PRC news (Denominational)

• Minister calls:

On November 7 Rev. D. Holstege accepted the call to serve as the new minister of Wingham PRC (Ontario). We rejoice with this newly reorganized congregation in God’s great goodness in providing a pastor so soon for them. And may He pave the way for a smooth transition as Rev. Holstege and family finalize the work in the Philippines as missionary.

On November 14 Rev. Spronk declined the call to Covenant of Grace PRC.

• Seminary

On October 28 and 29 the faculty held a special conference on preaching at Trinity PRC in Hudsonville, MI. Four speeches were given by four of the professors on various subjects—from the power and content of the preaching (the gospel of Christ!) to the commands of the gospel and how God’s Word is to be applied. If you would like listen to or watch the speeches online, visit Trinity PRC’s Sermonaudio channel or the seminary’s website (prcts.org).

PRC news (Congregational)

It’s the time of year for annual congregational meetings, as the church bulletins indicate. New officebearers are chosen, church budgets are adopted, and special proposals are considered and voted on. May we not take for granted the freedoms we still enjoy to be able to conduct this business of the Lord and carry on His work in and through us as members of His church.

On November 10, under the oversight and work of Immanuel PRC in Lacombe, First PRC of Edmonton (Alberta) was reorganized as a congregation and the consistory reconstituted. Rev. T. Miersma (emeritus) was a big help in ministering to the saints there after the recent schism in that church. Classis West is now providing pulpit supply. May the Lord bless and keep them as they start anew.

We now have a little more information on Doon PRC’s (NW Iowa) building project. This was sent in by our previous church news editor: “The addition to Doon’s church building is well underway. What began as a need for a larger narthex is now intended to include a council room and main floor restrooms along with classrooms in the basement. The main south entrance to the building cannot be used at this time, due to the project, so the congregation is ushered in from the two north doors at the front of the sanctuary. This project will take some time to complete. We look forward to the improvements to our building!” Thanks, Perry! Perhaps we can get a photo while this is in progress.

Music programs

It’s now the time of year for special music programs—in the churches and in the schools. Here are just a few that were held recently.

The Doon Young People’s Society hosted their annual Reformation Day Singspiration on November 7. Only this year, due to construction on Doon’s church building, it was held in Calvary PRC in Hull. And, judging from a recent Hull PRC bulletin, it appears their young people did a special number.

“Joyful Praise with One Accord” (a quartet of young men) music night was hosted by the Byron Center Young People on Saturday November 20 at BC-PRC. The offering was to offset the 2022 YP Convention costs.

The junior high band and choir students from Hull PR Christian School and Northwest Iowa PR School held their annual combined program on Monday, November 22, at  Calvary Protestant Reformed Church. Refreshments and a time of fellowship followed.

Heritage Christian School Foundation’s “Evening of Praise” concert was held on November 27 at Grandville High School auditorium. Afterward a dessert reception was also hosted there. Participants included Sam Bergman (piano), HCS’s 3rd grade students, the Hope Heralds, the PRSO, and Voices of Victory. A wonderful night of praise was experienced by all who attended!

Food for Thought

“I believe the forgiveness of sins. This does not mean that my struggle, my battle against sin is finished. In a sense it has just begun, for sin still wars in my members. That struggle I must carry on as long as I live, even to my dying breath. But grace abounds. According to the new man in Christ, I hate sin, can crucify the flesh, as painful as that is, and can in principle live a new and holy life before God…. In that confidence I can anticipate the coming of that great day of days when the great white throne will be set up. God who has begun a good work will surely finish it. He rewards His own work in me with His testimony, ‘Come, thou blessed, inherit the kingdom prepared for you.’”

~ Rev. C. Hanko,
in the November 15, 1982 Standard Bearer
 (quoted in a Byron Center PRC bulletin)