Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 25 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
John the Baptist’s Birth and Preparation (4)
John’s Birth and Naming [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Luke 1:57-80
Text: Luke 1:57-66
I. The Joyful Birth
II. The Contested Naming
III. The Resulting Awe
Psalms: 84:4-12; 18:1-7; 105:4-9; 128:1-6
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
Thy Will Be Done! [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Psalm 103
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 49
I. On Earth
II. As the Angels in Heaven
Psalms: 46:1-7; 18:8-13; 119:65-72; 103:17-22
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
Herman Hoeksema: “There is, in connection with [the] revelation of the will of God’s decree, a very special way in which we must walk, a very special calling which we must fulfill: the calling to submit ourselves to the will of God, yea, to blend our will with His, yea, to give Him glory and praise even in the midst of our sorrow according to the flesh, and to confess that He does all things well. In this particular case the third petition of the Lord’s Prayer would mean: Lord, give us grace that in this particular way in which Thou leadest us, we may walk in complete surrender to Thy holy will, so that we may be able to say from the heart, ‘The Lord hath given, the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord’ (Job. 1:21). Thus it is with the whole of our life. Always we must find and obey our calling in the particular place in which God stations us and in the way in which He leads us … We are taught here to beseech our Father in heaven for grace that we may always accept our position in life as our particular assignment from Him, and our way as the way He ordained for us, in order that in that position and in that way we may function as His servants and do His will. Oh, we need grace, much grace, grace every day to assume that attitude! How inclined we are to divide life into separate spheres: a sphere of our religious life, in which we serve the Lord and clearly think to discern a calling and office, and a sphere of our everyday life, which we may probably mix with some religious exercises, but in which we fail to consider ourselves servants of God who must ask for and do His will …” (In the Sanctuary, pp. 61, 63).
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
The congregational dinner will be held this year at Leighinmohr Hotel in Ballymena at 7 PM on Friday, 11 January. A sign-up sheet is on the back table.
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 Scripture’s presentation of God’s defeating His enemies in battle.
The Belgic Confession Class will meet this Wednesday, at 7:45 PM, to continue article 18 on our Lord’s human nature.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s Day (Gospel 846MW at 8:30 AM) will be “Walk As Children of Light” (Eph. 5:8) by Rev. Bruinsma.
Offerings: General Fund – £627.30. Donation: £1,000.
Website Additions: 2 Hungarian and 4 Italian translations.
PRC News: Randolph PRC called Rev. W. Langerak (Southeast, MI). Faith PRC has a new trio of Revs. Griess, Haak and Spronk.
Encouraging Quotes
“Thank you for your answer to my question about exclusive psalmody. Yes, I would very much like to receive the CR News by e-mail. I also want to tell you that over the weekend I listened to several of the mp3s on your website, including the debate between you and another gentleman on Calvinism and Arminianism, and your sermon ‘For Whom Did Christ Die?’ I was thinking on all of these things on my long commute to work this morning. I believe that I will be listening to as many of the mp3s on your website as you decide to put up there. Thank you again.” – Georgia, USA
“Just thought I would let you know the pamphlets I requested arrived safely today. Thank you very much. It is very much appreciated to receive such sound biblical teaching that I can share with others … I recently came across your YouTube channel and have enjoyed your ministry. Thank you for your help and may God indeed continue to bless you and your ministry.” – Cambridgeshire, England
“Thank you for your Christian service and your Christian love and kindness you render to us and God’s people. We have always maintained that if we all love God and each other according to the Bible, this sad world would, in an instant, verily be heaven on earth. Praise God we do get a little taste of the kingdom of God on earth when we come across things done in the true Christian spirit … thank you for regularly e-mailing us the CR News …” – Australia
“I often read articles on your website and get a lot of teaching and encouragement from them. Could you please send me the following books …” – Scotland
“Your sermon series ‘Malachi, the Last Old Testament Prophet’ has been core in assisting us youth in our Bible study on Malachi. God bless and keep you.” – Singapore
“I have just recently found a French Christian who enjoys your tapes, etc., which I have loaned him. We both want to make a study of the CPRC understanding of the free offer of the gospel … Can you recommend a book or CD/DVD, etc?” – England
“Thank you for putting these videos up on YouTube. I have gotten to watch some of the sermons, debates, and question and answer sessions. I am thankful for what God has taught me in listening.” – Idaho, USA
“We are very much impressed by the collection of Reformed creeds and resources in many languages which we find you your website … Next week many Reformed churches of Indonesia will gather and have a workshop on the Heidelberg Catechism. We certainly shall mention your website for an on-line version of the Indonesian translation of the Heidelberg Catechism.” – Indonesia
“Thank you very much for continuing to send your Lord’s day sermons. ‘The Pilgrim Psalms’ are full of good teaching. May the Lord continue to bless you and your ministry.”- Co. Antrim
“The Reformed Worldview is a book for such a time as this. I am now ready to read it again! Please send a copy to a brother … Many thanks.” –England
“I continue to enjoy your preaching and really appreciated a message by Prof. Hanko on ‘The Battle for the Truth.’” – New Zealand
“Thank you for faithfully sending the Covenant Reformed News to me. It is very helpful for me as well as for other students. Now I am at Yangon. I serve as Dean of Academics at Reformed Theological College. I copy and print your News for the students.” – Myanmar
“Received the two parcels of yesterday. The preserved sermons of God’s faithful ministers are such a great blessing to His church, particularly for those of us who don’t have opportunity for regular fellowship and good preaching services. Truly such books are manna in this wilderness, pools of refreshing in Baca. Then there is the strong meat of the confessions—how few seem to have appetite for it. No wonder so many seem to suffer from spiritual anorexia … I must also thank you for the back issues you use for packing when sending parcels—there is much good reading there too. I was particularly impressed by an essay by Rachel Kamps (Beacon Lights, Feb. 2010), a most salient piece. I have experienced first hand the devastating effect of the so-called well-meant offer. She hits the nail on the head …” – W. Midlands, England
“It would be good for us to have some copies [of the Reformed Worldview] to read. How do I go about placing the order? Just to let you know, I have been listening to the audio sermons on the CPRC website for these past few years. I have to say I have benefitted much spiritually from the faithful exposition of God’s Word. May God continue to bless your work and use it for His church.” – Singapore
“I’m so thankful for the Belgic Confession classes on-line! Wonderful job and the handouts are a nice additional treat. I try to listen to one class each day.” – Washington, USA
“Thank you for the CD of Romans 9, sermon 3. It was so good to hear … the vital teaching of ‘not all Israel being Israel.’ Thank you for the CR News and other literature. On first seeing Communion With God advertised, I didn’t see my need of it, but I do now, so thank you for your literature ministry to us. I’m still reading Behold He Cometh! It is such a blessing particularly complemented by Prof. Engelsma’s Standard Bearer article on it. The Lord bless you as you minister for Him and also the saints there in Ballymena and Limerick.” – W. Yorkshire, England
