On this Old Year's Lord's Day of December 31, 2017 we note the following news and information concerning PRC congregations, the Seminary, mission fields, and sister churches.
CONGREGATIONAL NEWS:
- Rev. C. Griess (Calvary PRC, Hull, IA) is considering the call from First PRC, Grand Rapids, MI (received Dec.14). He plans to answer by Jan.7.
- Candidate David Noorman is considering the call from SW PRC (Wyoming, MI - received Dec.17). He has up to six weeks to consider this call.
- Rev. A. Lanning and his wife Stephanie and children arrived safely in West Michigan this past week from Singapore. He is to be installed this morning in Byron Center PRC.
- From Loveland PRC's bulletin we learn that Candidate Jonathan Langerak is filling her pulpit through New Year's Day while Rev. S. Key is away.
- With many officebearer installations taking place, our elders and deacons are reminded of the resources available to them on this special section of the PRC website.
DENOMINATIONAL NEWS
From the PRC Seminary comes this Dec./Jan. news:
- The Seminary finished its first semester and week of exams on Dec.22 and will now enjoy a two-week break over the holidays. The Seminary will still be open daily (except on Christmas and New year's) and staff will be present to assist you with any needs, including in the office, bookstore, and library.
- Interim Course: The seminary’s interim course this year will be “The Theology of John Calvin” and will be taught by Prof. R. Cammenga. Classes will meet from Monday, January 8, 2018 through Wednesday, January 17, 2018, in the morning, 9:00 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. Any who are interested in attending are welcome. Please call the seminary (531-1490) before January 5 so that your name can be added to the class list.
- The latest issue of the PR Theological Journal (Fall 2017) is now available in print form and in three (3) digital forms. Visit the Seminary's Journal page to download the digital editions and contact the Seminary if you would like to receive a print copy. At the Journal page you may also find all the back issues as well as an index to past issues.
SISTER-CHURCH NEWS
- Concerning our sister church in Singapore, Covenant ERC, we have this news:
- Cand. David Noorman and his wife are serving the ERCS for three Sundays following the departure of the Lannings this past week.
- Following Cand. Noorman's work there, Rev. A. denHartog and his wife will be there for an extended time, as requested by the PRC Contact Committee. SW PRC had this note in their bulletin of Dec.17 concerning this: "Pastor den Hartog has been asked by the Contact Committee of our denomination to serve our sister church in Singapore (the Covenant Evangelical Reformed Church of Singapore) for an extended period. CERCS will be without its own pastor after Rev. Andrew Lanning leaves this month to take up a call to Byron Center Protestant Reformed Church. The den Hartog's are planning to be in Singapore at least until after our synod of June, 2018, makes a decision on the CERCS calling a minister-on-loan, the Lord willing, from our denomination to become their new pastor. Let us pray for the Lannings, Covenant Church, and the den Hartog’s during this time."
- The latest newsletter from our sister church, Covenant PRC in Ballymena, N. Ireland, was received and posted recently (for Dec. 2017). You may find that on this page.
SPECIAL NOTICES:
- Rev. Martyn McGeown, missionary-pastor of Limerick Reformed Fellowship, will be interviewed by Christopher Arnzen on his radio program, “Iron Sharpens Iron”, on Friday, January 5 from 4-6pm EST. The subject for this interview will be Rev. McGeown’s recent book, Called to Watch for Christ’s Return. You can go to the website www.ironsharpensironradio.com and click on the livestream box to tune in and listen from any device. The program can also be listened to by phone at (563)999-9206; press #3 for Christian Radio when prompted.
- ADVICE FOR ELDERS ON FAMILY VISITATION: Hudsonville PRC is hosting this winter’s Classis East Office Bearers’ Conference Tuesday, January 9, at 7:30PM. Prof. B. Gritters will speak on our practice of Family Visitation. We want to keep this beloved practice as our Church Order requires, but how will we do it most profitably for all our homes? After explaining the important principles of family visitation, Prof. Gritters will address questions like: Should there be a theme or special topic each year? What is the difference between family visitation and a Bible study? How much should elders speak and how much should they listen? How to ask questions so that the people speak? At the end of the speech, there will be time for questions and discussion. Everyone is welcome, both officebearers and members. The speech will also be live-streamed on Hudsonville PRC's website.
- Are you a Standard Bearer subscriber? Why not begin the new year by becoming one and feeding your soul with solid Reformed and biblical articles in 2018 and beyond!
-
Reformed Book Outlet: The January 2018 newsletter notes that you may find many devotional books for the new year and that officebearers may find many resources for their work (cf. attached pdf.).
- NEW Psalter CD Available! The Covenant Christian High School Choirs (Grand Rapids, MI) have recently recorded their 3rd Psalm CD "Teach Me to Pray", which will be available in time for Christmas! Watch for a sign-up sheet at your church or contact the school office.
- THE HOPE HERALDS 2017 CD ENTITLED, “OUR GOD IS GOD” is available for $10 in the main offices of Covenant Chr. High School and Heritage Christian School and also at the Reformed Book Outlet and the PR Seminary bookstore. If you are not able to pick up your copy at any of these locations, please call or text Karen Daling (616-662-0784) or Dan VanDyke (616-610-3276) and we will mail the CD for $12. Thank you!
- Don't forget to listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday! Todays' message by radio pastor Rev. W. Bruinsma is titled "Great is Thy Faithfulness", based on Lam.3:22.
- NEW RWH Station - The Cornerstone PRC Word and Deed committee has partnered with the Reformed Witness Hour to air their messages on the radio in the Chicago area. Beginning today, September 10, the broadcast can be heard every Sunday at 4:00PM on WYLL 1160AM or on the internet at www.1160hope.com. Please tune in and encourage others to do so as opportunity arises in your personal witnessing.
MISSION NEWS:
- The December 2017 newsletter of the Limerick Reformed Fellowship mission station was received and posted recently. You may find that on this page.
- Rev.R. Smit sent the following note to the ministers this week concerning their trip to and arrival in the Philippines this past week:
- Good morning, ...my family and I arrived safely at our house in Antipolo (east side of Metro Manila) on Friday morning. Our original plan to arrive on Wednesday morning was interrupted due to heavy snow on Monday morning and afternoon in Grand Rapids. As a result, we rescheduled our departure to Wednesday, and our arrival in Manila on Friday morning was on schedule. Kleyns and Holsteges brought us home from the airport. We are thankful to our heavenly Father for safe travel, and the opportunity to continue our life and labour here in the service of our Lord’s kingdom. My family and I plan to worship tomorrow in the Berean PRC, and I was asked to provide pulpit supply there tomorrow due to the flu illness of Bro. Vernon and his family this week. May the Lord bless your preaching labors tomorrow, and bless your labours in the new year for the cause of Christ’s glorious kingdom.
- From this Sunday's bulletins of the Maranatha PRC and the Provident Christian Church in Marikina, the Philippines we find the following notes concerning their pastors as well as concerning our missionaries and their labors today and in this coming week:
- Provident CC:
-
Rev. Holstege will preach both times today and next Sunday, Lord willing. The second sermon today will explain our theme text for family visitation, and reflect on our calling for the new year, 2018.
-
Family visitation will begin this Wednesday. Rev. Holstege and members of the SC will visit each family of PCC at your homes.
-
-
Maranatha PRC:
-
Today, our Missionary, Rev. D. Kleyn will lead our first and second services and after the Second Service he will continue Articles 84-86 of the Church Order.
- The Consistory adopted and designated that January 7, 2018 as our “Thanksgiving and Fellowship” because of the faithfulness and graciousness of our Sovereign God and also a “Buenvenida” for Rev. Smit and family. Note: This is “POTLUCK.” Let us pray for Rev. Richard and Tricia Smit and family as they prepare to travel and to serve as the Third Missionary to the Philippines.
- After being delayed in Michigan for two days because of winter snow and ice, Rev. & Tricia Smit and their family arrived safely in the Philippines this past Friday morning. We thank God for their safe travels and safe arrival. May He bless them as they take up their life and work here again.
-
- Provident CC:
-
Let us remember and continue to lift up the needs of these busy pastors and missionaries in the Philippines. May the Lord of the harvest give them grace for all their labors.
Last modified on 02 January 2018
Download attachments: