PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for July 2, 2023 *(Updated)

Today, July 2, is the twenty-seventh 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.

Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. ...O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches. ...The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works. ...I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.  My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD. Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD. ~ Psalm 104:1, 24, 31, 33-35

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS 

• Rev. D. Kleyn (missionary to the Philippines) is considering calls to Hudsonville PRC (received June 4) and Doon (IA) PRC (received June 18). He plans to answer by July 16.
  
  
• Rev. J. Mahtani (Hope PRC-Walker, MI) is considering the call to Lynden (WA) PRC (received June 18). He plans to answer on July 9. 
  
  
• Last Sunday Rev. M. Kortus (Hope PRC-Redlands, CA) declined the calls he had received from Hosanna PRC (Edmonton, AB) and Loveland-CO PRC. 
  
  
• The Consistory of Hosanna PRC has formed a new trio of Revs. C. Spronk (Faith PRC), D. Kleyn (Philippines), and R. Smit (Philippines). The congregational meeting to vote on the trio is today, after the PM service. UPDATE: Rev. Kleyn has received this call.
  
  
• The Council of Zion PRC has formed a new trio to call a pastor: Revs. N. Decker (Grandville PRC), Candidate M. Koerner, and Rev. M. Kortus (Hope PRC-Redlands, CA). The congregational meeting is scheduled for July 16 after the evening 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. C. Spronk in Georgetown PRC; Rev. T. Miersma in Hosanna PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. R. Cammenga and Rev. D. Lee in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. S. Key and Rev. J. Marcus in Loveland PRC; Rev. J. Smidstra (1st week) in Lynden PRC; Rev. C. Haak in Randolph PRC; Rev. K. Koole and Rev. D. Noorman 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!

Congregational Evangelism Activities/Events

• Byron Center PRC (MI): "The evangelism committee will be handing out approximately 150 copies of Ignited by the Word [RFPA children's magazine] to members of the congregation after the evening service today. Feel free to take a few copies to disperse to your friends and neighbors!"
• Georgetown PRC (Hudsonville, MI): "Vacation Bible School Registration is now open! Please visit https://www.georgetownprc.org/events to sign up. Join us July 25-28 as we dive deep into the account of Noah and the flood! Please take a few flyers from the bulletin table to pass out to friends and neighbors and encourage them to have their kids join us! We appreciate your help in spreading the Gospel to all those around us!"
• Hope PRC (Walker, MI): "Hope PR Ministry Podcast - On Fridays in July we will be posting a series of interviews with Prof. Engelsma in which he discusses the biblical teaching of marriage, divorce, and remarriage. In a culture where marriage is minimized and divorce occurs for almost any reason, these interviews are timely and helpful for the child of God as he witnesses to the truth of God’s word regarding marriage. We encourage everyone to tune in to our podcast for these interviews. Please share them with your friends and acquaintances as well. In addition we will continue to post our regular content - daily devotionals and Rev. Mahtani’s Philippians sermons on Wednesdays. Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts, thanks for listening!"
• Wingham PRC (ON, Canada): "The Evangelism Committee would like to invite you to volunteer to sing with the residents at Pinecrest Manor on July 9, 2023."

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

PRC Synod 2023: The PRCA Synod of 2023 convened on Tuesday, June 13, and completed her work on Monday, June 19. The pre-synodical service was held in Southwest Protestant Reformed Church Monday night, June 12. If you missed Rev. Steven Key's message, "In the Potter's Hand," visit the link here. The daily updates may be found on this section of the PRC website.

A highlight of synod was the approval of the examination and candidacy of Sem. Matt Koerner. He is eligible for a call on or after July 15. We praise and thank the Lord for another candidate for the ministry of the Word and sacraments in the PRC. May the Lord show him soon where He will have him labor.

Another significant decision was the adoption of the overture from Providence PRC to hire a third party to investigate sexual abuse in the PRC and to appoint an ad hoc committee to contract with an organization and to receive and review the reports of this body. For more on that decision, visit this page.

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.
• Senior seminarian M. Koerner was examined by the professors and the PRC Synod June 13-16 and was unanimously approved as a candidate for the ministry of the Word and sacraments in the PRC, eligible for a call on or after July 15. His graduation was held Thursday evening July 15 at Southwest PRC. We praise and thank the Lord for this gift to the churches and pray for Matt as he continues to prepare to take up the work as a pastor. Synod also approved the entrance of Isaac Van Baren into the seminary beginning this Fall. Isaac and his wife (Elizabeth) and two children moved from Southern California (Hope PRC-Redlands) to west Michigan this past week. He is completing some pre-sem classes yet this summer and will begin regular seminary classes in August.
• Special Summer Class on Church Discipline: The Seminary is sponsoring another summer course for the public!  All members, men and women, young and old, are welcome to attend or watch online (see the livestream link below - Hudsonville PRC).  Prof Gritters will teach regarding the important topic of Christian Discipline.  Because all members participate in discipline, the course will be of interest to officebearers as well as non-officebearers.  Classes will be held in Hudsonville PRC, Wednesday evenings, from July 12 through August 16.  Time will be saved for questions.  For a detailed outline of the subjects to be taught, click on this link or email the seminary secretary:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Prof. Gritters:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  More details will be provided as we come closer to July 12.
• Sem. Arend Haveman is doing his senior-year internship this summer and fall (July-December) in Pittsburgh PRC under Rev. W. Bruinsma. Sem. A. Van Dyke (licensed to speak a word of edification in the churches this Spring) 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.).
• During the summer months 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. Today's bulletin contains this significant note: "Declare Your Maker’s Praise! (this Saturday) - The fundraising concert for our Covenant Christian Education Society (CCES) is planned for this Saturday 8 July in church, 10.00-11.45am. Many have laboured hard for months, in singing and conducting, practising instruments, and various preparations for the smooth running of the concert. Please do consider attending this concert as a show of support. Invite your friends and family too (and inform the organisers if you have not already RSVP-ed). Also, please consider giving generously for this worthy cause of Christian education, as we seek to assist our parents in raising up our covenant children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. We pray God’s richest blessing upon this event, that His name will be praised and glorified."
    
  • The latest issue of Salt Shakers is 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. Rev. Stewart and Mary have returned to CPRC following their participation in the church camp of Covenant ERC-Singapore and his preaching there.
  • The latest issue of Covenant Reformed News is May 2023. (Look for June's soon!) 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 Umali and Penaverde will lead us in our worship services today." And, as for Rev. Ibe, "Rev. Ibe and family are scheduled to visit the saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship (AGPRF), Gabaldon, NE., today, God willing. Our pastor will lead them in their worship service at 9 AM and in their Bible study on TULIP at 10:45 AM, the Lord willing."
    
  • 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 concludes the marriage series by Rev. C. Haak and begins a new series on the signs of Christ's coming by Rev. W. Bruinsma. Today's message is titled "A Wife's Submission to Her Husband" based on Ephesians 5:22-24. For the July 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.). 

In the early- to mid-1950s, Herman Hoeksema delivered a series of radio sermons on each of the articles of the Apostles’ Creed, thereby presenting and explaining all of the foundational doctrines of the Christian faith. This collection of those sermons is therefore an excellent introduction to a Reformed understanding of the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith.

But the sermons in this book are more than theological expositions of the doctrines of the Apostles’ Creed. Hoeksema offers insightful, practical applications that flow from the truths of the Creed. Both the Creed’s doctrines and practical implications are crucially important—not only to the individual Christian—but also to the church as a whole. By expounding the Apostles’ Creed, Hoeksema demonstrates that its truths are not empty propositions but living declarations pointing to the Christian’s only hope and comfort in life and death—the triune God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

 To order this new RFPA title, visit this page.

• 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.
• Special RBO Notice! The Reformed Book Outlet is bringing back its Summer Reading Challenge! The challenge will be held from June 20-August 19, and there are categories for both adults and children. Stop by the store to sign up anytime after June 20! If you are not in the West Michigan area and would like to participate, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to sign up!
  
  
• 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

"As Reformed believers, we confess that civil government has been ordained by
God. Whatever particular government exists in a country has been ordained by God,
whether that government be a democracy, whether it be communism, or whether it be
a dictatorship or a monarchy. We who live in the United States have heard too long that
government is “of the people.” We must not fall for this idea. Government is not “of the
people.” Government is of God! We read in Romans 13:1: “There is no power but of
God; the powers that be are ordained of God.” Government is ordained of God. This
truth is very important for our view of our government and our country.

"A second element in the Reformed view is that the state, with all of its officers, is
the servant of God. Three times Romans 13 says of those in government that they
are ministers or servants of God. What an honorable title! Those who are cynics with
regard to leaders in government must listen to what God calls government officials: “My
servants (ministers).” If only our officials saw themselves as God’s servants! Whether
they are politicians or judges, or whether they sit on juries, they ought not to be swayed
by public opinion, but search the will of God, as His ministers.

"The state serves God. Calvin writes in his Institutes: “God has two great servants in
the world: the church who serves Him freely by His grace, and the state which serves
God in His providence. The one is spiritual whereby the conscience is instructed in piety
and in reverencing God; the other is political whereby man is educated for the duties
of humanity and civil life that must be maintained among men.” God’s government is
twofold — the one ruling the inner man, the other ruling the outward behavior of man.
The principle here is that Christ rules; He is Lord over all of life. He exercises both a
spiritual and temporal jurisdiction, a twofold government: the church and civil authorities.
Both of them are the arms of Christ Jesus. The truth of God and of Christ will be upheld
and regulated by these two kinds of governments. They are two servants that print the
Lordship of Jesus Christ over a person’s life. They are not incompatible, not at variance,
and not antithetical. They complement each other.

"Contrary to the position of the Anabaptists, we insist that there can be spiritual
freedom that we have gained in Christ Jesus, and that spiritual freedom can co-exist
perfectly with civil bondage. Civil government, then, in Calvin’s thought, is an outward
aid or instrument by which God calls us to and maintains us in communion with Christ,
as does the church through the Word and sacraments. These two are not one and the
same, and we do not identify them. But the civil government exists for the good of those
who in this perishable world belong to Christ Jesus.

"Christ, who is head of the church, is also Lord of the world. This means that
civil order is necessary for the well-being of the church. Church and state must be
distinguished, but not separated. The church gives instruction to the state as to what it
must be and how it must behave. The state must see to it that the church is preserved
in order that the pure gospel may be preached. The state is obligated to uphold both
tables of the law."

Taken from the pamphlet "For God and Country: The Reformed Perspective on Patriotism" by Rev. A. Spriensma