It is with great joy that we stand with the history of witnesses that have gone before us to declare and give testimony of the glorious work of God through the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Indeed, John 17 continues to ring with prophetic power of how Jesus Christ received unto Himself the penalty of the sins of His People.
John 17:4 -7 “I have glorified You on earth by accomplishing the work You gave Me to do. And now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the world existed. I have revealed Your name to those You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours; You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. Now they know that everything You have given Me comes from You. For I have given them the words You gave Me, and they have received them. They knew with certainty that I came from You, and they believed that You sent Me.”
Further, it is with a mouth of praise that we stand in the history of 300 years of the Reformed Church in the United States. There will be many speeches and comments made throughout the year regarding this moment in time. My comment is simple. It is the grace of God at work in us as the scriptures declare:
“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil 1:3 -5).
The work of Covenant East Classis Committees has been a delight. Your Covenant East Classis committees have been doing due diligence in their respective areas:
The Interchurch Relations Committee communicated with our brothers in fraternal relations regarding attending the various presbytery and classis meetings. One of the meetings of Classis Eastern U.S. of the URCNA was attended by Rev Ron Potter. The meeting time included their annual Semper Reformada Conference with the featured speaker, Dr. Eric Watkins, director of the Center for Missions and Evangelism at Mid-America Reformed Seminary. This was an encouraging and challenging time regarding church outreach.
The church camp experienced growth in attendees and had an encouraging time. CEC Heidelberg Youth Camp met at Camp Sinawa on July 9-12. The theme of the camp was The World Needs the Good Shepherd, with theme verses from Matthew 9:35-38. The dates for the 2025 camp are July 8 -11.
The Candidates and Credentials have been working with a number of inquiries, some which have flowed from the work of the Welcoming Committee. The committee is also working on a study guide for candidates to prepare for licensure exams. The support of students under care is also a vital work of the committee.
The Missions Committee has implemented the new Missions Manual and supports our Classis’ mission works. They continue to visit mission works, make assessments, and give helpful recommendations.
The Communications and Publications Committee (C&PC) has been working in conjunction with the Communication and Welcoming Committee of Synod. The focus of the C&PC includes Mission 2025/Legacy efforts, obtaining news media for various publications and providing direction for communication issues that may arise.
Prayer requests and praises from the several parochial reports include:
–Grace Reformed, Rogers, Rev. Steve Carr reports that he was regularly teaching through a local radio station that has ceased operation. Pray that the Lord will open new doors to this form of ministry.
–Covenant Reformed Church, Gettysburg (CRCG), Rev. Samuel Rodriguez reported encouragement in providing counseling, teaching, and working with the saints at CRCG.
–Immanuel Reformed Fellowship, Pella, IA, Associate Pastor Rev. Chuck Muether. Pray that the financial needs of the church will be met and that the government of this work will be established by bringing elders on board, but more so that the encouragement of faith would be manifested.
–Emmaus Road, Edina, MN, Rev. Ryan Kron reports continued growth in resting in God’s continued provision to lead and guide the church. Praise God that the members of Emmaus know God is able. “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Heb.7:25).
–St. Paul’s Evangelical, Hamburg, MN, Rev. Dan Schnabel. Pray for continued improvements in Rev. Schnabel’s health and for guidance for two members of the church who are considering studying toward ministry.
–Peace Reformed, Garner, IA, Rev. Matthew Dawn reports that it has been an encouraging time in his first year of ministry. Pray for the church to carry on and flourish in spite of the death of four members,
including an active elder: Deuteronomy 31:6, “… for the Lord your God, He is the one who goes with you. He will not leave you nor
forsake you.”
–Salem Ebenezer, Manitowoc, WI, Rev. James W. Grossmann requests prayer to balance the care for God’s church in Manitowoc with his duties to his family and to the broader RCUS. A favorite statements from Rev. Grossman’s previous report was, “Every church is a mission work, even those that have been established for over 100 years.”
–Northland Reformed, Kansas City, MO, Rev. Christopher Campbell. Praise God
for a healthy and growing church that
went from 113 to 130 members, with 3 active elders and 6 active deacons, and in the
process of organizing new Evangelism and
Missions Teams.
At present, we have three churches in need of a full-time minister:
–Peace Reformed Church, Napoleon, is continuing to run a full program of teaching, community involvement, and ministry, while they seek a minister. Pray for the search committee and the future of PRC.
–Heritage Reformed Church, Waymart, PA, greatly appreciates the ongoing help of now-retired Rev. Ron Potter. Church fellowship, studies, and ministry continue. Although they look forward to seeing a new pastor established, they do not lose heart in the hope they have in Christ. This year ended with some growth.
–Redeemer Reformed, Golden Valley, MN, continue to minister through their Sunday School program, fellowship groups, and services. They were blessed with three baptisms and the confirmation of four covenant children this past year. Keep Redeemer in prayer for a new minister who would bring stability and confidence in Christ as they continue in serving the King of Kings.
Reports were also received by ministers without a call. Rev. Jim Sawtelle and Rev. Kyle Sorensen are currently working as hospital chaplains. They both described the chaplain’s work as encouraging and challenging. Rev. Win Groseclose is living in Western Pennsylvania and is remaining active in Classis and Synodical committees, while regularly serving as pulpit supply in local churches.
The overall state of Covenant East Classis is good, but not without challenges. We look to God to lead us, grow us, and work through us to do our part toward the fulfillment of the Great Commission to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you” (Matt 28:19-20).
In Christ respectfully submitted,
Elder Dennis Luquette
Covenant Reformed Church
Gettysburg, PA