PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for March 28, 2021 (Updated)

The following are special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this Sunday, March 28, the thirteenth Lord's Day of this year 2021.

• Today is Palm Sunday, when we recall the royal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, symbolizing His lowly Kingship as He came to save His people and bring them into His kingdom through His suffering and death. May we humble ourselves before Him and worship Him, lifting up our thankful Hosannas to the now exalted King of kings.

And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass (Matt.21:8,9; 4,5).

• This Friday, April 2, the PRC congregations will observe Good Friday with a special service of worship in remembrance of our Savior's atoning sacrifice for us sinners. Most service times are in the evening; check the church's website for details. "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom.5:6-8)
  
  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 afternoon/evening). For congregations, locations and times, visit this page.
  
  
• Rev. J. Engelsma (Doon PRC, IA) is considering the call from Byron Center PRC (received March 7). He plans to answer on or before April 4.
  
  
• The Council of Hudsonville PRC has formed a new trio from which to call a pastor: Revs. C. Griess (First PRC, Grand Rapids, MI), E. Guichelaar (Randolph PRC, WI), and R. Kleyn (Covenant of Grace PRC, Spokane, WA). The congregational meeting to call one of these men is planned for today, after the evening service. UPDATE: Rev. C.Griess has received this call.
  
  
• The Consistory of Kalamazoo PRC announces a new trio from which to call a pastor: Revs. Dennis Lee (Bethel PRC, Roselle, IL); Stephan Regnerus (Lynden PRC, Lynden, WA); and Ronald VanOverloop (Grace PRC, Standale, MI). The congregation plans to vote Sunday, April 4.
  
  
• Tonight Rev. D. Holstege plans to give another Philippine mission/church presentation in the west Michigan area.
  Here are the details from Grandville PRC's bulletin: Rev. Holstege will be giving a short presentation on the work in the Philippines next Sunday, March 28, beginning at approximately 7:15 pm. All are invited to attend.

• Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Prof. D.Kuiper and Rev. D.Noorman in Byron Center PRC; Prof. R.Cammenga and Rev. C.Spronk in Hudsonville PRC; Prof. B.Huizinga and Rev. G.Eriks in Kalamazoo PRC; Prof. B.Gritters and Rev. J.Maatman in Providence PRC. We thank the Lord for this blessing of our church federation to help one another in this need.
  
  May we also continue 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), though she has resumed in-person worship services.
  
  
• 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.
  
  

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS:

• Classis West met March 3-4, in Peace PRC, Dyer, IN. For a summary of the decisions, visit this news report. May the Lord be pleased to use these decisions for the good of the churches and the glory of His name.
  
  
• From the Consistory of Bethel PRC: It is with sadness that we announce to the churches that we will be disbanding in the near future, with our final worship services scheduled for Sunday June 27. We also inform you that our pastor, Rev. Dennis Lee, is presently available for a call to any one of our sister-churches.
  
  
• Need for Ministers of the Word: For several years our synods have asked the congregations to remember the need for young men to pursue the calling to serve as ministers of the gospel.  Consistories and parents are urged to encourage young men in whom they see the beginning of the gifts necessary for the ministry. The greatness of the message of the gospel and the greatness of the need for that gospel to be proclaimed makes the need urgent. Also, there is an urgent need for young men because of the number of vacant congregations and the number of current ministers retiring because of increasing weariness of age. Cease not to ask the King of the church to provide.
  
  
• Future Teachers and Ministers: Information for the 2021 PR Scholarship Fund essay competition is now available. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to receive the essay topics and submission requirements. Completed essays must be submitted by May 31st. 

PRC Seminary Notices:

• The seminary has now completed ten weeks of its second semester, and things continue to go well, for which we praise our faithful God. The schedule and calendar have been posted on the seminary's website here. Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, we are not allowing class auditors/visitors again this semester, which we deeply regret. Continue to remember the seminary's faculty, students, and staff in your prayers.
• The second round of Practice Preaching will begin tomorrow, March 29, with Sems. J.Tan and M.Wee delivering their sermons.
• Rev. R. VanOverloop (Grace PRC) spoke for the Wednesday chapel this past week and will do so again this week. On the other days the students take turns leading in devotions.
• The print version of the Fall 2020 issue of the PRTS Journal is now available. The digital copies (pdf & epub) have been posted on the seminary website. If you wish to be added to our mailing list, please call or email the seminary.
• For the latest seminary news and information, visit the seminary's website.

What do moldy shoes have to say to us today? Read the latest Philippine mission newsletter to find out!

SISTER-CHURCH/MISSION NEWS:

• Covenant ERC, Singapore: 
  • From the "Pastoral Voice" in her bulletin today: In the past week, we learned that the Lord has granted us the approval for the employment and dependent passes for Reverend and Mrs Justin Smidstra. This means that, the Lord willing, we will continue to have pulpit supply for another 4 months after the departure of Professor and Mrs Dykstra! What a marvelous work God has done! “And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings” - Ps 9:10 & 11
    
  • A new issue of Salt Shakers is out - February 2021, #64! Be sure to read the varied and profitable articles - especially the young people!
• Covenant PRC, N. Ireland and her Limerick, Ireland mission:
  • Rev. A. Stewart continues to minister the Word to the saints in Ballymena.
  • Read the latest issue of the "Covenant Reformed News" - February 2021!
  • Rev. M.McGeown continues to minister the Word in Limerick until he is able to come to the U.S. to serve Providence PRC.
    
  • Sadly, because of COVID uncertainty, the British Reformed Fellowship Family Conference has been rescheduled from this summer (2021) to July 9-16, 2022. Profs. David Engelsma and Brian Huizinga will develop the glorious truth of "Union With Christ" at Castlewellan Castle, N. Ireland. More details are online (http://brfconference.weebly.com).
• PRC in the Philippines and her mission work:
  
  • A new Philippine Newsletter was released this past week! Read it here - and discover the mystery of moldy shoes!
  • From Berean PRC in Manila: Rev. V.Ibe led her in-person services today. The saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship (AGPRF), Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija will join us in our worship services via livestreaming at Facebook live, the Lord willing.
  • Provident PRC bulletin: "Rev. D. Kleyn is scheduled to preach for us today. The services are being live streamed on the “PPRC and Friends” Facebook page."
    
  • PRCP Seminary News: Classes resumed on March 23, following midterm exams and Spring break.
  • The Classis of the PRCP plans to meet again in Provident PRC on April 1, D.V.

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. R.Kleyn (Covenant of Grace PRC in Spokane, WA) is currently doing a series on the Gospel according to Mark. Today's message is based on Mark 1:35-39 and titled "Therefore Came I Forth."
  
• 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 (*see the attachment to this news post for the latest one). 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:

Check out the Reformed Book Outlet's latest offerings - in store (downtown Hudsonville) or online!

• 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.
  
  
• Do you need some catechism materials for use in your church or family? The PRC publishes catechism materials on Bible history and Reformed doctrine, for children of all ages. Visit this page for more information.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• Reformed Book Outlet news:

  The Reformed Book Outlet has reopened and you are welcome to shop the store in downtown Hudsonville (MI). If you have any needs during this time, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

This Week's Thought for Contemplation:

We believe that Jesus Christ is ordained with an oath to be an everlasting High Priest, after the order of Melchisedec; and that He hath presented Himself in our behalf before the Father, to appease His wrath by His full satisfaction, by offering Himself on the tree of the cross, and pouring out His precious blood to purge away our sins; as the prophets had foretold. For it is written: He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed. He was brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and numbered with the transgressors, and condemned by Pontius Pilate as a malefactor, though he had first declared Him innocent. Therefore: He restored that which He took not away, and suffered, the just for the unjust, as well in His body as in His soul, feeling the terrible punishment which our sins had merited; insomuch that His sweat became like unto drops of blood falling on the ground. He called out, my God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? and hath suffered all this for the remission of our sins. Wherefore we justly say with the apostle Paul: that we know nothing, but Jesus Christ, and Him crucified; we count all things but loss and dung for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord, in whose wounds we find all manner of consolation. Neither is it necessary to seek or invent any other means of being reconciled to God, than this only sacrifice, once offered, by which believers are made perfect forever. This is also the reason why He was called by the angel of God, Jesus, that is to say, Savior, because He should save His people from their sins.

Article 21 of The Belgic Confession, "Of the Satisfaction of Christ, Our Only High Priest, for Us"