Today is the third 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.
Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God. For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head. They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones. They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: ...Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD. Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish: That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth. ~ Psalm 83:1-5; 16-18
CONGREGATIONAL NEWS
- Last Sunday Rev. J. Smidstra (First PRC-Holland) declined the calls from First PRC (Grand Rapids, MI) and from Hull PRC (NW Iowa).
- Today Rev. C. Spronk (Faith PRC) declined the call to Hudsonville PRC.
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Rev. W. Langerak (Trinity PRC-Hudsonville, MI) plans to answer the call from Hosanna PRC (Edmonton, AB) next week.
- Loveland (CO) PRC will call today from their first trio of Revs. N. Decker, J. Maatman, and J. Smidstra (Rev. S. Key became emeritus on Jan.1). *UPDATE: Rev. N. Decker has received this call.
- The Council of Georgetown PRC has a new trio from which to call her next pastor: Revs. M. DeBoer (Edgerton PRC), N. Decker (Grandville PRC), and J. Smidstra (First PRC-Holland). The congregational meeting is planned for Jan.22 after the evening service.
- Doon PRC's Consistory has a new trio from which to call her next pastor: Revs. M. Kortus (Hope PRC-Redlands), D. Noorman (SW PRC), and C. Spronk (Faith PRC). The congregational meeting is scheduled for January 22 after the morning service.
- Randolph PRC's (WI) Council presented the following trio for the congregation’s consideration: Revs. M. DeBoer, N. Decker, and D. Norman. A congregational meeting to extend a call to one of these men is set for January 22 after the morning service.
- Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Rev. H. Bleyenberg (2nd week) in Doon (IA) PRC; Prof. D. Kuiper and Rev. D. Lee in First PRC-Grand Rapids; Prof. C. Griess and Rev. C. Haak in Georgetown PRC; Rev. T. Miersma in Hosanna PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. R. Cammenga and Rev. G. Eriks in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. S. Key in Hull PRC; Rev. K. Koole in Loveland PRC; Rev. J. Laning (2nd 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. And may we continue to pray for men to hear the call to serve as pastors and missionaries!
- Officebearer Resources: This is the time of year when new officebearers (elders and deacons) are installed into office. This special notice is to inform you that there is a special webpage on this site devoted to resources for officebearers - sermons, seminars, articles, seminary syllabi, etc. And the PRC Seminary bookstore has many fine books for officebearers.
- Evangelism Activities
- Byron Center (MI) PRC: The Community Bible Study meets this Thursday, January 19, at 7:30 PM at church. Join us for our ongoing discussion of John 18 starting at verse 8.
- Zion PRC (Jenison, MI): Community Bible Study will next meet this Wednesday [Jan.18] to take up the study of John 10. Please consider inviting a neighbor or acquaintance and attending with them! [Meets in the fellowship building]
PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS
Grandville (MI) PRC, host of Classis East meeting
Classis East met for two full days Wednesday and Thursday (Jan.11,12) at Grandville PRC.
- An appeal was treated in closed session, and therefore, the details of the case cannot be shared publicly. It can be said that classis made some decisions in response to the appeal and approved the appointment of a committee to work with the involved consistory and appellant; we pray these actions will assist in bringing the case to a God-glorifying resolution.
- First PRC of Grand Rapids officially notified classis of the resignation of brother Rodney Kleyn from the ministry in the PRCA.
- Grace PRC asked for and received permission from classis to distribute a clarification of language used in a handout that was previously distributed to the denomination.
- First PRC of Holland’s request for “a special day of prayer in response both to recent and past cases of abuse in our denomination” was approved. Classis designated January 31, 2023 as the special day of prayer.
- Elected as primi synodical delegates: Revs. Decker, Eriks, Langerak, Mahtani, Spronk, and elders Randy Dykstra, Joel Minderhoud, Tim Pipe Jr., John Van Baren, Dan VanUffelen. And as secundi synodical delegates: Revs. Bruinsma, Dykstra, McGeown, Noorman, Smidstra and elders Andy Bylsma, Josh Hoekstra, Steve Kuiper, Peter VanderSchaaf, Dirk Westra.
- Classis also treated an overture from Providence PRC “to be forwarded to Synod 2023 to commission G.R.A.C.E (Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment) to perform a full, independent, third-party investigation or assessment of the Protestant Reformed Churches.” Classis decided to appoint a committee to study the overture further and to recess until March 15, 2023. Therefore, on March 15, 2023 classis will reconvene at 8:00 am at Grandville PRC to treat the committee’s recommendations regarding the overture.
- May God use the decisions of classis for the welfare of His church, and may He guide the study committee in its work for the benefit of our churches in responding properly to the grievous sin of sexual abuse. (summary from Rev. C. Spronk, stated clerk)
Contact Committee Notices: - "On behalf of the Contact Committee of the PRCA, Rev. and Mrs. Bill Bruinsma and Mr. and Mrs. Dave Kregel plan to visit the Covenant Evangelical Reformed Church in Singapore from January 11 - 24, 2023, D.V. They will be conducting Church Visitation with the session of CERC. Rev. Bruinsma will be leading the worship services on January 15 and 22, and giving two speeches. May the Lord make this a fruitful visit and grant traveling mercies to this delegation."
- "This week Tuesday [Jan.17], a delegation from the Contact Committee consisting of Rev. and Mrs. Martyn McGeown and Mr. Sid Miedema, will travel to the Philippines for our annual visit with the PRC in the Philippines. We are thankful that this visit is now possible after removal of travel restrictions on account of COVID. Our delegation will have some overlap with a delegation from the FMC. Our delegation plans to meet with the PRCP's Contact Committee, meet with our missionaries and with as many of the PRCP members as possible, and Rev. McGeown will preach in their churches where possible. They plan to return home near the end of the month, D.V. May the Lord bless this visit with our sister in the Philippines and grant safe travels to our delegation."
Foreign Mission News: (from Doon PRC's bulletin, calling church for the Philippines): "Caleb Woiwood and Doug and Lisa Brands leave this week Wednesday [Jan.11] as the annual FMC delegation to the Philippines. We pray God’s blessing on their travels."
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. From Zion's bulletin today we learn that the Council has set Feb.5 in the evening for the installation of Rev. Laning as home missionary.
A good number of visitors are attending the 2023 Interim course on Reformed-Christian Ethics
PRC Seminary Notices:
- The seminary is now between semesters, with the 2023 Interim currently taking place (see next note for details). 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 is teaching an 8-day interim course on Reformed-Christian Ethics (M-F from 9-11:30 AM, with a coffeebreak halfway through).There are 3 days left in the class and visitors are still wlecome to join the sessions this week Monday to Wednesday.
- Auditor notice! Seminary classes begin for the second semester on Tuesday, January 24. Prof. Cammenga’s Dogmatics class is open to auditors. The locus is eschatology which is the study of the last things. Prof. Kuiper’s classes of Medieval Church History (a study of the history of the church AD 590 to the time of the Protestant Reformation) and Reformed Symbols (a study of the Canons of Dordrecht) are open as well. If you are interested in attending, please contact the seminary at 616-531-1490 to find out the day and time the class you are interested in will meet.
- Sem. M. Koerner (4th year) has finished his six-month internship in Hope PRC-Grand Rapids under Rev. J. Mahtani (July-Dec. 2022). He and the seminary secretary, Sharon Kleyn, were joined in marriage this past Friday, Jan.13. He will return for his final semester on Jan.24.
- At the end of 2022 the print copies of the Fall 2022 issue of the PRT Journal were 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!
SISTER-CHURCH/MISSION NEWS:
- Covenant ERC, Singapore and her Kolkata, India mission work:
- Pastors J. Tan and M. Wee are faithfully serving the CERC. In her bulletin today, pastor Wee commented on the PRC delegation that is there for her annual visitation: "This Sunday and next, we welcome Rev. Bruinsma to our pulpit, to preach to us the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. Rev. Wilbur Bruinsma has been in the pastoral ministry for 44 years, spending the last 6 as pastor of Pittsburgh Protestant Reformed Church, formerly a mission field of the PRCA. He and his wife Mary visited us in 2016 where he helped conduct an examination for our missionary pastor Rev. Emmanuel Singh, and spoke for our Reformation Day Conference. Let us warmly welcome the Bruinsmas into our fellowship, together with Mr. Dave Kregel and his wife, Mary. The Kregels have a special love for the saints in Singapore, as seen by their many visits, even willing to put aside last year’s nightmare of COVID-19 quarantine and cockroaches to make the trip over once again! Indeed, love “beareth all things”. We hope that their experience this time will be a more positive one. Please continue to commit the church and the Council in prayer, as we hold our Council meeting this Thursday 19 January, and as we have the practice of church visitation."
- 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!
- Pastors J. Tan and M. Wee are faithfully serving the CERC. In her bulletin today, pastor Wee commented on the PRC delegation that is there for her annual visitation: "This Sunday and next, we welcome Rev. Bruinsma to our pulpit, to preach to us the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. Rev. Wilbur Bruinsma has been in the pastoral ministry for 44 years, spending the last 6 as pastor of Pittsburgh Protestant Reformed Church, formerly a mission field of the PRCA. He and his wife Mary visited us in 2016 where he helped conduct an examination for our missionary pastor Rev. Emmanuel Singh, and spoke for our Reformation Day Conference. Let us warmly welcome the Bruinsmas into our fellowship, together with Mr. Dave Kregel and his wife, Mary. The Kregels have a special love for the saints in Singapore, as seen by their many visits, even willing to put aside last year’s nightmare of COVID-19 quarantine and cockroaches to make the trip over once again! Indeed, love “beareth all things”. We hope that their experience this time will be a more positive one. Please continue to commit the church and the Council in prayer, as we hold our Council meeting this Thursday 19 January, and as we have the practice of church visitation."
- Covenant PRC, N. Ireland:
- Rev. A. Stewart continues to minister the Word faithfully to the saints in Ballymena.
- The January 2023 newsletter has been published for the PRCA. Read about the exciting work going on in the CPRC!
- The December 2022 issue of "Covenant Reformed News" was recently published! 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. V. Ibe led her services today. We also find this special note concerning her mission endeavors: "The saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship (AGPRF), Gabaldon, NE., will join us in our worship services today via Livestream at our Facebook page, D.V."
- Provident PRC bulletin: "Elder Jun Armas will lead for us in our worship services today and will use Video recordings of sermons of Prof. Brian Huizinga from the PRCA for the preaching of God’s Word in our worship services today. Next Sunday, Rev. M. McGeown will lead and preach for us in our worship services at both times, D.V." And this because "Rev. D. Kleyn and Rev. R. Smit are in Southern Negros Occidental to visit contacts and to preach and teach there."
Reformed Resources for Education, Edification, and Evangelism
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) continues to speak for the RWH program. He is delivering messages on various Bible passages related to David and the kingdom of Israel. Today's message is titled "Israel Rebels Against David's House" based on 1 Kings 12:16, 28-30.
- 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.).
Are you a Standard Bearer subscriber and reader? Read the meditation from the second issue of this year and learn how to subscribe!
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.
- 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.
- 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
"That peace which is God’s peace in Jesus Christ is the glad tidings of the gospel. It is God’s great work of grace, which God has established with His people in Jesus Christ that He should be our God and Father. Man did not earn it. Man cannot make such a peace. This peace alone abides. It is God’s gift in Jesus Christ, imparted by His Spirit, the Comforter. By the power of that peace with God we are born anew, called out of the world that perishes into a new and abiding relationship with God -- to know Him in His love through faith in Jesus Christ. In the light of that peace of God, the world’s peace and its labor for a peace of its own without God is nothing but the false and proud attempt of sinful man to obtain his own peace and salvation by his own works. Against it the Word of God declares, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast,” Ephesians 2:8.
"God’s Word therefore commands all men to repent of their sin, to turn from the false peace of this world which cries, “Peace, Peace,” when there is no peace, and to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. To such who by His grace repent and believe, He promises forgiveness of sins and life eternal, even His everlasting peace. “Peace I leave unto you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27."
~ Taken from the resource "An Abiding Peace" by Rev. T. Miersma