Sermon Preview
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Not all of the parables of Jesus are easy to understand or apply. Some are readily interpreted and applied because Jesus Himself gives us the meaning. For example, the parable of the sower recorded in Matthew 13 is immediately explained by Jesus such that there is little doubt about its meaning. And other parables of our Lord are so very simple that no explanation is even needed. This would apply to the parable of the mustard seed (also in Matthew 13), and the parable of the lamp (Luke 8).
But then, there are some parables that are deeply mysterious, seemingly obscure, and even confusing to us. Such is the case with the parable that we will examine this coming Lord’s Day.
In Luke 16 we find what has been called the most perplexing of Jesus’ parables, the parable of the dishonest manager (16:1-9). Some even find this parable to be embarrassing for Christians, since it appears that Jesus endorses dishonesty (see v. 9).
The parable itself is actually quite entertaining, for in it we meet a man who has to think very quickly on his feet in order to get out of a big jam. According to Jesus, he demonstrates the quality of shrewdness, a character trait that, oddly enough, should be found in all disciples (vv. 8-9).
Despite the apparent difficulties with this story, it is nonetheless aimed primarily at Jesus’ disciples (16:1), and, therefore, it has much to teach us as well. It will be a rich blessing, if not a challenge, to explore this parable together on Sunday!
Your Help Needed in Children’s Sunday School!
Ashley Turnbull, our Children’s Coordinator, has two additional needs for children’s Sunday school which begins on September 8th.
She needs 1 or 2 teachers for the 1st and 2nd grade class and 1 additional teacher to rotate in the 3rd/4th/5th grade class.
Please prayerfully consider serving the Lord and His Church in this way, and contact Ashley if you have interest in any of these areas.
I love you all so much!
Mike
Counselor’s Corner:
Grief and loss are experiences that we all will face in this life. Over the next several posts, I intend to provide a few resources on the topic of grief and loss. Ashley Turnbull recently attended a children’s ministry conference where she was able to listen to several lectures on the topic. Her experience in that seminar may provide you with an interest in the ministry of GriefShare, as well as some basic encouragement when dealing with grief and loss for yourself or those you know.
Upcoming Events:
August 20, 10 AM- Senior Fellows visit Larry’s Gun and Pawn for defensive training
September 3, 6 PM – Women’s Evening Bible Study
September 4, 10 AM – Women’s Morning Bible Study
September 5, 11:30 AM – Women’s Potluck Lunch at Timbers Edge Clubhouse
September 8, 9 AM – Sunday School resumes
September 10, 9 AM – Mother’s Morning Bible Study
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:
I Know Whom I Have Believed – Hymn 705, vs 1-4
This Is My Father’s World – Hymn 111, vs 1-3
Dear Refuge of My Weary Soul
More Love To Thee – Hymn 649, vs 1, 2, 4
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.
Children’s Ministry Notes:
Parents, please register your infant to 12th grader for CPC programming emails/database updates. Click HERE to complete the form for each child.
Sunday school starts back on September 8th at 9:15. I am working on ordering supplies and recruiting teachers. I still need teachers for the 1st/2nd grade class and the 3rd/4th/5th. We can work out a rotating system if you don’t want to teach full-time. I encourage you to pray about this and serve our precious children in this way. These classes are a joy!
Southwood has invited us to the Slugs and Bugs concert (Randall Goodgame) on Friday, August 23rd. You can buy tickets HERE.
Save the date for the Reformation Celebration on Sunday, October 27th. More details to come, but contact Amy Drown if you’d like to be involved in the planning.
Youth Notes:
Dear Parents of Middle and High School Students, and CPC Youth,
I wanted to let you know of our plans for our Bible Teaching Ministry to our students that will commence in just a few short weeks. There are two main areas I want to focus upon.
Sunday School
Our fall semester of Sunday School will begin on September 8, at 9:15 AM.
- Our Middle School Sunday School Class (grades 6-8) will meet downstairs at the Church house and will be taught by Graham and Sarah Burgess.
- Our High School Class (grades 9-12) will meet upstairs at the Church house and will be taught by Glen Doughty.
Sunday Night Fellowship and Bible Study
Then, on every-other Sunday Night, beginning August 25 from 4:30-6:30 PM, our Middle and High School students will meet at the Church for a time of fellowship and Bible study.
The nightly schedule will go as follows:
- 4:30-5:00 PM–Joint fellowship and fun time in the fellowship hall
- 5:00-6:00 PM–Separate Bible Studies:
Middle School Bible Study (grades 6-8) led by Pastor Mike and Matthew Elliott
High School Bible Study (grades 9-12) led by Ken Burnett
- 6:00-6:15 PM–Joint snack and fellowship time in fellowship hall (parents may pick up their students from 6:15-6:30 PM).
The full schedule of Sunday night meetings for the remainder of the fall will be released next week.
Visitors Welcome!!
Both our Sunday School and Sunday Night Studies are open to all of our Middle and High School Youth. Plus, we encourage visitors to attend as well, especially those who may not know our Lord, or those who are not involved in a local Church.
I am especially looking forward to making some good connections with our Youth this fall, and I would ask that you begin praying for these ministries and leaders, and each of our young people.
If you should have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me or Ken Burnett.
Marriage Evening Conference:
Dear CPC Congregation, You are invited to join us for a Marriage Evening Conference on Friday, September 20th! Our evening will include several large group seminars as well as an optional dinner for those interested. Our hope is that the evening will be a time of fellowship with others as well as refreshment for you personally and in your marriage. Registration for the event opens on August 1st and concludes August 31st.
Speaker: Our speaker is Pastor Nate Shurden. He is a graduate of Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS. While in seminary, Nate served at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson in Christian education ministry and as Assistant Editor for reformation21, the online magazine of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. Upon graduation, Nate was called to be Minister of Discipleship and Young Adults at FPC Jackson where he served for three years. In 2010, Nate accepted a call to Franklin, TN to help plant Cornerstone Presbyterian Church. Nate is married to Christy, and they have four young children.
Dinner: We would invite you to join us for dinner! Catered by Carrabbas, we will begin serving around 5:45 and conclude our meal around 6:45. There is no cost for the sessions of the conference. However, for those attending dinner, a $10 per person donation is appreciated in order to mitigate some of the costs of the food. Given the limited amount of space, we are currently reserving the dinner portion of the event for members of Christ Presbyterian Church. Please feel free to invite friends and family to join you for the sessions starting at 7pm!
Details:
Christ Presbyterian Church
Friday September 20th, 2019
Dinner: 5:45 – 6:45**
Session One: 7:00 – 7:45*
Coffee Break: 7:45 – 8:00
Session Two: 8:00 – 8:45
*No cost for the sessions
**A donation of $10 for the dinner is appreciated
Childcare: There will not be any childcare provided at the church during the event. However, if childcare is an obstacle for your attendance, please indicate as such on the RSVP in the registration link provided in this email and we will contact you for assistance.
How Do I Sign Up? To sign up online, please follow the link provided here to register for the event! Please click here. We will also have a sign-up form each Sunday morning during the month of August in the foyer.
Questions: Do you have questions? Please feel free to email Matthew Elliott at matthew@christpreshamptoncove.
Women’s Fellowship Opportunities:
The women will continue their “First Thursday” monthly luncheons beginning September 4th. They start at 11:30 am at Timbers’ Edge Clubhouse. Other dates this semester are 10/3, 11/7, and 10/5.
Our quarterly potluck is on Thursday, October 17th, at 6 pm at the home of Carol Calvert. Anyone is welcome – bring a dish to share if you are able! Or drop in last minute for fellowship.
The Christmas Brunch for the weekly bible studies is December 4th.
The annual Ladies’ Christmas Dinner is Tuesday, December 10th, at 6 pm at Huntsville Country Club.
Mark your calendars for these fellowship opportunities. Contact Denise Scrip for any questions.
Fall Women’s Bible Studies:
The women are kicking off their fall bible studies with a brunch on Wednesday, 8/28, at 11:30 am at the home of Carol Calvert. If you are interested in attending a fall bible study, please join us.
Two women’s groups will begin meeting on Tuesday nights (6-7:30 pm) starting September 3 and Wednesday mornings starting September 4 (10-11:30 am). 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.
A Moms’ Group will begin studying Melissa Kruger’s book “Contentment” beginning Tuesday, September 10th at 9 AM. Childcare will be provided.
Hope you will consider joining us in the Fall.
Senior Fellows:
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.
Prayer Requests:
Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Jose Luis Rodriguez, Linda Baxter, 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