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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Our study of the parables of our Lord Jesus continues this coming Sunday as we begin our investigation of what is, perhaps, the most beloved parable of all those stories He told. It is known by many names, the most popular of which is ‘The Parable of the Prodigal Son.’ This compelling story has also been called ‘The Parable of the Lost Son,’ ‘The Parable of the Loving Father,’ The Parable of the Waiting Father,’ and ‘The Parable of the Two Sons.’ We discover it in Luke 15:11-32.
The parable of the prodigal son has been universally praised and extolled, both inside and outside the believing Church. It has been described as “The crown and pearl of all parables,” and “The most divinely tender and most humanly touching story ever told on earth.” Charles Dickens called it, “the finest story ever written.”
Biblical scholars have referred to this parable in the most exalted of terms as well. One has claimed that, “there is no more powerful a picture of the forgiving love of God or of the motivation behind Jesus’ ministry within the Bible,” and it is an unsurpassed portrait of “Jesus’ ministry to the lost.” Others have recognized this parable as the most conspicuous display of the love of God for sinners, with its central theme being “the Father’s yearning love for the lost.”
In fact, this parable is so very rich and important that we are going to take our time probing its magnificent depths. Our plan for this Sunday is to look at the parable’s setting, and then trace the story as Jesus told it through the first of the three acts in this amazing drama, which will take us up to verse 16. And then, the Lord willing, the next two Sundays we will consider the final two sections of the parable which will take us through the end of chapter 15.
I can’t wait to open and explore God’s Word with you this week!
All my love, always,
Mike
Upcoming Events:
July 30, 10 AM – Senior Fellows Bags of Blessings
July 30, 6 PM – Bags O’ Blessings packing at The CARE Center
August 1, 11:30 AM – Women’s Potluck Lunch at Timbers Edge Clubhouse
August 3, 6 PM – College and Career Fellowship and Cookout at Daughtry home
August 6, 9 AM – Senior Fellows Breakfast
August 6, 11:15 AM – Senior Fellows Team B Downtown Rescue Mission feeding
August 9, 11:15 AM – Senior Fellows Team A Downtown Rescue Mission feeding
August 11, 4:30 PM – Psummer Psalms recitation
August 12, 6 PM – Women’s Book Club Potluck at Debi Walker’s house
August 20, 9 AM – Senior Fellows visit Larry’s Gun and Pawn for defensive training
September 3, 9 AM – Women’s Morning Bible Study
September 4, 6 PM – Women’s Evening Bible Study
September 8, 9 AM – Sunday School resumes
September 18, 6 PM – Deacons Meeting
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:
He Leadeth Me: O Blessed Thought! – Hymn 600 v.1,3-4
Lord Most High
Jesus Keep Me Near The Cross – Hymn 264 v.1-4
O Love That Will Not Let Me Go
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.
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
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
Fall Women’s Bible Studies: Will begin on Tuesday nights starting September 3 and Wednesday mornings starting September 4. We will be doing the Jen Wilkens video study “First Peter (A Living Hope in Christ). “It can be ordered from Lifeway.com. Sign up in the Narthex. Hope you will consider joining us in the Fall.
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.
Senior Fellows: On Tuesday, July 30 at 10:00 AM the Senior Fellows will meet at Sam’s Club on South Parkway to transport food to the Care Center in preparation for packing Bags of Blessings. On Tuesday, August 6 at 9 AM the Senior Fellows will enjoy breakfast, fellowship and a devotional at the Church House. Guests are welcome. Also both Senior Fellows teams will serve at the Downtown Rescue Mission: Team B will serve on Tuesday, August 6, Team A will serve on Friday, August 9. Each team will meet at 11:15 AM and start feeding at 11:30 AM. Carpools will leave the church at 10:30. On Tuesday, August 20, the Senior Fellows will visit Larry’s Gun and Pawn at 2405 Memorial Parkway SW for defensive training. Plan to arrive by 9 AM. Meet at the church at 8 if you want to carpool. Visitors are welcome Lunch will follow at about 11:30. For more information call 256-503-2853.
College and Career Fellowship: There will be a College and Career Fellowship and Cook-out on Saturday August 3 at 6 PM at the home of Jim and Sharon Daughtry.
Huntsville Pregnancy Center Baby Shower and Crochet: Sign up Sunday for the Huntsville Pregnancy Center Baby Shower to be held next Saturday morning. All the details are at the Welcome table in the Narthex where you will also find a list of the needs at the center. This will be a casual time of fellowship, light breakfast refreshments and a special presentation by a guest from the center. If you can’t attend but would like to contribute a gift, please get your items to Christina Bagdazian 256,812,2442 by Saturday.
Bridal Shower for Maddie Davie :We are excited to honor Ms. Maddie Davie, daughter of Gerry and Renee Davie, with a bridal shower on Sunday, July 21st from 2-4pm at the home of Kim Fohrell (3113 Haddonstone Drive, Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763). Maddie and Matthew are registered at Bed, Bath and Beyond, MyRegistry.com, Amazon.
Please join us in this time of fellowship and fun as we enjoy celebrating her upcoming marriage. RSVP by gong to http://evite.me/dBkZY7Eqg4 and contact Kim Fohrell if you have any questions about the event. (256-426-1683)
Prayer Requests:
Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Jose Rodriguez, Linda Baxter, Pam Thomason, John Baxter, Pat Galecki, Jim Daughtry, Bill Cowley, Larrabee Kirkland, Chris Smotherman, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, and Nolan Osmer.
Expecting: Please pray for the Bryant family, expecting in September, and the Thoms, 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).
Emails:
general inquiries: admin@christpreshamptoncove.org
benevolence needs: benevolence@christpreshamptoncove.org
counsel and ministry needs: matthew@christpreshamptoncove.org
men’s ministry: men@christpreshamptoncove.org
women’s ministry: women@christpreshamptoncove.org
children’s ministry: children@christpreshamptoncove.org
youth ministry: youth@christpreshamptoncove.org
senior fellows: seniorfellows@christpreshamptoncove.org
Address:
288 Old Highway 431
Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763