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PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for December 11, 2022 **(Updated)

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Psalm 81 10Below you will find special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this fiftieth Sunday of our Lord's year 2022, December 11.

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.

Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob. Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery. ...Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto me; There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god. I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. ~ Psalm 81:1-2; 8-10

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 Georgetown PRC.

  • Today Rev. J. Holstege (Zion PRC) declined the call from Hosanna PRC (Edmonton, AB).
     
  • Rev. J. Holstege is considering the call to Randolph (WI) PRC (received Nov.27).

  • Rev. M. DeBoer (Edgerton PRC MN) is considering the call from Doon PRC (received Nov.28).

  • Hudsonville PRC's Council announced a new trio from which to call a pastor: Revs. B. Langerak (Trinity PRC), J. Maatman (SE PRC), and C. Spronk (Faith PRC). The congregation will vote this Wednesday, Dec.14. *UPDATE: Hudsonville voted to call Rev. C. Spronk.

  • *UPDATE: First PRC-Grand Rapids, MI: "The Council made a trio of Revs. N. Decker, J. Holstege, and J. Smidstra from which to call our next pastor. The congregational meeting to call a pastor is set for Sunday, December 18, 2022 after the evening worship service."
     
  • Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Rev. G. Eriks in Doon (IA) PRC; Prof. D. Kuiper and Rev. J. Smidstra in First PRC-Grand Rapids; Prof. C. Griess and Prof. B. Huizinga in Georgetown PRC; Rev. A. Brummel (2nd week) in Hosanna PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. R. Cammenga and Rev. M. McGeown in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. M. DeBoer (1st week) 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: On Nov.20 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 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 on December 29. May the Lord continue to grant healing and strength to them. 

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Prof. R. Cammenga's Reformed Dogmatics class with students and auditors

PRC Seminary Notices:

  • The seminary has now completed fourteen weeks of the first semester of the school year. This week is the final week of classes, with exams scheduled for the week following. As we enter the final weeks of the semester, pray for continued grace to remain diligent and 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) is finishing his six-month internship in Hope PRC-Grand Rapids under Rev. J. Mahtani (July-Dec.). The other three students continue their regular studies. Prof. C. Griess continues his classes at Puritan Reformed Seminary and is busy working on his ThM thesis.
  • The Fall 2022 issue of the PRT Journal  has been sent to the printer and the print copies should be available this week. The digital editions have been posted on the seminary's website (use the link provided here). This new issue features articles by Prof. Griess (Calvin and the third mark of the true church), Prof. Kuiper (seminary history, chap.2), Prof. Gritters (introduction to an old article on mental illness 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!

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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 wrote about the Vacation Bible School they held: "We thank God for His blessing upon events of the week past. We had our Vacation Bible School on the theme “Pilgrim’s Progress”, where the children traced the journey of Christian on his journey from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City, braving the Slough of Despond, the arrows of Lord Beelzebub, the fiery assault of Apollyon, Giant Despair and his Doubting Castle, the seductive evils of Vanity Fair, and many more dangers. Only by God’s grace could puny Christian stand against these foes and persevere to the end. God helped Christian each step of the way, providing various means of grace: the preacher Evangelist, the Interpreter’s house, the whole armour of God, and his companions Faithful and Hopeful.
    • 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 recently published.  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).
    • The CPRC YouTube channel may be found here.
  • PRC in the Philippines and her mission work:
    • Berean PRC bulletin: Rev. V. Ibe led her services today. We also find this special note: "The saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship (AGPRF), Gabaldon, NE., will join us in our worship services today via livestream at our official Facebook page."
    • Provident PRC bulletin: Rev. R. Smit led her worship 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 on December 29. May the Lord continue to grant healing and strength to them. 

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

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  • This month Rev. W. Bruinsma (Pittsburgh, PA PRC) continues to speak for the RWH program. He is delivering messages on various Bible passages related to the first coming of Christ in the flesh. Today's message is titled "Your Salvation Comes" based on Isaiah 62:11,12.
  • 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.). 

GodSoLovedpamphlet
What did God give in His love for the world? Discover the greatest gift God could give to sinful mankind, which we celebrate in this season of the year.

  • 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 is running their 25% off sale through the rest of the month of December in store, and we are also holding it online as well this year! Stop in the store to shop, or when ordering online, use code DEC25 at check out to get 25% off eligible items! Items ordered through our website for shipping should be ordered before December 15th to guarantee arrival before Christmas Day!

  • 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.

This Week's Thought for Contemplation

"The incarnation was necessary for the redemption of sinners. This is the necessity of every aspect of the incarnation. He must be real and full, though sinless, man — for the redemption of sinners. He must be very God — for the redemption of sinners. His natures must be distinct, not confused — for the redemption of sinners. The natures must be united in one person, and that the person of God the Son — for the redemption of sinners. 

The death that shall be the death of death must be the death of the Son of God in our flesh; the blood that shall purchase the Church from sin must be God's own blood (Acts 20:28). The incarnation was also necessary for the renewal of the redeemed unto eternal and holy life. Only God can quicken, and only God can break sin's power. But only one who shares our nature can impart His own life to us. It is necessary, for a holy life, that the redeemed be conscious of the incarnation. The impelling motive of a holy life is thankful love — thankfulness for the incarnation. "In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world . . . to be the propitiation for our sins" (I John 4:9-10). Consciousness of this motivates us to love God and to love each other. 

A godly life is obedience to Jesus as Lord; and obedience to Jesus as Lord stems, ultimately, from reverence for Him as God the Son. 

And all of the Christian's life and labor in this world is permeated with the sense of wonder and awe that he is the friend, the disciple, and the member of God Incarnate. 

Prof. D. Engelsma in "The Incarnation," one of the featured resources on the PRC website this month. To keep reading, visit the link provided here.

Last modified on 15 December 2022

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