PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for April 13, 2025 *(Updated)

On this fifteenth Lord's Day of 2025, we are privileged and called to gather in the Lord's presence, by grace and through faith, for worship of and fellowship with our covenant God, our sovereign, saving Father and Friend. As we do so, we are equipped and encouraged by His Word and Spirit for our life and callings in this world.

Today is Palm Sunday, the day we remember and reflect on our Savior's royal but lowly entry into Jerusalem. Jesus came riding on a lowly ass because He came to triumph over sin and death by dying on the cross for all those given Him by the Father and who place their trust in Him. This Friday we will gather to worship our crucified Lord on Good Friday, also in anticipation of His resurrection, which we will celebrate next Sunday, Easter. You are invited to join us in worship on these special days and remember in humble faith the Lamb who was slain and who is worthy to be praised, now and forever.

On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt. These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him. ~ John 12:12-16

Below you will find special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for the week of April 13. 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.

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 you may listen online through one of the PRC's livestreams.

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS

• Tonight Grace PRC is to vote from her Council's new trio of Revs. M. DeBoer, G. Eriks, and Prof. B. Gritters. *Prof. Gritters has received this call.
  
  
• Rev. D. Holstege (Wingham PRC, ON) is considering the call from Southwest PRC (received March 30).
  
  
• Rev. R. Barnhill (Heritage PRC) is considering the call from Hope PRC-Redlands, CA (received March 30).
  
  
• Grandville PRC's Council has formed a new trio of Revs. A. Brummel, J. Maatman, and Prof. B. Gritters. A congregational meeting has been scheduled for April 20 after the evening service.
  
  
• *The Consistory of Lynden PRC has formed a new trio from which to call a minister: Revs. M. DeBoer (Edgerton PRC), Rev. D. Lee (Kalamazoo PRC), and J. Marcus (Peace PRC). A congregational meeting is scheduled for May 4 after the morning worship service.

Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today (April 13) in the vacant PRCs: Rev. A. Spriensma in Cornerstone PRC-Dyer, IN; Prof. B. Gritters and Rev. W. Langerak; Rev. J. Slopsema, Good Friday in Grace PRC; Prof. D. Kuiper and Rev. C. Spronk; Prof. Gritters, Good Friday in Grandville PRC; Rev. C. Haak (2nd of three weeks) in Hope PRC-Redlands; Prof. B. Huizinga and Rev. M. McGeown; Prof. C. Griess, Good Friday in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. S. Key (2nd of two weeks) in Lynden PRC; Rev. N. Decker and Prof. B. Huizinga in Southwest 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 travel and supply these pulpits and for the vacant congregations. And may we continue to petition the Lord for men to hear the call to serve as pastors and missionaries!

Special Congregational Notices:

• Good Friday and Easter services, April 18 and 20 in all the PRCs. Join us in worship of our crucified and risen Savior Jesus Christ this week! Check the website of the congregation near you for service times.
• Byron Center PRC (MI): "Our Community Bible study plans to meet this Thursday at Byron Township Library to continue our discussion of Creation's seventh day from Genesis 2. This meeting starts at 6:30 PM on April 17. We hope you can join us and bring a friend!"
• First PRC-Grand Rapids, MI: "Community Bible Study meets this Wednesday, April 16, at 7:00 p.m. [at the church]. We'll discuss The Fall of Jericho, from Hebrews 11:30 and Joshua 6:1-21."

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

• Home mission news: Zion’s Council and the DMC have sent our domestic missionary, Rev. J. Laning, to the Dallas/ Fort Worth (DFW) area for six months, along with his wife, Margaret. They arrived there on October 19, 2024 and have settled into the labors there. For some time Rev. Laning has been conducting weekly Zoom Bible studies with people in Texas, and has made a number of trips there. The plan is to have Rev. Laning continue to labor among those whom they have already come to know, while also witnessing to others in that area. Seeing as the preaching of the gospel is the chief means the Spirit uses to gather His people, it will be good to spend some time there meeting for worship and having Bible studies, in order, Lord willing, to gather a group together. We thank the Lord for opening this door, and pray that He may guide us in this work to the glory of His name. “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). If you happen to know of anyone in that area who may be interested, please contact our domestic missionary at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
  
  
• PRC 100th Anniversary Celebration (June 2-6, 2025): Participate in this commemorative event by visiting prca100.org. A diverse set of sectionals is planned for each morning of the 100th Anniversary Celebration. Explore the topics and speakers at prca100.org/sectionals. Please note, registration is required to participate in the daily activities, including sectionals (which is now passed). Those lodging at Calvin University will enjoy a convenient and economical stay and all meals and activities. Local attendees and those arranging their own off-campus lodging must register for activities and meals if desired. To attend visit https://prca100.org/register for registration instructions and the web link.
  For more 100-year PRC history, videos and photos, visit this Facebook page.
  
  100th Anniversary Singspiration at DeVos Performance Hall: On June 5, the Thursday evening of the 100th Anniversary Celebration, thousands of brothers and sisters from around the world will join together at the DeVos Performance Hall to sing and rejoice in God's faithfulness. The night's singspiration will conclude with a grand symphonic orchestra and chorus, filling our souls with gratitude to God for His grace. Visit prca100.org/singspiration for details.
   
  100th Anniversary Sponsorship Opportunities: The planning committee has identified specific areas where financial support is needed including the event, travel subsidies, and the singspiration at DeVos Performance Hall. Businesses, congregations, societies, and individuals are asked to consider a sponsorship. Visit prca100.org/sponsor to learn more and complete a pledge form by May 1. To discuss a pledge, please contact the finance committee at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

• Psalter-sing! Advance notice: May 18: You are invited to come to Grace PRC at 7:45 p.m. for an area-wide presentation on the revised Psalter. The Psalters are expected to arrive in late April and will be distributed to every household. Grace will not have enough for everyone, so take your own along. The presentation will be different from previous ones, which introduced the revision; this will involve more singing from the revised Psalter.

• HAVEN of Mercy is grateful for your in-person and online attendance and support shown at HAVEN '25:  What's Next? The Way Forward After Disclosure.  The attendance is evidence of our community's desire to learn and grow in knowledge and understanding of abuse dynamics, protection of the flock, victim care, and perpetrator accountability.  The six speeches and the Q&A session from the conference have been recorded and are available at https://www.havenofmercypr.org/haven-2025-conference.  We have also recorded an additional, extended Q&A session with our speakers, Brad Hambrick and Darby Strickland, in which they answered many more questions that were submitted at the conference.  More information about this extended Q&A and a link to the new recording will be posted on our Facebook page and sent to our email subscribers.
  
  
• Future Teachers and Ministers: Information for the 2025 PR Scholarship Fund essay competition is now available. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to receive the essay topics and submission requirements. Completed essays must be submitted by May 16th. 

Convention 2025 – LAST CHANCE!

• Convention 2025: Last Chance to Register! Haven’t registered yet for the 2025 Young People’s Convention? There’s still time—but don’t wait! Late registration is now open with an added fee. This year’s convention, hosted by Hudsonville PRC, will take place at SpringHill Camp (Evart, MI) from August 11-15. We’d love to see you there! For questions, contact Heather Veldman at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

• NEW! Convention- Special Needs Day: The 2025 YP Convention host church of Hudsonville PRC invites individuals with special needs or disabilities from our church community (high school age and above) to join us at convention on Wednesday, August 13. With the camp located just 1.5 hours north of Grand Rapids, this is a wonderful opportunity to experience a day of fun and fellowship with everyone. Our prayer is that this special day will be a blessing to all and an opportunity to experience how we can all serve the body of Christ with the different abilities He has given to us. For more details or to sign up, visit our website https://prcconvention.com/serving-one-another-day/. We can't wait to spend the day with you! Contact Alyssa VanBaren – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; 616.581.5768 with any questions.

PR Theological Seminary News:

• The PR Theological Seminary enoyed its Spring break this past week (April 7-11) and will begin week twelve of the second semester tomorrow. Faculty, studnets, and staff covet your prayers in these final weeks of the school year.
• Prof. B. Gritters is on new trios at Grace PRC (Standale, MI) and Grandville PRC. Grace votes this evening and Grandville next Sunday, April 20.
• Dr. D. Sinnema, retired Trinity Christian College professor and Synod of Dordt scholar, will be giving lectures on Dordt this Tuesday (April 15) and next (April 22) at the seminary at 1:00 p.m.
• Sem. B. Feenstra will be doing his senior internship in Doon (IA) PRC under Rev. D. Kleyn and his Consistory. That will run from July 1 to Dec.31.
• Sems. Aaron Van Dyke and Bruce Feenstra are licensed to speak a word of edification in the churches. All scheduling of these men 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. D. Kuiper (doug.kuiperThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
• Work is completed on the Spring 2025 issue of the PR Theological Journal, and is at the printer; it should be available by the end of this month. This new issue will contain the expanded speeches the professors gave at their Fall 2024 conference on the common grace/particular grace controversy in 1924 (*see note below). In the meantime, the Fall 2024 issue of the PRTJ is available (and all back issues). The digital edition (pdf) is available on the seminary's journal page linked here while the print copies are also available. If you want to be added to our mailing list (either print or digital) or wish to pick up a copy, contact Bethany Engelsma, the seminary secretary (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), or stop by the seminary. 
• If you missed the Fall PRTS Conference (Oct.31-Nov.2) at Grace PRC (“By Grace I Am What I Am”: The PRCA’s Rejection of Common Grace), where the historic (100 years!) stand of the PRC on sovereign, particular grace was defended and developed, you may watch or listen to the speeches that are all available both on Grace PRC's Sermonaudio channel as well as the seminary's YouTube channel.
• For the latest seminary news and information, visit the seminary's website - and don't forget to check on 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. Today both pastors led services. In the bulletin this week was notive of her special Good Friday gospel service, led by Pastor Wee and based on John 10:7,9, Jesus, the Door of the Sheep. "We pass through many doors from cradle to grave, in our never-ending pursuit of happiness. But there is one Door--and only one--through which there is true happiness, safety, and life. There is one Door--and only one--into the sheepfold of God. This Good Friday (18 April), come and learn of Jesus as The Door of the Sheep, through whom alone we may enter into everlasting life."
  • A NEW issue of Salt Shakers is available - March2025, #75!  Once again you will find a variety of articles on timely subjects in this issue! Written especially for young people and young adults, SS is edifying for all adults! This new issue contains articles on the mission work in Kolkata, testimonies of CERC member conversions, and the beginning of a series on the NT prophecy of Revelation.

• Covenant PRC, N. Ireland:
  • Rev. A. Stewart continues to serve this sister congregation faithfully, and through the CPRC and her website, to minister the gospel far and wide in other ways. 
    
  • The February 2025 issue of "Covenant Reformed News" is the latest available. Read the articles by Rev. A. Stewart on "Are the Ungodly Really in God's Image? (2)" and Rev. R. Hanko's response to a question about why David was not executed for his sins against God's law.
    
  • The CPRC YouTube channel with all its edifying content may be found here.

• PRC in the Philippines and her mission work in various places:
  • Berean PRC bulletin: Rev. V. Ibe led her worship services today. And, "Our brothers and sisters in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship in Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija, will join us in our worship services today. We continue to lift them in our prayers for God’s sustaining grace and spiritual growth as they hear the Word proclaimed, for God’s glory and Jesus’ sake."
    
  • The Young People’s Camp/Retreat is scheduled from April 16 – 19, 2025, at Doane Rest, Baguio City. This year’s retreat theme is: “Living the Life of Love” based on 1 John 4:9.
  • Provident PRC bulletin: Deacon Ronnie Marquez led her services today using PRC video sermons by Rev. R. Smit and Prof. R. Dykstra. 
  • PRCP MIssion labors: "Rev. Ibe and Deacon Ronald Marquez [Provident PRC] are scheduled to visit with the pastors and saints in Bacolod and Sipalay City on April 24 - 25, 2025, D.V. Rev. Ibe will continue his lectures on the Church Order of Dort Articles 17 - 21 and Reformed Dogmatics [Soteriology] on the Ordo Salutis."

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 - April 2025  - the RWH is broadcasting four gospel messages by Rev. C. Haak, including special Lenten and Easter messages. This week's message is titled "The Power of the Cross" based on Romans 8:1.
  
• 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.).

From the RFPA: "This Lenten anthology is a collection of six books, originally radio messages delivered during Lent, which explore the various aspects of Christ’s suffering and death. Each of the six sections—The Amazing Cross, The Royal Sufferer, The Power of the Cross, Rejected of Men, Jesus in the Midst, and Man of Sorrows—is devoted to a specific aspect of the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Through these inspirational messages, readers will be brought to a deeper knowledge of their own worthlessness and of the absolute necessity of Christ’s cross for their salvation. May every reader, as did the author, welcome the opportunity which the season of Lent affords to “survey the wondrous cross” and to seek refuge in the shadow of that cross."

• The Reformed Book Outlet (downtown Hudsonville, MI) is operating out of its new store in downtown Hudsonville (3472 Harvey St.). 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. 
  *Special note: RBO Storytime: Join us Thursdays for Spring Storytime at 10:15 on March 27, April 3 and 17 (not April 10). Let your little ones enjoy a few stories and a craft, while you browse our books or enjoy a cup of coffee!

• If you are in need of sound biblical and Reformed catechism materials for children and young people, check out the PRC's full curriculum of materials here. Call the PRC Seminary for assistance with any of these materials (616-531-1490).
  
  
• 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.

This Week's Thought for Contemplation

 "Because He is worthy to open the book, the Lamb of God is praised with a new song. 

"This song is sung by the twenty-four elders and the four beasts (creatures) that are gathered around the throne of God. The twenty-four elders represent the church of the Old Testament and New Testament. The four creatures represent angels (cherubim). 

"They sing a new song. 

"Their song is a new song in that it is a new kind of song. It is a new kind of song in that it celebrates something new and different from anything that has ever happened before. One has now been found worthy to take the book of the counsel of God and open it so that He executes the decrees of God that will bring about the kingdom of God. And such a development calls for a new song. The old songs anticipate this, but do not adequately praise it. 

"This song is a song of praise that acknowledges the worthiness of the Lamb and ultimately glorifies the God who sent Him. This song is sung in heaven from the time that Jesus received the book and continues throughout all eternity. The whole realm of angels (10,000 times 10,000) joins in song to acknowledge the worthiness of the Lamb. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing. 

"And every creature that is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea also join in with song to acknowledge His worthiness. Blessing and honor and glory and power be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever. 

"And the four beasts (living creatures) said, Amen. And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him that liveth forever and ever. 

"As the redeemed, we too must acknowledge the worthiness of the Lamb. Being part of the redeemed we belong to the kingdom that Jesus Christ has established and that will soon be completed as He executes the counsel of God. 

We too must acknowledge the greatness and worthiness of the Lamb in prayer and song."

Taken from the article "The Lamb That Was Slain" (Rev. 5:9) by Rev. J. Slopsema, one of this month's featured resources