Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 20 June, 2021
“O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness:
fear before him, all the earth” (Ps. 96:9)
Morning Service – 11:00 AM
John’s Witness of Christ’s Resurrection (4)
Thomas and the Risen Christ [youtube]
Scripture Reading: John 20:11-31
Text: John 20:24-31
I. The Terrible Unbelief
II. The Climactic Confession
III. The Vital Lessons
Psalms: 36:5-11; 135:1-7; 22:11-18; 21:1-6
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
Preparatory
Covenantal Anatomy [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Psalm 34
Text: Psalm 34
I. God
II. Man
III. Christ
Psalms: 111:4-10; 135:8-14; 145:15-21; 34:14-20
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: www.cprc.co.uk/live-streaming
CPRC YouTube: www.youtube.com/cprcni
CPRC Facebook: www.facebook.com/CovenantPRC
Quote to Consider
Don Doezema: “To the unanimous testimony of those ‘whose character for veracity he knew so well’ (Lenski), Thomas responded, ‘Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe’ (John 20:25). What exactly was it, we might ask, that Thomas did not believe? The point at issue was the resurrection, of course; but in what respect was Thomas challenging the testimony of eyewitnesses? Did he accuse them of collaboration in a falsehood? Hardly that! Did he argue that they had all together been victims of hallucinations? Quite remarkable it would have been if all those gathered on Easter evening had been subject at the same time to identical illusions. For Thomas to have taken a stand like that would have to have been sheer obstinacy. Edersheim is very likely right, therefore, in his contention that Thomas was willing to concede that Jesus did appear all right, but Thomas continued to insist that what the disciples saw was what they had themselves at first thought it to be, namely, a spirit. The importance of the bodily resurrection of the Lord cannot be overstated. That is why Jesus took such pains to correct the wrong notion of the disciples when He appeared in their midst in the closed room. They must understand that death did not overcome Him, and put an end to His work, but that He overcame death, and that His work therefore goes on, though in a far more exalted way than they had ever envisioned” (Upon This Rock, vol. 2, p. 391).
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
This evening will be a preparatory service with a view to partaking of the Lord’s Supper next Lord’s Day morning.
The June issue of the Covenant Reformed News, with articles on “The Church’s Catholicity: Perspectives and Scripture” and “The Differences Between the Two Versions of the Decalogue,” is on the back table.
Catechism classes:
Monday, 5:00 PM: Jason & Sebastian (lesson 25 plus a take-home test)
Monday, 5:45 PM: Eleanora, Hannah, Jorja, Penelope & Somaya (test on lessons 13-25)
Monday, 6:30 PM: Angelica, Bradley, Josh, Samuel & Taylor (test on lessons 12-25)
Monday, 7:15 PM: Alex, Jacob & Nathan (test on lessons 25B-26)
Tuesday Bible study at 11 AM will meet upstairs to discuss the relationship between faith and works including James 2.
Saturday night Bible study will meet this week at church and on-line to consider Hebrews 10:11-25.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s day (Gospel 846 MW at 8:30 AM) by Rev. R. Kleyn is entitled, “Jesus’ True Family” (Mark 3:31-35).
Offerings: General Fund: £957.02.
Translation Addition: 1 Tamil (Canons of Dordt).
