PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for July 24, 2022

Below you will find special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this twenty-ninth Sunday of our Lord's year 2022, July 24.

Because our Lord Jesus Christ 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.

Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved. ...My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah. ~ Psalm 62,1-2; 5-8

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 Rev. N. Decker declined the call to Hudsonville PRC.
  
  
• Today Randolph PRC voted to extend a call to Rev. C. Spronk (Faith PRC - Jenison, MI).
  
  
• This past week Rev. E. Guichelaar, Cherith, and their children moved into Grace PRC's parsonage. Next Sunday morning he will be installed as her pastor, with Prof. B. Gritters leading the service.

• Rev. R. Smit (missionary to the Philippines) is considering the call from Hosanna PRC (Edmonton) [received July 10]. He plans to answer this call by August 14.
  
  
• Rev. N. Decker (Grandville PRC) is considering the call from Doon PRC (received July 10).

• Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Rev. S. Key (2nd week) in Doon (IA) PRC; Rev. T. Miersma in Hosanna PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. B. Gritters and Rev. J. Maatman in Grace PRC;  Prof. R. Cammenga and Rev. J. Smidstra in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. D. Holstege in Randolph 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/mission notices:
  •  First PRC-Holland: "The next meeting of the Outreach Bible Study will be this week Wednesday night [July 27] at 7:00 at the Howard Miller Public Library. [Zeeland] Rev. Smidstra will lead on the subject of "Who is Jesus?" Come out and join us! The Evangelism Committee is grateful for the congregation's support!"
  • Calvary PRC (Hull, IA): The area churches are invited to attend a presentation by Rev. Daniel Kleyn on the work of our missionaries in the Philippines on behalf of the Protestant Reformed Churches. This will be held at Calvary following our evening worship service on July 31 at approximately 7:45 p.m.

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

The 2022 Young People's Convention is now just one week away (August 1-5)! Be sure to visit the website (https://prcconvention.com/) for details on the camp, what to pack, activities, transportation, and the convention schedule! Check out the tournaments available during free time and plan ahead to sign up at registration. Follow the PRC Convention accounts on Facebook/Instagram for updates as well.

The annual Pre-Convention Singspiration will be held at Fair Haven Church on Sunday, July 31 at 7:45 PM (note the time change). Please note that there will be no printed song sheets. Fair Haven will project the lyrics, but you are welcome to bring your own Psalter if you would like.

Seminary History Class: Prof. D. Kuiper’s PRCA history class will break for the next two weeks. It plans to meet again on the Wednesdays of August 10,17, and 24 (7:30 p.m.) at Southwest PRC. Recordings of past classes are available on the seminary’s YouTube channel. A pdf of handouts is available from Prof. Kuiper by request.

Missions News:

• Home missions: Zion PRC (Jenison, MI) has formed a new trio for domestic missionary: Rev. J. Laning (Hull PRC), Rev. D. Noorman (Southwest PRC), and Rev. A. Brummel (Calvary PRC). 
  
  
• Philippines mission:
  • Rev. R. Smit and his family are finishing their furlough in the U.S. They plan to return to the Philippines this week, on July 28, D.V. May the Lord grant them a safe return as they take up the labors in the far east again.
  • "Rev. D. Kleyn and Sis. Sharon are currently in the U.S. for a six week furlough. They plan to return on August 22, the Lord willing. May the Lord bless and be near them during their time in North America." (Provident PRCP bulletin)

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. The first semester of the 2022-23 school year will begin, D.V. on Tuesday, August 30.
• Prof. D. Kuiper is currently teaching a class on the history of the PRCA from 1924-1949. Prof. D. Kuiper’s PRCA history class will break for the next two weeks. It plans to meet again on the Wednesdays of August 10,17, and 24 (7:30 p.m.) at Southwest PRC. Recordings of past classes are available on the seminary’s YouTube channel. A pdf of handouts is available from Prof. Kuiper by request.
• This month Sem. M. Koerner began his internship in Hope PRC-Grand Rapids under Rev. J. Mahtani. Sem. A. Haveman has plenty of preaching assignments this summer (after being licensed at the semester), in addition to another mission trip, this time to Mexico (August).
• The spring 2022 issue of the PRT Journal was shipped from the printer this past Thursday and will be mailed this week. The digital editions are on the seminary's website (use the link provided here). 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.
  
  

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. Today the installation of new officebearers took place.

• Covenant PRC, N. Ireland:
  
  • Rev. A. Stewart continues to minister the Word faithfully to the saints in Ballymena. He also participated in the recent PRF Conference (see note below).
  • The June 2022 issue of "Covenant Reformed News" has been released. Follow the link to read the latest profitable articles by Revs. A. Stewart and R. Hanko.
  • This month the 2022 British Reformed Fellowship family conference (July 9-16) was held. Attendees came from various parts of the world, including several PRC members from the U.S. It was held at Castlewellan Castle in Northern Ireland. The speakers, Rev. A. Stewart, Prof. David Engelsma and Prof. Brian Huizinga, lectured on "Union With Christ." For information see this web page.
• PRC in the Philippines and her mission work:
  • Rev. R. Smit and his family are finishing their furlough in the U.S. They plan to return to the Philippines this week Thursday, July 28, D.V. May the Lord grant them a safe return as they take up their labors in the far east again.
  • Berean PRC bulletin: The elders led her services today.
    
  • Provident PRC bulletin: Rev. V. Ibe led her services today. "Rev. D. Kleyn and Sis. Sharon are currently in the U.S. for a six week furlough. They plan to return on August 22, the Lord willing. May the Lord bless and be near them during their time in North America."
    

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 13:15-22 and titled "Why is the Sabbath Day Profaned?"
  
• 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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How well do you know the Reformed-Christian faith? Want a plain and easily read resource that covers everything from the doctrine of God to the return of Christ? Visit the RFPA website and obtain this valuable book!

• 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! A new building for the store has been obtained in downtown Hudsonville on Harvey St. after needing to move out of the old location in Keegstra’s Dollar Store. Renovations are being made to the building before the RBO can move in, so watch the bulletin or RBO social media pages for updates on when it will open in the new location. In the mean time, RBO's website will still be open for ordering, for shipping or for local pickup (more details on this to come)!. Email the store at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 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

"I am old enough vaguely to remember the early years of television, when televisions were still so expensive that they were found in very few homes. Before television, when you walked into the main living area of the home, usually called the living room, you would see the furniture arranged in a circle around the room, because that is where the family gathered together for fellowship. That fellowship did not always involve conversations. Sometimes the family would sit and read or play games. But in some homes that fellowship involved conversations about the day, about the issues of the day, about religion and politics. In some homes that fellowship included family devotions and singing, beyond that which may have been conducted at the dinner table. Often the conversations in those living rooms included visitors in the home, neighbors or extended family members who stopped by or people who were invited over for fellowship.

"Now we can observe how television has affected family life and particularly communication in the home. In many homes today the living room has been replaced by a room called the family room. When you examine that family room, you will find that the furniture has been arranged to face the wall where is mounted the television. And in many homes today, that television is on from the time the children get home from school and the parents are home from work until the last family member goes to bed at night. What do you think that has done to family fellowship, to communication in the home?”

~ Rev. Steven Key, Living Joyfully in Marriage (RFPA, 2022)