PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for February 5, 2023 *(Updated)

Today, February 5, is the sixth 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 continue our pilgrim journey in this new year, we do so in glad and grateful worship of our sovereign, saving God and King. Through Jesus Christ His Son and by His Holy Spirit our heavenly Father has redeemed and renewed us to be His worshiping and serving people. To Him we owe our all, and to Him we strive to give our all! Soli Deo gloria!

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.

Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works. All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name. For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone. Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell. ~ Psalm 86:8-13

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS 

• This past Monday (Jan.30) Hull PRC (NW Iowa) extended a call to Rev. S. Regnerus (Lynden, WA PRC). 
  
  
• This evening Rev. J. Laning was installed in Zion PRC as PRC home missionary. From her bulletin today we find this: "Installation of Rev. Laning as missionary will take place during the evening service. There will be a welcome coffee following. 'Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city', Acts 18:9,10." May the Lord richly bless him as he takes up this important labor on behalf of the churches.
  
  
• Today Rev. C. Spronk (Faith PRC) declined the call to Doon PRC.
  
  
• Rev. N. Decker is considering the calls to Loveland (CO) PRC (received Jan.15) and Georgetown PRC (received Jan.22).
  
  
• Rev. M. DeBoer (Edgerton, MN) is considering the call to Randolph PRC (received Jan.22).
  
  
• Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Rev. J. Engelsma (1st week) in Doon (IA) PRC; Prof. D. Kuiper and Rev. J. Mahtani in First PRC-Grand Rapids; Prof. B. Gritters and Rev. J. Maatman in Georgetown PRC; Rev. T. Miersma in Hosanna PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. R. Cammenga and Rev. N. Decker in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. K. Koole in Hull PRC; Rev. M. Kortus (2nd week) in Loveland PRC; Rev. D. Lee 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!
  
  
• Congregational Activities/ Evangelism:
  • The consistory of Crete PRC is hosting a lecture on February 16, at 7:00 p.m. Rev. Nathan Decker will speak on “Sexual Abuse in the Church: The Reality and Response.” Our lecture will be live streamed on Crete's YouTube channel at https://m.youtube.com/@CretePRC.
  • Wingham PRC (ON): "The Evangelism Committee would like to invite you [members of the congregation] to volunteer to sing with the residents at Pinecrest Manor on February 12, 2023. There is a sign-up and informational sheet downstairs."

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

Home Mission News: "Zion PRC would like to inform the denomination that the installation of Rev. James Laning as domestic missionary will take place at our evening worship service on February 5. Upon his installation, Rev. Laning will begin a period of training to prepare himself for the unique challenges of his work. Please remember this brother in prayer as he devotes himself to the great commission of our Lord Jesus Christ to make disciples of all nations, including our own. You are warmly invited to attend the installation service. “I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” John 4:35."

PRC Ministers retreat: This weekend, Feb.10,11, 18 PRC pastors and their wives will gather in Shipshewana, IN for their annual retreat. May the Lord give them a blessed time of refreshment and mutual encouragement in their work.

First PRC-Grand Rapids, MI - Mexico Trip (repeated from last week): "This Thursday, February 2, several men from our congregation will travel to Tabasco, Mexico to visit the Independent Reformed Orthodox Presbyterian Church. This is a small congregation that asked us to assist them in clearing brush from a newly acquired plot for a future church building. The intent is to use this service project to explore future contact and work with this church. The delegation consists of Prof. Griess, Bryan Pastoor, Jeff Thompson, Jordan Whiteley and Dwight Quenga. They plan to return February 9. Our prayer is that the Lord will bless these efforts."

Contact Committee Notices:

• "The PRC have an official Corresponding Church Relationship with the Evangelical Presbyterian Churches in Australia. One of their three active pastors, Pastor Mark Shand, has been laid low with health issues. It was thought that he had contracted Covid, but further tests indicated that he suffered a heart attack in December 2022. He has been forced to discontinue his ministerial labors. Continuing tests and treatment will indicate God’s will as to whether or not he is able to resume his work. Some members of the PRC know the Shands personally since Pastor Shand was a student in the Protestant Reformed Seminary 1997-2000 and he returned to the USA for a speech at the Seminary conference on the Canon of Dordt. His removal from the activity of the ministry has a significant impact on the EPCA. Let us remember in our prayers Pastor Shand, his wife (Susie) and their family, and the EPCA congregations."
• On behalf of our Contact Committee, a delegation of Rev. and Mrs. Mike De Vries and Mr. and Mrs. Pete Vander Schaaf plan to visit Covenant PRC of Northern Ireland from January 26 - February 6, D.V. They will be conducting the annual church visitation with the council. Rev. De Vries will be leading the worship services on Jan. 29 and Feb. 5 and a presentation/discussion on Wednesday, Feb. 1, D.V. May the Lord be with our delegation and make this a fruitful visit with CPRCNI.

Sem Aaron Van Dyke leading devotions this semester

PRC Seminary Notices:

• The second semester begins its third week for PRTS this week. The 2nd semester schedule and calendar have been posted on the seminary's website. Continue to hold the faculty, students, and staff in prayer as they have begun their normal labors and studies.
• Rev. J. Smidstra (First PRC-Holland) will speak for chapel this week.
• This past Wednesday, Feb.1, Prof. D. Engelsma was interviewed on the Federal Vision by an orthodox Anglican-Episcopalian minister (USA), Rev. D. Veitch. If you are interested in watching it, the link is provided here: (2) INTERVIEW: Prof. David Engelsma (PRC) & Rev. Donald Veitch (WCF-BCP-TFU) - YouTube
• The Fall 2022 issue of the PRT Journal  is available in print and digital formats. The print copies were mailed out in late December to those on the mailing list. The digital editions have been posted on the seminary's website (use the link provided here). This latest ssue 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 M. Wee are faithfully serving the CERC. In her bulletin today, we find this note under the "Pastoral Note": "We continue our second class on spiritual disciplines today after the morning worship service. Please consider attending this class, so that we can build one another up spiritually, by learning how we may make use of spiritual disciplines to heed the command to 'exercise thyself rather unto godliness' (1 Tim. 4:7b)."
    
  • The last issue of Salt Shakers is still 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. In her bulletin last week was this note: "We welcome Rev. & Dawn DeVries and Pete & Dorothy VanderSchaaf. Rev. DeVries will be preaching for us today and next Lord’s day."
  • The January 2023 newsletter has been published for the PRCA. Read about the exciting work going on in the CPRC!
  • The January 2023 issue of "Covenant Reformed News" was published late last month!  Follow the link to read the latest profitable articles by Revs. A. Stewart (the blessings of the messianic age) and R. Hanko (relics and Elisha's bones-2).
  • The CPRC YouTube channel may be found here.
    
    
• PRC in the Philippines and her mission work:
  • Berean PRC bulletin: Rev. R. Smit led her services today. "Rev. Ibe and family are visiting with the saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship (AGPRF), Gabaldon, NE., today. Our pastor will lead them in their worship service at 9 A.M. and in their bible study at 10:45 A.M., D.V. We pray for God’s blessings and spiritual sustenance upon them as they hear the Word of God."
  • Provident PRC bulletin: Rev. D. Kleyn led her worship services today.

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 the RWH begins to re-broadcast a series of Prof. C. Griess on the doctrines of grace (five points of Calvinism). Today's message is titled "Religion Defended" (1) based on Isaiah 48:11.
  
• 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.). 

Brand new book from the RFPA! Add this title to your personal and family library for growing in how to live in the friendship and fellowship of God!

• 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) 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.
  
  
• 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

"Let us bear in mind that when we speak of the marks of the church. we refer to the church from this point of view, that is, to the church as it is instituted by Christ and becomes manifest as an institution through its offices and through the functions of those offices in an organized local congregation, a certain local manifestation of the body of Christ on earth. If we keep this in mind, it will avoid the confusion and misunderstanding which frequently arises in connection with the subject of the true and the false church. The subject under discussion is not the marks of the true believer, the marks of the Christian. Neither is the claim of the true church in the world the claim that it is perfect, or the claim that it consists only of regenerated people of God, only of true believers, or that outside of a given congregation or denomination there are no elect people of God. This is not the question. But we confront this question: where is the church of Jesus Christ in this world from the point of view of its institution? Where is it that the Lord Jesus Christ, the head of His church, has instituted that church? Where are the God-ordained offices and office-bearers? Where does it please Christ as the office-bearer in the house of God to function and to bless and to gather His church? The church is manifest here in the world; it can be recognized and found and joined. And not all churches who claim to be the manifestation of that church are that church, or are so in purity.

~ Taken from the resource "The Marks of the True Church" by Homer C. Hoeksema