PRC and Sister-Church News Highlights for November 5, 2023

Today, November 5, is the forty-fifth Lord's Day of this year of our Lord 2023. 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 listen online.

For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants. Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me. ~ Psalm 119:89-93

CONGREGATIONAL NEWS 

• From Hosanna PRC's bulletin today (Edmonton, AB): "By the grace of God Pastor-Elect Matt Koerner will be ordained to the ministry on Thursday, November 9 at 7:30 PM at St. Albert Evangelical Lutheran Church (SELC). Rev. Bleyenberg will be preaching from I Peter 5:5-6, “The Humble Minister”. We are thankful to the Lord for the answer to our prayers. I Peter 5:6, 'Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.'”
  
  
• From Hudsonville PRC's bulletin today: "The Council has chosen a new trio of Rev. Engelsma [Crete PRC], Rev. Langerak [Trinity PRC], and Rev. Noorman [SW PRC]. We will choose from the trio on November 19 after the evening service."
  
  
• From Lynden (WA) PRC's bulletin today: "The Consistory presents the following trio for which to call a minister: Rev. A. Brummel [Calvary PRC], Rev. J. Engelsma, and Rev. G. Eriks [Unity PRC]. A congregational meeting is scheduled for Sunday, November 12, after the morning service, to call a minister from this trio."
  
  
• Last Sunday Rev. G. Eriks (Unity PRC-Byron Center, MI) declined the call from Georgetown PRC.
  
  
• Rev. M. Kortus, who has accepted the call to Zion PRC (Jenison, MI), plans to preach his farewell in Hope PRC (Redlands, CA) on November 12.  That week he and his family plan to move to west Michigan.
  
  
• The Council of Hope PRC-Redlands,CA formed a trio for the congregation following Rev. Kortus' acceptance of Zion PRC's call: Revs. N. Decker (Grandville PRC), J. Mahtani (Hope PRC – Walker, MI), and J. Smidstra (First PRC – Holland MI). A congregational meeting is planned for Nov.12 after the morning worship service.
  
  
• On October 15 Rev. R. Smit accepted the call to Randolph PRC (WI). In her bulletin the Council noted the tentative plans: "All dates are subject to change but currently this is the plan. They plan to move here on December 22. This date works well for the children’s break from school, as well as the current employment of the older children. Reverend and Trisha Smit will be moving here with at least five children. Installation is set for January 7. Until then, Reverend Smit has agreed to fill our pulpit as needed as much as he is able. For this we are very thankful."

Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs:  Prof. C. Griess and Sem. A. Van Dyke in Georgetown PRC; Rev. T. Miersma and pastor-elect M. Koerner in Hosanna PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. B. Huizinga and Rev. J. Mahtani in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. R. Barnhill (1st week) in Loveland PRC; Rev. J. Marcus (1st week) in Lynden PRC; Prof. D. Kleyn in Randolph PRC; Prof. B. Gritters and Rev. G. Eriks 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 Notices:

• Unity PRC Evangelism Committee: "Please remember that we have another meeting of our Community Bible Study on Tuesday, Nov. 7. It will be held at the Byron Rec Center at 2120 76th St. in Byron Center. The topic this month is Politics and Authority and it will be led by Kyle Ten Broeke. All are invited. Pick up a flyer or two from the back table and hand it out to a friend, co-worker, or a neighbor and bring them along next Tuesday. Hope to see you there."
  
  
• Faith PRC Evangelism Committee: Financial Stewardship Seminar: Saturday morning (9-11:30), January 27, 2024 - Married couples, single members, young (teens and up!) and old, plan to attend Faith PRC Evangelism Committee's financial stewardship seminar! There will be keynote presentations as well as breakout sessions for various age groups on biblical money management and stewardship principles. Look for more information, including registration, soon!

PRC DENOMINATIONAL NEWS

• Synod 2023 appointed an Ad Hoc Committee to hire a third-party organization for a denomination-wide investigation of sexual abuse. The committee reports that it has been laboring since the meeting of Synod to come to a mutual understanding and agreement with Guidepost Solutions regarding the work. On October 5 the committee signed a contract with Guidepost Solutions and expects that the investigation will begin in the near future with the publishing of a survey.
  
  
• Classis East: Classis East met on Wednesday, September 13, at Trinity PRC. The delegates reconvened on Wednesday, Oct.25. For a summary of the actions and decisions, visit this page. For the public minutes, click on this link.
  
  
• PRC 100th Anniversary: With gratitude to our faithful God, the PRCA look forward to our 100th anniversary. The celebration is planned for June 23-27, 2025, at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, MI. The various committees of the 100th anniversary steering commitee are busy preparing for this historic event, including a special commemorative book. Watch for further notices and updates!

After the first measurable snow in West Michigan this past Tuesday, we awakened to a fall wonderland on Wednesday morning.

PRC Seminary Notices:

• The PR Theological Seminary will conclude its tenth week of the first semester 2023-24 tomorrow. We thank the Lord for providing for our needs each week. Continue to pray for the faculty, students, and staff as we enter the final third of the semester.
• This week Isaac Van Baren will lead the daily devotions while Rev. M. DeVries leads the Wednesday chapel.
• On Tuesday begining at 3:30 p.m. Prof. C. Griess will defend his ThM thesis ( "The Art Homily: A Neglected Homiletical Method?") at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary.  We pray that the Lord will uphold and strengthen him for this last phase of his degree program. 
• Senior Arend Haveman is doing his internship this summer and fall (July-December) in Pittsburgh PRC under Rev. W. Bruinsma. He is busy with all aspects of the ministry, and is regularly preaching new sermons. After the internship is completed, he will return for this final semester next year, Lord willing.
• Prof. C. Griess gave a speech at the pre-Classis West Officebearers' Conference on sexual abuse on Sept.26 in Crete PRC (IL). Prof. Griess' speech may be found here and on the seminary's YouTube channel.
• This Fall, in connection with a special conference held online for interested people in Mexico, Prof. R. Cammenga prepared three lectures on the errors of the well-meant offer of the gospel and the truth of the Reformed-biblical call of the gospel. You may find these lectures on the seminary's YouTube channel.
• The Fall 2023 issue of the PR Theological Journal is at the printer and should be ready in another week. This latest issue features three articles related to the Reformed controversy with the Remonstrants (Arminians) and a reprint of a special Reformation feature from an early issue of the PRTJ. To read the last one (Spring 2023), visit the link provided here. If you want to be added to our mailing list (either print or digital) or wish to pick up a copy, contact Valerie Kleyn, the seminary secretary (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). 
• During normal school sessions the seminary is open daily from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (holidays excepted), 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 - 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. Today Pastor Wee and Pastor S. Key preached. This past week Rev. Key and Elder D. Kregel conducted (sister) church visitation with the CERC's session. These men and their wives will leave Singapore this week. May the Lord bless their labors and grant them safe travels back to the U.S.
  • A new issue of Salt Shakers is out! #70, "Time Is Running Out," concerns the Christian's use of time; find a variety of articles on timely subjetcs 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 Word faithfully in the CPRC. And this week, "Rev. Stewart will be speaking at a conference in Budapest, Hungary. He and Mary will be in Hungary from Monday through Friday (6-10 November). The conference in Hungary on the theme “The Local Congregation: Seeking the Welfare of the Church” is to be held on Wednesday-Friday of this week. Rev. Stewart will be speaking on 1) The Importance of the Local Church, 2) The Universal Invisible Church and the Local Church, 3) The Autonomy of the Local Church, 4) Unity Between Individual Churches, 5) Membership in a Local Church."
  • The September 2023 issue of Covenant Reformed News was published last month. Visit the link to read the articles on "Nehemiah's Godly Enquiry Concerning Jerusalem" and Rev. R. Hanko's answers to questions about the covenant of redemption.
    
  • The CPRC YouTube channel 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 (AGPRF), Gabaldon, NE will join us in our worship services via Livestreamed at our Facebook account."
    
  • Provident PRC bulletin: Rev. A. Spriensma (Cornerstone PRC) is filling her pupit for two Sundays.

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 (November 2023) the RWH will broadcast four gospel messages by Rev. W. Bruinsma, including a special Thanksgiving message on Nov.26. Today's message is titled "Israel Transgresses God's Covenant" and is based on Hosea 6:7. For the November RWH Newsletter, visit this page. 
  
• 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.).

For the month of November only, get your copies of Peace for the Troubled Heart for only $14—that's more than 50% off! Order by clicking the picture below or the "Monthly Sales" button on the RFPA website homepage! Herman Hoeksema has been called one of the greatest devotional writers of the 20th century. This book, comprised of 37 meditations, addresses the theme of struggle and suffering in the life of every believer who lives as a pilgrim of this world. Hoeksema, in his warm, personal, often poetic style, masterfully exercises the spiritual gift of devotional writing in Peace. Click to Order

• 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.

• The Reformed Book Outlet (downtown Hudsonville, MI) is now operating out of its new store in downtown Hudsonville! The new location is at 3472 Harvey St. in Hudsonville. 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.

This Week's Thought for Contemplation

 "The Dutch have called Sunday, 'God's dike.' In the Netherlands, the dike keeps back the threatening seas and, thus, preserves the Hollanders from watery destruction. So the Lord's Day holds back the raging waves of materialism, earthly-mindedness, and pleasure-madness that threaten to engulf the Church and the Christian.

"There are leaks in the dike. There are leaks in the dike among Reformed Christians, where once the Lord's Day was honored and the Sabbath remembered. It is necessary that we stop up these leaks; we certainly must not allow these leaks to be enlarged, much less co-operate in tearing the dike down.

"The matter of remembering the Lord's Day is one of urgency, as the figure of a dike and the angry waves indicates. First, remembering the Sabbath is one of the Ten Commandments, indeed, a commandment that belongs to the first table of the law—not a minor matter, therefore.

"Secondly, the day in question is the 'Lord's Day' according to Rev. 1:10, i.e., the day that belongs to the risen, glorious Lord Jesus Christ. In remembering, or forgetting, it, we have to do with Jesus Christ Himself.

"Thirdly, our remembering the Lord's Day results, by the Lord's grace, in the greatest benefit for us: rest - the pricelessly precious benefit of rest. The Sabbath was made for man (Mark 2:27). The good of man that God had in mind is rest. Is there anything that we need more? Everywhere, there is unrest. There is unrest in the church; there is unrest in the family; there is unrest in the soul of the believer. Apart from every other consideration, it is sheer folly to forfeit rest by forgetting, and even abandoning, the Lord's Day.

"The importance of the Church's remembering the Lord's Day was clearly seen, and stated, by one of the fiercest enemies that the Christian religion ever had, the Frenchman, Voltaire: 'If you want to kill Christianity,' he said, 'you must abolish Sunday'—advice that the French Revolution carried out."

~ Taken from the pamphlet, "Remembering the Lord's Day," by Prof. D. Engelsma