Calvin on Tap presents Luther

Calvin on Tap again....December 14th, 7-9pm at Smith's Public House. Men, we will be viewing the movie from 2003 on the life of Martin Luther. Reformed discussion, beverage and fellowship to follow. Don't miss it! And now just a little history on the Calvin/Luther connection:

We have no way of knowing when Calvin accepted Luther's doctrine, but there can be little doubt about its influence on him. With the exception of Augustine, Luther undoubtably had more influence on Calvin than any other person. McNeill (154) informs us that, "While writing the Seneca Commentary Calvin lived in the house of a cloth merchant, Etionne de la Forge, a devout Waldensian from Piedmont. This man was an ardent reader of Luther and a fearless propagandist of Protestantism" (p. 109). It is little wonder that Meyer (1969) writes, "In many respects Calvin can and must be regarded as Luther's disciple" (p. 174).

More evidence of Luther's influence can be detected in the Institutes themselves. In 1965, John Hesselink gave a studied analysis of the development and purpose of Calvin's Institutes. He observes that "It covered the traditional catechetical themes: the Law, the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Supper and the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper in the same order as Luther's Catechisms" (p. 68).

So Elder Smith's house has become a "Public House" for the evening of November 16th, 7-9pm.

Calvin on Tap

A Monthly Men's Forum
The Wild & Wacky World of Presidential Politics

Reformed Fellowship
Reformed Discussion
Reformed Beverages

If you'd like to join us, email blp22@optonline.net
and we'll give directions.

Welcome, Hunter-Eldridge Family!

We were very pleased to welcome the Hunter-Eldridge family into membership at Christ Covenant Church this past Lord's Day. The bookends in the picture are Elder Kris Smith and myself, then Andre', Dianna, and children...from left to right, Zipporah, Simeon, Phinehas, Theophilus, and Marisha. We look forward to ministering together, and pray that the Lord would bless this homeschooling family.

I Belong to Jesus Sunday School class

Here is the contents of a letter that went out to the parents of children who attended our VBS program this year:

Christ Covenant Church presents this unique program of religious instruction in order to assist parents in raising children to live in God’s world. Here’s how:

1. They will hear the great stories of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.

2. They will learn Bible verses, the Apostle’s Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and much more.

3. They will learn to sing in harmony. Using Psalms & Hymns, they will learn part-singing in our Singing School.

4. They will receive training in worship. In other words, they will learn how to sit quietly and respectfully during a worship service; how to participate in joyful singing, heart-felt prayer, and the celebration of the Lord’s Supper.

5. They will learn the basics of Christian Manners. The foundation of good manners is Jesus’ command to love your neighbor as yourself. Children enrolled in our program will learn how to show love and respect for others: parents, teachers, and friends.

Classes begin September 16th, from 12:15pm to 1:00pm (following our worship service and fellowship time). Children may join classes that have already started.

Here is one of the songs the children will be learning:

I Belong to Jesus

Oh, what is your comfort, in life and in death?
And where does your hope and your confidence rest?
That I, with both body and soul, do belong
To Jesus my Savior, to Him alone.

He’s paid for my sins with His own precious blood;
He loved me, forgave me, and promised me good.
From all of the pow’r of the Devil set free;
He’s purchased my pardon, He’s ransomed me .

My heavenly Father, in love, day by day,
Preserves me and keeps me in such a way,
Not even a hair can fall from my head;
But all works together for salvation, instead.

And now by the Spirit, the Spirit divine,
He also assures me that His life is mine;
And so makes me willing and ready to live,
A life that is pleasing, obedient to Him

_____________________________
lyrics: Rev. Brian L. Penney (from the Heidelberg Catechism Q/A 1)
tune: “I Love Thee”, Jeremiah Ingalls 1805

Vacation Bible School ~ 2007

We've had about 30 + children attending each night for VBS. Although we weren't able to get the singing group from the previous post to come and sing Joshua Fit the Battle for us, we're not doing to badly with our singing without them. Tomorrow night we will be marching around Jericho's wall (I have to get a picture for you) seven times, and you can guess what will be happening!

The children have been listening very carefully to the story and have enjoyed the flannel-board visuals. They like being chosen to help put up the figures on the board, and know that only those showing good behavior will be chosen.

The parents will be coming tomorrow night to see what their children have been learning, we'll have the final Bible lesson, march around the walls, and have some refreshments. We will also be encouraging those who do not attend to sign their children up for our new Sunday School class that starts in September. It's called "I Belong to Jesus". I'll tell you more about it later.

Barbershop - Joshua Fit the Battle of Jerico(ver2.0)

Now I said we were going to learn about Joshua in Vacation Bible School....and these guys are gonna teach us a couple of things about singing...if we can get them to come to Copiague!

Vacation Bible School

It's that time of year again! Here are some pictures from last year's VBS. It was a scorcher...hopefully August 20-24 will be a little cooler. Last year our theme was centered on God's deliverance of His people from slavery in Egypt. This year we will see God's leading through Joshua, as His people enter the Promised Land. We have a good number of contacts plus new families who want to send their children. A new Sunday School class will be offered as a follow-up starting in September. I'll tell you more about that later.

Finishing Touches

The sanctuary makeover is now complete...carpet and curtains were the final touches. All praise to God for the finances to restore what was an old, run-down room into a beautiful sanctuary. A fitting place to sing His praises...the acoustics are much improved with the removal of the sound absorbing carpet, acoustical tile and wallboard.

Behold, the padded pews!

The church makeover is almost complete...carpet should be along next week.

Extreme Makeover ~ Church Edition

Painting is done...pews are next, painting and padding. Then carpet and window treatments, and that should do it for now. We hope to schedule a dedication/celebration for our church building sometime in May. All are invited!

And after this, painting!

The Federal Vision

The Federal Vision Study Group held its first meeting/discussion at Kings Highway Reformed Church yesterday afternoon. The topic was "The Objectivity of the Covenant". Good fellowship, great singing, and lively conversation marked our first session. We look forward to our next meeting, March 25th, in Copiague. You should be there! Our topic for next time is "Justification & Good Works".

We're hoping by that time to have our building renovations completed! Things should really move along this week...more pictures to follow.

More renovation pictures....

Carmine & Dennis take a well-deserved lunch break! They made great progress last week...kitchen cabinets in, sheetrock done in the sanctuary, raised panel styles & rails up...wow! This week should see the beginnings of the raised panels installed and the floors sanded down to bare wood.

We hope to set up the pews in the fellowship hall and have worship at home again....having been on the road for two Lord's Days.

Church Renovations

Sandro and crew at work...sheetrock spackle and paint. The old wainscot will be covered with classic raised panels with a new chair rail. The floor will be sanded down and refinished. We're leaving more of the beautiful hardwood floor showing...minimal carpet. New doors are on the way, again for a classic look. The pews need some work...checking prices from Pad-a-Pew on padding the seats and backs, then a light refinishing of the wood that shows.

Many thanks to Dennis Miller & Carmine Matone, dear brothers in Christ, for their conscientious work and expertise! They're making this old building come alive! If all goes well we should see the finished product by the beginning of March. Dennis & Carmine are working on the kitchen renovation this week and I'll have to get some more pictures by the end of the week.

Paedofaith ~ And why not?

Christ Covenant Church will begin a study of the Rev. Rich Lusk's book, Paedofaith: A Primer on the Mystery of Infant Salvation and a Handbook for Covenant Parents beginning January 21st. I'm seeing it as strapping on another weapon in our warfare with the unbiblical and, mind you, unreformed mindset surrounding parents and their covenant children in the world of modern evangelicalism. Maybe it is "baptism" by immersion...immersion in the Faith-- in the Christian home, in the Church, and in the school. That kind of nurturing of infant faith is what made Van Til (quoting from the back cover), "Though there were no tropical showers of revivals, the relative humidity was always very high...I was 'conditioned' in the most thorough fashion. I could not help believing in God--in the God of Christianity--in the God of the Bible!"

Would that all our covenant children were so "conditioned" as Dr. Van Til, and King David, and John the Baptist, even our Lord Jesus Christ. Why should we not expect with confidence that faith from the womb is the norm; and expect that by God's grace, through the faithful nurture of Christian parents, that the faith that began as a tiny seed will flower and produce fruit? And why not?

1st Christmas ~ Sam, Micah & Ariana

Busy October!

October was a busy month! Christ Covenant Church's (notice the name change!) first annual family conference went very well! Dr. Gregg Strawbridge did a masterful job presenting the Covenant, October 6th-8th. It was a pleasure to see a number of friends from the Federation of Reformed Churches there.

Each month we hold a worship service at Huntington Hills Center for Health & Rehabilitation. October 12th marked our seventh month doing this ministry. Most of those who attend our service are not able to attend worship services outside the center, so they truly look forward to our coming each month. Nearly half the folks who regularly attend the service are from Lutheran background and they love our formal, liturgical worship...they get to participate in songs, responses, the Lord's Prayer and the Apostle's Creed as they were used to in their home churches!

On October 19th-20th Elder Kris Smith and I represented CCC at the first meeting of the Augustine Presbytery of the Confederation of Reformed Evangelical Churches in Lancaster, PA. At that meeting we were presented as a candidate church sponsored by All Saints Presbyterian Church (pastored by Dr. Strawbridge) , recommended , examined, and received into full membership in the CREC. We enjoyed meeting the elders and pastors in our presbytery again, and we had too much fun at the Oktoberfest at Elder Detweiler's beautiful home. We are very pleased! (As you can see from the picture of the Augustine Presbytery, funny hats are back in style!)

As a member church we hope to sponsor a sister church, Kings Highway Reformed Church of Brooklyn (Rev. Ron Weinbaum, pastor), as a candidate/mission church helping them as they seek membership in the CREC. As part of our encouragement to them we have had three joint worship services this month, the 8th, 22nd, and the 29th. We especially enjoyed our fellowship this past Lord's Day as we held a Reformation Day dinner following worship.

Yes, that was October...hopefully it won't be such a long time in between posts.

Conference & Debate...soon!

To You & Your Children:
Rediscovering the Lost Doctrine of the Covenant
with Dr. Gregg Strawbridge
~ October 6th & 7th ~

Dear Friends,
Welcome to Covenant Christian Fellowship’s first annual family conference! Below you will find the conference schedule and other pertinent information.


Friday, October 6th
6:30pm ~ 7:00pm: Registration (the Book Table will be open)

7:00pm ~ 7:30pm: Welcome, opening prayer, & Singing School

7:30pm ~ 8:30pm: "What Ever Happened to Covenant Theology?"
Rediscovering the Lost Doctrine of the Covenant
Pressing the Covenant Beyond "Covenant Theology"
The Road Ahead

8:30pm ~ 9:30pm: Singing, Closing Prayer, & Fellowship (Book Table open)

Saturday, October 7th
8:30am ~ 9:00am: Fellowship (Book Table open)

9:00am ~ 9:30am: Welcome, Opening Prayer, Singing School

9:30am ~ 10:30am: "The Case for Covenant Baptism"
Sacraments are Covenantal
Infant Inclusion in the Covenant
Baptism and the Great Commission

10:30am ~ 11:00am: Break

11:00am ~ 12:00am: "The Case for Covenant Communion"
History: On the Road from Rome
Theology: The Reformation in Conflict
Scripture: Child Inclusion
Objections: Tradition and Self-Examination

12:00pm ~ 1:15pm: Lunch Break

1:15pm ~1:30pm: Announcements, Singing School

1:30pm ~ 2:30pm: "The Practice of Covenant Succession"
Family Expectations: Children in Christ ~ Covenantal Nurture & Education
Family Practice: Discipline for Celebration
Family Challenges: Pop Goes the Culture
Family Future: Vocation and Guiding our Children into the Future

2:30pm ~ 3:00pm: Break

3:00pm ~ 4:00pm: "A Covenantal Outlook"
Sacramental Practice Symbolizes Life
Worship is the Center of Life
The Kingdom Extends into Life
The Victory of the Gospel: Covenantal or Revivalistic?

4:00pm ~ 4:30pm: Break

Introductions to the debate ~ Dr. Gregg Strawbridge (Presbyterian) and Rev. John Puskar(Reformed Baptist)

4:30pm ~ 6:00pm: Debate Topic ~ God’s Way with the Children of Christian Parents: Crisis Conversion Experience or Covenantal Nurture?

Debate Format:
Opening Statements ~ 10 minutes each
Main Arguments ~ 15 minutes each
Cross Examination ~ 5 minutes each
Closing Statements ~ 5 minutes each
Questions & Answers ~ 15 minutes (alternately directed)

6:00pm: Closing Prayer, Benediction, Doxology

We will have a Book Table run by our good friend Jeff McCormack of Apologia Books throughout the conference. Be sure to stop by! And we hope you like to sing...we will be singing some glorious psalms & hymns. Another feature will be a brief Singing School tutorial on 4-part harmony singing, using Jesus Shall Reign Wher'er the Sun as our practice hymn.


Pastor Strawbridge will be preaching at our worship service tomorrow, October 8th, which also will be here at First Methodist Church beginning at 12:30pm. We hope some of you will be able to stay to worship and celebrate the Lord’s Supper with us. If you can, please join us for the Fellowship Meal following the service, as well.

Location: 25 Broadway, Amityville, NY 11701 (parking is across the street from the church)
Contact: (631) 594-1377
blp22@optonline.net

St. Anne's Pub...bub!

St. Anne's Pub is a ministry of Christ Church (CREC) of Spokane, WA. It's an audio magazine with some great stuff. Their newest draught on tap is Controversy. You'll find the alehouse here: www.stannespub.com
Oh, don't skip over the music. I like John Fleagle's Twa Corbies, but you really have to listen closely and have an ear for Scottish words and pronounciation to get the story.

That Wonderful Cup

Dr. Peter Leithart's article, Paedocommunion, the Gospel, and the Church from the latest Credenda/Agenda nails it....

Paedocommunion is not only about admission requirements narrowly considered, but like paedobaptism, is linked with a whole range of issues. It is not only about the nature of the Supper, but also about the Church, baptism, and most broadly, the character of the salvation that Christ has achieved in the world. The gospel is not directly at stake in the paedocommunion debate. Opponents of paedocommunion honestly and sincerely proclaim the gospel of grace, and I am grateful to God that they do. Still, the ecclesial and theological shape that the gospel takes correlates significantly with the positions on paedocommunionm, and the coherence between the gospel and the church's practice is at the heart of this debate. The stakes are not so high as they were when Luther protested indulgences and the myriad idolatries of the late medieval church. But the stakes are high, very high.

What is the "shape of the gospel" in American churches across our multitude of denominations? More and more, I think the issue of paedocommunion and the Covenant, more generally, will "shape" the answer.