PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for October 29, 2023

Today, October 29, is the forty-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.

 Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word. So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word. And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments. So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever. And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts. ~ Psalm 119:41-45

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS 

• Today Rev. G. Eriks (Unity PRC-Byron Center, MI) declined the call from Georgetown PRC.
  
  
• From Hope PRC Redlands: "The Council presents the following trio to the congregation from which to call our next pastor. Rev. N. Decker (Grandville PRC), Rev. J. Mahtani (Hope PRC – Walker, MI), Rev J. Smidstra (First PRC – Holland MI). A congregational meeting will be held after the morning worship service on Sunday, November 12."
  
  
• Last Sunday Rev. D. Noorman (SW PRC) declined the call to Lynden (WA) PRC.
  
  
• Last Sunday Rev. N. Decker (Grandville PRC) declined the call from Hudsonville PRC.
  
  
• Last Sunday Loveland PRC voted to call Rev. G. Eriks (Unity PRC).
  
  
• On October 15 Rev. R. Smit accepted the call to Randolph PRC (WI). In her bulletin the Council noted the tentative plans: "All dates are subject to change but currently this is the plan. They plan to move here on December 22. This date works well for the children’s break from school, as well as the current employment of the older children. Reverend and Trisha Smit will be moving here with at least five children. Installation is set for January 7. Until then, Reverend Smit has agreed to fill our pulpit as needed as much as he is able. For this we are very thankful."
  
  
• Rev. M. Kortus, who has accepted the call to Zion PRC (Jenison, MI), plans to preach his farewell in Hope PRC (Redlands, CA) on November 12.  That week he and his family plan to move to west Michigan.
  
  
• Pastor-elect M. Koerner and his wife Sharon arrived safely in Edmonton this past week. Plans are for him to be ordained and installed as Hosanna PRC's pastor on Thursday, November 9 at 7:30 PM at St. Albert Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Special Congregational Notices:

• Hope PRC-Redlands, CA: "The congregation is invited to attend an evangelism lecture entitled "Fleeing from Cultural Conformity and Seeking Biblical Transformation" by Brendan Looyenga. This lecture is this Friday, November 3, at 7 p.m. at church. Please join us for fellowship and refreshments afterwards."
  
  
• Pittsburgh PRC (PA): "Don't forget to reserve Friday, November 3 at 7 PM for our annual Reformation Day lecture. Pastor Bruinsma will speak on the subject 'Was the Reformation Necessary?'"
  
  
• Faith PRC Evangelism Committee: Financial Stewardship Seminar: Saturday morning (9-11:30), January 27, 2024 - Married couples, single members, young (teens and up!) and old, plan to attend Faith PRC Evangelism Committee's financial stewardship seminar! There will be keynote presentations as well as breakout sessions for various age groups on biblical money management and stewardship principles. Look for more information, including registration, soon!

Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs:  Rev. J. Slopsema and Rev. C. Haak in Georgetown PRC; Rev. T. Miersma in Hosanna PRC, Edmonton, AB; Sem. A. Van Dyke and Rev. J. Maatman in Hudsonville PRC; Prof. D. Kuiper in Loveland PRC; Rev. H. Bleyenberg (2nd week) in Lynden PRC; Prof. B. Huizinga in Randolph PRC; Prof. B. Gritters and Prof. R. Dykstra 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

• Synod 2023 appointed an Ad Hoc Committee to hire a third-party organization for a denomination-wide investigation of sexual abuse. The committee reports that it has been laboring since the meeting of Synod to come to a mutual understanding and agreement with Guidepost Solutions regarding the work. On October 5 the committee signed a contract with Guidepost Solutions and expects that the investigation will begin in the near future with the publishing of a survey.
  
  
• Classis East: Classis East met on Wednesday, September 13, at Trinity PRC. The delegates reconvened this past Wednesday, Oct.25. For a summary of the actions and decisions, visit this page. For the public minutes, click on this link.
  Report of Oct.25 session: Classis East reconvened last Wednesday with the 38 delegates meeting at Trinity PRC in Hudsonville, MI. Classis East reconvened last Wednesday with the 38 delegates meeting at Trinity PRC in Hudsonville, MI. Rev. Noorman continued to lead the meeting as chairman. Classis heard reports from two committees (a special committee to help a consistory with an abuse case, and the Classical Committee). The main work of the classis was to treat an appeal that contended that a consistory erred in judgments made about the writings of one of our ministers. One of the decisions of classis requires that the consistory involved give information to its congregation. To give the consistory some time to receive and respond to the decisions of Classis East, the Stated Clerk of Classis East plans to wait awhile before publishing the information publicly. When it is time to make the information available, it will be published at prca.org. The expenses of the meeting totaled $4,891.36. Classis plans to reconvene January 10, 2024 at Hope PRC in Walker, MI. At around 2:00pm classisadjourned and Rev. Noorman closed the meeting with 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!

On Tuesday of this past week the PRC Seminary enjoyed an afternoon of bright sunshine and 76 degrees - one of the last really nice fall days here in West Michigan.

PRC Seminary Notices:

• The PR Theological Seminary will enter its tenth week of the first semester 2023-24 tomorrow. This past Thursday and Friday (Oct. 26,27) PRTS had its annual "reading recess" break, which allows students 'extra' time to work on their special assignments and faculty an opportunity to travel for special lectures (Reformation). Four of our professors had out-of-town engagements, while the fifth had a close-to-home speaking event.
• The Theological School Committee had its monthly visits to classes this past Tuesday, and on Thursday held her regular monthly meeting.
• This week Bruce Feenstra will lead the daily devotions. Rev. D. Noorman will lead the Wednesday chapel.
• 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, and is regularly preaching new sermons. This week he will travel to Hudsonville for the Classis East meeting at Trinity PRC. After the internship is completed, he will return for this final semester next year, Lord willing.
• Prof. C. Griess gave a speech at the pre-Classis West Officebearers' Conference on sexual abuse on Sept.26 in Crete PRC (IL). Prof. Griess' speech may be found here and on the seminary's YouTube channel.
• This Fall, in connection with a special conference held online for interested people in Mexico, Prof. R. Cammenga 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.
• The Fall 2023 issue of the PR Theological Journal was sent to the printer this week. This latest issue features three articles related to the Reformed controversy with the Remonstrants (Arminians) and a reprint of a special Reformation feature from an early issue of the PRTJ. To read the last one (Spring 2023), visit the link provided here. 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 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!
  
  

Learn more about this Reformation Day conference at Berean PRC-Philippines below

SISTER-CHURCH/MISSION NEWS:

• Covenant ERC, Singapore and her Kolkata, India mission work:
  • Pastors J. Tan and M. Wee are faithfully serving the CERC. "We welcome Pastor Steven Key to our pulpit to preach for us twice this Lord’s day. May we be deeply refreshed by the preaching of the Word from AM to PM. We give thanks to God for the RDC [Reformation Day Conference] that we could have yesterday and that excellent presentation by our missionary Pastor Singh on the mission work there! CERC family, let us shower all our guests with Christian love and hospitality." And this too: "This week also upon our council’s request, the church visitors will be conducting Church visitation to CERC on 2 Nov 2023, 8pm in church. Pray for Pastor Key and Elder Kregel, the officially appointed church visitors and your council for this important meeting."
  • The CERC held her Reformation Day Conference this past weekend (Oct.27-28), with Pastors. S. Key and Tan speaking. The theme was "Sola Scriptura, Solus Christus, Soli Deo Gloria - The Heart of the Reformation Gospel."

• Covenant PRC, N. Ireland:
  • Rev. A. Stewart continues to minister the Word faithfully in the CPRC. "Rev. Stewart will be speaking at a conference in Budapest, Hungary. He and Mary will be in Hungary from Monday through Friday (6-10 November)."
  • The September 2023 issue of Covenant Reformed News was published earlier this month. Visit the link to read the articles on "Nehemiah's Godly Enquiry Concerning Jerusalem" and Rev. R. Hanko's answers to questions about the covenant of redemption.
    
  • 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 via Livestreamed at our Facebook account." And this special Reformation event Wednesday, Nov.1: "The Conference on Reformed Theology: “The Reformed Understanding of the Christian Life,” a commemoration of the 16th-century reformation is scheduled on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. @ our church building worship hall." (see flyer above)
    
  • Provident PRC bulletin: Deacon Ruel Dela Fuente 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 "To a Thousand Generations" based on Psalm 105:6-8. 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.).

Did you know that the great Reformation of the 16th century revived the ancient church practice of catechism instruction? The Heidelberg Catechism is such a marvelous instruction tool for the church today. Find out more about this catechism 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 out of 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

John Calvin, Father of Calvinism

"Calvin was above all a preacher and expositor of Holy Scripture. His preaching was his strength, and it remains of unparalleled influence to the present. His theology was rooted in exegesis, because God's Word was the standard for him of all truth and right. His commentaries are still the very best available, and modern "scholarly" commentaries, so many of which are really sellouts to higher criticism, seem scarcely worthy of notice in comparison. 

"Calvin's influence spread throughout Europe and ultimately throughout the world. That influence was not only his theology, but also his liturgy, his church polity, and his piety. The heritage of Calvin is also, let it never be forgotten, the heritage of genuinely Reformed piety. It would be well if a book were written only on that aspect of Calvin's life. 

"Calvin was not the dramatic personality which was Luther. Nor did Calvin "wear his heart on his sleeve," as Luther did. Especially in his old age, Luther became something of a crab and spoke far too vehemently in his opposition to those who did not agree with him on the doctrine of the Lord's Supper. But Calvin always respected Luther for the great work Luther did in the work of reformation. He told others, not so generous towards Luther, that even if Luther would call him a devil, he would still honor him as God's chosen vessel. 

"Calvin could appreciate Luther for what Luther did because Calvin's life was consumed by the glory of God. His enemies called him a God-intoxicated man - drunk with God! What more wonderful thing could be said of a man? The deepest principle of his theology was God's glory, and the real essence of all he wrote was this great truth. But it was also Calvin's life. He lived and died with God's glory his deepest desire. He is one in this cloud of witnesses whose voice shouts to us down the corridors of time.

~ Found in the article John Calvin: Father of Calvinism by Prof. H. Hanko