PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for March 20, 2022 *(Updated)

Below you will find special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this twelfth Sunday of our Lord's year 2022, March 20. We praise and thank the Lord for these weekly spiritual oases on our pilgrimage through this weary world on the way to our heavenly home. May our worship this day be a sweet incense before our faithful God through Jesus Christ our Savior.

There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. ~ Psalm 46:4-7

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.

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS

• This morning Rev. R. Barnhill was installed as pastor of Heritage PRC (Sioux Falls, SD). Rev. S. Key (on classical appointment) led the service.
  
  
• Doon PRC's Council has a new trio from which to call a pastor: Revs. J. Holstege (Zion PRC), D. Kleyn (missionary to the Philippines), and J. Smidstra (First PRC-Holland). The congregation calls today. *UPDATE: Rev. D. Kleyn received this call.
  
  
• This past Wednesday, March 16, Hudsonville PRC called Rev. D. Kleyn (missionary to the Philippines).
  
  
• Last Sunday Rev. C. Spronk (Faith PRC) declined the call to Grace PRC.
  
  
• Rev. E. Guichelaar (Randolph PRC) is considering calls to Peace PRC (Dyer, IN - received March 9) and to First PRC-Edmonton (received Feb.27). 
  
  
• *UPDATE: Grace PRC's Council has formed a new trio, which is made up of Prof. B. Gritters (PRC Seminary), and Revs. N. Decker (Grandville PRC) and D. Noorman (SW PRC). The congregations plans to call on April 10.
  
  
• Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Rev. M. DeBoer in Doon (IA) PRC; Rev. T. Miersma in First PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. B. Gritters and Rev. C. Haak in Grace PRC;  Rev. S. Key (2nd week) in Heritage PRC (SD); Prof. R. Cammenga and Rev. D. Noorman in Hudsonville PRC.  May we count it 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.
  
  

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

• In accordance with the decision of Synod 2021, the Domestic Mission Committee (DMC) sought out a calling church for Domestic/Home Missions.
  

  We joyfully report that Zion PRC has agreed to be the calling church for home missions and has been officially appointed to this role by the DMC on behalf of synod. Now the Council and congregation of Zion PRC will take the lead in calling a missionary, caring for his needs, and overseeing and supporting his work to publish the gospel of Christ in North America. While Zion PRC takes the lead, the DMC looks forward to helping the congregation in this effort as much as possible with its help and advice.
  

  Please pray that God will bless the efforts of Zion PRC and the DMC to take up the work of home missions again, especially praying that God will provide our churches with a man to serve as a home missionary. 
  In the service of Christ,
  the Domestic Mission Committee of the Protestant Reformed Churches
  
  
• Classis West: Classis West met March 2-3 in Hope PRC, Redlands, CA. An officebearers' conference was held the Tuesday before. For the official report on this meeting, visit this webpage. There you will also find links to the speeches given at the OBC.
  
  
• Future Teachers and Ministers: Information for the 2022 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.

After the Friday brat lunch at seminary this past week, Prof. R. Cammenga interviewed author Steve ("P.M.") Kuiper (SW-PRC member) about his new book Through Many Dangers. He also displayed for the audience his musical talents on the guitar.

PRC Seminary Notices:

• The second semester of the 2021-22 school year is now nine weeks in. Spring break will be held in two weeks, April 4-8. The schedule and calendar have been posted on the seminary's website and the PRC website. (see special calendars on the right side). 
• The first round of practice preaching was recently completed. The second round will begin the end of this month (March 28) and continue after spring break (April 4-8).
• Rev. R. Kleyn spoke for chapel this past Wednesday and will do so again this week. Arend Havemen led devotions this past week. Aaron Van Dyke will be in charge of them this week.
• The Theological School Committee met this past Thursday at seminary. Pre-sem student Bruce Feenstra (Hope PRC-Redlands and now Hope PRC-Grand Rapids, MI) had made application to enter the seminary this Fall; he was interviewed at this meeting by the TSC and approved for entrance into seminary. Now the PRC Synod must also approve at its annual meeting this June. We rejoice with this brother in God's leading to this point and pray that He will continue to pave the way for Bruce's training for the ministry of the Word in the PRC.
• Student Club is scheduled to meet on Thursday evening, March 31.
• 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 recently mailed out. The digital editions (pdf and ePub) are also available on the seminary's website. Work is being done on the Spring 2022 issue, which will feature the speeches from the seminary's Fall conference on preaching. 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.
  
  

Beautiful Castlewellan, location of this year's BRF Conference in N.Ireland, July 9-16 (see more details under Coveant PRC news)

SISTER-CHURCH/MISSION NEWS:

• Covenant ERC, Singapore and her Kolkata, India mission work:
  • Pastor J. Tan is busy serving the CERC faithfully each week as her new pastor.  His "pastoral note" to the congregation this week involves a important word about the need for the CERC session to expand the number of officebearers due to a growing church, and the Reformed and biblical way in which this must take place. May the Lord give them wisdom as they make decisions regarding this need.
  • The last issue of "Reformed News Asia" was published in 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. 
  • A March newsletter has been released by the CPRC this past weekend. Visit this page to read it and catch up on all the exciting news out of 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).
  • The newest issue of "Covenant Reformed News" has been published - check out the February 2022 edition here. 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. V. Ibe led the worship services today, and the Lord's supper was also celebrated. "The saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship (AGPRF), Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija. will join us in our worship services today via live stream at our Facebook page, D.V." The BPRC March newsletter is now out! See the attached pdf to read a variety of news and activity items about and from the congregation.
    
  • Provident PRC bulletin: Rev. D. Kleyn preached and lead her worship services today. The services are being livestreamed at the “PPRC and Friends” Facebook page."
  • The PRCP Seminary continues with its regular course work following the recent mid-term exams.

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 (First PRC-Grand Rapids, MI) has resumed speaking for the RWH. The focus will be a series on the life of Joseph, with other special messages interspersed. Today's message is based on Genesis 37:12-36 and titled "Joseph Is Sold into Slavery."
  
• 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.). You may also find a sample booklet attached to this news post.
  

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REFORMED RESOURCES FOR EDIFICATION, EDUCATION, and EVANGELISM

See the special news items on the Reformed Book Outlet below!

• The Reformed Book Outlet (downtown Hudsonville, MI plaza - see photo above) is open five days a week and features Reformed publications, good Christian music, and other practical items (cards, etc.) Come visit the store Tuesday - Friday from 10 am-5 pm, or Saturday from 10 am - 1 pm! 
  Special notices re the RBO! Reformed Book Outlet is moving! We have found a new building for our store in downtown Hudsonville on Harvey St. after needing to move out of our current location in Keegstra’s Dollar Store. We need to do some renovations to the building before we can move in, and we are holding a drive to help raise $49,200 to do these renovations. We would like to raise $26,400 before starting the renovations on March 26. If you would like to give, you can do so at our website www.reformedbookoutlet.com and typing in Donate to the search bar, or you can send a check made out to Hudsonville PR Church with RBO Drive in the memo, and send to Hudsonville PRC. We could also use some help moving out of our current store on March 30, day or evening. Email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to let us know you’re able to help us move or with any questions!
  The last day Reformed Book Outlet will be open in their current location is March 26. We will not be able to move directly into our new location due to the renovations that need to take place, so watch the bulletin or our social media pages for updates on when we will open in our new location. In the mean time, our website will still be open for ordering, for shipping or for local pickup (more details on this to come)!
• 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.
  
  
• The PR Sunday School Association also publishes complete OT and NT Bible Story Lessons for young children and older children. Visit this page to learn more.

This Week's Thought for Contemplation

"Those who know God have great contentment in God. There is no peace like the peace of those whose minds are possessed with the full assurance that they have known God, and God has known them, and that this relationship guarantees God's favor to them in life, through death, and on for ever. ...Do we desire such knowledge of God? [Then] we must recognize how much we lack the knowledge of God. We must learn to measure ourselves, not by our knowledge about God, not by our gifts and responsibilities in the church, but by how we pray and what goes on in our hearts. Many of us, I suspect, have no idea how impoverished we are at this level. Let us ask the Lord to show us."

~ J.I. Packer, Knowing God