Below you will find special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this twenty-third Sunday of our Lord's year 2022, June 12.
Because our Lord is risen from the dead on the third day, as He promised, today, on this first day of the week, we gather in worship as members of our living Savior's church. With gratitude and gladness we bring our praise to our triune God for fully accomplishing our salvation in His Son and by His Spirit. We cordially invite you to join us in worship on this day and on any Sunday.
Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me. In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word. In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee. For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living? ~ Psalm 56:8-13
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
- Rev. J. Marcus was installed as Peace PRC's new pastor this morning with Rev. J. Engelsma (Crete PRC) leading the service. May the Lord grant him a faithful and fruitful ministry in that new charge. The congregation is having a welcome night for the Marcuses this Friday, June 17.
- Last Sunday Rev. J. Smidstra (First PRC-Holland) declined the call to Hudsonville PRC. He is also considering calls to Hosanna PRC (Edmonton - received June 5) and to Zion PRC (home missionary - received May 29). These calls he plans to answer by June 19.
- Last Sunday Rev. J. Holstege (Zion PRC) received the call from Doon PRC.
- Rev. E. Guichelaar (Randolph PRC) is considering the call to Grace PRC (received May 22). He intends to answer by June 19.
- Rev. C. Haak will submit to hip surgery at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor this week Wednesday. It is expected that he will be allowed to return home at the end of the week. Our prayers are with him and his wife as he undergoes this surgery. May the Lord guide all things for good and give him a good recovery in the weeks ahead.
- Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Prof. B. Huizinga in Doon (IA) PRC; Rev. T. Miersma in First PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. B. Gritters and Prof. R. Dykstra in Grace PRC; Prof. R. Cammenga & Rev. J. Mahtani in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. J. Engelsma and Sem. A. Haveman in Peace 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.
Special PRC Evangelism/missions notices:
- First PRC-Grand Rapids, MI: "Join us for a Mexico Outreach Update/Singspiration on Sunday, June 12 at 7:30 PM here at First PRC GR. Plans are being finalized for trips to two different areas in Mexico this summer. Come and learn more about this work. Also, hear an update on the book translation work that we are involved with. A collection will be taken to help cover the costs of this outreach. A light lunch will be served following that evening service."
- Southeast PRC- Grand Rapids, MI: "The evangelism committee invites the congregation to the rescheduled door-to-door event on June 18, 10-11:30 AM starting at Adams [Christian School]. We will be handing out copies of our church pamphlet and Ignited By the Word magazine."
- The PRC denominational website is in the process of being redesigned with a goal to improve our evangelism efforts and to make it a more useful tool for PRC members. The PRC website committee [DMC] wishes to thank all of you who participated in the recent survey and we now plan to use your feedback and ideas as we evaluate our current website. Your ideas and participation are much appreciated!
PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS
Synod 2022: The Pre-synodical service will be held in Zion PRC on Monday, June 13 at 7:00 P.M. Rev. Rodney Kleyn will give the message. Synod will begin on Tuesday, June 14, at 8:00 A.M. in Zion PRC. The pre-synodical service and commencement exercises will be live-streamed on Zion PRC’s website. Click on "Live Stream" at the top of Zion PRC's home page. If synod decides to livestream the examination of Marcus Wee, as they have done in the past, this will also be accessed on Live Stream found on Zion PRC’s website. Seminary graduation for Mr. Isaac Peters (EPC of Australia) and Marcus Wee (CERC in Singapore) will be held, D.V., on Thursday, June 16, at 7:30 P.M. in Zion PRC, with Prof. R. Dykstra giving the message.
For daily reports and photos of this year's synod, visit this webpage or the church news pages.
Missions News:
- Home missions: On May 29 Zion PRC (Jenison, MI) voted to call Rev. J. Smidstra to serve as PRC home missionary. May the Lord give him wisdom to discern His will with regard to this special call. He plans to answer by June 19.
- Philippines mission: Rev. R. Smit and his family are currently in the U.S. for their furlough. They will be returning on July 28, D.V. May the Lord bless and be near them during their time in North America.
PRC Seminary Notices:
- The seminary has now completed its second semester and entered its summer break. Continue to pray for the faculty, students, and staff as we enter the summer months with other labors and activities planned - from fall class preparation to weekly preaching assignments, from synod work to mission trips to Mexico, and from library inventory to building maintenance projects.
- Sem. Marcus Wee has completed his four-year program and will be examined at the PRC Synod this week before returning to the CERC in Singapore. Sem. Isaac Peters has completed a special three-year program and will be returning to the EPC in Australia on June 21. A graduation program for these men is planned for this Thursday, June 16, at Zion PRC. Sem. M. Koerner will begin his internship in Randolph PRC under Rev. E. Guichelaar, the Lord, willing in July, after a mission trip to Mexico the end of June. Sem. A. Haveman has plenty of preaching assignments this summer, in addition to mission trips to the Philippines and to Mexico.
- The faculty will be serving as advisors at the PRC Synod this week, meeting in Jenison, MI at Zion PRC. On Wednesday and Thursday they will also be examining senior seminarian Marcus Wee in the main areas of his seminary training. Our prayers are for this brother as he submits to this special examination.
- With joy the faculty announces that it has licensed student Arend Haveman to speak a word of edification in the churches. We are grateful for the brother’s progress to this point in his training. All scheduling of Mr. Haveman must be done through the seminary, either by sending a request to the seminary secretary, Miss Sharon Kleyn, or the rector, Prof. R. Cammenga. Today Sem. Haveman is in Crete PRC and Peace PRC.
- The History of the Protestant Reformed Churches: 1924-1949. The 100th anniversary of our denomination approaches. How well do you know the early history of our churches? Prof. Kuiper will teach an evening class, open to any and all members of the PRC, who are interested in learning about the first 25 years of our existence. The class will be held at the seminary on July 6, 13, and 20, and August 10, 17, and 24 (all Wednesdays) at 7:30pm. Preregistration is NOT necessary, but is helpful for us to know how best to accommodate you. Please call the seminary, (616) 531-1490, or email Sharon at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., to preregister.
- The spring 2022 issue of the PRT Journal is at the printers, but the digital editions are on the seminary's website. This issue features the speeches from the seminary's fall 2021 conference on preaching, plus numerous book reviews. 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.
- The seminary is open daily from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., including the library and bookstore. PRC members and friends are welcome to visit and make use of these resources.
- 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:
- Pastor J. Tan is faithfully serving the CERC each week as her pastor. Their bulletin this week included these thoughts on the church retreat held this past weekend: "In the week past we had our church retreat. A short but meaningful retreat. There were so many highlights. It is hard to name them all. The reading of the Word of God and meditating of over it together was the highlight for me. I was admonished and reminded, encouraged and edified by the group sharings. I hope it was the same for you."
- Covenant PRC, N. Ireland:
- Rev. A. Stewart continues to minister the Word faithfully to the saints in Ballymena.
- The May 2022 issue of "Covenant Reformed News" was recently published. Follow the link to read the latest profitable articles by Revs. A. Stewart and R. Hanko.
- 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).
- PRC in the Philippines and her mission work:
- A new Philippines mission newsletter has just been published in April. Read the latest news from the Far East at the link provided.
- Berean PRC bulletin: "Rev. Ibe is scheduled to travel to the U.S. on June 13, 2022, and to return the following week [June 22, 2022], D.V. The Classis approved to send Rev. Ibe to represent PRCP as visiting delegate to Synod of PRCA which is scheduled to convene on June 14, 2022, God willing. We pray for God’s provision of traveling mercies for Rev. Ibe and God’s blessings upon the labors of the delegates of the Synod of PRCA."
- Provident PRC bulletin: The elders led her worship services today. "Rev. D. Kleyn is scheduled to visit the Bearers of Light Community Church in Guiguinto, Bulacan today, the Lord willing, in order to preach and teach there."
Listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday - on a radio station near you, on Sermonaudio, or on your favorite podcast - wherever you are!
- This month Rev. R. Kleyn (First PRC-Grand Rapids, MI) continues speaking for the RWH. The focus will be a series on the life of Joseph. Today's message is based on Genesis 47 and titled "Israel Preserved in 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.).
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REFORMED RESOURCES FOR EDIFICATION, EDUCATION, and EVANGELISM
- 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.
- 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 (downtown Hudsonville, MI) is temporarily closed while it moves into a new building that is being renovated. See the following note for details.
Special notices re the RBO! Reformed Book Outlet is in process of 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, 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)!. 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!
- 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
"We will concede that our regenerated minds must see the fruits of the Spirit in our lives in order for us to have the consciousness of our salvation. But that is a far cry from prerequisites and conditions. My regenerated mind (which is then already in principle saved and therefore desires assurance of the forgiveness of sins) cannot have this assurance unless and until I can see repentance in my life. But then repentance, conversion, my act of faith are not conditions God demands me to fulfill before He will give me the consciousness of my forgiveness. Instead they are His signs to me through which He speaks the comforting words that I am Christ’s and that I may know it by these fruits of the Spirit. Then my act of conversion is not something that God must see before and in order to give me the consciousness of entering His kingdom, but it is that work of God which my regenerated mind (for God deals with me as a rational moral creature) must see and demands in order that I may have this assurance. Why should we want anything more than that? The rest is Arminianism"
~ J. A. Heys, "Afraid of the Gospel [3], Standard Bearer, vol. 30, issue 1 (Oct 1, 1953), p.17