PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for June 4, 2023 *(Updated)

Today, June 4, is the twenty-third 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.

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.

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. ~ Psalm 100:1-4

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS 

• Rev. M. Kortus (Hope PRC-Redlands, CA) is considering the calls to Hosanna PRC (Edmonton, AB) and to Loveland-CO PRC.
  
  
• Rev. D. Noorman (SW PRC-Wyoming, MI) is considering the call to Randolph-WI PRC.
  
  
• Rev. C. Spronk (Faith PRC-Jenison, MI) is considering the call to Zion PRC. He plans to answer next week, June 11.
  
  
• Hudsonville PRC's Council has made a new trio of Revs. D. Kleyn (Philippines missions), W. Langerak (Trinity PRC), and J. Mahtani (Hope PRC-Grand rapids, MI). The congregational meeting is today after the evening service. *NEW: Rev. Kleyn has received this call.
  
  
• *NEW: Lynden PRC's Consistory has announced a new trio: Revs. D. Kleyn (Philippines missions), J. Mahtani (Hope PRC-Walker, MI), and R. Smit (foreign missionary now in the States). The congregational meeting is planned for June 18, 2023 after the evening service.

Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs:  Sem. A. Van Dyke in Doon (IA) PRC; Prof. C. Griess and Rev. C. Haak in Georgetown PRC; Rev. T. Miersma in Hosanna PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. R. Cammenga in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. K. Koole (2nd week) in Loveland PRC; Prof. D. Kuiper in Lynden PRC; Rev. S. Key (2nd week) in Randolph PRC; Prof. B. Huizinga and Rev. J. Laning in Zion 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!

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

Smits' Return from the Philippines: The R. Smits family will be leaving the Philippines Monday, June 5, and returning to the States, as the Philippines mission becomes self-governing and Rev. Smit looks to receive a call from one of the PRC congregations. May the Lord grant traveling mercies and prepare them for their transition to U.S. life and labors once again.

PRC 100th Anniversary: With gratitude to our faithful God, the PRCA look forward to our 100th anniversary. The celebration is planned for June 23-27, 2025, at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, MI. The various committees of the 100th anniversary steering commitee are busy preparing for this historic event, including a special commemorative book. Watch for further notices and updates!

PRC Seminary Notices:

• The PRT Seminary has now completed its second semester. As we enter the spring/summer break, continue to pray for faculty, students, and staff as we shift to other labors and responsibilities, including preparing for the 2023-24 school year. The professors will also be preparing to serve as advisors at the PRC Synod meeting June 13-16 in Southwest PRC. 
• Last Sunday Prof. B. Huizinga preached in Doon (IA) PRC; today Prof. B. Gritters is preaching in Peace PRC (Dyer, IN) and Prof. D. Kuiper in Lynden (WA) PRC. Also, Sem. A. Haveman is in Edgerton (MN) PRC today and next Sunday and Sem. A. Van Dyke is in Doon PRC today.
• With joy the faculty of the Protestant Reformed Theological Seminary announces that it has licensed student Aaron Van Dyke to speak a word of edification in the churches. We are grateful for the brother’s progress to this point in his training. All scheduling of Mr. Van Dyke must be done through the seminary, either by sending a request to the seminary secretary (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or the rector, Prof. R. Cammenga (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). The brother led his first service in First PRC-Holland, MI last Sunday.
• Senior Seminarian Matt Koerner is preparing for his synodical exam at the PRC Synod that begins on June 13 at Southwest PRC. His graduation is scheduled for June 15 in that church. Sem. Arend Haveman will be doing his senior-year internship this summer and fall (July-December) in Pittsburgh PRC under Rev. W. Bruinsma. Details for that continue to be worked out. Sem. A. Van Dyke will keep busy with work and preaching assignments. Sem. B. Feenstra has returned home to Redlands, CA for the summer.
• The Spring 2023 issue of the PR Theological Journal was mailed out in late April. Digital copies have been posted on the journal webpage (see link here). The Spring issue features articles on a distinctive feature of PRC teaching on the covenant of grace, on the image of God in man from a conference in Mexico, on R.L. Dabney's "proposals of mercy," and the first part of a history of Classis West of the PRC - and, of course, several significant 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. From her bulletin today we note that both pastors are emphasizing the need for godly Christian education in the home and church: "This command to diligently teach our children the knowledge of the Son of God is demanding. It will be as demanding as how much desire to give our children systematic Christian instruction. It will be as demanding as how thoroughly we desire to bring “into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor 10:5). Therefore, Pastor Wee and myself [pastor Tan] have decided that one way to help us as a church, is to preach this coming cycle through the HC, from the perspective of our church theme “come let us build”. This round of HC will be from the perspective of how to build each other up spiritually in both discipleship and Christian education. We pray that this systematic preaching through the whole council of God will also equip us CERC to give systematic instruction of all knowledge of the Son of God to our young ones."
    
  • There's a new issue of Salt Shakers out! Issue 69 is on the theme "GST: The Christian's Response." Especially for young people, the magazine contains a variety of articles and is edifying for ALL readers! Visit the link provided here to read and learn. 

• Covenant PRC, N. Ireland:
  
  • Rev. A. Stewart continues to minister the Word faithfully to the saints in Ballymena.
  • There's a new issue of Covenant Reformed News out! The May 2023was recenty posted here.  Follow the link to read the latest profitable articles by Revs. A. Stewart (vessels of wrath fitted for destruction) and R. Hanko (the days of Noah).
  • The CPRC YouTube channel may be found here.
    
    
• PRC in the Philippines and her mission work in various places:
  • A March 2023 Newsletter has been published. Be sure to visit the linked page to learn about the latest news from the Philippines.
  • Berean PRC bulletin: Elders Penaverde and Umali led her services today. And, "Rev. Ibe and family are visiting the saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship (AGPRF), Gabaldon, NE., Rev. Ibe will lead them in their worship service at 9 AM and in their study of the Church Order at 11 AM, God willing." And, finally, "We bid the Smit family farewell and God’s continued blessings and provisions for traveling mercies as they go back to the U.S. tomorrow, God willing. May God be with Rev. Smit and his family as they wait upon God for a place in Christ’s Vineyard to serve the LORD and His people through the ministry of the Word and Sacraments. We commend them to God and to the churches. God be praised!"
  • Provident PRC bulletin: Rev. D. Kleyn led her 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 continues the marriage series by Rev. C. Haak. Today's message is titled "Husbands, Love Your Wives" based on Ephesians 5:25-27. For the June RWH Newsletter, visit this page. 
  
• 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.). 

• Would you like to learn 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) ISnow operating in its new store in downtown Hudsonville! The new location is at 3472 Harvey St. in Hudsonville. Visit the store and browse the variety of resources for your Reformed-Christian faith and walk, including many children's titles. They are open Tuesday-Friday, 10-5, and Saturday 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

"In the beginning, God made marriage as a bond of the most intimate fellowship of love between one man and one woman. The two become one flesh. Such is God's declaration in Genesis 2:24, quoted by Paul in Ephesians 5:31. There is a bodily oneness in the sexual relationship, but also a oneness of soul. Married persons share one life. The Lord Jesus stressed this in Matthew19:6: 'Wherefore they are no more twain but one flesh.' We must not think of married persons as two, but as one. This union of the two, the male and the female, is God's act in the case of every marriage. In marriage, God joins two persons together (Matt. 19:6). Although there is a uniquely rich aspect of the God-worked intimacy of marriage in the case of two believers, God joins two together as one flesh also in the world. Marriage is an institution of God in creation, like government. Whenever two people use this institution, they are joined by God. Hence, according to I Corinthians 7:12-17, the marriage of a believer and an unbeliever is a valid marriage, which must be maintained. A husband and wife experience and express the intimacy of marriage as unique love and communion.

"Marriage is a relationship for life. This is built into the institution: one man and one woman become one flesh. Since marriage is a union effected by God, man neither may nor can 'put asunder.' Only God may, and only God can, divide what He has joined. God does this in death. 'For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man' (Rom. 7:2-3). I Corinthians 7:39 teaches the same thing: 'The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.' For good reason, the marriage forms—until recently—had the couple vow to take each other as wife or husband 'till death us do part.'"

Taken from the pamphlet "Marriage and Divorce" by Prof. David Engelsma