CHURCH NEWS

Calls Extended:

To candidate C.J. Meeuse, of the Netherlands, by the Norwich, Ontario, Canada, Congregation.

To candidate C.J. Meeuse, of the Netherlands, by the St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, Congregation.

Calls Declined:

To the Drachten, the Netherlands, Congregation, by Rev. A.W. Verhoef, of Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada.

To the Norwich, Ontario, Canada, Congregation, by Rev. A.W. Verhoef, of Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada.

A BUSY WEEK — JUNE 14-17

Already on Monday evening, June 14, 1982, the General Mission Committee met. It was almost midnight when the meeting adjourned.

On Tuesday morning at 9 o’clock the Curatorium met. Two brothers came with an attest from their consistory. After both of them were heard, there was no liberty to assent to their request. Almost the entire morning was employed in this matter. Since the need for ministers is so great, it was a grievous disappointment for the ministers and elders that such a decision had to be made.

In the afternoon there was a meeting with the delegates to the Synod and many officers of the various congregations. Rev. Lamain spoke about the most important question for officers in the church of God, namely, the knowledge of the love of Christ, as it is found in the Word of God in Ephesians 3:19. Rev. Den Boer spoke about the necessity and the profit of the Church Order in the church militant. Rev. Beeks spoke about the obstacles to be met in church life.

In the evening the synodical prayer meeting was led by Rev. Beeke. His text was from Acts 20:28.

Wednesday morning at 9 o’clock the Rev. M. Heerschap, pastor of Lethbridge, the calling church, opened the meeting of Synod. After Psalter No. 415 st. 1 and 2 were sung, he read Psalm 25 and led in prayer. Rev. Heerschap then welcomed the delegates and expressed the wish that the meetings might be held in unity. May the Lord give light and wisdom, and grant that all things may be done in the fear of God for the welfare of the congregations.

The Rev. J.C. Weststrate, who was present as delegate of the congregations in the Netherlands, was welcomed, after which he brought the greetings from the churches in the old Fatherland, and wished the blessing of God upon the meetings. He also gave information concerning the sister churches.

Rev. Heerschap then related as much as possible what had taken place in the last two years in our church life, both in the Netherlands and in the United States and Canada. Two ministers have been released from their labors and are now above all strife and troubles, namely Rev. C. Hegeman and Rev. A. Vergunst. They were not young any more, but neither were they old. The widows, the children, the consistories and the congregations were commended to the Lord in their grief and sorrow. He emphasized that our life is but a cloud that comes and disappears. Also a few consistory members were taken away, as shall be noted in the report of Synod, as also churches that have been enlarged, and schools that were opened.

The officers of Synod were then chosen. The Rev. A.M. Den Boer was chosen president. Synod then began to hear the reports and all the other business.

In the evening the Curatorium met. It was almost midnight when that meeting ended. Brother John Spaans was promoted to the third year, and Brother John Den Hoed was promoted to the second year of instruction. Because of all the subjects that must be studied, it was necessary that another instructor be appointed. It was decided that Rev. Lamain would keep the subjects he has taught since December, 1981, and continue teaching them as long as the Lord gives him the necessary strength. The next day Rev. Den Boer was elected to teach the other subjects. The Rev. A.W. Verhoef wished for them in the name of the Synod the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

On Thursday they met again from 9 a.m. till 1:00 p.m., after which the agenda was finished, and Rev. Den Boer closed the meeting in the customary manner with thanksgiving.

Editor

THE FIFTIETH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY OF THE REV. AND MRS. M. HEERSCHAP

On July 23, 1982, the Lord willing, the Rev. and Mrs. M. Heerschap hope to observe with their dear children and grandchildren the fact that the Lord spared and upheld them in their marriage for fifty years. In the way of God’s providence they were brought together and united as husband and wife. Throughout all those years they were spared for one another.

We met one another in Naaldwijk, where he was an elder and I was called to preach one evening. Later the Lord called him to the ministry, after the Lord had called him out of darkness into His marvelous light. He was privileged to serve the congregations of Wageningen, Neth.; Lethbridge, Can.; Borsele, Neth.; Peoples Park, N.J.; St. Catharines, Ont.; and now since June, 1973, again the congregation in Lethbridge.

What a wonder of the Lord that they may still be together as husband and wife. They have experienced what is written in the “Marriage Form”. The sun was not always shining, but the Lord gave both of them to realize that the Lord is a refuge and strength in adversity as well as in prosperity. Their eight children have been spared although they are spread abroad over Canada and the United States. We congratulate them with this event.

May it be in their heart: “What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits unto me?” May the Lord receive all the honor and glory. It is at the evening of life. The greatest part of life lies behind them, but we hope that the Lord will spare them further in His favor and for one another also for the family and for the congregations, preaching and teaching nothing else than he had done, namely Christ Jesus and Him crucified. May the Lord prepare them for that spiritual marriage with Christ which shall never end.

May the children and grandchildren by the grace of God walk in the ways of the Lord. That also, especially the congregation, may partake in the fruit of the preaching of the Word to their eternal welfare. Outwardly the congregation is growing, but we hope that many more will be born in Zion. That is the wish of our heart, also in the name of our congregations.

Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Proverbs 4:24

THE CURATORIUM OF THE REFORMED CONGREGATIONS (NETHERLANDS)

In Rotterdam the Curatorium of the Theological School of the Reformed Congregations that met in the past few weeks, has admitted one new student, out of fifteen applicants, to the school, Mr. G.J. VanAalst of Nieuw-Beijerland.

Three students were declared eligible to be called. They are Mr. G. Mouw of Elspeet, Mr. T.M. VanDijk of Dirksland, and Mr. C.J. Meeuse of Ridderkerk.

Mr. M. Burggraaf will continue his studies in Rotterdam and at the university in preparation for his doctorate.

Mr. B. VanderHeiden was promoted to his fourth and last year, Mr. A.J. Gunst to his second year of instructions. Student J. Beens of Genemuiden received permission to preach.

Deze tekst is geautomatiseerd gemaakt en kan nog fouten bevatten. Digibron werkt voortdurend aan correctie. Klik voor het origineel door naar de pdf. Voor opmerkingen, vragen, informatie: contact.

Op Digibron -en alle daarin opgenomen content- is het databankrecht van toepassing. Gebruiksvoorwaarden. Data protection law applies to Digibron and the content of this database. Terms of use.

Printen