PRC and Sister-Church News for the Week of May 13, 2018

On this nineteenth Lord's Day of 2018, May 13, we note the following news and information concerning PRC congregations, the Seminary, mission fields, and sister churches.

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS:

• On April 29 the congregation of Heritage PRC (Sioux Falls, SD) voted to extend a call to Candidate J. Langerak. TODAY Heritage PRC announced his acceptance of this call. We rejoice with this brother in God's confirmation of His sovereign summons to the ministry of the Word in our churches and we rejoice with Heritage in God's provision of another pastor to serve her.
  
  
• Having accepted the call to Calvary PRC (Hull, IA) Rev. A. Brummel will preach his farewell in Heritage PRC today during the second service. Calvary PRC will be moving the Brummel family on Monday, May 14, to Hull, IA.  His installation as pastor of Calvary PRC is planned for May 20 during the PM service, which will be conducted by Rev. J. Laning, Calvary PRC’s moderator. 
  
  
• The Western Young People's Retreat: The Young People from Spokane and Lynden are planning another retreat for 2018 for ages 14-20. The theme of the retreat will be "Communion with God” from Psalm 63. The dates are July 2-5 at Camp Sanders in Tensed, ID, about an hour Southeast of Spokane. We encourage families to come and spend the week (on-site camping and cabins are available). For more information or for a copy of the registration form contact Rev. Rodney Kleyn (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Mr. Fred Hanko (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). Registration forms will also be available from your pastor or Young People’s Leader.
  
  
• First PRC in Edmonton, AB has this special notice concerning a significant event this summer: "The dates for the 2018 Family Conference have been finalized! First PRC in Edmonton, AB plans to host the conference July 20-22, 2018 D.V. Hear from our speakers: Rev. B. Huizinga, N. Langerak and J. Marcus on the topic of 'Seeking The Lord'. Mark your calendars and plan to attend what promises to be a spiritually encouraging time of growth and fellowship with saints from Canada and abroad, as well as an opportunity to see some of the beauty that God has created here in Canada. For more information or to register, please visit our website https://edmontonfamilyconf.wixsite.com/conference2018, or contact Scott Ferguson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. "
  
  
• Southeast PRC in Grand Rapids has made a special announcement and request concerning a significant event in her history: "Southeast Protestant Reformed Church (formerly Fourth PRC) will be celebrating 75 years of existence in March of 2019.  A book is being developed to commemorate this event.  If you have memorabilia, pictures, anecdotes, etc. relating to this history and are willing to share, please contact Tim Pipe Sr at 616-890-2545 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.."

DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

• CLASSIS EAST met this past Wednesday, May 9, at Faith PRC. The following is the brief summary provided for the PRC bulletins for this Sunday. A more complete stated clerk's report will be provided later.
  
  

Classis East met in regular session this past Wednesday. The emeritation request of Rev. K. Koole was approved. Two appeals and two protest were not treated because Classis judged that they were not finished in the consistory. Four protests directly pertaining to the decisions of January / February Classis meeting were put into the hands of a committee that will bring its recommendation to a continuation meeting of Classis to be held at Faith PRC on July 18, 2018 at 8:00 a.m. Two protest were upheld that rescinded the decision of the January 2018 meeting of Classis that limited the distribution of agendas of Classical meetings to current council members. The next regular scheduled meeting of Classis will be held September 12, 2018 at Grace PRC, Standale Michigan.

• Synod 2018 announcement: Synod 2017 appointed Byron Center PRC the calling church for the 2018 Synod. Synod will convene, D.V., on Tuesday, June 12, 2018 at 8:00 a.m., in the gymnasium of Adams Christian School (please note the change of venue from the announcement in the May 1 Standard Bearer). The Pre-synodical Service will be held on Monday evening, June 11, at 7:00 p.m. at Byron Center PRC (please note that the pre-synodical service and the meetings of synod will be held in different venues). Delegates in need of lodging should contact Mr. Mike Elzinga (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). Phone: (616) 328-2753.
  
  

4th grade class from Heritage CS (Ms. Liz Van Drunen's), recent visitors to the Seminary (cf. note below)

• PRC Seminary News:
  • The seminary recently had some grade-school visitors, from Hope PRCS in Walker, MI (April 24) and from Heritage CS in Hudsonville (May 3).
    
    
  • The seminary has now completed its fifteen weeks of regular classes in the second semester, with a week of final exams scheduled for this week. Continue to pray for faculty and students that they might finish the year well.
    
    
  • The upcoming internships of Seminarians Matt Kortus and Jacob Maatman have been confirmed. Sem. Kortus will be interning at Trinity PRC under Rev. N. Decker and his Council and Sem. Maatman will intern at Hudsonville PRC under Rev. G. Eriks and his Council. The internship program runs from July 1 to December 31.
    
    
  • *FUTURE TEACHERS AND MINISTERS: Information for the 2018 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 31.
    
    

 
Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Launceston, Australia, pastored by Rev. M. Shand (cf. note on the EPCA below)

SISTER-CHURCH NEWS

• Concerning our sister church in Singapore, Covenant ERC, we note the following:
  
  
  • Rev. A. den Hartog and his wife Sherry continue to serve the CERC until at least June of this year. Read the "Pastor's Voice" part of her bulletin to learn more.
    
    
  • Her latest newsletter (APRIL 2018) - Reformed News Asia - was recently posted and may be found on this page. Watch for the next issue soon!
    
    
  • The latest young peoples' magazine, Salt Shakers, was received and posted recently (March 2018 - cf. image above). Check that out on this page.
    
    
• Concerning our sister church in Ballymena, N. Ireland, Covenant PRC, we call attention to the following:
  • Covenant PRC's latest newsletter was received and posted recently (April 2018). And don't forget her other publication - Covenant Reformed News! That latest issue received last week (April 2018) may be found here.
    
  • Join Reformed believers from around the world at the 2018 British Reformed Fellowship family conference at Hebron Hall in South Wales from Saturday, July 21, to Saturday, July 28. Our speakers, Prof. David Engelsma and Rev. Andy Lanning, will lecture on "The Reformed Family—According to the Word of God." More information and booking forms are available at http://brfconference.weebly.com or contact Briana Prins (616-214-2779; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

• 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 too.

SPECIAL NOTICES:

• Looking for pamphlets published by the PRC? Visit the PRCA Evangelism page for a complete list of materials available in digital format or by order from the publishing church.
  
  
• Looking for Reformed literature and a solid Reformed and biblical magazine to read? 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. You will also want to read the RFPA's Spring Newsletter!
  
• If you missed Covenant Christian HS's 50th anniversary program on April 27, you can still watch it on this YouTube channel.
  
  

• The 2018 PRYP's Convention will be held August 13-17, 2018 at Lake Geneva Christian Center in Alexandria, MN. The hosting churches of the Midwest are excited to have you join us for an upbuilding week of fellowship and fun!
  
  • Registration for the 2018 PRYP Convention: If you haven't registered yet, you have one last chance! Registration closes on May 15. We can't wait to have you join us! For more details and to register, visit prcconvention.com.
  • We still need chaperones for 2018 Young People’s Convention.  The convention is planned for August 13-17 at Lake Geneva Christian Center in Alexandria, MN.  To register, 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..
  • Due to housing limitations in Iowa, the Iowa convention steering committee has asked that the people coming from Michigan be bussed directly to the camp on Monday.  Conventioneers will not be allowed to drive directly to the camp, but must register for a bus. Bussing is lined up to leave from the Grand Rapids area Monday morning around midnight in order to get to the camp in time for registration.  Cost to ride the bus is around $100. To register or for more information contact Chris Dykstra at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
    
    

Don't forget to listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday! Today Rev. R. Kleyn (Covenant of Grace PRC, Spokane, WA) delivers a special Mother's Day message titled "The Praiseworthy Woman" based on Prov.31:10-31.

• From the Reformed Witness Hour (RWH) Committee: the RWH has a new, updated website! Please visit reformedwitnesshour.org to watch our introduction video, view pictures and audio from our history, and read and listen to almost 20 years of past radio broadcasts! If you haven’t visited the RWH website recently, now is an excellent time to familiarize yourself with this important radio-internet ministry of the Reformed faith.
  
  
• 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.

 
Meeting place of Limerick Reformed Fellowship led by Missionary-pastor M. McGeown, Republic of Ireland (cf. note below)

 MISSION NEWS:

• Remember in prayer our home missionary, Rev. A. Spriensma, who continues to labor in the West Michigan area and beyond.
  
  
• The February/March 2018 newsletter of the Limerick Reformed Fellowship mission station is now posted on this page.
  
  
• Have you read Rev. Titus' latest report on the work going on in Myanmar? Find that on this page.
  
  
• A brand new Philippines mission newsletter was received and recently posted (April 2018) and may be found on this PRC webpage.
  
  
• Don't forget to follow the Kleyn's blog on life and activities in the Philippines. And that also includes the Holstege's one! And the Smits once again too!
  
  
• From this Sunday's bulletins of the Provident Christian Church in Marikina, the Philippines and the Maranatha PRC in Valenzuela we find the following notes concerning their pastors as well as concerning our missionaries and their labors today and in this coming week:
  • Provident CC:
    • Rev. Holstege will preach both times today and teach the Church Order, Articles 73ff after the first service. Next Sunday, Lord willing, Revs. Holstege and Kleyn will both preach once at PCC.
    • The Wednesday night Bible study will begin again, Lord willing, on May 23. Rev. Kleyn will lead us for a couple months.
    • The Holsteges will depart for their six-week furlough in the U.S. on June 11, Lord willing.
      
      
  • Maranatha PRC:
    • Our Missionary, Rev. R. Smit will lead our first service and our second service.
    • We are also celebrating our 35th Church Anniversary today.

Let us continue to lift up the needs of these busy pastors and missionaries in the Philippines. May the Lord of the harvest give them grace to be faithful and encouraged in all their labors.
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