You could just about ask any Christian what his or her favorite Biblical subject is, and the answer would likely be the Second Coming of Christ. I can still remember the chills that would run down my spine as a young believer whenever our pastor would announce that he was preaching on this beloved topic. Just reading about this truth in the Word, hearing my pastor peach about it with passion and excitement, and imagining what it would be like to witness our Lord’s return seemed to make my steps much lighter.
Now, let’s flip the coin over, so to speak. If our favorite topic is the return of Jesus, then what is our least favorite one? Many of us might answer immediately with the word patience, or perhaps, endurance. The first subject gets us thinking about our deliverance from the trials and adversities and evils of this lost world. The second prompts unpleasant thoughts of struggle and long periods of waiting in the midst of such trials. The two seem diametrically opposed. I think of that warning we often give to one another: be very careful about asking the Lord to teach you patience! For the development of this virtue implies that we must endure and wait, often through very unpleasant circumstances.
But in James 5:7-8 we encounter something very interesting. The brother of our Lord links these two seemingly opposite subjects together. You can see this in the first few words of verse 7—“Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord.” By doing this, James is teaching us that these two subjects belong together in the life of Christ’s disciples. Jesus is certainly “coming.” Therefore, we must all “be patient.”
On Sunday, we will explore more fully this connection between the promise of our Lord’s return, and the necessity of patient endurance.
In the meantime, here’s a suggestion for you to get you ready for the message. See how many references to the Lord’s Second Advent you can find in the New Testament. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the answer! Then, see how many references to patience, or endurance, or longsuffering you can locate.
A Special Word of Thanks
Last Tuesday, our Church hosted the quarterly meeting of our Presbytery for the very first time. Teaching and Ruling Elders from all over Providence Presbytery met to conduct the business of the Church and to worship and fellowship together. We had a blessed time indeed! And what made it so special was the way so many of our folks joyfully gave of their time and energy to make it happen. Thank you to all of you who worked so hard to prepare for this event! We are so grateful for our Church Hostesses, our Flower Guild, our Worship Team, our Deacons, and others who assisted in making our brothers feel welcomed!! Praise the Lord for your labor of love!
I love you all!!
Mike
Upcoming Events:
February 19, 3 PM – New Members Class
February 19, 4:30 PM – Youth Group Meeting
February 20, 6:30 PM – Quarterly Ladies Fellowship @ Rosies on S. Pkwy
February 21, 9 AM– Senior Fellows Visit to Harris Children’s Home
February 21, 6 PM– Women’s Evening Bible Study
February 22, 9 AM – Women’s Morning Bible Study
February 25, 10 AM – Baby Shower for Leah Johnson (at Renee Davie’s house)
February 26, 5 PM – Parenting Class
March 12, 4:45 PM – Men’s Bible Study
Connecting with the Catechism:
Q. 21. Who is the Redeemer of God’s elect?
A. The only Redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man and so was, and continueth to be, God and man in two distinct natures, and one person, forever.
John 14:6; Acts 4:12; I Tim. 2:5-6
Ps. 2:7; Matt. 3:17; 17:5; John 1:18
Isa. 9:6; Matt. 1:23; John 1:14; Gal. 4:4
Acts 1:11; Heb. 7:24-25
Q. 22. How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?
A. Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking to himself a true body, and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the virgin Mary, and born of her yet without sin.
Phil. 2:7; Heb. 2:14, 17
Luke 1:27, 31, 35
I Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15; 7:26; I John 3:5
Q. 23. What offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer?
A. Christ, as our Redeemer, executeth the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in his estate of humiliation and exaltation.
Deut. 18:18; Acts 2:33; 3:22-23; Heb. 1:1-2
Heb. 4:14-15; 5:5-6
Isa. 9:6-7; Luke 1:32-33; John 18:37; I Cor. 15:25
Announcements:
Men’s Bible Study:
Be sure to put the following dates on your calendars: Sunday March 12, Sunday March 26, and Sunday April 9. On these three Sundays, from 4:45-6:30 PM, we will be having our Men’s Spring Bible Study. We will be studying the lives of two important New Testament men, Timothy and Titus. More information will follow.
Ladies Fellowship Dinner:
There will be a dinner for the ladies of the church at Rosie’s Cantina on S. Parkway on February 20 at 6:30 PM. Please RSVP on the calendar on the church website.
Senior Fellows:
Senior Fellows will visit the Harris Children’s Home (1210 Church St NW, Huntsville) 10 AM, Tues, Feb 21. Carpools will leave the Church at 9:30 AM. We will have lunch after the visit. Visitors are welcome. For more information, email seniorfellows@christpreshamptoncove.orgor phone: 256-532-1856.
Shower for Sam Johnson:
There will be a baby shower for Sam Johnson on Saturday, February 25, at 10 AMat the home of Renee Davie.
Parenting Class: This year, we will meet again and discuss the topic of Leading Our Children to Faith in Christ. He will be using the book “Bringing the Gospel to Covenant Children” as a guide. This will be a wonderful chance for us to learn more about the reformed view of covenant children and their coming to Christ, what this looks like at our church, as well as ask any questions related to the communicant’s book that the Session has us go through with our children before they make a profession. It’s also a chance for us to fellowship! Mark your calendars:
Sunday, February 25th at 5:00 to 6:30 pm
Sunday, March 6th at 5:00 pm (with potluck fellowship dinner to follow)
Location: The Nuwayhid’s Basement, 3002 Firethorn Drive, Hampton Cove
Please RSVP to children@christpreshamptoncove.org, along with $6 for a copy of the book.
So that we may all be present at the sessions, please plan to have a sitter for your children so that they may stay at home. The church is offering a childcare stipend for this event. We will provide a form for you to fill out closer to time.. Don’t let childcare hinder you from coming (email me if you need ideas!).
Snacks for RUF:
Christ Presbyterian has committed to providing snacks for the RUF at UAH Large Group meeting on Monday, March 6th and Monday, April 10th.Some information below:
We are providing snacks (chips, trail mix, granola bars, fruit) and/or desserts (brownies, cookies, donuts, etc) for UAH students at the RUF “Large Group” meeting – between 75-100 students.
We are asking 4 people to sign up for each night with each person preparing a snack/dessert to serve 25-30 people.
If possible, bring your food in containers/bags that do not need to be returned.
DROP-OFF: If possible, bring your contributions to the UAH Nursing Building on the Monday you sign up at 6:45pm. Come into the lobby of the ‘newer-looking’ Nursing Building and you will find RUF students setting up. If you are unable to drop off at that time contact Norman for pickup (334-313-1298, ndeaniv@gmail.com).
Bags of Blessings:
Our church has volunteered to help March 8th and April 5th with the Bags of Blessings ministry at the Care Center in New Hope. Packing begins at 6:00 PM and lasts around 1.5 hours. We need 25-30 volunteers. Please contact Norman Dean, ndeaniv@gmail.com, if you would like to help or want more information.
Prayer Requests: Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Chris
Smotherman, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, Katie Dyer,
Rebecca Berry, Jenan Nuwayhid, Bill Dent, Zig Jastrebski, Leon Galecki, and Sondra Behmer. Expecting parents: Please pray for the Wightman family who is due in March, the Lancaster family (April), and for the McCool family (June). Ministries: Please pray for the following missionaries and ministries: Seth and
Jessica Lewis (Ireland); Steve and Rita Williams (New Zealand); Reid and
Kelli Jones, Jennifer Kent (RUF UAH); Ken and Angie Burnett (FCA); Franky
Garcia (seminary student).
