Sermon Preview
Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
Before I introduce our sermon passage for this coming Sunday, I thought I’d just share a quick update on things as they relate to our getting back together in worship.
Like each of you, the Session is paying very close attention to what our Governor and State Health Department are saying about the current status of the quarantine. We are anticipating that there will be more information forthcoming from state officials on or near April 30 th. That being the case, the Session will be meeting next week to assess the situation, and then we will make whatever decisions might be appropriate in light of the official recommendations.
We sincerely appreciate your prayers for an abundance of the Lord’s wisdom. This has been a most extraordinary trial for all of us, and for our Church body as a whole. And we want to respond in a way that is wise, that ensures the health and safety of our flock, and ultimately brings glory to our Savior and Lord.
I also want to tell you what a blessed delight it has been to learn of the multitude of ways that you have reached out to one another during these last seven weeks of the quarantine!
You have graciously and faithfully cared for one another in a way that is exemplary, and has enabled us to enjoy a measure of ‘connectedness’ despite the stay-at-home-orders. You have put the love of Christ on magnificent display in these days of difficulty! For all of this, I want to thank you, and offer my praise to our dear Father in Heaven!
I would also especially want to mention the faithful work of our Deacons, who have been busy getting in touch with each member and family, discovering needs, offering prayers and support, and tangibly loving their Church! Thank you brothers from all of us!!
Finally, thank you for your kind words of encouragement regarding the recorded sermons. My greatest joy of all is in knowing that our Father’s Word has blessed and strengthened His people. Your constant prayers and loving support make our ministry to you such a delight!
This coming Sunday, we will continue our series from Hebrews. Our text will be Hebrews 3:2-6, and the title of the message is, “ More Glory Than Moses!”
As you pray and prepare your heart to hear God’s Word, you might take a moment or two in order to reflect upon the incredible ministry of Moses.
Take some time to trace the story of his remarkable life and ministry from where we first meet him in Exodus 2. And then follow the path forward through his life as a child in Pharaoh’s house, then on to become the man through whom God delivered the Covenant people from the clutches of Egypt. And then consider his leadership of the nation in the wilderness, and finally his ministry to them as the mediator of God’s Holy Law at Sinai. ‘Amazing’ is about the only word we can use to capture this man’s life and times!
But in Hebrews 3:3, the author of this inspired Epistle makes the staggering claim that, “ Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses”!
What could this mean? Why would the author say this?
I can’t wait to open the Word of the Lord with you this Sunday!
Thank you again for your prayers as we record the message tomorrow morning. It will be ready for viewing, along with our worship guide, early on Sunday.
I love you all, and you are my joy!
Mike
Order of Worship:
This week’s order of worship will be posted on Sunday morning along with a sermon video for use as you worship at home.
Announcements:
Message from your Diaconate:
Each of you should be receiving emails, calls, or texts from your diaconate to check in with how we can best continue to minister to you during this difficult time. If you have any needs of any kind, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the diaconate. We’re eager to help you or to find someone who can. This is one of the main reasons the church has deacons, to make sure that congregational needs are being met. As we contact you, remember that your Diaconate and Session are praying for you, and we’re here to help however we can.
Resources for Further Study:
Pastor Mike has posted a list of books on a variety of theological topics that you might find useful. Check out the list by clicking here. You can also find this list from the About Us menu on the web site home page.
Senior Fellows:
The Senior Fellows weekly Bible study continues on Tuesdays from 9:00 to 9:30 AM. We will use the Zoom virtual meeting application to study “Dealing With Difficult Problems” by R.C. Sproul. Church members are welcome to join us. For further information, email us at seniorfellows@christpreshamptoncove.org.
Women’s Ministry:
Women’s Ministry activities have been canceled pending the virus quarantine. Check this space for rescheduled events.
Children’s Ministry:
We are testing out something new this week – a children’s bulletin for sermon notes! You may print this out for your children to use with Sunday’s sermon, and we hope to incorporate this into the regular bulletin when we are meeting together again.
Sermon notes for April 26, 2020
Sunday School Lessons: HERE is the next lesson for your elementary children from our Sunday School curriculum. Great Commission is putting that out for us for free right now, and I pray you will use it with your children. It includes a video lesson, coloring page and graphic.
I also shared some additional things in the Children’s Ministry Facebook group (email me to be invited to our closed group).
Men’s Studies:
Most Men’s activities have been canceled pending the virus quarantine. Check this space for rescheduled events. The weekly Men’s study of John Calvin’s Institutes is meeting via Zoom, contact Daron Drown for details.
Career/Singles:
These activities have been canceled pending the virus quarantine. Check this space for rescheduled events.
Youth Group:
Youth Bible Study for Middle and High School has been canceled pending the virus quarantine. Check this space for rescheduled events.
Second Sunday Lunches:
Second Sunday Lunches are suspended until the virus outbreak is contained.
Flower Guild:
Have you noticed the beautiful flowers in the narthex and sanctuary? The Flower Guild places the flowers weekly. If you would like to assist in that ministry, please contact Donna Henry or Virdia Jastrebski.
Prayer Requests:
Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Lynn Doughty, Ramona Edwards, Pat Galecki, Bill Dent, Jacky Haynes, Steve Terry, John Baxter, Bill Cowley, Larrabee Kirkland, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, and Nolan Osmer.
Expecting: Please pray for the Elliotts, expecting in May; the Libertos, expecting in August; the Elys, expecting in September.
Ministries: Please pray for the following missionaries and ministries: Seth and Jessica Lewis (Ireland); Steve and Rita Williams (New Zealand); Noah and Karleigh Stephens (Thailand); Vinnie and Molly Athey (RUF at UAH); RUF at Alabama A&M; Ken and Angie Burnett (FCA); Franky and Alaina Garcia (church plant in Canada); Dieter Paulson (church plant in Scottsboro, AL); The Huntsville Pregnancy Resource Center.
Online Donations:
If you would like to give to Christ Presbyterian, you can do so at the following link:
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