Last evening (Friday) was another great night as the PR Seminary’s Heidelberg Catechism Conference entered its second day. We had another good crowd (600+) and another 200 “attendees” through the live-stream – wonderfully encouraging!
The speeches were again outstanding – instructive and inspirational!Prof.B.Gritters instructed us in the history and benefits of HC preaching, showing that HC catechism preaching in Reformed churches has a long and noble history (introduced only a few years after the HC itself was published). But in defense of HC preaching he also showed us that catechism preaching itself goes all the way back to the time of Ambrose in the 4th century! And the benefitsof HC preaching? Prof.Gritters provided eight precious blessings of good HC preaching. To find out what those are, listen to his speech, which may be found here at Hudsonville PRC’s Sermonaudio page.
Rev.C.Haak (Georgetown PRC. Hudsonville, MI) gave a powerful speech on the HC’s view of the Christian life as one of gratitude. With clear proofs from Scripture and the catechism he demonstrated that the HC captures the true meaning – even the heart – of the Christian life when it teaches that the whole of our conduct is to be motivated by thankfulness to God – all because of His sovereign grace to us in Jesus Christ. Pastor Haak gave us the quote of the night when he repeatedly defined this gratitude as “the echo of praise reverberating in the chambers of the heart which knows its redemption and renewal by grace”. You may listen to Rev.Haak’s message too on Hudsonville’s Sermonaudio page.
The winners of the HC Writing Contest were also announced last evening. Scott Van Uffelen, one of the four judges (along with Sue Looyenga, Liz Griess, and Trisha Haak), described the process of judging the 80+ entries and the joy of reading the essays. The entries revealed not just good writing but minds and hearts in love with the gospel found in the HC. Without revealing all of them just yet (some of the out-of-staters and Canadian winners have to be contacted yet), we can give you this picture of the local winners who were in attendance last evening (Back row -l-r: Sirley Casemier, Kelsey Kuiper, Dale Schipper, Rick Noorman; Front row - l-r: Allen Kalsbeek, Brett Kalsbeek, Sara Doezema, Scott Van Uffelen).
Here are a few additional pictures from the evening.
Friday’s full fellowship room!
Gary VDS (Credo Books) & Josh Engelsma going over books
Aaron Lim helps staff the Seminary display table
Specials guests from Mason, MI display the HC in Burmese translated by Rev.Titus
Seminary Graduation: The graduation ceremonies for Mr. Erik Guichelaar will take place, God willing, on Thursday evening, June 13, at 7:30 PM, at Hudsonville PRC. Prof. B.Gritters will be speaking on "A Confessional Ministry." Please join the faculty, Theological School Committee, the 2013 Synodical delegates, and friends and family of Mr. Guichelaar in celebrating this important event in the churches!
The Consistory of Peace PRC (Lansing IL) has approved a request from the faculty of the seminary that the Consistory and Pastor oversee the internship of Seminarian Joshua Engelsma. The Lord willing Seminarian Engelsma, his wife Courtney, and children Calvin and Charlotte, will be part of our congregation’s life and fellowship from July 1 to December 31. We look forward to welcoming the Engelsma family into our midst.