News from the PRC and Sister-Churches for the Week of October 28, 2018 *(Updated)

On this forty-third Lord's Day of 2018, October 28, we provide the following news and information concerning PRC congregations, the Seminary, mission fields, and sister churches.

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS:

• This morning Rev. N. Decker will be installed as Grandville PRC's fourth pastor (in her history). Rev. K Koole will lead the morning worship service for Rev. Decker's installation. Rev. Decker will lead the evening worship service preaching his inaugural sermon.
  
  
• The Council of Immanuel PRC (Lacombe, AB) has formed a new trio from which to call a pastor: Revs. Joshua Engelsma (Doon, IA), Erik Guichelaar (Randolph, WI), and Martin VanderWal (Wingham, ON).  *The congregation voted to call Rev. J. Engelsma.
  
  
• The Council of Trinity PRC has announced the following trio from which to call her next pastor:  Rev. Josh Engelsma (Doon, IA), Rev. B. Huizinga (Hope, Redlands, CA), and Rev. W. Langerak (Southeast, GR). *The congregation voted to call Rev. B. Huizinga.
  
  
• On October 7 Rev. W. Langerak (SE-GR PRC) received the call through Grandville PRC to serve as minister on loan to Covenant Evangelical Church in Singapore. He plans to answer by Nov.4.
  
  
• We also congratulate Rev. W. Bruinsma and his wife Mary (currently pastor of Pittsburgh PRC) as he marks 40 years in the ministry this month. He was ordained in Faith PRC in October of 1978. We thank the Lord for His goodness to them and to us in giving him 40 years of faithful service to the churches and our mission work. May the Lord continue to bless and strengthen him for the work that remains. "How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!' (Romans 10:15)
  
  
• Having recently sold and vacated her former church building, Southeast PRC (Grand Rapids, MI) is currently worshiping Adams Christian School in Wyoming, MI.
  
  

• This being Reformation remembrance month, these churches still have Reformation lectures approaching. If you are in the area of one of them, you are cordially invited and encouraged to attend:
  • Crete PRC (Crete, IL): This year, Professor Kuiper will be speaking on “Controversy Regarding Sovereign Grace:  The Synod of Dordt and its Relevance for Today.”  The lecture will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 31 at Crete PRC at 7:30PM.  The event will be live-streamed on our website  www.prccrete.org.

  • Covenant PRC (Spokane, WA): This year’s Reformation Lecture, by Rev. R. Kleyn, will be on the subject, “The Canons of Dort: Defending and Defining Grace.” We’ve chosen this topic in connection with the 400 year anniversary of the Great Synod of Dort at which the Canons were written and adopted. The lecture will be on Friday November 9 at 7 PM.

 DENOMINATIONAL NEWS:

PRC Seminary News:

• Seminary is now in its tenth week of classses in this first semester. Classes resume Tuesday (Oct.30) after a two-day reading recess (Oct.25,26). 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 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 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

 
*The Provident Christian Church in Marikina, the Philippines, one of the congregations with whom the PRCA now has sister-church relation. Missionary-pastor D. Holstege is focusing his labors in this church.

SISTER-CHURCH NEWS:

• *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.
    
    
• Concerning our sister church in Singapore, Covenant ERC, we may note the following items (from her bulletin today):
  • From the CERC bulletin today:

"This Lord’s Day is the last Lord’s day Rev Joseph Holstege, his wife Lisa and their son, Jacob will be with us. They will be flying off on Monday 6.30am back to the States. We again are thankful to God that we could receive the word of God through the faithful preaching from the pulpit."

"This week we also welcome Rev den Hartog and Shirley back in our midst. We are thankful that they are back to assist us again. Rev den Hartog, besides assisting us with the pulpit supplies, catechism and pre-confession class teaching for the next six weeks, he will also be the speaker for the Reformation Day Conference on 3rd November 2018."

• 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 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 "take up and read" this month in connection with the celebration of the great Reformation of the 16th century? 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 special Reformation message is "The Scripture: God's Word" based on 2 Pet.1:20-21.
  
  
• 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:

• 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   

MISSION NEWS:

• Remember in prayer our home missionary, Rev. A. Spriensma, who continues to labor in the West Michigan area and beyond. In that connection we find this note in Byron Center PRC's bulletin of today: "The Dorr Bible Study meets this Thursday, November 1, at 7:30 PM. We resume our discussion at John 3:14, with Jesus' speaking to Nicodemus. All are welcome to join us at the library and bring friends and neighbors."
  
  
• Limerick Reformed Fellowship News:
  
  • 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 today at PCC. He will preach next Sunday too, Lord willing. After the first service, we will begin Lesson 6, “The Holy Trinity,” in the Essentials of Reformed Doctrine class.

    • This Saturday at 10 am, the children’s catechism class will meet, DV. The students should learn Lesson 8 in NT History for Juniors and do the written work.

  • Maranatha PRC:
    • Rev. D. Kleyn will lead us in both services and after the second service he will teach the Belgic Confession Class Articles 15 and the following.
      
      
    • Rev. L. Trinidad will teach the Children’s Catechism. The Consistory will meet this afternoon.

    • The Classis will meet this Wednesday, 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.