PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for August 20, 2023 *(Updated)

Today, August 20, is the thirty-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.

Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever. He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion. ...He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name. ~ Psalm 111:1-4, 9

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS 

• The Consistory of Hosanna PRC (Edmonton, AB) announces a new trio: Revs. D. Noorman (Southwest PRC), C. Spronk (Faith PRC), and Candidate M. Koerner. The congregation will vote today after the PM service. *UPDATE: Cand. Koerner has received this call.
  
  
• Last Sunday Rev. J. Smidstra (1st PRC-Holland, MI) declined the call to Lynden (WA) PRC.
  
  
• Last Sunday Rev. R. Smit declined the call to Hosanna PRC (Edmonton, AB).
  
  
• Last Sunday Rev. J. Mahtani (Hope PRC-Walker, MI) received the call from Hudsonville PRC.
  
  
• Last Sunday Rev. M. DeBoer (Edgerton-MN PRC) declined the call to Loveland (CO) PRC.
  
  
• Cand. M. Koerner is considering calls to Randolph (WI) PRC (received July 23) and Zion PRC (Jenison, MI - received July 16). He plans to answer on or before Sept.3.
  
  
• Rev. A. Spriensma (Cornerstone PRC-Dyer, IN) is considering the call to Georgetown PRC (received August 6). He plans to answer by Sept.3.

Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs:  Rev. A. Brummel and Prof. R. Dykstra in Doon (IA) PRC; Prof. C. Griess and Rev. D. Lee in Georgetown PRC; Rev. T. Miersma in Hosanna PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. B. Huizinga and Rev. B. Huizinga in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. S. Key in Loveland PRC; Rev. C. Haak (2nd of 3 weeks) in Lynden PRC; Rev. J. Engelsma in Randolph PRC; Prof. B. Gritters and Rev. G. Eriks 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!

Special Upcoming Congregational Activities: The Deacons at Hudsonville PRC are planning a conference for Saturday morning, September 16 at 8:30 AM. Rev. Mahtani will begin with a short speech followed by breakout sessions. The topic of the conference is “Ministry of Mercy in Christ’s Church”. Potential, current, and former deacons are welcome! Please register for this event at bit.ly/Deacon2023.

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

Special note: Due to wild fires in the Spokane WA area, Rev. R. Hanko and his wife had to evacuate their home this weekend (in Medical Lake), along with their son Neal who stays in a special facility in that area. Neal has since been allowed to return to his place but the Hankos are staying in the apartment that belongs to Covenant of Grace PRC. We thank the Lord for their safety and pray that their home may be spared so that they can return to it soon. *UPDATE (from Rev. Hanko Sunday morning): "What follows is a brief update as of Sunday morning.  Saturday the fire began to move south along Interstate 90 and into our area. Saturday morning the fire was less than a quarter mile from our home on the north and on the east.  I went in the evening to try to get a few more things from the house and found the firemen battling the fire just behind our back fence.  The homes in our neighborhood were all standing as far as I could tell, but the fire had burned into lawns, empty lots and much of the area was still filled with hot spots and smoking debris.  I was also able to visit Neal briefly and see how his facility had been
miraculously and providentially saved from the fire at a time when there were few resources on the scene. The fire burned right up to the facility on the south, west and north but the facility itself was untouched, and that at a time when the fire was still moving very quickly as a result of the winds." And another update Monday morning: "Our home has been spared and we are back home.  Power went back on last night, but gas is still off.  It is very smoky in our area, but we came home worried about hot spots and looters and are now watching the homes of our neighbors as well.  There are still many hot spots in our area being monitored by fire-fighting crews, I90 is still closed and the fire is still burning south of us.  The fire-fighters are our heroes, having saved almost all the homes in our area by their superhuman efforts.  We are especially thankful to God for miraculously sparing us and Neal who is back at his facility which was untouched by the fire, though it burned up to the facility on three sides."

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 is down to the final week of its summer break. The first semester of the 2023-24 term will begin, the Lord willing, on Monday, August 28, with classes beginning on Tuesday, August 29. The schedule and calendar have been approved and are posted here. ​Continue to pray for faculty, students, and staff as we prepare for the 2023-24 school year.
• Seminary classes begin for the first semester on Tuesday, August 29. The seminary faculty invite interested persons to audit three classes this semester: Prof. R. Cammenga’s class of N.T. History (covering the intertestamental period up to the Passion Week), Prof. D. Kuiper’s class of Modern Church History (covering the history of the Protestant churches from the beginning of the Reformation to 1648), and Prof. B. Huizinga’s class of Dogmatics (covering the study of the doctrine of God). If you are interested in attending, please contact the seminary secretary at 616-531-1490 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to find out the day and time the class you are interested in will meet.
• *Advance notice: The annual Convocation of the PRTS will be hosted by Hope PRC (GR) on Wednesday, September 6, at 7 PM. All are invited and encouraged to join with faculty, students, and the Theological School Committee as we call on the Lord and seek His blessing on the upcoming school year. Prof. B. Huizinga will be speaking on "The Protestant Reformed Minister Today", and the PR String Orchestra will perform a special number.
• Recent seminary graduate M. Koerner (now a candidate for the ministry of the Word and sacraments in the PRC) is considering two calls (Zion PRC-Jenison, MI and Randolph-WI PRC), which he plans to answer by Sept.3
• 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) is keeping busy with work and preaching assignments. Sem. B. Feenstra has returned home to Redlands, CA for the summer.
• The PRC 2023 Synod approved the entrance of Isaac Van Baren into the seminary beginning this Fall. Isaac and his wife (Elizabeth) and two children have now moved from Southern California (Hope PRC-Redlands) to west Michigan. He has completed some pre-sem classes this summer and will begin regular seminary classes in August.
• Synod 2023 also approved a proposal from the Theological School Committee (TSC) for a special entrance program (SSEP) for older men who aspire to the ministry in the PRC. It may now be reported that the first student enrolled in this program has been approved after an interview with the TSC on August 1. Mr. Joe Ophoff, currently a member of Loveland PRC, plans to move to west Michigan this week with his wife and five children, so as to begin his special program (August 28), which initially involves finishing some pre-seminary requirements and beginning some seminary-level courses.
• The seminary-sponsored summer course on church disciple taught by Prof. B. Gritters is now completed but the videos and outlines are available (see the notes from each class below). For a detailed general outline of the subjects taught, click on this link.
  
  • First class on Church Discipline (July 12):  Here is the link for the July 12 class on The Church Order on Discipline (and the reasons why discipline is the work of the whole church). And here is a link to the outline for this class.
  • Second class on Church Discipline (July 19): Wednesday, July 19 at Hudsonville PRC. The subject this week is the objects of church discipline. The class addressed such questions as: 1) May the church discipline non-confessing members? 2) May discipline continue when someone 'asks for their papers'? 3) May discipline be imposed on a member mentally ill? Here is the link for the outline for this class. And here is the link for the July 19 class: The Proper Objects of Discipline, and the outline.
  • Third Class on Church Discipline (July 26): Wednesday, July 26 was the third class on church discipline at Hudsonville PRC, sponsored by the Protestant Reformed Seminary. Prof. B. Gritters gave instruction on the method and steps of discipline, beginning with the fundamental teaching of Jesus in Matthew 18. What is "the way of Matthew 18" and is it required for all sins? Here are the links for this class: The Act of Discipline According to Matthew 18 and the Outline.
  • Fourth Class on Church Discipline (August 2): Prof. Gritters' fourth class on church discipline was held on August 2 at 7PM at Hudsonville PRC. Included was instruction on how elders are to receive, investigate, and make charges of sin. How is a motion formulated to put someone under discipline? What do visits to impenitent sinners look like? What is required before classis may approve announcing a name? Here are the links for this class: Outline for this class; Video of this class
  • Fifth (and final) Class on Church Discipline (August 9): Prof. B. Gritters' fifth class on church discipline was held Wednesday August 9 at Hudsonville PRC. When a sinner is to be forgiven and restored, how does the Christian or the consistory judge true repentance? What is "sufficient evidence of repentance"? How can we avoid the error of being naive, or the other error of being too rigorous and uncharitable? Here are the links for this class: Outline for class #5; Video of this class
  • After his final class, Prof. Gritters' drew up Answers to untreated questions, which may be found here and on the seminary's website. Recordings of all the classes can be found there, as well as outlines and some of the handouts.
• 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.). Look for the fall issue in a few months!
• 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 notice of another educational opportunity for the congregationon sexual abuse: "This Sunday, 20 August, will be the final video screening for this Adult CI season. This video is “Sexual Abuse in Calvin’s Geneva” by Prof Cory Griess. By asking the question of history, we learn some important lessons on how the church is to deal with abuse, in particular the perpetrators of abuse, through the careful, faithful, and loving exercise of church discipline."
    
  • The last issue of Salt Shakers was 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 has returned to his labors in CPRC after a three-week holiday in the U.S.Prof. D. Kuiper filled his pulpit in his absence.
  • A newsletter was published last month (July) and is available in the churches (*see the attachment to this news post).
  • The latest issues of Covenant Reformed News are out - June 2023 has been published and now July 2023 also. Follow the link to read the latest profitable articles by Revs. A. Stewart (clothed with Christ) and R. Hanko (the days of Noah #2).
  • The CPRC YouTube channel may be found here.
    
    
• PRC in the Philippines and her mission work in various places:
  • Berean PRC bulletin: Rev. V. Ibe led her worship services today. And, "The saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship (AGPRF), Gabaldon, NE. will join us in our worship services today via Livestream at our official Facebook account."
  • Provident PRC bulletin: Rev. D. Kleyn led her worship services today. And, "Rev. D. Kleyn (missionary to the Philippines) accepted the call to Doon PRC as her new pastor. The Kleyns are scheduled to leave the Philippines on Monday (Sept. 18, 2023), D.V."
  • The Classis of PRCP will convene on Monday, August 28, at 9 AM at Provident PRC, Provident Village, Marikina City, God willing.

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 series on the signs of Christ's coming by Rev. W. Bruinsma. Today's message is titled "The Gospel Preached to All Nations." based on Matthew 24:14. For the August 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.).

What is the grace of God? Is there a grace of God for all humans - a 'common' grace, or is grace only saving and always particular? Read this resource for answers to these and other questions.

• 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) is now 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 having a back to school sale! Bibles, Bible covers, and most books will all be 25% off, and we have plenty of Psalters in stock as well. Come visit us in store August 22 - September 16 or use code BACKTOSCHOOL on our website at checkout for 25% off the participating items.

• 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

Is the Christian Faith Easy?

We are tempted to say, Yes!

Everyone wants an easy religion, a religion that tells him he is basically good; a religion that tells him God loves everyone and therefore overlooks anything an individual does wrong. Everyone wants a religion that gives ways for man to better himself and his society to make life easier and more pleasurable.

Almost anyone would go along with that kind of religion.

But that is not Christianity.

It is not easy to be a Christian. To make it sound easy, or to change it so that it is easy, is deception. Christianity gives proper recognition to God's greatness and man's sinfulness. There is no easy way to bring harmony between the Holy God and the sinner. However the things that are impossible with men, are possible with God (Luke 18:27).

WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN?

4. A Christian desires to obey God's will, as revealed by God in His Word.

A Christian struggles against personal sin.

"Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness..." (Colossians 3:5).

A Christian finds his freedom in obeying God.

"But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life" (Romans 6:22).

A Christian confesses his hope of salvation to be in Jesus Christ alone.

"If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt he saved" (Romans 10:9).

A Christian worships God and enjoys the fellowship with His people.

"And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another" (Hebrews 10:24, 25)

ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN?

If so, we rejoice that God has given you to confess the Christian faith.

Perhaps you believe you are a Christian, but feel confused with Christian teaching and life and want a deeper understanding of the truth or more direction in your life.

Maybe you are not a Christian, but are interested in learning more about the Christian faith and the need that we all have of salvation in Jesus Christ.

~ Rev. S. Key in one of this month's featured pamphlets, Is the Christian Faith Easy?