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:
Canons of Dordt V:4: "Although the
weakness of the flesh cannot prevail against the power of God, who
confirms and preserves true believers in a state of grace, yet converts
are not always so influenced and actuated by the Spirit of God, as not
in some particular instances sinfully to deviate from the guidance of
divine grace, so as to be seduced by, and to comply with the lusts of
the flesh; they must, therefore, be constant in watching and in prayer,
that they be not led into temptation. When these are neglected, they are
not only liable to be drawn into great and heinous sins, by Satan, the
world and the flesh, but sometimes by the righteous permission of God
actually fall into these evils ..."
Announcements (subject to God’s will)
We welcome Rev. Langerak and Elder
Sid Miedema to our worship services. Rev. Langerak will be preaching
for us today. Everyone is welcome to stay for tea and fellowship
with the church visitors after the evening service.
Back table: The C. R. News and
the Standard Bearer are available today.
Standard Bearer subscriptions (£16.20)
are due. Please either pay the RFPA directly by credit card or pay Rev.
Stewart. New subscribers are welcome!
The new devotional book by Herman Hoeksema,
Communion With God, is available (£13.20 for book club members,
£15 for non-book club members). You can pay the RFPA directly by credit
card or pay Rev. or Mary Stewart.
Sunday Catechism: 10 AM - O.T.
Juniors (Lydia & Campbell)
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)
Rev. Langerak will lead our Tuesday
morning Bible study (11 AM) on John 21.
This Wednesday, Rev. Langerak will give a lecture
here entitled, "The Bible’s Identification of the
Antichrist." Plan to attend and invite friends.
Church visitation conducted by the
church visitors with the CPRC Council will take place on Thursday, at
7:30 PM.
This Friday is the congregational dinner
at the Adair Arms in Ballymena. Please arrive by 7 PM. The sign up sheet
is still on the back table.
The Reformed Witness Hour broadcast
next Lord’s Day (Gospel 846MW at 8:30 AM) will be "The First
Meeting of Boaz & Ruth" (Ruth 1:1-17) by Rev. R. Kleyn.
Offerings: General Fund: £460.05. Donations:
£150 (CR News), £30 (pamphlets).
PRC News: Edgerton PRC called Rev.
Spronk (Peace, IL).
Questions to the Full Consistory
1. Is the Word administered at least twice
on the Lord’s Day?
2. Is the Heidelberg Catechism regularly
explained in the services for divine worship, so that no doctrine is
left untreated?
3. In the reading services, are sermons
used as much as possible which are produced in our own circle?
4. Is the Lord’s Supper celebrated at
least four times a year, preceded by a preparatory sermon, and followed
by an applicatory sermon?
5. Does the consistory see to it that
catechism classes are regularly conducted? Does the consistory determine
the material for instruction? And does it see to it that the classes are
regularly attended?
6. Are consistory members chosen in
agreement with the rules of the Church Order?
7. Does the consistory meet regularly in
accord with the needs of the congregation, at least once a month?
8. Are all matters coming before the
consistory treated according to our Church Order, and are the minutes
properly recorded and kept?
9. Is censura morum conducted among
the members of the consistory before each Lord’s Supper?
10. Is family visitation conducted
faithfully, so that each family receives an official visit once a year?
11. Is church discipline faithfully
exercised according to God’s Word and the Church Order?
12. Is the consistory aware whether there
are members of secret organisations in the congregation, and if so, is
church discipline applied to them?
13.What is the spiritual condition of the
congregation? Is there unity, peace, and love?
14. Do the children of the congregation,
when they come to years of discretion, seek admission to the Lord’s
Supper? And if they are remiss, are they pointed to their obligation and
treated as the need requires?
15. Is the congregation busy in the
extension of God’s kingdom, especially in the promotion of missions,
to the best of its ability?
16. Are the synodical assessments
faithfully paid, in agreement with the stipulated regulations?
17. Are the funds of the church and the
poor fund and all proofs of possessions kept in a safe place so that no
occasion is given for mistrust nor difficulties can arise on leave of
office or death, and is the congregation properly incorporated with the
State? Are the archives in order?
18. Does the consistory see to it that the
parents send their children to the Christian school?
19. Are the Forms of Unity signed by all
the members of the consistory, the ministers, elders, and deacons?
Questions to the Elders and Deacons in the
Absence of the Minister
1. Does the minister in the preaching and
in the administration of the sacraments do his work faithfully according
to the Word of God, the Forms of Unity, and the Church Order?
2. Does the minister faithfully explain God’s
Word so that the congregation is built up through his preaching?
3. Does he regularly conduct the catechism
classes, visit the sick faithfully, and take part in family visitation?
4. Does the minister reveal himself as a
worthy example?
5. Is he devoted as much as possible to the
exercise of his office?
6. Does he receive sufficient income to
take care of the needs of his family, taking in consideration the
character of his work?
Questions to the Minister and the Deacons
in the Absence of the Elders
1. Do the elders regularly attend the
services for divine worship as well as the consistory meetings?
2. Do they at set times attend the
catechism classes to see how they are conducted and attended; and do
they assist the minister when the need requires it in catechising?
3. Do they see to it that Christian
discipline is exercised, and that everything is done honourably and in
good order?
4. Do the elders visit the sick and others
in agreement with the calling of their office?
5. Do they try to prevent and remove all
offence in the congregation, and try to comfort and instruct the
members?
6. Do they conduct themselves as examples
to the congregation in their family and outward walk of life?
Questions to the Minister and Elders in the
Absence of the Deacons
1. Do the deacons attend regularly the
services for divine worship as well as the consistory meetings; and in
case such meetings are held, do they also attend deacons’ meetings?
2. Are they diligent in the collecting of
the alms, and do they faithfully realise their calling in the care and
comfort of the poor and oppressed?
3. Are the collections counted in the
presence of the minister or one or more of the elders?
4. Do they administer the finances wisely,
in consultation with the minister and the consistory?
5. Do they, in their family and outward life and walk, reveal
themselves as exemplary Christians?
