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PRC and Sister-Church News for the Week of June 10, 2018

Proverbs 16 7On this twenty-third Lord's Day of 2018, June 10, we note the following news and information concerning PRC congregations, the Seminary, mission fields, and sister churches.

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS:

  • On May 13 Candidate J. Langerak announced his acceptance of the call he had received from Heritage PRC (Sioux Falls, SD) on April 29. His examination will now take place at the meeting of Classis West on August 29 at Peace PRC (cf. note below under "Denominational News).

  • From Trinity PRC's (Hudsonville, MI) bulletin comes this special note concerning a special lecture THIS WEEK: "Our consistory is sponsoring a lecture by Rev. Angus Stewart entitled “Gottschalk: Medieval Confessor of God’s Absolute Sovereignty” on June 13 at 7:30 PM at Georgetown PRC. Rev. Stewart will be in West Michigan for synod as a representative of our sister congregation, the Covenant Protestant Reformed Church of Northern Ireland."

  • From Grace PRC comes this special invitation for NEXT SUNDAY: Please join us on Sunday evening, June 17, at 8:00 PM. Grace PRC is hosting a presentation by Rev. D. Holstege, missionary to the Philippines. Rev. Holstege will be detailing how a third missionary is affecting the labor in the Philippines. He will also be giving an update on Provident Christian Church and on the establishment of a seminary in Manila. Refreshments to follow.
  • From Pittsburgh PRC comes this announcement about an upcoming: "Save the date! On June 22 at 7 pm, we will have a lecture given to us by Rev. N. Decker from our Trinity Protestant Reformed Church. It is entitled “Living Wisely in a Digital Age.”

  • 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.

  • Reminder from 1st PRC in Edmonton, AB: The dates for the 2018 Family Conference are coming up quickly. We plan 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 finalize your plans to attend what promises to be an edifying 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., For those that prefer the phone, you can call (780)489-6470.

  • 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.."

byroncentrePRCadamscs logo

DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

  • Synod 2018 announcement: Synod 2017 appointed Byron Center PRC the calling church for the 2018 Synod. Synod will convene, D.V., THIS 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), with Rev. S. Key leading the service and ministering the Word (president of last year's synod).

  • Classis West meeting (note date and place changes): At the request of Heritage PRC (and Doon PRC), the Classical Committee of Classis West has changed the date for the next meeting of Classis West to August 29. It had previously been scheduled for September 26. Also, at the request of Heritage PRC, the location also has been changed. Peace PRC will host the August 29 meeting of Classis where Pastor-elect Jonathan Langerak will be examined, while Heritage PRC will host Classis on March 6, 2019, the Lord willing.
  • PRC Seminary News:

    • The Spring 2018 issue of the PRT Journal is at the printers but the pdf version is available. Visit this page to find out the contents and begin reading.

    • The seminary has now completed its fifteen weeks of regular classes in the second semester and the final exams. Pray that the Lord may give a profitable summer break to faculty and students.

    • The seminary will be open daily during the summer months, including the library and archives. Staff will be available for assistance with any needs you may have.

    • Two of our professors have special trips planned this summer: Prof. R. Dykstra will labor in our sister church in Singapore (Covenant ERC) for six weeks and Prof. R. Cammenga will be part of an exploratory mission trip to Mexico with Rev. C. Griess (First PRC, Grand Rapids, MI) and Doner Bartolon, one of our pre-seminary students who comes from the area to be visited.

    • The upcoming internships of Seminarians Matt Kortus and Jacob Maatman will soon begin. 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.

    • The Seminary faculty along with Trinity PRC Evangelism Committee is working on plans for a Spring 2019 conference to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the great Synod of Dordt, 1618-19-2018-19. Look for details on this in the future.

SS 49 May 2018 cover 
Latest issue of Salt Shakers
- May 2018 (cf. note below)

SISTER-CHURCH NEWS

  • 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 (May 2018) may be found here.

    • It's not too late to 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." Booking forms are due June 13 and 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.).

  • 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 (May 2018 - cf. image above). Check that out on this page.
  • 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.

 image001 1
*One of the many pamphlets available on the PRC website (cf. note below)

SPECIAL NOTICES:

  • The PRC Denominational Directory is now for sale for just $15.00. To order please fill out an order form or by emailing Laura Huizinga @ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Directories will be delivered to your church 1-2 weeks after payment is received.

  • *The Psalter App is now available for Android as well as for IOS (Apple) devices. For more info visit: https://psalterapp.weebly.com

  • Looking for Reformed literature and a solid Reformed and biblical magazine to read, including perhaps some graduation gift ideas? 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!

  • Are you searching for spiritually edifying music as well as for Bibles and other Reformed literature? Visit the Reformed Book Outlet in downtown Hudsonville, MI or visit their website.

  • *Considering some pamphlets published by the PRC for use in evangelism and/or witnessing? Visit the PRCA Evangelism page for a complete list of materials available in digital format or by order from the publishing church.

PRYP Convention logo 2018

RWH logo 1

Don't forget to listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday! Today Rev. C. Haak (Georgetown PRC, Hudsonville, MI) returns to the program and begins a series on Jesus' Beatitudes. The title of today's message is "Blessed Are They That Mourn", based on Matt.5:4.

  • 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.

 missionaries wedding may 2018
Our missionaries at a recent wedding (for more on this wonderful event, visit the Kleyns' blog)

 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' most recent report on the work going on in Myanmar (May 2018)? 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. Smit will preach both times today. Rev. Holstege will teach the Church Order, Articles 81ff. Rev. Kleyn has agreed to finish teaching the Church Order when the Holsteges go on their furlough. Next week, D.V., Rev. Kleyn will preach both times.

      • The Wednesday night Bible study will meet this week at 7:30. Rev. Kleyn will continue to lead us through the “Declaration of Principles of the Protestant Reformed Churches.”

      • The Holsteges will depart from the Philippines tomorrow morning, June 11, and return on July 24, Lord willing. They plan to spend time in Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Colorado. Rev. Holstege plans to preach several times and to give a presentation of our mission work to churches in the four states mentioned above. Please remember the Holsteges in prayer while they are away from us.

  • Maranatha PRC:
    • Our Pastor, Rev. L. Trinidad will lead our first service and our second service. Next week, Rev. R. Smit will lead us in our First and Second services.

    • The PRCP Classis will meet on June 12, 2018, Tuesday at 9:00 in the morning in Berean PRC and our Consistory members will be attending this meeting.

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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Last modified on 10 June 2018