Hope Protestant Reformed Church in Redlands held a special program on Thursday, December 1, marking “50 years of Congregational existences. . . . Rev. C. Hanko gave the address and Rev. Kortering was present to greet the Congregation.” In addition, their “50th Anniversary-dedication booklets are now complete. . . .Extra copies may be purchased from the clerk for $2.00 each.” 

In Across the Aisle, Vol. III, No. 8, December 1983, I found this news about Jamaica. “Since receiving the mandate from Synod to call a missionary to labor in Jamaica, the council and committee have been quite busy. After calling Rev. R. Miersma and Rev. W. Bekkering, the committee met with each one to discuss the field. . . .Both men expressed that their main concern was their family and the education of their children. This concern is very real when one considers moving to a different culture and lifestyle. However, the rewards of working in the field are immeasurable and we believe the Lord will prosper our labors.” Rev. R. Van Overloop is now considering the call.

First Protestant Reformed Church of Holland made this announcement in their December 11 bulletin: “Rev. & Mrs. Heys are now in their own apartment; their new address is below. Rev. & Mrs. John A. Heys, 44A Norton Park Avenue, Lower Hutt, New Zealand. Presently their phone number is 011-64-4-676-669. You can dial direct with that number.” Rev. Heys is assisting a small group of believers in the city of Wellington and plans to be there six months. “It is our joy and privilege that we can send Rev. Heys to minister to their needs.” 

In Southeast’s November 20 bulletin, I found this announcement: “Next Sunday we will open our pulpit to the Seminary. The consistory has decided to have Seminary Sunday every two months. Next Sunday Prof. Decker will preach in the morning and Prof. Hoeksema in the evening.” 

First Protestant Reformed Church of Grand Rapids has decided to resume their monthly 15- minute Sunday song service. The December 4 bulletin reads, “The first sing will be held after the evening service on Christmas Sunday. Then each succeeding month, on the last Sunday of the month, a 15-minute song service will be held prior to the evening service. . . . Come early on those Sundays and become better prepared for the worship service.” 

Kalamazoo Protestant Reformed Church’s November 27 bulletin read in part, “Starting tomorrow morning at 11:30 our pastor will be conducting an open line discussion program on WKPR Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of each week for the next three months. Listen and invite others to do so also.” 

The Blue Bell mission has for its place of worship The Wissahickon Historical Society, The 1895 School House, Route 73 (Skippack Pike) & School Rd., Blue Bell, PA. Their worship services are at 10 A.M. & 6 P.M. Candidate Hanko’s phone number is 572-0786. Candidate Hanko writes in a letter of November 30, 1983: “The work is going fairly well. We are working now on advertising. We have ads in some newspapers and are planning to begin the distribution of some pamphlets. . . .These will be accompanied by a letter of introduction to the PRC and to our group in Blue Bell. Furthermore, we hope soon to put some literature and an advertisement for our services in Westminster Seminary, perhaps also in RES.” 

A recent newsletter of the Reformed Witness Hourstates, “We have an operating deficit of approximately $5,000 for the year ending December, 1983. Our need includes $2,000 to bring the radio sermon printings up-to-date and $3,000 to pay off the radio stations. We also covet your prayers.” 

The Hudsonville Protestant Reformed Church’s Men’s Society has published one volume of the late Rev. G. Vos’ meditations on the Psalms. You can purchase this volume, entitled “O Taste and See,” for $7.00. The November 20 bulletin of Doon Protestant Reformed Church read in part, “We need this type of literature in our homes. Our brother had an unique gift of expression and his writings reflect the fact that he was mindful of the needs of God’s people for whom he wrote.” 

From Hudsonville Protestant Reformed Church’s December 4 bulletin, I read “The Hudsonville Protestant Reformed Christian School Society organized on Monday, November 21, with 103 members.” 

The Byron Center consistory has made the following trio: Rev. C. Haak, Rev. B. Woudenberg, and Prof. Decker. 

—DH