PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for August 18, 2024

Today, August 18, is the thirty-third 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. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. ~ Psalm 149:1-4

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 Sunday Rev. N. Decker (Grandville PRC) declined the call from Zion PRC (Jenison, MI).
  
  
• Today Rev. D. Noorman (Southwest PRC-Wyoming, MI) accepted the call from Georgetown (MI) PRC.  
  
  
• Rev. G. Eriks (Unity PRC) is considering the call from Hope PRC-Redlands, CA. He plans to answer this call by August 25.
  
  
• Rev. M. DeBoer is considering the call from Hudsonville (MI) PRC. He plans to answer by August 25.
  
  
• Cand. A. Haveman is considering the call to Loveland PRC (received July 21). He plans to answer this call by Sept.1.

Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Prof. C. Griess and Rev. J. Slopsema in Georgetown PRC;  Prof. D. Kuiper and Rev. J. Laning in Hope PRC-Walker; Prof. B. Gritters (1st week) in Hope PRC-Redlands; Rev. J. Slopsema and Rev. C. Haak in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. R. Barnhill (1st week) in Loveland PRC; Rev. W. Langerak (1st week) in Lynden PRC; Sem. B. Feenstra and Rev. J. Holstege 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:

• Loveland PRC: "Our delegation of Rev. D. Kleyn, Stephan Boonstra and Matthew Miersma leave for Malawi this week Tuesday and return on Wednesday, August 28th. The congregation is asked to remember them in our prayers that the Lord grant them traveling mercies. Also, that He will bless the labors with these new contacts in this far away land for His glory and for the good of His people."
• Heritage PRC Evangelism Committee: "The Heritage PRC Evangelism Committee will be hosting a lecture on August 30, at 7:00 p.m., at Heritage PRC. Rev. Daniel Kleyn will speak on “Evangelism: Lessons From Mission Work.” Refreshments will follow. The event will be livestreamed on the Heritage PRC YouTube channel. All are welcome to attend!"

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

• The Foreign Mission Committee (FMC) will be going on a joint delegation with Loveland PRC to visit contacts in Malawi (Southeast Africa) from August 20-27. Rev. D. Kleyn will represent the FMC on this delegation, and Matthew Miersma and Stephen Boonstra will represent Loveland PRC. The work will include making visits to groups/fellowships during the week, as well as Rev. Kleyn preaching and giving speeches. All of this, the Lord willing. The churches are asked to pray that God would add fruit to the work done on this trip.
  
  
• The Domestic Mission Committee plans to hire a fulltime website manager for the new PRCA website. The new website is being designed to improve our worldwide evangelism and to improve usability for all PRCA members and churches. Initially the work will be to maintain the current site and assist with the development of the new website. Besides day to day maintenance, the web manager’s future role will be to promote and feature a wide range of PRCA materials. Interested candidates should contact Mike Gritters (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) to learn more about this new position.

• 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 in the final week of its summer break, with faculty, students, and staff busy with preparing for a new semester, which will begin, D.V., the week of 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.
• Seminary classes will begin for the first semester on Tuesday, August 27, D.V. The seminary faculty invite interested persons to audit five classes this semester. Prof. Huizinga’s class of Dogmatics – Christology, a study of the person and work of Christ. Prof. Cammenga’s class of NT History – From the intertestamental period through the life of Christ, up to the passion week. Prof. Kuiper’s class of Hermeneutics – a study of the principles and method of biblical interpretation. Prof. Kuiper’s class of Ancient Church History – a study of the church’s history and doctrinal development from AD 100-590. Prof. Griess’s class of Catechetics is open to past and current elders. Please contact the secretary, Bethany Engelsma, at 616-531-1490 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you are interested in attending one of these classes and she can provide you with more information. The class schedule is posted on the PRC Seminary website.
• Sem. Bruce Feenstra (entering junior year) has been licensed to to speak a word of edification in the churches. 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. Today he is leading both services while Rev. Holstege is in Michigan yet.
• SPECIAL 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. Look for notices and links for the livestream soon.
• 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.). 
• 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 led services today. Pastor Wee had some good thoughts on prayer in the "pastoral voice" section of today's bulletin: "When we are struggling with worries and trapped by the snare of anxieties, we must remember that our prayer to God, as Philippians 4:6 commands us, must be made in sincerity, in purity of heart, to God. We may not pray thinking to ourselves that we are actually quite capable on our own. "I can't depend on God fully and entirely; after all, that is irresponsible," such thoughts reflect an insincere petition to God for help. Rather, genuine asking of God comes only when we acknowledge that we are completely impotent and that all of our planning, thinking, calculating, analyzing, and pondering are useless to save ourselves. We tell God that we actually have no clue what to do and that only He alone can save us and help us. That we are going to rely on Him completely and entirely."
    
  • 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 bring the Word of truth faithfully in the CPRC, Ballymena, N. Ireland - and beyond! "We welcome Rev. & Nancy Hanko again and all visitors to our worship services. Rev. Hanko will be preaching for us today."
  • 2024 BRF Family Conference was held at Cloverley Hall Conference Centre in Shropshire, England, from Saturday, August 3, to Saturday, August 10, with visitors from multiple countries. Prof. Brian Huizinga and Rev. Ron Hanko lectured on “Then Comes the End: The Reformed Doctrine of Eschatology." Look for the speeches on CPRC's YouTube channel (see note below).
  • 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 Espirut led her worship services today.  And, "The saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship in Gabaldon Nueva Ecija will join us in our worship services this morning—what a joy to worship God’s name in unity and the bond of peace. We pray for God’s continued care and blessings upon them as they hear the Word of God."
  • In PRCP mission work, "Rev. Ibe and Deacon John Noel Longalong are scheduled to visit the pastors and saints in Bacolod and Sipalay City on August 19-20, the Lord willing. Rev. Ibe will lead them in a lecture on Reformed Church Government [Church Order of Dordt 1618-19, Art. 78-80] and Reformed Dogmatics [Soteriology]. We pray for God’s continued spiritual strength and growth for the churches in these areas as they learn and receive the Reformed truth of God’s sovereign particular grace in Christ Jesus and for His sake only. Soli Deo Gloria!"
  • Provident PRC bulletin: Rev. V. Ibe 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 "Nation Against Nation" based on Matthew 24:6,7.
  
  
• 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.).

AUGUST SALE at the RFPA! To celebrate our most recent release, this month's book sale is 50% off Reformed Dogmatics Vol. 1 and 2 by Herman Hoeksema. 

• 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? The Door of the Sheep

“Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep… I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture” ~ John 10: 7, 9

"In contrast to these false shepherds is Jesus Christ. He is the door of the sheep. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who enters the sheepfold by the door. He loves the sheep and seeks their good. Jesus is himself the door that opens into the sheepfold of the church. He is the door that opens to salvation and life. Only when we enter through him are we saved. Jesus is the only way of salvation. Jesus is the only door. And he is the door of the sheep, not the goats.

Why is this? Why is he the only way of salvation? He is the only door because he is God in our flesh. That he is God is revealed in the “I AM” statement. It is God alone who serves as the only access to salvation. We ourselves, our works, and our will cannot be the door. We of ourselves are dead in sin and only continue to increase our debt. The name Jesus means “Jehovah saves”.

He is the only door because he alone is God in our flesh. He is God become man to save us people. He is God come down to bring God and us together by his death on the cross. He took away our sins and brought God perfect obedience. In this way only is there salvation. He saves his sheep by causing them to enter into the only door of the sheepfold.

Jesus is our salvation! Jesus says in verse 9, “By me if any man enter in, he shall be saved.” Jesus is the door that saves! He alone causes sinners to enter into the gate of the sheepfold and find salvation. Sheep are wayward animals that need a good shepherd to lead and care for them. Sinners do not by nature belong to the sheepfold. They enter the door because they by nature are outside of salvation and the kingdom of God. They are without safety and security. They are exposed to every kind of spiritual danger.

That Jesus is the door means that he sees that his people are brought to salvation. He feeds them and leads them to streams of living water. What a complete Savior Jesus is! Do you know him? Do you know your need of Jesus to bring you into the kingdom and salvation?"

~ Taken from the series "Who Is Jesus?" (based on the "I ams" of Jesus found in the Gospel according to John) by Rev. A. Spriensma