NEWS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & EVENTS

CHURCH NEWS

MINISTERIAL CALLS

Extended

To Rev. M. Mondria of Waardenburg, the Netherlands, by the St. Catharines, Ontario congregation.

Extended and Declined

Rev. D. Hakkenberg of Groningen, the Netherlands, to the Fort Macleod, Alberta congregation.

Rev. J.J. Van Eckeveld of Zeist, the Netherlands to the Unionville, Ontario congregation.

Rev H. Hofman of Kalamazoo, Michigan, to the Slikkerveer, the Netherlands congregation.

Accepted

By Rev. H. Hofman of Kalamazoo, Michigan to the Sioux Center, Iowa congregation.

CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS

NATIONAL PRAYER DAY

President Ronald Reagan has set May 5, 1988 as the U.S. annual National Day of Prayer.

The need is great. Immorality is rampant. Sabbath desecration is widespread. Substance abuse has become the norm for many. No nation on earth kills so many unborn babies as we. And all this because of the lack of the fear of Cod among the consciousness of our citizenry.

May God command His blessing on May 5, and grant us prayer throughout the day and in our church services that we may be graciously called back to His law and testimony as a nation (Is. 8:20). —JRB

1988 YEARBOOK: CHURCH AND SCHOOL DIRECTORY

Our 1988 denominational Yearbook is now available. Consistories should be receiving their orders shortly. We appreciate the fact that most churches provide a copy for each family in their congregation.

In case you are not provided with a free copy (or should you desire additional copies for yourselves or family members), write: Netherlands Reformed Book and Publishing Committee, 1020 N. Main Ave., Sioux Center, Iowa 51250. Enclose $3.50 per copy (US funds).

As usual, address changes, phone numbers, and statistical evidence have been updated. Once again we are privileged to be one of the few denominations in North America which may show a rise in membership numbers. In fact, this year membership totals have risen in all three Classes: Classis East from 4693 to 4780; Classis Midwest from 2074 to 2103; Classis Farwest from 2406 to 2458. Total membership has risen as follows: 1986 — 9099; 1987— 9171; 1988 — 9341. The confession of faith and baptism totals were also very high (173 and 300 respectively). With the exception of 176 making confession in 1983, both figures represent the highest in the history of our denomination.

Spiritual growth, of course, cannot be so easily measured. Though we see much that discourages, we may also not deny that there is much to encourage. Personally, I have never had as much opportunity in the ministry to speak with sinners who felt lost and needed a Savior in any given year as in 1987. The Lord has been good to us, but we would see more true, sound, and clear conversions. Oh, that the days of revival might yet dawn among us!

This year we have requested Rev. C Vogelaar and Principal D. Lipsy to write the representative articles under church and school sections respectively. These are entitled: What our Churches Need in this World and Our Christian Schools: Where have we been? Where are we now? Where are we going?

Once again, an editorial review summarizes denominational progress in missions, education, publications, and committee work.

May our Yearbook continue to provide valuable information and assist in binding our congregations and members together. May it stimulate us to remember the needs of our congregations at the throne of grace. May God continue to bless us as a denomination, and grant that we may maintain the "old paths" of the precious doctrines of free grace which are based on Scripture and experienced by God's people, thereby finding rest for our souls (Jer. 6:16). —JRB

MINISTERS

Rev. H. Hofman received freedom to accept the call extended to him by the Sioux Center, Iowa congregation. May the Lord graciously bless him and his family as "at the commandment of the Lord, they journeyed" must once again be lived out. Above all, may the Lord graciously use our brother's ministry for the eternal gain of many souls in Iowa to the glory of His thrice-holy Name. May the Kalamazoo flock also be sustained in their sorrow with the divine provision of an under-shepherd in the near future.

We wish to acknowledge the fact that our oldest minister, Rev. M. Heerschap, will have served his present flock of Lethbridge, Alberta, the Lord willing, for fifteen years as of June 6. May the Lord receive all the honor, and grant our brother and his congregation several additional years of divine blessing, to their mutual edification —JRB

NEW ADDRESS

Rev. and Mrs. A.W. Verhoef

Sunset Manor, Suites 102-103

Chilliwack, B.C. V2P 5W1

YOUTH CONFERENCES

CLASSIS EAST

The Youth Conference of Classis East will be held at Grand Rapids, Michigan on July 2, 1988, D.V Speakers will include our Michigan pastors, as well as an elder, and a young person. Additional details will be forthcoming. For reservations, contact Elder G. Kwekel (616)455-1538.

— Classical Conference Committee JRB/GM/GK

CLASSIS FAR WEST

The Classical Youth Conference Committee would like to inform all young people fifteen years of age and older, of the Classis Far West Youth Conference to be held, the Lord willing, from Monday evening, July 18, through Thursday morning, July 21.

The Committee was able to locate and reserve a centrally-located group camp-and-conference site in northeastern Washington, near the Idaho border (approximately a six-hour drive for each of our Washington, British Columbia, and Alberta congregations). A conference program has been approved and several ministers and office-bearers have been approached to serve as speakers. The total conference cost will be $45 (U.S.) or $60 (Can.) per person, which includes all food and lodging expenses. Transportation costs are not included. No individual cars are permitted at the conference site; everyone must travel there by group bus or van. Each church group will need to establish its own transportation fee.

The committee plans to mail complete program and informational packets to our consistories and young people in the near future, D.V., but we wish to inform everyone of the dates now in order that you can keep July 18-21 reserved.

May God guide us in our further planning and graciously bless this means of providing topics for instruction, times for discussion, and opportunities for our young people to meet one another. Above all, may God implant His Word where we can never bring it of ourselves — in the hearts of us all.

— The Classical Youth Conference Committee

Elder C. Feyter— Fort Macleod

Elder A. Den Hoed — Sunnyside

Elder J. Beeke —Chilliwack

Mr. H. Hoefakker —Lynden

OBITUARIES

In Memoriam

MORRIS VANDER JAGT

On February 22,1988, it pleased the Lord to remove from our midst a dear husband, father, and grandfather, Mr. Morris Vander Jagt, at the ripe age of ninety years. He faithfully served the Ottawa Ave. Congregation of Grand Rapids for several years as elder. Funeral services were conducted from Heb. 11:16, "But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore Cod is not ashamed to be called their Cod: for He hath prepared for them a city."

May the Lord comfort the bereaved widow and her family as He alone is able to do, and grant them His solace which is sufficient for time and eternity. —JRB

FLUIT, Anna —Age 78; Feb. 19, 1988; Rock Valley, IA; Husband — Henry (deceased); Brothers —Tony, Joe Medema; Sisters — Marie {Mrs. Barney Van Meer, Matilda (Mrs. Edward Kraayenhof), Johanna De Boer; Children —Wilmer, Clarence, John, Henry, Jr., Tuenis (deceased), Anna Marie (Mrs. Ladell Kaster), Joyce Ann (Mrs. Larry De Jong); 27 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren (Rev. J. Den Hoed, Ecc. 3:14a.)

ZOON, William-Age 73; Mar. 1, 1988; Clifton, NJ; Wife-Christina (Van Der Wekke); Sons —William, Richard; Brother —Maurice; Sister — Cora Dankersloot; 5 grandchildren. (Elder John S. Vander Wiele, Luke 13:3.)

VANDER JAGT, Morris—Age 90; Feb. 22,1988; Grand Rapids, Ml; Wife — Levina; Daughter— Audrey (Mrs. Arthur Haadsma); Son —Peter G.; 8 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren. (Rev. J.R. Beeke, Heb. 11:16.)

KARDUX, Jaques —Age 74; Feb. 29, 1988; Chilliwack, B.C.; Wife — Bastiaantje (Vanden Doel); children and grandchildren. (Rev. A.W. Verhoef, Ps. 39:5,6.)

ANNOUNCEMENT

40th Anniversary

The Lord willing, on April 7,1988, our parents,

Mr. & Mrs. Edwin Sweetman, Sr.

hope to commemorate their 40th wedding anniversary. It is the prayerful wish of the children and grandchildren that the Lord may spare them for each other as well as for them. May he bless them with His all-sufficient grace for time and eternity.

25 Mead Ave. North Haledon, New Jersey 07508

TEACHERS

TIMOTHY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, British Columbia: The school board is interested in receiving applications for elementary and high school teaching positions for the 1988-89 school year. Those interested in receiving more information or an application form, please phone or write our principal: Mr. James W. Beeke, Timothy Christian School, 50420 Castleman Road, R.R. 2, Chilliwack, British Columbia, V2P 6H4 Canada. Phone: 604-794-7109 (Home), 794-7114 (School).

REHOBOTH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, Copetown is seeking applications for primary, intermediate and senior level teachers. Concentrations in English, French, Mathematics and Business Studies are needed in the intermediate and senior levels. Please apply to: Reho-both Christian School, c/o Mr. H. Kleyn, Principal, Box 70, Copetown, Ontario, LOR 1J0. Telephone: 416-627-5977.

NETHERLANDS REFORMED CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, Pompton Plains, New Jersey is accepting applications for elementary teacher positions for the 1988-89 school year. Interested applicants are asked to contact either of the following:

Mr. John VanderWiele

267 Madison Ave.

Clifton, N) 07011

Phone: (201) 365-1590

Mr. John W. Van Der Brink

18 Clenwood Street

Clifton, NJ 07013

Phone: (201) 777-0103

Also, the Board is seeking for a qualified industrial arts teacher. Interested applicants are requested to contact either of the above persons.

CALVIN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, Lethbridge: We are anticipating openings for up to six positions for the 1988-89 school year, the Lord willing. The School-board, therefore, invites applications for the following positions: 2 lower elementary; 1 upper elementary; 1 industrial arts teacher; I math and/or science teacher and 1 business education teacher

Additional information may be obtained from the February, 1988 Issue of The Banner of Truth or from the Principal, Mr. A.H. Verhoef, Telephone 403-381-3030 (school), 403-481-4434 (home).

Applications with resume should be forwarded to the Secretary of the School board, Mr. A.M. de Wilde, P.O. Box 142, Monarch, Alberta, Canada, TOL 1M0. (Telephone: 403-824-3635).

PLYMOUTH CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS, Grand Rapids are still in need of a part-time instrumental music instructor for grades 5-12. Interested persons should contact either the elementary principal, Mr. David Engelsma, at 616-458-4367 or the high school principal, Mr. Richard Ten Elshof, at 616-454-9481.

NETHERLANDS REFORMED CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, Rock Valley/Sioux Center invites inquiries and applications for teaching positions at the elementary and secondary levels. Call or write Art Den Hoed 712-477-2459, Route 1, Box 123, Larchwood, Iowa 51241; Harold Schelling 712-722-1131, Rural Route, Box 54, Hull, Iowa 51239; or the Netherlands Reformed Christian School, Rural Route 1, Box 269K, Rock Valley, Iowa 51247. Telephone: 712-476-2821.

EBENEZER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, Sheboygan is in need of a full-time teacher for grades 3-5 or 6-8 for the 1988-89 school year. If you have any questions, feel free to contact our principal, Mr. David Lipsy from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at (414) 452-5464 or 5:30-9 p.m. at (414) 457-9257. Resumes or applications should be mailed to: Mr. Phil Kaat, RR #3, Box 4400, Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin 53085.

REHOBOTH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, Norwich, Ont. is looking for a teacher for grades 5/6 combination for the next school year. If you are interested in this position, please contact Mr. Henry Scholten, president (519) 863-3825 or Mr. Martien Vanderspek, principal (519) 863-3119 (home) or 863-2403 (school). Send your application to Rehoboth Christian School, 43 Main St. E. Box 220, Norwich, Ont. NO) 1P0.

WANTED

Qualified person to privately tutor a few lower elementary students for the 1988-89 school year. Teaching certification is not necessary.

Please write: Russell Derksen, Route 2, Box 245, Waupun, Wisconsin 53963 or call: 414-324-2486.

SELECTIONS BY HART

Come poor sinners, come away;
In meditation sweet,
Let us go to Golgotha,
And us kiss our Saviour's feet
Let us in His wounded side
Wash till we every whit are clean;
That's the fountain opened wide
For filthiness and sin.

Jesus, our Redeemer, shed
For us His vital blood,
We, through our victorious Head
Can now come near to God.
Sin and sorrow may distress;
But neither shall us quite control;
Christ has perfect holiness
For every sin-sick soul.

Poor sinner, come, cast off thy fear,
And raise thy drooping head;
Come, sing with all poor sinners here,
Jesus, who once was dead.

Salvation sing, no word more meet
To join to Jesus' name;
Let every thankful tongue repeat,
"Salvation to the Lamb."

Saints, from the garden to the cross,
Your conquering Lord pursue,
Who, dearly to redeem your loss,
Groaned, bled, and died for you.

Now reigns victorious over death
The glorious great I AM;
Let every soul repeat with faith,
"Salvation to the Lamb."

When we incurred the wrath of God—
Alas.' what could we worse?
He came, and, with His own heart's blood,
Redeemed us from the curse.

This paschal Lamb, our heavenly meat,
Was roasted in the flame;
Repeat, ye ransomed souls, repeat,
"Salvation to the Lamb."

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