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PRC and Sister-Church News for the Week of March 3, 2019 *(Updated)

Rev 21 7On this ninth Lord's Day of 2019, March 3, the following news and information concerning PRC congregations, the Seminary, sister churches, and mission fields may be noted.

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS:

  • The Council of Trinity PRC has formed a new trio from which to call her next pastor: Revs. E. Guichelaar (Randolph PRC) , W. Langerak (SE-GR PRC), and J. Mahtani (Cornerstone PRC). The congregation will vote TODAY after the evening service, D.V. *UPDATE: Rev. W.Langerak has received this call.

  • On Feb.10 Rev. J. Laning (Hull PRC) received the call from Immanuel PRC (Lacombe, AB). He plans to answer TODAY. Immanuel's pulpit is being supplied by Rev. J. Laning today. Rev. J. Marcus is scheduled to be there next Sunday, March 10. *UPDATE: Rev. Laning has declined this call.

  • On Feb.10 Rev. C. Haak (Georgetown PRC) received the call from Grandville PRC to serve as minister-on-loan to Covenant ERC in Singapore. According to Covenant ERC's bulletin today, he plans to answer by March 10.

  • While Rev. S. Regnerus is in Singapore serving Covenant ERC for his final Sunday, Rev. R. Hanko is supplying the pulpit in Lynden PRC today.

DENOMINATIONAL NEWS:

HeritagePRC

Classis West: Classis West of the PRC will meet in Heritage PRC (Sioux Falls, SD) this week Wednesday, March 6, 2019, at 8:30 AM, the Lord willing. May the King of the church guide all things for the good of the churches and give the delegates safety in travel and grace for their work.

Contact Committee: The delegation of Rev. J. Engelsma and Rev. N. Decker (Foreign Mission Committee and the Contact Committee) finished their visit to Singapore and the Philippines this past week and returned home.

 Sem sign winter 2016PRC Seminary News:

  • The seminary has now completed six weeks of the second semester. The schedule of courses and calendar of events for this semester may be found on this page. If you would like to visit for a day or a class, call or email the seminary secretary, Sharon Kleyn.

  • The faculty has planned a special lecture for this Wednesday, March 6 at the seminary. From last week's "Monday Note" we find the details:

​Plan on attending the special presentation by Dr. E. Wm. Kennedy on Wednesday, March 6, at 2:00 PM.  He will be speaking to us on "The RPDC/RCA, Dutch-Speaking, 'Mother' Classis of Holland in the Era of A. C. van Raalte (1848-1876)."  He will be bringing out some salient aspects of the people, events, ideas, etc., of those years, including the mini/major secession of 1856-57 that became the CRC.  Dr. Kennedy is the author of the three-volume Commentary on the Minutes of Classis Holland, 1848-1876. It promises to be an informative presentation in an area in which Dr. Kennedy is an expert. 

  • Our professors and students also keep busy with various activities in the churches in west Michigan - and beyond. They lead worship services and preach, teach catechism, lead Bible studies and also speak for chapels in the Christian schools and retirement homes. If you are in need of a preacher or speaker, contact the rector, Prof. B. Gritters.

  • If you have not yet done so, check out the new PRC seminary website! There are many new features and updates, including a blog. Visit the site and check out the various pages - and sign up to receive seminary news by email!

  • Nothing new was done last week on the seminary addition project (new archives and offices). For the latest updates and pictures, visit this blog post.

  • *Special notice: Future Teachers and Ministers: Information for the 2019 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 31st.

  • 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.

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  • We hope you are preparing to attend the Dordt400 Conference sponsored by the PRC Seminary! The three-day event is scheduled for April 25-27. Visit the conference website for more information - and be sure to check out the blog, where Prof. D. Kuiper is posting fascinating reports on the sessions of the "great Synod" of 1618-19.

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*For the latest issue from our sister in Singapore, see the news below

SISTER-CHURCH NEWS:

  • Maranatha PRC:
    • "Our Pastor, Rev. L. Trinidad will lead us in both services. He will be teaching the Revelation. D.V.

    • A scheduled conference on the Synod of Dordt that the Protestant Reformed Theological School is sponsoring in commemoration of the 400th anniversary of that Great Synod will be held at Trinity PRC in Hudsonville, MI from April 25-27, 2019, the Lord willing. Because of a generous donation they have received from an individual for this cause, they are able to offer to pay for two ministers from our churches to attend. One or two men can attend, so that they can arrange the necessary accommodations for them while they are staying in the States for the conference. The PRCP Contact Committee has decided that Revs. Flores and Ibe will be attending the conference with an alternate Rev. L. Trinidad, the Lord willing. Let us pray that the US Government Embassy in Manila will issue their visas."

  • Rev. Daniel & Sharon Kleyn are currently taking an extended furlough in the U.S. (until June 18). Per the decision of the PRC Synod of 2018, "the purpose of the furlough is to give Rev. Kleyn time to take some courses with a view to obtaining an advanced degree, to prepare classes to be taught in the PRCP [Philippines] seminary in the future, and to give both Rev. & Sharon opportunity to be refreshed and to reconnect with family."

  • And for more on the life and work of our "sisters" in the Far East read the news under Philippine missions (bulletins).

  • Concerning our sister church in Singapore, Covenant ERC, we may note the following items from her bulletin today (March 3):
    • "This week we bid farewell to Rev Regnerus after he preaches in this Lord’s Day. Rev Regnerus. will be heading back to the US tomorrow morning.... We thank Rev Regnerus for taking time away from his congregation to be in Singapore for the past three Sundays. We thank our covenant faithful God for maintaining our pulpit supply continually during these times while we wait for His appointed MOL. Next Sunday, we look forward to have Rev Heath Bleyenberg, currently pastor of Providence PRC in Michigan...."

    • And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.” Acts 16:9-10
      The text above gives the comfort and the assurance that our Lord knows the needs of His people and knows the right undershepherd to appoint to His Church. In this week, as Rev Haak considers the call to be MOL in Singapore, let us pray that the Lord may guide Rev Haak through His Word and His Spirit so that he may come to a clear understanding of His will and answers the call with a clear conviction of his heart. May we rest our confidence in Jehovah God, trusting that His will is always good for His saints and His church."

    • Her latest newsletter (February 2019) - Reformed News Asia - was posted this past week and may be found on this page.

    • The latest young peoples' magazine, Salt Shakers, was received and posted recently (November 2018 - cf. image above). Check that out on this page.
  • Concerning our sister church in Ballymena, N. Ireland, Covenant PRC, we may note the following:
    • We welcome Deane & Donna Wassink and Mark & Kristin Bleyenberg to our worship services today. There will be tea after the evening service tonight. After tea, Deane Wassink from Georgetown PRC in Michigan will give a presentation upstairs on the work in India.

    • And note this upcoming event:  "S. Wales Lecture: Rev. Stewart will speak on “The Canons of Dordt: The Original Five Points of Calvinism” in Margam Community Centre on Thursday, 21 March."

    • Covenant PRC's latest newsletter was received and posted (December 2018).

    • Read the latest issue of Covenant Reformed News! That issue (January 2019) can 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 also.

Grace and Assurance mcgeown 2018
Dordt400: Looking to review the teaching
s of the Canons of Dordt on the doctrines of sovereign grace? Check out this new commentary published by the RFPA!

SPECIAL NOTICES:

  • 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 life in the church of Christ? Visit this page for more information.

  • Would you like to read good Reformed literature and a solid Reformed and biblical magazine? 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 West Michigan, be sure to visit the Reformed Book Outlet in downtown Hudsonville, MI! The RBO is a great source for Bibles, Bible study materials, music, cards, RFPA books, and other Reformed literature; stop at the RBO, or visit their website.

  • You can now listen to the Heidelberg Catechism, the Belgic Confession, and the Canons of Dordt on audio! Visit the links provided to hear the Catechism, the Confession, and the Canons read by Elijah Roberts, one of our pre-seminary students. It's another excellent way to learn the Reformed faith and memorize these Reformed creeds.

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 sm lynden
*Learn about registration for the Lynden PRC YA Retreat below

ESPECIALLY FOR PRC Young People and Young Adults:

  • Young Calvinists is holding another Talking Points! Mr. Jon VanOverloop will be speaking on the topic titled "Robert's Rules of Order". Zion PRC will be hosting this event on Wednesday March 6 at 6:45PM. Refreshments will follow. This event is designed for Young People and Young Adults. Plan on attending and bring a friend. You will not want to miss out on this one!

  • NEWS about the 2019 PRYP's Convention: Southwest & Providence Protestant Reformed Churches will be hosting the 2019 PRC Young People's Convention on August 12-16, the Lord willing.  The convention will be held at Michindoh Conference Center in Hillsdale, MI.  Registration for chaperones is now open!  Please visit our website at prcconvention.com to register.

  • *Lynden PRC Young Adults Retreat updates: Our registration opened Monday, February 25! We will post the link to our Facebook page and plan to post the link in upcoming bulletins. Complete the forms on our website to secure your spot! We plan to cap out at 60 retreaters, so make sure to register early on! If you have any questions about the registration form, email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or message us on our Facebook group: Lynden PRC Young Adults Retreat 2019. We look forward to seeing you!
     
  • A matter for our young people to consider prayerfully - from the Federation of PR School Societies: “There is a significant need for more good Christian teachers for our beloved schools. This is true in light of increasing enrollment, recently established and emerging schools, and continual teacher retirements. We ask that this need be prayed for and supplication made that the young men and women of your congregation be led by God to enter into the vocation of a Christian school teacher. This…is intended to bring the serious need for teachers to your attention so this specific request can be brought to our heavenly Father and the need made known directly to your congregation.”

  • *Special notice: Future Teachers and Ministers: Information for the 2019 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 31st.

  • Are YOU a subscriber to the PR Young People's magazine, the Beacon Lights? Visit the website and learn how to become one!

  • *The latest young peoples' magazine of Covenant ERC in Singapore, Salt Shakers, was received and posted (November 2018 - cf. image above). Check that out on this page.

Matthew 28 19 20

PRC MISSION NEWS:

Domestic Labors:

  • Remember in prayer our home missionary, Rev. A. Spriensma, who continues to labor in the West Michigan area and beyond through Byron Center PRC, the calling church. From BC-PRC's bulletin this week we learn the following concerning his labors:
    • Missionary Spriensma will be leading the noon service today at the New Hope Reformed Fellowship Church of Dorr.
    • The Dorr Bible Study meets this Thursday, March 7, at 7:30 PM. We plan to start our discussion at John 5. Please bring friends and join us at the public library in Dorr.

United Kingdom:

Philippine Missions:

  • Doon PRC has this note in her bulletin today re the delegation sent on Feb.14:

    "The delegation to the Philippines returned home safely this past week. We give thanks to God for their safekeeping and pray for His blessing upon their labors."

  • The last Philippines mission newsletter was received and posted back in January 2019 and may be found on this PRC webpage.

  • For more on life and activities in the Philippines from the personal perspective of the missionary's, visit the Kleyn's blog, the Holstege's, and the Smits!

  • From this Sunday's bulletin of Provident Christian Church in Marikina we find the following notes concerning her pastor as well as concerning our missionaries and their labors today and in this coming week:
    • Rev. Holstege will preach both times today and next Sunday, Lord willing. He will continue teaching Lesson 10 in the Essentials of Reformed Doctrine after the first service today.
    • The Classis of the PRCP met last Monday. The request of PCC to join the federation was received and forwarded to Committee #2 of the PRCP. Lord willing, in the next few months Committee #2 will have meetings with PCC’s council to ensure that there is unity between the PRCP and PCC. May God bless those meetings!

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.

Myanmar:

  • Let us also remember Hope PRC's (Grand Rapids, MI) support of and involvement with Rev. Titus' work in Myanmar; for his latest report, visit this page.
Last modified on 04 March 2019

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