PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for June 11, 2023

Today, June 11, is the twenty-fourth 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.

I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing. I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. ...Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me. He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight. I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD. ~ Psalm 101:1-2, 6-8

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS 

• Last Sunday Rev. D. Kleyn received the call to Hudsonville PRC.
  
  
• Today Rev. C. Spronk (Faith PRC-Jenison, MI) declined the call to Zion PRC.
  
  
• Today Rev. D. Noorman (SW PRC-Wyoming, MI) declined the call to Randolph-WI PRC.
  
  
• Rev. M. Kortus (Hope PRC-Redlands, CA) is considering the calls to Hosanna PRC (Edmonton, AB) and to Loveland-CO PRC. He plans to answer these calls on or before June 25.
   
• Doon PRC's Consistory has formed a new trio of Rev. R. Smit, Rev. D. Kleyn, and Rev. H. Bleyenberg. They plan to call from this trio next week, June 18.
  
  
• 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:  Rev. R. Barnhill in Doon (IA) PRC; Rev. J. Laning and Rev.J. Maatman in Georgetown PRC; Rev. M. DeBoer (1st week) in Hosanna PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. R. Cammenga and Rev. N. Decker in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. J. Holstege in Loveland PRC; Rev. R. Smit in Lynden PRC; Rev. E. Guichelaar in Randolph PRC; Prof. B. Gritters and Rev. K. Koole 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

Southwest PRC in Wyoming, MI, host this of year's PRC Synod

PRC Synod 2023: Synod of the PRCA 2023 is scheduled to convene this week, God willing. The pre-synodical service will be held in Southwest Protestant Reformed Church on Monday, June 12, at 7:00 pm. Rev. Steven Key, president of 2022 Synod, will preach the sermon. Delegates are asked to meet in the consistory room prior to the service. Synod will begin it’s sessions on Tuesday, June 13, in Southwest PRC at 8:00 am. Seminary graduation for Matthew Koerner will be held, D.V., on Thursday, June 15, at 7:30 pm in Southwest PRC. Prof. R. Cammenga will give the address. Look for daily updates on this section of the PRC website.

Smits' Return from the Philippines: Per decisions of the Doon PRC Council (calling church) and the Foreign Mission Committee (FMC), the R. Smits family returned to the States from the Philippines this past week as the Philippines mission becomes self-governing and Rev. Smit looks to receive a call from one of the PRC congregations. Today he is leading Lynden PRC's services. May the Lord prepare them for their transition to U.S. life and labors once again. Rev. D. Kleyn and Sharon plan to stay on the mission until the beginning of September. Let us continue to remember them and the saints there in prayer.

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 PR Theological 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 serve as advisors at the PRC Synod meeting this week,June 13-16, in Southwest PRC. Sem. M. Koerner will be examined by the professors and synod, with his graduation planned for Thursday evening, 7:30 p.m. at the church. May the Lord uphold him as he submits to this examination and antitipates his graduation this week.
• 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.). 
• 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 Valerie Kleyn, 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. (holidays excepted), 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 find this note: "This week our dear Pastor Wee will be leaving for the US, to represent us and be our delegate in Synod of our dear sister church of the PRCA. As sister churches we are called to provide mutual oversight and encouragement of each other. This is the Consistory’s goal in sending Pastor Wee officially to visit our sister churches in the US. We speak of our love of our sister churches in the US. Now we have the opportunity to show that love by visiting them in person, by bringing to them in person a letter of encouragement and thanksgiving unto God. We also show that love by speaking that truth in love on the floor of Synod, for all foreign delegates of sister churches are accorded advisory votes. Please pray for Pastor Wee, that the Lord will use our dear Pastor to encourage our brothers and sisters in the US. Pray that God will strengthen him to preach the glorious gospel of sovereign grace in their churches."
    
  • 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. In the CPRC bulletin of June 4 we find this special notice: "Rev. James & Margaret Laning will be here 13-26 June. Rev. Laning will be preaching on 18 and 25 June. Rev. & Mary Stewart will be in Singapore and Malaysia, where Rev. Stewart is to preach and speak at the church camp of our sister church, the Covenant Evangelical Reformed Church."
  • 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: Rev. V. Ibe led her services today. And, "The saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship (AGPRF), Gabaldon, NE., will join us in our worship services today via live stream at our official Facebook account."
  • Provident PRC bulletin: "Elder Jun Armas will lead for us in our worship services and will use video recordings of sermons of Prof. B. Huizinga from the PRCA for the preaching of God’s Word in our worship services today." And, "Rev. D. Kleyn and Sis. Sharon are scheduled to visit the Bearers of Light Community Church in Guiguinto, Bulacan today with Deacon Ruel dela Fuente with his family, the Lord willing, in order to preach and teach there."

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 with Purpose" based on Ephesians 5:27. 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 harmony with the truth of marriage, the Scriptures forbid divorce. Divorce is sin: a man or woman's faithlessness, i.e., hatred, towards his or her mate and revolt against the God who joined them in marriage. This is Christ's radical doctrine in Matthew 19. When the Pharisees asked whether a man might put away his wife for every cause, His answer was: No divorce! 'Let not man put asunder!' The toleration of divorce by Moses was due to the Israelites' hard hearts, and divorce is not to be suffered any longer. The sin that a man commits, when he divorces his wife, is that he makes his wife commit adultery (Matt. 5:32). He exposes her to an adulterous relationship with a third party.

"There is one exception in Scripture to the prohibition of divorce, namely, 'fornication.' According to Matthew 5:31-32, a man does not sin if he puts his wife away because she lives in adultery with another man. This indicates the gravity of adultery. It is taken lightly today. It is joked about. It is toyed with when men enjoy the movies, magazines, and novels that present adultery as an accepted, attractive way of life. One thing is so destructive of the union of marriage, striking as it does at the heart of that institution, that it tears the two apart to the extent that the ability and calling to live together are gone: adultery. Besides this, there is no ground for divorce, not mental cruelty, not incompatibility, not a bad wife or a miserable husband—nothing. In marriage we take each other—as the old forms also stated—'for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health.'

"In keeping with its doctrine of marriage, as well as its prohibition of divorce, the Word also prohibits remarriage, while one's (original) mate still lives. This is the implication of the institution of marriage: one man and one woman joined as one flesh by God for life. Only God dissolves the union, and He does so by death. As long as the two are living, their union leaves no place for a third party. When churches today bring up examples of the permission of remarriage in the history of the church, we ask, in all seriousness, 'What was the rule in the beginning?'"

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