PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for April 11, 2021

The following are special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this Sunday, April 11, the fifteenth Lord's Day of this year 2021.

Today we gather in worship of our triune God through our Savior Jesus Christ and by the power of His Holy Spirit. May we worship Him in spirit and in truth and give Him the glory due to Him.

Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength. Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. ...The LORD sitteth upon the flood; yea, the LORD sitteth King for ever. The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace. ~ Psalm 29:1,2, 10,11

• 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.
  
  
• Last Sunday Rev. J. Engelsma (Doon PRC, IA) declined the call from Byron Center PRC.
  
  
• Last Sunday Rev. R. Van Overloop (Grace PRC, Standale, MI) received the call from Kalamazoo PRC.
  
  
• Rev. C. Griess (First PRC, Grand Rapids, MI) is considering the call to Hudsonville PRC (received March 28).
  
  
• The Consistory of Wingham PRC (Ontario, CA) announces a new trio from which to call a pastor: Revs. R. Barnhill (Peace PRC, Dyer, IN), S. Regnerus (Lynden WA PRC), and N. Langerak (Crete, IL PRC). The congregation will vote, D.V. , on April 20.

• Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Prof. D.Kuiper and Rev. C. Haak in Byron Center PRC; Prof. R.Cammenga and Rev. J.Slopsema in Hudsonville PRC; Prof. B.Huizinga and Rev. C.Griess in Kalamazoo PRC; Prof. B.Gritters and Rev. R. VanOverloop in Providence PRC. We thank the Lord for this blessing of our church federation to help one another in this need.
  
  May we 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...
  • Randolph PRC has a special presentation this week Friday? Here are the details from her bulletin today: The Evangelism Committee is hosting a Spring Evangelism Lecture this Friday evening at church, at 7:30 P.M.  All are welcome.  Mr. Ron Klaasen from the Trinitarian Bible Society will speak on the King James Version of the Bible and compare it to some popular modern translations as the NIV and ESV.  Please invite family and friends to this event.  For more details, you may visit the link that has been created for this event on our church's Facebook page.  There will be refreshments in the basement after the presentation. If you are in the area, maybe you want to take this in.
  • Prof. D. Engelsma (emeritus, PRC Seminary) did another book interview with Chris Arnzen this past Thursday (April 8) on the national radio program "Iron Sharpens Iron"? The subject was Prof. Engelsma's commentary on The Belgic Confession, published by the RFPA. If you missed the interview, you will find the podcast here.

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS:

PRC Seminary Notices:

• The seminary had its Spring break this past week. We now enter the final four weeks of the semester. Continue to remember the seminary's faculty, students, and staff in your prayers as we approach the final part of the semester.
• The second round of Practice Preaching began on March 29, with Sems. J.Tan and M.Wee delivering their sermons. On Monday, April 12, Sems. M.Koerner and I.Peters will deliver theirs.
• This Thursday afternoon, April 15, Dr. B. Looyenga (Theological School Committee member) will give a lecture on "The Central Flaw in Neo-Kuyperian Theology." This will be held at Southwest PRC, down the hill from seminary. Regrettably, this event is by invitation only.
• The faculty announces that the internship of Seminarian Marcus Wee will take place this summer and fall (July - December) at Faith PRC (Jenison, MI) under Rev. C. Spronk.  Senior student Josiah Tan is preparing to be examined at the 2021 PRC Synod at the request of his home church, Covenant ERC in Singapore.
• The print version of the Fall 2020 issue of the PRTS Journal is now available. The digital copies (pdf & epub) have been posted on the seminary website. Work has now begun on the Spring issue. 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.
• Special Notice for Future Teachers and Ministers: Information for the 2021 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 31st. 

SISTER-CHURCH/MISSION NEWS:

• Covenant ERC, Singapore: 
  • From the "Pastoral Voice" in her bulletin today: At the Good Friday Gospel Meeting, we are glad to see some visitors at that meeting: both loved ones and friends. You have been inviting them to the church to hear the preaching of the gospel. This is a good start to resume doing the work of evangelism. Due to the pandemic, we are constrained by the number of people that could be in church. Now that the restrictions have been lifted, we are able to invite our friends to church. Let us not only invite our friends and loved ones on special occasions, like Good Friday or Christmas, but let’s invite them every week of the year so that we always have visitors to our worship services. Let us be reminded that the gospel is being preached not only on Good Fridays but on every Lord’s Day! Let us make every effort to invite our friends, colleagues and loved ones to church: those unsaved, facing great crisis and those in need to hear the Word of God to address various issues in their life. Invite them! Pray that God in his mercy will be pleased to show them grace and grant unto them eternal life.
    [That's a good reminder for all of us, don't you think?]
  • The February 2021 (#64) issue of Salt Shakers is available. 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" - March 2021! - just our this past week
  • Rev. M.McGeown continues to minister the Word in Limerick until he is able to come to the U.S. to serve Providence PRC. In last week's bulletin he provides this update: The Irish government recently announced some changes to the COVID-19 restrictions, but nothing very significant. From 12 April we may travel within our own county and we may meet with one other household outdoors but not in a private garden. On 4 May the government will review the current ban on in-person religious services.  “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing” (James 1:4).
    
• PRC in the Philippines and her mission work:
  
  • A new Philippine Newsletter was recently released! Read it at the link provided here.
    
  • From Berean PRC in Manila: Rev. Kleyn will lead us in our worship services today via FB live. The live streaming will be available on Berean PRC Facebook page. Rev. Ibe is scheduled to lead us in our worship services next Sunday, D. V. Ptr. Ibe is also scheduled to lead the saints of PPRC in Marikina in their worship services [by classical appointment] today via FB live, D.V.
  • Provident PRC bulletin: The Lord willing, Rev. V. Ibe will bring us God’s Word today via Facebook Live.
  • PRCP Seminary News: Online classes are continuing at present.
  • The Classis of the PRCP met briefly this past Friday, April 9, via Zoom. The Classis decided to reschedule its meeting for this evening, April 11, starting at 6:00 p.m., the Lord willing.
• Myanmar: Hope PRC reports through Rev. Titus that things continue to deteriorate in the country after the military coup last month. Let's remember this pastor and his congregation as well as other Christians as they suffer due to the political unrest in that land.

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

• Rev. R.Kleyn (Covenant of Grace PRC in Spokane, WA) is currently doing a series on the Gospel according to Mark. Today's message is based on Mark 1:40-45 and titled "The Cleansing of the Leper."
  
• 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 (see the attachment to this news post for the latest one - March 2021). 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:

Did you catch the reference to Prof. David Engelsma's work on The Belgic Confession in the news above? You can obtain your own copy 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 has reopened and you are welcome to shop the store in downtown Hudsonville (MI). 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..

This Week's Thought for Contemplation:

In the death and resurrection of Jesus Jehovah is revealed to us as the God of our salvation, who justifies the ungodly. That is the meaning of the name Jesus! But this is not all. In fact, if it were all, He would not be Jesus. Je must not only accomplish that part of salvation that must be done for us, in our behalf, but also that other part that is to be realized within us. Not only our state, our legal status before God, must be changed from one of guilt into one of perfect and everlasting righteousness, also our actual condition must undergo a complete and radical change, such a change as is nothing less than a resurrection from the dead. We must not only be redeemed, but we must also be delivered from sin. We must be changed from death into life, from darkness into light, from rebellious and cursing children of the devil into dear children of God, from the misery and desolation of our natural state into the glory of heavenly perfection. Our whole nature must be radically turned about, so that the image of God is restored in us, and instead of loving the lie we love and do the truth, instead of being slaves of the devil and yielding ourselves as servants of iniquity unto unrighteousness, we follow after righteousness, and instead of being corrupt and rebellious of will and inclination we are consecrated to God. We must receive spiritual eyes to see the things of the kingdom of God, and to recognize Jesus as the revelation of the God of our salvation; and spiritual ears to hear spiritual things, and a spiritual heart to obey the Word of God. And we must receive all these spiritual blessings, not in such manner that after having once received them we now possess them in ourselves, but constantly. We must be united with Christ, that from Him we may live as the branches live out of the vine, as the members live only in organic union with the body. And so we must be preserved even unto the end, and that, too, in the midst of a world in which everything stands opposed to us, and in which the devil, the world, and our flesh constantly try to destroy us. And, finally, we must be glorified. Through death we must pass into heavenly glory, into the ‘first resurrection’ of the building of God, not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. And through the grave we must pass into the glory of the final resurrection, that we may inherit the kingdom of God, which flesh and blood cannot inherit. This corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality, and the image of the earthly which we now bear must be replaced by the image of the heavenly, that in the new heavens and the new earth we may be fit inhabitants of the tabernacle of God that shall be with men.

Herman Hoeksema in The Triple Knowledge, Vol. 1, pp.456-457