PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for August 4, 2024

Today, August 4, is the thirty-first 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.

Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely. The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel. He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names. Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite. ~ Psalm 147:1-5

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 

• Today Rev. M. DeBoer (Edgerton PRC-MN) declined the call from Hope PRC (Walker, MI).
  
  
• Last Sunday Rev. D. Noorman (Southwest PRC-Wyoming, MI) received the call from Georgetown (MI) PRC.  He plans to answer by August 18.
  
  
• Last Sunday Rev. G. Eriks (Unity PRC) received the call from Hope PRC-Redlands, CA.
  
  
• Last Sunday Rev. M. DeBoer received the call from Hudsonville (MI) PRC. 
  
  
• Cand. A. Haveman is considering the call to Loveland PRC (received July 21). He has up to six weeks to consider this call and any others he may receive.
  
  
• Rev. N. Decker (Grandville PRC) is considering the call to Zion PRC (Jenison, MI - received July 9). He plans to answer by August 11.

Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Rev. C. Haak and Prof. B. Gritters in Georgetown PRC;  Prof. D. Kuiper and Rev. C. Haak in Hope PRC-Walker; Rev. K. Koole (1st week) in Hope PRC-Redlands; Sem. B. Feenstra and Rev. G. Eriks in Hudsonville PRC; Cand. A. Haveman in Loveland PRC; Rev. R. Smit (1st week) in Lynden PRC; Prof. B. Gritters and Prof. C. Griess 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:

• First PRC-Grand Rapids, MI: "Our summer Community Bible Study will meet this Wednesday, August 7, at 7:00 PM [at the church] to discuss Jesus' Second Coming."
• Loveland PRC (CO): "Malawi Delegation: Our church’s Evangelism Committee with the PRC Foreign Mission Committee are sending a delegation to Malawi in August. Rev. Daniel Kleyn with Stephan Boonstra and Matthew Miersma will be leaving August 20th and returning August 28th. There are many meetings and gatherings planned during their stay in Malawi. We pray that the Lord may bless this visit with these saints. And also, that we may grow in our knowledge of one another as we grow in our knowledge of Him."

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

• The PRC Young People's Convention takes place this week at Camp Cedarmore in Bagdad, Kentucky. Sponsored by Cornerstone and Peace PRCs, the convention's theme is “Sons and Daughters of the Light” from 1 Thess.5:5. May the Lord grant safety in travels and a blessed week of Christian fellowship and spiritual growth for the young people and chaperones. The annual Pre-Convention Singspiration will be held at Fellowship Reformed Church in Hudsonville MI TONIGHT at 7:45 pm.
  
  
• 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 is on its summer break. Faculty, students, and staff are 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 months. The first semester's schedule and calendar (2024-25) have been posted on this webpage.
• Prof. B. Huizinga is participating in the British Reformed Fellowship Conference again this year (with Rev. R. Hanko), which runs from August 3 through August 10.
• Sem. Bruce Feenstra (entering junior year) has been licensed to 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. D. Kuiper (doug.kuiperThis 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 currently 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.). 
• ADVANCE NOTICE: The annual Seminary Convocation will be hosted by Byron Center PRC on Wednesday, September 4, at 7:00 p.m. Professor C. Griess will be speaking on Colossians 2:8-10, "The Spoiled Pastor." All are invited and encouraged to attend.
• 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!
  
  

Cloverley Hall Christian Conference Centre in England, location of this week's British Reformed Fellowship Conference (see below under Covenant PRC-N. Ireland

SISTER-CHURCH/MISSION NEWS:

• Covenant ERC, Singapore and her Kolkata, India mission work:
  • Pastors J. Tan and M. Wee are faithfully serving the CERC. Rev. Tan led both services today. This week's bulletin contains a note about an application of the 9th commandment: "So let us not be quick to gloss over this important principle of judging fairly, but take some time to examine ourselves, whether we have unthinkingly violated the 9th commandment, by judging rashly or unheard: making a judgement (whether definitive or even tentative) without hearing both sides of the story, firsthand."
    
  • The latest 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! Today the congregation and visitors for the BRF conference are worshiping at the conference center (see next note).
    
  • 2024 BRF Family Conference continues this week through Saturday!  Reformed believers from around the world are gathered for the 2024 BRF family conference at Cloverley Hall Conference Centre in Shropshire, England, from Saturday, August 3, to Saturday, August 10. Speakers Prof. Brian Huizinga and Rev. Ron Hanko will lecture on “Then Comes the End: The Reformed Doctrine of Eschatology. Note: "We plan to livestream the videos of the BRF conference speeches to the BRF Facebook page (www.facebook.com/britishreformedfellowship) and elsewhere, but we are unsure how good the internet connection will be."
  • The July 2024 issue of "Covenant Reformed News" is the latest available. Read the articles by Rev. A. Stewart on "Nehemiah's Secret Night Ride" and Rev. R. Hanko's response to a question about "The Civil and Ceremonial Laws" of the Old Testament.
    
  • 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 worship services today.  And, "Rev. Ibe and family are scheduled to visit the saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship in Gabaldon Nueva Ecija. Our pastor 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: The officebearers 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 - August 2024 - the RWH is broadcasting four gospel messages by Rev. W. Bruinsma on the subject of Christ's return and its signs. Today's message is titled “Watching for Christ’s Return” based on 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6.
  
  
• 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.).

From the RFPA: New Release! A Cloud of Witnesses: Selected Sermons on the Epistle to the Hebrews by Herman Hoeksema is now available. RFPA Agents will place these books in the church mailboxes of all Book Club, Level Automatic members, and preorders soon. If you would like to purchase these books or other recent releases, visit rfpa.org or contact the RFPA at (616) 457-5970 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

• 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

 WHO IS JESUS? JESUS IS THE BREAD OF LIFE

In John 6:32, Jesus speaks of himself as the “true bread from heaven.” Jesus, of course, does not mean that he is literally a piece of bread. Jesus uses the figure of bread identifying himself as the only spiritual food of a person’s soul. He alone is able to nourish one with forgiveness, friendship with God, and eternal life. Jesus is bread. Not just any bread or another bread, but the bread of life. “True” speaks of real, genuine, and satisfying. “From heaven” speaks the spiritual character. Compared and contrasted are two kinds of bread: physical bread and spiritual bread. How is Jesus like bread?

First, bread is a necessary food. Many things that we might eat are luxuries, like steak or jam. You can live without the luxuries, but bread is essential. We depend upon bread. God made us that way. It is the way by which our life is supported here on earth. Without bread, we die. So Jesus is the necessary food for sinners. He is the soul’s basic and only need. He is the living bread. He is able to not only give us eternal life but also to sustain it, nourish it and make it grow. We must have Jesus or we perish. Do you see your need for Jesus?

Secondly, bread is a daily food. There are foods like turkey or pumpkin pie that we eat at Thanksgiving. But we do not eat them every day. But bread is needed daily. This is what God taught with the manna in the wilderness. Jesus taught us in the Lord’s Prayer to ask God for our daily bread. So spiritually, we must have Jesus daily, or we grow weak and wither. We do not just believe on Jesus once, and then neglect him. In Jesus, we have our daily supply of grace that is in him, or we perish. Jesus is our constant, on-going need.

Thirdly, bread is a satisfying food. It takes care of our bodily needs, and we are left nourished and strong. Jesus as our bread of life satisfies our souls spiritually. He supplies grace that saves from sin, gives us peace, strength to fight against sin, and finally fills us with the hope of eternal life.

~ Taken from the series Who Is Jesus?" by Rev. A. Spriensma