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PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for July 4, 2021

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The following are special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this Sunday, July 4, the twenty-seventh Lord's Day of this year 2021.

Psa 12 5Today, as members of Christ's body, we gather in worship to bring our praise and thanks to our triune God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for all His gifts, especially the gift of salvation full and free through His Son. Through the work of our Lord's Spirit may we give our glorious God the honor due His name. May these words of the psalmist be ours:

Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. ...For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him. The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever. ~ Psalm 12:1,5-7

  • 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.

  • Last Sunday Rev. R. Barnhill (Peace PRC) declined the call to Kalamazoo PRC.

  • Rev. J. Engelsma (Doon PRC, IA) is considering the call from Crete PRC (IL - received June 13). He plans to answer by July 11.

  • The PRC Synod extended a call to Rev. C.Griess (pastor of First PRC, Grand Rapids, MI) to serve as professor in the PRC Seminary, replacing Prof. B. Gritters in the area of Practical Theology and NT Studies. He plans to answer by July 11.
  • Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Rev. D.Lee in Crete PRC (IL);  Prof. D.Kuiper and Prof. B.Huizinga in First PRC-Holland; Sem. M.Koerner and Cand. J.Tan in Hudsonville PRC;  Prof. B.Huizinga and Rev. N.Decker in Kalamazoo PRC; Rev. J.Slopsema and Rev. B.Langerak in Providence PRC. What a privilege and blessing of our church federation it is to be able to help one another in this need!

    May we also remember 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).

  • 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...
    • First PRC of Holland is having a special congregational meeting this week Thursday (July 8) to consider a church expansion proposal from her Long Range Planning Committee? That is a good sign of growth in that congregation!
    • At least two of our West Michigan congregations choose and install their officebearers in the middle of the summer? Byron Center and Unity PRCs both installed new officebearers today. And, don't forget our sister in Singapore! (See note below) Are we remembering to pray for our elders and deacons along with our pastors and missionaries?

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS:

  • PRC Synod 2021: The delegates and advisors met from June 9-17. For the daily reports on synod's work and decisions, visit this page. The printed PRC Acts of Synod 2021 and Yearbook is being worked on and should be available sometime this summer.
  • Revs. D. Lee and J. Marcus are eligible for calls in the PRC and her sister churches. Let us remember them in prayer as they await new charges.

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PRC Seminary Notices:

  • The seminary is now in her spring/summer break. Continue to pray for the seminary in all her needs. The faculty keeps busy with preparation for the next term as well as with other activities, and many of the students return to their summer jobs. The staff is present to assist with any needs you may have. The seminary, including the library and bookstore, will be open daily during the summer months, except for holidays (M-F, 8-5).
  • The PRC Synod extended a call to Rev. C.Griess (pastor of First PRC, Grand Rapids, MI) to serve as professor in the PRC Seminary, replacing Prof. B. Gritters in the area of Practical Theology and NT Studies. He plans to answer by July 11.
  • Coming this Fall! Seminary Conference:  What is preaching?  What does it mean to preach the gospel?  How does one preach the commands of Scripture?  What is application in preaching?  Make plans now to hear four speeches by the seminary professors, under the conference theme "The Lord Gave the Word: Preaching the Gospel."  The conference will be hosted by Trinity PRC, on the late afternoon and evening of October 28 and 29.  More details will follow.
  • Senior student Josiah Tan (Covenant ERC, Singapore) was examined at the PRC Synod (June 8-10) and approved as a candidate for the ministry in his home church, Covenant ERC in Singapore, as well as in the PRC. We rejoice with the brother and his wife in God's goodness and pray that he will soon find a place to serve in Christ's church. He plans to leave the U.S. on July 12.
  • The internship of Seminarian Marcus Wee (Covenant ERC, Singapore) started this past week and will run through the end of the year (July - December). He has been assigned to Faith PRC (Jenison, MI) with Rev. C. Spronk serving as his mentor. 
  • Sem. Matt Koerner (entering his junior year) has been licensed to speak a word of edification in the churches. As of May 30 he has begun preaching in various PRCs, including out west this summer.
  • Work continues on the Spring 2021 issue of the PRTS Journal. 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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SISTER-CHURCH/MISSION NEWS:

  • Covenant ERC, Singapore and her Kolkata, India mission work:
    • From the "Pastoral Voice" in her bulletin today: We can be thankful to our faithful Covenant God, who once again has provided newly-elected office-bearers, both Elders and Deacon to serve Him for another term. [to be installed July 25] Also, we ought not to forget those who have served Him for several terms in the office. We thank the Lord for you, Brothers. 
    • The April 2021 issue of Salt Shakers is the latest one available. Visit the link to read the edifying articles. Especially are young people are encouraged to do so!

  • Covenant PRC, N. Ireland and her Limerick, Ireland mission:
    • Rev. A. Stewart continues to minister the Word to the saints in Ballymena. Today he is leading the final services of the Reformed Fellowship in Limerick, Ireland, while Rev. M.McGeown brings the Word in CPRC.
    • The May and June 2021 issues of the "Covenant Reformed News" were recently published. Follow the link to read the latest profitable articles.
    • Limerick Reformed Fellowship: last Sunday was Rev. McGeown’s last Sunday preaching for the Limerick Reformed Fellowship. Rev. McGeown preached his first sermon in Limerick on 25 July 2010 on Romans 1:16 (“Not Ashamed of the Gospel”) and preached his final sermon in Limerick on the same text. Rev. and Larisa would like to thank the saints of the Limerick Reformed Fellowship, including those who have already moved to Northern Ireland to join the CPRC in Ballymena, for their friendship, support, and fellowship in the Lord over many years. “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:3-6).
  • PRC in the Philippines and her mission work:
    • The latest Philippines' Newsletter may be found here.
    • Berean PRC bulletin: Rev. R.Smit led the services today. ...live streaming of our worship services will be available on Berean PRC Facebook page. Rev. Ibe and elder Penaverde are scheduled to visit the saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship (AGPRF), Gabaldon, Nueva Ecijaon Saturday (July 3-4, 2021).Rev. Ibe will lead them in their worship service and Bible study on the book of Ephesians 2:1-10, D.V.
    • Provident PRC bulletin: The elders will lead our worship services today using video sermons from the PRCA. May the Lord bless and strengthen them as they do so. ...The Lord willing, Rev. Kleyn will preach and teach today in the Bearers of Light Community Church in Guiguinto, an outreach work of our congregation.Today he is up to Lord’s Day 17 of the Heidelberg Catechism, and also Articles 22-23 of Church Order.

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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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  • As the month of July begins, the speaker changes to Rev. C.Haak (Georgetown PRC in Hudsonville, MI), whose series on the book of Nehemiah is will be featured for the rest of the summer. Today's message is based on Nehemiah 1 and titled "When I heard, I Wept and Prayed."
  • 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. Are you are regular listener? If not, why not start today!
  • 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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Are you a Beacon Lights subscriber and reader? Designed for PRC young people, the magazine is also profitable for children and adults. Visit the BL website for more information, and to read past issues. And, don't forget about their summer writing contest!

  • 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.

  • The Reformed Book Outlet is open and you are welcome to shop the store in downtown Hudsonville (MI). The RBO is running their annual Summer Reading Challenge for both kids and adults, from June 22-August 21. Stop by the store to pick up a sheet to fill out and return for a prize! Just a reminder that our hours are now Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 10-5 and Saturday 10-1.

The Threat of Hyper-Calvinism

This Week's Thoughts for Contemplation

Another betrayal of the spirit of hyper-Calvinism is embarrassment and hesitation, that is, fear, over giving the call “Repent! Believe!” and over declaring the promise “Whosoever believes shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” This language is not suspect. It is not the language of Arminian free-willism. It is pure, sound, biblical language. It is as much a part of the Reformed heritage as is the statement of divine, double predestination. We must take care that we do not concede precious elements of the gospel to the Arminians. Because they have seized on certain elements of the scriptures, have wrenched them out of their proper setting, force them into the service of their false gospel, and thus wrest them to their own destruction, we may not abandon those elements. Rather, we must continue to honor them as part of God’s revelation and must continue to give them their necessary place in the proclamation of the word. There is no Arminian text in the scriptures nor one Arminian word. No more than we renounce love because the liberals abuse it do we downgrade the external call of the gospel and slight the promiscuous publication of the promise because heretics construct a message of salvation by the will of man from a perversion of them.

If the fruit of the preaching of the gospel is that men, pricked in their hearts, cry out, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” or that a Philippian jailor says, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” it is not in place, it is not typically Reformed, to launch into a fierce polemic against free will or to give a nervous admonition against supposing that one can do anything toward his own salvation. The answer to such questions, the Reformed answer, is “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,” and “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” (Acts 2:38; 16:31).

Excerpt from Prof. D.Engelsma's book Hyper-Calvinism and the Call of the Gospel found on the RFPA blog this past week. The book is 50% off the entire month of July.

Last modified on 05 July 2021