Our missionary, Rev. Lubbers will conduct services for three Sundays in Redlands, since he is working in the areas of Bellflower and San Diego at present. During their vacancy Redlands will be served by Rev. Harbach as their moderator. 

From our Year Book we learn that our denomination is made up of 2645 men, women and children found in 327 families, served by 19 ministers. Cold statistics? No, but a record of a Gideon’s Band, indeed! Less than three thousand souls in a world of teeming millions. A Gideon’s Band to fight the battle against those who either undervalue, or deny the truth of God’s Sovereignty! “Ye are the salt of the earth, and if the salt has lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted?” 

A contribution from the Radio Committee: 

“It may interest our readers to know that at the present time the Reformed Witness Hour is aired over seven radio stations. Our program originates from our own radio committee with our equipment and is presented two or three weeks later via tape recording at WFUR, Grand Rapids; KELO, Sioux Falls; KBOE, Oskaloosa; KLIR, Denver; KPUG, Bellingham, Wash.; WBEV, Beaver Dam, Wis., and WIVI, Virgin Islands. The latest additions were WBEV, KPUG, and WIVI which are supported by the Mission Committee along with KBOE. We have our own recording equipment which is operated by the program committee, and it is estimated that this equipment saves First Church and the Mission Committee recording costs up to $2,400.00. Our committee is made up of thirteen members with a delegation of three men from the consistory. The members are Kenneth Bylsma, Lubertha Bykerk, James Dykstra, Fred Geers, Edward Kooienga, Charles Kregel, Robert W. Pastoor, Thelma Pastoor, Clarence Prince, Peter Reitsma, Howard Van Eenenaam, Henry Vander Wal and J.M. Faber. We have no way of contacting you personally as to your reactions to our program. How about it, folks? Keep our mailman busy over here! Our address is Box 8, Grand Rapids, Michigan.” 

The young people of Doon held a Singspiration Nov. 30. Quite a contingent from Hull arrived to share the evening of fellowship around the Word of God as it is found in the Psalter numbers. Special musical numbers were well received, and the singing was spirited. “Spice” was added with the singing of a Dutch Psalm which went over quite well. 

Consistory presidents, if your consistory appoints a clerk other than recorded in the Year Book, please send us his name for publicity on this page. 

From Lynden we learn that Mrs. Harbach spent two weeks in Philadelphia to visit her mother who is seriously ill; that good progress has been made in their new parsonage fund which has for its goal $2,000.00; that their congregation must be added to the list of those who are enjoying a series of sermons on the life of Elijah; that our radio program is being heard in that area and responses are coming in from as far away as Vancouver, B.C. 

The Western bulletins all call attention to the fact that they are readying for the 1959 Y.P. Convention. 

Lynden is awarded first prize by this page for the most beautiful bulletin cover. Lithographed pictures of Hood in Mount Hood National Park, and Mount Hood in Grand Teton National Park, no less! 

Oak Lawn’s Young People’s Society was host to that of South Holland, and South Holland’s Ladies’ Society was host to that of Oak Lawn recently.

One sister and three brethren made public confession of faith in Southeast Church, Nov. 30, and they received an individual from Creston lately. Hudsonville received an individual from Eastmanville Chr. Ref. Church; and First Church received an individual from Millwbod Chr. Ref. Church in Grand Rapids. 

Serviceman Homer Teitsma from Southeast expects to be sent to Hawaii in January and come home on furlough next summer on his way to Alaska. Homer was pleasantly surprised with some forty birthday cards sent by members of his congregation. Southeast’s other serviceman, Benson P. Hendricks, is in Fort Leonard Wood, ‘Missouri. 

The RFPA met Dec. 4 at First Church with the Rev. Vos as the speaker for the evening. His topic was, “Our Calling to Witness to the Truth in the Office of Believer.” The speaker reminded us of our privilege and calling to “be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear”; and that by the means of The Standard Bearer we must always show the Face of Christ, be it as a savor of life unto life, or a savor of death unto death. 

The Rev. H. Kuiper was installed in our newest church Tuesday evening, Nov. 25. Our Missionary, Rev. Lubbers, presided at the installation ceremony, and preached the sermon. Rev. Kuiper delivered his inaugural sermon Dec. 1, preaching from Isaiah 14:32. After the installation service, the congregation welcomed their new pastor and family in an informal gathering. Loveland purchased a new parsonage recently, but as it was not ready for Rev. Kuiper and family to occupy, they temporarily put up at a motel. 

Our latest bit of news is that Redlands has extended a call to the Rev. R. Veldman from Southeast Church of Grand Rapids. 

Rev. G.M. Ophoff experiences that the grace of God sustains him from day to day, even as the Lord is also giving renewed strength physically. 

. . . . see you in church. 

—J.M.F.