CHURCH NEWS

Calls Extended:

To Rev. D. Hakkenberg of Lisse, the Netherlands, by the Kalamazoo, Michigan, Congregation. Duo Considered:

By the Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, Congregation; Rev. D. Hakkenberg of Lisse, the Netherlands, and Rev. A. Vergunst of Veen, the Netherlands.

By the Sioux Center, Iowa, Congregation; Rev. A.M. Den Boer of Norwich, Ontario, Canada, and Rev. A.W. Verhoef of Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada.

ABRIDGED MINUTES OF CLASSIS MIDDLE-WEST AND EAST of the NETHERLANDS REFORMED CONGREGATIONS held on Tuesday, May 13, 1975 at Vineland, Ontario

A prayer service was held on the preceding evening, conducted by Rev. W. C. Lamain. The text for this sermon was John 16:28.

Article 1 - Opening

The meeting was opened by Rev. J. C. Weststrate, minister of the calling church of Vineland. After singing Psalter 345, stanzas 1 and 2, he read a portion of God’s Word found written in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 24, commencing at verse 36. He then laid the needs of the congregations and our meeting this day in prayer before the Lord. Rev. Weststrate then welcomed the delegates and friends of the Classis and expressed the wish that the Lord may be with us this day, guiding us to seek His honor and the, welfare of the congregations. The minister spoke a few earnest words to the gathering concerning the dark days in which we live. The Kingdom of God is coming. He also drew the attention of the delegates to the portion of God’s Word which was read. After Christ blessed them, we read that they returned to Jerusalem with great joy. How is that possible? Because He called them from darkness to light. He Himself left and the disciples were still rejoicing because of gladness and joy uniting in true faith with Him Who is the King of His Church. They were all with one accord in Jerusalem. Sin makes separation, but may He Who has promised with His Godhead, majesty, grace and Spirit not to depart from His church bless us this day. By His blessing we are one.

Rev. Weststrate recalled that since our last meeting a former deacon of Peoples Park, William Baum, was taken away by death. Also Elder DeBat died recently and left an empty place in his family, church and consistory. It was also mentioned that the congregation of Ancaster (Hamilton) was instituted on January 8, 1975. With these words the meeting was declared open for business.

Article 2 - Credentials

Credentials were examined and approved as follows:

Norwich - Rev. A.M. Den Boer, Elder C. VanVliet Unionville - Rev. W. Suyker, Elder R. VanVliet Bradford - Elder G. Van Leeuwen, Deacon A. B. Brouwer

Hamilton - Elder A. Fintelman, Elder T. Verhey Grand Rapids - Rev. W. C. Lamain, Elder J. DeBruine

Clifton - Elder L. Baum, Elder J. VanDerStad Vineland - Rev. J. C. Weststrate, Elder W. Heikoop

Franklin Lakes - Elder N. VanDerHave, Elder N. Greendyk

Kalamazoo - Elder J. Beeke, Elder M. De Bat The one deacon was granted the right to vote. Article 3 - Election of Officers

Officers were as follows:

President - Rev. W. C. Lamain (by rotation)

Assessor - Rev. J. C. Weststrate

Clerk - Elder J. Beeke

Treasurer - Elder R. Van Vliet

Article 4 - Minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved.

Article 5 -reports

1. The following report was submitted by the Macedonia Mission Society of the Netherlands Reformed Congregations:

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

Balance as of Sept. 30, 1974…………$1,044.28

Received Paid Out

October 1974 $1,055.89 $ 250.52

November 1974 933.36 1,412.07

December 1974 616.30 598.99

January 1975 869.20 397.80

February 1975 675.61 214.42

March 1975 231.10 285.38

April 1975 64.45 166.29

$4,448.91 $3,325.47

Receipts……………………………..$4,448.91

Total………………………………….$5,493.19

Less Disbursements…………..$3,325.47

Balance as of April 30, 1975….$2,167.72

2. The following report was submitted by the Banner of Truth Tract Mission:

REPORT AS OF MARCH 31, 1975

RECEIPTS

Church Donations $3,049.87

Misc. Donations 2,522.08

Total receipts……………………………..$5,571.95

DISBURSEMENTS

Printing $4,357.50

Postage 719.70

Mailing Envelopes 135.64

Total disbursements……………………$5.212.84

Bank Balance…………………………………… $ 359.11

Tracts Printed to Date - 361,500

3. Rev. A. M. Den Boer, moderator of Ancaster-Hamilton, reported that this church was instituted on January 8, 1975. May the God of all Grace bless this young congregation to the honor of His most glorious name and to the welfare of our never-dying souls.

Article 6 - Instructions

1. One of the consistories was given advice on a discipline case.

2. A consistory proposed to make it the duty of the Classis or the Synodical secretary to prepare the agenda for respective meetings instead of the present secretary of the calling church.

The Classis did not agree with this proposal but desires to leave the present system in effect. The calling church is appointed by alphabetical rotation.

3. The delegates were instructed concerning the sharing of expenses in inviting ministers from the Netherlands to preach.

4. Whereas requests are received occasionally for financial support from sister congregations and organizations in the Netherlands, the delegates spoke about the heavy financial burdens of the churches who are commencing with their own schools on this continent, and therefore it was agreed to leave these requests with the local consistories.

5. One of the consistories was given advice on two marital problems.

Article 7 - Customary Questioning

Six consistories were given advice on questions asked according to Article 41, D.C.O. Article 8 - Expenses

The expenses of the Classis meeting were $611.23. This amount was prorated as is customary. Article 9 - Calling Church

Unionville will be the calling church for the next Classical meeting which will be held, D.V., on October 15, 1975 at 9:00 A.M. in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. Rev. J. C. Weststrate will lead the Prayer Service the preceding evening commencing at 7:30 P.M.

Article 10 - Closing

Rev. W. C. Lamain made a few closing remarks acknowledging the Lord for His mercies again bestowed upon us, also during the Classical meeting. After singing Psalter 348, stanza 6, Rev. Lamain closed the meeting with prayer.

Rev. W. C. Lamain, President

Rev. J. C. Weststrate, Vice-Pres.

Elder John Beeke, Clerk

YOUTH DAY CONFERENCE IN NORWICH

The Youth Day Conference held in Norwich on July 5th was attended by approximately 400 persons, mostly young people, from Canada, the United States, and also the Netherlands. The program of the day commenced at 9:30 A.M. with opening remarks and prayer by Rev. Den Boer, who was in charge of the meeting that day. There were four principal speakers during the morning and afternoon sessions, consisting of Dirk Schipper of Kalamazoo who spoke on “Setting Our Priorities”, Rev. W. Suyker, whose topic was “Onesimus”, Rev. J. Weststrate who spoke on “The Guidebook”, and Elder B. Brouwer of Bradford, whose subject was “Creation, Evolution, and the Flood”. Ample opportunity was given the audience to present questions to the speakers, and from the number of questions, it was evident that these subjects were well chosen and applicable to the needs of our young people.

The choir of Unionville sang at both the morning and afternoon meetings, and also some time was spent in singing by the entire audience. A Bible quiz was conducted by Garret Moerdyk for the boys and girls 14 years and under. At the close of the afternoon sessions an opportunity was given Mr. Koppejan and Mr. Den Dekker, both instructors in the Netherlands, to briefly address the young people. In closing Rev. Den Boer thanked all those who had helped make the conference so successful, especially the young people of Norwich who had assisted in the arrangements, and the preparation and serving of the luncheon. Rev. Den Boer expressed the hope that the Lord might follow it all with His blessing, and that questions may have been aroused in the hearts of the hearers that the Lord alone would be able to answer for them.

The weather was very ideal for the occasion, and those who attended were unanimously agreed that the conference was very worthwhile for young and old.

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