PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for January 19, 2025 ^Featured

On this third Lord's Day of 2025, we gather in the Lord's presence, by grace and through faith, for worship of and fellowship with our covenant God, our faithful Father and sovereign, saving Friend. As we do so, we are equipped and encouraged by His Word and Spirit for our life and callings in this world.

The Lord reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved. The Lord is great in Zion; and he is high above all the people. Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy.  Exalt ye the Lord our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy. ~ Psalm 99:1-3, 5

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.

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 

• This morning Rev. E. Guichelaar was installed as the third minister in Zion PRC's history. Rev. M. DeVries led the service and Rev. Guichelaar preached his inaugural sermon this evening. A special welcome coffee and fellowship was held after the morning service. May both pastor and congregation continue to grow up in Christ their Head through the gospel ministry.
  
  
• From Hope PRC-Redlands, CA: "The Council presents the following trio to the congregation from which to call our next pastor: Revs. H Bleyenberg (Immanuel, Lacombe PRC), D. Holstege (Wingham PRC), and W. Langerak (Trinity PRC). We plan to vote next Sunday night [January 26] after the worship service."
  
  
• Last Sunday Rev. J. Engelsma (Crete PRC-IL) declined the calls from Grace PRC, Lynden PRC, and Southwest PRC.
  
  
• Last Sunday Grandville PRC extended a call to Rev. G. Eriks (Unity PRC).
  
  
• Rev. D. Holstege (Wingham PRC) is considering the call to Cornerstone PRC (Dyer, IN). 
  
  
• *As NEW Officebearers are installed, elders and deacons are reminded of a special resource page on the PRC website for you. Visit this section for articles, sermons, and seminars related to your work as servants of Christ and His church. 

Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Rev. M. McGeown in Cornerstone PRC-Dyer, IN; Prof. C. Griess and Rev. J. Maatman in Grace PRC; Prof. D. Kuiper and Rev. G. Eriks in Grandville PRC; Rev. A. Spriensma (3rd week) in Hope PRC-Redlands; Prof. B. Huizinga and Prof. R. Dykstra in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. C. Haak (through January 2025) in Lynden PRC; Sem. B. Feenstra and Rev. D. Holstege in Southwest 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:

• First PRC-Grand Rapids, MI: "This afternoon, two men from the congregation will be at the Kent County Jail conducting chapel services. The first service begins at 2:00 PM and the second begins around 3:00 PM. Please remember this work in your prayers today. The message will focus on Matthew 8: 23-27, "Having faith in the 'sleeping' Jesus".And, "Community Bible Study meets this Wednesday, January 22, at 7:00 PM [at the church]. We'll discuss Abraham: Sojourning by Faith, from Hebrews 11:9&10,13-16 and Genesis 12:1-9."
• Hope PR Ministry, the podcast of Hope PRC (Walker), would like to direct you to its podcast where due to the great feedback they received for their recent interviews with Mike Velthouse on Biblical Obscurities they will be reposting the four original obscurity interviews with Mike starting January 3 through January 24.

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..
  
  
• Classis East met from January 8-9, at Zion PRC (Jenison, MI). The agenda and public minutes have 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 began preparing for the 100th, we realized that we have few visuals from the 75th. Thank you for your help building up our archives!
  
  
• PRC 100th Anniversary Celebration: Online Registration is now open and runs through February 14. 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 seminary enjoyed a special street taco lunch together on Friday, prepared by the Miersmas from Redlands, CA

PR Theological Seminary News:

• The PR Theological Seminary finished its 2025 Interim class (on John Calvin's theology) this past Wednesday and moved right into the 2nd semester on Thursday and Friday (see note on that below). Thanks goes to emeritus Prof. R. Cammenga for teaching this course, his final interim.
• The professors and students take this opportunity to thank you for your prayers and support of us in our work, and ask that you continue to pray for us during the next sixteen weeks of instruction. Mr. Aaron Van Dyke (senior) has returned to us after a profitable internship in Wingham, ON. The faculty has arranged that Mr. Bruce Feenstra (junior) will serve his internship in Doon, IA, from July-December of this year, God willing.
• The second semester of the 2024-25 school year began this past Thursday, January 16. The seminary faculty invites interested persons to audit five classes this semester. Prof. Kuiper’ classes: Medieval Church History ­(history of the Christian church from A.D. 590 to the Protestant Reformation), New Testament Isagogics (introduction to the New Testament), and Reformed Symbols (history of the Synod of Dordt and the contents of the Canons of Dordt).  Prof. Huizinga’s classes: OT History (history of the Judges through the exile and return from captivity), and Dogmatics – Soteriology (a study of the doctrine of salvation). Please contact Bethany Engelsma at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 616-531-1490 for more information and to sign up. For the 2nd semester schedule and calendar, visit this page.
• Prof. D. Kuiper and all the seminary students will be traveling to Escondido and Redlands, CA this weekend (Jan.23-27) for a special conference at Westminster Theological Seminary (The Sufficiency of Scripture) and for fellowship and worship with the members of Hope PRC in Redlands. The seminary will supply the pulpit next Sunday while there.
• 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. 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 (licensed to speak a word of edification in the churches last summer) has been busy in the PRCs. 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.).
• If you missed 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, you may watch or listen to the speeches that are 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 Pastor Tan led both services. In this week's "pastoral voice" we find this good note from Pastor Wee about a special program in CREC: "The Bible Reading Program is in full swing, and this week’s reading takes us to the end of the book of Genesis. It is encouraging to see a sizeable number of sign ups! Let us continue to be diligent in reading our Bibles, striving to grow in our communion with God, reading and meditating over God’s Word as He speaks to us and applies that Word to our hearts by His Spirit, and as we speak to Him in prayer. May God continue to work in our hearts this sincere confession: 'O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day (Psa. 119:97)."
    
  • A last issue of Salt Shakers is available - August2024, #73, the third of 2024!  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: Elder Jun Armas led her services today using PRC 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 - January 2025 - the RWH is broadcasting four gospel messages by Rev. W. Bruinsma. Today's message is titled "Not Just Hearers, But Doers" based on James 1:22-25.
  
  
• 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 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. 
  

• If you are 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

 “The Reformed tradition recognizes that the state is an institution of God for our good. The Bible teaches that Christians are responsible for submitting to the authority of the state, paying taxes, giving all due respect and honor to their leaders, and praying for them. It is the duty of every man, wherever he may live, to be obedient to the magistrates, according to Romans 13. Lord’s Day 39 of the Heidelberg Catechism asks and answers this question: “What does God require in the fifth commandment? That I show all honor, love, and fidelity to my father and mother, and to all in authority over me; submit myself with due obedience to their good instruction and correction; and also bear patiently with their weakness and shortcomings, since it pleases God to govern us by their hand.” Educating Christians in responsible citizenship is a proper responsibility of the church institute in her preaching and of our Christian schools in the instruction of our covenant youth. This means that we preach and teach true patriotism — giving honor to those who have been placed in authority over us by God and thanking Him for our leaders, for our government, and for our country. As citizens of that country, we demonstrate our love for God as well as our Christian faith in the way of our obedience and submission, praying for those in authority.

"As Reformed believers with the biblical injunctions, we must pray for those who are in authority: “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1 Tim. 2:1, 2). We pray for our leaders not only after catastrophes, but continuously as they are used by God to govern and rule. Are you praying for your leaders, for wisdom for the president, that through that man and through the sword that is given to the government that he represents, God’s righteous judgment may be executed against those who take innocent lives? Are you praying that God will lead rulers to rule in harmony with His Word? Are you thanking God for the religious freedom and liberties that we enjoy? Are you praying for our leaders as they ask for soldiers, as they seek to promote peace and protect those precious freedoms?"

Taken from one of this month's featured resources, "For God and Country: The Refomed Perspective on Patriotism" by Rev. A. Spriensma