Visiting Preacher:
Rev. W. Langerak (Pastor, Southeast PRC, Michigan, USA)

Morning Service - 11:00 AM
The Prophet As Entertainer [mp3/YouTube]
Scripture Reading: Ezekiel 33:1-33
Text:  Ezekiel 33:30-33
I.    A Great Enthusiasm
II.   An Evil Hypocrisy
III.  An Activity Judged
Psalms: 138:1-6; 71:9-15; 17:1-6; 119:97-104

Evening Service - 5:30 PM
The Parable of the Unjust Steward [mp3/YouTube]
Scripture Reading:  Luke 16:1-31
Text:  Luke 16:1-13
I.  Faithful Stewardship
II.  Prudent Stewardship
III.  Rewarded Stewardship
Psalms: 122:1-9; 71:16-24; 27:7-14; 112:1-6

Quotes to Consider

Christopher J. H. Wright: “God warns [the prophet Ezekiel] of the flattery he will receive and warns him not to be fooled by it. He must judge the success of his ministry, neither by the numbers listening, nor by their enthusiasm in appreciation of his words, but only by the practical response of changed lives. Every preacher knows the frustration of hearing flattering or even sincerely enthusiastic comments on his or her [sic][1] message, but then finding no real change in attitude or action to follow. Such frustration led to one of the saddest things Jesus ever said: “Why call ye me Lord, Lord and do not what I say?” Why? Because enthusiasm has always been easier than  obedience ... But the popularity of a great preacher is also dangerous for the listeners. There is the danger of imagining that just because you have gone with the crowd and attended the meetings, sung the songs, got the blessing, gone to the front, bought the T-shirt ... that you have actually done something in response to the claim of God on your life. We so easily substitute the form of religion for the power of radical, life-changing obedience to the demands of the kingdom of God. There is the danger that some will even try to exploit the popular preacher for their own ends” (The Message of Ezekiel, The Bible Speaks Today Commentaries, p. 226).     

Announcements (subject to God’s will).

• We welcome the church visitors, Rev. William Langerak and Sid Miedema, to our fellowship today. Rev. Langerak will preach for us today and deliver a special lecture tomorrow at 7.30 PM. The church visitors return to the USA on Tuesday from Dublin.

• Please plan to attend, and to pray for, the special lecture on “Suffering” tomorrow evening, here, in An Cistin, Conradh na Gaelige . Invite your friends, family and colleagues.

• Bible Study:  Wednesday at 8 PM at the Kuhs, beginning with John 17:21.

• Catechism:  Wednesday at 7 PM at the Kuhs, Essentials of Reformed Doctrine;   Saturday at 4 PM in Ballycummin, New Testament History for Juniors, Lesson 17, “The Early NT Church.” 

• Steering Committee Meeting: at Ballycummin on Friday evening.

• Offering: 22nd January, €273.20

• PRC News:  Edgerton (MN) called Rev. C. Spronk (Peace, IL).  Hope (Walker, MI) will call from a trio of Revs. G. Eriks (Hudsonville, MI), D. Kuiper (Randolph, WI) and C. Spronk (Peace, IL).

Preacher:
Pastor McGeown

Morning Service - 11:00 AM
The Happiness  of Jehovah’s Sheep (3)
Led by the Shepherd [mp3/YouTube]
Scripture Reading: John 10:1-30
Text:  Psalm 23:3
I.    His Leading
II.   Our Need
III.  His Motivation
Psalms: 77:14-20; 70:1-5; 119:169-176; 23:1-6

Evening Service - 5:30 PM
Watching for Christ’s Return (8)
The Final Judgment of the Sheep and Goats [mp3/YouTube]
Scripture Reading:  Matthew 25:31-26:16
Text:  Matthew 25:31-46
I.  The Final Separation
II.  The Final Verdict
III.  The Final Destination
Psalms: 41:1-4, 12-13; 71:1-8; 50:1-6; 11:1-7

Quotes to Consider

Phillip W. Keller: “Only those intimately acquainted with sheep and their habits understand the significance of a ‘cast’ sheep or a ‘cast down’ sheep. This is an old English shepherd’s term for a sheep that has turned over on its back and cannot get up again by itself. A ‘cast’ sheep is a very pathetic sight. Lying on its back, its feet in the air, it flays away frantically struggling to stand up, without success. Sometimes it will bleat a little for help, but generally it lies there lashing about in frightened frustration ... As it lies there struggling, gases begin to build up in the rumen. As these expand they tend to retard and cut off blood circulation to extremities of the body, especially the legs. If the weather is very hot and sunny a ‘cast’ sheep can die in a few hours ” (A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, pp. 60-61).

J. C. Ryle: “The last judgment will be a judgment that will strikingly bring out the characters both of the lost and saved. They on the right hand, who are Christ’s sheep, will still be clothed with humility: they will marvel to hear any work of theirs brought forward and commended. They on the left hand, who are not Christ’s, will still be blind and self righteous. They will not be sensible of any neglect of Christ: ‘Lord,’ they say, ‘When saw we thee, - and did not minister unto thee?’ Let this thought sink down into our hearts. Characters on earth will prove an everlasting possession in the world to come: with the same heart that men die, with that heart they will rise again” (Expository Thoughts on Matthew, pp. 343-344).

Lenski: “Those who argue away the existence of hell and of the devil are not ‘the righteous’ but those who contradict the King and are in danger of arriving in hell (Interpretation of Matthew, p. 1001).

Announcements (subject to God’s will).

• We welcome Briana Prins to our worship services. Briana is a member of Trinity PRC in Hudsonville, Michigan. She is studying at the University of Limerick, and  will be worshipping with us until the end of the current semester.

• Bible Study:  Wednesday at 8 PM at the Kuhs, beginning with John 17:17.

• Catechism:  Wednesday at 7 PM at the Kuhs, Essentials of Reformed Doctrine;  Saturday at 4 PM in Ballycummin, New Testament History for Juniors, Lesson 17, “The Early NT Church.” 

• Offering: 15th January, €333.

• PRC News:  Edgerton (MN) called Rev. C. Spronk (Peace, IL).

Preacher:
Pastor McGeown

Morning Service - 11:00 AM
The Happiness  of Jehovah’s Sheep (2)
Resting in Jehovah’s Pasture [mp3/YouTube]
Scripture Reading: Ezekiel 34:1-31
Text:  Psalm 23:2
I.    Enjoying Rest
II.   Provided with Pasture
III.  Refreshed by Water
Psalms: 100:1-5; 69:27-30; 65:9-13; 23:1-6

Evening Service - 5:30 PM
Watching for Christ’s Return (7)
Watching As Faithful Talent-Users [mp3/YouTube]
Scripture Reading:  Matthew 25:14-46
Text:  Matthew 25:14-30
I.  Receiving the Master’s Talents
II.  Trading for the Master’s Advantage
III.  Entering into the Master’s Joy
Psalms: 102:13-18; 69:31-36; 116:9-16; 84:4-12

Quotes to Consider

J. J. Stewart Perowne: “This Psalm breathes throughout a spirit of the calmest and most assured trust in God: it speaks of a peace so deep, a serenity so profound, that even the thought of the shadow of death cannot trouble it. Perhaps there is no Psalm in which the absence of all doubt, misgiving, fear, anxiety is so remarkable; and certainly no image could have been devised more beautifully descriptive of rest and safety and trustful happiness, than that of sheep lying down in the deep, rich meadow-grass, beside the living stream, under the care of a tender and watchful shepherd” (Commentary on the Psalms, p. 248).

Announcements (subject to God’s will).

• Bible Study:  Wednesday at 8 PM at the Kuhs, beginning with John 17:11.

• Catechism:  Wednesday at 7 PM at the Kuhs, Essentials of Reformed Doctrine, Review of Christology (Lessons 12-17); Saturday at 4 PM in Ballycummin, New Testament History for Juniors, Lesson 16, “The Ascension and Pentecost.” 

• Offering: 8th January, €194

• PRC News:  Rev. C. Haak (Georgetown, MI) declined Hope (Walker, MI).

Preacher:
Pastor McGeown

Morning Service - 11:00 AM
The Happiness  of Jehovah’s Sheep (1)
Belonging to Jehovah’s Flock [mp3/YouTube]
Scripture Reading: Psalm 23:1-6
Text:  Psalm 23:1
I.    The Dependent Sheep
II.   The Dependable Shepherd
III.  The Rich Provision
Psalms: 80:1-3, 17-19; 69:19-22; 34:1-10; 23:1-6

Evening Service - 5:30 PM
Watching for Christ’s Return (6)
Watching As Wise Virgins [mp3/YouTube]
Scripture Reading:  Matthew 24:36-25:13
Text:  Matthew 25:1-13
I.  Anticipating the Bridegroom
II.  Prepared With Oil
III.  Entering into the Marriage
Psalms: 116:1-8; 69:23-28; 104:13-18; 45:13-17

Quotes to Consider

Charles Spurgeon: It has been said that what the nightingale is among birds, that is this divine ode [the 23rd Psalm] among the Psalms, for it has sung sweetly in the ear of many a mourner in his night of weeping, and has bidden him hope for a morning of joy. I will venture to compare it also to the lark, which sings as it mounts, until it is out of sight, and even then is not out of hearing” (A Treasury of David, vol. I, p. 353).

Announcements (subject to God’s will).

·      No Essentials of Reformed Doctrine or Bible Study this week. We plan to resume with a review of Christology (Lessons 12-17) and to continue with John 17:11 on 18th January. New Testament History for Juniors Catechism meets on Saturday, Lesson 15, “Jesus’ Resurrection.”

·      Offerings for December: 4th (€279);  11th  (€259);  18th (€425); 25th (€219); 1st January (€200).

·      Reserve Friday, 27th January for the l congregational dinner with the CPRC  and the church visitors in the Adair Arms in Ballymena (http://adairarms.com/).

·      PRC News:  Rev. C. Haak (Georgetown, MI) will answer Hope (Walker, MI) today.  Edgerton’s (MN) trio is Revs. R. Kleyn  (Spokane, WA), J. Marcus (Edmonton, AB) and C. Spronk (Peace, IL).

Preacher:
Pastor McGeown

Morning Service - 11:00 AM
Our Resolution: Enough of Serving Sin! [mp3/YouTube]
Scripture Reading: I Peter 4:1-19
Text:  I Peter 4:3-5
I.    The Possibility
II.   The Opposition
III.  The Reward
Psalms: 90:1-5; 69:4b-11; 106:4-8; 19:9-14

Evening Service - 5:30 PM
Singing of Jehovah’s Faithful Mercies [mp3/YouTube]
Scripture Reading:  Psalm 89:1-52
Text:  Psalm 89:1
I.  The Content
II.  The Occasion
III.  The Singing
Psalms: 136:1-12; 69:1-4; 103:8-12; 89:1-8

Announcements (subject to God’s will).

·      Catechism: We resume NT Bible History for Juniors with Lesson 14, “Jesus’ Crucifixion,” this week, Saturday, 7th January. We plan to resume Essentials/Bible study on Wednesday 18th January.

·      Rev. McGeown is moving house this week: his new address is Apartment 10, Block D, Ballycummin, Limerick.  He will have access to his current residence in 11 The Laurels, Castletroy, Limerick until Saturday 7th January.

·      Reserve Friday, 27th January for the annual congregational dinner with the CPRC  and the PRCA church visitors (Rev. W. Langerak and Elder Sid Miedema) in Ballymena.  Please let Rev. McGeown know if you would like to attend so we can organise transport. Rev. W. Langerak will preach in Limerick on Sunday, 29th January, give a lecture in Limerick on Monday, 30th January, and return to the USA on Tuesday, 31st January.

·      PRC News:  Rev. G. Eriks (Hudsonville, MI) declined Edgerton; Hope (Walker, MI) called Rev. C. Haak (Georgetown, MI).  Prof. and Mrs Dykstra have arrived safely in Singapore where they plan to minister for 4 weeks to the CERC (Covenant Evangelical Reformed Church of Singapore). Prof and Mrs Hanko have just returned from six weeks ministering there.