Dec. 5, 1959 

The congregation of Hull called Rev. G. Vanden Berg from a duo which included Rev. C. Hanko. Our Missionary, Rev. G. Lubbers received the call from Edgerton. Randolph called Rev. R. Veldman from a trio which included Revs. H. Hanko and M. Schipper. Grand Haven’s trio consists of the Revs. G. Lubbers, R. Veldman and B. Woudenberg. 

Some “old” news omitted from this page last time: Hull young people sponsored a Reformation Day program, inviting the Doon young folk to share with them the interesting program planned. Beacon Lights was the recipient of the offering taken; and, from Redland’s bulletin: “The consistory wishes to thank the donor of the twenty-five new Psalters. These Psalters are greatly appreciated.” Redlands is still without a janitor, the work being assigned in rotation to the men of the congregation; and, Because Rev. R. Veldman was in South Holland on classical appointment, and because Prof. H. C. Hoeksema, due to illness, was unable to preach for them Sunday morning, Nov. 15, Southeast Church held an unprecedented afternoon service conducted by Rev. C. Hanko. By evening Prof. Hoeksema was again able to occupy their pulpit. 

Doon lost the Wm. Lems family to Hudsonville recently, leaving them without a “doorkeeper in the house of the Lord,” the Lems family having supplied the janitor service for the past several years. 

The Doon Ladies’ Society invited the’ Men’s Society and all other non-member ladies and men of the congregation to meet with them Nov. 17. The after recess discussion was on the Self Examination before the Lord’s Supper. 

Holland is eagerly awaiting the coming of Rev. Lanting to take up his pastoral duties among them. The delay is due primarily to the lack of success in acquiring a suitable parsonage for the Lanting family. 

Did you know . . . that the first public program whose proceeds were designated for our own Christian High School is now history? The offering amounted to $114.51. When one thinks of the thousands of dollars needed to realize our goal one sees the $114.51 as “a mustard seed, which when a man took and cast it into his garden, and it grew and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches thereof.” Without a doubt, the dedicatory speech corner stone laying will mention this first “mustard seed” offering. May our fledgelings be so lodged in the branches of that free that they may be prepared to fly on there own with the correct world and life view. 

Did you know . . . that Hudsonville’s church renovation has been completed, and that many volunteers made light work of cleaning up after the workmen; that, the evening of Dec. 4 the congregation was invited to a service dedication the new organ to the service of God; that, Mr. Alvin Ritsema from Calvin College, was at the console of the Conn electric organ, and Arnold Dykstra gave a beautiful rendition of “Guide Me, O Great Jehovah,” and “How Lovely Are Thy Dwellings” ? 

You’ll be glad to know: that Rev. G. M. Ophoff has taken up one of the many labors laid down when struck down with his illness. He is again leading the Bible discussion in the Eunice Society of First Church. Although his partial blindness prohibits any reading, his wife is the old Professor’s eyes, reading the Scripture portion to him until he memorizes it; then the “Dominee” ponders over the passage, his years of Bible study experience bringing clearly before his mind the truths contained therein. 

A decision was taken at Hope’s Annual Congregational meeting to take monthly collections to set up a fund for the printing and mailing of pamphlets which will contain the development of the truth as we confess it, and which will be mailed to all parts of the country. Further details of that project will be made public as it progresses. 

Dec. 20 the Rey. J. A. Heys will preach his farewell sermon at Hull, and he and his family will move into the parsonage in South Holland during the following week. Prof. H. C. Hoeksema will preach the installation sermon in the morning service of the 27th, and Rev. Heys will preach his inaugural sermon in the evening service, D.V. 

Seminarian J. Kortering is scheduled to preach for the congregation of Hull in the seven services from Dec 7 through Jan. 3, serving the vacant church during the busy holiday season. The Consistory has applied for Classical appointments from the Classical Committee to serve until Classis meets in March. 

Following the directives of Synod, the Mission Committee is scheduling services in South Dakota by asking different ministers to preach there for a period of three weeks. Rev. B. Woudenberg, of Creston, will be there for three weeks in December, and Rev. A. Mulder, of Kalamazoo, will take his turn for three weeks in January, D.V. Rev. Lubbers plans to occupy the pulpits of the absent ministers. 

The choice proverb for this issue: “Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, “Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.” Prov. 30:9-10. 

See you in church . . . . . 

J.M.F