Preacher:
Pastor McGeown

Morning Service - 11:00 AM
The Sign and Seal of the Lord’s Supper [mp3/YouTube]
Scripture Reading: Luke 22:1-30
Text:  Heidelberg Catechism LD 28
I. The Rich Symbolism
II. The Sure Seal
III. The Particular Promise
Psalms: 23:1-6; 37:24-32; 104:13-18; 116:9-19

Evening Service - 5:30 PM
The Christian Fully Equipped for the Battle (4)
Feet Prepared by the Gospel of Peace [mp3/YouTube]
Scripture Reading:  Psalm 18:1-50
Text:  Ephesians 6:15
I. The Peace of the Gospel
II. The Prepared Feet
Psalms: 66:4-14; 37:33-40; 73:1-6, 16-20; 18:30-40

Quotes to Consider

Augustine: “Why do you prepare the teeth and the stomach? Believe, and you have eaten.”

Belgic Confession: “Christ, that he might represent unto us this spiritual and heavenly bread, hath instituted an earthly and visible bread, as a sacrament of his body, and wine as a sacrament of his blood, to testify by them unto us, that, as certainly as we receive and hold this sacrament in our hands, and eat and drink the same with our mouths, by which our life is afterwards nourished, we also do as certainly receive by faith (which is the hand and mouth of our soul) the true body and blood of Christ our only Saviour in our souls, for the support of our spiritual life .... This feast is a spiritual table, at which Christ communicates himself with all his benefits to us, and gives us there to enjoy both himself, and the merits of his suffering and death, nourishing, strengthening and comforting our poor comfortless souls by the eating of his flesh, quickening and refreshing them by the drinking of his blood. Further, though the sacraments are connected with the thing signified, nevertheless both are not received by all men: the ungodly indeed receives the sacrament to his condemnation, but he doth not receive the truth of the sacrament” (Article, 35).

William Gurnall: “And what the shoe is to the foot, that ‘preparation,’ or, if you please, a readiness and alacrity, is to the will.  The man whose feet are well shod fears no ways, but goes through thick and thin, foul or fair, stones or straws; all are alike to him that is well shod; while the barefooted man, or slenderly shoed, shrinks when he feels the wet, and shrieks when he lights on a sharp stone.  Thus, when the will and heart of a man is prompt, and ready to do any work, the man is, as it were, shod and armed against all trouble and difficulty which he is to go over in the doing of it.  They say the Irish tread so light on the ground that they will run over some bogs wherein any other almost would stick or sink. A prepared ready heart, I am sure, will do this in a spiritual sense.  None can walk where he can run.  He makes nothing of afflictions, yea persecutions, but goes singing over them” (The Christian in Complete Armour).

Announcements (subject to God’s will).

• Bible Study: Wednesday, 7 PM at 11 The Laurels. Study will commence at John 9:1.

• Catechism: Essentials:  Friday, 7 PM, at the Cesars (Lesson 6, Part 2, “The Holy Trinity ”); Old Testament Bible History for Juniors (Friday, 6 PM, at the Cesars [Lesson 23, “Judah in Captivity”).

• Upcoming Speech by Rev. McGeown: “What Does It Mean To Be Born Again?” (Wales, Thursday 28th April, 7.15 PM).

• Offering for 17th April:  €421

• PRC News:  Hope (Redlands, CA) called Rev. A. Lanning (Faith, MI); Edgerton (MN) called Rev. D. Kuiper (Randolph, WI); Hope (Walker, MI) called Rev. J. Marcus (Edmonton, AB, Canada). Trinity’s (Hudsonville, MI) new trio is Rev. C. Haak, Rev. K. Koole and Rev. W. Langerak.

• Everyone is invited to a CPRC/LRF Overnighter at the Newcastle Youth Hostel in Co. Down on Friday, 6 May. We now have a large enough group to have the hostel to ourselves and so we have more beds available. Come join us at this beautiful location in the centre of Newcastle, overlooking the beach. Cost is just 15 Euro per person. Directions can be found on the hostel website (www.hini.org.uk/hostels/Newcastle-Hostel). Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• The RFPA is pleased to announce the publication of a new book, “Justified unto Liberty,” a commentary on Galatians, by Prof. H. Hanko. Book club members will be receiving their copy soon. If you would like to become a RFPA book club member – and thus receive all new RFPA publications at a discounted price – now would be an excellent time to start. The RFPA is offering a free copy of “Justified unto Liberty” (retail value $37.95, c.  €26) to all those who join the book club by 30th June, 2011. See the flyer on the table or ask Rev. McGeown for more details

Preacher:
Pastor McGeown

Morning Service - 11:00 AM
The Blessedness of the Covenant Home [mp3]
Scripture Reading: Psalm 128
Text:  Heidelberg Catechism LD 27, Q&A 74
I. The Meaning of this Blessedness
II. The Way of its Enjoyment
Psalms: 147:1-11; 37:10-16; 127:1-5; 128:1-6

Evening Service - 5:30 PM
The Christian Fully Equipped for the Battle (3)
The Breastplate of Righteousness [mp3/YouTube]
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 59:1-21
Text:  Ephesians 6:14b
I. Its Meaning
II. Its Use
Psalms: 104:1-7; 37:17-23; 11:1-7; 36:5-12

Quotes to Consider

The Three Questions Asked of Parents at the Baptism of their Children:

     First. Whether you acknowledge, that although our children are conceived and born in sin, and therefore are subject to all miseries, yea, to condemnation itself; yet that they are sanctified in Christ, and therefore, as members of his Church ought to be baptized?

     Secondly. Whether you acknowledge the doctrine which is contained in the Old and New Testament, and in the articles of the Christian faith, and which is taught here in this Christian Church, to be the true and complete doctrine of salvation?

     Thirdly. Whether you promise and intend to see these children, when come to the years of discretion (whereof you are either parent or witness), instructed and brought up in the aforesaid doctrine, or help or cause them to be instructed therein, to the utmost of your power? (The Form for the Administration of Baptism).

William Gurnall: 'The breastplate, by defending this principal part, emboldens the soldier, and makes him fearless of danger; and that is as necessary in fight as the other.  It is almost all one for an army to be killed or cowed.  A dead soldier slain upon the place, will do, in a manner, as much good, as a dead-hearted sol­dier that is dismayed with fear—his heart is killed while he is alive—and a naked breast exposes the unarmed soldier to a trembling heart; whereas one otherwise cowardly, having his breast well defended with a plate of proof, will the more boldly venture up­on the pikes.  Thus, righteousness, by defending the conscience, fills the creature with courage in the face of death and danger; whereas guilt—which is the nakedness of the soul—puts the stoutest sinner into a shaking fit of fear.  ‘The wicked flee when no man pursueth; but the righteous are bold as a lion,’ Prov. 28:1.  They say sheep are scared by the clatter of their own feet as they run.  So is the sinner with the din of his guilt.  No sooner did Adam see his plate off, and himself to be naked, but he is afraid at God’s voice, as if he had never been acquainted with him” (The Christian in Complete Armour').

Announcements (subject to God’s will).

• Bible Study: Wednesday, 8 PM at the Osbornes. Study will commence at John 9:1.

• Catechism: Essentials (Wednesday, 9 PM, at the Osbornes [Lesson 13, Part 2, “The Natures of the Mediator”]; Saturday, 5 PM, at the Cesars [Lesson 6, Part 2, “The Trinity”]); Old Testament Bible History for Juniors (Saturday, 4 PM, at the Cesars [Lesson 22, “From Hezekiah to Captivity”]).

• Upcoming Speeches by Rev. McGeown: “Friendship with God” (Limerick, tomorrow, Monday 18th April, 7.30 PM); “What Does It Mean To Be Born Again?” (Wales, Thursday 28th April, 7.15 PM).

• Offering for 10th April:  €375

• PRC News:  Hope (Redlands, CA) called Rev. A. Lanning (Faith, MI); Edgerton (MN) called Rev. D. Kuiper (Randolph, WI); Hope (Walker, MI) called Rev. J. Marcus (Edmonton, AB, Canada).

• Everyone is invited to a CPRC/LRF Overnighter at the Newcastle Youth Hostel in Co. Down on Friday, 6 May. We now have a large enough group to have the hostel to ourselves and so we have more beds available. Come join us at this beautiful location in the centre of Newcastle, overlooking the beach. Cost is just 15 Euro per person. Directions can be found on the hostel website (www.hini.org.uk/hostels/Newcastle-Hostel). To sign-up contact Mary Stewart ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ).

• Requested announcement: The 10th and final installment of answers from Prof. Engelsma to unanswered questions from the October 29, 2010 lecture on the Federal Vision is now available for viewing at talkfederalvision.com.  This installment treats a question about Christ’s ‘meriting” and whether this then leads to a “covenant of works.”  And there are another four that are answered, but we wish to utilize our space here by extending our sincere appreciation to Prof. Engelsma for his tireless efforts in answering all of the questions that were submitted on the night of the speech and through the Internet.  Southwest PRC Evangelism Committee.

• From the Contact Committee: The delegation of Rev. Koole and Rev. Lanning have enjoyed a profitable time of meetings and fellowship with the saints in CERC of Singapore. The Lord willing, they will leave Singapore tomorrow, April 18, and travel to Launceston, Tasmania, where they will continue to represent the PRCA with our friends in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Australia, with whom we have a Corresponding Relationship. The EPCA is celebrating their 50th anniversary as a denomination (April 22-25), and we give God thanks for His preservation of them. A full day's conference is also planned on prearranged topics including worship. May the Lord also be pleased to use this visit to manifest and strengthen the unity in the truth that He has given us with the EPC of Australia.

Preacher:
Pastor McGeown

Morning Service - 11:00 AM
The Baptism of Our Children [mp3/YouTube]
Scripture Reading: Acts 2:14-47
Text:  Heidelberg Catechism LD 27 (Q74)
I. God’s Covenant Promise
II. The Children’s Privileged Status
III. The Church’s Solemn Calling
Psalms: 8:1-9; 36:8-12; 22:8-16; 128:1-6

Evening Service - 5:30 PM
The Christian Fully Equipped for the Battle (2)
The Belt of Truth [mp3/YouTube]
Scripture Reading: John 18:12-40
Text:  Ephesians 6:14a
I.   The Figure of the Belt
II.  The Reality of the Belt
III. The Function of the Belt
Psalms: 100:1-5; 37:1-9; 132:10-18; 31:1-6

Quotes to Consider

Form for the Administration of Baptism: 'Holy baptism witnesseth and sealeth unto us the washing away of our sins through Jesus Christ. Therefore we are baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. For when we are baptized in the name of the Father, God the Father witnesseth and sealeth unto us, that he doth make an eternal covenant of grace with us, and adopts us for his children and heirs, and therefore will provide us with every good thing, and avert all evil or turn it to our profit. And when we are baptized in the name of the Son, the Son sealeth unto us, that he doth wash us in his blood from all our sins, incorporating us into the fellowship of his death and resurrection, so that we are freed from all our sins, and accounted righteous before God. In like manner, when we are baptized in the name of the Holy Ghost, the Holy Ghost assures us, by this holy sacrament, that he will dwell in us, and sanctify us to be members of Christ, applying unto us, that which we have in Christ, namely, the washing away of our sins, and the daily renewing of our lives, till we shall finally be presented without spot or wrinkle among the assembly of the elect in life eternal ... And although our young children do not understand these things, we may not therefore exclude them from baptism, for as they are without their knowledge, partakers of the condemnation in Adam, so are they again received unto grace in Christ.”

Announcements (subject to God’s will).

• Bible Study: Wednesday, 8 PM at 11 The Laurels. Study will commence at John 8:45.

• Catechism: Essentials (Wednesday, 7 PM, at 11 The Laurels [Lesson 13, Part 1, “The Natures of the Mediator”]; Thursday, 7 PM, at the Cesars [Lesson 6, Part 1, “The Trinity”]); Old Testament Bible History for Juniors (Saturday, 4 PM, at the Cesars [Lesson 21, “Rehoboam to Ahaz”]).

• Upcoming Speeches by Rev. McGeown: “Friendship with God” (Limerick, Monday 18th April, 7.30 PM); “What Does It Mean To Be Born Again?” (Porthcawl, Wales, Thursday 28th April, 7.15 PM).

• Offering for 3rd April:  €348

• PRC News:  Hope (Redlands, CA) called Rev. A. Lanning (Faith, MI); Edgerton (MN) called Rev. D. Kuiper (Randolph, WI).

• Everyone is invited to a CPRC/LRF Overnighter at the Newcastle Youth Hostel in Co. Down on Friday, 6 May. Bible study, fellowship, games, and hiking are planned. Dinner on Friday evening, breakfast on Saturday and a pack lunch will be provided. Cost is 15 Euro per person. To sign up or for more information, contact Mary Stewart ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ).

Letter submitted to the Limerick Newspapers

Preacher:
Rev. Stewart (CPRC)

Morning Service - 11:00 AM
Praying for the Peace of Jerusalem [mp3/YouTube]
Scripture Reading: I Corinthians 12
Text:  Psalm 122:6
I.  The Identity of Jerusalem
II.   Praying for Jerusalem
III.  The Implications of this Prayer
Psalms: 122:1-8; 35:24-28; 81:14-19; 122:1-9

Evening Service - 5:30 PM
How to Handle Our Various Trials [mp3/YouTube]
Scripture Reading:  James 1
Text:  James 1:2-4
I.  The Calling
II.  The Reason
III.  The Result
Psalms: 95:1-7; 36:1-7; 30:1-7; 11:1-7

Quotes to Consider

John Calvin (on church unity): 'The church can only remain a state of safety when unanimity prevails in her, and when, being joined together by faith and charity, she cultivates a holy unity.'

John Calvin (on Psalm 122): “A departure from the church is a renunciation of God and Christ ... criminal dissension ... Nor is it possible to imagine a more atrocious crime.”

Announcements (subject to God’s will).

• We welcome Rev. Stewart to our pulpit and fellowship. Rev. McGeown is preaching in Ballymena today.

• Bible Study: Wednesday, 8 PM at the Osbornes. Study will commence at John 8:30

• Catechism: Essentials (Wednesday, 9 PM, at the Osbornes [Lesson 12, Part 2, “The Mediator and His Names”]; Thursday, 7 PM, at the Cesars [Lesson 5, Part 2, “God’s Communicable Attributes”]); Old Testament Bible History for Juniors (Saturday, 4 PM, at the Cesars [Lesson 20, “From Ahab to Captivity”]).

• Upcoming Speeches by Rev. McGeown: “Friendship with God” (Limerick, Monday 18th April, 7.30 PM); “What Does It Mean To Be Born Again?” (Porthcawl, Wales, Thursday 28th April, 7.15 PM).

• Offerings for March:  6th (€475.80); 13th (€370); 20th (€420); 27th (€428).

• PRC News:  Hope (Walker, MI) has a new trio: Rev. R. Hanko (Lynden, WA), Rev. K. Koole (Grandville, MI), Rev. John Marcus (Edmonton, AB, Canada); Hope (Redlands, CA) has a new trio: Prof. D. Engelsma, Rev. C. Haak (Georgetown, MI), Rev. A. Lanning (Faith, MI).  

• Everyone is invited to a CPRC/LRF Overnighter at the Newcastle Youth Hostel in Co. Down on Friday, 6 May. Bible study, fellowship, games, and hiking are planned. Dinner on Friday evening, breakfast on Saturday and a pack lunch will be provided. Cost is 15 Euro per person. To sign up or for more information, contact Mary Stewart ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ).