PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for March 26, 2023

Today, March 26, is the thirteenth 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.

The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved. Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting. ...Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever. ~ Psalm 93:1,2,5

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS 

• Today Rev. J. Holstege (Zion PRC, Jenison MI) accepted the call to First PRC-Grand Rapids, MI.
  
  
• Today Hosanna PRC voted to call Rev. N. Decker. 
  
  
• Today Randolph PRC voted to call Rev. N. Decker (Grandville, MI PRC). 
  
  
• On February 26 Rev. S. Regnerus (Lynden WA PRC) accepted the call from Hull (IA) PRC. His installation service is planned for Friday, March 31 at 7:00 p.m., with Rev. A. Brummel leading the service.
  
  
• Last Sunday Rev. M. DeBoer received the call from Lynden (WA) PRC.
  
  
• Last Sunday Rev. M. Kortus (Hope PRC-Redlands, CA) declined the call from Doon (IA) PRC.
  
  
• Last Sunday Rev. J. Maatman (SE PRC-Grand Rapids, MI) declined the calls he had received from Hudsonville PRC and from Hosanna PRC (Edmonton, AB).
  
  
• Rev. J. Smidstra is considering the call from Loveland PRC (received March 12). He plans to answer by April 2.
  
  
• Georgetown PRC's Council has announced a new trio consisting of Revs. M. DeBoer (Edgerton PRC), A. Spriensma (Cornerstone PRC) , and D. Noorman (SW PRC).  A congregational meeting is scheduled for April 10, 2023.
  
  
• Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Rev. K. Koole in Doon (IA) PRC; Prof. D. Kuiper and Rev. G. Eriks in First PRC-Grand Rapids; Prof. C. Griess and Rev. D. Noorman in Georgetown PRC; Rev. T. Miersma in Hosanna PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. R. Cammenga and Prof. B. Huizinga in Hudsonville PRC; Elders lead in Hull PRC; Prof. R. Dykstra (2nd week) in Loveland PRC; Elders lead in Lynden PRC; Rev. J. Marcus 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!
  
  
• Congregational Evangelism/Mission News
  • First PRC-Grand Rapid, MI: "Tonight after the evening service, there will be a lunch served downstairs followed by a presentation by the delegation that were in Mexico in early February."
  • Zion PRC (Jenison, MI): "Community Bible Study will meet next Wednesday (March 29) at 7 pm to study the second half of John 11. The plan is to continue through the month of April. Please consider inviting a neighbor or acquaintance and attending with them!"

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

Classis East: Classis East met on Wednesday March 15 in continuing session in Grandville PRC from its January meeting. For the complete report of this meeting, visit this page.

Classis West met 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.  Speeches and discussion groups about timely topics related to home missions and personal evangelism are planned. 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."

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. 

The 4th-grade students of Mr. Dan Hanko from Hope PRCS visited the seminary last Thursday and participated in devotions with the faculty and students.

PRC Seminary Notices:

• The PRTS' second semester continues with its tenth week this week. Next week (April 3-7) the seminary will enjoy its Spring break. The 2nd semester schedule and calendar are posted on the seminary's website. Continue to keep the faculty, students, and staff in prayer as they enter the final third of the semester. 
• Sem. Bruce Feenstra will lead in daily devotions this week. Rev. C. Spronk (Faith PRC-Jenison, MI) will speak for chapel on Wednesday.
• The first round of practice preaching was completed earlier this month. The second round is set for the two Mondays after Spring Break (April 10 and 17).
• This Thursday, March 30, the fourth-grade students of Mrs. Jane Woudenberg from Heritage Christian School in Hudsonville will be visiting seminary for an introduction and tour of the seminary.  They will be joining faculty and students for devotions and refreshments afterwards.
• 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 the significance of giving: "Giving as a discipline means that we set aside the first and best of what God has given to us, to render back to God. Proverbs 3:9-10: “Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” The Israelites were to give their firstfruits, the best of their crops to God; putting God first in our lives ought to lead us to do no less. Practically, this means that we do not give God the leftovers after budgeting for all our needs and wants. Rather, we first set aside a portion to give to God, before we plan how we are to use the remainder on ourselves."
    
  • The newest issue of Salt Shakers was recently made available - 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 March 2023 issue of "Covenant Reformed News" was published late last week!  Follow the link to read the latest profitable articles by Revs. A. Stewart (was Hagar saved?) and R. Hanko (Christ's reign as King over against dispensational teaching).
  • The CPRC YouTube channel may be found here.
    
    
• PRC in the Philippines and her mission work in various places:
  • 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 via Livestream at our official Facebook page, D.V."
  • 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 "Total Depravity' (2) based on John 6:44, 65-66.
  
• 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.). 

"I Belong is a picture book for ages four to seven that explains each comforting phrase of Heidelberg Catechism Question and Answer 1 to young children, in language that they understand. Colorful illustrations of a diverse group of children will capture readers’ imaginations as they learn what it means to belong to their faithful Savior.

This book can be used as a short book of devotions for families with younger children or can be read by older children on their own."

• 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

"Evangelism must preach the sin of the people, the sin of the people as guilt—liability to the punishment of the offended God. Therefore, it is to proclaim the holy and righteous God, Whom the sinner has offended. This implies the preaching of God's Law, which the sinner has transgressed and which he cannot keep. The Reformed Faith does this sharply, pointedly, concretely! In contrast, much present-day evangelism says little or nothing about a holy God, His righteous Law, sin, guilt, and punishment. If sin comes up at all, it is only the aspect of sin that consists of the sinner's temporal troubles because of his wickedness. How different was the evangelism of Christ and of His apostles! Think of Jesus' deliberate exposure of the adultery of the Samaritan woman at the well. Think of Peter's searing condemnation of the Jews in Acts 3:14: 'But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you.

"Evangelism proclaims the remission, or forgiveness, of sins for every sinner who repents. This is the removal of the sinner's guilt and the imputation to him of the righteousness of Jesus Christ by faith alone. The forgiveness of sins is the blessing of salvation that is to be preached in evangelism. This was the great, glorious concern of the Reformation: justification by faith only. Where is this even to be found in much of modern evangelism? The great concern is that the sinner go to heaven and be happy, or that he be happy and successful here on earth. Not long ago, I heard a 'convert' give a testimony on behalf of the famous evangelist who saved him, that accepting Jesus made him a better pass-catching end for his southern university football team.

"If remission of sins is preached, the cross is preached; and the cross is preached as substitutionary atonement, as satisfaction made to the righteous God, as effectual redemption of all for whom Jesus died, so that those who trust in the cross enjoy its real benefit. But the cross is not preached apart from the Crucified. Jesus Christ Himself is preached as the message of evangelism; He is preached as the eternal Son of God come in the flesh, so that His blood was precious blood, blotting out sins.

"If this is Who Jesus is and if this is what His cross is, the love of God is preached when remission of sins is preached. For it was God Who gave His Son on behalf of sinners - not all sinners, but sinners, just the same. 'For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son'"

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