PRC news (denominational)

On March 16 Hudsonville PRC extended a call to Rev. D. Kleyn, currently missionary to the Philippines.

On March 20 Doon PRC also called Rev. D. Kleyn from their trio of Rev. J. Holstege, Rev. D. Kleyn, and Rev. J. Smidstra.

Grace PRC’s Council formed a new trio on March 20, from which the congregation voted on April 10: Prof. B. Gritters (PRC Seminary) and Revs. N. Decker (Grandville PRC) and D. Noorman (SW-PRC).

Seminary News:

By the time you read this, seminary will have only a few weeks left in its second semester, then exams. The two foreign students, Marcus Wee (full four-year program, from Covenant ERC in Singapore) and Isaac Peters (special three-year program, from Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Australia), are finishing up their final semester with us and are looking forward to graduation in a few months.

Work is being done on the Spring 2022 issue of the PR Theological Journal. This time the PRTJ will feature the speeches from the Fall 2021 seminary conference on preaching. Look for this issue to appear in the near future. If you wish to sign up to receive this free publication, contact the seminary office.

In March, Pre-seminary student Bruce Feenstra (Hope PRC-Redlands and now Hope PRC-Grand Rapids, MI) made application to enter the seminary this fall. He was interviewed at the March 17 meeting of the Theological School Committee and recommended for entrance into seminary. Now the PRC Synod must act on this recommendation at its annual meeting this June. We rejoice with this brother in God’s leading to this point and pray that He will continue to pave the way for Bruce’s training for the ministry of the Word in the PRC.

PRC news (congregational)

The spring bulletins of our congregations reveal that this is another season of home visitation by our pastors and elders. May the Lord richly bless this good Reformed and biblical practice and use our pastors and elders to build up the body of Jesus Christ in the doctrine and life of the gospel.

Calvary PRC (Hull, IA) held their Spring Program on Sunday evening, March 27. “God of Creation” was the theme, with these songs being some of the featured ones by the choir and band: “The Heavens Are Telling,” “All Creatures of our God and King,” and “All Things Bright and Beautiful.”

Edgerton PRC (MN) will host the Combined Men’s Society meeting on April 18. Hull PRC will lead the after- recess discussion. What a blessing that this annual tradition continues!

Hudsonville PRC (MI) recently made some decisions regarding the Reformed Book Outlet, the bookstore they operate in downtown Hudsonville, MI. Because the building they were in from the beginning was recently sold, they sought and found a new building on Harvey St., just to the east. The new location requires some renovations, so there is a delay before they can reopen (their last day of business in the former location was March 26). But, as they advertised, “watch the bulletin or our social media pages for updates on when we will open in our new location. In the meantime, our website will still be open for ordering, for shipping or for local pickup.” We are truly thankful they could find a location close to the spot they had occupied for all those years and wish them well in the new location. And let me encourage those in the West Michigan area to visit the store and buy some good books!

Hull (IA) PRC: All area women—that is, in the Siouxland area!—are invited to the Spring Ladies’ League meeting to be held in the Hull PRC on Thursday, April 28.

Immanuel PRC (Lacombe, AB): The Evangelism Committee is hosting a Potluck Supper and Singspiration on Good Friday, April 15, at Genesis PR School. Doors will be open at 5 with devotions for supper beginning at 5:30. “After supper there will be a time for celebrating our Savior’s redeeming work on the cross for us, through singing! The Evangelism Committee would like to encourage special numbers as well.” In case you are wondering, Immanuel holds her Good Friday service in the morning, thus opening the evening for this event.

Due to the congregation’s growth, the Council of Unity PRC (Byron Center, MI) recently decided to add an elder and a deacon, bringing the total to seven elders and six deacons. You may recall that Unity (like Byron Center PRC, out of which they have their origin) has their annual congregational meeting in July, not at the end of the year as most of our churches do.

Zion PRC (Jenison, MI) recently accepted the Domestic Mission Committee’s request to serve as the new calling church for a PRC home missionary. Watch for more news on this exciting endeavor! And let’s be in prayer for her Council and members as they involve themselves in this very special labor.

Young people/young adult activities

The Crete PRC young people hosted an Easter Singspiration on April 10.

The Hull PRC Young People’s Society invited the congregation and all in the area to their Resurrection Singspiration on April 10.

Another Western Young People’s Retreat has been planned for July 12-15 at Camp Sanders in Tensed, Idaho. The theme this year is “Walking by Faith” based on I Corinthians 5:7.

PR Christian school activities

Grandparents’ day in our Christian schools is always a very special day for us grandparents. Recently, Trinity High School (Hull, IA) held theirs on March 24, which included a special program and lunch. Faith CS in Randolph, WI held theirs on April 1, which began with a chapel followed by an open house and meal. Heritage CS is to hold theirs on April 15, which includes a chapel, snacks, and class visitation. An annual highlight for my wife and me!

Another special item to mention is that this is the time of year for annual Christian school society meetings. A glance at the school notices and church bulletins will show you that these meetings are scheduled consistently for March and April. At these meetings society members choose new board members, adopt budgets for the operation of the schools, and vote on special proposals related to building and grounds matters. As one participates in such society meetings, he sees the blessings of God’s covenant in generations— from the children in the school to the great-grandparents in attendance! May we not take the privilege— and calling—of such membership for granted. Did I mention that at these meetings new members may also join? Will you consider it, if you are not already one?

Church library feature—Trinity PRC

Our next church library to be featured is Trinity PRC’s in Hudsonville, MI. The picture and the description come compliments of Corey Terpstra, a member of the library committee and Council liaison.

“When Trinity’s new sanctuary was added a few years ago our library was relocated and a beautiful new area with lots of room to grow was created. Trinity’s library includes an area for periodicals and magazines, a growing children’s section, a large selection of commentaries, and an adult section that includes titles from doctrine and the church to practical Christian living. Our library committee continues to add new books and titles each month. Our committee ‘advertises’ books related to specific topics each month in an area of our narthex. Our library continues to grow and is a great resource for our congregation. We are encouraged to see very good usage from all ages in our congregation.”

Don’t forget that I am looking for your church library to be featured next! Please send me a picture and a short description of the place and function of the library in your congregation.