PRC and Sister-Church News for the Week of August 5, 2018 *(Updated)

On this thirty-first Lord's Day of 2018, August 5, we note the following news and information concerning PRC congregations, the Seminary, mission fields, and sister churches.

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS:

• For those in the Grand Rapids, MI area, don't forget this event TONIGHT: The annual Pre-Convention Singspiration will be held at Fair Haven Church TONIGHT at 8:15 pm.  Please note that there will be no printed song sheets.  Fair Haven will project the lyrics, but you are welcome to bring your own Psalter if you would like.  Please note that this is a week earlier than the convention week.  This is due to the fact that some conventioneers will already be gone, and because the busses will be leaving at midnight on Monday morning the week of convention.
  
  
• The exploratory mission trip to Mexico sponsored by First PRC-Grand Rapids concludes today:   Prof. R. Cammenga and Rev. C. Griess are both preaching today beforel returning home tomorrow, D.V.  Please remember this work in your prayers and for traveling mercies for those involved. Reports are that all went well this past week, and that the conference speeches by Prof. Cammenga and Rev. C. Griess on the five points of Calvinism were well received. Here is small part of an encouraging note from Prof. R. Cammenga sent yesterday: "These are dear saints that we have come to know and love.  We had no idea of their existence, and even after Doner told us about them, we had no idea of the number of God’s people in Mexico—believers who want to hold to the Reformed truths and grow in their understanding of them.  Just as we in the U.S. think sometimes that we are all alone, so do they.  How heartening it has been for them and for us to become acquainted with each other."
  
  
• The congregation of Grandville PRC will vote TODAY from her Council's trio for calling a minister on loan to serve in our sister church in Singapore. The trio is Rev. G. Eriks (Hudsonville PRC), Rev. S. Key (Loveland PRC), and Rev. R. Kleyn (Covenant of Grace PRC). *UPDATE: Rev. R. Kleyn has received this call. May the Lord guide him in considering this special call and make His will plain to him.
  
  
• On May 13 Candidate J. Langerak accepted 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.
  
  
• Today and next Sunday Rev. S. Key has a classical appointment to Heritage PRC in Sioux Falls, SD.

DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

• Synod 2018: The PRC Synod completed its work for now on Thursday June 21. It will reconvene at Byron Center PRC on August 28 for a special examination. Summary reports on the decisions reached may be found under the News section of the PRC website.
  
  
  • Announcement from Byron Center PRC: Synod will reconvene, D.V., on Tuesday, August 28, 2018 at 8:00 a.m., at Byron Center PRC in Byron Center, MI (please note the change of venue from the June meeting).  Delegates in need of lodging should contact Mr. Mike Elzinga (clerk-at-byronprc.org).

• 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 cornerstone

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 beginning of the new season of instruction is only a month away, with classes scheduled to begin on Wednesday, August 29. Besides our seniors (Matt K. and Jacob M. - internships), we will have two other seminary students this year: third-year student Josiah Tan and first-year student Marcus Wee, both from our sister church in Singapore, Covenant ERC. In addition, four young men will be taking different levels of pre-seminary Greek from Profs. R. Dykstra and B. Gritters.
  
  
• Seminary Convocation will be held Wednesday, September 5, at Providence PRC, beginning at 7:00 p.m. Prof. Gritters will be speaking on Acts 20:24 "None of these things move me..."  After the convocation address the student body will be introduced.  All are invited to attend.
  
  
• 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 (616-531-1490). 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.
  
  
• 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.
  
  

SISTER-CHURCH NEWS

• 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.
    
    
  • The 2018 British Reformed Fellowship family conference at Hebron Hall in South Wales took place this past week (July 21-July 28). Look for the sermons and speeches of the conference on Covenant PRC's YouTube channel soon!
    
    
• Concerning our sister church in Singapore, Covenant ERC, we may note the following items:
  

  • From the PRC Contact Committee: "On behalf of our churches, Prof. R. Dykstra will be assisting our sister church in Singapore during their vacancy by preaching for them for 5 Sundays this summer. Prof. and Mrs Dykstra will be returning on August 21, the Lord willing. We as sister churches are thankful for the opportunity to be of assistance to our brothers and sisters in the CERC in Singapore."
    
    

  • 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.

• 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.

 

In need of Reformed, biblical catechism materials for children and young people? Visit our website catechism section or call the PRC Seminary for more information.

SPECIAL NOTICES:

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

• Don't forget to listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday! Today Rev. C. Haak (Georgetown PRC, Hudsonville, MI) brings part 3 a series on the OT prphecy of Jonah. The title of today's message is"Prayer from the Whale's Belly"
  
  
• 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.

ESPECIALLY FOR THE YOUTH OF THE PRC:

• 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!
  
  

  • Busses for the 2018 Convention will load at the Hull PRC parking lot on Monday, August 13. Loading will take place from 6:15-6:45 AM with departure at 7:00 AM. We will be traveling over lunch, so there will be a sack lunch provided. Please park at the back of the church parking lot (east side) as we need to leave the front of the parking lot open in case the church needs to be used for an event during the week of convention. If you are able to carpool or be dropped off, please consider doing that. After convention the Iowa buses will be traveling back around/over the lunch time. Lunch will not be provided for the trip home, but we will be stopping at a fast food restaurant. Continue to look at the Protestant Reformed Young People’s Facebook page for updated information.
    
    

  • 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.
    
    
  • And for those in the Grand Rapids, MI area, note this singspiration: "The annual Pre-Convention Singspiration will be held at Fair Haven Church on Sunday, August 5, at 8:15 pm.  Please note that there will be no printed song sheets.  Fair Haven will project the lyrics, but you are welcome to bring your own Psalter if you would like."
    
    
• Lynden PRC Young Adults Retreat updates: We have secured a location for our retreat during July 1-5, 2019! It will take place at Mt. Baker Bibleway Camp. Check it out at http://www.mtbakercamp.org/home.do. We hope to include activities such as a day trip to beautiful Artist Point, white water rafting, and more. Registration is set to open in February 2019, so don’t miss out! We encourage any young adults post-high school age to attend. Further details have been posted to our Facebook page: Lynden PRC Young Adults Retreat 2019. Request an invite to see these details, or message the group if you have any questions!
  
  
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  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.

 MISSION NEWS:

• Remember in prayer our home missionary, Rev. A. Spriensma, who continues to labor in the West Michigan area and beyond.
  
  
• 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. Holstege will preach the first time today and Rev. Smit will preach the second. Next Sunday, Lord willing, Rev. Holstege will preach both times at PCC.

    • Beginning today, the SC and Revs. Holstege or Kleyn plan to meet with each family regarding membership in this congregation. Each family will be asked the three questions in the Form for Public Confession of Faith in the back of the Psalter. The SC asked Rev. Holstege to explain the process of reorganizing PCC and joining the PRCP after the services today.

    • Rev. Kleyn will preach for the Maranatha PRC today. Next Sunday, he and Sharon will be in the Protestant Reformed Fellowship in Albuera, Leyte (PRFA), Lord willing, and he will preach for them.

• Maranatha PRC:
  • Our Missionary, Rev. D. Kleyn will lead us in both services and will continue the Articles 12-13 of the Belgic Confession after the Second Service.
    
    
  • This coming weekend (August 10-13), Rev. and Sharon Kleyn will travel to Leyte where Rev. Kleyn will preach in the Protestant Reformed Fellowship in Albuera. The PRFA is an official mission work of the PRCP, with the PRC in Bulacan as the calling church for this mission work. May God bless the visit and bless also our fellow believers in the PRFA in Leyte.

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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