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PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for May 9, 2021

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The following are special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this Sunday, May 9, the nineteenth Lord's Day of this year 2021.

Isa 58 13With joy and thanksgiving, today we gather in worship of our triune God through our Savior Jesus Christ and by His Holy Spirit. May we worship our sovereign King in spirit and in truth and give Him the glory due to His name.

If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. ~ Isaiah 58:13,14

  • 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.
  • This week Thursday evening, May 13, the PRC congregations will gather in worship for Ascension Day, commemorating the glorification to heaven of our great Savior-King, Jesus Christ. Visitors are cordially welcome to join us. For service times, visit the churches webpage here. Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them. Psalm 68:18

  • Last Sunday Rev. R. Van Overloop (Grace PRC, Standale, MI) declined the call to Kalamazoo PRC.
  • Last Sunday Byron Center PRC extended a call to Prof. R. Dykstra (PRCA Seminary).
  • Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Prof. D.Kuiper and Rev. G.Eriks in Byron Center PRC; Sem. J.Tan and Prof. B. Gritters in First PRC-Holland; Prof. R.Cammenga and Rev. J.Marcus  in Hudsonville PRC; Prof. B.Huizinga and Rev. J.Maatman in Kalamazoo PRC; Prof. B.Gritters and Prof. R.Cammenga 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) and which is also under new lockdown orders (for up to 6 weeks), meaning that the church's in-person worship and other meetings are suspended for the time being. May the Lord encourage their hearts during these difficult times and soon open the way for them to gather in person again.

  • 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.

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Trinity PRC, Hudsonville MI. host of this week's Classis East meeting

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS:

  • The Lord in His providence was pleased to deliver Prof. Robert Decker to glory this past Wednesday, May 5. Prof. Decker faithfully served the Protestant Reformed Churches in the capacity of pastor and professor for over 40 years. We thank the Lord for the gift of servants in His church. The funeral was held Saturday. Please remember to keep his widow Marilyn and the Decker family in your prayers during this time. John 14:1-3, Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

  • Pulpit supply for Covenant ERC, Singapore: The Dykstras will leave Singapore Monday morning (see note in CERC bulletin below). And from First PRC-Holland's bulletin today we have this update: The Smidstras are doing well under quarantine in Singapore. They report that they are being well taken care of by the saints there! They learned this week, however, that due to the rise of COVID cases in Singapore, as well as rising cases globally, the SHN period for travelers will be extended from 14 days to 21 days. This means they will be quarantined until May 20. May the LORD continue to bless them with health and patience as they wait on Him.

  • Classis East meeting: Classis East meets this Wednesday May 12 at 8:00 am at Trinity PRC.
  • Prof. David Engelsma will be discussing his commentary on the Belgic Confession this week Wednesday, May 12, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. EST on the national radio program "Iron Sharpens Iron" with Chris Arnzen. You can tune in using the following link: https://www.ironsharpensironradio.com/.

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PRC Seminary Notices:

  • The seminary completed its fifteenth and final week of classes last week; final exams will be held this week. Pray for the students as they take these exams and remember the rest of the seminary in your prayers too.
  • After five plus months serving Covenant ERC, Prof. R. Dykstra and his wife Carol plan to leave Singapore Monday morning and return to the States. May the Lord grant traveling mercies to them.
  • With joy the faculty announces that it has licensed student Matthew Koerner (sophomore) to speak a word of edification in the churches.  We are grateful for the brother’s progress to this point in his training.  All scheduling of Mr. Koerner must be done through the seminary, either by sending a request to the seminary secretary, Miss Sharon Kleyn, or the rector, Prof. R. Cammenga.
  • Work has begun on the Spring 2021 issue of the PRTS Journal is available. 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.
  • Special Notice for 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. 

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SISTER-CHURCH/MISSION NEWS:

  • Covenant ERC, Singapore: 
    • From the "Pastoral Voice" in her bulletin today: Note from the Dykstras: We find ourselves at the end of a most enjoyable five months in your congregation. Your amazing hospitality and extraordinary care for us was overwhelming. ...We thank God for the privilege of being able to live and work here for these months. God be praised for the love and encouragement you demonstrated to us. We have no doubt that your will care for the Smidstras will be equally gracious.
    • Re the Kolkata, India mission (CERC bulletin last week): Do remember Rev Emmanuel and the fellowship in Kolkata in your prayer. Due to the serious COVID 19 situation in India, they have to stop gathering in Church for worship on Sunday. Rev Emmanuel will be conducting the worship services through livestreaming. Pray that the members could have the resources to access the online services. Pray also for their physical and spiritual wellbeing as they battled through these difficult times.
  • Covenant PRC, N. Ireland and her Limerick, Ireland mission:
    • Rev. A. Stewart continues to minister the Word in person to the saints in Ballymena.
    • The April issue of the "Covenant Reformed News" was recently published - be sure to make it part of your reading!
    • Rev. M.McGeown continues to minister the Word virtually in Limerick until he is able to come to the U.S. to serve Providence PRC. To read his last update (newletter), visit this page. But read this update in today's bulletin: We are thankful that, from tomorrow (10 May), inter-county travel and public worship services of up to 50 people are permitted. We plan to meet for worship at the hall next Sunday for the first time since 20 December 2020.  “My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth, for the courts of the LORD.”
  • PRC in the Philippines and her mission work:
    • A new Philippine Newsletter was recently released! Read it at the link provided here.
    • From Berean PRC in Manila: Rev. D.Kleyn will lead us in our worship services today. The live streaming will be available on Berean PRC Facebook page. ...Rev. Ibe and Deacon Rudy San Juan are visiting with the saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship (AGPRF), Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija. Rev. Ibe is scheduled to lead them in their Worship Service at 9am, Lord willing.
    • Provident PRC bulletin: Rev. R. Smit will preach for us today, the Lord willing. Next Sunday, Rev. D. Kleyn is scheduled to preach for us. The live streaming of our services will be available on the “PPRC and Friends” Facebook page.
    • PRCP Seminary News: Online classes are continuing at present, with the semester coming to an end soon.

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

RKleyn RWH

  • 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 2:23-28 and titled "Legalism and the Sabbath."
  • 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 - April 2021). 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

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 Young people, are you using the Beacon Lights magazine to grow in your faith and walk with the Lord?

  • 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

Q. 46.  How dost thou understand these words, “He ascended into heaven”?
A.  That Christ, in sight of His disciples, was taken up from earth into heaven; and that He continues there for our interest, until He comes again to judge the quick and the dead.

Q. 47.  Is not Christ then with us even to the end of the world, as He hath promised?
A.  Christ is very man and very God; with respect to His human nature, He is no more on earth; but with respect to His Godhead, majesty, grace, and spirit, He is at no time absent from us.

Q. 48.  But if His human nature is not present wherever His Godhead is, are not then these two natures in Christ separated from one another?
A.  Not at all, for since the Godhead is illimitable and omnipresent, it must necessarily follow that the same is beyond the limits of the human nature He assumed, and yet is nevertheless in this human nature and remains personally united to it.

Q. 49.  Of what advantage to us is Christ’s ascension into heaven?
A.  First, that He is our advocate in the presence of His Father in heaven; secondly, that we have our flesh in heaven as a sure pledge that He, as the Head, will also take up to Himself, us, His members; thirdly, that He sends us His Spirit as an earnest, by whose power we seek the things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God, and not things on earth.

~ Heidelberg Catechism, Lord's Day 18 on Christ's ascension to heaven

Last modified on 09 May 2021

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