Hometown Happenings articles are a community service for non-profit agencies only. Due to popular demand for placement in this section, we can no longer run all articles. Deadline for articles is Monday at 5 p.m. This is not guaranteed space. Articles will run as space allows. Guaranteed placement is $10, certain restrictions may apply. You now can email your Hometown Happenings to happenings@cedarspringspost.com please include name and phone number for any questions we may have.

Head Start for Kent County

Apply today! North Kent Head Start a high quality preschool program is taking applications. No cost to families. 3 year old – full day classes. Family support – transportation (in most areas). Nutritious meals and snacks. Child Health and Development screenings. Accommodations for children with disabilities. Families must meet eligibility guidelines. Complete an application on our website www.hs4kc.org or call 616-453-4145. #28,29b

Potluck Picnic, Movie and Sidewalk Sales

July 14,15 : Christmas in July Community Potluck Picnic and Movie in Morley Park: The fun starts Friday, July 14^th at  6 pm in Morley Park. This year the Cedar Springs area Chamber of Commerce has decided to add a community potluck/picnic to the Christmas in July movie in Morley Park event. This is a free event where everyone is welcome. Bring the family down & a dish to pass and enjoy dinner and yard games in the park before the movie starts! This year’s Christmas in July movie will be “Arthur Christmas”. Saturday July 15^th over 90 businesses & vendors will participate in Christmas in July Sidewalk Sales. #28b

Sing to the Lord

July 16: 2^nd Chance will be having gospel hymn sing on Sunday, July 16^th at 6 pm. It will be at 2^nd Chance School at 810 – 17 Mile Rd. Cedar Springs (corner of 17 Mile and Olin Lakes Rd). Music will be provided by Deb and Larry Eadie and the message shared by Ron Parson. Invite your family and friends. The Sing to the Lord hymn sings will be every 1^st and 3^rd Sunday of the month. Sing to the Lord hymn sings will introduce you to 2nd Chance and its vision. The school is in the building stage, which when completed, will teach troubled teens through God and the horse. If you have questions, call 616-293-2150. See you there! #28b

Dinner at the Legion

July 17: American Legion, 80 S. Main St. Cedar Springs, is hosting a Baked Chicken dinner on Monday, July 17^th , from 5 – 7 pm. Included will be mashed potatoes, stuffing, veggies, salad, roll, dessert and drink. The cost is $9 for adults, children (15 and younger) $4.00. Come and enjoy home cooking. Take out is available. 616-696-9160.  #28

VBS at Ensley Baptist Church

July 17-21: Ensley Baptist Church, 7077 E. 120^th St., Sand Lake will be hosting Vacation Bible School, “Camp Kilimanjaro” an epic expedition through Proverbs, July 17 thru 21 from 9 am to 12 noon. Ages: pre-K thru 6^th grade. #28

Alan Kazam – Magic Show

July 18: If it’s fun, laughter and unforgettable memories you’re looking for, then come watch Alan Kazam, a professional magician who has been delighting audiences with his unique brand of magic for over 20 years. Presented by the Cedar Springs Community Library on Tuesday, July 18^th from 1 to 2 pm at Cedar Springs Middle School, corner Northland Drive and 16 Mile Rd. #28

Celebrate Recovery Tent Meeting

July 18: The weekly (Tuesday at 6:30 pm) meeting fo the nationally recognized program Celebrate Recovery will be a tent meeting outside on Tuesday, July 18^th at Hillcrest Community Church, 5993 – 18 Mile Rd., Cedar Springs, MI 49319. Phone 616-696-9333 for more information. #28

Michigan Blood Drive

July 18: A Michigan Blood Drive will be held on July 18^th at the Cedar Springs United Methodist Church from 12:30 pm until 7 pm. Members of the Cedar Springs Women’s Club will be grilling hot dogs for all those who attempt to donate. Chips and a drink will be included. Summer is a particularly slow number for donors but a high demand for blood. Each donation has the potential to save 3 Michigan lives. The Blood Center thanks all the people that donate at the Cedar Springs blood drive. #28

VBS at Cedar Springs UMC

July 24-27: Come and discover your Super strength with us at “Hero Central!” We’ll have lots of fun – including crafts, games, stories and much more. Cedar Springs United Methodist Church, 140 S. Main Street. July 24^th to the 27^th from 6 to 8 pm. Find registration forms on our website, www.cedarspringsumc.org, outside of the Sanctuary or in the church office. Contact Sally Johnson with any questions at 616-788-8225 or email: sallex58@gmail.com. #28,29b

VBS at Resurrection Lutheran Church

July 24-28: Vacation Bible School at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 180 Northland Drive, Sand Lake will be held July 24^th – 28^th from 6 to 8 pm. Ages 4 years old to sixth grade (entering). For registration information, please email churchresurrection@yahoo.com or call 616-636-5502. #27-29b

Brian D. VanEnk, 50, of Sand Lake, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, October 11, 2015 at his home. Brian was born June 10, 1965 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the son of Robert and Joan (Zwak) VanEnk. He was a software engineer at Burke Porter Machinery for 26 years and was a member of Ensley Baptist Church. Surviving are his wife, Susan (Fagerman) whom he married on October 24, 1992; children, Steven, Grace, and Annalise; mother, Joan VanEnk; sister, Carla (Ted) Ooyevaar; parents-in-law, Gus and Norma Fagerman; sisters-in-law, Karen (Tom) Knorps, Julie (Gary) Turner, Janice (Rob) Smith, and Karen Fagerman; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert VanEnk and a brother-in-law, Mark Fagerman. The family will greet friends Wednesday from 5-8 pm at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. The service will be held Thursday 11:00 am at Ensley Baptist Church, 7077 E. 120th St., Sand Lake. The family will greet friends starting a 10:00 am. Pastor Timothy Decker officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Ensley Baptist Church.
Arrangements by Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs

Frank Eugene Gilbert, 94, of Grant, passed away on June 19, 2015 with his wife by his side. Frank served his country in the United States Army.  He worked for Van’s Plumbing and Heating until his retirement. Frank was preceded in death by his first wife Hazel.  He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Frieda Gilbert (VanderMeulen), children, Janet Tindel,  Gordon (Pat) Gilbert, Kathy Gilbert, Frank (Lori) Gilbert, Jr. stepchildren,  Gary (Cathy) VanderMeulen, Cheri (Monte) Shears, John (Barb) VanderMeulen,   14 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.  Visitation will be held  Sunday, June 21, 2015 at Fields-McKinley Funeral and Cremation Services Grant – Chapel and one hour prior to the service at the church. Services will be held 2:00 pm  Monday, June 22, 2015 at Ensley Baptist Church with Rev. John Fields officiating.  Burial will follow at Crandell Cemetery with full military honors.  Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Michigan or Ensley Baptist Church.  Please share your memories of Frank with his family at www.fieldsmckinley.com

Arrangements by  Fields-McKinley Funeral and Cremation Services Grant – Chapel

The original Ensley Baptist Church

On July 13 and 14, Ensley Baptist Church will be celebrating their 150th anniversary as an established Bible-believing and preaching church in Ensley Center, Michigan. The theme for the celebration is “150 Years of Serving God and Loving People.”

In May of 1863, Ensley Baptist Church was organized with a core of about 15 baptized members. Meetings were held in the local schoolhouse and baptisms took place in Baptist Lake. Among the early members was William Bruce, a former slave. At his death he left everything to the church, and the proceeds were used to purchase the land on which the original church was built in 1884. A bell, which is still used to call the people to worship today, was purchased for $92.24 after a cash payment discount.

In 1917 a basement was added to accommodate a furnace and Sunday School classes. But, as the membership grew, the need for more room was evident.

In 1949 the church was remodeled. Additions were added on the west side and east side. Before long, yet more room was needed, so the east side addition was removed and replaced with a sizable addition, which doubled the size of the auditorium. With this addition, there was also more space in the basement for Sunday School rooms. An upper floor provided for a balcony, office and nursery. In 1959 a new parsonage was built.

The Ensley Baptist Church today.

In 1971, a sanctuary with a seating capacity for 470 was erected across the road. Ten years later, on May 17, 1981 a ground-breaking ceremony was held for a new addition to that facility, which provided for Sunday School rooms and a library in the basement, and, for the main floor, offices, a nursery, a kitchen and an all-purpose room. In 2006, a new gymnasium was built on the east side of the all-purpose room, and its dedication was held on June 10, 2007.

Over the past 150 years, Ensley Baptist Church has been served by 40 senior and interim pastors. Over the years others have served as youth pastors.

The church, which is located at 7077 E 120th St  Sand Lake, welcomes the community to join in the celebration on July 13 and 14.  On Saturday, July 13, they will have a pig roast and potluck at noon. People are encouraged to bring a dish to pass and lawn chairs. Several former pastors will share about their time at Ensley Baptist Church, starting at around 1p.m. There will also be activities for children throughout the afternoon.

The current Sr. Pastor, Rev. Timothy R. Decker, will be sharing during the Sunday morning service, which starts at 10:45 am.

“The Lord has blessed us and we give Him all the glory for keeping us here all these years as a lighthouse in this community,” said a church spokesperson.

You can discover more about Ensley Baptist Church at www.EnsleyBaptist.com or on Facebook ® at https://www.facebook.com/EnsleyBaptistChurch.