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PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for September 12, 2021 *(Updated)

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The following are special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this Sunday, September 12, the thirty-seventh Lord's Day of this year 2021.

Psa22 27Today on this new Lord's Day, as God's redeemed and renewed people, we gather publicly in worship to bring our praise and thanks to our triune God for all His gifts, especially the gift of full salvation from sin and unto everlasting life through His Son. By the Holy Spirit's work in our hearts and minds may we give our glorious God the honor due His name. With David and our Lord Jesus Christ may we declare,

I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee. Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel. For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard. My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him. ~ Psalm 22:22-25

  • 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. M.DeBoer (Edgerton MN PRC) declined the call from Kalamazoo (MI) PRC and Rev. R. Barnhill (Peace PRC, Dyer, IN) declined the call from Doon PRC. May the Lord continue His care for these flocks and provide them under-shepherds in His time.

  • This Wednesday, September 15, a special worship service for the installation of Rev. C. Griess as professor of theology in the Protestant Reformed Theological Seminary will be held in Southwest PRC at 7 p.m. Prof. B. Gritters will lead the service. Seminary convocation will also be included with a time of fellowship afterwards. The link to the live-streaming of the service can be found at southwestprc.org. In addition, the seminary with its most recent addition (new archives room) and renovations (library and professor offices) will be open for viewing. Refreshments will be served at the church and at the seminary. Come up the hill and see the changes!

  • The Council of Covenant of Grace PRC (Spokane, WA) has a trio from which to call a pastor: Rev. R. Barnhill (Peace PRC), Rev. E.Guichelaar (Randolph PRC) and Rev. D. Holstege (Missionary, Philippines). The congregational meeting is planned for today after the evening service. Rev. R.Kleyn will be preaching his farewell on Sept.19 and moving with his family the next day, Lord willing. UPDATE: Rev. Barnhill has received this call.

  • The Council of Hudsonville PRC has formed a new trio of Revs. E. Guichelaar, C.Haak, and D.Lee. The congregational meeting will be held on September 19, after the evening service.

  • UPDATE: At Doon PRC's Council meeting this past week, the following trio was made: Rev. Nathan Decker (Grandville PRC), Rev. Erik Guichelaar (Randolph PRC), and Rev. Clayton Spronk (Faith PRC). A congregational meeting has been scheduled for Sept 19 after the evening service.
  • Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Rev. E.Guichelaar in Doon (IA) PRC; Prof. D.Kuiper and Prof. R.Cammenga  in First PRC-GR; Prof. B.Gritters and Sem. M.Koerner in Grace PRC; Prof. R.Cammenga and Rev. W.Langerak in Hudsonville PRC;  Prof. B.Huizinga and Rev. D.Noorman in Kalamazoo PRCWe thank the Lord for this blessing of our church federation and the privilege to be able to help one another in this need.

  • 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.

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS:

  • Classis East met this past week Wednesday at Grandville PRC. Among other business, Classis treated a request from Trinity PRC's consistory to proclaim a Day of Prayer in the churches of Classis East on Nov. 2, 2021. A ground for this decision was "Our churches are experiencing great affliction at the present.... This great affliction is evidenced by the ongoing schism that has torn apart the body of Christ, the great need that we as a denomination have for ministers of the Word, and other ongoing afflictions as well." Classis also approved the request from members of Wingham PRC to implement Art. 38 of the Church Order and reconstitute a consistory, thus reorganizing the congregation. The synodical deputies concurred with the decision. Unity PRC was appointed to carry out the reorganization of the congregation. We thank God for His faithfulness in preserving the congregation there and pray that He continues to sustain them.
  • Crete PRC will be hosting Classis West, September 29 and the Council has decided to host an Officerbearers' Conference on September 28 at church.  The theme of the conference will be "Sanctification - the Blessed Work of Christ's Spirit".  Our speakers will be Revs. S. Key speaking on "The Spirit of Freedom,'' M.Kortus speaking on "Be Ye Holy: the Doctrine of Sanctification from Leviticus," and J. Engelsma speaking on "In the Way of Our Obedience."  All are welcome to attend.
  • PRC Synod 2021: The delegates and advisors met from June 9-17. The printed PRC Acts of Synod 2021 and Yearbook are now available. Orders to the congregations are being filled and you should have your copy soon. If not, contact the seminary.
  • Synod 2021 instructed the Stated Clerk to include in his letter to the churches a notice of the urgent need for seminary students (Art. 73). The urgency arises from the number of vacant churches, the need for our denomination to fulfill the calling of home missions, the age of some of our older ministers, and the next potential graduate from our seminary is two years away. Let us remember this need for men to proclaim the good news of forgiveness in Jesus Christ in our public and private prayers. Also, consistories should always be ready to encourage any young man in your congregation who has some of the gifts for the ministry.
  • Revs. D. Lee and J. Marcus (both now living in West Michigan) are eligible for calls in the PRC and her sister churches. Let us remember them in prayer as they await new charges.

DLee chapel Sept 2021
Rev. D.Lee leading chapel at seminary last week.

PRC Seminary Notices:

  • This past week the seminary completed its third week of the new school year (2021-22). We thank the Lord for His goodness and blessing to this point. Remember to pray for faculty, students, and staff as they busy themselves in the day-to-day work. The semester schedule and calendar have been posted on the seminary's website.
  • Rev. D.Lee led the weekly chapel this past week. On the other days, Sem. Arend Haveman (2nd year) led in devotions.
  • Don't forget that the seminary library and bookstore are open daily (M-F, 8-5) for any of your book and Bible needs. The staff is available to assist with any needs you may have.
  • This Wednesday, September 15, a special worship service for the installation of Rev. C. Griess as professor of theology in the Protestant Reformed Theological Seminary will be held in Southwest PRC at 7 p.m. Prof. B. Gritters will lead the service. Seminary convocation will also be included with a time of fellowship afterwards. The link to the live-streaming of the service can be found at southwestprc.org. In addition, the seminary with its most recent addition (new archives room) and renovations (library and professor offices) will be open for viewing. Refreshments will be served at the church and at the seminary. Come up the hill and see the changes!
  • 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.
  • 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:
    • The "pastoral voice" section of the bulletin is now being written by her new pastor, Rev. J. Tan. Here is a small part of his reflections this week:
      Beloved in our Lord, our God is Spirit, let us come today to His house and worship Him in spirit and in truth! Worship is a spiritual matter. It involves all of our being, heart, soul and mind. So we worship God in spirit, by the power of the Spirit of Christ that lives in us. God also has told us how we are to worship him. So we worship him in truth. Worshiping God in spirit without truth is mysticism. Worshiping God in truth without spirit is dead formalism and orthodoxy. May God grant twice this Lord’s day, by His grace, to extol and praise our glorious God with our whole being and according to His word.
  • Covenant PRC, N. Ireland:
    • Rev. A.Stewart continues to bring the word faithfully to his flock in Ballymena.
    • Be sure to check out the lastest edition of "Covenant Reformed News" (August 2021). Follow the link to read the latest profitable articles.

  • PRC in the Philippines and her mission work:
    • Berean PRC bulletin: Rev. V.Ibe will lead us in the preaching of the Word today via live streaming, D.V. ...In line with the restriction (MECQ) imposed by the National government in NCR from Sept. 7 -15, 2021, we are not still able to meet and worship God in our church building, today and thus, the preaching of God’s Word will be live-streamed on our Facebook page.
      The saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship (AGPRF), Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija will join us in our worship services via live streaming at our Facebook page today, D.V.
    • Provident PRC bulletin: Due to the ongoing quarantines, we are again unable to meet all together for worship today. We pray that God will be pleased to bring all of us together again soon each Lord’s Day. Rev. R.Smit will lead our worship today. The live-streaming will be available on the “PPRC and Friends” Facebook page. May God bless and edify each of us spiritually by means of His Word and Spirit.
    • Read the last PRC missions newsletter - July 2021.
    • PRCP Seminary Instruction: A new semester of seminary instruction began on August 10 for our seminary student, Bro. Ace Flores. However, because of ongoing Enhanced Community Quarantine in Metro Manila, ...the original plan for this semester has been reorganized (no in-person instruction but online).

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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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  • For the months of July, August, and September Rev. C.Haak (Georgetown PRC in Hudsonville, MI) is the featured speaker, with focus on his series on the book of Nehemiah. Today's message is based on Nehemiah 9:32-38 and titled "Let Not Out Trouble Seem Little to Thee."
  • 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 Committee 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

The Marks of a True Church — Gospel Life Mission Church

What are the distinguishing marks of a true church of Jesus Christ? How do I know where I belong? Read this resource (especially for young people!) and learn to discern.

  • 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). Hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday (10-5), and Saturday (10-1).

This Week's Thought for Contemplation

The Reformed faith follows the practice of the baptism of believers. This has consistently been the practise of Reformed believers from the day of John Calvin. This baptism is based upon the truth of God’s covenant—established in the line of the generations of believers. Not all those baptised are saved (Esau who received the sign of circumcision was not saved [Rom. 9:13]). But because God establishes His covenant in the line of generations (Gen. 17:7; Acts 2:39), these also receive the sign of that covenant and of the righteousness which is by faith. This is consistent also with the practices of the apostles who baptised believers and their households (Acts 16:15; I Cor. 1:16; Acts 11:14; Acts 16:31).

Taken from Rev. R.Hanko's pamphlet "What Is the Reformed Faith?"

Last modified on 13 September 2021

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