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

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

This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it (Ps.118:24). On this new Lord's Day we bring our sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving unto our sovereign Creator and Redeemer, who is worthy of all honor and glory. With the psalmist may we boldly say in Christ Jesus,

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed. Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever. ~ Psalm 28:7-9

• If you are new to 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. D. Lee and his wife moved into the Kalamazoo PRC parsonage this past week. He will be installed by Rev. C. Griess on Nov.7, D.V.
  
  
• Last Sunday Rev. E. Guichelaar (Randolph PRC) declined the calls to Doon PRC and Hudsonville PRC.
  
  
• The Council of Covenant of Grace PRC (Spokane, WA) has a new trio of potential pastors to the congregation of Rev. D. Noorman (Southwest PRC), Rev. C.Spronk (Faith PRC) and Rev. Dan Holstege (Missionary, Philippines). The congregation will call today. *UPDATE: Rev. C. Spronk has received this call.
  
  
• Wingham PRC has announced a new duo of Revs. D.Holstege and D.Kleyn (Rev. D. Lee who was on the trio accepted the call to Kalamazoo). The congregation votes today. *UPDATE: Rev. D.Holstege has received this call.
  
  
• The consistory of Immanuel PRC (Lacombe, AB) reports in her bulletin today that the congregation of First PRC, Edmonton, AB, will be reorganized and the consistory reconstituted on Wednesday Nov.10. Rev. A. Brummel (church visitor of Classis West) will lead the worship service and Rev. H.Bleyenberg will chair the congregational meeting afterward. We rejoice in this news and pray for the Lord's blessing on these plans and preparations.
   
• Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Prof. R. Cammenga in Covenant of Grace PRC (Spokane, WA); Rev. M. Kortus (2nd week) in Doon (IA) PRC; Prof. B.Gritters and Rev. C.Haak in Grace PRC; Prof. C.Griess and Sem. M.Wee in Hudsonville PRC; Prof. B.Huizinga and Rev. A. Spriensma in Kalamazoo PRC; Rev. D. Holstege in Wingham PRC.  We thank the Lord for this blessing of our church federation and the privilege to be able to help one another in this need.
  
  
• 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...
  •  these congregations are having Reformation Day lectures yet this season?
    
    • Crete PRC (IL): Friday, October 29, 7 p.m. Mr. Dan Van Uffelen will speak on "Post Tenebras Lux: The Vocation Reformation."
    • Pittsburgh (PA) PRC: Friday, November 5, 7 p.m. Rev. W. Bruinsma, on the life and labors of Augustine of Hippo.
    • Randolph PRC: Friday evening, November 5, 7:30 P.M. Rev. Guichelaar plans to give a presentation on the CRC split from the RCA in 1857.
  • Calvary PRC shows wonderful Christian care for the college students who attend her services during the school year. This note of thanks in her bulletin today from the recipients shows how much it is appreciated: The college students attending Calvary express their gratitude to the congregation for the thoughtful care packages they received this week from the care committee. We appreciate your thoughtfulness and the expression of love especially as some of us are away from our families and churches for a time. “O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.” Psalm 34:3

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS:
Seminary Conference this Week! You sit under the preaching of the gospel every Lord’s Day. What do you hear? What do you desire to hear? What is God doing in your soul through the preaching? How do you respond to the preaching, to its admonitions, to the call of the gospel? The conference speakers will address these and other related questions. Four speeches will be given, at 4:00 and 7:30 on Oct. 28 and 29. Trinity PRC is hosting this event. Everyone who sits under the preaching of the Word is cordially invited to attend. The conference will be livestreamed for people who are interested but unable to join in person. See the flyer attached to this post for more details.

Rainbow over seminary this past Wednesday morning at daybreak

PRC Seminary Notices:

• This past week the seminary had a shortened week, with the reading recess held Thursday and Friday. Students have been taking mid-terms exams, as well as working on their research papers. Remember to pray for faculty, students, and staff as they carry out their day-to-day work. The semester schedule and calendar have been posted on the seminary's website.
• Profs. R.Cammenga and D.Kuiper gave Reformation Day lectures this past week in Spokane, WA and Loveland, CO and Hull, IA respectively. This weekend - Thursday and Friday - is the seminary's conference on preaching (see notes above and below).
• The Spring PRT Journal is now available in its digital forms on the seminary's website and in print. The printed copies have been mailed out. If you wish to pick up a copy, stop in at the seminary. If you want to be added to our mailing list, contact Sharon, the seminary secretary.
• The seminary library and bookstore are open daily (M-F, 8-5) for any of your book and Bible needs. The staff is available to assist with any other needs you may have as well. Feel free to call in advance for help with any questions.
• Coming this week - Oct.28 & 29! Seminary Conference on Preaching: You sit under the preaching of the gospel every Lord’s Day. What do you hear? What do you desire to hear? What is God doing in your soul through the preaching? How do you respond to the preaching, to its admonitions, to the call of the gospel? The conference speakers will address these and other related questions. Four speeches will be given, at 4:00 and 7:30 on Oct. 28 and 29. Trinity PRC is hosting this event. Everyone who sits under the preaching of the Word is cordially invited to attend. The conference will be livestreamed for people who are interested but unable to join in person. (*see attachment for the conference flyer!)
  
• For the latest seminary news and information, visit the seminary's website.

SISTER-CHURCH/MISSION NEWS:

• Covenant ERC, Singapore and her Kolkata, India mission work:
  
  • Today's bulletin ("Pastoral Voice"): As we begin our study of this ancient creed in the Heidelberg catechism preaching. Let us keep this in mind. Let us rediscover our love for the core truths of scripture. These same truths that the saints in the early church loved and died for. May these simple but unfathomably deep truths of God’s word profit us spiritually and serve to comfort us. May this round of Heidelberg Catechism preaching on the Apostle’s Creed also equip us to instruct our children and do the work of evangelism.
  • A new issue of "Reformed News Asia" is out - #64 - October 2021. Be sure to check it out for the latest news from our sister!

• Covenant PRC, N. Ireland:
  
  • Rev. A.Stewart continues to minister the Word faithfully to his flock in Ballymena.
  • Plan to attend this year’s Reformation Day Lecture on Friday, 29 October, entitled “Fulgentius of Ruspe, the Sixth-Century N. African Church and God’s Saving Will.”
  • Be sure to check out the newest edition of "Covenant Reformed News" - October 2021, just out this week! Follow the link to read the latest profitable articles.
    
    
• PRC in the Philippines and her mission work:
  
  • Berean PRC bulletin: Rev. V.Ibe led the services today.The saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship (AGPRF), Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija, will join us in our
    worship services today via live streaming at our Facebook page.
    
  • Provident PRC bulletin: Rev. R. Smit led her worship services today.
    
  • Classis of the congregations of the PRCP is scheduled to convene on Monday (Nov. 1, 2021) at 9:00 A.M. at BPRC Antipolo City, the Lord willing. We pray for God’s blessings upon the labors of the Classis.

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

• Currently, Rev. W.Bruinsma (Pittsburgh PRC, Pennsylvania) is the featured speaker, with focus on a series on Hebrews 11. Today's message is based on Hebrews 11:5,6 and titled "Enoch's Translation."
  
• 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. Are you are regular listener? If not, why not begin today!
• 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 Committee 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

What are you reading for Reformation month? This fine collection of articles commemorating the 500th anniversary of the great Reformation will strengthen your faith!

• Are you interested in learning 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.
  
  
• The Reformed Book Outlet is open and you are welcome to shop the store in downtown Hudsonville (MI). Hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday (10-5), and Saturday (10-1).

This Week's Thought for Contemplation

The Liberation of the Bible

What, then, was the nature of the liberating movement of the Reformation? My first answer to this question is, that it liberated the Bible itself. You may, perhaps, remark that this is a somewhat strange expression. You object, perhaps, that the Word of God it always free and that it is quite impossible to put it in bondage. And this is true, of course, if you mean by the Word of God, the almighty and efficacious Word God Himself speaks. That Word is irresistible and certainly is never bound. And it did its work all through the ages, even in the darkest of periods. It was the cause of those separate movements that prepared the Reformation, connected with the names of John Huss, John Knox, the Waldenses and Albigenses, and to an extent Savonarola in Italy, and the Brethren of the Common Life in the Netherlands. It also prepared the Reformation in the soul of Luther, before it finally broke forth into a blazing fire on that memorable eve of All Saints Day in 1517. But what cannot be done to the Word of God as God Himself speaks it, certainly may be and often is done to the Word of God as we possess it in written form, in the Bible. It can be put into bondage. And this was actually done as it still is done by the Roman Catholic Church. It was from this bondage that the Reformation liberated the Bible.

Taken from"The Reformation and the Bible" by Herman Hoeksema