This coming Lord’s Day we will continue our look at James 5:13-15. In this section of his letter, James is addressing the believer’s life from two broad categories of experience. As we discovered last week, there are times of suffering and times of cheer. And in both of these seasons of life believers are to cast their hearts heavenward in prayer and song (v. 13).
Then, in verses 14-15 James speaks of a specific kind of suffering that may befall a member of the body of Christ. In verse 14 he asks, “Is anyone among you sick?” And he has in mind a very serious illness, one that leaves the sufferer bedridden. To such an afflicted one the instructions are, “Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” Then, James declares that, “the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven” (v. 15).
New Testament scholars tell us that this is one of the most controversial passages in James, and perhaps, even in the whole New Testament. On Sunday, we will ask the Lord to teach us from these inspired verses, and we will trust that His blessed Word will never return void.
Time Change This Saturday Night
Remember, set your clocks forward one hour this Saturday night.
Men’s Spring Bible Study
I can’t wait to spend time with the men of our Church in fellowship and Bible study beginning this Sunday night! The subject for our Spring Bible Study will be the lives of two of the Apostle Paul’s special friends, Timothy and Titus. We will be investigating the Pastoral Epistles (1 and 2 Timothy and Titus), and the picture they present of these two great men. We begin this Sunday at 4:45 PM at the Church in the fellowship area. Called Meeting of the Congregation—Sunday March 26
Following worship on Sunday March 26, there will be a Called Meeting of the Congregation to hear a brief report from the Session.
I love you all so much!
Mike
Upcoming Events:
March 12, 4:45 PM – Men’s Bible Study
March 14, 9 AM – Senior Fellows Work Day at Church House
March 19, 4:30 PM – Youth Group Meeting
March 20, 7 PM– VBS Leaders Meeting at Church
March 21, 6 PM– Women’s Evening Bible Study – NO BIBLE STUDY 3/14 DUE TO SPRING BREAK
March 21, 7:30 PM– Senior Fellows visit to Von Braun Planetarium
March 22, 9 AM – Women’s Morning Bible Study – NO BIBLE STUDY 3/15 DUE TO SPRING BREAK
April 5, 6 PM – Bags of Blessings Packing at The CARE Center
April 10 – Snacks for RUF
Connecting with the Catechism:
Q 30. How doth the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?
Ans. The Spirit applieth to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling.
Eph. 1:13-14; John 6:37, 39; Eph. 2:8.
Eph. 3:17, I Cor. 1:9.
Q 31. What is effectual calling?
Ans. Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel.
II Tim. 1:9; II Thess. 2:13-14.
Acts 2:37.
Acts 26:18.
Ezek. 36:26-27.
John 6:44-45; Phil. 2:13.
Q 32. What benefits do they that are effectually called partake of in this life?
Ans. They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification, adoption, and sanctification, and the several benefits which in this life do either accompany or flow from them.
Rom. 8:30.
Eph. 1:5.
I Cor. 1:26, 30.
Announcements:
New Adult Sunday School Class Begins Next Sunday:
For the Spring Adult Sunday School semester beginning on March 19, we will be studying the Doctrines of Grace, also known as ‘Calvinism.’ Calvinism is the Biblical teaching that we are saved in a monergistic, God-centered way, i.e. God alone accomplishes the salvation of his elect, without any help from man. In contrast, ‘Arminianism’ is the understanding that man cooperates with God in salvation; its chief presupposition being a belief in the autonomous free will of man that Calvinism rejects. In the course of our study we will investigate the TULIP acronym that includes Total depravity, Unconditional election, Limited atonement, Irresistible grace, and Perseverance of the saints.
The book we will be using is entitled For Calvinism by Dr. Michael Horton. Here’s the Amazon link:
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.
VBS Leaders Meeting:
We are now starting to plan for Vacation Bible School 2017. This year, our theme is Upward Bound: Following Christ to the Summit! The first volunteers’ meeting is Monday, March 20th at 7:00 pm at the church. Please sign up using my Sign-up Genius page so that I will have a list of those wishing to be involved and you will be able to receive a reminder! This will be a time for us to go over our theme, areas of service and timeline for planning. It will be short & sweet!
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.
Snacks for RUF:
Christ Presbyterian has committed to providing snacks for the RUF at UAH Large Group meeting on 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 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, Sam Johnson, 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).