This coming Lord’s Day begins our week-long celebration of the resurrection of Jesus, culminating in our worship on Easter Sunday morning April 16. This year we will be tracing our Lord’s journey to the cross and empty tomb through the lens of Mark’s Gospel. As you know, the Second Gospel is the shortest, and moves in rapid fashion as it recounts the story of our Savior’s life and earthly ministry. Mark’s passion narrative begins with chapter 11 and our Lord’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and concludes in chapter 16 with the record of the bodily resurrection of Jesus and the commissioning of the Disciples.
This Sunday is Palm Sunday, and our sermon will come from Mark 11:1-11. Then, next Thursday April 13 we will gather at 6:00 PM for our celebration of Maundy Thursday—the service that commemorates our Lord’s command to love and serve one another (John 13:14), and the establishment of the Lord’s Supper (Mark 14:12-26). Our sermon text will be taken from Mark 14:53-65. Then, on Friday April 14 we will gather again at 6:00 PM for our celebration of Good Friday. Our message that night will come from Mark 15:33-39. Then, on Sunday morning April 16 we will be preaching from Mark 16:1-8 where we discover Mark’s succinct and stirring account of the resurrection of Jesus.
As you prepare for this special week of worship, let me encourage you to read and meditate upon Mark 11:1-16:20. Then, let’s pray that the Spirit of God will empower the preaching of the Word, and that the truth of our Savior’s resurrection will fill our hearts with hope and love.
I love you all so very much!
Mike
Upcoming Events:
April 9, 1 PM – Farewell lunch for Jennifer Kent
April 9, 4:45 PM – Men’s Bible Study
April 10 – Snacks for RUF
April 11, 6 PM– Women’s Evening Bible Study
April 12, 9 AM – Women’s Morning Bible Study
April 13, 6 PM – Maundy Thursday Service
April 14, 6 PM – Good Friday Service
April 19, 6 PM – Diaconate Meeting
April 23, 4:30 PM – Youth Group Meeting
May 5, 5 PM – Parents’ Night Out – Wild Wild Wild West
May 7, 4 PM – Church Picnic at Monte Sano Lodge
Connecting with the Catechism:
Q 46. What is required in the first commandment?A. The first commandment requireth us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God, and our God; and to worship and glorify him accordingly.
I Chron. 28:9; Deut. 26:17.
Matt. 4:10; Ps. 29:2.
Q 47. What is forbidden in the first commandment?
A. The first commandment forbiddeth the denying or not worshipping and glorifying the true God as God, and our God; and the giving of that worship and glory to any other, which is due to him alone.
Ps. 14:1.
Rom. 1:21.
Ps. 81:10-11.
Rom. 1:25-26.
Q 48. What are we specially taught by these words, before me in the first commandment?
A. These words before me in the first commandment teach us, That God, who seeth all things, taketh notice of, and is much displeased with, the sin of having any other God.
Ezek. 8:5-18.
Announcements:
Birth news, and meals for Jonathan and Shelly Lancaster:
Congratulations to Jonathan and Shelly Lancaster, who welcomed their daughter Lillie into the world this week. If you would like to bless the Lancaster’s with a meal during this time of mourning and celebration click here. Thank you in advance for loving this sweet family in this way!
If you have any questions let Erica McNeese know!
Jennifer Kent: Sunday afternoon at 1 PM at the Timbers Edge clubhouse there will be an event honoring Jennifer Kent as she prepares to leave Huntsville for her next assignment! Please be praying for Jennifer in her transition, and make plans to attend the event!
Parents’ Night Out:
The next Parents’ Night Out will be on May 5th at the church. The theme is Wanted: Children After God’s Own Heart. Please contact Meg Wohleber if you would like to sign up your children or if you would like to volunteer to help.
Church Picnic:
Come enjoy a time of fellowship at Monte Sano State Park (the large pavilion) for our spring Church picnic! The church will be providing the BBQ and drinks. If you would like to bring a side dish or dessert please click here. In the past our church body has shown that we have many members who are expert ice cream makers! This is always a hit and we would love for some of you to bring your favorite homemade ice cream creations again!
There is always plenty of food, so if you can’t bring something do not let that keep you from coming! There will be a playground for the kids, and picnic tables but if you would like to bring a lawn game, and lawn chairs (horseshoes etc.) there is open space to accommodate that kind of fun!
Date: May 7th 2017 Time: 4pm-6pm Where: Monte Sano State Park (the large pavilion).
The pavilion reservation includes admissions for all our attendees. Just identify your purpose/destination at the park entrance.
Looking forward to our time of fellowship! If you have any questions let us know!
Men’s Bible Study:
Sunday evening from 4:45-6:30 PM is the final edition of the Men’s Spring Bible Study. We will be studying the lives of two important New Testament men, Timothy and Titus.
Snacks for RUF:
Christ Presbyterian has committed to providing snacks for the RUF at UAH Large Group meeting on 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).
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, Bill and Mitzi
Cowley, Leon Galecki, Sondra Behmer, and Suzanne Nimon. Expecting parents: Please pray for the McCool family who is due in 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 (RUF); Ken and Angie Burnett (FCA); Franky Garcia (seminary student).