PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for November 7, 2021

The following are special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this Sunday, November 7, the forty-fifth 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.

Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength. Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. ...The LORD sitteth upon the flood; yea, the LORD sitteth King for ever. The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace. ~ Psalm 29:1,2; 10,11

• 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 was installed as pastor of Kalamazoo PRC this morning. Rev. C. Griess led the service and Rev. Lee preached his inaugural sermon this evening. Her bullletin today contained this special note: "Following this morning's worship service, there will be a potluck dinner to welcome Rev. and Ling Lee to our fellowship. All are welcome to attend."
  
  
• Today Rev. D. Holstege (missionary to the Philippines) accepted the call to Wingham PRC (Ontario, Can.). We share in the joy of this decision and leading of the Lord, and pray for the Holsteges and the saints in Wingham as they prepare for their new pastor.
  
  
• Rev. C. Spronk (Faith PRC) is considering the call to Covenant of Grace PRC (Spokane, WA). He plans to answer this call by Nov.14.
  
  
• This Wednesday, Nov.10, under the auspices of Immanuel PRC (Lacombe, AB), the congregation of First PRC, Edmonton, AB, will be reorganized and the consistory reconstituted. 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: Rev. J.Langerak in Covenant of Grace PRC (Spokane, WA); Rev. J.Marcus in Doon (IA) PRC; Rev. A. Brummel in First PRC, Edmonton; Prof. B.Gritters and Rev. J.Slopsema in Grace PRC; Prof. R.Cammenga and Prof. R.Dykstra in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. M.DeVries 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...
  • the Doon Young People's Society plans to host their annual Reformation Day singspiration tonight in Calvary PRC (Hull, IA), beginning at 7:45 P.M.? Why in Calvary PRC? Because Doon PRC's building is under construction. We hope there is a great turnout and the singing is a blessing.
  • Heritage PRC (Sioux Falls, SD) had to have some "special" services today due to difficulty in getting pulpit supply? This morning they had a video sermon of Prof. B.Huizinga and this afternoon they had a 2 p.m. service so that Rev. M. DeBoer from Edgerton could come and lead her in worship. May these types of situations drive home the need there is for ministers of the gospel - and for us to pray for such!

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS:

• This week (Nov.9,10) Revs. W.Bruinsma and K.Koole will attend the 46th meeting of NAPARC at Shiloh OPC in Raleigh, NC. May the Lord bless their travels and labors on behalf of the denomination.

The 6th graders from Hope PRCS in Grand Rapids, MI visited seminary this past week for a special class on the temple, taught by Prof. R. Cammenga.

PRC Seminary Notices:

• This past week the seminary completed its tenth week of the first semester. Remember to pray for faculty, students, and staff as they carry out their day-to-day work. You will find the semester schedule and calendar posted on the seminary's website.
• The second round of practice preaching takes place on the Mondays of Nov.8 and 15. Sems. M.Koerner, I. Peters, and A.Haveman will deliver their second sermons of this semester.
• The seminary's special conference on preaching was held on Oct.28-29 at Trinity PRC. If you wre unable to attend and would like to listen to the speeches, they are available here and here.
• The Spring PRT Journal is currently available in its digital forms on the seminary's website as well as 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. Work has begun on the fall 2021 issue as well.
• 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.
• For the latest seminary news and information, visit the seminary's website.

Do you know in what language this popular book is now available? Keep reading below under the Covenant CPRC news!

SISTER-CHURCH/MISSION NEWS:

• Covenant ERC, Singapore and her Kolkata, India mission work:
  
  • Today's bulletin ("Pastoral Voice"): We continue our discussion on Evangelism in light of the covenant. Particularly now, we treat the question
    of how one is to do evangelism. With a neighbor that God has placed in my life, it is crucial that I start with prayer. Pray for the salvation of that particular unbeliever. Prayer prepares us spiritually for evangelism. Without God’s blessing, everything is vain. Next, I would make it a point to, in word and deed show that I care and love him or her. In this dark and self-centered world, it does not take long for someone to figure that out that you care and love them. When you ask him or her how are they, how is their family and sincerely give to them a listening ear. If you tell them if there is anything you can do to help them and assure them you love them by acts of Christian love, they will very soon know you care for them.
  • The latest issue of "Reformed News Asia" is October 2021 - #64. 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.
  • There's a new CPRC newsletter available this month! Visit this page to view it and read it (*cf. the newsletter column on the right side of the webpage). It contains this note about the book in the photo above: Near the end of 2020, Bálint Vásárhelyi, with the help of several friends, sent to the press his Hungarian translation of Doctrine According to Godliness by Rev. Ron Hanko, our former pastor. The CPRC paid for the publication of these 500 hardback books to edify and strengthen Reformed believers in central Europe.
  • Pastor Stewart gave his annual Reformation Day Lecture on October 29. If you missed it, you may watch it here: “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. Follow the link to read the latest profitable articles.
    
    
• PRC in the Philippines and her mission work:
  
  • Berean PRC bulletin: Rev. R.Smit led the services today.Rev. Ibe and elder Oriarte are scheduled to visit the saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship (AGPRF), Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija today. Rev. Ibe will lead them in their worship service and Bible study on Ephesians 4.
  • Provident PRC bulletin: Rev. D.Kleyn led her worship services today.
    
  • The Classis of the PRCP met this past Monday. Most of the work of the Classis was routine – treating the reports of the Clerk, the Treasurer, and the Standing
    Committees, and approving a budget for 2022. The Classis finished at about 4:30 p.m. May the Lord bless the work and decisions 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 11:8-10 and titled "By Faith Abraham Obeys God’s Call."
  
• Did you read the November RWH newsletter? Visit the link to do so today and keep up with what is happening on the program and website!
• 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

Need a good commentary on Galatians, or simply some good reading in important gospel teaching? Pick up this book this month from the RFPA!

• 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 Word of God before us teaches that Noah’s actions were motivated by faith.  Faith is the evidence of things not seen, that is, it is the conviction that the promises God makes, though not seen, are nevertheless true and will happen.  But let us back up a bit in order that the full truth of this faith of Noah might be revealed in all its beauty.  In Genesis 6:8 we read of this important truth regarding Noah:  “Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.”  Noah was the object of God’s grace.  God’s grace is His favorable disposition toward one who is undeserving of that favor.  God viewed Noah in His favor and love.  Noah did not earn this favor.  God did not look upon Noah and say: “now there is a just and perfect man.  I think he deserves My favor.”  Just the opposite was true.  Because Noah was the object of God’s grace he became a just and perfect man.  Before the work of God’s grace in the heart of this man, he was no different than the rest of the fallen human race.  God’s grace is not simply God’s undeserved favor, but in His grace God powerfully works in the hearts of those whom He has chosen in Christ, delivering them from the power and dominion of sin and making them partakers of the blessings found in the cross of Christ.

        God’s grace is that attitude of His favor according to which He grants to His elect people in Christ deliverance from the hold sin has on us.  That is true of us today.  It was true of Noah then, though the Messiah was not yet born.  Already Noah was viewed by God through the promise that Christ would come.  But what specifically did God in His grace perform in Noah’s heart that would eventually lead him to prepare the ark?  God regenerated Noah.  He took this fallen man who was born dead in sin and infused into his heart the life of Christ.  Because of that work of regeneration, man believes and repents, and that, by virtue of the grace received!  This was the grace Noah found in the eyes of the Lord.

        By virtue of the work of God’s grace in Noah’s heart he was regenerated, and as a result he was given to believe in God.  By that faith Noah, being warned of God, prepared an ark.  By means of faith God grafted Noah into Jesus Christ so that as a result of that life of Christ, Noah was convicted in his heart that what God told him would indeed come to pass.  He did not see it with his eyes.  It seemed so preposterous that with the natural eye a man could not see the vaguest possibility of it happening.  But Noah set to work building a large ark with a view to saving his family from a flood of water that would cover the whole earth and destroy every living thing.  The thought of that was so fantastic that the wicked world around Noah laughed and scoffed at him.  They were willingly ignorant of the truth that, even as God created all things by His power, so also God controlled His creation and could do with it what He chose.  But Noah believed God.  God had by His grace worked such faith in the heart of Noah, and Noah proceeded by faith.  Such faith was also sustained by God, or Noah would have given up many years before completing that ark.  It was only by the work of God’s grace in him that he was able to perform such an amazing feat! 

Taken from Rev. W. Bruinsma's October 2021 radio sermon, "By Faith Noah Prepares an Ark"