Baldwin Christian Reformed Church

Baldwin Christian Reformed Church Rooted in God's Word, Growing in the Faith, Bearing Fruit in the World

06/02/2026

Dear Baldwin CRC Family and Friends,

Post-Sermon Reflections—Post-Sermon Reflections—Hebrews 4:1-13: Five times in Hebrews 3:7-4:12, we find the Greek word “semeron,” which is translated “today.” Back in 3:7 and 15, “…‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts…’” In 3:13, “…Exhort one another every day as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none of you may be hardened…” Those are similarly captured in 4:7.

The sentiment in all of those is similar to the proverb popularized by Benjamin Franklin, “Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today.” If you have the ability to do or accomplish or finish something today, get it done! As we focused on Sabbath-rest, it’s worth interpreting that with the understanding there are times when it’s appropriate and glorifying to God to wait to do something. But also as we heard, it’s not necessary to delay in doing good!

The point of “today” in Hebrews 3 and 4 is that we would not delay in coming to the Lord. We ought not to put off coming to faith and living in a manner worthy of the gospel call because we assume tomorrow will be there. It’s easy to think our lives will continue on to old age, that we can try lots of different things, that we don’t need to get serious—especially about spiritual things or eternity until sometime way in the future. This is part of that eschatological lesson we heard about—the end isn’t just about after we die, we’ve already begun to live in Christ’s Sabbath-rest. To delay until “tomorrow” or “next time,” to put off coming to the faith until we’ve done whatever we’ve wanted knowing that it probably wouldn’t please him, is intentionally living against the One who is Lord and Savior.

In reality, we don’t know if we have decades, years, months, days, or even hours beyond when we’re reading these words. We have right now. If you haven’t turned to the Lord in repentance and faith, “today” is this very moment! Do not delay! Receive the only salvation there is—that which has been won and offered us in Jesus Christ by his Spirit.

“…The time for individuals and churches to hear God’s voice in this way and respond may be limited. Each time God’s word is articulated and shared in ministry to one another is a ‘day’ in which God speaks to his people. When we withdraw from Christian fellowship, we distance ourselves from this possibility. Consequently, every opportunity to minister God’s word to one another should be grasped and taken seriously. The aim of such mutual ministry is that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness…There should be a concern for each member of the church” (David G. Peterson, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries).

Child Safety Training—If you have received an email about completing training from MinistrySafe, Kelly Gullixson or Nicole Roloff, please complete that ASAP. Any questions may be directed to a member of the committee (Mike, Eric and Kelly G., Nicole). Background checks and training for all keycard holders will also be coming shortly.

Stop by the Dorcas Society’s Dutch Treats Shop & Folklore Storytelling during Windmill Days! This Friday, from 4-8pm, the Dorcas ladies will be selling traditional Dutch baked goods and gifts at the Bailey Park Gazebo. Also, search the Windmill Days grounds for hidden ladybugs. The person who finds the closest or guesses the closest to the actual number hidden without going over, and submits their entry form by 7pm, wins a prize! (Must be present to win.) The winning entry will be announced following the Dutch Treats Folklore Storytelling event at 7:00pm. Listen as our very own Marius weaves stories of princesses, dragons, fairies and more. So why, you may ask, a ladybug hunting game? Come hear the significance this tiny red beetle has played in Dutch history. Spread the word and join the fun. See you Friday! Thank you for your prayers that all may go smoothly, seeds planted, and eyes may be opened by the continuing Missions assisted by the Society.

Join us for worship on Sunday as we ordain and install our new elders and deacon as well as commission Pastor Dan for his sabbatical. Our message will be on Hebrews 13:1-21 and entitled, “Remember Your Leaders.”

Our offering is for ReFrame Ministries.

Thank you to those helping with Sunday’s service:
Praise Team: Dave A.
Sound Booth: Eric & Kelly G.
Pianist: Brian
Greeters: Thomas & Laura K.
Refreshments: Robin & Joe
Church Monitor: Mike

05/27/2026

Dear Baldwin CRC Family and Friends,

Post-Sermon Reflections—Psalm 103:1-22: We often turn to Psalm 103 as part of our communion forms. The sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is to be understood as renewal. In the Heidelberg Catechism Question & Answer 75, we confess “…As surely as I receive…and taste…the bread and cup of the Lord, given me as sure signs of Christ’s body and blood, so surely he nourishes and refreshes my soul for eternal life with his crucified body and poured-out blood.” Question & Answer 77 directs our understanding of that to the summary in 1 Corinthians 10 and 11, which tell us that our participation is a sharing in the blood and body of Christ. We’re not only remembering, but proclaiming the Lord’s death, and thereby renewing our faith, our conscience, our hope in the benefits of Christ.

The sacrifice is first about our sins, and thus Richard Phillips explains why it’s necessary for that to be the first benefit we come across in Psalm 103:3: “There are so many things for which we ought to praise the Lord—our homes, jobs, wealth, and health. But none of these compare to the forgiveness of our sins! What is all the world if we should lose our souls (Luke 9:35)? If the psalm came to an end in verse 3, we would have ample reason to praise the Lord for eternity, for we can be forgiven only because he gave his Son to be punished on the cross in our place.

“The primacy of forgiveness means that only those who remember their sins will really praise the Lord with thanksgiving. It is only when we realize the magnitude of our guilt and the high offense we have caused against God’s holy justice by our sin that God’s grace seems so wonderful to our hearts and causes us to praise him. This is one reason we should regularly confess our sins: to lead us to gratitude for God’s forgiving mercy. If we are disappointed with God, it is certain that we have forgotten what we really deserve from him, namely, condemnation and wrath. But when we remember that God has forgiven us at so great a cost to himself—the sacrifice of his own beloved Son—it is implausible for us to speak of disappointment with God” (Richard D. Phillips, Reformed Expository Commentary).

Elder and deacon nominations: As we near the end of terms for a few of our elders and deacons, Council has contacted and received willingness from the following individuals to serve: Gary F. (deacon--*missed in the Sunday bulletin), Mike F. (elder), Mark L. (elder). If there are any concerns with these men and their qualifications or abilities to serve, please share with a current Council member. Ordination and installation is scheduled for next Sunday, June 7.

Join us for worship on Sunday as we turn our attention to the concept of rest—in this life and in the life to come—as Pastor Dan preaches a message on Hebrews 4:1-13 entitled, “Sabbath-Rest.”

Our offering is for the BCRC Benevolent Fund.

Thank you to those helping with Sunday’s service:
Praise Team: Kelly P. & Ruthanne
Sound Booth: Russ & Akeyla
Pianist: Brian
Greeters: Mike & Katie
Refreshments: Jim & Kelly P.
Church Monitor: Bob & Barb M.

Following worship, all are invited to join the potluck as we celebrate the end of the education year, show our appreciation for our Sunday School teachers, and recognize our high school graduate. Bring a dish to share, if you can! In the afternoon, we will have family visiting. If you wish to sign-up, please pick a time in the Fellowship Hall.

Save the Date: Windmill Days, Friday, June 5 from 4-8 at the Bailey Park Gazebo. Join and support Dorcas Society at their Dutch Treats shop of traditional Dutch baked goods and gifts. Corral the kids and grands and search the Windmill Days grounds for hidden ladybugs. The person who finds the closest or guesses the closest to the actual number hidden without going over, and submits their entry form by 7pm, wins a prize! (Must be present to win.) The winning entry will be announced following the Dutch Treats Folklore Storytelling event at 7:00. Listen as our very own Marius weaves stories of princesses, dragons, fairies and more. So why, you may ask, a ladybug hunting game? Come hear the significance this tiny red beetle has played in Dutch history. Spread the word and join the fun. See you next Friday! Thank you for your prayers that all may go smoothly, seeds planted, and eyes may be opened by the continuing Missions assisted by the Society.

Pastor Dan’s Sabbatical—Pastor Dan will be on sabbatical starting Monday, June 8 and continuing through Sunday, August 16 for a time of rest and renewal for him, his family, and the congregation. Throughout this time, the Council will be responsible for any pastoral care needs and helping to arrange services if there happens to be a funeral. Church-related emails will be automatically forwarded to one of our elders, and office phone messages will be checked weekly by them. Management of the website, video uploads, and social media are in good hands. The plan is to disconnect quite a bit from phone and email during this time, so will likely be unreachable. Pastor Dan appreciates your prayers for him and his family throughout the summer!

05/19/2026

Dear Baldwin CRC Family and Friends,

Post-Sermon Reflections—James 3:1-12: If the fire and venomous imagery in our passage scares you or causes discomfort, James’ warning may be causing some necessary conviction. We need to be discerning our communication and conforming it to God’s ways. It’s a testimony to the genuineness of our faith and the work of the Spirit on us.
I appreciate the way J. Ronald Blue pictures the tongue’s fire: “It is as though the tongue is at the center or hub of the wheel of nature and, like a fireworks display, the wheel is set on fire at the center. The more it burns, the faster it revolves until the whole wheel spins in a blaze, spitting fire in all directions. But the tongue is only the fuse; the source of the deadly fire is hell itself” (The Bible Knowledge Commentary).
I assume this is the kind of firework he has in mind. If you watch the video, you see the fire (the sparks) shooting off all around the ring. If you were standing anywhere near that, wisdom would say move a safe distance back or you risk getting burned, but you can still watch and enjoy it. When the hellfire of a person’s tongue is active and spraying, that is not something we should find joy or even amusement at, let alone safety. The proverbs we looked at described some of the risks of an untamed tongue—dissension, separation of friends, a “not good” path. 1 Timothy 6 added—with turning to false “knowledge,” wandering from the faith.
As we heard from Augustine, we need “…the mercy of God, the assistance of God, the grace of God,” to tame our tongues. We need the love of Christ to so fill us and replace that fuse that is sourced in hell and wickedness. Trust that the Spirit is always able to overcome our enemy and renew our communication.

Lloyd Doornink Memorial Services: Tomorrow (Wednesday), Visitation @ O'Connnell, 4pm-7pm
Thursday, Visitation @ BCRC, 10am / Funeral @ BCRC, 11am / Commital and Luncheon to follow

Potluck on May 31: Join us after worship on May 31 for a potluck as we celebrate the end of the education year, show our appreciation for our Sunday School teachers, and recognize our high school graduate.

Family Visiting: Spaces are still available for family visiting sign-ups on May 31 to have some focused interaction with a member or two of the Council.

New Sermon Series: As Pastor Dan prepares for sabbatical and returns, he’ll be preaching a topical series focusing on what his sabbatical intends to be spent on: renewal, sabbath, leaders, rest, prayer, and leading. When you think of a departures and arrivals sign at an airport or train station, most who are traveling through are planning on a "round-trip." They're not just going away, and they're not just coming in. If it's your home location, you're departing with the intent to come back home. "Depart to Return"--that's the mindset for this sabbatical, a time of rest and renewal for continued ministry ahead.
Join us for worship on Sunday as Pastor Dan preaches on Psalm 103:1-22 where we find the full-life renewal that comes only by God the Renewer. We’ll explore what God is willing to do and is doing in us with a message entitled, “Renewal.”

Our offering is for the General Fund.

Thank you to those helping with Sunday’s service:
Praise Team: Jim L & Dave A
Sound Booth: Thomas K & Ian P
Pianist: Heather Jo
Greeters: Marlys & Carol R
Refreshments: Murray & Rosie
Church Monitor: Gary & Patty

05/13/2026

Dear Baldwin CRC Family and Friends,

Post-Sermon Reflections—2 Kings 13:14-25: As we wrapped up our series through “The Days of Elisha,” we were reminded of the backdrop of sin and God’s judgment on the Israelites. While the accounts of Elisha (and Elijah) help us to see God’s covenant mercy and grace, it could also be said the positive impact in the many years of his ministry was relatively low. We don’t see widespread or total reform, but numbers are not the determination of his faithfulness to God or whether God should be considered successful.

Philip Ryken captures that in his commentary, “Things must have seemed hopeless for humanity as the great prophet Elisha lay on his deathbed. For more than fifty years, he had done everything he could to rescue God’s people from their enemies and turn them away from their sins. So what did Elisha have to show for his efforts? Not much, apparently” (Reformed Expository Commentary). It’s a good reminder that numbers don’t tell the whole story. Just because we don’t see a Pentecost-type conversion (“So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” (Acts 2:41)) does not mean God or Elisha failed.

If we look specifically at the arrow shooting/striking portion of this week’s passage, King Jehoash/Joash literally stopped short of striking as many times as he could, and thus was only promised three victories. (Some commentators believe he wasn’t holding arrows and striking the ground with them, but he was shooting the arrows, which would then “strike” the ground where they landed. By only shooting one and then three likely implies he stopped striking/shooting before emptying the quiver.) He chose to stop; he decided that was enough despite Elisha having told him, without qualification, “… ‘Take the arrows…Strike the ground with them’…”

Here’s what Davis thinks of that and how it can be applied: “Elisha gives Jehoash a blank check of the word of God, and the king says, ‘Thank you, I’ll only cash half of it’…Christian believers know something of this half-heartedness. We have the assurance, ‘For sin will not lord it over you, for you are not under law but under grace’ (Rom. 6:14). Our union with Christ has brought about regime change and we are now under the power of grace which will give us substantial liberty from sin (as a power). But some of us, using a degree of right theology, make our Jehoash response. We have become convinced of ‘total depravity’, and that that is our condition, and that we are so bound by certain habits, inabilities, behaviors, and reactions, that even though we claim to be Christ’s there is no hope of change or transformation. Grace may as well be a mere word, the Holy Spirit a theory, and the gospel only propaganda for all we will expect from it. Yes, we have the promise but we cannot expect too much from it” (Dale R. Davis, Focus on the Bible Commentary). May we trust the fullness of God’s promises and take them fully at his word!

Family Visiting: Council encourages all members and regular attenders to join us for family visiting in the afternoon of Sunday, May 31. You are always welcome to ask for a visit, but this time allows us some focused interaction with a member or two of the Council. Sign-ups with times are available in the Fellowship Hall.

Join us for worship on Sunday as Pastor Dan brings a message on James 3:1-12 entitled, “What Did You Just Say?” as we explore how God calls us to use our words.

Our offering is for Baldwin Christian School.

Thank you to those helping with Sunday’s service:
Praise Team: Libby & Amy
Sound Booth: Eric & Kelly G.
Pianist: Heather Jo
Greeters: Dave & Karen A.
Refreshments: Paul & Billie Jo
Church Monitor: Murray

Join us at 1:30pm as we lead the worship service at the Baldwin Care Center.

05/05/2026

Dear Baldwin CRC Family and Friends,

Post-Sermon Reflections—2 Kings 9:1-13: On Sunday, I spent a lot of time on God’s vengeance. We don’t just see it in what Jehu was being called to do with Ahab’s family, but also what God had done this with the families of other wicked Israelite kings. In his commentary on the passage, Philip Ryken captures five “lessons” about the Lord’s vengeance. He frames it as thorough, personal, potentially deadly, always just, and it comes as promised.

He also takes those lessons and applies them to “Jesus Christ as the Judge of the final judgment” and the display of vengeance on the cross. It isn’t just something for the past, and it isn’t irrelevant for believers. Here’s what he says about Christ’s vengeance as the final Judge: “Our Savior’s judgment will be thorough. Just as no one escaped from the sword of Jehu, no one will escape from the sword of the Lord Jesus…

“God’s final vengeance will be personal. Each and every individual who has ever lived will be held accountable for his or her actions…John’s vision does not give every detail, but it is enough to know that God keeps a ledger for every human being. The sins of each day are recorded, line upon line, page upon page, volume upon volume, library upon library.

“It is because of all those sins that the final vengeance of God will be so deadly. ‘The wages of sin is death’ (Rom. 6:23)…The proper punishment for sinning against an infinitely perfect God is death…

“Is this fair? Yes, the vengeance of the Lord is perfectly just. Why should God have anything to do with those who want nothing to do with him? The Bible explains: ‘God considers it just…, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might’ (2 Thess. 1:6–9)…

“Do not doubt that all this will happen as promised…We have God’s Word for it: the day of judgment will be a day of vengeance. Few things are explained as frequently and as fully in the Bible as the certainty of the final judgment.”

For the believer, the vengeance we deserve has already come through and upon the crucifixion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. What he experienced displays four of the five lessons: “The vengeance of the cross was the kind that always belongs to the Lord. It was thorough: ‘Christ also suffered once for sins’ (1 Peter 3:18). He paid for all the sins of all his people all at once. The payment was complete…The crucifixion was also a deadly vengeance, not only for Jesus himself, but also for the sin that was nailed with him to the cross (Col. 2:13–15).

“The vengeance of the cross was just. God put Jesus forward ‘as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness,…so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus’ (Rom. 3:25–26). The cross thus shows that God maintains perfect justice in the universe, that he requires an exact accounting for sin. Sin cannot be overlooked; it must be atoned for. So Christ died on the cross to satisfy God’s vengeance against sin. Thus, even God’s mercy rests on the foundation of his justice. And all of this happened exactly as promised. God always said that he would send a Savior to be ‘pierced for our transgressions’ (Isa. 53:5).

“There is, however, one great difference between the vengeance of the cross and the final vengeance. It makes all the difference in the world, not to mention the difference in heaven and the difference in hell. Since the vengeance of the Lord is personal, at the final judgment sinners whose names are not written in the book of life will have to suffer divine vengeance on their own. But it is different at the cross. There, sinners can (in effect) ask God’s Son to suffer God’s vengeance on their behalf. The atoning sacrifice of Jesus satisfies the justice of God for everyone who trusts in him” (Philip G. Ryken, Reformed Expository Commentary).

The benefit of Christ’s sacrifice is personal for each who believes, but the One who endured the vengeance was not you or I. As we sing in Stuart Townend’s hymn: “Behold, the Man upon the cross, my sin upon His shoulders. Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers. It was my sin that held Him there until it was accomplished. His dying breath has brought me life. I know that it is finished…Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer. But this I know with all my heart, his wounds have paid my ransom” (Sing! 223, “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us”).

New Member Class: Meets tomorrow night (Wednesday) at 7:00pm for our final session. Any and all who are interested in learning more about BCRC, becoming members, or making profession of faith are welcome to join!

Family Visiting: On Sunday, May 31, Council encourages all members and regular attenders to join us for family visiting in the afternoon. You are always welcome to ask for a visit, but this time allows us some focused interaction with a member or two of the Council. Sign-ups with times are available in the Fellowship Hall.

Feedback Wanted: Pastor Dan is considering offering a “Learn the Bible” class. This would not be a traditional verse-by-verse or thematic study but rather helping those who wish they knew more about the Bible and how it fits together to benefit their own reading and study. Perhaps you didn’t grow up reading the Bible or worry about joining a Bible study because you don’t think you know enough. Each lesson will focus on a different topic or part of the Bible and think through dates/history, locations, what’s happening, why is it in here, how does it point to Jesus, and how does it connect with other parts. If this sounds like it would interest you and you’d be willing to commit to a fall bi-weekly study, please talk to Pastor Dan.


Join us on Sunday as we conclude “The Days of Elisha” series by turning to the passage of his death—2 Kings 13:14-25—and Pastor Dan’s message entitled, “Elisha's Gone, God's Not.”

Our offering is for the General Fund.

Thank you to those helping with Sunday’s service:
Praise Team: Dave A. & Ruthanne
Sound Booth: Russ & Akeyla
Pianist: Laura K.
Greeters: Gary & Patty
Refreshments: Thomas & Laura K.
Church Monitor: Fran

Address

897 U.S. Highway 63
Baldwin, WI
54002

Opening Hours

9am - 12pm

Telephone

+17156842928

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