PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for August 25, 2024

Today, August 25, is the thirty-fourth 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 God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. ~ Psalm 150

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. G. Eriks (Unity PRC) declined the call to Hope PRC-Redlands, CA. 
  
  
• Last Sunday Rev. D. Noorman (Southwest PRC-Wyoming, MI) accepted the call from Georgetown (MI) PRC. According to Southwest's bulletin, his farewell there will be Sept.8. And according to Georgetown's bulletin today, he plans to be installed there on Sept.22. May the Lord provide for Rev Noorman and his family as well as for both congregations during this time of transition.
  
  
• Rev. M. DeBoer is considering the call from Hudsonville (MI) PRC. He now plans to answer by Sept.1.
  
  
• Cand. A. Haveman is considering the call to Loveland PRC (received July 21). He plans to answer this call by Sept.1.
  
  
• Hope PRC's Council (Walker, MI) announces a new trio of Revs. N. Decker (Grandville PRC), J. Maatman (Southeast PRC), and J. Smidstra (First PRC-Holland). The congregational meeting to vote from this trio will be held on Sept.8, D.V.

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

• 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!"
• Southeast PRC-Wyoming, MI: "The evangelism committee would like to remind the congregation of the community Bible study at the Wyoming library. Our next and last meeting will take place on August 28 at 6:30pm. We encourage you to come and to invite others to join us."

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 begins its 2024-25 school year this week. We covet your prayers as faculty, students, and staff busy themselves again in the normal semester labors and activities. 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.
• 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.
• There are two students granted permission by the 2024 PRC Synod to enter the seminary this Fall: Joe Ophoff (Byron Center PRC, previously enrolled in the new Special Student Entrance Program) and Joseph Dick (Sovereign Grace URC), who also took his pre-seminary Greek at PRTS. Continuing students are Aaron van Dyke (senior), Bruce Feenstra (junior), and Isaac Van Baren (sophomore).
• Sem. Bruce Feenstra 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 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.
• 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. Pastor Wee led both services today and also had some profitable thoughts on the work of members and elders in church discipline in the "pastoral voice" section of today's bulletin: "Beloved saints, I pray that we will grow in abiding by the 9th commandment, judging fairly, not rashly or unheard, and also seeking to defend and promote each other’s reputation, as much as possible. I pray also that we may be able to grow in our considered (not blind) trust of our office-bearers. God will be pleased to bless our congregation with peace and unity, as we grow in this grace also (2 Thess. 5:12-13)."
    
  • 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! 
  • 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: Rev. V. Ibe 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 via Livestream on our Facebook page. 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’s visit with the pastors and saints in Bacolod and Sipalay City on August 19-20, went very well by the grace of God. Rev. Ibe led 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!"
    
  • PRCP Classis Meeting this week: "Classis meeting of the congregations of the PRCP is scheduled for Monday [August 26, 2024] at 9 AM at the Provident PRC church building."
  • 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 "Lawlessness in Society" based on Matthew 24:12,13.
  
  
• 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 from the Covenant PRC Bookstore or your local PRC! "Union with our Lord Jesus Christ, the subject of this book, is a profound and beautiful biblical truth that exalts the Triune God and comforts believers. This book consists of the speeches and sermons at the 16th British Reformed Fellowship (BRF) Family Conference held in Castlewellan Castle, County Down, Northern Ireland on “Union With Christ” (9-16 July, 2022). Though all the addresses have been reworked somewhat for publication in written form, one of them has been extensively developed: “Christ Is Made Ours:” Calvin’s Doctrine of Union."

• 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 Good Shepherd

““I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” John 10: 11

"Two main parts of Jesus’ care are brought out in John 10:11-18. First of all, Jesus knows his sheep. Second, Jesus lays down his life for his sheep.

First, Jesus knows his sheep. Jesus speaks of this in vs. 14, “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.” This is different from a person who is merely hired for a short time to take care of animals. I grew up on a farm. When my father had to go back to the Netherlands at the passing of his mother, he hired a man to take care of our cows. This hired man did not know the cows by name. He did not know the nature and characteristics of each animal. The hired man did not know the individual needs of each animal. When my father returned home after two weeks, there were several of the cows that were very sick or diseased.

The religious leaders of Jesus’ day did not know, love, or care for the sheep of Israel. They were as sheep without a shepherd. In contrast, Jesus, the good shepherd knows his sheep. God’s people are Jesus’ very own sheep. They belong to him. He knows them personally. He loves them. Jesus compares his knowledge of his sheep with his Father’s knowledge of him and his knowledge of his Father.

How wonderful this is. Jesus knows everything about you, child of God. He knows our specific names and individual needs, trials, afflictions, sorrows, and temptations. We are like sheep: weak, sinful, wayward, helpless, and defenseless. .Jesus leads us to the green pastures of his Word. Jesus knows what sheep are not yet gathered. It is by his Word, the Gospel that Jesus calls, feeds, and saves his sheep.

Second, the gracious care of Jesus for his sheep is revealed especially in that he lays down his life for his sheep. We read this three times in John 10:11-18. “The good shepherd giveth his life for his sheep (vs. 11).” “I lay down my life…No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself… (vs. 17, 18).”

What does this mean? All of his life, Jesus gave his life for his sheep. But, Jesus is especially referring to his death on the cross. Jesus’ sheep are sinful, and the punishment of sin is death (Rom. 6:23). The guilt of sin brings death and hell. As sheep, we are weak and helpless to save ourselves. Jesus gave his own life for us. He took our place, bore our sin and guilt, died our death, and suffered our hell. He did this by becoming the sacrificial lamb on the cross.

A hired man would run away if he saw his and the sheep’s life threatened. Jesus voluntarily and deliberately put himself in our place. He laid down his life for his sheep. Why would Jesus do that? It was his Father’s will. It was his great love for his sheep. Jesus gave himself for his sheep. That death was powerful, saving each and every one of the sheep that the Father gave him to save."

~ 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