Below you will find special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this sixth Sunday of our Lord's year 2022, February 6. We thank the Lord for these weekly spiritual rest stops on our pilgrimage to our heavenly home. May our worship today rise up to our faithful God as a sweet-smelling sacrifice through Jesus Christ our Savior.

 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. ~ Psalm 40:1-3

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.

• Today Rev. R. Barnhill  (Peace PRC-Dyer, IN) accepted the call from Heritage PRC, which also means he has declined the call from Hudsonville PRC.
  
  
• Rev. M. Kortus (Hope PRC-Redlands, CA) is considering the call to Doon PRC (received Jan.16). He plans to answer by Feb.20.
  
  
• Grace PRC's Consistory announces a trio of Revs. J. Laning (Hull PRC), J. Marcus, and C. Spronk (Faith PRC). The congregational meeting is planned for Feb.17.
  
  
• According to her bulletin, First PRC Edmonton's Consistory plans to nominate a trio from which to call a minister this month.
  
  
• Rev. J. Langerak is preparing to transition to his new pastorate in Covenant of Grace PRC. Plans are for him to preach his farewell in Heritage PRC on Feb.13, move to Spokane that week, and be installed in COG on Feb.27 by Rev. R. Hanko. May the Lord fulfill these plans according to their desire and His perfect will.
  
  
• Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Rev. E. Guichelaar in Covenant of Grace PRC (Spokane, WA); Rev. C.Haak (video) and Rev. A. Brummel in Doon (IA) PRC; Rev. M. Kortus (1st week) in First PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. B. Gritters and Rev. J. Mahtani in Grace PRC; Prof. C. Griess and Rev. J. Maatman in Hudsonville PRC.  What a blessing of our church federation that we can help one another in these needs! Let us remember to pray for the men who supply these pulpits and for the vacant congregations.
  
  
• For those whose in-person public worship may still be limited, 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 annual Protestant Reformed minister’s retreat will be held this weekend (Friday-Saturday) in Shipshewana, Indiana? About 30 of our pastors and their wives plan to attend, including some from Classis West. May the Lord grant them a time of rich fellowship, blessed refreshment, and mutual encouragement in their work. Let us remember to pray for them in their day-to-day needs and for God's blessing on this retreat.

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS:

• PR Young People's Convention News (hosted by Faith PRC, Jenison, MI)
  • The 2022 PR Young Peoples Convention is in need of chaperones! Please register by February 5 at https://pryp.campbrainstaff.com. Plan to join us August 1-5 at the Cedarmore Camp and Conference Center in beautiful Kentucky to experience an unforgettable, spiritually uplifting time with our young people. Most of the young people have not had a convention since 2019 and many will be unable to attend another! They need chaperones to help make this a special experience! A consistory letter of approval must be uploaded as well. Contact Doug Dykstra at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions.
  • The Program Committee is also looking for special numbers from PR Young People's Societies - group or individual performances are welcome! Contact Jessica Van Dyke at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

This past Friday the fifth-grade classes from Adams Christan School visited seminary for an introduction and tour.

PRC Seminary Notices:

• The second semester of the 2021-22 school year is now three weeks in. Things go well, for which we thank your faithful Father. The schedule and calendar have been posted on the seminary's website and the PRC website. (see special calendars on the right side). 
• Mrs. R. Baas' and Mr. M. Feenstra's fifth-grade classes from Adams Christian School visited this past Friday. They received an introduction to the seminary and then a tour of the building. After that they sat in on the morning devotions and enjoyed coffeebreak with the professors and students.
• The first round of practice preaching will be held on the Mondays of Feb.21 and 28. Pray for the students as they prepare their latest assigned sermons.
• The seminary is open daily (8-5), including the library and bookstore, for our members and friends. 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.
• The printed edition of the Fall 2021 issue of the PRT Journal was delivered this past Friday afternoon and will be mailed out this coming week. The digital editions (pdf and ePub) are also available on the seminary's website. If you want to be added to our mailing list (either print or digital) or wish to pick up a copy, contact Sharon, the seminary secretary.
• For the latest seminary news and information, visit the seminary's website.
  
  

Read the February 2022 newsletter of the Berean PRC here!

SISTER-CHURCH/MISSION NEWS:

• Covenant ERC, Singapore and her Kolkata, India mission work:
  • Pastor J. Tan is busy serving the CERC faithfully each week.  His "pastoral note" to the congregation today begins this way: "...This is the first Lord’s Day in a long while where we can come together to worship God for both services. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. May the time whereby we cannot gather in such a manner be always etched in our minds and hearts. How once we took for granted the freedom and privilege of worshiping God twice the Lord’s Day together. How we long to ascend mount Zion with the saints to worship our Creator, our Rock, our Redeemer!"
  • The most recent issue of "Reformed News Asia" is available - December 2021 - #65. 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 the saints in Ballymena. 
  • Sign up for the 2022 British Reformed Fellowship family conference at Castlewellan Castle in Northern Ireland from Saturday, July 9, to Saturday, July 16. The speakers, Prof. David Engelsma and Prof. Brian Huizinga will lecture on "Union With Christ." For information see the website (http://brfconference.weebly.com).
  • Be sure to check out the January 2022 edition of "Covenant Reformed News" - just published at the end of January! Follow the link to read the latest profitable articles by Revs. A. Stewart and R. Hanko.
• PRC in the Philippines and her mission work:
  • The latest Philippines Newsletter is available - January 2022 (visit the foreign missions page and see the download at the top of the right-hand column).
    
  • Berean PRC bulletin: "Rev. R. Smit will lead us in our worship services today. Rev. Ibe and elder Alann Penaverde are scheduled to visit the saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship (AGPRF), Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija. Rev. Ibe will lead them in their worship service and BS on Ephesians 4, D.V."
    
  • Provident PRC bulletin: "Rev. D. Kleyn will preach and lead our worship services today. A livestream of our services will be provided at the “PPRC and Friends” Facebook page. 
  • The PRCP seminary has resumed in-person classes for the second semester at the Seminary Library in Beverly Hills, Antipolo. 

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 11:28,29 and titled "By Faith Israel Departs Egypt."Israel Departs Egypt."
  
• 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.).
  

--------------------------------------------------------------------

REFORMED RESOURCES FOR EDIFICATION, EDUCATION, and EVANGELISM

• The Reformed Book Outlet (downtown Hudsonville, MI) is open four days a week and features Reformed publications, good Christian music, and other practical items (cards, etc.) Come visit the store Tuesday - Friday from 10am-5pm, or Saturday from 10am - 1pm!
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• 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.

This Week's Thought for Contemplation

"The man who is justified, the man who does not work for his justification, but believes in the God who justifies the ungodly, does not remain ungodly. After he is justified, he is no longer ungodly, for God begins to sanctify him, so that he is holy. Nevertheless, this holiness, which is always only a beginning, is never part of his justification before God. 

...What, then? How can both be true, that God justifies the ungodly and yet the ungodly does not inherit the kingdom—he is not justified, but condemned? The answer is simple: whom God justifies, as ungodly, does not remain ungodly. As far as justification is concerned, he does not work, but he believes, and having believed, he begins to work out of gratitude for the salvation (the justification) that he has received. 

Romans 4:5 is not the last word—in many ways it is only the beginning. A justified man becomes a sanctified man, but a man who is ungodly, and remains ungodly, and is never anything else but ungodly, is not—and never was—justified. He ought not flatter himself that he is justified, and if he does claim to be justified while living in ungodliness, he labors under a fatal delusion. In fact, such a man, if he is a member of a faithful church, should be under discipline.

...In conclusion, the ground or basis of our justification is the righteousness of Jesus Christ—His perfect obedience to the law for us, His sufferings and death in our place. The instrument or God-given means by which we appropriate justification is faith, which is God’s gift to us. The fruit of justification is good works because the justified believer is also sanctified, so that he is no longer ungodly: he is no longer wicked, profane, and devoid of any piety or reverential awe toward God. Instead, being justified by faith alone without works, he is sanctified and brings forth fruit, much good fruit, to the glory of the God who justified him, even to the glory of the God who graciously justifies the ungodly…."

~ Rev. Martyn McGeown, “God Who Justifies the Ungodly”, (2).