PROGRAM REGISTRATION IS OPEN: Program registration opens Monday, January 20th. If members have questions about what classes we offer, please refer them to the printed program guides and/or our website. Let’s work to educate our members and visitors on what we offer and how they can kick off the new year by taking a class!
MLK JR. DAY REMINDER: The Kroc Center is OPEN with regular hours on Monday, January 20, but it is an administrative holiday.
VERSITI BLOOD DRIVE: In celebration of National Blood Donor Month, the Kroc Center is partnering with Versiti Blood Center of Michigan to host a life-saving blood drive on Monday, January 20, from 3:00-7:30 PM in our Music Room. Every attempting donor will receive TWO Grand Rapids Griffins hockey ticket vouchers for a Wednesday home game, making this the perfect opportunity to give back to your community while enjoying some exciting local sports. Help save up to three lives with your single donation – schedule your appointment by calling 866-642-563 or visiting versiti.org/mi, though walk-ins are welcome as the schedule permits.
EET COMMITTEE EVENT: The January Employee Engagement Taskforce (EET formerly EAT) event is going full tailgate mode! Join us Thursday, January 30th, from 12-1 PM in Fireside C for our Super Bowl celebration. Rep your team pride in your favorite sports jersey/shirt and bring your signature game-day snack to share. We’ll have classic tailgate games ready to go, plenty of team spirit, and a whole hour of fun with your work crew. Whether you’re a sports fanatic or just here for the snacks, this is one lunch break you won’t want to miss!
JANUARY MEMBERSHIP PROMOTION: Our $0 Registration Fee promotion for all new memberships continues for the New Year’s resolution season. See the membership or marketing teams for more information.
OPEN POSITIONS: Visit the Central Territory’s ADP Recruitment system for all job postings and to submit applications online. We appreciate you sharing opportunities with friends and family! Current openings include: Lifeguard, Day Camp positions and Fitness Attendant.
Send an email to RJ Kroc if you see someone going above and beyond for our guests!
- Shout out to Ellen for coming alongside a member in their time of need and also inviting them to Kroc Church!
- Shout out to Alicia for identifying someone with a medical emergency and handling the situation.
- Shout out to Paul and the facilities team for getting the snow cleared so quickly Monday morning.
- Shout out to Luke and Sammie for accepting the invitation to join a Kroc led missions trip to Brazil where they will be helping with a basketball clinic.
- Shout out to Major Carol for her leadership at the Kroc Center.
- Shout out to our Child Watch attendants who received high praise from a member for your safe, fun, and welcoming environment.
Each week, members of the Kroc Center and Kroc Church submit a number of requests for prayer. We welcome these from everyone in our community, and encourage all our Kroc Krew to lift up these requests in your own way. Don’t forget that you are always welcome to attend devotions on Tuesday mornings at 9am in the Administration Foyer; if you have a prayer request to share, you can post it on the board in the lobby, use the online form, or contact a member of the Kroc Church team.
- For Lisa’s husband Al and his chronic pain; that the doctors will be able to help alleviate/eliminate this struggle on him and his family.
- For health and healing for our Kroc crew dealing with sickness.
- For God’s protection and guidance as several Kroc members, and visitors, are searching for God and a better life, and have questions about Jesus and faith in Him.
- For Jon Shaner & his family as they transition to a new adventure in Australia.
Each week, we feature a “Note from the Pastor” and Bible verse from Captain Jack Huffman and the Kroc Church team. If you ever want to hear more about these topics, join us for Kroc Church Sunday mornings at 10am.
Isaiah 40:28-31 – Relying On God’s Strength
In today’s world, now more than ever, it is not uncommon for people to start their day out tired and end their day even more exhausted than when they began. People today are busier with life than they ever have been during any time in history. People are not necessarily busier at work but chasing after the things of the world. Between technology, fame, money, and prestige, people exhaust themselves trying to keep up with the world around them.
Because people are so tired they look to the world for strength to press on in the day-to-day grind of life. They try special diets, drink energy drinks, and consume copious amounts of coffee. They drink protein shakes, work out, eat healthy and maintain a clean lifestyle, yet, at the end of the day they are still exhausted.
God is telling the world to slow down, take a breath, and look to Him for the strength that you need to face life’s challenges. He gives an example in Isaiah 40:31 “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” Today don’t be afraid to stretch out your wings and trust in God alone to give you the strength you need to make it another day.
Here are some of the upcoming events and groups at the Kroc Center:
- Dairy Farmers of America Fireside A (after UPREP) – Thursday, January 23rd
Be sure to wish a Happy Birthday to our Kroc Krew colleagues:
- Valeriia Bevzenko-Green 1/23/2025
- Florencio Guilarte 1/24/2025
- Suzanne Smalligan 1/26/2025
