PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for September 18, 2022 *(Updated)

Below you will find special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this thirty-seventh Sunday of our Lord's year 2022, September 18.

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.

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

• Today Rev. A. Brummel (Calvary PRC) declined the call from Hosanna PRC (Edmonton, AB).
  
  
• Last Sunday Georgetown PRC extended a call to Rev. M. Kortus (Hope PRC-Redlands, CA).
  
  
• Last Sunday Rev. W. Langerak (Trinity PRC, Hudsonville, MI) declined the call from Doon (IA) PRC.
  
  
• Last Sunday Rev. D. Noorman (Southwest PRC-Wyoming, MI) declined the call from Hudsonville PRC.
  
  
• The Council of Randolph PRC (WI) has announced the following trio for the congregation's consideration: Rev. M. DeBoer, (Edgerton), Rev. J. Holstege, (Zion), and Rev. J. Smidstra, (Holland). The congregational meeting is scheduled for September 25 after the morning service.
  
  
• Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Rev. M. DeBoer in Doon (IA) PRC; Prof. C. Griess and Prof. R. Cammenga in Georgetown PRC; Rev. T. Miersma in Hosanna PRC, Edmonton, AB; Rev. G. Eriks and Rev. N. Decker in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. K. Koole 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:
  • Georgetown PRC (Hudsonville, MI) re India Outreach work (Vellore): "India Update: New families from neighboring villages have been added to the Tamil Church (14 adults, 5 youth, and 8 children). The Sola Gratia Academy and Bible Study program has been an effective tool in bringing people to the church. All the kids of the GHF are doing well and continue their schooling, vocational training and college studies. Pastor Raj is busy with mid-week Bible studies, Sola Gratia Academy, Bible study programs, regular house visits, and other activities. God has added 7 new children to GFH, all brought by Gov’t officials." (from today's bulletin)
  • Kalamazoo PRC (MI): "Amazing Grace: The Life of John Newton." When: Friday, September 23, 2022, at 7 p.m. Where: Kalamazoo Protestant Reformed Church, 4515 Green Acres Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49009. Who: Speaker: Rev. Steven Key, Loveland (CO) Protestant Reformed Church
  • Loveland PRC (CO): "CSU [Colorado State University] Bible Study: As we have begun another Bible study season, the Evangelism Committee would like to encourage our CSU or other college-aged students to attend a Bible study on alternate Thursdays. Our next meeting falls on September 22 from 6- 7:30 p.m. in room 308 of CSU’s Lory Student Center. We plan on continuing the current events theme. This study will address key issues such as the absolute sovereignty of God in our lives. Refreshments included!"
  • Loveland PRC (CO): "Fall Lecture: Mark your calendar for an Evangelism Committee sponsored fall lecture by Rev. Ron Hanko entitled “Conditions or Means,” a theme that touches the recent controversy affecting the churches. The lecture is scheduled for 7 pm Friday, Sept. 23. Invite a friend and anyone you think may have interest."

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

Classis East: Classis East met this past week Wednesday and Thursday, September 14-15, 2022 at Byron Center PRC. . Besides routine matters, Classis did the following: 1. Advised a consistory to proceed with further discipline of an impenitent member. 2. Considered but did not sustain a protest regarding a past decision of Classis. 3. Received a report from its special committee to investigate the abuse of a former pastor and mandated the committee to further labors. 4. Received a report from its special committee to recommend changes to the rules for publishing the agenda, approved their recommendations with a few changes, and disbanded the committee. 5. Approved an overture from Zion PRC to ask Synod to appoint a study committee to set forth the biblical basis for dealing with abuse. The full stated clerk's report will be forthcoming.

Classis West: Classis West meets Wednesday, September 28, in Doon PRC, Iowa.

General Notes:

• PRC Synod 2022: The 2022 Acts of Synod & Yearbook have arrived and are being distributed in the churches. If you are in need after this distribution, please contact the stated clerk, Doug Mingerink, Sr.

Mr. Gord Vink of First PRC-Grand Rapids gave a presentation at seminary Friday after lunch on his childhood recollections of church and school life during the schism of 1953.

PRC Seminary Notices:

• The seminary has now completed three weeks of the first semester of the 2022-23 school year, and things go well. The video of Seminary Convocation held Sept.7 at Trinity PRC (Hudsonville, MI) is now posted on the seminary's YouTube channel. Prof. Kuiper spoke on “Defending Christ’s Church by Knowing Her History: Jephthah’s Example” and Prof. R. Cammenga (rector) introduced the students.
• In July Sem. M. Koerner (4th year) began his internship in Hope PRC-Grand Rapids under Rev. J. Mahtani. May the Lord use this to further his preparation for the ministry of the Word.
• This summer Prof. D. Kuiper taught a class on the history of the PRCA from 1924-1949.  If you wish to watch the six classes, the videos are available on the seminary’s YouTube channel. A pdf of the class handouts is available from Prof. Kuiper by request.
• The print edition of the spring 2022 issue of the PRT Journal was mailed at the end of Jul). 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 (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). Work is currently being done on the Fall 2022 issue.
• 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.
  
  

Fellowship dinner in Southern Negros Occidental, the Philippines (see news below)

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. Yesterday the CERC celebrated her 35th church anniversary under theme: "Not I, but Christ" (Gal 2:20)." We rejoice with them in God's great goodness and faithfulness in preserving them as a true Reformed church in SE Asia.
  • And today was the special congregational meeting to vote on calling Candidate Marcus Wee to be CERC’s second minister. *UPDATE (Monday morning): Cand. M. Wee received this call and has 6 weeks in which to answer it.

• Covenant PRC, N. Ireland:
  
  • Rev. A. Stewart continues to minister the Word faithfully to the saints in Ballymena.
  • The latest CPRC newsletter has released! The August 2022 issue contains reports on the BRF Conference held in July and much more.
  • For recordings of the recent British Reformed Conference held in July, visit this BRF webpage.
  • The August 2022 issue of "Covenant Reformed News" has now been published. Follow the link to read the latest profitable articles by Revs. A. Stewart and R. Hanko.
    
    
• PRC in the Philippines and her mission work:
  • 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 this morning through live stream via Facebook live, God willing."
    

  • Provident PRC bulletin: "Elder Jun Armas will lead for us in our worship services today. Rev. D. Kleyn and Rev. R. Smit are in Southern Negros Occidental to visit contacts and to preach and teach there."
    

  • PRCP Seminary: The classes for 2022-2023 began August 30, 2022. "We are grateful to the Lord for His sustaining grace upon the labors of our instructors, [Rev. Smit and Rev. Kleyn] and to Seminarian Ace Flores. We pray that God will bless their faithful labors and that they may be encouraged even more as we look to God for another fruitful year of dedication and devotion to this cause of God’s Kingdom. God be praised!"

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 continuing to speak for the RWH program. He will be delivering some messages from Romans. Today's message is based on Romans 1:16 and titled "The Need for the Recovery of the Biblical Gospel (1)."
  
• 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.). 
  

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

Now available - Volume Two of The Reformed Doctrine of the End: The Coming of Christ by Prof. David Engelsma

• 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) has now opened its new store in downtown Hudsonville! The new location is at 3472 Harvey St. in Hudsonville. Hours are Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m-5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The website has also been redone to make it easier for customers, especially those who aren’t local, to browse our inventory, see descriptions of most of the items, and choose between shipping or local pickup at our store during business hours. Be sure to check it out!
  
  
• 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

JOHN CALVIN TO THE PROTECTOR SOMERSET IN ENGLAND [GENEVA, 22nd October 1548]

"Believe me, Monseigneur, the Church of God will never preserve itself without a Catechism, for it is like the seed to keep the good grain from dying out, and causing it to multiply from age to age. And therefore, if you desire to build an edifice which shall be of long duration, and which shall not soon fall into decay, make provision for the children being instructed in a good Catechism, which may shew them briefly, and in language level to their tender age, wherein true Christianity consists. This Catechism will serve two purposes, to wit, as an introduction to the whole people, so that every one may profit from what shall be preached, and also to enable them to discern when any presumptuous person puts forward strange doctrine." (found in Byron Center PRC's bulletin of Sept.11