DEDICATION OF THE NEW CHURCH BUILDING OF THE NETHERLANDS REFORMED CONGREGATION SUNNYSIDE, WASHINGTON

Sunnyside is only a small Congregation (18 families) and was for many years the only Netherlands Reformed Congregation in the Far West. It was instituted July 24, 1941, by Rev. J. van de Hoef of Sioux Center, Iowa. The members, led by Elder Peter van Belle, erected their own church building on 8th Street. For twenty seven years this building was used as a place to worship and was for a long time sufficient for this small group, but after World War II, when more immigrants came from the old country, and with them more young people, there arose a desire to have a new church for worship, more room for social gatherings and Sunday school classes since there was no room in the old building.While the members became more prosperous through the blessings of the Lord, and the younger generation now formed their own families, a lot was bought for a new building site on East Grant Street in December 1966.

Plans were drafted by one of the members and redrawn again and again. At a membership meeting in February 1968 it was decided to go ahead with the building and a building committee was appointed. The building was started in April and was finished in November. This new building has a front entrance with a roomy foyer; on one side are two restrooms, on the other side a nursery room. The main auditorium has a seating capacity of 164 upholstered seats, on a sloped floor, covered with wall to wall carpeting. All light fixtures and upholstered furniture were made by the designer and builder, one of the elders, and members of the congregation. On one side of the pulpit a folding wall gives access to a meeting room with a seating capacity of approximately 125 persons. A kitchen and two restrooms complete the rear. The whole building was entirely financed by the members of the Congregation.

November 26 was a day of joy and gladness for our Congregation when the new church was dedicated. Our moderator Rev. M. Romeyn from Chilliwack, B.C., came over for this occassion. In the evening at 8 o’clock the new church overflowed with visitors and friends. Rev. Romeyn asked the audience to sing Psalter 367:1 & 2; under this singing Reverend opened the Bible. After the invocation the minister read II Chronicles 6:1-22 and led in prayer. The Congregation sang once more from Psalter 238:1 & 3. The minister chose as text II Chronicles 6:20 & 21. “That thine eyes may be open upon this house day and night, upon the place whereof thou hast said that thou wouldest put thy name there; to hearken unto the prayer which thy servant prayeth toward this place. Hearken therefore unto the supplications of thy servant and of thy people Israel, which they whall make toward this place: hear thou from thy dwelling place even from heaven; and when thou hearest, forgive.” The minister asked our attention for the dedication of the house of God and to consider the following three points! 1. The house of God, 2. The word of God, 3. The mercy of God. This is a special occasion this evening where we may come together to dedicate this new house of the Lord. The desire of our hearts has come to reality. The Lord, has given this house to be a place of public worship and has provided everything necessary for this building. We feel humble for God’s goodness. It is not our church, not our building, but God’s house. We are in all things dependent on Him. Without Him we can do nothing. God, in His condescending mercy, has provided a house here on earth wherein we may assemble together. A house whereof the Lord said, “The Lord loved the gates of Zion more than the dwelling places of Jacob.” The spiritual seed of Jacob may come in this house and have communion with God. A fallen creature, a sinner is invited to come in, to hear the everlasting Gospel. When the temple was built, Solomon was blessed, he was placed on high, and blessed with wisdom, and with silver and gold. But he placed himself before the Lord solemnly and addressed himself as a servant of the Most High when he said: “Hearken unto the prayer which Thy servant prayeth toward this place.” It is a great blessing and honor to be a servant of the Most High and all sufficient God.

Our second point is about the Word of God. When the temple was dedicated it was only the building. And when the Lord would not be present, and bless the people with his Holy Word, and the application of His Holy Spirit to the benefit of their individual souls, what would we know of a God in heaven? Therefore Solomon asked “That Thine eyes may be open upon this house day and night, upon the place whereof Thou hast said that Thou wouldest put Thy Name there.” What would we know about God, if it had not pleased the Lord to reveal Himself in His names, in His attributes, in His precious Word and everlasting Gospel? Wherein Christ himself said; “I am the way, the truth, and life everlasting.” Hearken therefore to the supplications of thy servant and of thy people Israel which they shall make unto this place.” That means this house is in the first place a house of God, and may the Word of God remain here in this house, or any other church building forever, because it is not the word of man but it is the Word of God. God is pleased to speak to us through His Word, to us in the time of grace. That God is not pleased with the death of a sinner, but that He is pleased with the repentance of men, that he may live and be reconciled with the Holy and Righteous God. And now the Lord inclines the hearts that they may pray and call upon the Lord time and again for what they stand in need of for time and eternity. And if we ever know a day of trouble in our lives, then the Word of God by the mouth of the Psalmist said, “Call on me in the day of trouble and I will answer thee, and thou shalt honor me.” That is actually the purpose for which God has a house upon this earth, many places of public worship. That God may receive the honor, that we may hear His Word and also His Law. That people may understand their spiritual needs just as well as they understand and exercise their natural needs. That there may be a place for mercy, and now it is so that the Lord inclines the heart to pray, for these blessings, and he is very willing and pleased to bestow these upon them, when they come before Him in His house with a hungry and thirsty soul. Solomon said, “put Thy name there to hearken unto the prayer of Thy servant, and Thy people Israel which they shall make unto this place, even from heaven and when Thou hearest, forgive.” That every individual may know that we are all sinners, and that we cannot bypass the justice of God. The Lord is merciful, but His righteousness goes before mercy and those people who experience this must say; if God was not merciful there was not a possibility, for me or for you, either, if it must come from my work, or if I must be reconciled on account of my Christianity. We are so filled with shortcomings, so polluted with sin that God cannot have communion with us. There is only one possibility to be reconciled with God through the meditorial work of Christ Jesus. That is why I hope that in this house, the name of the Beloved of the Father may sound time and again. For there is only one name under heaven, and that is an all sufficient name. That we may know Him as the King in His beauty. He is altogether lovely for he is so suitable. We can never obtain mercy outside of Him. Solomon said “Lord when thou hearest, forgive.” Solomon meant, Lord when Thou hearest this supplication which I pray, Lord grant that the merits of Christ may be applied to my heart and to the heart of Thy people Israel. And this also is my prayer this evening. When I am called in the light of the Word of Holy Scripture to dedicate this building, which is the house of God and where the Word of God will be preached, and where prayer in unity will ascend into the heavens and call upon a triune God for mercy and compassion, for the Lord’s house shall be called a house of prayer. He blesses His people abundantly with the blessings from the covenant. That we also may pray, Forgive, and grant that I may be one of it, and make me one of Him to follow the Author and finisher of faith.”

After this the Congregation sang Psalter 343:1 & 2. The minister then congratulated the Congregation on this new house of prayer which the Lord has provided as a place of worship and hoped that many may be converted in this house. “It is still a small group but not too small for the Lord, who said, “Where two or three are gathered together in My name there will I be in their midst.” There are remembrances of the old house, but the same God who spoke and comforted His people there can and will do this here also when there is a need and a desire for it in this new house. May the Lord put His name in this house also.” The minister then thanked all the visitors for their presence this evening.

The oldest elder, William Eggebeen thanked the contractors and his helpers and also the subcontractors for the nice job they have performed to make this house what it is now. The building committee for the way they were conducting their task and the pleasant way they worked together with the builders. Also the ladies for their work in making the church ready for dedication, and further the whole Congregation for their generous donations to finish the church and all they did to make this place a house of worship to be proud of. May the Lord give His blessing to the work which is done. Elder George Feyter, spoke on behalf of the Congregation from Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada, and also for the Classis Far West, wishing the Lord’s blessings for our Congregation in this nice new building. “And may it please the Lord to send you one of his servants that you may have a minister of your own. The Lord grant that more blessings may be given to you; and more children to be born in Zion.”

There were also letters with best wishes from Rev. W. C. Lamain from Grand Rapids, Michigan, from J. van Zweden of Rock Valley, Iowa and also from the consistory of Alberni, B.C., Canada.

The Congregation then sang Psalter 204:2 & 4 and the Doxology before the minister put the blessings of the Lord upon the Congregation for the first time in the new church building. Thereafter the visitors were invited to see the new building and refreshments were served in the new social room.

Deze tekst is geautomatiseerd gemaakt en kan nog fouten bevatten. Digibron werkt voortdurend aan correctie. Klik voor het origineel door naar de pdf. Voor opmerkingen, vragen, informatie: contact.

Op Digibron -en alle daarin opgenomen content- is het databankrecht van toepassing. Gebruiksvoorwaarden. Data protection law applies to Digibron and the content of this database. Terms of use.

Printen