PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for April 7, 2024 *(Updated)

Today, April 7, is the fourteenth Lord's Day of this 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.

LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child. Let Israel hope in the LORD from henceforth and for ever. ~ Psalm 131:1-3

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.

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS 

• Today Rev. A. Brummel (Calvary PRC-Hull, IA) declined the call to Loveland PRC.
  
  
• Pittsburgh PRC will vote tonight from the Council's new trio consisting of Revs. N. Decker (Grandville PRC), G. Eriks (Unity PRC), and J. Mahtani (Hope PRC-Walker). UPDATE: Rev. Mahtani has received this call.
  
  
• Rev. M. DeBoer (Edgerton PRC) is considering the call from Lynden (WA) PRC (received March 17). He plans to answer next Sunday.
  
  

Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs:  Prof. C. Griess and Rev. J. Holstege in Georgetown PRC; Elder led in Hope PRC-Redlands; Prof. B. Huizinga and Rev. R. Hanko in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. M. DeBoer in Loveland PRC; Elder led in Lynden PRC; Rev. W. Bruinsma 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 (Jenison, MI): "Please join us April 7 (TONIGHT) at 7:30 PM at Faith PRC in Jenison, MI for a slide presentation from Pastor Jochen Klautke from the BERG church in Germany. After the presentation there will be baked goods, coffee and time to meet Pastor Jochen Klautke and Pastor Ludwig Ruhle from the BEG church in North East, Germany."
• From the Faith PRC Evangelism Committee: We want to thank all of those who were able to attend the Financial Seminar in January. If you were not able to attend or didn't make all the sectionals, we have put together a summary of the sectionals as well as the sample spreadsheet that was used in the breakout sectional about budgeting. You may reach out to the speakers if you have any questions. The summary can be found on the Faith Church website at faithprc.org. If anyone is interested in a CD of the keynote speeches, send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.."
• Unity PRC-Byron Center PRC (MI): "Your final opportunity for the season to join us at our Community Bible Study is this coming Tuesday, April 9. We will be meeting from 7-8 pm at the Byron Rec Center at 2120 76th St. in Byron Center. The topic for this meeting is Personal Identity and will be led by Rev. Eriks. We would love it if you could join us for our final meeting of the season. Bring a friend, neighbor or co-worker. Hope to see you there."
• First PRC-Grand Rapids, MI: "Our Community Bible Study will meet this Tuesday, April 9 [at the church], to discuss Jesus' Resurrection."

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

• In Memoriam: "Our Lord graciously delivered Prof. Herman Hanko from this valley of tears on April 2. Prof. Hanko was a faithful preacher and teacher of the gospel of grace. His heart and soul were in the work God gave him to do. His love for the truth and the church was always on the forefront of his life. He was a gifted teacher in Seminary who inspired a generation of ministers to pour themselves out as a sacrifice to God in their ministries. “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” We express our sympathy to Rev. Ron and Nancy Hanko, Rev. Daniel and Sharon Kleyn, as well as the entire Hanko family." (Georgetown PRC's bulletin) Visitation for the family will held Tuesday April 8 at 11-12 at Southwest PRC, with the funeral to follow at noon.

• Denominational Website Logo Design Contest: The denominational website is currently being redesigned to improve our evangelism efforts and to make it more user friendly for all who visit the website. As part of this effort, we would like to create a new PRCA.org logo and we would like to have a contest so that anyone within the denomination can try their hand at designing our new logo. You may send your designs to the website committee (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) before June 30, 2024. The winner will receive a gift.

• AD-HOC COMMITTEE of Synod 2023 reports it will deactivate the Guidepost hotline (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) effective April 5. The reasoning is that after this date Guidepost will be unable to investigate and report on information collected through the hotline in time to meet the deadline for the synodical report. Instead of using funds for the hotline, the committee has directed Guidepost to focus on compiling and distributing reports to consistories. The hotline may be reactivated in the future depending on the decisions of Synod 2024.

• 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.
  
  

PRC Seminary Notices:

• The PR Theological Seminary enjoyed its Spring break last week. Classes resume Tuesday of this week, week 11 of 15. Pray for faculty, students, and staff as we enter the final thrid of the semester. "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." ~ 2 Tim.2:15
• Last Tuesday, April 2, emeritus professor Herman Hanko passed from this life into the glory of His Savior Jesus Christ at the age of 93 years. We thank the Lord for giving the PRC (ordained in 1955) and the Seminary (1965-2001) this faithful servant for so many years, and for now giving him the victory through our risen Lord. May the God of all comfort bless his family, including his grandson Isaac Van Baren (one of our first-year students), with the joy and hope of Jesus' triumph over sin, death, and the grave. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. ~ Revelation 14:13
• Aaron Van Dyke leads in devotions this week; no chapel is scheduled on Wednesday.
• The second round of Practice Preaching for this semester will be held the Mondays of April 15 and 22, with Sems. B. Feenstra, A. Van Dyke, and A. Haveman (his final one!) delivering new sermons.
• The Spring 2024 issue of the PR Theological Journal is being prepared and should go the printer this week. In the meantime, if you haven't read the Fall 2023 issue, visit the link here to do so. 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.). 
• 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 both pastors preached. Today's "pastoral note" by pastor Tan contains this note on the death of Prof. H. Hanko, dear to these saints: "In the week past, Our God has called home our dearest Prof. Herman Hanko (1930-2024). It is hard to put to words the loss we feel in our hearts. A man God used mightily in CERC, to instruct us in the truth of Sovereign and Particular grace. A towering Dutch man who always stooped down to the smallest children to greet them and talk with them. A busy and extremely gifted man who always found time to humbly listen and counsel the young people. God be praised for giving to us such a faithful man. God be praised for giving us such a spiritual grandfather to us here."
  • 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. Look 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: Elders Espiritu and Penaverde led her services today. And, "Rev. Ibe and family are visiting with the saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship in Gabaldon Nueva Ecija. Our pastor will lead them in their worship service at 9 AM and Bible study at 10:45 AM. All the Lord willing. We pray for God’s blessings and spiritual sustenance upon them as they hear the Word of God."
  • Provident PRC bulletin: Deacon Ruel dela Fuente led both worship services today through PRCA’s recorded video sermons.
    
  • "On Tuesday [April 9], we commemorate God’s goodness and faithfulness in our 10th year of existence as a Federation of Protestant Reformed Churches in the Philippines. Soli Deo Gloria!" We join in praising God for His goodness and faithfulenss to the PRCP, and pray that God continues to bless them and preserve them in the truth of His gospel.

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 (April 2024) the RWH is broadcasting two gospel messages by Prof. D. Kuiper on the Ten Commandments (completing this series) and two by Rev. W. Bruinsma that begins a series on women in the Bible. Today's message is titled "The Ninth Commandment: The Right Use of Our Tongues" based on John 8:12-47.
  
• 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.).

On sale this month from the RFPA at 50% off!

• 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

 "A second benefit of Jesus’ resurrection is this: By Jesus’ power His people are raised to a new life, a life that never ends. As was mentioned, because of our sin we received death. Jesus obtains for and restores to His people righteousness and life.

        "Christ, the Head of His people, raises from the dead those who are the members of His body. Already in this life He raises them. He raises them from the dead spiritually.

"This spiritual resurrection is a real resurrection. Our spirit is real. We cannot see it, yet it is real. Man by nature is spiritually dead. His spiritual heart is dead. Jesus by His Spirit raises His people spiritually from the dead. He gives them a new spiritual heart. Then they are spiritually alive and they believe in Jesus Christ. They have communion with God, fellowship with Him that will never end.

        "That is a second benefit of Christ’s resurrection.

"And this is a third benefit: The resurrection of Jesus is a sure pledge of His people’s blessed, bodily resurrection. A believer who dies goes to be with Christ in heaven. Such a person is with Christ in glory in his or her soul. Yet in the body a believer who has died will be buried. For a time he or she will be in the grave. Then, on the last day, the day when Christ returns, Jesus will raise the dead. The souls of the dead will be reunited with their bodies in which they formerly lived.

        "Speaking now just of the resurrection of believers, their bodies will be raised incorruptible. Their bodies will be immortal, powerful, and glorious, like unto the glorious body of Jesus Christ.

        That is amazing! Yet it is really true. If Christ, the Head of His people, has been raised, it is certain that His people will also be raised.

"What a comfort it is for believers to know this! Though they die, the day will come in which their bodies will be raised. Then they will have an incorruptible body. They will sin no more, and they will reign with Christ forever when there is a new heaven and new earth.

......

"Now you who hear this message, are you one of those who believes in Jesus? Do you confess your sins to God, do you believe that Jesus offered the one perfect sacrifice for sin, and do you trust in Him for your salvation?

"God promises salvation to all those who confess from the heart the Lord Jesus, believing in their heart that God has raised Him from the dead. Scripture says: “if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Rom. 10:9b).

 "All those who believe in Jesus shall be saved. They will be completely delivered from sin and death.

        "What a comfort we believers have in Him. What a joy we have in the midst of all the trials of this life.

"Believe what God says about the resurrection of Jesus. And tell others the wonderful news. Jesus Christ is risen. He lives, He will return, and His people will dwell with Him, they will reign with Him. Together with Jesus His people shall dwell forever, having a life that, truly, will never end.

~ Taken from the Easter message "The Risen Jesus Meeting the Women" by Rev. J. Laning (PRC home misisonary)