PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for August 28, 2022 *(Updated)

Below you will find special highlights of PRC and sister-church news for this thirty-fourth Sunday of our Lord's year 2022, August 28.

Because our Lord Jesus Christ is risen from the dead on the third day - as He promised - and because He is returning in glory for our everlasting worship - as He has also promised - today, on this first day of the week, we gather in worship as members of our living Savior's church. With gratitude and gladness we bring our praise to our triune God for fully accomplishing our salvation in His Son and by His Spirit. We cordially invite you to join us in worship on this day and on any Sunday.

God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah. That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah. ~ Psalm 67:1-4

If you are new to this website and are interested in the PRC, we invite you to join us at any of our services (morning and afternoon/evening). For congregations, locations and times, visit this page.

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS

• This past Monday Rev. D. Noorman (Southwest PRC-Wyoming, MI) received the call from Hudsonville PRC.
  
  
• Today Rev. A. Brummel (Calvary PRC - Hull, IA) declined the call from Zion PRC to serve as domestic missionary.
  
  
• Last Sunday Rev. C. Spronk (Faith PRC-Jenison, MI) declined the call from Randolph (WI) PRC.
  
  
• Tonight the congregation of Hosanna PRC (Edmonton, AB) was to vote from their new trio of Revs. A. Brummel (Calvary PRC), C. Spronk (Faith PRC), and A. Stewart (Covenant PRC – Northern Ireland). *UPDATE: Rev. Brummel has received this call.
  
  
• Rev. W. Langerak (Trinity PRC, Hudsonville, MI) is considering the call to Doon (IA) PRC (received Aug.14).
  

• The Council of Georgetown PRC has formed its first trio of ministers for calling her next pastor (with Rev. C. Haak becoming emeritus Sept.1.): Rev. A. Brummel (Calvary PRC-Hull, IA), Rev. M. Kortus (Hope PRC-Redlands, CA), Rev. D. Noorman (SW PRC-Wyoming, MI). The congregational meeting is planned for Sunday evening, Sept. 11, after the evening service.

• Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Rev. M. DeVries (1st Sunday) in Doon (IA) PRC; Rev. T. Miersma in Hosanna PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. R. Cammenga and Rev. K. Koole in Hudsonville PRC; Elders lead in Randolph 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.
  
  
• Special Evangelism/mission notices:
  • Byron Center PRC (MI): "The community Bible study meets again this Thursday at church. We plan to discuss more of Jesus' high-priestly prayer starting at John 17:9. Please feel free to join us at 7:30 PM and bring friends or neighbors."
  • First PRC-Grand Rapids (MI): The special delegation of Rev. John and Amy Marcus, Prof. Ron and Rhonda Cammenga, Rev. Rodney Kleyn, and seminarian Arend Haveman returned back to the States this past Friday from their trip to Mexico City. Initial reports indicate it was another profitable trip.
  • Lynden PRC (WA): "The evangelism conference is this weekend [Sept.2,3]! We look forward to hearing two speeches under the theme: "What am I without My Body? The Blessedness of Membership in the Body of Christ." Rev. R. Hanko will speak on Friday evening at 7:30 about the glorious possibility of membership in the church, and on Saturday morning at 10:00 Prof. C. Griess will speak on the necessity of active church membership. Refreshments will be served after the speeches. Make plans to attend and please help spread the word!"

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

Missions:

• Home missions: Today Zion PRC (Jenison, MI) received the news that Rev. A. Brummel (Calvary PRC) declined her call to serve as home missionary. 
  
  
• Philippines mission:
  • Rev. D. Kleyn and Sharon returned to the Philippines this past Tuesday after a six-week furlough in the U.S. May the Lord uphold them and the Smits as they press on in their work in that part of the world.

PRC Seminary Notices:

• The seminary begins its 98th year of instruction this week.  The first semester of the 2022-23 school year will begin, D.V. on Tuesday, August 30, with orientation on Monday. There are four students this year, one in each of the four classes: Bruce Feenstra (freshman), Aaron Van Dyke (sophomore), Arend Haveman (junior), and Matt Koerner (senior). Prof. D. Kuiper has taken over all of Prof. R. Dykstra's courses now; Prof. Huizinga continues to take on more courses from Prof. R. Cammenga. And Prof. B. Gritters continues to teach all his courses while Prof. Griess finishes his ThM this year. May the Lord give strength and wisdom to faculty and students as they begin a new school year. Let us remember to pray for the seminary in all its work.
• Fall 2022 classes open to auditors: Seminary classes begin for the first semester on Tuesday, August 30. Two of Prof. Cammenga’s classes are open for auditors: NT History and Dogmatics. NT History begins with the intertestamental period and extends up to the passion week. Dogmatics will treat Ecclesiology, the doctrine of the church. Prof. Kuiper’s classes of Ancient Church History (a study of the history of the church and the development of doctrine from AD 100-590) and Hermeneutics (a study of the principles of Bible interpretation) are open as well. If you are interested in attending, please contact the seminary secretary at 616-531-1490 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to find out the day and time the class you are interested in will meet.
• This summer Prof. D. Kuiper taught a class on the history of the PRCA from 1924-1949.  If you wish to watch the six classes, the videos are available on the seminary’s YouTube channel. A pdf of the class handouts is available from Prof. Kuiper by request.
• Seminary Convocation is planned for Wednesday evening, Sept.7, at Trinity PRC (Hudsonville, MI). Prof. Kuiper will speak on “Defending Christ’s Church by Knowing Her History: Jephthah’s Example.” Plan to attend and support the seminary as it begins a new school season.
• The special delegation of Rev. John and Amy Marcus, Prof. Ron and Rhonda Cammenga, Rev. Rodney Kleyn, and seminarian Arend Haveman returned back to the States this past Friday from their trip to Mexico City. Initial reports indicate it was another profitable trip.
• Last month Sem. M. Koerner began his internship in Hope PRC-Grand Rapids under Rev. J. Mahtani. May the Lord use this to further his preparation for the ministry of the Word.
• The print edition of the spring 2022 issue of the PRT Journal was recently mailed (end of July). The digital editions are on the seminary's website (use the link provided here). This issue features the speeches from the seminary's fall 2021 conference on preaching, plus numerous book reviews. If you want to be added to our mailing list (either print or digital) or wish to pick up a copy, contact Sharon, the seminary secretary (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
• The seminary is open daily from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., including the library and bookstore. PRC members and friends are welcome to visit and make use of these resources.
• For the latest seminary news and information, visit the seminary's website.
  
  

SISTER-CHURCH/MISSION NEWS:

• Covenant ERC, Singapore and her Kolkata, India mission work:
  • Pastor J. Tan is faithfully serving the CERC each week as her pastor. In her bulletin today was some reflection on the calling of her members toward those who recently left the church. These words closed his "pastoral note": "Let us never forget that true unity is always founded on the Truth, Jesus Christ alone. All other unity is false unity. So we keep praying and supplicating for them. Let us together beseech our God 'Give thy blessing to our admonitions, that we may have reason thereby to rejoice again in him, for whom we must now mourn, and that thy holy name may be praised, through our Lord Jesus Christ.' Now let us bow and worship the God who has loved before the foundations of the world. The Lord receive our worship through the blood of the Lamb."
  • There was also notice of a special congregational meeting: "God willing, Session will hold the 2nd ECM of 2022 on 18 Sep 2022, Sunday, 11.30 am in church. The purpose of the 2nd ECM is to vote... to extend a call to Candidate Marcus Wee to be CERC’s Second Minister."

• Covenant PRC, N. Ireland:
  
  • Rev. A. Stewart continues to minister the Word faithfully to the saints in Ballymena.
  • The latest CPRC newsletter has released! The August 2022 issue contains reports on the BRF Conference held in July and much more.
  • S. Wales Lecture: Rev. Stewart plans to give a lecture at the Margam Community Centre in Port Talbot, S. Wales on Thursday, 25 August at 7:15 PM.
  • For recordings of the recent British Reformed Conference held last month, visit this BRF webpage.
  • The August 2022 issue of "Covenant Reformed News" has now been published. Follow the link to read the latest profitable articles by Revs. A. Stewart and R. Hanko.
    
    
• PRC in the Philippines and her mission work:
  • Rev. D. Kleyn and his wife have returned after taking their six-week furlough in the U.S.
  • Berean PRC bulletin: Rev. V.Ibe led her services today. "The saints in All of Grace Protestant Reformed Fellowship (AGPRF) will join us in our worship services this morning through live stream via Facebook live, God willing."
    
  • Provident PRC bulletin: Rev. R. Smit will lead and preach for us in our worship services today.
    
  • PRCP Seminary: "The classes for 2022-2023 in our Seminary starts on August 30, 2022, D.V. We are grateful to the Lord for His sustaining grace upon the labors of our instructors, [Rev. Smit and Rev. Kleyn] and to Seminarian Ace Flores. We pray that God will bless their faithful labors and that they may be encouraged even more as we look to God for another fruitful year of dedication and devotion to this cause of God’s Kingdom. God be praised!"

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 Rev. C. Haak (Georgetown PRC - Hudsonville, MI) is once again speaking for the RWH. He will complete the series on the book of Nehemiah and then give some messages from Romans 8. Today's message is based on Romans 8:33-34 and titled  "No Condemnation! It is Christ Who Died!"
  
• 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.). 
  

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Why does the PRC sing the Psalms in her public worship services? Why not hymns of the Christian faith? For an answer to this, read this profitable resource.

• Are you interested in learning more about the doctrines and practices of the PRC? Or, are you in need of some pamphlets and/or articles published by the PRC for use in evangelism and/or witnessing? Or are you simply interested in growing in your faith and walk with the Lord? Visit the Resources pages of this website and the PRCA Evangelism page for a complete list of materials available in digital format or by order from the publishing church.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• The Reformed Book Outlet (downtown Hudsonville, MI) has now opened their new store in downtown Hudsonville! The new location is at 3472 Harvey St. in Hudsonville. Hours are Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m-5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The website has also been redone to make it easier for customers, especially those who aren’t local, to browse our inventory, see descriptions of most of the items, and choose between shipping or local pickup at our store during business hours. Be sure to check it out!
  
  
• Do you need some catechism materials for use in your church or family? The PRC publishes catechism materials on Bible history and Reformed doctrine, for children of all ages. Visit this page for more information.
  
  
• The PR Sunday School Association also publishes complete OT and NT Bible Story Lessons for young children and older children. Visit this page to learn more.

This Week's Thought for Contemplation

"Because the children [born to covenant parents and baptized by the church] are God's, they must be "piously and religiously educated," to use the language of the historic Reformed "Form for the Administration of Baptism." God's children must be godly taught. This instruction is essential for it is the means of God to train up the children to godliness, to a mature man or woman of God. Such is the importance of this teaching that it is part of the vow at baptism: parents promise to give this teaching.

"This required instruction includes schooling to the extent that parents are able to provide it. First, the command of the Lord, in Deuteronomy 6:6ff. and Ephesians 6:4, is simply all-embracing and all-comprehensive: "...when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." To exclude from the command all the time spent at school, i.e., most of the child's life between the ages of five and eighteen - the most crucial period!, would be arbitrary in the extreme. Second, the claim of God on our children is total. If anything, God claims their mind primarily: "Love the Lord. . . with all thy soul," i.e., your mind. Third, the life of the child is one life - a unity; and the one, whole life is to be nurtured by the Word of Christ. Fourth, the Word of God must be the content and rule of all the instruction, and not only of the spiritual part at church. All knowledge, to be true knowledge, and not the Lie, must be based on Scripture. In other words, all education is religious education. Either it glorifies God, or it dishonors Him; either it confesses and bows to His sovereign authority, or it rebels; either it promotes a godly life, or it hinders it.

"Such instruction is the responsibility of parents. Friends of the covenant may and will support the work, as covenant-work; but the parents have the calling: "And, ye fathers.. ." (Eph. 6:4). The setup of a good Christian school honors this reality: it is an extension of the home; it is parental; the teachers stand in the place of the parents."

~ Prof. D. Engelsma in "The Necessity of Good Christian Schools" (a featured resource this month)