Announcements – December 8, 2023

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

Let’s play a little game of ‘fill in the blank.’  What comes next after the word “Christmas” in your mind?

Christmas . . . carols

Christmas . . . cards

Christmas . . . joy

Christmas . . .angels

Christmas . . . vacation

Christmas . . .party

Christmas . . . presents

But how about this one:  Christmas dragon?

Obviously, that’s a very strange thing to connect with the notion of Christmas.  And if that seems almost sacrilegious, then what you feel is very much understandable.  I mean, who in their right mind would link such opposites?

Well, according to the Apostle John, if we don’t think about a “great red dragon” when we consider Christmas, we are leaving out a most significant part of the story of Advent!  In fact, if we don’t recognize the “dragon” in the account of our Lord’s incarnation, we just might miss the very heart of the celebration of Christmas itself.

This coming Lord’s Day, we will take our second look at the ‘Christmas story’ that John tells us in Revelation 12.  And we will focus our attention upon verses 7-9 where we read of war in heaven, the defeat of the dragon, and his expulsion from God’s presence.  And, as led by the Apostle, we will see why there must be a place for a “dragon” in every Christmas celebration!

I love you all so very much,

Mike

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

Greeting Ministry – Consider supporting the work of the church by serving on our greeting ministry team! Those interested can reach out to Matthew Elliott for more information.

Meals and Fellowship Ministries – Our monthly fellowship lunch is today, after worship in the fellowship hall. All visitors are invited to stay and eat with our church family.

Children’s Ministry
• Nursery – The spring quarter nursery sign up is now out. Please see the link in the email sent recently. Please contact Amanda Dean with questions.

Youth Ministry
• Youth Roots Retreat – The annual presbytery youth Roots retreat will be on January 19th – 21st at CamptoknowHim. Please contact Matthew Elliott for details and registration.
• Youth Fellowship – Our students will meet tonight in the fellowship hall from 4:30 to 6:30.

Women’s Ministry
• Senior Sisters exercise class meets Tuesdays at the church, 10-11:30am •Monthly lunch 1st Thursday of the month at Timbers Edge Clubhouse at 11

Men’s Ministry
• Senior Fellows – Our next breakfast will be at 900am on Tuesday, Jan. 9th.

Career Ministry – Bible study & fellowship meets at the home of Jim and Sharon Daughtry, Sundays at 5:30 pm.

See christpreshamptoncove.org for detailed news and upcoming events.

PRAYER REQUESTS Healing – Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Collins Bailey, Bill Cowley, Elizabeth Holton, Steve Terry and Kristy York

Expecting – Please pray for the Stephens (missionaries to Thailand) due in February and the Beams due in April.

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 and Marty Paulson (church plant in Scottsboro, AL)
• The Huntsville Pregnancy Resource Center