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PRC and Sister-Church News for the Week of July 15, 2018

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On this twenty-eighth Lord's Day of 2018, July 15, we note the following news and information concerning PRC congregations, the Seminary, mission fields, and sister churches.

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS:

  • This past Tuesday (July 16) Trinity PRC's (Hudsonville, MI) held a dedication program for its new sanctuary. Today she began worshiping in it (cf. picture below). We rejoice with her in God's goodness and provision and pray that this earthly house of worship would be filled with His glorious presence and be used for the glory of His name.

TrinityPRC new sanctuary 2018
The new sanctuary of Trinity PRC

  • From First PRC-Grand Rapids we receive this significant notice:  The Lord Willing, Prof. Cammenga, Rev. Rodney Kleyn, and Rev. Cory Griess will be traveling to Mexico City beginning July 24 to give speeches and make contact with a group of Presbyterian churches and church leaders there during the span of two weeks. There are two denominations of Presbyterian churches they will be meeting with, along with the professors and students of John Calvin University.  Doner Bartolon, who is from Mexico and who intends to start seminary training in our seminary soon the Lord Willing, is the means by which God has allowed for this contact. Doner was born and raised in the Reformed faith in Mexico and has since become convicted of Protestant Reformed doctrine. First PRC is sponsoring the trip as an investigative endeavor. The Lord Willing, in addition to preaching two Sundays, there will be five different conferences held on subjects such as the covenant, Calvinism, the history and doctrines of the PRC, and sexual ethics (youth conference). Please remember this trip and the work in your prayers.

  • The Council of Grandville PRC announces the following today in her bulletin: "Council reminds the congregation of our acceptance of Synod's appointment to be the calling church for the minister on loan (MOL) to Singapore. At our recent meeting we formed a trio consisting of Rev. G. Eriks, Rev. S. Key and Rev. R. Kleyn. We have scheduled a Congregational Meeting for August 5, 2018, directly following our evening service, to vote for one from among these men to receive the call to serve as MOL for our sister church in Singapore. May the Lord of the Church bless this endeavor for the glory of his name."

  • On May 13 Candidate J. Langerak announced his acceptance of the call he had received from Heritage PRC (Sioux Falls, SD) on April 29. His examination will now take place at the meeting of Classis West on August 29 at Peace PRC (cf. note below under "Denominational News). In that conection, this additional information was given in Heritage's recent bulletin: "Pastor-Elect Langerak’s ordination and installation service is scheduled for Friday, August 31, 2018 at 7 PM. at Heritage PRC. The service will be conducted by Rev. Rodney Kleyn." Untll then, Pastor-elect Langerak is keeping busy supplying various pulpits in the churches of Classis West.

  • From 1st PRC's bulletin this week (Edmonton, AB): "Our Family Conference will be held this week, July 20-22, at Parkland Immanuel Christian School (21304 - 35 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6M 2P6).  Our worship services next week will be held at 9:30 AM (note earlier time) and 3:00 PM, at the school.  Rev. B. Huizinga is scheduled to lead us in worship in the morning and Rev. N. Langerak in the afternoon, D.V.  May our conference afford us a time of rich fellowship and edification together."

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DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

  • Synod 2018: The PRC Synod completed its work for now on Thursday June 21 - it will reconvene on August 28 for a special examination. Summary reports on the decisions reached may be found under the News section of the PRC website.

  • Classis East will reconvene at Faith PRC this Wednesday, July 18.

  • Classis West meeting (note date and place changes): At the request of Heritage PRC (and Doon PRC), the Classical Committee of Classis West has changed the date for the next meeting of Classis West to August 29. It had previously been scheduled for September 26. Also, at the request of Heritage PRC, the location also has been changed. Peace PRC will host the August 29 meeting of Classis where Pastor-elect Jonathan Langerak will be examined, while Heritage PRC will host Classis on March 6, 2019, the Lord willing.
  • PRC Seminary News:

    • The internships of Seminarians Matt Kortus and Jacob Maatman officially began July 1. Sem. Kortus is interning at Trinity PRC under Rev. N. Decker and his Council. Sem. Maatman is interning at Hudsonville PRC under Rev. G. Eriks and his Council. The internship program runs from July 1 to December 31.

    • The Spring 2018 issue of the PRT Journal is now back from the printers and has been mailed out. If you would like to receive a print copy and are not on our mailing list, contact the seminary. The pdf version is also still available for free download. Visit this page to find out the contents and begin reading.

    • The PRC Synod 2018 took a decision urging “the churches and the pastors in particular in their public prayers to pray the Lord of the harvest for able, faithful, and devoted pastors and teachers (Ephesians 4:11) for us and our children, as well as for the gathering of the elect out of the nations (Matthew 28:19).” A number of ministers are nearing the age of emeritation, and the number of students in the seminary at this time will not be sufficient to fill the upcoming needs of our churches either in our own congregations or in the work of missions. Please remember this urgent need in your prayers and encourage young men whom you observe to have the gifts to consider the ministry.

    • The seminary is open daily during the summer months, including the library and archives. Staff will be available for assistance with any needs you may have.

    • Two of our professors have special trips planned this summer: Prof. R. Dykstra will labor in our sister church in Singapore (Covenant ERC) for five weeks (from mid-July to the end of August) and Prof. R. Cammenga will be part of an exploratory mission trip to Mexico with Rev. C. Griess (First PRC, Grand Rapids, MI) and Doner Bartolon, one of our pre-seminary students who comes from the area to be visited.

    • The Seminary faculty along with Trinity PRC Evangelism Committee is working on plans for a Spring 2019 conference to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the great Synod of Dordt, 1618-19-2018-19. Look for details on this in the future.

 CERCS 30thanniv 2017 group
Covenant ERC in Singapore at church camp 2017

SISTER-CHURCH NEWS

  • Concerning our sister church in Singapore, Covenant ERC, we may note the following items:

    • Emeritus pastor, Rev. Arie den Hartog, and his wife return to the States this week after having had the privilege of laboring for more than 6 months in Covenant Evangelical Reformed Church in Singapore. Professor Russ Dykstra (with his wife Carol) will take up those labors for the next 5 weeks or so.

    • Synod 2018 gave approval to the request of Covenant ERC in Singapore that a minister-on-loan be called to labor in their midst during their present vacancy, and appointed Grandville PRC the calling church.  In the coming weeks, Grandville will begin the calling process not only for a minister-on-loan for our sister church, but also for their own upcoming vacancy. The Contact Committee, at the request of Covenant ERC, is trying to make arrangements for ministers to supply pulpit in Singapore for 3 weeks or more at a time, until God provides a minister-on-loan for our sister-church. )*cf. note above under Grandville PRC for her trio for calling a MOL.)

    • Her latest newsletter (JUNE 2018) - Reformed News Asia - was recently posted and may be found on this page. Watch for the next issue soon!

    • The latest young peoples' magazine, Salt Shakers, was received and posted recently (May 2018 - cf. image above). Check that out on this page.

  • The PRC now has an official sister-church relationship with the PRC in the Philippines, confirmed at this year's synod! We rejoice in this evidence of the Lord's blessing on the work in the Philippines and of the unity of Christ's church, which He gathers from all nations, tribes, and tongues. May the Lord grant us a mutually edifying and God-honoring relationship.

  • Concerning our sister church in Ballymena, N. Ireland, Covenant PRC, we call attention to the following:

    • Covenant PRC's latest newsletter was received and posted recently (June 2018). And don't forget her other publication - Covenant Reformed News! That latest issue received last week (June 2018) may be found here.

    • It's not too late to join Reformed believers from around the world at the 2018 British Reformed Fellowship family conference at Hebron Hall in South Wales from Saturday, July 21, to Saturday, July 28. Our speakers, Prof. David Engelsma and Rev. Andy Lanning, will lecture on "The Reformed Family—According to the Word of God." Booking forms are due June 13 and are available at http://brfconference.weebly.com or contact Briana Prins (616-214-2779; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
  • The PRC also has a "corresponding relationship" with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) of Australia. We remember these brothers and sisters in our prayers and labors too.

 
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Are YOU a Standard Bearer subscriber? If not, find out how to become one here.

SPECIAL NOTICES:

  • Looking for Reformed literature and a solid Reformed and biblical magazine to read? Visit the Reformed Free Publishing Association's website (www.rfpa.org), where you will find information on books in all major Christian categories, as well as on the bi-monthly periodical, the Standard Bearer. You will also want to read the RFPA's Spring Newsletter!

  • If you are in need of spiritually edifying music as well as of Bibles and other Reformed literature, visit the Reformed Book Outlet in downtown Hudsonville, MI or visit their website. *Special notice: The RBO is having its annual July sidewalk sale: Three days only. July 26-28. Come in or order and save 25% on books, Bibles and bible  covers  including our large selection of RFPA books. Sale excludes NET items.

  • The PRC Denominational Directory is now for sale for just $15.00. To order please fill out an order form or by emailing Laura Huizinga @ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Directories will be delivered to your church 1-2 weeks after payment is received.

  • Considering some pamphlets published by the PRC for use in evangelism and/or witnessing? Visit the PRCA Evangelism page for a complete list of materials available in digital format or by order from the publishing church.

  • The Psalter App is now available for Android as well as for IOS (Apple) devices. For more info visit: https://psalterapp.weebly.com

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  • Don't forget to listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday! Today Rev. C. Haak (Georgetown PRC, Hudsonville, MI) begin a series on the OT prphecy of Jonah. The title of today's message is "Arise, Go, Cry Against It" based on Jonah 1:1-2.

  • From the Reformed Witness Hour (RWH) Committee: the RWH has a new, updated website! Please visit reformedwitnesshour.org to watch our introduction video, view pictures and audio from our history, and read and listen to almost 20 years of past radio broadcasts! If you haven’t visited the RWH website recently, now is an excellent time to familiarize yourself with this important radio-internet ministry of the Reformed faith.

  • 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. 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.

ESPECIALLY FOR THE YOUTH OF THE PRC:

PRYP Convention logo 2018

  • The 2018 PRYP's Convention will be held August 13-17, 2018 at Lake Geneva Christian Center in Alexandria, MN. The hosting churches of the Midwest are excited to have you join us for an upbuilding week of fellowship and fun!

    • Mark your calendars for the Midwest Pre-Convention Singspiration to be held Sunday evening, August 12, at the Hull PRC. Join us in singing praises with the young people as they begin their convention week hosted by our area churches.

  • The Lynden Protestant Reformed Church plans to host a Young Adults Retreat during July 1-5, 2019 in beautiful Northwest Washington.  We encourage any young adults post-high school age to attend.  Please watch upcoming bulletin announcements for further details including camp information and how to register.  These details will also be posted on our Facebook page: Lynden PRC Young Adults Retreat 2019.
  • BL header lighthouse
    Are YOU a subscriber to the PR Young People's magazine, the Beacon Lights? Visit the website and find out why you ought to be.

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Rev. John Flores (PRC, Bulacan) ministering the Word in the PR Fellowship in Albuera, Leyte (March 2017)

 MISSION NEWS:

  • Remember in prayer our home missionary, Rev. A. Spriensma, who continues to labor in the West Michigan area and beyond. In that connection, don't forget this local work of Byron Center PRC: "The Dorr Bible study meets at the library this Thursday, July 19 at 7:30 PM. We to continue our study in the gospel of John in chapter 1 at verse 15. Please invite friends and neighbors to join us at the Dorr library as we start a new study in God’s Word."

  • The February/March 2018 newsletter of the Limerick Reformed Fellowship mission station is now posted on this page.

  • Have you read Rev. Titus' most recent report on the work going on in Myanmar (May 2018)? Find that on this page.

  • The latest Philippines mission newsletter was received and recently posted (July 2018) and may be found on this PRC webpage.

  • Don't forget to follow the Kleyn's blog on life and activities in the Philippines. And that also includes the Holstege's one! And the Smits once again too!

  • From this Sunday's bulletins of the Provident Christian Church in Marikina, the Philippines and the Maranatha PRC in Valenzuela 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. Kleyn will lead us in both worship services today. He is scheduled to do so next Sunday as well, the Lord willing.

      • Immediately after our 1st worship service today, we will continue our study of the Church Order. Today we hope to study the last two articles of the Church Order: Articles 85-86.

      • The Holsteges plan to travel to Loveland, Colorado this week. Rev. Holstege will preach and give a presentation in our Loveland PRC next Sunday (July 22), the Lord willing. They are scheduled to return home here on Tuesday, July 24. Rev. Holstege plans to lead our worship services on Sunday, July 29.

    • Maranatha PRC:
      • Our Pastor, Rev. L. Trinidad will lead us in both services and will continue the lesson of the Book of Revelation.

      • Let us continue to pray for Rev. Holstege as he presents the work and the ministry here in the Philippines.

Let us continue in prayer to the Lord for the fulfillment of the needs of these busy pastors and missionaries in the Philippines. May the Lord of the harvest give them grace to be faithful and encouraged in all their labors.
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Last modified on 16 July 2018