PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for December 4, 2022

Below you will find special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this forty-ninth Sunday of our Lord's year 2022, December 4.

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.

Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth. Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up thy strength, and come and save us. Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved. O LORD God of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people? Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to drink in great measure. Thou makest us a strife unto our neighbours: and our enemies laugh among themselves. Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved. ~ Psalm 80:1-7

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. C. Spronk (Faith PRC) declined the call from First PRC-Grand Rapids.  He continues to consider the call to Georgetown PRC, which he plans to answer by Dec.18.
  
  
• Last Sunday Randolph (WI) PRC called Rev. J. Holstege (Zion PRC).
  
  
• This past Monday Rev. M. DeBoer (Edgerton PRC MN) received the call from Doon PRC.
  
  
• Rev. J. Holstege (Zion PRC) is considering the call from Hosanna PRC (Edmonton, AB). He plans to answer by Dec.11.
  
  
• Hudsonville PRC's Council announced a new trio from which to call a pastor: Revs. B. Langerak (Trinity PRC), J. Maatman (SE PRC), and C. Spronk (Faith PRC). The congregation will vote on Dec.14.
   
• Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Prof. R. Dykstra in Doon (IA) PRC; Prof. D. Kuiper and Rev. D. Noorman in First PRC-Grand Rapids; Prof. C. Griess and Rev. D. Lee in Georgetown PRC; Rev. A. Brummel (1st week) in Hosanna PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. R. Cammenga and Rev. J. Maatman in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. K. Koole 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.

Congregational Evangelism Activities:

• Zion PRC (Jenison, MI): "Community Bible Study will meet this Wednesday at 7 pm [held in Zion's outbuilding] to study John 9. Consider coming with a neighbor, colleague, or acquaintance!"

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

Home Mission News: On Nov.20 Rev. J. Laning (Hull PRC) accepted the call from Zion PRC  to serve as denominational home missionary. We rejoice in God's goodness in providing a pastor to serve the churches in this way.

Foreign Mission News: Rev. D. Kleyn and his wife Sharon continue to recuperate in West Michigan following recent surgeries. They plan to return to the Philippines in late December. May the Lord continue to grant healing and strength to them. 

PRC Seminary Notices:

• The seminary has now completed thirteen weeks of the first semester of the new school year. As we enter the final weeks of the semester, pray for continued diligence and grace to remain faithful in all aspects of the labors.
• A reminder is given during this holiday season that the seminary bookstore has a good supply of new and used books, including Bibles and music CDs (Hope Heralds 2022!). Visit us anytime during the day, Monday through Friday.
• Rev. E. Guichelaar (2013 PRTS graduate, pastor of Grace PRC) spoke for the Wednesday chapel this past week and will do so again this week.
• Sem. M. Koerner (4th year) is finishing his six-month internship in Hope PRC-Grand Rapids under Rev. J. Mahtani (July-Dec.). The other three students continue their regular studies.
• The Fall 2022 issue of the PRT Journal  has been sent to the printer and should be available in early December. The digital editions have been posted on the seminary's website (use the link provided here). This new issue features articles by Prof. Griess (Calvin and the third mark of the true church), Prof. Kuiper (seminary history, chap.2), Prof. Gritters (introduction to an old article on mental illness 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!
  
  

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 Tan writes about the suffering God's children endure in this life. This is part of what he says: "While we suffer for righteousness’ sake, know that no pain we experience, no tear we shed is a mistake. We are all called suffer for the truth’s sake. For the gospel, we take the fiercest mockery and scorn. To insist on a life of holiness, all that we suffer under the hand of the godless and heartless is never meaningless. Our every tear, God counts as precious and keeps in a bottle. Our every heartache, our God beholds and never forgets. “Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?”- Psalm 56:8
  • Don't forget the most recent 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. 
  • The November 2022 issue of "Covenant Reformed News" was released last week.  Follow the link to read the latest profitable articles by Revs. A. Stewart (Christ's various comings) and R. Hanko (the third use of the law).
  • Translation additions to the CPRC website: Translation Additions: 1 Afrikaans, 2 Hungarian, 3 Polish, 2 Russian and 13 Swahili.
• PRC in the Philippines and her mission work:
  • Berean PRC bulletin: Rev. R. Smit led her services today. We also find this special note: "Rev. Ibe and family will visit the saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship (AGPRF), Gabaldon, NE. Rev. Ibe will lead them in their worship service today at 9 AM. Bible study on the book of Titus 2 is also scheduled after the worship service @ 10:45 AM, D.V. The worship service will be Livestreamed on the official Facebook page of AGPRF."
    

  • Provident PRC bulletin: "Elder Jun Armas will lead for us in our worship services today and will use video recordings of sermons of Prof. Brian Huizinga from the PRCA for the preaching of God’s Word in our worship services today."

  • Rev. D. Kleyn and his wife Sharon continue to recuperate in West Michigan following recent surgeries. They plan to return to the Philippines on December 29. May the Lord continue to grant healing and strength to them. 

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 related to the first coming of Christ in the flesh. Today's message is titled "The Messiah Revealed" based on Isaiah 40:4,5.
  
• 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.). 

What is the miracle that took place in Bethlehem? Who is it that was born of the virgin Mary and laid in a manger? This RFPA book, The Mystery of Bethlehem makes a good resource for reading in this Advent season.

• 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. Special notice!
  
  Reformed Book Outlet is running their 25% off sale through the rest of the month of December in store, and we are also holding it online as well this year! Stop in the store to shop, or when ordering online, use code DEC25 at check out to get 25% off eligible items! Items ordered through our website for shipping should be ordered before December 15th to guarantee arrival before Christmas Day!
  
  
• 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.
  
  

This Week's Thought for Contemplation

"What was true of Israel is also true of the Church of today. The Church as it is manifested in the world (all that goes by the name of Church) is, for the most part, ignorant of or denies the true Savior. Oh, there is much talk about God and Christ. We hear the name Jesus all the time - so much so that one tires of it. These names, however, have been drained of their meaning. Even though people take these names upon their lips, they do not know of whom they speak. People have so many misconceptions about God and Christ that the God and Christ of most people are not the God and Christ of the Bible. Today God is considered by most to be a weak and helpless God who does not rule this world. He is brought down to the level of man. There is very little respect for Him. He is common-just a buddy. In fact, He is made even lower than man. For man is able to frustrate the will of God by his will. God is supposed to love everyone and want everyone to be saved. God, however, does not get what He wants because many refuse to receive Him as their Savior.

"Is this the god who is the only Savior? No! Certainly not! We must, therefore, not only take careful note of the fact that the true God is the only Savior, but we must also take note of His description of Himself as the only Savior. In this passage God refers to Himself as the Savior by means of three of His names - Jehovah, Holy One, and God. By these three names we learn precisely who the Savior is."

Rev. S. Houck in "Jehovah the Savior," one of the featured resources on the PRC website this month. To keep reading, visit the link provided here.