Sunday, August 3. New faces were in town. You could see them visiting the various Grand Rapids Protestant Reformed Churches. The air hinted with a ting of excitement. That Sunday evening many gather to First Church for the pre-convention singspiration. Folding chairs were brought out to seat the capacity crowd. Soon the auditorium was filled with voices, chords of the pipe organ, and the triumphant blare of trumpets. This tremendous effort to praise our covenant faithful God consummated in the song “Great is Thy Faithfulness”. The auditorium rang! Many an eye was filled with tears. Lumps choked throats. What a blessing to just look around and see and hear of God’s covenant faithfulness. People of our more isolated churches were thrilled beyond words by what they experienced. A great beginning to a convention week!
I’m thankful to have been able to attend the speeches. May I suggest for future conventions that the speeches be at such a time that the older people can hear them also. The speeches this year were well attended. They have been printed and follow this article. Read them and receive the blessing in them.
About 1900 people attended the field day. It was something to see, the park was filled. A bond of unity seemed to be present. It was an emotional experience, especially for those who remember 1924 and 1953.
God certainly was good to us to let us celebrate properly, young and old alike, the 50th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformed Churches. In days ahead let us thank God for the many blessings he bestows on us. Let us put on our Christian apparel. Let us strive to walk as a pilgrim and a stranger in our everyday walk. Then everyday problems seem small when put in proper perspective by a spiritually right mind. So, “seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things about, not on things on the earth.” Col. 3:1,2
Give God all the glory forever and ever!