Sermon Preview:
Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus our Lord,
It is always such a blessed thing for us to gather together in corporate worship! There is nothing else in all the world that will form us into the holy people our Father has called us to be than our worship together as His new people in Christ!
In the light of the events of this week in our nation, I am especially eager to gather in our Lord’s presence with each of you. It is in the company of the redeemed that the Spirit not only sanctifies us and cleanses us by the preached Word, but also strengthens our faith, builds our love, and gives us immeasurable hope!
Honestly, I have struggled deeply since Wednesday over what I should preach this coming Lord’s Day. Without getting into all of the sordid political details, I believe we are all most aware now that the cost of following our Lord faithfully in this country will become even greater in the days ahead. 2021 will doubtless bring a more formidable assault upon our basic freedoms, and those values that we believe are essential for the survival of a just nation where human life is cherished as a sacred gift from our Creator.
My heart is broken, and I know that each of you could give a similar testimony.
And yet, from the depths of that same broken heart, I believe that the inspired Word of our Father will provide all that we need to move forward in joy and hope! That’s why, despite my struggle, I am certain that our series in Hebrews should continue as planned.
Our text, while on the surface seeming to be far removed from our current afflictions, will nevertheless provide us with exactly what we need in this painful moment.
On Sunday, we will prayerfully consider Hebrews 6:1-3. Here, the Spirit of God will call us to “ go on to maturity” together! We will see that this exhortation, first sounded to Christians prior to AD 70, will give us our marching orders in this new year of 2021.
Whatever challenges lay yet ahead for us, we know for certain what our Father’s will is: we must keep moving! And we must do so as empowered by the very Spirit who raised our blessed Redeemer from the dead!
It will be a joy to explore this Word with you on the Lord’s Day!
Sunday School Begins This Sunday at 9:30 AM
In addition to our classes for Children and Youth, our Adults will be studying the subject of ‘The Church and the State.’ I can’t think of a more timely and appropriate topic than this.
I hope you will join us at 9:30 AM for the study of God’s Word.
I love you all so 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.
Youth Group:
Youth Group meets on Sunday at 4:30 PM at the church house.
Sunday School:
Sunday School will resume on January 10 at 9:30 AM with classes for all ages.
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:
Women’s Bible Studies have resumed for the new semester. Times and subjects below:
Mothers Morning Bible Study
Date: Tuesday, Jan 12th
Time: 9:30 am
Location: Christ Pres Church
Women’s Morning Bible Study
Date: Wednesday, Jan. 20th
Time: 10-11:30 am
Location: Christ Pres Church
Topic: Book of Acts Ch, 1-12 by R. Albert Mohler Jr.
Acts 1-12 For You (a companion commentary ) by R. Albert Mohler Jr.
Women’s Evening Bible Study
Date: Wednesday, Jan 20th
Time: 6-7:30 pm
Location: Christ Pres Church
Topic: Book of Acts Ch, 1-12 by R. Albert Mohler Jr.
Acts 1-12 For You (a companion commentary ) by R. Albert Mohler Jr.
Children’s Ministry:
CPC Families,
We are thrilled to be starting back our children’s Sunday school classes this coming week, January 10th, at 9:30 am.
We have the following classes:
Toddler/preK – Nursery (Amanda Dean and Moms)
K, 1st and 2nd – Middle Back Classroom (Amy Drown)
3rd, 4th, and 5th – Center Classroom (Ashley Turnbull)**
Additionally, youth meets at the church house. Contact Matthew Elliott for any questions about youth classes.
Please join us to study God’s word together again in small group classes. We are thankful the Lord has given us the opportunity to meet again this semester!
See you Sunday!
In Christ,
Ashley
**This is a large class, and I would love to have someone come alongside me for a small group breakout session with the 5th graders. If there is someone interested in this, please email me. You would just be responsible for teaching a 15 min breakout session each week with the older children while I work with the 3rd and 4th graders. I will handle everything else. Thank you!
Senior Fellows:
At 9 AM on Tuesdays, the Senior Fellows are having a Zoom Bible Study on “Days of Creation”. Members and visitors are welcome to join us. For more information contact: seniorfellows@christpreshamptoncove.org.
Prayer Requests:
Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Dustin and Katie Jackson, 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