When the 80th General Assembly (GA) of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) met from June 5-8 in Moraga, CA, it was the first time in 23 years that the Assembly was held in California and the first time ever in northern California. Voting equipment detained due to a train derailment arrived just in time, but … Continue reading OPC 80th General Assembly: California dream
URCNA ministers’ and missions conferences at June’s end
Mid-America Reformed Seminary was the site for back-to-back URCNA conferences in June. The Ministers’ Conference ran from June 24-26 and the Missions Conference was held from June 26-28. This was the second Ministers’ Conference. The first conference two years ago grew from an idea at Synod London. “Three years ago at Synod London a plan … Continue reading URCNA ministers’ and missions conferences at June’s end
New location for Providence in Des Moines
On June 16, 2013, about 80 people attended the first worship service of Providence Reformed Church at its new location in Des Moines. The beautiful sanctuary was filled with filtered light during a celebratory service emphasizing the lordship of Christ and the blessing of His completely accomplished atonement. As part of a continuing series on … Continue reading New location for Providence in Des Moines
New exhorter for Reformation Italy
On May 16, 2013, Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia church leaders examined Mark Patterson for his license to exhort. Having successfully sustained his exam, Patterson exhorted on May 19. Rev. Andrea Ferrari relates that Mark and Sonia Patterson and their 12-year-old son, Daniel, began attending Chiesa Riformata Filadelfia in Milan about a year and half ago. Both … Continue reading New exhorter for Reformation Italy
Carbondale URC’s Open Closet clothing ministry
Twice a year Covenant Reformed Church in Carbondale, PA, opens its doors to help meet physical as well as spiritual needs in a free clothing ministry called Open Closet. “This free clothing ministry allows us to build bridges between the church and the community,” explains organizer Maryann Wilcox. “The Open Closet is a ministry … Continue reading Carbondale URC’s Open Closet clothing ministry
“Facing the Fearsome” by Rev. Stephen Donovan
Rather than writing my own meditation today, I'm posting a link to a sermon on Psalm 46 preached by Rev. Stephen Donovan at Escondido United Reformed Church in Escondido, CA. He preached "Facing the Fearsome" on the last evening of 2012, when many people felt anxious about the coming year. Rev. Donovan's message is available at … Continue reading “Facing the Fearsome” by Rev. Stephen Donovan
Bittersweet beginning in Boise
When Classis Pacific Northwest of the URCNA met on April 16, 2013, it salvaged a difficult situation by concurring that a church plant in Boise, ID, was the best solution. As reported earlier in Christian Renewal, the October 2012 meeting of Classis had encouraged Cloverdale URC in Boise, ID, and its pastor, Rev. Jonathan Van … Continue reading Bittersweet beginning in Boise
Medicine Hat preaching station closes
After a six-month trial period, the consistory of Trinity Reformed Church (URCNA) in Lethbridge, AB, has decided to discontinue its preaching station effort in Medicine Hat. The work began in September of 2012, primarily out of consideration for four families from the Medicine Hat area, who regularly drove two hours to worship in Lethbridge. It … Continue reading Medicine Hat preaching station closes
“When God Hides His Face” by Rev. Paul Ipema
Rather than writing a meditation today on Psalm 44, I'm sharing a sermon on the psalm by Rev. Paul Ipema of Community United Reformed Church in Schererville, IN. He preached this sermon at the evening worship service on February 6 of 2011. It can be accessed on the Sermon Audio website. In this message, Rev. Ipema speaks … Continue reading “When God Hides His Face” by Rev. Paul Ipema
One-year internship in Pella for Ecuadorian seminarian
While one-year internships are common in the OPC and one-year vicariates are standard practice in the RCNZ, such arrangements are rare in the URCNA. But Covenant Reformed Church (URCNA) in Pella, IA, is planning a one-year internship with Pablo Landázuri. Pablo, who is from Quito, Ecuador, anticipates graduating from Mid-America Reformed Seminary on May 16 … Continue reading One-year internship in Pella for Ecuadorian seminarian
Glenda Faye Mathes 