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PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for March 27, 2022 *(Updated)

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Psalm 47 4Below you will find special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this thirteenth Sunday of our Lord's year 2022, March 27. 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.

O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth. He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet. He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah. ~ Psalm 47:1-4

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

  • Last Sunday Rev. D. Kleyn (missionary to the Philippines) received the call to Doon PRC. He is also considering the call to Hudsonville PRC (received March 16).

  • 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: Rev. Guichelaar has declined First PRC-Edmonton's call.

  • Grace PRC's Council has formed a new trio from which to call a pastor: Prof. B. Gritters (PRC Seminary), and Revs. N. Decker (Grandville PRC) and D. Noorman (SW PRC). The congregation plans to call on April 10.

  • Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Rev. J. Langerak (1st week) in Doon (IA) PRC; Rev. T. Miersma in First PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. B. Gritters and Rev. M. McGeown in Grace PRC;  Rev. J. Marcus in Peace PRC; Prof. R. Cammenga and Rev. J. Smidstra in Hudsonville PRCMay 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.

  • Special Evangelism/missions notices from PRC congregations:
    • For those in the Jenison, MI area: Zion PRC's Community Bible Study will meet this Wednesday, March 30, at the Georgetown Public Library. Instruction and discussion with be on Jesus’ miracles of healing a nobleman’s son (John 4:43-54) and healing a lame man (John 5:1-16). Please consider coming with a neighbor or a friend!
    • From Georgetown PRC re her work in Vellore, India:  "The Sola Gratia Classes are meeting weekly with attendance between 25-30 area pastors and elders. The classes are taught by Pastor Paulraj in Biblical Reformed Doctrines. The new church building continues to make progress. The English Bible Studies continue in the Doctor’s residences. Our brothers and sisters covet our prayers for the work of missions in India and the growth of the PRCV."

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  • Did you know that...
    • registration for the 2022 PR Young People's Convention is now open?! As of yesterday afternoon (too late for this week's bulletins) Faith's PRC Registration Committee let it be known that registration for the young people is open. There's a special link this year for it, and here it is: https://pryp.campbrainregistration.com . Spread the word and watch for more updates from the Faith PRC Steering Committee!  
    • This is part of the announcement sent out for this week's bulletin: "Faith PRC has a great week planned at Camp Cedarmore in Kentucky from August 1-5, 2022. For the first time, registration will be a fully online process and will run through April. Stay tuned for updates in upcoming bulletin announcements, follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/prcconvention/) or Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/prcconvention) for more frequent updates, or visit our website at https://prcconvention.com/. We can't wait to see you there, Lord willing!"
    • After two years of no PRYP's conventions, we are hoping to fill the camp with young people hungry for opportunities for spiritual growth in Christ and good Christian fellowship - besides delicious southern food! Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Psalm 63:3

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

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  • 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.

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Rev. R. Kleyn (First PRC-GR) spoke for the seminary's chapel this past Wednesday.

PRC Seminary Notices:

  • The second semester of the 2021-22 school year is now ten weeks in, which is two-thirds of the way through already. Spring break will be held in one week, 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 second round will begin tomorrow (March 28) and continue after spring break (April 4-8).
  • Rev. R. Kleyn spoke for chapel this past Wednesday. Aaron Van Dyke led devotions this past week. Marcus Wee will be in charge of them this week.
  • Rev. W. Bruinsma, pastor of the PRC in Pittsburgh, spoke this past Thursday for Prof. B. Gritters' missions class. Zion PRC's Council was also in attendance as she is the new calling church for PRC home missions.
  • The Theological School Committee met on March 17 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 act on this recommendation 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 this Thursday evening, March 31, at Prof. Cammenga's home. The topic will be “Gender Roles in the Church.”
  • 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.

Castlewellan BRF conference 2022
Beautiful Castlewellan, location of this year's BRF Conference in N.Ireland, July 9-16 (see more details under Covenant 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 includes this note about pride and humility: "Pride is the greatest obstacle to the worship of God. Worshiping God is extolling and praising the infinite worth of God. Pride is extolling and praising the worth of man over against God. The two cannot be more contrary. ...Only when we humble ourselves before the Sovereign God can we properly worship Him. Only when we confess that God ALONE have saved me from the very depths of hell and unto the heights of a blessed life, then our hearts would desire to extoll the mercy of God. Only when we see the darkness of our sins and total depravity, and yet we are called to come into the presence of the perfectly Just and Holy One, will we from our hearts sing praises of the grace of God."
    • 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 month. 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. "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. R. Smit 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 in its second semester.

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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!

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  • This month 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 39:1-6 and titled "Joseph's Diligence in a Strange Pplace and Position."'s Diligence in a Strange Pplace and Position."
  • 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

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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

“The very fact that in his coming to Jesus the sinner experiences the drawing of the Father is his guarantee that he will surely be received. In the will to come and the coming the sinner experiences the drawing power of God’s grace. God convicts him of sin, and he repents; God enlightens him by His Spirit, and he beholds the Christ in all His beauty of salvation; God allures and attracts, and he longs for the God of his salvation; God seals him, and he appropriates the Christ and all His benefits. How then could he ever be cast out? They that thus come to Jesus shall never be ashamed!” (No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him. John 6:44)

~ Herman Hoeksema, Whosever Will, ch. 10

Last modified on 28 March 2022