PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for February 28, 2021 (Updated)

The following are special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this Sunday, February 28, the ninth Lord's Day of this year 2021.

• Today our sovereign Creator and Redeemer calls us to enter into His rest by faith in His Son Jesus Christ and to give Him the worship of which He alone is worthy. In doing so, we also hear the gospel of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, knowing that the preaching of Christ crucified and raised is the power of God unto salvation for all who believe (Rom.1:16).
  If you are visiting this website and are interested in the PRC, we invite you to join us at any of our services (morning and afternoon/evening). For congregations, locations and times, visit this page.
  

The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; To shew that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him. ~ Psalm 92:12-15 (A Psalm for the Sabbath day)

• Rev. E.Guichelaar (Randolph, WI) is considering the call to Kalamazoo PRC (received Jan.31). Update: He declined this call.
  
  
• The Council of Byron Center PRC announces a trio from which to call a new pastor: Revs. R. Barnhill (Peace PRC), J. Engelsma (Doon PRC), and D. Holstege (missionary to the Philppines). A congregational meeting will be held following the evening service of March 7.
  
  
• This past Tuesday (Feb.23) the congregation of Wingham PRC voted to extend a call to Rev. J.Smidstra (First PRC, Holland, MI).
  
  
• In her bulletin today Providence PRC has this update on Rev. M.McGeown's immigration status: The Irish government​ has extended the “Level 5” restrictions until 5 April. The McGeowns have not yet received official cancellation notice for the 8 March appointment; however, the appointment is for a non-immigrant visa, and the embassy’s website states that under Level 5 restrictions the US embassy in Dublin will be offering "only extremely limited immigrant visa services" while "non-immigrant visa services will be suspended." Rev. McGeown has another non-immigrant visa interview pending, scheduled for 11 August in London. There is also a very small possibility of an immigrant visa interview being granted to Rev. McGeown before August. Please remember Rev. and Larisa McGeown and the remaining saints of the LRF in your prayers.

• Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Prof. D.Kuiper and Rev. J.Smidstra in Byron Center PRC; Prof. R.Cammenga and Rev. G.Eriks in Hudsonville PRC; Prof. B.Huizinga and Rev. D.Noorman in Kalamazoo PRC; Prof. B.Gritters and Rev. C.Griess in Providence PRC. We thank the Lord for this blessing of our church federation to help one another in this need.
  
  Let us also continue to pray for all the needs of these vacant congregations, including Wingham PRC, which cannot receive pulpit supply from the U.S. at this time (pandemic travel restrictions), though she has resumed in-person worship services.
  
  
• For those who may still be limited to house worship, whether completely or partially, we invite you to visit the PR churches page and follow the links to the websites where the churches' livestream may be found. Or you may visit the selected audio sermon page and listen to one of your choice there.
  
  
• Did you know that...
  • that the Canadian delegates to Classis West this week are asking to attend virtually? Since both Edmonton and Immanuel PRCs' delegates are under strict border-crossing restrictions, they have asked Classis to allow them to participate virutally. We hope that this is workable for these four men and for Classis.

  • the Reformed Book Outlet will be closed March 3-10 to do inventory and to make some changes to how the store is set up? We will open up again, Lord willing, on March 11. If you have any needs during this time, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and we look forward to seeing you when the store opens back up again!

Peace PRC in Dyer, IN, host of this week's Classis West meeting

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS:

• Classis West will meet this week Wednesday, March 3 in Peace PRC, Dyer, IN. May the Lord grant safe travels for the delegates and wisdom and faithfulness to them as they carry out their work.
  
  
• Need for Ministers: For several years our synods have asked the congregations to remember the need for young men to pursue the calling to serve as ministers of the gospel.  Consistories and parents are urged to encourage young men in whom they see the beginning of the gifts necessary for the ministry. The greatness of the message of the gospel and the greatness of the need for that gospel to be proclaimed makes the need urgent. Also, there is an urgent need for young men because of the number of vacant congregations and the number of current ministers retiring because of increasing weariness of age. Cease not to ask the King of the church to provide.

Full moon setting behind the seminary sign a morning this past week

PRC Seminary Notices:

• The seminary has now completed six weeks of its second semester, and things continue to go well. The schedule and calendar have been posted on the seminary's website here. Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, we are not allowing class auditors/visitors again this semester, which we deeply regret. Continue to remember the seminary's faculty, students, and staff in your prayers.
• The first round of practice preaching is taking place at present. This past Monday Josiah Tan and Marcus Wee delivered their sermons. Tomorrow Matt Korner and Isaac Peters will deliver theirs.
• Internship news found in Faith PRC's bulletin recently: The Consistory has joyfully accepted the request of the Seminary to host the internship of Seminarian Marcus Wee.Mr. Wee, along with his wife, Tze Yan, have two sons, Asaph and Silas, and are expecting a third child this summer. They are members of Covenant Evangelical Reformed Church in Singapore, and are currently attending Zion PRC.They will attend Faith during the interim of the internship, which will begin on July 1, and run through the end of December. We pray that God will bless the Wee family and our congregation during our time together.
• The print version of the Fall 2020 issue of the PRTS Journal came in this week and was mailed out Friday. Look for your copy soon! The digital copies (pdf & epub) have now been posted on the seminary website. If you wish to be added to our mailing list, please call or email the seminary.
• For the latest seminary news and information, visit the seminary's website.

SISTER-CHURCH/MISSIONS NEWS:

• Covenant ERC, Singapore: 
  • From the "Pastoral Voice" in her bulletin today: Session would like to remind members and regular worshippers that Professor Russell & Carol Dykstra will leaving Singapore on the 10th May 2021 as planned, D.V. ...With their imminent departure, Session had already sounded out to our sister church, the PRCA, our request for pulpit supply thereafter. Do pray earnestly that the Lord will continue to provide for our needs.
    
  • The December 2020 "Reformed News Asia" is the most recent issue published (#63). Read that issue here.
• Covenant PRC, N. Ireland and her Limerick, Ireland mission:
  • Rev. A. Stewart continues to minister the Word to the saints in Ballymena.
  • Read the latest issue of the "Covenant Reformed News" - February 2021!
  • Rev. M.McGeown continues to minister the Word in Limerick until he is able to come to the U.S. to serve Providence PRC.
    
  • Sadly, because of COVID uncertainty, the British Reformed Fellowship Family Conference has been rescheduled from this summer (2021) to July 9-16, 2022. Profs. David Engelsma and Brian Huizinga will develop the glorious truth of "Union With Christ" at Castlewellan Castle, N. Ireland. More details are online (http://brfconference.weebly.com).
• PRC in the Philippines and her mission work:
  
  • From Berean PRC in Manila: Rev. V. Ibe is leading her in-person services today. The saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship (AGPRF), Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija will join us in our worship services today via live streaming at Facebook live.
  • From Maranatha PRC bulletin today: Rev. L.Trinidad is leading the online services today (via Facebook Live). This will be the last sermons of Rev. L. Trinidad for Maranatha PRC due to his Emeritation effective today because of his advancing age. Let us continue to uphold him and his family together with the members of the church in our prayers.
  • Provident PRC bulletin: Rev. D.Kleyn will lead both of our worship services and preach for us today.
    
  • PRCP Seminary News: The PRCP Seminary has begun second semester classes, which are being taught via the Internet.
  • The Classis of the PRCP met his past Thursday, February 25. The Classis was not able to complete its work and plans to meet again on April 1, D.V.

Listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday - on a radio station near you, on Sermonaudio, or on your favorite podcast - wherever you are!

• Rev. R.Kleyn (Covenant of Grace PRC in Spokane, WA) has returned to the program (for the next four months) and begins a series on the Gospel According to Mark. Today's message is based on Mark 1:14,15 and titled "The Messiah Comes Preaching."
  
• Listen to the broadcast on the station near you, on your favorite podcast (Google Music, Spotify, and iTunes), or visit the links provided here to listen to this program. Have you listened lately?
• 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 Commitee 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.).
  

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REFORMED RESOURCES FOR EDIFICATION, EDUCATION, and EVANGELISM:

Is the true God your God? How can I know Him!? Go here to read this important pamphlet.

• Want 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.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• Reformed Book Outlet news:

  The Reformed Book Outlet will be closed March 3-10 to do inventory and to make some changes to how the store is set up. We will open up again, Lord willing, on March 11. If you have any needs during this time, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and we look forward to seeing you when the store opens back up again!

This Week's Thought for Contemplation:

Of Man's Sanctification and Good Works, found in Article 24 of the Belgic Confession (1561), one of the PRC's "Three Forms of Unity"