Classis East Report of Meeting held May 15, 2024 at Byron Center PRC
May Christ use the work of the church to maintain and spread the good news!
Rev. C. Spronk
Stated Clerk, Classis East
Today, May 12, is the nineteenth Lord's Day of this year of our Lord 2024. 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.
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever. ~ Psalm 136:1-4
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.
Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Prof. C. Griess and Rev. J. Mahtani in Georgetown PRC; Rev. S. Regnerus (2nd week) in Hope PRC-Redlands; Prof. B. Huizinga and Rev. C. Spronk in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. J. Engelsma (1st week) in Loveland PRC; Elder led in Lynden PRC; Rev. G. Eriks in Pittsburgh 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!
Special Congregational/Evangelism Notices:
Byron Center PRC, host of Classis East meeting this week (see notice below)
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!
New release from the RFPA! Prof. B. Huizinga's new book Crowning His Gifts: Gracious Rewards in the Reformed Tradition is now available.
Rewards.
For many Christians, this word is a cause for fear and suspicion. It suggests doctrines of merit and a salvation based on works, as well as other ideas at odds with the teachings of the Christian faith.
But that need not be so.
In this accessible book, Brian Huizinga offers a rare historical and theological exposition of the biblical and Reformed teaching on the oft-neglected topic of the rewards of grace for the saints—in both the present life and in the life to come. Excluding any merit, and in full harmony with his sovereign and particular grace, the Lord indeed promises to reward the good works of believers.
"How blessed are the people that know this joyful sound, who can see God has loved them in his Son, who can feel that Christ died for them to be their everlasting peace, who are sweetly assured that the Holy Spirit has begun to show them that he will never leave them nor forsake them in life or in death. This is the joyful sound we need to know to be happy. We need but know what it is to be loved, chosen, redeemed, and sanctified from among men…then we shall bask in the smile, we shall enjoy the sunshine, of God’s countenance upon our souls….
Have you never observed, after the sun has been shining, perhaps for hours together, a diffusing mist has arisen from the earth, or a floating cloud has interposed in the sky, and shaded the grand luminary from your view? Yet, in reality, the sun still shone as before, though your sensation of its luster was suspended. Thus, in the darkest seasons of spiritual distress, God’s countenance, or favor, is still towards you for good, and shines not only with inextinguishable, but also with undiminishable intenseness” (Augustus Toplady).
~ Found in Trinity PRC's bulletin today
Today, May 5, is the eighteenth Lord's Day of this year of our Lord 2024. 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.
Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise him, O ye servants of the LORD. Ye that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God, Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant. For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. ~ Psalm 135:1-5
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.
Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Prof. C. Griess and Rev. N. Decker in Georgetown PRC; Rev. S. Regnerus (1st week) in Hope PRC-Redlands; Prof. B. Huizinga and Rev. J. Smidstra in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. R. Smit (2nd week) in Loveland PRC; Rev. K. Koole (2nd week) in Lynden PRC; Rev. W. Langerak in Pittsburgh 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!
Special Congregational/Evangelism Notices:
Another Friday lunch gathering, May 3, 2024
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!
This month, Portraits of Faithful Saints is 50% off! This collection of short biographies details the lives of fifty-two professing believers who lived and died for Christ.
Order Portraits by clicking the picture below or the "Monthly Sales" button on the RFPA website homepage.
"Into that heaven Christ ascended for us.
"Our perfectly righteous High Priest entered into the presence of the Holy God. Having attained the divine verdict that the benefits of His death were imputed to those for whom He died, Christ longed to be taken to heaven to once again dwell in the presence of His Father. God drew Him home. The righteous God place d Him upon His right hand and crowned Him with all glory and honor. The saints, angels, the representatives of creation sang their welcome song when He entered into heaven itself.
"And Jesus did not forget His own that were yet upon the earth. As our great High Priest He prayed the Father for the Comforter whom He might send unto His brethren in the world that they might also be where He is.
"Our Father answered that prayer. He crowned the faithful Christ with all the power to direct all things to serve the purpose of the salvation of the entire church for whom Christ died. He gave Him the Holy Spirit to draw them unto Himself.
"For us He entered into heaven itself.
"What a precious truth this is for us now.
"Notice, because this is true we have every reason to be joyful now. All diseases, all suffering, loneliness, wars, burdens of sin, pressures of the battle of faith are directed our way because our Lord Jesus Christ is entered into heaven itself. No one else sends these things to us but He. That too, not to make life miserable for us, rather to draw us above the things of this world that we become and remain heavenly minded.
"Our joy is in God through Jesus Christ already now.
"And we long for heaven when this joy shall become even greater. Then all these burdens shall be taken away not simply for our sakes, but that we may then rejoice perfectly in the God of our salvation.
"You long for heaven in a good sense of the word?
"Christ is already there. He is working now in such a way that we shall certainly arrive there in safety.
"Hope in the Lord! Wait patiently for Him!
~ Jason Kortering in "Christ Entered Into Heaven Itself," one of this month's featured resources
In May we have four Christ-centered messages to share! We will continue with the Women of the Bible series by Rev. W. Bruinsma. Please help us share these messages!
Rebekah Marries Isaac
Genesis 24:55-67
Shiphrah and Puah Fear God
Exodus 1:1-21
Miriam's Lamentable Fall
Numbers 12
The Faith of Rahab
Hebrews 11:31
Listen on Your Favorite Platform
www.ReformedWitnessHour.org www.sermonaudio.com/rwh
Subscribe to RWH on one of these podcast apps: iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, Player FM, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, the Podcast App, and Himalaya.
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Today, April 28, is the seventeenth Lord's Day of this year of our Lord 2024. 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.
Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD. The LORD that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion. ~ Psalm 134
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.
Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Prof. R. Cammenga and Rev. C. Haak in Georgetown PRC; Rev. W. Bruinsma (3rd week) in Hope PRC-Redlands; Prof. B. Huizinga and Rev. D. Noorman in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. R. Smit (1st week) in Loveland PRC; Rev. K. Koole (1st week) in Lynden PRC; Rev. J. Holstege in Pittsburgh 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!
Georgetown PRC fellowship addition (back view, right side) - see note below
Special Congregational/Evangelism Notices:
Mr. Doug Start's presentation on coins of the biblical period was given this past Friday after lunch at the PRC Seminary (see note below)
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!
Need help preparing to date with a view to marriage in the Lord? Let this book from the RFPA be a tool!
"Since indifference of this sort [as in the days of Noah and Sodom] will exist at the time of the last day, believers ought not to indulge themselves after the example of the multitude…When Christ says that men were giving their whole attention to eating, drinking, marriage, and other worldly employments at the time when God destroyed the whole world by a deluge and Sodom by thunder, this means they were fully occupied with the conveniences and enjoyments of the present life as if there had been no reason to dread any change…Certain that the condition in which they then were would remain unchanged…with gross stupidity they opposed the judgment of God and rushed, with closed eyes, to unbridled iniquity, as if there had been no Judge in heaven. So Christ declares that the last age of the world will be in a state of stupid indifference, so that men will think of nothing but the present life and will extend their cares to a long period, pursuing their ordinary course of life, as if the world were always to remain in the same condition…
The source and cause of their ignorance was that unbelief had blinded their minds; as, on the other hand Noah beheld at a distance by the eyes of faith the vengeance of God…And it must be observed that the reprobate, at that time, were hardened in their wickedness, because the Lord did not show his grace to any but his servants by giving them a salutary warning to beware in proper time…Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and the cares of this life. Certainly he who, by living in intemperance, has his senses overloaded with food and wine, will never elevate his mind to meditation on the heavenly life.
But as there is no desire of the flesh that does not intoxicate a man, we ought to take care in all these respects not to satiate ourselves with the world if we wish to advance with speed to the kingdom of Christ. Watch denotes that uninterrupted attention which keeps our minds in full activity and makes us pass through the world like pilgrims…And pray, first, that God may be pleased to rescue us from so deep and intricate a labyrinth; and next, that he may present us safe and sound in presence of his Son; for we shall never be able to reach it but by miraculously escaping innumerable deaths. And as it was not enough to pass through the course of the present life by rising superior to all dangers, Christ places prayer as the most important, that we may be permitted to stand before his tribunal.”
~ John Calvin (as quoted on Trinity PRC's bulletin today)
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Today, April 21, is the sixteenth Lord's Day of this year of our Lord 2024. 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.
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. ~ Psalm 133
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.
Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Rev. A. Spriensma in Georgetown PRC; Rev. W. Bruinsma (2nd week) in Hope PRC-Redlands; Prof. B. Huizinga and Prof. J. Slopsema in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. J. Laning in Loveland PRC; Rev. C. Haak (2nd week) in Lynden PRC; Rev. M. McGeown in Pittsburgh 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!
Georgetown PRC fellowship addition (back view, right side) - see note below
Special Congregational/Evangelism Notices:
Senior Arend Haveman leading devotions last week for his final time.
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!
Need help preparing to date with a view to marriage in the Lord? Let this book from the RFPA be a tool!
"This kingdom [of God] consists of two parts; the first is when God by the agency of his Spirit corrects all the depraved lusts of the flesh, which in bands war against Him; and the second, when he brings all our thoughts into obedience to his authority….
"This prayer, therefore, ought to withdraw us from the corruptions of the world which separate us from God and prevent his kingdom from flourishing within us; secondly, it ought to inflame us with an ardent desire for the mortification of the flesh; and, lastly, it ought to train us to the endurance of the cross, since this is the way in which God would have his kingdom to be advanced.
"It ought not to grieve us that the outward man decays provided the inner man is renewed. For such is the nature of the kingdom of God, that while we submit to his righteousness he makes us partakers of his glory.”
~ John Calvin on the first petition of the Lord's Prayer, "Hallowed be Thy name."
Today, April 14, is the fifteenth Lord's Day of this year of our Lord 2024. 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.
We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool. Arise, O LORD, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of thy strength. Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy. For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it. ~ Psalm 132:7-9; 13-14
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.
Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Prof. C. Griess and Rev. G. Eriks in Georgetown PRC; Rev. W. Bruinsma (1st week) in Hope PRC-Redlands; Prof. B. Huizinga and Prof. R. Dykstra in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. S. Key in Loveland PRC; Rev. C. Haak (1st week) led in Lynden PRC; Rev. ? in Pittsburgh 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!
Special Congregational/Evangelism Notices:
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!
On sale this month from the RFPA at 50% off!
"So let us consider from this passage and the eighth commandment the right use of our possessions.
"First we must see that we are called to obtain them lawfully. The eighth commandment forbids stealing. By implication, all other unlawful means of obtaining possessions is declared to be off limits. And by implication, the positive keeping of the eighth commandment is that we come by our possessions in a lawful way.
"In Ephesians 4:28 the apostle Paul teaches the two main ways in which God ordinarily provides for our needs: work, and gifts. Paul says, “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” So ordinarily a man obtains by working. Strong, able bodied men who work for other men gain income as an exchange for labor; or they find food by growing crops and cattle. But some are unable to work; the wife and children at home depend on the husband and father to provide, and others cannot work due to handicaps, sickness, or old age. Those who do work are to care for those who cannot, by giving gifts. These gifts might come from individuals, or from the church, which is taught to care for its own who have needs. Sometimes these gifts come in surprising or miraculous ways; think of the way in which God fed the Israelites in the wilderness by giving manna from heaven every day.
"Regardless of the specific way in which we receive possessions, Jesus teaches us in Luke 12 that it is God who provides. Just as God clothes the lilies of the field and gives food to the birds of the air, so He gives us our possessions. He uses the means of work, and of other people, to do that—but in heaven, He controls and directs history so that our needs are supplied. This the rich fool forgot: he had obtained in his own strength and by his own wisdom, and forgot that another gave him, and that other could take his life away in an instant.
"Several basic truths govern how we are to obtain our possessions. First, we are to remember that God created all things, and therefore owns them; they are not ultimately ours. Second, by the means we mentioned (work and gifts), He distributes His wealth to us, giving to each of us whatever portion He desires, just as an employer distributes to his employees. Third, the portion that God gives each of us is different from person to person, and yet is enough for each—enough, that is, for one to serve God in the place in which He puts us."
~ Taken from the radio message "The Eighth Comandment: The Right Use of Our Possessions" by Prof. D. Kuiper
Classis East
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Classis West
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