Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 20 September, 2015
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed
by the renewing of your mind …” (Rom. 12:2)
Morning Service – 11:00 AM
Understanding Good Works [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Titus 3
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 24
I. They Cannot Contribute to Justification
II. They Do Not Merit
III. They Are Fruits of Thankfulness
Psalms: 146:1-8; 111:5-10; 14:1-7; 16:1-7
Evening Service – 6:00 PM
Preparatory
What It Is to Partake of the Lord’s Supper [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:11-32
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 28
I. Obtaining …
II. Uniting …
III. Living …
Psalms: 138:1-6; 112:1-5; 25:8-14; 36:5-10
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: https://cprc.co.uk/live-streaming/
CPRC YouTube: www.youtube.com/cprcni
CPRC Facebook: www.facebook.com/CovenantPRC
Quote to Consider
J. C. Ryle: “But you will ask me, ‘Why do they hunger and thirst so much after holiness, since all their debt has been paid?’ I answer, They work for love’s sake—for gratitude; they do not work and strive after holiness in order that they may be forgiven—but because they are forgiven already, chosen and sealed and saved and redeemed and bought with a price, and they cannot help desiring to glorify Him with their bodies and spirits—who loved them and gave Himself for them. They thirst after holiness because their Father loves holiness; they thirst after purity because their Master loves purity; they strive to be like Jesus because they hope to be one day forever with Him.”
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
We will have a preparatory service this evening with a view to partaking of the Lord’s Supper next Sunday morning, 27 September.
There is a new address, telephone and e-mail list on the back table. Please check and either alter your details or place a tick by them so that we know they are correct. If you would like to be added to the list, please let Rev. Stewart know.
Monday evening’s Catechism classes:
5:45 PM – Taylor, Josh, Corey, Bradley & Samuel (Beginners OT, book 2)
6:30 PM – Alex & Nathan (Seniors OT)
7:15 PM – Jacob, Joseph & Chris (Heidelberg Catechism, book 1)
The Tuesday Bible study will meet at 11 AM to study Hosea’s use of Old Testament history after the exodus from Egypt.
The Belgic Confession Class will meet this week Wednesday at 7:45 PM to study the character and extent of Christ’s intercession in connection with Article 26.
The annual meeting of the Reformed Free Publishing Association (RFPA) will be held this Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Trinity PRC in Hudsonville, MI. Rev. Smit will speak on “The Role of Reformed Literature in Reformed Missions.” The livestream of the meeting will also be available (www.trinityprc.org).
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s Day (Gospel 846MW at 8:30 AM) by Rev. Haak is entitled “Who is Jesus?” (Matthew 1:21).
The Council’s next meeting is scheduled for Monday, 5 October at 8 PM.
Upcoming Reformation Lectures:
S. Wales – “Jan Hus: His Martyrdom and Ecclesiology,” Thursday, 8 October.
Ballymena – “Jan Hus: His Martyrdom and Ecclesiology,” Friday, 30 October.
Offerings: General Fund: £688.84.
Website Additions: 4 Italian and 2 Hungarian translations.
PRC News: Rev. Haak declined the call to the Philippines.
Update on the Work of the
CERC (Singapore) in Kolkata
Pastor Andy Lanning
(Originally published in the SaltShakers magazine)
From 25 June to 2 July, the delegation of Elder Leong and Pastor Lanning visited Kolkata (Calcutta), India on behalf of the CERC’s Session. We worshipped with the Covenant Evangelical Reformed Fellowship of Kolkata on Sunday, and on the other days had several meetings with Emmanuel, Abhijit and Anup.
One major purpose of the delegation was to organize the work between Singapore and Kolkata. The broadest organization has already been decided, because the CERC, at the request of Emmanuel and others, has decided to oversee Emmanuel’s work.
This means that the CERC is ultimately responsible, under Christ, for the work in Kolkata. However, that oversight has to be organized and implemented. The delegation proposed to Emmanuel, Abhijit and Anup that we form a committee called the Kolkata Steering Committee. This committee would be composed of three men from Singapore (the three men on the India Mission Committee) and three men from Kolkata (Emmanuel, Abhijit and Anup). The Kolkata Steering Committee would be subject to the CERC’s Session, and it would monitor and discuss all of the issues related to the mission work in Kolkata. Meetings would be held regularly via Skype and would include a formal agenda and minutes. Pray that the Lord would use the means of the Kolkata Steering Committee to guide and organize the work in Kolkata.
The delegation gathered with the saints in Kolkata for worship on Sunday, 28 June. Most of the regular attendees were present, with the exception of one family that was sick. Before and after the service there were many questions, and the delegation was able to spend several hours discussing the faith with the saints. Emmanuel led the fellowship through a simple liturgy, with a few songs, the recitation of the Apostles’ Creed, a couple of prayers and a sermon. Elder Leong led the congregation in one of the prayers and Pastor Lanning preached a sermon on Genesis 17:7.
In a separate meeting, the delegation read through the CERC Session’s Study of Baptism with the three brothers from Kolkata. They appreciated the work of the Session, and expressed agreement with the contents. We encouraged them to take the report and study it more carefully together in Kolkata, which they agreed to do. The entire Fellowship expressed its gratitude to the CERC for sending the delegation. Emmanuel and Sonali, Abhijit and Anup in particular asked that their personal greetings be brought to the CERC.
