In James 5:13 we find these words: “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.”
Here at the end of his inspired epistle, we see that James has categorized our lives under two broad headings. While not simplistic, it is a simple way to think about and to look at the whole of our existence. There are times of sorrow and difficulty—experiences of “suffering.” And then, there are times of happiness and joy—experiences that we classify as “cheerful.”
Every child of God has known these two life-conditions. Even as you read these words, you are in one of these seasons (perhaps you are experiencing a combination of both!). However, you’re in great company, for we cannot name one saint in the Bible who did not walk on these two pathways, perhaps going back and forth between the two with an almost predictable regularity—sorrow and joy, pain and deliverance, adversity and prosperity, debilitating fear and supernatural peace, doubt and assurance, despair and radiant hope. This rhythm, the perpetual movement between these two opposites, is what life is made of for all of us!
On Sunday as we gather together to hear the Lord’s Word for us, James will teach us 1) that we have a faithful and loving Father for all seasons, and 2) that we also have a corresponding responsibilityin the two broad conditions of life. We must always “pray,” and we must always “sing”!
I can’t wait to pray and to sing with you on the Lord’s Day!
All my love in Christ,
Mike
Upcoming Events:
March 5, 4:30 PM – Youth Group Meeting
March 5, 5 PM – Parenting Class 2
March 6 – Snacks for RUF
March 7, 6 PM– Women’s Evening Bible Study
March 8, 9 AM – Women’s Morning Bible Study
March 8, 6 PM – Bags of Blessings Packing at The CARE Center
March 12, 4:45 PM – Men’s Bible Study
Connecting with the Catechism:
Q. 27. Wherein did Christ’s humiliation consist?
A. Christ’s humiliation consisted in his being born, and that in a low condition, made under the law, undergoing the miseries of this life, the wrath of God, and the cursed death of the cross; in being buried, and continuing under the power of death for a time.
Luke 2:7
II Cor. 8:9
Gal. 4:4
Isa. 53:3; Luke 9:58
John 4:6; 11:35
Heb. 2:18
Ps. 22:1 (Matt. 27:46)
Isa. 53:10
I John 2:2
Gal. 3:13
Phil. 2:8
Matt. 12:40
I Cor. 15:3-4
Q. 28. Wherein consisteth Christ’s exaltation?
A. Christ’s exaltation consisteth in his rising again from the dead on the third day, in ascending up into heaven, in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and in coming to judge the world at the last day.
I Cor. 15:4
Ps. 68:18
Acts 1:11
Eph. 4:8
Ps. 110:1
Acts 2:33-34
Heb. 1:3
Matt. 16:27
Acts 17:31
Q. 29. How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?
A. We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us by his Holy Spirit.
Titus 3:4-7
Announcements:
Greeter/Usher Ministry:
Christ Presbyterian is growing and is now in need of Usher/Greeters. Our initial plan is to have 4-6 teams with 7 people in each team to accomplish this new requirement. The reason for having many teams is to allow more of us who have been called to serve at Christ Pres the opportunity to serve while not overburdening anyone. Each team would only have to serve 2 weeks a quarter. The initial plan is to have 3 greeters and 4 ushers per week serving each Sunday from 10:10 to 10:40. If we have the numbers willing to assist, we can have each team serve for a two week rotation. To run this as smoothly as possible, we would like each team to have a lead. Presently, we have 3 individuals who are lead to lead a team and another 7 willing to serve on an Usher/Greater team. This is open to all, but would prefer no one younger high school age.
If you are interested in helping with this important ministry, please contact Steve Profozich at steveprofozich@gmail.com. Please get in touch with him soon, as we would like to move forward with this starting March 10. Thanks.
Senior Fellows:
On Tuesday, March 21, the Senior Fellows will visit the Von Braun Planetarium located within Monte Sano State Park. Visitors are welcome. Plan to arrive at 7:30 PM and finish about 10:00 PM. For directions or more information send email to seniorfellows@christpreshamptoncove.org. Plan to bring the whole family. Joe Fikes, our guide, says kids will love this adventure. Atmospheric conditions may dictate a change of the date/day of the event.
Men’s Bible Study:
Be sure to put the following dates on your calendars: Sunday March 12, Sunday March 26, and Sunday April 9. On these three Sundays, from 4:45-6:30 PM, we will be having our Men’s Spring Bible Study. We will be studying the lives of two important New Testament men, Timothy and Titus. More information will follow.
Parenting Class: This year, we will meet again and discuss the topic of Leading Our Children to Faith in Christ. He will be using the book “Bringing the Gospel to Covenant Children” as a guide. This will be a wonderful chance for us to learn more about the reformed view of covenant children and their coming to Christ, what this looks like at our church, as well as ask any questions related to the communicant’s book that the Session has us go through with our children before they make a profession. It’s also a chance for us to fellowship! If you didn’t make it last week, it’s not too late. The second meeting will be Sunday, March 6th at 5:00 pm, with potluck fellowship dinner to follow, at the Nuwayhid’s Basement, 3002 Firethorn Drive, Hampton Cove.
Snacks for RUF:
Christ Presbyterian has committed to providing snacks for the RUF at UAH Large Group meeting on Monday, March 6th and Monday, April 10th.Some information below:
We are providing snacks (chips, trail mix, granola bars, fruit) and/or desserts (brownies, cookies, donuts, etc) for UAH students at the RUF “Large Group” meeting – between 75-100 students.
We are asking 4 people to sign up for each night with each person preparing a snack/dessert to serve 25-30 people.
If possible, bring your food in containers/bags that do not need to be returned.
DROP-OFF: If possible, bring your contributions to the UAH Nursing Building on the Monday you sign up at 6:45pm. Come into the lobby of the ‘newer-looking’ Nursing Building and you will find RUF students setting up. If you are unable to drop off at that time contact Norman for pickup (334-313-1298, ndeaniv@gmail.com).
Bags of Blessings:
Our church has volunteered to help March 8th and April 5th with the Bags of Blessings ministry at the Care Center in New Hope. Packing begins at 6:00 PM and lasts around 1.5 hours. We need 25-30 volunteers. Please contact Norman Dean, ndeaniv@gmail.com, if you would like to help or want more information.
Prayer Requests:
Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Chris
Smotherman, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, Katie Dyer,
Rebecca Berry, Jenan Nuwayhid, Bill Dent, Zig Jastrebski, Leon Galecki, Gannon Miles, and Sondra Behmer. Expecting parents: Please pray for the Wightman family who is due in March, the Lancaster family (April), and for the McCool family (June). Ministries: Please pray for the following missionaries and ministries: Seth and
Jessica Lewis (Ireland); Steve and Rita Williams (New Zealand); Reid and
Kelli Jones, Jennifer Kent (RUF UAH); Ken and Angie Burnett (FCA); Franky
Garcia (seminary student).