Covenant Protestant Reformed Church
Ballymena
Rev. Angus Stewart
Lord’s Day, 28 December, 2008
"Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help,
whose hope is in the Lord his God" (Ps. 146:5)
Morning Service - 11:00 AM
The Holy Spirit in Ephesians (7)
The Mystery Revealed by the Spirit (II) [download]
Ephesians 3:5-6
I. Before the Revelation
II. After the Revelation
Psalms: 112:1-6; 8:1-9; 72:5-11; 87:1-7
Evening Service - 6:00 PM
The Incomparable Pardoning God [download]
Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 51; Micah 7:18-20
I. God’s Incomparable Pardon
II. God’s Incomparable Mercy
III. God’s Incomparable Covenant
Psalms: 116:1-8; 9:1-9; 105:6-12; 103:8-15
Contact Sean Courtney (covenantreformedaudiostore@yahoo.co.uk) for CDs of the sermons.
CPRC website: www.cprc.co.uk
Quote to Consider:
E. J. Young: "In speaking of the future or Messianic age, Isaiah, as a prophet of the Old Testament, uses the thought forms and the figures which were current in that age. It is obvious that the language of the prophet cannot be interpreted in a consistently literal sense. Rather Isaiah takes the figures which were the property of the Old Testament economy and makes them the vehicles of expression for the truths of salvation and blessing which were the characteristics of the age of grace" (The Book of Isaiah, vol. 1, p. 99).
John Calvin on Micah 7:18: "And there are at this day not only deluded men, but devils, who, by the same figment, or rather delirious notions, fascinate themselves and others, and hold, that the highest perfection ought to exist in the faithful; and they also slander our doctrine, as though we were still continuing in the Alphabet or in the first rudiments, because we daily preach free remission of sins. But the Prophet declares expressly that God not only forgives the unbelieving when they sin [i.e., people when they are first converted], but also his heritage and his elect. Let us then know, that as long as we are in the world, pardon is prepared for us, as we could not otherwise but fall every moment from the hope of salvation, were not this remedy provided for us: for those men must be more than mad who arrogate to themselves perfection, or who think that they have arrived at that high degree of attainment, that they can satisfy God by their works."
Announcements (subject to God’s will):
Standard Bearers and the December Covenant Reformed News (with articles on the "Sealing of the Spirit" and "Was Solomon Saved?") are on the back table.
A new daily Bible reading programme for the new year is also available.
Don’t forget to sign up for the congregational dinner. The dinner is planned for 9 January, at 7 PM, at Montgomerys in Ballymena.
Catechism: Tuesday, 12:00 PM - Beginners OT Class at the manse
Tuesday, 4:30 PM - Jacob Buchanan
Tuesday, 5:30 PM - Jamie & Debbie Murray
Rev. & Mary Stewart would like to thank the congregation for their prayers, words of encouragement, and support in this past year. As we begin another year together, let us "press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:14).
All the adults are invited to the manse on New Year’s Eve for devotions, board games, snacks, etc. Please let the Stewarts know if you plan to come.
The church visitors, Prof. Gritters and Mr. Peter VanderSchaaf, are scheduled to arrive this Friday. The schedule for their visit is on the back of this bulletin.
The Reformed Witness Hour next Lord’s Day (8:30-9:00 AM, on Gospel 846MW), is "Ye Are the Light of the World" (Matt. 5:14-16) by Rev. Rodney Kleyn.
Offerings: General Fund - £358.91.
Midweek Bible Study meets again on Wednesday, 7 Jan., 7:45 PM at the manse.
Upcoming Lectures:
Limerick, Thurs., 8 Jan., 7:30 PM - Prof. Gritters "Music’s Indispensable Place in (the) Reformation" Portadown, Fri., 20 Feb., 8 PM - John Calvin’s Battle for the Reformation
S. Wales, Fri., 27 Feb., 7:15 PM - John Calvin’s Battle for the Reformation
Limerick, Fri., 6 March, 7:30 PM - John Calvin’s Battle for the Reformation
Website Addition: An article by Martyn on "Closing the Door on Open Theism" is now on-line.
PRC News: Rev. Eriks (Hudsonville, MI) declined the call to Byron Center.
Church Visitors’ Schedule
This is a tentative schedule for the church visitors. If anyone would like to schedule a visit with Prof. Gritters and Mr. VanderSchaaf, please contact Rev. or Mary Stewart or speak with the church visitors after they arrive.
Friday, 2 January - Prof. Gritters & Elder Peter VanderSchaaf arrive.
Saturday, 3 January - Dinner with the Crossetts
Sunday, 4 January - 11 AM Morning Worship Service - Prof. Gritters
Dinner with the Raineys
6 PM Evening Worship Service - Prof. Gritters
(Rev. Stewart leading worship services in Limerick)
Monday, 5 January - 7:30 PM Church Visitation with the Council at the manse
Tuesday, 6 January - Dinner with the Buchanans
(Catechism classes as usual)
Wednesday, 7 January - 7:45 PM Bible Study at the Manse - Prof. Gritters
Thursday, 8 January - Church visitors and the Stewarts travel to Limerick
7:30 PM - Prof. Gritters gives a lecture in Limerick on "Music’s Indispensable Place in (the) Reformation"
Friday, 9 January - 7:00 PM Congregational Dinner at Montgomerys
Saturday, 10 January
Sunday, 11 January - 11 AM Morning Worship Service - Prof. Gritters
Dinner with the Reids
6 PM Evening Worship Service - Prof. Gritters
Farewell Tea after the Evening Service
Monday, 12 January - Prof. Gritters and Mr. VanderSchaaf return to the US