This Week's PRC and Sister-Church News, February 2-8, 2020

Today, Februay 2, is the fifth Lord's Day of 2020; we may note the following news and information concerning PRC congregations, the Seminary, sister churches, and mission fields.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

 For our prayers to appear to be unheard is no new trial: Jesus felt it before us, and it is observable that he still held fast his believing hold on God, and cried still, ‘My God.’ On the other hand his faith did not render him less importunate, for amid the hurry and horror of that dismal day he ceased not his cry, even as in Gethsemane he had agonized all through the gloomy night. Our Lord continued to pray even though no comfortable answer came, and in this he set us an example of obedience to his own words, ‘men ought always to pray, and not to faint.’ No daylight is too glaring, and no midnight too dark to pray in; and no delay or apparent denial, however grievous, should tempt us to forbear from importunate pleading” ~ Charles H. Spurgeon (Treasury of David, vol. 1, p. 325).

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS:

• Rev. G. Eriks (Hudsonville PRC) has been considering the call to Cornerstone PRC (received Jan.5). Today he announced his decline of this call.
  
  
• On January 26 Rev. R. Barnhill (Peace PRC) received the call from Kalamazoo PRC. We pray for God's clear guidance for him as he considers this call.
  
  
• On Jan.19 Rev. H.Bleyenberg (Providence PRC) accepted the call to Immanuel PRC (Lacombe, AB).

  "Rev. Heath Bleyenberg and his wife Deb are busy making preparations for their move to our congregation.  The paperwork is started here and details are being worked out on their end.  They hope to be able to join us Lord willing, in the latter part of March.  May we continue to thank the Lord for his tender mercies and unfailing love towards us as a congregation in providing a shepherd for us." (Her bulletin today)

  
  Rev. E. Guichelaar is bringing the word there today and next week as part of a classical appointment.

• Rev. M. DeBoer is leading the services in First PRC, Edmonton again today. Let us continue to pray for Rev. J. Marcus and his family, and that flock there. At the present time, Rev. Marcus continues on a leave of absence from his pastoral duties in Edmonton, but he is available to preach elsewhere in the Protestant Reformed Churches.  Consistories needing pulpit supply are encouraged to contact him. 

DENOMINATIONAL NEWS:

Classis West Notice: Classis West will be meeting March 4, 2020 at Peace Church, Dyer, Indiana, D.V.  Anyone having material to go before Classis is asked to ensure it reaches the stated clerk, Rev Joshua Engelsma, prior to Monday, Feb 3, 2020.  May our Lord and Saviour grant our delegates all the grace and wisdom needed to represent our congregation.

Prof. D Kuiper teaching first-year students Hermeneutics for the second semester

PRC Seminary News:

• The seminary is now in the third week of its second semester. The class schedule and calendar have been posted on the seminary's website. Remember to pray for the faculty, students, and staff as they busy themselves in the work of this new semester.
  
• Sem. Josiah Tan (CERC-Singapore) has been licensed to speak a word of edification in the churches and has begun preaching in the West Michigan area and beyond. Contact Prof. B. Gritters (rector) for scheduling.
  
  
• Looking for some good Reformed books to read, Bible study materials or seminary publications to use? Come and visit the seminary's bookstore! We have a variety of Bibles, commentaries, and good books - used and new - 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.
  
  
• 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! 

Covenant ERC Church camp 2019

SISTER-CHURCH NEWS:

• Concerning our sister church in Singapore, Covenant ERC, the following may be mentioned:
  
  • Rev. Ken and Pat Koole left the States this past week to serve the CERC for the month of February. Rev. C. Haak will also make a stop in Singapore on his way back from India and assist Rev. Koole in the annual church visitation on Feb.4.
    
  • Concerning Rev. J. Mahtani's application to serve in CERC, Grandville PRC's bulletin contained this note last week: "This past week the appeal made by the session of the CERCS regarding the employment pass for Rev. Mahtani was denied. The Council of Grandville and the Contact Committee are in the process of determining if there are any further options to pursue for Rev. Mahatani to labor in Singapore as a MOL. Please continue to keep the Mahtanis and the CERCS in your prayers at this unsettling time. In the meantime, the Mahtanis are residing in the West Michigan area and he is busy preaching in the churches.
  • The December 2019 newsletter - Reformed News Asia - was posted recently and may be found on this page.

• Concerning our sister church in Ballymena, N. Ireland, Covenant PRC,  the following may be noted:
  • Rev. A. Stewart led Covenant's services today.
    
  • S. Wales Lecture: Rev. McGeown will give a lecture on “The Canon of Sacred Scripture” at Margam Community Centre on Thursday, 27 February, at 7:15 PM.
  • Read the new January 2020 issue of the "Covenant Reformed News"!
    
• Concerning the PRC in the Philippines, the following may be gleaned from the bulletins of the Berean PRC, PRC in Bulacan, Maranatha PRC, and Provident CC:
  
  • Congregational and Denominational News:

~ Maranatha PRC: "Rev. L. Trinidad, our Pastor will lead us in both services. He is scheduled to do the Church Visitation in Bulacan PRC in the afternoon.

~ Provident PRC: "Rev. Holstege will preach both times for us today and next Sunday, Lord willing."

~ The most recent mission newsletter was published and distributed this Fall. 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. One of their students is once again attending the PRC Seminary - Isaac Peters, who along with his wife Bek and four children, are attending Grace PRC while here for his three-year program.

Why do the PRC congregations read the law in their worship services? Read this resource for help in understanding the answer.

SPECIAL NOTICES:

• Are you perhaps looking for 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.
  
  
• Would you like to learn more about the PRC and her doctrines and practices? Are you 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.

• Remember to listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday - on a radio station near you or on Sermonaudio wherever you are!
  • Beginning this month Rev. R. Kleyn of the Covenant of Grace PRC in Spokane, WA is speaking for the RWH. He will be doing a series on prayer, with today's message titled "The Privilege and Necessity of Prayer" based on Luke 11:1. 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:

~ Special RWH newsletter note: Did you know that Reformed Witness Hour messages are downloaded each month by saints all over the world—saints living in South Africa, Cambodia, Nigeria, and China? If you would like to stay informed about the reach of this distinctly Reformed radio and internet ministry and about ways you can support this witness, sign up at http://eepurl.com/gikNsL for a bimonthly newsletter.

~ A 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!

ESPECIALLY FOR PRC Young People and Young Adults:

• Chaperone registration for the 2020 Young People’s Convention hosted by Georgetown PRC is now open!  The convention is planned for August 10-14, 2020 at the Lake Williamson Camp in Carlinville, IL.  To register, go to www.prcconvention.com, and follow the instructions under the Chaperone tab.  If you have any questions, email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Conventioneer registration opens March 15.
  
  
• Young Men's Conference - Young men of High School and College age, please plan to attend the GPRC Young Men’s Conference, with the theme of "Run, Fight, Lead!", on Saturday morning, April 25, from 8 am-12:00 pm, at Georgetown Protestant Reformed Church. Breakfast is included! Don’t wait, register today!  For more details and to register please visit georgetownprc.org/runfightlead
  
  
• *A new issue of Salt Shakers magazine has been produced and published. To read the December 2019 issue (#58), visit this page.

Pastor Paul Raj leading the PRC worship service in Vellore, India today, which included baptism of three covenant children (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. Today he is preaching in Georgetown PRC and giving a missions presentation after the evening service, "Reaching out to the Nones and the Dones." And this week is also the Dorr (MI) Bible study sponsored by BC-PRC: "The Dorr Bible Study meets this Thursday, February 6, at 7:30 PM. We plan to take up our discussion beginning at John 10:9. Please join us and bring friends or neighbors along to the library in Dorr!"

• Limerick Reformed Fellowship News:
  • Rev. M. McGeown led the services today.
  • S. Wales Lecture: Rev. McGeown will give a lecture on “The Canon of Sacred Scripture” at Margam Community Centre on Thursday, 27 February, at 7:15 PM.
  • The last mission newsletter from the Limerick Reformed Fellowship - the December 2019 edition - may be found here.

Philippine Missions:

• Berean PRC News: This congregation continues to work in Gabaldon, Nueve Ecija.
• Maranatha PRC news: "Let us pray for Rev. Daniel and Sharon Kleyn, our Missionary couple who visits in Sipalay, Negros Occidental monthly."
• 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 to pray for 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. From today's bulletin we learn about the delegation currently there (Rev. & Mrs. C. Haak, Deane and Donna Wassink now joined by the Bruinsmas):
  

India travel update: Haaks and Wassinks were joined this past Friday by Pastor and Mary Bruinsma, the Bruinsma's first trip to India. We thank God that all were granted admission into India!  Pastor Bruinsma will continue the teaching that Pastor Haak has been doing the last 3 weeks to the area pastors and men interested in the Reformed faith. Brad Kamminga also arrived on Thursday to stay and work at GFH for several weeks. The entire team has been very busy in the work of both GFH and the churches in Vellore. Pastor and Mary Haak travel to Singapore on Monday for a couple days of church work before returning to us on Wednesday, February 5.  Please continue to keep the team in your prayers.

• We also 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.