The PRC Seminary, with help from Faith PRC's Evangelism Committee, held a special two-day 500th anniversary Reformation conference the weekend of October 27-28 at Faith PRC in Jenison, MI.

The six speeches are now available on Faith PRC's Sermonaudio channel. Here are the links:

1. What Was the Reformation? by Prof. R. Cammenga
2. The Reformation's Return to Sola Scriptura by Rev. David Torlach
3. The Reformation's Restoration of the Office of Believer by Prof. Barry Gritters
4. The Reformation's Recovery of Right Worship by Rev. Martyn McGeown
5. The Reformation's Response to the 'Radical Reformation' by Prof. Russell Dykstra
6. The Reformation's Progress in the Lowlands by Rev. Steven Key

*[The rest of this news item was written for the original announcement of the event.]

The details of the event may be found on the poster below. A special website has also been created for the conference, which you may find at www.500thReformation.com .

Here's the latest bulletin announcement that was sent out:

HERE WE STAND, the seminary sponsored weekend conference celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation is now at hand. The first speech is at 4:00 on Friday, October 27 with additional speeches at 7:00 and 8:15. The conference will continue on Saturday morning. The speeches will be delivered by our three professors (Profs. R. Cammenga, R. Dykstra, and B. Gritters)  and Rev. M. McGeown, Rev. David Torlach and Rev. S. Key. Talk to your neighbors and friends and join us at Faith PRC for this important event. The conference will be live-streamed on the Internet for those who are not able to attend in person.

At the conference there will also be books for sale by the Reformed Free Publishing Association and Gary Vander Schaaf, and special displays of Seminary library books - new and rare - on the Reformation. In addition, the Reformed Witness Hour will have a special table featuring its ministry.

We hope you make plans to attend this significant event! Set aside some time for some or all of the conference and plan to join us as we celebrate God's great work in the sixteenth century of reforming His church according to His Word.

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On this October 22, 2017 Lord's Day we note the following news and information from PRC congregations, classes, mission fields, and sister churches.

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS:

• On Oct.1, the congregation of Byron Center PRC voted to call Rev. A. Lanning, currently pastor of the Covenant ERC in Singapore. TODAY Byron Center PRC announced Rev. Lanning's ACCEPTANCE of this call.
• On October 8 Cand. Stephan Regnerus received the call from Lynden (WA) PRC. He had also been considering the call from Southwest PRC (Wyoming, MI - received Sept.10). TODAY he announced his ACCEPTANCE of the call to Lynden and, therefore, DECLINED SW PRC's call. We rejoice with this brother in God's guidance and in His confirmation of the call to the ministry of the Word in our churches.
  
• Rev. R. Smit will preach his farewell sermon TONIGHT in First PRC (Grand Rapids, MI).
  • First's bulletin today had this note concerning this: "Rev. Smit will preach his last sermons today as our pastor. May the Lord bless him and his family in their time of transition, and make his labours in the Philippines fruitful by the Holy Spirit to the glory of our heavenly Father and the propagation of the kingdom of His Son Jesus Christ. “Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.” (2nd Corinthians 13:11). A farewell program is planned for Sunday evening, November 19."
  • The Council of First PRC (GR) also has a new trio from which to call the congregation's next pastor: Revs A. Lanning (Covenant ERC, Singapore), B. Huizinga (Hope PRC, Redlands, CA), and C. Griess (Calvary PRC, Hull, IA). The congregational meeting will be held October 29 after the morning service.

• On Friday night, Oct.20, Pastor-elect Joe Holstege was ordained and installed as the first minister of Zion PRC. We rejoice with this servant of the Lord and with this congregation, and pray that God will grant him a faithful and fruitful ministry in the PRC.
  
• On Oct.24, D.V., Pastor-elect Justin Smidstra will be ordained into the ministry and installed as the next pastor of First PRC of Holland MI. First's bulletin has this note concerning this: "The congregation is called to worship next week Tuesday, October 24, at 7 p.m., for the ordination and installation of Pastor-elect Justin Smidstra. The collection taken will be for the Foreign Seminary Student Fund. The inaugural sermon will be preached at the morning worship service on Sunday, October 29."
• On Oct.1 Cand. Brian Feenstra ACCEPTED the call from Immanuel PRC in Lacombe, AB (Received Sept.3). He will be examined at a special meeting of Classis West, yet to be determined.
• Candidates Jon Langerak  and David Noorman are both assisting pastors and congregations in the Grand Rapids area (Georgetown PRC and Hudsonville PRC, respectively) while they wait for calls. Cand. J. Langerak will also soon be helping Lynden PRC during her vacancy.

DENOMINATIONAL and SISTER-CHURCH NEWS:

• At its special meeting this past week (Oct.18), Classis East examined Pastors-elect Joe Holstege and Justin Smidstra. Classis approved both of their examinations and recommended that Zion PRC proceed with Joe Holstege’s ordination
  and that First Holland PRC proceed with the ordination of Justin Smidstra. This past Friday night, Rev. Holstege was ordained into the gospel ministry and installed as Zion PRC's first pastor. On Tuesday night, at Holland PRC, Justin Smidstra will be
  ordained and installed (Rev. G. Eriks will be leading the worship service).

• From Grandville PRC's bulletin we find this note about a special PRC Contact Committe delegation to Singapore and the Philippines this week: "This coming Wednesday [Oct.25] Dave Kregel will be travelling with Rev. R. Smit to the Philippines, spending two Sundays there representing our churches to carry out mandates dealing with Synod's approval of our churches becoming sister churches. They will then travel to Singapore for week to visit Covenant ERCS to conduct church visitation. Rev. Smit is to give a number of Reformation speeches in both the Philippines and Singapore as well as preaching a number of sermons. Plans are for them to return Nov.13." We pray for safe travels and for profitable visits and labors for this delegation.
• Prof. D. Engelsma and his wife traveled to our sister church in Ballymena, N. Ireland this past week, where he will deliver four Reformation lectures (two this past weekend and two next weekend), as well as preach on the three Sundays he is there. Covenant PRC's bulletin included this note: "Rev. Stewart will be preaching in the LRF on 29 October and 5 & 12 November, Our pastor will also be giving a lecture on “Martin Luther’s Great Discovery” in Limerick on Saturday, 28 October. Rev. McGeown will be speaking in the U.S. at Reformation conferences there and will be returning on Thursday, 9 November. He will preach for the CPRC on 12 November."
• Prof. David Engelsma's recent speech on spousal abuse (Oct.5) along with the Q & A session is taped and available on the Byron Center PRC website. Additionally, the questions that went unanswered due to time restraints will be answered by Prof. Engelsma and available on her website by October 21^st.
• Keep in mind the upcoming PRC Seminary Reformation 500th Anniversary Conference, which will be held THIS WEEKEND, Oct.27-28, in Faith PRC (Jenison, MI). The latest announcement is this:

  HERE WE STAND, this seminary sponsored conference celebrating the 500^th anniversary of the Reformation will be held this Fridaya nd saturday, Oct.27 and 28. The first speech is at 4:00 on Friday, October 27^th with additional speeches at 7:00 and 8:15. The conference will continue Saturday morning. The speeches will be delivered by our three professors and Rev. M. McGeown, Rev. David Torlach, and Rev. S. Key. Talk to your neighbors and friends and join us at Faith PRC for this important event. The conference will be live-streamed on the Internet for those who are not able to attend in person. For further information see our advertisement in the Standard Bearer or visit the denominational website: www.prca.org or 500thReformation.com.

  

SPECIAL NOTICES:

• If you wish to see pictures of the recent Seniors' Retreat held at Gull Lake in Michigan, sponsored by Grandville and First PRCs (Holland), visit the bulletin page for this link: 2017 Seniors' Retreat Pictures - Gull Lake, MI (registered users only).

• Reformed Book Outlet: Check out the special Reformation resources this month! Many titles to choose from - for adults and children!

• Don't forget to listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday! Todays' message by radio pastor Rev. W. Bruinsma is titled "Receiving the Word of God", based on 1 Thess.2:13.
  
  • NEW RWH Station - The Cornerstone PRC Word and Deed committee has partnered with the Reformed Witness Hour to air their messages on the radio in the Chicago area. Beginning today, September 10, the broadcast can be heard every Sunday at 4:00PM on WYLL 1160AM or on the internet at www.1160hope.com. Please tune in and encourage others to do so as opportunity arises in your personal witnessing.

 MISSION NEWS:

• From Hope PRC's (Grand Rapids, MI) bulletin we note the following special announcement re Rev. Titus and their work in Myanmar:
  • For some time the Council has been working toward bringing Rev. Titus and his wife, Certi, to the United States to visit the Protestant Reformed Churches. ...The paperwork and interviews at the U.S. embassy in Myanmar are now complete, and Visas for both have been granted. Flights are booked, and they plan to arrive in Grand Rapids Tuesday, October 24, at 6:55 p.m. They plan to depart on Monday, November 13, at 10:00 a.m. A rather full schedule has been planned, which includes a Myanmar program, an open house, and more for everyone to enjoy. Look for additional communications from the Myanmar committees of the Council and the Reformed witness committee. “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42).
• On Sept.17 Rev. A. Spriensma was installed as home missionary, having been called by Byron Center PRC. He is beginning his work in the west Michigan area.
  
• On Oct.1 Rev. R. Smit (First PRC, Grand Rapids, MI) ACCEPTED the call of Doon PRC to serve as a third missionary to the Philippines. According to Doon's bulletin this week, "[Rev. Smit] will be installed as our missionary on November 26. The Smits plan to move to the Philippines on December 25. All this, the Lord willing."We give thanks to the Lord of the harvest for providing this next foreign missionary for this abundant field of labor.
  

• From the Oct.2 bulletin of Provident Christian Church in Marikina, the Philippines we find the following notes concerning our missionaries and their labors today and in this coming week:
  

  • Rev. Holstege will preach both times today and next Sunday, Lord willing. Rev. Kleyn will preach for Maranatha PRC today.

  • A delegation from the Contact Committee of the PRCA will arrive this week and stay until Nov. 6, Lord willing. Rev. Richard Smit and Elder Dave Kregel are the delegates. They plan to worship with the PRC in Bulacan next Sunday, and to attend one service at Berean PRC and one service at PCC on Nov. 5.

  • All are invited to the conference “Reformation 500: The Anniversary” on Oct. 31 starting at 8:00 am here at PCC. The speeches will be: “The Reformation: Historical Overview” by Rev. D. Kleyn, “Martin Luther: His Legacy” by Rev. R. Smit, and “John Calvin: His Doctrine of Providence” by Rev. D. Holstege. Speak to a member of the SC to sign up today! [cf. poster below]

  • Let us continue to pray for Rev. Richard Smit, his wife Tricia, and their children as they transition from life and ministry at First PRC in Grand Rapids to life and ministry here in the Philippines. The Smits plan to move here, if the Lord wills, at the end of December.

• 

• Let's remember these busy pastors and missionaries in the Philippines in our prayers daily. May the Lord of the harvest give them grace for all their labors.
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A special meeting of Classi East was held on Wednesday, Oct.18, 2017, at Georgetown PRC.

Below is the brief summary report from the Stated Clerk, Gary Boverhof.

Report of special meeting of Classis East for the purpose of examining Pastors-elect Joe Holstege (left in picture above) and Justin Smidstra (right in picture above).

They each preached a specimen sermon and then were examined extensively on the six loci of Reformed dogmatics, and their knowledge of the Scriptures, confessions, controversy, and practica.

Both men gave excellent demonstrations of their knowledge and training in all these areas over roughly 5 hours of oral questioning. Classis voted unanimously to approve of their examinations (and the Synodical Deputies from Classis West concurred), recommending that Zion PRC and First PRC of Holland proceed to the ordination and installation.

With much thanksgiving to God, we rejoice in His provision of these ministers of the gospel to the PRCA.

Also a classical appointment schedule was made for First PRC while they are without a pastor.

Pastor-elect Joe Holstege will be ordained and installed as Zion PRC's pastor on Friday Oct.20 at Faith PRC (7 p.m.), D.V. *UPDATE: Below is a picture from Rev. J. Holstege's ordination/installation service Friday evening in Faith PRC. It captures the important ceremony of the laying on of hands by the professors and ministers who were present.

Pastor-elect Justin Smidstra will be ordained and installed as First PRC-Holland's pastor on Tuesday, Oct.24 at First PRC of Holland (7 p.m.), D.V.

You are cordially invited to witness these events if you are in the area, or via live-stream through these churches' website.

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Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
Ballymena, NI

18 October, 2017

Dear saints in the Protestant Reformed Churches,

Reformation Witness
With this year, and now this month, marking the beginning of the 500th anniversary of the great Protestant Reformation, a number of CPRC activities are promoting this glorious movement of Christ's Spirit of truth.

We have had 9 sermons so far on Romans 4, the chapter in the Bible that contains the most systematic and doctrinal presentation of the Reformation gospel of justification by faith alone ( www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2Y5 Eq5r6y2H6AW_OWwxkj8n18-UulTzl ). It is an amazingly rich and comforting doctrine. Every time that I study justification personally and in my teaching ministry, I am struck more and more with the truth and power of this crucial article of our faith. Despite the devil's hatred of justification and his attacks on it through the Roman church, the New Perspective on Paul, and the Federal Vision, etc., the result is that the Holy Spirit stirs up God's true church and people to search the Scriptures more diligently, and so work a deeper conviction and consolation in us.

On Thursday, 28 September, I spoke on “Martin Luther and God's Saving Righteous-ness” in South Wales. It was good to have another opportunity to study the theology and life of the great German Reformer. Despite receiving apologies from 5 people or parties in the area who regretfully could not attend, we still had a fairly good attendance, and sold several RFPA books and box sets of CDs.

In the last 4 issues of the monthly Covenant Reformed News, I have been answering the question, “What Is a Protestant?” ( www.cprf. co.uk/crnews.htm ). A number of readers have remarked that they found these articles especially helpful and timely. There will be one more instalment on this subject, DV.

All around the world, the commemorations of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation held by apostate or departing or nominal Protestant churches are including Roman Catholics among their speakers. The Christian Reformed Church in North America is at this caper, for example, as are some churches in the Philippines, and it is the same, sadly, in Northern Ireland too. I wrote a letter to the Belfast News Letter exposing this sinful compromise in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. A minister in that denomination responded to my two published letters and, hopefully, my third letter will be also printed later this week ( www.cprf.co.uk/articles/ pcireformationcommemoration.html ). If Martin Luther would have been utterly disgusted at this, what must the holy God of truth think of this shameful betrayal of His gospel (II Cor. 6:14-18; Rev. 18:4)!

Translations
Two new translators have begun their work for the CPRC website (www.cprf.co.uk/ languages.htm). One is a Russian believer in Belgium, who is helped by his Russian wife. The other is a brother in Australia, who is originally from Brazil and who provides us with Portuguese translations.

We added 21 translations in the last two months: 8 Hungarian (including a section from Prof. Engelsma's Gospel Truth of Justification), 4 Old Church Slavonic (3 ecumenical creeds and Lord's Days 1-12 of the Heidelberg Catechism), 4 Portuguese, 3 Russian (including Rev. Houck's pamphlet, “Jehovah the Savior”), 1 Tagalog, and 1 French.

We now have our first online video in French. A brother from Rheims in northern France added French subtitles to part 1 of a speech I gave in Wales in June entitled “N. T. Wright, Justification and the Reformation.” He is working on part 2. This means that we now
have some videos of speeches given in Italy, Portugal, Northern Ireland, and Wales translated into 4 languages: Italian, Portuguese, Hungarian, and French ( www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2Y5Eq5r6y2HmXGp8oXTSI2QS6_FJYjyJ ).

Varia
The new church season in the CPRC is well underway. We have 9 catechumens in 3 classes on a Monday night this year. This is much fewer than in most of your churches. This means that our children have nowhere to hide!

Our Tuesday morning Bible study covered the jubilee with its 3 main components: the release of slaves, the return of land, and rest from (some) agricultural labours (Lev. 25). Our Lord Jesus Christ preached Himself and His salvation as the jubilee in His hometown of
Nazareth in Luke 4 in fulfilment of Isaiah 61. Now we are studying the Passover, the feast most spoken of throughout the Bible.

Our Wednesday night Belgic Confession class is discussing the sacraments in Article 33. This too brings up the sixteenth-century Reformation because Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses, in critiquing indulgences, addressed Rome's so-called sacrament of penance and,
indeed, its whole sacramental system.

Justyn Perry, a brother from Lancashire in England, visited us earlier this month (6-9 October). It is striking how he came to hear about the CPRC. He told us that he has always had a special love for the book of Romans so, seeing a second-hand copy of Herman
Hoeksema's Righteous by Faith Alone in a Christian bookshop, he bought it. He had never read anything so good before and decided to check out the PRC on-line. He listened to a number of PR sermons on SermonAudio, starting with some by Rev. Dennis Lee. Then,
noting the PRC connection with the CPRC and our sticker at the bottom of the inside of the back cover of Hoeksema's book, he contacted me.

In its section on its alumni, The Graduate, the magazine for graduates and friends of Queens University Belfast, included an article and a photo of Rev. Martyn McGeown and his book Called to Watch for Christ's Return. The piece also gave the websites for the Limerick
Reformed Fellowship (LRF), the CPRC, and the RFPA.

Two ladies from the PRC are helping Mary to overhaul our website (www.cprf.co.uk). Given the size of our website, this is a massive job. If you or anyone you know has some time and some computer skills, and is able to do some data entry correctly, please email Mary
(This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). Carol Nienhuis of Hope PRC is enjoying the work. She allowed me to mention her name only if I thought it might encourage others to assist us.

We and the saints in the CPRC are looking forward to the arrival of Prof. and Mrs.Engelsma tomorrow morning. We replaced the two broken garage doors at the manse, and bought a large, new bed and sheets for our spare bedroom. We want to avoid the problem of
Isaiah 28:20: “For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it.”

Prof. will be speaking twice at a half-day Reformation conference on Saturday (21 October) and giving a speech on each of the following two Fridays, as well as preaching at both services on three Sundays. May the Lord bless these meetings, and the services and saints
in the PRC in the US and Canada!

In Christ,
Rev. & Mary Stewart

On this October 15, 2017 Lord's Day we note the following news and information from PRC congregations, classes, mission fields, and sister churches.

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS:

• From Lynden (WA) PRC's bulletin today we read this important note: "Rev. Hanko will be preaching his farewell sermon this evening. We thank him for his labors as a pastor in our congregation. Rev. and Nancy plan to move to Spokane to be near their son Neil. We wish them God's blessing in this new stage of their life." We express our thanks to Rev. R. Hanko for his faithful ministry in our denomination and pray for him and Nancy as they transition to a new congregation and role in our churches.
• On October 8 Cand. Stephan Regnerus received the call from Lynden (WA) PRC. He also is considering the call from Southwest PRC (Wyoming, MI - received Sept.10).
• On Oct.1 Cand. Brian Feenstra ACCEPTED the call from Immanuel PRC in Lacombe, AB (Received Sept.3). We rejoice with this servant of the Lord and his family in God's confirmation of the pastoral call and of His provision of a place to begin his ministry.
• Last Sunday, Oct.1, the congregation of Byron Center PRC voted to call Rev. A. Lanning, corrently pastor of the Covenant ERC in Singapore. He plans to answer on Oct.22.
• Following Rev. R. Smit's acceptance of the call to serve as missionary to the Philippines on Oct.1, the Council of First PRC (Grand Rapids, MI) announced these arrangements (as found in her bulletin):
  • "The consistory approved that Rev. Smit preach his farewell sermon on October 22 in the evening service. Because Rev. Smit will be in Singapore and the Philippines on pre-scheduled work for the Contact Committee from October 25 to November 13, Rev. Smit’s installation in the Doon PRC (Doon, Iowa) as foreign missionary to the Philippines has been approved and scheduled for Sunday, November 26, in the Doon PRC in the a.m. service. May our heavenly Father abundantly bless and provide for the Smit family during their time of transition."
  • They also announced a new trio: "The Council presents to the Congregation the following names as our trio of minister nominees: Revs A. Lanning, B. Huizinga, and C. Griess. We will have our Congregational meeting to choose from these men on October 29 after the morning service."
• On August 27 Candidate Justin Smidstra ACCEPTED the call from First PRC of Holland MI. He will be examined, D.V., at a special meeting of Classis East in Georgetown PRC on October 18. We also learn this from Holland's Oct.15 bulletin:
  
  • The congregation is called to worship next week Tuesday, October 24, at 7 p.m., for the ordination and installation of Pastor-elect Justin Smidstra. The collection taken will be for the Foreign Seminary Student Fund. The inaugural sermon will be preached at the morning worship service on Sunday, October 29.
• On August 13 Candidate Joe Holstege ACCEPTED the call to Zion PRC. He will be examined, D.V., at a special meeting of Classis East in Georgetown PRC on October 18. The Council of Zion has also made arrangements for his ordination/installation:
  • "The Lord willing, a worship service will be held in Faith PR Church on Friday, October 20, at 7:00 p.m. for the ordination and installation of Minister-elect Joseph Holstege into the ministry of the word and sacraments in Zion PR Church. The worship service will be live-streamed over Faith’s website.
• Candidates Jon Langerak  and David Noorman are both assisting pastors and congregations in the Grand Rapids area (Georgetown PRC and Hudsonville PRC, respectively) while they wait for calls.

DENOMINATIONAL and SISTER CHURCH NEWS:

• CLASSIS EAST will meet in special session this coming Wednesday, Oct.18, at Georgetown PRC for the purpose of examining Pastors-elect J. Holstege (Zion PRC, Hudsonville, MI) and J. Smidstra (First PRC, Holland, MI).

• Byron Center PRC thanks Prof. David Engelsma for his well-spoken, well attended and well received speech regarding spousal abuse last Thursday evening (Oct.5). The live-streamed event was viewed throughout the country by a surprisingly large audience. The full speech along with the Q & A session is taped and available on the Byron website at www.byronprc.net. Additionally, the questions that went unanswered due to time restraints will be answered by Prof. Engelsma and available on our website by October 21^st.

• Keep in mind the upcoming PRC Seminary Reformation 500th Anniversary Conference. The latest announcement is this:

  HERE WE STAND, this seminary sponsored conference celebrating the 500^th anniversary of the Reformation is only weeks away. The first speech is at 4:00 on Friday, October 27^th with additional speeches at 7:00 and 8:15. The conference will continue Saturday morning. The speeches will be delivered by our three professors and Rev. McGeown, Rev. David Torlach, and Rev. Key. Talk to your neighbors and friends and join us at Faith PRC for this important event. The conference will be live streamed on the internet for those who are not able to attend in person. For further information see our advertisement in the Standard Bearer or visit the denominational website: www.prca.org or 500thReformation.com.

  
• Our sister church in Singapore, Covenant Evangelical Reformed Church, recently celebrated her 30th anniversary as a congregation. Mrs. Stephanie Lanning did a special post about this on her blog, "Stories from Singapore." Below are a few pictures from this significant milestone in our sister's history. We congratulate her and pray that she may continue to be a true shining light of Reformed gospel in the Far East.

The congregation of CERC on her 30th anniversary.

SPECIAL NOTICES:

• If you wish to see pictures of the recent Seniors' Retreat held at Gull Lake in Michigan, sponsored by Grandville and First PRCs (Holland), visit the bulletin page for this link: 2017 Seniors' Retreat Pictures - Gull Lake, MI (registered users only).

• Reformed Book Outlet: Check out the special Reformation resources this month! Many titles to choose from - for adults and children!

• Don't forget to listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday! Todays' message by radio pastor Rev. W. Bruinsma is titled "Entrusted with the Gospel", based on 1 Thess.2:3,4.
  
  • NEW RWH Station - The Cornerstone PRC Word and Deed committee has partnered with the Reformed Witness Hour to air their messages on the radio in the Chicago area. Beginning today, September 10, the broadcast can be heard every Sunday at 4:00PM on WYLL 1160AM or on the internet at www.1160hope.com. Please tune in and encourage others to do so as opportunity arises in your personal witnessing.

 MISSION NEWS:

• From Hope PRC's (Grand Rapids, MI) bulletin we note the following special announcement re Rev. Titus and their work in Myanmar:
  • For some time the Council has been working toward bringing Rev. Titus and his wife, Certi, to the United States to visit the Protestant Reformed Churches. ...The paperwork and interviews at the US embassy in Myanmar are now complete, and Visas for both have been granted. Flights are booked, and they plan to arrive in Grand Rapids Tuesday, October 24, at 6:55 p.m. They plan to depart on Monday, November 13, at 10:00 a.m. A rather full schedule has been planned, which includes a Myanmar program, an open house, and more for everyone to enjoy. Look for additional communications from the Myanmar committees of the Council and the Reformed witness committee. “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42).
• On Sept.17 Rev. A. Spriensma was installed as home missionary, having been called by Byron Center PRC. He is beginning his work in the west Michigan area.
  
• On Oct.1 Rev. R. Smit (First PRC, Grand Rapids, MI) ACCEPTED the call of Doon PRC to serve as a third missionary to the Philippines. According to First's bulletin this week, "Rev. Smit’s installation in the Doon PRC (Doon, Iowa) as foreign missionary to the Philippines has been approved and scheduled for Sunday, November 26, in the Doon PRC in the a.m. service."We give thanks to the Lord of the harvest for providing this next foreign missionary for this abundant field of labor.
  

 
One of the PRCP youth meetings at the Kleyns' home.

• From the Oct.15 bulletin of Provident Christian Church in Marikina, the Philippines we find the following notes concerning our missionaries and their labors today and in this coming week:
  

  • Rev. Kleyn will preach for us in the first service today and Rev. Holstege in the second. Next week, Lord willing, Rev. Holstege will preach both times.

  • Rev. and Sharon Kleyn will travel to Negros this week to teach the pastors in Sipalay. May God grant them traveling mercies and bless their trip.

  • Let us continue to pray for Rev. Richard Smit, his wife Tricia, and their children as they transition from life and ministry at First PRC in Grand Rapids to life and ministry here in the Philippines. The Smits plan to move here, if the Lord wills, at the end of December.

• And from the Oct.15 bulletin of the Maranatha PRC in Valanzuela City we learn about these special events:
  
  • A delegation of the Contact Committee of the PRCA plans to visit the PRCP in the Philippines (and also the CERC in Singapore) this October and November. The delegation consists of Rev. R. Smit and Elder David Kregel. The visit is part of the sister-church relationship that is being established between the PRCP and the PRCA. The delegation hopes to be in the Philippines from October 26 through November 6, the Lord willing.
  • A Reformation Day Conference is being planned for Tuesday, October 31. The theme is “Reformation 500: The Anniversary.” The speakers will be Rev. Holstege, Rev. Kleyn, and Rev. Smit. The conference will be held in Provident Village in Marikina, starting at 8:00 a.m. Registration is Php 50 per person.  All are welcome. Please plan to attend, and please invite others to attend, too.  A sign-up sheet will be available soon. [cf. flyer below]

  

• Let's remember these busy pastors and missionaries in the Philippines in our prayers daily. May the Lord of the harvest give them grace for all their labors.
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The Evangelism Committee of Trinity PRC (Hudsonville, MI) has planned a special lecture this week that is open to the public.

On FRIDAY, October 13, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in the church her pastor Rev. Nathan Decker will speak on the timely subject of "Living Wisely in a Digital Age."

You are cordially invited to join the members of Trinity PRC at this event. Bring your children and your teenagers, as this speech will speak to them too!