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83 Clarence Street, Ballymena, N. Ireland BT43 5DR

83 Clarence Street, Ballymena, N. Ireland BT43 5DR

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  • CPRC Bulletin – January 4, 2009

CPRC Bulletin – January 4, 2009

Covenant Protestant Reformed Church

Ballymena

Rev. Angus Stewart

Lord’s Day, 4 January, 2009

“Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help,

whose hope is in the Lord his God” (Ps. 146:5)

Morning Service – 11:00 AM     Prof. B. Gritters

All Things Are Ours

I Corinthians 3:20-21

I. What Is Ours

II. Why They Are Ours

III. What Is Our Response

Psalms: 66:1-5; 9:10-14; 90:1-2, 13-17; 7:1, 4-8

Evening Service – 6:00 PM        Prof. B. Gritters

God’s Gracious Covering of Our First Parents

Genesis 3:7, 21

I. Their Shame and Folly

II. God’s Gracious Covering

Psalms: 44:1-8; 9:15-20; 39:1-5, 7-8; 51:1-10

For CDs of the sermons and DVDs of the worship services, contact Stephen Murray
If you desire a pastoral visit, please contact Rev. Stewart or the elders

CPRC Website: www.cprc.co.uk • Live Webcast: https://cprc.co.uk/live-streaming/
CPRC YouTube: www.youtube.com/cprcni
CPRC Facebook: www.facebook.com/CovenantPRC

Announcements (subject to God’s will):

We welcome the church visitors, Prof. Gritters and Peter Vander Schaaf, to our worship services today. Prof. Gritters will be preaching at both services today and next Lord’s Day.

Rev. Stewart is leading worship services for the Limerick Reformed Fellowship today. Please remember these saints in your prayers.

New pamphlets on the antithesis are available on the back table.

Our thanks to Tommy Hamill for cleaning the hall, especially the back corner.

Pray this week for those who are experiencing health difficulties that they might cast their burdens upon the Lord (Psalm 55:22). Remember to pray for our families, that their homes might be places where God is faithfully served (Joshua 24:15). Pray for our young people that they might be strong in the Lord and reflect the beauties of Christ (Psalm 144:12). Pray for our children that they might learn the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 7:1-3). “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16).

Catechism: Tuesday, 10:15 AM – Beginners OT Class at the Murrays

Tuesday, 4:30 PM – Jacob Buchanan

Tuesday, 5:30 PM – Jamie & Debbie Murray

Tuesday, 7:00 PM – Campbells at the manse

Ladies’ Bible Study meets this Tuesday, 10:15 AM, at the Murrays to study lesson 7. Lesson 8 is available on the back table.

Midweek Bible Study meets on Wednesday, 7:45 PM at the manse. Prof. Gritters will discuss the two silver trumpets of Numbers 10.

The church visitors and the Stewarts travel to Limerick on Thursday, 8 Jan., where Prof. Gritters will give a lecture on “Music’s Indispensable Place in (the) Reformation.”

The Congregational Dinner is this Friday. Plan to be at Montgomerys in Ballymena at 7 PM with dinner being served at 7:30 PM.

The Reformed Witness Hour next Lord’s Day (8:30-9:00 AM, on Gospel 846MW), is “Crowning Our Families With Glory” (Prov. 17:6) by Rev. Rodney Kleyn.

Offerings: General Fund – £921.20. Donations: £13.40 (pamphlets), £200 (building fund).

Stephen Rushton plans to visit us from 18-23 February.

Upcoming Lectures: Portadown, Fri., 20 Feb., 8 PM – John Calvin’s Battle for the Reformation

(Date changed! – To Be Announced) S. Wales, 7:15 PM – John Calvin’s Battle for the Reformation

Limerick, Fri., 6 March, 7:30 PM – John Calvin’s Battle for the Reformation

Website Additions: Five Italian and three Filipino translations were added.

PRC News: Rev. Smit (Lacombe, Canada) received the call to the Philippines.

Questions for Church Visitation

Questions to the Full Consistory

  1. Is the Word administered at least twice on the Lord’s Day?

  2. Is the Heidelberg Catechism regularly explained in the services for divine worship, so that no doctrine is left untreated?

  3. In the reading services, are sermons used as much as possible which are produced in our own circle?

  4. Is the Lord’s Supper celebrated at least four times a year, preceded by a preparatory sermon, and followed by an applicatory sermon?

  5. Does the consistory see to it that catechism classes are regularly conducted? Does the consistory determine the material for instruction? And does it see to it that the classes are regularly attended?

  6. Are consistory member chosen in agreement with the rules of the Church Order?

  7. Does the consistory meet regularly in accord with the needs of the congregation, at least once a month?

  8. Are all matters coming before the consistory treated according to our Church Order, and are the minutes properly recorded and kept?

  9. Is censura morum conducted among the members of the consistory before each Lord’s Supper?

  10. Is family visitation conducted faithfully, so that each family receives an official visit once a year?

  11. Is church discipline faithfully exercised according to God’s Word and the Church Order?

  12. Is the consistory aware whether there are members of secret organisations in the congregation, and if so, is church discipline applied to them?

  13. What is the spiritual condition of the congregation? Is there unity, peace, and love?

  14. Do the children of the congregation, when they come to years of discretion, seek admission to the Lord’s Supper? And if they are remiss, are they pointed to their obligation and treated as the need requires?

  15. Is the congregation busy in the extension of God’s kingdom, especially in the promotion of missions, to the best of its ability?

  16. Are the synodical assessments faithfully paid, in agreement with the stipulated regulations?

  17. Are the funds of the church and the poor fund and all proofs of possessions kept in a safe place so that no occasion is given for mistrust nor difficulties can arise on leave of office or death, and is the congregation properly incorporated with the State? Are the archives in order?

  18. Does the consistory see to it that the parents send their children to the Christian school?

  19. Are the Forms of Unity signed by all the members of the consistory, the ministers, elders, and deacons?

Questions to the Elders and Deacons in the Absence of the Minister

  1. Does the minister in the preaching and in the administration of the sacraments do his work faithfully according to the Word of God, the Forms of Unity, and the Church Order?

  2. Does the minister faithfully explain God’s Word so that the congregation is built up through his preaching?

  3. Does he regularly conduct the catechism classes, visit the sick faithfully, and take part in family visitation?

  4. Does the minister reveal himself as a worthy example?

  5. Is he devoted as much as possible to the exercise of his office?

  6. Does he receive sufficient income to take care of the needs of his family, taking in consideration the character of his work?

Questions to the Minister and the Deacons in the Absence of the Elders

  1. Do the elders regularly attend the services for divine worship as well as the consistory meetings?

  2. Do they at set times attend the catechism classes to see how they are conducted and attended; and do they assist the minister when the need requires it in catechising?

  3. Do they see to it that Christian discipline is exercised, and that everything is done honourably and in good order?

  4. Do the elders visit the sick and others in agreement with the calling of their office?

  5. Do they try to prevent and remove all offence in the congregation, and try to comfort and instruct the members?

  6. Do they conduct themselves as examples to the congregation in their family and outward walk of life?

Questions to the Minister and Elders in the Absence of the Deacons

  1. Do the deacons attend regularly the services for divine worship as well as the consistory meetings; and in case such meetings are held, do they also attend deacons’ meetings?

  2. Are they diligent in the collecting of the alms, and do they faithfully realise their calling in the care and comfort of the poor and oppressed?

  3. Are the collections counted in the presence of the minister or one or more of the elders?

  4. Do they administer the finances wisely, in consultation with the minister and the consistory?

  5. Do they, in their family and outward life and walk, reveal themselves as exemplary Christians?

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