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News from the PRC and Sister-Churches for the Week of September 23, 2018 *(Updated)

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On this thirty-eighth Lord's Day of 2018, September 23, we provide the following news and information concerning PRC congregations, the Seminary, mission fields, and sister churches.

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS:

  • On August 26 the congregation of Grandville PRC voted to extend a call to Rev. N. Decker (pastor of Trinity PRC). Today he announced his ACCEPTANCE of this call.

  • The Council of Immanuel PRC (Lacombe, AB) has formed a trio from which to call a new minister Rev. E. Guichelaar (Randolph, WI), Rev. N. Langerak (Crete, IL), and Rev. M. VanderWal (Wingham, ON).  The congregation will vote TODAY following the afternoon service. *UPDATE: Rev. N. Langerak has received this call.

  • Grandville’s Council has formed a new trio from which to call a minister on loan to Covenant Evangelical Church of Singapore: Rev. G. Eriks, Rev. S. Key, and Rev. W. Langerak.  The congregation will vote, D.V., on Suynday evening, October 7.

  • From Georgetown PRC comes this special note (for tonight): "'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. [TONIGHT]  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."

  • 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.

 DENOMINATIONAL NEWS:

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PRC Seminary News:

  • Seminary is now in its fifth 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 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.

CPRC News Header
Read the latest "Covenant Reformed News" - September 2018

SISTER-CHURCH NEWS:

  • Concerning our sister church in Ballymena, N. Ireland, Covenant PRC, we may note the following:
    • From her bulletin today: Rev. & Mary Stewart leave tomorrow for N. America., returning Tuesday, 9 October. Rev. Stewart will lecture for Eastside Christian School (26 September) and the RFPA (27 September) and in Pittsburgh (3 October), and will preach in Wingham PRC (30 September) and Southeast PRC and Zion PRC (7 October)."

    • And in that connection, here is bulletin note about her pulpit supply: "Rev. Koole arrives this Friday. He will be preaching for the CPRC on the next 2 Lord’s Days, and taking catechism classes on 1 & 8 October."
    • 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 (September 2018) may be found here.

  • Concerning our sister church in Singapore, Covenant ERC, we may note the following items (from her bulletin today):
    • Rev. A. Spriensma and his wife are currently ministering to the saints in the CERC.

    • Grandville’s Council has formed a new trio from which to call a minister on loan to Covenant Evangelical Church of Singapore: Rev. G. Eriks, Rev. S. Key, and Rev. W. Langerak.

    • 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.
  • 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.

RFPA annual 2018
*Cf. note below on RFPA Annual meeting

SPECIAL NOTICES:

  • *The RFPA Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, September 27th, 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.

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  • Don't forget to listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday (on radio or on the Internet)! Today Rev. C. Haak (Georgetown PRC, Hudsonville, MI) continues his series on the OT prophecy of Jonah. The title of today's message is "God's Rebuke of a Pouting Prophet" based on Jonah 4:6-11.

  • 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!

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ESPECIALLY FOR PRC YOUTH:

  • 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   

Limerickmeetingplace
Meeting place of the Limerick Reformed Fellowship

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. From CPRC's bulletin this week we learn of a special lecture Rev. McGeown is to give this week:

    S. Wales Lecture: Rev. McGeown will speak on “The Development of God’s Covenant (3)” in Margam Community Centre this Thursday at 7:15 PM.

  • 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.

      • After the first service, Rev. Holstege will finish Essentials Lesson 2 on the doctrine of Holy Scripture. There will be merienda after class.

      • We express Christian sympathy to Rev. and Mrs. Smit and their family in the death of Rev. Smit’s father last week. The Smit family traveled to the state of Washington, in the far northwest of the U.S., last Friday to attend the funeral. May our God comfort them in their loss and keep them safe in their travels. “Mahalaga sa paningin ng PANGINOON ang kamatayan ng kanyang mga banal” (Awit 116:15).

    • Maranatha PRC:
      • Our Missionary, Rev. D. Kleyn will lead us in both Services. He will continue the Belgic Confession Articles 33 - ff.
      • Rev. L. Trinidad will teach the children the Catechism.
      • 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.

Last modified on 24 September 2018

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