Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 2 May, 2021
“O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness:
fear before him, all the earth” (Ps. 96:9)
Morning Service – 11:00 AM
Baptism
Jerusalem, Jehovah’s Dwelling Place [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Zechariah 8
Text: Zechariah 8:3-5
I. The City of Truth
II. The Holy Mountain
III. The Playing Children
Psalms: 119:25-32; 128:1-6
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
Praying Soli Deo Gloria [youtube]
Scripture Reading: I Samuel 2:1-21
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 47
I. Knowing God
II. Praising God
III. Directing Our Lives
Psalms: 71:1-8; 119:137-144
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
J. Alexander: “As the loving mother rejoices to be the fountain of nourishment to the babe which clings to her, so the Christian father delights to convey, even by reverent reading, ‘the sincere milk of the word’ (I Peter 2:2). He has found it good to his own soul; he rejoices in an appointed means of conveying it to his offspring … The example of a father is acknowledged to be all-important. The stream must not be expected to rise higher than the fountain. The Christian householder will feel himself constrained to say, ‘I am leading my family in solemn addresses to God’ what manner of man should I be! How wise, holy, and exemplary!? … Establish the worship of God in any house, and you erect around it a new barrier against the breaking in of the world, the flesh, and the devil.”
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
This morning we witness the baptism of Jonathan Norman Crossett. May the Lord strengthen and bless David & Kristin as they raise their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord.
A new issue of the Covenant Reformed News is available on the back table.
Catechism classes:
Monday, 5:00 PM: Jason & Sebastian (Juniors OT)
Monday, 5:45 PM: Eleanora, Hannah, Jorja, Penelope & Somaya (Beginners OT)
Monday, 6:30 PM: Angelica, Bradley, Josh, Samuel & Taylor (Seniors OT)
Monday, 7:15 PM: Alex, Jacob & Nathan (Essentials)
Tuesday Bible study at 11 AM will meet in the auditorium to continue our consideration of the difficulty of faith.
Belgic Confession Class will meet and be streamed live this Wednesday at 7:45 PM discussing Balaam’s prophecy on the last days in connection with Article 37.
Saturday night Bible study will meet this week at church and on-line to discuss Hebrews 9:1-10.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s day (Gospel 846 MW at 8:30 AM) by Rev. R. Kleyn is entitled, “Legalism and the Sabbath” (Mark 2:23-28).
The Council meets next Monday, 10 May, at 8 PM.
Offerings: General Fund: £804.
Translation Additions: 1 Polish, 1 Hungarian and 1 Marathi.
PRC News: Prof. Dykstra is in the last few days of his time serving the CERC in Singapore. Plans are for Prof. and Mrs. Dykstra to return to the US on 10 May. Rev. & Kelly Smidstra arrived safely in Singapore and will be quarantining for 2 weeks. Prof. Decker, emeritus Professor of Practical Theology and New Testament, has been suffering from esophageal cancer and awaits the moment of his deliverance from this life to the presence of his Saviour in glory.
Encouraging Quotes
“I was born and brought up a Roman Catholic. In my quest to be closer to God, I joined the Jesuits to become a priest. However, the Lord in His grace saved me … Now I am back in Sri Lanka, my home country. My problem is that all the churches in Sri Lanka are either mainland churches or charismatic. I need help to grow in the knowledge of Reformed doctrine. Currently I am reading The Reformed Worldview by Prof. Engelsma and Prof. Hanko. I am married and have three children. I would like to bring them up in the faith and eventually teach my fellow Sri Lankans the truth.” – Sri Lanka
“Thank you for sending me the Covenant Reformed News. I appreciate these articles very much and especially so as I still have not been able to get back to church. Some time ago there was a bad outbreak of COVID in our church and I did not feel safe to go back …” – Co. Antrim
“Thank you very much for sharing this resource and links to many wonderful messages and articles on the sovereign grace of our God. I appreciate your website and the books you sell. I will certainly return to purchase more in the future.” – Scotland
“Thank you for your thoughts. There is such confusion in finding reliable material considering how much is out there and how many there are who wish to deceive and seduce. I now have a copy of More Than Conquerors on the way and hope to be able to get the more in-depth volume, Behold He Cometh, in due time. I was again shocked at how relevant your class [on the last days] was on Wednesday …” – England
“I want to express my appreciation for your website and the articles and pamphlets that you have made available. I have found many of the materials to be helpful, stimulating and challenging. Though I am a minister in the Christian Reformed Church in North America, I have long appreciated the work of Herman Hoeksema and have found myself growing in my appreciation of the Protestant Reformed theological tradition in recent years.” – New York, USA
“As you see, I keep being drawn back to some of your materials, since they are a spiritual pleasure to read and profitable.” – Netherlands
“I knew Prof. Hanko was in his 80s but had not realized that he was coming up to 90 years. He must still have work to do for the Lord and the Lord’s bride, as He has kept him here! And he has been such a blessing to us through the News and through his very helpful commentaries! I linked up with the BRF in 1993, I think, so have been receiving the News since the early days and soon after Rev. Hanko and family arrived. How good it is that he is taking up the reins again!” – Yorkshire
“I’m left without words for your kindness and support. I praise Christ for blessing me with your outreach ministry. Just last week I … decided to get Hoeksema’s Reformed Dogmatics. And now I’m receiving the Three Forms of Unity in hardback with proof texts as a gift from a true church of the Lord. It’s really a joy being in His kingdom. Thank you for all the gifted books and literature as well as the opportunity to translate for the Macedonian saints. I’ve started the Heidelberg Catechism this morning. I can’t remember when I’ve actually like translating anything. It’s edifying for learning and enjoyable. I’m also enjoying the streams and videos (debates and sermons).” – Macedonia
“I can’t thank you enough for the pamphlets. You have been very kind. My faith grows daily. I am reading the books by Herman Hoeksema. The great news is that one of my sons has been reading some of my pamphlets and has been asking me questions. First, he was critical but now he listens and is reading Behold He Cometh.” – Co. Antrim
“Ezekiel 10 has always been something of a mystery chapter, and I have tried to visualize the wheels and living creatures, etc., mentioned, but failed utterly. I think I did not realize the vehicle being depicted was even a chariot. That being said, your sermon last Sunday morning shed much light on the chapter, and I feel I have now a much clearer understanding of what Ezekiel saw. It was especially helpful breaking down this divine chariot into its component parts in order to arrive at an overall picture.”- England
“Thank you for your counsel and your posts on Facebook. Your quotes on assurance have been a blessing to me. I hope to listen to more of your lectures and sermons. Praise God for your faithfulness to the truth in these times.” – Washington, USA
“My wife and I watched the livestream of the CPRC morning service together. We are deeply encouraged by watching the livestream every week … I was also blessed by watching the eschatology class on James 5 a few days ago, especially because I was deceived by the false teaching of postmillennialism in the past.” – Germany
“Glad to be able to tune in to the CPRC service this morning. Looking forward to following your exposition of Ezekiel 8-11.” – S. Wales
“I can hardly express how thankful I am for the article you sent by Prof. Hanko. I have been looking for something to share with my children on the subject of tattoos and was having a difficult time finding what I needed. It is scary to see how the American culture, even within the conservative church, seems to be changing.” – Georgia, USA
“I am happy to receive the Covenant Reformed News. I also have Doctrine According to Godliness by Rev. Hanko and it has been a blessing reading it.” – Birmingham
