PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for May 2, 2021 *(Updated)

The following are special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this Sunday, May 2, the eighteenth Lord's Day of this year 2021.

Today we rejoice to gather in worship of our triune God through our Savior Jesus Christ and by the power of His Holy Spirit. May we worship our King in spirit and in truth and give Him the glory due to His name.

Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. ...Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. ~ Psalm 2:6,7, 11,12

• 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. R. Van Overloop (Grace PRC, Standale, MI) declined the call to Kalamazoo PRC.

• The Council of Byron Center PRC has formed a new trio: Rev. R. Barnhill (Peace PRC), Prof. R. Dykstra (PRCA Seminary), and Rev. C. Spronk (Faith PRC). A congregational meeting will be held, D.V., following the evening service tonight. *UPDATE: Prof. R. Dykstra has received this call.

• Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Prof. D.Kuiper and W.Langerak in Byron Center PRC; Prof. R.Cammenga and Rev. J.Mahtani in Hudsonville PRC; Prof. B.Huizinga and Rev. C.Haak 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.
  
  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) and which is also under new lockdown orders (for up to 6 weeks), meaning that the church's in-person worship and other meetings are suspended for the time being. May the Lord encourage their hearts during these difficult times and soon open the way for them to gather in person again.
  
  
• 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.

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS:

• Concerning the condition of Prof. R. Decker (from Georgetown PRC's bulletin today): Prof. Robert Decker is now confined to bed as he awaits the moment of his deliverance from this life to the presence of his Savior in Glory. He is content, confesses his confidence in God’s grace, and is thankful to his Lord for His love and faithfulness to him. He and his family wait on the Lord in prayer.  “Thou shalt guide me by Thy counsel and afterward receive me into glory.” Psalm 73:24
• Classis East meeting: Classis East meets May 12 at 8:00 am at Trinity PRC.
• Upcoming pulpit supply for Covenant ERC, Singapore (from First PRC-Holland's bulletin today): Rev. and Kelly Smidstra left on Tuesday morning [April 27] and arrived safely in Singapore where they will assist our sister church, Covenant Evangelical Reformed Church, for the summer months. They are now in a two-week quarantine period in a designated hotel. Rev. Smidstra plans to begin regular preaching on Sunday, May 16.

PRC Seminary Notices:

• The seminary completed its fourteenth week of the semester last week; that means one week of classes before final exams. Continue to remember the seminary's faculty, students, and staff in your prayers as we approach the final part of the semester.
• With joy the faculty announces that it has licensed student Matthew Koerner (sophomore) to speak a word of edification in the churches.  We are grateful for the brother’s progress to this point in his training.  All scheduling of Mr. Koerner must be done through the seminary, either by sending a request to the seminary secretary, Miss Sharon Kleyn, or the rector, Prof. R. Cammenga.
• The print version of the Fall 2020 issue of the PRTS Journal is available. The digital copies (pdf & epub) have been posted on the seminary website. Work has now begun on the Spring issue. 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.
• Special Notice for 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. 

SISTER-CHURCH/MISSION NEWS:

• Covenant ERC, Singapore: 
  • From the "Pastoral Voice" in her bulletin today: We thank God for the safe arrival of Rev and Mrs Smidstra to Singapore. They are now serving their SHN (Stay Home Notice) at Swissotel for the next 14 days. God willing, they will able to move to the Bishan Apartment after 13May. We are thankful to God for their willingness and sacrifice to come to Singapore to assist us. They will be with us for the next 4 months. With the arrival of the Smidstras, we will soon have to bid farewell to Prof and Carol Dykstra. They will beleaving us and journey back to the States on 10 May. We are indeed thankful to God for their ministry in our midst. We are much bless through the preaching and teaching and godly advice from Prof for the last 6 months. May the Lord continue to use them greatly as they prepare to return back home.
    
  • Re the Kolkata, India mission (CERC bulletin today): Do remember Rev Emmanuel and the fellowship in Kolkata in your prayer. Due to the serious COVID 19 situation in India, they have to stop gathering in Church for worship on Sunday. Rev Emmanuel will be conducting the worship services through livestreaming. Pray that the members could have the resources to access the online services. Pray also for their physical and spiritual wellbeing as they battled through these difficult times.
• Covenant PRC, N. Ireland and her Limerick, Ireland mission:
  • Rev. A. Stewart continues to minister the Word in person to the saints in Ballymena.
  • The April issue of the "Covenant Reformed News" was published last week - be sure to make it part of your reading!
  • Rev. M.McGeown continues to minister the Word in Limerick until he is able to come to the U.S. to serve Providence PRC. To read his last update (newletter), visit this page.
    
• 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 will lead us in our worship services today. The live streaming will be available on Berean PRC Facebook page. ...The saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship (AGPRF), Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija will join in our worship services via live streaming available on Berean PRC Facebook page. Our pastor [Rev. V. Ibe] is scheduled to preach at Provident PRC in Marikina City today by a Classical appointment, D.V.
    
  • Provident PRC bulletin: Rev. V. Ibe led her services today. Our Wednesday Bible Study has been suspended for now due to the present restrictions and the curfew hours that the government has imposed. Our Bible study will resume again as soon as it is determined that we are able to do so, and the Lord willing.
  • PRCP Seminary News: Online classes are continuing at present.
  • The Classis of the PRCP was able to complete its work this past Sunday. The next Classis meeting is scheduled for June 12, 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 based on Mark 2:18-22 and titled "Joy in the Groom's Presence."
  
• 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 - April 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

 Are you committed to marriage as God ordained it? For a good resource on this subject, read this 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 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:

What then shall bring about the kingdom?  

There is only one power: the silent, small, seemingly insignificant, oft despised power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We must believe this. This gospel, by the power of the Holy Ghost, works from within. Quietly, invisibly, yet powerfully and effectively it works its way through the whole man—through the whole church—until the whole is not only affected but purified and made new. Mysterious, other-worldly, yet powerful—such is the working of leaven. Can one see it? Not at all. But trust and wait; it will surely do its work. Either the gospel is the power of that kingdom, or there is nothing that can bring the kingdom to realization.

...It takes time for the preaching of the gospel to work. We must be patient and trust its power. What the gospel brings with its leavening power is far greater than anything which can be found in the world. The gospel penetrates into every part of the life of the elect child of God. … It regenerates and sanctifies. Working from the heart, it floods the soul. It enlightens the mind and renews the will. It makes of a sinner a saint; of a guilt-ridden object of wrath a beautiful disciple who walks in the light of God’s love. It takes away all that is old and makes a new creature conformed to the image of Christ.  

~ Prof. H. Hanko (Mysteries of the Kingdom, pp. 47-49) Found in Covenant PRC's bulletin this week