During June, July and August the Reformed Witness Hour will feature Rev. J.A. Heys, of South Holland, Illinois, as speaker on the weekly broadcasts. The twelve sermons will be a series of messages based on the Lord’s Prayer as explained in the Heidelberg Catechism. The topics for this month are: June 6—”The Upward Look,” June 13—”As a Little Child,” June 20—”Top Priority,” June 27—”Kingdom Zeal.” As usual, copies of the sermons may be obtained by writing to The Reformed Witness Hour, P.O. Box 1230, Grand Rapids, Mich.

Summer Sunday School sessions have begun in Hull’s congregation. A bulletin notice advised the students in the 8th and 9th grades in school that a class will be held for their group this year.

Holland’s Young People’s Society sponsored a public program featuring the Hope Heralds, a men’s singing group from Hope Church in Grand Rapids. The offering received at that time was to be used for church annex furnishings.

The Society for Protestant Reformed Secondary Education met May 12 at Southwest Church. The bulletin ads said, “Enjoy an interesting talk by Rev. H. Veldman on our personal responsibilities with respect to the education of our covenant children.”

Hope Church’s consistory scheduled the first public worship service in their new church for May 16. Dedication plans have not yet been made public; that news will have to wait until our next issue.

The general condition of Rev. H. Hoeksema remains about the same. His daily testimony is that he is able to commit his way unto his Lord who does all things well.

We are all very anxious to hear about the work being accomplished in Jamaica by Rev. Heys and Mr. Zwak. The only bit of news coming to our desk was an excerpt from a letter from Mr. Zwak to his pastor which Rev. Vos shared with his people in the weekly bulletin. Mr. Zwak wrote that it was extremely hot there; that secondary roads are without directional signs; that the churches are hard to find and sometimes a whole day is used to visit one of those hidden churches. We eagerly look forward to a complete report from the brethren in the near future.

Sunday, May 9, Revs. G. Lubbers and H. Veldman preached three times to supply the pulpits of Southwest, Hope and First Churches. In a fine spirit of co-operation Rev. Veldman conducted an early (9 A.M.) service in his church, a late (11 A.M.) service in Southwest, and again in Hope church for the regular evening service. And Rev. Lubbers conducted an afternoon service in his church besides the usual morning and evening services in First Church. This sort of co-operation is not out of the ordinary in the Edgerton-Doon-Hull combine where the Revs. Woudenberg, H. Hanko and Kortering always help one another out when one of them is on Classical appointment.

The Annual Spring Banquet of the Young People’s Societies in Michigan was held May 11 in First Church in Grand Rapids. A goodly turnout (even some carloads from Oak Lawn and South Holland, Ill.) enjoyed a good speech by the inimitable Rev. G. Vos from Hudsonville. The Reverend spoke on the topic, “Our Ailing Conventions;” he described the ailment, diagnosed the cause, and prescribed for the cure of the malady. In his unique way the speaker warned the young people that the main object of conventions is not “to be having a ball,” but, “to be about their Father’s business.” After the speech the banqueters enjoyed a hearty dinner served piping hot by the catering committee of the church. The after dinner program was the viewing of nature slides in full color accompanied by stereophonic music appropriate thereto. About 150 diners (members and their leaders) filled the large banquet room in First Church, and all agreed that it was well worth while.

Quiet thought from Southeast’s bulletin: “Money will buy a bed, but not sleep; medicine, but not health; luxuries, but not culture; amusements, but not pleasure; a crucifix, but not a savior; a church pew, but not heaven.”

While Loveland’s congregation is awaiting the completion of their new church they have been granted the continued use of their present meeting place for several additional weeks.

Randolph’s consistory scheduled their pastor, Rev. G. VanBaren, to give a lecture May 6 on “Limited Atonement.” This was the third of a series of lectures on The Five Points of Calvinism. This series is proving to be much appreciated as evidenced by the good attendance it draws. The bulletin of May 9 commended the congregation for their faithfulness in this regard.

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; so much the move, as we see the day approaching.” 

. . . . see you in church. 

—J.M.F.