PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for July 3, 2022

Below you will find special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this twenty-sixth Sunday of our Lord's year 2022, July 3.

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

Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me. ...For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O LORD. ...But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision. Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence. The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies. But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble. Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy. ~ Psalm 59: 1,3, 8-10, 16-17 

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

• Last Sunday Rev. N. Decker received the call to Hudsonville PRC.
  
  
• From Randolph PRC's bulletin today: "The last Sunday Rev. Guichelaar will be preaching in Randolph will be Sunday, July 17. We will have Lord's Supper in the morning, and an applicatory/farewell service in the afternoon. The Guichelaars plan to move that week. Rev. Guichelaar's installation at Grace PRC is currently scheduled for Sunday, July 31st, in the morning, with his inaugural sermon scheduled for that evening."

• Hosanna PRC's (Edmonton) Consistory  has formed a new trio: Revs. A. Brummel (Calvary PRC), J. Holstege (Zion), and R. Smit (missionary to the Philippines). The congregation will vote on July 10 after the p.m. service.
  
  
• Doon PRC's Council has formed a new trio of Rev. M. De Boer (Edgerton PRC), Rev. N. Decker (Grandville PRC), and Rev. D. Noorman (Southwest PRC). The congregational meeting has been scheduled for July 10 after the evening service.

• Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Elders lead a.m. service; Rev. Brummel 2 p.m. in Doon (IA) PRC; Rev. M. DeBoer (1st week) in First PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. B. Gritters and Rev. A. Spriensma in Grace PRC;  Prof. R. Cammenga and Rev. G. Eriks (3 p.m.) in Hudsonville 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.
  
  

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

Group photo taken at the PRCP conference this past Saturday (see news item below).

Synod 2022: Synod met last month at Zion PRC (Jenison, MI). The annual Acts of Synod and the Yearbook for 2022 are being prepared. For daily reports and photos of this year's synod, visit this webpage.

Contact Committee: Philippines Conference: Revs. Jim Laning and Bill Langerak traveled to the Philippines this past week to participate in a conference yesterday (July 2) sponsored by our sister church, the Protestant Reformed Churches in the Philippines (cf. photos above and below). They, together with Rev. Daniel Kleyn, gave three speeches and participated in Q&A sessions. The conference theme was "Contending for the Faith: Doctrinal Development Since the Schism." Today, Rev. J. Laning preached in Berean PRC, while Rev. W. Langerak preached in Provident PRC. "Please pray that the Lord will bless this work of our churches together with our sister churches in the Philippines for the cause of the truth and the good of His church universal."

Photo of the Q&A period at the PRCP conference held yesterday at Berean PRC

Missions News:

• Mexico delegation (First PRC-GR's bulletin last week): "Professor Griess, Dan and Madeline Monsma, and several others [Rev. J. Mahtani, Kyle Bruinooge, Matt Koerner, Sharon Kleyn] are leaving tomorrow morning for Tabasco, Mexico, visiting churches and believers there. This visit includes two conferences [on Christian education] and preaching in different churches. They plan to return on July 4. We pray God's blessing and safety on the delegation."
• Philippines mission:
  • Rev. R. Smit and his family are currently in the U.S. for their furlough. They will be returning on July 28, D.V. May the Lord bless and be near them during their time in North America.
  • Sem. Arend Haveman is currently in the Philippines for two and a half weeks (June 23-July 11) as part of a brief missions "internship." He will be assisting Rev. D. Kleyn in various aspects of the work there and speaking a word of edification in the churches.

PRC Seminary Notices:

• The seminary is now in its summer break. Continue to pray for the faculty, students, and staff as they stay busy with other labors and activities - from fall class preparation to weekly preaching assignments, from synod work to mission trips to Mexico, and from library/archives work to building maintenance projects.
• Prof. C. Griess is currently part of a delegation to Tabasco, Mexico sponsored by First PRC-Grand Rapids, MI, which will return tomorrow, D.V. (see note above). This past week they held two conferences on Christian education and today he is preaching in a Presbyterian church. In this coming week Prof. B. Huizinga and his family will travel to Northern Ireland to participate in the BRF family conference, where he will also speak and preach in Covenant PRC next Sunday.
• Prof. Kuiper is eager to teach the history of the PRCA from 1924-1949. The first class is this Wednesday, July 6. The class on July 6 will cover the background, and on July 13 the formation, of the PRCA. The classes will also treat the history of the PRCA in the later 1920s (July 20) and in the 1930s and 1940s (August 10, 17, 24). The class on July 6 will meet at the seminary building; all other classes will be held at Southwest PRC. The classes will be recorded, but not livestreamed. All friends of the PRCA are welcome to attend.
• Sem. M. Koerner will begin his internship this week in Hope PRC-Grand Rapids (now that Rev. Guichalaar has accepted the call to Randolph PRC), when he returns tomorrow from the delegation that went to Mexico this past week with a group from First PRC-Grand Rapids, MI. Sem. A. Haveman has plenty of preaching assignments this summer (after being licensed at the semester), in addition to mission trips to the Philippines (June 23-July 11) and to Mexico (August).
• The spring 2022 issue of the PRT Journal is at the printers, but the digital editions are on the seminary's website. This issue features the speeches from the seminary's fall 2021 conference on preaching, plus numerous book reviews. 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.
  
  

Lunch at the PRC-Philippines conference yesterday (see more photos above and more news below)

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.  Her bulletin this week included these thoughts on coming to the Lord's table: Here is the wonder of our salvation, our Lord Jesus Christ, by His Spirit’s work in us, by His irresistible and sovereign grace, that we repent in dust and ashes of our sin and look to Christ alone. It is because God 3 turns us, that is the only reason why we turn to him “turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the LORD my God.” – Jer 31:18b. God and God alone works in us, His elect people to look up to the Lord Jesus Christ, that we not perish. “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” – Phil 2:13 How about repentance? Where did that godly sorrow of our sin come from? It is completely, absolutely, entirely, totally a gift of God worked in us, beginning to end. “Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins” – Acts 5:31 Let not the devil deceive you that God does not work in us this powerful work, this sincere sorrow of heart for all of sins and turn unto the Christ.

• Covenant PRC, N. Ireland:
  
  • Rev. A. Stewart continues to minister the Word faithfully to the saints in Ballymena. 
  • The June 2022 issue of "Covenant Reformed News" was recently published. Follow the link to read the latest profitable articles by Revs. A. Stewart and R. Hanko.
  • This is the week that the 2022 British Reformed Fellowship family conference (July 9-16) will begin! Attendees are coming from all over the world, including several PRC members from the U.S. It will be held at Castlewellan Castle in Northern Ireland. The speakers, Prof. David Engelsma and Prof. Brian Huizinga, will lecture on "Union With Christ." For information see the website (http://brfconference.weebly.com). May the Lord richly bless the conference and provide saftey for all the travelers.
• PRC in the Philippines and her mission work:
  • Berean PRC bulletin: "Rev. J. Laning (Hull PRC) led her services today. "Rev. Ibe and deacon San Juan are scheduled to visit the saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship (AGPRF). Our pastor will lead them in their worship service at 9AM and in their study of God’s Word on the book of Ephesians 4:12ff at 10:45AM, D.V." Also, "We thank the Lord for His blessings upon the conference held yesterday at our church. May God used the speeches given to the upbuilding of the faith of the saints in the PRCP for His glory and for Jesus’ sake."
    
  • Provident PRC bulletin: Rev. W. Langerak (Trinity PRC) led her worship services today (cf. the next note). 
  • Rev. D. Kleyn and Sem. Arend Haveman are scheduled to visit the Bearers of Light Community Church in Guiguinto, Bulacan and Sem. Arend will speak a word of edification at their worship service today, 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!

• 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. Today's message is based on Nehemiah 12:27-47 and titled "The Dedication of the Walls."
  
• 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 FREE PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION

The Rock Whence We Are Hewn is comprised of various pamphlets and booklets written very early in the history of the Protestant Reformed Churches—between 1919 and 1940. The authors are two men whom God used in forming these churches—Herman Hoeksema and Henry Danhof. All the writings explain and defend the great doctrines of the Reformed faith that were fundamental to the founding of the Protestant Reformed Churches—covenant, predestination, particular grace, and antithesis. These writings therefore were used to establish these churches in the very beginning of their history. The contents of the book are their foundational writings.

REFORMED RESOURCES FOR EDIFICATION, EDUCATION, and EVANGELISM

• 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.
  
  
• 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 in process of 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!
  
  
• 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

"Show honor to whom honor is due. Honor them because the powers that be are ordained of God. God has given each of these powers his respective place at every level of government, whether it be those who make the laws, those who judge the laws, or those who enforce the laws. Too often the authorities are held in low esteem and are the butt of endless jokes. But the magistrates are the ministers of God to the church for good (Rom. 13:4).

"Be patriotic, not just outwardly, and not only after a crisis, by displaying a flag, but because you love God. Realize that the country in which He has placed you and the government that is over you are God’s gifts. Be loyal to that country and its leaders, be zealous for them, and teach your children to be patriotic, also in our Christian schools, whether it be by pledging allegiance to the flag or by their study in a civics class.

"Be good citizens for God’s sake. If given opportunity, vote. God has given us the ability to have a voice in our government. It is the duty of every citizen to encourage the magistrate to rule well and to admonish him if he should fail. In a democracy we can do that by voting or, as individual believers, by writing letters to the authorities. We must avoid the Anabaptistic approach of non-involvement in the political process. We may not hide ourselves behind the wall of total political inactivity or take the position of fatalism, “What will be, will be. These things are in God’s hands and He will take care of it. One vote will not make any difference anyhow. Politics is just a dirty business.” In a democracy it has pleased God to appoint the ordained authority through the popular vote. Should the Christian citizen allow the ungodly to determine the course and actions of their government? We have no illusions that America is a Christian nation. But it pleases God to appoint leaders over us. We vote, then, not blindly according to party affiliation, nor for a candidate who stands on a platform that is patently anti-Christian. But we vote carefully, with an informed conscience, selecting those who most nearly represent the God-ordained purpose of government. There are a host of issues that
will reveal and illustrate the convictions of the candidates. Write letters to applaud just actions or admonish wrong actions. Witness to the government by speaking to and corresponding with elected representatives."

~ Rev. A. Spriensma in "For God and Country: The Reformed Perspective on Patriotism"