PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for March 5, 2023

Today, March 5, is the tenth Lord's Day of this year of our Lord 2023. Below you will find special highlights of PRC and sister-church news. It is our hope that these reports not only inform you but also give you opportunity to pray for the needs of these churches and mission fields throughout the world.

As we continue our pilgrim journey in this new year, we do so in glad and grateful worship of our sovereign, saving God and King. Through Jesus Christ His Son and by His Holy Spirit our heavenly Father has redeemed and renewed us to be His worshiping and serving people. To Him we owe our all, and to Him we strive to give our all! Soli Deo gloria!

If you are new to this website and the PRCA, we invite you to join us in worship today or on any of the Sunday's of this year at one of our local congregations near you, or listen online.

 Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. ...O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil. Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children. And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it. ~ Psalm 90:1-2; 14-17 

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS 

• This Wednesday evening, March 8, is the annual Prayer Day service held by the PRCs (wth the exception of a few in West Michigan that held it in February). You are cordially invited to join us in acknowledging our dependence on the God of sovereign providence, out of whose hand we live for our daily bread and without whose blessing it cannot profit us. Check the website of the church near you for the time of this special service.
  
  
• Last Sunday Rev. S. Regnerus (Lynden WA PRC) accepted the call from Hull PRC. 
  
  
• Last Sunday First PRC-Grand Rapids, MI called Rev. J. Holstege (Zion PRC, Jenison MI).
  
  
• Rev. M. Kortus (Hope PRC-Redlands, CA) is considering the call from Doon (IA) PRC (received Feb.26).
  
  
• Rev. J. Maatman (SE PRC-Grand Rapids, MI) is considering calls from Hudsonville PRC and from Hosanna PRC (Edmonton, AB - received Feb.26). 
  
  
• Loveland PRC's Consistory has announced a trio of Revs. D. Noorman (SW PRC - Wyoming MI), J. Smidstra (First PRC-Holland MI), and C. Spronk (Faith PRC-Jenison MI). The congregational is planned for March 12 after the evening service.
  
  
• Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Rev. R. Barnhill in Doon (IA) PRC; Prof. D. Kuiper and Rev. M. McGeown in First PRC-Grand Rapids; Prof. C. Griess and Rev. E. Guichelaar in Georgetown PRC; Rev. H. Bleyenberg in Hosanna PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. R. Dykstra and Rev. G. Eriks in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. M. Kortus (2nd week) in Hull PRC; Rev. A. Brummel (2nd week) in Loveland PRC; Rev. R. Hanko (1st week & Prayer Day) 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. And may we continue to pray for men to hear the call to serve as pastors and missionaries!

Lynden PRC (WA), host of this past week's Classis West meeting

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

Classis West met this past Wednesday-Thursday, March 1-2, in Lynden PRC, Washington. A report of this meeting may be found on this webpage.

DMC News: Evangelism and Missions Conference: To be held at Trinity PRC the evenings of May 4 and 5, 2023. We plan to have speeches and discussion groups about timely topics related to home missions and personal evangelism. Keep an eye out for more information coming soon in your church bulletins and newsletters. We hope to see you there!

PRC 100th Anniversary Committee: "With gratitude to our faithful God, the PRCA look forward to our 100th anniversary. The celebration is planned for June 23-27, 2025, at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, MI. Please assist the planning committee by completing a brief survey by March 10, 2023, to let them know how you would likely attend (in person or virtually) and your preferences for onsite accommodations. Access the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PRCA100

PRC Minister/Teacher Scholarship Fund: Information for the 2023 PR Scholarship Fund essay competition is now available. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to receive the essay topics and submission requirements. Completed essays must be submitted by May 12th. 

PRC Seminary Notices:

• The second semester continues with its seventh week for the PRTS this week. The 2nd semester schedule and calendar have been posted on the seminary's website. Continue to keep the faculty, students, and staff in prayer as they carry on their normal labors and studies.
• Sem. Matt Koerner will lead in daily devotions this week. There is no chapel on Wednesday due to practice preaching on Monday.
• The first round of practice preaching is set for the Mondays of Feb.27 and March 6. Tomorrow morning Sem. Matt Korner will deliver his first sermon of this semester.
• The next meeting of Student Club will be on Thursday, March 16 at Prof. Griess’ house. The topic for discussion will be the recent article by Prof. John Bolt in the Calvin Theological Journal on the first point of common grace. 
• Preparations are being made for the Spring 2023 issue of the PR Theological Journal. In the meantime, the Fall 2022 issue of the PRT Journal  is still available in print and digital formats. Print copies are available from the seminary. The digital editions have been posted on the seminary's website (use the link provided here). This latest 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 M. Wee are faithfully serving the CERC. In her bulletin today, we find this pastoral note concerning her partaking of the Lord's Supper together: "Today, we see that this battle-ready, victorious Captain is also the suffering Servant of Jehovah, who is undesirable to sinful man. Isaiah 53:2b: “he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.” Yet, because of God’s transforming grace, we look upon Christ, not with carnal eyes, but by the eyes of faith, and find Him to be altogether lovely. May God nourish our hungry and thirsty souls this day by means of both Word and sacrament."
    
  • The newest issue of Salt Shakers is was made available last month - Issue 68, December 2022. Especially for young people, the magazine contains a variety of articles and is edifying for ALL readers!

• Covenant PRC, N. Ireland:
  
  • Rev. A. Stewart continues to minister the Word faithfully to the saints in Ballymena.
  • The last newsletter of the CPRC was published in January 2023. Read about the exciting work going on in the CPRC!
  • The February 2023 issue of "Covenant Reformed News" was published the end of February!  Follow the link to read the latest profitable articles by Revs. A. Stewart (was Ishmael saved?) and R. Hanko (Felix's trembling).
  • The CPRC YouTube channel may be found here.
    
    
• PRC in the Philippines and her mission work in various places:
  • Berean PRC bulletin: Rev. R. Smit led her services today.
  • "Our pastor and family will visit the saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship (AGPRF), Gabaldon, NE., today, D.V. Rev. Ibe will lead the saints there in their worship service at 9 AM and followed by their bible study at 10:45 AM. ...Rev. Ibe will also lead “the Dumagat” also known as the Agta tribe in Bugnan, Gabaldon, N.E. in the study of God’s Word based on Acts 17 at 3 PM on Saturday [March 04, 2023], God willing."
  • Provident PRC bulletin: Rev. D. Kleyn led her worship services today. 

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 the RWH begins to re-broadcast a series of Prof. C. Griess on the doctrines of grace (five points of Calvinism). Today's message is titled "Limited Atonement (1)" based on John 6:37-40
  
• 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.). 

Do you have a copy of the official Reformed and Christian creeds and Church Order of the PRC? Obtain yours today by contacting the seminary, or visit this page.

• Would you like to learn 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. Regular hours are Tuesday - Friday from 10-5 and Saturday from 10-1.
  
  
• 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

"Strange to say, some suppose that the relationship between the Reformed Faith and evangelism is uneasy and uncomfortable. Stranger still, some charge that the Reformed Faith and evangelism are incompatible. Many outside of the Reformed Churches contend that the Reformed Faith makes evangelism (or 'soul-winning,' as they like to call it) impossible. Many who profess to be Reformed are now echoing this charge. What is worse, they are radically revising the Reformed Faith in the interests (they say) of evangelism. Read the studies that set forth the foundations, the messages, and the methods of missions: universal love; universal atonement; salvation dependent upon the free, sovereign choice of the sinner. Listen to the evangelists: 'God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life'; Christ died for you'; 'You can have this wonderful salvation and be born again, if only you will accept Jesus.'

"Then, there is the danger that those who love the Reformed Faith as God's own truth become suspicious of evangelism; openly or secretly grant the validity of the charge that the Reformed Faith and evangelism are incompatible; and decline to engage in the work of evangelism.

"It is the duty of those to whom God has given the inheritance and responsibility of the Reformed Faith to show the perfect harmony of this Faith and evangelism. To do this, we must ourselves see clearly that they are compatible."

~ Taken from the resource "Evangelism and the Reformed Faith" by Prof. D. Engelsma