On this forty-sixth Lord's Day of 2019, November 17, the following news and information concerning PRC congregations, the Seminary, sister churches, and mission fields may be reported.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

There is no true or solid peace to be enjoyed in the world except in the way of reposing upon the promises of God. Those who do not resort to them may succeed for a time in hushing or evading the terrors of conscience, but they must ever be strangers to true inward comfort. And, granting that they may attain to the peace of insensibility, this is not a state which could satisfy any man who has seriously felt the fear of the Lord. The joy which we desire is that which flows from hearing the word of God, in which he promises to pardon our guilt and readmit us into his favor. It is this alone which supports the believer amidst all the fears, dangers, and distresses of his earthly pilgrimage; for the joy of the Spirit is inseparable from faith. ~ John Calvin

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS:

• On Nov.3, Rev. J. Mahtani (Cornerstone PRC) accepted the call from Grandvillle PRC to serve as minister on loan to Covenant ERC in Singapore. From Grandville PRC's bulletin today we learn more details about the upcoming plans: "Rev. Mahtani plans to preach his farewell sermon at Cornerstone on December 8 and move to Grand Rapids on
  December 20. Rev. Mahtani will be installed as our minister-on-loan to Singapore on Sunday morning, December 29. Rev Mahtani will preach at the evening service. The Mahtanis hope to leave for Singapore shortly after the new year." May the Lord be with him and his family, as well as with Cornerstone PRC and Covenant ERC, as the Mahtanis transition to this new place of labor in the kingdom.
  
  
• On Nov.3, Rev. R. Barnhill (Peace PRC) received the call from Immanuel PRC (Lacombe, AB). May the Lord give him wisdom to know and do His will. He plans to answer the call from by Sunday, November 24.
  
  
• From Kalamazoo PRC's bulletin comes this news (with a view to Rev. M. DeVries approaching emeritation): [The Consistory] "has formed a trio of the following men: Rev. Ryan Barnhill, Rev. Heath Bleyenberg, Rev. Erik Guichelaar. A congregational meeting is scheduled for December 1, 2019 after the evening service D.V."
  
  
• Today Rev. J. Engelsma is bringing the Word in Immanuel PRC.  Rev. S. Regnerus is leading the services in 1st PRC, Edmonton, AB.

DENOMINATIONAL NEWS:

Classis West: Classis West reconvened on Tuesday, Nov.5, at Calvary PRC in Hull, IA (first sessions were Sept.25-27) and finished its work on that day. Those new decisions have been posted with the original report of that classis meeting. For the full, official reports of the stated clerk, visit this special news page. We pray that God will bless the decisions reached for the good of the churches and the peace of Zion.

Contact Committtee: This past week Tuesday-Thursday Revs. W. Bruinsma and K. Koole attended the meeting of NAPARC in Anaheim, CA.

First coating of snow this week at the PRC Seminary (7 inches on Monday!)

PRC Seminary News:

• The seminary is now entering its thirteenth week of the first semester in the school year, and faculty, students, and staff remain busy with their various tasks. Tomorrow the second round of practice preaching will be held (Nov.18), with Sems. J. Tan and M. Wee delivering their second sermons of the semester. Next week the seminary will take its two-day Thanksgiving break (Nov.28-29). Continue to include the seminary in your regular prayers.
  
  
• The schedule for the first semester has been posted on the seminary's website. If you are interested in visiting, please contact the seminary secretary (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
  
  
• The faculty announces that Sem. Josiah Tan (CERC-Singapore) has been licensed to speak a word of edification in the churches. We rejoice with the brother in this important milestone in his preparation for the ministry. Contact the rector, Prof. B. Gritters, for scheduling.
  
• The Fall 2019 issue of the PRT Journal is being put together and should be available in late November. Watch for articles based on presentations given in Mexico this past summer and plenty of profitable book reviews.
  
  
• Looking for some good Reformed books to read, Bible study materials or seminary publications to use, or perhaps some gifts for the holiday season? Come and visit the seminary's bookstore! We have a variety of Bibles, commentaries, and good books - used and new (including Reformation titles!) - for our members and friends. And you may also make use of our library - here's the link to our online catalog if you wish to search for something to read or use.
  
  
• Remember the Seminary's Dordt400 Conference in April of this year? The speeches and presentations given at this event have now been compiled, expanded, and edited (by Prof. R. Cammenga) and form the newly published RFPA book, For God's Glory and the Church's Consolation: 400 Years of the Synod of Dordt. Visit the website to order your copy, or come to the seminary bookstore to find one!
  
  
• Need for Ministers: Synod 2019 took a decision to place the urgent need for seminary students before our churches. Please remember in your prayers to petition the Lord of the harvest for pastors, and please encourage young men, whom you observe to have the gifts, to consider the ministry. If you wish to listen to a couple of sermons by our professors that address this need, listen to "The (Suffering) Minister's Steadfast Confession" and "The Beautiful Feet of the Gospel Preacher."

• For more seminary news and information, visit the PRC seminary website! 

*The CERCS is celebrating her anniversary today! (this is her 2018 photo)

SISTER-CHURCH NEWS:

• Concerning our sister church in Ballymena, N. Ireland, Covenant PRC, we may note the following:
  • Rev. A. Stewart led the services today.
  • Covenant PRC's last newsletter was received and posted (August 2019).
    
  • Read the latest issue of the "Covenant Reformed News"! Find the October 2019 issue here.

• Concerning our sister church in Singapore, Covenant ERC, we may note the following:
  
  • Rev. A. denHartog and his wife continue to serve the CERC while she is vacant.
  • *We rejoice with our sister as she celebrates her 32nd anniversary today: "Today we celebrate CERC 32nd Anniversary. We come together to give thanks to God for keeping Covenant these 32 years. We can indeed say “Great is Thy Faithfulness”. In these 32 years, Covenant went through many trials in her journey and yet the Lord in His graciousness kept us till this day. As we give thanks for His goodness to us in the past, we also continue to pray for grace as we move ahead. The road ahead of us as indicated in the word of God, will not be easy for the church of our Lord Jesus Christ. There will be more trying times ahead. Le us continue to pray for one another and help one another to remain faithful in the calling which Christ has called us to do. May we also encourage one another with this word “The LORD is my portion; therefore will I hope in Him”. [from her bulletin today]
  • Concerning Rev. J. Mahtani's acceptance of the call to serve them: "We are now making preparation to receive Rev J. Mahtani and his family to come to Singapore to serve as MOL in CERC. They will probably arrive in Singapore in early January 2020." (See the note above from Grandville PRC's bulletin under "congregational news" for more details)
  • Her latest newsletter (October 2019) - Reformed News Asia - was posted recently and may be found on this page. 

• Concerning the PRC in the Philippines, we may note the following from the bulletins of the Berean PRC, PRC in Bulacan, Maranatha PRC, and Provident CC:
  • Berean PRC: Rev. V. Ibe led the worship services today. "Our brothers and sisters in Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija will join us in our worship services today via phone patch. We pray for God’s continued blessings as they hear and receive the proclamation of His Word!"
  • Maranatha PRC: "Rev. L. Trinidad led the services today and also taught the Canons of Dordt.
  • Provident CC: Today the elders led both services using video sermons of PRCA ministers.
  • Denominational News:

The PRCP Classis held their regular meeting on Wednesday October 31, 2019 at Provident CC: "The Classis regular meeting is in “Recess” and will continue on November 30, 2019 and still our venue is at Provident PRC, Marikina City. A number of accomplishment done by the Classis was to expand the two Standing Committees into four Standing Committees, namely; 1 - Student Seminary Training, Student Aid, 2 - Contact with other Churches and Missions, 3 - Finance, Emeritus, 4 - Translation and Publication with the involvement of our three Missionaries to serve the committees as Advisors of the Classis, Standing Committees and Church Visitations with a goal of lightening the work load of the previous committees and involved other church officers as the Federation obey the calling of the Lord to go into the highways and gather all together as many as we found.. Let us pray that our Jehovah will give the delegates knowledge and understanding in the other matters to be discussed in the next meeting."

A new mission newsletter was published and distributed this month. You may find that October 2019 update here.

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

• 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.

Do you wish to sing the Psalms with your family? Find versifications of all 150 Psalms in this Psalter used by the PRC.

SPECIAL NOTICES:

• If you are in need of some pamphlets and/or articles 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 a study Bible or Bible study resources this Fall? What about ideas for the holiday season? Visit the Reformed Book Outlet in downtown Hudsonville! The bookstore has plenty of other good reading materials too, as well as music and cards.
  
  

• Do you have an interest in 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.  Don't forget that these books and magazine make for great gifts!
  
  
• Did you know 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. It's another excellent way to learn the Reformed faith and memorize these Reformed creeds.

• Remember to listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday - on a radio station near you or on Sermonaudio wherever you are!
  • For October to January (2020) the RWH welcomes Rev. W. Bruinsma of our Pittsburgh PRC to the microphone. He is doing a series on women in the Bible. Today he delivers the message "Jael: Blessed Above Women"
    based on Judges 5:24-27. Listen to the broadcast on the station near you or visit the links provided here to listen to this program.

  • From the Reformed Witness Hour Committee:

    Have you read our latest newsletter - October 2019? Have you signed up yet to receive the emailed Reformed Witness Hour (RWH) newsletter? Six times per year, we update you on news about our speakers, program, and online reach, and we share stories from listeners and readers who have been blessed by the RWH, a ministry of the PRC. Please visit http://eepurl.com/gikNsL to sign up for the newsletter.

  • A new Spanish edition of the RWH has been produced and may be found on this YouTube channel (PRC Espanol). Why not check it out - and help spread the word!

 
Do you follow the Young Calvinists' blog and participate in its activities?

ESPECIALLY FOR PRC Young People and Young Adults:

• December 1: The young people’s Thanksgiving mass meeting will be held in Trinity Protestant Reformed Church (Hudsonville, MI) at 2:00 p.m. with a speech given by Rev. W. Langerak. All young people are encouraged to attend for a time of fellowship and growth.
  
  
• December 15: The Young Calvinists will be host a Christmas singspiration in Trinity Protestant Reformed Church at 7:45 p.m. There will be food in the narthex afterwards. Come celebrate the birth of our Savior with us!
  
  
• Please make note of next year's Protestant Reformed Young People's Convention date and location to be hosted by Georgetown PRC. The convention will be held Aug 10-14, 2020 at the Lake Williamson Camp in Carlinville, IL. Visit prcconvention.com for more information. Chaperone registration will open January 1, and conventioneer registration opens March 15.

• THE EVANGELICAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF AUSTRALIA would love to invite any young people and young adults, aged 13 and up, to their biennial youth camp. This youth camp will be held in Brisbane, Australia from the 28^th of December 2019 – 3^rd January 2020. Rev. Martyn McGeown from the Limerick Reformed Fellowship of the Republic of Ireland will be our guest speaker, taking the camp on the topic of ‘The Christian’s Armour’ (From Ephesians 6). Amongst other activities, the theme night will be on the “Australian Bush”. The cost for the camp is $250 AUD (approx $170 USD). This is a great time to meet other young people, fellowship with them and learn about our Saviour. Please contact Megan at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for the full flyer + registration form, or for any additional questions/information.
  
  

• The last young peoples' magazine of Covenant ERC in Singapore, Salt Shakers, was received and posted (August 2019). Check that out on this page.
  

Don't forget the evangelism work of Byron Center PRC through its special Bible study (*see note below).

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 the BC-PRC bulletin we learn that "The Dorr Bible Study meets this Thursday, November 21, at 7:30 PM. We plan to take up our discussion beginning at John 8:48. Please join us and bring friends or neighbors along to the library in Dorr!"

• Limerick Reformed Fellowship News:
  • Rev. M. McGeown is preaching the gospel in the LRF today.
  • From the LRF bulletin: "Lecture on “The Canon of Sacred Scripture” on Saturday 23 November in Limerick."
  • The latest mission newsletter from the Limerick Reformed Fellowship is now available! The September 2019 edition may be found here.

Philippine Missions:

• From today's Provident PRC bulletin: "Rev. and Mrs. Kleyn are in Negros Occidental today and tomorrow. Rev. Kleyn will preach for one of the churches there today and teach the pastors’ classes tomorrow. May the Lord continue to grant progress to the Reformed churches and pastors of that area."
  
• And from the bulletin of Maranatha PRC comes this special notice: "...the Consistory of PRCB [Bulacan] has approved the withdrawal of Rev. Vernon Ibe as local missionary in PRFA [PR Fellowship, Albuera, Leyte] on September 29, 2019. Let us continue to pray that the Lord will provide a local missionary at PRFA, Leyte.
• The newest Philippines mission newsletter has been published and posted! The October 2019 issue may be read here.
  
• 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!
  

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.

India:

• Let us remember to pray for the Lord's blessing on Georgetown PRC's labor in Vellore, India.
• And we remember our sister church's work (Covenant ERC in Singapore) in Kolkata, through Rev. E. Singh.
  

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.