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Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In Matthew 13:44-46 we discover two very short parables of our Lord. They are unique to Matthew’s Gospel and should be read and studied together as there are striking similarities between them.

First, in each, Jesus compares the “kingdom of heaven” to something very familiar to His audience. In the first parable, it is like a “treasure” buried in the ground. In the second, it is like a “merchant” who deals in fine pearls.

Second, both parables are about a discovery. In the first, it is an ‘accidental’ find. In the second, it is the result of a deliberate search.

Third, both stories involve the payment of a very high price. Note that the first man is said to have sold “all” that he possessed (v. 44), and the second is said to have “sold all that he had” (v. 46).

And then finally, both conclude with a purchase. In the first, the man purchases a “field,” and in the second, the merchant purchases “one pearl of great value.”

Like all of the parables of Jesus, these two contain some valuable, if not so obvious, truths about becoming a disciple of our Lord. Here, the Savior is setting forth (in very short order) an arresting image of life in His kingdom; that is, life under His gracious reign as Lord and King. And each of the four common elements listed above speak very powerfully to all who would be, or are, followers of Christ. Don’t let the brevity of these parables trick you into thinking they are any less weighty than others Jesus employed. As we will see this Lord Day, pound-for-pound they pack quite a punch!

I love you all, and pray for each of you constantly!

Mike

Upcoming Events:

July 1, 6:30 PM – Women’s Book Club
July 2, 9 AM – Senior Fellows Breakfast
July 2, 11:15 AM – Senior Fellows Team B Downtown Rescue Mission feeding
July 8, 6 PM – Women’s Book Club Potluck at Timbers Edge Clubhouse
July 11, 11:30 AM – Women’s Monthly Lunch at Timbers Edge Clubhouse
July 12, 11:15 AM – Senior Fellows Team A Downtown Rescue Mission feeding
July 15, 6:30 PM – Senior Fellows attend Concert in the Park
July 17, 6 PM – Deacons Meeting
July 21, 2 PM – Davie Bridal Shower at Kim Fohrell’s house
July 30, 10 AM – Senior Fellows Bags of Blessings
July 30, 6 PM – Bags O’ Blessings packing at The CARE Center
August 11, 4:30 PM – Psummer Psalms recitation
August 12, 6 PM – Women’s Book Club Potluck at Debi Walker’s house
September 8, 9 AM – Sunday School resumes
September 20, 6 PM – Marriage Enrichment Evening and Dinner

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:

Spirit of the Living God – Hymn No. 726
It Is Well With My Soul – Hymn 691 v.1-4
His Mercy Is More
Doxology – Hymn 731

Announcements:

Summer Schedule: Christ Pres is on Summer Schedule, which means Sunday School and regular weekly activities are on hiatus. Our weekly time of fellowship begins at 10 AM, with worship beginning at 10:30 AM. Regular weekly activities resume September 3 and Sunday School resumes September 8.

VBS UPDATE: We are getting closer to that wonderful week of VBS! Things are coming together, but we still need your help getting the word out to our people. Feel free to forward to friends and neighbors but remember, our guaranteed t-shirt deadline is Monday, July 8th. Please see the registration links HERE. All the information can be found on this page. Feel free to forward to those who may be interested!

Bags of Blessings: Members, Our church will pack “Bags of Blessings” food bags at the Care Center, New Hope at 6 PM, Tuesday, 30 July. These food bags are given out by public school teachers on Fridays to children not receiving adequate food on weekends. We need about 25 church helpers to accomplish this important job. If you would like to help, sign up at the table in the narthex. The packing will take place in a warehouse on Main Street in New Hope, next to the City Hall (on right facing City Hall). Take New Hope exit off Hwy 431. This is Main street and it goes by City Hall. Please arrive before 6 PM. The job should take 1-1.5 hours to complete, and children can help. Thanks for your support.

Women’s Book Club Fellowship: Title of book is Even Better than Eden by Nancy Guthrie. Meets Monday nights starting June 10th from 630-8pm at 2 locations
Home of Sharon Daughtry 5726 Jones Valley Dr HSV 256-520 0824
Home of Debi Walker 8538 Sedgebrook SE 256 929-3214
July 8th from 6-8pm will be a joint potluck fellowship at TimbersEdge Clubhouse
Aug 12th wrap up potluck fellowship for both groups at home of Debi Walker
We will not meet the week of VBS July 15-18

Psummer Psalms: Everyone in the congregation is invited to memorize one entire Psalm this summer, then join us for a recitation at the church, followed by ice cream, Sunday, Aug 11, 4:30pm. “How sweet are your words to my taste…” Psalm 119:103  Recitation can be individual, or together in a group or family. We had a great group last year–young and old sharing God’s word out loud and with conviction. If interested, email darondrown@gmail.com for periodic encouragement and accountability.