Sister-church activities

From the bulletin of the Limerick Reformed Fellowship in Ireland:

In 2020 we worshiped for a total of 23 Sundays at home. The first COVID-19 lockdown was from March 29 to June 28 (we returned to the hall on July 5 for fourteen Sundays). The second COVID-19 lockdown was from October 11 to November 29 (we returned to the hall on December 6 for three Sundays). The third COVID-19 lockdown began on December 26 and will continue until at least the end of January 2021. We are disappointed that the Irish government has made no allowances for even the smallest of gatherings for public worship. (We are thankful that our brethren in the CPRC Ballymena are allowed to gather). We ask the Lord to move the hearts of the civil government to allow us to gather again, for our one desire is to dwell in His house (Ps. 27:4).

The seminary of the PRCP in the Philippines held an Interim course from January 5-14, 2021 on “The Theology of John Calvin” by Prof. R. Cammenga, at 9 a.m. to 12 noon, with pre-recorded videos livestreamed via Zoom.

From the bulletin of the CERC in Singapore:

With the approval for Phase 3 reopening of the church and some adjustment needed, the Session decided to start the worship for the whole congregation on January 24. Though we can start to have the whole congregation coming to worship, there are still some limitations for us due to size of the church and also, we need to adhere to Safe Management Measures (SMM) prescribed by the authorities. Details of the SMM will be announced to the congregation…. One of the restrictions is that we are not allowed to have lunch in church; this will affect the timing of the second service. We have asked the congregation to do a survey to temporarily change the timing of the second service. Session will make the decision on the timing of the second service after January 10.

With the whole congregation coming to worship starting on January 24, Session also decided to shift the Lord’s Supper celebration from January 17 to January 24. The details of the preparation and distribution of the Lord’s Supper elements are printed in the bulletin. Beloved, we are thankful to God that we can come together to partake of the Lord’s Supper after a long time; let us prepare ourselves to come to the table of the Lord on January 24, God willing.

The Lord’s Supper will be administered in the usual way but with some adaptations to the COVID-19 restrictions for Safe Management Measures. Permission has been given by the MCCY for us to partake of the Lord’s Supper in the church in the usual manner. The elements of bread and wine/Ribena will be separately prepacked and sealed. For hygiene purposes, the elements of bread and wine shall be pre-packed by the sisters at home wearing gloves and laid in containers on the communion table. The Ribena will be differentiated from the wine with a coloured sticker on the cup. After the breaking of the bread, Prof. Dykstra will pass the tray of packaged bread to the elders for distribution. To avoid contact with the members, elders will distribute the packaged bread with gloves placing the packaged bread into the palms of the communicant members (no contact). After pouring the wine, Prof. Dykstra will pass the tray of packaged wine/Ribena to the elders, who would distribute the packaged wine/Ribena in the same manner as the bread. If you wish to partake of Ribena, please advise the serving elder accordingly.

Communicant members will wear face masks except when consuming the elements….

School activities

The Northwest Iowa PR School in Doon announced that its Winter Swim/Skate Party and pot-provision supper is being planned for Saturday, February 20, 2021 from 5:00-9:00 p.m. at the All Seasons Center in Sioux Center, IA. Swimming and ice skating in the same facility. It’s usually a big hit.

Minister activities

Missionary-pastor Daniel Holstege and his family are on furlough in the U.S. They made a trip to the calling church of Doon, IA in mid-January. Rev. Holstege preached in Doon and in Hull, and gave an evening presentation of the work in the Philippines. It was enjoyable and well attended.

On January 10 Rev. A. Spriensma was installed as the new pastor of Cornerstone PRC (Dyer, IN). Rev. J. Smidstra (First PRC, Holland, MI) led the installation service.

Hudsonville, MI PRC has formed a trio of Revs. E. Guichelaar, J. Marcus, and J. Smidstra. On January 24, Rev. Smidstra received the call.

Seminarian Josiah Tan (senior) completed his internship recently at First PRC under Rev. C. Griess. He returned for his final semester on January 19. “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1.