Print this page

PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for October 4, 2020

Contents[Show]
Psalm 92 1The following are special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this Sunday, October 4, 2020, the fortieth Lord's Day of this year.
  • Rev. M. Vanderwal was installed this morning as the fifth pastor in First PRC's history (Edmonton, AB).  Rev. T. Miersma led the service.
    This evening Rev. VanderWal preached his inaugural sermon.

  • Today Rev. R. Kleyn declined the call from Kalamazoo PRC.

  • This past Monday (Sept.28) Wingham PRC (ON) voted to extend a call to Rev. C. Spronk (Faith PRC). May the Lord show him His way with regard to this call.

  • Rev. J. Engelsma (Doon PRC) is considering the call to Hudsonville PRC (received Sept.20). May the Lord guide him into the certain knowledge of His will concerning this new call.

  • Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Rev. D.Noorman  in Cornerstone PRC; Prof. R. Cammenga and Rev. C.Haak in Hudsonville PRC; Prof. R.Dykstra and Rev. R.VanOverloop in Kalamazoo PRC; Prof. B.Gritters and Rev. J.Marcus in Providence PRC. What a blessing that our PRC federation gives such help to these churches! May we also bring to the throne of grace the needs of these vacant congregations.

  • Let us not forget to pray for the needs of Rev. J. Marcus, who awaits a call to the churches, of Rev. M. McGeown, who awaits permission to enter the States to be installed in Providence PRC, 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:
    • Rev.M. McGeown (from Limerick, Ireland) is teaching two online catechism classes for Providence PRC, the church he is waiting to serve when his immigration to the U.S. is approved? It is one way he can help them in their vacancy and also begin to know his future congregation.
    • The Young Calvinists will be hosting an event for young people to write letters to elderly shut-ins in our denomination? This will be held at Post Family Farm [Hudsonville, MI] on October 17 from 12-3pm. Masks are required and social distancing as well as sanitary precautions will be in place. Participants will be free to come and go as they please. Donuts and hot cider included! What a wonderful idea! We can see this being a great blessing to both parties.

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS:

  • Classis West met on Sept.23 in Edgerton (MN) PRC. For a report on its proceedings, visit this page.
  • The 2020 PRC Acts of Synod is now available and has been distributed to the congregations. If you have not yet received yours, seek out your congregation's clerk, the stated clerk (Rev. R. Van Overloop), or contact the seminary.
  • 2020 edition of the Church Order: The 2020 edition of the ring-bound Church Order book is now available and may be ordered through the PRC Seminary (616-531-1490). As per synodical decision, these books are updated every five years to incorporate new synodical decisions affecting them. In addition to the Church Order, this book also contains such things as the Constitutions of all synodical committees, the Rules of Synodical Procedure, the Explanation of the Rules for Protests/Appeals/Overtures and the denomination's Articles of Incorporation and By-laws. All these are of most practical use to the office bearers. But, all of our families would do well to cultivate a knowledge of and interest in Protestant Reformed church polity. If you already have the six-ring green binder, you need only order the new inserts ($4.00). The inserts with the binder with the 2020 edition is $10.00. Payment can be made to the PRCA after you receive your materials.

sem lgfront Sept 2020

Special PRC Seminary Notices:

  • Seminary has now completed six weeks of its first semester. Pray for the professors, students, and staff as they labor in the task of training men for the ministry of the Word. And remember to petition the Lord of the harvest to send us more men who heed to call to serve as His ambassadors.
  • The first round of practice preaching begins tomorrow (Monday Oct.5), with Sems. M.Wee and I. Peters delivering sermons. Next week Sem. M. Koerner will deliver his. Pray for these men as they prepare for this vital part of their training.
  • 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. This decision will be reviewed at the end of the semester with a view to Interim 2021 and the second semester.
  • For the latest seminary news and information, visit the seminary's website.

Prof Dykstra preaching CERCS Sept 2020
Prof. R.Dykstra preparing to preach for the morning service of Covenant ERC in Singapore - from the PRC Seminary on Saturday night (see last week's "Did you know?" and the note below)

SISTER-CHURCH/MISSIONS NEWS:

  • Covenant ERC, Singapore: 
    • From today's "Pastoral Voice" in her bulletin: Beloved in the Lord Jesus Christ, indeed it is a joy to be found in His house, especially from today, we are now able to have up to 100 people returning church to worship our great and mighty God at each worship service. We are thankful to God, who have made this possible for us. ...Another matter that was decided is that Prof Dykstra will be bringing God’s word to CERC over the next four Sundays in the morning worship services from today via live streaming. We are thankful to our audio team who are able to support the church with the use of modern technology, and Prof Dykstra who is willing, and Marcus Wee who is assisting him from the Seminary’s lecture room.
    • And in her India mission news, the CERC includes this note today: Beloved, our brethren in Kolkata still need our support through our prayers. Let us remember them and pray for them that God will sustain them spiritually and physically. Pray for Rev Singh, as he leads the flock and shepherd them in these troubled circumstances. Pray that God may grant them a place to worship God; grant them strength to withstand persecution and relieve them of any anxiety when facing the difficult times.
    • The last issue of "Reformed News Asia" is the August 2020 one, #61). Read that issue here.
  • Covenant PRC, N. Ireland:
    • Rev. A. Stewart brought the Word there today.
    • Missionary-pastor M. McGeown continues to preach the gospel in Limerick, Ireland until he can enter the U.S. and be installed as Providence PRC's pastor.
    • Be sure to read the latest issue of the "Covenant Reformed News" - September 2020!
  • PRC in the Philippines:
    • With strict government limitations on public gatherings still in place due to the pandemic (Metro Manila and nearby provinces are now under the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) through October 31), the PRCP pastors and the PRC missionaries carry on with livestreaming of services as well as with online catechism classes and Bible studies.
    • PRCP Seminary News: Last week, our seminary students took the midterm exams. There will be no classes this week. Our instructors and students will have a break before the second half of the semester begins on October 13.
    • The latest PRCP newsletter was recently published - don't forget to read the August 2020 report!
  • Are we continuing to pray for our dear brothers and sisters throughout the world as they also face trials and tribulations? May we also show the communion of saints in this way.

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

  • Rev. W. Bruinsma (Pittsburgh PRC) will be delivering the messages on the program for the next four months. Today's message is titled "Children of Truth" and is based on 3 John 4.
  • Listen to the broadcast on the station near you, on your favorite podcast (Google Play, Spotify, and iTunes), or visit the links provided here to listen to this program.
  • The Reformed Witness Hour publishes each month's messages in an attractive booklet. These printed sermons are a great blessing to many and are distributed all over the world, including to many prisoners in the U.S. If you or your Evangelism Commitee would like to receive these, let the RWHC know and they will add you to the mailing list (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
  • Special notices for October: 

    The Reformed Witness Hour is pleased to announce that beginning this month we are adding a new broadcast time on Wednesday evenings at 8PM on WFUR-FM 92.9/AM1570 (Grand Rapids, MI).  The RWH will also continue to broadcast at our normal time slot on Sundays at 4PM. We encourage you to listen if you are able, and to promote the broadcast to family and friends when you have the opportunity.

    The Reformed Witness Hour is pleased to announce that beginning this month we are adding a new broadcast in the Kalamazoo area at 4PM each Sunday on WKPR-FM 105.1/AM1440. We encourage you to listen if you are able, and to promote the broadcast to family and friends.

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

REFORMED RESOURCES FOR EDIFICATION, EDUCATION, and EVANGELISM:

the church today DJE
Looking for things to read in this Reformation remembrance month? Check out this resource, "The Church Today and the Reformation Church: A Comparison"by Prof. D. Engelsma

  • Be sure to check out the Reformed Book Outlet in downtown Hudsonville, MI and online! As a reminder, their hours of business are currently Tuesday 10-1, Wednesday 1-5, and Saturday 10-1, or send your order to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
  • 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.

This Week's Thought for Contemplation:

Repentance signifies conversion, by which, having said farewell to the perversity of this world, we betake ourselves into the Lord’s way. Moreover, Christ is not the minister of sin, and for that reason He does not clothe with participation in His righteousness those cleansed of the corruption of sins n order that we may profane with new filth repeatedly His great grace, but that we, adopted as God’s children, may consecrate our lives forever to our Father’s glory. But this effect of repentance depends upon our regeneration, which consists of two parts: the mortification of our flesh, that is, the corruption inborn in us and spiritual rightness. We must press with our whole life toward this meditation, that dead to sin and to ourselves, we may live to Christ and His righteousness. And since this generation is never fulfilled so long as we sojourn in the prison of the mortal body, there must be an unflagging pursuit of repentance even unto death.”
(John Calvin, First Catechism, 1537)

Taken from Trinity PRC's bulletin this week.

 

Last modified on 04 October 2020