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PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for March 7, 2021 (Updated)

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The following are special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this Sunday, March 7, the tenth Lord's Day of this year 2021.

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  • Today is the rest-day fulfilled by our Lord Jesus Christ, who rose from the dead to give all who believe on Him rest from the burden of their sins and the hope of perfect rest in heaven. Celebrating and keeping that rest-day, we worship our triune God and Father in Christ and by His Spirit on this day. In doing so, we also hear the gospel of our Lord, by which we are built up in Him and by which sinners are saved (Rom.1:16).

    If you are visiting 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.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. ~ Matthew 11:28-30

  • The PRC congregations will hold their annual Prayer Day service on Wednesday, March 10 in the evening (a few churches in West Michigan have already held theirs; consult the churches' webpage for details on local time). As we join together to mark the beginning of a new planting/growing season and to confess our dependence on our Father-Creator for all things, including our daily bread, you are cordially invited to join us.

  • Last Sunday Rev. E.Guichelaar (Randolph, WI) declined the call to Kalamazoo PRC.

  • The Council of Byron Center PRC has a trio from which to call a new pastor: Revs. R. Barnhill (Peace PRC), J. Engelsma (Doon PRC), and D. Holstege (missionary to the Philppines). A congregational meeting will be held following the evening service today. UPDATE: Rev. J. Engelsma was called by the congregation.

  • Rev. J.Smidstra (First PRC, Holland, MI) is considering the call to Wingham PRC (received Feb.23).

  • From the Consistory of Bethel PRC: It is with sadness that we announce to the churches that we will be disbanding in the near future, with our final worship services scheduled for Sunday June 27. We also inform you that our pastor, Rev. Dennis Lee, is presently available for a call to any one of our sister-churches.
  • Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Prof. D.Kuiper and Rev. N.Decker in Byron Center PRC; Prof. R.Cammenga and Rev. W.Langerak in Hudsonville PRC; Prof. B.Huizinga and Rev. C.Spronk in Kalamazoo PRC; Prof. B.Gritters and Rev. J.Smidstra in Providence PRC. We thank the Lord for this blessing of our church federation to help one another in this need.

    Let us also continue to pray for all the needs of these vacant congregations, including Wingham PRC, which cannot receive pulpit supply from the U.S. at this time (pandemic travel restrictions), though she has resumed in-person worship services.

  • 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...
    • the Reformed Witness Hour's February 2021 sermon booklet has been published and mailed - but you can get it here too, digitally?! The February messages were given by Rev. R. Kleyn, pastor of Covenant of Grace PRC, and began a series on the Gospel according to Mark. Find these four message in pdf form attached to this news post (click on the news item title, then go all the way to the bottom for the download link). If you would like to be added to the mailing list, send a note to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
    • recently the Perspectives in Covenant Education sent out a special issue to all PRC households in North America with one of the goals being to highlight the work of the Federation?   Sponsored by the Federation of PR School Societies, it added this note: We hope that you enjoyed this special issue as you were able to read about the exciting work going on in our schools.  If you did not receive this special issue but would like a copy, please contact Kyle Bruinooge, executive director, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Peace PRC in Dyer, IN, host of last week's Classis West meeting

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS:

  • Classis West met this past week Wednesday, March 3-4, in Peace PRC, Dyer, IN. For a summary of the decisions, visit this news report. May the Lord be pleased to use these decisions for the good of the churches and the glory of His name.

  • From the Consistory of Bethel PRC: It is with sadness that we announce to the churches that we will be disbanding in the near future, with our final worship services scheduled for Sunday June 27. We also inform you that our pastor, Rev. Dennis Lee, is presently available for a call to any one of our sister-churches.

  • Need for Ministers of the Word: For several years our synods have asked the congregations to remember the need for young men to pursue the calling to serve as ministers of the gospel.  Consistories and parents are urged to encourage young men in whom they see the beginning of the gifts necessary for the ministry. The greatness of the message of the gospel and the greatness of the need for that gospel to be proclaimed makes the need urgent. Also, there is an urgent need for young men because of the number of vacant congregations and the number of current ministers retiring because of increasing weariness of age. Cease not to ask the King of the church to provide.

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PRC Seminary Notices:

  • The seminary has now completed seven weeks of its second semester, and things continue to go well, for which we give our faithful Father thanks. Students have begun taking mid-term exams in some of their classes. The schedule and calendar have been posted on the seminary's website here. Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, we are not allowing class auditors/visitors again this semester, which we deeply regret. Continue to remember the seminary's faculty, students, and staff in your prayers.
  • The first round of practice preaching has now been completed, with Josiah Tan, Marcus Wee, Matt Korner, and Isaac Peters delivering their sermons in the last two weeks.
  • Sem. Marcus Wee (finishing his junior year) will be doing his internship this summer and fall in Faith PRC (Jenison, MI) under Rev. C.Spronk and the Consistory.
  • The print version of the Fall 2020 issue of the PRTS Journal came back from the publisher the last week of February and was mailed out a week ago. Look for your copy soon! The digital copies (pdf & epub) have now been posted on the seminary website. If you wish to be added to our mailing list, please call or email the seminary.
  • For the latest seminary news and information, visit the seminary's website.

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Issue #64 of Salt Shakers is available! See note below.

SISTER-CHURCH/MISSION NEWS:

  • Covenant ERC, Singapore: 
    • From the "Pastoral Voice" in her bulletin today: The Evangelism Committee is organising the Good Friday Gospel Meeting (2 April 2021, Good Friday holiday) in church at 10.30 a.m. The theme of the Gospel Meeting is “The Only Saviour: The Despised Man of Sorrows”. Prof Dykstra is the speaker. Do take this opportunity during the pandemic to share the gospel and to bring your friends and relatives to the Gospel Meeting.
    • The December 2020 "Reformed News Asia" is the most recent issue published (#63). Read that issue here.
    • A new issue of Salt Shakers is out - February 2021, #64! Be sure to read the varied and profitable articles - especially the young people!
  • Covenant PRC, N. Ireland and her Limerick, Ireland mission:
    • Rev. A. Stewart continues to minister the Word to the saints in Ballymena.
    • Read the latest issue of the "Covenant Reformed News" - February 2021!
    • Rev. M.McGeown continues to minister the Word in Limerick until he is able to come to the U.S. to serve Providence PRC.
    • Sadly, because of COVID uncertainty, the British Reformed Fellowship Family Conference has been rescheduled from this summer (2021) to July 9-16, 2022. Profs. David Engelsma and Brian Huizinga will develop the glorious truth of "Union With Christ" at Castlewellan Castle, N. Ireland. More details are online (http://brfconference.weebly.com).
  • PRC in the Philippines and her mission work:
    • From Berean PRC in Manila: Rev. R.Smit is leading her in-person services today. Rev. Ibe and Elder Alex Oriarte are scheduled to visit the saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship (AGPRF), Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija on March 06-07, 2021. Rev. Ibe will lead them in their worship service and in their Bible study in the book of Ephesians, the Lord willing.
    • From the Bulacan PRC: The PRC in Bulacan’s Council oformed the following duo from which to call for first missionary of the PRCP: Rev. J. Flores and Rev. V. Ibe. We plan to call on Sunday, March 14th 2021 after our second service.
    • Provident PRC bulletin: Rev. J.Flores will lead both of our worship services and preach for us today.
    • PRCP Seminary News: The PRCP Seminary has begun second semester classes, which are being taught via the Internet.
    • The Classis of the PRCP met on Thursday, February 25. The Classis was not able to complete its work and plans to meet again on April 1, D.V.

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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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  • Rev. R.Kleyn (Covenant of Grace PRC in Spokane, WA) has returned to the program (for the next four months) and begins a series on the Gospel According to Mark. Today's message is based on Mark 1:16-20 and titled "The First Disciples Are Called."
  • Listen to the broadcast on the station near you, on your favorite podcast (Google Music, Spotify, and iTunes), or visit the links provided here to listen to this program. Have you listened lately?
  • 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.).

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REFORMED RESOURCES FOR EDIFICATION, EDUCATION, and EVANGELISM:

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Want to learn about a relatively unknown Reformed church forefather? Check out this new title from the RFPA here!

  • Want 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Reformed Book Outlet news:

    The Reformed Book Outlet will be closed March 3-10 to do inventory and to make some changes to how the store is set up. We will open up again, Lord willing, on March 11. If you have any needs during this time, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and we look forward to seeing you when the store opens back up again!

This Week's Thought for Contemplation:

The death of the Son of God is the only and most perfect sacrifice and satisfaction for sin; and is of infinite worth and value, abundantly sufficient to expiate the sins of the whole world.
This death derives its infinite value and dignity from these considerations, because the person who submitted to it was not only really man, and perfectly holy, but also the only begotten Son of God, of the same eternal and infinite essence with the Father and the Holy Spirit, which qualifications were necessary to constitute him a Savior for us; and because it was attended with a sense of the wrath and curse of God due to us for sin.
Moreover, the promise of the gospel is, that whosoever believeth in Christ crucified, shall not perish, but have everlasting life. This promise, together with the command to repent and believe, ought to be declared and published to all nations, and to all persons promiscuously and without distinction, to whom God out of his good pleasure sends the gospel.

Articles 3-5 of Head II of the Canons of Dordt (1618-19), "Of the Death of Christ, and the Redemption of Men Thereby"

Last modified on 08 March 2021

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