Announcements – May 3, 2024

By AdministratorUncategorized
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
Is preaching still relevant?  Do we really need it in order to love and live for our Lord?  Is there still a place for preaching in the Church?
I am certain that these are odd questions for you to ponder.  I know this because you love the Word of the Lord, and you treasure its exposition from the pulpit each Lord’s Day.  But, believe it or not, there are certain places in the Evangelical world where these very questions are answered in the negative.
I remember a conference for pastors that I attended back in 1999.  One of the guest speakers delivered a lecture on ‘The Death of Preaching,’ which he saw as a good thing for the turn-of-the-century Church! Turns out, his words were both prophetic and tragic.  He argued, quite passionately, that preaching is an outmoded form of communication for modern Christians.  As he stated, preaching is too ‘preachy.’  It’s too authoritative. It makes us uncomfortable. It drives ‘seekers’ away from the Church. It is too negative.  And, preachers tend to preach too long, interfering with the busy and demanding schedules of parishioners. In the many years since that conference I’ve encountered some fellow Christian pastors (whom I’m certain love the Lord more than I do) who never use the word “preach” because it has come to have very off-putting connotations.
Well, all of this brings us back to the prophet Ezekiel.  In the first three chapters of his prophecy, we encounter a man called to preach.  But what is preaching, exactly?  What does preaching do? What is to be preached?  Who is preaching for? Should we use a different word?  Is preaching optional for God’s people?
This Lord’s Day, we will begin probing these important questions together as we examine the inspired words of Ezekiel 2:3-3:3.   I can’t wait to preach on preaching!
Deacon Nominations
Beginning this Sunday, May 5, until Sunday May 26, the Session will be receiving your nominations for the Office of Deacon.  Nomination forms are available in the Narthex.  All Communing Members are entitled to submit the names of qualified men for this office.  Your completed nomination forms should be placed in the Tithes and Offering boxes at the entrance to the worship Center.
I love you all so much!
Mike

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Children’s Ministry
• Register online for VBS on June 10-13, 2024. Please contact Anne Swanner if you are interested in serving at VBS this year.
• Nursery – We still have some volunteer slots open this quarter to help in the nursery. Please see the link in your email or sign up on the paper sheet in the narthex. Contact Amanda Dean if you have any questions.

Women’s Ministry
• Tuesday morning study will not meet on May 7th but will meet again on May 14th.
• Senior Sisters meet monthly on the third Thursday from 10-11:30am.
• Senior Sisters exercise class meets Tuesdays at the church, 10:00 to 11:30am.
• Monthly luncheon held the first Thursday of the month at Timbers Edge Clubhouse at 11am.

Men’s Ministry
• Senior Fellows – Our next breakfast will be at 9:00am on Tuesday, May 7th.
• Men’s Lunchtime Book/Bible Study every Friday at 11:30am in the Church Fellowship Hall.
• We are beginning a weekly morning devotion/prayer time for working age men in the congregation. If you would be interested in participating, please sign up in the Narthex. Contact Adam Turnbull with questions.

Youth Ministry – Youth group meets tonight at the Church house from 4:30 to 6:30.

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

Bridal Shower – A bridal shower honoring Katy Yonkee will be held at the home of Mrs. Debi Walker on Sunday, May 19th from 2-4 pm.

Video Team – The video team is working on a project to show how God has worked through the church in the past 19 years. If you would like to be interviewed, please see Timothy Alhorn. 

PRAYER REQUESTS

Care and Healing – Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Collins Bailey, Maurice Belrose, Marilyn Calvert, Bill Cowley, Amy Fortenberry, Sonny Henry, Elizabeth Holton, Steve Terry and Kristy York

Expecting – Please pray for the Thornhills due in September, and the Kings due in October

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
• Southside Presbyterian Church