On this forty-first Lord's Day of 2018, October 14, we provide the following news and information concerning PRC congregations, the Seminary, mission fields, and sister churches.

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS:

• On September 23 the congregation of Immanuel PRC (Lacombe, AB) voted to extend a call to Rev. N. Langerak (Crete PRC, IL). Today it was announced that he DECLINED this call.
  
  
• On October 7 Rev. W. Langerak (SE-GR PRC) has received the call (Oct.7)  through Grandville PRC to serve as minister on loan to Covenant Evangelical Church in Singapore.
  
  
• From Grandvile PRC's bulletin today comes this update on her new pastor: Rev. N. Decker's installation: Lord willing, on Sunday, October 28, Rev. Koole will lead our morning worship service for Rev. Decker's installation. Rev. Decker will lead us in worship preaching his inaugural sermon Sunday evening."
  
  
• Having recently sold and vacated her former building, Southeast PRC (Grand Rapids, MI) is currently worshiping Adams Christian School in Wyoming, MI.
  
  

• This being Reformation remembrance month, these churches and organizations have Reformation lectures approaching. If you are in the area of one of them, you are cordially invited and encouraged to attend:
  • Lynden PRC Fall Lecture: The Lynden PRC Evangelism Committee is excited to announce that they will be hosting a lecture on Friday, October 26 at 7:00.  Professor Dykstra will be speaking on “The Believer’s Assurance in the Canons of Dordt.”  All are welcome to attend. Invite your friends and family!
    
    
  • Fall Reformation lecture: Rev. Andrew Lanning will be speaking on the topic "The Reformation's Defense of Scripture's Authority."  Join us at 7:30 PM on Friday, October 26 at Southwest Protestant Reformed Church.  If you are unable to attend, we encourage you to live stream via the link at southwestprc.org or on our Sermon Audio webpage.
    
    
  • From our Hope congregation in Redlands, CA: On Friday, October 26th at 7 p.m.(PST) Prof. B. Gritters will be speaking on "Evangelicals and Catholics Together? Reconciling the Unreconcilable."  Please invite friends, family and acquaintances for an online live viewing on our website hopeprc.org.  Even better if you can attend in person!

  • The Reformed Witness Committee’s fall lecture has been scheduled for Friday, October 26, at 7:30 PM in Hull PRC. Prof. Doug Kuiper will speak on the topic “The Controversy Regarding Sovereign Grace: The Synod of Dordt and its Relevance for Today.”

  • On October 26 and 27 Prof. D. Engelsma will be participating in a conference hosted by Reforming America Ministries.  This year’s conference will develop the theme “The Doctrine of Justification defined and defended against heresies taught by John Piper, the Federal Vision and the New Perspective on Paul.”  The Event will be held in a suburb of Nashville, TN.  The event will also be livestreamed on Reforming America Ministries’ Facebook page.  Professor Engelsma will be speaking on Oct. 26 at 6:00 and again on Oct. 27 at 3:30PM (central time).  This is an exciting opportunity for our churches to promote the truth of the gospel!

 DENOMINATIONAL NEWS:

PRC Seminary News:

• Seminary is now in its eighth week of classses in this first semester. The first practice preaching session was held this past Monday, Oct.7, with Sem. Josiah Tan delivering 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 his Council. 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 working on plans for a Spring 2019 conference to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the great Synod of Dordt, 1618-19-2018-19. The following details have been announced:
  

  This November marks the beginning of the synod of Dordt, 400 years ago. Although the lengthy meeting gets much attention, there were many events in the years and months prior to the synod that led to such an event. In light of seminary’s conference in April and to gain an appreciation of the preceding history visit the conference web site. https://dordt400.org/category/historical-forward/?order=asc  

  Dordt 400: On behalf of the PRC Seminary, Trinity PRC is hosting a 3-day conference for the 400th anniversary of the Synod of Dordt on April 25-27.   Mark your calendars and visit our website at dordt400.org

  The Dordt 400 Conference includes a Writing Contest with great prizes.  If you are looking for a way to use your writing skills, visit our website at dordt400.org and start working on your essay.

 
Latest issue of Salt Shakers magazine - cf. note below

SISTER-CHURCH NEWS:

• Concerning our sister church in Ballymena, N. Ireland, Covenant PRC, we may note the following:

  • After some time in the U.S. speaking and preaching, Rev. A. Stewart has returned to Ballymena, N.Ireland and his labors in Covenant PRC.

  • 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 (September 2018) may be found here.
    
    
• Concerning our sister church in Singapore, Covenant ERC, we may note the following items (from her bulletin today):
  • Rev. Joseph Holstege (Zion PRC) continues to serve the CERC with preaching and teaching this month.
    
    
  • She also has this special note about he rmission work in India: "The Kolkata Fellowship will be gathering this week, from 16 to 18 Oct for their annual Church Camp. The theme of the Camp is “I Will Build My Church”, Matt 16:18. The total number of campers as of today is 40. Three brothers from our Church, the Lord wiling, will also be attending the Camp! Do pray for the Lord’s blessings and safe-keeping as Pastor Andy Lanning speaks at the Camp."
  • Rev. W. Langerak (SE-GR PRC) has received the call (Oct.7)  through Grandville PRC to serve as minister on loan to Covenant Evangelical Church of Singapore.
    
    
  • Her latest newsletter (AUGUST 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.

• 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.

What will you read this month in connection with the celebration of the great Reformation? We have plenty of pamphlets and articles available! (*see below)

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. That also includes many items related to the Reformation of the 16th century. Visit these pages for more information.

• 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.
  

• 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) continues his four-month service on the program. The title of today's message is "Chosen to Be a Special People" (2) based on Deuteronomy 7:6-9.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• 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:

• Young Calvinists is holding another Talking Points! Rev. C. Griess will be speaking on the topic of music and how it impacts and influences our lives. Trinity PRC Young People will be hosting this event on October 23 @ 7:00PM. This event is designed for Young People and Young Adults. Plan on attending and bring a friend!
  
  
• The annual young people’s Thanksgiving Mass Meeting will be held at First PRC on November 11, from 2 to 3 PM, with a speech given by Rev. C. Griess.  Young people are encouraged to attend for a good time of fellowship! Refreshments will follow the meeting.
  
  
• Are YOU a subscriber to the PR Young People's magazine, the Beacon Lights? Visit the website and find out 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.
  
  
• *Girls Conference at Georgetown PRC:  "Shine as Lights in the World" (Grades 9-Post High/College) Nov. 10, 2018.  Good Speakers - Music - Q&A Panel.  Be inspired to live for Jesus boldly by shining His light!  Take a friend or two!  Register: https://shineaslights2018.eventbrite.com   

Rev. L. Trinidad, pastor of Maranatha PRC in the Philippines (*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 Byron Center PRC's bulletin last week we learn about her pastor's upcoming trip to India and work there: "Rev. Lanning will depart this Thursday for Kolkata, India in order to deliver seven sermons and speeches for the annual church camp on the mission field in Kolkata. He will be staying with Rev. Emmanuel Singh, missionary to Kolkata of our sister church in Singapore. Rev. Lanning will return late on October 20, Lord willing. Let us remember our Bengali-speaking brothers and sisters in Christ as the Lord gathers his church in Kolkata."
  
  
• Limerick Reformed Fellowship News:
  • Rev. K Koole is ministering the Word in Limerick, Ireland today.
    
  • The August 2018 newsletter of the Limerick Reformed Fellowship mission station is now posted on this page.
    
    
• 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. Holstege will preach both times at PCC today. Rev. Kleyn will preach for Maranatha PRC. Next week, Lord willing, Rev. Smit will preach both times here at PCC.

    • After the first worship service today, Rev. Holstege will teach Lesson 5, “The Communicable Attributes of God,” in the Essentials of Reformed Doctrine class. Merienda will follow at 11:00.

    • The Wednesday night class will meet this week, at 7:30, DV. Rev. Joe Holstege, the youngest brother of our pastor, who will be visiting in the Philippines this week with his wife and son, will speak on the topic of “evangelism.” All are invited to join!

  • *Maranatha PRC:
    • Today, our Missionary, Rev. D. Kleyn will lead us in both services and after the second service he will teach the Belgic Confession Class Articles 14 and following.
      
      
    • Rev. L. Trinidad will teach the Children’s Catechism.

    • The Classis will meet on October 31, 2018 at 9:00 in the morning and the venue is at MPRC, Valenzuela City.

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.