CHURCH NEWS

Calls Extended:

To Rev. D. Hakkenberg, of Lisse, the Netherlands, by the Corsica, South Dakota, Congregation.

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

To Rev. L. Blok, of Nunspeet, the Netherlands, by the St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, Congregation.

To Rev. J.J. Van Eckeveld, of Zeist, the Netherlands, by the Rock Valley, Iowa, Congregation.

To Rev. P. Honkoop, of Kampen, the Netherlands, by the Clifton, New Jersey, Congregation.

To Rev. D. Hakkenberg, of Lisse, the Netherlands, by the Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Congregation.

THE REVEREND ARIE VERGUNST January 22,1926 — November 21, 1981

A Memorial Service for Rev. A. Vergunst was held on Tuesday afternoon, November 24, 1981. Rev. Lamain preached the Memorial Service in the Kalamazoo Church for the congregation and friends, including six pastors from the surrounding area. They filled the church sanctuary to overflowing, coming from far and near to pay their last respects to their beloved minister and friend.

Following the singing from Psalter 273, verses 1, 2, 4, 5 and scripture reading from John 5, verses 19 through 35, Rev. Lamain led the congregation in prayer seeking the Lord’s strength and comfort for the bereaved family and congregation. He then expressed his heartfelt sympathy to Mrs. Vergunst and family in the loss of their dear husband and father. Very movingly he spoke to the family about their loss and expressed the desire that, in this difficult way, they may seek and find help from Him who has promised to be a husband to the widows and a father to the fatherless. He who was so dear unto them has now been delivered and is above all strife and difficulty. And although at times as this, there are many questions that fill our minds, the Lord reigns and is clothed with majesty. He gives no account of His deeds, and He never makes a mistake.

Rev. Lamain then addressed the congregation saying:

Congregation, He is the Lord and He does what seemeth good in His eyes. Shall we not rejoice? We are sitting here mourning in the church and your minister is rejoicing before the throne of the Lord. And yet congregation, I can understand your disappointment. You had so many expectations from your minister and now it is all finished. Also, we remember the students of the Theological School. I hope that what he has taught you in this short time, you will never forget. Congregation, He was a burning and a shining light and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in His light, John 5:35. With freedom and liberty we can say of your minister what Christ said of John. The last sermon your minister spoke for this congregation, testified of the love of Christ which is a banner over His people. Congregation, did you always pray for your minister, because they have nothing of themselves. By the grace of the Lord, he was a burning and a shining light in your midst. The message that he was given to deliver was only for a season. The words that he was given to speak to you in your midst during this short time, may the Lord bless them unto you. Even after his departure, the Lord can bring them back. Oh children of the Lord, that you may be filled with a desire for that which your minister may now experience.

Elders and deacons, may the Lord give you a continual prayer at his throne. Students of the Theological School, may the Lord help you in all your needs. And Family Vergunst, may the Lord go with you and supply all your needs, for time and eternity.

Following the singing of Psalter 246, verse 2, by the congregation, Rev. Verhoef spoke briefly as a friend of the family.

Family Vergunst, consistory, congregation and students of the Theological School. Psalm 72 ends telling us that the prayers of David the Son of Jesse are ended. David prayed very young, your husband also prayed as a young man. You had a praying husband and father. The congregation had a praying minister. For only ten months was he a praying minister in this place. And now his prayers are ended. The Lord had given him great gifts, but above all else he was a man of prayer. Following this, Rev. Verhoef spoke a few words of comfort and sympathy to the family Vergunst in the Dutch language. He expressed the desire that there may from the son be those who may seek to follow in the footsteps of their father.

Mr. Spaans then spoke briefly on behalf of the students from the Theological School. He expressed the heartfelt sympathy to Mrs. Vergunst and family, desiring for them that the Lord may be with them during this time of deep sorrow and that they may receive strength from above in the days that are before them. As students, we will never forget your husband. The last lessons we received from him were in the Consistory Room of the Rock Valley Church, on a trip we made with him to the West. May the Lord grant that the instruction we received during the short time he was able to teach us, have a lasting impression upon us. And may the Lord remember you, Mrs. Vergunst, with your family, in the day when you must travel to the Netherlands.

After this Elder Moerdyk spoke on behalf of the Consistory. Beloved family, congregation and friends: It is about ten months ago that we came together for the installation of our beloved pastor. And today we are together for a very different occasion—in deep bereavement because it has pleased the Lord to take our pastor unto Himself. It is true, “We sorrow not as others which have no hope.” But it is a great loss which we have suffered and our hearts are heavy. Our pastor was in our midst as an ambassador with a message from his divine sender. Congregation, what fruit has it brought forth in our midst? That is a very important question. How often in his preaching did he not ask us the question; what is your church attendance, what is your religion? How seriously did he then warn against custom and formality. As he pursued the instruction of the 52 Lord’s Days of our Heidelberg Catechism, he emphasized the knowing of our misery as an essential knowledge. But for those, who on account of this knowledge, were bowed down and grieving he was then intent upon pointing with John the Baptist to; “Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.” May his message continue to echo in our hearts and may the Lord add His blessing. Parents, remember the instruction received. Young people, you have lost much, but do not forget what he has said to you.

Dear Mrs. Vergunst and family, we sorrow with you. May the Lord strengthen and sustain you through these deep ways.

Rev. Kieboom then spoke in closing.

Dear friends, we have heard many words about our dear friend and pastor, Rev. Vergunst. I will not add much to this. The Lord reigns and may He enable us to accept His ways. Mrs. Vergunst and family, we can imagine how sad you feel. May the Lord strengthen you and may you experience His nearness in the days that are before you. Congregation, you have enjoyed your minister so much. I hope you will always remember the word that he was able to bring in your midst. May we together lay our needs before the Lord in prayer.

Rev. Kieboom then led the congregation in a closing prayer laying before the Lord the needs of family, congregation and denomination. The service was closed with the congregation singing Psalter 422, verse 6.

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