CHURCH NEWS

Calls Extended:

To Rev. J.C. Weststrate, of St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, by the Kalamazoo, Michigan, Congregation.

To Rev. L. Blok, of Capelle a/d Ijssel, the Netherlands, by the Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Congregation.

Calls Declined:

To the Unionville, Ontario, Canada, Congregation, by Rev. H. Paul, of Rotterdam-Zuidwijk, the Netherlands.

SHEBOYGAN NEEDS SCHOOL TEACHER

The Netherland Reformed Congregation of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, is planning to open an elementary school of their own in September 1977. We are looking for a qualified person interested in a teacher-principal position. Certification could be waived depending on qualifications. Volunteer help would be available to assist in teaching duties. Interested persons please call or write:

Rev. L. Kieboom

1548 N. 16th St.

Sheboygan, Wis. 53081

Phone 414 - 458-9628

OR

Richard G. Kaat

1734 Woodside Lane

Sheboygan, Wis. 53081

Phone 414 - 452-1666

YOUTH DAY IN ST. CATHARINES, ONTARIO

The Youth Day Conference took place in the new church at St. Catharines, on July 2 with about 400 in attendance. Rev. Weststrate opened the meetings, welcoming those in attendance. Psalter 422, stanzas 7 and 8 were sung and Psalm 86 was read. He then offered prayer, acknowledging the Lord for preserving the lives of those present in enabling them to be there and pleading for the Lord’s blessing and the hallowing of His Name in that day.

A note of greeting was read from Rev. A. Elshout, representing the young people’s organizations in the Netherlands. Besides those from the churches in Ontario, young people were present from Michigan, Wisconsin and New Jersey, and also from the Netherlands. Rev. DenBoer was not present at the morning session because of the death of a 16 year old boy the evening before in his own congregation of Norwich. Rev. Weststrate pointed out that the nearness of death should be considered by the young as well as the old.

Church History was the topic of the address given by Rev. Weststrate, wherein he briefly sketched the highpoints of our own church history after the Reformation. He told of “deformation” which often followed a reformation, and warned against the departing from the true doctrine. An opportunity was given for questions, which were then answered.

After singing by the choir of St. Catharines, Albert Brouwer and Herman Sinke spoke on marriage, a subject worked out with the young people’s group of St. Catharines. They spoke of the importance of religion in marriage and the dangers of mixed-marriages, and also answered the questions submitted by the audience in regard to this topic.

A noon meal was provided by the women of the church, which was enjoyed by all. Two servings had to be made because of the number attending the conference. In the afternoon session a Bible quiz was given for the boys and girls, which tested also the older ones present as to their knowledge of the Bible. Then Rev. DenBoer spoke about the subject, “Lottery”. He explained that the casting of lots in Bible days was accompanied by calling upon the Name of God, whereas today’s society is tempting the Lord and lusting after riches. A number of questions were submitted and answered regarding our present day involvement in these things. The Kalamazoo choir sang a number of songs during the afternoon session.

With a word of thanks to those who were helpful in making the arrangements for this youth day, Rev. DenBoer closed the conference with prayer, asking the Lord’s blessing upon it and His protection as each returned homeward again.

1952 - ST. CATHARINES -1977

In connection with the opening of the new church at St. Catharines, which took place 6 months ago, at which time the existence of this congregation and the past events were commemorated in detail by the local minister and other speakers, the consistory decided to remember the 25th anniversary of the congregation in soberness and simplicity on Sunday, July 17, 1977. This fact was commemorated in the morning service in the Dutch language and in the afternoon service in the English language.

Rev. Weststrate chose the text in the morning service from Lam. 3:22, 23. “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness.”

In this service the faithfulness of the Lord was proclaimed to be the only reason that the congregation may commemorate its 25-year existence.

In the afternoon service the text was Genesis 35:1–4 - “And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother. Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, ‘Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments; And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of distress, and was with me in the way which I went.’ And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all the earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Schechem.”

In this sermon the true gratitude as the fruit of Christ’s merits was emphasized, which gratitude applied to God’s people by the ministration of the Holy Spirit causes a yearning “to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with their God.” That is the true acknowledging of God’s gifts, in which He is glorified in His own work, and both brings and will keep His Church in true humiliation.

Following the sermon, elder Nieuwenhuyzen spoke to the congregation, after which the service was ended in the usual manner.

DENOMINATIONAL YEAR-BOOK

The 1977 issue of the Denominational Year-Book printed in the Holland language is now available at a price of $4.00

This year book can be purchased from —

Mr. Sam Kersten

R.R. #3

Norwich, Ontario

Canada, N0J-1P0

CORRECTION

In last month’s (July) issue of “The Banner of Truth” it was announced that a Savings Fund of the Netherlands Reformed Congregations had been established. Item 3 on the lower portion of page 5 indicated that the interest rate payable to depositors for the year ending 6/30/78 was set at (5% ) which is incorrect. The correct rate is 5½% .

ANNOUNCEMENT

The Rev. and Mrs. M. Heerschap had the privilege on July 21 of observing their 45th wedding anniversary with their family, friends, and congregation. May the Lord grant them that they may be spared a few more years with and for each other in His favor, to His honor and to the gladness of their family and of the congregation of Lethbridge.

Editor

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