PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for December 22, 2024 *(Updated)

Today, December 22, is the fifty-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.

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. ...For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. ~ Isaiah 9:6,7

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.

Christmas Day Worship Service in the PRCs

This Wednesday morning, December 25, the PRCs will celebrate the birth of the Savior Jesus Christ with a worship service of thanks and praise to the God of our salvation for sending His Son into the world to save sinners. We warmly welcome you to join us, whether you have a church home or not. Most services begin at 9:30 a.m., but check the website of the PR congregation near you for details. "O, come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!"

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS 

• Last Sunday Rev. M. DeBoer (Edgerton PRC-MN) declined the call from Grandville PRC.
  
  
• On December 1 Rev. E. Guichelaar (Grace PRC) accepted the call to Zion PRC. From her bulletin last was this note: "Rev. Guichelaar plans to preach his farewell sermon at Grace [PRC] on December 29th. The Guichelaar’s plan to move into the parsonage during the week of the 30th and begin worshipping with us the first of the year. On January 12th, he has a classical appointment at Cornerstone PRC for both services. His installation will be on January 19th."
  
  
• On December 2 Hope PRC-Redlands, CA extended a call to Rev. J. Maatman (Southeast PRC-Wyoming, MI). He plans to answer by December 29.
  
  
• On December 11, Hudsonville PRC voted to call Rev. R. Barnhill (Heritage PRC-Sioux Falls, SD). 
  
  
• On December 12, Southwest PRC (Wyoming, MI) voted to call Rev. J. Engelsma (Crete-IL PRC). 
  
  
• Grace PRC's Council has formed a trio from which to call her next pastor: Revs. J. Engelsma, Rev. W. Langerak, and Rev. J.Smidstra. A brief congregational meeting will be held after the evening service today. *Rev. J. Engelsma has received this call.
  
  
• Lynden PRC's Consistory has formed a new trio of Rev. J. Engelsma, Rev. G. Eriks, and Rev. J. Marcus (Peace PRC). The congregation will call from this trio at her annual meeting tomorrow, December 23. *Rev. J. Engelsma has received this call.

Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Prof. R. Dykstra in Cornerstone PRC-Dyer, IN; Prof. D. Kuiper and Rev. M. DeVries in Grandville PRC; Rev. R. Smit (1st week) in Hope PRC-Redlands; Prof. B. Huizinga and Rev. J. Slopsema (Prof. Cammenga, Christmas) in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. C. Haak (through January 2025) in Lynden PRC; Prof. R. Cammenga and Prof. C. Griess in Southwest PRC; Prof. C. Griess and Prof. B. Huizinga (Rev K. Koole, Christmas) 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 petition the Lord for men to hear the call to serve as pastors and missionaries!

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

• Home mission news: Zion’s Council and the DMC have sent our domestic missionary, Rev. J. Laning, to the Dallas/ Fort Worth (DFW) area for six months, along with his wife, Margaret. They arrived there on October 19 and have settled into the labors there. 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..
  

• PRC 100th! Did you attend the 75th PRC Anniversary Commemoration in 2000? Please share your pictures and videos with the PRC Historical Archive. You can drop off or mail physical copies to Chuck Terpstra at the seminary (4949 Ivanrest Ave. SW Wyoming MI 49418), or email digitized content to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. As we beganpreparing for the 100th, we realized that we have few visuals from the 75th. Thank you for your help building upour archive!
  
  
• PRC 100th Anniversary Celebration: Online Registration is now open and runs through December 31. 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. For more 100-year PRC history, videos and photos, visit this Facebook page.
  
  

PRC Seminary Notices:

• This past week (final exams) the PR Theological Seminary completed its 1st semester in the 2024-25 school year. We give thanks to God for His goodness and blessing throughout this term. For the next two weeks the PRTS will break for the Christmas and New Year holidays. Pray for faulty, students, and staff that they will be refreshed during the holidays. The seminary will be open during this time except for Christmas and New Year's day. 
• Prof. R. Cammenga will be teaching the January 2025 Interim course (Jan.6-15) on the life and theology of John Calvin. Anyone interested is encouraged to attend. Please call the seminary at 616-531-1490 or email Bethany Engelsma at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to sign up.
• The second semester of the 2024-25 school year will begin on Thursday, January 16. Look for notices about auditing classes soon!
• Sem. Aaron Van Dyke (senior) is finishing his summer/fall internship in the Wingham, Ontario PRC, under the supervision of Wingham’s Consistory and the mentoring of Rev. Daniel Holstege. The internship runs through December 31. Today he is leading the morning worship service. He and his family will return for the interim course and his final semester after the new year. Continue to pray for Mr. Van Dyke and his family during this time.
• The Fall 2024 issue of the PR Theological Journal is now available. The digital edition (pdf) is available on the seminary's journal page linked here while the print copies have been mailed out to those on the mailing list last month. This issue contains, among other things, the second part of Dr. J. Bolt's treatment of the CRC Synod of 1924 ("Unfinished Business on Common Grace"), Prof Griess' lecture on "Sexual Abuse in Calvin's Geneva," Dr. N. Willborn's lectures on "Old Princeton," a sermon warning of drunkenness (and other addictions) from Prov.23:29-35 by Prof. Kuiper, and ten book reviews. 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.) or stop by the seminary. 
• 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.).
• Have you watched or listened to the videos of the Fall PRTS Conference (Oct.31-Nov.2) at Grace PRC (“By Grace I Am What I Am”: The PRCA’s Rejection of Common Grace), where the histroric (100 years!) stand of the PRC on sovereign, particular grace was defended and developed? The speeches are now all available both on Grace PRC's Sermonaudio channel as well as the seminary's YouTube channel.
• For the latest seminary news and information, visit the seminary's website - and don't forget to check on 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. Today both pastors led services. This week's "pastor's voice" included a follow-up note on the youth camp that was held last weekend on "Our Antithetical Fight Against Brain “Rot,” based on Psalm 101:3, and it is fitting for all of us: "Dear youth, continue to apply what you have learned during the camp! Hopefully you have resisted the temptation to engage in “revenge post-camp scrolling” (spending excessive time on our devices to make up for the lack of use during camp – an invented word), have prepared ourselves for worship (one of the godly habits that we were encouraged to cultivate in our fight against brain rot), and are resolved to devote this Sabbath day in both the public and private worship of God. And may that serve as a foundation upon which we go into the week, resolved to use our devices with conscious Christian intentionality. May we grow in our godly resolve to live the antithesis, by the power of Christ in us. Psalm 101:2: 'I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.'”
    
  • 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 serve this sister congregation faithfully, and through the CPRC and her website to minister the gospel far and wide in other ways.
  • The December 2024 issue of "Covenant Reformed News" has been published. Read the articles by Rev. A. Stewart on "The Call to the Apostolic Office" and Rev. R. Hanko's response to a question about whether the 4th commandment is still in effect.
    
  • 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 of All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship in Gabaldon Nueva Ecija joined them in worship via livestreaming on her Facebook page.
  • Provident PRC bulletin: Deacon Ruel dela Fuente 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 - December 2024 - the RWH is broadcasting five gospel messages by Rev. C. Haak, considering the treasure and the wonder of the birth of Jesus Christ in his series, The Blessings of Emmanuel’s Reign. There will also be a special Christmas message from Luke 2 on December 22. Today's message is a special Christmas one titled "Great Joy Brought to You" based on Luke 2:10,11.
  
  
• 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.).

Looking for an edifying book gift for a family member or friend this holiday season? This RFPA title by Rev. R. Hanko, Doctrine According to Godliness, is a great one to give! Visit their website to find other great gift ideas as well, including new devotionals for young and old.

• The Reformed Book Outlet (downtown Hudsonville, MI) is 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 assistance 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

 “Just at the moment when his [Joseph's] soul was heavy with these thoughts, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, exhorting him not to do this contemplated thing; saying unto him: “Fear not to take unto thee Mary to be thy wife; for that which is begotten in her is of the Holy Ghost.” This should allay all his fear. And in our text besides being informed that she shall surely have a Son, he is commanded to call His Name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins. 

"Jesus, Saviour! 

"No more fitting theme for meditation in this season in which we celebrate the Saviour’s birth! Theologically these words contain profound truths. Practically there lies hidden in them the faith and hope of many hearts. The Apostle Paul puts it this way: “It is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners! ” 

"That’s what Christmas is all about! Yet, in the midst of all the tinsel, bell-ringing, and frivolity, this is precisely what is forgotten in our modern manner of celebration. O, indeed, there is room for joy and thanksgiving on this occasion. For did not the angel say: “Behold, I bring you glad tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people”? But remember, that joy rests only on the fact that we rejoice in the fact that He Whose birth we celebrate is the Saviour from sin! 

"He shall save His people from their sins! 

Taken from a Standard Bearer article by Marinus Schipper (former PRC minister) "Jesus-Savior" based on Matthew 1:21