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PRC and Sister-Church News for the Week of August 12, 2018 *(Updated News from the Philippines)

Psalms 103 8On this thirty-second Lord's Day of 2018, August 12, we provide the following news and information concerning PRC congregations, the Seminary, mission fields, and sister churches.

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS:

  • For those in the NW Iowa area, don't forget this event TONIGHT: The Midwest Pre-Convention Singspiration will be held Sunday, August 12, at 8:00 p.m. at Hull PRC. All are invited to come and sing God's praises with the young people as they begin their week of convention at Lake Geneva Christian Center in Alexandria, MN.

  • The exploratory mission trip to Mexico sponsored by First PRC-Grand Rapids concluded last Sunday, with the team returning home on Monday. In First PRC-GR's bulletin today we find this note (Rev. C. Griess was part of the delegation): "Prof. Cammenga, Doner and Susannah and their two children, and Rev. Griess returned home from Mexico this week safely in God's Providence.  Rev. Kleyn returned home safely last week.  The trip was very enjoyable and profitable.  Many connections were made and speeches given.  The delegations were well received.  They hope to do a presentation sometime in the near future in First church for whoever would like to attend."

  • The congregation of Grandville PRC voted last Sunday night to call Rev. R. Kleyn (Covenant of Grace PRC, Spokane, WA) from the Council's trio for calling a minister on loan to serve in our sister church in Singapore.

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  • Grandville PRC's Council has also formed its first trio from which to call a new pastor, following the emeritation of Rev. K. Koole. Its consists of Revs. N. Decker (Trinity PRC), Rev. J. Engelsma (Doon, IA PRC), Rev. E. Guichelaar (Randolph WI PRC). The congregational meeting will be held on Sunday evening August 26.

  • 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 Rev. S. Key has a classical appointment to Heritage PRC in Sioux Falls, SD, while Rev. S. Regnerus fills his pulpit in Loveland (CO) PRC.

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.

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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 few 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 (who arrived this week with his wife and son), 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 program will be live-streamed (details on that to come).

  • 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.

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SISTER-CHURCH NEWS

  • 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. On August 5 the congregation voted to call Rev. R. Kleyn from a trio that also included Rev. G. Eriks and Rev. S. Key.

    • 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.

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

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Do you desire to know about the gospel of God's sovereign free grace in Jesus Christ? Visit our pamphlet sectionpamphlet section to find a variety of good materials on God's work of salvation.

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

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  • 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 prophecy of Jonah. The title of today's message is "The Conversion of Pagan Sailors" based on Jonah 1:14-16.

  • 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:

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  • 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!
    • The Midwest Pre-Convention Singspiration to be held TONIGHT, 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.
    • 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.

  • 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.

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PRC Home missionary Rev. Aud Spriensma *(cf. note below)

 MISSION NEWS:

  • Remember in prayer our home missionary, Rev. A. Spriensma, who continues to labor in the West Michigan area and beyond. From Byron Center PRC's bulletin today we find this news about his labors:
    • Our missionary Rev. Audred Spriensma will be preaching today in Randolph PRC and doing a home missions presentation there this evening.
    • The Dorr Bible study meets at the library this Thursday, August 16, at 7:30 PM. We look next at Philip and Nathanael coming to Christ (John 1:43ff).

  • The August 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. 

    *UPDATE: We received the following special note from missionary R. Smit Monday morning concerning recent monsoon rains that have hit Manila and other areas:

    For your information, worship services were cancelled in the Berean PRC and the Provident Christian Church yesterday due to monsoon rains that the area received in the Lord’s providence from Friday night to Sunday afternoon.  Rainfall accumulation (at the Kleyns’ rain guage) was about 165mm (6 ½ inches) in about a 48 hour period.  The average rainfall in August in the Manila area is usually about 392 mm (15.7 inches).  We received 40% of the average August rainfall in the 2 day period.

    Worship services at Maranatha PRC and First PRC-Bulacan were held as normal.  Monsoon rains had affected the Leyte area earlier in the week, but not yesterday when Rev. Kleyn led the services and preached yesterday (in Tagalog).

    There was flooding in the Provident-Marikina and the Mayamot-Antipolo subdivisions where these two congregations have their worship buildings.  PCC’s building had floodwater in the ground floor, and the Berean PRC’s parsonage had water in its ground floor.  Roads to the church buildings were not passable by vehicles or pedestrians on Sunday.

    In the next couple of days, the congregations will be busy in the task of cleanup and restoration of the buildings, properties, and parsonage.

    Classes at both government and Christian schools, including Faith Academy, were cancelled in the metro Manila area today.  We expect classes to resume on Tuesday morning, the Lord willing.

  • 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 bulletin of 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:
      • Today Rev. Holstege will preach both times at PCC.

      • Beginning Aug.5, 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.

      • Today Rev. Kleyn and Sharon will be in the Protestant Reformed Fellowship in Albuera, Leyte (PRFA) and he will preach for them.

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 13 August 2018