Sermon Preview
Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
As you know, over the summer months we are preaching through the Epistle to the Colossians, authored by the Apostle Paul while imprisoned in Rome, and delivered to the members of the church in the city of Colossae. Having introduced the letter in the first two messages, this coming Lord’s Day morning we will begin digging down into the rich soil of this most magnificent Epistle. Our text will be Colossians 1:3-8.
When we consider this opening paragraph, we can see that the obvious theme of this section of Paul’s letter is thanksgiving. And having stated his spirit of praise and gratitude to God for his Colossian brethren, Paul sets out the reasons for this attitude of heart.
Now, this is pretty remarkable given the fact that Paul was in prison as he penned this letter! And, furthermore, the Colossian church was facing a grave threat to its very existence! On the surface, there was, to be sure, cause for alarm! As we have already discovered, the fellowship of believers in Colossae was under attack from a false teacher who was offering to them a gospel contrary to the truth. It sounded good and “plausible” (2:4), and it had the “appearance of wisdom” (2:23), and by some measures it seemed to offer a better way toward living a disciplined and godly life (2:23). But this was a most destructive and damning heresy in the eyes of Paul! So the Epistle has been written as an Apostolic warning to a church square in the bull’s eye of spiritual danger!
And then we learn later in chapter 2 that Paul was not only in prison for the cause of Christ Jesus, but deep in his heart there was a profound “struggle” going on. In 2:1, he says: “For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face.” That word translated as “struggle” is our word agony. So Paul himself was clearly alarmed and disturbed as he wrote this inspired letter!
But despite all of this, the Apostle begins his message to them on the note of thanksgiving! Why would he do this? Why express gratitude to the Lord beforedealing with the church emergency? Why make thanksgiving his first move?
As we explore this passage on Sunday, I believe the reasons will become very clear. And as they surface, we will be most encouraged in our service of the Kingdom of Christ!
Breakfast with Our Missionaries—Sunday June 10
Next Sunday, June 10, Dr. and Mrs. Steve Williams, our PCA missionaries to New Zealand, will be with us. At 9:15 AM we will have a time of breakfast and fellowship with Steve and Rita, and hear more about their work in New Zealand. We will meet in the fellowship area. Then, Steve will give us a report from the mission field during our morning service of worship at 10:30 AM. All members and guests are invited to attend!
Summer Sermons from Colossians
Also, you might be interested in having the schedule of our sermons from the Epistle to the Colossians in order to study along with us as we go through the letter on Sunday mornings. This will be helpful if you’d like to read ahead, and perhaps use these passages in your devotions or preparations for each Lord’s Day. Below is a list of the specific dates and texts that we will be covering through September, the Lord willing.
6/10–Col 1:9-12
6/17–Rev. Jim Daughtry preaching from John 15 (Mike on Vacation 6/11-6/24)
6/24–Rev. Jim Daughtry preaching from John 15
7/1–Col 1:13-14
7/8–Col 1:15-20
7/15–Col 1:24
7/22–Col 1:25-29
7/29–Matthew Elliott preaching
8/5–Col 2:1-5
8/12–Col 2:6-10
8/19–Col 2:11-15
8/26–Col 2:16-23
9/2–Col 3:1-11
9/9–Col 3:12-17
9/16–Col 3:18-25
9/23–Col 4:1-6 (Final sermon in series)
I hope you have a most blessed weekend, and I look forward to worshipping our Lord with each of you on Sunday morning!
I love you all so much,
Mike
Upcoming Events:
June 5, 9 AM – Senior Fellows Breakfast at Church House
June 7, 11:30 AM – Women’s Monthly Lunch
June 20, 6 PM – Diaconate Meeting
June 25, 6:30 PM – Senior Fellows Concert in the Park
July 16-19 – Vacation Bible School
Order of Worship:
You can access this week’s Order of Worship by clicking here
The songs for this week are:
All Creatures Of Our God and King – Hymn 115 v.1,2,5
O Love That Will Not Let Me Go
Holy, Holy, Holy – Hymn 100 v.1-4
Joyful, Joyful
Announcements:
Summer Schedule: As of Sunday May 27, Christ Presbyterian is on Summer Schedule. There will be no Sunday School, and regularly scheduled bible studies for men, women, and youth are on hiatus. Fellowship will be each Sunday at 10 AM, with worship beginning at 10:30 AM. Check this space for information regarding when the normal schedule will resume, including dates and times for specific studies and activities.
Women’s Monthly Lunch: The next Women’s Monthly Lunch is June 7 at 11:30 AM.
Men’s Whitewater Rafting Trip: Are you a man who likes moderately dangerous river-based team activities? If so, we have a compelling and rich opportunity for you. Adam Turnbull is planning our annual day trip to raft the Ocoee. We will meet at the church in the early morning, drive the 2 hours it takes to get there, raft, eat lunch, then be back by mid afternoon. You’ll need a bathing suit, water shoes that aren’t flip flops, and a change of clothes. Cost will probably be around $40. If you are interested, there will be a sign up sheet in the Narthex Sunday to gauge interest and to determine which upcoming Saturday to go. Alternatively you can email Adam directly at turnbullaw@gmail.com and let him know your interest and availability for 6\16, 6\23, 7\14, 7\21, or 7\28. This is a great opportunity to get to know some of the other men in the church. Please sign up so we can make plans. Thanks!
Men’s Ministry Psummer Psalms: Psummer Psalms! Memorize one entire Psalm this summer, then join us for a recitation at the church, followed by ice cream. Recitation can be individual, or together in a group or family. If desired, you may give a reason for picking your specific Psalm before you recite it. Once we’re done sharing God’s word from memory, we’ll share some ice cream in the fellowship hall.
“How sweet are your words to my taste…” Psalm 119:103. We are planning the event for a Psunday evening in early August (maybe August 5th).
If interested, email darondrown@gmail.com for weekly encouragement and accountability.
FCA Power Camp Food Needs: Hello Church Family! In just a few weeks; June 18th-22nd FCA will have its Madison West Power Camp at Hampton Cove Middle School right across the street from our church! Many of our youth have attended this camp and as they get older go back to volunteer and serve in some way. It is neat to see how boldly the interns love on and present the gospel to the 7-13 year olds that attend camp. I get the privilege of being the lunch lady again this year and am looking for help! My favorite part of this camp is working alongside fellow brothers and sisters while serving the kids and staff at camp. We feed about 450-500 people each day for lunch, not to mention the snacks and goodies for the staff and interns. Each year we prep lunch, fill many many cups with Gatorade, serve food, clean up and have a blast doing it! If you are interested in joining us and helping during lunch (10:30-2:00 time frame), or during the family night meal Wednesday June 20th 6:00-9:00 let me know!
I also have a wish list of needs for the camp. If you are interested in providing things from the wish list below drop it by church the next 4 Sundays, or even during the camp. Please label the items dropped off with my name and leave them in the Christ Pres. kitchen. I will put together the dessert and snacks for coaches, staff and interns from what is donated and dropped off by our church. Anything dropped off will be MUCH appreciated!
4-6 gallons of vanilla ice cream
ice cream Sunday toppings
10- 2 liters of root beer
veggie or fruit trays for coaches and staff each day (such a treat and a blessing for the adults trying to be “good” food wise)
snack items such as granola bars, fruit snacks, muffins, cookies (we need lots and lots of theseJ )
cakes, brownies, bars, or any dessert to be served at lunch for coaches and staff each day
As always we ask for prayers that the hearts of campers would be opened to hearing the Gospel and that lives would be impacted for Christ! If you have any questions don’t hesitate to get in touch with me!
Thank you,
Erica McNeese
Fhornist1@gmail.com
256-468-6951
Senior Fellows June Activities: On Tuesday, June 5 at 9:00 AM the Senior Fellows will enjoy breakfast, fellowship and a devotional at the Church House. Guests are welcome. Also on Monday, June 25 from 6:30 to 8:00 PM the Senior Fellows will attend Music In The Park at Big Spring International Park (behind the Huntsville Museum of Art) to hear the US Army Materiel Command Bands. Bring chairs, picnic dinner, etc. Meet at the Kennedy Memorial Torch. Bring your spouse, kids, grand-kids and friends.
Prayer Requests:
Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Debbie Hill, Suzanne Nimon, Robin Holloway, Chris Smotherman, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, and Nolan Osmer.
Bereavement: Please pray for the family of Greg Hill, whose mother died this week.
Expecting: Please pray for the Elliott family, expecting in September, and the Ely family, expecting in November.
Ministries: Please pray for the following missionaries and ministries: Seth and Jessica Lewis (Ireland); Steve and Rita Williams (New Zealand); Vinnie and Molly Athey (RUF at UAH); RUF at Alabama A&M; Ken and Angie Burnett (FCA); Franky Garcia (seminary student).
Emails:
general inquiries: admin@
benevolence needs and prayer: deacons@
men’s ministry: men@
women’s ministry: women@
children’s ministry: children@
youth ministry: youth@
senior fellows: seniorfellows@
Address:
288 Old Highway 431
Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763