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THE INSTALLATION AND INAUGURATION OF THE REV. J. C. WESTSTRATE AT ST. CATHARINES ON JUNE 15,1974

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THE INSTALLATION AND INAUGURATION OF THE REV. J. C. WESTSTRATE AT ST. CATHARINES ON JUNE 15,1974

7 minuten leestijd Arcering uitzetten

I. The Installation Service

After the Rev. M. Heerschap had left for Lethbridge the congregation at St. Catharines was vacant for only a year when they received their new pastor.

Because of his work at the seminary in Rotterdam, the Rev. J. C. Weststrate, who had accepted the call in December, 1973, desired to finish the school year and examinations before leaving the Netherlands. He arrived with his family in Toronto on June 11, and was welcomed by members of the consistory, his daughter, Rev. Den Boer and his wife, and by Rev. Suyker.

At 10:00 AM on the following Saturday the installation service was conducted by the moderator, Rev. A. M. Den Boer in the English language. His text was Isaiah 51:15 & 16. He spoke about: JEHOVAH’S CARE FOR HIS CHURCH. His points were:

1. How the Lord reveals Himself

2. How the Lord protects His ambassadors

3. How the Lord blesses their preaching

The minister first spoke a personal word of welcome to Rev. Weststrate and his family. He fully realized the differences between his former charge in the Netherlands and his new charge in Canada. Having been here but a short time himself, he was well aware of all the difficulties, especially of the language. It makes the work seem impossible, but the unchangeable Jehovah Who had helped him in Meliskerke could also help him in his new congregation. He hoped the minister would be given grace to say with David, “By Thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.” He explained the context and the history. The Lord promised that He would deliver Israel from Babylon as He had from Egypt. Herein He reveals Himself as JEHOVAH, the God of the covenant: “I am the Lord that divided the sea, whose waves roared: the LORD of hosts is My Name.” This is the promise for His people, “Thou art My people”. What an encouragement this is for the true church in whatever circumstances they may be. He calls also today, “I have put My words in thy mouth.” This reassures the church and His servants, also you whose heart has been inclined to come to this congregation. There will often be many objections and problems, but He is the LORD of hosts here as well as in the Netherlands.

His servants are used as clay to open the eyes of sinners, and that not by their own words, but by the words He puts into their mouths. The Lord protects His ambassadors when they are true in their preaching, and preach the word according to the mind of the Spirit. He says, “I have covered thee in the shadow of my hand.”

The blessing is mentioned in the last part of the text. There will be progress in the coming of God’s Kingdom until the last one is brought in by the preaching of the gospel, Blessed to that end by the ministration of the Holy Spirit. Until the new heavens appear, the Lord will use His servants as instruments in His hands to be the glory of a triune God, and will say to Zion, “Thou art My people”.

After the sermon the Rev. Den Boer read the Form of Ordination. Upon the questions asked the Rev. Weststrate answered, “Yes, truly, with all my heart.”

Rev. Den Boer then heartily addressed Rev. Weststrate and the consistory and the congregation. They then arose and sang Psalter No. 346 st. 2 (Psalm 121).

This service was closed by singing Psalter No. 372 st. 2 (Ps. 134) and the benediction.

II. The Inaugural Sermon

At 2 P.M. Rev. J.C. Weststrate pronounced the votum and the benediction. Psalm 123 verses 1 & 2 were sung. Zechariah 4 verses 1–7 were read in both the Holland and English languages. The 12 Articles of Faith were read in the English language. After prayer was offered, Psalm 25 verses 2 & 7 were sung.

Then the minister spoke of the wonderful ways of God. He had learned that God’s ways are higher than his ways and God’s thoughts than his thoughts. Especially while preaching to his congregation on the third petition of the Lord’s Prayer he was instructed to accept the call to Canada. He said, “He inclined my heart to you, and I accepted the call unconditionally, and it is my wish and prayer that the Lord Himself will unite us by His love as He did in the congregation I left.” He spoke of his objections also in regard to the language and customs in a strange country for himself and his family.

His text was Zech. 4:6: THE BUILDING OF THE SECOND TEMPLE.

1. The circumstances during the building

2. The Lord’s encouragement during the building.

The minister spoke the sermon part by part in both languages so that both old and young could understand the entire sermon.

These words were spoken at the time when the repatriated Jews had returned to Jerusalem from their captivity. They had begun the rebuilding of the temple so hopefully, but opposition and resistance had so disheartened them that they ceased their labors. Then the Lord sent Haggai and Zechariah to encourage them by the vision of the candlestick burning with oil not supplied by human hands. This referred to the work of the Holy Spirit. Not by the might of any person, nor by the power of any creature will the spiritual temple be built, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. The church is not the source of light, nor are God’s servants, for they are all dependent on the oil of the Holy Spirit. By the Holy Spirit Christ builds, defends, and preserves His Church. That encourages the church and its ministers. It is the Holy Spirit that works a saving conviction in the heart, and thus makes room for Jesus, and glorifies a Triune God.

At the close of the service the minister addressed the Rev. Den Boer to thank him for the manner in which he conducted the installation service, and for his personal friendship. Very earnestly he then spoke to the consistory, the congregation, the youth, to his family, and to some delegates.

Inthe name of the classis Rev. Suyker welcomed him. An elder of the Free Christian Reformed Church also welcomed him, since their minister was unable to attend. Finally Elder Nieuwenhuizen spoke in the name of the congregation to welcome the minister and his wife and children. He asked the congregation to arise and sing Psalm 133 verse 3.

Before closing the service Rev. Weststrate thanked not only those who had addressed him, but especially all and everyone who did anything to give him and his family such a cordial welcome.

Calls Extended:

To Rev. P. Honkoop, of Kampen, the Netherlands, by the Kalamazoo, Michigan, Congregation.

Calls Declined:

To the Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, Congregation, by Rev. M. J. Van Gelder, of Enkhuizen, the Netherlands.

To the Lynden, Washington, Congregation, by Rev. C. Hegeman, of Tholen, the Netherlands.

To the Clifton, New Jersey, Congregation, by Rev. W. Suijker, of Unionville, Ontario.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Deputies of Foreign Churches announced that the Rev. C. Hegeman and Mrs. Hegeman will be in America from August 21 to October 2 to visit their family and the churches.

Rev. R. Boogaard and Mrs. Boogaard of Leiden hope to visit Alberta and British Columbia in August.

May the Lord guide and protect them on their trip, and while they visit in this country. Above all, may it be in the favor of the Lord.

On August 28 it will be 45 years ago that the Rev. W. C. Lamain was installed as minister at Leiden by the late Rev. G. H. Kersten. At the request of the minister and consistory of that congregation Rev. Lamain hopes, the Lord willing, to preach on that evening in his first congregation. He and Mrs. Lamain hope to be in the Netherlands from August 16 to September 5.

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Bekijk de hele uitgave van donderdag 1 augustus 1974

The Banner of Truth | 20 Pagina's

THE INSTALLATION AND INAUGURATION OF THE REV. J. C. WESTSTRATE AT ST. CATHARINES ON JUNE 15,1974

Bekijk de hele uitgave van donderdag 1 augustus 1974

The Banner of Truth | 20 Pagina's