PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for May 28, 2023

Today, May 28, is the twenty-second 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.

Today is Pentecost Sunday, the Lord's Day on which we remember and celebrate our Savior's blessed gift of the Holy Spirit, by which Jesus Christ bestows on His church and every believer the fullness of salvation and all the gifts necessary to serve Him and His people, as well as to go into the world with the gospel of sovereign grace for the gathering of His complete body of believers. May we in worship today raise songs and prayers of thanks to our abundant Savior.

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.

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS 

• Last Sunday Rev. M. Kortus (Hope PRC-Redlands, CA) declined the call to Lynden (WA) PRC.
  
  
• Last Sunday Hosanna PRC (Edmonton, AB) extended a call to Rev. M. Kortus (Hope PRC-Redlands, CA).
• Last Sunday Loveland PRC voted to call Rev. M. Kortus to serve as her next pastor.
  
  
• Last Sunday Randolph PRC called Rev. D. Noorman (SW PRC-Wyoming, MI) to be her next pastor.
  
  
• Last Sunday Zion PRC extended a call to Rev. C. Spronk (Faith PRC-Jenison, MI).
  
  
• Hudsonville PRC's Council has made a new trio of Revs. D. Kleyn (Philippines missions), W. Langerak (Trinity PRC), and J. Mahtani (Hope PRC-Grand rapids, MI). The congregational meeting will be June 4 after the evening service.

Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs:  Prof. B. Huizinga in Doon (IA) PRC; Prof. C. Griess and Rev. J. Smidstra in Georgetown PRC; Rev. T. Miersma in Hosanna PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. R. Cammenga and Sem. A. Haveman in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. K. Koole (1st week) in Loveland PRC; Rev. R. Hanko (2nd week) in Lynden PRC; Rev. S. Key (1st week) in Randolph PRC; Prof. B. Gritters and Rev. J. Mahtani in Zion 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!

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

Evangelism and Missions Conference: If you missed the DMC's conference earlier ths month, you may hear the speeches here:

• The Evangelistic Character of the Covenant - Rev. J. Mahtani - Part 1; Part 2
• Echoing the Word: The Power of God in Preaching and Evangelism - Rev. D. Holstege

Classis East met May 10-11 in Faith PRC (Jenison, MI). The public report of this meeting has been posted on this webpage.

PRC 100th Anniversary: With gratitude to our faithful God, the PRCA look forward to our 100th anniversary. The celebration is planned for June 23-27, 2025, at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, MI.

At a special Friday lunch this past week, the seminary 'family' bid farewell to Sharon (Kleyn) Koerner, the secretary for the last 4 and a half years (seated front right with husband Matt to her left).

PRC Seminary Notices:

• The PRT Seminary has now completed its second semester. As we enter the spring/summer break, continue to pray for faculty, students, and staff as we shift to other labors and responsibilities, including preparing for the 2023-24 school year. The professors will also be preparing to serve as advisors at the PRC Synod meeting June 13-16 in Southwest PRC. 
• With joy the faculty of the Protestant Reformed Theological Seminary announces that it has licensed student Aaron Van Dyke to speak a word of edification in the churches. We are grateful for the brother’s progress to this point in his training. All scheduling of Mr. Van Dyke must be done through the seminary, either by sending a request to the seminary secretary (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or the rector, Prof. R. Cammenga (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). The brother led his first service in First PRC-Holland, MI last Sunday.
• Senior Seminarian Matt Koerner is preparing for his synodical exam at the PRC Synod that begins on June 13 at Southwest PRC. His graduation is scheduled for June 15 in that church. Sem. Arend Haveman will be doing his senior-year internship this summer and fall (July-December) in Pittsburgh PRC under Rev. W. Bruinsma. Details for that continue to be worked out. Sem. A. Van Dyke will keep busy with work and preaching assignments. Sem. B. Feenstra has returned home to Redlands, CA for the summer.
• This past Friday the seminary and TSC held a special lunch to express gratitude to Sharon (Kleyn) Koerner for her four and a half years as seminary secretary. She will be awaiting the examination of her husband Matt at Synod in mid-June and then a call to serve in the churches. We thank the Lord for her diligent service to the seminary and pray for God's richest blessing on her and Matt as they await the next stage of their lives. The TSC has hired Ms. Valerie Kleyn who, having been trained for several weeks, steps into the position alone this week.
• The Spring 2023 issue of the PR Theological Journal was mailed out in late April. Digital copies have been posted on the journal webpage (see link here). The Spring issue features articles on a distinctive feature of PRC teaching on the covenant of grace, on the image of God in man from a conference in Mexico, on R.L. Dabney's "proposals of mercy," and the first part of a history of Classis West of the PRC - and, of course, several significant 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. From her bulletin today we note that both pastors were marking Pentecost with special sermons today.
    
  • There's a new issue of Salt Shakers out! Issue 69 is on the theme "GST: The Christian's Response." Especially for young people, the magazine contains a variety of articles and is edifying for ALL readers! Visit the link provided here to read and learn. 

• Covenant PRC, N. Ireland:
  
  • Rev. A. Stewart continues to minister the Word faithfully to the saints in Ballymena.
  • The last newsletter of the CPRC was published in March, which you will find on this page (rh column at the top). Read about the exciting work going on in the CPRC!
  • There's a new issue of Covenant Reformed News out! The May 2023was recenty posted here.  Follow the link to read the latest profitable articles by Revs. A. Stewart (vessels of wrath fitted for destruction) and R. Hanko (the days of Noah).
  • The CPRC YouTube channel may be found here.
    
    
• PRC in the Philippines and her mission work in various places:
  • A March 2023 Newsletter has been published. Be sure to visit the linked page to learn about the latest news from the Philippines.
  • Berean PRC bulletin: Rev. V. Ibe led her services today. And, "The saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship (AGPRF), Gabaldon, NE., will join us in our worship services today via Livestream on our official Facebook page, God willing."
  • Provident PRC bulletin: Rev. D. Kleyn led her services today. also this special note is in her bulletin: "Rev. R. Smit and family are scheduled to leave on June 5 for U.S.A. The Doon PRC intend to recommend Rev. Smit for a call in the PRCA after July 15, the Lord willing."

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 the RWH begins a marriage series by Rev. C. Haak. Today's message is titled "The Dress Code for Marriage" based on Colossians 3:12-13. For the May RWH Newsletter, visit this page.
  
• 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.). 

 
This Sunday we observe Pentecost, the day our Savior gave the gift of the Holy Spirit to His church. Read this resource, "Try the Spirits," to be able to discern the Spirit's true presence, power, and work from false teachings  on these things.

• Would you like to learn 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) ISnow operating in its new store in downtown Hudsonville! The new location is at 3472 Harvey St. in Hudsonville. Visit the store and browse the variety of resources for your Reformed-Christian faith and walk, including many children's titles. They are open Tuesday-Friday, 10-5, and Saturday 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

"Related to all the above is also the (for want of a better term) self-effacing character of the Holy Spirit presented in Scripture. This factor, too, is ignored, I believe, in Pentecostalism, Neo-Pentecostalism, or whenever improper emphasis is placed upon the Spirit. I do not wish to minimize the work of the Spirit. Yet it appears that Scripture reveals that the very function of the Spirit is to reveal and magnify Father and Son. The Spirit functions not in order to reveal Who and What is the Spirit, but Who and What is God. Again, I remind you that though there are many references to the Spirit in Scripture, these are brief and serve not so much to emphasize the Person of the Spirit, as to reveal the wonder of God's work in Christ. Perhaps the Netherlands Confession has this in mind when it says that "operations of the Holy Ghost are hidden and incomprehensible" (Art. 35).

"The Netherlands Confession, Article 11, states concerning the Spirit, "We believe and confess also, that the Holy Ghost, from eternity, proceeds from the Father and Son; and therefore neither is made, created, nor begotten, but only proceedeth from both; who in order is the third person of the Holy Trinity; of one and the same essence, majesty and glory with the father, and the Son: and therefore, is the true and eternal God, as the Holy Scriptures teach us."

"That idea of procession, which is also Scriptural (John 15:26 , "...which proceedeth from the Father."), suggests this "self-effacement" of the Spirit. He eternally will reveal the Father to the Son and the Son to the Father. He proceeds from both; and through Him there is fellowship aid communion within the Trinity.

"This same "self-effacement," if you will, is seen in His work in the Church. That already follows from the Scriptural truth that He is repeatedly called the "Spirit of Christ" and the "Comforter" whom I will send unto you. Again, Jesus declares in John 16:13 , "...For Heshall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you." I would conclude, therefore, that in consideration of the work of the Holy Spirit, we first bear in mind always that His work in the church and its individual members is work as the Spirit of Christ. His work is to apply that which Christ has merited so that the full benefits of the cross may be fully ours. In doing this, His task is, on the basis of Christ's work, to gather the members of' the body of Christ to the glory of God -- not to His own glory as Third Person. Secondly, bearing in mind what I have called this "self-effacing" character of the Spirit, we will not place the wrong emphasis upon His work within the church -- an emphasis which would serve to magnify the Spirit in distinction from Father or Son."

Taken from the pamphlet "The Holy Spirit: His Presence, Power, and Fruits" by Rev. G. Van Baren