PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for September 3, 2023

Today, September 3, is the thirty-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.

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. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD. Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD'S name is to be praised. The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high, Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth! ~ Psalm 113:1-6

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS 

• Today Cand. M. Koerner accepted the call from Hosanna PRC (Edmonton, AB), declining calls from Randolph (WI) PRC and Zion PRC (Jenison, MI). We rejoice with him and his wife Sharon in God's provision of his first charge, and with the saints in Hosanna in God's provision of an undershepherd to lead them once again.
  
  
• Today Rev. A. Spriensma (Cornerstone PRC-Dyer, IN) declined the call from Georgetown PRC.
  
  
• Today Rev. J. Mahtani (Hope PRC-Walker, MI) declined the call from Hudsonville PRC.
  
  
• Loveland PRC's Consistory announces a new trio: Revs. A. Brummel (Calvary PRC, IA), G. Eriks (Unity PRC, MI), and D. Noorman (Southwest PRC, MI). The congregational meeting will be held on September 10, after the evening worship service.

Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs:  Rev. S. Regnerus in Doon (IA) PRC; Prof. B. Huizinga and Rev. J. Maatman in Georgetown PRC; Rev. T. Miersma in Hosanna PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. R. Cammenga and Rev. C. Spronk in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. R. Smit (1st week) in Loveland PRC; Elder led in Lynden PRC; Rev. S. Key (1st week) in Randolph PRC; Prof. B. Gritters 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!

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

Classis East: Classis East will meet for its next regular session Wednesday, September 13, 8 a.m. at Trinity PRC. A small part of the agenda has been posted on this page, under the Classis East section. Look for the Sept.13 download item (registered users only).

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!

Prof. R. Cammenga leading the opening chapel for the PRC Seminary this past Tuesday, the first day of first semester classes.

PRC Seminary Notices:

• The PR Theological Seminary began its first semester of the 2023-24 term this past week. The schedule and calendar have been posted here. ​The faculty, students and staff covet your prayers as we enter this new school year.
• 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.
• *Seminary Convocation this week: 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.
• Senior Sem. Arend Haveman is doing his senior-year internship this summer and fall (July-December) in Pittsburgh PRC under Rev. W. Bruinsma. He is busy with all aspects of the ministry.The junior student this year is Aaron Van Dyke (Faith PRC); the sophomore is Bruce Feenstra (Hope-Redlands, CA; attending Hope PRC-Walker, MI); and the freshman are Joseph Ophoff (Loveland PRC) and Isaac Van Baren (Hope PRC-Walker, MI). Sem. Ophoff  is enrolled in the new special seminary entrance program (SSEP), which initially involves finishing some pre-seminary requirements and beginning some seminary-level courses. Pray for the students as they make the adjustment from their summer labors and activities to those of full time students again, and especially these new men and their families.
• 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 school sessions 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. "Welcome to the Lord’s house once again! We have the privilege of worshipping the only true and living God, the great God of heaven and earth, to hear His voice speak to us in the preaching, and to respond with prayer and praise. Pastor Tan will be leading both worship
    services today, the reason being that I [Pastor Wee] have been granted a week of study leave this past week." (Part of today's 'pastoral voice" note in her bulletin)
  • 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 continues to minister the Word faithfully in the CPRC.
  • The August 2023 issue of Covenant Reformed News has been published as of this past week. Visit the link to read the articles on being clothed with Christ (part 3) and on why baptize all infants of believers by Rev. R. Hanko.
    
  • The CPRC YouTube channel may be found here.
    
    
• PRC in the Philippines and her mission work in various places:
  • Berean PRC bulletin: Elders Umali and Penaverde led 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." 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. Rev. Ibe will lead them in their worship service at 9 AM and 10:45 AM for their Bible study, God
    willing."
  • 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."
  • Report of the Classis meeting of this past week: "The Classis of the PRCP met this past Monday here in Provident PRC. As part of its work, the Classis treated and approved our Council’s request for pulpit supply for Provident from the PRCP, the PRCA, and the CERC in Singapore. Classis also approved and forwarded to the Contact Committee of the PRCA our Council’s request for a minister on loan from the PRCA. Some other significant work of Classis included receiving updates concerning the work that C1 of our Classis is now involved with in Southern Negros Occidental, receiving reports from the stated clerk and the treasurer, receiving a report from the PRCA missionaries, and electing members for the standing committees (C1 and C2) of the Classis. The next Classis meeting is scheduled for Monday February 26, 2024, the Lord 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 (September 2023) the RWH continues the series on the return of Jesus Christ by Rev. W. Bruinsma. Today's message is titled "The Emergence of the Antichristian Kingdom" based on Revelation 17:9-17. 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.).

From the RFPA:

• 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

"Christian education is education that is completely and consistently Christian. It is education that is Christ-centred and Bible based. It is education that is controlled not by civil government but by Christian parents. That is not to say that a Christian school is merely a glorified Sabbath School. It is and ought to be a school which teaches the same subjects that are taught in the state schools, but all form a biblical perspective and with a Christian emphasis.

"A Christian school is a school in which history is taught as HIS-story, the story of God’s dealings with the nations. It is a school which teaches science in light of the fundamental truth that the universe in which we live is created and ruled by God. It teaches mathematics never forgetting that mathematics “works” because God is a God of order and harmony. It teaches reading so that the students can read the Bible as well as other books, and judge all they read in the light of Scripture.

"A Christian school is a school in which the teachers are all men and women of sound minds, filled with the Spirit of God, who can be examples of godliness and holiness to the students, and who will not teach the filth and false philosophies of the world in which we live. In such a school not only the instruction but also the discipline are controlled by the teachings of God’s word. In it the students are brought up “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 4:4).

"Put very simply, a truly Christian school is a school in which Jesus Christ is King and Lord of all that is done."

~ Rev. R. Hanko in the article "Christian Education," one of trhe featured resources this month