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Covenant Reformed News - September 2022
- Published in Covenant PRC Ballymena, Northern Ireland
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Classis West of the Protestant Reformed Churches met on September 28, 2022, in Doon PRC (Doon, IA), finishing its work by about 9:30 PM. The Doon congregation had opportunity to show off the new addition to their church building, and they did a fine job in hosting, including scrambling to make arrangements for the delegates during a town-wide power outage for several hours in the afternoon.
Rev. S. Key had the opportunity to lead Classis in opening devotions, which was fitting as this was his last meeting of Classis before emeritation, and he gave a humbling and encouraging meditation on Psalm 112:7: “He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.”
Delegated to Classis were 28 men (11 ministers and 17 elders), and they were joined by three synodical deputies from Classis East. Rev. M. Kortus chaired Classis for the first time in his ministry, and led the meeting capably.
The questions of Article 41 of the Church Order were asked and satisfactorily answered. Regular reports from the stated clerk, classical committee, and reading sermon library committee were read and their work approved.
One important item on the agenda was a request from Loveland PRC for the emeritation of their pastor, Rev. S. Key. Classis approved the request for emeritation effective January 1, 2023 (which received the concurrence of the three synodical deputies from Classis East), approved his financial support for 2023, and expressed thanksgiving to God for his 36 years of faithful service to our churches. Rev. Key has especially been used of God for the benefit of the churches in Classis West, having served as pastor in the Classis for 31 years, as stated clerk for six years, as a representative of the Classis to Synod 27 times, as church visitor for 19 years running, as a member of many special committees of the Classis, and as a humble and wise leader in the Classis. May God bless Rev. Key and his wife as they enter this new phase of life!
An individual submitted a protest to Classis of decisions taken by a previous meeting of Classis West which related to the refusal in September 2021 to seat delegates from the former consistory of First Edmonton PRC and to approve the labors of the church visitors with that congregation. Classis did not sustain the individual’s protest.
In closed session, Classis treated an appeal of an individual regarding the discipline work of a consistory. After careful deliberation, Classis did not sustain the appeal.
Classis made a schedule of pulpit supply for the vacant congregations of Doon (IA) PRC, Hosanna PRC (Edmonton), Randolph (WI) PRC, and the soon-to-be-vacant Loveland PRC. Due to the large number of vacancies and small number of active pastors, Classis decided to request assistance from Classis East in covering five 1 Sundays in the next six months.
Classis received a special request from a congregation for subsidy for 2023, and a special request from a congregation to increase subsidy for 2023. Both requests were approved. The expenses of this meeting totaled $8,853.17. Classis West will meet next in Lynden (WA) PRC on March 1, 2023, the Lord willing.
Rev. Joshua Engelsma Stated Clerk, Classis West
Below you will find special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this thirty-eighth Sunday of our Lord's year 2022, September 25.
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 I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more. My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof. I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only. O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come. ~ Psalm 71:14-18
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.
Classis West: Classis West meets this Wednesday, September 28, in Doon PRC, Iowa. May the Lord grant safe travels for the delegates and a rich measure of the grace of the Holy Spirit for their work.
General Notes:
Rev. D. Lee of Kalamazoo PRC led this past Wednesday's chapel at the PRC Seminary.
PRC Seminary Notices:
Covenant ERC-Singapore congregational picture at time of her 35th anniversary Sept.17-18, 2022
Provident PRC bulletin: Rev. R. Smit led her services today. "Last week, Rev. D. Kleyn and Rev. R. Smit were in Southern Negros Occidental, they visited contacts and they preached and taught there."
Listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday - on a radio station near you, on Sermonaudio, or on your favorite podcast - wherever you are!
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The Reformed Book Outlet in downtown Hudsonville, MI held an open house this past week in connection with the RFPA's annual association meeting at nearby Terra Square. If you have not yet visited the new location, you are encouraged to do so - it is stocked with many titles for all ages, including a wonderful children's section! (see more info below)
"How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God!" Genesis 39:9
"After hearing his wife's story, Potiphar was furious! He took Joseph and threw him into the prison!" Genesis 39:19-20. Sometimes it costs very dearly to be true to God. Joseph lay now in a dungeon. But his loss through doing right, was nothing in comparison with what he would have lost—had he done the wickedness to which he was tempted. His prison gloom, deep as it was—was as noonday, compared with what would have been the darkness of his soul under the blight of evil, and the bitterness of remorse. The chains that hung upon him in his dungeon, were but like feathers—in comparison with the heavy chains which would have bound his soul, had he yielded to the temptation. Though in a prison, his feet hurt by the fetters—he was a free man because his conscience was free and his heart was pure!
No fear of consequences should ever drive us to do a wrong thing. It is better to suffer any loss, any cost, any sacrifice—than be eaten up by remorse! Better be hurled down from a high place for doing right, than win worldly honor by doing wrong. Better lose our right hand, than lose our purity of soul. Better to rot in prison, than to sin against God! It was the prayer of a young queen, which she wrote with a diamond point on her castle window, "Keep me pure—make others great." That is the lesson of Joseph's victory over temptation: dishonor, loss, dungeon, death—anything before sin!”
J.R. Miller, "Practical Lessons from the Story of Joseph" (found in Covenant of Grace PRC's bulletin today)
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.
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:
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:
Fellowship dinner in Southern Negros Occidental, the Philippines (see news below)
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."
Listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday - on a radio station near you, on Sermonaudio, or on your favorite podcast - wherever you are!
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Now available - Volume Two of The Reformed Doctrine of the End: The Coming of Christ by Prof. David Engelsma
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
Below you will find special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this thirty-sixth Sunday of our Lord's year 2022, September 11.
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.
Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord GOD of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel. Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face. I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children. For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me. ...But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation. ~ Psalm 69:6-9,13
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.
Classis East: Classis East will meet in regular session this week Wednesday, September 14, 2022, beginning at 8:00 AM at Byron Center PRC. May God give wisdom and grace to all the delegates as they go about His work.
General Notes:
Group picture taken of faculty and students this past week at PRC Seminary Convocation (Trinity PRC, Hudsonville, MI).
Back (l-r): Profs. Griess, Gritters, Kuiper, Cammenga; Front (l-r): Prof. Huizinga, Bruce Feenstra, Arend Haveman, Matt Koerner, Aaron Van Dyke
PRC Seminary Notices:
Provident PRC bulletin: Rev. R. Smit led her worship services today. Also, "Rev. D. Kleyn and Sis Sharon are scheduled to visit the Bearers of Light Community Church in Guiguinto, Bulacan today, the Lord willing, in order to preach and teach there."
Listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday - on a radio station near you, on Sermonaudio, or on your favorite podcast - wherever you are!
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RFPA September Sales!
The Sixteenth-Century Reformation of the Church is written to remind the reader who is familiar with the Reformation of its glories and worth; and to ground the believing reader in the truth of the Reformation confessed, as well as to help him or her in the holy life the Reformation called for. Especially the young people will benefit from this book.
Prosperous Wicked and Plagued Saints: An Exposition of Psalm 73 sets forth the truth of God’s goodness to his people in their trouble and of God’s curse of the wicked in their prosperity.
“Sometimes we are left speechless. We simply cannot find words to express how we feel. This can happen after a blow, or the weight of sorrow, has shattered our life and left us speechless. David speaks of this in Psalm 39:9: “I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.” Whatever that horrible experience was for David, he had this comfort, that it was not by chance but by the gracious hand of a sovereign Father in heaven.
But there are other times when we are left speechless before an undeserved and unimaginable kindness and love shown to us. We simply do not know what to say. Have you ever experienced that?
When the apostle Paul, in Romans 8:28-30, finished writing those verses, when the reality of what he had said in those verses fell upon his mind and heart, he said: “What shall we then say to these things?” What things? Amazing, wondrous things! Romans 8:28-30, the truth that God has foreknown His children in love and predestinated, predetermined from all eternity, that we should be conformed to the image of His Son (v. 29); that God went on to call us irresistibly, by the power of His grace, out of the darkness of death and sin, to the light of Christ; that He justified us freely in the blood of Jesus and is now glorifying us, and will give us bodies like Christ’s in eternal glory. And, therefore, that God now is working all things together for our good, that by His sovereign hand everything in the life of the child of God serves God’s gracious purposes. This leaves Paul speechless! “What shall we then say to these things? How do we respond to them?”
It left him almost speechless. For the connection between Romans 8:30 and 31 is that the apostle Paul will summarize what appears to him so great, beyond the ability of words to express. What can we say to the eternal, matchless, gracious love of God who elects, calls, justifies, and glorifies and who now works all things, everything, both good and evil for our good? What shall we say to that? Well, we will say this: Romans 8:31, “If God be for us, who can be against us?”
~ Rev. Carl Haak in his Reformed Witness Hour message, "God Did Not Spare His Own Son."
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Below you will find special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this thirty-fifth Sunday of our Lord's year 2022, September 4.
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.
Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them. Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah. He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto GOD the Lord belong the issues from death. ...Bless ye God in the congregations, even the Lord, from the fountain of Israel. ~ Psalm 68:18-20,26
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.
General Notes:
Prof. R. Cammenga leading the opening chapel at the PRC Seminary this past week
PRC Seminary Notices:
Provident PRC bulletin: Rev. D. Kleyn will lead and preach for us in our worship services today.
Listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday - on a radio station near you, on Sermonaudio, or on your favorite podcast - wherever you are!
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Are you going through a trial of some kind at this time? Would you seek comfort and hope from God's Word? This resource may be of great help to you.
“What a frightening yet wonderful thing it is to know that we live in the last days. We stand always, as it were, within sight both of the final judgment and of the coming of our Savior. Ministers preach knowing the terror of the Lord. We all live as pilgrims and strangers, knowing that our journey must soon be finished and that soon we shall have our first sight of the eternal city. We acknowledge that we live in perilous times. We know the end is upon us, yet we are not afraid, for we see our redemption drawing nigh.”
~ Rev. Ronald Hanko, Doctrine According to Godliness, p. 28
Below you will find special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this thirty-fourth Sunday of our Lord's year 2022, August 28.
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.
God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah. That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah. ~ Psalm 67:1-4
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.
Missions:
PRC Seminary Notices:
Listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday - on a radio station near you, on Sermonaudio, or on your favorite podcast - wherever you are!
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Why does the PRC sing the Psalms in her public worship services? Why not hymns of the Christian faith? For an answer to this, read this profitable resource.
"Because the children [born to covenant parents and baptized by the church] are God's, they must be "piously and religiously educated," to use the language of the historic Reformed "Form for the Administration of Baptism." God's children must be godly taught. This instruction is essential for it is the means of God to train up the children to godliness, to a mature man or woman of God. Such is the importance of this teaching that it is part of the vow at baptism: parents promise to give this teaching.
"This required instruction includes schooling to the extent that parents are able to provide it. First, the command of the Lord, in Deuteronomy 6:6ff. and Ephesians 6:4, is simply all-embracing and all-comprehensive: "...when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." To exclude from the command all the time spent at school, i.e., most of the child's life between the ages of five and eighteen - the most crucial period!, would be arbitrary in the extreme. Second, the claim of God on our children is total. If anything, God claims their mind primarily: "Love the Lord. . . with all thy soul," i.e., your mind. Third, the life of the child is one life - a unity; and the one, whole life is to be nurtured by the Word of Christ. Fourth, the Word of God must be the content and rule of all the instruction, and not only of the spiritual part at church. All knowledge, to be true knowledge, and not the Lie, must be based on Scripture. In other words, all education is religious education. Either it glorifies God, or it dishonors Him; either it confesses and bows to His sovereign authority, or it rebels; either it promotes a godly life, or it hinders it.
"Such instruction is the responsibility of parents. Friends of the covenant may and will support the work, as covenant-work; but the parents have the calling: "And, ye fathers.. ." (Eph. 6:4). The setup of a good Christian school honors this reality: it is an extension of the home; it is parental; the teachers stand in the place of the parents."
~ Prof. D. Engelsma in "The Necessity of Good Christian Schools" (a featured resource this month)
Classis East
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Classis West
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