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PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for November 27, 2022 *(Updated)

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Psalm 79 9Below you will find special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this forty-eighth Sunday of our Lord's year 2022, November 27.

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.

O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake. Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight by the revenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed. Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die; And render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord. So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations. ~ Psalm 79:8-13

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 Rev. C. Spronk (Faith PRC) declined the call from First PRC-Grand Rapids.  He is also considering the call to Georgetown PRC, which he plans to answer by Dec.18.

  • Today Randolph (WI) PRC voted to call Rev. J. Holstege (Zion PRC) from her duo that also incliued Rev. M. DeBoer (Edgerton PRC) [Rev. J. Laning, also part of the original trio, had taken the call for home missionary last week.]

  • *UPDATE: Hudsonville PRC's Council announced a new trio Sunday evening: Revs. B. Langerak (Trinity PRC), J. Maatman (SE PRC), and Rev. C. Spronk (Faith PRC).
     
  • Last Sunday Rev. J. Laning (Hull PRC) accepted the call from Zion PRC  to serve as denominational home missionary. We rejoice in God's goodness in providing a new home missionary for the churches. 

  • Last Sunday Rev. M. Kortus (Hope PRC-Redlands) declined the call to Hudsonville PRC

  • Last Sunday Rev. J. Holstege (Zion PRC) received the call from Hosanna PRC (Edmonton, AB). He plans to answer by Dec.11.

  • The Consistory of Doon PRC has formed a new trio from which to call her next pastor: Revs. M. De Boer (Edgerton PRC), J. Mahtani (Hope PRC-Grand Rapids, MI), and D. Noorman (SW PRC). The congregational meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 28. *UPDATE: Rev. M. DeBoer received this call.

  • Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Elder in a.m.; Rev. R. Barnhill at 2 p.m. in Doon (IA) PRC; Prof. D. Kuiper and Rev. J. Mahtani in First PRC-Grand Rapids; Prof. C. Griess and Rev. C. Spronk in Georgetown PRC; Rev. R. Hanko (2nd 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.

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

Home Mission News: Last Sunday Rev. J. Laning (Hull PRC) accepted the call from Zion PRC  to serve as denominational home missionary. We rejoice in God's goodness in providing a new pastor to serve the churches in this way.

Foreign Mission News: Rev. D. Kleyn and his wife Sharon continue to recuperate in West Michigan following recent surgeries. They plan to return to the Philippines in late December. May the Lord continue to grant healing and strength to them. 

sign nov snow 1

PRC Seminary Notices:

  • The seminary has now completed eleven and a half weeks of the first semester of the new school year. As we enter the final weeks of the semester, pray for continued diligence and grace to remain faithful in all aspects of the labors.
  • A reminder is given during this holiday season that the seminary bookstore has a good supply of new and used books, including Bibles and music CDs (Hope Heralds 2022!). Visit us anytime during the day, Monday through Friday.
  • Sem. M. Koerner (4th year) continues with his six-month internship in Hope PRC-Grand Rapids under Rev. J. Mahtani (July-Dec.). With a little over a month to go, he remains busy with all aspects of the work of the ministry, including preaching, teaching, leading societies, family visits, pastoral calls, and Consistory/Council meeting.
  • The Fall 2022 issue of the PRT Journal  has been sent to the printer and should be available in early December. The digital editions have been posted on the seminary's website (use the link provided here). This new issue features articless by Prof. Griess (Calvin and the third mark of the true church), Kuiper (seminary history, chap.2), Prof. Gritters (introduction to an old article by Herman Hoeksema and a book review article), 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.).
  • 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 - and don't forget the blog!

Berean PRC New worship place 2014
Meeting place of Berean PRC, Manila, the Philippines

SISTER-CHURCH/MISSION NEWS:

  • Covenant ERC, Singapore and her Kolkata, India mission work:
    • Pastors J. Tan and newly installed M. Wee are faithfully serving the CERC. In his pastoral note this week, Pastor Wee had this special word for the congregation, especially the young people: "...the armbands we all wear are meant to tell the world that we are not our own captains, but that Jesus Christ is our Captain. He is the captain of our salvation. Our Captain will lead us to get the W. In our Captain our Lord Jesus, we place all our trust and hope. Our victory is certain. For at the Cross, is the epitome of what you young people call “Hard Carry”. He ALONE took us from death unto life. By His ONE sacrifice, he took the Loss for us that we will never lose our lives. The cross, His death, became our win, our 3 victory. Captain Jesus’s shame and humiliation at the accused tree that we might have an eternal crown of glory. From the chains of every single sin, idolatry to adultery, he set us free."
    • Don't forget the most recent issue of Salt Shakers is available - Issue 67, September 2022. Especially for young people, the magazine is edifying for ALL readers!
  • Covenant PRC, N. Ireland:
    • Rev. A. Stewart continues to minister the Word faithfully to the saints in Ballymena. 
    • The November 2022 issue of "Covenant Reformed News" was released this weekend.  Follow the link to read the latest profitable articles by Revs. A. Stewart (Christ's various comings) and R. Hanko (the third use of the law).

  • PRC in the Philippines and her mission work:
    • Berean PRC bulletin: Rev. V. Ibe led her services today. We also find this special note: "We thank the LORD for His grace and faithfulness towards us in 16 years of existence as an instituted Protestant Reformed Church. Therefore, “Offer unto God thanksgiving and pay thy vows unto the most High” [Ps. 50:14]. To which we add, Congratulations, Berean PRC! "The saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship (AGPRF), Gabaldon, NE. will join in our worship services today via Livestream at our official Facebook page account, D.V."
    • Provident PRC bulletin: Rev. R. Smit led her services today.

    • Rev. D. Kleyn and his wife Sharon continue to recuperate in West Michigan following recent surgeries. They plan to return to the Philippines in late December. May the Lord continue to grant healing and strength to them. 
    • PRCP Seminary: The classes for 2022-2023 are continuing for this 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!"

RWH Logo 2019
Listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday - on a radio station near you, on Sermonaudio, or on your favorite podcast - wherever you are!

WBruinsma 2017

  • This month Rev. W. Bruinsma (Pittsburgh, PA PRC) continues to speak for the RWH program. He is delivering messages on various Bible passages. Today's message is titled "Losing in Order to Win" based on Philippians 3:8.
  • 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.). 

BornForOurSalvation MMG 2019
Why did the Son of God come into this world and become man? This RFPA book, Born for Our Salvation, makes a good resource for reading in this Advent season.

  • 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. Regular hours are Tuesday - Friday from 10-5 and Saturday from 10-1. Special notice!

    Reformed Book Outlet will be hosting their Holiday Shopping Night on Thursday night, December 1, from 6-9pm at the store! Join us for a 25% off sale, a gift card giveaway, and decorating Christmas cookies in our back area. This event will also be the debut of a new coffee cart called Special Grounds, which will serve coffee in our back area during this event and other special events in the future! The coffee cart will be staffed by special needs members of our community and helpers, and payment will be by donation only. Come visit at 3472 Harvey St. Hudsonville, and shop our selection of books, including our special Christmas book selection, and visit the coffee cart in the back area!

  • 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

"We have seen that the law has an important and necessary function in showing us our depravity and sin, and our need for God’s great salvation. Now the question is: “Does the law have a place in the regeneration of a sinner and in his growth in grace, that is, his sanctification?”

"If we mean by “place” that the law has any power to regenerate or sanctify us, the answer is an unqualified “No.” Galatians 3:21 tells us plainly that the law cannot regenerate us: “Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.” The Word of God is saying here that, if the law were able to regenerate us and give us life, it would first have to be able to justify us and that it cannot do.

"Nor can the law sanctify us, as is clear from Romans 8:3-4: “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Having the righteousness of the law fulfilled in us and walking after the Spirit is sanctification and growth in grace, which are always and only the fruit of Christ’s work, and not something the law could do.

"We do not mean, however, that the law has no connection with our regeneration and spiritual growth. When we are born again, regenerated, the Spirit of God writes the law in our hearts: “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest” (Heb. 8:10-11; quoting Jer. 31:33-34).

"The law does not give us the new life of regeneration, but, written in our hearts, it defines the boundaries of that new life that we have through regeneration and in Christ. When God created man, His moral law was a boundary for man’s life of fellowship with Himself. Within the boundaries of God’s law was life. Outside of those boundaries was death and so the law defined the boundaries of man’s fellowship with God."

Rev. R. Hanko in "The Third Use of the Law" as published in the latest Covenant Reformed News (November 2022)

Last modified on 02 December 2022

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