PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for May 29, 2022 *(Updated)

Below you will find special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this twenty-first Sunday of our Lord's year 2022, May 29.

Because our Lord is risen from the dead on the third day, as He promised, today, on this first day of the week, we gather in worship as members of our living Savior's church. With gratitude and gladness we bring our praise to our triune God for fully accomplishing our salvation in His Son and by His Spirit. We cordially invite you to join us in worship on this day and on any Sunday.

Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication. Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise; Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me. My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me. Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me. And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. ~ Psalm 55:1-6

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.

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS

• Rev. J. Smidstra (First PRC-Holland) is considering the call to Hudsonville PRC (received May 11). He plans to reply next Sunday, June 5.
  
  
• Last Sunday Grace PRC voted to extend a call to Rev. E. Guichelaar (Randolph PRC). He intends to answer by June 19.
  
  
• The Council of Doon PRC has formed a new trio of Rev. J. Holstege (Zion PRC), Rev. N. Decker (Grandville PRC), and Rev. M. De Boer (Edgerton PRC). The congregation will vote to call from this trio on June 5.
  
  
• The Consistory of First PRC-Edmonton formed a new trio this past week: Revs. R. Smit (Philippines), J. Smidstra (First PRC-Holland), and C. Spronk (Faith PRC). The Consistory has also proposed several new names for the newly reconstituted congregation. The congregation votes tonight. *UPDATE: Rev. Smidstra has received this call.

• Rev. J. Marcus plans to be installed as Peace PRC's new pastor on Sunday morning, June 12, with Rev. J. Engelsma leading the service.

• Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Rev. J. Laning in Doon (IA) PRC; Rev. T. Miersma in First PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. B. Gritters and Rev. D. Lee in Grace PRC;  Sem. M. Koerner and Rev. J. Maatman in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. K. Koole in Peace PRC.  May we count it a blessing of our church federation that we can help one another in these needs. Let us remember to pray for the men who supply these pulpits and for the vacant congregations.

• Special PRC Evangelism/missions notices: 
  • The Council of Zion PRC (Jenison, MI) has formed its first trio for the calling of a home missionary: Revs. A. Brummel (Calvary), J. Smidstra (First-Holland), and Rev. C. Spronk (Faith PRC). The congregation will vote this evening. *UPDATE: Rev. Smidstra has received this call.
  • Edgerton PRC (MN) Spring Lecture: "Where is the world headed? Is Christ really coming? If so, what will happen when He does? When will it happen? What is our calling now? Today, people have many different views on what will happen in the future. Come to Edgerton PRC on Friday evening, June 3, at 7 PM to hear Rev. De Boer explain what God's Word teaches about the future of this world and Christ's coming."
  • First PRC-Grand Rapids, MI: "Join us for a Mexico Outreach Update/Singspiration on Sunday, June 12 at 7:30 PM here at First PRC GR. Plans are being finalized for trips to two different areas in Mexico this summer. Come and learn more about this work. Also, hear an update on the book translation work that we are involved with. A collection will be taken to help cover the costs of this outreach. A light lunch will be served following that evening service."
  • The PRC denominational website is in the process of being redesigned with a goal to improve our evangelism efforts and to make it a more useful tool for PRC members. The [DMC] website committee has many ideas for revisions, improvements and new material, but would like to hear from church members what tools they would find useful or what information the website might contain for personal or church evangelism. If you have a moment and would like to provide feedback, please fill out a very short survey. link: https://forms.gle/yjrSzsyXafjF6oSd6

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

• Future Teachers and Ministers: Information for the 2022 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.

PRC Seminary Notices:

• The seminary has now completed its second semester and entered its summer break. Continue to pray for the faculty, students, and staff as we enter the summer months with other labors and activities planned - from fall class preparation to weekly preaching assignments, from synod work to mission trips to Mexico.
• Sem. Marcus Wee has completed his four-year program and will be examined at the PRC Synod in June before returning to the CERC in Singapore. Sem. Isaac Peters has completed a special three-year program and will be returning to the EPC in Australia. A graduation program for these men is planned for June 16 at Zion PRC. Sem. M. Koerner will begin his internship in Randolph PRC under Rev. E. Guichelaar, the Lord, willing in July, after a mission trip to Mexico the end of June. Sem. A. Haveman has plenty of preaching assignments this summer, in addition to mission trips to the Philippines and to Mexico.
• Prof. B. Huizinga submitted his ThM thesis (on the idea of rewards in the covenant of grace in Reformed theology) last month and sat for its defense on Tuesday, May 17. This is the final step in his three-year process of obtaining this degree. In addition, he also plans to take on two more courses in OT Studies this Fall from Prof. Cammenga and will be preparing for these this summer. Prof. R. Dykstra has officially ended his teaching at the seminary as of this semester and Prof. D. Kuiper will be taking over the rest of his classes in this coming year. Prof. C. Griess continues working toward his advanced degree and is taking some summer courses as well.
• With joy the faculty announces that it has licensed student Arend Haveman to speak a word of edification in the churches. We are grateful for the brother’s progress to this point in his training. All scheduling of Mr. Haveman must be done through the seminary, either by sending a request to the seminary secretary, Miss Sharon Kleyn, or the rector, Prof. R. Cammenga. Sem. Haveman's first assignment was last Sunday evening in First PRC of Holland. Today he led SE PRC's evening service.
• The History of the Protestant Reformed Churches: 1924-1949. The 100th anniversary of our denomination approaches. How well do you know the early history of our churches? Prof. Kuiper will teach an evening class, open to any and all members of the PRC, who are interested in learning about the first 25 years of our existence. The class will be held at the seminary on July 6, 13, and 20, and August 10, 17, and 24 (all Wednesdays) at 7:30pm. Preregistration is NOT necessary, but is helpful for us to know how best to accommodate you. Please call the seminary, (616) 531-1490, or email Sharon at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., to preregister.
• The spring 2022 issue of the PRT Journal is at the printers, but the digital editions are on the seminary's website. This issue features the speeches from the seminary's fall 2021 conference on preaching, plus numerous book reviews. If you want to be added to our mailing list (either print or digital) or wish to pick up a copy, contact Sharon, the seminary secretary.
• The seminary is open daily from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., including the library and bookstore. PRC members and friends are welcome to visit and make use of these resources.
• For the latest seminary news and information, visit the seminary's website.
  
  

SISTER-CHURCH/MISSION NEWS:

• Covenant ERC, Singapore and her Kolkata, India mission work:
  • Pastor J. Tan is faithfully serving the CERC each week as her pastor.  Their bulletin this week included these Ascension Day thoughts: "This is the comfort of Christ who has ascended into heaven to be our Advocate. All our trust is in the Lord Jesus Christ, the perfect advocate who represents and pleads my cause and the cause of all of God’s people before the Father. 1 John 2:1-2 sums up Jesus’s case for us, He alone is our propitiation. “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” Because of this, the child of God can boldly approach the throne of grace. Because of this, we come without our fig-leaves of works-righteousness, we come not seeking to cover up our sins with excuses and justifications, but we can boldly confess our faults before God, know that He is faithful to forgive us."
  • The CERC is also planning her next church camp on June 10 and 11, which includes speeches by pastor Tan, an interactive workshop, and activities.

• Covenant PRC, N. Ireland:
  
  • Rev. A. Stewart continues to minister the Word faithfully to the saints in Ballymena. 
  • The May 2022 issue of "Covenant Reformed News" was published this past week. Follow the link to read the latest profitable articles by Revs. A. Stewart and R. Hanko.
  • A March newsletter has been released by the CPRC. Visit this page to read it and catch up on all the exciting news out of Ballymena!
  • Sign up for the 2022 British Reformed Fellowship family conference at Castlewellan Castle in Northern Ireland from Saturday, July 9, to Saturday, July 16. The speakers, Prof. David Engelsma and Prof. Brian Huizinga will lecture on "Union With Christ." For information see the website (http://brfconference.weebly.com).
• PRC in the Philippines and her mission work:
  • A new Philippines mission newsletter has just been published in April. Read the latest news from the Far East at the link provided.
  • Berean PRC bulletin: "Rev. Smit and Rev. Kleyn will lead us in our worship services, D.V. Rev. Ibe is scheduled to preach at Provident PRC today in both services by Classical appointment." In addition: "Elder Penaverde and deacon Rudy San Juan are scheduled to visit the saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship (AGPRF), Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija today, D.V."
    
  • Provident PRC bulletin: Rev. V. Ibe preached and lead her worship services today. 
  • The PRCP Seminary: "Our PRCP seminary instructors announce that the course of NT Greek Grammar has been scheduled to be taught in the next two semesters of the upcoming seminary school year (August 2022- May 2023). While this course is being taught by Rev. Smit to our current seminary student, the instructors would like to make this course also available to any young men who might be aspiring to and preparing for seminary training in the future. Any pre-seminary students, who are interested in more information about taking the course for credit, are encouraged to contact either Rev. D. Kleyn or Rev. R. Smit for more information."

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

• This month Rev. R. Kleyn (First PRC-Grand Rapids, MI) continues speaking for the RWH. The focus will be a series on the life of Joseph. Today's message is based on Genesis 44:14-45:15 and titled "I Am Joseph."
  
• 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

What is the nature of God's covenant of grace with sinners and how do children fit into it? Read this valuable resource to find the answers based on God's Word and the Reformed confessions

• 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 (downtown Hudsonville, MI) is temporarily closed while it moves into a new building that is being renovated. See the following note for details.
  Special notices re the RBO! Reformed Book Outlet is in process of moving! We have found a new building for our store in downtown Hudsonville on Harvey St. after needing to move out of our current location in Keegstra’s Dollar Store. We need to do some renovations to the building before we can move in, so watch the bulletin or our social media pages for updates on when we will open in our new location. In the mean time, our website will still be open for ordering, for shipping or for local pickup (more details on this to come)!. Email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to let us know you’re able to help us move or with any questions!
  
  
• Are you interested in learning 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.
  
  
• The PR Sunday School Association also publishes complete OT and NT Bible Story Lessons for young children and older children. Visit this page to learn more.

This Week's Thought for Contemplation

"When the church bell rings and we come to hear the word of God, [but] we maintain the pace to which we have been accustomed and no perceptible change has taken place and we continue to remain in our own filth, is that not a profanation of the word of God? Why? you ask. Because we make it ineffectual for ourselves, when it should change us into the righteousness of Christ... That is an exceedingly great and intolerable vice. The result is that we assemble in worship and our lives do not show any semblance of improvement. We act as if we had never heard a single word, had never been instructed in the will of God. If we differ in no respect from those misfortunates who have received no instruction, do we not thereby show that we have scorned God every time we come to the sanctuary in His name? It is flagrant hypocrisy and duplicity to claim that it is to offer ourselves sacrificially to God when we come to hear His word and yet depart without having been edified by it."

~ John Calvin, Sermon on I Corinthians 11:17-19 (found on Lynden PRC's bulletin today)