Sermon Preview
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
An Update
Before I introduce our sermon passage for this week, let me give you a quick update on things related to our worship and gathering together again.
As you might know, the Governor’s order restricting Church meetings will expire on Friday May 15. We expect that on or before that day, the Governor will release more information regarding the next phase of the reopening of our State. We also expect that she and her team of advisors will speak specifically to the subject of worship assemblies.
Over the last couple of weeks, there have been several local Churches in our State (along with many State officials and legal authorities) that have sought to communicate with the Governor, respectfully urging her to allow places of worship to re-open, trusting each local congregation to apply the appropriate measures needed to guard the health of their members (in the same way that businesses have been allowed to re-open). Your Session has also expressed our similar concerns in writing to the Governor and to our State Health Director.
In light of all of this, and anticipating the reopening of Churches, the Session will be meeting next week to prayerfully formulate a plan to begin worship. As soon as the Session makes a decision as to when we will return to worship, and the details are established as to how we will conduct our worship in view of the continued dangers associated with the coronavirus, we will communicate with you. Please remember us in your prayers as we seek a wise course of action that will not only allow us to begin worshipping together once more, but will also protect the health of our Lord’s precious flock.
And thank you so much once again for your patience, faith in our Lord, prayers, and the gracious way you always support and encourage us. We love you dearly and we treasure the high privilege serving you. And, as we are enjoined by Scripture, let us remember to pray fervently for our Governor, that the Lord will give her wisdom and courage in these days that are ahead.
Sunday’s Sermon from Hebrews 3:7-11
When we examine the New Testament, we find a number of ways that our lives as disciples of our Savior are symbolized. We are at war, we are athletes in the games, we are strangers and aliens, we are ambassadors of the great King, and a few more.
But in Hebrews 3, we are introduced to another image, or symbol, that some might find a little surprising. Here, the inspired author will take us way back in time, some 3400 years to be more precise, all the way back to the story of the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. And as he does this, he will show us that our lives as followers of Jesus are very much like a journey in the wilderness. We will see that, much like the ancient Israelites, we are now on our way out of the place of bondage, headed to the place of eternal rest. Our ‘wilderness’ is a place of testing, of being strengthened, of facing opposition, of seeing the Lord work in mighty ways, and learning to trust Him as He leads us by His Word one step at a time.
But, our ‘wilderness’ is also a place of significant danger and temptation as well. And this is the larger concern expressed in Hebrews 3:7-19. In the wilderness, Israel sinned greatly against the Lord. And these same sins also threaten us now. So there is the pressing need to study what happened back then so as to avoid Israel’s mistakes.
Let me encourage you to prepare for the sermon by getting familiar with Hebrews 3:7-4:13, as well as 1 Corinthians 10:1-13.
What joy it is to be your pastor and brother in the Lord! And I love you so very much!
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:
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.
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