Sermon Preview:

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This coming Lord’s Day, the Fourth Sunday of Advent, we will consider the words of Jesus that are found in John 14:16-17. It is in this passage from John that we encounter our Savior’s beautiful promise of “the Helper” who will come from the Father.

The power of this promise is only magnified by the setting that John describes beginning in 14:1. Facing the certain departure of their Lord and Master, the disciples are very disturbed and perplexed. It is here that Jesus utters those blessed words that we all so dearly love: “Let not your hearts be troubled.”

Yet, despite the sad reality that very soon Jesus will no longer be with them physically, the disciples will be at no disadvantage at all, and will not be left behind to go it alone. There will be “another Helper” for them!

Who is this “Helper”? When will He come? And what will He do?

What a great joy it will be to discover another ‘Christmas gift’ from Jesus!

I love you all so much, and pray for you always!

Mike

Announcements:

Children’s Ministry:

I pray each of your families is having a fabulous start to the week! Just wanted to update you on a few things as we move towards Christmas!

STAFF: We are prayerfully moving towards opening up our baby nursery in January. Would you pray with me for discernment as to hiring? We desire ladies who will love and care for our sweet children while you worship! But, with all the visitors and babies coming, we need both our rooms open. It has been a long process, but we are praying the Lord would bless us by allowing us to hire new staff ASAP.
ELECTRONIC CHECK-IN: I am also moving towards implementing a new check-in procedure for our toddlers and babies. We will have a kiosk with the ability to check-in your child, print a label, and affix it to their shirt. This will be a safer way to keep track of our little ones and to know who visitors are!
Our Facebook group is a great place to post about a fun outing or activity you plan to do. Invite a friend! Or all your CPC nursery friends 🙂 If you aren’t a member of that group, please let me know.
NEW CLASS: Due to the large numbers we have seen in our Sunday school classes, we have started a brand new class with 5th graders. Mr. Joe Fikes will be teaching “Survey of the Bible,” and we could not be more thrilled to disciple these students as they prepare to leave children’s ministry and head to youth ministry. Ben Calvert is teaching the class to finish out the semester. Thank you, Ben!
Finally, we are prayerfully looking towards Summer Bible Club for Summer 2022! I am looking for someone to direct or co-direct the program. Please pray about this with me – it is such a wonderful opportunity to serve our church and children! Planning meetings to start in January 🙂

As always, don’t hesitate to call, email, text if you have any questions or concerns. Don’t forget to say hello and/or welcome a guest you see at drop-off/pick-up.

Much love to each of you!

The CARE Center:

CPC collected over the last three Sundays eleven tub containers of Christmas Gifts and Pantry food items for the CARE Center. The gifts and food will be passed on to needy families. The CARE Center expressed sincere appreciation for the donated items. Thanks for your generous support.

Youth Group:

Youth will resume in 2022.

Spring Supper Club:

We are continuing our Christ Pres Supper Club groups this spring! The groups will be reassigned for the spring so that you will get to fellowship with different people. Anyone can sign up, whether you participated in the fall groups or not.

What is a Supper Club Group?

It is Christ Pres adults, assigned to a group of 4 couples/singles, who will meet together once a month, 4 times in the spring, from Jan. to Apr.
One couple/single in each group is responsible to host their group one of these times. You can host the way you feel most comfortable–in your home, at a restaurant, meet for a picnic, etc. Potluck works well so that everyone pitches in with the meal.
The assigned lead will communicate with the group to coordinate monthly hosts. From there, each month’s host will arrange the specific date and location for the gathering with other members of the group.
The hope is that you will enjoy fellowship and get to know one another on a deeper, more personal level. It’s such a blessing to know our church family, to share meals together, and to be involved in each other’s lives.

Please sign up by Monday, Dec. 20, at the following link:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/C5ZMNDC

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Carol Cummings at tc44.cummings@gmail.com or 256-508-4477.

Senior Fellows:

The next Senior Fellows Breakfast and Bible Study will be be at 9 AM on January 4. Church members and visitors are invited to attend. If coming for breakfast, please notify Senior Fellows at: seniorfellows@christpreshamptoncove.org

Women’s Ministry:

Monthly Lunch: Our next monthly luncheon will be on January 6 beginning at 11:30 at the Timbers Edge Clubhouse located at 1 Timbers Main, Brownsboro. It’s potluck – feel free to bring a dish or just yourself.

Winter Bible Studies:

Winter bible studies will begin in 2022.

Career/Singles:

Career/Singles will resume meeting in 2022.

Prayer Requests:

Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Glen Mettler, Jean Terry, Suzanne Nimon, Lincoln Ely, Zig and Virdia Jastrebski, Ramona Edwards, Bill Dent, Jacky Haynes, Steve Terry, Bill Cowley, and Elizabeth Holton.
Expecting: Please pray for the Elliotts, expecting in March.
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); Marcus and Jessica Nobles (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