PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for August 15, 2021 *(Updated)

The following are special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this Sunday, August 15, the thirty-third Lord's Day of this year 2021.

Today on this new Lord's Day, as redeemed and renewed members of the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, we gather publicly in worship to bring our praise and thanks to our triune God for all His gifts, especially the gift of salvation full and free through His Son. Through the work of our Lord's Spirit in our hearts and minds may we give our glorious God the honor due His name. May these words of the psalmist be ours:

The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted. It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me. He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man. Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name. ~ Psalm 18:46-49

• If you are new to 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.
  
  
• Rev. J. Engelsma was installed this morning in Crete PRC, with Prof. D.Engelsma leading the service. This evening Rev. Engelsma was preaching his inaugural sermon as Crete's new pastor. We pray that the Lord may give him a faithful and fruitful ministry in that congregation.
   
• Doon PRC will vote today (after her evening service) for a new pastor from this trio: Revs. R. Barnhill (Peace PRC – Dyer, IN), C. Spronk (Faith PRC – Jenison, MI), and E. Guichelaar (Randolph PRC). *UPDATE: Rev. Barnhill has received this call.
  
  
• Rev. M.DeBoer (Edgerton MN PRC) is considering the call from Kalamazoo (MI) PRC.
  
  
• Rev. R. Kleyn (Covenant of Grace PRC, Spokane WA) is considering calls from First PRC, Grand Rapids MI and Hudsonville (MI) PRC. He plans to answer both calls by August 22.
  
  
• Rev. E. Guichelaar and his family (Randolph PRC) are currently in Wingham to visit family and to minister to the church there.
  
  
• Update on Rev. M.McGeown from Providence PRC's bulletin today: With thanksgiving to God we report to you that the U.S. embassy has issued Rev McGeown's visa. The visa was delivered by a courier on Friday. We plan to fly into Chicago on Tuesday. [Aug.17] We look forward to being in your midst soon. "The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad" (Ps. 126:3). ~ Rev. Martyn and Larisa McGeown

• Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Rev. J.Laning in Doon (IA) PRC; Rev. C.Griess and Prof. D.Kuiper in First PRC-Holland; Rev. D.Holstege and Rev. A.Stewart in Grace PRC; Rev. J.Marcus and Rev. C.Griess in Hudsonville PRC;  Prof. B.Huizinga and Rev. W.Langerak  in Kalamazoo PRC; Rev. M.DeVries and Rev. A.Stewart in Providence PRC. Let us thank the Lord for this blessing of our church federation and the privilege to be able to help one another in this need.
  
  
• 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:

• Although the furlough of Rev. D. Holstege and his family came to an end on June 30, they are not able to enter the Philippines right now due to an immigration problem related to COVID restrictions. The council of Doon PRC and the FMC have approved a plan which has the Holsteges staying in the States for a few more months and seeking to return to the mission field, if the Lord wills, no later than December 10. “In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths” (Prov. 3:6).
• PRC Synod 2021: The delegates and advisors met from June 9-17. For the daily reports on synod's work and decisions, visit this page. The printed PRC Acts of Synod 2021 and Yearbook has been sent to the printer and should be available this week.
• Synod 2021 instructed the Stated Clerk to include in his letter to the churches a notice of the urgent need for seminary students (Art. 73). The urgency arises from the number of vacant churches, the need for our denomination to fulfill the calling of home missions, the age of some of our older ministers, and the next potential graduate from our seminary is two years away. Let us remember this need for men to proclaim the good news of forgiveness in Jesus Christ in our public and private prayers. Also, consistories should always be ready to encourage any young man in your congregation who has some of the gifts for the ministry.
• Revs. D. Lee and J. Marcus (both now living in West Michigan) are eligible for calls in the PRC and her sister churches. Let us remember them in prayer as they await new charges.

PRC Seminary Notices:

• The seminary is about to finish her summer break, with only one week remaining before the start of the next semester (Aug.23/24). The semester schedule and calendar have been posted on the seminary's website. Continue to pray for the seminary in all her needs, especially as we prepare for the new term.
• The seminary faculty invite interested persons to audit three classes this semester: Christology (Prof. Cammenga; Tuesday and Thursday, 11:10 AM), New Testament History (Prof. Cammenga; Wednesday and Friday, 7:50 AM); and Reformation era church history (Prof. Kuiper; Wednesday and Friday, 11:10 AM). Classes begin on August 24 and 25. A limited number of auditors are welcome, so long as stricter COVID restrictions are not imposed. Call Sharon at 531-1490 to indicate your interest.
• The seminary, including the library and bookstore, are open daily during the summer months, except for holidays (M-F, 8-5). The staff is present to assist with any needs you may have.
• On Wednesday, September 15, a special worship service for the installation of Rev. C. Griess as professor of theology in the Protestant Reformed Theological Seminary will be held in Southwest PRC at 7 p.m. Prof. B. Gritters will lead the service. Seminary convocation will also be included with a time of fellowship afterwards. The link to the live-streaming of the service can be found at southwestprc.org.
• Coming this Fall! Seminary Conference:  What is preaching?  What does it mean to preach the gospel?  How does one preach the commands of Scripture?  What is application in preaching?  Make plans now to hear four speeches by the seminary professors, under the conference theme "The Lord Gave the Word: Preaching the Gospel."  The conference will be hosted by Trinity PRC, on the late afternoon and evening of October 28 and 29.  More details will follow.
• For the latest seminary news and information, visit the seminary's website.

PRTS graduate Josiah Tan at this past year's PRC synod. See the good news on his call from Covenant ERC in Singapore below.

SISTER-CHURCH/MISSION NEWS:

• Covenant ERC, Singapore and her Kolkata, India mission work:
  
  • From the "Pastoral Voice" in her bulletin today:

Our God is good to us. We are very thankful to God that after almost 4 years of patient waiting, earnest prayers and countless petitions, we are finally able to extend a call to the ‘son of our congregation’ to serve as our resident minister! Isn’t that amazing? Praise be to God, who answers our prayers and supplies our needs! Do pray earnestly for the will of the Lord to be done as Brother Josiah considers prayerfully the call of the King of His church to serve in CERC. Brother Josiah has been given 6 weeks to respond to the call. If he responds earlier, before Rev Smidstra leaves for the States, we may be able to have the ordination service on the 22 Aug, Lord willing. After the ordination service, Brother Josiah will preach his inaugural sermon in the afternoon service.

• Covenant PRC, N. Ireland:
  
  • Rev. A.Stewart and his wife are currently vacationing in the U.S. They are on holiday until August 17, but we also know he will be kept very busy during this time. Rev. McGeown has been preaching in his absence.
  • Be sure to check out the latest edition of "Covenant Reformed News" (June 2021). Follow the link to read the latest profitable articles.
    
• PRC in the Philippines and her mission work:
  
  • Berean PRC bulletin: Rev. V.Ibe will lead us in the preaching of the Word today via live streaming, D.V. ...In line with the restrictions (ECQ) imposed by the National government in NCR from Aug. 6 to 20, 2021, we are not able to meet and worship God in our church building, today....
    And thus, the preaching of God’s Word will be live streamed on our face book page. ...The saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship (AGPRF), Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija will join us in hearing the preaching of the Word of God via live streaming on our face book page today, D.V.
    
  • Provident PRC bulletin: Rev. R.Smit will be leading us in worship today, the Lord willing. Due to our return to the highest quarantine level (Enhanced Community Quarantine), the services will be live streamed today and next Sunday. The live streaming will be available on the “PPRC and Friends” Facebook page.
  • A new PRC missions newsletter is available - July 2021. Read it at the link provided!
  • PRCP Seminary Instruction: A new semester of seminary instruction began recently on August 10 for our seminary student, Bro. Ace Flores. However, because of ECQ in Metro Manila from August 6 to 20, and possibly longer, the original plan for this semester has been reorganized into two parts by Committee 1. In the first part of the semester from August 10 to October 1, Bro. Ace is taking two courses with Rev. Holstege via Zoom, and fulfilling some take-home assignments and review work with Rev. Kleyn and Rev. Smit. Then, in the second part of the semester from October 12 until December 3, Bro. Ace will continue his two courses with Rev.
    Holstege via Zoom and will also receive three courses from Rev. Kleyn and Rev. Smit in-person at the seminary library in Antipolo. Although the plan for this semester has been disrupted and revised, may the Lord bless the instruction that we can still give to Bro. Ace in the next several months for his preparation to serve in the ministry of the Word and Sacraments in the PRCP, if the Lord so wills. Please remember our student and instructors in fervent prayer before the Lord for His indispensable blessing upon them.

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

• For the months of July, August, and September Rev. C.Haak (Georgetown PRC in Hudsonville, MI) is the featured speaker, with focus on his series on the book of Nehemiah. Today's message is based on Nehemiah 6 and titled "O God, Strengthen My Hands."
  
• 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. Are you are regular listener? If not, why not start today!
• 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 Committee 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 reading the Standard Bearer this summer? Each issue is packed with edifying articles for adult readers. If you are not yet a subscriber, why not this week the week you become one!

• 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.
  
  
• The Reformed Book Outlet is open and you are welcome to shop the store in downtown Hudsonville (MI). Hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday (10-5), and Saturday (10-1).
  
  • The RBO is running their annual Summer Reading Challenge for both kids and adults, from June 22-August 21. Stop by the store to pick up a sheet to fill out and return for a prize! Just a reminder that our hours are now Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 10-5 and Saturday 10-1.

This Week's Thought for Contemplation

The knowledge of the sovereign God is derived not through man’s searching, but by the revelation of God Himself. The Reformed faith holds to the inerrancy of Holy Scripture, to its infallibility and inspiration. It is the “God-breathed” Word (II Tim. 3:16) spoken by Christ (John 1) so that we might know and understand that which God would reveal of Himself. Without that Word we could have no certain knowledge. With it, we have reliable and sure testimony concerning God and concerning His Son Jesus Christ, and Christ’s work in redeeming and delivering His church.                                                        

Taken from Rev. R.Hanko's pamphlet "What Is the Reformed Faith?"