PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for January 31, 2021 (Updated)

The following are special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this Sunday, January 31, the fifth Lord's Day of this new year 2021.

• Today we again 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, knowing that the preaching of Christ crucified and raised is the power of God unto salvation for all who believe (Rom.1:16). 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.
  

The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved. The LORD is great in Zion; and he is high above all the people. Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy. ~ Psalm 99:1-3

• Last Sunday Hudsonville PRC extended a call to Rev. J.Smidstra 1st PRC, Holland, MI). May the Lord guide him plainly as he considers this call.
  
  
• The congregation of Kalamazoo PRC will vote today from her new trio from which to call a pastor: Revs. M.DeBoer (Edgerton, MN), E.Guichelaar (Randolph, WI), and J. Laning (Hull, IA). UPDATE: Rev. E. Guichelaar has received this call.
  
  
• Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Sem. J.Tan and Rev. D.Noorman in Byron Center PRC; Rev. G.Eriks in Cornerstone PRC; Prof. R.Cammenga and Rev. J.Mahtani in Hudsonville PRC; Prof. B.Huizinga and Rev. J.Holstege in Kalamazoo PRC; Prof. B.Gritters and Rev. W.Langerak in Providence PRC. We thank the Lord for this blessing of our church federation to help one another in this need.
  
  Let us also tontinue to pray for all 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...
  • All four class levels of training are being taught at the PRC Seminary this semester? There is one senior, one junior, two sophomores, and two freshman seminarians this semester. Here's your challenge: Can you name them all and in what class they are?
  • There's a PR Bible study that meets at Dordt University in Sioux Center, Iowa? If you are or have a student at Dordt, you will want to pay attention to this notice from Hull PRC's bulletin today: The Dordt University Bible Study will meet every Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. The Bible Study will meet in classroom #1316. All young adults are welcome to attend.

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)
• 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:

• The seminary has now completed two weeks of its second semester. The schedule and calendar have been posted on the seminary's website here. 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.
• Prof. Kuiper is teaching three new courses this semester - Medieval Church History, NT Exegesis, and Reformed Symbols (creeds), as he continues to take over Prof. R. Dykstra's courses and helps him out this semester while he is in Singapore.
• Rev. J. Smidstra led chapel this past Wednesday. Sem. L.Bomers will lead the devotions this week and Rev. J.Holstege will speak for the Wednesday chapel.
• The Fall issue of the PRTS Journal was sent to the printer last week. The digital copy (pdf) has now been posted on the seminary website.
• For the latest seminary news and information, visit the seminary's website.

SISTER-CHURCH/MISSIONS NEWS:

• Covenant ERC, Singapore: 
  • From the "Pastoral Voice" in her bulletin today: Beloved people of God, let us praise the LORD and give thanks unto the LORD for He is good and for His mercy endureth forever. We should indeed be very thankful and grateful to God that we could finally come together as a church to worship Him last Sunday. May God be greatly praised! We were not only able to worship as a whole congregation, we were also able to partake of the long-awaited Lord’s Supper sacrament last Sunday. Thanks be to God for feeding us spiritually with the body and blood of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Indeed, who can sufficiently utter the mighty acts of the LORD and who can show forth all His praise? As we look back, we cannot help but give grateful thanks to God for answering our earnest prayers.
    
  • And notice of a special class Prof. R. Dykstra taught: We are thankful to God that Prof. Dykstra could conduct two Church Order classes on Articles 4, 22 to 28, 31 and 37. These classes are part of the efforts by Session to help us better understand how the Reformed Church government, as exemplified in the Church Order, governs the nomination, approbation, election (voting) of officebearers, as well as the works of the officebearer.
  • 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 as they gather again in person.
  • Read the latest issue of the "Covenant Reformed News" - January 2021!
  • While Ireland is under lockdown at present, Rev. M.McGeown once again is ministering the Word online.
    
• 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%). Our online Bible study for Belgic Confession of Faith and the Church Oder of Dort is scheduled every Sunday at 7P.M. – 9P.M.
    
  • From Maranatha PRC bulletin today: Rev. L.Trinidad  is leading the online services today (via Facebook Live). It has been 11 months now that we have no congregational worship at the Church building due to pandemic. Even to this time, there are more cases of Covid-19 in our area so that we are still under the GCQ.

  • Provident PRC bulletin: Rev. R.Smit brought the Word there today, as they meet in person. And, The Wednesday Bible study will resume on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., Lord willing. Rev. Smit will begin to lead our Bible study for a few months during Rev. Holstege’s furlough.

  • PRCP Seminary News: Our PRCP Seminary classes began 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) completes his time (four months) on the RWH today with a message from 1 Corinthians 6:6,7 titled, "Suffering Wrong from a Brother."
  
• 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 fundamentals of the Reformed faith? 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 Trinity PRC's bulletin this week