PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for March 21, 2021

The following are special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this Sunday, March 21, the twelfth Lord's Day of this year 2021.

• Today is the Sabbath day fulfilled by our Lord Jesus Christ, who rose from the dead to give all who believe on Him rest from the burden of their sins and the hope of perfect rest in heaven. Remembering and celebratiing our Lord's saving work, we worship our triune God and Father in Christ and by His Spirit on this day. In doing so, we also hear the gospel of our Lord, by which we are built up in Him and by which sinners are saved (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.
  

Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. ...For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Phil.3:1, 3.

• Today Rev. J.Smidstra (First PRC, Holland, MI) declined the call to Wingham PRC.
  
  
• Rev. J.Engelsma (Doon PRC, IA) is considering the call from Byron Center PRC (received March 7). He plans to answer on or before April 4.
  
  
• The Council of Hudsonville PRC has formed a new trio from which to call a pastor: Revs. C. Griess (First PRC, Grand Rapids, MI), E. Guichelaar (Randolph PRC, WI), and R. Kleyn (Covenant of Grace PRC, Spokane, WA). The congregational meeting to call one of these men is planned for March 28, after the evening service.
  
  
• Rev. D. Holstege plans to give another Philippine mission/church presentation in the west Michigan area.
  Here are the details from Grandville PRC's bulletin: Rev. Holstege will be giving a short presentation on the work in the Philippines next Sunday, March 28, beginning at approximately 7:15 pm. All are invited to attend.

• Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Prof. D.Kuiper and Rev. J.Holstege in Byron Center PRC; Prof. R.Cammenga and Rev. C.Haak in Hudsonville PRC; Prof. B.Huizinga and Rev. R.Van Overloop in Kalamazoo PRC; Prof. B.Gritters and Rev. J.Mahtani 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...

  • Loveland PRC did not hold services last week (March 14) due to a late winter storm that hit that a large portion of Colorado? As we have been reminded often in the past year, the providential hand of our sovereign Father sometimes prevents us from doing what we ordinarily are called to do and want to do, namely worship Him publicly and corporately. May we humbly submit ourselves to Him, and praise Him even in the storms of life.

  • Many of our congregations have resumed singspirations? - a wonderful development as the pandemic weakens! Faith PRC has one scheduled for next Sunday (March 28). Immanuel PRC (Lacombe) has one planned for Easter Sunday (April 4). Here's an example from Grandville PRC in her bulletin today: Grandville Young Peoples Easter Singspiration is this evening! We hope you can join us as we sing together and hear a few special numbers from our young people and members of our congregation. We plan to start 15 minutes after the evening service ends and the program will last about 45 minutes. A collection will be taken for future Grandville Young Peoples conventions. We look forward to singing together this evening as we praise God in song!

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS:

• Classis West met March 3-4, in Peace PRC, Dyer, IN. For a summary of the decisions, visit this news report. May the Lord be pleased to use these decisions for the good of the churches and the glory of His name.
  
  
• From the Consistory of Bethel PRC: It is with sadness that we announce to the churches that we will be disbanding in the near future, with our final worship services scheduled for Sunday June 27. We also inform you that our pastor, Rev. Dennis Lee, is presently available for a call to any one of our sister-churches.
  
  
• Need for Ministers of the Word: 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.
  
  
• Future Teachers and Ministers: Information for the 2021 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 31st. 

PRC Seminary Notices:

• The seminary has now completed nine weeks of its second semester, and things continue to go well, for which we praise our faithful God. Students have been taking mid-term exams in some of their classes. 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.
• Rev. C.Spronk (Faith PRC) spoke for the Wednesday chapels the last two weeks. On the other days the students take turns leading in devotions.
• This past Friday, after the weekly "brat lunch," Mr. Henry Boer (Hudsonville PRC) featured his collection of sketches of the figures to which Rev. Gerrit Vos referred in his preaching in Hudsonville PRC. Mr. Boer used the white board to draw some of Vos' illustrations for the purpose of "displaying" various gospel truths. Henry's pesentation was a real education - and a delight!
• Sem. Marcus Wee (finishing his junior year) will be doing his internship this summer and fall in Faith PRC (Jenison, MI) under Rev. C.Spronk and the Consistory.
• The print version of the Fall 2020 issue of the PRTS Journal is now available. The digital copies (pdf & epub) have 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/MISSION NEWS:

• Covenant ERC, Singapore: 
  • From the "Pastoral Voice" in her bulletin today: We are thankful that we could witness the baptisms of six covenant children in our midst last Sunday. We pray for the Lord's blessing upon them and their parents who had promised to instruct and bring them up in the Lord. May these covenant children grow up to be faithful men and women in the Lord. In two weeks’ time, we will witness one adult baptism and one confession of faith. Indeed, the Lord has been gracious and merciful to call His people out of darkness into the marvellous light.
    
  • A new issue of Salt Shakers is out - February 2021, #64! Be sure to read the varied and profitable articles - especially the young people!
• 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 led 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 via livestreaming at Facebook live, the Lord willing.
  • Provident PRC bulletin: Rev. R.Smit  preached in both of their worship services today.
    
  • PRCP Seminary News: The seminary students took their midterm exams this past week and now have a one-week break. Classes will resume on March 23, the Lord willing.
  • The Classis of the PRCP plans to meet again in Provident PRC 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) is currently doing a series on the Gospel according to Mark. Today's message is based on Mark 1:29-34 and titled "Miracles for a Mother and a Multitude."
  
• 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 (*see the attachment to this news post for the latest one). 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:

It's the season of courtship and marriage - are you prepared and preparing? Check out this title from the RFPA here!

• 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 has reopened and you are welcome to shop the store in downtown Hudsonville (MI). 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..

This Week's Thought for Contemplation:

Article 8

For this was the sovereign counsel, and most gracious will and purpose of God the Father, that the quickening and saving efficacy of the most precious death of His Son should extend to all the elect, for bestowing upon them alone the gift of justifying faith, thereby to bring them infallibly to salvation: that is, it was the will of God, that Christ by the blood of the cross, whereby He confirmed the new covenant, should effectually redeem out of every people, tribe, nation, and language, all those, and those only, who were from eternity chosen to salvation, and given to Him by the Father; that He should confer upon them faith, which together with all the other saving gifts of the Holy Spirit, He purchased for them by His death; should purge them from all sin, both original and actual, whether committed before or after believing; and having faithfully preserved them even to the end, should at last bring them free from every spot and blemish to the enjoyment of glory in His own presence forever.

Article 9

This purpose proceeding from everlasting love towards the elect, has from the beginning of the world to this day been powerfully accomplished, and will henceforward still continue to be accomplished, notwithstanding all the ineffectual opposition of the gates of hell, so that the elect in due time may be gathered together into one, and that there never may be wanting a church composed of believers, the foundation of which is laid in the blood of Christ, which may steadfastly love, and faithfully serve Him as their Savior, who as a bridegroom for his bride, laid down His life for them upon the cross, and which may celebrate His praises here and through all eternity.

Articles 8-9 of Head II of the Canons of Dordt (1618-19), "Of the Death of Christ, and the Redemption of Men Thereby"