PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for December 29, 2024

Today, December 29, is the fifty-second--and final-- 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.

Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. ...Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance. For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told. The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath. So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. ...O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil. Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children. And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.

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.

New Year's Day Worship Service in the PRCs

This Wednesday morning, January 1, 2025, the PRCs will mark the beginning of the year of our Lord 2025 with a worship service of humble and hopeful praise to the God in whom we trust for all the unknowns of a new year. 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. "Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge." - Psalm 46:10,11

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS 

• This evening Rev. E. Guichelaar preaches his farewell in Grace PRC. A farewell reception for him and his family is planned for after the morning service. The Guichelaars plan to move into Zion PRC's parsonage this week, with pastor's installation planned for January 19. May the Lord bless him and his family as they make this transition.

• Today Rev. J. Maatman (SE PRC) declined the call from Hope PRC-Redlands, CA.
  
  
• Last Sunday Grace PRC voted to call Rev. J. Engelsma (Crete PRC-IL) to become her next pastor. He plans to answer by January 12.
  
  
• This past Monday, December 23, Lynden (WA) PRC voted to call Rev. J. Engelsma. He plans to answer by January 12.
  
  
• On December 11, Hudsonville PRC voted to call Rev. R. Barnhill (Heritage PRC-Sioux Falls, SD). He plans to answer next Sunday, January 5.
  
  
• On December 12, Southwest PRC (Wyoming, MI) voted to call Rev. J. Engelsma (Crete-IL PRC). He plans to answer by January 12.
  
  
• Cornerstone PRC (Dyer, IN) has formed a new trio of Revs. A. Brummel (Calvary PRC), G. Eriks (Unity PRC), and D. Holstege (Wingham PRC). They plan to call from this trio next Sunday.

Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Rev. A. Spriensma in Cornerstone PRC-Dyer, IN; Prof. D. Kuiper and Prof. B. Huizinga in Grandville PRC; Rev. R. Smit (2nd week) and Rev. A. Spriensma, New Years (and next 2 weeks) in Hope PRC-Redlands; Prof. B. Huizinga and Rev. M. DeVries (Rev. W. Bruinsma, New Years) in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. C. Haak (through January 2025) in Lynden PRC; Prof. R. Cammenga and Prof. D. Kuiper (Prof. Huizinga, New Years) in Southwest PRC; Rev. J. Slopsema and Rev. K. Koole (Prof. D. Kuiper, New Years) in Zion PRC. It is a blessing of our church federation that we can help one another in these needs. Let us remember to pray for the men who travel and 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!

Special congregational/evangelism activities:

• Zion PRC (Jenison, MI): "Jail Ministry: Howard and Dan Pastoor are representing our Evangelism Committee this afternoon at the Kent County Jail. Pray for Howard and Dan as they do this and that the Lord will use them to bring them comfort and hope to the inmates that they visit."

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..
  From Zion PRC's bulletin today: "Mission work: Rev. Laning and Margaret continue to be busy with mission work in Texas. They have a weekly bible study on Thursdays and a Sunday worship service. Please continue to pray that God will bless this work and open doors for the gospel to be spread in this area!"
  
  
• PRC Contact Committee: The annual church visitation to the PRC's sister church in Ballymena, N. Ireland, Covenant PRC, will take place starting this week. Prof. D. Kuiper and elder Dave Kregel will travel there this weekend, arriving Friday, Jan.3 and staying until Jan.13. May the Lord grant safe travels and a profitable visit with the brothers and sisters there.
  
  
• Classis East will meet next week Wednesday, January 8, beginning at 8 a.m. at Zion PRC (Jenison, MI). The agenda has been posted on this page.

• 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.
  
  

The view at seminary in January 2024; currently the snow is gone and the green grass is showing.

PRC Seminary Notices:

• Having completed its first semester on December 20, the PR Theological Seminary is enjoying its two-week holiday break. We give thanks to God for His goodness and blessing through this first term. 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!
• Today Sem. Aaron Van Dyke (senior) is finishing his summer/fall internship in the Wingham, Ontario PRC. This past week he led her Christmas service. This week he and his family will return to West Michigan and he will soon take up his final interim course and his semester after the new year. A farewell fellowship is planned today after the afternoon service.
• 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 last month to those on the mailing list. 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. In this week's "pastor's voice" Rev. Wee has some good thoughts about the end of another year: "It is with that knowledge that we have such salvation from sin in Jesus Christ, the assurance of life eternal, and the knowledge that all things work together for our good, that we can look back on the year past and confess that God is good, whether our year has been a relatively smooth-sailing one, or fraught with many difficulties. God has been good and faithful, through all of the ups and downs. God has never once left us or forsaken us, but has gone with us every step of the way. Even when our way has led us to the sea, incomprehensible to us, His way has been in and through the sea, and He has been with us. Isaiah 43:2: “'When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.'”
    
  • 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. 

    Special note: The church visitors (Prof. D. Kuiper and Dave Kregel) from the PRC Contact Committee will arrive this Friday, staying until Monday, Jan.13. "Prof. Kuiper will be giving a lecture on “The Proper Method of Bible Interpretation: Grammatical-Historical-Spiritual” on Wednesday, 8 January, at 7:30 PM. Extra flyers are on the back table for you to pass on to friends and family."

  • 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, with new officebearers installed in the second service. And, the saints of All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship in Gabaldon Nueva Ecija joined them in worship via livestreaming on her Facebook page.
  • Mission Outreach: "Rev. Ibe and Deacon Longalong are set to visit with the pastors and saints in Bacolod and Sipalay City on Dec. 30 and 31, 2025, God willing. Rev. Ibe will take up the Church Order of Dort Articles 12 - 13 and Reformed Dogmatics [Soteriology] on the Ordo Salutis [On Regeneration]. 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: An officebearer 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 "A Highway Through the Desert" based on Isaiah 35:8-10.
  
  
• 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 a good devotional for the new year? Visit the RFPA's website for this one and other 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

 “And this time [the time to die—Eccl. 3:1, 2] is in the hands of the Lord, as Job saith, man hath his appointed time, The number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass (Job 14:5); which Paul also saith, that God hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation (Acts 17:26). And David saith, Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and my age is as nothing before thee (Ps. 39:5). How vain are all men who live so unconcerned! For our days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle (Job 7:6), and swifter than a post (Job 9:25). Moreover, we are here only pilgrims and strangers for a short time (Heb. 11:13). For the days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away (Ps. 90:10). And when we live long, we live a hundred years. As drops of water are to the sea, so are our years to eternity. And Peter saith, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day (2 Pet. 3:8); even so are our years to eternity” (Form of Consolation). ~ found in Southeast PRC's bulletin this week