This coming Lord’s Day morning we will arrive at the last two verses of the Epistle of James. And in the rather abrupt style that we have come to expect from him, the brother of our Savior ends his letter with what is at once a rather ominous word, but also a note of comfort and hope. In 5:19-20 he says, “My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”
Here James suggests that it is possible for “anyone” within the fellowship of the Church to wander away from “the truth.” We have all experienced this to one degree or another; that slow drift away from the Word of God and the way of life demanded of those who belong to Jesus. The cause of such wandering is multifaceted. It may be due to neglect of the Christian disciplines of prayer, corporate worship, and the study of the Word. It may also be attributable to the experience of temptation, or various tribulations that deplete our strength and the resolve to fight the good fight of faith. Another cause of spiritual drifting is setting our affections on things of the world. We move away from Christ, His Word, and His body (the Church) when we are seduced by the siren calls and devilishly alluring beauty of this world. But whatever the cause, James informs us that such wandering is serious business. Spiritual life and death are in the balance (v. 20), and this means that there is no trivial drifting.
But the good news is that there is a way back, and we each have a part to play in the recovery of the wanderer. And added to this blessedly good news, there is a profound promise awaiting the one who returns to the truth through the pathway of contrition and faith.
Let’s all take time to read and prayerfully mediate upon these words, and then ask the Lord to speak powerfully to us this Sunday.
Before I go, let me tell you about this year’s celebration of Easter. Of course, Easter SundayisApril 16, but our celebration begins with Palm Sunday April 9, then continues with our Maundy ThursdayService April 13 at 6:00 PM, and our Good Friday Service April 14 at 6:00 PM. This year we will be tracing our Lord’s story from the cross to the empty through the lens of Mark’s gospel.
I love you all so dearly, and pray for you always,
Mike
Upcoming Events:
April 1, 2 PM – Baby Shower for Mary Katherine Whittemore at Carol Calvert’s house
April 2, 4:30 PM – Youth Group Meeting
April 4, 6 PM– Women’s Evening Bible Study
April 5, 9 AM – Women’s Morning Bible Study
April 5, 6 PM – Bags of Blessings Packing at The CARE Center
April 9, 4:45 PM – Men’s Bible Study
April 10 – Snacks for RUF
Connecting with the Catechism:
Q. 43. What is the preface to the ten commandments?
A. The preface to the ten commandments is in these words, “I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.”
Ex. 20:2; Deut. 5:6
Q. 44. What doth the preface to the ten commandments teach us?
A. The preface to the ten commandments teacheth us, that because God is the Lord, and our God, and Redeemer, therefore we are bound to keep all his commandments.
Luke 1:74-75; I Pet. 1:14-19
Q. 45. Which is the first commandment?
A. The first commandment is, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”
Ex. 20:3; Deut. 5:7
Announcements:
Graphics Help:
Ashley is in need of graphics help! She has two upcoming projects that require someone with creative genes AND use of technology. Both projects involve design and printing of children’s graphics. If you are interested in donating some time to help me with two small projects, please email her at children@christpreshamptoncove.org
Baby Shower for Mary Katherine Fohrell Whittemore:
Please see the Evite for the Christ Pres baby shower honoring Mary Katherine Fohrell Whittemore, daughter of Kim and Fred Fohrell. May we prayerfully celebrate the arrival of their baby grandson with a fellowship and time of gifts!
Jennifer Kent:
Please see the Evite for a special event honoring our sweet RUF intern, Jennifer Kent, as she prepares to leave Huntsville for her next assignment! Please be praying for Jennifer in her transition!
Parents’ Night Out:
The next Parents’ Night Out will be on May 5th at the church. The theme is Wanted: Children After God’s Own Heart. Please contact Meg Wohleber if you would like to sign up your children or if you would like to volunteer to help.
Church Picnic:
Mark your calendars, there will be a church-wide picnic at the Monte Sano Lodge on the afternoon of May 7th. Details forthcoming.
Men’s Bible Study:
Be sure to put the following date on your calendars: 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.
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, Ned Nuwayhid, Zig Jastrebski, Leon Galecki, and Sondra Behmer. Bereavement: Please pray for Shelly Lancaster, whose father Jimmy Whitehead died this week. 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).