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PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for January 1, 2023

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Psalm 46 1 2Today is the first Lord's Day of this year of our Lord 2023. Below you will find special highlights of PRC and sister-church news. It is our hope that these reports not only inform you but also give you opportunity to pray for the needs of these churches and mission fields throughout the world.

As we enter this new year, we do so in glad and grateful worship of our sovereign, saving God and King. To Him we owe our all and to Him we commit our way in 2023, day by day. 

If you are new to this website and the PRCA, we invite you to join us in worship today or on any of the Sunday's of this year at one of our local congregations near you, or listen online.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. ~ Psalm 46:1-7

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS

  • Today is Rev. J. Laning's final Sunday in Hull PRC (NW Iowa. This afternoon (2 pm), he preached his farewell sermon and the congregation gave a farewell program for him and his wife Margaret and family afterward. In the weeks ahead they will be moving to West Michigan as he takes up his labors as PRC home missionary (see details below under denominational news). May the Lord be with them and grant them much grace as they make this transition.

  • Today also marks Rev. S. Key's final day as pastor of Loveland PRC, as his emeritation takes effect. This fitting note was found in her bulletin today: "Today is also Pastor Key’s final day serving in the active pastoral ministry in our midst. He does not bid farewell, as he and his wife will remain with our church family as an emeritus pastor. Besides providing pulpit supply for various congregations, he will also continue to assist our congregation as much as possible in teaching catechism, leading Ladies’ Bible Study and preaching occasionally, at least until the Lord provides for us another pastor. We press on in our earthly sojourn, laying hold of the promise in Deut.31:8, “And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee: he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.”
     
  • Last Sunday Rev. W. Langerak (Trinity PRC-Hudsonville, MI) received the call from Hosanna PRC (Edmonton, AB).

  • Rev. J. Smidstra (First PRC-Holland) is considering calls to First PRC (Grand Rapids, MI - received Dec.18) and Hull PRC (NW Iowa - received Dec.20).

  • Rev. C. Spronk (Faith PRC) is considering the call to Hudsonville PRC (received Dec.14).

  • Last Sunday Rev. M. DeBoer declined the call from Doon PRC.

  • Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Elder-led in a.m.; Rev. A. Brummel (at 2 p.m.) in Doon (IA) PRC; Prof. B. Gritters and Rev. J. Holstege in First PRC-Grand Rapids; Prof. C. Griess and Rev. N. Decker in Georgetown PRC; Rev. T. Miersma in Hosanna PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. R. Cammenga and Rev. D. Noorman in Hudsonville PRC; Prof. D. Kuiper 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 (Jenison, MI) to serve as denominational home missionary. 

In Zion PRC's bulletin last week was this update from her special committee: "Update from Zion DMC committee: We have been very busy coordinating the move and the work for Rev Laning. Tentatively, the plan is for Rev. Laning to preach his farewell at Hull PRC on January 1, 2023. After that he will be going to Randolph PRC so that he can keep his classical commitment to that congregation for January 8 which will include the baptism of his grandchild. His arrival into our area will be the week of the 16th of January. We are presently coordinating a moving company to move all his belongings to his new home in Jenison from Hull, IA. We have secured a place to live in Glen Eagle condos in the 14th Ave and 44th St area in Georgetown Township. We are also working with him to identify the mission work that he will be doing and coordinating a plan moving forward. We anticipate him taking some classes in regard to this mission work which we believe will take most of his time for the first 6 months of his being here. He is scheduled to preach for Zion PRC on Jan 29 AM and Feb 12 PM. As far as the committee is concerned, we have had regular monthly meetings up to the time that Rev. Laning accepted the call and now that the Lord has answered our prayers and sent us a missionary, we are working hard organizing the work for him and also entering into conversations with him in order to search out the Lords will for him and our congregation. Missions are an important work for the church, and we continue to ask for your prayers for Rev. Laning and his wife as they settle in to our congregational life and take up this great work to the glory of God, the ingathering of the church and also to the coming of Christ when He shall take His completed church home to live with Him forever. We look forward to that day."

Foreign Mission News: Rev. D. Kleyn and his wife Sharon left the States this past week and returned to the Philippines on Dec.29. We thank the Lord for safe travels and pray for renewed strength for the busy work there.

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PRC Seminary Notices:

  • The seminary has now completed its first semester of the school year. Seminary will recess from Dec.25-Jan.8, but the seminary will be open daily except for the Dec.26 and Jan.2. Interim (see note below) will be held from Jan.9-18, and the second semester will begin on Tuesday, Jan.24. The 2nd semester schedule and calendar have been posted on the seminary's website.
  • Seminary Class on Ethics. You are invited! From January 9- 18, Prof. Gritters will be teaching an 8-day interim course on Reformed Christian ethics (M-F from 9-11:30AM). If Dogmatics teaches what Christians believe, Ethics teaches how they live. Questions faced include: What is a truly good life? What is the Christian’s relation to the law? Is law contrary to love? May our conscience guide us? What is love? May I hate? May I lie to save my neighbor’s life? What about IVF? May Christians divorce? Separate? Remarry? If you are interested in attending, please call the seminary: 616-531-1490.
  • Sem. M. Koerner (4th year) has finished his six-month internship in Hope PRC-Grand Rapids under Rev. J. Mahtani (July-Dec.). He and the seminary secretary, Sharon Kleyn, will be joined in marriage on Jan.13 before he (and she!) returns for his final semester on Jan.24.
  • The print copies of the Fall 2022 issue of the PRT Journal  were recently mailed out to those on the mailing list. 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:

  • From Georgetown PRC (Hudsonville, MI) re her India Outreach (Vellore PRC and beyond) work with Rev. Paulraj. Recently, pastor Paulraj was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor (on one of his salivary glands), for which he will receive surgery on Jan.27. At that time a biopsy will be taken to confirm diagnosis and treatment. "The doctors have recommended that Paul back away from preaching but he loves to preach, so this Sunday he is doing a combined service with the English and Tamil churches. He is also continuing his video outreach.
    Paul and Kasthuri asks for our prayers for the surgeon as there can be complications from the surgery that can have long term impact. 
    We praise God for giving Paul continued strength to continue at least some of his ministry. Let us continue with fervent prayers for Paul and Kas and Jason and Joanne as they are faced with the challenges of Paul's illness as well as Ammachi's [Kasthuri's mother] decline."

    *UPDATE: Pastor Paulraj's surgery has now been moved up to Friday, Jan.6. Let us be in  prayer for him and his wife as he submits to this surgery.

  • Covenant ERC, Singapore and her Kolkata, India mission work:
    • Pastors J. Tan and recently installed M. Wee are faithfully serving the CERC. Tomorrow they will hold their annual church retreat to begin the new year, as detailed in today's bulletin: "...on 2nd Jan, we will be having our 2023 Annual Church Retreat organized by Beulah BS group. Pastor Wee, on the behalf of the council will be unveiling the new Church Theme for 2023 & 2024. (hint: found somewhere in Nehemiah chapter 2!). Pastor Wee will be sharing with all of us how the preaching, Adult CI class, Evangelism, and many aspects of our organic church life will be shaped by this new church theme. We hope that each and every one of you can make for this retreat, 10am to 1pm held in church. Lunch will be provided."
    • Don't forget the last 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 December 2022 issue of "Covenant Reformed News" was published this past week!  Follow the link to read the latest profitable articles by Revs. A. Stewart (the abrogation of the Mosaic law) and R. Hanko (relics and Elisha's bones).
    • The CPRC YouTube channel may be found here.
  • PRC in the Philippines and her mission work:
    • Berean PRC bulletin: Rev. R. Smit led her services today. We also find this special note concerning her mission endeavors: "Rev. Ibe and family are visiting [with] the saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship (AGPRF), Gabaldon, NE., Rev. Ibe will lead them in their worship service at 9 AM and their Bible study on the book of Titus 2 at 10:45 AM."
    • Provident PRC bulletin: Rev. D. Kleyn led her worship services today.
    • Rev. D. Kleyn and Sis. Sharon returned safely to the Philippines this past week.

Reformed Resources for Education, Edification, and Evangelism

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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 Christmas message is titled "Jehovah Sees the Heart" based on 1 Samuel 16:6-13.
  • 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.). 

good news afflicted
On this first day of the new year, you will find this resource to be a means of comfort and hope for all you may face in 2023.

  • 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.

  • 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

"But if we are to give thanks to God for all His spiritual and material blessings, then we must be freed from anxiety.  Jesus, in Matthew 6:19-24, has been speaking so beautifully and profoundly of our relationship to the earthly things.  He has taught us that it is our relationship to the earthly, our perspective and our attachment, that is so often, at bottom, the cause of our spiritual problems.  Our inability to see Father’s wonderful grace and our failure to thank Him is created so often by the relationship in which we stand toward the earthly things.  If we hoard, we become covetous and greedy.  Then we are governed by those things, and we are filled with anxiety that we are going to lose them.  And we do not thank God for them.  Or, if we do not hoard, then we worry.  “Is it going to turn out?  Will I make it?  Will I have enough?”  We become filled with anxiety over those earthly things.  And when we are full of anxiety, then too we cannot praise God or give Him thanks.

"A trumpet cannot blast stirring notes of praise if it has been filled with dirt.  A piano cannot play clear notes if the keys are sticky with molasses.  So also, our hearts cannot thank God if they are choked with anxiety. 

"Our Savior says to us, “Take no thought for the morrow:  for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.  Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”  Our Savior says, the cure for anxiety is to realize that God will always give us grace for today, so that we may live thankfully and contentedly before Him. 

"As I say, our Lord is warning us that we must not fall into the grips of anxiety over earthly things.  “Take no thought,” He says.  “Do not be seized by anxiety.” 

"We are anxious about everything.  The Lord knows that.  We are anxious about our health, about ourselves, about our inadequacies, about our jobs, about our looks, about getting married, about the church, about the schools, about our children, about our burdens, about money, about possessions, about bills, about payments, about tomorrow.  If we would write a list of all the things over which we tend to worry, the list would go right out the door of our homes.  And, at bottom, we would write, we worry that we are worried so much.  And anxiety or worry chokes not only peace in our hearts, but thanksgiving to God.  We say, “Yes, I suppose I should be thankful today.  But I really can’t because of the load of anxiety, of trouble, of all the problems that I see coming tomorrow.  How can I be thankful today?”

"To begin the life of thanksgiving, the Lord says we must not only be free from greed, the love of money, but we must fight anxiety.  And His main point is this (Matt. 6: 33), “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”  The Lord is saying, “Instead of anxiety over your life, over your child, over yourself, make the kingship of God real by faith.  Every moment, hand all over to His Kingly power.  Seek to do His will, in the confidence that He has promised that He will meet all of your needs.”

~ Taken from the radio message "Grace for Today" by Rev. C. Haak

Last modified on 03 January 2023

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