Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 18 November, 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
The Kingdom is the Lord’s! [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Psalm 22
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 48
I. The Citizens of the Kingdom
II. The Calling of the Kingdom
III. The Message of the Kingdom
Psalms: 96:1-7; 17:1-7; 22:22-26; 22:27-31
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
John the Baptist’s Birth and Preparation (3)
Unborn John Leaps for Joy! [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Luke 1:26-56
Text: Luke 1:39-45
I. The Occasion
II. The Significance
Psalms: 96:8-13; 17:8-15; 105:4-9; 22:9-15
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/CovenantPRC
Quote to Consider
Prof. Engelsma:“God, God only, is the creator, the origin, of the kingdom. The kingdom comes from Him, not from man. The kingdom, therefore, depends upon God—upon God only … In the kingdom our will, pleasures, friendships, families, and very lives are so subject to the king, that we are called to sacrifice them to God’s glory when this may be necessary. The kingdom is the kingdom of God. The king does not exist for the citizens, but we citizens exist for the king. When professing Christians, facing some personal suffering or loss, whine, ‘Christ would never require such hardship and pain of me,’ they show that they do not know the kingdom as the kingdom of God.”
Matthew Henry on Luke 1:41: “Now began to be fulfilled what the angel said to his father (v. 15), that he should be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb; and perhaps he himself had some reference to this, when he said (John 3:29), ‘The friend of the Bridegroom rejoiceth greatly, because of the Bridegroom’s voice,’ heard, though not by him, yet by his mother.”
Prof. Hanko: “Several things are clear from [Luke 1:39-45]. First, the text mentions twice that the voice of Mary was the immediate cause of John’s leap of joy within the womb of his mother. Therefore, it was the voice of Mary which communicated to John, within his mother, that Christ himself was present. Second, although John’s response to Mary’s voice was certainly miraculous, it was also the beginning of his work of announcing the coming of Christ, a work which he would complete with Christ’s baptism in the wilderness of Judea. This work John could and did perform only as a regenerated and qualified forerunner of Christ the Messiah. Third, Elisabeth, filled with the Holy Ghost, was able to interpret this leap of joy within her as an announcement of Christ’s coming and presence. There was no other way she could possibly have known that Mary was to be the mother of the Lord. Finally, John’s leap of joy was evidence of his regeneration. Not only did John take up his work, but he took up his work with joy, a joy which could only be borne out of a regenerated heart” (We and Our Children, pp. 143-144).
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
We welcome Jackie’s sister, Michelle, and Kevin from Trinidad to our worship services today.
The November CR News is on the back table today along with Rev. Stewart’s bi-monthly letter to the PRC.
Monday Catechism:
6 PM – O.T. Beginners (Bradley, Alex & Kirstin)
6:45 PM – N.T. Juniors (Nathan, Jacob & Joseph)
7:30 PM – Heidelberg (Timothy & Jackie)
The Tuesday morning Bible study will be held this week at 11 AM. We will look at Satan’s little season in the book of Revelation.
The Belgic Confession Class will meet this Wednesday, at 7:45 PM, to continue article 18 on our Lord’s human nature.
Rev. Stewart will give a lecture on “The Spirit of the Age and the Church” in Lurgan Town Hall this Friday, 23 November, at 7:30 PM. If anyone would like a ride to the lecture, please talk to Rev. Stewart.
Men’s Bible Study will meet this Saturday, 24, November, at 8 PM at the Kennedys.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s Day (Gospel 846MW at 8:30 AM) will be “Proper Behaviour in the Church” (Eph. 4:31-32) by Rev. Bruinsma.
Reserve Friday, 11 January, 2013 , for our congregational dinner.
The church visitors, Rev. Haak and Elder Pete VanderSchaaf, will be coming in March of next year.
Offerings: General Fund – £673.26.
Website Additions: 2 Portuguese, 2 Hungarian and 3 Italian translations.
PRC News: Randolph PRC called Rev. W. Langerak (Southeast, MI). Rev. Eriks declined the call to Faith PRC so their new trio is Revs. Griess, Haak and Spronk.
