CHURCH NEWS

Calls Declined:

To the Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, Congregation, by Rev. A. W. Verhoef of Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada.

To the Rilland-Bath, the Netherlands, Congregation, by Rev. W. C. Lamain of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Calls Extended:

To Rev. A. Vergunst of Veen, the Netherlands, by the Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Congregation.

To Rev. A. M. Den Boer of Norwich, Ontario, Canada, by the Sunnyside, Washington, Congregation.

To Rev. A. M. Den Boer of Norwich, Ontario, Canada, by the Kalamazoo, Michigan, Congregation.

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1,2,3

REV. L. KIEBOOM, MINISTER 25 YEARS

It was on March 28, 1951 that Rev. Kieboom was ordained into the ministry of word and sacrament in the congregation of Waardenburg, the Netherlands. The ordination service was conducted by Rev. A. Vergunst speaking from Titus 2:15, “These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” His inaugural sermon was based upon 2 Corinthians 4:7 “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”

He served the congregations of Waardenburg and Lisse in the Netherlands. In 1958 he came to America serving the churches of Artesia, Cal., Norwich, Ontario and since 1971 has been ministering to the congregation at Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

On Tuesday evening, March 30, this event was commemorated with a special service in the church. Rev. Kieboom spoke from Psalm 71, 17:18, “O God, Thou hast taught me from my youth; and hitherto have I declared Thy wondrous works. Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God forsake me not; until I have shewed Thy strength unto this generation, and Thy power to every one that is to come.”

The theme of this sermon was, A meditation upon God’s mercy. The two thoughts for meditation were, 1. A humble acknowledgement of God’s mercies in the past. 2. A fervant prayer for God’s mercies in the future.

He spoke a few words of introduction from Psalm 48:9, “We have thought of Thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of Thy temple.” He spoke of the blessedness of those who may experience this in this life. God’s people have reasons to be humble for the benefits the Lord has bestowed upon them, yet they remain poor, needy creatures. These are mercies received from a loving God and for this reason we are gathered here tonight, to acknowledge Him for His faithfulness and lovingkindness. He then went on to a thorough explanation of the two points during which he enumerated some of the things the Lord had done for him, personally for his soul, in his exercises regarding his call to the ministry and also in his official labors.

He also expressed his gratitude to Rev. Lamain for his attendance on this occasion. Rev. Lamain then addressed the minister and congregation. He said it was a pleasure to be here this evening. Not only for this special service but because he had preached here so often in the past with freedom and liberty. He noted a few words from the text, “O God Thou hast taught me.” This is most important for us in this life. There is nothing in man. In youth, we expect to travel from strength to strength, and in reality it is so, yet what lessons we have to learn upon that way.

He wished Rev. Kieboom and his family well in the future. That he may be spared many years to labor in the churches and that those labors may be blessed.

In behalf of Classis West a congratulatory letter was read from Rev. Suyker who could not be present because of illness. He thanked Rev. Kieboom for his labors in the congregation of Rock Valley during his hospitalization and present recovery.

Elder Kaat spoke a few words in behalf of the consistory and congregation. He wished the minister health and strength for the future and that the love and unity realized amongst the consistory may be continued. He requested the congregation to sing Psalter 426:9,10.

Rev. Kieboom then thanked the speakers for their good wishes and closed this eventful service.

Later a reception was held in the church basement for the minister and his family which afforded an opportunity for personal congratulations and refreshments. Friends from Corsica, Sioux Center, Waupun, South Holland, Norwich, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids and Franklin Lakes were present.

The consistory

A WORD OF THANKS

I wish to extend my hearty thanks to all those who have shown their interest on the twenty fifth anniversary of my ordination as a minister of the Word, by their attendance at the service for that occasion. And also for the gifts, letters and cards I have received as an evidence of their appreciation of my labors in our congregations.

It is the desire of my heart to labor to the welfare and extension of God’s kingdom all my life. To be useful for our churches in proclaiming the truth as is revealed to us by the Holy Scriptures, and known by those who have experienced what the apostle Paul says: “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son.” Col. 1:13.

I hope that the experimental truth may remain amongst us, and that the Lord’s Spirit may work in the hearts of young and old to their eternal salvation.

Rev. L. Kieboom

THE REV. G.J. VAN DEN NOORT

It has pleased the Lord to take away out of this life the Rev. G. J. Van Den Noort at the age of 47 years. The Lord had recently strengthened him with the words found in I Cor. 2:12. He served as a minister 11 years. The Lord gives no account of any of His matters.

May the Lord strengthen the widow with her five children, and remember the congregation (Krimpen aan de Ijssel, the Netherlands) in the loss of their minister.

Therefore be ye also ready. Matt. 24:44.

Editor

LETHBRIDGE - CANADA

On May 25 it will be 25 years ago that the congregation in Lethbridge was instituted. The congregation hopes to commemorate the event with a special service that evening, to be led by the Rev. M. Heerschap. May the Lord be with them further in the years to come, and bless the labors of their minister to the salvation of souls, but above all to the honor of His great and holy Name.

Editor

SAINT CATHARINES

At the present time the congregation at St. Catharines is building a new church. Lately the need of a larger building became more urgent. The congregation has done all it could, but they still need more money. It will be very much appreciated if friends and members of sister congregations will help with loans at a reasonable rate of interest.

People who are willing and able to help are asked to write to the minister or the clerk of that congregation:

The Rev. J. C. Weststrate

Lakeshore Road, R.R. #3

St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. L2R 6P9

or

Mr. Aart Van Driel

Read Road, R.R. #2

St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada L2R 6P8

May the Lord incline many hearts for that purpose.

The Editor

REV. VERHOEF SERVES 12½ YEARS IN THE MINISTRY

Wednesday, March 17, it was 12½ years ago that Rev. L. Rijksen installed Rev. A. W. Verhoef in the Reformed Congregation at Barneveld with the words from Judges 6: “Go in this my might—have not I sent thee?”

That same night, Rev. Verhoef united himself with his congregation with the words from John 1: “He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.” Nearly six years he might labor there with love. Barneveld remains unforgettable.

Then came the call to Lethbridge, where Rev. Verhoef might work in the midst of the congregation for a little over three years. And now he is already more than three and a half years in Chilliwack, where he had experienced much friendship from Rev. M. Romeyn and his family.

On the evening of March 17, there was a service to commemorate the goodness of the LORD. Rev. Verhoef spoke about the text wherewith he received his call, Jer. 1:7 the last part: “For thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee; and whatsoever I command thee, thou shalt speak.”

He enlarged upon: The Remarkable Ways of God, (I) the past; (II) the present; (III) the future. He explained the first part in English and the latter half in Dutch. The minister pointed to the great wonder that God had visited him and, after much strife had brought him to the marvelous office. He recalled the Lord’s faithfulness and his own shortcomings. He hoped that he might give the future into the hand of the Lod, and that He would make true: “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”

He also fondly recalled the years at the Theological School and read a letter from Rev. J. Karens, who studied there at the same time.

After this brother John Den Hoed of Sunnyside spoke on behalf of Classis Far-West. He mentioned all the work that the minister was privileged to do in the classis. Be it to eternal redemption of souls.

Brother John Spaans, who was unexpectedly in the vicinity with his mother, spoke a few words for Classis West. He thanked the minister that he usually gave a Sunday to Sioux Center and Corsica each year. Speaking to the congregation, he wished that she might experience that it is a great blessing when God still wants to send a servant in the midst of the congregation.

Finally, brother Van den Dorpel spoke on behalf of the consistory. He recalled some personal memories and emphasized for the congregation that only a short while after the passing away of Rev. Romeyn, who will never be forgotten, the congregation might have another shepherd, who, according to his strength, does everything possible. He wished for the minister that he may see fruit upon his labor and spoke to the congregation about its responsibility. He had the congregation sing as a prayer for their pastor Psalter No. 429:1: “With all my heart will I record, Thy praise O Lord,” etc.

All three speeches were in English.

Rev. Verhoef spoke a few words of thanks and requested especially the prayers of God’s children for his labors in the future. Moreover, he thanked the delegates and many members from the Reformed Congregation at Lynden, who had communicated their well-wishes via the Church News.

The collection that night was for the Timothy Christian School in Chilliwack. With the pledges it amounted to more than $6,400.00.

After the service, there was an opportunity to congratulate the pastor and his family. Coffee was served. Many made use of this opportunity. Several written congratulations had also been received, as well as some gifts.

May the Lord remember him and us, and especially work among our youth.

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