27 bikes and 2 cars left the Centre Mall at 8:30 this morning and traveled on a beautiful sunny day to "Vision on Vine". Vision on Vine is a worship service for bikers started about 6 years ago by Curt Van Engen. His acreage is about 6 miles straight North of Hartley on Vine ave. Curt and his wife provide a worship service, a meal, and an afternoon ride stopping at various places and having testimonies shared by various people that he has come in contact with over the years. Bikers from all over the area come to worship and fellowship at this wonderful rural Iowa setting. I am guessing that there were probably at least 100 bikes there and 150 to 175 people. A very enjoyable outing for our Rods N' Rides group. Our next ride will be Sunday July 29, going to Mill Creek Part just East of Paullina. Karl K.
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35 bikes and 2 cars (61) people left the Centre Mall Sunday morning for Sgt. Bluff. It was a cool, but sunny morning with a little wind, but all in all a nice morning to travel to the Friendship Community Church. We were cordially greeted and served coffee and snacks as we entered the church building. The praise team led us in worship followed by an excellent message from Pastor Scott Van Voorst titled Refocusing: From peacemaking to Persecution. based on Matthew 5:10-12.
Following the service 15 of the bikers enjoyed fellowship and a meal at the Sgt. Bluff Pizza Ranch. The ride home was greeted by pretty strong NW winds, but everyone made it home safely. Our next ride will be to Vision on Vine on June 24. Hope to see you there! Karl K. 24 Bikes and 6 cars made the trip to Hawarden in 50 degree weather this morning to visit the first worship service of the newly formed GRANITE CHURCH. The skies were bright and sunny and the winds were calm. When we arrived at the West Sioux High School we were greeted by bubble machines, someone in a monkey suit, and several friendly greeters, a very festive atmosphere for old and young alike. We were treated to coffee and cookies as we entered and a lot of people visiting with one another before the service started. At 10 a.m. we entered the gym where practically all the chairs were full and a praise team comprised of Dordt students were beginning the worship portion of the service. I would definitely say there was an atmosphere of excitement and the Holy Spirit was present at this service. Following the praise team Pastor Cy McMahon introduced himself and gave testimony to what God has done in his life, changing him from an atheist to an enthusiastic follower of Christ. His message encouraged us to be examples and servants as Christ was when He walked the face of the earth. I anticipate great things for Christ happening in the Hawarden area and in GRANITE CHURCH. This may be an annual event for our Rods N' Rides ministry.
As this was the last ride for this year, I want to thank all those who participated in the rides and especially to the committee for help in planning. As always we invite suggestions on how we can improve on this ministry and hope to see many of you back again next summer. If your scheduled didn't allow you to join us this year, I hope it will work out for you next year. Travel safely and THANKS, ALL OF YOU! Karl K. 41 bikes and 7 cars arrived at West Side Park in Rock Rapids on a perfect morning weather wise. God blessed us with clear skies, cool temperatures, dry conditions and no wind. We were hosted by the Rock Rapids 1st Reformed Church who greeted us with a breakfast consisting of rolls, muffins, fruit, juice, and coffee. Following the breakfast their praise team lead us in worship followed by a children's sermon (which we always learn from), and then a message by Pastor Dan Haggar. The sermon title was "Jesus' Eye Exam". He explained how Jesus is the "Light" shining in a world darkened by sin and we need to look toward Him, not the light that the world offers.
Following the service several of us traveled to the Pizza Ranch in Luverne, MN. where we enjoyed food and fellowship together. All in all, a great Rods N' Rides experience! We had several first time riders and thanks to all who came and enjoyed the day with us. See you Sept. 17 for our last ride of the season going to Granite Church in Hawarden to Worship with them in their very 1st service. That should be exciting. KK 35 Bikes and 7 cars enjoyed a beautiful morning ride to Mill Creek Park just outside Paullina, one of our favorite spots for Rods N' Rides. God provided relief from the heat of the day before and a wonderful shady setting in the park next to the lake and campground. We were treated to coffee and cookies provided by Colleen Van Berkum and Terri Mouw, followed by the worship team from Dordt College under the direction of Jon De Groot. Jon then brought a very thought provoking message about following God's plan for our lives instead of just inviting God to bless the plan that we have forged for our life. He used an illustration from Acts of how Paul planned to spend a short stay in Jerusalem on his missionary journey and ended up staying for 3 years, most of it spent in prison. God had a different plan for him!
Following the service we visited with friends and fellow bikers, several of whom were with us for the first time. About 10 or 12 of us then enjoyed a ride to the Sibley Pizza Ranch for food and fellowship. I always enjoy that part of the Rods N' Rides experience, not just for the good food, but for meeting some new friends and learning about their lives and families. All in All a great day. We look forward to the next ride which takes us back to Rock Rapids where we join RR 1st Reformed as they once again host us at the West Side Park; always a great service. See you all there! Karl K. 25 bikes and 3 cars left the Centre Mall and traveled on a very cool morning to "Vision on Vine" located 5 miles North of Hartley High School to the Curt Van Engen farm. We were welcomed there by approximately 50 more bikes and bikers, quite a site! The service began with a praise and worship team led by Ken Eberline, Curt's son-in-law. Ken is one of the pastors at the Reformed Church in Sioux Falls and he leads there contemporary service there. Following the Praise and Worship, Larry Espey from Hartley share his testimony of how God intervened in his life and spared him while having a heart attack. After the service the Blessing of the Bikes took place followed by a delicious meal prepared by Curt's wife with her sister's help. We then were led by Curt on a ride to Paullina where we stopped at Mill Creek park and were treated to some home made bars and cookies. We were also inspired by 2 very touching testimonies given by 2 of the bikers about how God had turned their lives around. From there we traveled back home after a great day of worship and inspiration. Thanks to Curt and his wife and several friends who helped to put on this event.
Our next ride will be on July 16, travelling to Paullina where once again Jon De Groot will lead the worship and bring the message. See you there and we hope for a little more heat and a little less breeze. Karl K. 36 bikes and 4 cars made the trip to The District near the Empire Mall in Sioux Falls for their weekly worship service sponsored by the 1st Reformed Church of Sioux Falls. Once again, God gave us a beautiful, cool morning and a safe trip for our final Rods N' Rides of the season. Pastor Ken Eberline (himself a biker) led the worship team and brought us the message using examples of how God worked in his life. We felt very welcome and were blessed by the service.
This concludes our rides for the 2016 season and we give all the praise to God for providing good weather and safety for each of our 5 rides! Thanks to all who joined us this summer and we hope to see all of you again next year. If you haven't joined us in the past, we welcome you to join us next summer. Watch the web site for next summer's schedule which will probably come out sometime in April. If you have any comments or suggestions please let us know. Our committee is always open to any and all suggestions and comments. Our committee members are: Al & Shirley Schouten Ike & Colleen Van Berkum Steve & Diane Lenters Terri Mouw Karl & Gloria Kempers GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND SEE YOU NEXT SUMMER! Karl K. We had another perfect weather day for our annual ride to West Side Park in Rock Rapids. 47 Bikes and 5 cars made the trip leaving at 9 a.m. The First Reformed Church greeted us with cinnamon rolls, fruit, juice and coffee. They provided another excellent service of worship, song and a message about "worry". It was one I think we all could identify with. Once again a big "THANK YOU" to First Reformed for inviting us and allowing us to participate in their annual outdoor worship service. This if the 5th year that we have joined them; they are a great host!
Karl K. 52 bikes, 22 cars (not all classics) and over 150 people enjoyed a great service this morning at Mill Creek Park in Paullina. Once again God blessed us with perfect weather and a great time of worship and fellowship. I want to thank Colleen Van Berkum for arranging to have coffee before the service, and Terri Mouw and Gloria Kempers for providing cookies.
Jonathan De Groot, Director of Campus Ministries at Dordt college delivered a timely message from the book of Kings about how the people of Israel prospered when their king followed the Lord God's leading and how we should apply this to our lives as well. We were also blessed by the Dordt praise team who lead us in praise and worship. I also wish to thank Roger Broek for organizing a group of people to canvass the campground before the service to invite campers to join us in worship. Several campers walked over to participate in worship with us. About 20 of us traveled to Sheldon after the service and enjoyed Mexican food at Los Tulipanes. This is always a great time of fellowship with some people who we don't get a chance to interact with very often. I know that there were several bikers who let me know that they had conflicts and wouldn't be able to join us today. I understand that will happen and that's why we schedule 5 rides during the summer. Our next ride is August 21 leaving at 9 a.m. for Rock Rapids, once again joining the First Reformed Church for their Outdoor worship service at West Side Park. Hope to see you there. Karl K. |
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