Print this page

PRC News Highlights for August 16, 2020

Ps122 1The following are special highlights of PRC News for this Sunday, August 16, 2020, the thirty-third Lord's Day of this year.

  • Last Sunday Rev. C. Spronk (Faith PRC) declined the call from Kalamazoo PRC. We continue to keep the needs of this congregation in our prayers. May the Lord soon provide them with an undershepherd of their own.

  • Rev. M. Vanderwal (Wingham ON PRC) has been considering the call to First PRC, Edmonton, AB (received July 26). Today he announced his acceptance of that call.

  • Last Sunday Rev. M. DeBoer (Edgerton PRC) received the call from Cornerstone PRC (Dyer, IN). May the King of the church guide him in his consideration of this new call.

  • Rev. G. Eriks preached his farewell sermon to the Hudsonville congregation this morning. May the Lord be with him and his family as they bid farewell. Next Sunday morning, August 16, he will be installed as Unity PRC's first pastor, D.V.

  • We continue to remember in prayer the needs of Rev. J. Marcus, who awaits a call to the churches, and of Covenant ERC, our sister church in Singapore, as she awaits both pulpit supply from the PRC and a call for minister-on-loan through Grandville PRC - both on hold due to COVID-19 restrictions.
     
  • For those who may still be limited to house worship, whether completely or partially, we invite you to visit the PR churches page and follow the links to the websites where the churches' livestream may be found.

  • Did you know... that
    • The 2020 PRC Acts of Synod arrived from the printer this past Thursday and has already been distributed to many congregations? If you haven't received yours yet, be patient - it will arrive soon!
    • as our congregations struggle with church fellowship issues during the pandemic, some are going ahead with their annual church picnics while others are canceling? May the Lord keep us in love of one another during these times of restrictions and remind us of the blessedness of our "communion of saints."
    • as our schools prepare to open their doors again, they face many new challenges and difficult decisions? Yes, you probably do know this. But did you know that this note in Georgetown PRC's bulletin today should be a reminder to all of us in the PRC covenant community? Read it and commit to doing what the last line calls us to do.

      The consistory is thankful for the strong support of our Christian Schools by the families of this congregation.  Our prayer is that we diligently continue to support our schools, not only financially, but also in our conversations with one another.  We understand that our Lord in sending COVID-19 has placed additional trials and struggles which will require additional decisions as they affect our schools. Let us hold before us at all times the great blessing God has bestowed on us in our schools. The Boards, administrators, teachers and staffs are elected and hired by us, the parents and grandparents, to stand in our place and teach the children that God has blessed us with, according to the demands of the covenant.  The decisions that they make in these unique and divisive days are made for the good of the children.  Let us remember our schools, teachers, school boards, and students in our prayers.

CPRC News Header

SISTER-CHURCH NEWS:

  • Covenant ERC, Singapore: So far, our church has tried out worshipping in group of 50 for the last few weeks and the experience, as testified by some, had been gooddespite having to follow the strict restrictions of social distancing, not singing, etc. We are able worship God meaningfully as we hummed along in our hearts when we ‘sang’ the psalter numbers, prayed together as a church and attended to the hearing of God’s word. It was certainly good to see some of us eagerly coming to the Lord’s house to worship.
  • Covenant PRC, N. Ireland: Be sure to read the latest issue of the "Covenant Reformed News" - July 2020!
  • PRC in the Philippines: The Theological School of the PRCP federation began another year and semester of seminary instruction this past Tuesday, August 11.

PRC MISSION NEWS:

  • Special note from Doon PRC's Consistory: Rev. D. Holstege​, one of our missionaries in the Philippines, plans to be on furlough with his family from December of this year into June of next year. They are a family of seven planning to live in West Michigan and in need of a house that they can rent for that time frame. If you can help them in their search, please call or text Jim Holstege at 616-498-0841 or email him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

sem front june 2020 2

Special PRC Seminary Notices:

  • Due to the current restrictions on indoor gatherings in the state of Michigan, the Theological School Committee has cancelled the 2020 seminary convocation (usually held in early September). Please continue to pray for the Lord’s blessing upon the work of our seminary, especially the labors of the professors and students.
  • For several years,the seminary faculty have permitted auditors to audit some classes. The presence and input of the auditors has been appreciated. With regret, because of COVID restrictions, the faculty is not inviting any auditors this semester.
  • For the latest seminary news and information, visit the seminary's website.

RWH Logo 2019
Listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday - on a radio station near you or on Sermonaudio wherever you are!

  • Currently Rev. A. Spriensma (PRC home missionary) is delivering the messages, and this month he is focusing on the truth of God's covenant of grace. Today's message is titled "The Unbreakable Covenant" based on Psalm 89:34. Listen to the broadcast on the station near you, on your favorite podcast, or visit the links provided here to listen to this program.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Faith Practice SKey

REFORMED RESOURCES FOR EDUCATION, EVANGELISM, and EDIFICATION:

  • Are you desirous to learn more about the doctrines and practices of the PRC? Or, are you in need of some pamphlets and/or articles published by the PRC for use in evangelism and/or witnessing? Or are you simply interested in growing in your faith and walk with the Lord? Visit the Resources pages of this website and the PRCA Evangelism page for a complete list of materials available in digital format or by order from the publishing church.

  • And don't forget the great materials at the Reformed Book Outlet in Hudsonville, MI! The store is open again, with temporary limited hours: Tuesday, 10am - 1pm, Wednesday, 1pm - 6pm, and Saturday, 10am - 1pm. As always, you can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any orders as well!

Thought for contemplation:

Do you have eyes to see and a heart that believes what Jesus says in Luke 10: 2? It is a harvest that is truly great. In Matt. 9:37, we read, “The harvest truly is plenteous.” John 4:35ff makes it more urgent. “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men labored, and ye are entered into their labours.”

“The fields are white unto harvest.” This means that it is time! The time is until the Lord Jesus returns. He comes quickly! Let us labor. Let us pray the Lord Jesus, the Lord of the harvest, for men to become preachers and missionaries. Let us also pray that as men, women, and children who love the Lord, we gladly witness for him and his kingdom! Oh, like the fields of corn and wheat, some years are much more plenteous and abundant than other. So also, in the history of missions, there are times when the fruit is more bountiful in one place over another. But the outcome of our sowing and reaping is not what we fix out eyes on. The Lord will give the increase in His own time and way. Ours is to labor for the Master.

From one of this past week's special meditations by Rev. A. Spriensma, PRC home missionary - "Praying for Laborers for the Harvest"

Last modified on 16 August 2020