This Week's PRC and Sister-Church News, April 5-11, 2020

Today, April 5, is the fourteenth 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:

That is an amazing statement, one we cannot fathom, yet we embrace. Even when His Father’s anger and hatred of our sin was poured into His heart, yet at same time the Father loved Him. “This is my beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased.”God never loved Him more than the moment He was Alone with the judgment for our sin. Because it was in that sacrifice that Jesus revealed in the highest degree His love for His Father’s will, and His love for us whom the Father gave to Him.

​Jesus was never alone because the Father was always with Him in His love.  Even when he cried from the darkness, his cry was “MY God, My God …”

​This all means you and I are never alone. Can’t be alone, never have been alone, never shall be alone.

​Yes we feel the effects of the confinement. We experience the lack of the communion of saints. Nor has the corona virus stopped the trials of life, our sins, death, and struggles that we must face. God has not stopped correcting us. His will is still being revealed to you today, and it may indeed be difficult for you, cutting off all hope you might think. 

​But you can’t be alone! He is Immanuel, God with us.

​You are not alone in the trial that descends today, in the thoughts of your heart that trouble you. You may feel cut off from the land of the living (God’s own presence). But you are not alone. The crucified, risen, exalted Lord Jesus, the one full of grace, is with you.

​We confess today: “I left Him alone. In my sin I said ‘Away with Him!’ Many a time have I forsaken Him and fled. But He has never forsaken me and never will. He is the friend who sticks closer than a brother. I belong to Him by His grace. I am not alone.”  ~ Rev. C. Haak in Meditation to Georgetown PRC this week

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS:

• Once again this Sunday the PR congregations, sister churches, and mission fields experience the impact of the pandemic COVID-19, as national and state governments attempt to limits its spread.
  
  Due to state stay-at-home orders or lockdowns, most of our congregations are not allowed to hold services today; some of our pastors are prerecording messages or live-streaming sermons, songs, and prayers. Our sister saints in Germany, India, Myanmar, N. Ireland, the Philippines, and Singapore are likewise affected. As we honor our local, state, and federal governments and submit to their mandates at this time, let us also thank and praise our God for the means we have to receive His Word and to stay connected as members of Christ's body, as well as for the constant access we have to His throne of grace. Let us pray for one another daily - for protection from harm, for healing where the disease has struck, and above all, for preservation in the peace and comfort we have in Christ.
  
  

  2. Bow down Thy ear to my request,
  And swift deliverance send;
  Be Thou to me a rock of strength,
  A fortress to defend. 

  3. Since Thou my rock and fortress art,
  My leader be, and guide;
  From all temptation rescue me,
  Thou dost my strength abide.
  
  

  9. But, Lord, in Thee is all my trust,
  Thou art my God, I cried;
  My life, my times are in Thy hand,
  I in Thy strength confide. 
  Psalter #80 (based on Psalm 31)

• On March 29 Rev. J. Engelsma (Doon PRC) declined calls from Cornerstone PRC (Dyer, IN) and Kalamazoo (MI) PRC.
  
  
• On March 29 Rev. J. Laning (Hull PRC, IA) received the call from First PRC, Edmonton. He plans to answer on or before April 19.
  
  
• On March 22 the congregation of Providence PRC voted to extend a call to Rev. M. McGeown (Limerick, Ireland mission). *Today he announced his acceptance of this call.

• The Consistory of Kalamazoo PRC has formed a new trio consisting of Revs. C. Haak, J. Mahtani, and M. McGeown.  The congregation will be voting on Monday evening, April 13, at 7:00 p.m, D.V.
  
  

• The Council of Hope PRC (Grand Rapids, MI) has formed a trio consisting of Rev. C. Griess (First PRC-GR, Rev. J. Mahtani (Grandville PRC), and Rev. C. Spronk (Faith PRC). The congregation is to vote by ballot by April 14.
  
  
• The Council of Unity PRC formed the following trio from which to call her first pastor: Revs. E.Guichelaar (Randolph PRC), J. Mahtani (Grandville PRC), and C. Spronk (Faith PRC). A congregational meeting is scheduled for April 15.
  
  
• "First Protestant Reformed Church of Edmonton has released their pastor, Rev. John Marcus, under Article 11 of the Church Order with the concurrence of Classis West and the synodical delegates. Rev. Marcus is now available for call within the Protestant Reformed Churches."
  
  
• "The Council of Grandville PRC announces to the churches that Rev. J. Mahtani is eligible for a call on April 1, 2020.
  
  
• Did you know... that
  • these PRCs are live-streaming sermons today (and for the time being, including Good Friday and Easter)? You are encouraged to worship with one of these congregations: Crete at 9:30 AM and 5:30 PM CDT; Faith PRC at 9:00 AM and 5:30 PM (EST); First PRC-GR at 9:30 AM and 5:00 PM (EST); First PRC-Holland at 9:30 AM and 5:00 PM; Grace PRC at 9:30 AM and 5 PM EST; Hope PRC-GR at 9:30 AM and 5:00 PM (EST); Hudsonville PRC at 9:30 AM and 5:30 PM EST; Hull PRC at 9:30 AM and 6:00 PM; Loveland PRC at 9:30 AM and 6 PM MST; Lynden PRC at 10:00 AM PST; Pittsburgh PRC at 9:30 and 5 PM EST; Southeast PRC at 9:30 AM and 5:00 PM EST; Southwest PRC at 9:30 AM and 5:30 (EST); Zion PRC at 9:30 AM and 5:30 PM (EST).  There are also many audio sermons that you can access on this website for your further use.
  • Faith PRC (Jenison, MI) held an online Singspiration this past Friday night for her families, led by her pastor and his family? Plans are to have another one Easter Sunday night.
  • some congregations are gathering online photo albums of the families and members worshiping at home?
  • What wonderful ways to continue to be the church of Christ, in worship, organic life, and fellowship!

DENOMINATIONAL NEWS:

Prof. D. Kuiper giving an online class this week from his seminary office

PRC Seminary News:

• The seminary is on Spring break this week. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, seminary is open only for essential operations at this time. No auditors or visitors should come until the restrictions are lifted. The staff can try to assist you with any needs, however. Call or email the seminary with your important needs.
  
  
• Due to the recent "stay-at-home" order from our governor, the faculty and students have switched to all online classes until the restrictions are lifted. Some classes are using previously recorded videos and receiving assignments via email, while other classes are being livestreamed using Zoom. So far this has worked well and we are thankful to be able to continue in this way.

• 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.

• For more seminary news and information, visit the PRC seminary website! 

SISTER-CHURCH NEWS:

• Concerning our sister church in Singapore, Covenant ERC, the following may be mentioned:
  
  • From her bulletin today: Psalm 122:1,2: I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. The words of the Psalmist reminded us of the blessedness of God’s people coming together to the house of the Lord to worship Him. You can sense the delight of God’s people to be gathered in His temple. However, we missed this blessedness last Lord’s when Covenant could not gather in Church to worship the Lord due to the COVID 19 issue. This will continue for the next few weeks till the Lord’s deems fit that the storm of the COVID 19 be over. Though we could not gather together to worship, we are thankful to God that we can still worship together through Live-Streaming. We pray that the Lord will receive our worship and bless and fed us through this means. May this experience also work in our hearts the delights and longings that we can once more be together in His house to worship Him.
  • This morning we welcome our seminary student bro Josiah to lead us in worship and to bring a word of edification. His professors in PRC Seminary have suggested that he should continue to give a word of edification while he is in Singapore to attend to some urgent family needs. Session has approved that Josiah will lead in worship for today morning service.
  • The 2020 Church Camp Committee has decided to postpone Church Camp in 2020 to December 21-24, 2020.
  • The February 2020 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:
  • From last week's bulletin: Now that we are unable to “diligently frequent the church of God” physically because of the coronavirus, we can be thankful for the good gift of God to us (or at least many of us) of the internet. We will be livestreaming from church today at the usual time: 11AM and 6PM. Go to https://cprc.co.uk/livestreaming/ to watch.
    
  • Sadly, the CPRC Council has decided to close our mission work, the Limerick Reformed Fellowship (LRF). After almost 10 years of having a missionary there and 6 years before that of the LRF meeting without a missionary, there has been insufficient growth. Rev. Martyn McGeown of the LRF is eligible for a call by the Protestant Reformed churches. Upon receipt and acceptance of a call, God willing, it would take some months for him to gain legal permission to work and reside in the US or Canada. This would enable him to preach and pastor the members of the LRF before they move to join the CPRC (for several of them need a similar amount of time to tidy up their affairs in Limerick before relocating), and it will provide ministry longer for those who, for various reasons, are not able to move.
  • Read the latest CPRC newsletter - February 2020!
    
  • Read the new February 2020 issue of the "Covenant Reformed News"!
  • 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!
    
• 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:

~ Berean PRC: Rev. V. Ibe will lead us in our worship services today via live streaming on our Facebook page. Our brothers and sisters in Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija will join us today in our worship services via Facebook live, the Lord willing.

~ Bulacan PRC: Due to the lockdown imposed on all of Luzon province, the Consistory is encouraging members to have special family worship on Sunday using Rev. Flores' sermon transcript. Her pastor is also doing a brief devotion on Zoon each night at 8:30 for the members.

~ Maranatha PRC: Rev. L. Trinidad will lead us in both Worship Services via livestream on Facebook: Maranatha Protestant Reformed Church. 

~ Provident PRC: The elders have sent links to worship services of Zion PRC (Rev. J. Holstege), for morning and evening. Let us hear the word of God through these videos in our homes today. Rev. D. Holstege sent a third pastoral letter to the congregation yesterday.

~ PRCP Seminary: There will be no classes at our seminary this week, not only because of the lockdown, but also because classes are recessed for holy week.

~ The most recent mission newsletter (January 2020) was published and distributed in February.

~ 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.

Did Jesus suffer defeat when He died on the cross? Read this resource to learn more.

SPECIAL NOTICES:

• With many PRC members and fellow saints worshipping at home due to the present pandemic, the entire collection of Psalm Choir videos is a valuable resource. You may find the playlists on YouTube here. Also, all volumes of the Psalm Choir CDs are being available FREE during this time. These too can be used for family or personal devotions, as well as for personal comfort and peace in seasons of fear and distress.

• The Reformed Book Outlet is temporarily closed for the safety of our volunteers. If you need to place an order or have questions, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We will not be answering the phone. Thank you.
  
  
• 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.

• Llisten to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday - on a radio station near you or on Sermonaudio wherever you are!
  • Continuing this month, Rev. R. Kleyn (Covenant of Grace PRC in Spokane, WA) is delivering a series on prayer, with today's message titled "Our Savior's Unique Suffering" based on Lamentations 1:12. 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 simply by 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!

ESPECIALLY FOR PRC Young People and Young Adults:

• 2020 PRYP's Convention News! Registration for the 2020 Young People’s Convention opened on Monday, March 16!
  • The convention is planned for August 10-14, 2020 at the Lake Williamson Camp in Carlinville, IL. To register as a chaperone, 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..
  • URGENT NEED:  We still need 20 Men and 10 Women chaperones. Sign up now at prcconvention.com.  If you are thinking about it and have questions please reach out to us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or give us a call. Kathy Decker 616-719-6482.  We need you!  Registration for Chaperones closes March 31. 
    
    
• 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
  
  
• Colorado Retreat: Save the date August 3-6, 2020 for a young adults retreat in Colorado!
  
  
• 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.

Family worship in Vellore, India (Sunday, April 5)

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.

• Limerick Reformed Fellowship News:
  • Rev. M. McGeown led the services today. Today he also accepted the call to Providence PRC in Hudsonville, MI.
  • (From the PRC Contact Commitee) Our sister church, the Covenant Protestant Reformed Church in Northern Ireland, reports that they have decided to close the mission station in Limerick, Ireland that they had been overseeing for the past ten years. Rev. McGeown will likely stay in Limerick for the next six months and will then, the Lord willing, move to the United States. We submit this disappointment to the good providence of God who is alone wise. Remember the saints in Limerick and Rev. McGeown in your prayers.

Philippine Missions:

• Berean PRC News: This congregation continues to work in Gabaldon, Nueve Ecija (the saints join Berean PRC services via livestream during this time of confinement).
• Provident PRC News: The trip of our two missionaries Rev. D. Kleyn and Rev. R. Smit to Canturay Church and Inayawan Church, Sipalay, Negros Occ. to preach and teach to the two congregations is cancelled due to the Community Quarantine from March 15 to April 12, 2020. Let us remember to pray for their missionary work.
• The newest Philippines mission newsletter has been published and posted! The January 2020 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!
  

We remember in prayer the needs of these busy pastors and missionaries in the Philippines, especially in these difficult days of quarantine. 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.
  

• Let us pray for our sister church's work (Covenant ERC in Singapore) in Kolkata, through Rev. E. Singh. In the CERC's bulletin last week was this notice about the work there: Also do remember our brethren in CERCI, Kolkata who are not able to meet as they do not have the online facilities in most of their homes. Do pray that the Lord will sustain them and provide them the means to be fed with the word of God.

Myanmar:

• We also remember Hope PRC's (Grand Rapids, MI) support of and involvement with Rev. Titus' work in Myanmar. From Hope's bulletin this week we are given this update concerning things in that country at present:

Rev. Titus reports that life in Myanmar right now concerning the coronavirus is nearly identical to what we are experiencing. They have economy shutdown and stay-at-home orders similar to what we have. Worship services and related church activities have been canceled. Men of the congregation are out of work or unable to go to work while this situation persists. Rev. Titus is working hard on his studies and translation work. Your committee was able to meet together yesterday along with Rev. Titus via a Zoom meeting application that allows us to video conference together from our own homes with our computer or tablet. We are thankful to the Lord for the provision of this means to continue in gospel labors within his kingdom. “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved” (Ps. 55:22).