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This Week's PRC and Sister-Church News, August 25-31, 2019

Prov9 10On this thirty-fourth Lord's Day of 2019, August 25, the following news and information concerning PRC congregations, the Seminary, sister churches, and mission fields may be mentioned.

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS:

  • On August 18 Rev. J. Engelsma (Doon IA PRC) declined the call from Grandville PRC (received July 11) to serve as minister on loan to Covenant ERC in Singapore.

  • Cand. M. Kortus continues to consider the calls to Immanuel PRC (Lacombe, AB, received July 14) and to Hope PRC (Redlands, CA, received July 21).
  • Cand. J. Maatman is considering the call to Southeast PRC (Grand Rapids, MI, received July 21).

  • Southeast PRC (Grand Rapids, MI) extended a call to Candidate J. Maatman (July 21). Today, Prof. R. Cammenga and Rev. W. Langerak are leading her worship services. And a reminder: The congregation is currently worshiping at Adams Christian School in Wyoming, MI, while she looks for a new location.

DENOMINATIONAL NEWS:

PRC Synod 2019:

  • On June 30 Rev. Brian Huizinga (Hope PRC, Redlands, CA) accepted Synod 2019's call to serve as Professor of Dogmatics and Old Testament (replacing Prof. R. Cammenga within five years). His installation as professor of theology is set for Wednesday Sept.4 during a divine worship service at Grandville PRC (7 pm).
  • The PRC Synod of 2019 declared Matt Kortus and Jacob Maatman candidates for the ministry of the Word and sacraments in the PRC. They are eligible for a call on or after July 13, 2019.
  • Need for Ministers: Synod 2019 took a decision to place the urgent need for seminary students before our churches. Nine of our 39 active ministers are 63 years of age and older. The next prospect for seminary graduates in our churches is not for another four years. Then those nine ministers will be 67 and older. Please remember in your prayers to petition the Lord of the harvest for pastors, and please encourage young men, whom you observe to have the gifts, to consider the ministry.

SemCornerstone 2
PRC Seminary cornerstone

library reset Aug 2019
Seminary library after its move back in place

PRC Seminary News:

  • This week seminary begins its first semester of the new school year. Monday morning August 26 is chapel/introduction/assignment day, while classes begin on Tuesday August 27. The schedule for the first semester has been posted on the seminary's website. While most of the building is put "back together" after the renovation project this summer (see picture above), there are still some things pending (student study carrels, furniture, and archives room shelving). Pray for the faculty, students, and staff as we make a new beginning. The seminary is open daily (M-F, 8-5) and staff is available to assist with any needs.

  • Note for seminary course auditors: Seminary classes begin for the first semester on Tuesday, August 27. Three classes are open for auditors. For Prof. R. Cammenga: NT History (the intertestamental period to the Passion Week) and Dogmatics (Ecclesiology, the doctrine of the church). For Prof. R. Dykstra: Reformation Church History.  If you are interested in attending, please contact the seminary secretary for the meeting times, at 616-531-1490.

  • On June 30 Rev. Brian Huizinga (Hope PRC, Redlands, CA) accepted Synod 2019's call to serve as Professor of Dogmatics and Old Testament (replacing Prof. R. Cammenga within five years). His installation as professor of theology is set for Wednesday Sept.4 during a divine worship service at Grandville PRC (7 pm). This will also be the seminary's convocation, marking the beginning of a new season of instruction, with the returning and new students introduced. Those in West Michigan are encouraged to join us at this special evening. For those outside of the Grand Rapids, MI area, the service will be live-streamed on Grandville PRC's Sermonaudio channel.

  • The seminary's two 2019 graduates, Matt Kortus and Jacob Maatman, sustained their synodical examinations at the PRC 2019 Synod and were declared candidates for the ministry of the Word and sacraments in the PRC, eligible for a call on or after July 13, 2019. Both have now received calls from vacant congregations. We praise God for this evidence of His confirmation of the call they felt when they began seminary.

  • The Spring 2019 issue of the PR Theological Journal is currently available! For back issues, visit the seminary journal page. If you wish to be added to our mailing list, contact the seminary's secretary. In addition, a new index to all past issues has been posted on the Journal's archives page.
  • Be sure to visit the new PRC seminary website! 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! The library is also online there (under Resources). If you are looking for a particular book to read or use, or just want to browse, visit the library page.

In view of the start of the new semester, work has progressed rapidly on the seminary addition/library renovation project (new archives and offices). This past week the moving of the moving of the books and shelves was completed (see photo above) and the rest of the rooms were given a good cleaning and rest for classes and other seminary functions.

Chr education 1b

PR Christian Schools:

This past week and this week most of our PR Christian schools opened their doors for a new year of instrcuting the children of God's covenant. For more information on these schools and their foundational principles, visit this section of the PRC website. To learn more about the Federation of PR Christian Schools, visit this page. Let us commit to praying for our children, teachers, administrators, staffs, and Boards during this coming year. To read a profitable introduction to why PRC parents maintain Christian day schools, read this short resource.

PRCP Seminary opening day Aug 2019
*Opening day of the new PRC-Philippines' seminary this past week. The young man in the middle (Jeremiah) is the full time student. The other two are taking Greek for now.

Our three missionaries are functioning as instructors. May God richly bless this humble beginning of the PRCP's seminary training.

SISTER-CHURCH NEWS:

  • Concerning our sister church in Singapore, Covenant ERC, we may note the following:
    • Today's bulletin contains these important notices: "As you are aware by now that that Rev Joshua Engelsma has declined the call to serve as MOL in CERC. Though we are disappointed, but we must not grow weary to wait upon the Lord to provide us a Minister to serve in CERC. We have prayed and we trust that this is His will for us at this time. We continue to search out His ways for us. “Isaiah 55:8-11: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.“
    • Rev. L. Trinidad is scheduled to supply preaching and teaching to the CERC on Sept.8. After that, Rev. A. denHartog will return.
    • Her latest newsletter (June 2019) - Reformed News Asia - was posted recently posted and may be found on this page.
  • Concerning our newest sister, the PRC in the Philippines, we may note the following from the bulletins of the Berean PRC, PRC in Bulacan, Maranatha PRC, and Provident CC:
    • Berean PRC: "Rev. Ibe will lead us in our worship services today. Rev. Smit will lead us in our worship services next Sunday, the Lord willing. ...Today, Elder Eric Mescallādo will lead the saints in Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija in their worship service. We pray for God’s continued blessings as they hear and receive the proclamation of His Word!"
    • Provident CC: "Rev. Kleyn will preach both times for us today. Next Sunday, Lord willing, Rev. Holstege will preach both times for PPRC. Today Rev. Holstege will teach the Heidelberg Catechism for BLCC in Guiguinto and lead them in a Reformed worship service for the first time. After lunch, he will begin teaching them the Church Order. Deacon Jun Armas will accompany him."
    • PRCP Seminary: "Beginning this Tuesday (August 27), the following classes at our seminary will be open to visitors: Hermeneutics (taught by Rev. Holstege), Church History (taught by Rev. Kleyn), and Dogmatics (taught by Rev. Smit). Visitors should be punctual, reserve class time for the students, and notify the instructors a day or two in advance before attending."
    • Missions: Let us uphold Rev. Ibe and his family in our prayers as they prepare to move and begin mission work with the saints in PRFA, Albuera, Leyte. The installation of Rev. Ibe as Missionary/pastor is scheduled on November 17, 2019 at 3P.M. at PRC in Bulacan, the Lord willing.
    • And for more on the life and work of our "sisters" in the Far East read the news under Philippine missions (bulletins).
  • *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.

2SundayServices 1
Why does the PRCA have two worship services on Sunday? Read this helpful resource!

SPECIAL NOTICES:

  • If you are in need of some pamphlets and/or articles 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.

  • Do you have an interest in good Reformed literature and a solid Reformed and biblical magazine? 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.

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

RWH Logo 2019

  • Remember to listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday - on a radio station near you or on Sermonaudio wherever you are!
    • This week Rev. C. Griess (pastor of First PRC in Grand Rapids, MI) continues a three-month commitment to the program with a special series on the Five Points of Calvinism (for Dordt400) under the theme"Preservation of the Saints" (1)(which you may listen to at this link).
    • From the Reformed Witness Hour Committee: Have you checked out our newsletters? If you would like to receive them digitally in your emailbox, please sign up for our bimonthly newsletter here: ehttp://epurl.com/gikNsL. The latest newsletter contained this interesting information: *Mark your calendar for our 4000th broadcast! On September 1, 2019 we will be airing "Whosoever Will May Come," by Rev. Herman Hoeksema to celebrate 4000 broadcasts of the RWH. This is the original audio from October 1944. Be sure to tune in on September 1 to hear this great message on salvation by sovereign grace!

    • A new Spanish edition of the RWH has been produced and may be found on this YouTube channel (PRC Espanol). Why not check it out - and help spread the word!

 Yg Calvinists
Do you follow the blog of "Young Calvinists"?

ESPECIALLY FOR PRC Young People and Young Adults:

  • The 2019 PRYP's Convention is now history (held Aug.12-16 at Michindoh Conference Center in Hillsdale, MI.). Southwest and Providence PRCs hosted this years' event. For pictures and more visit this YouTube channel.

  • The latest young peoples' magazine of Covenant ERC in Singapore, Salt Shakers, was received and posted (August 2019 - cf. image above). Check that out on this page.

Myanmar map 2
*Are you praying for Rev. Titus and his labors in this country? (see note below)

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.
  • From Byron Center PRC's bulletin today we find this note: "This weekend, Pastor and Alva Spriensma are visiting a contact that we have in Ohio."

United Kingdom:

  • Limerick Reformed Fellowship News:
    • After a pulpit exchange with Rev. A. Stewart last week, Rev. M. McGeown is preaching today and will lead the Bible study Tuesday 8 PM in Corbally.
    • The March 2019 newsletter of the Limerick Reformed Fellowship mission station was received and posted recently.

Philippine Missions:

  • PRC in Bulacan, (the calling church of the mission work in Albuera, Leyte) extended the call to Rev. Ibe (Berean PRC) to serve as missionary/pastor to this field. Rev. Ibe has accepted this call, which means that the PRCP will have its first missionary as a denomination. We rejoice with them in God's good provision of a man for this work. The installation of Rev. Ibe as Missionary/pastor is scheduled on November 17, 2019 at 3P.M. at PRC in Bulacan, the Lord willing.
  • The last Philippines mission newsletter was received and posted in July 2019 and may be found on this PRC webpage.
  • For more on life and activities in the Philippines from the personal perspective of the missionary's, visit the Kleyn's blog, the Holstege's, and the Smits!

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.

India:

  • Let us remember to pray for the Lord's blessing on Georgetown PRC's labor in Vellore, India.
  • And we remember our sister church's work (Covenant ERC in Singapore) in Kolkata, through Rev. E. Singh. From her bulletin today we find this special notice: "Another very significant milestone in the development of the CERC Fellowship [in Kolkata] is the approval by the Indian Government to officially recognize them as the Covenant Evangelical Reformed Church of India, CERCI with effect from 1 April 2019. Praise and thanks to God for His doing! We rejoice immensely at this wonderful news! Let’s continue to pray that the Lord will guide CERCI and bless them as they seek to establish themselves as a Church Institute in the near future, the Lord willing."

Myanmar:

  • *Let us also remember Hope PRC's (Grand Rapids, MI) support of and involvement with Rev. Titus' work in Myanmar; for his latest report, visit this page.
Last modified on 26 August 2019

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