Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
Ballymena
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 22 January, 2012
“Those that be planted in the house of the Lord
shall flourish in the courts of our God” (Ps. 92:13)
Morning Service – 11:00 AM Rev. W. Langerak
The Man-Eating Lion Survival Guide
Scripture Reading: I Peter 5
Text: I Peter 5:8-9
I. Knowing the Adversary
II. Avoiding an Ambush
III. Withstanding an Attack
Psalms: 65:1-5; 119:65-72; 7:1-6; 46:1-7
Evening Service – 6:00 PM Rev. W. Langerak
Scripture Reading: Genesis 6
Text: Genesis 6:13
I. The Destruction
II. The Explanation
III. The Purpose
Psalms: 5:1-7; 119:73-80; 70:1-5; 26:7-12
For CDs of the sermons and DVDs of the worship services, contact Stephen Murray
If you desire a pastoral visit, please contact Rev. Stewart
CPRC website: www.cprc.co.uk
CPRC YouTube: www.youtube.com/cprcni
CPRC Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Ballymena-United-Kingdom/Covenant-Protestant-Reformed-Church-N-Ireland/337347932331
Quote to Consider:
Canons of Dordt V:4: “Although the weakness of the flesh cannot prevail against the power of God, who confirms and preserves true believers in a state of grace, yet converts are not always so influenced and actuated by the Spirit of God, as not in some particular instances sinfully to deviate from the guidance of divine grace, so as to be seduced by, and to comply with the lusts of the flesh; they must, therefore, be constant in watching and in prayer, that they be not led into temptation. When these are neglected, they are not only liable to be drawn into great and heinous sins, by Satan, the world and the flesh, but sometimes by the righteous permission of God actually fall into these evils …”
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
We welcome Rev. Langerak and Elder Sid Miedema to our worship services. Rev. Langerak will be preaching for us today. Everyone is welcome to stay for tea and fellowship with the church visitors after the evening service.
Back table: The C. R. News and the Standard Bearer are available today.
Standard Bearer subscriptions (£16.20) are due. Please either pay the RFPA directly by credit card or pay Rev. Stewart. New subscribers are welcome!
The new devotional book by Herman Hoeksema, Communion With God, is available (£13.20 for book club members, £15 for non-book club members). You can pay the RFPA directly by credit card or pay Rev. or Mary Stewart.
Sunday Catechism: 10 AM – O.T. Juniors
Monday Catechism: 6 PM – O.T. Beginners (Alex & Nathan) 6:45 PM – O.T. Juniors (Jacob & Joseph) 7:30 PM – Heidelberg (Timothy, Zoe, Amy & Lea)
Rev. Langerak will lead our Tuesday morning Bible study (11 AM) on John 21.
This Wednesday, Rev. Langerak will give a lecture here entitled, “The Bible’s Identification of the Antichrist.” Plan to attend and invite friends.
Church visitation conducted by the church visitors with the CPRC Council will take place on Thursday, at 7:30 PM.
This Friday is the congregational dinner at the Adair Arms in Ballymena. Please arrive by 7 PM. The sign up sheet is still on the back table.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s Day (Gospel 846MW at 8:30 AM) will be “The First Meeting of Boaz & Ruth” (Ruth 1:1-17) by Rev. R. Kleyn.
Offerings: General Fund: £460.05. Donations: £150 (CR News), £30 (pamphlets).
PRC News: Edgerton PRC called Rev. Spronk (Peace, IL).
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 members 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?
