First PRC of Grand Rapids, MI and the Reformed Witness Hour Committee announce the messages scheduled for June 2017 on the RWH radio program.

Rev. Carl Haak, pastor of Georgetown PRC in Hudsonville, MI will continues his four-month service for the RWH program, as he begins a series on marriage this month.

You are encouraged to listen to these important messages and to let others know about them too. Help spread the word about the Reformed Witness Hour, now in its 76th year of broadcasting the truths of God's sovereign, particular, efficacious grace!

Below are the messages scheduled for this month, also in flyer form (attached in pdf).

June 4, 2017 - In the Beginning, God Created Marriage, Genesis 2:18-25

June 11, 2017 - God's Design for Marriage, Genesis 2:24

June 18, 2017 - God's Rule of Conduct for Marriage, Colossians 3:12-13

June 25, 2017 - A Dress Code for Marriage, Colossians 3:12-13

On this Pentecost Sunday 2017 (June 4) we report on the following news and information from PRC congregations and mission fields:

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS:

• On May 21 the congregation of Southwest PRC voted to call Rev. N. Decker (Trinity PRC, Hudsonville).
• On May 28 Rev. C. Haak (Georgetown PRC) declined the call from First PRC, Holland MI.
• On May 28 Rev. C. Griess (Calvary PRC, Hull IA) received the call from Immanuel PRC in Lacombe, AB.
• The Council of Zion PRC (Hudsonville/Jenison, MI) announces a new trio from which to call her first pastor: Revs. N. Decker, C. Griess (Calvary, Hull, IA), and R. Kleyn (Spokane, WA).

DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

From the bulletin of Grandville PRC we find this news about the delegation from the PRC Contact Committee and Faith PRC to the BERG in Giessen, Germany this week:

Rev and Pat Koole with the VanderSchaafs and Bouwkamps arrived safely in Germany Tuesday morning.  Wednesday Rev. Koole gave his speech at the Seminary about the Covenant and the controversy over conditions in the covenant. They are now at a church camp in which two small Reformed Congregations will listen to 4 speeches on the importance of church membership and then will worship together at the camp on Sunday. The delegates will be discussing various and practical issues with the Elders of THE BERG this coming week.

This notice was also sent out this week from the Sated Clerk of Synod concerning the upcoming 2017 meeting of the PRC Synod:

Synod Notice:  The pre-synodical service will be held on Monday evening, June 12, at 7:00 p.m., in Hudsonville Protestant Reformed Church.  Rev. G. Eriks, president of Synod 2016, will preach the sermon.  Synod convenes Tuesday morning at 8:00 in Hudsonville PRC.  Synod is scheduled to examine seven senior seminarians with a view to declaring them eligible for a call.  They will preach their specimen sermons on Tuesday - four preaching at Hudsonville PRC and three at Providence PRC.  Their oral exams will take place Wednesday and Thursday - all at Hudsonville PRC.  Graduation is planned for Thursday evening, June 15 at 7:30 in Hudsonville PRC.  Prof. B. Gritters will deliver the commencement address:  "The Ministry: An Existence, Not An Occupation." The pre-synodical service and the graduation will be streamed live at http://hudsonvilleprc.org.

MISSION NEWS:

• On May 28 Rev. C. Haak declined the call from Byron Center PRC to serve as a home missionary.
  
• On May 14 the congregation of Doon PRC voted to extend a call to Rev. H. Bleyenberg to serve as a third missionary to the Philippines. In order to properly consider this call, Rev. Bleyenberg and his wife plan to visit the field for two weeks in June (9-22). We pray God's blessing on them as they leave this week Friday.
  
• From the Provident Christian Church for today we find the following notes concerning our missionaries and their labors today and in this coming week:
  • Rev. Holstege will preach for us in the first service today. In the second service, Rev. Kleyn will preach a sermon to commemorate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. Next Sunday, June 11, Rev. Kleyn will preach in the first service and Rev. Heath Bleyenberg in the second, the Lord willing.
  • The Wednesday night Bible study will meet this week, June 7, at 7:30. Rev. Holstege will continue teaching Heads III/IV of the Canons of Dordt.
  • The Classis of the PRCP is scheduled to meet on Monday, June 12, at the Berean PRC.

 Below are a couple of pictures posted on the Kleyn's blog this past week about a new young people's forum called "Reformed Discussion Table":

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On this final Lord's Day of May 2017 (May 28) we take note of the following news and information from PRC congregations and mission fields:

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS:

• Rev. C. Haak is considering the call from First PRC, Holland MI (received April 30) and plans to answer TODAY. *Update: It was announced that he DECLINED this call.
  
• On May 21 the congregation of Southwest PRC voted to call Rev. N. Decker (Trinity PRC, Hudsonville).
• From Immanuel PRC in Lacombe, AB we find this note: In the light of Rev. Miersma’s impending emeritation, the consistory comes to the congregation with the following trio: Rev. Allen Brummel, Rev. Cory Griess, and Rev. Martin Vander Wal. The congregation will vote TODAY after the afternoon service. *Update: Rev. C. Griess has received this call.
• From several PRC bulletins we may give this update on Rev. Ron Hanko, pastor of Lynden, WA PRC (this is quoted from Grace PRC's bulletin): "Rev. Ron Hanko (Lynden, WA) was able to return home this past Wednesday and continues his long recovery there. The pathology report indicated that the cancer is removed. We rejoice in this goodness of God."

DENOMINATIONAL NEWS:

From the bulletins of Grandville PRC and Faith PRCs we learn about a trip to the BERG in Germany this week:

Rev. Koole and Pat will be flying to Giessen, Germany with Pete and Dorothy Vander Schaaf for two weeks on behalf of the Contact Committee to visit the little Reformed Church with whom our churches have had contact for over 10 years. A range of discussion points will be addressed about issues that separate us yet as churches as well as discussing how they can best be a witness to the Reformed faith in Germany. This coming week-end the delegates will attend a conference of a few small groups struggling to maintain a Reformed presence in Germany. Dave and Dawn Bouwkamp from Faith PRC will also be making and participating in this visit.

MISSION NEWS:

• Rev. C. Haak continues to consider the call from Byron Center PRC to serve as a home missionary. He plans to answer TODAY. *Update: Pastor Haak DECLINED this call.
  
• On May 14 the congregation of Doon PRC voted to extend a call to Rev. H. Bleyenberg to serve as a third missionary to the Philippines. In order to properly consider this call, Rev. Bleyenberg and his wife plan to visit the field for two weeks in June (9-22).
  
• From the Provident Christian Church and Maranatha PRC bulletins for today we find the following notes concerning our missionaries and their labors today and in this coming week:
  • Provident CC:
    • Rev. Kleyn will preach during both worship services today. Rev. Holstege is preaching today in the Maranatha PRC in Valenzuela.
    • The Wednesday night Bible study will meet this week, May 31, at 7:30 pm. Rev. Holstege will lead us in a study of the Canons of Dordt, Heads III/IV.
  • Maranatha PRC:
    
    • Today, Rev. L. Trinidad will lead our First Service and Rev. D. Holstege will lead the Second Service.
    • The regular PRCP Classis meeting is scheduled on June 12, 2017 at BereanPRC at 9:00 a.m..
• The delegation of Rev. Jim Laning and elder John Van Baren (along with their wives) have now completed their labors in Myanmar and have returned safely to the States this past week. If you missed the daily reports of elder Van Baren, you can still read them on the prca.org bulletins page. Select “Mission Stations” and click on “Myanmar Memoirs” for the updates. Look for the picture links too (below are two from one of the many seminars held).

 
Group gathered for one of the seminars on the Reformed doctrine of the church.

Rev. J. Laning and Rev. Titus answering questions after a seminar of the Reformed doctrine of the church.

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On this third Lord's Day of May 2017 (May 21) we may call your attention to the following news and information from PRC congregations and mission fields:

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS:

• Rev. C. Haak is considering the call from First PRC, Holland MI (received April 30). UPDATE: He asked for an extension and now plans to answer on May 28.
  
• On May 14 Rev. G. Eriks (Hudsonville PRC) declined the call from Zion PRC.
  
• The Council of Southwest PRC has formed a new trio from which to call a pastor: 

  Rev. A. Brummel (Heritage PRC, Sioux Falls, SD), Rev. N. Decker (Trinity PRC, Hudsonville), and Rev. J. Mahtani (Cornerstone, Dyer, IN).  A special congregational meeting has been scheduled for Sunday, May 21, immediately following the evening worship service. *UPDATE: Rev. N. Decker has received this call.

• From Immanuel PRC in Lacombe, AB we find this note: In the light of Rev. Miersma’s impending emeritation, the consistory comes to the congregation with the following trio: Rev. Allen Brummel, Rev. Cory Griess, and Rev. Martin Vander Wal. The congregation will vote next Sunday, May 28 after the afternoon service.
  

• From several PRC bulletins we may give this update on Rev. Ron Hanko, pastor of Lynden, WA PRC (this is quoted from Covenant of Grace PRC's bulletin): Rev. R. Hanko continues to recover in Swedish Hospital, Seattle. His recovery this week has gone quite well and he is expected to be able to return home some time this coming week.

MISSION NEWS:

• Rev. C. Haak continues to consider the call from Byron Center PRC to serve as a home missionary. He plans to answer by May 28.
  
• On May 14 the congregation of Doon PRC voted to extend a call to Rev. H. Bleyenberg to serve as a third missionary to the Philippines.
• From the Provident Christian Church and Maranatha PRC bulletins for today we find the following notes concerning our missionaries and their labors today and in this coming week:
  • Provident CC: Rev. Holstege will preach for us in both services today. Rev. Kleyn will preach for the Maranatha PRC. Next Sunday, May 28, Rev. Kleyn plans to preach for PCC and Rev. Holstege at Maranatha.
  • The 7M pastors’ classes will meet this Tuesday, May 23, at Maranatha PRC in Valenzuela.
  • The Wednesday night Bible study will meet this week, May 24, at 7:30 pm. Rev. Holstege will begin Heads 3/4 of the Canons of Dordt.
  • Maranatha PRC: Today, Rev. D. Kleyn will lead our First and Second services. The study of the Church Order will be immediately after the 2nd worship service — Articles 53-55, the Lord willing. The regular monthly consistory meeting will be held this afternoon.
• The delegation of Rev. Jim Laning and elder John Van Baren (along with their wives) have now completed their labors in Myanmar and have returned safely to the States this past week. If you missed the daily reports of elder Van Baren, you can still read them on the prca.org bulletins page. Select “Mission Stations” and click on “Myanmar Memoirs” for the updates. Look for the picture links too (below are two from one of the many seminars held).

 
Group gathered for one of the seminars on the Reformed doctrine of the church.

Rev. J. Laning and Rev. Titus answering questions after a seminar of the Reformed doctrine of the church.

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 On this May 14, 2017 Sunday the following news and information from PRC congregations and mission fields may be noted:

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS:

• Rev. C. Haak is considering the call from First PRC, Holland MI (received April 30). He plans to answer on May 21.
  
• Rev. G. Eriks (Hudsonville PRC) is considering the call from Zion PRC (received April 23).*UPDATE: This morning he announced his DECLINE of this call.
  
• On May 7 Rev. C. Griess (Calvary PRC, Hull, IA) DECLINED THE call from Southwest PRC. The Council has formed a new trio from which to call a pastor: 

  Rev. A. Brummel (Heritage PRC, Sioux Falls, SD), Rev. N. Decker (Trinity PRC, Hudsonville), and Rev. J. Mahtani (Cornerstone, Dyer, IN).  A special congregational meeting has been scheduled for Sunday, May 21, immediately following the evening worship service.

• From several PRC bulletins we may give this update on Rev. Ron Hanko, pastor of Lynden, WA PRC (this is quoted from Loveland's bulletin):

  • Rev. Ron Hanko (Lynden, WA) had extensive surgery Tuesday that lasted more than 8 hours. The surgeon gave a good report with a positive prognosis, although they still await the pathology results. His recovery time is expected to be about 2 weeks of hospitalization followed by another 12 weeks or so, barring any complications. May our heavenly Father continue to sustain the Hanko family, as well as Lynden’s congregation in this trial. “And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it” (I Cor. 12:26).

MISSION NEWS:

• Last Sunday (May 7) the congregation of Byron Center PRC  voted to call Rev. C. Haak to serve as a home missionary. He plans to answer by May 28.
  
• The Council of Doon PRC has formed a new trio for calling a third missionary to the Philippines: Rev. Garry Eriks (Hudsonville PRC), Rev. Clay Spronk (Faith PRC), and Rev. Heath Bleyenberg (Providence PRC). Doon PRC will have a congregational meeting on TODAY to call one of these men. *UPDATE: Rev. H. Bleyenberg received this call.
• From the Provident Christian Church bulletin for today we find the following notes concerning our missionaries and their labors today and in this coming week:
  • Rev. Kleyn will preach in the first service today and Rev. Holstege in the second. The first sermon will look forward to the start of a new season of catechism classes for the children. The second sermon will teach us about “the benevolence fund.”
  • The Wednesday night Bible study is scheduled to meet this week, May 17. Rev. Holstege will discuss Canons of Dordt, Head 2, Rejection of Errors.
  • Catechism Classes for the children will begin this Saturday, May 20 at 9:00 a.m., the Lord willing. All the children are asked to meet briefly with Rev. Kleyn after our second worship service today to collect their catechism materials.
  • Rev. & Sharon Kleyn will be traveling to Southern Negros Occidental this week for classes in Dogmatics and the Church Order with the group of pastors there.
• The delegation of Rev. Jim Laning and elder John Van Baren (along with their wives) have now completed their visits and labors in Myanmar and will be in Singapore today before coming home early this week. If you missed the daily reports of elder Van Baren, you can still read them on the prca.org bulletins page. Select “Mission Stations” and click on “Myanmar Memoirs” for the updates. Look for the picture links too (below is another of one of the many seminars held).

Below is the public report on the meeting of Classis East at Byron Center PRC this week Wednesday, provided by Mr. Gary Boverhof, the Stated Clerk.

May 10, 2017

Byron Center PRC

Classis East met in regular session on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. The churches were each represented by two delegates. Rev. Wm. Langerak was the chairman for this session.

Rev. K. Koole was appointed as the new moderator of Southwest PRC. He replaces Rev. A. denHartog who has been on the west coast assisting our Lynden Church during the illness of Rev. Ron Hanko. Holland PRC, Southwest PRC, and Zion PRC were granted Classical pulpit supply for evening services from June through September, should they be needed.

Classis was informed that a brother intends to appeal to Synod a decision that Classis made during the January 2017 meeting. This decision was regarding admitting non-Protestant Reformed believers to the communion table.

                The new Stated Clerk of Classis East was instructed to send a letter of thanks to Jon Huisken for his 40 plus years of faithful service to Classis East. Further, to place a notice of thanks in the bulletins of Classis East as well as the Standard Bearer.

                Most the day was spent on a protest by a sister protesting the content of various sermons of her pastor. This was appointed to pre-advice committee for recommendations. After thorough deliberations, Classis declared that this protest was illegally before Classis on the basis that her work was not finished with her consistory. Classis appointed the church visitors of Classis East to assist the Consistory and appellant with advice and guidance in their work.

A committee was appointed to digitize the minutes and supplements of Classis East. Due to the scope of this work, the committee is to report to Classis annually with their progress.

Classis approved the expenses for its meeting of $1,268.80. The next meeting of Classis East will be at Grandville PRC on September 13, 2017 at 8:00 AM, Lord willing.

Respectfully Submitted,

Gary Boverhof, Stated Clerk

*UPDATE: On May 16, 2017 the Stated Clerk sent out this special note of thanks concerning the labors of Mr. Jon Huisken, previous Stated Clerk of Classis East:

At the May 10, 2017 meeting of Classis East it was decided to charge the Stated Clerk to send a letter of thanks to Mr. Jon Huisken and a bulletin announcement for his 40 plus years of faithful service as Stated Clerk of Classis East. This is a daunting task to express our thanks for such a monumental gift he has given the churches of Classis East.

Saying thank you for giving of yourself as a selfless laborer to the churches for so many years seams insufficient. Please know that your work has been deeply appreciated as the labor of love that it was for you.

Psalm 90: 17 “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.”

In His service,

Gary Boverhof, Stated Clerk Classis East

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