A PUBLICATION OF THE WHEATON CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH VOLUME 16 ISSUE 8 April, 2012
711 East Harrison, Wheaton, Illinois 60187 Phone 630-668-6054 Fax: 630-668-3810 Web: wheatoncrc.org Page 1
Hang a Frame
By Pastor Kyle
Several months ago our elders took up the topic of how to
encourage more people to celebrate Communion at our
church. We’ve had a policy since the early 90’s that
invites children to come to the table after professing their
faith to an elder or the pastor, but many children and
young adults have slipped through the cracks in the
system.
Our denomination’s yearly leadership meeting, called
Synod, last year urged churches to focus on encouraging
children to celebrate communion. Our elders came up
with a statement that reads: “Consistent with the recent
decision of Synod regarding children participating in the
Lord’s Supper, our Church welcomes baptized children of
professing members to the Lord’s Supper upon
completion of their 2nd
grade Sunday School class. The
formal invitation to the Lord’s Supper will be combined
with the presentation of Bibles to our 2nd
grade Sunday
School class.”
As mentioned, many of our youth and young adults
currently don’t celebrate communion even though we’ve
had a policy in place to invite them while they are
children. For some the prospect of standing up and
making a formal “Profession of Faith” has gotten in the
way. While the elders value a person making a public
statement of faith, our current mechanism seems to
dissuade rather than encourage young people to make that
statement of faith and be nourished at the table.
In our baptismal vows we as a church promise to
encourage the children and enable the parents to raise
their children in the faith. To do that we’ve changed the
mechanism somewhat to make it less imposing but also
are taking the responsibility as spiritual leaders of
Wheaton CRC on a yearly basis to encourage young
people to make a statement of faith and come to the table.
This is how we envision that decision impacting our
church: every spring the elders will take the responsibility
of teaching each Sunday School class from 2nd
grade on
about the meaning of the Lord’s Supper and asking them
if they would like to state their belief in Jesus by
participating in communion. If a child answers yes, the
elder will then meet with the child’s parents to make sure
that they also concur that the child has an authentic faith
in Christ and is ready to celebrate communion. The elders
will then talk to the child about their faith by asking
simply, “Do you believe in Jesus?” and “Do you want to
live for him?” With the parents’ blessing, that child would
then be welcomed to celebrate communion for the first
time, at which point they will receive a memento of this
significant stage of their faith.
The first time they will be invited to the table will
coincide with the giving of Bibles to 2nd
graders, making
the whole service a celebration for our children as we
encourage them towards further growth in faith.
We will have a class for parents the week before we speak
to the children so they will be prepared and will have an
opportunity to talk to their children and ensure their
readiness before the elders come to their class. We will
also have a class for those who haven’t made a formal
Profession of Faith but would like to make a statement of
faith and celebrate communion where they will be able to
talk to an elder.
This year the parent class will be April 8th
, the Sunday
School classes on Communion will be April 15th
and the
first time we welcome them to the table will be May 6th
.
If you have any questions about the process or reasoning
behind it, contact your district elder.
711 East Harrison, Wheaton, Illinois 60187 Phone 630-668-6054 Fax: 630-668-3810 Web: wheatoncrc.org Page 2
Boyz II Men
By Mary Systma
There’s a rhythm and blues group that I know very little
about except for the name, Boyz II Men. It’s an
intriguing name to me, because I have been raising a boy
for the past 22 years and now he’s a man.
He’s getting married in three months. He graduates from
college soon and will be starting a job, all sort of grown
up things. I can’t say when he became a man, but he did,
and not without a lot of love and attention.
This church had a lot to do with that. Jonathan had a lot
of wonderful men who served as great Christian role
models. He was raised by a village.
But what of the boys who grow up without fathers? Or
those whose role models are less than desirable? How do
they grow up to be godly men? I think about that a lot
when I’m in Nigeria. So many young boys with no
fathers in their lives. So many little girls who never see a
father treating their mother with respect and tenderness.
What of them? What kind of men will these boys
become?
I think this is another reason why the Bible pays special
attention to the fatherless. A father is meant to teach a
little boy those special skills he needs to be a good
provider and nurturer. A boy doesn’t become a man to
be proud of without a lot of intentional guidance.
The Gweimen Centre has hopes of doing more for the
boys in the way of job training in the future. We don’t
really have the staff for this right now. There is no lack of
role models around them who work very hard, in the
fields and at home, but there isn’t a lot of opportunity for
the boys to see the possibilities for income generation.
The most important thing we do for them right now is see
to it that they stay in school and stay healthy. If one of the
young men shows academic potential, the Gweimen
Centre will pay his school fees and give him a scholarship
to further his studies.
We have to proceed carefully with some of our efforts at
job training, because in the past, one of the American
women who worked with the children, before the centre
officially became Gweimen, sent some of the older
orphans away from the village to learn a trade. They
were treated very poorly under her supervision.
The boys at the Gweimen Centre do have Christian role
models in their lives. One of them is Bartholomew, who
spends time with the children every day. He teaches them
Bible lessons, he referees their soccer games, he listens to
them sing, but he also roughhouses, hugs, and disciplines
them. He smiles on their work.
The children call him “Uncle Bartholomew.” When I
asked one of the little ones what he loved about coming to
the Centre, he said it was because the people at Gweimen
loved him. I asked him if he could tell me who loved him
and why.
He replied, ”Uncle Bartholomew loves me. He helps me
to grow up to love Jesus.” David, who is 16, and
Emmanuel Solomon, who is 11, and Genesis, who is 6, all
come to the Centre regularly, and they watch Uncle
Bartholomew for cues about how to become godly young
men.
And they are encouraged to stay in school. This is one of
the best ways we have of helping a boy to become self -
sufficient some day. It is labor intensive and a long
process to help boys become men, and for some it
requires more than the village.
It requires help from people in America who provide the
funds to help them to stay in school and stay healthy
enough to learn.
Editors Note: There is a special opportunity right now to
help this ministry. During the months of March and April,
board members and friends have pledged up to $5,000 in
matching gifts. If you give a gift of $100, that will mean
$200 goes to Gweimen. You can give on-line at
www.gweimencentre.org or you can mail a check to
Gweimen Centre, P.O. Box 165, La Fox, IL 60147.
711 East Harrison, Wheaton, Illinois 60187 Phone 630-668-6054 Fax: 630-668-3810 Web: wheatoncrc.org Page 3
Library Highlights
By Emily Cederlund
Author Spotlight: Max Lucado
Max Lucado is the only author to have won three
Christian Book of the Year* awards—in 1999 for Just
Like Jesus, in 1997 for In the Grip of Grace, and in 1995
for When God Whispers Your Name. In 2005, Reader’s
Digest magazine dubbed him “America’s Best Preacher”
and in 2004, Christianity Today magazine called him
“America’s Pastor.” The product line for 3:16—The
Numbers of Hope sold more than four million units
worldwide, including one million units of the cornerstone
trade book of the same title (released in September 2007),
making it the fastest selling Lucado product in his career.
His latest, Outlive Your Life: You Were Made to Make a
Difference (September 2010) hit both the Publishers
Weekly and New York Times bestseller lists and has been
featured on “Fox & Friends” and “CNN American
Morning.” He has participated on the “Good Morning
America” Christmas Day panel in 2009 and 2010.
His works have appeared on every major national
bestseller list including Publishers Weekly, USA Today,
The New York Times, Evangelical Christian Publishers
Association, and Christian Booksellers Association. He
has been featured in countless media outlets and national
broadcasts.*
We have many of Max Lucado’s books in the Wheaton
CRC library. Please check them out:
A Love Worth Giving:
Living in the Overflow of God's Love
God Came Near: Chronicles of the Christ
God's Story, Your Story
He Chose The Nails:
What God did to Win Your Heart
In The Eye Of The Storm
In The Grip Of Grace
Jacob's Gift
On the Anvil
Six Hours One Friday:
Anchoring to the Power of the Cross
Tell Me the Story
The Children of the King
The Crippled Lamb
The Cure for the Common Life
The Final Week of Jesus:
Highlights from and the Angels Were Silent
When God Whispers Your Name *http://www.maxlucado.com/info/view/about_max_lucado/
Council Meeting
By Dave Sikkenga, Clerk
Following are the notes and actions of the Council in
regular session, February 20, 2012.
Reduced Ministry Shares:
Our clerk received notice from the CRC Denomination
Office that WCRC Denominational Ministry Shares were
$57,073 rather than the $59,277 expected (and approved
in the 2012 budget) based on our membership. This
reduction is due to the denomination policy to reduce the
per-member ministry share once membership decreased
below 193 members. 2012 will be the first year that our
membership count dropped below 193 (count is 184 for
2012).
Motion approved by council to accept the reduced
Ministry Share of $57,073
Membership Transfers Approved.
The council was pleased to accept the membership
transfers in the following motions (which had actually
been passed at the Jan 9, 2012 Shepherding Board
Meeting):
To accept the membership transfers of Ray, Rosemary,
and Ryan Koopman from the Ann Arbor CRC. Effective
January 9, 2012
To admit for full membership into the CRC (effective
January 9, 2012) the memberships of John and Julie
Tonnemacher who have transferred from St. John’s
Lutheran Church in Lombard, IL and have completed new
members classes with Pastor Kyle.
Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer Approved for June
2012-June 2013
Motion passed to reappoint Steve VanZee as treasure and
Heather Bossenga as assistant treasurer. Note that both
Steve and Heather have indicated that they would be
willing to continue in these positions and that council is
pleased with their contributions and grateful for their
service.
711 East Harrison, Wheaton, Illinois 60187 Phone 630-668-6054 Fax: 630-668-3810 Web: wheatoncrc.org Page 4
New Abuse Committee Membership:
Motion passed (provided by John Slinkman) to accept the
following members into the Church Abuse Committee:
Amanda Bommelje, Wendy Haack, Ed Bossenga, John
Slinkman.
Timothy Board Membership:
Typically WCRC has a representative on the Timothy
Christian School Board. Thanks to Floyd VanderMeer
who has been our representative for the past 3 years and
will be retiring this summer. A replacement nominee is
being sought to replace him for the next term.
Items of Interest
2012 Quilt Show
Friday, April 27 10 – 7
Saturday April 28, 10 – 4
First Baptist Church
1310 North Main Street
Wheaton, IL
For further information
Contact Joyce Verseput
Or www.villagequilters.net
Proceeds go to Gifts of Hope
Organ and Tissue Donation Services
Editors Note: New Column
Any members who belong to an organization that is not
supported by our church, but has a distinctly
humanitarian or mission purpose can request a mention
like that above. It must be received two Sundays before
the last Sunday of the month. Please put the information
in my mailbox(Gabrielse) with your name and contact
information.
Vietnamese New
Hope CRC
By Pastor Huu
What’s happening in the ministry at VNHCRC?
The prayer line is working well, especially with the
women’s sub-committee in their consolation to the sick
and lonely.
Pastor Huu’s wife has been especially helpful to the
widow of Mr. Dinh Thuan Nguyen.
Men’s coffee meets regularly on Saturday mornings at
Pastor Huu’s house. The meetings focus on sharing about
families and prayers.
Choir sang at Faith Community Church of Chicago on
12/11/2011.
Pastor Huu declined an invitation to teach a two-week
course in a seminary in Saigon, VietNam. The reason was
the need to sign a form accepting the “Communist
Doctrine”.
One short-term goal is to reproduce the bi-lingual
Heidelberg Catechism with the new name “52 Bible
Studies for Christians” and post it on the web so that
others familiar with the language may use it free.
In worship we project paragraph-by-paragraph the
English translation while we are preaching sermons in
Vietnamese. This is a goal in exploring the possibility of
preaching in English in the future.
A long-term goal: we are considering a worship service
during the week (Monday morning is most likely) for
those who can not go to church on Sunday.
Youth meetings are Friday nights at church for Bible
study and fun. We have a joint group of 8 from VNHCRC
and 4 to 6 from Vietnamese Evangelical Church of
Aurora.
We will have a one-day retreat for our church youth group
and other youth in the community on March 31, 2012 at
VNHCRC from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The retreat will
711 East Harrison, Wheaton, Illinois 60187 Phone 630-668-6054 Fax: 630-668-3810 Web: wheatoncrc.org Page 5
focus on prayer, testimony, and identity about “What does
it mean to be Asian-American and Christian?”
One young man plans to go to the mission field in
VietNam to gain some in-country experiences at least one
year before he could go to Calvin Seminary.
We will have a 3-day retreat for Asian youth sometime in
May. Several CRC ethnic churches from both Michigan
and Wisconsin will be coming. Pray for that.
Relationships with other churches and organizations --
Outreach & Training
Pastor Huu will be preaching at Faith Community Church
of Chicago on Sundays: 3/11/12 and 3/25/12.
Originally our plan, with Little Saigon CRC in California,
was that the small English school in Central VietNam
would be opening in July or August 2012. Actually, it has
already opened and is running very smoothly now. Our
hidden purpose in this plan is to evangelize. The 52
Lord’s Days in the Heidelberg Catechism were renamed
“52 Bible Studies For Christians” and will be the first
teaching document used there. Pray for that.
Pastor Huu will be speaking at Lake Park High School in
Roselle on April 4, 2012 at their “War and Peace Forum.”
How do we give back to the Lord?
As many of you know, our worship offering is always
below our goal of $500.00 per service.
How might you help us?
Do whatever you think will be helpful for us in Christ’s
service. We deeply appreciate all!
Editors Note: VNH CRC will be celebrating 20 years of
service to our Lord in September, 2012. Several CRC
churches, in addition to WCRC, faithfully support this
work. A number of individuals also make regular
financial contributions. We would be remiss if we did not
recognize the enormous amount of time and energy
Gordon Andersen has contributed to this effort. Thank
God for the impact on the lives and hearts of our brothers
and sisters in this community.
Missions: Praying for Comings
and Returnings
By Grace Huitsing
Mike and Victoria Van Der Dyk—Nigeria
Victoria met her Green Card requirements by a two-week
visit here. Mike’s father in Lombard hosted her and Joy,
who was on spring break from Olivet U.
Back in Jos, Mike has been busy translating Leadership
Training Materials for pastors and workers into the Hausa
language. He asks prayer for guidance as he finishes this
important series for the church.
Mike asks for praise in the appointment of a strong
director for the CRC-Nigeria Missions Department., and
prayer for his leadership. After the unexpected death of
the Missions Department Director, a former professor of
Veenstra Theological Seminary and then CRCN Church
President, Rev. Istifanus Bahago was chosen. He is a
strong supporter of evangelism, and during his time as
Church President, the mission outreach expanded into
new areas of Nigeria, Niger, Sierra Leone and Kenya.
Ena Vander Molen, Wheaton
Having completed the 23-year stint of mastering the Obo
Manobo language and working with others in the
Philippines to complete the Obo Manobo New Testament,
set up literacy classes, a kindergarten, and a weekly radio
broadcast, Ena is waiting for the Lord’s next step.
She is spending two weeks in March at Wycliffe
Headquarters in Orlando, meeting with Wycliffe
personnel officers to ascertain future activities and
support.
Jack and Cindy Ippel, Budapest, Hungary
Cindy continues her volunteer work of editing English
papers for EDYN and has added helping the Hungarian
Baptist Aid association with their English website.
With a long week-end Hungarian national holiday, they
traveled to meet with their TeachOverseas colleagues in
Bratislava, Slovakia.
After thanking their readers for their prayers, Jack writes,
“God continues to provide opportunities for us here and it
711 East Harrison, Wheaton, Illinois 60187 Phone 630-668-6054 Fax: 630-668-3810 Web: wheatoncrc.org Page 6
seems obvious that this is where we need to be for another
year.
So we have officially told TeachOverseas as well as the
ministries where Cindy is volunteering that we are
coming back in the fall of 2012. We are excited and at
peace about this decision and look forward to another
year of serving in Hungary.”
Please remember each of these special people in your
prayers.
The Pickle Jar
The pickle jar as far back as I can remember sat on
the floor beside the dresser in my parents' bedroom.
When he got ready for bed, Dad would empty his pockets
and toss his coins into the jar.
As a small boy, I was always fascinated at the sounds the
coins made as they were dropped into the jar. They
landed with a merry jingle when the jar was almost
empty. Then the tones gradually muted to a dull thud as
the jar was filled.
I used to squat on the floor in front of the jar to admire
the copper and silver circles that glinted like a pirate's
treasure when the sun poured through the bedroom
window. When the jar was filled, Dad would sit at the
kitchen table and roll the coins before taking them to the
bank.
Taking the coins to the bank was always a big
production. Stacked neatly in a small cardboard box, the
coins were placed between Dad and me on the seat of his
old truck.
Each and every time, as we drove to the bank, Dad would
look at me hopefully. 'Those coins are going to keep you
out of the textile mill, son. You're going to do better than
me. This old mill town's not going to hold you back.'
Also, each and every time, as he slid the box of rolled
coins across the counter at the bank toward the cashier,
he would grin proudly. 'These are for my son's college
fund. He'll never work at the mill all his life like me.'
We would always celebrate each deposit by stopping
for an ice cream cone. I always got chocolate. Dad
always got vanilla. When the clerk at the ice cream
parlor handed Dad his change, he would show me the
few coins nestled in his palm. 'When we get home, we'll
start filling the jar again.' He always let me drop the first
coins into the empty jar. As they rattled around with a
brief, happy jingle, we grinned at each other. 'You'll get
to college on pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters,' he
said. 'But you'll get there; I'll see to that.'
No matter how rough things got at home, Dad continued
to doggedly drop his coins into the jar. Even the summer
when Dad got laid off from the mill, and Mama served
dried beans several times a week, not a single dime was
taken from the jar.
To the contrary, as Dad looked across the table at me,
pouring catsup over my beans to make them more
palatable, he became more determined than ever to make
a way out for me 'When you finish college, Son,' he told
me, his eyes glistening, 'You'll never have to eat beans
again - unless you want to.'
The years passed, and I finished college and took a
job in another town. Once, while visiting my parents
I used the phone in their bedroom, and noticed that
the pickle jar was gone. It had served its purpose
and had been removed.
A lump rose in my throat as I stared at the spot beside the
dresser where the jar had always stood.. My dad was a
man of few words: he never lectured me on the values of
determination, perseverance, and faith. The pickle jar had
taught me all these virtues far more eloquently than the
most flowery of words could have done. When I married,
I told my wife, Susan, about the significant part the lowly
pickle jar had played in my life as a boy. In my mind, it
defined, more than anything else, how much my dad had
loved me.
The first Christmas after our daughter Jessica was born,
we spent the holiday with my parents. After dinner, Mom
and Dad sat next to each other on the sofa, taking turns
cuddling their first grandchild. Jessica began to whimper
softly, and Susan took her from Dad's arms. 'She
probably needs to be changed,' she said, carrying the
baby into my
parents' bedroom to diaper her. When Susan came back
into the living room, there was a strange mist in her eyes.
She handed Jessica back to Dad before taking my hand
and leading me into the room. 'Look,' she said softly, her
eyes directing me to a spot on the floor beside the
711 East Harrison, Wheaton, Illinois 60187 Phone 630-668-6054 Fax: 630-668-3810 Web: wheatoncrc.org Page 7
dresser. To my amazement, there, as if it had never been
removed, stood the old pickle jar, the bottom already
covered with coins. I walked over to the pickle jar, dug
down into my pocket, and pulled out a fistful of coins.
With a gamut of emotions choking me, I dropped the
coins into the jar. I looked up and saw that Dad, carrying
Jessica, had slipped quietly into the room. Our eyes
locked, and I knew he was feeling the same emotions I
felt.
Neither one of us could speak. Nor were any words
needed.
*No Author could be found
Insights and Encounters
By Scott Cederlund
I was born on February 14, 1970, a Saturday, in a hospital
on the south side of Chicago where my grandfather
practiced medicine.
My mother was in Las Vegas with her parents seeing an
Elvis Presley concert.
My father was at home in Blue Island, enjoying a friendly
card game with his buddies.
We’ll get to how all of this works out in a moment here.
Recently in Adult Sunday School, Chuck Schoenherr
reminded us that there are no meaningless life
experiences. I’ve often thought of the path that God
placed me on that has lead to me now living in Bartlett
with Emily, Jakob and our dog Boomer. It’s the path
that’s previously taken me to Aurora, Downers Grove,
Toledo, Bowling Green, Grand Rapids, Dekalb and Palos
Heights. The path that the Lord has set before me began
in Blue Island, Las Vegas and Chicago.
I’m adopted and while it means everything to me, it also
means nothing to me. I don’t even remember when my
parents told me that; I’ve just always kind of known. I
don’t think I’ve ever reacted to it because my parents are
my parents and my family has always been my family.
I’ve had friends that were adopted and it took some of
them years to understand what that meant to them and to
their mothers and fathers. To me, it was just another one
of those things about my early childhood that I couldn’t
remember so the events of that Valentines day, who was
there and who wasn’t, don’t mean much beyond the
obvious significance that that was the day I entered the
world.
But being adopted also has meant everything. I have no
biological link to my parents or to much of my family.
Until Jakob was born, I never knew a single blood
relative. My parents have told me a few times about the
adoptive process for them. There was a couple of children
that they considered before me, a red-headed Irish boy
and a Lebanese boy. I’m not too sure why my parents
passed on those opportunities other than it didn’t feel
“right” at the time. But then on that day, with one in
Vegas and one in Blue Island, something “right” did
happen.
I’ve often felt like the Lord has had this correcting hand
in my life. When I get too proud, too boastful or just plain
forgetful of everything, he’s thrown these curve balls into
my life to remind me that He is there and He is the one
guiding my life and not me. He’s been guiding it since
that Saturday morning. I was delivered by a doctor who
was a family friend. He knew what my parents were
wanting and ,as I was born to a young, single woman, he
immediately called my grandfather and let him know that
I was born. And that’s how my family found me.
So Chuck was right; there are no meaningless life
experiences. Even at days old, while I can’t remember
them, I can see now how those early experiences
demonstrate the Lord acting in my life. I wasn’t born into
a family but that never meant that I wasn’t part of a
family. When I married Emily I got a second family, one
much larger than anything I had ever dreamt of having
before and when Jakob was born, I met the first person I
knew who was part of me and I was part of. Like I said,
being adopted means nothing to me but it does mean
everything. The Lord has given me a big family and that
means everything to me.
711 East Harrison, Wheaton, Illinois 60187 Phone 630-668-6054 Fax: 630-668-3810 Web: wheatoncrc.org Page 8
By Dave Nyenhuis
It happened again last week. I was enjoying a “father
moment.” It came because Rob had unexpectedly been
awarded a scholarship and I was proud of his
accomplishment. But then once again the thought
surfaced, “I wish my father was here to see this,” and
some of the joy was gone.
My father died in 1990. You would think I’d get over it
after 22 years, and for the most part I have. But a part of
me still mourns; and truth be told, some anger still
smolders against God. You see, my father died from
AIDS at the age of 59. In my mind, he was too young, his
ministry was too important, and he had too much left to
give for him to die. Added to that was the shame of a
disease he contracted through no fault of his own. And
there is this….if he had only contracted HIV a few years
later, medications were developed that would have kept
him going. The death sentence would have lifted into a
chronic illness and we would still have his company. All
in all, from my point of view, God really screwed up this
time.
But here’s the weird part. My mother contracted HIV
three years after my father. In fact, part of the burden we
carried at my father’s funeral was the knowledge that we
would soon be going through the trauma of death again.
But God intervened. He gave the gift of effective
treatment . My mother’s health is maintained. She is
now 77 years old, has recently successfully undergone hip
replacement surgery, and maintains an active live with her
church, friends and family.
So here’s the paradox. Now I am unable to rage at God
for my father’s death without also praising Him for my
mother’s life and health. What is odd is that the two
emotions don’t cancel each other out. I experience both,
joy and sadness, praise and rage, seemingly felt at the
same time.
As I’ve tried to work through these emotions I’ve come to
see them as a small example of my larger relationship
with God. This is much like what David expresses in the
Psalms, there is fear, rage, praise and bewilderment,
sometimes expressed in consecutive verses….seemingly
felt at the same time.
I don’t yet have the answers of why or when God chooses
to do what He does, but I continue to love Him for His
Father Moments when he comes along side, listens and
puts up with the myriad of emotions of his children.
By Ed Bossenga
It’s that time of year again when my students take
standardized tests to measure their progress and cognitive
abilities. They are always concerned about getting the
right answer. Since we have several teachers in our
family, the discussion around the dinner table turned to
the idea of students wanting a right answer. We
concluded that processing and understanding the how or
why of an answer were escaping many students.
Recently, Judy handed me an article in The Banner
entitled “The Jesus Questions.” She suggested I read it
since it dealt with “right” answers. In the article, Pastor
Sam Gutierrez recounts the idea that Christianity’s task is
to give the right answers to life’s questions. He refers to
the book, The Questions of Jesus, by John Dear in which
it is asserted that Jesus asked more than 300 questions of
people. In almost every situation, Jesus had a specific
probing question for everyone he meets, for every
occasion, for every experience, and for every potential
disciple. Many of the questions in Dear’s book provoked
challenges to the believer, and certainly cause one to
reflect on his or her life.
It struck me during this season of Lent that too often I
might be looking for the right answer to fix my problems.
More than that, however, is my feeling that I have the
right answer instead of looking to the question Jesus asks
and realizing the authentic answer is really to trust him.
Although I know this to be true, it is difficult for me to
process. There were two probing questions that
especially struck me from this article. First, “Why are
you so afraid? Do you still have no faith? (Mark 4:40)
The past months have brought some concern into my life.
My mom has had health issues that have confined her to a
nursing home. Judy’s mom has been in and out of the
hospital several times. Emmy has been experiencing
constant back pain because of a torn disk, and Jesse’s job
is in jeopardy. Jesus speaks directly to me in that first
question.
The second question that really caught my attention was
“Do you understand what I have done for you? (John
13:16) My right answer to this question is a qualified yes.
However, on Ash Wednesday God helped me answer this
question. We have an Ash Wednesday service at school
including the imposition of ashes. In the past I didn’t go
up for ashes because it may not be the “right” thing to do
for a reformed Protestant. Yet, the question that day to
me was “Do you know what I did for you?” I made a
711 East Harrison, Wheaton, Illinois 60187 Phone 630-668-6054 Fax: 630-668-3810 Web: wheatoncrc.org Page 9
conscious choice to receive ashes. It was a public way to
say “yes” I do know what you did for me. Lent is a
season of grace. It became evident to me that it is not so
much what I do, but about Jesus Christ’s presence in
calling me to come closer and closer to him each day.
This week’s faculty meeting included a time for reflection
during Lent based on a favorite scripture verse. Isaiah
12:2 is my favorite, “God is my strength and my
salvation, I will trust him and not be afraid.” Once again
God gave me the answer I needed for that first probing
question: “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no
faith?
Finally Pastor Gutierrez included a prayer to help seek the
authentic answers Christ gives to us. It has helped me in
dealing with the journey of life.
“Speak to me Lord, and ask me a question that will
challenge, unnerve, transform, realign, and encourage.
Make me a seeker and send me on a journey to discover
my authentic answer to your probing questions.”
By Gary Verseput
I have, for most of my life, been a “doer” first and
foremost. That may not be a surprise to some. Goals and
achievements were always important in my family while
growing up, and a frequent household maxim was
“Actions speak louder than words.” We focused on
starting early, staying on task, and finishing the job.
Rarely did we look backward, or even consider going
backward on a project, a job, or decision.
In my 20 years of Army life, that same focus continued:
“Take the objective!” “Mission first!” “Do whatever it
takes to get the job done!” My most lasting memory from
Officer Candidate School was the almost daily shout by
an instructor “Do something, Candidate, even if it's
wrong!” Perhaps many of us have had this type of focus
in our lives, to a greater or lesser degree. We may have
even wished for more or less of it, depending on where
we were and the situation we were in at the time.
At last, I've been coming to the realization over the past
several years that God wants me to focus on being more
than doing. That doesn't mean I'm freed from doing
things by any means, but it does mean my focus and
intent should be on being what He wants me to be rather
than just getting tasks accomplished. For instance, He
wants me to be still and acknowledge that He's in control,
and much of what happens in my world is not up to me
(Psalm 46:10). He wants me to be in the world, but not of
the world; to be in unity with the saints (church), rather
than to carry the decision; and to be in the Word, rather
than just to accomplish getting a certain amount read on a
schedule. He wants me to be compassionate, rather than
to think of people as jobs to get finished. He wants me to
be humble in setting an example, rather than proud of
what I've gotten done. And, He wants me to be satisfied
with what he has provided for me, rather than to focus on
acquiring more or feeling envious of others. There are
more examples, but these serve to point out the difference
between primarily focusing on being what God wants me
to be and simply getting tasks (even good, Christian tasks)
done. We still need to be “..doers of the Word, and not
hearers only..” (James 1:22), but much of what the Word
says is about how we should be.
Perhaps the clearest examples of all this have come over
the last year or more while helping our youngest daughter
through the process of her divorce. She has said
repeatedly how important it was to her, for me to just be
there with her at the attorney's office, in the courtroom, on
the bench in the court hallway, in the negotiation sessions,
in the car traveling to or from the courthouse. In almost
all of those instances, there was nothing I could do and
little that I could say. We spent minutes of time not
speaking. Just sitting with her head resting on my
shoulder. Just being until it was her turn before the judge.
Supporting Mindy was not a duty or task to be completed.
She needed me there in the moment. She needed my
compassion. She needed to rely on someone who would
be the Christian she could depend on. I couldn't fix it, but
I could be there with her, hold her hand, and remind her
that she is not alone. We thank God for that.
How would God have each of us be?
My thanks to Pastor John Schuurman for getting me
started on this change in my focus about four years ago;
we continue on.
711 East Harrison, Wheaton, Illinois 60187 Phone 630-668-6054 Fax: 630-668-3810 Web: wheatoncrc.org Page 10
By Steve Hess
My siblings and I have much to be thankful to God about
concerning the near miraculous recovery of my Mom in
the past year and a half.
During this period her colon had shown signs of
weakening and caused significant bleeding on three
occasions. The last two episodes proved difficult to mend
as attempts to locate the actual bleeding sites escaped
detection. My family members witnessed distress as the
cessation of a key medication (Coumadin) was weighed
by the doctors. On the one hand, Coumadin's blood
thinning properties help to lessen the possibility of a
stroke, but it was also felt, in her case, it may have
contributed to her bleeding outbreaks. The Coumadin was
stopped and a baby aspirin was put in it's place, and
through the prayers of family, church members, and the
indomitable spirit of my Mom the tissue did eventually
heal and ceased bleeding.
In the past two month's my Mom had another outbreak of
bleeding from the colon and a was taken to the hospital
from her home at Belmont Assisted living.
On this occasion, thankfully, the actual site of bleeding
was found and repaired! Mom is now back at home and
gaining in strength, and for now, any need of extensive
procedures have been averted. God has shown His healing
hand in all of this, and forces my family members and
myself to contemplate His mercy, His attention to prayer,
and His good pleasure in providing my Mother the
strength and will to live.
711 East Harrison, Wheaton, Illinois 60187 Phone 630-668-6054 Fax: 630-668-3810 Web: wheatoncrc.org Page 11
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 PALM SUNDAY 6:15 pm Young People MC
2 7:00 pm ESL - MC
3 6:30 am Early Risers I-Hop
11:30 am Sr. Moments MC 6:30 pm CADETS - FH
6:30 pm GEMS - MC
4 9:00 am Coffee Break Leaders’ Mtg - MC
7:00 pm AA - FH
7:30 pm Choir Practice Sanc.
5 9:30 am Coffee Break/Story Hour MC & LL
7:30 pm Maundy Thursday Service
6
7
8 EASTER SUNDAY Easter Breakfast
6:00 EVENING SERVICE AT FAITH CRC
9 7:30 pm Congregational Mtg - Sanc
10 6:30 am Early Risers I-Hop
11 9:00 am Coffee Break Leaders’ Mtg - MC
7:00 pm AA - FH
7:30 pm Choir Practice Sanc.
12 9:30 am Coffee Break/Story Hour MC & LL
7:00 pm ESL - MC 7:30 pm Coffee Break - MC 8:00 pm Men’s Life Oakfield
13
14
15 6:15 pm Young People MC 6:30 pm Crown Financial Small Grp - MC
16 7:00 pm ESL - MC 7:00 pm Elders - MC 8:00 pm Deacons - MC
17 6:30 am Early Risers I-Hop
11:30 am Sr. Moments MC 6:30 pm CADETS - FH
6:30 pm GEMS - MC
18 9:00 am Coffee Break Leaders’ Mtg - MC
7:00 pm AA - FH
7:30 pm Choir Practice Sanc.
19 9:30 am Coffee Break/Story Hour MC & LL
7:00 pm ESL - MC 7:30 pm Coffee Break - MC 8:00 pm Men’s Life Oakfield
20 5:00 pm Cadets Competition Day – Dickson Valley
21 Cadets Competition Day 5:00 pm Weekenders FH & MC
22 6:30 pm Crown Financial Small Grp - MC
23 7:00 pm ESL - MC 7:30 pm Executive Committee - CR
24 6:30 am Early Risers I-Hop
25 9:00 am Coffee Break Leaders’ Mtg - MC
7:00 pm AA - FH
7:30 pm Choir Practice Sanc.
26 9:30 am LAST Coffee Break/Story Hour MC & LL
7:00 pm ESL – MC 7:00 pm Worship Comm Mtg - CR 7:30 pm LAST Coffee Break MC
8:00 pm Men’s Life Oakfield
27
28
29 6:15 pm Young People Compassion Movie Night 6:30 pm Crown Financial Small Grp MC
30
Sunday Schedule 9:15 am Adult Sunday school - MC
10:30 am Worship service 5:00 pm Vesper service
Location Key CR: Council Room
FH: Fellowship Hall
HR: Heritage Room
711 East Harrison, Wheaton, Illinois 60187 Phone 630-668-6054 Fax: 630-668-3810 Web: wheatoncrc.org Page 12
Humor
3-year-old Reese :
'Our Father, Who does art in heaven,
Harold is His name.
Amen.'
A little boy was overheard praying:
'Lord, if you can't make me a better boy, don't worry
about it.
I'm having a real good time like I am.'
After the christening of his baby brother in church,
Jason sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car.
His father asked him three times what was wrong.
Finally, the boy replied,
'That preacher said he wanted us brought up in a Christian
home, and I wanted to stay with you guys.'
One particular four-year-old prayed,
'And forgive us our trash baskets
as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets.'
A Sunday school teacher asked her children as they
were on the way to church service,
'And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?'
One bright little girl replied,
'Because people are sleeping.'
A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin 5,
and Ryan 3. The boys began to argue over who would get
the first pancake. Their mother saw the opportunity for a
moral lesson..
'If Jesus were sitting here, He would say,
'Let my brother have the first pancake, I can wait.'
Kevin turned to his younger brother and said,
' Ryan , you be Jesus !'
A father was at the beach with his children
when the four-year-old son ran up to him,
grabbed his hand, and led him to the shore
where a seagull lay dead in the sand..
'Daddy, what happened to him?' the son asked.
'He died and went to Heaven,' the Dad replied.
The boy thought a moment and then said,
'Did God throw him back down?'
A wife invited some people to dinner..
At the table, she turned to their six-year-old daughter and
said,
'Would you like to say the blessing?'
'I wouldn't know what to say,' the girl replied.
'Just say what you hear Mommy say,' the wife answered.
The daughter bowed her head and said,
'Lord, why on earth did I invite all these people to
dinner?'
A Sunday School teacher asked, “Johnny, do you think
Noah did a lot of fishing when he was on the ark?” “No”
replied Johnny, “How could he with just two worms.”
Dear God,
I went to this wedding and they kissed right in church. Is
that OK?
Neil
Dear God,
Instead of letting people die and having to make new
ones, why don’t you just keep the ones you got right now?
Jane
Dear God,
I think the stapler is one of your greatest inventions.
Ryan
Dear God,
Thank you for the baby brother, but what I prayed for was
a puppy.
Joyce
Dear God,
We read Thos. Edison made light. But in Sunday School
they said you did it. So I bet he stole your idea.
Donna
Dear God,
If you give me a genie lamp like Alladin, I will give you
anything you want except my money and my chess set.
Raphael
Dear God,
Maybe Cain and Abel would not kill each so much if they
had their own rooms. It works with my brother.
Larry.
711 East Harrison, Wheaton, Illinois 60187 Phone 630-668-6054 Fax: 630-668-3810 Web: wheatoncrc.org Page 13
Kids Korner
1. On his third missionary journey, where was Paul
arrested?
________________________________________
2. How many baskets of bread were left after Jesus fed the
four thousand?
________________________________________
3. Who brought Dorcas, a disciple in Joppa back to life?
________________________________________
4. Who did King David send to the front line so that he
would be killed in battle?
________________________________________
5. Who wanted Jesus’ tomb sealed and guarded so that no
one could steal the body?
________________________________________
6. Who threatened to kill all the believers of Jesus?
________________________________________
7. How old was Jesus when he was baptized and started
his ministry?
________________________________________
8. How long was Moses on the mountain to receive the
ten commandments?
________________________________________
9. When he was praying, how many times did Jesus wake
his disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane?
________________________________________
10. What piece of clothing did the soldiers make Jesus
wear?
________________________________________
11. What woman led an army into battle?
________________________________________
12. What other name were the wise men called?
________________________________________
Look it up
1. Acts 21 : 15-36
2. Matthew 15 : 34-37
3. Acts 9 : 39-41
4. 2 Samuel 11 : 14-17
5. Matthew 27 : 62-64
6. Acts 9 : 1
7. Luke 3 : 21-23
8. Exodus 24 : 18
9. Matthew 26 : 39-45
10. John 19 : 2-5
11. Judges 4 : 6-9
12. Matthew 2 : 1
From Kid’s Bible Q&A, Published by
Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Used by permission 11/08
Note: If you are between the ages of 7 and 12 any time
during the calendar year 2012, sign your name and put
your answers in my mail box (Gabrielse) by Sunday,
April 15th.
Running totals:
William Fan 36
Philip Vanderschoot 36
Jacob Tukker 36
Kyle Tukker 36
Celeste Vandermeer 36
Once again, we have a contest for a $25 gift certificate to
be awarded in the January, 2013 issue.
Don’t miss a single issue.
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