PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for January 21, 2024 *(Updated)

Today, January 21, is the third Lord's Day of this new year of our Lord 2024. 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.

Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us. Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt. ~ Psalm 123:1-3

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS 

• Rev. J. Mahtani (Hope PRC-Walker, MI) is considering the call from Hope PRC-Redlands, CA (received Dec.31). He plans to answer next Sunday, Jan.28.
  
  
• This morning Georgetown PRC voted to call Rev. J. Engelsma (Crete PRC).
  
  
• Hudsonville PRC voted to call a new pastor tonight from the new trio of Revs. M. DeBoer (Edgerton PRC), J. Engelsma (Crete PRC), and D. Lee (Kalamazoo PRC). UPDATE: Rev. J. Engelsma has also received this call.
  
  
• Loveland PRC voted to call a minister tonight from the following trio: Revs. A. Brummel (Calvary PRC, IA), N. Decker (Grandville, PRC, MI), and J. Maatman (Southeast PRC, MI). UPDATE: Rev. Maatman has received this call.
  
  
• New Officebearer Resources: As many new officebearers are installed in this time of the year, we make you aware of a special resource page for elders and deacons (and pastors) on the PRC website. Here you will find sermons, elder and deacon seminar speeches, and recommended books and seminary syllabi on subjects related to your work.

Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs:  Sem. A. Haveman and Rev. J. Maatman in Georgetown PRC; Rev. M. DeVries (1st week) in Hope PRC-Redlands; Prof. B. Huizinga and Prof. R. Dykstra in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. T. MIersma in Loveland PRC; Elder led in Lynden PRC; Rev. W. Bruinsma (emeritus) in Pittsburgh 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/Evangelism Notices:

• Faith PRC’s Evangelism Committee's Financial Stewardship Seminar is this Saturday, Jan.27, from 9-11:30 at the church. Doors will open at 8:30 for you to browse the Reformed Book Outlet book table, grab some light snacks, and prepare to take in 3 keynote speeches (15-20 mins each) and 3 breakout sessions on topics for all mature age groups, plus Q&A time. To register and for more details, visit faithprc.org. If you are in need of nursery - and we encourage couples to come! - please contact Kaelyn Richards at 616-706-1174. Walk-in attenders are welcome! Hope to see you there!

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

• The Foreign Mission Committee sent a delegation of Revs. Barnhill and Marcus to Axtla de Terrazas (in San Luis Potosi, Mexico) from January 15-22. The purpose of this delegation is to investigate a contact (pastor and congregation) which was brought to the attention of the FMC in recent months. Plans have been made to give four speeches during the week and preach twice on Sunday. The FMC asks for the prayers of the denomination in this work.
  
  
• Classis East met on Wednesday, Jan.10 at Hope PRC in Walker, MI. Classis gave one of its committees extra time to bring advice on various protests. Classis will reconvene on Feb.8, D.V.  The agenda and minutes are available to registered users on the bulletin page under Classis East. And there is a public report on this page of the website.
  
  
• Guidepost Solutions has reported to the Ad Hoc Committee that there was an excellent response rate to the survey and hotline. There were almost 1,300 survey participants, of which 26% have agreed to follow-up interviews. Through the hotline, Guidepost has received reports from 29 individuals, of which 72% have agreed to follow-up interviews. Anyone who still desires to report on sexual abuse may use the hotline (mailto:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). This will be open throughout the duration of the investigation. Guidepost is presently busy with the interviewing process and prioritization of the cases.

• PRC 100th Anniversary: With gratitude to our faithful God, the PRCA look forward to our 100th anniversary. The celebration is planned for June 2-6, 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!

It was a snowy week this past week at PRTS

PRC Seminary Notices:

• The PR Theological Seminary is currently back in session; the January 2024 Interim concluded this past Thursday (Jan.18) and the second semester will begin this coming Tuesday, Jan.23 (see notes below).
  
• The second semester of regular classes will begin this Tuesday, Jan.23. We welcome back from his fall internship in Pittsburgh PRC, senior Arend Haveman, who will be completing his studies this semester. We also welcome back Prof. R. Cammenga, who continues to recover from his November heart surgery. He continues to gain strength, for which we are thankful. This coming semester will be his last as a PRTS professor, as Prof. B. Huizinga prepares to take over all of his courses next school year.
• The seminary faculty invite interested persons to audit four classes this semester: Prof Cammenga’s class of NT History (covering the history from the passion week through the apostle Paul’s missionary journeys), Prof. Kuiper’s class of Modern Church history (covering the history of the Protestant churches from the 1648 to the present), and Prof. Huizinga’s classes of Dogmatics (covering the study of the doctrine of man) and OT History (covering the era of the judges through the exile and return from captivity). 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 or check the schedule posted on the PRC Seminary website.
• Aaron Van Dyke will lead in devotions this week and Rev. N. Decker (Grandville PRC) will lead chapel this week and next.
• The Fall 2023 issue of the PR Theological Journal is currently available. The digital editions have been posted on the journal page (click on the link provided here), while print copies are avaliable at the seminary. 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.). 
• 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 both pastors preached. In today's "pastoral voice" Pastor Wee comments on the value of reading God's Word in personal devotions and as a church: "And as we do so, we pray that the confession of the Psalmist may be true of us, more and more: “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!” (Psa. 139:17) Because God’s thoughts, revealed in His Word, are precious to us, we
    desire to read them, more and more, and to meditate on them. And the more we read and meditate on God’s Word, the more it is precious and dear to us. This is a virtuous cycle that we seek to cultivate in our lives, by God’s grace."
  • A last issue of Salt Shakers is #70, "Time Is Running Out," and 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. 
  • Join Reformed believers from around the world at the 2024 British Reformed Fellowship family conference at Cloverley Hall Conference Centre in Shropshire, England, from Saturday, August 3, to Saturday, August 10. Our speakers, Prof. Brian Huizinga and Rev. Ron Hanko, will lecture on “Then Comes the End: The Reformed Doctrine of Eschatology.” For information and booking forms, see the website ( www.brfconference.weebly.com ) or contact Briana Prins (616-214-2779; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
  • The January issue of "Covenant Reformed News" is now available! Read the newest articles by Rev. Stewart on Nehemiah's prayer and a CPRC elder on why the churches' use of God's sword is so important in our day.
    
  • The CPRC YouTube channel may be found here.

• PRC in the Philippines and her mission work in various places:
  • Berean PRC bulletin: Elders Penaverde and Umali led us in our worship services today. And, "The saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship in Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija, will join us in our worship services today via live streamed through our official Facebook account D.V." And this special visit by Rev. Ibe and an elder this week Monday nd Tuesday, "Our pastor and elder Jun Armas are scheduled to visit the saints in Bacolod and SNO on January 22 – 23, 2024. Rev. Ibe will lead them in their study of the “Threefold Use of the Law of God” and the “Introduction to the Church Order of Dordt 1618-19.” Also, Rev. Ibe and Elder Jun Armas will meet with the pastors in SNO to discuss membership to the Protestant Reformed Churches in the Philippines, God willing."
  • Provident PRC bulletin: Rev. V. Ibe led her 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 (January 2024) the RWH is broadcasting four gospel messages, three by Rev. W. Bruinsma and one by Prof. D. Kuiper, which will begin a series on the Ten Comamndments. Today's message is titled "Learning Contentment" based on Phil.4:11.
  
• 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.).

• The Reformed Book Outlet (downtown Hudsonville, MI) is now operating out of its new store in downtown Hudsonville (3472 Harvey St.). 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.

• 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.

This Week's Thought for Contemplation

 Who Is Jesus?

First, Jesus is the eternal Son of God.

This means that the Son of God always was. Jesus not only pre-existed the creation, but He is eternal. Moreover, He is eternally the Son. He did not become a Son. He always was the Son. And the Father was always the Father. This is not easy to understand because in our experience sons are younger than their fathers and come after them. Remember what the Creeds of the early church say: “begotten of the Father before all worlds” (Nicene Creed).

Second, Jesus is the uncreated Son of God.

This means that God did not say: “Let the Son come into being,” and the Son came into being. It was by such a word that God brought the creatures into existence: “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light” (Gen. 1:3). A creature is something in distinction from God who is Creator. A creature exists in dependence upon God, because God willed it to exist and spoke it into existence. The Bible teaches that the Triune God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) is the Creator. There are not three Creators working independently of one another. The three Persons together created the universe. About the Son we read in Hebrews 1:2-3 that “by [Him] also [God] made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person.”  The Son of God is not a creature but He is the Originator of the creation: “without Him [Jesus] was not anything made that was made” (John 1:3).

Third, Jesus is the only begotten or natural Son of God.

That Jesus is the only begotten Son of God describes the relationship that the Son has to the Father within the being of God. The being of God is one but within the one being of God are three distinct persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. This is the doctrine of the Trinity. Let me illustrate. A person might be a son in different senses. A person might be his father’s son biologically. A person might be his father’s son legally because of adoption. By such an act a man could bestow the rights and privileges of a son upon a person who is not related biologically to him. The Bible uses the word begotten (only begotten) to describe the relationship between the Father and the Son. But we must be careful not to think carnally about this. The Father is not a physical being (John 4:24). Therefore, the Father does not beget a physical Son.

~ Taken from the pamphlet "Who Is Jesus" by Rev. M. McGeown