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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This Lord’s Day we will once again turn our attention to the words of 1 Peter 4:12-13, and 19. You will remember that we have laid out a ‘roadmap’ through this passage consisting of four stopping points:

First, last week we examined the truth that the evil and suffering we each have experienced in one way or another is nothing unusual at all for the Church.

Second, though it isn’t so obvious, suffering comes to us from our Father’s hand as a gift that is designed for our good and our joy.

Third, the sufferings we experience are, in a wonderful and even mysterious way, those sufferings of Christ Jesus Himself. That is, they are linked to His cross.

Fourth and finally, our sufferings provide us with every reason to live with inexpressible joy and radiant hope!

On Sunday we will consider the second of the four points above, and then on August 2 we will examine the final two.

Our focus this week will be upon this extraordinary claim that our afflictions, whatever their nature or cause, are actually a heavenly gift specifically designed by our Father for our good. As you meditate upon this passage before Sunday, let me also encourage you to consider 1 Peter 1:3-9; 2:21; 3:14-17; 4:1-5.

An Additional Note About Worship

Before I go, the Session would like to offer one clarification regarding our earlier note about worship beginning on August 2.

There may be some in our fellowship who, because of breathing issues (such as asthma) or other significant health conditions, are unable to wear a mask at Church. We fully understand this, and we want you to be present with us in worship.

Also, we would like to stress once again that if you should feel uncertain or fearful about attending worship in person, we encourage you to take advantage of our recorded services.

Thank you again for your patience, love, and your fervent prayers!

I love you all so much!!

Mike

Announcements:

COVID-19 Message:

Our weekly service of worship has resumed! Please observe the following guidelines. First, practice distancing as much as possible – no physical contact, and keep 6 feet between your family and other families. Sit in pews where marked. There will be no nursery, or any other food or beverages on church property. There will also be no communion or congregational singing. Per Madison County Health Order, masks are strongly encouraged. There will be no Sunday School until September. If you have been in contact with someone who been sick, if you feel sick yourself, or if you have any pre-existing conditions, you should remain at home. We will continue to provide a recording of the worship service to allow for participation in worship at home.

Message from your Diaconate:

As we continue through this difficult time, if you have 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. Please remember that your Diaconate and Session are praying for you, and we’re here to help however we can.

Senior Fellows:

The Senior Fellows began a new weekly Bible study on Tuesday, July 21 from 9:00 to 10:00 AM. We use the Zoom virtual meeting application to study Building a Christian Conscience by R.C. Sproul, and the topic is The Razor’s Edge. Church members are welcome to join us. For further information, email us at seniorfellows@christpreshamptoncove.org.

Future topics include:
July 28 – “The Legalist Distortion”
Aug. 4 – “The Distortion of Lawlessness”
Aug. 11 – “The Degrees of Sin”
Aug. 18 – “The Creation of Ordinances”
Aug. 25 – “The Question of Conscience”

Parenting Conference:

Please save the dates of August 28th and 29th for our parenting conference!  Our guest speaker is John Perritt, current director of resources for Reformed Youth Ministries.  Please mark your calendars for a Friday evening/Saturday morning event to consider how we might better disciple our children in today’s challenging culture.  Further details will be forthcoming.  For questions, please contact Matthew Elliott at matthew@christpreshamptoncove.org.

Psummer Psalms:

Announcing our 3rd year of Psummer Psalms! Everyone, young and old, is invited to memorize one entire Psalm this summer. Then join us for a recitation and light dinner at church on Sunday afternoon, Aug 16. Recitation can be individual, or together in a group or family. New this year: a trophy t-shirt for anyone who recites an entire Psalm from memory! If interested, email darondrown@gmail.com for periodic encouragement and accountability.

Children’s Ministry:

Women’s, Career/Singles, and Youth Ministries:

Ministry activities have been canceled pending the virus quarantine. Check this space for rescheduled events.

Men’s Studies:

The weekly Men’s study of John Calvin’s Institutes is meeting via Zoom, contact Daron Drown for details.

Prayer Requests:

Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Zig and Virdia Jastrebski, Ramona Edwards, Bill Dent, Jacky Haynes, Steve Terry, John Baxter, Bill Cowley, Larrabee Kirkland, Elizabeth Holton, and Nolan Osmer.
Expecting: Please pray for the Libertos, expecting in August, and 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