PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for November 15, 2020

The following are special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this Sunday, November 15, 2020, the forty-sixth Lord's Day of this year.

• Rev. A. Spriensma (PRC home missionary) is considering the call to Cornerstone PRC (Dyer, IN). We pray that the Lord will show him plainly what His will is.
  
  
• The congregation of Hudsonville PRC voted to call Rev. C.Spronk this past week (Nov.12).  May the Lord be his guide as he weighs this new call.
  
  
• The Consistory of Wingham PRC has formed a new trio from which to call her next pastor: Revs. J.Engelsma (Doon), J.Laning (Hull), and N.Langerak (Crete). A special congregational meeting is planned for Wednesday Nov.25.
  
  
• The Council of Kalamazoo PRC has announced a new trio: Revs. D.Holstege (PRC missionary to the Philippines), Rev. D.Kleyn (PRC missionary to the Philippines), and J.Laning (Hull, IA). A special congregational meeting is scheduled for Nov.29.
  
  
• Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Rev. J.Slopsema (again) in Cornerstone PRC; Prof. R.Cammenga and Rev. G.Eriks in Hudsonville PRC; Kalamazoo PRC has paused public worship services for two weeks due to increased cases of COVID-19; Prof. B.Gritters and Rev. R.VanOverloop in Providence PRC. Let us not take for granted this blessing of our church federation to help one another in this need. And may we also bring to the throne of grace the needs of these vacant congregations, including Wingham PRC, which cannot have pulpit supply from the U.S. at this time (pandemic travel restrictions).

• For those who may still be limited to house worship, whether completely or partially, we invite you to visit the PR churches page and follow the links to the websites where the churches' livestream may be found. Or you may visit the selected audio sermon page and listen to one of your choice there.
  
  
• Did you know that:
  
  • Some of our pastors are also getting hit with the coronavirus? Not surprising given their manifold public labors. But let us remember them too in prayer, that the Lord will protect them, restore those who are ill, and strengthen them for their tasks - all essential for us, God's people!
  • our Hope PRC in Redlands, CA continues to worship outdoors and to have a "mini music night" once a month after an evening service, with a collection for their Christian school? The benefits of living in a warmer climate in the U.S.! They are having such a program tonight according to her bulletin today: A short outdoor music program will be held after the evening worship service this Sunday, November 15.  Please join us for singing, special numbers, and giving for Hope Christian School.

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS:

A morning "moon-set" over seminary this past week.

Special PRC Seminary Notices:

• Seminary has now completed eleven and a half weeks of its first semester (the other "half" week will be during Thanksgiving week). Continue to remember the seminary in prayer as we enter the final third of the semester.
  
• The second round of practice preaching is scheduled for tomorrow and next Monday, Nov.16 and 23. Pray for the students as they prepare for this vital part of their training.
• Notice of Licensure: The faculty has licensed student Marcus Wee to speak a word of edification in our churches.  Brother Wee is a member of our sister church, Covenant Evangelical Reformed Church in Singapore.  We rejoice at this milestone in the brother’s preparation for the ministry of the gospel.  Any scheduling of him to lead worship services will be through the seminary faculty.  This also provides us with an opportunity to impress upon our churches and sister churches the great need that we have for students for the ministry.  Let us pray the Lord of the harvest to raise up laborers in His vineyard, Matthew 9:37-38.  For the faculty, Prof. Ron Cammenga, Rector.
• The Fall issue of the PRTS Journal is being planned and prepared. In the meantime the Spring issue may be found at the link provided, with plenty of good reading material in it.
• For the latest seminary news and information, visit the seminary's website.

Damage to Provident PRC after Typhoon Ulysses hit this past week (Wed.-Thurs.) - see more details below (the first image shows the scene initially, the second after some clean up) - Thanks to Rev. D. Kleyn for the photos!

SISTER-CHURCH/MISSIONS NEWS:

• Covenant ERC, Singapore: 
  • From today's "Pastoral Voice" in her bulletin: We continue to be thankful to God for providing Prof. Dykstra to lead us in the morning worship service and preached the word of God through on-line live streaming every Lord’s day. Prof will continue to assist us through on-line live streaming until if God willing, his Employment Pass (EP) is approved for him to come to Singapore to help us. We urged the congregation to pray earnestly for this matter as it is not easy to get approval for an EP at this time.
  • And concerning her missionary (Rev. E. Singh) and his work in Kolkata, India, the CERC bulletin today has this update: We are thankful to God that our brethren in Kolkata have secured a new place for their worship service. They have started worshipping in the new premise. The new premise is close to previous worship place and is quite close to Pastor Emmanuel’s house. Thisplace is much bigger than previous place and can sit more than 75 worshippers. Pray that the Lord will grant grace to our brothers and sisters that they will use this place for the faithful preaching of the Gospel and the gathering of His sheep. Do continue to remember our Missionary Pastor in your prayer as he cares for the saints in Kolkata.
    
  • The October 2020 issue of "Reformed News Asia" was recently published (#62). Read that issue here.
  • A new issue of Salt Shakers magazine (for young people) is also out - read the October 2020 at this link.
• Covenant PRC, N. Ireland:
  • Rev. A. Stewart continues to minister the Word to the saints assembled in Ballymena.
  • Missionary-pastor M. McGeown reports that Ireland is once again under lockdown and online services only will be held for the near future.
  • Be sure to read the latest issue of the "Covenant Reformed News" - October 2020!
    
• PRC in the Philippines:
  
  • The Philippines was hit by another powerful typhoon this past week (Ulysses - Category 4). Especially hit hard was the area north of Manila including Marikina City, where Provident PRC and her members are located. Based on a report from our missionaries, the area received 10 inches of rain in 14 hours, and most were without power for 24 hours. Many of the members of Provident PRC had their homes flooded and filled with mud, as did Provident PRC (up to 15-20 feet! see photos above). It appears that most of the Psalters, Bibles, sound equipment, computer, file cabinet, and library are either damages or destroyed. The Berean PRC also had flooding, but only into the parking level (their sanctuary is on the second floor and all is safe).
    Let us ask for God's special mercies on these fellow saints as well as on our missionaries as they minister to them and work to clean up the mess from this typhoon.
  • With strict government limitations on public gatherings still in place due to the pandemic (Metro Manila and nearby provinces are now under the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) through November 30), the PRCP pastors and the PRC missionaries carry on with livestreaming of services as well as with online catechism classes and Bible studies. There are still record [number] of persons added under the Quarantine facilities and hospitals and also died of COVID-19. Our concern is to wait for a little while before we go to our normal corporate gathering, Lord willing. (Maranatha PRC bulletin today). Pray for them and the saints there as they continue to live and labor under these tight restrictions.
  • PRCP Seminary News: Let us continue to pray for our seminary instructors and students. “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (II Tim. 2:15). [Provident PRC bulletin]
  • The PRCP Classis met on October 31 at the Provident PRC Marikina City - via Zoom! The Classis is in recess and plans to resume on Nov.30, D.V.
    

Listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday - on a radio station near you, on Sermonaudio, or on your favorite podcast - wherever you are!

• Rev. W. Bruinsma (Pittsburgh PRC) is delivering the messages on the program at present (Oct.2020 - Jan 2021). Today he continues a series on 1 Corinthians with a message titled "The Church: God’s Husbandry" based on 1 Corinthians 3:7-9.
  
• Listen to the broadcast on the station near you, on your favorite podcast (Google Music, Spotify, and iTunes), or visit the links provided here to listen to this program. Have you listened lately?
• The Reformed Witness Hour publishes each month's messages in an attractive booklet. These printed sermons are a great blessing to many and are distributed all over the world, including to many prisoners in the U.S. If you or your Evangelism Commitee would like to receive these, let the RWHC know and they will add you to the mailing list (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
  

• Special notices for November: 

  The Reformed Witness Hour is pleased to announce that beginning last month (Oct.) we have added a new broadcast time on Wednesday evenings at 8PM on WFUR-FM 92.9/AM1570 (Grand Rapids, MI).  The RWH will also continue to broadcast at our normal time slot on Sundays at 4PM. We encourage you to listen if you are able, and to promote the broadcast to family and friends when you have the opportunity.
  

  The Reformed Witness Hour is pleased to announce that beginning last month (Oct.) we have added a new broadcast in the Kalamazoo area at 4PM each Sunday on WKPR-FM 105.1/AM1440. We encourage you to listen if you are able, and to promote the broadcast to family and friends.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

REFORMED RESOURCES FOR EDIFICATION, EDUCATION, and EVANGELISM:

Are you familiar with this classic from the Reformer John Calvin? For more information on how to obtain your copy to read and study, visit the RFPA website.

• For sound, distinctively Reformed literature on a variety of subjects and for all ages - including Reformation titles!, visit the Reformed Free Publishing Association website or stop in at their Jenison (Michigan) location.
  
  
• Be sure to check out the Reformed Book Outlet in downtown Hudsonville, MI and online! As a reminder, their hours of business are currently Tuesday 10-1, Wednesday 1-5, and Saturday 10-1, or send your order to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

• Want to learn more about the doctrines and practices of the PRC? Or, are you in need of some pamphlets and/or articles published by the PRC for use in evangelism and/or witnessing? Or are you simply interested in growing in your faith and walk with the Lord? Visit the Resources pages of this website and the PRCA Evangelism page for a complete list of materials available in digital format or by order from the publishing church.
  

This Week's Thought for Contemplation:

The wall has been broken down! No, we are not talking about the house that the foolish man built upon the sand. Nor are we speaking about the Berlin wall that was torn down. And we are not referring to the wall that President Trump is building on our southern border with Mexico. The subject is God. God has “broken down the middle wall of partition between us.” The Apostle Paul wrote about the wall of hostility that existed between the Jews and Gentiles. This was not a literal wall. Paul used a figure of speech. He was describing the Gentile believers in Ephesus. They were once afar off and called the Uncircumcision. They had been without Christ, and were aliens from the commonwealth of Israel. But they have been brought near. There is in Christ no separation between Jew and Gentile. The Gentiles were no longer strangers to the covenants of promise. The barrier between Jew and Gentile was erased by the blood of Christ Jesus!

...By breaking down the wall of partition, the wall of hostility, God brought peace between the Jews and the Gentiles. The purpose of God was to make one out of the two, to create of the two in Himself one new man, making peace. It is the union of Israel and the Gentiles. The separation between Israel and the Gentiles has ceased, and they have become one. After the blood of the cross, the separation has been taken away. For Christ Himself is our peace. Christ is our peace in relation to God. But that is not the idea of the apostle in our text. Christ has of Jew and Gentile made one new man, so making peace. “One new man” refers to the union of Israel and the Gentiles. They are one in their salvation. As Paul put it in Gal. 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s then are ye Abrahams’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” So Christ in Himself is the principle of the union between Jew and Gentile, making peace, forming out of the two His church. Jew and Gentile are reconciled to God in one body through the cross.

From Rev. A. Spriensma's meditation on Ephesians 2:14-19 this past week, And the Walls Came Tumbling Down!