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This Week's PRC and Sister-Church News, February 16-22, 2020

Psalms 150 1Today, February 16, is the seventh Lord's Day of 2020; we may note the following news and information concerning PRC congregations, the Seminary, sister churches, and mission fields.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

O, Lord, we acknowledge that no creature is able to comprehend the length and breadth – the depth and height – of that Thy most excellent love, which moved Thee to show mercy where none was deserved, to promise and give life where death had gotten victory, and to receive us into Thy grace when we could do nothing but rebel against Thy justice. O Lord, the blind dullness of our corrupt nature will not suffer us sufficiently to weigh these most ample benefits; nevertheless, at the commandment of Jesus Christ our Lord, we present ourselves to this His table (which He hath left to be used in remembrance of His death until His coming again) to declare and witness before the world that by Him alone Thou dost acknowledge us Thy children and heirs, that by Him alone we have entrance to the throne of Thy grace, that by Him alone we are possessed in our spiritual kingdom, to eat and drink at His table, with whom we have our conversation presently in heaven and by whom our bodies shall be raised up again from the dust and shall be placed with Him in that endless joy.... ~ Prayer of John Knox for those partaking of the Lord's Supper

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS:

  • Rev. R. Barnhill (Peace PRC) has been considering the call from Kalamazoo PRC (received Jan.26). Today his decline of this call was announced.

  • On Jan.19 Rev. H.Bleyenberg (Providence PRC) accepted the call to Immanuel PRC (Lacombe, AB).

    "We continue to remember in prayer Rev. Bleyenberg and his wife as they make preparations to move to Lacombe.  May the Lord sustain them in his grace as they face changes and decisions that have to be made during this time of transition." (from her bulletin today)

    Rev. M. DeVries is bringing the word there today and next week.
  • Concerning Rev. J. Mahtani and the call to Covenant ERC in Singapore, Grandville PRC's (calling church for minister on loan) bulletin contains this update last week: "The last report to the congregation regarding Rev. Mahtani was that the Singaporean government denied Rev. Mahtani an employment pass and that the Session of CERC, Council of Grandville, and Contact Committee were considering further options for his laboring in Singapore as MOL. The Session of CERC decided to file one more appeal of this decision to the Ministry of Defense. The hope is that the session will receive an answer in the next couple of weeks."

  • Let us continue to pray for Rev. J. Marcus and his family, and the flock of First PRC in Edmonton, AB. At the present time, Rev. Marcus continues on a leave of absence from his pastoral duties in Edmonton, but he is available to preach elsewhere in the Protestant Reformed Churches. Consistories needing pulpit supply are encouraged to contact him.

  • Rev. W. Bruinsma and his wife Mary are laboring in Vellore, India on behalf of Georgetown PRC (see under mission news below). While he is gone, Rev. J. Marcus is ministering the Word in Pittsburgh PRC today.

DENOMINATIONAL NEWS:

Classis West Notice: Classis West will be meeting March 4, 2020 at Peace Church, Dyer, Indiana, D.V.  Anyone having material to go before Classis is asked to ensure it reaches the stated clerk, Rev Joshua Engelsma, prior to Monday, Feb 3, 2020.  May our Lord and Saviour grant our delegates all the grace and wisdom needed to represent our congregation.

snowy front Jan 2019 1

PRC Seminary News:

  • The seminary is entering its fifth week of the second semester. The class schedule and calendar have been posted on the seminary's website. The first round of practice preaching is only a week away (Feb.24). Remember to pray for the faculty, students, and staff as they busy themselves in the work of this new semester.

  • Prof. R. Dykstra and his wife Carol will leave this Wednesday for a week in the Philippines visiting the PRCP (sister churches) and then spend two Sundays in the Covenant ERC in Singapore (another sister church) on behalf of the PRC Contact Committee. Profs. B. Gritters and D. Kuiper will cover his seminary classes while he is gone. May the Lord grant safe travels and good visits to these churches and fellow saints.

  • Sem. Josiah Tan (CERC-Singapore) has been licensed to speak a word of edification in the churches and has been busy preaching in the West Michigan area and beyond (He has recently been in NW Iowa and Pittsburgh). Contact Prof. B. Gritters (rector) for scheduling.

  • Looking for some good Reformed books to read, Bible study materials or seminary publications to use? Come and visit the seminary's bookstore! We have a variety of Bibles, commentaries, and good books - used and new - for our members and friends. And you may also make use of our library - here's the link to our online catalog if you wish to search for something to read or use.

  • Future Teachers and Ministers: Information for the 2020 PR Scholarship Fund essay competition is now available. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to receive the essay topics and submission requirements. Completed essays must be submitted by May 30th. 

  • Need for Ministers: Synod 2019 took a decision to place the urgent need for seminary students before our churches. 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. If you wish to listen to a couple of sermons by our professors that address this need, listen to "The (Suffering) Minister's Steadfast Confession" and "The Beautiful Feet of the Gospel Preacher."

BRF Conf 2020
*Look for the notice of the 2020 BRF Conference below - this year at the lovely Castlewellan Castle in Northern Ireland!

SISTER-CHURCH NEWS:

  • Concerning our sister church in Singapore, Covenant ERC, the following may be mentioned:
    • Rev. Ken Koole is serving the CERC for the month of February.
    • Concerning Rev. J. Mahtani's application to serve in CERC, our sister church had this report in her bulletin last week: "This past week, we have submitted another appeal to MOM and CMPB for the Employment Pass for Rev J. Mahtani to serve as MOL in Singapore. This time we have engaged some legal assistance to make this appeal. Session have also organized a prayer meeting today at 11.30am to call upon the Lord to provide us a Minister to serve in CERC. We urge you to join the church together to call upon Him."
    • The December 2019 newsletter - Reformed News Asia - was posted recently and may be found on this page.
  • Concerning our sister church in Ballymena, N. Ireland, Covenant PRC,  the following may be noted:
    • Rev. A. Stewart led Covenant's services today.
    • S. Wales Lecture: Rev. McGeown will give a lecture on “The Canon of Sacred Scripture” at Margam Community Centre on Thursday, 27 February, at 7:15 PM.
    • *Join Reformed believers from around the world at the 2020 British Reformed Fellowship family conference at Castlewellan Castle in Northern Ireland from Saturday, July 11 to Saturday, July 18.  Our speakers, Prof. David Engelsma and Rev. Andy Lanning, will lecture on "Union with Christ".  For information see the website http://brfconference.weebly.com or contact Briana Prins at 616-214-2779;  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Rooms are filling quickly, so complete your booking form today!
    • Read the new January 2020 issue of the "Covenant Reformed News"!
  • Concerning the PRC in the Philippines, the following may be gleaned from the bulletins of the Berean PRC, PRC in Bulacan, Maranatha PRC, and Provident CC:
    • Congregational and Denominational News:

~ Maranatha PRC: "Rev. L. Trinidad, our Pastor will lead us in both services. He will continue the lesson on the Canons of Dordt."

~ The Classis of the Federation of Protestant Reformed Churches will have their regular meeting on February 25, 2020 at the Provident PRC, Marikina City at 9:00 in the morning.

~ Provident PRC bulletin: "Prof. Russ Dykstra and his wife Carol plan to arrive in the Philippines this Thur, Feb. 20, as part of the annual delegation from the Contact Committee of the PRCA. Rev. Ken Koole, the other PRCA delegate, plans to arrive on Mon, Feb. 24. Elder Yoon Chuan (surname Tang), a delegate from the CERC in Singapore, our other sister church, also plans to arrive on Mon, Feb. 24, D.V. May God give them all safe travels and bless their time with us to strengthen the bonds between our churches."

~ The most recent mission newsletter was published and distributed this Fall. You may find that October 2019 update here.

~ And for more on the life and work of our "sisters" in the Far East read the news under Philippine missions.

  • 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.

Screenshot 2020 02 16 God Opens Lydias Heart by Wilbur Bruinsma

Interested in edifying messages from God's Word? Visit the audio sermon section of the PRC website!

SPECIAL NOTICES:

  • Are you looking for 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.

  • Would you like to learn more about the PRC and her doctrines and practices? Are you 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.

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!
    • Beginning this month Rev. R. Kleyn of the Covenant of Grace PRC in Spokane, WA is speaking for the RWH. He is delivering a series on prayer, with today's message titled "Hallowed Be Thy Name" based on Luke 11:2. Listen to the broadcast on the station near you or visit the links provided here to listen to this program.
    • From the Reformed Witness Hour Committee:

~ The Reformed Witness Hour Committee wishes to remind everyone that you can receive their bi-monthly newsletter via email by simply signing up at http://eepurl.com/gikNsL.  Each newsletter contains information about places around our globe where the RWH is downloaded; news about the RWH’s witness on the radio and via the internet, printed booklet, and CD and links to many popular and relevant RWH messages.

~ A 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!

 adult bible 1

ESPECIALLY FOR PRC Young People and Young Adults:

  • Chaperone registration for the 2020 Young People’s Convention hosted by Georgetown PRC is now open!  The convention is planned for August 10-14, 2020 at the Lake Williamson Camp in Carlinville, IL.  To register, go to www.prcconvention.com, and follow the instructions under the Chaperone tab.  If you have any questions, email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Conventioneer registration opens March 15.

  • Young Men's Conference - Young men of High School and College age, please plan to attend the GPRC Young Men’s Conference, with the theme of "Run, Fight, Lead!", on Saturday morning, April 25, from 8 am-12:00 pm, at Georgetown Protestant Reformed Church. Breakfast is included! Don’t wait, register today!  For more details and to register please visit georgetownprc.org/runfightlead

  • Future Teachers and Ministers: Information for the 2020 PR Scholarship Fund essay competition is now available. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to receive the essay topics and submission requirements. Completed essays must be submitted by May 30th. 

  • The Western Young People's Retreat, hosted by the Lynden and Spokane Young Peoples, will be held July 14-17, 2020, at Camp Sanders in N. Idaho.  This is a retreat for Young People ages 13-18 (going into 9th-12th grade).  More information and registration will be available in March. Contact Rev. Kleyn at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any questions.

  • *A new issue of Salt Shakers magazine has been produced and published. To read the December 2019 issue (#58), visit this page.

greatcommission1

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. Today he is leading both worship services at Georgetown PRC. Related to his labors is this notice in BC-PRC's bulletin today: "The Dorr Bible Study meets this Thursday, February 20, at 7:30 PM. We plan to take up our discussion beginning at John 10:12. Please join us and bring friends or neighbors along to the library in Dorr!"
  • Limerick Reformed Fellowship News:
    • Rev. M. McGeown led the services today.
    • S. Wales Lecture: Rev. McGeown will give a lecture on “The Canon of Sacred Scripture” at Margam Community Centre on Thursday, 27 February, at 7:15 PM.
    • The last mission newsletter from the Limerick Reformed Fellowship - the December 2019 edition - may be found here.

Philippine Missions:

  • Berean PRC News: This congregation continues to work in Gabaldon, Nueve Ecija.
  • Provident PRC news: "Rev. and Sharon Kleyn are in Southern Negros Occidental today to preach and teach in reforming churches there. Let us pray that our Lord will build His church there for His glory."
  • The newest Philippines mission newsletter has been published and posted! The October 2019 issue may be read here.
  • 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!

Keep in prayer 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:

Deane and Donna Wassink returned home safely from India this past Monday. We thank them for their work over the last three weeks on our behalf with the PRCV and the GHF. They report  growth in grace and truth among God’s saints and a strong bond of love between them and our congregation. Rev. and Mrs. Bruinsma spent the past week with the PRCV and plan to return home tomorrow, the Lord willing.

  • We also remember our sister church's work (Covenant ERC in Singapore) in Kolkata, through Rev. E. Singh.

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 16 February 2020

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