Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 19 June, 2016
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed
by the renewing of your mind …” (Rom. 12:2)
Morning Service – 11:00 AM
Complete in Christ (6)
Christian Circumcision [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Colossians 2
Text: Colossians 2:11-12
I. Greater Than Physical Circumcision
II. Equivalent to Spiritual Baptism
III. Vital for Christian Completeness
Psalms: 138:1-6; 146:7-10; 62:1-2, 5-8; 36:5-9
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
Preparatory
Praying for the Forgiveness of Sins [youtube]
Scripture Reading: I John 1:1-2:2
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 51
I. The Nature of Our Sins
II. The Basis of Their Forgiveness
III. The Evidence of God’s Grace
Psalms: 95:1-6; 147:1-5; 32:1-5; 51:1-7
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)
Rev. Stewart’s bi-monthly letter to the PRC is available on the back table.
With Rev. McGeown at the PR Synod this past week and returning to Limerick on Tuesday, the Limerick Reformed Fellowship will be watching the CPRC services live.
This evening will be a preparatory service with the view to partaking of the Lord’s Supper next Sunday morning.
Philip Hall’s term as deacon ends in August. Church Order 22 advises that members be given “an opportunity to direct attention to suitable persons,” so if you have anyone you believe should be nominated for this office, please speak with Rev. Stewart or an elder.
The Tuesday Bible study meets at 11 AM to discuss the eating of blood in connection with the OT food laws.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s Day (Gospel 846MW at 8:30 AM) by Rev. R. Kleyn is entitled “Watching and Ready for the Return of Christ” (Matt. 25:1-13).
Offerings: General Fund: £653.80.
New translations: 2 Hungarian and 2 Indonesian.
PRC news: Rev. Eriks declined the call to Holland.
Report of the PRC Synod 2016
On Tuesday, June 14, 2016, the PRC Synod convened officially and began its work. Last year’s president, Rev. S. Key, opened the initial session. Voting for new officers took place with Rev. G. Eriks elected as president, Rev. R. Van Overloop as vice-president, Rev. D. Kuiper as first clerk, and Rev. A. Brummel as second clerk. Committee assignments were then determined and Synod adjourned for the day so that the committees of pre-advice could begin their work.
Synod convened on Wednesday morning at 8:00 a.m. and immediately took up the matter of the legality of the appeal of Mr. Neal Meyer. Synod declared the appeal in its entirety to be legally before synod. A motion passed to treat the appeal in open session. Synod decided to take up the appeal around 1:00 p.m. on Thursday afternoon, Lord willing.
Synod treated the Domestic Mission Committee (DMC) material expressing thanks to Rev. Bruinsma and his wife Mary and Southwest PRC for their work and joy in the Lord’s work of bringing the Pittsburgh Fellowship to the point of being organized as an instituted congregation.
All of the matters brought by the DMC passed Synod’s approval, most significant of which was the proposal for calling another home missionary. Expressing a desire to remain faithful to the Lord of the Church by being busy in the work of missions in our land, approval was given to call another home missionary who will develop a field of labour and then preach and teach on that field which the Spirit provides. Byron Center PRC was approved as the calling church.
The Theological School material was treated and approved with the exception of the matter of the examination of next year’s students. Synod recommitted that matter to Committee 1. Synod approved the admission of Mr. Josiah Tan, a student from our sister-church in Singapore to the seminary next Fall.
Synod took up the matters of the Contact Committee (CC) treating the material relating to the CERC of Singapore. Synod expressed agreement with the changes they are proposing in their church order which brings it closer in agreement with our church order. Approval was given for Rev. D Kleyn and another PR pastor to travel to Singapore in October to assist the CERC in the examination of Emmanuel Singh with a view to his being called as their missionary to India. Rev. Andy Lanning, pastor of the CERC, read a letter to the synod expressing the appreciation of the CERCS for the sister-church relationship we enjoy and outlining some of the highlights of their labours. The chair of synod expressed mutual appreciation for the relationship and gave words of encouragement to the brother.
Synod approved the work of the CC with the Covenant Protestant Reformed Church in Northern Ireland and their mission work in Limerick. Opportunity was given to Rev. McGeown to address synod and he spoke of the work being performed in Northern Ireland and Limerick and expressed similar appreciation for the relationship they enjoy with the PRCA and the CERCS. The chair of synod also addressed gratitude to God for our relationship and the witness of the gospel in that land.
Synod approved the labours of the CC in their work with the BERG in Germany. Dr. Klautke addressed synod using the parting works of the president of the synod of Dordt as words of encouragement as now those of Dutch heritage reach out to assist those who find themselves alone in Germany. Dr. Klautke gave a brief summary of the history of the congregation and the seminary and expressed appreciation for the contact that we enjoy. Once again the chair of synod expressed mutual appreciation for our contact with this small congregation and our desire to grow together by getting to know them better.
Synod approved careful guidelines submitted by the CC regarding participation in Ecumenical Councils and approved a lengthy addition in the CC constitution under the heading of their Task. Synod ended its work around 3:45 on Wednesday afternoon in order to allow for Committee 4 to continue their pre-advice work on the appeals. Dr. Klautke gave a lecture at Calvary PRC expanding on the work of the BERG in Germany at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
Thursday, June 16, 2016. Synod turned this morning to the material of the Contact Committee regarding NAPARC Approval was given to the CC to accept NAPARC’s invitation and send two observers to the 2016 meeting and a mandate was approved.
The work of the CC with Namibia and South Africa was approved and an encouraging update was heard regarding the recent delegation.
Approval was given to the CC regarding continuing discussions with the PRC of the Philippines with a view to establishing sister church relations.
Next year synod anticipates the joyful prospect of many examinations. Synod approved the TSC’s proposed concept for the student examination of 2017 of dividing the synodical delegates and students into two groups and shortening the length of the examinations according to a specific schedule.
Synod approved the work of the Foreign Mission Committee (FMC) in the Philippines and expressed gratitude to Rev. and Mrs. Daniel Kleyn for their faithful service. Rev. Kleyn addressed the synod briefly. The chair of synod had opportunity to thank him and encourage him in the labors. The proposal to call a third missionary in the Philippines was approved with the view to one of the missionaries devoting time to investigate the possibility of setting up a theological school in the Philippines.
Synod treated the Neil Meyer appeal. Synod did not sustain the appeal of Mr. Meyer in his contention that the sermon on John 14:6 taught a conditional covenant. Synod declared that Hope’s consistory erred in their wholesale defence of the sermon in light of statements that were confusing and apparently contradictory. Synod sustained the appeal of Mr. Meyer against the charge of Hope’s consistory and the decision of Classis East that he “maintains and teaches antinomianism.” Synod concluded its business at 10 p.m. with the prayer that God would bless the decisions and continue to guide the delegates and all involved with wisdom.
Friday, June 17, 2016. Synod began the day finishing the work of the FMC by approving the work with Hope PRC-Walker in Myanmar and with Georgetown PRC in India. The work of the Catechism Book Committee was approved in its work of publishing and distributing the Confessions and Church Order of the PRC in E-pub and Mobi formats. The committee was instructed to poll the consistories of our churches for suggested improvements to the catechism curriculum and bring a recommendation regarding possible revisions to Synod 2017.
Taking up the matter of Psalter revision, synod declared the CC having fulfilled the mandate of Synod 2015 regarding a detailed and grounded proposal about whether to proceed with the work. Synod instructed the CC to continue its participation in the interdenominational project with the Free Reformed Churches and the Heritage Netherlands Reformed Churches and adopted the principles that are guiding the revision, central to which is the accuracy of the text to the Psalms. Synod expressed the desire to have a song book that is more faithful to the Psalms and will assist us and our children with a greater love and appreciation for the Psalms. Toward that end the songs will be numbered according to the respective Psalms to encourage learning the Psalms better, and the lyrics revised to be more faithful to the Psalms. Concern was expressed that the scope of the revision not become too broad in terms of changing tunes and lyrics without compelling reasons.
Synod declared Mr. Wes Koops’ appeal as not legally before synod seeing as it missed the deadline of April 15. He was thanked for the spirit with which he brought the appeal as well as for its brevity. His main concerns had been already addressed by synod on Thursday.
Mr. Don Offringa was appointed as Synodical Treasurer. Mr. Tom Holstege was appointed as Assistant Treasurer. Mr. Kevin Van Overloop was thanked for his 19 years of service to the churches, and especially his willingness this past year to step up to fill the position of synodical treasurer. 13 Emeritation requests totalling $346,887, a reduction of $3,200 from 2016, were approved for 2017. 8 subsidy requests totalling $273,910US and $56,000CN were approved.
Total expenses of synod totalled $5,437.59. The total budget of synod for 2017 is $2,018,999. Assessments were increased $25 over 2016 to $815 per family per year making use of the projected family count of 2110.
Synod approved Hudsonville PRC as host to the meeting of synod in 2017 to convene on Tuesday, June 13 at 8:00 a.m.
