PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for October 25, 2020

The following are special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this Sunday, October 25, 2020, the forty-third Lord's Day of this year.

• Last Sunday (Oct.18) Rev. J. Engelsma (Doon PRC) declined the call from Hudsonville PRC.
  
  
• Rev. C. Spronk (Faith PRC) announced his decline of the call from Wingham PRC this morning. May the Lord provide for all the needs of this congregation as she awaits another undershepherd to labor among her.
  
  
• The Consistory of Cornerstone PRC (Dyer, IN) has formed a new trio from which to call a pastor. It consists of Revs. J. Smidstra (First PRC, Holland), A. Spriensma (PRC home missionary), and C. Spronk (Faith PRC).
  
  
• Providence PRC, in her bulletin today, reported on this update from Rev. M. McGeown (her pastor-elect in Limerick): Because of the Level 5 lockdown​ in the Republic of Ireland Rev McGeown's immigration appointmentscheduled for 6 November has been cancelled. The US Consulate advised the McGeowns that they would beoffering no routine appointments during the lockdown. The next available appointment is 8 March 2021 and theMcGeowns do not qualify for an expedited appointment. Please remember the McGeowns and the remainingsaints of the Limerick Reformed Fellowship in your prayers, and let us wait on the Lord to bring Rev. and Larisa McGeown to us in His own good time.
  
  
• Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Rev. R. VanOverloop in Cornerstone PRC; Prof. R. Cammenga and Prof. B.Huizinga in Hudsonville PRC; Prof. R.Dykstra and Rev. C. Haak in Kalamazoo PRC; Prof. B.Gritters and Rev. C.Spronk in Providence PRC. What a blessing that our PRC federation gives such help to these churches! May we also bring to the throne of grace the needs of these vacant congregations, including Wingham PRC, which cannot have pulpit supply from the U.S. at this time (pandemic travel restrictions).
   
• For those who may still be limited to house worship, whether completely or partially, we invite you to visit the PR churches page and follow the links to the websites where the churches' livestream may be found. Or you may visit the selected audio sermon page and listen to one of your choice there.
  
  
• Did you know that:
  
  • These churches are holding Reformation Day lectures this year: Crete PRC, Edgerton PRC, and Pittsburgh PRC? Below are the details:
    

    • The Crete PRC Evangelism Committee is hosting the annual Reformation Day Lecture on October 30, at 7:00 p.m. Professor Huizinga will speak on “Of God, Through God, To God: Our Covenant Doctrine as Protestant Reformed Churches”. We look forward to seeing you there.

    • The Evangelism Committee of Edgerton PRC invites you to come to the fall lecture on Friday, October 30, at 7:30 PM. The lecture will be held at Bethel CRC with Professor Kuiper speaking on the topic “How Rightly to See Christ in Scripture.”
    • Pittsburgh PRC: Reserve next week Friday, November 6 at 7 PM for our annual Reformation Day lecture. Rev. Bruinsma will speak on "A Reformed Perspective of John Wesley."
  •  the Doon PRC young people are hosting their annual Reformation Day Singspiration next Sunday night, Nov.1, at 7:45 (local time)? Wonderful opportunity to praise God for the gospel of sovereign grace!

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS:

• 2020 edition of the Church Order: The 2020 edition of the ring-bound Church Order book is now available and may be ordered through the PRC Seminary (616-531-1490). As per synodical decision, these books are updated every five years to incorporate new synodical decisions affecting them. In addition to the Church Order, this book also contains such things as the Constitutions of all synodical committees, the Rules of Synodical Procedure, the Explanation of the Rules for Protests/Appeals/Overtures and the denomination's Articles of Incorporation and By-laws. All these are of most practical use to the office bearers. But, all of our families would do well to cultivate a knowledge of and interest in Protestant Reformed church polity. If you already have the six-ring green binder, you need only order the new inserts ($4.00). The inserts with the binder with the 2020 edition is $10.00. Payment can be made to the PRCA after you receive your materials.

Special PRC Seminary Notices:

• Seminary has now completed nine weeks of its first semester. This week Thursday and Friday  (Oct.29,30) are the annual "reading recess." Remember in prayer the professors, students, and staff as they labor in the task of training men for the ministry of the Word. And remember to petition the Lord of the harvest to send us more men who heed the call to serve as His ambassadors.
• Two of the professors will be giving Reformation Day lectures this week, both on Friday evening, Oct.30: Prof. B. Huizinga in Crete PRC and Prof. D. Kuiper in Edgerton PRC.
• *Notice of Licensure.  The faculty has licensed student Marcus Wee to speak a word of edification in our churches.  Brother Wee is a member of our sister church, Covenant Evangelical Reformed Church in Singapore.  We rejoice at this milestone in the brother’s preparation for the ministry of the gospel.  Any scheduling of him to lead worship services will be through the seminary faculty.  This also provides us with an opportunity to impress upon our churches and sister churches the great need that we have for students for the ministry.  Let us pray the Lord of the harvest to raise up laborers in His vineyard, Matthew 9:37-38.  For the faculty, Prof. Ron Cammenga, Rector.
• The second round of practice preaching is scheduled for Nov.16 and 23. Pray for the students as they prepare for this vital part of their training.
• The Fall issue of the PRTS Journal is being planned and prepared. In the meantime the Spring issue may be found at the link provided, with plenty of good reading material in it.
• For several years, the seminary faculty have permitted auditors to audit some classes. The presence and input of the auditors has been appreciated. With regret, because of COVID restrictions, the faculty is not inviting any auditors this semester. This decision will be reviewed at the end of the semester with a view to Interim 2021 and the second semester.
• For the latest seminary news and information, visit the seminary's website.

SISTER-CHURCH/MISSIONS NEWS:

• Covenant ERC, Singapore: 
  • From today's "Pastoral Voice" in her bulletin: Oct 31 is just round the corner. Its Reformation day! Although in this year, we are not going to celebrate the Reformation, due to the pandemic of Covid19, it will not be amiss to revisit the Reformation’sRecovery of worship. Such a recovery was developed by John Calvin. He developed the great principle of Reformed liturgy - the regulative principle of worship. This means that we worship God in no otherwise than what He has commanded us in His Word. Thus, God, not man determines how He shall be worshipped. Man does not have the liberty to add any element into the worship of God, including those which God has not expressly forbidden in His Word. It must be clearly and explicitly taught in Scripture.
  • And concerning her missionary and his work in Kolkata, India, a recent CERC bulletin had this note: Continue to remember our brothers and sisters in CERC Kolkata Fellowship. We have heard from Pastor Emmanuel that they are presently negotiating to rent a place, close to previous place, for worship. This place is much bigger than previous one. Pray that the Lord will help them to secure this place. Do continue to remember our Missionary Pastor in your prayer as he cares for the saints in Kolkata.
  • The last issue of "Reformed News Asia" is the August 2020 one, #61). Read that issue here.
• Covenant PRC, N. Ireland:
  • Rev. A. Stewart continues to minister the Word to the saints assembled in Ballymena.
  • Missionary-pastor M. McGeown reports that Ireland is once again under lockdown and online services only will be held for the near future. For the latest update on his process to immigrate to the U.S., see the note above relating to Providence PRC.
  • Be sure to read the latest issue of the "Covenant Reformed News" - September 2020!
• PRC in the Philippines:
  
  • With strict government limitations on public gatherings still in place due to the pandemic (Metro Manila and nearby provinces are now under the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) through October 31), the PRCP pastors and the PRC missionaries carry on with livestreaming of services as well as with online catechism classes and Bible studies. Pray for them and the saints there as they continue to live and labor under these tight restrictions yet.
  • PRCP Seminary News: Let us continue to pray for our seminary instructors and students. “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (II Tim. 2:15). [Provident PRC bulletin]
  • The PRCP Classis is scheduled to meet  this week Saturday, October 31, at the Provident PRC Marikina City at 9:00 in the morning. Lord willing.
  • The last PRCP newsletter was published this summer - don't forget to read the August 2020 report!

Listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday - on a radio station near you or on Sermonaudio wherever you are!

• Rev. W. Bruinsma (Pittsburgh PRC) is delivering the messages on the program for the next four months (Oct.-Jan 2021). Today he continues a series on 1 Corinthians with a message titled "Declaring the Testimony of God," based on 1 Corinthians 2:1-5.
  
• Listen to the broadcast on the station near you, on your favorite podcast (Google Play, Spotify, and iTunes), or visit the links provided here to listen to this program.
• 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 Commitee 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.).
  

• Special notices for October: 

  The Reformed Witness Hour is pleased to announce that beginning this month we are adding a new broadcast time on Wednesday evenings at 8PM on WFUR-FM 92.9/AM1570 (Grand Rapids, MI).  The RWH will also continue to broadcast at our normal time slot on Sundays at 4PM. We encourage you to listen if you are able, and to promote the broadcast to family and friends when you have the opportunity.
  

  The Reformed Witness Hour is pleased to announce that beginning this month we are adding a new broadcast in the Kalamazoo area at 4PM each Sunday on WKPR-FM 105.1/AM1440. We encourage you to listen if you are able, and to promote the broadcast to family and friends.

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REFORMED RESOURCES FOR EDIFICATION, EDUCATION, and EVANGELISM:

Looking for things to read in this month of remembering the great Reformation of the sixteenth century? Check out this section of articles on the website, all devoted to the Reformers and God's work through them in His church.

• For sound, distinctively Reformed literature on a variety of subjects and for all ages - including Reformation titles!, visit the Reformed Free Publishing Association website or stop in at their Jenison (Michigan) location.
  
  
• Be sure to check out the Reformed Book Outlet in downtown Hudsonville, MI and online! As a reminder, their hours of business are currently Tuesday 10-1, Wednesday 1-5, and Saturday 10-1, or send your order to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

• Are you seeking 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.
  
  

This Week's Thought for Contemplation:

“But God…” These two words in and of themselves contain the whole gospel! They tell us what God has done in what was otherwise a hopeless and helpless situation. The word “but” looks back at the situation described in verses 1-3. What a deplorable, desperate, and heinous condition. “But God…” This is the intervention that makes all the difference. We are now united to Christ and enjoy a wonderful, powerful Christian life. Ours is not the hope that the world will get better; it will not! It is not the case that with more education people will progress in their lives. Nor can a change come because we are willing to change. “But God” is the subject for the whole sentence that began in verse 1, “And you who were dead in trespasses and sins.” What a wonderful and beautiful contrast is set forth before us by divine intervention!

“But God” is the subject of the sentence and the predicate is found in verse 5 and 6: “hath quickened us…hath raised us up…and made us to sit in heavenly places.” Apart from God’s intervention, we were hopeless and helpless; “dead in trespasses and sins.” God by His Spirit quickened us in regeneration. God raised us up with Christ. This means that when God raised His Son from the dead, we were in Christ and were raised with Him to new life! Why? As we once were in Adam as our head and representative, God gave His Son to be our new head and representative. What is Christ’s is ours! As Christ ascended into heaven, so His church is also spiritually in heaven. That is where our citizenship is. This will be fully realized at our death. Our souls go up to heaven to rule with Christ. When Christ comes against, they bodily we will ascend up into the new heavens and new earth.

From Rev. A. Spriensma's meditation on Ephesians 2 this past week,"The Great Divine Intervention."