News from the PRC and Sister-Churches for the Week of November 18, 2018 *(Updated)

On this forty-sixth Lord's Day of 2018, November 18, we provide the following news and information concerning PRC congregations, the Seminary, mission fields, and sister churches.

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS:

• This week Thursday, November 22, the PRC congregations in the U.S. will be celebrating our national Thanksgiving Day with a special service of thanksgiving and praise to our Creator-Father, the Giver of every good and perfect gift. Join us in worship this Thursday (most services are at 9:30 AM, but check the website of the church near you for specific time).
  
  
• On November 11 Rev. W. Langerak (SE-GR PRC) DECLINED the call through Grandville PRC to serve as minister on loan to Covenant Evangelical Church in Singapore.
  
  
• In that connection, the bulletin of Grandville PRC contains this notice today: "Council formed a trio consisting of Rev. Garret Eriks, Rev. Erik Guichelaar and Rev. Steven Key. From among these men we will vote to issue a call to one of them to serve as the next Minister on Loan to Singapore. Our Congregational Meeting is scheduled for Sunday evening, November 25, directly after the evening service."
  
  
• Rev. Joshua Engelsma (Doon, IA) is considering the call from Immanuel PRC (Lacombe, AB) (received on October 28). He plans to answer TODAY. *UPDATE: It was announced in Doon and Immanuel PRCs that Rev. Engelsma had DECLINED this call.
  
  
• Rev. Brian Huizinga (Hope, Redlands, CA) is considering the call from the congregation of Trinity PRC (Hudsonville, MI - received on October 28).  *UPDATE: It was announced in Hope and Trinity PRCs that Rev. Huizinga had DECLINED this call.
  
  
• Rev. Ron Hanko (emeritus) is ministering the Word in Immanuel PRC during the month of November. Her Consistory also gave this important note in the bulletin today:
  "The consistory decided to change the time of the afternoon worship service to start an hour later at 4:30 p.m. The ground for the decision is to give the minister adequate time for rest between services. The change will start this Sunday the 18^th of November. The time of the morning service remains unchanged. The consistory will revisit this time change once our vacancy has ended."
  

• From First PRC-Edmonton comes this special invitation for this week Friday: "The Evangelism Committee invites you to a public lecture entitled “Fighting for Sexual Purity: The Battle Against Pornography” this Friday, November 23, at 7:30 PM. Discussed will be the pervasiveness of this sin in the world and church, the dreadful and destructive consequences of this sin, how we may guard against it, and the hope for those presently caught in its grip."

• Southeast PRC (Grand Rapids, MI) is currently worshiping Adams Christian School in Wyoming, MI, while she looks for a new location for the congregation.

 DENOMINATIONAL NEWS:

PRC Seminary News:

• Seminary is now in its thirteenth week of classses in this first semester. The second practice preaching session is scheduled for Monday, Nov.16, with Sem. Josiah Tan to deliver his sermon. Continue to pray for the professors, students, and staff as they busy themselves in the work of training men for the gospel ministry.
  
  
• The internships of Seminarians Matt Kortus and Jacob Maatman began July 1. Sem. Kortus is interning at Trinity PRC under Rev. N. Decker and the Council there. Sem. Maatman is interning at Hudsonville PRC under Rev. G. Eriks and his Council. The internship program runs from July 1 to December 31.
  
  
• The PRC Synod 2018 took a decision urging “the churches and the pastors in particular in their public prayers to pray the Lord of the harvest for able, faithful, and devoted pastors and teachers (Ephesians 4:11) for us and our children, as well as for the gathering of the elect out of the nations (Matthew 28:19).” A number of ministers are nearing the age of emeritation, and the number of students in the seminary at this time will not be sufficient to fill the upcoming needs of our churches either in our own congregations or in the work of missions. Please remember this urgent need in your prayers and encourage young men whom you observe to have the gifts to consider the ministry.
  
  
• The Seminary faculty along with Trinity PRC Evangelism Committee are busy implementing plans for a Spring 2019 conference to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the great Synod of Dordt, 1618/19 - 2018/19. The following updates are being given:
  
  Dordt 400: Did you know November 13 1618, 400 years ago, the Synod of Dordt began and didn’t conclude until nearly 6 months and 154 meetings later?! Are you familiar with the preceding history that led to this lengthy meeting? Do you know the week by week events that happened during the Great Synod? Follow that history and join the blog at Dordt400.org to view the weekly events  Synod of Dordt. Stay up to speed in light of Seminary's conference April 25-27 2019.

  Dordt 400 Writing contest:  Don’t forget that the conference also includes a writing contest with great prizes!  Sign up and submit your essay by January 15 at the conference website Dordt400.org
  

*Covenant PRC in Ballymena, N. Ireland

SISTER-CHURCH NEWS:

• Concerning our sister church in Singapore, Covenant ERC, we may note the following items (From her bulletin today):
  • "As you are aware, Rev William Langerak has declined the call to be our MOL. We are thankful that the Lord has made His will clear to Rev Langerak and CERC. The Council of Grandvlle PRC has formed a new trio of Rev. Garry Eriks, Rev. Eric Guichelaar and Rev. Steven Key at their meeting the past week. The Grandville congregation will be voting to call a MOL from this trio on 25 Nov, Sunday after the evening worship service. Let us not be discouraged, but continue to wait patiently on the Lord to send us the man of His choosing in His perfect time. In the meanwhile, we truly thank God for His unfailing care for us in providing various ministers to preach and teach over the past year."
    
    
  • Her latest newsletter (OCTOBER 2018) - Reformed News Asia - was recently posted and may be found on this page.
    
    
  • The latest young peoples' magazine, Salt Shakers, was received and posted recently (September 2018 - cf. image above). Check that out on this page.
    

• The PRC now has an official sister-church relationship with the PRC in the Philippines, confirmed at this year's synod! We rejoice in this evidence of the Lord's blessing on the work in the Philippines and of the unity of Christ's church, which He gathers from all nations, tribes, and tongues. May the Lord grant us a mutually edifying and God-honoring relationship.
  
  
• *Concerning our sister church in Ballymena, N. Ireland, Covenant PRC, we may note the following:
  
  • Covenant PRC's latest newsletter was received and posted recently (August 2018).
    
    
  • And don't forget her other publication - Covenant Reformed News! That latest issue received last week (October 2018) may be found here.

• 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.

*Christians want to know Christ from the Old Testament, from Micah, and the other minor prophets. And yet for many of us the minor prophets are like a sealed book. The inspired writing of the minor prophets are addressed to the people of God and addressed to us also in the New Testament church. As inspired scripture they indeed  speak of Christ: Micah does so extensively, and not only in the obvious reference to Bethlehem in chapter 5:2.

The prophet Micah proclaims the incomparable God of judgment and mercy. This God is our God, the God of all who believe in Jesus Christ. And this prophecy has vital lessons to teach us today.

SPECIAL NOTICES:

• *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.
  
  
• If you are in need of 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. Looking for items on worship in the PRC? Visit this page for more information.
  
  
• You can now listen to the Heidelberg Catechism and the Belgic Confession on audio! Visiit the links provided to hear the Catechism and the Confession read. It's another excellent way to learn the Reformed faith and memorize these Reformed creeds.

• Have you visited the Reformed Book Outlet in downtown Hudsonville, MI recently? If you or a friend are interested in spiritually edifying music, as well as in Bibles (and Bible study materials!)  and other Reformed literature, do so, or visit their website.
  

• Don't forget to listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday (on radio or on the Internet)! Today Rev. W. Bruinsma (pastor of Pittsburgh PRC) gives a message based on Psalm 135:5-6 - "Jehovah Does What Pleases Him."
  
  
• 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 PRC.
  
  
• A new Spanish edition of the RWH is being produced and may be found on this YouTube channel (PRC Espanol). Look for new messages each week - and help spread the word!

ESPECIALLY FOR PRC YP and YA:

• Advance notice! The Loveland Young Adults Retreat is scheduled to occur March 18-21 at the YMCA. The speakers will be Rev. S. Key and Rev. R. VanOverloop. The theme is Ambassadors for Christ, spoken from the text II Corinthians 5:20. More details to follow.
  
  
• Are YOU a subscriber to the PR Young People's magazine, the Beacon Lights? Visit the website and discover why you ought to be.
  
  
• The latest young peoples' magazine of Covenant ERC in Singapore, Salt Shakers, was received and posted recently (September 2018 - cf. image above). Check that out on this page.
  

Rev. C. Haak teaching an Eschatology session for the Sola Gratia Conference this past week (*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.
  
  
• *From Georgetown PRC concerning her work in India:

  We remember in prayer the delegation of Pastor and Mary Haak and Joel and Ellen Bruinooge (who return Monday, Nov.19) as they continue their work in the PRC of Vellore India (Nov. 7-27). "Pastor Haak will lead seminars for area  pastors and students of the Sola Gratia  Academy in the doctrine of Eschatology, conduct classes in the Tamil and English congregations on the Covenant Family, preach on the Lord’s Day, meet with the PRCV Council, and make visits to the members of the congregation and the children of the GFH. Pray for safety of travel and blessing upon the Word of Truth to the hearts of many."
  
  

• Limerick Reformed Fellowship News: The August 2018 newsletter of the Limerick Reformed Fellowship mission station is now posted on this page. From her bulletin of this week we learn of this significant opportunity coming up: "Rev. McGeown has been invited to speak for the Christian Union (CU) of University College Cork (UCC) on the subject of “Old Testament Prophecies of Christ” on Tuesday 27 November at 7 PM. Please pray for this witness."
  
  
• To read Rev. Titus' most recent report on the work going on in Myanmar (May 2018), visit this page.
  
  
• The latest Philippines mission newsletter was received and recently posted (July 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! And don't miss out on the Smits once again too!
  
  
• From this Sunday's bulletins of the Provident Christian Church in Marikina and the Maranatha PRC in Valenzuela, the Philippines 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 at PCC.

    • Rev. Kleyn will preach for the Bearers of Light Community Church in Guiguinto today.

    • Rev. Holstege will preach at the Welfareville Church of Christ in Mandaluyong City today. He will expound Ephesians 1:4-5 and the truth of our unconditional election in Christ.

    • The Wednesday night Bible Study class will meet this week at 7:30. We will study “the interpretation of parables” in Scripture.

  • Maranatha PRC:
    • Today, our Pastor, Rev. L. Trinidad will lead us in both services and after the second service he will teach the Eschatology.

    • Next week: Rev. D. Kleyn will lead us in both services and will continue teaching the Belgic Confession.

       

Let us continue in prayer to the Lord for the fulfillment of 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.