Sermon Preview:

Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

“ Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
‘Til He appears and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.”

As you would know, the words above come from the first verse of that blessed Christmas carol, ‘ O Holy Night.’ I’ve always loved this carol, and would place it at the top of my list of all-time favorites.

It’s hard not to recall these poetic words when reading the third ‘Servant Song’ of Isaiah, found in Isaiah 50:4-11. Seven and a half centuries before Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the prophet spoke of the Servant of the Lord who would come to a lost world “ in sin and error pining.” And those who listen to Him, and then turn to Him in faith and repentance, will be among those in this “ weary world” who find their eternal source of hope and joy in Him!

Note especially the Servant’s words in Isaiah 50:4–

“ The Lord God has given me
the tongue of those who are taught,
that I may know how to sustain with a word
him who is weary.”

In this third ‘Servant Song’ Isaiah speaks of our Savior’s life (vv. 4-5), death (v. 6), and resurrection (vv. 7-9). But notice that these prophetic words, while addressing the whole world, are especially meant to “ sustain” those who are “ weary” (v. 4), who walk in the “ darkness” of this lost world, and are seeking to “ trust in the name of the Lord” (v. 10). We have here, then, a beautiful Old Testament picture of a ‘Servant for the Weary’!

I look forward to what our Lord will teach us from this wonderful passage on Sunday.

I love you all so very much!

Mike

Announcements:

COVID-19 Message:

For those of you who are attending worship in person on Sunday morning, please practice social distancing as much as you are able and observe the pew markers so that we may keep a safe, 6-ft between families. During this time, we will not have nursery or fellowship time with food and drink. If any family member has been sick, or you have a pre-existing condition, please consider staying home and joining us by watching the recorded service when it is sent out. Masks are not required if you are maintaining social distance, but are welcome. We hope and pray that if you have any needs, you will let a staff member or deacon know so that we can serve you well during this trying time.

Sunday School:

Sunday School is on hiatus and will resume on January 10. We will have a time of fellowship beginning at 10:15 AM each Sunday, with our service of worship beginning at 10:30 AM.

Men’s Ministry:

Men’s book study of Calvin’s Institutes is meeting weekly on Tuesdays at 6:15-7:15 AM. We’re meeting upstairs at the Cooper House on Randolph Ave near downtown. All men are welcome to join us in building friendships as we discuss our lives in Christ at a practical level. If interested, please contact darondrown@gmail.com

Women’s Ministry:

Therefore, here is the Current information regarding our Bible Studies this Fall. The three studies will be listed below.

Tuesday Morning Study facilitated by Amy Schnorrenberg
Time: 9:30 am
Place: Christ Pres
Topic: Marriage
Speaker: Video series by Paul Tripp
Childcare: Will be provided and currently in the planning stages
Contact person: Amy Schnorrenberg

Wednesday Morning Bible Study
Time: 10am -1130am
Place: Christ Pres Fellowship Hall
Topic: Pilgrim’s Progress (Penguin Classics )
( book can order through Amazon.com for $10.79 )
Speaker: Video series by Derek Thomas (Ligonier Ministry)
Contact person: Mary Lee McKee

Wednesday Night Bible Study
Time: 6pm – 730pm
Place: Christ Pres Fellowship Hall
Topic: Pilgrim’s Progress (Penguin Classics)
( book can be ordered through Amazon.com for $10.79 )
Speaker: Video series by Derek Thomas (Ligonier Ministry)
Contact person: Denise Scrip

For the two Wednesday Women’s studies I am in the process of learning how to incorporate a Zoom Meeting process for those who don’t feel comfortable meeting in person but still want to participate. I will let you know if and when it becomes available.

Children’s Ministry:

It is now the season of Advent, and I always send a quick email with resources for your family to use during this special time. Today, I’m linking to last year’s post, and I’m adding a couple of quick thoughts as well:

**One of my favorite follows on social media is Raising Boys and Girls (Sissy Goff). She mentions these three ways that we can walk with our children through Advent this year, knowing what a “different” year it has been!

1. Children need a sense of anticipation {Romans 8:24-34/How can we grow this in them?}
2. Children need purpose {What will we do this Advent season to minister to another/reach out to others/be intentional with our time and money?}
3. Children need connection {How can we stay connected during this season, even when things aren’t “normal?”}

Advent is a season of waiting, and the longer we wait, the “larger” we become in our anticipation and joy! Let’s show that to our children now and always!

If you have any questions or needs, please reach out to me. Your church staff is HERE for each of you!

Love,
Ashley

Youth:

The final Youth Group meeting of this year will be a Christmas Party on Sunday, 12/13, at 4:30 pm at the church house.

Career/Singles:

The young career/singles group meets every Sunday evening at 5:30 at the home of Jim and Sharon Daughtry, for a time of fellowship & spiritual encouragement.

Prayer Requests:

Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Lincoln Ely, Rich Bagdazian, Zig and Virdia Jastrebski, Ramona Edwards, Bill Dent, Jacky Haynes, Steve Terry, Bill Cowley, Larrabee Kirkland, Elizabeth Holton, and Nolan Osmer.
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); Amos and Jessica Williams (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); Gannon Miles (seminary student); 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