Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 8 December, 2013
“But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious,
longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth” (Psalm 86:15)
Morning Service – 11:00 AM
The Prophet Jonah (4)
God Pursues Jonah [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Jonah 1
Text: Jonah 1:6-10
I. Jonah Rebuked!
II. Jonah Identified!
III. Jonah Questioned!
Psalms: 145:1-8; 55:18-23; 46:1-7; 107:21-28
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
Baptism and Union With Christ [youtube]
Scripture Reading: I Corinthians 10
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 26
I. The Meaning
II. The Washing
III. The Calling
Psalms: 86:8-13; 56:1-6; 37:29-37; 119:17-24
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 Carolyn Prins and Val VanBaren from Trinity PRC and Hope PRC to our worship services today. Everyone is welcome to stay for tea after the evening service.
Monday Catechism: Bradley, Samuel (Beginners NT) – 5:30PM
Alex, Nathan (Juniors OT) – 6:15PM
Jacob, Joseph (Seniors OT) – 7:00PM
Timothy (Essentials of Reformed Doctrine) – 7:45PM
Tuesday Bible study meets at 11 AM to study Christ’s controversy on marriage, divorce and remarriage, especially regarding the nature of marriage.
Belgic Confession Class meets this Wednesday at 7:45 PM to continue with article 22 on “Faith in Jesus Christ.”
S. Wales Lecture: Rev. McGeown will speak this Thursday, 12 December, at the Round Chapel in Port Talbot on “Eternal Life in Heaven.”
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s Day (Gospel 846MW at 8:30 AM) is entitled “Church and the Family” (Psalm 128:5-6).
Next Sunday evening, we will have a preparatory service with a view to celebrating the Lord’s Supper on 22 December.
On Sunday, 29 December, Rev. McGeown is to preach for the CPRC while Rev. Stewart preaches for the Limerick Reformed Fellowship.
Everyone is invited to the manse on 31 December for games and fellowship.
William and Alison Graham requested baptism for their daughter, Hannah Joy. The council joyfully granted this request and baptism is scheduled for Sunday, 5 January.
Rev. Garry Eriks and Elder Sid Miedema are coming for church visitation from 24 January to 4 February.
On Wednesday, 29 January, Rev. Eriks will be giving a lecture on “Knowing the Truth in an Age of Uncertainty.”
The congregational dinner is scheduled for Friday, 31 January.
Offerings: General Fund – £484.14. Building Fund – £236.70.
Website Additions: 1 Swedish translation (Prof. Cammenga’s pamphlet “Women in Church Office”) and 1 Afrikaans translation (a chapter from The Reformed Worldview).
PRC News: Doon PRC will call from a trio of Revs. Bruinsma, Koole and Marcus.
Encouraging Quotes:
“Thank you for the [box set of] the Belgic Confession, article 19. I have often wondered how the two natures of Christ work themselves out in His life on earth, but have never read or heard anything before, so I am looking forward to listening to them.” – S. Wales
“[‘Pursued by the Shepherd’s Goodness’ by Rev. McGeown is a] great sermon! Richly blessed by it today. Thank you!” – a viewer on YouTube
“I still enjoy listening to your sermons. They are a blessing to my soul and very challenging. Could you please send me your green book with the Canons of Dordt.” – Co. Antrim
“My brothers and our families found your website while we were coming to a better understanding of what God asks of us in the worship service. The video debate about exclusive psalmody was very helpful … Thank you again for the great resource you have been to my family.” – Texas, USA
“I apologize for taking so long in responding to your letter and wonderful selection of pamphlets and books. I am working my way through them … Sadly our churches are ignoring God’s Word where divorce and remarriage is concerned, and we wonder why there is no blessing. Thank you for your kindness and every blessing in the work you do in Ballymena.” – Scotland
“In my search to learn more about the Reformed faith I came across your ‘two-against-one’ [Calvinism vs. Arminianism] debate on YouTube. I very much enjoyed watching this video, although I felt it was unfortunate that the moderator did not seem to understand what you were saying a lot of the time. He was nowhere near impartial either! You quoted Scripture. He tried to say things which ‘make sense.’ Although he would not give you a ‘God bless,’ I certainly will … Thank you for your wonderful defence of biblical truths … showing the great comfort believers have when we know nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.” – Canada
“Many thanks for [The Reformed Worldview] and other material. I am halfway through the book and thoroughly impressed by it because it confirms the way I see the world. I am considering buying copies for my two Christian grandsons.” – England
“I just watched your video ‘Calvinism, Hyper-Calvinism and Hypo-Calvinism.’ It was very insightful! Someone told me to stay away from the PRCA because it was hyper-Calvinist, but I know that is false!” – Missouri, USA
“Thank you so much for the CDs on ‘Zechariah’s Night Visions,’ which arrived safely on Friday. I much appreciate you including your letter to the PR churches also. It is good to hear about the CPRC. I have been much blessed by the Covenant Reformed News, too … My great thanks to you and Mary and all the CPRC for your ministry to me and all the other brethren during another year. It truly is a life-line!” – Yorkshire, England
“The books sent have arrived safely today. Thank you for your kindness. We are just so thankful to our great God and Saviour who has promised to feed His people in the time of a famine of the hearing of the words of the Lord. The grace of the Lord be with you all.” – Australia
“Hope you are all well at this time. I do get a blessing from reading the Covenant Reformed News. Thank you for everything. God bless.” – Co. Armagh
“May God bless you richly. I knew the truth through a friend who told me about the Reformed theology. Some years ago I was pentecostal, but now I thank the Lord because He opened my eyes to see the truth. I was surfing the internet and saw these pamphlets on your website and decided to request them from you because I desire to learn more about the truth.” – Brazil
“I found Prof. Engelsma’s Bound to Join a compelling read and very challenging. Since reading it I have dipped into it frequently. I look forward to reading his response to critics. I can understand why objections and criticisms would be raised. But his biblical foundation and logic is in my view unassailable. The marks of a true church are simple enough it seems to me. It is only when they are added to or taken from or indeed ignored that things become complicated, confused and corrupted. Residual sin in man will always want its own way, which is usually the most comfortable to his conscience. When that conscience is pricked so is his pride. I speak from personal experience. But the dilemma that many face regarding joining themselves to a true church that is both scriptural and confessional in its life and witness is and remains in today’s prevailing apostasy increasingly difficult.” – W. Midlands, England
“Thank you for sending the booklets, etc. One feels very isolated holding to these doctrines and trying to influence others.” – Scotland
“I have this morning received the books. Thank you! It is a real treasure … I might start translating from The Reformed Worldview of Hanko and Engelsma. DV, I will send you a few pages later this week. Thank you again.” – S. Africa
“I recently watched the Psalm debate. It really made me think more clearly about why we should only sing the Psalms of David. Lots of things I didn’t know before. It made a lot of sense.” – S. Wales
“I love your debates and your passion for the Word. I currently attend a Reformed Baptist church and have been a Calvinist since 2010. I guess you’ve been instrumental in my conversion because I became [a Calvinist] shortly after I watched your debate with Rev. Ramsay. Only recently I’ve started to search for the case for cessationism.” – Philippines
“Watched the live service earlier and enjoyed it.” –Co. Londonderry
“I was able to watch both services [live] today and was blessed.” – Russia
“Gathered together with you at 6 AM EST here in North Carolina. Thank you for your outreach to us! Thank you for preaching the Word of God! Thanks be to God!” – N. Carolina, USA
