PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for May 1, 2022

Below you will find special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this seventeenth Sunday of our Lord's year 2022, May 1.

Because our Lord is risen from the dead on the third day, as He promised, today, on this first day of the week, we gather in worship as our living Savior's church. With gratitude and gladness we bring our praise to our triune God for fully accomplishing our salvation through His Son. We cordially invite you to join us in worship on this day and on any Sunday.

Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar. ~ Psalm 51:14-19

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.

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS

• Today Prof. B. Gritters (PRC Seminary) declined the call to Grace PRC.
  
  
• Last Sunday (April 24) Doon PRC voted to call Rev. J. Smidstra (First PRC-Holland).

• This past Wednesday (April 27) Peace PRC extended a call to Rev. J. Marcus.  Today he accepted that call. We rejoice with him and Amy and their family in God's provision of a new place of kingdom labor. May the Lord by His grace and Spirit prepare them for ministry in this congregation.
  
  
• Rev. S. Regnerus (Lynden, WA) is considering the call to First PRC-Edmonton (received April 17).

• Hudsonville PRC's Council formed a new trio of Revs. J. Marcus, D. Noorman (SW PRC), and J. Smidstra (First PRC-Holland). The congregational meeting is planned for Wednesday, May 11.

• Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Rev. E. Guichelaar (2nd Sunday in Doon (IA) PRC; No supply in First PRC, Edmonton, AB (video sermon and livestream today); Prof. B. Gritters and Rev. R. Kleyn in Grace PRC;  Prof. R. Cammenga and Rev. A. Spriensma in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. A. Brummel (2nd Sunday) in Peace PRC.  May we count it a blessing of our church federation that we can help one another in these needs. Let us remember to pray for the men who supply these pulpits and for the vacant congregations.
  
  
• Upcoming PRC Easter/Spring Singspirations and Choir programs:
  • Georgetown PRC: Her choir will present a program TONIGHT after her evening service.
    
  • Grandville PRC: The young people are hosting a singspiration TONIGHT after the evening service.

• Special PRC Evangelism/missions notices: 
  • First PRC-Holland: "The Evangelism Workshop is this week Wednesday, May 4, at 7 p.m. Rev. Smidstra will first give a speech on personal evangelism. After the speech, the Evangelism Committee will give an informational presentation on its plans to begin an outreach Bible study in the Zeeland area."
  • Byron Center PRC (MI): "The community Bible study resumes discussion of John 16:8 and following this week Thursday. Please join us May 5, at the church at 7:30 p.m."
  • Southeast-GR PRC: "- The Evangelism committee requests the church members to join us in another door-to-door event scheduled Saturday May 7, from 10 am to 11:30 am, meeting first at Adams. This is a great way to increase awareness of our presence in the immediate community and to let others know of the truth of the gospel."

• Young People's News! The Faith PRC Steering Committee has decided to extend registration for this year's PRYP Convention through Wednesday, May 4 ONLY to allow a limited amount of remaining camp capacity to be filled. Complete your registration ASAP at https://prcconvention.com/registration/ before the limit is hit or registration closes! Reach out to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions.

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

• Upcoming: Classis East will meet Wednesday, May 11, hosted by First PRC-Holland, MI and *held at Redeemer Christian School, 7250 Ransom St., Zeeland, MI.
• Future Teachers and Ministers: Information for the 2022 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 is in the final weeks of the second semester, with only one week of classes remaining on the schedule, and then a week of final exams. Continue to pray for the faculty, students, and staff that they may press on in faithfulness.
• Prof. D. Kuiper travelled to Randolph, WI this weekend to preach for the Randolph PRC today while her pastor is on classical appointment. Prof. C. Griess travelled to Hull, IA this weekend to preach for Calvary PRC while her pastor was on classical appointment.
• Arend Havemen led in devotions this past week; Aaron Van Dyke is in charge of them this week. Prof. D. Kuiper spoke for chapel last Wednesday; Rev. J. Maatman will do so this week for the final one of the semester.
• With joy the faculty announces that it has licensed student Arend Haveman 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. Haveman 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 printed edition of the Fall 2021 issue of the PRT Journal was mailed out in March. The digital editions (pdf and ePub) are also available on the seminary's website. Work is being done on the Spring 2022 issue, which will feature the speeches from the seminary's fall conference on preaching. If you want to be added to our mailing list (either print or digital) or wish to pick up a copy, contact Sharon, the seminary secretary.
• The seminary is open daily from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., including the library and bookstore. PRC members and friends are welcome to visit and make use of these resources.
• For the latest seminary news and information, visit the seminary's website.
  
  

The April 2022 issue of "Covenant Reformed News" was published this past week. Read it at this page.

SISTER-CHURCH/MISSION NEWS:

• Covenant ERC, Singapore and her Kolkata, India mission work:
  • Pastor J. Tan is faithfully serving the CERC each week as her pastor.  His "pastoral note" to the congregation this week includes these words [Lord's Supper Sunday]: "Let no one rob you of this comfort. Jesus Christ has saved us from death unto life. Our Lord by His perfect sacrifice has atoned for all our sins. He has saved us unto a life of sincere and humble confession that we are dead and hopeless of ourselves. He has saved us unto a life of wholehearted trust in the perfect sacrifice (once offered on the cross) to be the only ground and foundation of our salvation. Apart from abasement and hearted trust in God, there is no comfort. Therefore, know this in this efficacious work of God in us, God gives us comfort."
  • The last issue of "Reformed News Asia" was published in December 2021 - #65. Be sure to check it out for the latest news from our sister!

• Covenant PRC, N. Ireland:
  
  • Rev. A. Stewart continues to minister the Word faithfully to the saints in Ballymena. 
  • A March newsletter has been released by the CPRC. Visit this page to read it and catch up on all the exciting news out of Ballymena!
  • Sign up for the 2022 British Reformed Fellowship family conference at Castlewellan Castle in Northern Ireland from Saturday, July 9, to Saturday, July 16. The speakers, Prof. David Engelsma and Prof. Brian Huizinga will lecture on "Union With Christ." For information see the website (http://brfconference.weebly.com).
  • The April 2022 issue of "Covenant Reformed News" was published late last week. Follow the link to read the latest profitable articles by Revs. A. Stewart and R. Hanko.
• PRC in the Philippines and her mission work:
  • A new Philippines mission newsletter has just been published in April. Read the news from the Far East here.
  • Berean PRC bulletin: Rev. R. Smit led the worship services today. In addition: "Rev. Ibe and Elder Alex Oriarte are scheduled to visit the saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship (AGPRF), Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija today, the Lord willing."
    
  • Provident PRC bulletin: Rev. D. Kleyn preached and lead her worship services today. 
  • The PRCP Seminary is also coming to the end of its second semester.

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

• This month Rev. R. Kleyn (First PRC-Grand Rapids, MI) continues speaking for the RWH. The focus will be a series on the life of Joseph, with other special messages interspersed. Today's message is based on Genesis 41:41-57 and titled "Joseph the Prime Minister."
  
• 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

Should the children of Christian parents attend worship services when they are very young? Read this resource to receive an answer explaining why the PRC believes so and practices this.

• 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 (downtown Hudsonville, MI) is temporarily closed while it moves into a new building that is being renovated. See the following note for details.
  Special notices re the RBO! Reformed Book Outlet is moving! We have found a new building for our store in downtown Hudsonville on Harvey St. after needing to move out of our current location in Keegstra’s Dollar Store. We need to do some renovations to the building before we can move in, so watch the bulletin or our social media pages for updates on when we will open in our new location. In the mean time, our website will still be open for ordering, for shipping or for local pickup (more details on this to come)!. Email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to let us know you’re able to help us move or with any questions!
  
  
• Are you interested in learning 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.
  
  
• The PR Sunday School Association also publishes complete OT and NT Bible Story Lessons for young children and older children. Visit this page to learn more.

This Week's Thought for Contemplation

"Fundamentally, then, repentance is a change of mind. 

"Repentance is a change of mind about a number of things. First, repentance is a change of mind about God. An impenitent unbeliever is in rebellion against God, he hates God, he refuses to submit to the will and law of God, and he has all kinds of false ideas about God. A repentant sinner changes his mind and turns to the true God. Paul speaks of “repentance toward God” (Acts 20:21). The Thessalonians as the fruit of their repentance “turned to God from idols to serve the living and the true God” (1 Thess. 1:9). Repentance always results in turning from sin to God. Second, repentance is a change of mind about Jesus Christ. An impenitent unbeliever has wrong notions about Jesus Christ. On hearing the gospel, if God grants repentance, a sinner changes his mind about Jesus Christ, he sees him as the altogether lovely Savior and Lord, and he believes in him. Third, repentance is a change of mind about ourselves and our sins. An impenitent unbeliever views himself as good, as not needing salvation, as not needing the cross of Jesus Christ, as not needing to turn from sin. Before repentance we view our sins as good, as something to be loved and cherished. But when God brings us to repentance, we see our sins as God sees them—as horrible, odious—and we hate them. Because we hate them, which is a radical change of mind concerning them, we turn from them. We have spoken of impenitent unbelievers, but we can be impenitent too: then we have a wrong view of God, Christ, and ourselves, and our sins. Then we must have a change of mind. We must repent. 

"Here, then, is the message that the risen Lord Jesus commissioned his disciples to bring: “that repentance… should be preached in his name” (Luke 24:47). And the apostles obeyed the Lord’s commission. In Acts 2:38, when Peter exposed the Jews’ sin and the Spirit pricked their hearts, Peter said, “Repent.” In Acts 3:19, after the miracle of the healing of the crippled man, Peter said, “Repent ye, therefore.” The Jews were called to a fundamental change of mind: they had rejected Jesus; now they must receive him as Lord and be baptized in his name; they had been self-righteous; now they must forsake their self-righteousness. Those actions flow from a change of mind, metanoia, repentance. The same thing applies to the Gentiles and was preached to them. When Peter preached to Cornelius’ household, the response of the Jews was not, “The Gentiles have believed,” which was true, but “then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life” (Acts 11:18). When Paul preached in Athens, he said, “But now commandeth [God] all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). Very few repented in Athens, but those who repented changed their mind about God, about Jesus Christ, about themselves, and about their sin."

~ Rev. M. McGeown in a recent blog post, "Preaching Repentance and the Forgiveness of Sins (1): Repentance"