PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for May 12, 2024 *(Updated)

Today, May 12, is the nineteenth 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.

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever. ~ Psalm 136:1-4

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 

• Last week Loveland PRC's Council announced a new trio, which has now become a duo after Rev. J. Mahtani's acceptance of Pittsburgh PRC's call last week: Rev. Nate Decker (Grandville, PRC, MI) and Rev. Justin Smidstra (1st PRC, Holland, MI). The congregation will call tonight. UPDATE: Rev. Decker has received this call.
  
  
• Rev. M. DeBoer is considering the call from Hope PRC-Redlands, CA (received April 28).
  
  
• Rev. J. Maatman (Southeast PRC) is considering the call from Hudsonville PRC (received April 28).
  
  
• Last Sunday 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. According to Pittsburgh PRC's bulletin today, it is anticipated that the Mahtanis will move in July.
  
  
• Last Sunday Georgetown PRC voted to call Rev. M. DeBoer (Edgerton PRC-MN). 

Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs:  Prof. C. Griess and Rev. J. Mahtani in Georgetown PRC; Rev. S. Regnerus (2nd week) in Hope PRC-Redlands; Prof. B. Huizinga and Rev. C. Spronk in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. J. Engelsma (1st week) in Loveland PRC; Elder led in Lynden PRC; Rev. G. Eriks 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:

Byron Center PRC, host of Classis East meeting this week (see notice below)

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

• Classis East will meet this 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). Most of the matters treated at Classis will be done in closed session. May the King and Shepherd of the church give the delegates wisdom and grace for their work. 
  
  
• 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.
  
  

PRC Seminary Notices:

• The PR Theological Seminary has finished the fifteen weeks of regular classes and will have exams this week. Pray for faculty, students, and staff as we complete the final week 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
• With joy the faculty of the Protestant Reformed Theological Seminary announces that it has licensed second-student Bruce Feenstra to speak a word of edification in the churches. We are grateful for the brother’s progress to this point in his training. All scheduling of Mr. Feenstra must be done through the seminary, either by sending a request to the seminary secretary (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or the rector, Prof. R. Cammenga (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
• 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.
• This week is the final week of current secretary, Val Kleyn, who will be moving to Loveland, CO the end of the month. The TSC has hired Bethany Engelsma as the new fulltime secretary, and she has been training alongside Val for a few days already but will begin fulltime this week.
• This past Monday, May 6, Dr. N. Willborn, pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Oak Ridge, TN and faculty member of Greenville Presbyterian Seminary, gave two lectures at PRTS on Northern Presbyterianism, especially the old Princetonians - Archibald Alexander, Samuel Miller, Charles Hodge, James Alexander, and B. B. Warfield. The lectures are now available on the seminary's YouTube channel.
• The Spring 2024 issue of the PR Theological Journal is now out and has been mailed. 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 our calling to honor our godly Christian mothers: "I think there is something very profitable to spend an extra special day to reflect and honour a mother of Zion. Taking one day especially to thank our mothers. For a mother of Zion is a model of holiness to her children. Her children seek her not as one that lies, but a speaker of truth. An example to us of Christian moderation, a patient instructor of all good things. She quietly submits to Dad and loves him no matter how sinful dad can be. To a child, the very definition of what love is comes from the love from his mother. Despite the tempers we throw and the nonsense we do, mother is not given to uncontrolled anger, but controlled by the Spirit, measured, patient yet firm. We know that there are many things that mom enjoys to do outside the home, but she gave that all up to be with us in the home. She was ever diligent caring for the affairs of the home. She makes everything run so seamlessly and smooth, that it is too easy to take for granted all that she does. What a mother of Zion teachers her children in word and deed, the Lord graciously blesses to our souls. “The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.” Prov 31:1.
  • 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: 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. 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 will lead us in both worship services today through PRCA’s recorded video sermons, the Lord willing."

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 "Shiphrah and Puah Fear God" based on Exodus 1:1-21.
  
• 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.).

New release from the RFPA! Prof. B. Huizinga's new book Crowning His Gifts: Gracious Rewards in the Reformed Tradition is now available. 

Rewards.

For many Christians, this word is a cause for fear and suspicion. It suggests doctrines of merit and a salvation based on works, as well as other ideas at odds with the teachings of the Christian faith.

But that need not be so.

In this accessible book, Brian Huizinga offers a rare historical and theological exposition of the biblical and Reformed teaching on the oft-neglected topic of the rewards of grace for the saints—in both the present life and in the life to come. Excluding any merit, and in full harmony with his sovereign and particular grace, the Lord indeed promises to reward the good works of believers.

• 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

 "How blessed are the people that know this joyful sound, who can see God has loved them in his Son, who can feel that Christ died for them to be their everlasting peace, who are sweetly assured that the Holy Spirit has begun to show them that he will never leave them nor forsake them in life or in death. This is the joyful sound we need to know to be happy. We need but know what it is to be loved, chosen, redeemed, and sanctified from among men…then we shall bask in the smile, we shall enjoy the sunshine, of God’s countenance upon our souls….

Have you never observed, after the sun has been shining, perhaps for hours together, a diffusing mist has arisen from the earth, or a floating cloud has interposed in the sky, and shaded the grand luminary from your view? Yet, in reality, the sun still shone as before, though your sensation of its luster was suspended. Thus, in the darkest seasons of spiritual distress, God’s countenance, or favor, is still towards you for good, and shines not only with inextinguishable, but also with undiminishable intenseness” (Augustus Toplady).

~ Found in Trinity PRC's bulletin today