There is a joke from seminary that goes like this: Back in the days of the Old Testament, how did the Israelites from the southern kingdom of Judah greet one another? Answer: ‘Shalom y’all!’
Perhaps by now we all recognize that wonderful Old Testament word shalom as our word ‘peace.’ It is still in use among the Jews today, and is one of the richest words in all of the Hebrew vocabulary. As you would suspect, shalom appears frequently in the Old Testament and is rendered by the word “peace” in the English translations of the Bible.
The Greek word used in the New Testament to express this same blessing is eirene. We discover it in the passage we have been studying together over the last few weeks, 2 John 1:3. There, “peace” is listed along with “grace” and “mercy” as one of the three primary blessings associated with the gift of salvation. When its Old Testament roots are properly considered, the “peace” of which John has written takes on a much deeper and wider significance than one might imagine. It means far more than the absence of distress or conflict—as is typically the case when we use it in casual conversation—but communicates the presence of something, namely wholeness and well-being, even in situations of conflict and pain. This is illustrated most notably in the familiar and comforting words of our Lord Jesus in John 14:27––“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid”––and again in John 16:33––“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
This coming Lord’s Day we will explore the wonder and rich treasures inherent in this word “peace.” We will try to comprehend what John actually had in mind when he used it, and how he would have understood this gift in light of its Old Testament foundation in the redemptive mercies of our Father. And, more importantly, our study will eventually take us to our Lord Himself who, as the prophet Isaiah said, is the very “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
I love you all, and pray for you always!
Shalom y’all,
Mike
Upcoming Events:
July 16, 6:30 PM — Prayer Dessert for Meg Wohleber July 17-20 – Vacation Bible School July 23 – Back packs for CARE Center due
Connecting with the Catechism:
Q. 82. Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God?
A. No mere man, since the fall, is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but doth daily break them in thought, word, and deed.
Gen. 8:21; Rom. 3:9ff, 23
Q. 83. Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous?
A. Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others.
Ezek. 8:6, 13, 15; Matt. 11:20-24; John 19:11
Q. 84. What doth every sin deserve?
A. Every sin deserveth God’s wrath and curse, both in this life, and that which is to come.
Matt. 25:41; Gal. 3:10; Eph. 5:6; Jas. 2:10
Announcements:
Sunday School IN RECESS: Sunday School is in recess for the summer. We will have a weekly time of fellowship beginning at 10 AM, with our regular worship beginning at 10:30 AM. Sunday school will resume in the Fall.
Dessert Fellowship Honoring Meghan Wohleber:
The women’s ministry would like to invite each of you to a dessert fellowship in honor of Meg Wohleber as we celebrate her upcoming wedding in August and wish her well as she leaves our church to join her husband at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Huntsville.
Vacation Bible School:
We are excited to open registration for Vacation Bible School 2017: Upward Bound! VBS is for students who have completed pre-K thru 5th grade. Adult volunteers may also enroll their littles in nursery (infant and toddler).
Cost is $10 per child and may be dropped in the offering box anytime this month. Please denote “VBS” on the check.
Please see our website HERE and go ahead and register your children or grandchildren today! If you are a volunteer, please also fill out the volunteer form so that we’ll have your sizes for t-shirts. This includes any teen or collegiate volunteers. T-shirt deadline is June 30th. Volunteers t-shirts are FREE. Any registration questions may be directed to Betsy Morgan at bsm7305@yahoo.com.
I am still in need of a few volunteers to serve in nursery and with small groups of kids. Let me know if you’re interested (this can be teen or collegiates as well).
I have put out our list of needs in order to make our week successful! Please consider helping us out with one of these items. We will have your items ready to return the Sunday after, July 23rd.
Register today! Looking forward to serving with each of you!
Back Packs for The CARE Center:
Our church is providing 20 packs for the CARE Center Care Pack Ministry for the upcoming school year. These packs provide school supplies for needy children in our area. Supply lists and bags for students will be available in the church foyer July 9th and July 16th. Filled bags can be returned to the church on July 23rd. By “adopting” a child you commit to purchasing a backpack and supplies.
If you choose to, you may also include encouraging notes and treats from your family to make this gift a little more personal. Get creative if you want to and have fun with it! Kids love surprises! The cost of the supplies per child ranges from $50-$100
More information on the mission/ministries of the Care Center is at: www.theCAREcenter.us
Ladies Email List:
If you are not receiving emails from the Christ Presbyterian Women’s Email list and would like to be made aware of women’s ministry activities, please contact women@christpreshamptoncove.org to be added to the distribution.
Ladies Summer Scripture Read Along:
You are invited to participate with all ladies of Christ Presbyterian Church:
Summer Scripture Read-Along in Isaiah, Jeremiah, & Lamentations
HOW: Start in Isaiah on July 3. Read 3 chapters a day, Monday–Friday.
Take the weekend off to reflect, journal, or catch-up as needed.
Then, keep reading following the schedule below!
Read along with us, on your own time, no need to sign-up, just participate if you’re able.
We hope it will be a blessing to our ladies to be united in our devotion to God’s word through this read-along.
Here’s the breakdown: July 3-7 read Isaiah 1-15 July 10-14 read Isaiah 16-30 July 17-21 read Isaiah 31-45 July 24-28 read Isaiah 46-60 July 31-Aug 1 read Isaiah 61- the end.
Wednesday-August 2 Break
Aug 3-4 Jeremiah 1-6 Aug 7-11 Jeremiah 7-21 Aug 14-18 Jeremiah 22-36 Aug 21-25 Jeremiah 37-50
August 28 Jeremiah 51-the end.
Tuesday-August 28 Break Aug 30-31 read Lamentations 1-5
**Look for a chapter guide noted at the bottom of the church’s weekly emailed newsletter.
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 and Mitzi Cowley, and Sondra Behmer. Expecting: Please pray for the Bryant family, expecting in December. Ministries: Please pray for the following missionaries and ministries: Seth and Jessica Lewis (Ireland); Steve and Rita Williams (New Zealand); RUF at UAH and Alabama A&M; Ken and Angie Burnett (FCA); Franky Garcia (seminary student).