News

FMC Delegation to Make Visit to the Philippines Feb.11-24 (Update!)

philmap2From Doon PRC's bulletin we find this notice (Doon in the calling church for the foreign mission labors in the Philippines, with Rev.D. Kleyn and his wife Sharon serving there at present):

This week Thursday, February 11, Rev. Engelsma and Lee & Joann Hoekstra plan to leave for the Philippines as the annual Doon/FMC delegation. They plan to return on Wednesday, February 24. Pray that God would give them safe travels and bless their time on the field.

According to Rev.J. Engelsma the delegation's plan is to visit all of the churches and groups with whom our missionary is working and in that way get a taste for all of the places, people, and labors.

Let us be in prayer for this delegation as they travel and as they make these visits. May they gain good knowledge of the fields and labors and also be an encouragement to our missionary and his wife.

To read about some of Rev.J.Engelsma's impressions and thoughts, visit his blog posts at the RFPA blog site. Here is a sample of what he wrote about his first Lord's Day with the saints in the PRC of Bulacan:

Today (Sunday) is difficult to put into words. For a while now I've been thinking about how to describe and summarize it, but I'm not sure I can. It was a day of sensory overflow—physically, emotionally, spiritually.

Some of the more physical things are easier to describe, although impossible to express. We were on the road by 6:30 this morning, in order to travel the 2 hours to the PRC of Bulacan. The ride put into perspective the 20 steps I have from the backdoor of the parsonage to the church, even on the windiest, coldest Iowa morning. Along the way we had to creep through a large, street-side market swarming with people, and vehicles, and people, and animals, and more people. The sights, the smells, the sounds—they were almost too much to handle at once. My head was on a swivel and I still missed 95% of it, I'm sure.

That was the easy part. Now comes the hard: describing our time with the congregation and council of Bulacan. How do you put into words the genuine, Spirit-worked thrill of worshiping God with the brothers and sisters in Bulacan? Impossible. How do you describe the smiling faces and joyful greetings in the Lord? It can't be done. How do you even begin to convey the soul's rapture at hearing Psalter numbers sung in a language you can't understand but yet you do understand, hearing the soul-stirring cry of Ps. 51 in the Tagalog tongue express one's own sorrow for sin? Inexpressible. How do you communicate the rush of silent tears of joy and gratitude? God alone has them bottled.

Today we met some other members of our family. They are different from us. Their native tongue, their skin color, their backgrounds, their taste buds, their culture—all is different. And yet we are the same. One in faith, one in hope, one in love for God and for his church, one in the Lord Jesus Christ.

A beautiful Sabbath.

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Reformed Witness Hour Messages for February 2016

RWHmasthead

First PRC of Grand Rapids, MI and the Reformed Witness Hour Committee announce the messages scheduled for February 2016 on the RWH radio program.

revrkleynRev. Rodney Kleyn, pastor of Covenant of Grace PRC (Spokane, WA) begins his four-month service for the RWH program and has planned a special series on the second coming of Christ and the signs that announce it, as well as special messages for the Lenten and Easter seasons.

You are encouraged to take in these timely messages and to let others know about them too. Help spread the word about the Reformed Witness Hour!

Below is the schedule of messages, which you will also find attached in pdf form. For stations and time of broadcast, visit the RWH website, where you may also listen to and download past messages from the archive section.

February 7, 2016 – Rev. Rodney Kleyn - The Second Coming of Christ - Revelation 22: 12-13

February 14, 2016 – Rev. Rodney Kleyn -The Millennial Kingdom - Revelation 20: 1-6

February 21, 2016 – Rev. Rodney Kleyn - Signs of Jesus’ Coming - Matthew 24:8

February 28, 2016 – Rev. Rodney Kleyn -This Gospel in All the World - Matthew 24:14

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Updates from Pittsburgh PR Fellowship - February 2016

Pittsburgh PR Fellowship Updates for February 2016

  • The Georgetown Protestant Reformed Church brought a group of young people out to explore the Pittsburgh area and visit the church here.  I’m not sure if they understand how uplifting this was for our group!  What fun we had getting to know some of the young people of our churches!  Sunday night we played games in the church basement and ate pizza and ice cream sundaes.

GTPRC visit 1

  • Congratulations to Larissa VanPutten on becoming an aunt for the first time!  We all rejoice with her and are reminded what a special place she has in our church.  She is our book keeper and does such an excellent job!
  • The Neighborhood Outreach Committee met January 10.  We are working on planning our spring lecture.  More details to come next month, Lord willing.
  • We have begun meeting Wed. nights to study the church order in preparation of organizing, the Lord willing, sometime this year.

Our Visitors:

  • All from Georgetown church:
    • Katelyn DeYoung, Abigail Miedema, Josh Penna, Clayton Ritsema, Brianna Boven, Elise Boven, Olivia Miedema, Isaac Start, Caleb Bleyenburg, Timothy Bartelds II, Kelli Bleyenburg, Jamie and Dave Ritsema, Heidi Boven, Lyndsey, Dan, and Cameron Boverhoff.

    GTPRC visit 2

  • Heather, Tori, Ian, Trenton, Anthony, Hunter, and Kurtis Mowery from Providence PRC.
  • Brad and Trisha Bruinsma, Kari, Skyler and Emma, from Grandville PRC.

Church Events for February:

  • Bible Studies continue to meet on Wed.  One in our church, the other in Cranberry PA.
  • Catechism classes meet Thursday at 10:00 am.
  • Spring Lecture is being planned.

Local Events for February:

  • If you need help or advice planning a spring break trip or summer vacation. Please e-mail the pastor or Mandy Tolsma at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
  • Area camping:  Keystone State Park is a very nice campground.  They have a lake for swimming or fishing and beautiful woods in which to camp. http://www.stateparks.com/keystone_westmoreland.html.
  • Ask for the Protestant Reformed Discount at the Comfort Inn on Rodi Road.
  • The Carnegie Science Center is always a big hit for the family.  Located right along the Ohio River.  It is a good place to start and then walk to explore downtown.  Or take the train!  It is free for those traveling downtown or under the Monongahela River.
  • Incoming Juniors/Seniors:  Are you looking for a great Christian College?  Consider Grove City College.  It is about an hour from Pittsburgh.  In the past students have driven down on Sunday morning and stayed the day to travel home on Sunday night.  It is very encouraging to our church to have students take part in our church life.  And just ask Larissa, there may be a job waiting for you right here in Pittsburgh!

 

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Reformed News Asia - January 2016 (#25)

From our sister church in Singapore - Covenant Evangelical Reformed Church - comes the latest issue of "REFORMED NEWS ASIA."

Issue 25 - January 2016
Pamphlets
We print pamphlets written by our members and those from other Reformed churches of like-minded faith. They include a wide range of topics from doctrines to church history and practical Christian living. These pamphlets serve to promote knowledge of the true God as expressed in the Reformed faith.
NEW Pamphlet!
(Part 3 of a 3-part series on articles on the Heidelberg Catechism)

The Heidelberg Catechism - A Covenantal Confession
By Prof Russell Dykstra

"One of the distinct and distinguishing doctrines of Reformed theology is the truth of God's everlasting covenant of grace." The intent of this article is to show that the Heidelberg Catechism is a covenantal confession. The Catechism views the truth of God's Word through the lens of the covenant.

In this article, the contributions made by the authors of the catechism are also discussed. I hope you know who they are - Zacharias Ursinus and Caspar Olevianus. Both of them were covenant theologians.

The covenant theology behind the Heidelberg Catechism is unconditional. It is an unconditional friendship established by God with His chosen people in Christ. This is addressed in Q&A 74 regarding infant baptism.

Why do Reformed believers love the Heidelberg Catechism? Because it breathes the doctrine of the covenant. God's unconditional, eternal covenant of grace with believers and their seed.


Click hereto view our catalogue of pamphlets.

Click here to make an order.

All pamphlets are free. CERC reserves some discretion regarding large orders and/or orders from those outside Singapore.

 
Audio Recordings

As we continue with our sermon series on Jeremiah, we had opportunity to listen to God's word to Israel regarding the Hallowing of the Sabbath Day.

Click to listen to the sermon!

Click here to access all our audio recordings.
 
Upcoming Events!
 
Chinese New Year Visitation
Join us for a time of fellowship during CNY visitation on 13 Feb 2016! Homes open to visitation:

1) Joshua and Beverly (1:30 - 3:30pm)
2) Elder Wong and Family (11:30am - 2:30pm)
3) Elder Wee and Family (11:30am - 2:30pm)

Sign up at the pillar in the MPH!

 
Past Events...
 
Open Sunday 2016
As per previous years, CERC began the first Sunday of the year with an "Open Sunday" to mark the start of another year of Catechism Instruction and Sunday school. Highlights included an exhortation by Elder Wong, presentations by various teachers and song items by the children.
Song presentation by students in the Primary school classes.
 
Baptism and Confession of Faith
In the past 2 months, we witnessed the Baptism of a youth and the Confession of Faith of a regular visitor. When asked these questions, what is our answer?

1. Do you acknowledge the doctrine contained in the Old and New Testaments and in the Articles of the Christian faith and taught here in this Christian church to be the true and complete doctrine of salvation?

2. Have you resolved by the grace of God to adhere to this doctrine; to reject all heresies repugnant thereto; and to lead a new, godly life?

3. Will you submit to church government, and in case you should become delinquent (which may God graciously forbid), to church discipline?
 

Baptism of Kuang
Confession of Faith of Huggy
 
Notes
British Reformed Fellowship Family Conference
Interested to join the 2016 BRF Family Conference? This year's conference is held at Castlewellan Conference Centre in Northern Ireland from 16 July (Sat) to 23 July (Sat). The speakers, Prof David Engelsma and Rev Andy Lanning, will lecture on "Behold, I Come Quickly: The Reformed, Biblical Truth of the End." More information athttp://brfconference.weebly.com.
 
NEW CLM WEBSITE!!

Visit our new CLM website to read the latest articles and access archives of the Daily Meditations. Click the picture to access.

 
Salt Shakers
Salt Shakers is a bi-monthly magazine published by the youth in CERC. Included in each issue are writings pertaining to both Reformed doctrine and practical theology. Articles are contributed by the Session, youth and members of CERC, as well as pastors and professors from the Protestant Reformed Churches in the USA and Northern Ireland. Salt Shakers also features articles from other Reformed publications, notably the Standard Bearer and Beacon Lights. Click here to access!
 
Covenant Evangelical Reformed Church
We are a Reformed Church that holds to the doctrines of the Reformation as they are expressed in the Belgic Confession, the Heidelberg Catechism and the Canons of Dordt.

Lord’s Day services on Sunday at 930 am & 2 pm • 11 Jalan Mesin, #04-00, Standard Industrial Building, Singapore 368813 • Pastor: Rev Andy Lanning  • www.cerc.org.sg 
 

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Rev.J. Mahtani Declines Call to the Philippines

JonMahtaniRev. J. Mahtani, pastor of Cornerstone PRC (Dyer, IN), declined the call from Doon (Iowa) PRC to serve as a second foreign missionary to the Philippines. 

May God bless Rev. Mahtani and his family as they continue to serve the saints in Cornerstone. 

And may He also continue to uphold Rev. Daniel and Sharon Kleyn as they press on in their labors in the Philippines - waiting on the Lord for another missionary to provide assistance.

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Covenant ERCS Delegation to India - January 2016

INDIA VISIT: 

Daniel HolstegeRev. D. Holstege (First PRC, Holland, MI) went from the Philippines to Singapore this past week to fill the pulpit at Covenant ERCS for one Lord’s Day.

Pastor A. Lanning, Elder Leong, Ishu Mahtani, Claudia Leong, and Emily Lanning are visiting in Kolkata, India from Jan. 28 to Feb. 4. The delegation of Elder Leong and Pastor Lanning will meet with Emmanuel and the other men in Kolkata regarding the work in Kolkata, as well as worship with the Fellowship on Jan.31.

India 2015 1
Rev.A. Lanning, Elder Leong, Emmanuel, and Ishu Mahtani outside Carey College in Kolkata, India in March of 2015

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