PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for June 30, 2024

Today, June 30, is the twenty-sixth Lord's Day of this year of our Lord 2024, and another rest stop on our pilgrim journey through this world. "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

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.

I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living. Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me. ~ Psalm 142:5-7

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 evening Rev. J. Mahtani preached his farewell sermon in Hope PRC (Walker, MI). A farewell program is planned at the church and then fellowship at Hope PRCS afterward. He and his family move to Pittsburgh this week, where he plans to be installed as pastor of Pittsburgh PRC next Sunday, July 7. 
  
  
• Last week Hope PRC-Redlands extended a call to Rev. J. Engelsma (Crete PRC).
  
  
• Last Sunday Lynden (WA) PRC voted to call Rev. R. Barnhill (Heritage PRC).
  
  
• The Council of Hope PRC (Walker, MI) has formed a trio of Revs. M. DeBoer, N. Decker, and J. Maatman. A congregational meeting to vote from this trio is scheduled for July 7 after the evening service.
  
  
• The Council of Zion PRC (Jenison, MI) has announced a new trio of Revs. N. Decker, J. Smidstra, and C. Spronk. The congregational meeting is scheduled for July 9.

Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs:  Prof. C. Griess and Cand. A. Haveman in Georgetown PRC;  Rev. J. Laning (1st week) in Hope PRC-Redlands; Prof. R. Cammenga and Rev. J. Holstege in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. K. Koole in Loveland PRC; Rev. E. Guichelaar in Lynden PRC; Rev. J. Smidstra in Pittsburgh PRC; Prof. B. Gritters and Sem. B. Feenstra in Zion 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 Candidate Arend Haveman (see note below)

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

• The Synod of the PRC concluded its work on June 20 at Trinity PRC at Hudsonville, MI. Daily reports may be found on these pages. May the Lord be pleased to add His blessing to the decisions reached.
  
  
• After approving the examination of Arend Haveman, the 2024 PRC Synod has declared the brother a candidate for the ministry of the Word and sacraments in the PRC, eligible for a call on or after July 13. We give thanks to the Lord for providing another laborer in His vineyard.

• 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 now completed its second semester and entered its summer break. Faculty, students, and staff will be busy with normal and special duties during these months, all in preparation for a new semester, which will begin, D.V., on August 26. Continue to pray for faculty, students, and staff as we labor during these next months.
• Senior seminarian Arend Havemen successfully sustained his examination before the PRC Synod earlier this month and is now a candidate for the ministry of the Word and sacraments in the PRC and her sister churches. His graduation took place on June 13 in Trinity PRC. We congratulate the brother and thank the Lord for his gifts and this gift to the churches of a new candidate.
• 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.).
• Sem. Aaron Van Dyke (entering his senior year) will intern this summer and fall in our Wingham, Ontario congregation, under the supervision of Wingham’s Consistory and the mentoring of Rev. Daniel Holstege. The internship begins July 1 and extends through December 31. Continue to pray for Mr. Van Dyke and his family during his internship.
• 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 or visit the seminary bookstore.
• The Spring 2024 issue of the PR Theological Journal is now available. 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 the 1924 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.
• 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. Both pastors preached today. This special note is found in this week's "pastoral note": "Even as we see the day approaching, the day of Christ’s return, as we see wickedness abounding in these last days, as we know that there will come a time when God’s people will be forbidden from worship, forbidden even to buy and sell, we do not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. Rather, we cherish every opportunity that we have to worship together with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, as many times as the Lord gives us strength to, each Lord’s Day."
    
  • A new issue of Salt Shakers is available - May 2024, #72, the second of this year!  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 - and beyond!
    
  • 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 the latest 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. W. Bruinsma led us her worship services today."We welcome Rev. and Mrs. Mary Bruinsma in our midst today. We’re glad they can join us in our worship of God’s name and enjoy the fellowship and friendship we have in Christ Jesus." And, "The saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship in Gabaldon Nueva Ecija will join us in our worship services today, via livestreamed on our official Facebook page."
  • Provident PRC bulletin: Rev. V. Ibe led her worship services today. Let's remember this vacant congregation and her needs in our prayers.

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 - June 2024 -  the RWH is broadcasting five gospel messages by Rev. W. Bruinsma, continuing his series on women in the Bible. Today's message is titled "Elizabeth's Inspired Revelation" based on Luke 1:39-45.
  
• 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 for an edifying devotional on the Psalms? Read this new RFPA title to be instructed and inspired!

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, finding moments for peace and reflection can be a challenge. Yet, within the psalms, we discover a treasure trove of heartfelt prayers, honest expressions of emotion, and profound insights into the experience of every believer—that is, of a pilgrim and stranger in this world.

Through daily readings, thoughtful meditations, and heartfelt singing, you'll find in this book the comfort and guidance you need as you weave your pilgrim way through the sacred songbook.

Whether you're seeking solace in times of trouble, longing for a deeper connection with God, or simply craving a moment of stillness in your day, this devotional will nourish and strengthen you with the riches of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. May you, in the reading of this devotional, come to see yourself as a child of God on your pilgrimage to God’s house, singing praises all the way.

• 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

 "As Reformed believers, we confess that civil government has been ordained by God. Whatever particular government exists in a country has been ordained by God, whether that government be a democracy, whether it be communism, or whether it be a dictatorship or a monarchy. We who live in the United States have heard too long that government is “of the people.” We must not fall for this idea. Government is not “of the people.” Government is of God! We read in Romans 13:1: “There is no power but of God; the powers that be are ordained of God.” Government is ordained of God. This truth is very important for our view of our government and our country.

"A second element in the Reformed view is that the state, with all of its officers, is the servant of God. Three times Romans 13 says of those in government that they are ministers or servants of God. What an honorable title! Those who are cynics with regard to leaders in government must listen to what God calls government officials: “My servants (ministers).” If only our officials saw themselves as God’s servants! Whether they are politicians or judges, or whether they sit on juries, they ought not to be swayed by public opinion, but search the will of God, as His ministers.

"The state serves God. Calvin writes in his Institutes: 'God has two great servants in the world: the church who serves Him freely by His grace, and the state which serves God in His providence. The one is spiritual whereby the conscience is instructed in piety and in reverencing God; the other is political whereby man is educated for the duties of humanity and civil life that must be maintained among men.' God’s government is twofold — the one ruling the inner man, the other ruling the outward behavior of man. The principle here is that Christ rules; He is Lord over all of life. He exercises both a spiritual and temporal jurisdiction, a twofold government: the church and civil authorities. Both of them are the arms of Christ Jesus. The truth of God and of Christ will be upheld and regulated by these two kinds of governments. They are two servants that print the Lordship of Jesus Christ over a person’s life. They are not incompatible, not at variance, and not antithetical. They complement each other."

Taken from For God and Country: The Reformed View of Patriotism by Rev. A. Spriensma