PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for May 5, 2024

Today, May 5, is the eighteenth 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.

Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise him, O ye servants of the LORD. Ye that stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God, Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant. For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. ~ Psalm 135:1-5

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 

• This Thursday, May 9, the PRC congregations will gather in worship for Ascension Day, praising and thanking our Savior God for exalting His Son Jesus Christ to heaven, for His glory and for our saving good. Join us in glorifying the Lamb that was slain, is risen, and now worthy "to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing" (Rev.5:12).
  
  
• Today Rev. J. Mahtani (Hope PRC-Walker, MI) accepted the call to Pittsburgh PRC. We rejoice with the saints in Pittsburgh in God's provision of another pastor to lead them in God's holy Word. And we pray for Hope PRC as they prepare to bid farewell to their pastor and his family.
  
  
• Today Georgetown PRC voted to call Rev. M. DeBoer (Edgerton PRC-MN). 
  
  
• Last Sunday Rev. M. DeBoer received the call from Hope PRC-Redlands, CA.
  
  
• Last Sunday Rev. J. Maatman (Southeast PRC) received the call from Hudsonville PRC.

Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs:  Prof. C. Griess and Rev. N. Decker in Georgetown PRC; Rev. S. Regnerus (1st week) in Hope PRC-Redlands; Prof. B. Huizinga and Rev. J. Smidstra in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. R. Smit (2nd week) in Loveland PRC; Rev. K. Koole (2nd week) in Lynden PRC; Rev. W. Langerak 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:

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

• Classis East will meet Wednesday, May 15, at Byron Center PRC. The agenda, which only includes a list of the matters to be dealt with (the rest is private), has been posted on the church bulletin page (for registered users only).
  
  
• Synod 2023 mandated the Psalter Revision Review Committee "to familiarize the denomination with the final product that is to be presented to Synod 2024…” To that end, we have produced a pamphlet and given apresentation that details the history of this project and the principles that guided the revision, as well asshowing the results with both data and sample songs. You are encouraged to listen to the presentationat https://www.youtube.com/@2024Psalter. If you do not have a hard copy of the pamphlet, you should begetting one soon. You can also find a link to a pdf of the pamphlet beneath the video. (cf. image above for booklet cover)
   
• 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.
  
  

Another Friday lunch gathering, May 3, 2024

PRC Seminary Notices:

• The PR Theological Seminary enters the fifteenth week of the semester tomorrow. The final regular week of classes is planned. The following week will be exams. Pray for faculty, students, and staff as we complete the final weeks 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
• This past Friday, May 3, Prof. C. Griess participated in the graduation ceremonies of Puritan Reformed Seminary in Grand Rapids in recognition of the completion of his ThM degree. We thank the Lord for enabling him to complete these studies and now begin to take up his full-time teaching in our seminary. Over the course of the next few years he will continue to take over the practical theology courses taught by Prof. B. Gritters.
• Prof. B. Huizinga's first book has been published - Crowning His Gifts: Gracious Rewards in the Reformed Tradition (RFPA, 2024) - the fruit of his studies for the ThM degree through Calvin Theological Seminary. We thank the Lord for this work and pray that it will have wide readership. To order your copy, visit the publisher's website linked here.
• On Monday morning, May 6, Dr. N. Willborn, pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Oak Ridge, TN and faculty member of Greenville Presbyterian Seminary, will deliver two lectures at PRTS on Northern Presbyterianism, especially the old Princetonians - Archibald Alexander, Samuel Miller, Charles Hodge, James Alexander, and B. B. Warfield.
• Joe Ophoff leads in devotions this week, while Rev. K. Koole will lead the final chapel of the school year.
• The Spring 2024 issue of the PR Theological Journal arrived Monday from the prineter and was mailed out on Thursday and Friday of last week. The digital editions (pdf and epub) have been posted on the journal page (visit the link here). This latest issue features three main articles, one dealing with the history of common grace at the1924 Synod in the Christian Reformed Church (which led to the formation of the Protestant Reformed Churches), one involving another translation of H. Bouwman's work on the Reformed Church Order, and another chapter from Prof. D. Kuiper on the history of Classis West in the PRC. 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.). 
• Advance Notice - Fall Seminary Conference: In 1924 the CRC Synod developed the Three Points of Common Grace. What are they? What led to their development? Why are they wrong? Is the early opposition to them by leaders of the PRCA relevant for us today, or is it merely a matter of past history? The seminary faculty would like to announce a fall conference observing the centennial of the development of the Three Points. This conference will be held the evenings of Thursday, October 31, and Friday, November 1, and the morning of Saturday, November 2, at Grace PRC. More details are coming.
• 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's "pastoral note" by pastor Tan relates to her celebration of the Lord's Supper today: "This morning, we come as one family and celebrate the Lord’s Supper with joy and gladness of heart. With the gift of faith, we do not cleave to the external bread and wine, but our hearts are lifted up on high in heaven to Christ Jesus our Advocate! May God feed and nourish our souls this morning.This morning, we come as one family and celebrate the Lord’s Supper with joy and gladness of heart. With the gift of faith, we do not cleave to the external bread and wine, but our hearts are lifted up on high in heaven to Christ Jesus our Advocate! May God feed and nourish our souls this morning. Then let us purpose to show true thankfulness to Christ in all our lives. Let Spirit-worked thankfulness manifest itself in an upright walk before God. Let gratitude be demonstrated by our laying aside sincerely and genuinely all enmity, hatred and envy against the neighbor. Let the spiritual beauty of God shine forth as we out of a firm resolve walk in true love and peace with dearest brothers and sisters in Christ."
  • 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 April 2024 issue of "Covenant Reformed News" is now available! Read the articles by Rev. A. Stewart on "The Truth Is According to Godliness" (3) and Rev. R. Hanko's response to a question about David, Amasa, and Joab.
    
  • The CPRC YouTube channel may be found here.

• PRC in the Philippines and her mission work in various places:
  • Berean PRC bulletin: Elders Umali and Penaverde led her services today. And, "Rev. Ibe and family are scheduled to visit the saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship in Gabaldon Nueva Ecija. Rev. Ibe will lead them in their worship service at 9 AM and Bible study at 10:45 AM. We pray for God’s blessings and spiritual sustenance upon them as they hear the Word of God."
  • Provident PRC bulletin: An officebearer led both worship services today using PRC video sermons.
  • Other mission labors: "The Council’s visit on May 1-2 with the saints in Magsingal, Ilocos Sur went very well, by the grace of God. Rev. Ibe conducted a lecture on the Reformed Distinctives and on Ephesians 6:10ff regarding the importance and place of prayer in our day-to-day lives. We hope to return in God’s appointed time to further the causes of the gospel of Christ upon them, the Lord willing. For now, let us lift them in prayer for God’s sustaining grace as they continue in His Word."

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 - May 2024 -  the RWH is broadcasting four gospel messages by Rev. W. Bruinsma, continuing his series on women in the Bible. Today's message is the first of Rev. Bruinsma's and titled "Rebekah Marries Isaac" based on Genesis 24:55-67.
  
• 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.).

This month, Portraits of Faithful Saints is 50% off! This collection of short biographies details the lives of fifty-two professing believers who lived and died for Christ.

Order Portraits by clicking the picture below or the "Monthly Sales" button on the RFPA website homepage. 

• 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

 "Into that heaven Christ ascended for us. 

"Our perfectly righteous High Priest entered into the presence of the Holy God. Having attained the divine verdict that the benefits of His death were imputed to those for whom He died, Christ longed to be taken to heaven to once again dwell in the presence of His Father. God drew Him home. The righteous God place d Him upon His right hand and crowned Him with all glory and honor. The saints, angels, the representatives of creation sang their welcome song when He entered into heaven itself. 

"And Jesus did not forget His own that were yet upon the earth. As our great High Priest He prayed the Father for the Comforter whom He might send unto His brethren in the world that they might also be where He is. 

"Our Father answered that prayer. He crowned the faithful Christ with all the power to direct all things to serve the purpose of the salvation of the entire church for whom Christ died. He gave Him the Holy Spirit to draw them unto Himself. 

"For us He entered into heaven itself. 

"What a precious truth this is for us now. 

"Notice, because this is true we have every reason to be joyful now. All diseases, all suffering, loneliness, wars, burdens of sin, pressures of the battle of faith are directed our way because our Lord Jesus Christ is entered into heaven itself. No one else sends these things to us but He. That too, not to make life miserable for us, rather to draw us above the things of this world that we become and remain heavenly minded. 

"Our joy is in God through Jesus Christ already now. 

"And we long for heaven when this joy shall become even greater. Then all these burdens shall be taken away not simply for our sakes, but that we may then rejoice perfectly in the God of our salvation. 

"You long for heaven in a good sense of the word? 

"Christ is already there. He is working now in such a way that we shall certainly arrive there in safety.

"Hope in the Lord! Wait patiently for Him!

~ Jason Kortering in "Christ Entered Into Heaven Itself," one of this month's featured resources