Installation and Inaugural Sermon of Rev. C. Vogelaar

Installation Service

It was on the evening of June 20 that the congregation of Grand Rapids (Beckwith) was gladdened with the installation of their new minister, Rev. C. Vogelaar. He was installed by Rev. J. Spaans of Norwich, Ontario, who chose for his text Acts 20:28, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood.”

The theme of his sermon was “A Very Special Instruction,” and he viewed this in two aspects, namely, (1) Christ and His church, and (2) Christ and His servants. It was pointed out how that Paul on his journey to Jerusalem delivered a message to the elders of Ephesus, a message also to us and the church of all ages. He foresaw an end to his stewardship, and therefore spoke this parting word to the leaders of the church in Ephesus. It was an admonishing word for them in regard to that church for which God had sent His only begotten Son into the world. It had pleased Christ to take upon Himself the sins of that church, so that God could be the justifier of the ungodly. Purchased with the blood of Christ, that church could be called a chosen people, to the glory of the Triune God. They were to show forth the praises of Him who had called them out of darkness into His marvellous light.

This message was directed to men imperfect in themselves, but it had pleased Christ to place His servants in the midst of His church. They were by Paul called to be fruitful in the fear of God, followers of the Lord. Christ had conquered, but the darts of Satan would still assault them. Therefore the admonishment, “Take heed unto yourselves,” applicable both to pastor and congregation. The hope was expressed that the Lord might use Rev. Vogelaar as His instrument in the midst of the congregation, pointing, as did John the Baptist, unto the Lamb of God.

After the Form of Ordination was read and the answer given to it by Rev. Vogelaar, “Yes, truly, with all my heart,” Psalter 345 was sung together, and this special service was closed with prayer and the benediction.

Inaugural Sermon

The following evening Rev. Vogelaar preached his inaugural service from the text in Jeremiah 21:8-9, “And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the Lord; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death. He that abideth in this city shall die by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth out, and falleth to the Chaldeans that besiege you, he shall live, and his life shall be unto him for a prey.”

The theme in these words was “The Word of God regarding Two Ways,” and this was distinguished in three throughts: 1) The authority of that Word, 2) The comfort of that Word, and 3) The admonishment in that Word.

Rev. Vogelaar explained how that the cause and reason for this service was not to be found in him, nor in the congregation, but to be found in the covenant-keeping God, the Unchangeable One, the I AM. There we must look, for otherwise we look too low. And His message is also unchangeable; it is that only proven Truth.

Jeremiah was to speak to “this people,” the people of Judah, a distressed people. Some had already been led into exile, but Jeremiah was given a word to those remaining in Jerusalem. They were beseiged by the enemy, and were faced with pestilence and famine. The Lord seemed to be against these people, but the cause was that they had forsaken the Lord. They were an idolatrous generation. But in these moments they remembered that they had a God, and His servant Jeremiah was among them. This God had done wonders of old, and it was His Word that Jeremiah was to bring unto them.

And what a remarkable and unexpected message it was. Notwithstanding rebellion and sins, the Lord came to them with a message, saying, “I set before you the way of life.” He brought it nigh to them and with clarity revealed that there was a way of deliverance, although there was also a way of perishing. He declares to an unworthy people that there is a way of safety, a way of life. This is the message He gave to Jeremiah, but this He also gives to His servants today.

And what is the way of life? It was and is so different than was expected. They were not to maintain themselves in Jerusalem; it was not self-improvement or amendment of life, but surrendering to the Chaldeans. It was a way of humiliation, a bowing under God’s justice, saying, “I will bear the indignation of the Lord, for I have sinned against Him.” That, wrought in the heart by the Holy Spirit, bore the promise, “And ye shall live.” How can that be a way of life? The Lord maintains His justice, and sinners must go a way of death unto life. Room is then made for Him who is the Way and the Life, the Lord Jesus Christ, who Himself was led outside of the city, as we read in Hebrews 13:12-13, “Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach.”

There was also spoken of a way of death, which was remaining in the city, a maintaining of themselves. And thus the call also comes to us to be a bowing, pleading, weeping people, not remaining in the city, not hiding behind church membership and religious activities and experiences. The Lord has said, “ When I see the blood, I will pass by,” thus, death in Adam, life in Christ. It is the Lord who calls you, and He calls you to flee the wrath to come.

In conclusion, Rev. Vogelaar expressed his appreciation to Rev. Spaans for the installation service and his moderatorship in the past, addressing also the brothers in the ministry, the students, and the office-bearers from other congregations. He acknowledged all those who were present from former congregations and elsewhere, and especially expressed his thanks to the Beckwith congregation for their warm welcome and the many preparations which had been made for him and his family. It was his wish that as consistory and congregation they might strive together, bearing one another’s burdens. He also briefly addressed his wife and children, since it had brought about separations for them also.

Rev. A. T. Vergunst then addressed the minister on behalf of Classis East, Elder B. Sweetman did so as representative of the former congregation of Franklin Lakes, and Elder J. Fluit as representative of the Beckwith congregation. Then as their own pastor Rev. Vogelaar pronounced the blessing upon the congregation.

From the Curatorium

At our Curatorium meeting held on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 18 and 19, 1996, there was no freedom to accept any of the brothers who came with an attest to be heard pertaining to their life and calling. May such a disappointment cause us to bow before Him who alone can call and send laborers into His vineyard.

The theological students, Herman Hofman, Henry Den Hollander, and Adriaan Verhoef, were examined by their theological instructors on Tuesday. Wednesday morning Students Den Hollander and Verhoef spoke a trial sermon. Afterwards, the Curatorium was pleased to announce to the students their advancement. Student Hofman was advanced to his second year of theological studies, and Students Den Hollander and Verhoef to their third year. The third year students may now go into the congregations and speak an edifying word. Their schedules for speaking engagements will be arranged by Rev. C. Vogelaar.

It was with a feeling of deep gratitude that the chairman addressed Rev. A. M. den Boer, who has been the secondary instructor at our school. Since Rev. Den Boer has accepted a call to the ministry in the Netherlands, he will no longer be able to fill the position of instructor. Elder G. Moerdyk of Kalamazoo was asked to fill this position. He, with the help of the Lord, hopes to perform the duties of secondary instructor.

May the Lord remember the students and their instructors, and add His indispensable blessing, so that His holy Name may be honored and His kingdom built.

— The Curatorium

Teacher Needed

REHOBOTH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, NORWICH, ONTARIO. For the school year 1996-97 we invite qualified teachers to apply for one full-time elementary position (grade 4). For informtion, please contact Mr. Martien C. Vanderspek, principal, (519) 863-2403 (school) or (519) 863-3119 (home), or Mr. Len Vanderweerd, president, (519) 842-3494. Applications maybe sent to Rehoboth Christian School, attention Mr. Vanderweerd, 43 Main St. E., P.O. Box 220, Norwich, Ontario, NOJ 1P0.

New Editor Appointed

Due to the departure of Rev. A. M. den Boer to the Netherlands in the month of August, a new editor was appointed at our recent Synod meeting, namely, Rev. J. den Hoed, of Rock Valley, Iowa. His address is 824 18th Avenue S., Rock Valley, Iowa 51247, phone (712) 476-2442.

We wish to take this opportunity as editorial staff to express our appreciation for Rev. den Boer’s extensive labors in connection with our publication throughout the last years. May the Lord grant further tokens of His favor as he assumes the task of shepherd in the congregation of Dirksland in the Netherlands. May he experience also there the omnipresence of the Lord, and may the Lord give him to experience the words of the psalmist, “The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore” (Psalm 121:8).

Books Available

After being out of print for some time, the Synod Book and Publishing Committee has reprinted the book, The Life and Labors of the Rev. M. Heikoop.” Also a book for children is newly available, entitled A Seaman’s Years at School and Other Christian Stories. Both can be obtained from the Book and Publishing Committee in Grand Rapids or from Bible Truth Books in Kalamazoo. The price of the book of Rev. Heikoop is $7.50 and the other is $3.50.

Bible Truth Books’ Phone Line

Bible Truth Books has recently installed a new phone line, with the number (616) 345-7554. This line is connected to a modem in our computer system and can receive either voice calls or fax documents. When our computer system takes a call, it automatically detects whether or not the call is a fax, so the caller does not have to worry about any special codes when faxing. If the com-puter decides that the call is not a fax, it automatically starts the voice messaging system.

Yearbook Corrections and Revisions

Rev. C. Vogelaar, 2281 Mapleleaf Terrace, N.E., Grand Rapids, Michigan 49506, phone (616) 742-5929, fax (616) 742-5930.

Student A. H. Verhoef, 1023 Plymouth Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49505, phone (616) 774-9732.

Student H. D. den Hollander, 1249 Covell Avenue NW, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504, phone (616) 453-3758.

Student H. Hofman, 2425 Leonard Street NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49505, phone (616) 774-3045.

Elder J. Slingerland, (bottom of page 84), correct fax number is (403) 320-1243.

Deacon A. Berman, (page 51), new address is P.O. Box 20188, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada L2M 7W7.

All area code numbers of the Lynden consistory (pages 88 and 89) should be 360.

This picture was taken of the ministers present at the 1996 Synod meeting in Grand Rapids. They are: front row, left to right, Revs. J. Spaans, C. Vogelaar, and J. den Hoed; back row, Revs. P. van Ruitenburg, H. Hofman, A. T. Vergunst, and A. M. den Boer. The picture is available (5 x 7, in color) from Mr. Thomas L. Vanden Toorti, 2740 Maguire N.E., Grand Rapids, Michigan 49505-9605, $4.00 (U.S.) or $5.00 (Canadian).

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