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

Today, April 21, is the sixteenth 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.

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. ~ Psalm 133

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 

• Rev. J. Mahtani (Hope PRC-Walker, MI) is considering the call to Pittsburgh PRC (received April 7). He plans to answer by May 5.
  
  
• Last Sunday Rev. M. DeBoer (Edgerton PRC) declined the call from Lynden (WA) PRC.
  
  
• Hope PRC-Redlands, CA: "The Council presents the following trio to the congregation from which to call our next pastor: Revs. M. De Boer (Edgerton PRC), G. Eriks (Unity PRC) and A. Brummel (Calvary PRC). A congregational meeting will be held next Sunday, April 28, after the morning worship service."
  
  
• Hudsonville PRC's Council announces a new trio from which to call a pastor: Rev. W. Langerak (Trinity PRC-Hudsonville, MI), Rev. J. Maatman (SE PRC-Wyoming, MI), and Rev. J. Smidstra (1st PRC-Holland, MI). The congregation will vote April 28 after the evening service.
  
  
• UPDATE: Georgetown PRC's Council met Sunday night and formed a trio of Revs. A. Brummel (Calvary PRC, Hull, IA), M. De Boer (Edgerton, MN), and D. Noorman (SW PRC). A congregational meeting to vote for one of these men will be May 5 after the morning service.

Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs:  Rev. A. Spriensma in Georgetown PRC; Rev. W. Bruinsma (2nd week) in Hope PRC-Redlands; Prof. B. Huizinga and Prof. J. Slopsema in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. J. Laning in Loveland PRC; Rev. C. Haak (2nd week) in Lynden PRC; Rev. M. McGeown 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!

Georgetown PRC fellowship addition (back view, right side) - see note below

Special Congregational/Evangelism Notices:

• Randolph (WI) PRC: Spring Lecture: A lecture has been scheduled by the Evangelism Committee for Friday, April 26, at 7:30 p.m. here at our church building. Prof. B. Gritters plans to speak on the subject "Our Unchanging God in an Ever-Changing World."
• 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.."
• Georgetown PRC: "OPEN HOUSE: Please join us April 28 after the morning service in the fellowship hall to celebrate the completion of the new addition and dedicate it to the service of our heavenly father! There will be cake and a short dedication by Rev. Haak. This is the perfect time to walk through the new addition, if you haven't already!"

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

• Hope PRC re Myanmar (in today's bulletin): "The Myanmar committee [of Hope's Council] reported that it held a video conference with Rev. Titus. He reported that the church is still able to worship twice each Sunday even though unrest continues in the country. The threat of conscription law still exists with some reports indicating that the law will take effect at the end of April and others suggesting it will be delayed for six months. Rev. Kap Mang’s health continues to decline and he is unresponsive most of the time. Continue to pray that God gives peace of mind, safety, and guidance to these saints as they face many uncertainties on a daily basis."
  
  
• Psalter Revision: "You are invited to attend a presentation/singspiration tonight at 7:45 PM at Hull PRC. Come join us to see the results of the revision and to sing Psalms, old and new. To see the complete revised Psalter, visit thepsalter.net (web version) and “Download Psalms 1-150” at the bottom of the page."
  
  
• 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.
  
  

Senior Arend Haveman leading devotions last week for his final time.

PRC Seminary Notices:

• The PR Theological Seminary enters the thirteenth week of the semester tomorrow. A regular week of classes is planned. Pray for faculty, students, and staff as we complete the final third 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
• 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.
• Bruce Feenstra leads in devotions this week; due to practice preaching tomorrow there is no chapel scheduled on Wednesday.
• The Spring 2024 issue of the PR Theological Journal is at the printer and should be ready for mailing in about two weeks. 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 treats biblical lessons for elders based on the OT kings. At the end, he has these words for the congregation: "CERC family, let us continue to grow in obeying and submitting to our elders, giving thanks to God for their labour of love. Please keep your elders in prayer, they are men just like you and me. Keep those who are nominated as elders in prayer. Keep the young men of our church in prayer, that God will raise up among them the next generation of godly and bold elders who would rule and rule well."
  • 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 March 2024 issue of "Covenant Reformed News" is now available! Read the articles by Rev. Stewart on "The Truth Is According to Godliness" (2) and Rev. R. Hanko's response to a question about the four rules for Gentiles in the early NT church. Look for the April issue here!
    
  • 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 in Gabaldon Nueva Ecija will join us in our worship services today, via livestream at our official Facebook account. We pray for God’s blessings and spiritual sustenance upon them as they hear the Word of God." Also, "On April 22-23, 2024, Elder Espiritu, and Rev. Ibe are scheduled to visit the saints and pastors in Bacolod and Sipalay area to conduct a day of the conference on Reformed Dogmatics [Soteriology] and the Church Order of Dordt 1618-19, respectively. We pray for God’s blessings upon this trip and the saints there."
    
  • Provident PRC bulletin: Elder Jun Armas 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 (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 the first of Rev. Bruinsma's and titled "The Woman Eve" based on Genesis 2:23,24.
  
• 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.).

Need help preparing to date with a view to marriage in the Lord? Let this book from the RFPA be a tool! 

• 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

 "This kingdom [of God] consists of two parts; the first is when God by the agency of his Spirit corrects all the depraved lusts of the flesh, which in bands war against Him; and the second, when he brings all our thoughts into obedience to his authority….

"This prayer, therefore, ought to withdraw us from the corruptions of the world which separate us from God and prevent his kingdom from flourishing within us; secondly, it ought to inflame us with an ardent desire for the mortification of the flesh; and, lastly, it ought to train us to the endurance of the cross, since this is the way in which God would have his kingdom to be advanced.

"It ought not to grieve us that the outward man decays provided the inner man is renewed. For such is the nature of the kingdom of God, that while we submit to his righteousness he makes us partakers of his glory.”

~ John Calvin on the first petition of the Lord's Prayer, "Hallowed be Thy name."