PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for January 24, 2021 (Updated)

The following are special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this Sunday, January 24, 2021, the fourth Lord's Day of this new year 2021.

• Today we enter into our Lord's rest by faith and worship the glorious God of our salvation. In doing so we also hear the gospel of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. If you are visiting this website and are interested in the PRC, we invite you to join us at any of our services (morning and evening). For congregations and locations, visit this page.
  

O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Psalm 63:1-3

• The Council of Hudsonville PRC has a new trio from which to call their next pastor: Revs. E.Guichelaar, J.Marcus, and J.Smidstra. A congregational meeting is set for this evening after the evening service. Update: Rev. J. Smidstra has received this call.
  
  
• The Consistory of Kalamazoo PRC has formed a new trio from which to call a pastor: Revs. M.DeBoer (Edgerton, MN), E.Guichelaar (Randolph, WI), and J. Laning (Hull, IA). A special congregational meeting is scheduled for Sunday, January 31, following the evening worship service.
  
  
• Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Prof. D.Kuiper and B.Huizinga in Byron Center PRC; Rev. N.Decker in Cornerstone PRC; Prof. R.Cammenga and Rev. J.Maatman in Hudsonville PRC; Prof. B.Huizinga and Rev. C.Haak in Kalamazoo PRC; Prof. B.Gritters and Rev. J.Smidstra in Providence PRC. We thank the Lord for this blessing of our church federation to help one another in this need.
  Let us also remember to pray for the needs of these vacant congregations, including Wingham PRC, which cannot receive pulpit supply from the U.S. at this time (pandemic travel restrictions). At present because of the new COVID-19 lockdown orders in Ontario, the Wingham Consistory has suspended services until the congregation can gather again. Let's remember them in prayer with regard to this too.
  
  
• 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. Or you may visit the selected audio sermon page and listen to one of your choice there.
  
  
• Did you know that...
  • Byron Center (MI) PRC held a farewell program tonight for Rev. A. Spriensma, their missionary who just took a call to Cornerstone PRC? Here's the note as it was in her bulletin today: The congregation is asked to remain in the sanctuary tonight after the benediction so we can have a short song service for Pastor Spriensma’s farewell. Refreshments will be served in the fellowship room immediately following the song service. We join them in thanking God for pastor Spriensma's faithful labors as home missionary the last three years.
  • Georgetown PRC (Hudsonville, MI) is considering expansion of her building? From her bulletin today we learn of this through her Council: The results of the recent survey regarding church expansion vs. a daughter church showed that of the 76 responses there were 61 in favor of expansion of the building and 15 in favor of starting a daughter church.  With the need for additional storage space and more classrooms the council has appointed a committee to investigate the future building needs of the congregation.  We will have more information at a later date.

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS:

Special notices for Classis West meeting: March 3, 2021

• Due to strict Covid regulations in California, the Classis that was originally scheduled for Hope PRC (Redlands) has been moved to Peace PRC, so our church will once again be hosting the spring session of Classis West this year, starting on March 3. (from Peace's bulletin today)
• Notices in recent issues of the Standard Bearer incorrectly give February 2 as the deadline for material to be submitted forthe agenda of the upcoming meeting of Classis West. The deadline is actually February 1. All material must be submitted by that date to the Stated Clerk of Classis West, Rev. J. Engelsma.

Special PRC Seminary Notices:

• This past week seminary began its second semester. The schedule and calendar has been posted on the seminary's website here. Senior Josiah Tan is back for his final semester following his internship last semester. Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, we are not allowing auditors this semester either. Continue to remember the seminary's faculty, students, and staff in your prayers.
• Rev. J. Smidstra led chapel this past Wednesday and will do so again this week. Sem. Isaac Peters will lead the devotions this week.
• The Fall issue of the PRTS Journal is in its final stages of preparation. It should get to the printer this week and then it will be a few weeks yet before it is available for mailing and distribution.
• For the latest seminary news and information, visit the seminary's website.

SISTER-CHURCH/MISSIONS NEWS:

• Covenant ERC, Singapore: 
  • Here is more good news from from our far-eastern sister this week (part of the "Pastoral Voice" in her bulletin): Beloved people of God, we come into His courts today as a whole congregation after almost ten months of “separation” due to COVID-19 restrictions. We are thankful to God for enabling us to return as a whole congregation to worship Him. We ought to come into His presence with thanksgiving and praise as the Psalmist wrote. ...We celebrate this Lord’s Day with the Holy Communion for the first time after ten months of not being able to get a minister to come over to serve our church. May we with thankful hearts rejoice at this occasion, in remembrance of the death of our Saviour Jesus Christ.
    
  • Update on CERC's India mission work:  On the mission field, Rev Singh has updated us on the work in Kolkata. The COVID-19 situation has not improved much and some members have difficulties getting to the church due to lack of transportation. Mission work may become more difficult in the future as their Government is trying to pass an anti-conversion bill into law that forbids individuals to become a Christian unless approves by the court. The Christmas Day may no longer be a public holiday. Do pray for the work of Rev Singh and the brethren in Kolkata.
  • The December 2020 issue of "Reformed News Asia" was recently published (#63). Read that issue here.
  • The latest issue of Salt Shakers magazine (for young people) is also out - read the December 2020 at this link.
• Covenant PRC, N. Ireland and her Limerick, Ireland mission:
  • Rev. A. Stewart continues to minister the Word to the saints in Ballymena online as N.Ireland is currently under another lockdown.
  • Be sure to read the latest issue of the "Covenant Reformed News" - December 2020!
  • While Ireland is under lockdown at present, Rev. M.McGeown once again is ministering the Word virtually.
    
  • Rev.McGeown has penned a December 2020 newsletter for his fellow saints. You may find that here.
• PRC in the Philippines and her mission work:
  
  • Berean PRC bulletin today: Rev. V.Ibe led the services today, as they are allowed to meet in person (up to 50%). The saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship (AGPRF), Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija today are scheduled to join us in our worship services via streaming at Facebook live, D.V.
    
  • From Maranatha PRC bulletin today: Rev. R.Smit is leading the online services today (via Facebook Live). The government extended again Metro Manila and nearby provinces under the General Community Quarantine (GCQ). This is to inform that due to circumstances we are not yet ready to gather at the church building but we have to wait due to the increase of Covid-19 patients.
    

  • Provident PRC bulletin: Rev. D.Kleyn brought the Word there today, as they meet in person. In light of the ongoing pandemic, the congregation is reminded to observe the minimum safety protocol which includes wearing face masks, social distancing, face shields if convenient to the individual, and frequent handwashing.

  • PRCP Seminary News: Our PRCP Seminary classes began this past Tuesday, January 19 and are being taught via the Internet.

Listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday - on a radio station near you, on Sermonaudio, or on your favorite podcast - wherever you are!

• Rev. W. Bruinsma (Pittsburgh PRC) is delivering the messages on the program at present (Oct.2020 - Jan 2021). Today he brings a message based on 1 Corinthians 5:3-5 titled "The Church's Authority to Discipline."
  
• Listen to the broadcast on the station near you, on your favorite podcast (Google Music, Spotify, and iTunes), or visit the links provided here to listen to this program. Have you listened lately?
• 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.).
  

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REFORMED RESOURCES FOR EDIFICATION, EDUCATION, and EVANGELISM:

Need a valuable resource on the practical aspects of God's covenant of grace? Check out this one!

• Want 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.
  
  
• For sound, distinctively Reformed literature on a variety of subjects and for all ages - including church history and Bible study materials - visit the Reformed Free Publishing Association website or stop in at their Jenison (Michigan) location.
  
  
• 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..

This Week's Thought for Contemplation:

Taken from Covenant of Grace PRC's bulletin this week