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

Today, July 7, is the twenty-seventh 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.

Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness. And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. ...I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands. I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah. ...Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.  ~ Psalm 143:1,2,5,6,8

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 morning Rev. J. Mahtani was installed as the second pastor in Pittsburgh PRC's history. Rev. C. Haak, his father-in-law, led the service and is also leading the evening service. We pray the Lord gives pastor Mahtani a faithful and fruitful ministry in his new congregation.
  
  
• Rev. J. Engelsma (Crete PRC, IL) is considering the call to Hope PRC-Redlands. He plans to answer next week.
  
  
• Rev. R. Barnhill (Heritage PRC) is considering the call to Lynden (WA). He plans to answer by July 21.
  
  
• The Council of Hope PRC (Walker, MI) has formed a trio of Revs. M. DeBoer, N. Decker, and J. Maatman. The congregation will vote this evening after her service. UPDATE: Rev. DeBoer has received this call.
  
  
• 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 this Tuesday, July 9. UPDATE: Rev. Decker has received this call.
  
  
• Loveland PRC's Consistory has formed a new trio from which to call a pastor: Revs. M. De Boer (Edgerton PRC, MN), Rev. J. Smidstra (1st PRC, Holland, MI), and Candidate Arend Haveman. The congregation will call on July 21.

Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs:  Prof. C. Griess and Prof. B. Huizinga in Georgetown PRC;  Prof. R. Cammenga and Rev. W. Langerak in Hope PRC-Walker; Rev. J. Laning (2nd week) in Hope PRC-Redlands; Prof. B. Huizinga and Rev. N. Decker in Hudsonville PRC; Prof. D. Kuiper in Loveland PRC; Rev. R. Barnhill (1st week) in Lynden PRC; Rev. K. Koole and Rev. D. Noorman 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:

• Southeast PRC (Wyoming, MI): "The Evangelism Committee would like to remind the congregation of the community Bible study at the Wyoming library. Our next meeting will take place on July 10 at 6:30 p.m. We encourage you to come and to invite others to join us. Flyers are available on the table in the hallway, feel free to take a few to pass out." 
• Kalamazoo PRC (MI): "Kalamazoo Protestant Reformed Church is hosting a community hymn sing on Friday, July 19, at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome to join us! More details are shared online at kalamazooprc.org/hymnsing."

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.
• As of last month, Prof. R. Cammenga is officially retired as professor of Dogmatics and Old Testament, though he will be assisting with a class yet in the next school year. He has served the PRTS for nearly twenty years (2005-2024), and we thank the Lord for his faithful and diligent labors on behalf of the churches. A special retirement dinner is being held at Southwest PRC on July 8. May the Lord continue to use him for good in the churches in the years to come.
• 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) is interning 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 runs from July 1 through December 31. Continue to pray for Mr. Van Dyke and his family during his internship.
• 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 Bethany Engelsma, the seminary secretary (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). 
•  100th Anniversary Seminary Conference: Did you know that ministers in our mother 100th Anniversary Seminary Conference: Did you know that ministers in our mother church in 1924 viewed common grace as the middle way between being liberal and fleeing the world? And that our denomination’s fathers rejected common grace as compromising the antithesis? Come to the next seminary conference to hear a fresh perspective on the doctrine that gave rise to our denomination. The theme is “By Grace I Am What I Am”: The PRCA’s Rejection of Common Grace. Mark your calendars for Thursday, October 31, through Saturday, November 2, at Grace PRC in Standale, MI. Help us praise God for His grace on the occasion of our centennial!
• 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": "Today, we come to the Table of our Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, it is the elders of the church, the officially appointed representatives of King Jesus Himself, who have called you to come partake of the Lord’s Supper. But really, it is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself who bids you come, take and eat. Although it is the elders who pass and hand personally to you the bread and wine, the spiritual reality is Christ Himself that personally hands you the bread and wine. He does so to assure you for His love and salvation of you. What a joy, a privilege and a comfort to partake of this sacrament instituted by our Lord."
    
  • 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: Elders Umali and Espiritu led her worship services today.  And, "Our pastor and family are visiting with the saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship in Gabaldon Nueva Ecija today. Rev. Ibe will lead them in their worship service at 9 AM and Bible study at 10:45 AM, the Lord willing. We pray for God’s continued care and blessings upon them as they hear the Word of God."
  • Provident PRC bulletin: Rev. W. Bruinsma led her worship services today. Let's remember this vacant congregation and her needs in our prayers. "Rev. and Mrs. Bruinsma are scheduled to go back to the United States tomorrow morning, the Lord willing. We are greatly thankful to the LORD for having them in our midst and for being blessed by God in bringing His Word to us through Rev. Bruinsma. We bid them farewell and God’s blessings. We pray also for God’s traveling mercies throughout their flight back to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania."

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 - July 2024 -  the RWH is broadcasting four gospel messages by Rev. W. Bruinsma, as he concludes his series on women in the Bible. Today's message is titled "Jedidah and the Elect Remnant" based on 2 Kings 22:1,2.
  
• 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, order copies of our bestselling children's Bible curricula, Suffer Little Children, by Gertrude Hoeksema. Textbooks are on sale for $10 each, and workbooks are $5 each!* If you've been waiting to order your children's Bible curricula for next school year, now is the time!

Order 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

 "We believe that there is a legitimate place for entertainment in the life of the child of God. The Christian may relax, go on a vacation from time to time, have some fun, and enjoy the good gifts that God has bestowed upon him and his family. Paul writes to Timothy, 'Every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer' (I Tim. 4:4-5). That passage is important for the understanding of our subject, for it warns against legalism and a too strict view of the Christian life, and it tells us that we can use all things that God has made, keeping two things in mind: first, the Word of God instructs us how to use God's creatures and gifts, and secondly, by prayer in respect to this use, His gifts are sanctified unto us. Then we use this world, and not abuse it.

"Another passage that comes to mind in respect to our use of God's gifts is I Corinthians 10:31: 'Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.' This means, of course, that entertainment is not an end in itself. Entertainment may not be divorced from our calling as Christians to serve and glorify God at all times. Entertainment may not, and cannot, stand on its own feet as something good in itself. It is only a means, a means to a higher end and purpose. Recreation and exercise as a means unto better health? Fine. Vacations and sports as a means of relaxation in order to serve God the better? Fine. But as soon as entertainment goes beyond that, as soon as it becomes an end in itself, as soon as our sports and our hobbies consume us, then we abuse God's good gifts and our lives are not lives of balance and moderation but rather of excess and imbalance."

Taken from The Christian and Entertainment by Rev. D. H. Kuiper, one of this month's featured resources