Below you will find special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this thirtieth Sunday of our Lord's year 2022, July 31.
Because our Lord Jesus Christ is risen from the dead on the third day - as He promised - and because He is returning in glory for our everlasting worship - as He has also 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.
O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. ~ Psalm 63:1-4
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
- This morning Rev. E. Guichelaar will be installed as Grace PRC's new pastor, with Prof. B. Gritters leading the service. Rev. Guichelaar will preach his inaugural sermon this evening. May the Lord grant him a faithful and fruitful ministry in this congregation.
- Rev. N. Decker (Grandville PRC) is considering the call from Doon PRC (received July 10). He plans to answer by August 7. *UPDATE: Rev. Decker declined this call on July 31.
- Rev. R. Smit (missionary to the Philippines) is considering the call from Hosanna PRC (Edmonton) [received July 10]. He plans to answer this call by August 14.
- Last Sunday Rev. N. Decker declined the call to Hudsonville PRC.
- Last Sunday Randolph PRC voted to extend a call to Rev. C. Spronk (Faith PRC - Jenison, MI).
- From Loveland (CO) PRC's bulletin today: "Our pastor [Rev. S. Key] has requested his emeritation from the full-time pastoral ministry according to Article 13 of the Church Order, effective January 1, 2023, the Lord willing. The Council approved his request at its meeting this past week, and will forward his request and their approval to Classis West which meets Sept. 28, God willing. The request must receive the approval of Classis and the synodical deputies."
- Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Rev. D. Kleyn in Doon (IA) PRC; Rev. T. Miersma in Hosanna PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. R. Cammenga and Rev. C. Spronk in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. M. DeVries in Randolph 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 Evangelism/mission notices:
- Calvary PRC (Hull, IA): The area churches are invited to attend a presentation by Rev. Daniel Kleyn on the work of our missionaries in the Philippines on behalf of the Protestant Reformed Churches. This will be held at Calvary TONIGHT following our evening worship service at approximately 7:45 p.m.
PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS
The 2022 Young People's Convention kicks off tomorrow, August 1! The Faith PRC Steering Committee is excited to welcome chaperones and conventioneers at Camp Cedarmore in Bagdad, Kentucky for an exciting week of spiritual growth, fellowship, and activities. Visit the website for full details, especially the busing times by grade level on the Transportation page: https://prcconvention.com/transportation/ Follow the PRC Convention accounts on Facebook/Instagram for updates as well.
The annual Pre-Convention Singspiration will be held at Fair Haven Church TONIGHT at 7:45 PM (note the time change). Please note that there will be no printed song sheets. Fair Haven will project the lyrics, but you are welcome to bring your own Psalter if you would like.
Seminary History Class: Prof. D. Kuiper’s PRCA history class will break for the next two weeks. It plans to meet again on the Wednesdays of August 10,17, and 24 (7:30 p.m.) at Southwest PRC. Recordings of past classes are available on the seminary’s YouTube channel. A pdf of handouts is available from Prof. Kuiper by request.
Missions News:
- Home missions: Zion PRC (Jenison, MI) has formed a new trio for domestic missionary: Rev. J. Laning (Hull PRC), Rev. D. Noorman (Southwest PRC), and Rev. A. Brummel (Calvary PRC).
- Philippines mission:
- This past week Rev. R. Smit and his family finished their furlough in the U.S. and returned to the Philippines. We pray that their spirits are refreshed and that they find fresh strength as they take up the labors in the far east again.
- Rev. D. Kleyn and Sharon are currently in the U.S. for a six week furlough. They plan to return on August 22, the Lord willing. May the Lord bless their furlough and grant them rest and refreshment as well.
The print edition of the Spring PRT Journal is now available (see note below)
PRC Seminary Notices:
- The seminary is now in its summer break. Continue to pray for the faculty, students, and staff as they stay busy with other labors and activities. The first semester of the 2022-23 school year will begin, D.V. on Tuesday, August 30.
- Prof. D. Kuiper is currently teaching a class on the history of the PRCA from 1924-1949. Prof. D. Kuiper’s PRCA history class will break for the next two weeks. It plans to meet again on the Wednesdays of August 10,17, and 24 (7:30 p.m.) at Southwest PRC. Recordings of past classes are available on the seminary’s YouTube channel. A pdf of handouts is available from Prof. Kuiper by request.
- This month Sem. M. Koerner began his internship in Hope PRC-Grand Rapids under Rev. J. Mahtani. Sem. A. Haveman has plenty of preaching assignments this summer (after being licensed at the semester), in addition to another mission trip, this time to Mexico (August).
- The print edition of the spring 2022 issue of the PRT Journal was mailed this week. The digital editions are on the seminary's website (use the link provided here). 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.
Photo taken at Covenant ERC-Singapore church retreat earlier this year
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. In today's bulletin under his "pastoral note" he highlighted some of the mission/evangelism work of the PRC, Covenant PRC, and PRC-Philippines, adding this comment: "Our sister churches continue to develop and grow in the knowledge and love of the Truth. As such, on top of the faithful preaching of the Word each Lord’s day, special lectures and conferences are held mid-week, for the growth of the saints spiritually. There are too many to list here, so I will just list 3 of them here."
- Covenant PRC, N. Ireland:
- Rev. A. Stewart continues to minister the Word faithfully to the saints in Ballymena.
- The June 2022 issue of "Covenant Reformed News" has been released. Follow the link to read the latest profitable articles by Revs. A. Stewart and R. Hanko.
- This month the 2022 British Reformed Fellowship family conference (July 9-16) was held. Attendees came from various parts of the world, including several PRC members from the U.S. It was held at Castlewellan Castle in Northern Ireland. The speakers, Rev. A. Stewart, Prof. David Engelsma and Prof. Brian Huizinga, lectured on "Union With Christ." For information see this web page.
- PRC in the Philippines and her mission work:
- Rev. R. Smit and his family have finished their furlough in the U.S. and returned to the Philippines this past week. Rev. D. Kleyn and his wife are currently taking their six-week furlough in the U.S.
- Berean PRC bulletin: Rev. V. Ibe led her services today. "The saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship (AGPRF) will join us in our worship services today via Zoom video call."
- Provident PRC bulletin: Rev. R. Smit led her services today.
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. C. Haak (Georgetown PRC - Hudsonville, MI) is speaking for the RWH. The focus will be a series on the book of Nehemiah. Today's message is based on Nehemiah 13:23-39 and titled "Shall We Transgress in Marrying Strange Wives?"
- 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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Can Calvinists really do evangelism confidently? Doesn't predestination and rejection of an altar call limit our 'success' in bringing the gospel to the lost? Not at all! Read this resouce to find out why.
- 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! A new building for the store has been obtained in downtown Hudsonville on Harvey St. after needing to move out of the old location in Keegstra’s Dollar Store. Renovations are being made to the building before the RBO can move in, so watch the bulletin or RBO social media pages for updates on when it will open in the new location. In the mean time, RBO's website will still be open for ordering, for shipping or for local pickup (more details on this to come)!. Email the store at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 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
"There are three faults by which we offend God in being angry. The first is, when our anger arises from slight causes and often from no cause whatever, or at least from private injuries or offenses. The second is when we go beyond the proper bounds and are hurried into intemperate excesses. The third is when our anger, which ought to have been directed against ourselves or against sins, is turned against our brethren…We comply with this injunction [Be ye angry and sin not] if the objects of our anger are sought not in others but in ourselves—if we pour out our indignation against our own faults. With respect to others, we ought to be angry, not at their persons, but at their faults; nor ought we to be excited to anger by private offenses, but by zeal for the glory of the Lord. Lastly, our anger, after a reasonable time, ought to be allowed to subside, without mixing itself with the violence of carnal passions” (John Calvin). [found in Trinity PRC's bulletin last week]