Trivia question

Which is the smallest PRCA church to have and use a pipe organ? Answer later in this column.

Sister-church activities

Recently the CERC (Covenant Evangelical Reformed Church) in Singapore observed its 32nd Anniversary. Their confession indeed is “Great is Thy Faithfulness.” In these 32 years, Covenant went through many trials in her journey and, yet, the Lord in His graciousness has kept them until this day. As they gave thanks for His goodness to them in the past, they also continue to pray for grace in the future. The road ahead of us, as indicated in the Word of God, will not be easy for the church of our Lord Jesus Christ. There will be more trying times ahead. Let us continue to pray for one another and help one another to remain faithful in the calling that Christ has given us. May we also encourage one another with this word: “The Lord is my portion; therefore will I hope in Him.”

Provident Protestant Reformed Church in Marikina, Philippines announced a special book sale, a one-day, end-of-the-year book sale of Reformed books (PRCA books) on Saturday, December 7. They sold books from 8 a.m. until approximately 1:00 p.m. In addition to all the RFPA books, they also had daily mediations on the creeds, Scripture puzzles and coloring books, pam­phlets, and more. Those not able to come to the sale that day could obtain a list of available items and prices to order via email. Anyone was welcome to come, so all were encouraged to let others know about this sale too.

Young people’s activities

Please make note of next year’s Protestant Reformed Young People’s Convention date and location to be hosted by Georgetown PRC. The convention will be held August 10–14, 2020 at the Lake Williamson Camp in Carlinville, IL. Visit prcconvention.com for more information. Chaperone registration will open January 1, and conventioneer registration opens March 15.

Minister activities

Rev. Ryan Barnhill was led by God to decline the call from Immanuel PRC (Lacombe, AB). On December 8, the Consistory announced a new trio: Revs. H. Bleyenberg (Providence PRC), N. Langerak (Crete PRC), and A. Stewart (Covenant PRC, Northern Ireland).

Unity PRC, the newest member of our denomina­tion, formed a trio consisting of Revs. Joshua Engelsma (Doon, IA PRC), Erik Guichelaar (Randolph, WI PRC), and Rev. Ronald Van Overloop (Grace PRC of Standale, MI). They called on December 18.

With the emeritation of Rev. Michael DeVries effective at the end of the year, Kalamazoo PRC called from the trio of Pastors R. Barnhill (Peace PRC), H. Bleyenberg (Providence PRC) and E. Guichelaar (Randolph PRC), with Rev. Guichelaar receiving this call on December 1.

Rev. J. Mahtani, who has accepted the call to be minister-on-loan to our sister church in Singapore, preached his farewell sermon at Cornerstone PRC (IN) on De­cember 8. He was to be installed at a special service in Grandville (MI) on December 29. He and his fam­ily hope to leave for Singapore in early January 2020, pending approval of the Singapore government.

Cornerstone PRC will be calling on January 5 from the trio of Pastors J. Engelsma (Doon PRC), G. Eriks (Hudsonville PRC), and R. Kleyn (Covenant of Grace PRC).

Trivia answer

You can find the trivia answer about the pipe organ in the church profile section of this column. More trivia next time.