Trivia question

When the Crete, IL PRC organized in 1926 how many families were there, and in which city? See the church profile section for this answer. More trivia next time!

Sister-church activities

It was decided that Prof. R. Dykstra would bring God’s word to Covenant ERC of Singapore for four Sundays in October in the morning worship services via livestreaming. “We are thankful to the audio team who are able to support the church with the use of modern technology, and Prof. Dykstra who is willing, and Marcus Wee who is assisting him from the Seminary’s lecture room” (CERC bulletin).

And from the Philippines:

The government put Metro Manila and nearby provinces under the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) up to October 31, 2020. The Government of Valenzuela City is implementing the #ValTrace QR Code system effective on October 5, 2020. All residents are required to register online in order to get their Valtracer QR code which is linked to the CESU database for efficient contact tracing. All business establishment are mandated to implement the #NoQRCode NoEntry policy.”

When I saw this note on a bulletin of Maranatha PRC in the Philippines, I asked missionary-pastor Rev. Daniel Kleyn to explain it for us. Here is his reply:

The first part is probably clear—simply a continuation of the same quarantine level that was already in place in Metro Manila. The second part refers to the fact that the City of Valenzuela (where Maranatha PRC is located) is implementing and requiring use of an electronic contact-tracing system, using QR codes. Most places are already doing QR codes, also here in Antipolo. Thus when we go into any business or mall, we have to scan, with our smart phones, a QR code that the business has, and that takes you to a website on your phone where you enter your information. Usually they ask for your name, contact number, where you live, your body temp (which they take when you enter the store or mall), etc. But it sounds like Valenzuela is going a step further and requiring that you register online ahead of time so that your information is already in the system. Seems they will then give you your own unique QR code and the business or mall simply scans your code when you enter and in that way gets all your info and can trace who’s been there, when they were, etc. The idea, of course, is that if a covid -19 outbreak occurs in that mall or business, or if they find out that someone was there the same time as you were who had covid , then they can let you know that you’ve most likely been exposed. Not sure that’s so simple an explanation, but hope it helps.

“But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased” (Ps. 115:3).

Minister activities

Prof. Herman Hanko observed his 90th birthday on October 10. May the Lord continue to bless this saint and his wife as they continue on their pilgrimage.

Denominational activities

When Classis West met in late September in Edgerton, MN PRC, no classical appointments were made. There are no vacancies in Classis West for the first time in many years! We thank God for supplying pastors for all these congregations!

Young people’s activities

The Young People’s Society in Doon, IA organized their annual traditional “Survivor Run.” It took place on a beautiful fall evening (October 12) with lots of smiles and no injuries. And their annual “Car Challenge” is in the works, scheduled for some time in early November.

The Young People’s Society of Calvary PRC in Hull, IA held their annual fall pop can and softener salt fund-raiser recently.

On Thursday, November 5, the Georgetown PRC young people hosted a take-out soup supper. Chili, chicken noodle, cheese broccoli, and potato ham soups were available along with salad, rolls, and truffle dessert cups. Sounds delicious!

School activities

Hope Christian School of Redlands, CA is selling 2021 “Golden State Grandeur” calendars showcasing beautiful photographs of California taken by members of Hope Redlands, each inscribed with an inspirational Bible verse. The calendars are $15 each. Order online at https://hcsredlands.org/fundraisers/calendar by November 14.

Evangelism activities

The Evangelism Committee of Edgerton PRC planned the fall lecture for Friday, October 30. The lecture was to be held at Bethel CRC in Edgerton with Prof. D. Kuiper speaking on the topic “How Rightly to See Christ in Scripture.”

The Crete PRC Evangelism Committee hosted their annual Reformation Day Lecture on October 30. Prof. B. Huizinga spoke on “Of God, Through God, To God: Our Covenant Doctrine as Protestant Reformed Churches.”

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:3