PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for October 1, 2023 *(Updated)

Today, October 1, is the fortieth 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.

O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD. ~ Psalm 117:1,2

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS 

• Lynden PRC (WA) was to vote after her morning service today from the Consistory's new trio: Rev. J. Engelsma (Crete PRC), Rev. D. Noorman (SW PRC), and Rev. R. Smit (PRC foreign missionary). *Rev. Noorman has received this call.
  
  
• Rev. D. Noorman is considering the call from Loveland (CO) PRC (received Sept.10). He plans to answer by Oct.8.
  
  
• Last Sunday Randolph PRC voted to call Rev. R. Smit (PRC foreign missionary, currently living in the States).
  
  
• Last Sunday Hudsonville PRC extended a call to Rev. N. Decker (Grandville PRC).
  
  
• Last Sunday Zion PRC voted to call Rev. M. Kortus (Hope PRC-Redlands, CA).
  
  
• On Sept.3 Cand. M. Koerner accepted the call from Hosanna PRC (Edmonton, AB). This past week he was examined by Classis West, which met in Crete PRC (IL). He successfully sustained this examination and Hosanna PRC was advised to proceed to his ordination and installation. He has filed paper with the Canadian government for a work permit, and when these are approved, he and his wife Sharon can move to Edmonton. "The immigration application for Pastor-Elect Koerner’s work permit has been submitted. An answer is expected from the U.S. government around October 11th, Lord willing." (Today's Hosanna bulletin)
  
  
• Rev. D. Kleyn and his wife Sharon plan to move to Doon, Iowa this week, where he will be installed as Doon PRC's pastor on Oct.15. May the Lord grant them safe travels and a smooth transition into their life and labors there.
  
  
• Georgetown PRC's Council has formed a new trio from which to call a pastor: Revs. A. Brummel (Calvary PRC-Hull, IA), G. Eriks (Unity PRC-Byron Center, MI), and D. Noorman. The congregational meeting is set for Oct.8 after the morning service. 

Special Congregational Notices:

Hosanna PRC (Edmonton, AB): "We have been granted a lease with St. Albert Evangelical Lutheran Church, 11 Glenview Crescent, St. Albert. Our first services will be on October 1st. Service times will remain at 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM. We give thanks to the Lord for the continued provision of a building. Psalm 34:10 - “The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.” And also this: "The parsonage property in Akinsdale (St. Albert) has been purchased. The new possession date is Monday, October 30th. We give thanks to our denomination for their generous donations, which have allowed us to purchase this property with cash. 'Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.' II Corinthians 9:11"

Zion PRC (Jenison, MI): "Community Bible Study: Our first meeting will be this Wednesday [Oct.4] with Howard Pastoor as the leader. There are extra flyers placed in all the mailboxes in the back, please use them to personally invite neighbors, co-workers or anyone that may be interested." [held in the church's back building, sw side]

Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs:  Rev. R. Barnhill in Doon (IA) PRC; Prof. C. Griess and Rev. C. Haak in Georgetown PRC; Rev. H. Bleyenberg in Hosanna PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. R. Cammenga and Rev. G. Eriks in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. M. Kortus (2nd week) in Loveland PRC; Elder led in Lynden PRC; Rev. M. McGeown 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!

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

Pastor-elect Matt Koerner and his wife Sharon following his successful examination at Classis West this past week (see below)

Classis East: Classis East met on Wednesday, September 13, at Trinity PRC. The delegates are scheduled to reconvene on Wednesday, Oct.25. For a summary of the actions and decisions, visit this page.

Classis West: Classis West held its regular meeting in Crete PRC (IL) this past Wednesday, September 27. At this meeting pastor-elect Matt Koerner was examined and approved for ordination as a minister of the Word and sacraments in the PRC. For more on this meeting, including the stated clerk's public report, visit this page.

Rev. J. Laning, PRC home missionary, is preaching for two Sunday's in Hope PRC-Redlands, CA while Rev. Kortus is in Loveland on classical supply.

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!

7th-grade students from Hope PRCS visited seminary this past Friday, taking part in devotions with faculty and students

PRC Seminary Notices:

• The PR Theological Seminary will enter its sixth week of the first semester of the 2023-24 term tomorrow. Things are going well so far, for which we thank our gracious Father. The schedule and calendar have been posted here. ​The faculty, students, and staff covet your prayers as we continue our various labors this new school year.
• Faculty and students attended the pre-Classis West Officebearers' Conference on sexual abuse this past Tuesday in Crete PRC (IL). Prof. Dykstra and Prof. Griess gave speeches related to the subject, and faulty and students participated in the round-table discussion held afterward. Prof. Griess' speech may be found here.
• The 7th-grade class of Ms. S. Smit from Hope PRCS (Walker, MI) visited the seminary Friday morning, Sept.29. They received an introduction to the seminary by Prof. Cammenga, took a tour of the building, participated in devotions and break with faculty and students, and then sat in on Prof. Huizinga's OT history class. 
• This week Bruce Feenstra will lead the daily devotions.
• Tomorrow, Monday, Oct.2, is the first round of Practice Preaching for students Aaron Van Dyke and Bruce Feenstra (1st time for him). Pray for them as they prepare and deliver their sermons and for the faculty as they provide constructive criticism for thei students growth in this crucial area of their training.
• In connection with a special conference held online for interested people in Mexico, Prof. R. Cammenga recently prepared three lectures on the errors of the well-meant offer of the gospel and the truth of the Reformed-biblical call of the gospel. You may find these lectures on the seminary's YouTube channel.
• Seminary Convocation was held on Wednesday Sept.6 in Hope PRC in Walker, MI.  The video of the convocation program is now available on the PRTS' YouTube channel.
• Senior Sem. Arend Haveman is doing his internship this summer and fall (July-December) in Pittsburgh PRC under Rev. W. Bruinsma. He is busy with all aspects of the ministry. After this is completed, he will return for this final semester next year, Lord willing
• The Spring 2023 issue of the PR Theological Journal was published in 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 normal 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. Today these special notices were in her bulletin:
    "We thank God for the Mooncake Gospel Meeting yesterday, that we could hear a gospel message on Jesus as the Light of the world, who alone gives light and life, deliverance from the darkness of sin and death. May we be more faithful as we follow His light, believing and obeying His Word, and be equipped to shine as lights in the world, means used by God to bring others from the darkness of unbelief into the light of Christ.We thank God for the Mooncake Gospel Meeting yesterday, that we could hear a gospel message on Jesus as the Light of the world, who alone gives light and life, deliverance from the darkness of sin and death. May we be more faithful as we follow His light, believing and obeying His Word, and be equipped to shine as lights in the world, means used by God to bring others from the darkness of unbelief into the light of Christ.
    "Do continue to keep in prayer the delegates to Kolkata, Pastor Tan and Elder Wee, as well as Deacon Wee who is joining them. Pray for Pastor Tan who will also be preaching there today. They have sent over some highlights of their trip, much of it seeming to revolve around food. But certainly there is much more behind the scenes, sweet fellowship over meals and around the study of God’s Word. May the saints in Kolkata and the visitors from Singapore be refreshed and encouraged in communion with one another."

• Covenant PRC, N. Ireland:
  
  • Rev. A. Stewart continues to minister the Word faithfully in the CPRC.
  • The August 2023 issue of Covenant Reformed News was recently published. 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 her worship services today. And, "Rev. Ibe and family are visiting with the saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship (AGPRF), Gabaldon, NE. Rev. Ibe will lead them in their worship service today at 9 AM and in their Bible study at 10:45 AM, God willing."
    
  • Provident PRC bulletin: Deacon Mitch Suarez led her worship 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 (October 2023) the RWH continues the series on the return of Jesus Christ by Rev. W. Bruinsma, along with other special messages. Today's message is titled "Satisfied with Marrow and Fatness" based on Psalm 63:5. For the October 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.).

Are you a Standard Bearer reader? If not, become one by subscribing here!

• In need of sound biblical and Reformed catechism materials for children and young people? Check out the PRC's full curriculum of materials here. Call the PRC Seminary for help with any of these materials (616-531-1490).
  
  
• 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.

This Week's Thought for Contemplation

Do You Know the True God? (2-3)

Do you know the true God? Not the god of man’s imagination, but the God of the Bible? This is an important question, because Jesus teaches us that eternal life is knowing God and His Son, Jesus Christ (John 17:3). If you are to live with God forever in heaven, you must know Him.

If you are interested in knowing the true God, please consider the following.

(4) God’s Salvation

1. God is also the Saviour who has sent Jesus Christ into the world to save sinners from their sin and the everlasting torments of hell (Isa. 43:11).

2. In His death, Christ suffered the torments of hell in the place of all those who believe in Him. By His death, He paid their debt and earned for them the forgiveness of their sins (I Peter 3:18).

3. Christ fulfilled God’s demand for believers by perfectly loving God and keeping God’s law. God considers them to be righteous in Christ (Rom. 5:19).

4. Christ gives spiritual life to those whom God saves so that they believe in Him. They know God and enjoy His fellowship. They will live with the true God in heaven forever (I John 5:20).

(5) True Faith

1. Do you seek the forgiveness of your sins, the righteousness of Christ, and eternal fellowship with the true God? God says to you,'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house' (Acts 16:31).

2. Believe that God is your Creator, Sustainer and Ruler, who is worthy of your love and worship. Realise that you are a sinner who has failed to fulfil your God-given duty and who needs salvation. Trust God to save you from your sins through the atoning death and victorious resurrection of Jesus Christ.

3. True faith will cause you to repent of your sins. You will acknowledge that you are a sinner, sorrow over your sin and rebellion against God, and forsake your sin (Eze. 18:30).

4. True faith will make youobedient. It will cause you to seek to keep God’s commandments and live a life of thanksgiving to Him (James 2:17-19).

5. True faith believes that salvation is not the work of man but the gift of God. The believer is saved by the grace of God alone (Eph. 2:8-9).

(6) Do You Know?

Do you know the true God and His Son Jesus Christ?

If not, obey the command of God to trust Christ for salvation.

Without the knowledge of the true God, which comes through faith, you do not have eternal life but face the everlasting torments of hell.

Taken from one of this month's featured resources