This Week's PRC and Sister-Church News, February 23-29, 2020

Today, February 23, is the eighth 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:

The full, glorious realization of this covenant re­lationship will be seen in heaven. There, the purpose of God will be fulfilled when His people can perfectly and forever have communion and fellowship with God. This is the goal which God has in mind. His purpose is not simply to bring a people to a wonderful place—but He will bring them into wonderful fellowship with Himself. The purpose is not simply to enjoy the good things of a perfect world—but to enjoy speaking with God which is life itself. All of creation and all of the body of Christ will be united in beautiful harmony to the praise of the Name of our God.
This covenant fellowship is already enjoyed by the child of God in this earth. He has the opportu­nity to speak with God through prayer. He has the desire and opportunity to read His Word. He knows that God speaks to him through His Word and by His Spirit. There is the foretaste of eternal fellowship already now. This is the essence of eternal life, as Jesus taught, "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, Whom Thou hast sent" (John 17:3).~ Rev. G. Van Baren

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS:

• On February 16 Rev. R. Barnhill (Peace PRC) declined the call from Kalamazoo PRC.
  
  
• The Consistory of Kalamazoo PRC announces a new trio from which to call a pastor: Revs. J. Engelsma (Doon PRC), S. Key (Loveland PRC), and C. Spronk (Faith PRC). The congregational meeting will be held next Sunday evening, March 1.
  
  
• The Consistory of Cornerstone PRC (Dyer, IN) announces a new trio from which to call a pastor: Rev. M. De Boer (Edgerton, MN), Rev. J. Engelsma (Doon, IA), and Rev. J. Smidstra (Holland, MI).
  
  
• On Jan.19 Rev. H.Bleyenberg (Providence PRC) accepted the call to Immanuel PRC (Lacombe, AB). Rev. Heath Bleyenberg plans to preach his farewell sermon at Providence on March 1. He and his wife Deb plan to leave for their new church home on March 17. Rev. M. DeVries is bringing the word in Lacombe again today.
  
  
• Let us continue to pray for Rev. J. Marcus and his family, and the flock of First PRC in Edmonton, AB. 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. Rev. S. Key is bringing the Word in Edmonton today while Rev. Marcus brings it in Loveland.
  
  
• This past week Rev. W. Bruinsma finished his labors in Vellore, India on behalf of Georgetown PRC and he and his wife Mary returned home to Pittsburgh (see under mission news below).

DENOMINATIONAL NEWS:

From the Contact Committee:  Rev. Ken Koole is filling the pulpit in CERC - Singapore for the month of February.  Church Visitation was just recently conducted there by Rev. Koole and Rev. Haak (on his way back from India).  Prof. Dykstra left for the Philippines this week as part of the annual delegation visit from the PRC.  Rev. Koole will meet Prof. Dykstra in the Philippines to carry out the work of the delegation.  Prof. Dykstra also intends to supply the pulpit in CERC- Singapore on March 1 and 8 and then return home.  Please remember these visits in prayer.

Classis East Notice: There will be a special meeting of Classis East on Tuesday, March 17 to give its advice on a decision of Hope PRC to release their pastor from the ministry under Article 12 of the Church Order.

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.

PRC Seminary News:

• The seminary is entering its sixth week of the second semester. The class schedule and calendar have been posted on the seminary's website. The first round of practice preaching will be held on Monday Feb.24, with Sems. J. Tan and M.Wee delivering sermons. Remember to pray for the faculty, students, and staff as they busy themselves in the work of this new semester.
  
  
• Prof. R. Dykstra and his wife Carol left this past Wednesday for a week in the Philippines visiting the PRCP (sister churches) and then spending two Sundays in the Covenant ERC in Singapore (another sister church) on behalf of the PRC Contact Committee. Profs. B. Gritters and D. Kuiper will cover his seminary classes while he is gone. May the Lord grant safe travels and good visits to these churches and fellow saints.
  
  
• Sem. Josiah Tan (CERC-Singapore) has been licensed to speak a word of edification in the churches and has been busy 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.
  
  
• Future Teachers and Ministers: Information for the 2020 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 30th. 
  
  
• 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! 

*Look for the notice of the 2020 BRF Conference below - this year at the lovely Castlewellan Castle in Northern Ireland!

SISTER-CHURCH NEWS:

• Concerning our sister church in Singapore, Covenant ERC, the following may be mentioned:
  
  • Rev. Ken Koole is serving the CERC for the month of February.
    
  • Concerning Rev. J. Mahtani's application to serve in CERC, our sister church had this report in a recent bulletin: "...we have submitted another appeal to MOM and CMPB for the Employment Pass for Rev J. Mahtani to serve as MOL in Singapore. This time we have engaged some legal assistance to make this appeal. ...We urge you to join the church together to call upon Him."
  • 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. M. McGeown led Covenant's services today, while Rev. A. Stewart led the services in Limerick Reformed Fellowship.
    
  • 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.
  • *Join Reformed believers from around the world at the 2020 British Reformed Fellowship family conference at Castlewellan Castle in Northern Ireland from Saturday, July 11 to Saturday, July 18.  Our speakers, Prof. David Engelsma and Rev. Andy Lanning, will lecture on "Union with Christ".  For information see the website http://brfconference.weebly.com or contact Briana Prins at 616-214-2779;  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Rooms are filling quickly, so complete your booking form today!
  • Read the new February 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:

~ Berean PRC: Rev. Ibe and Prof. Dykstra will lead us in our worship services today. Our pastor is also scheduled to preach at Kerusso Community church at 3 P.M. today. At 5 P.M., Kerusso Community church members will meet to discuss the possibility of attending one of the PR churches with the view of making a confession of faith in the near future, the Lord willing.

~ Maranatha PRC: Prof. R. Dykstra of the Theological Seminary of the PRCA will be preaching in in our First Service and his second preaching will be at the Berean PRC. Rev. R. Smit, our Missionary will lead us in the Second Services. He will continue the Belgic Confession lesson Article 32, “The Order and Discipline of the Church.

~ Provident PRC: Rev. Kleyn will lead both of our worship services today. Rev. Holstege will teach and preach for the Bearers of Light Community Church in Guiguinto today. Elder Alex will accompany him.

~ The Classis of the Federation of Protestant Reformed Churches will have their regular meeting on February 25, 2020 at the Provident PRC, Marikina City at 9:00 in the morning.

~ 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.

What is the Bible's teaching on marriage? Is it still "Til death do us part?" Read this resource to learn more.

SPECIAL NOTICES:

• Are you 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 is delivering a series on prayer, with today's message titled "May God's Kingdom Come" based on Luke 11:2. 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:

~ The Reformed Witness Hour Committee wishes to remind everyone that you can receive their bi-monthly newsletter via email by simply signing up at http://eepurl.com/gikNsL.  Each newsletter contains information about places around our globe where the RWH is downloaded; news about the RWH’s witness on the radio and via the internet, printed booklet, and CD and links to many popular and relevant RWH messages.

~ 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
  
  
• Future Teachers and Ministers: Information for the 2020 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 30th. 
  
  
• The Western Young People's Retreat, hosted by the Lynden and Spokane Young Peoples, will be held July 14-17, 2020, at Camp Sanders in N. Idaho.  This is a retreat for Young People ages 13-18 (going into 9th-12th grade).  More information and registration will be available in March. Contact Rev. Kleyn at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any questions.
  
  
• *A new issue of Salt Shakers magazine has been produced and published. To read the December 2019 issue (#58), visit this page.

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.

• Limerick Reformed Fellowship News:
  • Rev. A. Stewart led the services today, while Rev. McGeown brought the word in Covenant PRC, Ballymena.
  • 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.
• Provident PRC News (last week): "Rev. and Sharon Kleyn are in Southern Negros Occidental today to preach and teach in reforming churches there. Let us pray that our Lord will build His church there for His glory."
  
• 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!
  

Keep in prayer 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 last week's bulletin we learn about the delegation finishing up the recent labors: Rev. and Mrs. Bruinsma spent the past week with the PRCV and plan to return home tomorrow, the Lord willing. Update: The Bruinsmas have returned to the Sates amd are back in Pittsburgh.
  

• 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.