellowship at the Rock Rapids Pizza Ranch. It turned out to be a pretty good day despite the rainy forecast, which, by the way, never really developed! 41 bikes, 8 cars, and 7 new guests left the Centre Mall parking lot on a brisk morning after an extremely hot week for our annual ride to Mill Creek Park, just East of Paullina. When we arrived we were treated to coffee and cookies as Jon De Groot began the worship service with some familiar songs and a message from 2 Samuel about David and Bathsheba. He pointed out that even though David committed the sins of adultery, and murder, he was still a man after Gods own heart, and God was able to forgive him. We sometimes look at others thinking we are not so bad compared to what they have done, but God does not compare us to others, He compares us to Christ who was sinless and reminds us that we are all in need of forgiveness no matter how large or how small our sins are.
Following the worship service we spent some time visiting with those who were at the service, which included not only those who came with us, but also some who were waiting for us to arrive and quite a few campers from the adjoining campground. We estimated that there were 125 to 150 people present at the service. Following the service 30 of the attendees traveled to Godfather's Pizza in Cherokee where we enjoyed a delicious buffet and a another great time of fellowship. GOD BLESSED US AGAIN WITH GREAT WEATHER AND GREAT FELLOWSHIP WITH NEW FRIENDS! Next month, Aug. 25 we travel to Rock Rapids for another of our favorite rides where we will meet at West Side Park and join the 1st Reformed Church for their annual outdoor service. We always look forward to that and hope that you will join us. SEE YOU THERE!! Karl K. 40 + bikes and around 70 people left the Centre Mall at 8:30 this morning with 80 degree temperatures and a nice breeze to attend "Vision on Vine" 6 miles North of Hartley. On arrival we joined up with several more area bikers; a total of 104 bikes all together. Quite a site for bike enthusiasts. It was a pleasant ride to the farm place of Curt Van Engen who provided music, praise, and testimonies while we sat under the shade of the trees in pleasant surroundings. Following the service, we were served a delicious meal of pork loin, cheesy potatoes, beans, and dessert. After that several of the bikers requested a "Blessing of their Bike" whereby members of a local CMA (Christian Motorcycle Association) came around and prayed over the bike and riders for God's blessing on their travels.
Due the increasing temperatures some of the bikers left for home and air conditioning while other waited for an afternoon ride to Sanborn to visit the "Freedom Rock" in the park where an address was given by one of the local veterans. This was our 3rd year for this particular ride and we are never disappointed. I feel that all in attendance were blessed by this service. Our next ride will be on July 21 to the Mill Creek Park just East of Paullina. Jon De Groot will provide the service at that event. Have same travels this Summer! Our Rods N' Rides group enjoyed a perfect weather day as we rode to Pierson Campground, just below the dam at the Lewis & Clark recreation area. There were 29 bikes and 1 car making the trip which took us exactly 2 hours with a 15 minute stop in Beresford. We had to change our route past Beresford because of flooding on Highway 46, so we took Interstate 29 to Vermillion and went to Yankton from there.
We arrived at the campground 1 hour before the service began so we won't have to leave quite so early if we make this trip in the future. This gave us time to interact with some of the riders who we haven't met before. Once again we had riders who joined us for the 1st time, which is always encouraging that there is still interest in this ministry. Just prior to the worship service I was approached by a reporter from KCAU channel 9 out of Sioux City who wanted to interview me about Rods N' Rides. This was totally unexpected but it gave me a chance to talk about our ministry and perhaps reach some riders who haven't joined us in the past. The interview is supposed to be on the 5:30 news cast today (June 2). Our pastor was Joel Finck who leads services there all summer long. He brought us a message about Faith, using passages from Genesis 18, Hebrews 11, and Romans 4, all dealing with Abraham and Sara. The message was simple and he encouraged us to study the Word to help increase our faith. Following the service several of us rode to the dam and observed the rushing waters and then rode on to Perkins where we enjoyed a meal and fellowship with the riders. A very enjoyable day for our 1st ride and again God was faithful to provide perfect conditions and safety for our ride. A beautiful ride to Granite Church in Hawarden this morning sported 30 bikes and 6 cars. The weather, once again, was perfect for our ride to join Granite Church in celebrating their 1st birthday. A full house was on hand to worship, praise, and hear an inspiring message from Pastor Cy McMahon challenging us to find those who are far from Christ and invite them to come and hear the Gospel message of salvation. This is what we are called to do as Christians no matter what church we attend. Cy pointed out that there are 30,000 people within a 25 mile radius of Hawarden and less than half are attending a church fellowship. Our work is cut out for us even as a Rods N' Rides group to find those who are not Christians and invite them to ride with us to hear the Gospel message.
This concludes our Rods N' Rides schedule for 2018 and I would like to thank the committee: Steve & Diane Lenters, Al & Shirley Schouten, Ike & Colleen Van Berkum, Terri Mouw, and Galen & Jane Ver Steeg, for all their help in putting this together. I would also like to thank all who joined us for 1 or more rides this Summer and encourage you to join us again next Summer and tell your friends. We would appreciate any feed back on the rides or suggestions for rides for 2019. We are always open to new ideas, and new places for our rides. If you were unable to make any rides this year, we would also encourage you to return next year. Above all, we thank God for bringing us great weather for each and every ride this year and for keeping us safe over all the miles we traveled. SEE YOU IN 2019! THANKS AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU! KARL K. 29 Bikes and 3 cars left the Centre Mall parking lot for our annual outdoor service at West Side Park in Rock Rapids hosted by the First Reformed Church of Rock Rapids. Once again the weather was beautiful for our ride even though the forecast had been for chances of thunder showers. When we arrived we were served a delicious breakfast of cinnamon rolls, muffins, fruit, coffee and juice. Following the breakfast the praise team led us in worship followed by a sermon from Pastor Dan Hager from Proverbs on how we can take a lesson from the industrious ant. The ant knows his job and does it without being lazy or being a sluggard as the scripture describes it. Pastor Dan then went on to describe many different ways we can be lazy in our work, our relationships, and in our service to our Lord. I'm sure we were all convicted to some degree.
After the service a group of bikers (13 Bikes & 23 people) enjoyed a ride to Luverne where we enjoyed a delicious meal and fellowship at the Pizza Ranch. All in all another enjoyable day with Rods N' Rides! 35 bikes, and 12 cars joined us at Mill Creek Park in Paullina on a perfect weather morning. Temperature in the 70's, maybe a little below when we left at 9 a.m from the Centre Mall parking lot. Low humidity and practically no wind with a few white fluffy clouds in the sky. GOD IS GOOD! We arrived at Mill Creek Park and enjoyed coffee and cookies before the worship time and message by Jonathan De Groot. He spoke on the Apostle John's vision of heaven as he describes it in Revelation. The emphasis was on all the white robed saints worshiping Jesus and how some day we will be joining in that worship. We were encouraged to close our eyes and try to envision this experience with all the saints presently there, even though they speak in many different languages. VERY POWERFUL VISION!
Following the service we enjoyed fellowship with the others in attendance. Approximately 45 people coming on 22 bikes and 6 cars were led on a scenic ride by Ron Jalas and his wife from Sutherland, who had joined us in worship and knew that scenic route very well. What a gorgeous ride on a perfect day! Upon arriving at Godfathers in Cherokee, we enjoyed a delicious buffet and great fellowship with those we knew and some that we had just met for the first time. All in all, a great Rods N' Rides event! Thanks to all who turned out and we look forward to our next ride on August 26, to Rock Rapids for a 10:30 service at Westside Park. |
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