Below you will find special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this twenty-fifth Sunday of our Lord's year 2022, June 26.
Because our Lord is risen from the dead on the third day - as He promised - and because He is returning in glory for our everlasting worship - as He also 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.
Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men? Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth. Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD. The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth. ~ Psalm 58,1-2, 6, 10-11
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
- Last Sunday Rev. E. Guichelaar (Randolph PRC) accepted the call to Grace PRC. We rejoice with this Council and congregation as God has provided a new undershepherd to care for them and minister the Word according to their needs. May the Lord be with the Guichelaars as they prepare to bid farewell to Randolph PRC and transition to Grace.
- Last Sunday Rev. J. Holstege (Zion PRC) declined the call from Doon PRC.
- Last Sunday Rev. J. Smidstra (First PRC-Holland) declined the calls he received from Hosanna PRC (Edmonton) and from Zion PRC to serve as home missionary.
- Hudsonville PRC's Council has made a new trio: Revs. N. Decker (Grandville PRC), Rev. J. Laning (Hull PRC), and Rev. D. Noorman (SW-PRC). The congregational meeting is planned for this evening. *UPDATE: Rev. N. Decker has received this call.
- From Hosanna PRC's (Edmonton) bulletin today: "A new trio has been formed of Revs. A. Brummel (Calvary PRC), J. Holstege (Zion), and R. Smit (Philippines). We will have a congregational meeting to vote on the trio on July 10th , after the PM service."
- Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Rev. H. Bleyenberg (2nd week) in Doon (IA) PRC; Rev. T. Miersma in First PRC, Edmonton, AB; Rev. R. Smit and Rev. W. Langerak in Grace PRC; Prof. R. Cammenga and Rev. G. Eriks in Hudsonville PRC. Rev. M. DeVries is in Lacombe PRC for two Sundays while Rev. Bleyenberg is in Doon. 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.
PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS
Synod 2022: Synod met earlier this month at Zion PRC (Jenison, MI). For daily reports and photos of this year's synod, visit this webpage or the church news pages.
Contact Committee: Philippines Conference: Revs. Jim Laning and Bill Langerak will be traveling to the Philippines to participate in a conference on July 2 sponsored by our sister church, The Protestant Reformed Churches in the Philippines. They, together with Rev. Daniel Kleyn, will give three speeches to be followed by a question and answer period. The conference theme is Contending for the Faith: Doctrinal Development Since the Schism. Please pray that the Lord will bless this work of our churches together with our sister churches in the Philippines for the cause of the truth and the good of His church universal. The Contact Committee of the PRC.
Missions News:
- From First PRC-Grand Rapids, MI bulletin today: "Professor Griess, Dan and Madeline Monsma, and several others [Rev. J. Mahtani, Kyle Bruinooge, Matt Korner, Sharon Kleyn] are leaving tomorrow morning for Tabasco, Mexico, visiting churches and believers there. This visit includes two conferences [on Christian education] and preaching in different churches. They plan to return on July 4. We pray God's blessing and safety on the delegation."
- Home missions: Last Sunday Rev. J. Smidstra (First PRC-Holland) declined the call from Zion PRC (Jenison, MI) to serve as PRC home missionary.
- Philippines mission:
- Rev. R. Smit and his family are currently in the U.S. for their furlough. They will be returning on July 28, D.V. May the Lord bless and be near them during their time in North America.
- This past week Sem. Arend Haveman arrived in the Philippines for two and a half weeks (June 23-July 11) as part of a brief missions "internship." He will be assisting Rev. D. Kleyn in various aspects of the work there and speaking a word of edification in the churches.
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, and from library inventory to building maintenance projects.
- The Theological School Commitee (TSC), with help from Byron Center PRC, held a special retirement dinner for Prof. R. Dykstra and his wife Carol this past Monday at Georgetown PRC. A wonderful meal was enjoyed and special remarks were made by Rev. W. Langerak and Prof. B. Gritters. We again take the opportunity to thank the Lord for the 26 years that Prof. Dykstra served in our denominational seminary.
- Prof. Kuiper is eager to teach the history of the PRCA from 1924-1949. The class on July 6 will cover the background, and on July 13 the formation, of the PRCA. The classes will also treat the history of the PRCA in the later 1920s (July 20) and in the 1930s and 1940s (August 10, 17, 24). The class on July 6 will meet at the seminary building; all other classes will be held at Southwest PRC. The classes will be recorded, but not livestreamed. All friends of the PRCA are welcome to attend.
- Sem. M. Koerner will begin his internship in July at Hope PRC-Grand Rapids (now that Rev. Guichalaar has accepted the call to Randolph PRC), after a mission trip to Mexico this week with a group from First PRC-Grand Rapids, MI Sem. A. Haveman has plenty of preaching assignments this summer (after being licensed at the semester), in addition to mission trips to the Philippines (June 23-July 11) and to Mexico.
- 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. Her bulletin this week included these thoughts on suffering (after describing various afflicitons in the congregation): "But how is God glorified in the suffering of His people? When the child of God knows full well that all these afflictions and sufferings come from God, when he is no stoic but with tears streaming down his face in agony and pain, the child of God by the sovereign grace of God yet still confesses from the heart and with his mouth, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him”, there God is glorified. Though he slays me, yet will we worship God, sing praises to the only Good and the overflowing fountain of all God. The infinitely wise and righteous One. My Covenant God."
- Covenant PRC, N. Ireland:
- Rev. A. Stewart continues to minister the Word faithfully to the saints in Ballymena.
- The June 2022 issue of "Covenant Reformed News" was recently published. Follow the link to read the latest profitable articles by Revs. A. Stewart and R. Hanko.
- The 2022 British Reformed Fellowship family conference (July 9-16) at Castlewellan Castle in Northern Ireland will soon be here! 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:
- The last Philippines mission newsletter was published in April. Read that at the link provided here.
- Berean PRC bulletin: "Rev. Ibe led her services today. "Rev. Ibe arrived safely from the U.S. on Thursday.... God be praised for traveling mercies graciously provided for our pastor...."
- Provident PRC bulletin: Sem. A. Haveman led her worship services today (cf. the next note).
- "Sem. Arend Haveman, a 3rd-year seminary student in the PRCA seminary, will be arriving here on Saturday [June 25], the Lord willing, for a visit of three Sundays. The Council has approved for him to speak a word of edification for us in both services next Sunday [today, June 26] (cf. Article 20 of the Church Order). The Council also approved that Arend will speak a word of edification in the BLCC in Guiguinto on July 3, DV. We look forward to his visit and time among us."
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 50:14-26 (the concluding one) and titled "Joseph's Confession Concerning Providence."
- 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.).
--------------------------------------------------------------------
What are you reading this summer? Does your reading include the Standard Bearer? Check out the subscription information here!
REFORMED RESOURCES FOR EDIFICATION, EDUCATION, and EVANGELISM
- 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.
- 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!
- 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
"In our day, over against all forms of Arminianism, it especially needs to be stressed that God is immutable in His love and mercy. It is certainly not the case that God loves someone in time but then, when he dies, He hates him and casts him into hell forever!
"Those whom God loves, He loves eternally and unchangeably. As Psalm 136 declares an emphatic 26 times, “his mercy endureth for ever.” Repeatedly we are called to give Jehovah thanks, for He “smote Egypt in their firstborn … [and] overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea … [and] slew famous kings … Sihon king of the Amorites … [and] Og the king of Bashan” (10, 15, 18, 19, 20). Why? “for his mercy endureth for ever”! There is no mercy for Pharaoh, Sihon, Og and their idolatrous people, whom He destroyed. Jehovah has everlasting mercy for His elect people in Jesus Christ and shows this by slaying their impenitent enemies.
"Romans 8:38-39 is extremely forceful in teaching that nothing “shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” After listing nine of the leading candidates for effecting such a terrible separation, including “death,” it adds, as a sort of universal catchall, “nor any other creature.” God’s love is everlasting and invincibly adhesive, for we are united to Him forever! Again, we see that our comfort lies in the truth that our covenant Lord is “the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17).
"Whom does the Most High love? He unchangeably loves Himself (as the highest good), His beloved Son incarnate and all His elect in Christ Jesus. He loves us unchangeably and He loves us “unto the end” (John 13:1)!"
~ Rev. A. Stewart in the latest Covenant Reformed News (June 2022)