PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for January 8, 2023 ***(Updated)

Today is the second Lord's Day of this year of our Lord 2023. Below you will find special highlights of PRC and sister-church news. It is our hope that these reports not only inform you but also give you opportunity to pray for the needs of these churches and mission fields throughout the world.

As we enter this new year, we do so in glad and grateful worship of our sovereign, saving God and King. To Him we owe our all and to Him we commit our way in 2023, day by day. 

If you are new to this website and the PRCA, we invite you to join us in worship today or on any of the Sunday's of this year at one of our local congregations near you, or listen online.

God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods. How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah. Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked. ...Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations. ~ Psalm 82:1-4, 5

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS 

• Today Rev. J. Smidstra (First PRC-Holland) declined the call to First PRC (Grand Rapids, MI - received Dec.18). *UPDATE: He also declined the call from Hull PRC (NW Iowa).

• Rev. W. Langerak (Trinity PRC-Hudsonville, MI) is considering the call from Hosanna PRC (Edmonton, AB - received Dec.25).
  
  

• Rev. C. Spronk (Faith PRC) is considering the call to Hudsonville PRC (received Dec.14). He plans to answer next Sunday.
  
  
• The Council of Georgetown PRC has a new trio from which to call her next pastor: Revs. M. DeBoer (Edgerton PRC), N. Decker (Grandville PRC), and J. Smidstra (First PRC-Holland). The congregational meeting is planned for Jan.22 after the evening service.
  
  
• **UPDATE: Doon PRC's Consistory has a new trio from which to call her next pastor: Revs. M. Kortus (Hope PRC-Redlands), D. Noorman (SW PRC), and C. Spronk (Faith PRC). The congregational meeting is scheduled for January 22 after the morning service.
  
  
• ***UPDATE: From Randolph PRC (WI): "The council presents the following trio for the congregation’s consideration. Rev. Matthew DeBoer, Rev. Nathan Decker, and Rev. David Norman. We have set a congregational meeting to extend a call to one of these men for January 22 after the morning service."
   
• Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Rev. H. Bleyenberg (1st week) in Doon (IA) PRC; Prof. D. Kuiper and Rev. M. McGeown in First PRC-Grand Rapids; Prof. B. Huizinga and Rev. G. Eriks in Georgetown PRC; Rev. T. Miersma in Hosanna PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. R. Cammenga and Rev. J. Smidstra in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. S. Key in Hull PRC; Prof. C. Griess in Loveland PRC; Rev. J. Laning 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. And may we continue to pray for men to hear the call to serve as pastors and missionaries!
  
  
• Officebearer Resources: This is the time of year when new officebearers (elders and deacons) are installed into office. This special notice is to inform you that there is a special webpage on this site devoted to resources for officebearers - sermons, seminars, articles, seminary syllabi, etc. And the PRC Seminary bookstore has many fine books for officebearers.

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

Classis East will meet this Wednesday, Jan.11, at 8:00 am at Grandville PRC. The agenda has weighty matters; let us be in prayer for the delegates as they deal with Christ's work in the churches. May they be given the grace and wisdom of His Spirit.

Contact Committee Notices: On behalf of the Contact Committee of the PRCA, Rev. and Mrs. Bill Bruinsma and Mr. and Mrs. Dave Kregel plan to visit the Covenant Evangelical Reformed Church in Singapore from January 11 - 24, 2023, D.V. They will be conducting Church Visitation with the session of CERC. Rev. Bruinsma will be leading the worship services on January 15 and 22, and giving two speeches. May the Lord make this a fruitful visit and grant traveling mercies to this delegation.

Home Mission News: On Nov.20 Rev. J. Laning (Hull PRC) accepted the call from Zion PRC (Jenison, MI) to serve as denominational home missionary. 

In a recent Zion PRC's bulletin was this update from her special committee: "Update from Zion DMC committee: We have been very busy coordinating the move and the work for Rev Laning. Tentatively, the plan is for Rev. Laning to preach his farewell at Hull PRC on January 1, 2023. After that he will be going to Randolph PRC so that he can keep his classical commitment to that congregation for January 8 which will include the baptism of his grandchild. His arrival into our area will be the week of the 16th of January. We are presently coordinating a moving company to move all his belongings to his new home in Jenison from Hull, IA. We have secured a place to live in Glen Eagle condos in the 14th Ave and 44th St area in Georgetown Township. We are also working with him to identify the mission work that he will be doing and coordinating a plan moving forward. We anticipate him taking some classes in regard to this mission work which we believe will take most of his time for the first 6 months of his being here. He is scheduled to preach for Zion PRC on Jan 29 AM and Feb 12 PM. As far as the committee is concerned, we have had regular monthly meetings up to the time that Rev. Laning accepted the call and now that the Lord has answered our prayers and sent us a missionary, we are working hard organizing the work for him and also entering into conversations with him in order to search out the Lords will for him and our congregation. Missions are an important work for the church, and we continue to ask for your prayers for Rev. Laning and his wife as they settle in to our congregational life and take up this great work to the glory of God, the ingathering of the church and also to the coming of Christ when He shall take His completed church home to live with Him forever. We look forward to that day."

Foreign Mission News: (from Doon PRC's bulletin, calling church for the Philippines): "Caleb Woiwood and Doug and Lisa Brands leave this week Wednesday as the annual FMC delegation to the Philippines. We pray God’s blessing on their travels."

PRC Seminary Notices:

• The seminary is now between semesters, with the 2023 Interim (see note below) scheduled to begin tomorrow (see next note for details). The second semester will begin on Tuesday, Jan.24. The 2nd semester schedule and calendar have been posted on the seminary's website.
• Seminary Class on Ethics. You are invited! From January 9- 18, Prof. Gritters will be teaching an 8-day interim course on Reformed Christian ethics (M-F from 9-11:30AM). If Dogmatics teaches what Christians believe, Ethics teaches how they live. Questions faced include: What is a truly good life? What is the Christian’s relation to the law? Is law contrary to love? May our conscience guide us? What is love? May I hate? May I lie to save my neighbor’s life? What about IVF? May Christians divorce? Separate? Remarry? If you are interested in attending, please call the seminary: 616-531-1490.
• Sem. M. Koerner (4th year) has finished his six-month internship in Hope PRC-Grand Rapids under Rev. J. Mahtani (July-Dec. 2022). He and the seminary secretary, Sharon Kleyn, will be joined in marriage this Friday, Jan.13, before he (and she!) returns for his final semester on Jan.24.
• The professors have kept busy over the holiday break finishing first semester work and preparing for the next semester. In addition, there have been many preaching assignments, including out of town (Randolph and Loveland). Prof. Griess has now completed the classes required for his ThM degree and is working toward completing his thesis (to be done in May). Continue to pray for them and the students.
• At the end of 2022 the print copies of the Fall 2022 issue of the PRT Journal  were mailed out to those on the mailing list. 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!
  
  

See the mission news from India below

SISTER-CHURCH/MISSION NEWS:

• From Georgetown PRC (Hudsonville, MI) re her India Outreach (Vellore PRC and beyond) work with Rev. Paulraj. Recently, pastor Paulraj was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor (on one of his salivary glands), for which he underwent surgery this past Friday. This update was on GT's bulletin today: "Pastor Paulraj’s surgery went well this past Friday. We got word that the surgeons were pleased with what was accomplished. There are no detailed reports as of yet. They love the prayers from GPRC and they continue to be very much appreciated."
  
  
• Covenant ERC, Singapore and her Kolkata, India mission work:
  • Pastors J. Tan and recently installed M. Wee are faithfully serving the CERC. In her bulletin today was this encouraging update from her mission labors in Kolkata: "This past Thursday, the Council conducted membership interviews for 4 saints from the Covenant Evangelical Reformed Fellowship of Kolkata, India. This was done by Zoom, with Rev. Emmanuel Singh translating. It was a privilege to hear them confess their faith in Christ boldly and sincerely. The saints gave testimony to God’s gracious work in their lives, in calling them out of the darkness of Hinduism, Buddhism, and the errors of Pentecostalism into the precious heritage of the Reformed faith. It was a mutually encouraging time for both the members of the fellowship, and our Council. “Come, let us build!” Do so by praying for the saints in Kolkata. Pray that they will remain strong, even in the face of persecution, which will intensify especially as they join themselves to a true church as members. Our Lord’s words to the church of Smyrna are appropriate to them: “be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Rev. 2:10b).
    
  • Don't forget the last 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.
  • A new newsletter has been published for the PRCA (Jan. 2023). When it is posted on the website this week, a link will be provided.
  • The December 2022 issue of "Covenant Reformed News" was recently published!  Follow the link to read the latest profitable articles by Revs. A. Stewart (the abrogation of the Mosaic law) and R. Hanko (relics and Elisha's bones).
  • The CPRC YouTube channel may be found here.
• PRC in the Philippines and her mission work:
  • Berean PRC bulletin: Rev. V. Ibe led her services today. We also find this special note concerning her mission endeavors: "The saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship (AGPRF), Gabaldon, NE., will join us in our worship services today via Livestream at our Facebook page, D.V."
  • Provident PRC bulletin: 

Reformed Resources for Education, Edification, and Evangelism

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 David and the kingdom of Israel. Today's message is titled "Making a Stand" based on 1 Samuel 17:38-51.
  
• 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.). 

Are you a Standard Bearer subscriber and reader? Get a preview of the first issue of this year and learn how to subscribe!

• 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.
  
  

This Week's Thought for Contemplation

"This eternal God will be our guide even unto death. The text, correctly translated, reads, "He will shepherd us." This means God will nourish and feed us. No man does this. Our eternal God does this by His grace and Holy Spirit through those whom He calls. God does this chiefly by means of the preaching of His inspired, infallible Word and by the use of the sacraments. That God shepherds us means as well that He rules us by His grace so that we willingly serve Him in love. God protects us from all our enemies, preserves and sustains us through every trial, every suffering, and through all of our sorrows. God gives us grace sufficient for our every need and guides us every step along our way, the way which He in His wisdom and love has determined for each of us. 

"Our eternal God will shepherd us even unto death. This means simply that from the moment of our birth to the moment of our death God will shepherd us. He never leaves or forsakes us, not for a split second. God cares for us to the very end. 

"And because this is true, nothing can be against us, nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. All things are for us! Even death is for us! O, I know, death is horrible from every human point of view. Death is often preceded by terrible sufferings. We saw that with our dear one the past weeks. That strong body became so weak and that booming voice became barely a whisper. Death is the end of all our earthly relations. We have lost a husband, a father, a grandfather, a brother in the Lord, and a co-worker in the ministry. What is worse, death is the expression of the wrath of God against sin. Death is part of the, curse! It is no wonder that the apostle refers to death as the last enemy (I Cor. 15)! 

"But all that has been changed! Death has been swallowed up in the victory of the cross and resurrection, of Jesus Christ. No longer is death the end. Death is the beginning of perfect joy, of fellowship with our eternal God in glory. God will be our guide; He will shepherd us even unto death, and through death take us to the glory of His presence. 

"And that is absolutely certain. Our eternal God will beour guide. There may be no doubt about this! Our eternal God will surely be our shepherd even unto death. Therefore, God's church shall surely stand."

~ Taken from the SB article "The Eternal God: Our Guide" by Robert D. Decker