The Lombard

Gospel Chapel

Ten months have passed since the Lombard Gospel Chapel first opened its doors to fill an important and keenly felt need In our community. The purpose for which, the Chapel was opened, that of the fundamental preaching and teaching of the Word of God, has been well carried out, both in the pulpit as well as the Sunday School.

The work of the Chapel has been in a large measure, under the ministry of Mr. A. H. Fardon, formerly of Kansas City, Missouri. For several weeks prior to Mr. Fardon's trip abroad, he took up the study of the Book of Revelation each Sunday morning. Although he preached on this subject several Sundays, be really just got started nicely when be went away. Much interest was manifested among his listeners in the exposition of this most wonderful book and many inquiries have been made in reference to a continuance of this series Although the Revelation is perhaps the least opened book in the pulpits of our churches today and likewise the least understood, it is one of the most interesting and contains some of the greatest truths in the entire Scriptures and it is God's revelation to us of the things that are to come. Moreover, God's Word promises a special blessing to those who read and study this marvelous Book.

Last June Mr. Fardon and his wife left on a four months' trip to Europe, during which time he visited and preached in many cities in England and Scotland, returning to Lombard in October. During the absence of Mr. Fardon the pulpit was very ably filled by a number of men, among whom were Mr. J. Alexander dark. Author and Missionary to Africa, Peter and William Pell, both of Grand Rapids, Mich., Wendell P. Loveless and Norman Camp of the Moody Bible Institute, Chicago and Brother Thomas the Welsh evangelist. The Sunday School work has been most encouraging, both in attendance and interest. It is truly a Bible School and fully 75 percent of the attendance each Sunday morning will be found with their Bibles. A week ago there were foru classes, every scholar of which had brought a Bible. In our Beginner's, class, having an enrollment of about 20, there will be , found an average of 14 or 15 each Sunday. These little tots have a room i to themselves and have as their teacher Miss Dorothy Ferguson. The adult Bible class under the able teaching of Mr. Keller, has also had a remarkable attendance, ranging g in numbers from 15 to 30. Another prominent and wide-awake class our High School girls who number about fifteen and are taught by Mrs. McGowen. Mrs. Durant's fine class of girls are always near the 100 percent mark in attendance, Bibles and Scripture verses, and our other classes under the teaching of Mr. Ericksen. Mr. McGowen, Mrs. Fortune, Mrs. Prinzing and Mr. Cooper are on the job helping to make the Sunday School a place where boys and girls can learn of the things of God. The Sunday evening Gospel service and the Friday night prayer and Bible reading will be held at 7:30 instead of 8:00 o'clock during the winter months.. Other services are Sunday School at 10:20 a. m., preaching at 11:30 a. m.

Lombard Gospel

Chapel Notes

Next Sunday morning at the Lombard Gospel Chapel Mr. A. H. Fardon will deviate from his series of exposition on the Book of the Revelation at the 11:30 service, and will speak on the subject "The Work of Elders and Deacons in the Scriptural Church."

This is a subject in which Christians should be interested and a hearty invitation is given to all. The following' Sunday morning Mr. Fardon expects to resume his series on The Revelation and will take for his subject "The Message to the Church of Laodicea" as recorded in the latter part of the third Chapter of Revelation, The great truths being brought out in this wonderful Book each Sunday morning are full of blessing to those who listen.

The Sunday evening services in the Chapel are devoted to a Gospel sermon. On Friday evenings the regular weekly service of prayer is held and this is without question one of most important services of all.

The Sunday School Is growing fast both in interest and numbers and the attendance is nearing the 125 mark. Mrs. McGowen's class of High School girls with an enrollment of 17 had 16 present last Sunday. There were four large classes, every member of which had a Bible. The adult Bible Class still maintains a fine attendance. Services are as follows:

Sunday at 10:20 a. m. Sunday School

Sunday at 11:30 a. m. Preaching

Sunday at 7:30 p. m. Gospel Service

Wednesday 8:00 p. m. Cottage Prayer Meeting'

Friday 8:00 p. m. Prayer Service in Chapel.

Gospel Chapel Shows Progress

March 5, 1931

Next Sunday will mark the beginning of the fourth year's operation of the Lombard Gospel Chapel. Not only has the work of the chapel grown very materially but it's influence is reaching many outside of our village. Quite a number of folks from Villa Park and vicinity have been worshipping with us at the chapel during the past three years but recently it was thought the time was ripe for a new work to be started in Villa Park. The result is that a hall was secured and a group of these people have begun a similar work in that locality. While this move has taken quite a group away from the chapel, new friends are coming and the work is growing.

A new class of small boys was started a week ago with Miss Tuck as teacher. The Sunday School attendance has kept up in a splendid manner during the winter months.

The Young peoples service at 6:00 o'clock each Sunday afternoon is becoming more interesting and growing in attendance. Miss Pearson, newly elected president of the group, is presenting most helpful ideas and securing interesting speakers from time to time. Last Sunday evening a group of young people from the Wheaton College had charge of the meeting.

The 11:30 service Sunday mornings and the 7:30 Sunday evening gospel service has been well attended. Mr. Fardon has been bringing messages of help and interest during the past several weeks.

The Lombard Gospel Chapel

December 31, 1931

As the old year comes to a close and we are about to embark upon another twelve months it is quite natural to look both backward and forward. A backward look not so much perhaps at what has been done but to see wherein many things have been left undone; a forward look with hope and expectation for greater things in 1932 if the Lord tarries.

Last Wednesday evening more than 250 gathered to the Christmas program given by the Sunday School. About 15 girls and boys received rewards for perfect attendance during 1931. Other rewards and a big supply of candy was given out. A considerable amount of clothing and food was brought in at that time, all of which was distributed among the needy in our own vicinity. The Sunday School has progressed most satisfactorily during the year and the attendance has kept up well. One of the outstanding features of the school is the large number of Scripture verses that are memorized and spoken each Sunday. It is also remarkable that nearly every boy and girl coming to the school bring their Bibles with them.

A week night feature has been carried on for the children during the Fall and Winter months. This has usually been in the form of stereopticon pictures in which the gospel is emphasized.

In addition to the morning worship service at 9:30 each Sunday, there have been the preaching service at 11:30 and the Gospel service at 7:30 not a single one of these services having been postponed during the year. While Mr. Fardon has been in charge of these services largely, there have been many speakers from other places who filled the pulpit during the past year. The weekly prayer meeting for the ladies on Tuesday afternoons has been carried on during many months of the year and the regular Wednesday evening prayer service has been a permanent meeting.

In the matter of finances even during this most abnormal year we are happy to report that all operating expenses have been met without a deficit. In addition to this a considerable gift has been sent to missionaries in the Foreign field and out of a special fund for the purpose, many needy families have been helped. God has again proven His promise to supply all our needs.

The purpose and aims of the Chapel in all its services is to uphold and preach the Word of God from Genesis to Revelation with a view to the salvation of souls and the up building of Christians. All are invited to its services. Many have been brought to the Lord through the Chapel services and some twelve or fifteen were baptized during the year. Also, one of the Sunday School teachers, a former student of Wheaton college, just sailed early this month to take up his work as a missionary in Africa. This was Adam Ferguson who has been most active in the work at the Chapel during its four years of existence.

See more info about Adam Ferguson*

Gospel Chapel in Fifth Year

March 10,1932

On March 11 the Lombard Gospel Chapel will begin its fifth year and in looking toward the future with its opportunities and responsibilities one cannot but reflect over the past. Beginning four years ago with just a few folks, the work has progressed nicely. Starting the first Sunday school session four years ago with about 60 scholars, this phase of its ministry grew rapidly until we were faced with a problem of accommodations. However, about a year ago, a group of some 35 or 40 of our number felt led to open up a similar gospel work in Villa Park. While the local work suffered a considerable loss through this new undertaking, the new Villa Park Gospel Hall has grown rapidly and it now has a splendid growing Sunday school of its own as well as other regular weekly services.

The loss of attendance suffered by the Lombard Chapel through the beginning of this new work, has gradually been overcome and the local Sunday school has grown again to the point, where every available space for class room purposes has been used. Five new classes have been added which was made necessary on account of many of the classes out growing themselves. There are in all, 16 classes in addition to which is the adult bible class which has an average attendance of 25 to 30 people each Sunday. One of the teachers, a former student at Wheaton College, sailed in January to take up his work as a missionary to Africa. See more info about Adam Ferguson*

Since the chapel opened its doors four years ago there has never been a discontinuance of any of its services. A. H. Fardon has been connected with the work of the chapel since its inception, in fact was one of those active and instrumental in the starting of the local work. While he has been away frequently speaking at conferences and occupying other pulpits he has kept in close touch with the chapel and devoted most of his time to it.

During the past 12 months there have been several other speakers at the chapel from time to time, among these Dr. H. A. Ironside, pastor of the Moody Memorial church of Chicago, who spoke for several evenings last spring. Other pulpit supplies are Peter Pell of Grand Rapids, A. G. Bently, Peter Pilon, W. R. Newall of Florida and James McKendrick of Scotland.

The Young Peoples meeting convenes each Sunday evening at 6:15. Miss Erma Moisted was recently elected president of the Young Peoples' work.

The finances of the chapel have always been handled by free will gifts rather than through any subscriptions or public offerings and during the four years of existence all needs have been met. In addition to the general expenditures a considerable amount has been sent to missionaries as well as certain gifts to the needy.