In what the “News” believes may be a first for one of our PR Christian schools, Trinity Christian High School in Hull, IA held a chapel service on April 20 that featured Rev. A. Stewart, pastor of the Covenant PRC in Ballymena, NI, as the speaker. Rev. Stewart spoke to the students via Skype, an Internet-based telephone and video calling service from computer to computer. The idea for this came from Jason Westra, a teacher at Trinity, and a nephew of Rev. Stewart. Rev. Stewart spoke on the theme, “The Beneficiaries of our Goodness,” based on Psalm 16:1, 2. So while the students were in Hull, Rev. Stewart spoke to them from the comfort of his study in Northern Ireland.
The student body of Eastside Christian School in Grand Rapids, MI presented their Fine Arts Night program on April 27 in First PRC. Friends of Eastside were invited to come and hear the Band play, the Choir sing, and the Music Class play and sing. After the concert, opportunity was given to tour the fine arts in the school and visit the Science Centers. There were refreshments for all while they toured the school.
Members of the Hope School Circle of Hope PR Christian School in Walker, MI hosted their much anticipated Hope Heart Prize on April 29 and 30 at the school. The two-day activity featured 200-plus artistic creations by students, parents, family and friends of our PR schools. An invitation was extended to all to come and see an array of art, including paintings by the late Rev. H. Hoeksema and Rev. M. Schipper, over 60 creations of oil, pastel, pencil and charcoal, photography, ornate bead work, curly maple table, sculptures, quilts, even popsicle sticks and paper-mache. There were live art demonstrations Friday and Saturday. Those who came were deeply impressed, not only by the variety of the art on display, but also by its high quality. How thankful we can be for the abilities and talents with which the Lord has gifted His people, for His glory. Plans are to hold another such event in two years.
Friends and supporters of Faith Christian School in Randolph, WI enjoyed a fund-raising activity on Friday evening, April 29, at Randolph PRC. The upper room of Faith sponsored a singspiration, followed by a dessert auction sponsored by the Ladies School Circle, which was followed by a slide show by Pastor Kuiper on his trip to Northern Ireland earlier this year. A collection was taken during the singspiration to defray the cost of choir music. Any proceeds after that went to the 8th grade fund.
The members of the Berean PRC in Manila, the Philippines, held their annual “Church Conference” on May 6 on the theme, “Church Membership for Reformed Believers.” Speeches were presented by Rev. D. Kleyn and Rev. R. Smit. They were: “The Obligation of Membership in a True Church,” by Rev. Kleyn; “The Importance of the Reformed Confessions for Reformed Believers,” by Rev. Smit; “The Reformed Believer’s Duties Within His Congregation,” by Rev. Smit; and “The Reformed Believer’s Duties Outside of His Congregation,” by Rev. Kleyn.
On Saturday, April 23, the men of First PRC in Grand Rapids, MI enjoyed another session of their men’s breakfast get-together. Breakfast was served from 7:30-8:00, with discussion following till around 9:30. This month’s discussion centered on “Family Worship.”
Parents and other adult members of the Covenant of Grace PRC in Spokane, WA were invited to attend the first session of “Shepherding a Child’s Heart” on Friday evening, May 6, at their church. Plans called for those attending to watch all 15 DVDs over a 15-month time period, watching and discussing one DVD a month on the first Friday of each month. In preparation for that first session, those planning on attending were encouraged to read the introduction and chapter one of “Shepherding a Child’s Heart,” by Ted Tripp.
Members of the Adult Bible Study of the Crete, IL PRC invited the Adult Bible Studies of Bethel, Cornerstone, and Peace to a combined meeting on April 26 at Crete. The topic for discussion and study was Romans 15:1ff. Refreshments and fellowship followed the Bible study.
The just-completed celebration of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, April 24, saw many of our congregations celebrating with choir programs or singspirations.
The congregation of the Hope PRC in Redlands, CA enjoyed a combined choir program and singspiration on Easter Sunday after their evening worship service. Everyone was welcome to join in singing praise to God for the work of His Son on the cross, conquering death and saving us from our sins.
The choirs of Grace PRC in Standale, MI and the Hudsonville, MI PRC also presented concerts that evening for the enjoyment and spiritual edification of those who attended.
The congregation of the Immanuel PRC in Lacombe, AB, Canada enjoyed a special song service with special numbers by their choir after their afternoon worship service on April 24.
The Psalm Choir, made up of members from various PR congregations throughout West Michigan, presented a concert on May 1 at the Grandville, MI PRC.
The Evangelism Committee of the Kalamazoo, MI PRC invited all those interested to a showing by Prof. B. Gritters on the 2010 visit to Namibia and South Africa that he and Prof. R. Dykstra made. This presentation took place after Sunday worship services on May 1.
Interestingly, the young people and young adults of the First PRC in Edmonton, AB, Canada invited their congregation to a video presentation concerning our churches contact with these Reformed Churches in Namibia and South Africa the same evening, May 1, at their church. The only difference, no Prof. Dykstra or Prof. Gritters there, but an interesting and informative hour nonetheless.
The Young Adults’ Society of the Lynden, WA PRC invited their congregation to a Resurrection Day singspiration on April 24 after their evening service.
Rev. D. Kuiper, presently serving as pastor of the Randolph, WI PRC, declined the call he received to serve as pastor of the Edgerton, MN PRC.
Rev. C. Haak received the call to serve as the next pastor of the Trinity PRC in Hudsonville, MI.
The Standard Bearer is a semi-monthly, 24-page print magazine devoted to explaining and defending reformed doctrine, promoting the Reformed life of the church and believer, and combating old and new errors that threaten to disrupt the reformed faith and life.
THE STANDARD BEARER IS PUBLICATION BY REFORMED FREE PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED-2022
