All Articles For Faber, John M.

Creston called Rev. G. Vanden Berg of Oak Lawn, Illinois from a trio which included the Revs. A. Mulder and H. Hanko. Rev. H. Hanko declined the call extended to him by our Grand Haven church. 

The 1959 Synod is history. Rev. G. Vos, president of the last Synod, conducted the PreSynodical. Prayer Service, preaching on the phrase, “Go, sit down in the lowest room,” found in Luke 14:10. The Rev. exhorted the delegates: to the exercise of that Christian virtue, humility. Some of the decisions made are: Rev. G.M. Ophoff was granted his request to be made emeritus-professor; a call was issued to Rev. H.C.

Rev. H. Hanko, of Hope Church, received the call from Grand Haven; Rev. G. Lubbers was also on that trio, the third member being Rev. G. VanBaren, and not Rev. R.C. Harbach, as reported last time. From a trio which included Rev. R.C. Harbach and Rev. M. Schipper, Randolph’s congregation called Rev. A. Mulder, of Kalamazoo. Rev. C. Hanko, of First Church, declined the call extended him from the Dakota churches, Isabel and Forbes.

The Deficit Drive Committee of Adams St. School joyfully announced that their goal had been reached and topped by 15%. This drive was conducted by mail, the Lord impressing the need of that kingdom cause upon the hearts of the people so that they might use the privilege of fulfilling their covenant promise, “to help or cause them to be instructed therein to the utmost of your power.”  Redlands has called the Rev. H. Veldman from a trio which also included the Revs. H. Hanko and J. Heys. 

Holland’s bulletin calls attention to the coming Synod which meets June 3 at Hudsonville in this way: “Synod needs our prayers. It will have much work to do. Much wisdom is required. There must be a looking to the Lord, for guidance and holy dependence. May God supply.” That is Rev. McCollam’s way of reminding the congregation that when Synod meets it is the Church meeting, and that it is for the general welfare of the entire membership.

Rev. Harbach of Lynden has received and is considering the call to Redlands. During their vacancy he is serving as their moderator.  The Young People’s Societies held their Spring Mass Meeting April 10th at Creston Church, with our Missionary, Rev. Lubbers, giving a talk on “Calvinism.” Rev. H. Hanko considered the question “Is It The Duty Of The Deacons To Look For The Poor?” at the Deacons’ semi-annual Conference April 17. 

Rev. VandenBerg has declined the call to Redlands, and the new trio includes Revs. R. Harbach, G. VanBaren and H. Veldman.  Did you knowe that,  Randolph has a Prot. Ref. Chr. School Society.  Randolph’s church services for March 15 were not conducted because of the severe blizzard that raged through Wisconsin. And, the classical delegates from Randolph were also prevented from attending Classis West that e week due to the weather and its hazardous driving. 

All of the main streets in the South Holland-Oak Lawn area led, to our Oak Lawn church Tuesday evening, March 17. Rev. H. Hoeksema lectured that evening on, “The Virgin Birth, and the Natures of Christ” to a capacity crowd, including the delegates to Classis West, overflowing into an adjoining room.

The Protestant Reformed Male Chorus gave its winter program as advertised, Jan. 25, after the evening service, at First Church. The sad feature of winter programs was present: a snow storm of such vehemence that many of our people of the neighboring churches could not attend. Mr. Roland Petersen has a knack of training untrained voices to do his bidding, and the result was an outstanding program which should be repeated when the snow storms are past; not only would the absent neighbors come to hear it, but those at the first performance would be repeaters, we are sure.

The Officebearers’ Conference held January 6 was the best attended one of the series. About one hundred Elders and Deacons came to hear a speech by Rev. H. Hoeksema. The Reverend spoke on “The Origin and History of Church Visitation” as it is prescribed in Article 44 of our Church Order. The, speaker pointed out that, originally, Church Visitation was a vital force in the Classis; the visitors, through fraternal advice and admonition, helping to direct all things unto the peace, upbuilding, and greatest profit of the churches.