Sermon Preview:

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

At the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro more than 1,100 of the 11, 238 athletes suffered injuries during the Games, with twenty percent of the injuries classified as ‘severe.’ The most dangerous sports that year proved to be BMX, boxing, mountain biking, taekwondo, water polo, and rugby. Obviously, competition at the Olympic level does involve a high degree of danger for the athletes. It’s just the inherent nature of virtually all competitive sports.

As you know, the world of the first-century Church was in many ways like ours, sports-obsessed. That’s why we find references to the Olympic Games in the Epistle to the Hebrews. As we have seen recently in our messages on Hebrews 12, the author likens the Christian life to a road race (12:1), and to a boxing match (12:11).

In 12:12-13 the athletic imagery is still in view. But this time we learn something of the inherent dangers there are for the Christian ‘athlete.’ In verse 12 we see the threat of exhaustion and weakness. In verse 13 we discover the peril of a joint becoming dislocated during an event. Of course, to experience such dangers and pains breeds despair and a whole host of other unpleasant reactions.

And this was precisely the case for the original readers of the Epistle. They were spiritually exhausted, and some were in need of healing (for their souls and bodies).

So, what do Christian ‘athletes’ need to do when in the throes of danger, despair, and injury?

The answer is discovered in verses 14-17. There we encounter a series of five exhortations for tired, afflicted, hurting Christian disciples.

Our look at these exhortations will get underway this Lord’s Day as we consider verses 12-14.

I can’t wait to be with you all in the presence of our Great King!

Love,
Mike

Announcements:

RUF Snacks:

It’s time to sign up for the March UAH RUF large group meeting snacks. Home-baked cookies would be a blessing for these young people. Other suggested items will be on the sign up sheet. The next RUF large group is Monday March 7. CPC sign is NEXT SUNDAY in the narthex. Judi Fikes will be there to answer any questions. We collect snacks on Sunday March 6 and deliver to campus for the Monday meeting.

Please let me know if you might be interested in bringing snacks to campus on Monday evening at 7 PM. The students appreciate it so much!

Please pray for the young men and women who attend the RUF large group meeting. Many hearts are turned to the Lord during these sessions.

Thank you for your help!

New Members Class:

Hello Church Family! It has been a very long time since we have been able to host a meal at the end of a new members’ class, but March 13th all that changes! We are so excited to show love and hospitality to our visitors and new members! In the past we have put together a taco salad bar and it worked so well we are planning the same for the 13th. Is this something that you would be interested in helping put together? The class runs from 2pm-6pm Sunday, March 13th. There are a few ways to help… Sign up to provide food (there will be a sign up sent out church wide by email); Help set up the day of the meal, this includes setting up coffee and water for breaks during the class (2pm-6pm); Help serve during the meal (6pm-7pm); Help clean up after the meal (7pm-8pm). If you would like to be part of any part of this event get in touch with S’ine Trent or Erica McNeese.

S’ine: missileer1979@charter.net 256-426-2980
Erica: fhornist1@gmail.com 256-468-6951

Youth Group:

Below you will find the Winter/Spring dates for youth group, which meets at 4:30 PM at the church house.
March 6th
March 27th
April 3rd
April 24th
May 1st
May 22nd

Senior Fellows:

On March 1 at 9 AM the Senior Fellows will have breakfast and fellowship in the fellowship hall. Please email us at seniorfellows@christpreshamptoncove.org if you plan to join us.

Senior Sisters:

The Senior Sisters is a group of 50s and up women similar to the Senior Fellows who will meet for food, fellowship, and ministry. The next meeting will be at 10:30 AM on March 17. Please contact Kathy Hightower, Kathy Cooper, or Suellen Dempsey for more information regarding their next meeting and how you can help.

Women’s Ministry:

Monthly Lunch: Our next monthly luncheon will be on March 3 beginning at 11 AM at the Timbers Edge Clubhouse located at 1 Timbers Main, Brownsboro. It’s potluck – feel free to bring a dish or just yourself. If you have questions or transportation needs please contact Pat Galecki at 256-244-0612

Winter Bible Studies: Winter bible studies have resumed! The Tuesday study for mothers meets at 9:30 AM at the church. Contact Amy Schnorrenberg for more info. The Wednesday women’s studies meet at 10 AM and 6 PM at the church. Contact Denise Scrip for more info.

Baby Shower: There will be a baby shower for Katie Jackson from 3-5 on May 1. Location TBD.

Men’s Ministry:

Please join our Friday Men’s Lunchtime Bible Study on Fridays at 11:30 AM.

For ten weeks, we will be studying the life of our Lord as guided by pastor and theologian Dr. Mark Jones in his book Knowing Christ. Dr. Jones takes the readers on a survey of the many aspects of our Lord’s life as revealed to us in the New Testament. We will cover subjects such as Christ’s incarnation, divinity, humanity, compassion, emotions, sinlessness, miracles, temptations, resurrection, exaltation, and many others.

All the men of CPC and guests are invited to join us as we get to know our Savior better!

Fellowship event: Please save the date for a fellowship event on Thursday, April 7th. We will enjoy a fun culinary evening facilitated by Joey McCool. Joey is a member of our church, experienced chef, and operator of a personal catering business. The event will be hosted by the Burgesses at their home in the Hampton Cove area. Further information and sign-up will be forthcoming as we get closer to the date.

Career/Singles:

Career/Singles meet on Sundays at the Daughtry home at 5:30 PM.

Prayer Requests:

Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Janie Green, Bob Crossley (Pat Galecki’s Dad), Glen Mettler, Jean Terry, Virdia Jastrebski, Ramona Edwards, Bill Dent, Jacky Haynes, Steve Terry, Bill Cowley, and Elizabeth Holton. For additional details about these prayer needs, please check Healing Prayer Requests
Expecting:Please pray for the Elliotts, expecting in March; the Jacksons, expecting in June; the Thornhills, expecting in August; the Thompsons, expecting in September.
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