Sermon Preview:
Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
In Hebrews 6:19-20 we discover a simple, yet very powerful image that is designed to convey to us the certainty of our salvation in Christ our Lord.
As you remember, the author of this epistle is seeking to provide comfort and assurance to his readers who are being buffeted and afflicted by various pressures coming against them. These forces include persecution, temptation, and the defection of some among them who had previously professed faith in Christ, yet had turned away from Him. And doubtless, some of the faithful among them, if not many, had been suffering through serious doubts about their own salvation.
Into this tumultuous scene, the inspired author of Hebrews inserts an ancient symbol of certainty and security in order to teach them about the unfailing nature of the salvation they had received in Christ. It is a simple nautical term, one that already had a rich history of use as an emblem of stability. He speaks of “ a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul” (v. 19). An “ anchor”!
This coming Lord’s Day, we will consider this wonderful symbol of the Christian faith, and how we may draw encouragement from it as we follow our Lord today.
A Special Prayer Request
Many of you will remember Dave and Rosemary Angotti, former CPC members who moved to St. Augustine, Florida a number of years ago. Dave faithfully served us as a Deacon, then as a Ruling Elder, and also as our Church Administrator back in those days when we were meeting in the middle school. Dave not only diligently ministered to our fellowship in each of these essential capacities, but he graciously gave me an immeasurable amount of support and encouragement as my dear brother in Christ and fellow-laborer in the Lord’s work.
Recently, Dave has been diagnosed with Pleural mesothelioma, an aggressive form of cancer that affects the lungs, and one that is normally associated with a previous exposure to asbestos. There is no cure for this deadly and aggressive form of cancer, but there are some treatments available that may slow down the progression of the disease. Please pray fervently for Dave and for Rosemary. Pray that his treatments will be effective in arresting the advance of the cancer, and that the Lord will protect him from any potential risks or side-effects from these treatments. I spoke with both of them by phone last night and assured them of our love, and our commitment to pray faithfully for them as they walk this pathway. I’ll keep you informed about Dave as we receive more information.
I love you all, and can’t wait to see you this Sunday!
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 February 21 at 4:30 PM at the church house.
Also, the presbytery-wide youth event, the ROOTS Retreat, will be March 5-7 at Camp ToKnowHim. This year’s speaker is Rev. Braden Benson. He’s an ordained PCA minister, and ACBC Christian Counselor working with the Owen Center in Auburn. He’ll be presenting a series on Fear, Anxiety, and Depression (using Running Scared by Ed Welch). Braden holds a Masters of Arts of Christian Counseling as well as a Masters of Divinity from Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, NC. He received a degree in Psychology from Mississippi State University with a special focus in Marriage and Family Therapy. He is also a member of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC). For the past six years he and his wife have worked in ministries of counseling, adult Christian education and with Joni & Friends, a Christ-based ministry to the disabled. Through the Owen Center Braden pursues a life-calling to serve Christ by cultivating the ministry of biblical counseling in His church. This year’s Cost is $100 +$12 for a shirt. The deadline to register is TODAY February 12.
Children’s Ministry:
This continues to be a strange time and hard for churches to plan and execute as they normally would. I am thinking and praying how we can continue to minister to families and children in 2021. I would love to have input and help in planning for 2021. I have some great ideas to continue Vacation Bible School (although in a different, smaller format) as well as outdoor summer fellowships for our children throughout the summer. Additionally, I am so thankful to have so many of your children in Sunday school each week – they are growing and learning BIG truths! Thankful for the teaching of Amanda, Denise, Tim, and Kerry! Please reach out if you have any questions regarding Sunday school. And don’t forget to fill out our survey and include any feedback!
Women’s Ministry:
Women’s Bible Studies have resumed for the new semester. Times and subjects below:
Mothers Morning Bible Study
Date: Tuesdays through May
Time: 9:30 am
Location: Christ Pres Church
Women’s Morning Bible Study
Date: Wednesdays through May
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: Wednesdays through May
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.
Career/Singles:
The weekly bible study and fellowship for career/singles has resumed at 5:30 PM Sunday evenings at the home of Jim and Sharon Daughtry.
Senior Fellows:
The Senior Fellows begin a new weekly Bible study on Tuesday, February 16 from 9:00 to 10:00 AM. We will use the Zoom virtual meeting application to study The Last Days According to Jesus by R.C. Sproul. The topics for the 12 week series are listed below. Church members are welcome to join us. For further information, email us at seniorfellows@
Feb.16 – Crisis in Eschatology
Feb.23 – Understanding the Parousia
Mar. 2 – A Question of Time
Mar. 9 – Literal or Figurative?
Mar. 16 – This Generation
Mar. 23 – The End of the Age
Mar. 30 – The Destruction of Jerusalem
Apr. 6 – The Book of Revelation
Apr. 13 – The Antichrist
Apr. 20 – The Beast
Apr. 27 – The Rapture
May 4 – The Millennium
Prayer Requests:
Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Dave Angotti, Dustin and Katie Jackson, Zig and Virdia Jastrebski, Ramona Edwards, Bill Dent, Jacky Haynes, Steve Terry, Bill Cowley, Larrabee Kirkland, and Elizabeth Holton.
Expecting: Please pray for the Deans, expecting in July.
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