CHURCH NEWS

Calls Extended:

To Rev. A.W. Verhoef, of Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada, by the Drachten, the Netherlands, Congregation.

To Rev. A.W. Verhoef, of Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada, by the Norwich, Ontario, Canada, Congregation.

Calls Declined:

To the Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Congregation, by Rev. J. VanHaaren, of Amersfoort, the Netherlands.

To the St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, Congregation, by Rev. A. Moerkerken, of Nieuw-Beijerland, the Netherlands.

YOUTH DAY CONFERENCE CLASSIS EAST/MIDWEST

The annual East/Midwest Youth Day Conference will be sponsored by the Clifton, New Jersey congregation, and held at the Franklin Lakes church on July 3,1982, D.V.

Those still requiring lodging are encouraged to secure reservations immediately at one of the following addresses:

In Clifton: Mrs. Matthew Dob

153 Notch

Clifton, N.J. 07013

Tel. 201-471-4406

In Franklin Lakes: Mrs. Edwin Sweetman

25 Mead Ave.

North Haledon, N.J. 07508

Tel. 201-427-5184

YOUTH DAY CONFERENCE CLASSIS WEST

The Youth Day Conference of Classis West will be held, the Lord willing, in the Rock Valley school on August 7, 1982. These conferences provide young people an opportunity to hear and discuss the importance of God’s Word in their daily lives, and therefore we hope many may again be able to attend.

Those requiring accomodations should send their requests to:

Corny Rus

1902 15th Street

Rock Valley, Iowa 51247

Phone 712/476-2189

If travelling by bus or with friends and you wish to stay together, please advise us of this and it will be arranged where possible.

YOUTH CAMP IN THE FAR WEST

The Sunnyside Congregation will host the Youth Campout this year, July 27 to 30, 1982, D.V. Our program will include several speakers, Psalter singing, Bible Quiz and an opportunity for questions, the Lord willing.

We welcome our young people to attend this Campout.

Those desiring more information, please contact:

John Van Wingerden, Jr.

Route 3, Box 3204

Sunnyside, Washington 98944

Telephone: 509-837-2353

SAVINGS FUND OF THE NETHERLANDS REFORMED CONGREGATIONS IN THE U.S.A.

FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDING MARCH 31,1982

ASSETS

Cash in Checking Account $ 3,817.77

U.S. Treasury Obligations 295,740.90

Loans Receivable from Churches

and Schools 130,388.08

TOTAL ASSETS 429,946.75

LIABILITIES

Due Depositors 394,755.96

Fund Balance 35,190.79

LIABILITIES & FUND BALANCE 429,946.75

Income: Interest Earned 33,420.97

Expenses: Interest Paid 1,753.48

NET INCOME 31,667.49

Fund Balance 6/30/81 3,523.30

Fund Balance 3/31/82 $ 35,190.79

The U.S. Savings Fund is in need of money to loan out to churches and schools. Any individual or congregation who has funds available for loaning to these worthy causes, please contact Mr. Peter Southway, treasurer, 187 Glenwood Drive, North Haledon, New Jersey 07508. Telephone 201/427-5093. Existing monies in the Fund are all spoken for, and we are not presently able to satisfy the requests for loans from the Fund.

Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm. Proverbs 3:30

CLASSIS MEETING (EAST-MIDWEST) IN BRIEF

Classis East-Midwest met in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, on March 31. The preceding evening a prayer service was held, conducted by Rev. W.C. Lamain, who spoke on Colossians 1:18: “And He is the head of the body, the church: Who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence.”

The meeting was opened at 9 o’clock with the singing of Psalter 431:3, and the reading of Psalm 84. Rev. Lamain then led in prayer, beseeching the Lord’s blessing on the meeting and the Lord’s guidance in all things to that it might be to the honor of His Name and the welfare of the congregations. In opening the meeting he spoke of the seriousness of the times, observable also in the declension within the church. Since the previous classis meeting, several sad events had occurred, especially the death of Rev. Vergunst of Kalamazoo, who labored in the classis with great zeal, and the death of former elder William Vroegindewey, who served the Clifton congregation for 30 years. Also remembered were Rev. A. Den Boer, who had accepted a call to the Sioux Center congregation, and Elder Vander Wende of Clifton, who had suffered a stroke.

Rev. Lamain welcomed delegates and friends as travellers together through the wilderness of this world, and spoke of the great necessity, that in each person the root of the matter be found. Credentials were then examined and the following officers were elected:

President: Rev. J.R. Beeke (by rotation)

Assesor: Rev. W.C. Lamain

Clerk: Elder J. Beeke

Treasurer: Elder A. Fintelman

The chairman reminded the classis that Rev. Lamain had now served the congregations on this side of the ocean for 35 years, and expressed the hope that the Lord might yet spare him for some additional years for the many labors among us. He also spoke of the progress in our schools, whereas Grand Rapids had voted to add grades 10-12, and Franklin Lakes had received state approval for thenproposed school building. He expressed the desire that the Lord might add His blessing to these endeavors.

A report was given by the Macedonia Mission Society, with the request that it be published in the Banner of Truth, so that all the congregations be aware of their work.

The scheduled dates for the Synodical meeting were reported, as also the office-bearers conference which was to be held, D.V., the day prior to it. Classis also decided to arrange an office-bearers conference within the classis prior to the next classical meeting (the last Tuesday of March, 1983, D.V.).

A brief explanation was given by Rev. Beeke on the Netherlands Reformed Book and Publishing Committee (formerly the General Fund). Consistories were requested to cooperate in the distribution of the books among the members of their congregations and in the collections for this purpose. It was the hope and prayer that the Lord might use the means of the printed page for a blessing in our midst.

The need for additional catechism sermons was discussed and some suggestions made. Since it is already on the agenda for the Synod, a further discussion of these possibilities will be presented there. There was discussion about the time of the principals’ conferences, but this also will be forwarded to the Synod. Advice was given in regard to several divorce cases.

Concern was expressed that we as congregations were not fully informed of government rules and actions which directly involve our churches and schools. Since there are variations in Canada and United States, but also from state to state, it was agreed that those who felt a need should attempt to regulate it in their own immeidate area.

Other points of discussion were the inviting of ministers from Holland to serve the vacant congregations, the Christmas Day services and the Youth Conferences. These were agreeably resolved or forwarded to the Synod for further consideration.

Delegates were then chosen for the Synod to be held in June, D.V. In the customary questions which followed, several matters were also discussed and advice given where possible. After prorating the expenses among the churches, St. Catharines was designated as the calling church for the next classis, which will be held in Clifton, New Jersey, the Lord willing, on March 30,1983.

In his closing remarks the chairman remembered Classis Far West, which was also meeting the same day, and the fact that the former elder Ouwerkerk of Lethbridge had also passed away recently. The chairman then closed the meeting with prayer.

MACEDONIA MISSION SOCIETY ACTIVITY REPORT — MARCH, 1982

Since our last report in 1981 we have printed ten blue booklets containing 22 sermons. We have now issued 209 booklets containing 348 sermons, and printed 3,150 copies of each. This is an increase of 300, the reason being that inquiries were sent to all those who receive them asking whether they wish to increase, decrease, or remain with the number they were receiving. Accordingly, this adjustment was made.

The amount of new students requesting the “Bible History” of John Vreugdenhil continues to increase, with the greatest number of requests coming from Africa — mainly Nigeria and Ghana. The number of answer sheets received monthly remains about the same — 1,800. Although many new students begin the course each month, those who have been answering the books do not continue to finish the complete set of books. As the student advances in the course, the percentage decreases in the amount of books completed so that only about twenty-five percent who started actually complete it. Our volume still remains the highest among African students, and all those who complete the course receive a Bible. Each student is informed when he begins the course that upon the completion of it they will be send a Bible.

Also 1,716 booklets have been sent to the Mission.

The number of participants doing “Church History” remains about the same, most of them from the United States and Canada. An average of 75 answer sheets are received each month, However, these booklets are used in all our schools, and during the past year 3,961 copies were sent to them. The answer sheets for these students are kept at the school and therefore we do not have their names on our records. A report is sent to us from each school at the end of the school year. Also 1,300 copies were sent to other schools and missions.

During the past year, we received a request from our congregation in New Zealand that they would like to start a station of our Society over there. It was decided to do this and a supply of books was sent to Mr. N. Bertram. They now do the correcting and mailing of new booklets to the students in New Zealand.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

Balance as of May 31,1981 $4,328.03

Month Receipts Disbursements

June, 1981 $ 341.40 $ 1,031.18

July 2,402.20 630.31

August 25.00 4,079.37

September 3,236.46 1,253.89

October 1,341.90 1,476.51

November 2,482.50 1,476.85

December 2,236.59 1,584.47

January, 1982 1,808.45 892.59

February 455.26 560.90

March -0- 5,024.21

$14.329.76 $18,010.28

Receipts $14,329.76

Total $18,657.79

Less Disbursements $18,010.28

Balance, March 31,1982 $ 647.51

Receipts

From churches & church organizations $12,728.17

From individuals 1,521.88

Interest on Savings Account 79.71

$14,329.76

Expenses

Postage $11,037.60

Paper and envelopes 6,463.13

Photographic Supplies 412.42

Miscellaneous expenses 97.13

$18.010.28

Respectfully submitted,

Leonard J. Van Grouw, Treasurer

May all the labors that are put forth in this work not be in vain; that as the seed is sown it may, according to His divine will, bring forth fruit, and His name receive all the honor and glory. Respectfully submitted,

Cornelius Bush, Secretary

A NETHERLANDS REFORMED CHURCH IN THE SOUTHEAST?

At the East-Midwest classical gathering of March 31, 1982, Classis unanimously decided to pursue the possibility of establishing one of our own congregations in the southeastern portion of the U.S. For some years, a growing number of our members have been traveling south for increasingly long periods of time due to various health needs. At present, it appears that a significant number of individuals and/or families would be interested in moving to a warm climate on a permanent basis (including an elder from one of our churches) were our denomination to organize a church in southeastern U.S. Florida was mentioned as the probable state, providing, of course, that a suitable area could be found, etc. Classis requested the Franklin Lakes consistory to place this announcement of intent in our Banner of Truth, study the matter further, and report back to the March Classis of 1983, D.V. If a sufficient number of persons respond and Classis can feel at that time that this matter may be in the favor of the Lord, further plans will then be undertaken with the prayer that the Lord may add His indispensable blessing.

If you would be interested in attending one of our own churches in western Florida (removed from worldly sections), please write a personal note of explanation to Adrian VanZweden, Clerk, 659 Alps Road, Wayne, N.J. 07470. Include your name, address, and number of persons interested in your family, and inform us as to whether you would be interested in: (1) living near a Florida church on a permanent basis; (2) attending a Florida church for some months each year; (3) attending a Florida church only on vacational trips. Additional pertinent information would also be helpful.

May the Lord bless this endeavor and grant us the petition of Moses, “If Thy presence go not up with us, carry us not up hence.”

On behalf of Classis East-Midwest, Frankline Lakes, N.J. Consistory

YEARBOOK — CORRECTION

Holders of the 1982 Yearbook of the Netherlands Reformed Congregations should make the following corrections.

On the top of page 15, just below the heading, change (correct) the year captions (1981) and (1982) to 1982 and 1983 respectively.

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