PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for November 13, 2022 *(Updated)

Below you will find special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this forty-sixth Sunday of our Lord's year 2022, November 13.

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.

I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me. ...I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search. Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more? Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore? Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah. And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God? Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people. Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah. ~ Psalm 77:1, 6-15

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. M. DeBoer (Edgerton PRC) declined the call from Hosanna PRC (Edmonton, AB).
  
  
• *UPDATE: Today Georgetown PRC voted to call Rev. C. Spronk (Faith PRC).
  
  
• Rev. M. Kortus (Hope PRC-Redlands) is considering the call to Hudsonville PRC (received Oct.23). 
  
  
• Rev. C. Spronk (Faith PRC) is considering the call to First PRC-Grand Rapids (received Oct.30). He plans to answer by Nov.27.
  
  
• Rev. J. Laning (Hull PRC) is considering the call from Zion PRC  to serve as denominational home missionary. 
  
  
• The Consistory of Doon PRC has formed a new trio from which to call her next pastor: Revs. M. De Boer (Edgerton PRC), J. Mahtani (Hope PRC-Grand Rapids, MI), and D. Noorman (SW PRC). The congregational meeting is scheduled for November 28.
  
  
• The Council of Randolph (WI) PRC "presents the following trio for the congregation’s consideration: Rev. M. DeBoer, (Edgerton), Rev. J. Holstege, (Zion), Rev. J. Laning, (Hull). The congregational meeting to extend a call from this trio has been set for November 27, after the morning service."
  
  
• *UPDATE: The Consistory of Hosanna PRC (Edmonton) has a new trio: Revs. J. Holstege (Zion PRC), W. Langerak (Trinity PRC), and C. Spronk (Faith PRC). The congregation will vote on Nov.20 in the evening. 
  
  
• Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Rev. J. Marcus (1st week) in Doon (IA) PRC; Prof. D. Kuiper and Rev. J. Maatman in First PRC-Grand Rapids; Prof. C. Griess and Prof. B. Huizinga in Georgetown PRC; Rev. J.Engelsma (2nd Sunday) in Hosanna PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. R. Cammenga and Rev. W. Langerak in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. R. Barnhill (1st week) 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 Activities
  • Byron Center PRC: "The Community Bible Study meets this Thursday (7:30 PM) at church. We plan to wrap up discussion of John 17:24-26. Please invite friends and join us."
  • Zion PRC: "Community Bible Study will meet Wednesday at 7 pm in the youth building. We will take up the study of John 8 at vs. 21. Consider coming with a neighbor, colleague, or acquaintance!"

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

PRC Seminary Notices:

• The seminary has now completed ten weeks of the first semester of the new school year. In this Thanksgiving season, we thank and praise our God for His infinite goodness to us in Jesus Christ. "Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? who can shew forth all his praise? Ps. 106:1,2
• Rev. M. DeVries spoke for the Wednesday chapel this past week.
• The second round of Practice Preaching will be held tomorrow, Nov.14. A. Haveman and A. Van Dyke will present their second sermons of the semester. Pray for them as they prepare for this and then deliver the sermons. And pray for the faculty as they guide the students in this all-important aspect of their training.
• Sem. M. Koerner (4th year) continues with his six-month internship in Hope PRC-Grand Rapids under Rev. J. Mahtani (July-Dec.). He is staying busy with all aspects of the work of the ministry.
• The Fall 2022 issue of the PRT Journal  has been sent to the printer and should be available at the beginning of December. The digital editions have been posted on the seminary's website (use the link provided here). This new issue features articless by Prof. Griess (Calvin and the third mark of the true church), Kuiper (seminary history, chap.2), Prof. Gritters (introduction to an old article by Herman Hoeksema and a book review article), 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 (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
  
• 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 - and don't forget the blog!
  
  

Learn about what CERC is doing with the Book of Psalms through PSP below!

SISTER-CHURCH/MISSION NEWS:

• Covenant ERC, Singapore and her Kolkata, India mission work:
  • Pastors J. Tan and newly installed M. Wee are faithfully serving the CERC. In his pastoral note this week, Pastor Wee introduced a new pratice in their worship called "PSP": "Never heard of ‘PSP’? Well, it stands for “Psalm Singing and Praying”! The Lord willing, we will be singing and praying through the Psalms consecutively in our worship service. The Psalms are God’s songbook for the church, and we sing them almost exclusively in our worship service. It will be profitable for us as a church to go through the Psalms systematically, one each Lord’s Day, learning them well. ...Pastor Tan and I will seek to incorporate that particular Psalm in our congregational prayers each week. This way, we will be praying through the Psalm together during the week, and coming together to the sanctuary and taking these familiar words (that we have prayed over in the week) upon our own lips."
  • Don't forget the latest issue of Salt Shakers is available - Issue 67, September 2022. Especially for young people, the magazine is edifying for ALL readers!

• Covenant PRC, N. Ireland:
  
  • Rev. A. Stewart continues to minister the Word faithfully to the saints in Ballymena. From her Nov.6 bulletin we learn about an interesting Bible study topic they are on: "Tuesday Bible study at 11 AM will meet to continue our discussion on faith and reason, looking at how they are rightly and wrongly related."
  • The October 2022 issue of "Covenant Reformed News" was published at the end of last month.  Follow the link to read the latest profitable articles by Revs. A. Stewart and R. Hanko.
    
    
• PRC in the Philippines and her mission work:
  • Berean PRC bulletin: Rev. V. Ibe led her services today. "The saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship (AGPRF), Gabaldon, NE. will join in our worship services today via Livestream at our official Facebook page account, D.V."
    

  • Provident PRC bulletin: Rev. R. Smit led her services today.

  • PRCP Seminary: The classes for 2022-2023 are continuing for this semester. "We are grateful to the Lord for His sustaining grace upon the labors of our instructors, [Rev. Smit and Rev. Kleyn] and to Seminarian Ace Flores. We pray that God will bless their faithful labors and that they may be encouraged even more as we look to God for another fruitful year of dedication and devotion to this cause of God’s Kingdom. God be praised!"

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. W. Bruinsma (Pittsburgh, PA PRC) continues to speak for the RWH program. He is delivering messages on various Bible passages. Today's message is titled "God's Promise Confirmed (2)" based on Acts 2:39.
  
• 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.). 

New release by the RFPA! Here's more on this new title and how to obtain it.

"Rev. Jason Kortering (1936–2020) was a minister in the Protestant Reformed Churches. From 1992–2006, he and his wife, Jean, were called to missionary labors in Singapore, India, and Myanmar. Say Among the Heathen the Lord Reigns is Jean’s account of those years. The recollections and stories in this book will direct your heart to the Son of God who gathers, defends, and preserves to himself an elect church out of all nations, kindreds, peoples, and tongues."

• 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) has now opened its new store in downtown Hudsonville! The new location is at 3472 Harvey St. in Hudsonville. Regular hours are Tuesday - Friday from 10-5 and Saturday from 10-1.
  
  
  
• 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

 Quoted in Covenant PRC's (Ballymena, N. Ireland) bulletin of November 6, from Prof. D. Engelsma in The Reformed Worldview:

"As a pilgrim, the Christian is never absorbed in earthly life. He never sets his heart on earthly relations, including marriage and family, though they are dear; on earthly pleasures, no matter how legitimate and sweet; on earthly treasures, regardless how vast and valuable; on earthly achievements, be they never so impressive. He has a wife as though he had none. He weeps over earthly calamities as though he did not weep. He rejoices over earthly pleasures and successes as though he did not rejoice. He buys and owns possessions and properties as though he did not possess them. He uses this physical world while sitting loose to it (I Cor. 7:29-31).

"Earthly life is not all there is. Earthly life is not the main thing. Earthly life is brief. Earthly life is not the goal. A successful earthly life is not the goal for the believer. Indeed, a successful earthly life is a temptation to lose sight of the goal. Therefore, God mercifully plagues our earthly life with sorrows, sicknesses, and struggles, so that we keep our eye of faith on the goal: the heavenly country, the “city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Heb. 11:10), “an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (II Cor. 5:1).

"Earthly life is only the way to the goal.

"Pilgrimage is basic to the Christian worldview. When Jesus described the evil of the human race at His second coming, on account of which multitudes will perish, He said that the majority will simply be at home on the earth, wrapped up in earthly pursuits and pleasures: “For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage” (Matt. 24:38). Against this temptation—the giving up of pilgrimage—the disciples of Christ must “watch” (v. 42).

"According to the correct translation of Philippians 3:20, our citizenship is in heaven. The sense of this citizenship so grips us that we are always looking for the coming of the Saviour, our Lord Jesus Christ.

"For the worldview of Man, in contrast, earthly life is all there is. The worldview of Man is materialism. Death ends human existence (declare the advocates of the worldview of Man, although they know better, and tremble at the prospect of judgment to follow). Therefore, the worldview of Man is both meaningless and hopeless, no matter how its proponents—Richard Dawkins, and Bertrand Russell before him—try to put a good face on it: “One can lead a happy and fulfilled life without supernatural religion.”

"Upon the worldview of Man, and the vain life lived in its shadow, Ecclesiastes passed judgment long ago— judgment that expresses the conviction and feeling of every human heart: 'Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.'"