Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 23 August, 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
Christ Sitting at the Right Hand of God
[download]
[youtube]
Scripture Reading: Psalm 110
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 19
I. The Meaning
II. The Victory
III. The Significance
Psalms: 148:1-10; 108:7-13; 80:14-19; 110:1-7
Evening Service - 6:00 PM
Why Is He Called the Holy Spirit?
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[youtube]
Scripture Reading: I Corinthians 2
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 20
I. In the Trinity
II. In His Work
Psalms: 33:6-11; 109:1-7; 51:8-15; 143:6-12
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.cprf.co.uk/live.html
CPRC YouTube: www.youtube.com/cprcni
CPRC Facebook: www.facebook.com/CovenantPRC
Quotes to Consider
Herman Witsius: “Even when the soul becomes most languid and remiss, the Spirit still protects and sustains the spiritual life amidst the numberless snares of malignant spirits and the deadly poison of sin; and supplies such vital influence to believers, that even in the greatest weakness they do not yield the victory to the enemy, but though cast down, renew the contest on their knees. Such is the efficacy of the Spirit, in short, in all these operations, that he gives a noble elevation to their mental faculties, and makes them capable of views, desires, efforts, and achievements, which evidently exceed the capacity of those who are destitute of the Spirit” (The Apostles’ Creed, vol. 2, p. 343).
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
We welcome Kirsty Kennedy to our services today.
On the back table are new pamphlets on “Unlikely Mothers of Christ” by Rev. Andy Lanning (pastor of our sister-church in Singapore), the 2015 PRC Acts of Synod, the July and August Covenant Reformed News, and the Standard Bearer.
This summer’s Children’s Bible Club will meet this Monday and Tuesday mornings from 10:30-12:00 at the church. We will be looking at life in Bible times.
The Tuesday Bible study will meet at 11 AM to study Jacob in Hosea 12.
Everyone is invited to a barbecue at the manse this Friday, 28 August, at 6:30 PM or as soon as you can make it thereafter. Please let Rev. or Mary Stewart know if you are able to come.
Men's Bible Study meets this Saturday at 8 PM at the Kennedys to study chapters 4-6 of Respectable Sins.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s Day (Gospel 846MW at 8:30 AM) by Rev. Haak is entitled “Christian Education is Covenant Education” (Isa. 38:19).
Cherith Carmichael has requested baptism for her daughter, Jorja Sarah. The council has joyfully granted that request. Baptism is scheduled for next Lord’s Day morning.
Brian Crossett’s term as elder expires this August. Brian has been nominated for an additional 3-year term. A vote by male confessing members to approve/disapprove of this will be held after the evening service on Sunday, 6 September (Church Order 22).
Catechism begins on Monday, 7 September. Catechism books are
on the back table.
class 1) Taylor, Josh, Corey, Bradley & Samuel (Beginners
OT, book 2)
class 2) Alex & Nathan (Seniors OT)
class 3) Jacob, Joseph & Chris LouHing (Heidelberg
Catechism, book 1)
Offerings: General Fund: £1,132.15. Building Fund: £100. Donation: £20 (pamphlets).
Website Additions: 1 Afrikaans, 2 Hungarian and 4 Indonesian translations.
PRC News: Candidate Barnhill accepted the call to Peace PRC. Rev. Haak received the call to be a second missionary to the Philippines.
What’s in the Box?
Brian D. Dykstra
One of the school secretary’s many responsibilities is sorting the mail. This mail is then taken to the mailbox rack in the office and inserted in its proper place. When a teacher’s name is on the piece of mail, I’m sure the secretary experiences no difficulty in putting it in the correct box. There are times, however, when there is no name, nor even a grade level, printed on the materials. This is, apparently, when the secretary has opportunity to put her creative side on display.
Many members of the teaching staff find themselves saddled with positions never mentioned in their contracts. I am not sure how these responsibilities are meted out, nor am I able to discern any system for distribution of such mail, but I have held various positions over the years. Would you believe that in my younger years I was given the mail of the Cheerleading Coach and the Dean of Women? As I have accumulated years of experience (aged), the secretary has decided to give me weightier positions. I do not know whether or not these new positions are promotions, but I now find that I am the School Violence Coordinator as well as the Drug Prevention Counsellor!
I receive a little ribbing from other members of the staff because I hold these august positions. It has become something of a running joke. Yet these materials send a chill down my spine as they vividly display the developing trends of our society as well as the signs of the times.
I will pass along some items for sale from a recent four-page brochure. Notice the topics treated, and what is deemed to be the appropriate grade level for the materials. Here are the introduction and two product descriptions:
What a tremendous positive impact these videos can have on students and schools! -- Start building your guidance counselling video library today! 100% EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS, INC. makes it easy and risk-free. Order as many titles as you like. Simply return what you cannot use.
Understanding begins with education • Build self-esteem and
character
• Great for group or independent study
----------------------------------------
Angry Young Man
Meet Andrew who, as a result of out-of-control anger, succumbs to peer pressure and gets involved in alcohol, drugs, and gangs. Interviews with other students and a counsellor add dimension to the discussion, while stressing options available. Teens get a loud and clear warning about the harsh realities of gang life. Grades 5 - 12
30 Min. $89.95
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Gateway Drug Series
Three riveting videos target the gateway drugs: tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana. This is where kids start and this is where prevention and intervention specialists should start. Each video comes with a discussion guide. Grades 6 - 10
3 videos--25 min. each
$349
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At an average of more than $4 per minute, I think I’ll pass. Besides, these products have been available for some time. Have you noticed any decrease in school violence reported in newspapers? After all, this is a society in which a movie about a cannibal has been taking in millions of dollars for several weekends in succession. I’d also have to wonder how effective such videos would really be since they have no godly foundation.
Solomon did not produce any videos which would catch the attention of the world today. Many would scoff at the idea of merely putting words on paper, even if the words were inspired by the God of perfect wisdom. Yet, Proverbs 2 contains inspired instruction for youth. This chapter speaks of the value of wisdom and keeping away from the company of evil men. In his commentary on Proverbs, Charles Bridges (1794-1869) closes his comments on this chapter with these words:
And now, what serious reader of this chapter can fail to estimate above all price the privilege of being early enlisted under the banner of the cross; early taught in the ways, and disciplined in the school, of the Bible; and early led to hide that blessed book in the heart, as the rule of life, the principle of holiness, the guide to heaven!
Parents, sponsors, teachers of youth; ponder your deep responsibility with unceasing prayer for special grace and wisdom. Beware of glossing over sins with amiable or palliating terms. Let young people be always led to look upon vicious habits with horror, as the most appalling evil ... Oh! what wisdom is needed to guide, to repress, to bring forth, develop safely, and to improve fully, the mind, energies, and sensibilities of youth!
Young man! beware! Do not flatter thyself for a moment, that God will ever wink at your sinful passions; that he will allow for them, as slips and foibles of youth. They are the “cords of your own sins,” which, if the power of God’s grace break them not in time, will “hold” you for eternity (Proverbs 5:22). Shun then the society of sin, as the infection of the plague. Keep thy distance from it, as from the pit of destruction. Store thy mind with the preservative of heavenly wisdom. Cultivate the taste for purer pleasures. Listen to the fatherly, pleading remonstrance, inviting thee to thy rest—“Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, ‘My Father! thou art the guide of my youth?’” (Jeremiah 3:4).
The child psychology experts in the video brochure extol the value of and need for early intervention. They urge action at the earliest sign of trouble. How many covenant parents have not earnestly prayed for the children God has given them from the time they knew God had placed a new life in the womb? What earlier, or more effective, “intervention” could there be than the heartfelt prayers of godly parents and grandparents for the effectual working of the almighty Spirit of God? May the Triune God so use us and this school as a means to show His children the path marked by His righteous law.