Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Nov/77

Contributor - Wilma Van Herk

Title - Emmanuel Community Reformed Church of Edmonton: 25 Anniversary

Topic - Church in Canada

September 23, 1977, marked a day of joyful praise and thanksgiving for the family of the Emmanuel Community Reformed Church. Twenty-five years of growth, struggles, challenges, and success.

In 1952, a handful of dutch immigrants with a need for fellowship with other dutch people and a longing for their dutch culture, set out to build up a Reformed Church. With determination and faith in their hearts, this small gathering of dutch immigrants grew into a church family.

"O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His steadfast love endures forever." (Psalm 118 1.)

As the Church grew and matured set back by obstacles which were overcome by the Grace of God, it came to be of a size where two ministers were needed. After a period of time, the Lord saw fit to make one church into two and thus Bethel Reformed Church was born. Then in 1969, Bethel was unable to function financially and many members returned to the mother church - now situated in a new-' building, where it is presently located.

Today, in 1977, Emmanuel is a Community Church. The obstacles are still there to test us, to strengthen us, to bind us together and to the Lord. Emmanuel has matured from a handful of dutch immigrants to an outreach church with discipleship training and evangelical programs. She has grown from a Sunday School to a full child and adult education program. Still in keeping with Emmanuel - God is with us - we have matured to "Know Christ and to make Him known".

Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow. Tomorrow? Of course Tomorrow! The hopes and aspirations of Tomorrow are built upon the 25 year foundation of Yesterday! The plans for a new revised and extended Church are based upon the prayer to Know Christ and make Him known. "O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His steadfast love endures forever!"*

Prayers of praise and thanksgiving were formally given on September 23, 1977 with the 25th Anniversary Celebration Program, an evening which left no one untouched! Younger members heard the whole story of their heritage in speech and song and grew more excited about God's movement in our Church. Older members reminisced lovingly with the speakers and sang praises to our Lord. The evening's program commenced with an introduction of our special guests by Gary Huising, the Master of Ceremonies. We were blessed with the presence -of the Rev. and Mrs. J. Moerman and the Rev. and Mrs. Hadjiantonio, two couples dearly loved by our church family. From Holland we were honoured to have a few members of Mrs. Moerman's family attend. Also present were many who had at one time been members of Emmanuel and have since moved to other churches. As well as these honoured guests, Emmanuel received many letters; Mr. John Harbers of Monarch; Calgary Reformed Church; Mr. & Mrs. B. Visscher in Victoria; and Mr. & Mrs. Postma of Victoria, all sent warm letters of congratulations. Mr. W. Spaans, Sr., a long standing member of Emmanuel's family, opened with prayer and Psalm 118. After the smorgasbord meal, the guest speaker, the Rev. J. Moerman took up the program.

Rev. Moerman started off with the 'high points of our history: from the beginnings through oneness in fellowship and love through a common need; to the relocation and groundbreaking ceremonies of our present church. The Rev. Moerman likened Emmanuel's anniversary to that of a wedding anniversary. where the church as one body was one with the triune God. Rev. Moerman's feelings towards Emmanuel and its 25th anniversary celebration were adeptly expressed with the words of Paul to the Philipians (1 :3-6), especially verse 6: "And I am sure that He who began a good work in you, will bring it to completion at the -day of Jesus Christ". These words uplifted the spirits of all who heard them.

The Senior Choir appeared next on the program with a beautiful 1; medley of hymns. At this point Mr. Huising mentioned that as their contribution to the celebrations, the Senior Choir members were selling new hymnbooks to the church members.

Other organizations presented projects and gifts for the celebration as well. The Ladies' Guild presented a new table cloth for the communion table and the Mission Circle presented a beautiful bouquet of flowers for the occasion. At this point in the program, the Emmanuel Youth, past and present, was represented by Mr. Arie VanSomeren, Mr. Bill Spaans, and Mr. Nick Muntjewerf. All three commented on the importance of the group to help young people get momentum to overcome the doubt of youth and arrive into the security of Christ.

The plans of a new Church Building were explained by Mr. Veldhuizen. Architectural designs and models were displayed to illustrate his explanations.

Mr. L. Dykstra then came to the platform on behalf of the most active group in Emmanuel the Golden Agers. As their contribution, this group presented a silver candelabra to be used during communion and for the lighting of the Unity Candle during weddings.

The Rev. Hadjiantonio, one of our special guests, spoke a few words to express his feelings and congratulations to the congregation of Emmanuel. Everyone agreed heartily when he said the difficulties in communication between his Greek and Emmanuel's Dutch were reconciled through the universal language of Redemption.

The words of our two guest speakers built up feelings and emotions in all who heard and these were all channeled into songs of praise and thanksgiving when the Marthatie group sang a selection of songs and led the congregation in a few other hymns.

The Rev. Arthur Zeilstra closed, the evening with a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord and also words of thanks to the Planning Committee. These people, with a lot of hard work and earnest prayer organized all the varied groups and their presentations into a very memorable evening.

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