Consistory News. DRC News SEPTEMBER will be here in September. We ask that you keep that in mind as you plan your givings for the fall.

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1 DRC News SEPTEMBER Consistory News By John K Wow, last month I could hardly say the word August and now it is over! As we flip the page of the calendar over we begin a new month and a new church year since everything seems to ramp up again. Pastor Duane has been busy getting ready for the ramping up so to speak. A preaching schedule is already in the planning stage between him and our new pastor, Daniel DeVries. We are looking forward to the attendance in church to be more consistent than during the summer months. I might add here that the consistory members have been very dedicated during the past couple of months with everyone in attendance at the July meeting and most of them in August! Hopefully the offerings will more reflective of the budget in the fall as well. We have been meeting our expenses but we are behind our budget. The only reason this is possible is the fact that we only have one pastor on salary but as you know Pastor Daniel will be here in September. We ask that you keep that in mind as you plan your givings for the fall. Next fall Nov we are pleased that Ray Vanderlaan will be once again coming to our church. The team is already busy making plans for this event! The youth groups have been busy this summer with several events, as well as a camping. We would like to thank Grace and all the leaders for a job well done. We are delighted that we have had 6 people step forward to share their gifts as leaders in our JR and SR Youth programs. I spoke to Mike A after church this past week and he was thrilled that all the Sunday School positions were now filled. Praise God! On Sunday Sept 11 we are having a newcomers luncheon after church for those that have been worshipping with us lately and perhaps want to know more about who we are. We pray that if you are someone that has recently joined our Sunday morning worship

2 DRC News SEPTEMBER services that you feel like part of our church family and ultimately part of God s family. As a church family we are excited that Pastor Daniel passed his exam and was ordained on Aug 21 at the Middleville CRC in Grand Rapids. We are looking forward to his arrival in Drayton sometime in September and remind you to lift them up in prayer as they make the move to Drayton and begin a new chapter in their family s life. They will be staying at Bill & Herma s until the parsonage is vacated and we have had a chance to determine the extent of the renovations that will be necessary. The installation of Pastor Daniel will be sometime toward the end of September in our church. Watch the bulletin for final details when they become available. Pastor Duane shared that he had an awesome time as chaplain at Camp Shalom and thanked the church for encouraging him and allowing him to spend a week at Camp. We pray that the V family had a good vacation in August and that now he is ready for the ramping up for fall! We are sure he will be up for the task! Please keep both pastors in your prayers as they transition to ministering together. book. The district number is beside your contact information. Well that s about it. So the theme this month seems to be ramping up and we pray that all of us will be involved in that as we begin a new church year. Whether you are ramping up for a new position or ramping up your commitment. We pray that God will be part of that and bless you! Message from the Deacons Financial Update Next prayer meeting: Tuesday, September 13 th Monthly Prayer Meeting 10:30am in the Prayer Room. All are welcome! Please pick up your copy of the Newsletter to read more about this The other change that is taking place means that this will be my final consistory news as I ramp up for my new position as chairman of consistory. The other positions will be decided at our next meeting in September and will be in next month s news. The elders will once again be ramping up their visits in the fall so please try to accommodate them if they contact you to set up a visit. Please feel free to contact your district elder if you would like a visit or if you have any concerns. If you don t know who your elder or deacon is, the districts are listed on the first page of the church telephone Blessings, The Deacons.

3 DRC News SEPTEMBER Message from the Board of Elders Dear Drayton Reformed Church Family; Over the past year, at the urging of the General Synod of the RCA (Reformed Church of America), churches were encouraged to be devoted to a time of prayer in seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit in discerning a constitutional pathway forward for the Reformed Church in America to address the questions of human sexuality as it relates to ordination and marriage. A special council convened in April, 2016 for three days with representatives from across the denomination. At the end of the three days, recommendations were made which were brought forward and addressed at the Synod of 2016 (held June 9 14). As we were asked to pray for this important issue, we felt it was important to include in our newsletter Synod s report which contains the results with regards to the recommendations made: Synod Affirms Man/Woman Marriage, Calls for Respect for LGBT People After much deliberation, General Synod voted in favor of an amendment to the Book of Church Order (Chapter 1, Part 1, Article 2, Section 11), mandating that consistories or governing bodies shall assure that marriages in a church or congregation are between a man and a woman. To be added to the Book of Church Order (BCO), the change must be approved by two-thirds of the RCA s 44 classes and ratified by General Synod The amendment to the BCO was brought to the floor as a substitute motion for R 16-16, which recommended an amendment to the BCO to say that the consistory or governing body shall determine what marriages may be solemnized in a church or congregation. This recommendation first came before General Synod 2015 but was deferred for a year to allow time for the special council on human sexuality to do its work. The special council voiced support for R 16-16, recommending that the RCA add clarifying words to the BCO to reaffirm that authority and responsibility on marriages rests with the classes and consistories. General Synod also passed a resolution on Tuesday to reject all forms of mockery, degrading words and thoughts, economic oppression, abuse, threats, and violence against members of the LGBTQ+ community, regardless of position on the moral status of same-sex behavior. The resolution called on anyone involved in such behavior to repent and immediately begin walking in obedience to Jesus command to love.

4 DRC News SEPTEMBER General Synod 2016 voted in favor of adopting as constitutional the Order for Christian Marriage liturgy, which describes marriage as a joyful covenanting between a man and a woman. Currently, the Order for Christian Marriage, which was approved by General Synod 2002, is one of a number of liturgies that are recommended for use throughout the RCA. They are not part of the RCA s Constitution, but today s vote elevates the 2002 liturgy to constitutional status if approved by two-thirds of the RCA s 44 classes over the coming year. The decision also needs to be ratified at General Synod The RCA s constitutional Liturgy consists of the rites (and the words used to perform those rites) that have been approved by the whole church. Currently, the only liturgies that are constitutional are for baptism, communion, and ordination services for elders, deacons, and ministers of Word and sacrament. If the marriage liturgy does become constitutional, it will be the liturgy approved for use in marriage ceremonies in the RCA. The recommendation to adopt the Order for Christian Marriage was one of five recommendations that emerged from a special council that met April 15 to 18 in Chicago to find a constitutional pathway forward for the Reformed Church in America to address the questions of human sexuality as it relates to ordination and marriage. General Synod 2015 called for the meeting. During synod, delegates met in 18 all-synod advisory committees over three days to discuss the recommendations. In response to differing approaches to interpreting Scripture that emerged in these discussions, delegates instructed the General Synod Council, in consultation with the professors of theology, to develop a resource that describes the Reformed approach to interpreting Scripture. This matter has been bathed in prayer throughout our denomination, men and women seeking God s face and His truth to lead. This decision, which needs to be ratified by 2/3 of the 44 RCA Classes by the next Synod in June of 2017, brings much greater clarity to our denomination s position on marriage being a joyful covenanting between a man and woman. We know that this matter is one that brings passionate debate, and heartfelt struggle. May we continue to pray for God s wisdom, for respectful dialogue, for a continued conviction to His truth along with a full measure of compassion. In Him, Your Board of Elders

5 DRC News SEPTEMBER Call Yourself a Christian? Start Talking About Jesus Christ. We shouldn t be uncomfortable about telling others faith is behind our actions. By Ed Stetzer Preach the gospel at all times; if necessary, use words, Saint Francis of Assisi is supposed to have said. The aphorism, often quoted, expresses a wellmeaning viewpoint of many Christians today. They are concerned that we ve been too loud, demanding and angry. Now, they say, we need to show the gospel by our lives. It s a good sentiment, and I certainly agree that we need to demonstrate the gospel change in our lives by caring for others. But there are two problems with the Assisi quote. Christians are commanded to tell people about Jesus. In Matthew 4:19, Jesus called fishermen as his first disciples and told them he would make them fishers of men. His disciples are still called to be fishers of men. Even in our multi-faith environment, this calling should not be offensive to those of other faiths or no faith at all. Evangelism does not mean coercion. We can and should respect each other and strive for tolerance across varying beliefs, but that does not require pretending those differences do not exist. One of the core beliefs of Christianity is that Christianity should be propagated. It isn t necessary for every Christian to rent a stadium to proclaim the gospel to thousands. Most Christians can gain a hearing for the gospel while exchanging life stories at the coffee shop, taking a meal to a hurting family or standing for justice in an unjust world. What evangelism requires is that when we care for a friend or speak out for a cause, we tell others that our faith is the reason. We tell them the good news that was told to us. First, he never said it. Second, it s really bad theology. You see, using that statement is a bit like saying, Feed the hungry at all times; if necessary, use food. For Christians, the gospel is good news it s what the word literally means. For evangelicals, our name speaks of the commitment to evangelism that defines us. The good news needs to be told. Yet, Christians, evangelicals included, seem to love evangelism, as long as someone else is doing it. It s time for all of us to start preaching our good news again. It s essential to understand that, regardless of our personal comfort level, we are called to share our faith because Christianity is a missionary faith. Despite the change in our culture and the way our faith is regarded, When speaking to his disciples about sharing his message, Jesus said, The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few (Matthew 9:37). The problem then and now has always been about the lack of workers, people who tell the news. It has never been about the harvest those who do not know Christ. They

6 DRC News SEPTEMBER are often more open to listening than we expect. Famous magician and outspoken atheist Penn Jillette once talked on his video blog about an encounter with a Christian who gave him a Bible as a gift. Rather than be offended by it, Jillette recognized the gesture for what it was concern for him. How much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? Jillette asked. How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them that? That s a good question for many Christians to answer today. LifeWay Research, the Christian polling outlet that I lead, found that 78 percent of those who do not attend church said they, like Jillette, would be willing to listen if someone wanted to tell me what she or he believed about Christianity. Younger people were even more likely to say they would be willing to listen. The harvest at least seems ready to hear, while the workers don t seem as willing to talk. That s a missed opportunity. As I head to Wheaton College to take a newly created endowed chair, I m aware of the man it is named after Billy Graham. He was known for many things that should be part of our reputation as well. He cared for the hurting, sought to bring peace to tumultuous times and partnered with others for the greater good. Ultimately, however, he was mostly known for one thing: sharing the gospel. And we should do the same today. In Jesus last words before he ascended, he said we are to make disciples of all nations. Evangelism isn t just one part of our calling. It is central to our calling. Jesus last words should be our first priority. Ed Stetzer is executive director of LifeWay Research and the incoming Billy Graham distinguished chair of church, mission and evangelism at Wheaton College. Article sourced from WATERLOO REGION RECORD. Saturday, July 16, 2016 Edition AFamily Update By Mariska R Mohammad, Amal and kids are doing well! They finished their English classes in Guelph and we are happy to report that they are both moving on to the next level. The committee and both Mohammad and Amal would like to thank all the drivers and babysitters who helped make this possible. They will start their next English classes the second week of September and will be held at our church. Loay will be at school and Lama will be going to a babysitter. Mohammad has been busy building and selling Muskoka chairs. They are both interested in finding a part time job soon. If anyone has any suggestions, please let a committee member know. They are doing very well and are extremely grateful for their new lives in Canada, but they miss their friends and family. We appreciate your continued prayers.

7 DRC News SEPTEMBER Camp Shalom Fun Fair The Camp Shalom Fun Fair is fast approaching! We are excited and looking forward to a fantastic event. A successful event requires many hands and we are looking for volunteers before and during the event. Please consider how you can help. 1. Volunteer to help run the games tent and dollar store. 2. Help set up the week before the fair 3. Donations of large ticket items for the live auction and smaller items for the silent auction ($20 value or more) 4. Donation of baked goods for the bake sale 5. Donation of cakes for the cake auction with the theme "Shalom...Yours to discover!" 6. Sign up for the Bocce Ball tournament 7. $325 donation towards the cost of the croquettes Please feel free to signup on the sheets outside of the sanctuary if you are willing to help will the Camp Shalom Fun Fair. If you would like more information, please contact Ryan K Celebrating Redeemer s New Core Curriculum September 14, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Our new Core curriculum is launching this fall. Time to celebrate! You are warmly invited to our first chapel of the year at 11 a.m. in our Auditorium. Our chapel service will be followed by a public launch from 12:00 to 12:30 p.m. in the Commons. The Core provides students breadth of knowledge, critical thinking skills and a firm Kingdom foundation for each of their callings and careers. Learn more at Poetry Readings The Canada Council for the Arts, the Hamilton Poetry Centre and Redeemer are pleased to bring a number of poets to our campus. Everyone is welcome to attend these readings. Each event takes place from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Visit for more information. Cecily Nicholson - September 22 Fred Wah - October 20 Engaging Our Muslim Neighbours Panel September 27, 7 to 9 p.m. The religious landscape in Canada is changing in the face of widespread migration and refugee movement. Whether the church is in North America or in the Middle East, its mission is cross-cultural. How do we engage our Muslim neighbours and coworkers in a way that authentically honours Christ? This is one of the questions moderator Professor Ken Herfst will ask panelists from Arabic and non- Arabic contexts at the Engaging Our Muslim Neighbours panel discussion. Learn more at

8 DRC News SEPTEMBER Missionary Updates V Family V S IN ACTION Dear friends, We are staying long-term in Canada for the mission God is showing us to fulfill! With clarity and peace we are now finding affirmation that God has indeed called us home to Canada as missionaries with ACTION Canada. The last week I, Jason, travelled to British Columbia and packed up our furniture and belongings. I was able to reflect in prayer and listen to some good messages about hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a Western, North American context. I was reminded that the church can never get comfortable in its context and forget about the daily mission to share Christ and build up the body of Christ for service. Canada needs Jesus! Along the way across Canada I had some good moments of learning to trust God for my needs. I stayed at 2 camp grounds, a baseball park while Police did drills with their K-9 unit, and an awesome church that God had set up for me to visit. I was helped by a friendly exmilitary guy in Brandon, Manitoba when I ran out of gas faster than expected. On the last night I stopped in Marathon, Ontario (3-4 hours north of Sault St. Marie) and I was finally intent on getting a hotel to rest a bit. Every hotel in Marathon, a town of 3000, was full. I ate supper and God put a thought in my head to remember his church. I looked up local churches and called one. After I introduced myself as a missionary, the pastor answered, We are having a bible study right now, come on over. So I joined them and they said they were just thinking about missions and God brings a missionary. The Spirit made us seem like we all knew each other somehow. It turns out that they had a bed and shower waiting for me in the church building. I had the whole building to myself and slept great. Before the pastor left she explained that in a local First Nations village 20 people received Jesus Christ, including the Chief. She invited us to consider future ministry alongside them with First Nations people. At Camp Shalom, while picking up our daughter, we met an old acquaintance and saw more confirmation of people desiring to be discipled and equipped to serve in mission in local areas in Canada. We appreciate your prayers as our children settle into school in Drayton and Palmerston, Ontario for the year as we discern with our ACTION Canada ACTION Canada director the ministry we will focus on and where best to live. On Aug. 30 our 3015A 21st Street NE director and his wife will meet with us here. We will be making a trip back Calgary, Alberta to Zambia Oct. 12 to 28 to gather our things and say good bye to some T2E 7T1 great friends. We hope to remain open to doing short term trips there with Phone: others from Canada. Please pray for us as we find a vehicle and settle in to or living in Ontario as well as the trip back to Zambia ACTION USA PO Box 398 Mountlake Love in Christ, Terrace, WA Jason, Grace, and family

9 DRC News SEPTEMBER Haiti Update By Albert N The fall season is quickly coming upon us and we are once again looking forward to helping in Haiti this winter. We plan to go the last two weeks of February to help finish the church we started last winter. We would love to have some of you come along. The people are already having weekly church services there without a roof. As a matter of fact it was getting quite hot at their 10 am service with no roof, so service was moved to 8am and then to 6:30am. The congregation continued to come even at this early time. We need to put on a roof and put in doors and build pews for the church. For that we need about another $15,000. To raise funds we have planned a dinner and Torchmen Quartet concert at the Alma Bible Church on November 11, 2016 at 6:30 pm. We hope you will support this great venture. Tickets are $25 a person. Please keep this evening open for this event. We have tickets ready to go. Please contact Albert N Telephone: Office@Ramoth.ca Celebrations: Our mom and her daughter are doing well in the Ramoth Apartments Step 2 Continue to pray for our staff as they mentor our young moms. Safety as they drive on the roads and for health One of our moms is graduated Step 2 and moving out on her own. She has 2 more credits to get and she has completed her high school. We are so very proud of her. Keep her and her daughter in your prayers. Prayer Request: Pray for one of our moms as she has made a decision to move into Step 2 Ramoth Apartment with her daughter in November Ramoth House is needing support staff for our Tuesday evening shifts from 3:30 pm 11:30 pm & 11:30 pm 7:30 am Pray that ladies would become involved in our cuddle program Pray for our Fundraising Dinner October and for our young mom whom will be our guest speaker Pray for new monthly financial donors to look at us as a Home Missions

10 DRC News SEPTEMBER Girls can be world-changers. They can make a difference right here, right now! Joining a GEMS Club is an opportunity to study the Bible, make new friends, and learn what it means to live a radically faithful life for Christ acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with Him! Registration night is September 12 from 7-8:00pm at the Christian Reformed Church in Drayton. The GEMS program will begin on Monday, September 26 from 7-9:00pm. Registration is $45 and we welcome girls from grades 4-8. For more info draytongems@gmail.com or call Judy D Calvinest Cadets Corps is available for Young Men entering Grade 3 to Grade 8 Get IN the Game. This year s theme is inspired by Hebrews Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Meeting times are every Tuesday from 7:30 to 9:00pm in the basement of the Drayton CRC. Meetings begin on September 20 and run until April 25, A schedule for the first half of the year will be issued at the first meeting. Registration is Monday, September 12 from 7 to 8pm at the Drayton CRC. Cost is $40 plus $30 for a uniform (if required). If a uniform was paid for last year, the $30 is not required. Uniforms will be available to try on and take home on registration night. Scarves and Toggles will also be available for purchase if these have been lost. For more information, please contact: Bert W) Frank v Mike H Patrick L John M Al R About the Calvinist Cadets Corps Practical Application of these Beliefs God is Revealed in His Word The cadeting ministry encourages studying the Bible as the guide to life. God is Revealed in Nature The cadeting ministry encourages experiencing the presence of the Lord in His glorious creation. Learning the skills of an outdoorsman builds a boy s character, and developing a boy s understanding of his place in God s world helps him to be a faithful steward. Men as God s Servants The Calvinist Cadet Corps is the ministry of men of God who are dedicated to bring boys into a living relationship with their Lord and Savior. These men, understanding their imperfection, hold on to the promise that the Lord will bless their prayers, their example, and their instruction if they rely on God s strength

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12 DRC News SEPTEMBER Happy September Birthday SEPT 02 SEPT 03 SEPT 06 SEPT 08 SEPT 11 SEPT 14 SEPT 15 SEPT 16 Amy K Cobi K Steve L Milliscent S Brooke S Rachel G Matthew K Jamie D Drew H Nate H SEPT 19 SEPT 20 SEPT 21 SEPT 22 Mike A Esther F Rosie K Keara K John D Dorothy H Sue V Jerry H Jason J Sophia K Marisa B Shayla G Stephanie O SEPT 26 SEPT 27 SEPT 28 Gerri D Gerrit D Jaap H Joshua V Beth A Michael D Diana K Jim W Hanneke C Annette C Sarah K Eden V SEPT 29 Cori C Jonathan R SEPT 17 Tyler H SEPT 23 Fred K Okje V Mike T SEPT 18 Brad G SEPT 24 Willem B Happy September Anniversary! SEPT 01 Arend & Audrey F SEPT 26 Jerry & Sieny K SEPT 27 Jack & Diane

13 DRC News SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER Drayton Reformed Church Calendar Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. ~ HEBREWS 13:8 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Seniors Dining Program 12pm 4 Prayer Gathering 9:30am Worship (Baptism) 10am LABOUR DAY 5 Life Group Facilitators Meeting and Dessert Social 7:30pm (SR Youth Room) Worship Team Meeting 8pm 9 10 Prayer Gathering 11 9:30am Worship 10am Welcome Luncheon Hymnsing - 6:45pm JR Youth Kick-Off SR Youth 8-10pm 12 Prayer Meeting 10:30am (Prayer Room) Worship Admin. Meeting 8:30pm Consistory Meeting 7:30 (Sunset Room) Fellowship Group (Fellowship Hall) CAMP SHALOM FUN FAIR 18 Prayer Gathering 9:30am Worship 10am JR/SR Youth PARENT MEETING after the service (SR Youth Room) JR Youth Leaders Meeting 7:30pm JR Youth 7:30-9:30pm Les John & Nancy Koobs Prayer Gathering 25 9:30am Worship 10am SR Youth Kick-Off Spiritual Life Committee Meeting 7:30pm SR Youth Leaders Meeting 8pm (SR Youth Room) 30