News from the PRC and Sister-Churches for the Week of September 16, 2018 (*Updated)

On this thirty-seventh Lord's Day of 2018, September 16, we provide the following news and information concerning PRC congregations, the Seminary, mission fields, and sister churches.

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS:

New worship location of Peace PRC in Dyer, IN

• Today Peace PRC begins worshiping in her new building at 14864 101st Avenue, Dyer, IN 46311 (cf. photo above). May God bless their witness in this new community.
  
  
• On Sept.9 Rev. R. Kleyn (Covenant of Grace PRC, Spokane, WA) announced his DECLINE of the call from Grandville PRC to serve as minister on loan in our sister church in Singapore.
  
  
• On August 26 the congregation of Grandville PRC voted to extend a call to Rev. N. Decker (pastor of Trinity PRC). He plans to answer by Sept.23.
  
  
• *UPDATE: From Immanuel PRC in Lacombe, AB comes this news: "Consistory presents to the congregation the following trio from which we will be calling a new minister for our congregation. Rev. E. Guichelaar (Randolph, WI), Rev. N. Langerak (Crete, IL), and Rev. M. VanderWal (Wingham, ON). Voting will take place on Sunday, Sept. 23^rd after the afternoon service."
• From Heritage PRC (Sioux Falls, SD) comes this special note of congratulations to her new pastor and his wife:
  • "We rejoice with Rev. & Mrs. Langerak who were united in marriage Saturday, September 15. May God richly bless them as they begin their married life"
  • And related to that is this: Rev. Tom Miersma will supply our pulpit today and next Sunday. Rev. Miersma is Emeriti Minister from Immanuel PRC, Lacombe, Alberta, Canada. We welcome him and his wife Janice into our fellowship.
    
    
• Having recently sold and vacated her former building, Southeast PRC (Grand Rapids, MI) has begun worshiping for the time being at Adams Christian School in Wyoming, MI.
  
  
• From Georgetown PRC comes this special note of an upcoming event: "'Foster of Grace' the documentary on the India mission created by Brad Kamminga will be shown at Georgetown PRC on Sunday, Sep. 23 at 8pm.  This documentary will give you a better understanding of the background of the mission work and the Grace Foster Home as well as life in India and the struggles and challenges of abandoned children and women in India. This is a public showing for all, so please invite your friends and family from other churches."

DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

• Classis East: The September meeting of Classis East took place this past Wednesday at Grace PRC. One congregation requested and received the concurrence of classis to increase discipline for one of its members. Four previous cases that came to the May classis that were previously judged to be illegally before classis were now judged legally before classis. In the judgement of classis each protest has been answered by Synod 2018. The expenses for this meeting of Classis was $904.28  

Logo for the 2019 Dordt400 Conference (see note below)

PRC Seminary News:

• Seminary is now in its fourth week of classses in this first semester. Continue to pray for the professors, students, and staff as they busy themselves in the work of training men for the gospel ministry.
  
  
• 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 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 faculty along with Trinity PRC Evangelism Committee are working on plans for a Spring 2019 conference to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the great Synod of Dordt, 1618-19-2018-19. The following details have been announced:
  

  Dordt 400: On behalf of the PRC Seminary, Trinity PRC is hosting a 3-day conference for the 400th anniversary of the Synod of Dordt on April 25-27.   Mark your calendars and visit our website at dordt400.org

  The Dordt 400 Conference includes a Writing Contest with great prizes.  If you are looking for a way to use your writing skills, visit our website at dordt400.org and start working on your essay.

  
  
  

 
One of our sister congregations in the Philippines (cf. *note below)

SISTER-CHURCH NEWS

• Concerning our sister church in Singapore, Covenant ERC, we may note the following items (from her bulletin today):
  
  • "By now most of us are already aware that Rev Rodney Kleyn has declined the call to be our Minister-On-Loan (MOL). Let us not be discouraged but continue to pray and wait patiently as we seek the will of the Lord to send the man of His choice to serve in our midst. Psalm 27: 14 "Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say on the Lord."

  • This week we are thankful to God for bringing Rev. Spriensma into our midst to bring us the precious word of God. Rev. Audred and Mrs Alva Spriensma will be with us for 3 Sundays until 1 Oct. Rev Spriensma is no stranger to us. He was in
    Singapore in 2012 to assist us with the pulpit supply. He has pastored in Grandville, Kalamazoo and Byron Center PRCs prior to his current calling as the home missionary. Rev Spriensma did foreign mission work in the Philippines for 5 years leading to the organisation of the Berean Protestant Reformed Church of the Philippines. Rev and Mrs Spriensma are the parents of 5 married children and grandparents of 21 grandchildren! Do welcome them warmly and spend time fellowshipping with them."
    
    

  • Her latest newsletter (AUGUST 2018) - Reformed News Asia - was recently posted and may be found on this page.
    
    
  • The latest young peoples' magazine, Salt Shakers, was received and posted recently (JULY 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:
  
  • Covenant PRC's latest newsletter was received and posted recently (August 2018). And don't forget her other publication - Covenant Reformed News! That latest issue received last week (AUGUST 2018) may be found here.
    
    
  • The 2018 British Reformed Fellowship family conference at Hebron Hall in South Wales took place the week of July 21-July 28. The sermons and speeches of the conference are now posted on Covenant PRC's YouTube channel.
    
    
• *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.

 
The new book available from the RFPA - in time for the 400th anniversary of the "great" Synod of Dordt!

SPECIAL NOTICES:

• The RFPA Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, September 27^th, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. Rev. Angus Stewart will speak on “The RFPA, the CPRC, and the Spread of the Truth” at Grace PR Church in Grand Rapids, MI. This speech will address the role of RFPA literature from the perspective of a PR sister church running a bookstore and doing missionary work in another country, showing how these Reformed materials edify the CPRC’s members and assist in reaching its contacts. Men, women, and young people are all cordially invited to attend the meeting!
  
  

• 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 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.
  
• If you or a friend are interested in spiritually edifying music as well as in Bibles and other Reformed literature, visit the Reformed Book Outlet in downtown Hudsonville, MI or visit their website.
  
  

• Don't forget to listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday! Today Rev. C. Haak (Georgetown PRC, Hudsonville, MI) continues his series on the OT prophecy of Jonah. The title of today's message is "A Sinful Response to Sovereign Mercy" based on Jonah 4:1-5.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• A new Spanish edition of the RWH is being produced and may be found on this YouTube channel (PRC Espanol). Look for new messages each week - and help spread the word!

ESPECIALLY FOR THE YOUTH OF THE PRC:

• 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.
  
  
• The latest young peoples' magazine of Covenant ERC in Singapore, Salt Shakers, was received and posted recently (JULY 2018 - cf. image above). Check that out on this page.
  
  
• Girls Conference at Georgetown PRC:  "Shine as Lights in the World" (Grades 9-Post High/College) Nov. 10, 2018.  Good Speakers - Music - Q&A Panel.  Be inspired to live for Jesus boldly by shining His light!  Take a friend or two!  Register: https://shineaslights2018.eventbrite.com   
  
  
• The 2018 PRYP's Convention was held the week of August 13-17, at Lake Geneva Christian Center in Alexandria, MN. Pictures from the week can be found on Facebook and at the following link: Rev. Langerak’s Pictures
  
• 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!
  

Missionary D. Kleyn teaching pastors in S. Negros (*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. For the next three weeks he and his wife are in Singapore serving our sister church, Covenant ERC.
  
  
• The August 2018 newsletter of the Limerick Reformed Fellowship mission station is now posted on this page.
  
  
• To read Rev. Titus' most recent report on the work going on in Myanmar (May 2018), visit 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! And the Smits once again too!
  
  
• From this Sunday's bulletins of the Provident Christian Church in Marikina and the Maranatha PRC in Valenzuela, 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.
      

    • Rev. Kleyn will preach for the Bearers of Light Community Church today in Guiguinto, Bulacan.

    • After the first service, Rev. Holstege will teach Lesson 2 in the Essentials of Reformed Doctrine: The doctrine of Holy Scripture. We will have a short merienda after class.

    • *This Monday and Tuesday, Revs. Kleyn and Holstege will travel to Negros Occidental for the monthly pastors’ classes in Sipalay.
      
      

  • Maranatha PRC:
    • Our Pastor, Rev. L. Trinidad will lead us in both services and after the second service he will teach the children the Catechism.
    • Our Missionary, Rev. D. Kleyn will lead us in both Services. He will continue the Belgic Confession lesson.

    • Our Missionaries and PRCP are planning to conduct a Conference in commemoration with the Synod of Dordt, dated November 1618 to May 1619.

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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