PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for October 13, 2024

Today, October 13, is the forty-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.

Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.  ~ Daniel 3:14-18

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 

• Pastor-elect A. Haveman (Loveland PRC-CO) was ordained and installed as the tenth pastor in Loveland PRC's history this morning by Rev. G. Eriks. May the Lord by His Spirit and grace enable him to fulfill his ministry faithfully and, with God's blessing, fruitfully in that congregation. "Welcome Program: The council will host a welcome program for Pastor-elect Arend Haveman immediately after the evening service. Refreshments will be served in the church basement afterward."
  
  
• Today Rev. A. Brummel (Calvary PRC-Hull, IA) declined the calls from Lynden PRC (WA) and Hope PRC-Redlands, CA. 
  
  
• Today Rev. N. Decker (Grandville PRC) accepted the call from Hope PRC-Grand Rapids, MI and declined the call from Southwest PRC (Wyoming, MI). 
  
  
• Today Rev. C. Spronk (Faith PRC) declined the call from Zion PRC (Jenison, MI). 
  
  
• The Council of Hudsonville PRC has formed a new trio from which to call her next pastor: Revs. A. Brummel, G. Eriks, and D. Holstege. The congregation will vote after the evening service on October 27.

Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Prof. D. Kuiper and Rev. W. Langerak in Hope PRC-Walker; Elder led in Hope PRC-Redlands; Prof. B. Huizinga and Rev. C. Spronk in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. G. Eriks (2nd week) in Loveland PRC; Rev. S. Key (2nd week) in Lynden PRC; Prof. R. Cammenga and Rev. D. Lee in Southwest PRC; Prof. B. Gritters and Rev. D. 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:

• Our Canadian congregations (Hosanna PRC-Edmonton, AB, Immanuel-Lacombe, AB, and Wingham PRC, ON) will hold their annual Thanksgiving Day service tomorrow morning, Oct.14.
• First PRC-Grand Rapids, MI: "Community Bible Study meets this Wednesday, October 16, at 7:00 p.m. [at the church]. We'll discuss Faith and the Creation of the Universe, from Hebrews 1:3 and Genesis 1."
• Hudsonville PRC: "The deacons at Hudsonville PRC are planning a conference for Saturday morning, November 23 at 8:30 AM. Former deacons Caleb Kamps and Bryant VanOverloop will each give a short speech followed by breakout sessions. Potential, current, and former deacons are encouraged to attend! We would like a good turnout with various levels of experience. Please register for this event at https://bit.ly/deacon24
• Peace PRC-Dyer, IN: "Rev. J. Marcus and Rev. A. Brummel will be traveling to the city of Axtla in Mexico from October 21-28 to give speeches on the covenant to a church group there."

Registration for the PRC 100th Celebration is now open! (see note below)

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

• Sister-church visits: From the Contact Committee: "This past Wednesday, Prof. and Mrs. Dykstra and Mr. and Mrs. Mike Elzinga (Byron Center PRC) left for a four-week trip to our sister churches in the Philippines and Singapore. May God grant His blessing on the work, safety in travel, and return the delegation in His good time according to His will."
  
  
• Home mission news: "Zion’s Council and the DMC have decided to send our domestic missionary, Rev. Laning, to the Dallas/ Fort Worth area for six months, and to have his wife, Margaret, accompany him. They are scheduled to arrive there on October 19. For some time, Rev. Laning has been conducting weekly Zoom Bible studies with people in Texas, and has made a number of trips there. The plan is to have Rev. Laning continue to labor among those whom they have already come to know, while also witnessing to others in that area. Seeing as the preaching of the gospel is the chief means the Spirit uses to gather His people, it will be good to spend some time there meeting for worship and having Bible studies, in order, Lord willing, to gather a group together. We thank the Lord for opening this door, and pray that He may guide us in this work to the glory of His name. “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). If you happen to know of anyone in that area who may be interested, please contact our domestic missionary at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.."
  
  
• Classis East met September 18-19 and again this past Tuesday, Oct.1, at Georgetown PRC. For a report on the meetings and decisions made last week, visit this page. 
  
  
• Classis West: Classis West met Wednesday, Sept.25, in Hull, Iowa. For a report on this meeting visit this page on the PRC website.
  
  
• Note the addition of a part-time option! The Domestic Mission Committee plans to hire a full-time or part-time 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: NEW!! Online Registration is now open. 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 to participate in this commemorative week. To attend visit https://prca100.org/register for registration instructions and the web link.
  
  

Enjoying another Friday lunch outside while they can this fall

PRC Seminary Notices:

• The PR Theological Seminary has now completed seven weeks of this first semester of its 2024-25 school year. We praise the Lord for His goodness through the first half of the semester. Students are taking midterms in some of their classes. Remember to pray for faculty, students, and staff as they continue in the semester's labors and activities. The first semester's schedule and calendar (2024-25) have been posted on this webpage.
• This week Joe Ophoff (1st year) will lead the daily devotions, while Rev. D. Lee (Kalamazoo PRC) returns to lead the chapel on Wednesday.
• The annual Seminary Convocation was held in Byron Center PRC on September 4. Prof. C. Griess spoke on Colossians 2:8-10, "The Spoiled Pastor." Look for the video of the evening on the Seminary's YouTube channel soon. The audio of the speech may be heard here.
• Sem. Bruce Feenstra (junior) 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 (senior) 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 the afternoon service and tomorow the Thanksgiving Day service.
• 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!
• The Spring 2024 issue of the PR Theological Journal is currently available. The digital editions (pdf and epub) are 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. The Fall 2024 issue is currently being worked on. 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.). 
• 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, and this edifying note from Pastor Wee was also in her bulletin today: "And this beauty [of holiness] we enjoy spiritually, in the reality of worship: worship of Jehovah God in spirit and in truth, worship made possible only because of God’s beautiful work of grace, translating us who by nature are spiritually filthy and corrupt into those who are spiritually beautiful, reflecting more and more the beauty of our Elder Brother to whose image we are conformed. In worship we experience that beautiful spiritual reality of communion with God, God dwelling with man."
    
  • A new issue of Salt Shakers is available - August2024, #73, the third 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 gospel of sovereign grace faithfully in the CPRC, Ballymena, N. Ireland - and beyond! These news items were in her bulletin last week: "Rev. & Mary Stewart will be away from 9-25 October for a tour with 30 saints from the PRC in Greece and Turkey to places on Paul’s missionary journeys and the seven churches of Revelation 2-3." And, "Rev. & Mary Bruinsma from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, arrive on Thursday, 10 October, and return to the US on Monday, 28 October. Pastor Bruinsma will preach for us on 13, 20 and 27 October."
  • The September 2024 issue of "Covenant Reformed News" was recently published. Read the articles by Rev. A. Stewart on the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls (Nehemiah) and part three of Rev. R. Hanko's response to questions about "The Civil and Ceremonial Laws" of the Old Testament.
    
  • The CPRC YouTube channel with all its edifying content 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 are set to join us in our worship services today. We pray for God’s continued care and blessings upon them as they hear the Word of God." And, "Prof. Dykstra is scheduled for pulpit supply at Provident and Berean PRC and will lecture on “The Absolute Sovereignty of God” at Berean PRC on October 13 at 2 p.m."
    
  • Special news: "Rev. and Sis. Melody Ibe is scheduled to visit with the pastors and saints in Bacolod and Sipalay City on October 16-18. Prof. and Sis. Carol Dykstra, Elder Michael, and Ruth Elzinga [Byron Center PRC, MI.] will join them. Prof. Dykstra will lecture on “The Absolute Sovereignty of God” at Bata Community Christian Church on October 18, 2024, at 10 A.M. the Lord willing. 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: Prof. R. Dykstra led both worship services today. "A warm welcome to Prof. Russell Dykstra and his wife Sis. Carol together with Elder Michael and Ruth Elzinga (Byron Center PRC, MI) who arrived safely from the U.S last Friday, October 11. Our congregation praises the LORD and is grateful for having them back in the Philippines and that Prof. Dykstra responded to our request for pulpit supply from PRCA through the contact committee."

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 - October2024 - the RWH continues broadcasting four gospel messages by Rev. W. Bruinsma on the subject of Christ's return and its signs. Today's message is titled "Gathered unto Armageddon" based on Revelation 16:10-16.
  
  
• 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.).

October BOOK SALE is available now! This month, our sale book is A Pilgrim's Manual by author Herman Hanko. Get your copies on sale today for $15 each! 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. 
  Special notice! RBO Storytime: Join us Thursdays for Fall Storytime at 10:15 on October 31, November 7 and 14. Let your little ones enjoy a few stories and a craft, while you browse our books or enjoy a cup of coffee!

• 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

“In chapter seven [of his Institutes of the Christian Religion] Calvin teaches that unless the authority of Scripture is firmly established, doubts will flourish in them in the mind and there will be a lack of reverence for the Word. "But since we are not favoured with daily oracles from heaven, and since it is only in the Scriptures that the Lord hath been pleased to preserve his truth in perpetual remembrance, it obtains the same complete credit and authority with believers, when they are satisfied of its divine origin, as if they heard the very words pronounced by God himself" (p. 85) He calls it a pernicious error that the Scriptures derive their authority and weight by the suffrages of the church, or that the church decides what reverence is due the Scriptures, and what books comprise the canon.

Calvin destroys the argument that the Scriptures depend on the church's decisions by quoting Ephesians 2:20, where we read that the church is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets. If the foundation of the church is Scripture, Scripture precedes the existence of the church, and the church cannot exist without Scripture. How, then, can she be the judge of them? "Wherefore, when the church receives it, and seals it with her suffrage, she does not authenticate a thing otherwise dubious or controvertible; but knowing it to be the truth of her God, performs a duty of piety, by treating it with immediate veneration" (p. 87). 

...Calvin insists that the principal proof for the authority of the Bible is derived from the character of the Divine Speaker. "The prophets and apostles boast not of their own genius, or any of those talents which conciliate the faith of the hearers; nor do they insist on arguments from reason; but bring forward the sacred name of God, to compel the submission of the whole world" (p. 89). He immediately adds that "the testimony of the Spirit is superior to all reason. For as God alone is a sufficient witness of himself in his own word, so also the word will never gain credit in the hearts of men, till it be confirmed by the internal testimony of the Spirit" (p. 90). What must we think of Calvinists who wonder at the nature and extent of biblical authority in the twentieth century? Why appoint committees to study such a question? It is faithless conniving against the fundamental principle of the Reformation. 

Taken from "The Bible, A Divine Book: John Calvin's Doctrine of Holy Scripture" by Dale Kuiper, one of the featured resources during this Reformation month