PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for July 10, 2022 *(Updated)

Below you will find special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this twenty-seventh Sunday of our Lord's year 2022, July 10.

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 has 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.

O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again. Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment. Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah. That thy beloved may be delivered; save with thy right hand, and hear me. ...Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man. Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies. ~ Psalm 60:1,3-5, 11,12

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

• Rev. N. Decker is considering the call to Hudsonville PRC (received June 26).

• 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 today after the p.m. service. UPDATE: Rev. R. Smit received this call.
  
  
• 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 today after the evening service. UPDATE: Rev. N. Decker received this call.
  
  
• Randolph PRC's Council has formed a new trio from which to call a new pastor: Revs. J. Holstege (Zion), J. Smidstra (First-Holland), and C. Spronk (Faith PRC). The congregation will call July 24 after the morning service, D.V. Also from Randolph's bulletin: "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."

• Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Rev. R. Smit in Doon (IA) PRC; Rev. M. DeBoer (2nd week) in Hosanna PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. B. Gritters and Rev. M. McGeown in Grace PRC;  Prof. R. Cammenga and Rev. D. Noorman 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.
  
  
• Special Evangelism notices:
  • First PRC-Holland: "The Zeeland Outreach Bible Study is scheduled for this week Wednesday [July 13] at 7 p.m. at the Howard Miller Public Library in Zeeland. Mr. Deane Wassink will lead on the topic of Psalm 23. Rev. Smidstra will lead the following meeting, July 27, on the topic of "Who is Jesus?" Come out and join us! Feel free to continue to take business cards to help get the word out. The Evangelism Committee is grateful for the congregation's support!"
  • Hudsonville PRC: "The Evangelism Committee invites the congregation to the second Evangelism Workshop at church on July 12 at 7:30PM. The workshop will be interactive and discussion oriented, and is a great opportunity to learn from each other on how we can spread the Gospel in our daily lives.  ...We look forward to the discussions and fellowship!"

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

The Western Young People's Retreat takes place this week at Camp Sanders in Tensed, Idaho. Young People from Lynden, Spokane, Lacombe, Edmonton, Loveland, and Edgerton are planning to attend! Rev. S. Regnerus and Rev. J. Langerak will speak on the theme, "Walking by Faith", from II Cor. 5:7. Pray for safety in travels and a good time of fellowship for all!

Seminary History Class: Prof. D. Kuiper’s PRC history class will meet again this Wednesday, July 13, 7:30 PM, at Southwest PRC. This week we will cover the Janssen case of 1922 and the common grace issue of 1924. Those who wish to read something relevant may read Prof. B. Gritter’s pamphlet “Grace Uncommon,” or portions of Rev. Hoeksema’s book “The Protestant Reformed Churches in America: Their Origin, Early History, and Doctrine.” Recordings of past classes are available on the seminary YouTube channel and at the seminary website, https://www.prcts.org/writings-and-media.

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.

Missions News:

• The first Mexico delegation (First PRC-GR) that went to Tabasco, Mexico visiting churches and believers there returned home safely this past Monday. The testimony of the ones who went was that it was a very profitable and enjoyable trip. They plan to return on July 4.
• Philippines mission:
  • Rev. R. Smit and his family are currently in the U.S. for their furlough. Today he preached in Doon PRC. 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 is assisting Rev. D. Kleyn in various aspects of the work there and speaking a word of edification in the churches.

A good crowd of people came to Prof. D. Kuiper's PRC history class this past Wednesday at Grandville PRC. Note: All future classes will be held at Southwest PRC.

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 was part of a delegation to Tabasco, Mexico sponsored by First PRC-Grand Rapids, MI, which returned home safely this past Monday. (see note above). This past week Prof. B. Huizinga and his family travelled to Northern Ireland to participate in the BRF family conference this week, where he will also speak and preach on Sunday.
• Prof. Kuiper is currently teaching a class on the history of the PRCA from 1924-1949. The class will meet again this Wednesday, July 13, 7:30 PM, at Southwest PRC. This week we will cover the Janssen case of 1922 and the common grace issue of 1924. Those who wish to read something relevant may read Prof. B. Gritter’s pamphlet “Grace Uncommon,” or portions of Rev. Hoeksema’s book “The Protestant Reformed Churches in America: Their Origin, Early History, and Doctrine.” Recordings of past classes are available on the seminary YouTube channel and at the seminary website, https://www.prcts.org/writings-and-media.
• Recent graduate Marcus Wee, along with his wife and three sons, plan to return to Singapore this coming week. We pray for safe-keeping as he returns to his home church and fellow saints. Sem. M. Koerner has begun his internship this past week in Hope PRC-Grand Rapids (now that Rev. Guichalaar has accepted the call to Randolph PRC). 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.
  
  

Castlewellan Castle in Northern Ireland, location of this week's BRF conference yesterday

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 an aspect of a pastor's work: "The reason why God gives us pastors and teachers is so that all the saints in the church can be equipped to do the work of the ministry/serving for the edifying/building up of the body of Christ (Eph 4:11-12). Part of that work of service, is to visit those who are discouraged and those who are sick and dying. In the past few months, we had 2 funerals - Our dear brother Chor Kwang and brother Robert. We thank God that their suffering has ended and they are with Christ Jesus in their eternal home. Yet at the same time, the lost is still felt by all of us, and especially their loved ones. Some wounds do not heal entirely on this side of the grave. In all of this, we see that God has used these events for our sanctification and our highest good. As a church, we are learning the importance of the work of the ministry by each and every member. The Spirit works in our hearts a desire and humility to dig deeper in God’s word and be further equipped to do this work, for the glory of God in the way of the building up of each other."

• 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: "Sem. A. Haveman led her services today. "Rev. Ibe and family 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 5: 20ff, D.V."
    
  • Also in Berean PRC bulletin: "Rev. Kleyn and Sis. Sharon are leaving for U.S. tomorrow. Their furlough is from July 11 to August 22; Sem. Haveman will be traveling with them, all the Lord willing. May God’s traveling mercies be with them along, with our prayers for God’s blessings upon Seminarian Haveman, in his continued Seminary training at PRTS this school year, D.V."
  • Provident PRC bulletin: Rev. D. Kleyn led her worship services today.

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. C. Haak (Georgetown PRC - Hudsonville, MI) will be speaking for the RWH. The focus will be a series on the  book of Nehemiah. Today's message is based on Nehemiah 13:1-3 and titled "The Separated Life."
  
• 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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Did you know that you can read speeches delivered at past British Reformed Conferences? Check out this booklet of past speeches from the 2004 BRF Conference.

• 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

"The benefits of baptism are the same for children as for adults: the forgiveness of sins, regeneration, and incorporation into the church of Christ. And those benefits are not first granted only in baptism but are already enjoyed in faith by those who receive baptism according to the will of God. Baptism does not confer a single benefit that has not already been promised in the Word and accepted by faith, but conferring the same benefits as the Word, it confers them in a different manner and form so that faith is confirmed and strengthened by it in the measure that God has given to each.

This rule applies also to children. For just as without their knowledge they can be regenerated by the Holy Spirit and endowed with the capacity to believe, so they can also without their knowledge be strengthened in that capacity by the same Spirit. At work here…is a mysterious reciprocal activity. Just as light and the human eye presuppose and support each other, so faith enjoys the sacrament more to the degree that it is stronger, and faith is sealed and reinforced by the sacrament to the same degree as well.

For maturing believers, therefore, the sacraments do not gradually decrease in importance but continually gain in value. To the eye of faith they ever more beautifully and gloriously display the riches of God's grace. For every believer and for the whole church, they are proof of grace received, a sign of God's faithfulness, a basis for pleading one’s case in prayer, a supporting pillar for one's faith, and an exhortation to new obedience."

~ Herman Bavinck, Reformed Dogmatics (4.532) - found in Byron Center PRC's bulletin today