PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for September 25, 2022

Below you will find special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this thirty-eighth Sunday of our Lord's year 2022, September 25.

Because our Lord Jesus Christ 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 has 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.

But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.  My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof. I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only. O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come. ~ Psalm 71:14-18

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. A. Brummel (Calvary PRC) declined the call from Hosanna PRC (Edmonton, AB).
  
  
• Today Randolph PRC (WI) voted to call Rev. J. Smidstra (First PRC-Holland).
  
  
• The Council of Doon PRC has formed a new trio of Rev. M. De Boer (Edgerton PRC), Rev. J. Maatman (Southeast-GR PRC), and Rev. D. Noorman (Southwest PRC). The congregational meeting has been scheduled for October 2 after the evening service.
  
  
• Rev. M. Kortus (Hope PRC-Redlands, CA) is considerig the call to Georgetown PRC (received Sept.11). 

• Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Rev. S. Regnerus in Doon (IA) PRC; Prof. C. Griess in Georgetown PRC; Video sermons in Hosanna PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. R. Cammenga and Sem. M. Koerner in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. S. Key in Randolph 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 Evangelism/mission notices:
  • First PRC-Holland, MI: The next Outreach Bible Study meeting will be this Wednesday, September 28, at 7 p.m. at the Howard Miller Public Library (Zeeland, MI). Mr. Deane Wassink will be the Bible study leader."
  • Hope PRC (Walker, MI) Ministry podcast: "We will continue the Daily Devotions, finish up the 4-part series on Our Creedal Heritage, publish an additional Back to Basics podcast and then start a new 4-part series on the Doctrine of Holy Scripture. Thank you for tuning in and making us a part of your day! Please share this podcast with your friends and acquaintances."
  • First PRC-Grand Rapids, MI: "The Community Heidelberg Catechism Class will start on Wednesday evening, October 5 at 7:00 PM and meet on alternate Wednesdays. The main topics for the season are The Ten Commandments and The Lord's Prayer, beginning at Lord's Day 32. If you know someone who might be interested in this, consider coming to the class and bringing them with you."

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

Classis West: Classis West meets this Wednesday, September 28, in Doon PRC, Iowa. May the Lord grant safe travels for the delegates and a rich measure of the grace of the Holy Spirit for their work.

General Notes:

• PRC Synod 2022: The 2022 Acts of Synod & Yearbook have arrived and are being distributed in the churches. If you are in need after this distribution, please contact the stated clerk, Doug Mingerink, Sr.

Rev. D. Lee of Kalamazoo PRC led this past Wednesday's chapel at the PRC Seminary.

PRC Seminary Notices:

• The seminary has now completed four weeks of the first semester of the new school year, and things go well. The video of Seminary Convocation held Sept.7 at Trinity PRC (Hudsonville, MI) is now posted on the seminary's YouTube channel. Prof. Kuiper spoke on “Defending Christ’s Church by Knowing Her History: Jephthah’s Example” and Prof. R. Cammenga (rector) introduced the students.
• The first practice preaching session is scheduled for Monday October 3, with Sems. A. Haveman and A. Van Dyke presenting sermons. Remember these men in prayer as they prepare for this vital part of their training.
• In July Sem. M. Koerner (4th year) began his six-month internship in Hope PRC-Grand Rapids under Rev. J. Mahtani (July-Dec.). He is staying busy with all aspects of the work of the ministry.
• This summer Prof. D. Kuiper taught a class on the history of the PRCA from 1924-1949.  If you wish to watch the six classes, the videos are available on the seminary’s YouTube channel. A pdf of the class handouts is available from Prof. Kuiper by request.
• The print edition of the spring 2022 issue of the PRT Journal was mailed at the end of July). The digital editions are on the seminary's website (use the link provided here). 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 (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). Work is currently being done on the Fall 2022 issue.
• 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.
  
  

Covenant ERC-Singapore congregational picture at time of her 35th anniversary Sept.17-18, 2022

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. Today Cand. M. Wee led the morning service and Pastor Tan the second.
  • Last week the congregation voted to call Candidate Marcus Wee to be CERC’s second minister (2022 graduate from the PRC Seminary). He now has 6 weeks in which to answer it.
  • The Reformation Day Committee is planning a Reformation Day Conference in church as follows: Theme: "Sola Gratia, Sola Fide -The Heart of the Reformation Gospel." Oct.28-29, with Pastor Tan and Cand. Wee speaking.

• Covenant PRC, N. Ireland:
  
  • Rev. A. Stewart continues to minister the Word faithfully to the saints in Ballymena.
  • The latest CPRC newsletter has released! The August 2022 issue contains reports on the BRF Conference held in July and much more.
  • For recordings of the recent British Reformed Conference held in July, visit this BRF webpage.
  • The latest issue of "Covenant Reformed News" is available (August 2022). Follow the link to read the latest profitable articles by Revs. A. Stewart and R. Hanko.
    
    
• PRC in the Philippines and her mission work:
  • Berean PRC bulletin: Rev. V. Ibe led her services today. "The saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship (AGPRF) will join us in our worship services this morning through live stream via Facebook live, God willing."
    

  • Provident PRC bulletin: Rev. R. Smit led her services today. "Last week, Rev. D. Kleyn and Rev. R. Smit were in Southern Negros Occidental, they visited contacts and they preached and taught there."
    

  • PRCP Seminary: The classes for 2022-2023 began August 30, 2022. "We are grateful to the Lord for His sustaining grace upon the labors of our instructors, [Rev. Smit and Rev. Kleyn] and to Seminarian Ace Flores. We pray that God will bless their faithful labors and that they may be encouraged even more as we look to God for another fruitful year of dedication and devotion to this cause of God’s Kingdom. God be praised!"

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. C. Haak (Georgetown PRC - Hudsonville, MI) is continuing to speak for the RWH program. He will be delivering some messages from Romans. Today's message is based on Romans 1:16 and titled "The Need for the Recovery of the Biblical Gospel (2)."
  
• 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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The Reformed Book Outlet in downtown Hudsonville, MI held an open house this past week in connection with the RFPA's annual association meeting at nearby Terra Square. If you have not yet visited the new location, you are encouraged to do so - it is stocked with many titles for all ages, including a wonderful children's section! (see more info below) 

• The Reformed Book Outlet (downtown Hudsonville, MI) has now opened its new store in downtown Hudsonville! The new location is at 3472 Harvey St. in Hudsonville. Hours are Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m-5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The website has also been redone to make it easier for customers, especially those who aren’t local, to browse our inventory, see descriptions of most of the items, and choose between shipping or local pickup at our store during business hours. Be sure to check it out!
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• 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

"How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God!" Genesis 39:9

"After hearing his wife's story, Potiphar was furious! He took Joseph and threw him into the prison!" Genesis 39:19-20. Sometimes it costs very dearly to be true to God. Joseph lay now in a dungeon. But his loss through doing right, was nothing in comparison with what he would have lost—had he done the wickedness to which he was tempted. His prison gloom, deep as it was—was as noonday, compared with what would have been the darkness of his soul under the blight of evil, and the bitterness of remorse. The chains that hung upon him in his dungeon, were but like feathers—in comparison with the heavy chains which would have bound his soul, had he yielded to the temptation. Though in a prison, his feet hurt by the fetters—he was a free man because his conscience was free and his heart was pure!

No fear of consequences should ever drive us to do a wrong thing. It is better to suffer any loss, any cost, any sacrifice—than be eaten up by remorse! Better be hurled down from a high place for doing right, than win worldly honor by doing wrong. Better lose our right hand, than lose our purity of soul. Better to rot in prison, than to sin against God! It was the prayer of a young queen, which she wrote with a diamond point on her castle window, "Keep me pure—make others great." That is the lesson of Joseph's victory over temptation: dishonor, loss, dungeon, death—anything before sin!”

J.R. Miller, "Practical Lessons from the Story of Joseph" (found in Covenant of Grace PRC's bulletin today)