Print this page

PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for October 30, 2022

Contents[Show]

Rom3 24 1Below you will find special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this forty-third Sunday of our Lord's year 2022, October 30.

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.

But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. ~ Romans 3:21-27

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. M. DeBoer (Edgerton PRC) received the call from Hosanna PRC (Edmonton, AB). 

  • Last Sunday Hudsonville PRC voted to call Rev. M. Kortus (Hope-Redlands). 

  • Today Rev. J. Maatman (Southeast-GR PRC) declined the call from Doon PRC.

  • Today First PRC-Grand Rapids called Rev. C. Spronk (Faith) to serve as her next pastor.

  • Today Zion PRC voted to call Rev. J. Laning (Hull) to labor as denominational home missionary. 

  • Georgetown PRC's Council presents the following trio of ministers from which to call her next pastor: Rev. A. Brummel (Calvary PRC-Hull, IA), Rev. M. Deboer (Edgerton PRC, MN), and Rev. C. Spronk (Faith PRC, MI).  The Congregational meeting will be held Sunday morning November 13, after the morning service.

  • Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Rev. K. Koole (2nd week) in Doon (IA) PRC; Prof. D. Kuiper and ? in First PRC-Grand Rapids; Prof. C. Griess and Rev. J. Smidstra in Georgetown PRC; Rev. J. Langerak (2nd week) in Hosanna PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. R. Cammenga and Prof. R. Dykstra in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. H. Bleyenberg (2nd week) 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.

reformation men

  • Special Evangelism/mission notices:
    • Zion PRC (Jenison, MI): "Community Bible Study will meet Wednesday, Nov.2, at 7 pm in the youth building to finish studying John 8. Consider coming
      with a neighbor, colleague, or acquaintance!"
    • Grace PRC: Grace Evangelism Committee will be hosting a speech entitled, “The Confusion About Forgiveness,” by Prof. B. Gritters, on Thursday, November 3 at 7 PM. Livestream will also be available.
    • First PRC-Holland: "will be holding a Reformation Day speech on Friday, November 4 at 7PM at Holland PRC. Rev. Smidstra will speak on two important truths recovered by the Reformation: justification and sanctification, the relationship of these truths, and the abiding significance and application of these truths to the faith and life of the church today. You are warmly invited to attend!
  • Past 2022 Reformation Day lectures available online:
    • Rev. J. Maatman's on Luther's Theology of the Cross at Crete PRC. 
    • Prof. Cory Griess' on the topic of "Sexual Abuse in Calvin’s Geneva" at Southwest PRC October 27.
    • Prof. Brian Huizinga's on "Synod 2018 and Holy Scripture: Enjoying Covenant Fellowship in the Way of Obedience” at Hull PRC Oct.28.
    • Prof. R. Dykstra's on "Abraham Kuyper, A Flawed Reformer" at Randolph PRC on Oct.28.

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

Front Oct 2022 2

PRC Seminary Notices:

  • The seminary has now completed nine weeks of the first semester of the new school year. Mid-term exams have been completed. This past weekend the annual Reading Recess was held.
  • The second round of Practice Preaching will be held on Monday, Nov.10. A. Haveman and A. Van Dyke will present their second sermons of the semester.
  • This month marks our commemoration of the great Reformation of the sixteenth century, when God worked through the Reformers to lead His church back to pure doctrine and pure worship, as well as the pure form of living the Christian life. Our professors will be speaking at various Reformation events at the end of October and the beginning of November. See the scheduled events under PRC congregational activities above.
  • Sem. M. Koerner (4th year) continues with his six-month internship in Hope PRC-Grand Rapids under Rev. J. Mahtani (July-Dec.). He is staying busy with all aspects of the work of the ministry.
  • The Fall 2022 issue of the PRT Journal was sent to the publisher this past week. The digital editions will be posted on the seminary's website this week (use the link provided here). This new issue features articless by Prof. Griess (Calvin on the third mark of the true church), Kuiper (seminary history, chap.2), Prof. Gritters (introduction to an old article by Herman Hoeksema and a book review article), 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.). 
  • 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.

ephesians 4 3 2

SISTER-CHURCH/MISSION NEWS:

  • Covenant ERC, Singapore and her Kolkata, India mission work:
    • Pastors J. Tan and newly installed M. Wee are faithfully serving the CERC each week. In his first pastoral note this week, Pastor Wee makes note of these two items: "We come on the back of our Reformation Day Conference on the grand topic of the Solas of the Reformation, particularly Sola Gratia and Sola Fide. I trust we were edified and encouraged as we were reminded of these great gospel truths, recovered during the time of the Reformation. Salvation is by God— alone! Let that not be a mere piece of intellectual knowledge that we recite, but a truth that warms our heart and drives us to live for the glory of our God, in thankfulness to Him. We are thankful that our Missionary Pastor Emmanuel Singh and his wife Sonali are in our midst at this time. They will be with us till this Friday, November 4. Please do give a warm welcome to our dear brother and sister. Pastor Singh will be giving an update on his work in Kolkata today at 1130am. Be sure to stay updated so that we can labour together with them in our prayers. 2 Corinthians 1:11: “Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.”
    • The latest issue of Salt Shakers is available - Issue 67, September 2022. Especially for young people, the magazine is edifying for ALL readers!
  • Covenant PRC, N. Ireland:
    • Rev. A. Stewart continues to minister the Word faithfully to the saints in Ballymena. 
    • The September 2022 issue of "Covenant Reformed News" was published last month.  Follow the link to read the latest profitable articles by Revs. A. Stewart and R. Hanko.
    • For recordings of this summer's British Reformed Conference held in July, visit this BRF webpage.

  • 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), Gabaldon, NE. will join us in our worship services today via Facebook live stream, D.V."
    • Provident PRC bulletin: Rev. R. Smit led the services today. "Rev. D. Kleyn and Sis. Sharon are currently in the U.S. for a medical leave of absence for approximately two months from their labors in the Philippines. This leave of absence is necessary in order for both of them to undergo surgeries. Let’s remember them in our prayers with a view to their upcoming surgeries and recovery, and also for the Smits who will be laboring alone as missionary in the Philippines during this time."

    • PRCP Classis: "Classis of the congregations of PRCP is scheduled to convene on Monday, October 31, 2022, at 9:00 am at Provident PRC, Marikina City, God willing."
    • PRCP Seminary: The classes for 2022-2023 are continuing for this semester. "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!"

RWH Logo 2019
Listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday - on a radio station near you, on Sermonaudio, or on your favorite podcast - wherever you are!

WBruinsma 2017

  • This month Rev. W. Bruinsma (Pittsburgh, PA PRC) takes over the RWH program for the next few months. He will be delivering messages on various Bible passages. Today's message is titled "I Am God" based on Psalm 46:8-11.
  • 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.). 

Ignited by Word Prot Ref Fall 2022
Another valuable RFPA resource for this Reformation month - especially for children! Check it out! 

  • 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. Regular hours are Tuesday - Friday from 10-5 and Saturday from 10-1.


  • 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

Calvin justif 1Quotes from John Calvin on the refomation of the church:

“There is no point which is more keenly contested, none in which our adversaries are more inveterate in their opposition, than that of justification, namely, as to whether we obtain it by faith or by works."

“We maintain, that of what description so ever any man’s works may be, he is regarded as righteous before God, simply on the footing of gratuitous mercy; because God, without any respect to works, freely adopts him in Christ, by imputing the righteousness of Christ to him, as if it were his own."

“...by convincing man of his poverty and powerlessness, we train him more effectually to true humility, leading him to renounce all self-confidence, and throw himself entirely upon God; and that, in like manner, we train him more effectually to gratitude, by leading him to ascribe, as in truth he ought, every good thing which he possesses to the kindness of God."

"I know how difficult it is to persuade the world that God disapproves of all modes of worship not expressly sanctioned by His Word. The opposite persuasion which cleaves to them, being seated, as it were, in their very bones and marrow, is, that whatever they do has in itself a sufficient sanction, provided it exhibits some kind of zeal for the honour of God. But since God not only regards as fruitless, but also plainly abominates, whatever we undertake from zeal to His worship, if at variance with His command what do we gain by a contrary course? The words of God are clear and distinct, “Obedience is better than sacrifice.”

Last modified on 06 November 2022