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News from the PRC and Sister Churches for the Week of December 30, 2018

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On this fifty-second Lord's Day of 2018, December 30 - the last one of this year - we provide the following news and information concerning PRC congregations, the Seminary, mission fields, and sister churches.

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS:

  • The PRC congregations will be holding Old Year's evening services on Dec.31 and New Year's Day morning services on Jan.1 and welcome you to join us in worship of the God Who is in sovereign control of all of time and history. Most services are at 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM local time respectively, but check the website of each congregation for more information. http://www.prca.org/about/listings/churches/usa-canada

  • Grandville PRC's Council has formed a new trio from which to call a man to serve as minister-on-loan to the Covenant ERC in Singapore: Rev. Joshua Engelsma (Doon IA PRC), Rev. Garret Eriks (Hudsonville PRC), and Rev. Erik Guichelaar (Randolph WI PRC). There will be a special congregational meeting after the evening worship TODAY.

  • On Dec.23 Rev. W. Langerak (SE PRC-GR) DECLINED the call from Immanuel PRC (Labombe, AB) to serve as her next pastor. Subsequently, Immanuel's Council has this announcement in her bulletin of today: "The consistory presents the following trio to the congregation: Rev. Ryan Barnhill (Peace, PRC), Rev. Brian Huizinga (Redlands, PRC), and Rev. James Laning (Hull, PRC).  Voting to extend a call to one of these ministers to be our next pastor will take place on Sunday, Jan. 6th following the afternoon service, D.V."

  • Rev. G. Eriks (Hudsonville) continues to consider the call from Trinity PRC (Hudsonville, MI - received Dec.2). 

  • Zion PRC (Jenison, MI) recently voted to approve the purchase of the building and parsonage of 12th Ave CRC (near corner of 12th Ave. and Baldwin St. in Jenison) after that congregation voted to disband and sell her property. Zion plans to worship in her new place for the first time on Old Year's night, Dec.31. We rejoice with them in God's good providence and provision.

DENOMINATIONAL NEWS:

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*Work continued this week on the block walls on the new seminary addition (see note below)

PRC Seminary News:

  • *Work continues on the seminary addition project that will house the new PRC archives and two offices during the professor transition period in the next few years. For more updates, visit this blog post.

  • The new PRC seminary website was launched this week and is now live! There are many new features and updates, including a blog. Visit the site and check out the various pages - and sign up to receive seminary news by email!

  • Seminary has completed its first semester and is now on its two-week Christmas/New Year break. Pray for rest and refreshment before faculty and students take up their work again in a few weeks. The seminary will be open and staff available during the break, except for the holidays themselves (Christmas Day and New Years).

  • The internships of Seminarians Matt Kortus and Jacob Maatman come to an end this week. Sem. Kortus has been interning at Trinity PRC under Rev. N. Decker (now pastor at Grandville PRC) and the Council there. Sem. Maatman has been interning at Hudsonville PRC under Rev. G. Eriks and his Council. The internship program runs from July 1 to December 31.

  • The Fall 2018 issue of the PR Theological Journal is now available. The digital (pdf) version may be found here. The print version was mailed out or delivered to your church this past week. If you would like a copy, you may stop by the seminary and pick one up If you would like to be added to the mailing list, please contact the seminary.

  • The January 2019 Interim course will begin this Friday, Jan.4, at 9 AM. In that connection, the seminary sends out this special announcement:

"Seminary Interim Course on Heidelberg Catechism Preaching." Members of the PRCA are invited to Prof. B.
Gritters' interim class at seminary, from January 4 - 15. The class meets for 8 mornings, from 9-11:30. Among other
things, included will be instruction on why catechism preaching is required by the Church Order, proper and improper
methods of preaching the catechism, and discussion on ways to preach the Heidelberg Catechism well. Area ministers
have been invited. Others are welcome to attend. If you are interested, please call the seminary secretary at 616-531-
1490. The class will be live-streamed [on the seminary's Youtube channel] for those not able to attend in person."

  • Prof. R. Cammenga and his wife Rhonda are currently in Singapore for four weeks of service in our sister church, Covenant ERC, on behalf of the PRC Contact Committee.

  • 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.

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  • The Seminary faculty along with Trinity PRC Evangelism Committee are busy implementing plans for a Spring 2019 conference to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the great Synod of Dordt, 1618/19 - 2018/19. The following updates are being given:
    Dordt 400: Did you know November 13 1618, 400 years ago, the Synod of Dordt began and didn’t conclude until nearly 6 months and 154 meetings later?! Are you familiar with the preceding history that led to this lengthy meeting? Do you know the week by week events that happened during the Great Synod? Follow that history and join the blog at Dordt400.org to view the weekly events  Synod of Dordt. Stay up to speed in light of Seminary's conference April 25-27 2019.

    Dordt 400 Writing contest:  Don’t forget that the conference also includes a writing contest with great prizes!  Sign up and submit your essay by January 15 at the conference website Dordt400.org

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*The worship place of Covenant PRC in Ballymena, N. Ireland, one of her "sisters."

SISTER-CHURCH NEWS:

  • Since June of 2018, the PRC 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. 
    • From the Berean PRC we find this note today: "

      The delegation of CERC (Elder Leong Fai Chong and Deacon Lee Meng Hsien) met with Committee #2 (Contact Committee) of the PRCP on Monday, December 17, 2018 and discussed pertinent matters that are essential in establishing a sister-church relationship with CERC. Both parties were convinced that there is a ‘complete organic union’ in all points of doctrine and all other practices and thus, CERC and PRCP are ready to make a necessary report and recommendation(s) to PRCP Classis (Feb. 25, 2019) and to the Session of CERC for approval, D.V. Our churches are encouraged to pray that God may bless this ongoing work for His glory and for our union in Christ as members of His Body! Soli Deo Gloria!"

    • And for more on the life and work of our "sisters," read the news under Philippine missions (bulletins).

  • Concerning our sister church in Singapore, Covenant ERC, we may note the following items from her final bulletin of 2018 (Dec.30):
    • "This Lord’s day is the last Lord’s day of the year 2018. The Lord has brought us through a very eventful
      year. We are thankful to the Lord that through this whole year, we are given the opportunities to receive
      preaching and instructions from the word of God from ministers and professors from our sister church
      PRCA. Looking back, we can surely conclude that the Lord is good and He has graciously provided and
      supplied Covenant all her needs. Not only we have seen God faithfulness in providing our needs, we also
      experience His Goodness in caring for us in joyful times in establishing new covenant homes, the gift of
      covenant children, the confession of faith and new members added, and also in time of sorrow in the
      home going of our oldest member, Mdm. Lo and the difficult trials which some in our midst have to
      patiently endure. As we step into year 2019, we continue to trust in the faithfulness of our heavenly Father
      to provide and care for Covenant. We continue to pray earnestly that He will provide us a minister of the
      word."


    • "We are also thankful to God for bringing back the delegates to PRCP safely. Elder Leong and Deacon Lee
      were appointed by Session to discuss with PRCP the possibility of establishing sister church relationship.
      The delegates were warmly received by the brethren from PRCP. They were given the opportunities to
      present the history of CERC to the members from the three churches of PRCP on the Lord’s day. The
      following day, the delegates has a meeting with the contact committee of PRCP to confirm the confessions,
      distinctives, church orders and practises of both churches. Going forward, the ruling bodies of both
      churches will finalise the decision if we will proceed to establish sister church relationship with one
      another."

    • Her latest newsletter (OCTOBER 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 (November 2018 - cf. image above). Check that out on this page.
  • *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 also.

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*Looking to arm yourselves for the spiritual battles of our age? Visit our Reformed literature section
.

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.

  • If you are in West Michigan, be sure to visit the Reformed Book Outlet in downtown Hudsonville, MI! The RBO is a great source for Bibles, Bible study materials, music, cards, RFPA books, and other Reformed literature; stop at the RBO, or visit their website. 
  • 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. Looking for items on salvation by grace alone in Christ alone? Visit this page for more information.

  • You can now listen to the Heidelberg Catechism and the Belgic Confession on audio! Visiit the links provided to hear the Catechism and the Confession read. It's another excellent way to learn the Reformed faith and memorize these Reformed creeds.

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  • Don't forget to listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday (on radio station near you or on Sermonaudio wherever you are)! Today Rev. W. Bruinsma (pastor of Pittsburgh PRC) gives a special Old Year's message based on 1 Thess.5:4 - "God's Faithfulness" (which you may listen to at this link).

  • 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 PRC.

  • 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 YP and YA:

  • *Note re the 2019 PRYP's Convention: Southwest & Providence Protestant Reformed Churches will be hosting the 2019 PRC Young People's Convention on August 12-16, the Lord willing.  The convention will be held at Michindoh Conference Center in Hillsdale, MI.  Registration for chaperones is now open!  Please visit our website at prcconvention.com to register.
  • A matter for our young people to consider prayerfully. From the Federation of PR School Societies: “There is a significant need for more good Christian teachers for our beloved schools. This is true in light of increasing enrollment, recently established and emerging schools, and continual teacher retirements. We ask that this need be prayed for and supplication made that the young men and women of your congregation be led by God to enter into the vocation of a Christian school teacher. This…is intended to bring the serious need for teachers to your attention so this specific request can be brought to our heavenly Father and the need made known directly to your congregation.”

  • The Loveland Young Adults Retreat is scheduled for March 18-21 at the YMCA. Registration is now open! To register, go to lovelandprcretreat.org. Be sure to register early, as registration is limited to 40 retreaters.The speakers will be Rev. S. Key and Rev. R. VanOverloop. The theme is "Ambassadors for Christ", based on the text II Corinthians 5:20.

  • Are YOU a subscriber to the PR Young People's magazine, the Beacon Lights? Visit the website and learn how to become one!

  • The latest young peoples' magazine of Covenant ERC in Singapore, Salt Shakers, was received and posted (November 2018 - cf. image above). Check that out on this page.

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PRC MISSION NEWS:

Domestic labors:

  • Remember in prayer our home missionary, Rev. A. Spriensma, who continues to labor in the West Michigan area and beyond through Byron Center PRC, the calling church.

United Kingdom:

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*The PR Fellowship in Albuera, Leyte where Rev. J. Flores is visting today.

Philippine Missions:

  • The latest Philippines mission newsletter was received and recently posted (October 2018) and may be found on this PRC webpage.
  • From Doon PRC's bulletin today we find this significant note:

    Synod 2018 approved Rev. & Sharon Kleyn taking an extended furlough in 2019.  The purpose of the furlough is to give Rev. Kleyn time to take some courses with a view to obtaining an advanced degree, to prepare classes to be taught in the PRCP seminary in the future, and to give both Rev. & Sharon opportunity to be refreshed and to reconnect with family.  Their plans are to leave the Philippines on January 1 and stay in the States until June 18."

  • Don't forget to follow the Kleyn's blog on life and activities in the Philippines. And that also includes the Holstege's! And don't miss out on the Smits once again too!
  • From this Sunday's bulletins of the Provident Christian Church in Marikina and the Berean PRC in Antipolo City 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 in the first service. Then he will teach the Decree of Reprobation in the Essentials class. Rev. Smit will preach in the second service.

      • You can listen to the speeches from the Synod of Dordt conference on the website of our missionaries: https://prcaphilippinesaudio.wordpress.com.

      • Rev. Daniel and Sharon Kleyn will be departing from the Philippines on January 1 for a furlough of six months in the United States. Let us pray for them that the Lord will take care of them and cause their furlough to serve the advancement of His kingdom here in the Philippines. “The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand” (Ps. 121:5).

    • Berean PRC:
      • "Rev. Ibe and one of the office bearers are visiting the saints in Gabaldon on Sunday (Dec.30, 2018). Rev. Ibe will lead them in their worship service, D.V. The Consistory is asking the congregation to uphold the work in Gabaldon in our prayers. May God prosper the labor of our pastor in their midst!"

      • *Rev. Flores and Deacon Eric Castaño are in Albuera, Leyte today. Rev. Flores will lead the saints there in their worship services. Let us continue to uphold the brethren and sisters in the Lord in Albuera, Leyte in our prayers as they wait upon the Lord for His provision of pastor/missionary to labor in their midst."

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.

Myanmar:

  • Do not forget Hope PRC's (Grand Rapids, MI) support of and involvement with Rev. Titus' work in Myanmar (June 2018), visit this page.

  • We also find this note in Hope PRC's bulletin las week:

"Rev. Titus and CerTi safely returned home this past week after two weeks of preaching in churches and visiting members in the Rakhine State. The activities of Hope continue in Myanmar with a delegation travelling to visit the saints in Yangon. A seminar will be conducted with forty attendees who will travel to Yangon from all over the country of Myanmar. Council members Rev. Overway and Rich Peterson, accompanied by Cal Kalsbeek, John Van Baren, and Seth Kalsbeek plan a January 10 departure and a January 22 return. We pray the Lord’s blessing on all of these labors."

Last modified on 02 January 2019