PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for October 2, 2022 *(Updated)

Below you will find special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this thirty-ninth Sunday of our Lord's year 2022, October 2.

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.

He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth. In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth. He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. ...Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him. For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper. He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy. He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight. And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised. His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed. ~ Psalm 72:6-8, 11-15, 17

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

• Today Doon PRC was to vote to extend a call from her trio of  Rev. M. De Boer (Edgerton PRC), Rev. J. Maatman (Southeast-GR PRC), and Rev. D. Noorman (Southwest PRC). *UPDATE: Rev. J. Maatman has received this call.
  
  
• Hosanna PRC (Edmonton, AB) has extended a call to Rev. A. Stewart (Covenant PRC in Ballymena, N. Ireland). 
  
  
• Last Sunday Randolph PRC (WI) called Rev. J. Smidstra (First PRC-Holland). He plans to answer by Oct.16.
  
  
• Rev. M. Kortus (Hope PRC-Redlands, CA) is considering the call to Georgetown PRC (received Sept.11). He plans to answer by Oct.16.

• Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Rev. S. Regnerus (2nd Sunday) in Doon (IA) PRC; Prof. C. Griess and Rev. W. Langerak in Georgetown PRC; Rev. M. Kortus (1st Sunday) in Hosanna PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. R. Cammenga and Rev. J. Holstege in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. C. Haak 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-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."
  • Immanuel PRC - Lacombe, Alberta: "The Evangelism Committee of Immanuel PRC invites you to a lecture on Friday, October 14th. The lecture will be held at Immanuel PRC at 7:00 PM and Rev. Holstege will be speaking on “Echoing the Word: The Power of God in Preaching and Evangelism”. There will be time for fellowship and refreshments afterward. We look forward to seeing you there!
  • Southwest PRC - Wyoming, MI: "Reformation Lecture: Ecclesiastes 1:9 tells us “there is no new thing under the sun.” Is that true with respect to sexual abuse? Did this horrific sin manifest itself in the life of the Reformation churches? If so, is there anything we can learn from the Reformers and the consistories about how to handle this travesty found in the church yet today? Plan to attend a timely lecture by Prof. Cory Griess on the topic of "Sexual Abuse in Calvin’s Geneva" at Southwest PRC, October 27 at 7:30 PM. A live-stream will be also be available at southwestprc.org."

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

The delegates of Classis West with the synodical deputies at Doon PRC this past week (see news below)

Classis West: Classis West met this past Wednesday, September 28, in Doon PRC. The stated clerk's report on this meeting may be found here.

General Notes:

• PRC Synod 2022: The 2022 Acts of Synod & Yearbook have been distributed in the churches. If you are in need of extra copies or have extra to return, please contact the stated clerk, Doug Mingerink, Sr.

Rev. G. Eriks of Unity PRC led this past Wednesday's chapel at the PRC Seminary.

PRC Seminary Notices:

• The seminary has now completed five weeks of the first semester of the new school year, and things go well, for which we thank the Lord. 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 tomorrow, 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.
• The faculty and students also stay busy with weekly preaching assignments on Sunday and with catechism instruction, usually on Monday.
• 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.
• 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.
  
  

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. In his pastoral note to the congregation today, pastor Tan included this note concerning the mission work in Kolkata: "Even though many of us have not set foot in this faraway land in Kolkata India, all of us in the CERC family have been directly involved in this mission work in India. Mission work is not the work of just the pastor, the elders and deacons, or just the Foreign Mission Committee. It is the work God gives to the entire 3 church. Every one of you, young and old have followed the commandment of God and in the footsteps of the early church and the church of all ages to engage in the holy exercise of praying fervently and earnestly for this mission work and the saints there. Let us pray that God will continue to keep the doors open and open more doors for our Missionary Pastor Singh to the gospel of Jesus Christ in that land. “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith." - 2 Thess 3: 1-2 Pray for our missionary and pray for the perseverance of the saints in Kolkata, India. Pray with compassion and according to the knowledge of the personal needs of the saints there...."
  • On Sept.18 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.
  • A new issue of Salt Shakers is available - Issue 67, September 2022. Especially for young people, the magazine is edifying for ALL readers!
  • The Reformation Day Committee is planning a Reformation Day Conference on Oct.28,29 in church as follows: Theme: "Sola Gratia, Sola Fide -The Heart of the Reformation Gospel." Pastor Tan and Cand. Wee will be speaking.

• Covenant PRC, N. Ireland:
  
  • Rev. A. Stewart continues to minister the Word faithfully to the saints in Ballymena.
  • The September 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.
  • For recordings of the recent British Reformed Conference held in July, visit this BRF webpage.
    
    
• PRC in the Philippines and her mission work:
  • Berean PRC bulletin: Rev. R. Smit led her services today. "Rev. Ibe and elder Alex Oriarte are scheduled to visit the saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship (AGPRF), Gabaldon, NE. Rev. Ibe will lead them in their worship service this morning."
    

  • Provident PRC bulletin: Rev. D. Kleyn led her services today. 
    

  • PRCP Seminary: The classes for 2022-2023 are continuing for the new semester. "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. W. Bruinsma (Pittsburgh,PA PRC) takes over the RWH program for the next few months. He will be delivering messages on various Bible passages. Today's message is based on 2 Corinthians 5:17 and titled "The Believer's True Identity."
  
• 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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It's Reformation remembrance month, and we feature this pamphlet that addresses the need of reformation in the contemporary church as compared to the church in the 16th century. Take up and read, and judge for yourself!

• 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

While rejecting the errors of Romanism, thinking of the church as our mother serves as a reminder of some important things about the church. It is a reminder of the unity of the church of Christ in all nations and all history. Believers have only one mother, though the visible church is fragmented and divided. We all—no matter our background, skin colour, nationality, language, etc.—not only have the same Father but also the same mother. Names such as Jerusalem and Zion are names for the church, both in the Old and the New Testaments (Gal. 4:24-27; Heb. 12:22-24), and are an example of this wonderful unity which transcends time.

The name mother reminds the church and her leaders that she must be like a mother to her members, and not like a tyrannical and over-bearing monster. It serves as a reminder to the members that the church is the place where they should expect to be fed, nourished, comforted, corrected and guided (Isa. 66:10-11). They should not leave her side, unless she in her visible manifestation becomes a whore rather than a mother. Though the name Mother is not used in Revelation 22:17, the idea of the church as our mother, the one through whom God provides for His children, is certainly to be found there: “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

In some churches, all the emphasis is on “saving souls” but what is done for those who are so saved? “Mother” church does little or nothing to nourish and care for her children. Nothing is said about church membership to the evangelized, and those who do become church members are left untaught and unguided. That same misguided emphasis on “saving souls” often leads to the neglect of those who have been long time members of the church, especially the elderly, the widows, the sick and the poor. It leads all too often to neglect of the youth as well. Though under the care of mother church, they remain untaught and it is no surprise that they go their own way in the end.

As our mother, the church deserves our respect and love and obedience. Christians ought to put ourselves under her care, “maintaining the unity of the church; submitting themselves to the doctrine and discipline thereof; bowing their necks under the yoke of Jesus Christ; and as mutual members of the same body, serving to the edification of the brethren, according to the talents God has given them” (Belgic Confession 28).

When our mother is seriously ill, as she sometimes is, we must not immediately abandon her, but must seek her healing and well-being, through prayer, standing for the truth and, if necessary, church reformation. All too often those who would not think of abandoning their natural mother give up on mother church when she is ill and falls short of the standard for spiritual health set by the Word of God. 

Rev. Ron Hanko in the latest "Covenant Reformed News" (September 2022)