From our newest congregation - Pittsburgh PRC - and her faithful "reporter", Many Tolsma, comes this newsletter update. The full newsletter is attached as a pdf. The first part is posted here.

Pittsburgh Updates

• Our summer began with the annual Memorial Day church picnic. We gathered at a park in Monroeville. We had a delicious spread of hamburgers and hotdogs and many sides to go with them. We played baseball and also everyone, even the adults, enjoyed the toys at the park!
• As you know, we experienced the organization of our church in June. Since then, we have picked a name for our church. We are know the Pittsburgh Protestant Reformed Church.
• We also have called our own minister, who graciously accepted our call, and who was installed into office by Rev. Ken Koole in August.
• Several of the young adults in our congregation have gathered at the park to play tennis this summer. Many have discovered that they need much more practice! We hope to continue getting together and working on this.
• We continue to have our fellowship dinners the second Sunday afternoon of every month. No one walks away hungry!
• Our NOC committee continues to work very hard on many projects. One of them includes our new website. Check it out! www.prcpittsburgh.org
• Our fall lecture is being planned for November 11 with the theme: "The Church in the Last Days: Continuing in Things Learned". Our speaker is Rev. W. Bruinsma.

Special notice: In connection with the organization of Pittsburgh PRC, the Domestic Mission Committee of the PRCA has sent out the following notice:

The Domestic Mission Committee (DMC) wishes to inform the churches that with the organization of the Pittsburgh mission field and with their missionary, Rev. W. Bruinsma, accepting the call to become Pittsburgh’s first pastor, Southwest PRC has asked to be relieved of its responsibilities of being a calling church for domestic missions. With deep appreciation for Southwest’s work the DMC has approved this request and will so inform Synod. 

On Sunday, Sept.18, 2016, Rev. Brian Huizinga (Hope PRC, Redlands, CA) announced his decline of the call First PRC (Holland, MI) extended to him on August 28.

May the Lord assure this congregation of His knowledge of her need for another undershepherd and of His care for her while she waits for a pastor.

From Hull PRC's bulletin we find this significant notice concerning one of the PRC's emeritus ministers:

With thanksgiving to the Lord of the harvest, we remind our fellow saints of the 45^th  anniversary of the ordination and installation into the ministry of Rev. Rodney G. Miersma [September, 1971]. He and his wife, Sharon, have faithfully served our churches in Isabel, SD; Pella, IA; Holland, MI; Wellington, NZ; Lacombe, AB; foreign missionary to Ghana; and Loveland, CO. Our emeritus minister continues to serve our churches in northwest Iowa. So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. (Ezekiel 33:7)

And, finally, this reminder of the upcoming mission call to the Philippines from Doon PRC:

The Council of Doon PRC announces a trio for calling a third missionary to the Philippines. It consists of Revs. A. Brummel (Heritage PRC, Sioux Falls, SD), N. Decker (Trinity PRC - Hudsonville, MI), and R. Kleyn (Covenant of Grace PRC - Spokane, WA).  The congregation plans to call on Monday, Sept 19.

At her congregational meeting Monday night, Sept.19, 2016, Doon PRC voted to call Rev. Nathan Decker of Trinity PRC (Hudsonville, MI) to serve as third missionary to the Philippines. Let us remember this pastor and his family in our prayers as he considers this call.

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CLASSIS EAST meets this Wednesday, Sept.14, 2016, at Southwest PRC, beginning at 8 AM.

This will be the first time that there will be delegates from Pittsburgh PRC.

In addition to the usual business, the agenda has two other matters:

1. A report from Southwest PRC of its serving as the committee of Classis for the organization of Pittsburgh PRC.

2. An emeritation request from Rev. Arie denHartog, pastor of SW PRC, effective Dec. 31, 2016.

Let us remember the delegates as they do the work of Christ's church today.

The Stated Clerk's report is now included here (as of Sept.17, 2016). It is also attached in pdf form.

Report of Classis East

September 14, 2016

Southwest PRC

Classis East met in regular session on Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at the Southwest PRC.   Each church was represented by two delegates.  Rev. C. Haak served as the chairman for this session.  Welcome was given to the delegates from Pittsburgh PRC who were attending classis for the first time and to the delegates ad examina from Classis West who were present for the consideration of the request for emeritation from Rev. A. denHartog.

Southwest PRC requested approval for the emeritation of their pastor, Rev. Arie denHartog effective January 1, 2017.  Classis granted this approval as did the delegates ad examina from Classis West.  Rev. Haak spoke fitting words to Rev. denHartog on this occasion, thanking him for his able and faithful work as a minister of the gospel in our churches.

The Classical Committee reported on their work in approving the 2016 and 2017 subsidy requests from Pittsburgh and of their approval of the transfer of the ministerial credentials of Rev. W. Bruinsma from Southwest PRC to Pittsburgh PRC.

Classis granted classical appointments to Holland PRC.  Classis also appointed a search committee to bring nominations to the January, 2017 for the selection of a new Stated Clerk.  Classis also informed the Pittsburgh PRC that they did not need permission to ask the churches in Classis East and Classis West for collections for their Building Fund.

The expenses of classis amounted to $1866.99.  Classis will meet next at the Georgetown PRC on January 11, 2017.

Respectfully submitted,

Jon J. Huisken, Stated Clerk

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The Council of Doon PRC announces a trio for calling a third missionary to the Philippines. It consists of Revs. A. Brummel (Heritage PRC, Sioux Falls, SD), N. Decker (Trinity PRC - Hudsonville, MI), and R. Kleyn (Covenant of Grace PRC - Spokane, WA). 

The congregation plans to call on Monday, Sept 19.

The PRC Seminary held its annual convocation on Wednesday, Sept.7, at Grandville PRC. Rev. Ken Koole, president of the Theological School Committee led in opening devotions.

Bryan Westra (SW PRC) performed a beautiful arrangement of "Praise Him, Praise Him" on the piano for the special music.

Prof. Russell Dykstra spoke on “The Ezra Model: Having a Heart for the Lord’s House,” expounding the Word of God in Ezra 7 and Nehemiah 8. It was a wonderful instructive and inspirational message (Watch for a link to it on Sermonaudio soon).

And at the end of the program Prof. R. Dykstra introduced the four (4) students taking classes this semester (seven seniors are gone for their internships): from left to right, first-year student, Josiah Tan (Covenant ERC, Singapore); then second-year students Darren Vink (First PRC, Grand Rapids, MI), Jacob Maatman (Crete/SW PRCs), and Matthew Kortus (Loveland/Faith PRCs).

May the Lord bless the faculty, students, and staff in this new season of instruction and preparation for the ministry of the Word. Let us remember to pray for this important cause in our daily prayers.

Profitable quote (from program - cf. attachment):

It has been shown, that by the faith of the gospel Christ becomes ours, and we are made partakers of the salvation and eternal blessedness procured by him. But as our ignorance and sloth (I may add, the vanity of our mind) stand in need of external helps, by which faith may be begotten in us, and may increase and make progress until its consummation, God, in accommodation to our infirmity, has added such helps, and secured the effectual preaching of the gospel, by depositing this treasure with the Church. He has appointed pastors and teachers, by whose lips he might edify his people (Eph. 4:11); he has invested them with authority, and, in short, omitted nothing that might conduce to holy consent in the faith, and to right order. In particular, he has instituted sacraments, which we feel by experience to be most useful helps in fostering and confirming our faith. For seeing we are shut up in the prison of the body, and have not yet attained to the rank of angels, God, in accommodation to our capacity, has in his admirable providence provided a method by which, though widely separated, we might still draw near to him…. I will begin with the Church, into whose bosom God is pleased to collect his children, not only that by her aid and ministry they may be nourished so long as they are babes and children, but may also be guided by her maternal care until they grow up to manhood, and, finally, attain to the perfection of faith. What God has thus joined, let not man put asunder: to those to whom he is a Father, the Church must also be a mother.
~ John Calvin Institutes of the Christian Religion, 4.1.1.

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  Hours:  Monday 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

  Tues. – Fri. 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

   Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

September – 2016

25% off month!

Email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Web site:    www.reformedbookoutlet.weebly.com  

    September is one of Reformed Book Outlet’s 25% off sale months.

Almost all of our books, and all Bibles and Bible covers are 25% off all month.

The sale does not include NET books, such as cookbooks, and Psalters.

Nor does it include any music CDs or cards.

Fitting Praises Cds:  We still have volumes 3, 4, 6, 8, and 15 left for $3.00 each.   These will remain on sale for $3.00 each, only through the month of September.  These Cds make great gifts, especially for shut-ins. 

        Once again school is starting, and soon our Bible societies will begin meeting.  You are able to find many helpful books for these needs at RBO.

        We stock a large variety of King James Bibles; regular print, large print, extra-giant print, compact size, study Bibles, Bibles with notes for youth, and parallel Bibles.

We keep on hand a good supply of Bible study aides such as Strong’s and Young’s Concordances, and Naves Topical Bible, etc.  We have several Bible dictionaries, and Bible atlases.

        Our commentary section includes many volumes on one book of the Bible, in addition to a one-volume commentary on the whole Bible, and a six volume commentary on the whole Bible.  In addition to actual commentaries, we have many books written concerning certain themes and people of scripture.  We can also try to special order any particular book you might need that you can’t find in the store, and if possible – at 25% off.

          We carry the entire inventory of RPFA books and study guides - priced at 25% off this month.    If your child’s class is using Suffer Little Children or Show Me Thy Ways by Gertrude Hoeksema, you can purchase the book for yourself at RBO for additional help at home; and for your child’s piano lessons – Marilyn DeVries’ Praise His Majesty is also 25% off.

        Be sure to stop in at RBO for all your needs as you begin the school year, and the society season.

        We will also have a 30% off table during the month of September, with many fiction books, (Lori Wick and Wanda Brunstetter titles among others) and some overstock of Christian living titles.

Let us help build your religious library