Welcome!Welcome! I am happy to welcome you to this website on
behalf of the Wiser Lake Chapel congregation. We hope this
website will do two things. First, we hope it will acquaint
people with the Chapel -- who we are, what we believe, and what
activities go on at the Chapel. Second, we want it to be an
easily accessible resource for instruction in God's Word.
As for the second goal, we hope to do this by
putting some of my sermons and devotional notes on-line, as well
as providing links to other sources of biblical instruction.
You'll find these by clicking on Sermons, Word for the Day, or
Links.
As for who we are, what we believe, and what
activities go on here, I'll fill you in on a little of this right
here. For more information, you might look at Calendar, "The
Chapel Forum," and Doctrine.
About forty years ago, the Christian Reformed
Church in Lynden, Washington, began the Wiser Lake Chapel as a
mission outreach to the people who lived in the surrounding
county. For years the churches in Lynden conducted various
children's ministries at the Chapel, trying to reach the many
unchurched children in the area.
But gradually, the Chapel became a church itself,
not just a mission outreach of other churches. In 1992 the
congregation reached the point that it believed it could support
its own pastor. That was when I was called.
Today the Chapel continues to grow and change as we
work out what it means to be a congregation of Christ's Church,
and how our congregation is related to the larger Church. We are
no longer officially connected to the Christian Reformed Church,
but we still hold to basic Reformed beliefs. I myself am
"on-loan" from the Presbyterian Church of America,
another Reformed denomination.
After such a beginning, the Chapel continues to
have quite a diversity among its people. That has proven to
be both a wonderful asset and a serious challenge as we are
pushed to think carefully about what it means to be a church
pursuing both purity of doctrine and a spirit of unity.
A fair accounting of our beliefs can be found in
the Apostle's Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Westminster Confession
of Faith and the Three Forms of Unity. While we hold these
creeds to be important documents, worthy of our respect and
careful consideration, our final source of truth is the Bible.
Briefly, we confess the sovereignty of God in all
of life. That is to say, God is in control -- his plans,
revealed in his Word, will be fulfilled no matter what.
That is especially true in regard to our salvation. We need
salvation because we have sinned against the Almighty Creator,
marring his perfect creation. Yet this God whom we have offended
has made provision for our salvation. He will restore us and this
creation. This restoration is made possible by the life, death
and resurrection of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. We obtain this
salvation by grace, through the faith that God gives us.
God's plan, however, applies to more than just the
salvation of individuals. The good news of God's grace is
spreading throughout the world and will continue to do so until
God completely redeems his Creation and every knee bows before
the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Chapel has put together several position papers
that tell more about our specific beliefs:
What About The Creeds?
Connections
The
Lord's Supper and Covenant Children
Expressions
of Young Faith
Our high school youth group "None the Wiser" meets every other week on Wednesday evenings for Bible study and social time, usually rotated around the homes of the students. Announcements will be in the Sunday bulletin and in the online calendar.
Our Chapel is easy to find. Take the Guide Meridian north from Bellingham (I-5 Exit 256). Go 8 miles. The church is on the left or west side of the road. If you reach Wiser Lake, you've gone too far. If you are coming from Lynden, take the Guide south past Wiser Lake. The church will be on your right. Check out our map.
For Chapel Activities, please review our Calendar and duty lists at http://www.wiserlakechapel.org/calendar.htm
Service Ministries:
Meals for the sick and at times of need: Mili Blok
If you are willing to be called to provide a meal to a member of the Chapel
family in a time of need.
Host families for dinners for visitors/new members:
If
you are willing to host Chapel visitors or newer attendees for a Sunday meal in
your home after church--if you live some distance from the Chapel, you can host
a meal in the educational building. Many of our newer members say they were very
grateful for these heartfelt invitations and opportunities to meet the people of
the Chapel in a more leisurely way.
Ladies' birthday ministry:
Jan Lovegren and Barb Hoelle
If you are willing to be a hostess for a monthly birthday gathering for
women of the Chapel
Donations
of safe toys, swings and furniture in good shape are always appreciated, as well
as suggestions for how to make the nursery a welcoming place for our children.
If a specific need for financial or other help is identified.
Showers: Joann Tippery
People
willing to host and organize bridal, wedding and baby showers
If
you are interested in being a visitor to Chapel members who enjoy the outreach
and encouragement of a visit.
Care packages will be prepared regularly for our college students both here at
home and who are away.
Help
with fixing things in homes of our widows and singl
Local Needs Ministry:
Martha Rexford
Anyone
interested in making tied quilts for people in need, including the
Family Game Nights:
Emily Gibson
Last Saturday evening of the month there is a fellowship time over snacks
and games in the back building
You can email
us and we are happy to respond. Please do not send advertisements
to this address.
If you prefer to hear someone's voice, your best chance is
(360) 354-2228 on Sundays and the phone in my study, 354-BERT
(2378), on other days.
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