PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for April 4, 2021 (Updated)

The following are special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this Sunday, April 4, the fourteenth Lord's Day of this year 2021.

Today is Resurrection Sunday, the day we mark and celebrate the glorious resurrection from the dead of our Savior, Jesus Christ. The One who was crucified for us sinners on Friday is now risen from the dead. Hallelujah, what a Savior! May our worship be in the power of His new life in us and in accordance with the glory He now has as our exalted Lord.

But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. ...O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Cor.15:20-22; 55-58

• 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.
  
  
• Today Rev. J. Engelsma (Doon PRC, IA) declined the call from Byron Center PRC.
  
  
• Last Sunday Hudsonville PRC voted to extend a call to Rev. C. Griess (First PRC, Grand Rapids, MI).
  
  
• The Consistory of Kalamazoo PRC announces a new trio from which to call a pastor: Revs. Dennis Lee (Bethel PRC, Roselle, IL); Stephan Regnerus (Lynden PRC, Lynden, WA); and Ronald VanOverloop (Grace PRC, Standale, MI). The congregation plans to call today. UPDATE: Rev. R. Van Overloop has received this call.

• Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Prof. D.Kuiper and Rev. D.Noorman in Byron Center PRC; Prof. R.Cammenga and Rev. J.Maatman in Hudsonville PRC; Prof. B.Huizinga and Rev. J.Holstege in Kalamazoo PRC; Prof. B.Gritters and Rev. J.Smidstra in Providence PRC. We thank the Lord for this blessing of our church federation to help one another in this need.
  
  May we 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...
  • there are a couple of Easter singspirations this evening in the PRC? Immanuel PRC in Lacombe has one tonight and First PRC Holland has one planned for this evening as well. A wonderful way to rejoice in our risen Savior!
  • there a couple of regional young people "conventions" being planned and prepared for after the main Federation Board one was cancelled for the second year in a row? Here are the details - reasons for rejoicing with our young people who need their Christian fellowship:
    • With thankfulness, the committee for the Midwest YP Retreat to be held at Inspiration Hills in IA on August 9-11 announces that we have had an overwhelming response to registration and are currently full. Any registrations received after March 31st, will be added to a waiting list, and alerted if space opens up. Thank you to those who have registered, we look forward to seeing you this fall.
    • Because the regular large convention was cancelled recently, a committee of Grace Church Adults is working to put together a smaller convention that includes Grandville, Pittsburgh, Byron Center, Spokane, and Lynden PRC church’s young people. We are planning to have it from August 9-13 at a camp in Indiana called Quaker Haven, which is about 6 hours from Pittsburgh. More details will come out in April once we are more organized and have more information etc. If anyone has questions, please contact Nick Kleyn This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. call 616-291-4647.The following is a link to a quick review of the camp:https://youtu.be/hXqWPiLSk1E

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS:

PRC Seminary Notices:

• The seminary has now completed eleven weeks of its second semester. This week is Spring break week, so there are no classes; but seminary will still be open daily from 8-5 (M-F). Continue to remember the seminary's faculty, students, and staff in your prayers as we approach the final third of the semester.
• The second round of Practice Preaching began on March 29, with Sems. J.Tan and M.Wee delivering their sermons. On Monday, April 12, Sems. M.Koerner and I.Peters will deliver theirs.
• 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.

Read the latest Covenant Reformed News - March 2021 - just out this past week!

SISTER-CHURCH/MISSION NEWS:

• Covenant ERC, Singapore: 
  • From the "Pastoral Voice" in her bulletin today: This week we eagerly anticipated the long-awaited announcement of further relaxing of the circuit breaker measures in relation to the worship services. With effect from 5th April 2021, congregational singing is allowed during the worship service. However, face mask must be worn at all times even during singing and the total times for singing must not exceed 30 minutes. We are thankful to God for the latest provision and as we went through the limitation of not able to sing aloud in the past, we hope that this will stir in us the earnest desire to sing and praise God not only from our heart but also with our lips.“My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth will praisedthee with joyful lips” – Psalm 63:5
    
  • 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" - March 2021! - just our this past week
  • Rev. M.McGeown continues to minister the Word in Limerick until he is able to come to the U.S. to serve Providence PRC. In today's bulletin he provides this update: The Irish government recently announced some changes to the COVID-19 restrictions, but nothing very significant. From 12 April we may travel within our own county and we may meet with one other household outdoors but not in a private garden. On 4 May the government will review the current ban on in-person religious services.  “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing” (James 1:4).
    
• PRC in the Philippines and her mission work:
  
  • A new Philippine Newsletter was recently released! Read it at the link provided here.
    
  • From Berean PRC in Manila: Rev. R.Smit led her in-person services today. Rev. Ibe is scheduled to visit the saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship (AGPRF), Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija on Saturday (April 3, 2021). He will lead them in their Bible study on the book of Ephesians 1. Ptr. Ibe will also give a Word of edification on Sunday at 9:00 A.M., all the Lord willing.
  • Provident PRC bulletin: "Rev. D. Kleyn is scheduled to preach for us today. The services are being live streamed on the “PPRC and Friends” Facebook page."
    
  • PRCP Seminary News: Classes resumed on March 23, following midterm exams and Spring break.
  • The Classis of the PRCP was unable to meet this past week because of the increased quarantine level (ECQ). If possible, Classis plans to meet on Friday, April 9, here in Provident, the Lord willing.

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 a special Easter one based on Matthew 28:5,6 and titled "Fear Not, for He Is Risen."
  
• 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 - March 2021). 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:

Check out the Reformed Free Publishing Association's latest offerings - in store (Jenison, near 20th and Baldwin) or online!

• 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:

Q. 45.  What doth the resurrection of Christ profit us?

A.  First, by His resurrection He has overcome death, that He might make us partakers of that righteousness which He had purchased for us by His death; secondly, we are also by His power raised up to a new life; and lastly, the resurrection of Christ is a sure pledge of our blessed resurrection.

Lord's Day 17 of the Heidelberg Catechism