Trivia Question

Six states in the United States of America are home to only one Protestant Reformed Church. Which six? Answer later in this column.

Sister-Church Activities

At the meeting of her Session (Council) in March the Covenant Evangelical Reformed Church of Singapore had a guest. Her missionary to Kolkata (India), Rev. Emmanuel Singh, joined the Session meeting via Skype. This will be a regular occurrence in the future, as Rev. Singh will join the Session only for those items that deal with the work in Kolkata. Rev. Singh submits a monthly report, which the Session reads and has opportunity to discuss and ask any questions about the work in India. The Session approved Rev. Singh’s monthly report, indicating that Rev. Singh is faithfully fulfilling his calling, by God’s grace. We continue to pray for a blessing on the brother’s labors.

Evangelism Activities

The Edgerton, MN PRC Evangelism Committee sponsored a spring presentation on Friday, March 31, at their church. Pastor D. Kuiper spoke on the importance of knowing church history. This presentation served as a background to their fall presentation, at which they intend to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. All ladies whose last name did not begin with “B” were asked to bring a dozen bars or cookies. Still lots of “B’s” in Edgerton!

Minister Activities

Zion PRC in Michigan received a decline from Rev. C. Haak (Georgetown, Hudsonville, MI), as did Southwest PRC in Wyoming, MI from Rev. S. Key (Loveland, CO). Doon PRC called Rev. Brian Huizinga (Hope-Redlands, CA) to be missionary to the Philippines and God led Rev. Huizinga to decline this call. First PRC of Holland, MI called Rev. S. Key, who declined that call on April 16. In all these calls we are confident that the King of the church fulfills His will and His purpose in His divine providence. Southwest announced a new trio consisting of Revs. C. Griess, W. Langerak, and M. McGeown, with Rev. Griess receiving the call on April 16. And on April 23 Zion PRC (Hudsonville, MI) voted to issue a call to Rev. G. Eriks, from her trio that also included Rev. N. Decker and Rev. R. Kleyn.

Mission Activities

Hope PRC in Walker, MI appointed the delegation of Rev. James Laning, (Hull, IA PRC pastor) and elder John Van Baren of Hope to travel to the land of Myanmar in May. The idea is to give instruction in the area of Reformed eschatology and church history, D.V. Their wives plan to accompany these men on the trip.

On May 14 the Maranatha Protestant Reformed Church of the Philippines observed its thirty-fourth anniversary as a church. In its early days, however, it was called the Maranatha Foursquare Gospel Church and was a charismatic-Pentecostal congregation. Over time, and especially through the work of Pastor Leovino Trinidad, God changed this congregation into a solidly Reformed congregation. A church numbering about 300 souls in the 1990s today contains about 40-50 members of all ages. Our missionaries have been involved with the work in this congregation for many years. May God stand on the right hand and on the left of this church and continue to bless her in the times ahead.

Congregational Activities

Bethel PRC Summer Book Study plans to meet June 19 and July 10 to discuss the first half of the book Be Ye Holy: The Reformed Doctrine of Sanctification by Profs. D. Engelsma and H. Hanko.

From the bulletin of Covenant of Grace PRC in Spokane, WA: “There will be a church and yard Spring clean-up this Saturday morning immediately following the Men’s Bible Study. Bring your shovels, rakes, barrows, buckets, ladders, and children to help tidy things up around the building and property.”

The Doon Martha Society hosted the annual Ladies’ League on Tuesday, April 18, at 7 p.m. Rev. J. Engelsma spoke on the topic “A Timeless Beauty.” A collection was taken for the Trinity Christian High School Music Department (Hull, IA). All ladies high school age and older from the five Siouxland churches were invited to attend.

Young People’s Activities

The Young People’s Society of Byron Center, MI PRC sold Easter lilies, potted tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths, with proceeds helping toward the young people’s convention expenses.

Western Young People’s Retreat: The Young People from Spokane and Lynden are planning another retreat for 2017 for ages 14-20. The theme of the retreat will be “Delight in the Lord” from Psalm 40:8. The dates are June 27-30 at Pend O’Reille Bible Camp, North of Spokane. On-site camping and cabins will also be available for families. For more information or a copy of the registration form contact Rev. Rodney Kleyn (r.kleyn@prca.org) or Mr. Fred Hanko (fredncathy@juno.com). Registration forms are also be available from the pastor of these churches.

School Activities

An announcement found on the Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota PRC bulletins in April:

Four Protestant Reformed high school bands will present a concert at Trinity Christian High School in Hull, IA the evening of Thursday, April 20, at 7 p.m. Covenant, Heritage (IN), Loveland, and Trinity will perform individual and combined numbers. Trinity has had combined concerts with Covenant before, but this is the first-time Heritage and Loveland have been able to join us. We look forward to the event. “Praise him with the trumpet, praise him upon the loud cymbals, praise him upon the high sound cymbals….”

The bands performed the next night in the Dordt College Band Festival.

Trivia Answer

The six states in the USA containing one PRC are: California (Redlands), Colorado (Loveland), Minnesota (Edgerton), Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh), South Dakota (Sioux Falls), and Wisconsin (Randolph). More trivia next time.

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1.