CHURCH NEWS

Calls Extended:

To Rev. A. Snoep, of Vlissingen, the Netherlands, by the Corsica, South Dakota, Congregation.

To Candidate H. Paul of Zoetermeer, the Netherlands, by the Sunnyside, Washington, Congregation.

To Candidate M. Wondria of Apledoorn, the Netherlands, by the Sioux Center, Iowa, Congregation.

Calls Declined:

To the Sioux Center, Iowa, Congregation by the Rev. P. Honkoop, of Kampen, the Netherlands.

To the Sunnyside, Washington, Congregation, by Candidate H. Paul, of the Netherlands.

To the Sioux Center, Iowa, Congregation by Candidate M. Wondria, of the Netherlands.

To the Clifton, New Jersey, Congregation, by Candidate M. Wondria, of the Netherlands.

To the St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, Congregation, by Candidate M. Wondria of the Netherlands.

Calls Accepted:

By Candidate M. Wondria to the Waardenburg, the Netherlands, Congregation.

By Candidate H. Paul to the Rotterdam Zuidwijk, the Netherlands, Congregation.

By Candidate J. Driessen to the Oostkapelle, the Netherlands, Congregation.

ABRIDGED MINUTES OF CLASSIS MID-WEST AND EAST HELD MAY 2, 1973 AT VINELAND, ONTARIO

A prayer service was held on the preceding evening, conducted by Rev. A. Elshout in the English language. The text for this sermon was Rev. 5:6–10.

Article 1

The meeting was opened by Rev. C. Harinck, minister of the calling church of Franklin Lakes. After singing Psalter 281, stanzas 1 and 4, the minister asked the Lord’s guidance in prayer and then read a portion of God’s Word found in Rev. 1. He directed the attention of the delegates to this portion, “I fell at his feet as dead”. He noted mainly what preceded this falling at his feet, what accompanies it and the fruits that follow. He mentioned that we read of John, “And he laid his right hand upon me”. The desire was expressed that his right hand may also guide us in this day and that we may experience, “I am he that liveth and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen”. Rev. Harinck welcomed the delegates to the assembly and in review noted that since our last Classical meeting Rev. Den Boer has accepted the call to Norwich, Canada and Rev. Heerschap accepted the call to Lethbridge, Canada. With these remarks, the meeting was declared open for business.

Article 2

Credentials were examined and approved as follows:

Vineland — Rev. M. Heerschap, Elder L. Nieuwenhuyzen

Grand Rapids — Rev. W. C. Lamain, Elder G. Deur Unionville - Rev. W. Suyker, Elder R. Van Vliet

Norwich — Elder K. Koudys, Elder J. Byl

Franklin Lakes — Rev. C. Harinck, Elder N. Vander Have

Kalamazoo — Rev. A. Elshout, Elder J. Beeke

Clifton — Elder J. VanDerStad

Bradford — Elder G. Van Leeuwen, Deacon A. B. Brouwer

Deacon Brouwer was granted the right to vote.

The necessity and desire was expressed that every congregation send two delegates to the Classical meeting as stated in the Church Order. If two elders are unable to attend, then it is deemed necessary that deacons serve as delegates.

Article 3 — Election of Officers

Officers were elected as follows:

President — Rev. C. Harinck (by turn)

Assessors — Rev. W. Suyker, Rev. M. Heerschap

Clerk — Elder J. Beeke

Treasurer — Elder R. Van Vliet

At this time a proposal was made that our Classis have a permanent clerk as most Classis do in the Netherlands. This proposal was unanimously accepted and Elder J. Beeke was asked to become permanent clerk, which he accepted. Likewise, the Classis desires a permanent treasurer and Elder R. Van Vliet accepted the proposal that he become permanent treasurer of our Classis. These permanent officers only have a voting power when they are delegates from their respective consistories.

Article 4 — Minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved after a minor correction.

Article 5 — Instructions

1. After a long deliberation, the Classis decided that a certain policeman requesting to transfer his membership certificate may be accepted by the consistory of Franklin Lakes.

2. All proceedings of the Classis will be held in the English language.

3. The Unionville delegates reported that they are well satisfied with the attendance and growth of the group in Ancaster. The Classis decided to wait with making this group a self-supporting church and to appoint or choose some members of this group who have a measure of gifts to help in giving some leadership in Ancaster.

4. The clerk was asked to write a letter concerning the decision of a discipline case.

5. The Classis decided to rotate the meeting place so that once every two years the Classical meeting will be held in the East.

Article 6 — Customary Questioning

Six consistories were given advice on questions asked according to Article 41, D.C.O.

A report was submitted by the Macedonia Mission Society.

Article 7 — Dismissal Papers of Rev. M. Heerschap

Everything was found to be in good order and the clerk was asked to mail him a release from our Classis. At this time the president expressed the gratitude of the Classis for all Rev. Heerschap’s labors performed and also that he might experience the strength of the Lord’s everlasting arms underneath and that His spirit may bless his labors in his new congregation. Rev. Heerschap expressed his thanks for the kind words spoken and mentioned that his labors of nearly six years in this Classis were in peace and unity. Further, he wished the Classis all the blessings in Christ. The president asked the delegates to sing Psalter 345, the second stanza.

Article 8 — Moderatorship

Rev. Suyker will remain moderator of Vineland until Rev. Den Boer is installed in Norwich. Also Rev. Suyker will be moderator of Norwich. Rev. Lamain was appointed moderator of Franklin Lakes.

Article 9 — Expenses

The expenses were divided proportionately among the churches represented.

Article 10 — Calling Church

Grand Rapids (alphabetical rotation) will be the calling church for the next Classical meeting which will be held, D.V., on October 17 at 9:00 A.M. in Clifton, New Jersey.

Article 11 — Closing

Rev. C. Harinck made a few closing remarks and led in prayer.

REV. M. HEERSCHAP PREACHES FAREWELL SERMON

On May 20, Rev. Heerschap preached a farewell sermon in the English language. After almost six years of serving the St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, Congregation, he accepted a call to Lethbridge, B.C., Canada.

After opening the Service and reading Psalm 94, Rev. Heerschap preached on Psalm 94, Verse 14 “For the Lord will not cast off his people neither will He forsake His inheritance.” The title of the Sermon was “The comforting assurances of God’s care and preservation.” Rev. Heerschap pointed out that the Lord never changes, even when He conceals Himself. He also reminded the Congregation that we may be strengthened by these words. Rev. Heerschap said that he could surrender the Congregation to God’s faithful care. He thanked the Congregation for all they had been for the Minister. He hoped the Lord may bless all the labours he had performed and said that his work has not been in vain.

The Minister expressed his hope that the Catechism students will remain with the Truth and that the teachers may have light, strength and wisdom. He also hoped that the sexton may be a true doorkeeper in the house of the Lord and that the organists’ labours may be blessed. He stated that the Consistory had been honest with each other and advised them to remain side by side. He also hoped that the Congregation will pray for the Consistory, especially now with the added work. His final words were that the Lord may be with the congregation and that they may have the Lord’s blessing, after which he closed the Sermon with prayer, and singing of Psalter 346 by the Congregation.

After the Sermon, Elder L. Nieuwenhuyzen expressed his sincere thanks to the Minister for his labours, on behalf of the Congregation. He expressed the hope that the Lord may be with the Minister and his wife and children and grandchildren, as well as the Lethbridge Congregation. Elder Nieuwenhuyzen also expressed the hope that the Minister will visit us again to preach in our midst. He concluded with saying that the Reverend should look to the Lord, that He be with him and grant His blessing. Mr. Nieuwenhuyzen then requested the Congregation to stand and sing the second stanza of Psalter 345 as a final farewell to Rev. Heerschap and his family.

CORRECTIONS TO THE 1973 DENOMINATIONAL YEARBOOK

Persons having copies of the 1973 yearbook should make the following corrections on Page No. 37 for the South Holland, Illinois, Congregation.

Clerk: C.R. Kickert, R.R. 1 Box 336; Chicago Hgts., Illinois 60411. Tel. No. 1-312/7584769.

Asst. Clerk: John Witvoet, 18210 Dorchester, Lansing, Illinois 60438. Tel. No. 1-312/474-1981.

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