Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
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Covenant Protestant Reformed Church

83 Clarence Street, Ballymena BT43 5DR
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 17 December, 2017

“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

Election, the Fountain of the Church’s Blessings  [download]  [youtube]
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1
Text: Ephesians 1:3-4

I. The Spiritual Blessings
II. The Four Attributes
Psalms: 87:1-7; 60:6-12; 78:67-72; 33:10-12, 18-22

Evening Service - 6:00 PM

The Seventh Commandment and Our Affections  [download]  [youtube]
Scripture Reading: I Thessalonians 3:12-4:12
Text: Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 41

I. Detesting Uncleanness
II. No Overreaching
Psalms: 19:1-8; 61:1-8; 105:16-22; 127:1-5

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

Prof. David J. Engelsma: “The church must teach that every member, old and young, married and unmarried, is called to avoid and crucify sexually impure thoughts and desires and to abstain from everything that arouses such thoughts and desires, whether in oneself or in others. This includes immodesty of dress ... The calling of the true church to oppose the sexual revolution by confessing the truth about sex includes that she requires her own members to walk in the truth, that she disciplines those of her members who teach or walk in unchastity, and that she boldly condemns the lies of the sexual revolution” (The Reformed Worldview, pp. 100-101).

Announcements (subject to God’s will)

Monday catechism classes: Mid-year catechism tests:
5:45 PM - Corey & Katelyn (Beginners OT, Book 1)
6:30 PM - Angelica, Bradley, Josh, Samuel & Taylor (Juniors NT)
7:15 PM - Alex, Jacob & Nathan (Heidelberg Catechism, Book 1)
(There will be no catechism on 25 December and 1 January.)

Tuesday Bible Study meets at 11 AM to study the Feast of Tabernacles in Numbers and Deuteronomy, etc.

Belgic Confession Class meets this Wednesday night at 7:45 PM to continue our study of the mode of baptism.

The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast next Lord’s Day (Gospel 846 MW at 8:30 AM) by Rev. Bruinsma is “No Room for Mary’s Firstborn” (Luke 2:7).

Next Lord's Day, Rev. McGeown will be preaching for the CPRC while Rev. Stewart is in the LRF. The evening service will be preparatory with the view to the administration of the Lord's Supper on 31 December.

Rev. Martyn McGeown (via phone link) is to discuss his book, Called to Watch for Christ’s Return, on “Iron Sharpens Iron” Radio in Pennsylvania on Friday, 5 January from 4-6 PM Eastern Time (US), which is 9-11 PM in the British Isles.

The church visitors, Rev. Decker and Sid Miedema, will be in N. Ireland from Thursday 18 January to the morning of Thursday 25 January. They will be with the LRF from 25-29 January.

The congregational dinner will be held on Friday, 19 January, at Ross Park Hotel. Sign-up sheets are on the back table.

CPRC Lecture: Rev. Decker is planning to give a lecture on “Living Wisely in a Digital Age” on Wednesday, 24 January, at 7:45 PM.

Offerings: General Fund: £658. Donation: £2,000 (Australia).

Translations: 2 Hungarian.

PRC News: First PRC called Rev. Griess.

The CERC (Singapore) invites you to its Church Camp on Tuesday-Friday, 12-15 June, 2018, at Bayou Lagoon Park Resort, Melaka, Malaysia (www.bayoulagoon.com.my). Rev. den Hartog will speak on “Holiness: Not a Condition but a Necessity” (I Peter 1:16). For information, contact Ishu Mahtani (smahtani@singnet.com.sg).


Encouraging Quotes

“Wishing God’s blessing for the new year for you, your family and the Covenant Protestant Reformed Church. Thank you for sending the great materials. Both are very timely works and are excellent value.” - Lincolnshire

“I am a young pastor from the city of Rio de Janeiro ... I have read and like the contents of the website a lot. As a Reformed theologian, I have spread the site here to ministry friends in Brazil and Latin America.” - Brazil

“I have been so greatly blessed by the sermons on ‘God’s Communicable Attributes’ because, whenever I come across ‘grace,’ ‘mercy’ and ‘love’ now, I translate them. I am listening twice to each of ‘God’s Glorious Perfections’ as that works best for me. Today or tomorrow, I shall listen the second time to ‘The Spirituality of God.’ They are all wonderful because truly coming to know our glorious Triune God better is what our life is all about ... At present, I am re-reading all the Standard Bearer articles on the Second Helvetic Confession—such a blessing! I, at last, feel the time has come for me to read Trinity and Covenant, as its teaching has been mentioned not only by you but in what I have been reading. Thank you so much for sharing with us the ministry of God’s Word at the CPRC.” - Yorkshire

“I am very excited to say to you that the two parcels (sets of books and literature) were in my letter box this morning. Again, a lot of thanks.” - France

“Thank you for the books received yesterday. The Lord surely feeds His people from the finest of the wheat.” - W. Midlands

“I wasn’t that familiar with N. T. Wright but I had heard enough to be wary of him. Boy, I didn’t know how far out he is. Thank you for your sermons and the preparation you do. I continue to pray for you and your ministry every night.” - Washington, USA

“Thanks for the article titled ‘The Westminster Confession on Marriage’ on the CPRC website. I found it very informative and helpful. I will keep this site and page in my favourites!” - UK

“I really enjoyed your article on ‘Does God Really Desire to Save the Reprobate?’” - New Zealand

“Thanks for the Ballymena bulletin. I really enjoy reading your quotes from all over the world and the quotes from church fathers. I am a predestinarian and here I stand on God’s sovereignty in His dispensing of His elective grace.” - Co. Armagh

“Thank you for your sermon on ‘Flee From Babylon.’ I found this message encouraging and thought-provoking. It was just the medicine I needed ... I hope to visit but in the meantime I am making do with the sermons on YouTube.” - London

“We recently had a Bible conference ... Our speaker shocked everyone by declaring that Solomon was not a saved individual and would not be in heaven. He indicated that, in contrast to his father David, Solomon never showed any signs of genuine repentance. I found Prof. Hanko’s article in the Covenant Reformed News. The article was such a blessing. I wanted to thank you and let you know you are ministering over the internet.” - Illinois, USA

“If still available, I would like a copy of the pamphlet ‘The Biblical Ground for the Baptism of Infants’ by Herman Hoeksema ... Just to acknowledge receipt of the book Be Ye Holy. I look forward to reading this in due course. I would also like to say that I enjoyed the book by Rev. Martyn McGeown, Called to Watch for Christ’s Return.” - Cambridgeshire

“Thank you for all the helpful and precious books which I received from you [for translations]. They have proved to be a very good help for preparing for sermons, devotions and Bible classes. I am really thankful to God that He led me to your web page six years ago, and since then, He has taught me sound and true Reformed biblical doctrines through your churches, your fellowship and your material.” - Hungary

“I have just finished listening to the [first 11 sermons] of the series ‘Righteousness by Faith Alone’ and thought I’d email you to express my thanks and gratitude for it. What an absolutely wonderful series and such a blessing. I laughed like Abraham (though I couldn’t quite manage a leap for joy!). Thank you!” - Scotland

“With great joy and blessing I am listening to your sermons in the New Testament series section for over a year now. Thank you for your time and efforts! ... Also I’d like to ask when the next conference is planned. This may be a good opportunity to visit.”- Germany