PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for November 26, 2023

Today, November 26, is the forty-eighth 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.

In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me. Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue. ...Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar! My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace. I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war. ~ Psalm 120:1,2, 5-7

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS 

• Last Sunday Hudsonville PRC voted to call Rev D. Noorman (SW PRC).

• On November 12 Rev. J. Smidstra (First PRC – Holland MI) received the call from Hope PRC-Redlands, CA. He plans to answer by December 3.
  
  
• On November 12 Rev. J. Engelsma (Crete PRC) received the call from Lynden (WA) PRC. He plans to answer by December 3.
  
  
• From Randolph PRC re Rev. R. Smit (today's bulletin): "Rev. Smit is planning to be in Randolph to preach the month of December. We now plan to install Rev. Smit on Sunday, December 24. Prof. Kuiper is scheduled to perform installation and preach for us that Sunday. The Smit family plans to move to Randolph on December 22."

Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs:  Prof. C. Griess and Rev. N. Decker in Georgetown PRC; Elder led in Hope PRC-Redlands; Prof. B. Huizinga and Rev. J. Smidstra in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. S. Key in Loveland PRC; Rev. R. Smit in Lynden PRC; Rev. J. Laning in Randolph PRC; Prof. B. Gritters and Rev. K. Koole 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 Congregational Notices:

• Unity PRC (Byron Center, MI): "We have another Community Bible Study meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 5. It will be held at the Byron Rec Center at 2120 76th St. in Byron Center. The topic this month is Entertainment and will be led by Jed Pipe. All are invited."
  
  
• Upcoming - Faith PRC Evangelism Committee (Jenison, MI): Financial Stewardship Seminar: Saturday morning (9-11:30), January 27, 2024 at the church. 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!

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

• As previously reported, the Ad Hoc Committee of Synod 2023 signed a contract with Guidepost Solutions for a denomination wide investigation of sexual abuse in the PRCA. The committee now reports that the first phase of the engagement has begun. A detailed letter containing links to a “hotline” and survey has been sent to all of the clerks in the denomination for distribution. This letter can also be accessed by the public via a link on the PRCA.org homepage [See the tab on far right above, "Guidepost 3rd Party Investigation" or use the link here]. The Ad Hoc Committee encourages all members of the PRCA to read the letter, to take part in the survey, and to share it with anyone who may be able to provide information for this investigation. Note: *The survey will run through this Friday, Dec.1.
  
  
• 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 will enter its thirteenth week of the first semester 2023-24 tomorrow. There are three weeks of classes left before final exams (Dec.18-22). Pray for faculty, students, and staff that we may have diligence in our labors as we finish this semester.
• Prof. R. Cammenga submitted to a heart bypass surgery yesterday afternoon (Saturday), after receiving word on Monday that he needed this surgery to address serious blockage in his arteries. The surgery was successful and he has begun the path of recovery. Pray for him and his wife Rhonda as he remains in the hospital this week and then recovers at home. We thank the Lord for guiding things for his good and pray that He will grant him healing and strength in the days ahead.
• Bruce Feeenstra will lead in devotions this week. Rev. M. DeVries is scheduled to lead the Wednesday chapel.
• Senior Arend Haveman is in the final weeks of his summer-fall internship (July-December) in Pittsburgh PRC under Rev. W. Bruinsma. He is busy with all aspects of the ministry, including regular preaching. After the internship is completed, he will return for this final semester next year, Lord willing.
• The Fall 2023 issue of the PR Theological Journal was recently mailed out. The digital editions have been posted on the journal page (click on the link provided here). 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. Plus, there is a good number of book reviews again, on a variety of subjects. 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. Keep in mind that the bookstore has many items for gift-giving in this time of the year!
• For the latest seminary news and information, visit the seminary's website - and don't forget the blog!
  
  

SISTER-CHURCH/MISSION NEWS:

• Georgetown PRC re work in Vellore, India: Rev. C. Haak and Mary and Joel and Ellen Bruinooge traveled to Vellore this past Thursday to visit the saints there and celebrate with them the dedication of their own first church building. Part of their note to GT PRC consisted of these words: "This morning we attended the dedication worship service for the PRCV new church building. The service was attended by the families of the Tamil church, many members of the English church, some of the area pastors who attend the sola Gracia program, and many parents and relatives of the GFH, as well as many of the graduates from the GFH and their spouses. The total number attending was above 300. ...The service itself contain many of the elements, which we are accustomed; benediction, apostles creed, congregational, prayer, congregational singing, offerings. In addition there was the recorded singing of the Church’s one Foundation from last Sunday evenings singspiration and the two songs recorded by our Sunday School, plus other songs from the psalms composed by Pastor Raj. Rev Haak was privileged to deliver the message on: Worshipping in the Temple of Truth. The message emphasized that worship is not made by the place but by the truth of God preached in that place, namely the 5 solas of the Reformation. "
  
  
• Covenant ERC, Singapore and her Kolkata, India mission work:
  • Pastors J. Tan and M. Wee are faithfully serving the CERC. Today both pastors preached. In today's "pastoral voice" there is a note about the progress of the mission fellowship in Kolkata: "The Foreign Mission Committee (FMC) has been working closely with Rev. Singh on the institution of the fellowship group in Kolkata as a church. Since the interviewing of two elders and one deacon, we have gone through our Church Order with Rev. Singh, as mentioned in a pastoral voice on 24 Sept 2023. It is Rev. Singh’s desire to have the Church Order translated into Bengali, and then to have some classes on the main principles of the Church Order, before the fellowship group is instituted as a church."
  • A new issue of Salt Shakers is out! #70, "Time Is Running Out," concerns the Christian's use of time; find a variety of articles on timely subjetcs in this issue! Written especially for young people and young adults, SS is edifying for all adults!

• Covenant PRC, N. Ireland:
  • Rev. A. Stewart continues to minister the Word faithfully in the CPRC. 
  • The OCTOBER issue of "Covenant Reformed News" was published this past week. Read the newest articles by Rev. Stewart on Nehemiah's prayer and Rev. R. Hanko on 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 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 note was added: "The visit of our pastor and elder Umali with the saints and pastors both in Bacolod and SNO went very well, by the grace of God. Rev. Ibe gave a speech on “The Reformed Distinctives” to the pastors and saints in Bacolod and SNO on Nov. 20 [Monday] and Nov. 21 [Tuesday] respectively. We hope that God may prosper His works in these areas and establish like-minded faith churches in the future, the LORD willing. The next visit will be on Dec. 19 – 21, 2023, God willing."
    
  • Provident PRC bulletin: Deacon Ruel Dela Fuente led her worship services today using PRCA recorded video sermons.

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 (November 2023) the RWH is broadcasting four gospel messages by Rev. W. Bruinsma. Today's message is titled "The Goodness of God's House" and is based on Psalm 65:4. For the November 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? This year marks the beginning of volume 100 for the semi-monthly Reformed magazine, and if you are not yet a subscriber or if you used to be but stopped, now is the time to become a subscriber again. Each issue is packed with instructional and edifying articles on a wide variety of biblical and Reformed subjects.

• 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. 
  *Special notice: The Reformed Book Outlet will be hosting their annual Holiday Open House again on Thursday, November 30, from 5-8pm. Most books, Bibles, Bible covers, and more will be 25% off, and we will have kids activities, snacks, cookie decorating, and a gift card giveaway! The Special Grounds coffee cart will also be open, with specialized coffee and hot chocolate available to purchase by donation. Make plans to join us anytime during the night!

This Week's Thought for Contemplation

Nehemiah is seeking the Lord for the welfare of His church deliberately, and with resolution and perseverance, for a period of about 120 days. These are the actions of a man who sought the welfare of Israel for a long time even before he oversaw the laying of a single stone on Jerusalem’s defensive walls. The genuine and deep distress that he manifests for the people of God over 2,400 years ago puts us to shame and stirs us up to pray for the body of Christ in our day!

Nehemiah 1:5-11 contains a summary of his covenantal praying for four months in Mesopotamia. It begins with the covenant address: “I beseech thee, O Lord God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments” (5). Here, as elsewhere, the Lord’s “covenant and mercy” refer not to two separate things but to His one covenant mercy.

If we approach Jehovah as the God of the covenant in Jesus Christ, we have access to Him and confidence that He will answer our prayers for His people: “Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants” (6).

~ Taken from the newest Covenant Reformed News, "Nehemiah's Covenant Prayer" by Rev. A. Stewart (read all of this fine article at the link provided here)