Sermon Preview:
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As 2021 comes to an end, our minds quite naturally anticipate all that might happen in the twelve months of the New Year. Days like today are typically characterized by the contemplation of resolutions, proposed changes, alterations, and renewed commitments and goals that will improve our lives as time marches forward.
I believe it is a very good and wise thing to consider what we might do better, more faithfully, or with greater zeal as the New Year commences. This is especially vital as we consider our corporate life together as the Body of Christ, and as individual disciples of the Lord Jesus as well.
For several weeks now, a passage from the Epistle to the Philippians has been on my heart as I have pondered the end of 2021 and the start of 2022. While certainly not thinking of New Year’s resolutions, Paul was surely contemplating what should be the main focus of his life, and that of all the redeemed of Christ. Consider what he wrote in Philippians 3:10–
“that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in his death.”
For the imprisoned Apostle of Christ, the greatest aim of his life was to “know” the One he called “Christ Jesus my Lord” (3:8).
If I could be permitted to speculate a bit, I would venture that if Paul had written down a New Year’s resolution, it would be this very thing. He would simply seek to “know” His Lord!
For the next two Sunday’s we are going to take this passage from Philippians as our sermon text. And we will prayerfully walk with the Apostle as he explains what this could mean; that he would “know” Christ Jesus his Lord. I believe that in these inspired words we will discover the best New Year’s resolution of all!
Remember, Sunday School Resumes On January 9th at 9:30 AM
There will be no Sunday School this week. On January 9 we will begin our Winter/Spring semester of Christian education.
Our Adults will be studying ‘The Attributes of God,’ based upon the book The Identity and Attributes of God, by Terry L. Johnson (Banner of Truth: 2019). I’ll share more about the details of our class next week, but for now please plan to join us for this study of our great and awesome God!
I love you all so much,
Mike
Announcements:
Children’s Ministry:
I hope you all had a wonderful advent season and are filled with hope and encouragement as we get ready to face a new year. I have created a new nursery volunteer sign up for the first quarter of 2022.
We invite any lady aged 13-113 who is a member of Christ Pres to volunteer to help our nursery staff during worship service on Sundays. We have been operating with one nursery and have had anywhere from 2-8 children in our nursery. Due to potential large numbers, we are adding an additional volunteer slot. With fewer than 6 children, one volunteer will be dismissed to worship.
Please follow the link below to sign up. On the day(s) you are signed up, you will report to the nursery at 10:15 to help greet our littles as they arrive. Amanda or Ashley will be there to get you started and Mrs. Irene, our nursery worker, will be there the duration of the service.
Signup Genius sends you a reminder two days out so you won’t forget!
https://www.signupgenius.com/
This is such a vital need in our church right now and a way that you can serve the young families by caring and loving on their little ones. No experience needed 🙂 Please consider serving 1-2 Sundays this coming semester!
Youth Group:
Below you will find the Winter/Spring dates for youth group, which meets at 4:30 PM at the church house.
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 resume next week. The Tuesday study for mothers meets at 9:30 AM at the church. Contact Amy Schnorrenberg for more info. The Wednesday studies meet at 10 AM and 6 PM at the church. Contact Denise Scrip for more info.
Career/Singles:
Career/Singles will resume meeting January 9 at the Daughtry home at 5:30 PM.
Prayer Requests:
Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Mark Kreitzer, Glen Mettler, Jean Terry, Suzanne Nimon, 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, and the Jacksons, expecting in June.
Bereavement: Please pray for Cynthia Keen, whose mother Martha Helen O’Ferrall Renegar died this week.
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