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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Our text for this Sunday’s message is Colossians 3:1-4. This is the opening section of a majestic portion of Paul’s letter that seeks to apply what God has done for us in Christ to every-day living.
As you read these verses, you can see that there are two related commands, each flowing from the fact that all who are in Christ have been “raised with Christ” (v. 1). The first command is, “seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God” (v. 1). The second command is, “set your mind on things that are above, not on the things that are on earth” (v. 2).
This is a way of saying that our salvation, which is eternally secure in our Savior, provides the basis for two specific expressions of obedience. One concerns what we are chasing after, or what we are seeking. The other deals with what we are thinking about and pondering.
This leads us to ask ourselves a couple of diagnostic questions as we prepare to study this passage: 1) What is it that your heart really longs for? 2) What is it that consumes or dominates your thoughts? Take a moment or two and reflect upon these questions in light of this passage (and the rest of chapter 3), and pray that our Father will speak His Word to us this Lord’s Day.
Sunday School Begins This Week at 9:15 AM
This coming Lord’s Day we begin our Fall Semester of Sunday School for all ages. For our list of classes, please see the website under the ‘Ministries’ tab. And note that the High School Youth class and Matthew Elliott’s class will meet in the Church House (youth upstairs, adults downstairs).
Men’s Fall Bible Study
All of the men and young men of the Church, and visitors, are invited to our Fall Men’s Bible Study to be held on Sunday afternoon September 23, 30, and October 7, from 2:30 to 4:00 PM at the Church. Our theme is apologetics, and our textbook will be Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions, by Gregory Koukl. This study will equip us to defend the Christian faith by “winsomely using key questions and other techniques to guide the conversation and unveil the flawed assumptions and hidden contradictions in another person’s positions” (from the Foreword). It will be a very exciting and practical time of study and rich fellowship together. I hope to see all our brothers there! The Amazon link to the book is below, and if you have any questions or need more information, please contact Mark Cooper.
I love you all so very much, and what a joy and honor it is to be your pastor and brother in our Lord!
Mike
Upcoming Events:
September 9, 4 PM – Alleluia Choir at Church House
September 11, 9 AM – Mother’s Morning Bible Study at Church
September 11, 6 PM – Women’s Evening Bible Study at Church
September 12, 10 AM – Women’s Morning Bible Study at Church
September 12, 6:30 PM – Parenting Small Groups
September 16, 12 PM – Second Sunday Fellowship Lunch
September 16, 4:30 PM – Youth Group at Church
September 18, 9 AM – Senior Fellows visit Larry’s Gun and Pawn
September 19, 6 PM – Diaconate Meeting
September 20, 6 AM – Men’s Bible Study at Church
September 21, 6 PM – Women’s Ministry Fall Conference Day One
September 22, 9 AM – Women’s Ministry Fall Conference Day Two
September 23, 2:30 PM – Men’s Bible Study at Church
September 23, 5 PM – Nursery Families Fellowship at Church House
October 4, 11:30 AM – Women’s Ministry Potluck Lunch and Timbers Edge Clubhouse
Order of Worship:
You can access this week’s Order of Worship by clicking here
If you’d like to sing the songs with your family beforehand, the songs for this week are:
The Church’s One Foundation – Hymn 347 v.1-2,5,6
Give Reviving
Marvelous Grace of Our Loving Lord – Hymn 465 v.1-3
Wonderful Merciful Savior
Announcements:
Schedule: Our regular schedule has resumed. We have Sunday School for all ages at 9:15 AM, and studies throughout the week. All members are encouraged to participate.
Alleluia Choir: Music activities for Second through Sixth graders begins on September 9, meeting Sundays from 4:00 – 4:45 pm in the Music Room of the Church House.
Youth Group: We will meet again on Sunday, September 16th at the Church Fellowship Hall. The times will be from 4:30-6:30 pm and this will be for students ages 13-18 years of age. We ask that those who attend be at least 13 years of age due to the content of some of the discussions and the wide age range in the group.
Senior Fellows: On Tuesday, September 18, the Senior Fellows will visit Larry’s Gun and Pawn at 2405 Memorial Parkway SW for defensive training. We will arrive about 9 AM. Meet at the church at 8:15 if you want to carpool. Visitors are welcome Lunch will follow at about 11:30. For more information contact David O’Neil or Joe Sims.
Second Sunday Fellowship Lunch:
Starting Sept. 16th: Christ Pres. Second Sunday Fellowship Lunches
**because of the new member class on Sept. 9, meals begin on Sept. 16 (subsequent dates are the second Sunday of the month unless noted otherwise)
When: Immediately after worship ends, please join us for lunch!
Where: In and around the fellowship hall
Who: Everyone is invited to attend! A suggested donation of $5.00 per person/$20 max per family to help offset cost of food. Children under 5 and visitors eat free.
What: September menu: Loaded Baked Potato Bar/Drinks/Dessert
Please make plans to join us September 16th!
If interested in helping please contact: Denise & Jeff Brown niniandjb@gmail.com or 256-698-0475 call or text
Nursery Families Fellowship: A fellowship for current or soon to be infant and toddler nursery families is planned for September 23rd from 4 pm to 6 pm at the church house. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be provided. Please click here to sign up to bring other food. Weather permitting, activities will include sprinklers and kiddie pools so children should be prepared to get wet. For more information see Norman or Amanda Dean, ndeaniv@gmail.com.
Men’s Fall Bible Study: The Fall Men’s Study will meet Sunday September 23rd and 30th and October 7th at 2:30 PM at the church. There will be a fourth meeting which will be announced at a later date. As a reminder, the study topic is “A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions” using Gregory Koukl’s book Tactics. This book is thought provoking and practical. As I Please see Mark Cooper if you have any questions.
Prayer Requests:
Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Stewart King, Andy Trent, Debbie Hill, Suzanne Nimon, Robin Holloway, Chris Smotherman, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, and Nolan Osmer.
Bereavement: Please be in prayer for Bill Cowley, whose sister Joyce 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