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Today, October 29, is the forty-fourth 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.
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.
Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word. So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word. And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments. So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever. And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts. ~ Psalm 119:41-45
Special Congregational Notices:
Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Rev. J. Slopsema and Rev. C. Haak in Georgetown PRC; Rev. T. Miersma in Hosanna PRC, Edmonton, AB; Sem. A. Van Dyke and Rev. J. Maatman in Hudsonville PRC; Prof. D. Kuiper in Loveland PRC; Rev. H. Bleyenberg (2nd week) in Lynden PRC; Prof. B. Huizinga in Randolph PRC; Prof. B. Gritters and Prof. R. Dykstra 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!
On Tuesday of this past week the PRC Seminary enjoyed an afternoon of bright sunshine and 76 degrees - one of the last really nice fall days here in West Michigan.
PRC Seminary Notices:
Learn more about this Reformation Day conference at Berean PRC-Philippines below
Listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday - on a radio station near you, on Sermonaudio, or on your favorite podcast - wherever you are!
Did you know that the great Reformation of the 16th century revived the ancient church practice of catechism instruction? The Heidelberg Catechism is such a marvelous instruction tool for the church today. Find out more about this catechism here.
This Week's Thought for ContemplationJohn Calvin, Father of Calvinism
"Calvin was above all a preacher and expositor of Holy Scripture. His preaching was his strength, and it remains of unparalleled influence to the present. His theology was rooted in exegesis, because God's Word was the standard for him of all truth and right. His commentaries are still the very best available, and modern "scholarly" commentaries, so many of which are really sellouts to higher criticism, seem scarcely worthy of notice in comparison.
"Calvin's influence spread throughout Europe and ultimately throughout the world. That influence was not only his theology, but also his liturgy, his church polity, and his piety. The heritage of Calvin is also, let it never be forgotten, the heritage of genuinely Reformed piety. It would be well if a book were written only on that aspect of Calvin's life.
"Calvin was not the dramatic personality which was Luther. Nor did Calvin "wear his heart on his sleeve," as Luther did. Especially in his old age, Luther became something of a crab and spoke far too vehemently in his opposition to those who did not agree with him on the doctrine of the Lord's Supper. But Calvin always respected Luther for the great work Luther did in the work of reformation. He told others, not so generous towards Luther, that even if Luther would call him a devil, he would still honor him as God's chosen vessel.
"Calvin could appreciate Luther for what Luther did because Calvin's life was consumed by the glory of God. His enemies called him a God-intoxicated man - drunk with God! What more wonderful thing could be said of a man? The deepest principle of his theology was God's glory, and the real essence of all he wrote was this great truth. But it was also Calvin's life. He lived and died with God's glory his deepest desire. He is one in this cloud of witnesses whose voice shouts to us down the corridors of time.
~ Found in the article John Calvin: Father of Calvinism by Prof. H. Hanko
Today, October 22, is the forty-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.
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.
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me. My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times. ...Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes. Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors. ~ Psalm 119:18-20, 23-24
Special Congregational Notices:
Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Prof. C. Griess and Rev. M. McGeown in Georgetown PRC; Rev. T. Miersma in Hosanna PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. B. Huizinga and Prof. R. Cammenga in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. S. Key in Loveland PRC; Rev. H. Bleyenberg in Lynden PRC; Rev. S. Regnerus in Randolph PRC; Prof. B. Gritters and Rev. 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!
Rev. C. Haak led the chapels on the last two Wednesdays at the PRTS
PRC Seminary Notices:
Listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday - on a radio station near you, on Sermonaudio, or on your favorite podcast - wherever you are!
Did you know that the great Reformation of the 16th century was a return to biblical worship? Find out how and why in this resource!
This Week's Thought for ContemplationLuther’s "Here I Stand" Moment
"The spokesman was not interested in an answer like this. All he wanted to hear was, “revoco.”7 Yes or no, Martin Luther? Do you, or do you not, retract? And then the monk, before emperor, electors, lords, princes, and bishops, a silence filling the hall, breathless anticipation, the eyes of all fixed upon him—then the monk spake those words that reverberated through that assembly, and have reverberated through the hundreds of years since:
"Since then your serene majesty and your lordships seek a simple answer, I will give it in this manner…. Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason (for I do not trust either in the pope or in councils alone, since it is well known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not retract anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience. I cannot do otherwise, here I stand, may God help me, Amen.
"Again an attempt was made to get him to budge, but Luther remained firm. The diet recessed, and he returned to his lodging.
"Scripture—that was the refrain that continued to be heard the days following, when various persons and delegations tried to negotiate with him. “Then began the attempt to break Luther down through a committee.”9 But he was resolute: he could only agree to submit his case to the judgment of another, including a council’s, if Scripture would be the standard of judgment and the final authority. The negotiations fell flat. April 26, several days after his second appearing, Luther departed for home, the emperor honoring the promised safe conduct.
"This history exemplifies that great Reformation principle— and one that grated upon the ears of Rome during Luther’s time at Worms—of sola Scriptura...."
~ Found in the article "Here I Stand" by Rev. J. Maatman
Today, October 15, is the forty-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.
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.
Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! ~ Psalm 119:1-5
Special Congregational Notices:
Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Prof. B. Gritters in Doon (IA) PRC; Prof. C. Griess and Rev. J. Smidstra in Georgetown PRC; Rev. T. Miersma in Hosanna PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. B. Huizinga and Rev. D. Lee in Hudsonville PRC; Sem. A. Haveman in Loveland PRC; Elder led in Lynden PRC; Rev. R. Smit in Randolph PRC; Sem. A. Van Dyke and Prof. D. Kuiper 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 Seminary Notices:
Listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday - on a radio station near you, on Sermonaudio, or on your favorite podcast - wherever you are!
What does - and what should - the Reformation of the 16th century mean to the church today? Read this resource to find out!
Luther’s Hammer
"If anyone in church history could swing a hammer it was Martin Luther. His primary hammer was not what he may have used to post his theses to Wittenberg’s church door on October 31, 1517. His hammer was Scripture: “Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?” (Jer. 23:29). Because his voluminous writings were faithful explanations of the truth of divine Scripture, the powerful Word of God was communicated through those writings, making them many hammers to break in pieces the rock of Roman Catholic false doctrine lodged in the hearts of men. Luther’s writings were not like the fluff of many Christian publishing houses today. His writings infuriated the pope, served as kindling for the enemies’ fires, and continually jeopardized his safety. But the Reformer kept taking the hammer of God’s Word, swinging away in the service of the truth that salvation is of grace alone and, therefore, through faith alone in Christ alone.
"With his Ninety-five Theses of 1517 Luther smashed into pieces the lie of papal authority and the efficacy of indulgences captured in Tetzel’s famed jingle, “As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs.” This was only the beginning.
"With his “Address to the Christian Nobility” of 1520 Luther hammered away at the Romish doctrine of papal authority and infallibility, the sole authority of the Romish church to interpret Scripture, and the corruption of the distinction between clergy and laity. With the heavy “Babylonian Captivity of the Church” written also in 1520, Luther pounded away at the entire system of works-righteousness by smashing to pieces the Roman Catholic idea of the sacerdotal system and the sacraments—in particular the accursed idolatry that is the mass, so central to the life and work of the priests and of all the people. It is said that even Erasmus read this tract and declared that the breach with Rome was irreparable. Luther’s commentary on Galatians, published in 1535, was another heavy-hitting piece of writing."
~ Found in the article "Luther and Scripture" by Prof. B. Huizinga
Dear brothers and sisters in our Lord,
My wife and I have been warmly welcomed at Zion PRC and are very blessed to be among the saints there. I am very thankful for the men on Zion’s council and the DMC and for the friendship and good working relationship we have together. Things are going quite well and I am much enjoying the work.
What follows is a brief summary of what has taken place thus far and some things regarding what is planned going forward.
I am currently taking classes at Calvin Theo logical Seminary toward a Master of Theology degree (ThM) with emphasis on Missions/ Evangelism. In each class I am conducting research and writing papers from a missions perspective.
One of my classes last semester was on I & II Thessalonians. In that class we studied Paul’s mission work in Thessalonica and the subjects brought up in I and II Thessalonians, which he wrote early on in his mission labors. My second class was on the history of worship. My paper in that class was on how mission work was conducted in the days of Augus tine, considering specifically what Augustine’s experience was like as a convert/catechumen going through the catechumenate and being baptized while receiving instruction from Ambrose.
From now on I plan to take no more than one class at a time, so that I have sufficient time to devote myself to other labors. In this fall semester I am enrolled in just one class. It is called ThM Research Methodology, and is on how to conduct the research and write my Master’s thesis. At the present time my inten tion is to write on the subject of eschatology and missions. Paul frequently talked about the return of Christ when conducting his mission work. The thought would be to conduct research on the specific points he mentioned and how this can be applied today in the work of missions.
I have been and will be continuing to conduct research on what God teaches us in Scripture on the principles and methods of missions. The subject of the history of missions is quite important as well, and I am doing research on this also.
In May, I led a presentation/discussion entitled “Fishers of Men” in one of the breakout/discus sion sectionals during the Missions Conference put on by Trinity PRC and the DMC. Later this month (September) I am scheduled to give an evangelism lecture at Hope PRC (Redlands), followed by another one in October at SW PRC.
Working with Evangelism Committees With the help of our evangelism committees, I am beginning to put together a list of contacts. So far we have communicated with contacts in Texas, Minnesota (north of Minneapolis), North Dakota, Alabama, and Hungary. I have travelled quite a bit this summer, assisting our churches and our sister church in Northern Ireland with pulpit supply. As this begins to wind down a bit this fall, my wife and I plan to travel to visit with some of the contacts we have and to witness to others in their area. We are working on coming up with more ways to start communicating with those who are making use of our sermons and written material online. Some of these people who are visiting our websites are leaving comments. If they leave their name along with their comment, it may be possible to locate them. For example, a man left a comment regarding a sermon preached at one of our churches. My wife is on FaceBook and she looked up his name on FaceBook, found him and sent him a FaceBook message letting him know that I would like to talk with him on the phone. He very quickly provided his phone number and I called him and we talked for awhile. This is just one way that we can work together to start communi cating with those who are watching sermons, listening to podcasts, or reading our material online.
We are also analyzing website stats. I have asked all of our evangelism committees to provide us with any stats they have concerning the location of the hits they are getting on either SermonAudio, their own website, their FaceBook page, etc. I also had very helpful conversations with Jordan Van Baren about the RFPA stats, and with Brian Key about the Reformed Witness Hour stats.
A thirty-six your old man named Adam has emailed us. Hungary, being a country in Europe, falls under the work of domestic missions. He has translated a number of works for the website of Covenant PRC in Northern Ireland and has also learned much by listening to the sermons there and reading material that they have posted.
After talking about his own spiritual history and the current ecclesiastical situation in Hungary, he writes:
The reason why I am writing you (is) that I would like to kindly ask about your opinion about the following thing:
What are the circumstances where PRCA would take into consideration one church planting in Hungary? I know the workers are few and by the Grace of God the doors are open by the Holy Spirit in Asia, thus the harvest might be bigger there, but is there anything that could help to raise the chances (at least) that a good Reformed Church with Dutch Heritage would consider Hungary as a target for a church planting mission? Or at least providing a little help in that?
He goes on to say that he knows one family of five that he expects will likely be interested, and also a number of others. He expressed agreement with us on the doctrine of the life long marriage bond and said that this was one of the main reasons he was contacting us specifically.
He went on to say that he was willing to open his house in the airport area of Budapest for all gatherings and Sunday worship in the begin ning.
We intend to use both audio and visual means to find contacts and begin working with them, with a view to hopefully gathering together groups of contacts. I am working on a series of messages/podcasts and plan to add intros/outros encouraging people to contact us. After completing a podcast series, the plan would be to make a series of YouTube video shorts (i.e. 1 minute), perhaps 20 or 30 of them for starters.
There is much work to be done, and as time goes on the number of those to whom our Lord will lead us will likely continue to grow. Should our Lord lead you to anyone desiring to receive instruction, please direct them to me at the contact info listed above. May our heav enly Father continue to bless us as we labor together in this important work.
In the service of our Lord,
Rev. J. Laning
Today, October 8, is the forty-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.
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.
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever. Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever. ...Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD: This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter. I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. ~ Psalm 118:1,2; 19-24
Special Congregational Notices:
Our Canadian congregations (Hosanna, Immanuel, and Wingham PRCs) will be having their Thanksgiving service tomorrow morning, as Canada's Thanksgiving Day is October 9.
Crete PRC (IL): "The Safeguarding Committee of Crete PRC would like to invite you to this presentation on October 13 at 7:00 PM at Crete PRC in Crete, IL. The topic of this presentation is “Grooming” with an introduction of who HAVEN of MERCY is, the process of grooming, preventions, possible red flags, and personal experiences shared by members of HAVEN. All are encouraged to attend in person as this will not be livestreamed."
Hosanna PRC (Edmonton, AB): "We have been granted a lease with St. Albert Evangelical Lutheran Church, 11 Glenview Crescent, St. Albert. Our first services will be on October 1st. Service times will remain at 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM. We give thanks to the Lord for the continued provision of a building. Psalm 34:10 - “The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.” And also this: "The parsonage property in Akinsdale (St. Albert) has been purchased. The new possession date is Monday, October 30th. We give thanks to our denomination for their generous donations, which have allowed us to purchase this property with cash. 'Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.' II Corinthians 9:11"
Grace PRC (Standale, MI): "Grace PRC is hosting a speech, presented by the Trinitarian Bible Society on October 19 at 7 p.m. The topic of this speech is comparing the KJV translation of scripture with other popular translations, and why a proper translation is needed. This presentation will be live steamed but not recorded. We look forward to seeing you there!
Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Rev. K. Koole in Doon (IA) PRC; Prof. B. Gritters and Rev. C. Spronk in Georgetown PRC; Rev. T. Miersma in Hosanna PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. R. Cammenga and Rev. W. Langerak in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. R. Hanko in Loveland PRC; Elder led in Lynden PRC; Rev. C. Haak in Randolph PRC; Prof. C. Griess and Rev. N. Decker 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!
Synod 2023 appointed an Ad Hoc Committee to hire a third-party organization for a denomination-wide investigation of sexual abuse. The committee reports that it has been laboring since the meeting of Synod to come to a mutual understanding and agreement with Guidepost Solutions regarding the work. On October 5 the committee signed a contract with Guidepost Solutions and expects that the investigation will begin in the near future with the publishing of a survey.
Home missionary speech: October 27 Rev. James Lanning will speak on the work of evangelism in the local congregations. Title: “The Church’s Calling in Evangelism.” To be held at SW PRC (Wyoming, MI) at 7:30 P.M.
Classis East: Classis East met on Wednesday, September 13, at Trinity PRC. The delegates are scheduled to reconvene on Wednesday, Oct.25. For a summary of the actions and decisions, visit this page.
Classis West: Classis West held its regular meeting in Crete PRC (IL) on September 27. For more on this meeting, including the stated clerk's public report, visit this page.
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. The various committees of the 100th anniversary steering commitee are busy preparing for this historic event, including a special commemorative book. Watch for further notices and updates!
PRC Seminary Notices:
Listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday - on a radio station near you, on Sermonaudio, or on your favorite podcast - wherever you are!
Are you a Standard Bearer reader? If not, become one by subscribing here! The SB also publishes a special Reformation issue each November. If you would like to receive a past issue on a subject, contac the RFPA office.
“Though I lived as a monk without reproach, I felt that I was a sinner before God with an extremely disturbed conscience. I could not believe that he was placated by my satisfaction. I did not love, yes, I hated the righteous God who punishes sinners, and secretly, if not blasphemously, certainly murmuring greatly, I was angry with God, and said, ‘As if, indeed, it is not enough, that miserable sinners, eternally lost through original sin, are crushed by every kind of calamity by the law of the decalogue, without having God add pain to pain by the gospel and also by the gospel threatening us with his righteousness and wrath!’ Thus I raged with a fierce and troubled conscience. Nevertheless, I beat importunately upon Paul at that place, most ardently desiring to know what St. Paul wanted.
“At last, by the mercy of God, meditating day and night, I gave heed to the context of the words, namely, ‘In it the righteousness of God is revealed, as it is written, “He who through faith is righteous shall live.”’ There I began to understand that the righteousness of God is that by which the righteous lives by a gift of God, namely by faith. And this is the meaning: the righteousness of God is revealed by the gospel, namely, the passive righteousness with which merciful God justifies us by faith, as it is written, ‘He who through faith is righteous shall live.’ Here I felt that I was altogether born again and had entered paradise itself through open gates. There a totally other face of the entire Scripture showed itself to me”
~ Martin Luther, in a preface to his writings, Luther’s Works, vol. 34 (found in Southeast PRC's bulletin today
Classis East
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Classis West
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