Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
Ballymena
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 2 October, 2011
“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
Administration of the Lord’s Supper
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 2
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 16
I. Its Meaning
II. Its Beneficiaries
III. Its Source
Psalms: 23:1-6; 107:33-38; 25:8-14; 8:1-9
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
Applicatory
The Profit of Christ’s Resurrection
Scripture Reading: Romans 8:1-25
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 17
I. Imputed Righteousness!
II. New Life!
III. Blessed Resurrection!
Psalms: 33:1-4, 18-22; 107:39-43; 34:11-18; 17:10-15
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/pages/Ballymena-United-Kingdom/Covenant-Protestant-Reformed-Church-N-Ireland/337347932331
Quote to Consider:
John Calvin: “The only worthiness which we can bring to God in the Lord’s Supper, is to offer him our own unworthiness, that his mercy may make us worthy; to despond in ourselves that we may be consoled in him; to humble ourselves that we may be elevated by him; to accuse ourselves that we may be justified by him; to aspire, moreover, to the unity which he recommends in the Supper …”
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
On the back table are new Reformed Perspectives.
The second offering this morning is for our building fund.
After a week of self-examination, confessing members in good standing are called to partake of the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. Your participation in the Lord’s Supper is in part a witness that you repent of your sins, believe that Jesus Christ is your righteousness and desire to live a new and godly life. As this heavenly food can be taken to one’s judgment (I Cor. 11:28-30) and as the common reception of this food is a confession of doctrinal unity (Acts 2:42), the elders supervise the partaking of the sacrament. Visitors from other denominations must request permission from the Council.
Monday Catechism: 6 PM – O.T. Beginners (Alex & Nathan) 6:45 PM – O.T. Juniors (Jacob & Joseph) 7:30 PM – Heidelberg (Timothy, Zoe, Amy & Lea)
The Council will meet on this Monday at 8:15 PM.
Our Tuesday morning Bible study meets at 11 AM. We will continue our study of the Antichrist in Revelation 13:2f. All are welcome.
Belgic Confession Class meets Wednesday at 7:45 PM. We will continue Belgic Confession 12, looking at angels and demons. All are welcome.
Rev. & Mary Stewart travel to S. Wales this Thursday where Rev. Stewart will give a lecture on “The Unchangeable God.” Remember this witness in prayer.
Ladies Discussion Group meets this Friday at 10 AM at the church to discuss chapter 2 of Lies Women Believe. All women are welcome.
Men’s Bible Study meets this Saturday at 8 PM at the Kennedys to study Daniel 7.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s Day (Gospel 846MW at 8:30 AM) will be “Weary Not in Well Doing” (Galatians 6:9) by Rev. Haak.
Reformation Day Lectures: Rev. Stewart will be giving a lecture entitled “Christ Alone!” in our church on Friday, 28 October, 7:30 PM. Rev. McGeown will give a lecture on “Freewill and Predestination” in Limerick on Monday, 31 October.
Offerings: General Fund: £696.17. Donations: £50 (CDs), £150 (CR News) .
PRC News: Candidate Jon Mahtani declined the call to Edgerton PRC and accepted the call to Cornerstone PRC. Hope PRC will call from a trio of Revs. Hanko (Lynden, WA), Koole (Grandville, MI) and Kuiper (Randolph, WI).
Encouraging Quotes:
“Will you please send to me one copy of David Engelsma’s book entitled The Reformed Faith of John Calvin. Michael Kimmitt has written a very good review of the book in the Jan-March edition of the Bible League Quarterly magazine … Eighteen months ago, you sent me a copy of Calvin’s Calvinism, which was very instructive.” – England
“We are enjoying watching the DVDs and reading the books obtained from you a couple of months ago. I am reading The Clark-VanTil Controversy by Herman Hoeksema at the moment … May the Lord bless and keep you.” – Australia
“I’m 22 years old … I became a Christian, if you could say, at the age of 17 but to me I didn’t know the Lord until a few months back when God Almighty showed me the truth about His Word that not everybody is chosen and that His will cannot be changed. I thought contrary to this before, but now I feel for the first time in my life a born-again Christian where I can see the Lord in His majesty and truth. A few days back I stumbled upon your debates in the UK about election. I’ve learned a lot and I subscribed to your [YouTube] channel and study your sermons on your website. What a blessing from God that He still has His chosen remnant preaching the truth about the gospel and not the mockery or show from which I came. I pray that the Lord will keep you in the truth about the Word. The glory is for our Lord Jesus.” – Florida, USA
“Many thanks for the book, Mysteries of the Kingdom. I gave my other one to our own pastor who thinks it is excellent. It was good to be with you at the lecture. I do look forward to these. I have read the other literature sent with the book and we do pray for the ongoing work of our Lord in N. Ireland and other parts of the world, that the true blessing of our Lord will bring forth fruit for your labour and the PRC.” – S. Wales
“… I am going back through [The Covenant of God and Children of Believers] now. It is a great book. I was listening earlier to Prof. Engelsma’s question and answer session after his speech against the Federal Vision heresy and I am glad to know that the PRC understand that with marriage being a picture of Christ and his church, it is therefore a picture of God’s unconditional covenant and therefore marriage reflects this. It saddens me so much when otherwise faithful men have such horrid teachings promoting remarriage. Remarriage destroys families, it doesn’t profit anyone and it is condemned in Scripture as adultery. You don’t know how thankful I am that you and the PRC teach this because sometimes we feel all alone in holding to this against all opposition. I am glad that the [fellowship] in Limerick is doing well. I know how much [they] appreciate having Rev. McGeown as their pastor.” – England
“Find enclosed a cheque for your work and could you please send me the book Contending for the Faith? I saw it in Prof. Hanko’s article, ‘The Outpouring of the Holy Ghost Upon All Flesh’ in the Covenant Reformed News. Thank you also for your booklet ‘For Whom Did Christ Die?’ Very good reading indeed. May God bless you in your work.” – Co. Tyrone
“Could you please send us the DVD set of 6 sermons on ‘Christian Discipleship.’ We are going through the set on Acts at the moment which we are finding helpful.” – S. Wales
“We just received your mailings and thank you for all the enclosures. I was particularly thrilled to have your booklet ‘For Whom Did Christ Die?’ as this is the question I often pose to many I come into contact with on the internet. The answer always gives away exactly their position, i.e., whether they are Reformed or Calvinistic or Arminian free-will … Is it possible to have some more copies?” – England
“We always enjoy hearing about the work in Europe … I do not know if your congregation realizes how blessed they are to have such an institution. The PRC is a blessed tool in the hands of the Lord. I know that I was truly blessed. Maybe it just made such an impact on me because of my living in spiritual isolation for so long. I do not know. But I envy you and your church. I only wish that I could have something akin to this in this area, or that somehow we could move to where there is a church …” – Ohio, USA
“Thank you for your sermons.” – Scotland
“Many thanks for the CDs and book received this morning. I now have my summer reading sorted and look forward to a blessed time. Portraits of Faithful Saints could well be considered a sort of companion volume to Contending for the Faith, which I have not quite finished reading yet. Together Prof. Hanko gives a very full and accessible history of the champions, detractors and struggles of the Reformed faith. I look forward also to being instructed from the Belgic Confession about the living heart of our faith: the Holy Trinity. Truly I am blessed with such faithful ministry! I hope that in reading the Galatians commentary I will understand more of the true bounds of Christian freedom—what the law of liberty is.” – England
“I attach Afrikaans translations of two parts of Ron Hanko’s series on the covenant from Doctrine According to Godliness and a translation of your ‘Mt. Sinai (1)’ from the CR News … A few brothers have started an Afrikaans Reformed web site … Their work can benefit greatly in His service from the works of PRC authors. Would it be possible and agreeable if I posted the translations which I sent for the CPRC web site? … I am extremely grateful that you keep up your e-mail dispatches to me. This enabled me to share the joy and excitement of your new building and of Rev. McGeown’s mission call to Limerick. May our Lord fulfil the work He has started through you.” – S. Africa
“I’m still being blessed by your sermons on YouTube and I hope that everything is going well with your new church. You are in our prayers.” – Co. Antrim
Thank you: There simply does not seem to be words to adequately tell of our gratitude for your expressions of Christ’s love towards Leah and our family these past months. Know that all of it—not only the generous deeds, but also the occasional whispered prayers—was of great value. At a time when the deep waters would have appeared to overwhelm us, your acts of compassion were instead as a flood that kept us emotionally and spiritually buoyant. If you witnessed strength, know that it was only of God; His power was made perfect in our weakness. We may never get to meet every one of you, but each time you approach God’s throne of grace, be assured that we will meet you there, thanking God upon every remembrance of you and asking Him to bless you with all spiritual gifts (Eph. 3:14-19). In this love of Christ~ Leah Griess and her family
