CHURCH NEWS

Calls Extended:

To Rev. H. Hofman, of Gorinchem, the Netherlands, by the Kalamazoo, Michigan, Congregation.

To Rev. M. Heerschap, of Lethbridge, Alberta,

Canada, by the Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Congregation.

To Rev. C. Vogelaar, of Benthuizen, the Netherlands, by the Norwich, Ontario, Canada, Congregation.

THE REVEREND JOHN VAN HAAREN HAS PASSED AWAY

In the early morning of August 2, 1983, it has pleased the Lord to take out of the church militant the Rev. J. Van Haaren of Amersfoort.

He was born on September 10, 1933 in Rotterdam South. His father had come to our congregations from the Roman Catholic Church and gave a testimony of the work of God. He said, “We then had our children baptized, also John who at that time was about 10 years old.”

Before the Consistory and the Curatorium he testified that the Lord had called him to the ministry. The Curatorium accepted him, and in 1958 he was declared eligible for call. His first congregation was Kampen in 1958. In 1961 he left Kampen for Rijssen. On December 16, 1964 he took up the shepherd’s staff in Amersfoort.

He received many calls, also several from the United States and Canada, asking him to “Come over and help us.” He at one time visited our Synod in Grand Rapids and served a few congregations. With freedom he preached in our congregation on Psalm 51:12, “Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation.”

After the Rev. A. Vergunst left the Netherlands for Kalamazoo the General Synod appointed Rev. Van Haaren to be Docent (Instructor) in the Theological School. He was privileged to work with much zeal in various areas for both Church and School.

An incurable disease struck him. Only two weeks ago he had performed a wedding ceremony for a young man of Norwich and a young woman whose parents live in Utrecht. A few times during his illness I spoke to him by telephone. Sometimes the strife was severe, and sometimes he could believe that the Lord reigns, and that the Lord sustained him and his wife in this way of trial. Also in his suffering God used His Word to strengthen him at times. The suffering of Christ also comforted him, as I was told by a minister who called me.

Two weeks ago I wrote him a letter, and as I was writing, I felt that it would be my last letter to him.

The Lord is righteous in all His ways, and holy in all His works. He gives no account of any of His dealings. There is only this question: Is the Lord removing His servants in His wrath and displeasure, or in His favor? Oh, that we might not disregard this question, but that it may touch our hearts.

“My constant meditations bring
My heart to anxious questioning:
Has God cast off, and will He be
No longer merciful to me?”

It can be in either one of two ways: the farther we live away from God, the less we know about God’s ways and dealings. But if with Abraham we live close to the Lord, then it is as we read in Gen. 18:17, “And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham the thing that I do?”

We are living in times of distress. God hides His face so much from the house of Israel, and that because of our sins, and because of our living so far from the Lord. One of our fathers wrote, “When we go to our neighbor to seek the cause, we have already gone too far.” In Psalm 51 David confessed, “Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Thy sight.”

In the name of the congregations of Canada and the United States, we wish to express our sympathy to the widow, to the children, and to his aged mother in their heavy loss, but also to the consistory, and to all the congregations in the Netherlands. The Lord grant us humbling grace to bow under His chastening hand, to look to Him, that He might turn again the captivity of Zion, take pleasure in her stones and favor the dust thereof.

Lord, teach us to die before death comes, that our life may be in Christ, then our death shall be gain. Everything falls away, also our office in the church of God, only the righteousness of Christ can save us in death, and by that righteousness His people shall be exalted.

The Rev. and Mrs. Van Haaren have lost a son by death some time ago, and also two sisters, (the last one three months ago) by the same sickness that took the Pastor.

The Lord sustain the grieving widow with her children and grandchild. A few months ago Rev. Van Haaren was privileged to baptize his first grandchild. The Lord remember his mother, aged grandmother and other relatives.

It is also a deep way for the congregation that thus lost their Pastor and teacher. The Lord remember them with the only comfort that has value in both life and death.

After we had received the tidings of his death, we read together Isaiah 57.

1983 YOUTH DAY — NORWICH, ONTARIO

The Youth Day Conference of July 1983 took place in Norwich on a beautiful summer day. Young people gathered from east and west to join with each other to sing, to listen, to ask—to consider together the call of God’s Word unto them. The opening comments and prayer were by Elder Sommer of Norwich, who welcomed those present and besought the Lord for a blessing upon the conference. Scripture reading was from Psalm 78:1–7, and he spoke briefly regarding the command, “Give ear, O my people, to my law.” It is a powerful word if used by the Lord, but is also a word greatly resisted by Satan and our wicked hearts.

Student John Spaans, the first speaker, chose the topic, “Coversion”, basing it upon Romans 6:23 and several Biblical examples. The text, he said, could be called a “little Bible”, since it covered so much. It begins in Paradise and ends in eternity. The second speaker was Mr. Arjan Moens, whose topic was, “Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger”. This title was actually taken from the title of a book from which he had gleaned many facts and figures for his address. His topic was divided into four parts, which were; )1) Who is poor, (2) Who is rich, (3) The relationship between them, and (4) Biblical direction given them. After each address opportunity was given for questions from the audience, and these were answered by the speakers. Elder Koppert of Norwich closed the morning session with prayer, also asking a blessing upon the noon meal which was served by the women of the congregation of Norwich.

The afternoon session was opened by Mr. G. Moerdyk with Scripture reading and prayer. Roll was taken, and it was good to see that there was representation not only from the Ontario churches, but also many from other churches, even as far west as Vancouver Island. A Bible quiz was held for the younger ones present, and it was clearly evident that the boys and girls had learned to know many of the persons and events in God’s Word. The choir of Norwich then sang some numbers, after which a combined choir of all choir members present joined together in singing some Psalter numbers. This was followed by an address by Mr. Doug Prol on “Humanism”, after which questions were again answered. Miss Janette VandenBerg, the school teacher at the Nigerian Mission field, then spoke briefly about her experiences. The conference was brought to a close by student John Spaans.

It is hoped that the instructions given may bear fruit to the honor of God and to the welfare of souls.

SAVINGS FUND OF THE NETHERLANDS REFORMED CONGREGATIONS IN THE U.S.A.

FINANCIAL REPORT FOR NINE MONTHS ENDING MARCH 31, 1983

ASSETS

Cash in Checking Account $ 1,834.82

Bank Money Market Account 247,004.81

Loans Receivable from Churches

and Schools 380,239.08

TOTAL ASSETS $629.078.71

LIABILITIES

Due Depositors 572,178.81

Fund Balance 56,899.90

LIABILITIES and FUND BALANCE 629,078.71

Income: Interest Earned 41,956.04

Expense: Interest Paid 1,328.12

NETINCOME 40,627.92

Fund Balance 6/30/82 16,271.98

Fund Balance 3/31/83 $ 56,899.90

SAVINGS FUND OF THE NETHERLANDS REFORMED CONGREGATIONS IN THE U.S.A.

FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1983

ASSETS

Cash in Checking Account $ 1,527.10

Bank Money Market Account 219,791.44

Loans Receivable from Churches

and Schools 378,215.39

TOTAL ASSETS $599,533.93

LIABILITIES

Due Depositors 574,808.69

Fund Balance 24,725.24

LIABILITIES and FUND BALANCE 599,533.93

Income: Interest Earned 53,835.10

Expense: Interest Paid 45,381.84

NETINCOME 8,453.26

Fund Balance 6/30/82 16,271.98

Fund Balance 6/30/83 $ 24,725.24

Peter Southway

Treasurer

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