NEWS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & EVENTS

CHURSH NEWS

MINISTERIAL CALLS

Extended:

To Rev. G. de Leeuw of Barneveld, the Netherlands, by the congregation of Lethbridge, Alberta.

Calls declined:

By Rev. R. Kattenberg of Arnhem, the Netherlands, to the Kalamazoo, Michigan, congregation.

By Rev. G. de Leeuw of Barneveld, the Netherlands, by the congregation of Lethbridge, Alberta.

OBITUARY

MOERDYK, Cornelia — Age 91, September 20, 1993; Kalamazoo, Michigan; Husband -Thomas (deceased); children - William & Dena Moerdyk, Garret & Alida Moerdyk, and Cornelis Blok; Daughter - Cornelia Blok (deceased); 14grandchildren, 53 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild. (Rev. J. Kleppe, Job 14:1-3.)

RYKSEN, Jan — Age 87, September 15, 1993; Burgessville, Ontario, Canada; Wife - Tryntje; Sons - Geurt, Johannes, & John; Daughters -Marie (Krygsman), Marian (Overeem); Brothers - Jurien & Geurt (both deceased); Sisters - Everdien, Gerretje (deceased), Rykje, Anna, Jansje (deceased), & Wyntje (deceased); 21 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren. (Rev. J. Spaans, Hebrews 9:27.)

KLARENBEEK, Dick — Age 73, August 29, 1993; Sioux Center, Iowa; Wife - Lillian; Children - Leonard & Bernice Klarenbeek, Richard & Janice Klarenbeek, Sally and Jeffrey Eppinga, Wilhelmina & Harold Schelling; Brothers - Lane, Gerrit, & Clarence; Sisters -Gertrude (Koedam), Jennie (Keizer), Wilmina (Den Besten), Elizabeth (Kooima), Annie (Wielenga); 22 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren. (Rev. J. den Hoed, Hebrews 9:27-28.)

VAN BEEK, Gerrit — Age 88, September 23, 1993; Rock Valley, Iowa; Wife - Rolena; Children - Albert & Wilma Van Beek, Anthony & Florence Van Beek, Gary & JoAnn Van Beek, Marvin & Jeanette Van Beek, Junior & Arlene Van Beek, Howard & Deanna Van Beek, Gert & Teunis Rozeboom, Tracy & Carl Dieters, Loraine & Gilbert Hoogendoorn, Geneva & Gerrit Klaranbeek, Reva & Sam Koedam, Janet & Gary Teunissen, Viola & Wes Bonnema; Brothers - Albertus & Henry; Sisters - Gertrude (Kleyenberg) & Henrietta (Van Grootheest); 61 grandchildren, 139 great-grandchildren. (Rev. J. den Hoed, Proverbs 8:35.)

50th Anniversary

The Lord willing, on October 12, 1993, our dear parents and grandparents

Mr. and Mrs. Abraham DeVisser

hope to commemorate their 50th Wedding Anniversary.

It is our wish and prayer that the Lord may be near and dear to them always.

1509 Winton

Kalamazoo, MI 49001

50th Anniversary

The Lord willing, on November 25, 1993, our dear parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents,

Mr. and Mrs. Leen Nieuwenhuyzen

hope to commemorate their 50th Wedding Anniversary.

It is our prayer that they may be spared and blessed for years to come. “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto they name, O most High:” PS 92:1

145RykertSt.,

St. Catharines, Ontario, L2S-2B5

Phone (905) 684-4119

ADDRESS CHANGE

The new address of the clerk of the Bethel Netherlands Reformed Congregation of Chilliwack is: Mr. Ken Herfst

11379 Gill Road

Rosedale, B.C., Canada VOX 1X0

CURRENT EVENTS

Russia Closing

Doors on

Missionary Groups?

According to the National & International Religion Report, Russian legislators backed even stronger restrictions on foreign missionary groups and native churches than they did with their first passage of amendments to the Law on Freedom of Conscience and Religion. The changes move to confine foreigners primarily to churches specifically established by and for foreigners. Foreigners could work with Russian Christians, but only in activities approved by the Russian government. Officials could shut down churches for various reasons. In addition, foreign missionaries may not “offend the religious feelings” of Russians, and the Ministry of Justice would decide what groups receive permits to work in Russia. Western lawmakers and officials are urging President Boris Yeltsin to veto the new religion law.

In Memoriam

DICK KLARENBEEK

On August 29, 1993, it pleased the Lord of life and death to take out of our midst Dick Klarenbeek at the age of 73 years. He had served the congregation of Rock Valley as an elder with all the love of his heart for 14 years. He will be sorely missed by the mourning widow and family, as well as by the congregation and many friends.

Rev. John den Hoed conducted the funeral service, speaking from Hebrews 9:27-28, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of man, and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”

May the Lord uphold the mourning family with His undergirding grace and graciously fill the empty place with His presence. May He raise up praying fathers in our congregations.

Persecution of Christians in Sudan

The U.S. State Department believes Iran is contributing to the Muslim persecution of Christians in Sudan. According to the National Association of Evangelicals, the Khartoum government plans to resettle Christians from the south to the militantly Islamic north, where Muslin law strictly governs education and worship of all kinds. Both the U.S. and Egyptian governments have alleged that the Iranian government has been backing and training Muslins in Sudan in hopes of spreading militant Islam into more moderate Arab states. Washington added Sudan to its list of terrorist states recently. May we pray that the Lord protects and comforts His people there with a word from on high.

In Memoriam

JAN RYKSEN

On September 15, 1993, Jan Ryksen passed away at the age of 87 years. He had served the congregation of Norwich as deacon during the years of 1953 - 1957. May the Lord fill the empty place with His presence, giving strength to the bereaved family in their sorrow.

Rev. J. Spaans conducted the funeral service, speaking from Hebrews 9:27, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”

Out-of-Wedlock Births Soaring

According to The New American, the number of out-of-wedlock births is soaring. In a new federal report on births in the United States, single women ages 18 to 44 accounted for about 24 percent of the four million births. A decade ago, the percentage was 15.

Witch Gains Membership in Christian Association

The National & International Religion Report reports that a witch has taken a seat among the Salem (Mass.) Religious Leaders Association. Shawn Poirer, high priest of the Coven of the Black Rose, joined the inter-faith group recently. Marta Flanagan of the First Universalist Church became Poirer’s main advocate to gain membership in the organization. Flanagan allows Poirer’s coven to meet in her church’s basement, although some Salem Wiccans meet at groves, the old town house, homes, and beaches. “People come and think it’s a joke, and find out it’s not a joke,” Ken Stigler, pastor of Salem’s Wesley Methodist Church, told NIRR. “People walk around town wearing black capes, with inverted crosses and pentagrams,” Stigler said. Another pastor, Joseph Kost, said, “People here are sick of it. Christians remained silent for a long time because the town was making money, but occultism crept in because the door was open.” In Salem, famous for its 1692 witch trials, the town seal and promotional materials feature witchcraft symbols. We see Satan’s chain being loosed, and the necessity for us to have a firm foundation so that we might not be swept away in the great delusion (Rev. 20:7, 2 Thess. 2:11).

—RVS

FAR-WEST 1993 YOUTH CONFERENCES

Teen Conference, July 20-23

Bear Paw Camp and Retreat Center near Spokane, WA., was again the site of this year’s conference with young people ages 15 to 19 attending from eight Netherlands Reformed congregations.

Topics were presented by officebearers in the mornings and evenings, with discussion and recreation opportunities in the afternoons. Following each topic an opportunity was given for written questions, during which time a number of psalters were sung.

On Tuesday evening Elder J. W. Beeke addressed us on “Peer Pressure,” touching on friendship and positive vs. negative peer pressure.

Wednesday morning Deacon J. Neels spoke on “Relationships,” as friends, couples, and, most importantly, our relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Following this topic we were divided into groups for a challenging Bible quiz. Wednesday evening’s topic on “Dating, Courtship, and Marriage” was presented by Elder K. Herfst.

On Thursday morning Deacon Neels presented a topic, “The Reality of Providence Answered in Prayer and Death.” This was followed by another Bible quiz. Thursday evening Elder Herfst spoke on “Sports,” considering recreational and competitive sports.

After cleanup and loading of buses on Friday morning, Elder Beeke gave the final address, “How Long Halt Ye Between Two Opinions.” He compared “Baal Worship” in the time of Elijah to today. Israel halted between two opinions. What about us? We are to seek grace through prayer and use of God’s means.

During campfire discussions at night and throughout the conference, young people and adults found much opportunity to speak with the officebearers on various matters of personal and spiritual concern. May the Lord bless the instruction and time spent together.

Young Adult Conference, August 17-20

Due to the annual increase in attendance at the Far-West Youth conference, it was decided to add a Young Adult Conference, making two manageable groups for the Bear Paw Camp and Retreat Center. Young people 18 years of age and older attended this conference from seven Netherlands Reformed congregations.

Rev. H. Hofman opened the conference Tuesday evening with his topic entitled “Temptation and Deliverance,” speaking on Luke 13:24, “Strive to enter in at the strait gate...”

Wednesday morning Elder J. W. Beeke spoke on “Prayer: Its Importance and Problems,” and Dr. N. Hilliard gave an address on “What You Don’t Know Will Hurt You.” On Wednesday evening Dr. J. R. Beeke gave a slide presentation on his trip to Israel.

Thursday morning Dr. Hilliard spoke of “Life and Death Decisions in the Face of Suffering,” covering the complexities of euthanasia. Elder Beeke followed with the topic, “Questions Young People Ask,” addressing questions regarding God’s law, types of music, and versions of the Bible. Thursday evening’s topic by Rev. Hofman was “Secret Walk with God.” God leads the way; the Bible is the map for our walk with God; by nature we have our own map. A walk with God is only possible by Jesus Christ.

On Friday morning Dr. Beeke closed the conference with “Life”s Most Important Race,” giving guidelines for and considering the price of this spiritual race (Heb. 12:1-2).

Afternoon discussions were led by office-bearers, and much psalter singing was done throughout the three days.

Thanks to Corney Les and Bill Boesterd for coordinating both camps, to the ladies who provided excellent meals, to the office-bearers and chaperones, and to the young people for their excellent behavior. Above all, we desire to acknowledge the Lord for the opportunities and blessings He provided.

The Lord willing, the 1994 conference dates are: Teen Conference, July 19-22, and Young Adult Conference, August 16-19. For tapes and/or information, you may contact C. Les, 10150 Gillanders Chilliwack, B.C. V2P 6H4, phone (604) 794-3772.

Answered Prayer

I had visitors from England shortly after the tanker Braer went aground off the Shetland Islands of Scotland, threatening a major environmental disaster. During a conversation about religious life in Great Britain, my visitors told me that the Shetlands were a favorable exception in England and Scotland. After the tanker accident, a prayer meeting had been held to beg the Lord to spare them from disaster.

Just that morning I had heard on the news that the oil had mysteriously disappeared. Scientists were confronted with an enigma, and there was talk of the “wonder of the Shetlands.” When I told my visitors about this, we sat speechless with wonder for a few moments. I still feel that wonder whenever I read something of it, especially when science attempts to find explanations or make predictions.

We certainly must confess here: “O come, behold what wondrous works Jehovah’s hand has wrought.”

— L. C. Segers

Sands of Time

The following recently appeared in a secular magazine:

“If you had a bank that credited your account each morning with $86,400 that carried over no balance from day to day, allowed you to keep no cash in your account, and every evening cancelled whatever part of the amount you had failed to use during the day, what would you do? Draw out every penny every day, of course, and use it to your advantage!

Well, you have such a bank, and its name is Time. Every morning it credits you with 86,400 seconds. Every night it rules off as lost whatever of this you have failed to invest to good purpose. It carries over no balances. It allows no overdrafts. If you fail to use the day’s deposits, the loss is yours. There is no going back. There is no drawing against tomorrow.”

In the light of Scripture we may say, “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

— Friendly Companion

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