Today, March 24, is the twelfth 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 you may listen online through one of the PRC's livestreams.
And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. ...After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. ~ John 19:17-18; 28-30
CONGREGATIONAL NEWS
- This Friday morning (Canadian PRCs) and evening, March 29, the PRC congregations will be commemorating the death of Jesus Christ with a Good Friday worship service. And then next Sunday Easter services will be held on March 31 as we celebrate our Lord Jesus' resurrection from the dead (morning and evening). Join us in hearing the gracious gospel of Christ crucified and raised for hell-deserving sinners such as ourselves, and find true peace with God, deep joy in Jesus, and new life in the Spirit. We cordially invite you to attend these services at a church near you. Visit the website to find out when her service will be held.
- Today Rev. N. Decker (Grandville PRC) declined the call to Hope PRC-Redlands, CA.
- Last Sunday Rev. M. DeBoer (Edgerton PRC) received the call from Lynden (WA) PRC.
- Rev. A. Brummel (Calvary PRC-Hull, IA) is considering the call to Loveland PRC (received March 10). He plans to answer by April 7.
Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Prof. C. Griess and Rev. N. Decker; Prof. Griess on Good Friday in Georgetown PRC; Rev. J. Marcus (2nd week) and Rev. C. Haak for Good Friday in Hope PRC-Redlands; Prof. B. Huizinga and Rev. W. Langerak; Rev. M. DeVries for Good Friday in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. D. Kleyn (1st week) and Good Friday in Loveland PRC; Rev. A. Brummel (and Good Friday) lead in Lynden PRC; Rev. C. Spronk (Rev. W. Bruinsma Good Friday) 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:
- Peace Young People invite you to our Spring Singspiration tonight after the evening worship service. A collection will be taken to offset the cost of the Young People's Convention. Please join us in praising and worshiping our great God and Father. Refreshments will be provided after the Singspiration.
- The Hull Young People's Society invites everyone to the Resurrection Singspiration March 31 at 7:45 p.m. in Hull PR Church.
PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS
- Classis West met in Randolph (WI) PRC March 6-7. The public report has been posted here.
- 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 Celebration: All the members of the PRCA, our sister churches, and close contacts are encouraged to come together at Calvin University from June 2-6, 2025 (note the new dates) to participate in this commemorative week. Visit prca100.org for basic event information and to sign up for email updates.
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Register now for the 2024 Young People's Convention hosted by Cornerstone and Peace PRC! Registration closes on March 31, so this is the last week to sign up! We are looking forward to a great week at camp Cedarmore in Kentucky from August 5 - 9, 2024. Registration is fully online this year, so get started at http://prcconvention.com/registration/. Note that the registration process includes waivers, so parents should register for their young people who are minors. If you have any questions, reach out to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- 2024 PRYP's Convention: "The Program Committee from Cornerstone and Peace PRC is seeking volunteers for special instrumental or vocal numbers at the 2024 YP Convention. We'd love to highlight our talented young people! Solos, duets,or group numbers are all welcome. We look forward to how these numbers will be a blessing to all convention attendees and bringglory to God's name! If you are interested in participating, please contact Brenda Dykstra with a call or text at (708) 638-2602 or e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.."
This past Thursday the church history students from Heritage Christian High School in Dyer, IN visited the seminary; Prof. D. Kuiper gave them a quick introduction and tour before they sat in on his church history class (more details below).
PRC Seminary Notices:
- The PR Theological Seminary enters its tenth full week of the second semester this week, with the Spring break scheduled for April 1-5. Pray for the faculty, students, and staff as we continue in the tasks assigned us by our faithful and gracious Master. "Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." (2 Tim.2:1,2)
- Joe Ophoff will lead in devotions this week, and Rev. J. Maatman (Southeast PRC) will lead the chapel on Wednesday.
- The seminary Student Club (faculty and students) met last week Thursday night at Prof. Kuiper's home to discuss a book.
- Last Thursday the church history students from Heritage Christian High in Dyer, IN visited seminary, sitting in on Prof. Kuiper's church history class and enjoying lunch with faculty and students. This coming Tuesday the final 4th-grade class from Heritage Christian School (Hudsonville, MI) plan to visit the seminary. They will be introduced to the seminary and given a tour before participating in devotions with faculty and students and then fellowship with them over coffeebreak.
- Have you read the latest blog post on the Fall 2023 issue of the PR Theological Journal? Check it out and then visit the journal page linked here to browse the digital editions or pick up a print copy at the seminary. 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.). Work has begun on the Spring 2024 issue.
- Future Teachers and Ministers: Information for the 2024 PR Scholarship Fund essay competition is now available.Future Teachers and Ministers: Information for the 2024 PR Scholarship Fund essay competition is now available.Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to receive the essay topics and submission requirements. Completed essaysmust be submitted by May 17.
- 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 pastor M. Wee preached, since Pastor Tan was in Kolkata, India for a special camp meeting. Today's "pastoral note" by pastor Tan comments on this: "The camp theme was focused on Heb 10:23: “Holding fast the profession of our faith”. The spiritual fellowship was sweet as honey, the time the delegation spent there was as intense as it was spiritually invigorating. The delegation was treated to the privilege of answering doctrinal questions and as well as getting to know newcomers to the fellowship. By the end of the short camp the delegation met and came to love yet deeper the saints there. Saints from both the affluent places in Mumbai to the humble outskirt villages of Kolkata. Enjoying some spiritual conversations in English, others in sign language. But all shared that ineffable and mysterious bond of love in Christ Jesus."
- A new issue of Salt Shakers is now out - #71, the first of 2024! Once again you will find a variety of articles on timely subjects 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, Ballymena, N. Ireland.
- 2024 BRF Family Conference: 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 Febuary 2024 issue of "Covenant Reformed News" is now available! Read the articles by Rev. Stewart on "The Truth Is According to Godliness" and Rev. R. Hanko's response to a question about total depravity and Manichaeism. Loook for the March issue soon!
- 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, "Our brethren and sisters in the Lord in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship in Gabaldon Nueva Ecija will join us in our worship services via livestream at our official Facebook account today. We pray for God’s blessings and spiritual sustenance upon them as they hear the Word of God."
- Summary of the special outreach trip last week: "Rev. Ibe and Elder Mitch Suarez [Provident PRC] met with the pastors and saints, both in Bacolod and Sipalay to a conference on Reformed Dogmatics [Soteriology: Lesson #2] and the Church Order of Dordt 1618-19, respectively. The conference was well received, for which we are grateful to God. May God use the instruction given and received to the end that the saints there be established in the truth of God’s sovereign particular grace in Christ, for His glory and the good of the churches in Bacolod and SNO. God be praised!"
- Provident PRC bulletin: Deacon Ruel Dela Fuente led both worship services today through PRCA’s 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 (March 2024) the RWH is broadcasting four gospel messages by Prof. D. Kuiper on the Ten Commandments and one by Rev. J. Laning for Easter. Today's message is titled "The Eighth Commandment: The Right Use of Our Possessions" based on Luke 12:13-23.
- 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.).
Looking to feed your soul with meditations on Christ crucified in this time of year? Try this classic title from the RFPA!
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
“In order to lay claim to the honors of royalty, he enters Jerusalem, riding on an ass. A magnificent display, truly! more especially when the ass was borrowed from some person, and when the want of a saddle and of accoutrements compelled the disciples to throw their garments on it, which was a mark of mean and disgraceful poverty. He is attended, I admit, by a large retinue; but of what sort of people? Of those who had hastily assembled from the neighboring villages. Sounds of loud and joyful welcome are heard; but from whom? From the very poorest, and from those who belong to the despised multitude. One might think, therefore, that he intentionally exposed himself to the ridicule of all. But as he had two things to do at the same time,—as he had to exhibit some proof of his kingdom, and to show that it does not resemble earthly kingdoms, and does not consist of the fading riches of this world, it was altogether necessary for him to take this method” (John Calvin, commentary on the triumphal entry). [Taken from Southeast PRC's bulletin]