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NovNov-Dec 2011

The Evangelical Presbyterian


Nov Nov-Dec 2011 1.50

I am the way ... Truth ... Life The Incarnation: Contracted to a span Summer Outreach to Uganda John Bunyanthe Final Part Thomas CookThe Travel Agent
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The Evangelical Presbyterian

The Evangelical Presbyterian


is published bi-monthly by the Presbytery of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Please visit: www.epcni.org.uk Follow us on

Take Note
Soon it will be Christmas Day

Policy
The views expressed are those of the Editor and Contributors which are understood to reflect the theological position of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church

These words, borrowed from an old song, remind us that Christmas is coming soon! For some that will bring sighs of despair and for others it will mean a welcome mid -winter break from the regular routine of life. For the church it presents an evangelistic opportunity because for whatever reason people seem more willing to respond to a Christmas service invitation than to any other type of church meeting. This year, however, presents a challenge to the Christian Church. Christmas Day is on a Sunday, the Lords Day. Just a few years ago when this happened most churches all over Northern Ireland had limited worship, when the regular times of worship were changed and in some places cancelled altogether. Christmas is a family time and it is good to spend time together but how good it is to spend time with Gods family too and this year gives a great opportunity to show the world that his day is special above all other days. And what a day to gather and give thanks unto God for his unspeakable gift, remembering the Lords Day and rejoicing in the good news that a Saviour has been born who is Christ the Lord. The apostle John reminds us of the reason for the incarnation, You know that he appeared to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. (1 John 3.5) In a world filled with gloom, what wonderful news we have to proclaim.

Editor
Harold Gibson Stockbridge 2 Barronstown Court DROMORE BT25 1FB hgibson@barronstown.force9.net

Copy Deadline
1st of month prior to publication

Subscriptions 2011
Collected 9.00 By post within UK 11.00 By post outside UK 15.00 Enquiries to: Evangelical Book Shop (See back page for contact details)

Finance
Anyone wishing to help the Churchs work may send their gift to the Finance Committee, C/o: Rev J S Roger 16 Huntingdale BALLYCLARE BT39 9XB The church can benefit from the Gift Aid scheme from taxpayers donations. Please ask for details.

Cover Photograph
Sunset at the North Pole, 13 March 2011. The sun is directly below the moon, then at its closest point to the earth. A very rare picture and one that few will have the opportunity of seeing in person.
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Take Note: Note Rejoice and be glad, the Redeemer has come.

NovNov-Dec 2011

Making an Impacta more excellent way!


The Editor discusses what real love is, from 1 Corinthians 13.

As Christians become more marginalized in the secular society in which we live and the church is seen as some archaic institution that has no relevance for the 21 st century, how are we to make an impact on the world around us? Ironically, some churches make an impact on their communities for all the wrong reasons, they are better known for their divisions, disputes and contentions than for being a community that seeks to manifest the love of God and live peaceably with all men. (Rom 12.18) Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13 that even if we speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, we are just like a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. Prophetic powers, understanding of all mysteries, total knowledge and unwavering faith count for nothing if we have not love. Love, as Proverbs tells us, will cover a multitude of sins. (10:12) The Way of Love Bringing Heaven to Earth Jesus said, By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13.35.) Jesus had just washed his disciples feet, warned them of one in their midst who would betray him and announced to them that he is going away and that they cannot come with him. He then commands them to love one another, even as he loved them so that people would know that they are his followers. In many churches strife, envy and bitterness are the hallmarks and the sparkling jewel of Christian love is missing. D L Moody, the 19th century American evangelist, said: There is no use trying to do church work without love. A doctor, a lawyer, may do good work without love, but Gods work cannot be done without love. Jonathan Edwards in a sermon entitled Heaven is a World of Love admonished his hearers that if they are citizens of heaven, they must bring heaven to earth. He emphasized the impact that Christians could have in the world if all of us, in the name of Christ, were much involved in deeds of love. Edwards continued: If we are to have fruitful lives and ministries, we must be people whose lives are characterised by real love. The Bible tells us that Christians are citizens of the heavenly kingdom, we are to be ambassadors for Christ and in so doing our lives ought to be bringing even a little of heaven to earth. Paul sets out what real love is in 1 Corinthians 13 and lists those characteristics that enable us as individuals and as congregations to make an impact for Christ. The Endurance of Love Conforming our will to his Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful, it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. (1 Cor 13.4-6) This is a challenging list of qualities and characteristics that we are called to manifest in our lives yet Paul wants us to know that developing and demonstrating this kind of love is the most important requirement for being a powerful and effective witness for Christ in the world, in the church and in our families.
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How often our lives reflect impatience, envy, arrogance and rudeness. How often we want things done our way prompted by our own selfish motives. Wayne Mack writes Loving God and others with a love that doesnt seek its own means that we will, as Romans 12:2 says, be concerned about doing the perfect and acceptable will of God. We should make a serious effort to conform our will to his, to be satisfied with his plans, and not our own. 1 There will be times when we must be prepared to die to self, when our own wishes and desires are to give way to the weaker brother who differs with us on minor issues. (Rom 14 -15) And Peter Barnes: If love is the firstfruit of the Spirit, it ought to be exhibited clearly at all times, not just on those occasions when anybody can feel reasonably benevolent. 2 Don Carson, in A Church That Does All the Right Things But, describes the church situation at Ephesus in the following way: They preserve the truth and witness courageously, but forget that love is the great witness to truth no amount of good works, wisdom, and discernment in matters of church discipline, patient endurance in hardship, hatred of sin, or disciplined doctrine, can ever make up for lovelessness. 3 A Never Ending Love a love worth striving after Paul writes in v8: Love never ends. Its a love that bears all things, believes all things, endures all things and it will never fail. John Calvin writes: Another of the outstanding features of love is that it lasts for ever. A quality like that, which will never come to an end, is certainly worth striving after. The love that Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 13 is a love that never gives up, never ends, never fails but abides and endures forever. The spiritual gifts of prophecy, knowledge and tongues will all cease but love will never end. The greatest example of this kind of love is seen in God the Father who so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him, should not perish but have eternal life. Prof John Murray, preaching from Romans 8, asks: What was the Fathers greatest gift, what was the most precious donation for us and to us? It was not things. It was not calling by his grace. It was not justification, nor glorification. It is not even security with which the apostle closes the concluding peroration (v39.) These are favours bestowed and graces dispensed in the design of his counsel. But the incomparable gift is the giving up of his own Son. And not only was he given for us; he is also given to us in all the plentitude of his grace and truth, and power, and love. Paul reminds each of us that Christ loved me and gave himself for me, (Gal 2.20) and it is with such love that we are to love one another and show the world around us that we are disciples of Jesus Christ. Take time to evaluate your own love for others in your family, church and those you meet with outside of church life. Are you making an impact for Christ in this more excellent way?

Let love be found among us, A love from God alone, The hallmark of his children whom God delights to own. (Book of Praise: 344)
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Maximum Impact, Wayne Mack, P&R Publishing, New Jersey, 2010; Calvins Commentaries, 1 Corinthians, St. Andrews Press, Edinburgh, 1960; Collected Writings of John Murray, Vol. 3, Banner of Truth, Edinburgh, 1982;

NovNov-Dec 2011

I am the way, the truth and the life


Rev Samuel Watson , Finaghy, tells us directly that we ignore these claims of Jesus Christ to our eternal peril and loss.

This is the sixth of the seven I Am sayings of Jesus in Johns Gospel and it is unique in that it has three parts to the predicate, for he says, I am the way, the truth and the life. As we consider it we note: First: The Context Jesus was speaking to his disciples, who, for him, had left all they had their homes, friends, occupations, indeed, everything. And he had just told them (13.33) that he would be with them for just a little while longerclearly intimating that he was going to leave them. In fact he went on to say whither I go, ye cannot come. He clarified this for Peter by saying (v36) whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards. Still, this was obviously greatly disturbing news to the disciples. And so Jesus went on to reassure them in Chapter 14: Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me.(14.1) He was telling them that whatever lay ahead they should put their trust in their heavenly Father and in him. They could trust God to see them throughas can we. Jesus proceeded to speak of his Fathers house and its many dwelling places and that he was going to prepare such for them. Then, from the thought of his going away, Jesus asserted the certainty of his coming back for them so that where I am there ye may be also. (14.3) And he then declared And whither I go ye know and the way ye know. But Thomas was puzzled, confused and confessed his ignorance: Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Although Jesus knew he was going to the Father he had not specifically said so but had informed Peter that he would follow him afterwards. So Thomas statement makes senseif you do not know the destination, how can you possibly know the way to it? To this Jesus gave answer in the words of our text. And it should be clear that while there are three claims made here by Christ to be the Way, the Truth and the Life the context suggests that the main thrust is of Jesus as the Way. Second: The Claim I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. If we take the Truth and the Life to be here subordinate to the Way then we can say that Jesus was claiming to be: The Appointed Way. The appointed way to where? To the Father, to the Fathers house! This is clear from the context and made absolutely certain when Jesus adds no man cometh unto the Father but by me. So we are talking of heavenof where the dwelling place of God is. And Jesus is the appointed way there. This is obvious even from the definite article that is used. Jesus does not claim to be a way or one of the ways to God and heaven but to be the way, that is, the only way. Now that does not sit comfortably with our society today which does not like absolutes to be applied to morals or religions. We are told that it is wrong, presumptuous and arrogant to make such an exclusive claim. We must have respect for other religions. Yes, we dobut that doesnt mean that we have to
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deny our own faith and accept the claims of others! It is not me who makes this claim, however, but Jesus! Remember that I Am is the name by which God revealed Himself to Moses in the Old Testament. This was not some no-body, nor even some human somebody, making this claim, but the One and only, unique, Son of God in human flesh. Because of who he is, Jesus could make this exclusive claim. And we cannot give an inch, as we say, on thisfor it is fundamental to the Gospel. It is not something taught only by John, but Peter believed it too (Acts 4.12) and Paul was convinced of it as well (1 Tim 2.5). Further, note that Jesus does not merely say that he teaches us the way to God, but that he himself is the way. He was about to die on the cross to put away his peoples sins and in doing so actually became the way for sinners to come to God to be reconciled and made fit for His presence. There is no other way by which that can be effected. The Authoritative Way. Jesus could make this claim to be the only way to God because he is also the truth. However ridiculous and presumptuous the claim may seem, however much it is rejected and denied by men, it remains absolutely true. The world is full of error as regards God, man and their relationship to one another. And the only way that we can know God, let alone come to God, is through Jesus Christ: grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. (John 1.17-18). God has spoken in these last days by his Son. (Heb 1.2) Complete honesty characterized Jesus in all that he said and did. His teaching was truth and it pointed his hearers to God and to heaven. Of course, many men have told us the truth, but no man ever embodied the truth, except Jesus. So once more, because of who he is (borne out by his moral perfection) all he ever said was true and authoritative. Further, because he is God the Son and has come from God, he alone can reveal authoritatively to us the mind and will of God. It follows that it is vital that we take heed to what he says here, understand its implications and act wisely and responsibly to it. The Accessible Way. Jesus also claims here to be the life. The significance of this is that without him as the Life, we can never get onto the Way! We are sinnersour first parents lost the way to God, repudiated the truth of God and forfeited the life of God when they sinned in the Garden of Eden. And we have all, as a result, been born dead in trespasses and sinswe are spiritually lifeless! But Christ can make us alive with Gods life, eternal life. He can transfer us from being on the broad road that leads to destruction to the narrow way that leads to life eternal. (cf Matt 7.13-14). Jesus spoke these words in the shadow of the cross. He was about to die for the sins of his people and his lifeless body put in a dark tomb. But he rose again, on the third day, in the power of an endless life. He rose again for our justification. (Rom 4.25) Thats why we can come to GodChrist has opened the way, overcome the power of sin and death. You being dead in your sins ... hath he quickened (made to live) together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
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blotting out the handwriting that was against us ... and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.(Col 2.13-14). And so just as the Philippian jailer was instructed to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved so, by extension, are weif we want to be saved and put on our way heavenward. The Conclusion What is the end result of all this? No man cometh unto the Father but by me! If Jesus isas he says he isthe Way, the Truth and the Life, then you ignore his claims to your eternal peril and loss. Remember this God the Father was under no obligation whatsoever to appoint a Saviour for sinners he could righteously have doomed us all to hell for our sins. But in inexplicable grace, love and mercy he sent his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3.16) And he is the only access you have to God. Reject Him and the way of salvation through him and you will be without God and without hope not only now, but throughout eternity. Come to the Saviour and travel with him to heaven and home.

Ministers and Office Bearers Annual Half Day of Prayer

9.30 am am-12.30 pmSaturday 19 November 2011


Stranmillis EPC

The Evangelical Presbyterian

Psalm 37Taking the Long Look


In his sixth meditation on the Psalms, Colin Moore, Moore Stranmillis, urges trust God in all the perplexities of life.
In this Psalm of David he records what he sees all around him the prosperity of the wicked and the suffering of the righteous. David does not however allow himself to become exasperated but instead encourages the righteous to trust alone in God. He does this in four ways: Davids Counsel David simply and calmly urges us not to become focused on the short term prosperity of the wicked but to take a longer view and rest on what we know is true. The righteous will spend eternity in Heaven and the wicked will go to Hell despite all of their riches and prosperity in this life. If we know and believe this to be true then it makes it a lot easier to look alone to God and not get disheartened when we see the wicked prosper. Our delight is not to be in temporary pleasures but rather in God. We are to commit all of our ways unto him and to rest and wait patiently for him to bring it about. Davids Caution God sees and knows all that happens. Nothing goes unnoticed by him. The wicked do well and think no one has noticed their dealings while God looks on and laughs. He alone knows their ultimate end. Our way is known to him also and he has promised to vindicate us and reward us with his glorious presence and love for all eternitywhat a security what a promise to hold unto and look forward to! Davids Confidence David adds his personal testimony that he in all of his life on earth has not seen the righteous forsaken. He reflects on how God will ultimately prosper the righteous by rewarding them with his own presence forever. David is content to wait on the Lord and keep his way, happy to know that God in his own perfect timing and sovereign plan will exalt the righteous and cut off the wicked. Davids Conclusion Salvation is from the Lord and from him alone. He is our strength in times of trouble and our advocate on the last day. Who will the wicked turn to in the final hour to save them from judgement? They will look to the things that sustained them here on earth but alas none of them will be any good. None of their earthly comforts or riches not even their position or power will be able to save them. God the Father will simply be looking for one thing the mark of Christ. If he does not find this then their end is clear. They will be eternally separated from the love of God. The righteous however will go and experience the bliss of his presence forever. What a comfort for us to hold unto now in this life and what a glorious promise for us to look forward to in the future!
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Thomas CookThe

Travel Agent

From The Record of the Free Church of Scotland. Permission kindly granted

Most of us will have taken a holiday this year and perhaps we have used Thomas Cook, the travel agents, in doing so. Even if we did not personally use that company, we will have seen its locations in town centres and airports many times. It is also quite probable that very few ask who Thomas Cook was. We might be surprised to discover that he was a Baptist preacher from Derbyshire. Thomas was born in 1808 into a working-class family with Christian connections. At the age of ten he was apprenticed to a local gardener, and he remained there until he was fourteen when he became a wood turner for his uncle, a job he was to hold for five years. Cook was a hard worker, but his years in both jobs were made unpleasant by the fact that both his masters were often drunk. No doubt his awareness of what happened when they were drunk was to affect Cooks later outlook towards strong drink. In his late teens, Cook had become a Christian, probably through the influence of the local Baptist church. When he was twenty, he became an evangelist connected to the congregation and travelled considerable distances on foot, preaching the gospel in different places. Unfortunately, the congregation was unable to continue paying his salary, so Cook set up his own business as a wood turner, and eventually moved to Market Harborough in 1832, where he married Marianne Mason. He had met her during his evangelistic tours, and they were to have two children (John Mason and Annie). In Market Harborough, Cook became more involved with the temperance movement. In 1841, he hired a train at his own expense and took over 500 passengers from Leicester to Loughborough and back for one shilling each. The main reason for the destination was a temperance gathering, but the trip showed Cook that similar excursions could be arranged for other reasons. By 1845, he was running several excursions as a business venture, although still working as a wood turner. Cooks business really took off when he organised weekend trips to London for visitors to attend the Great Exhibition in 1851. Three years later he gave up his work as a wood turner and focused entirely on arranging travel, including trips to Europe. He helped create the concept of package holidays in which his firm arranged for everything to do with the trip (he introduced travellers cheques in 1874.) Although Cook became a successful businessman, he did not lose sight of his Christian obligations. He used his increased income to support Baptist missions in India and an evangelical church in Rome. In addition, he regarded his business as providing a moral benefit in that he had made it easier for middle-and workingclass families to go on holiday rather than wasting their money on strong drink. Cook ceased to be involved with his company in 1880, after a disagreement with his son. He retired to Leicestershire where he lived quietly until his death twelve years later. His family ceased to have a connection with the company in 1928.
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All Lands to God!

Goli

Uganda Summer Youth Outreach, 9-19 August 2011


This year for the first time a summer youth outreach team from EPC ventured outside the comfort of our homeland to serve the Lord in Goli, Uganda. We departed from Belfast on 9 August and after a day of travelling (a 9 hour plane journey and an 8 hour bus journey), we arrived in the village of Goli. Having to push our bus full of luggage out of a ditch in the dark and in the rain was one of our first experiences of Goli which will not easily be forgotten! Team Devotions

Jenni Campbell, Campbell, Stranmilis, reports on the

During our time in Goli we stayed at the womens centre which was a home away from home for us. We felt very welcome there and as a team had many great times of fellowship and bonding. Each morning after breakfast, Andrew Moody led us in devotions on the book of James which helped to focus our thoughts. At night Gary McCullough led us in team devotions on The Sayings of Jesus on the Cross. One of the most encouraging things was when the team prayed together. We felt the Lord with us during these times of intercession. Childrens Praise Our programme started on Saturday 13 August. Each day, before we began, the Sunday school teachers led the children in a time of praise. Simple sayings from their choruses like Im happy, Im happy for my Lord and Hes mine, Hes mine, Jesus is mine, showed us the simple child-like faith that we are all called to have. Owning very little in terms of material possessions it was clear that the children put their trust and hope in God and were able to sing joyfully On the

mountains and in the valleysI will praise the Lord. This is what challenged us most
as a teamthe JOY of the Lord in the lives of his people in Goli.
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Stories of Jesus Power The stories we told focused around Jesus power. The memory verse taught was Proverbs 3.4-5 and the beginning of Psalm 100, and the theme chorus for the week was Wide and long and high and deep is the love of Jesus. God helped us as a team to communicate the message of Christ to the young children but more often we could see Christ being communicated to us in the life of his servants in Golia definite time of humbling for us. It was when the children kept running in that we felt the prayers of the people and were reminded of 2 Corinthians 12.9: But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Questions for Young Adults The evening sessions followed straight after with the young adults. We tried to answer 5 questions during the week ranging from What is God like? to What are Heaven and Hell Like? These young adults made us feel very welcome and were eager to hear Gods Word explained to them. They met together with one of the Korean Pastors from 8am to 5pm to read through the Bible and then met with us from 5pm to 7pm. They had such commitment and faithfulness to the Word of God and from this flowed great peace and joy despite the poverty that surrounded them. God stretched us in speaking to these young people as we attempted to keep the messages simple but also challenging. Our Thanks We are thankful for the prayers of our brothers and sisters in the Lord and so many times we saw the Lord protecting and guiding us in both practical and spiritual matters. We are also grateful for the work of Andrew and Eunice Moody and not forgetting Olive Moody (Andrews mother) in serving us during our time in Goli. The purpose of our time in Uganda was to reach the unreached and to further the Kingdom of God. However, God used this experience for our moulding and shaping and he blessed us abundantly. We received more than we ever imagined and have had our eyes opened to the joy that the Lord gives us when we seek him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. (Matt 22.37)
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WHAT ABOUT YOU?


John Bunyan died in London aged 59. Now its time to learn from his life and work.

Do you like quizzes? Here is a two part quiz to find out if you are like John Bunyan! Part 1 1. Do you know how to mend saucepans?

2. Do you usually travel by horse back? 3. Have you ever been arrested for preaching in a barn?
4. Have you spent 12 years in prison?

If your answers are mostly NO, you are not like John Bunyan. Part 2 1. Do you ever fight, lie or use bad words? 2. Are you afraid of what will happen when you die? 3. Have you tried to be better, but found it doesnt work? 4. Would you like to know Jesus the way some of your friends or family do? If your answers are mostly YES, you are just like John Bunyan when he was a young man. John wrote his famous book, The Pilgrims Progress, to help people like you. Here are some of the characters in his book:

Christian starts the story weighed down by a great burden of sin on his back and desperate to escape from the city of Destruction. He loses his burden when he comes to the cross where Jesus died.

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The only way you can be free from your sin is by believing that Jesus died for you.

NovNov-Dec 2011

The final part of the John Bunyan story

Evangelist meets Christian three times on his way to the Celestial City and always tells him something from Gods word. He points him in the right direction, scolds him when he goes wrong and encourages him to be brave and strong when trouble comes.

Whenever your dad, mum, Sunday school teacher or minister tell you things from the Bible, they are being like Evangelist. Make sure you listen to them.

Apollyon is a hideous monster who meets Christian on the way and tries to persuade him to give up following the King of princes. He hates the Prince and his people and attacks poor Christian with flaming darts. After a dreadful fight, Apollyon is wounded and flies away.

Do not listen to the Devil for he is the enemy of all who love and follow Jesus.

Ignorance joins Christian near the end of his journey to the Celestial City, but Ignorance has never felt a load of sin on his back, so he has not come by the cross to have his sin removed. He believes that his prayers and his good life will be enough to make the King of the City let him in. When they arrive at the City gates, the King welcomes Christian in, but Ignorance is carried away to hell.

Dont be fooled. You cant get into heaven by trying to be good. Only what Jesus has done for you can take you there.

The tale of Christian on his way to the Celestial City is just a story which John Bunyan made up. His own story is true however and John Bunyan is truly in heaven now, with the Saviour he loved. You can be there too one day, because the God who loved John Bunyan enough to die to save him can be your Saviour too.

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Church News
Norman & Angela ReidWelcome Home
On the evening of Thursday 15 September 2011 a congregation of around 80 people gathered in Finaghy Church to welcome home Norman and Angela Reid after 13 years of missionary service at Dumisani Theological Institute, King Williams Town, South Africa, The evening also provided an opportunity for Presbytery to express our appreciation to Mr Reid on the occasion of his retirement from active ministry. Moderator of Presbytery, Rev Gareth Burke, presided. Rev David MacPherson, Aberdeen, in his capacity as Chairman of the International Missions Board (IMB) of the Free Church of Scotland read the Scriptures and prayed. Mr MacPherson also brought warm and full greetings from the IMB to the gathering and spoke of the respect in which Norman and Angela are held throughout the Free Church and within the Free Church of South Africa. He also expressed the hope that although we , as a church, no longer had a missionary serving under the auspices of the IMB that we would continue to support the work in South Africa in coming days. Rev Norman Reid reflected on his thirteen years of ministry in South Africa. He spoke appreciatively of the support of the church both financially and prayerfully and gave an encouraging report on the influence and growth of Dumisani. The Moderator, on behalf of Presbytery, expressed thanks and appreciation to Mr Reid for his faithful ministry over many years not only in South Africa, but also in Crosscollyer Street, Finaghy, and Dublin. Rev Samuel Watson preached a meaningful and appropriate sermon from Genesis 48. At the conclusion of the service a reception was held in the church hall. After an excellent supper provide by the ladies of Finaghy Mr David Watson, Convenor of the Foreign Missions Committee, chaired proceedings. Mr Ernest Brown, EPC representative on the Free Church IMB, spoke about his visits to Dumisani and the contribution which both Norman and Local Xhosa women honAngela had made to the work there. oured Angela with this Mr Watson then passed over a which she first wore at her cheque to Mr Reid on behalf of South Africa farewell in King Williams Town. Presbytery and Mrs Maisie Garland presented a bouquet of flowers to Mrs Reid. The evening concluded with prayer. Rev Gareth N Burke, Moderator
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Xhosa traditional dress

NovNov-Dec 2011

Prayer Diary: Nov-Dec 2011


Please use the following prompts to stimulate a wider daily agenda of prayer
Each Sunday The Lords Day Give thanks and praise unto the Lord, for his grace and the blessings of Christian fellowship, pray that we may remember to keep the Sabbath day holy. Each MondayThe Effect of the Word Pray that the Word preached yesterday may continue to impact our lives and that it will help us to be good and effective witnesses for the Lord. Each TuesdayOur Congregations Pray for our congregations, for love and unity among our people, for young men to be raised up for the ministry and other needs. See the Prayer Points for the Knock congregationpage 16. Each WednesdayOur Nation Pray for our nation and those who rule over us. Pray that God may be gracious and merciful to a needy and ungodly land. Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? (Psalm 85.6). Remember the work of the Christian Institutep 21. Each ThursdayThe Gospel Pray for the advance of the Gospel unto the ends of the earth. Remember our missionaries, pray for their safety and health and for fruit for their labours. Each FridayChristmas Outreach Pray for planned evangelistic services and events over the Christmas period, for useful contacts and conversions. Remember too these events taking place in our youth work. Each SaturdayPreachers and Teachers Pray for all who will preach Gods Word tomorrow. Pray that there may be power in the pulpit and for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the people of God.

Birthday Celebration Ballyclare


Hazel McMinn, on behalf of the Ballyclare congregation, presents bouquets of flowers to

Mrs Hoey Miss Elizabeth McKenzie to mark the celebration of their 90th birthdays. The presentation was made during the Harvest Supper.
We are delighted to add the congratulations of the Church.
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Congregations: Knock
Rev Robert Johnston outlines the story and notes matters for prayer. prayer
Knock has a special place in the origins and history of the EPC, as it was the first congregation of our denomination. It began just after the Heresy Trial of 1927 with a small group of faithful believers meeting in one of their homes. Our first Minister was Rev James Hunter who had earlier retired as Minister of Knock-Dundela Presbyterian Church after 35 years faithful service. In the providence of God his retirement proved to be another 15 years of fruitful labour in Knock Evangelical Church. The church first met on the Upper Newtownards Road in May 1928, after building a temporary structure for the sum of 1131. That same structure is still our meeting place today, almost 85 years later; although we have plans for a rebuild in the not too distant future. Our present membership is small, and we make the most of our Presbyterianism by welcoming help from other EPC congregations. Our youth work especially is supported greatly by friends from Stranmillis and Groomsport. We have been encouraged in recent years by the Lords blessing upon the youth work, in particular through the Summer Youth Outreach Teams. Not only were these weeks of mission blessed in the summer, but have also fed into the regular youth work in the church. This year we also started up a young adults group, and are currently enjoying Tim Kellers The Reason for God DVD. Knock is blessed with a number of senior members who are no longer able to attend church regularly, and yet they faithfully pray for the church day and daily. We remain prayerfully expectant of that increase that only the Lord can give. Meanwhile we endeavour to reach out with the Gospel, faithfully sowing the good seed of the Word of God, and watering it with prayer. Pray with us, and for us:
1 2 3 4 Pray for conversions of boys and girls and young people who attend the Friday Club, Junior YPA and Sunday School. Pray that we might be doers of the Word and not just hearers only. Presently were studying the letter of James, and the book of Genesis. Pray that we will become increasingly effective as we continue to reach out to the surrounding community with the Gospel. Pray for the planning and erection of the proposed new church building, and that God would provide for every need. Pray for fruitful relationships between the church and the local residential homes and primary schools. Pray for our special evangelistic services 4-6 November, under the theme of Reformation and Transformation. (See page 7)

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NovNov-Dec 2011

Test your Bible Knowledge-5


The Editor will award a Book Token for the winning entry Clues by Jim Leckey
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Pure (9) Singular (3) Held Moses hands (3) Sluggard to consider (3) A plummet in his hand (10) Unruly crowd (3) Before reaping (3) Son of Amos (10) Nation against nation (3) Garment (4) Water depth measure (7) Resting (3) Writing implement (3) The Hittite (5) Fatal dispatcher (11) Abels offering (10) He had a sun dial (4) Son of Jonathan (4) Knees knocked (12) Atmosphere (3) Josephs Egyptian name (15)

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Down 1 P E I O I D I E 2 13 14 G I H O N T I N E C K P 3 15 16 I E G R O A N I N G E Y E 4 17 18 B U R N T F M K I R R 5 19 20 E D H T A G C 6 21 22 23 A S H E C H E M E S I H O N 9 H N E O H H I E 24 11 L I V I N G C R E A T U R E W 25 12 E N R I Z S F E W 26 27 28 14 A G A G O S T R I C H S I 18 P R U E A N 29 30 31 32 19 I A M O N E S E V E N F I V E 21 N D O N 33 34 35 22 G A T E F O W L S K I D 23 1 Please post your entry to the Editor to arrive, 28 week commencing 4 December. (Not before!) 30 Valid entries must be posted. 31 1 Mark your envelope Crossword. 32 2 The Editor will select the first correct entry from 33 the bag as the winner.
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Noahs son (4) Of the Chaldees (2) Visions (6) Eaten or used as drink (14) Wise bird (3) For hearing (4) Fell in Siloam (5) Lame man sat here (13) Treated Jehoiachin kindly (12) Davids changed with Achish (9) Time length (3) Romans did to felons (9) Sword covering (6) New threshing floor name (10) Fresh, up-to-date (3) Isaac pitched here (5) Dinner utensil (4) Rain filled its pools (4) Ers Canaanite grandmother (4) Capable (4)

No correct entry recieved!

Sep-Oct 2011 Solution

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The Evangelical Presbyterian

Spiritual Disciplines: Our Local Church


Michael Trimble , Stranmillis, now looks at our place in the Church.

We have already considered aspects of the spiritual life that are practised as personal devotions: prayer, study, and meditation. Most recently we discussed the importance of fellowship as Christian friendship. In this article I want to focus on the more formal side of fellowship, that is, our involvement in our local church. What is the church? The Westminster Confession of Faith describes it as the whole number of the elect, who have been, are or will be, gathered into one, under Christ, its Head. The church is the bride, the body, the fulness of him who fills all ... It is the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ, the house and family of God, outside of which there is no ordinary possibility of salvation. Often our experience of the church does not seem to fit with these wonderful descriptions. However, as Eugene Peterson notes in his Practice Resurrection, Church is the textured context in which we grow up in Christ to maturity. Every local congregation is a community of justified sinners attempting, by Gods grace, to live out the life of faith in their own particular neighbourhood. It is in our life together that we grow in the faith. How then does church aid us in our spiritual growth? Church affords us the opportunity to hear the word of God preached and taught, to receive the sacraments, to benefit from formal accountability to the Elders, to worship with and share in the fellowship of the congregation. These are benefits but what of the responsibilities? What discipline is required on our part? In his Disciplines of a Godly Man Kent Hughes identifies the following: The discipline of regular attendance, and not just attendance but also of membership,

The discipline of giving; the church requires a financial commitment to pay for the wages The discipline of participation - our time, talents and creativity should be used for the The discipline of love and prayer: As the letter of James exhorts us, our faith is shown
by our acts. Christ tells us that the world will know we are his followers by our love. glory of God. of the minister, the running of its ministries of the church and the relief of the poor.

of belonging and identifying with the church.

For some church will be the centre of their lives and they will be major contributors to the life of the congregation, for example, Elders, Deacons, and Sunday School Teachers. For others long hours at work or family commitments, perhaps due to young children or elderly parents, will mean that they have little time to give and they will be very much on the receiving end of the churchs ministries. Indeed our level of involvement will change at different stages of our lives. However we must be careful not to let busy lives be an excuse to withdraw from the church community: We drift from the church at our peril. If the church is the God-ordained environment for our growth, then we cannot hope to thrive spiritually in isolation. Even if (and perhaps especially if) our legitimate vocation means our lives are busy and our time is limited, we must ensure that we maintain our commitment to attend, to hear the Word preached and to share in the fellowship. As we are admonished in Hebrews Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do (NLT).
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NovNov-Dec 2011

Contracted to a Span
Rev Ian Hamilton, Cambridge EPCEW, reflects on the Incarnation

Around 2000 years ago, God stepped into human history in person! The Almighty Creator of all things, was conceived in the womb of a Jewish virgin, saw the light of day in a dirty stable outhouse in an obscure Palestinian village, lived a sinless life, died a brutal death, was raised triumphantly from the grave, and ascended to the right hand of his Father in heaven. Here is where fact is truly stranger than fiction. The everlasting God "contracted to a span; incomprehensibly made man"! Remarkably, not once does the Bible stop to try and explain the mystery and wonder of it. These are amazing facts. Glorious facts. Breath-taking facts. But, in themselves, these amazing facts are not the "gospel", the good news that broke like a thunderstorm on the ancient world. Two little words transform these mighty, unfathomable facts and make them "good news" - "for us"! The staggering wonder of the incarnation is not that the Son of God "became flesh", but that he became flesh "for us" - "Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you". The glory of the Saviour's sinless, incarnate life, is not that he lived on this earth, but that he lived "for us" - "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many". The breath-taking, mind-exploding glory of Christ's death, is not that he died, but that he died "for us" - "Christ died for our sins". The stupendous rising from the dead of God's Son, is not that he was raised to life, but that he was raised to life "for us" - "He was ....raised to life for our justification". Every moment of our Lord Jesus Christ's life was lived "for us"! Even now, in the glory of heaven, our Jesus "is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us"; and from that place in heaven's glory, he will come again at the end of the age "and gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other." All he was and all he did as the incarnate Lord of Glory, was "for us". It is when we stop and ponder those two little words that we are helped to see the grace, the undeserved kindness of all that God has done in his Son. Consider for a moment how God's own Word describes us: "sinners", "enemies", "rebels", "ungodly", "wicked", "disobedient", "children of wrath", "corrupt", "blind", "ignorant" and so we could go on, and on! What an unflattering description of men and women without Christ. This is how God sees us. This is what we are. And yet, it was "for us" that God sent his one and only Son into the world! It was not for angels or archangels. It was not for the righteous and the good. It was not for the pleasant and the respectable: "Sinners Jesus came to save." I am very conscious that this is an "evangelical basic". And yet, if your heart is anything like mine, how much we need to be reminded, again and again, of these evangelical basics. When we sing this Christmas time of the incarnation of the eternal God, we need to remember that it was "for us". When we sing of the Lord
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The Evangelical Presbyterian

Christ leaving his Father's throne above, when we sing "veiled in flesh the Godhead see", when we read "no room at the inn", our constant refrain must be, "And he did it all for me!" The cradle and the cross are not spectacles to behold, they are gospel acts to glory in! All for us! What infinite mercy. What adorable grace. If we stopped here, however, a false, and potentially deadly conclusion could be drawn. When the Bible tells us that Christ was born for us, and died for us, and rose again for us, and will come again for us, it is not saying that the "for us" is everyone everywhere. The "for us" who benefit from the saving work of Christ, from womb to tomb and beyond, are all those who put their trust in Christ alone to rescue them from the coming wrath and bring them into a restored and right relationship with God. The sin-vanquishing, God-pacifying, glory-inheriting salvation that has been won by Christ, is the possession of all who are "in Christ", and one thing alone takes you and I into Christ - faith. Self-abandoning trust in God's Son brings us into full possession of God's so great salvation. This is why evangelism is not an optional extra for the Christian church. Without faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, men and women, boys and girls will be forever lost; "They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might". Whatever else our Christian calling is, we can all be sure that we have been called in Christ to point our dying world (family, friends, neighbours near and far) to the only Saviour of the world.

The Evangelical Book Shop


After our very successful and well-received refurbishment during the summer of 2011 we are now at the point of introducing

on-line sales www.evangelicalbookshop.co.uk


The task of preparation for this step has been substantial and we record our sincere appreciation to the Book Shop staff and others for the detailed and hard work that has gone into the project. Please pray for the rapid and sound development of this new arm of our business which we trust will make us more effective in distributing the Word of God and good Christian literature more widely. Pray too for the Manager and staff as they adjust to the changes it will bring.
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NovNov-Dec 2011

Bill to Tackle Sharia Courts


Callum Webster, CI, brings us up to date with developments.

A new Bill has been introduced at Westminster to tackle the problem of Sharia courts in England and Wales. The Private Member's Bill was introduced in the House of Lords in June by Christian campaigner Baroness Cox. The Arbitration & Mediation Services (Equality) Bill aims to deal with Sharia courts that set up a parallel legal system to address matters of criminal and family law. Earlier this year a Government inquiry into the rise of Sharia councils was abandoned after the Muslim courts refused to co-operate. The failure of the investigation into the UK's alleged 85 Sharia courts was disclosed to MPs. Lady Cox has stated that: "my Bill seeks to stop parallel legal, or 'quasi-legal', systems taking root in our nation". Her briefing on the Bill has highlighted a series of concerns in relation to Sharia councils;
Firstly, some Muslim tribunals that deal with legitimate areas of arbitration are operating discriminatory procedures. It is alleged that some are giving a woman's testimony less weight than a man's, or automatically giving women fewer property rights than men. Arbitration Tribunals applying Sharia law are operating outside their legitimate remit and deciding cases relating to family law (e.g. divorce or the custody of children) and criminal law (e.g. cases of domestic violence). It is widely believed that Muslim women are being coerced into agreeing to arbitration or mediation at Muslim tribunals, when this ought to be voluntary. Some are being intimidated during proceedings and pressurised into withdrawing allegations of domestic violence after they make them. There are fears that Police are failing to properly deal with such incidents when reported by Muslim women. Lastly many Muslim women are in marriages that are not legally recognised by British law or are living in polygamous households. There are concerns that these women are being misled as to their legal status and are therefore vulnerable.

Lady Cox's Bill attempts to address these issues and makes clear that laws against sex discrimination apply to arbitration tribunals, thereby outlawing the practice of treating a woman's testimony as worth half that of a man's. In recent months Islamic extremists have been calling for the imposition of Sharia law within the UK. In July the fundamentalist campaign group Muslims Against Crusades publicly called for areas such as Bradford, Dewsbury, and Tower Hamlets to be turned into independent Islamic states. Earlier this summer posters were displayed in the London borough of Waltham Forest declaring it to be a Sharia controlled zone where Islamic rules will be enforced. The posters were later removed by the local council. The concerns expressed by Lady Cox have been justified by findings from other western nations such as Australia. Research recently published by legal academics at the University of New South Wales warns that Sharia law has become a shadow legal system within Australia, endorsing polygamous and underage marriages. The latest news concerning the Bill is available from The Christian Institute: www.christian.org.uk/issues/2011/arbitrationbill.
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The Evangelical Presbyterian

Book Reviews
Rev Robert Johnston, Johnston Knock, looks at a few books suitable for involving children in the important function of Family Worship.
The Lord of GloryDaily Devotions with your Children. Jim Cromarty, EP books, Paperback,767 pages

Price discounts available from

Evangelical Book Shop


Belfast

17.99 15.00

Today in most families, even professing Christian families, the Bible is a neglected book, and the teaching of biblical truths is left to Sunday School teachers. Parents are generally more concerned that their children receive an education that will set them up for a life of financial reward. While we acknowledge that salvation is the work of God, parents have been given the responsibility of teaching their children of the God who is the creator and the God and Father of our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. Jim Cromarty is of course right, and his book of daily devotions for the family is a good help to fathers and mothers who take their God-given responsibility seriously. Each day has just 2 pages devoted to it, beginning with a printed text and then a Bible passage to look up and read. Then follows a sort of mini-sermon: Introduction (some are more gripping than others), explanation of the passage, and some application. Discussion on the passage is aided by 3 or 4 questions, which I felt were well crafted to generate thought. He concludes each study with a point of meditation, and some wise words from a wide range of wise brothers such as JC Ryle, John Owen, John Piper and Stuart Olyott, and many more. Though I am a little slow to use the term, the programme in this book is do able. Family life is more hectic than most of us ever imagined, but these devotions are concise and real. The aim of the book is to meet the Lord of Glory every day, and so Cromarty sticks mostly with the Gospels, although there is also a wide selection of other Bible books used. I would recommend it for use with children of secondary school age. As a family we have also discovered several other good devotional aids for younger children: God and me My very first Bible Boshoff Penny Lois Rock & Alex Ayliffe 3-4 year olds 3-6 year olds 9.99 8.50

The Big Picture David Helm & 4-10 year olds 16.50 Story Bible Gail Schoonmaker According to one review on Amazon, even 2 year olds can benefit!
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Price discounts available from

NovNov-Dec 2011

Evangelical Book Shop


Belfast

Book Reviews

JoinedJoined-up LifeA Christian account of how ethics works Andrew J B Cameron, IVP 2011, 336 pages. 16.99 12.99 Andrew Cameron presents a Christ-centred view of ethics seeking to show how Jesus Christ brings order and clarity to human life. The aim is the disclosure of a Jesus shaped version of our self. Cameron sets out some of the difficult issues we face, he then considers the influences that bear on us as we try to find answers rules, laws, values and virtuesbefore settling on the character of God as the ultimate arbiter of right and wrong. Next he looks at Christs death and resurrection, and the community of believers as he attempts to describe a unified field or moral landscape within which Christians should make decisions. This moral landscape is the will and character of God as revealed in Scripture and Cameron views Old Testament law (and New Testament command) as insight into the wisdom of God for living a godly life. He proceeds to apply this thinking to the question of how Christians should live generally, in work and family, concluding with ethical hotspots, such as sexuality, bioethics and diversity. Cameron also interacts with secular ethical methodology, such as utilitarianism and rights-based approaches. A stimulating read for Christians wanting to consider the ethical life as a Christ-like life. Michael Trimble Making Sanity out of Vanity 6.99 5.99 Stanley D Gale, Evangelical Press, Paperback, 176 pages. This is challenging! The message of Ecclesiastes is as relevant to day as when the Preacher wrote and Gale hones in on all our issues with Life Under the Sun Vanity Fair, Family-Friends, Financial Security and Possessions, Pleasure and Entertainment, Religion and Service, Strength and Beautyand highlights their futility; a chasing after wind. Gale also points us to what he calls the two voices in Ecclesiastes that of the Preacher, identified as I, who describes life as meaningless. The other voice is not given a name, but he shows there is another way to look at life Life Under the SON. Gale suggests that we should find our meaning, not in the world, but in finding and trusting God. The last two verses of Ecclesiastes brings us that Sanity out of Vanity: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. Read ityou will be blessed. Patricia Gibson Out of the Shadows 6.99 5.25 Faith Cook, Evangelical Press, Paperback, 155 pages. This is another fascinating collection of short biographies of nine very different people. They range from the familiar (just one) Patricia St John, to the obscure Hallgrimur Petursson born 1614 in Iceland, to the fascinating Fanny Burnett, Charles Dickens favourite sister. Some circumstances are extremely sad, particularly those of the young Scottish poet Michael Bruce, but each, regardless of time and place, testifies to Gods unfailing grace. A great Christmas gift! Patricia Gibson
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The Evangelical Book Shop


15 College Square East BELFAST BT1 6DD ebsbelf@btconnect.com 028 9032 0529 www.evangelicalbookshop.co.uk

Manager: John Grier


Voices From The Past (Hardback) 16.50 13.20
Daily devotional readings selected from Puritan writings by Richard Rushing: a beautifully produced hardback book that would make a superb gift. Im really enjoying this every page is rich with quotable gems for meditation. Julia Grier

The Next Story (Hardback) Tim Challies Life and Faith after the Digital Explosion

12.99 9.99

Tim Challies helps readers understand why digital technology exists and how a Christian can use new technologies with biblical discernment.

King Solomon

Philip Ryken

10.99 9.75

The Temptations of Money, Sex, and Power Though the worlds wisest king, Solomons heart was led astray by temptations of wealth, sex, and power. In this book Philip Ryken examines Solomons moral triumphs and sinful failures and teaches us how to live more wisely. Vintage Ryken: full of truth, wisdom, and insight." Josh Moody, Senior Pastor, College Church, Wheaton, Illinois

Pillars of Grace - AD100-1564 Steven J Lawson A Long Line of Godly Men (Hardback) Pilgrims Progress John Bunyan

21.99 18.25

Volume 2 in the series about the lives of key leaders who upheld the doctrines of grace.

1.00

An attractive paperback edition of the original of both parts of this great classic allegory, in clear type, at the amazing price of just 1!

One Year of Dinner Table Devotions

Nancy Guthrie (Paperback)

8.99

365 opportunities to grow closer to God as a family - includes discussion starters.

Two from the Trail Blazers series for 9-14 years: A Love For The LostDavid Brainerd Brian Cosby The Shoes That Love MadePaul Brand Lucille Travis
Caring and innovative doctor to leprosy patients in India.

each 5.99 4.50

Compassionate and fearless missionary to the Indian tribes in America.

The Christ of Christmas

James Montgomery Boice

8.99 3.75

The Christmas story is more than sentimental - it is powerful. It deals with real people, it involves pain and it is one the most strikingly unusual stories in all of history. Devotional reflections to help make your Christmas meaningful.

Gunning For God Prof John Lennox (Oxford) Why the New Atheists are Missing the Target

9.99 8.50

Tackling Hawking, Dawkins, Dennett, Hitchens, etc., Lennox points out some of the fallacies in the New Atheist approach. "Powerful & hard-hitting" - Alvin Plantinga.

ESV Study Bible - Personal size Hardback

34.99 24.99

This excellent study Bible in a new, lighter edition. Includes free access to the ESV Online Study Bible, but omits 150 pages of doctrine, ethics, etc. found in the standard edition.
Printed by Edenderry Print Ltd Unit 6 Agnes Street Industrial Estate BELFAST BT13 1GB

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