PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for December 25, 2022 **(Updated)

Below you will find special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this fifty-second and final Sunday of our Lord's year 2022, December 25.

Today we commemorate and celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. With Mary we ponder the deep ways of God and magnify Him in coming down to earth and taking on human flesh in the Person of His Son to redeem us from our bondage to sin and set us free for life with God. With the shepherds we praise our great and gracious God for the gift of salvation in the Christ child. Join us in worship today at one of our local congregations near you, or listen online.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. ~ Luke 2:8-14

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS

• Last Sunday (Dec.18) First PRC (Grand Rapids, MI) voted to call Rev. J. Smidstra (First PRC-Holland).
  
  
• This past Tuesday (Dec.20) Hull PRC voted to call Rev. J. Smidstra.
  
  
• *UPDATE: Today Rev. M. DeBoer declined the call from Doon PRC.
  
  
• Rev. C. Spronk (Faith PRC) is considering the call to Hudsonville PRC (received Dec.14).
  
  
• Last Sunday Rev. J. Holstege (Zion PRC) declined the call to Randolph (WI) PRC.
   
• From Hosanna PRC (Edmonton, AB): "A new trio has been formed of Revs. N. Decker (Grandville PRC), W. Langerak (Trinity PRC – Hudsonville, MI), and J. Maatman (Southeast PRC, Grand Rapids). We will have a congregational meeting to vote on the trio today after the PM service." **UPDATE: Rev. Langerak has received this call.
   
• Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Elder-led in a.m.; Rev. M. DeBoer (at 2 p.m.) in Doon (IA) PRC; Prof. D. Kuiper and Prof. B. Huizinga in First PRC-Grand Rapids; Prof. C. Griess and Rev. C. Haak in Georgetown PRC; Rev. T. Miersma in Hosanna PRC, Edmonton, AB; Rev. A. Spriensma and Prof. B. Huizinga in Hudsonville PRC; Elders lead 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.

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

Home Mission News: On Nov.20 Rev. J. Laning (Hull PRC) accepted the call from Zion PRC (Jenison, MI) to serve as denominational home missionary. 

From Zion PRC's bulletin today the following related news is found: "Update from Zion DMC committee: We have been very busy coordinating the move and the work for Rev Laning. Tentatively, the plan is for Rev. Laning to preach his farewell at Hull PRC on January 1, 2023. After that he will be going to Randolph PRC so that he can keep his classical commitment to that congregation for January 8 which will include the baptism of his grandchild. His arrival into our area will be the week of the 16th of January. We are presently coordinating a moving company to move all his belongings to his new home in Jenison from Hull, IA. We have secured a place to live in Glen Eagle condos in the 14th Ave and 44th St area in Georgetown Township. We are also working with him to identify the mission work that he will be doing and coordinating a plan moving forward. We anticipate him taking some classes in regard to this mission work which we believe will take most of his time for the first 6 months of his being here. He is scheduled to preach for Zion PRC on Jan 29 AM and Feb 12 PM. As far as the committee is concerned, we have had regular monthly meetings up to the time that Rev. Laning accepted the call and now that the Lord has answered our prayers and sent us a missionary, we are working hard organizing the work for him and also entering into conversations with him in order to search out the Lords will for him and our congregation. Missions are an important work for the church, and we continue to ask for your prayers for Rev. Laning and his wife as they settle in to our congregational life and take up this great work to the glory of God, the ingathering of the church and also to the coming of Christ when He shall take His completed church home to live with Him forever. We look forward to that day."

Foreign Mission News: Rev. D. Kleyn and his wife Sharon have been recuperating in West Michigan following recent surgeries. They plan to leave the States this week Wednesday (Dec.28) and return to the Philippines on Dec.29. May the Lord grant them safe travels and renewed strength for the busy work there.

Seminary concluded its semester just in time Friday, as a blizzard struck West Michigan Friday and Saturday.

PRC Seminary Notices:

• The seminary has now completed its first semester of the school year, as exams were held this past week. Seminary will recess from Dec.25-Jan.8, but the seminary will be open daily except for the Dec.26 and Jan.2. Interim (see note below) will be held from Jan.9-18, and the second semester will begin on Tuesday, Jan.24. The 2nd semester schedule and calendar has been posted on the seminary's website.
• A reminder is given during this holiday season that the seminary bookstore has a good supply of new and used books, including Bibles and music CDs (Hope Heralds 2022!). Visit us anytime during the day, Monday through Friday (except on the holidays of Dec.26 and Jan.2).
• Seminary Class on Ethics. You are invited! From January 9- 18, Prof. Gritters will be teaching an 8-day interim course on Reformed Christian ethics (M-F from 9-11:30AM). If Dogmatics teaches what Christians believe, Ethics teaches how they live. Questions faced include: What is a truly good life? What is the Christian’s relation to the law? Is law contrary to love? May our conscience guide us? What is love? May I hate? May I lie to save my neighbor’s life? What about IVF? May Christians divorce? Separate? Remarry? If you are interested in attending, please call the seminary: 616-531-1490.
• Sem. M. Koerner (4th year) is finishing his six-month internship in Hope PRC-Grand Rapids under Rev. J. Mahtani (July-Dec.). He will return for his final semester on Jan.24.
• The Fall 2022 issue of the PRT Journal  was received from the printer earlier this month and the print copies were mailed out to those on the mailing list. The digital editions have been posted on the seminary's website (use the link provided here). This new issue features articles by Prof. Griess (Calvin and the third mark of the true church), Prof. Kuiper (seminary history, chap.2), Prof. Gritters (introduction to an old article on mental illness 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 - and don't forget the blog!
  
  

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. This morning they held their special Christ Gospel Service, which is designed for unsaved family, friends, and associates. Members are encouraged to invite such to the service.
    
  • Don't forget the most recent 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 November 2022 issue of "Covenant Reformed News" was recently published.  Follow the link to read the latest profitable articles by Revs. A. Stewart (Christ's various comings) and R. Hanko (the third use of the law).
  • The CPRC YouTube channel may be found here.
• PRC in the Philippines and her mission work:
  • Berean PRC bulletin: Rev. V. Ibe led her services today. We also find this special note concerning her mission endeavors: "The saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship (AGPRF), Gabaldon, NE., will join us in our worship services today via livestream at our official Facebook page."
  • Provident PRC bulletin: Rev. R. Smit led her worship services today.
  • Rev. D. Kleyn and Sis. Sharon are doing well and gradually improving as they recover from their respective surgeries last month. They will return to the Philippines as planned, the Lord willing. They are scheduled to leave in U.S. on Dec. 28 and to arrive in the Philippines on Dec. 29, DV. Let’s continue remember them in our prayers and looking forward to see them again soon, the Lord willing." (Provident bulletin)

Reformed Resources for Education, Edification, and Evangelism

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. W. Bruinsma (Pittsburgh, PA PRC) continues to speak for the RWH program. He is delivering messages on various Bible passages related to the first coming of Christ in the flesh. Today's Christmas message is titled "The Branch of Jesse" based on Isaiah 11:1.
  
• 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.). 

Who is this Jesus whose birth we celebrate in this Christmas season? To read a brief resource that answers this question, visit this link.

• 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. Regular hours are Tuesday - Friday from 10-5 and Saturday from 10-1. Special notice!
  
  Reformed Book Outlet is running their 25% off sale through the rest of the month of December in store, and we are also holding it online as well this year! Stop in the store to shop, or when ordering online, use code DEC25 at check out to get 25% off eligible items! Items ordered through our website for shipping should be ordered before December 15th to guarantee arrival before Christmas Day!
  
  
• 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.
  
  

This Week's Thought for Contemplation

"Beloved, the answer to all of our fears is to be found in the incarnate Christ. It is to be found in God now in our flesh, come by the grace of God to redeem us from our sins. That was the good news of the angels. The angel proclaimed that a unique person had been born in a specific place to accomplish a glorious task. The unique person who had been born was Christ, the Messiah, God’s anointed One, the One who had been promised to shoulder the entire work of salvation, the One who was called “Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father.” He has now been born in our flesh. No mere ordinary man among men, but God with us. Sinless Son of God, born in our flesh in order to bring us to God.

"Not a Savior after man’s mold, not another man simply to muddle around in the mass of humanity, to feel our pain and to try to do something about it. But the One who is able to bring us to God without spot or blemish and to present us before His presence in exceeding joy. He has been born in the city of David, in Bethlehem. The Lord keeps His Word, and not one jot or tittle of it ever falls to the ground. In the very place that God had designated, His Son has been born. And His Son has been born for a glorious task. He has been born to be a Savior. A savior is one who rescues another from danger and places him in a secure position. Christ was born to save us from our true enemy, which is our sin. He has come to save His people from their sins; their offense before God; their trespass against the law of God; their guilt before the holy and the living God. The Lord did not come in order to adjust your attitude. He did not come to teach you an alternate pattern of behavior. He did not come to get you in touch with your inner self. He did not come to make you all that you can be. But He came to wash away the dirty stain of sin from the souls of God’s children.

"Let us not forget that the birth of Jesus Christ proclaims the truth about ourselves. It proclaims that we are sinners. There are many who would say, “Now, let’s not spoil Christmas by talking about sin.” Beloved in the Lord Jesus Christ, there is no significance in the birth of Jesus Christ apart from understanding the reality of sin and death. If one does not know his sin, then one cannot understand the wonder of the birth of God’s Son in the manger. For God has sent Him to accomplish one task, a mighty and glorious task. He has come to stand in the place of God’s chosen, who have broken the law of God. He has come to conquer the death that held them in its arms. He has come to destroy the flames of God’s wrath that our sins have kindled. He has come to give to us eternal life. He has come as the Savior.

"And that is joy. The joy that was proclaimed by the angels and that is proclaimed to us today is the joy that our sins are forgiven. God has cast away our sins into the depths of the sea in the cross of Jesus Christ. He will remember those sins no more. Why? Because of a Savior, because of Christ, the Lord, the Messiah, the sin-bearer, who came to pay for those sins in His blood. Who came in order that all of God’s children might now stand before God in eternal delight. That is joy! That is a joy that never fades away.

"Has this joy of Bethlehem come home to your heart with power? Have all of these realities of the record of the birth of the Son of God, who was born to remove sin, come upon your heart with power?"

~ Taken from the radio message "Bethlehem's Blessed Gospel" by Rev. C. Haak