Preacher:
Rev Angus Stewart (www.cprc.co.uk)

Morning Service - 11:00 AM
Moses' Face Shining [mp3/YouTube]
Scripture Reading: II Corinthians 3
Text:  Exodus 34:29-35
I.  The Shining
II.   The Veiling
III.  The Fading
Psalms: 122:1-9; 87:1-7; 34:1-9; 89:3-8

Evening Service - 5:30 PM
Baptised into Christ [mp3/YouTube]
Scripture Reading:  Romans 6
Text:  Romans 6:3-4
I.  The Profound Meaning
II.  The New Life
III. The Resulting Death  
Psalms: 146:1-8; 119:1-8; 69:1-2, 14-15; 119:33-40

Quotes to Consider

O. Palmer Robertson: '... no veil covers the ministry of the new covenant. Its glory does not fade. With ‘unveiled face’ [II Cor. 3:18] every new covenant believer stands in the immediate presence of the Lord. He shares in the uniquely privileged position of Moses, rather than simply receiving from Moses the report concerning God’s revelation. Beholding constantly as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, he is ‘metamorphosized’ from glory to glory' (The Christ of the Covenants, pp. 197-198).

Homer C. Hoeksema: 'In the old dispensation, Moses alone beheld the glory of the Lord; and the skin of his face was changed. In the new dispensation we all behold that glory; and, by the grace of the Spirit, we are changed, made like unto the Lord. We are changed spiritually through the means of looking at His image in the mirror of the Scriptures. And the injunction which follows is plain: cover not your faces; close not the Scriptures; look steadfastly in them, for they make us free and wise unto salvation' (Unfolding Covenant History, vol. 4, p. 78).

John Owen: 'There is not one word nor one expression that mentions any resemblance between dipping under water and the death and burial of Christ, nor one word that mentions a resemblance between our rising out of the water and the resurrection of Christ. Our being 'buried with him by baptism into death' [Rom. 6:4] is our being 'planted together in the likeness of his death,' verse 5. Our being 'planted together in the likeness of his death' is not our being dipped under water, but 'the crucifying of the old man,' verse 6. Our being 'raised up with Christ from the dead' is not our rising from under the water, but our 'walking in newness of life,' verse 4, by virtue of the resurrection of Christ, I Pet. iii. 21' (Works, vol. 16, p. 268).

John Murray: 'We have no more warrant to find a reference to the mode of baptism in [sunetaphen, we were buried with Him] here in vs. 4 than in [sumphutoi, planted together with Him] in vs. 5 [sunestaurothe, crucified with Him], [or] in vs. 6 [enedusasthe, clothed with Him] in Gal. 3:27' (The Epistle to the Romans, vol. 1, p. 215, n. 3).

Robert Harbach: 'The object of Paul's words is not to show that Christians ought to walk in newness of life because [they were] figuratively raised from a watery grave in a symbolic ritual, but because [they were] spiritually, objectively, historically, unitedly, corporately and representatively raised ... through the death [of Christ]' ('The Biblical Mode of Baptism,' p. 22).

Announcements (subject to God’s will).

• We welcome Rev. and Mary Stewart, Anganeta Dyck, Debbie Murray and Marco Barone to our worship services today. Rev. McGeown is preaching in Ballymena and will return on Tuesday afternoon.

•  Bible Study: Wednesday, 8 PM at 11 The Laurels. Study commences at John 14:18.  

• Catechism:  Tuesday[1] at 7 PM at the Mansonas, Old Testament History for Juniors, Lesson 22, “Ahaz to Captivity;” Wednesday at 7 PM at 11 The Laurels, Essentials of Reformed Doctrine, Review of Anthropology ; Saturday at 4 PM at 11 The Laurels, New Testament History for Juniors, Lesson 3, “The Ministry of John the Baptist.” 

• Offering:  18th September, €311.

• PRC News:  Rev. A. Lanning declined Hope (Walker, MI). Candidate Jonathan Mahtani plans to answer two calls today from Edgerton (MN) and Cornerstone (IN).

Preacher:
Pastor McGeown

Morning Service - 11:00 AM
The 9th Commandment Governing Our Speech [mp3/YouTube]
Scripture Reading: Psalm 15:1-5
Text:  Heidelberg Catechism LD 43
I.    The Requirement
II.   The Prohibition
III. The Motivation
Psalms: 5:1-8; 56:7-13; 64:3-10; 15:1-5

Evening Service - 5:30 PM
The Signs of Christ’s Coming (4)
The Church Hated by All Nations [mp3/YouTube]
Scripture Reading:  Mark 13:1-23
Text:  Matthew 24:9-10
I.  The Meaning
II.  The Cause
III.  The Effect
Psalms: 98:1-9; 57:1-5; 120:1-7; 109:26-31

Quotes to Consider

Charles Spurgeon: “It is a sin to endure or tolerate tale-bearers. 'Show that man out!' we should say of a drunkard, yet it is very questionable if his unmanly behaviour will do us so much mischief as the tale-bearers insinuating story. 'Call for a policeman!' we say if we see a thief at his business; ought we to feel no indignation when we hear a gossip at her work? Mad dog! Mad dog!! is a terrible hue and cry, but there are few curs whose bite is so dangerous as a busybody's tongue. Fire! fire!! is an alarming note, but the tale-bearer's tongue is set on fire of hell, and those who indulge it had better mend their manners, or they may find that there is fire in hell for unbridled tongues” (The Treasury of David, vol. I, pp. 177-178).  

Thomas Watson: “The scorpion carries his poison in his tail; the slanderer carries his poison in his tongue” (The Ten Commandments, p. 169).

Thomas Watson: “A perjured person is the devil’s excrement. He is cursed in his name, and seared in his conscience. Hell gapes for such a  windfall” (ibid, p. 172).

Announcements (subject to God’s will).

• Bible Study:  Wednesday at 8 PM at 11 The Laurels, beginning with John 14:18.

• Catechism:  Monday at 7 PM at the Mansonas, Old Testament History for Juniors, Lesson 21, “From Rehoboam to Ahaz;” Wednesday at 7 PM at 11 The Laurels, Essentials of Reformed Doctrine, continuation of a review of “Theology;” No Saturday catechism due to the Overnighter.  

• Offering: 11th September: €311

• PRC News:  At its meeting this past week, Classis East examined Mr. Nathan Decker, Pastor-Elect of the Trinity PRC of Hudsonville, MI.  Classis approved his exam and advised Trinity PRC to proceed with his ordination into the ministry of the Word and sacraments. This will take place, DV, on Thursday 29th September.  Candidate John Mahtani considers two calls: Edgerton (MN) and Cornerstone (Dyer, IN) and he plans to answer on 25th September. Hope (Walker, MI) called A. Lanning (Faith, MI).  

• Overnighter: The CPRC/LRF are planning a second “Overnighter” this Friday 23rd to Saturday 24th September. Next Sunday, 25th September, Revs. Stewart and McGeown shall swap pulpits.

Preacher:
Pastor McGeown

Morning Service - 11:00 AM
The 8th Commandment and Our Neighbour’s Goods [mp3/YouTube]
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:17-31
Text:  Heidelberg Catechism LD 42
I.    The Fundamental Principles
II.   The Avoidance of Theft
III. The Positive Calling
Psalms:29:1-6; 55:18-23; 24:1-6; 16:1-7

Evening Service - 5:30 PM
The Signs of Christ’s Coming (3)
Turmoil in Nature and Among the Nations [mp3/YouTube]
Scripture Reading:  Revelation 5-6
Text:  Matthew 24:6-8
I.  The Meaning of the Turmoil
II.  The Necessity of the Turmoil
III.  Our Comfort in the Turmoil
Psalms: 27:1-6; 56:1-6; 46:6-11; 77:14-20

Quotes to Consider

John Calvin: “Christ, in replying to the whole question which had been put to Him, reminded them that a long and melancholy succession of calamities was at hand, and that they must not hasten to seize the prize, before they had passed through many contests and dangers. In this manner, therefore, we ought to explain the latter clause: ‘The end of the world will not come before I have tried my Church, for a long period, by severe and painful temptations;’ for it is contrasted with the false imagination which the apostles had formed in their minds” (Commentary on Matthew, pp. 129-130).

Herman Hoeksema: “These judgments are upon the earth now and they shall increase. They must increase. For in no other way can the kingdom of God come. Sin and unrighteousness will develop, and must develop. And this sin and unrighteousness must be destroyed. And the glory of Christ must be revealed and vindicated, and can be vindicated only by the judgments upon the world. Be not disturbed, therefore, and by no means implore God that He may stop bringing His Kingdom in the way of judgments” (Behold He Cometh, p. 298).

Announcements (subject to God’s will).

• Bible Study:  Wednesday at 8 PM at 11 The Laurels, beginning with John 14:16.

• Catechism:  Monday at 7 PM at the Mansonas, Old Testament History for Juniors, Lesson 20, “From Ahab to Captivity;” Wednesday at 7 PM at 11 The Laurels, Essentials of Reformed Doctrine, continuation of a review of “Theology;” Saturday at 4 PM at 11 The Laurels, New Testament History for Juniors, Lesson 2, “Jesus’ Birth and Early Childhood.”

• Offering: 4th September: €414

• PRC News:  At its meeting this past week, Classis West examined Mr. Brian Huizinga, Pastor-Elect of the Hope PRC of Redlands, CA.  Classis approved his exam and advised Hope PRC to proceed with his ordination into the ministry of the Word and sacraments. This will take place, DV, on Sunday 18th September with Prof. Decker conducting the ordination service. Classis East meets this week, Wednesday  14th September, to examine Pastor-Elect N. Decker with a view to his being ordained and installed as the pastor of Trinity (Hudsonville, MI) on Thursday 29th September. Candidate John Mahtani considers two calls: Edgerton (MN) and Cornerstone (Dyer, IN). Hope (Walker, MI) called A. Lanning (Faith, MI).

• Overnighter: The CPRC/LRF are planning a second “Overnighter” on Friday 23rd to Saturday 24th September. The venue is the Foy Centre, Carlingford, Co. Louth on the Cooley Peninsula, just South of the border (http://www.carlingford.ie/index.php/activities-carlingford-louth-ireland/the-foy-centre/). The date planned is Friday 23rd-Saturday 24th September. We hope to have Bible study (Friday evening and Saturday morning), fellowship, and other activities. The cost will be  €18 per person. So far, twenty people have signed up, and more are welcome. Please let Rev. McGeown know as soon as possible if you would be interested or if you know any others who would like to come.  

• The PRC Seminary KJV Conference will celebrate the 400th anniversary of the publication of the KJV this week.  The conference begins this Friday evening at 7:00pm at the 1st CRC of Byron Center with a special concert by the Hope Heralds men chorus, followed immediately at 7:30pm with the first speech of the conference.  The conference continues at 9:00am Saturday morning with two additional speeches concluding at noon.  http://www. kingjames400years.com/.

Preacher:
Pastor McGeown

Morning Service - 11:00 AM
Pure Living by the Seventh Commandment [mp3/YouTube]
Scripture Reading: I Thessalonians 4:1-18
Text:  Heidelberg Catechism LD 41
I.    The Meaning
II.   The Manner
III. The Reasons
Psalms: 141:1-5; 55:1-9; 50:17-23; 101:1-4

Evening Service - 5:30 PM
The Signs of Christ’s Coming (2)
Deceivers Coming in Christ’s Name [mp3/YouTube]
Scripture Reading:  Matthew 24:1-28
Text:  Matthew 24:4-5
I.  Their Coming
II.  Their Character
III. Our Calling
Psalms: 72:13-19; 55:10-17; 101:5-8; 119:169-176

Quotes to Consider

Mathew Henry: “This prophecy, under the type of Jerusalem’s destruction, looks as far forward as he general judgment; and, as is usual in prophecies, some passages are more applicable to the type, and others to the antitype; and toward the close, as usual, it points more particularly to the latter” (Commentary).

William Hendrickson: “In describing the brief period of great tribulation at the close of history, ending with the final judgment, Jesus is painting in colours borrowed from the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans” (Commentary on Matthew, p. 847).

Kim Riddlebarger: “Jesus was on the Mount of Olives speaking as God’s final prophet, using the temple and the city of Jerusalem as graphic visual aids. Jesus spoke not only directly about God’s coming judgment on the city and the temple but also to the church awaiting the great consummation and the end of the present age many years hence” (A Case for Amillennialism, p. 158).

Anthony A. Hoekema: “Jesus is proclaiming events in the distant future in close connection with events in the near future. The destruction of Jerusalem which lies in the near future is a type of the end of the world, hence the intermingling. The passage therefore deals neither exclusively with the destruction of Jerusalem nor exclusively with the end of the world; it deals with both – sometimes with the latter in terms of the former” (The Bible and the Future, p. 149)

Announcements (subject to God’s will).

• Bible Study this Wednesday at 8 PM at 11 The Laurels, beginning with John 14:6.

• Catechism: for Chester and Dale (Monday, 7 PM at the Mansonas, Old Testament History for Juniors, Lesson 19, “From Jeroboam to Ahab”).

• Catechism for the new season:  The children will begin Catechism on Saturday 10th September, New Testament History for Juniors. The venue will be the manse, 11 The Laurels, Castletroy, at 4 PM. We will also resume Essentials of Reformed Doctrine on Wednesdays at 7 PM (immediately before the Bible Study, same venue, 11 The Laurels, Castletroy), beginning this Wednesday (7th September). We will begin with several weeks of review so please make every effort to attend these important review sessions so we can resume at Lesson 14, “The Offices of the Mediator” shortly thereafter. Invite friends and family to these classes too, as they are an important way to introduce people to the doctrines of the Bible in a systematic way.  Since the manse is near the University of Limerick, we encourage UL students to attend.

• Offerings for August :7th (€333); 21st (€378.50), 28th (€388.50).

• PRC News:  Hope (Walker, MI) called A. Lanning (Faith, MI); both Edgerton (MN) and Cornerstone (Dyer, IN) called Candidate J. Mahtani; Pastor Elect B. Huizinga will be examined by Classis West this Wednesday, 7th September of with a view to being installed as the pastor of Hope (Redlands, CA); Pastor Elect N. Decker will be examined by Classis East on 14th September with a view to being installed as the pastor of Trinity (Hudsonville, MI). Remember these men in your prayers.