One of the most moving scenes from the earthly life of our Lord is recorded for us in John 13. This is that blessed portion of Holy Scripture that tells us how Jesus, on the night of His betrayal and arrest, washed the feet of the Disciples and instituted what we know as the Lord’s Supper. It was also then, during that final time with the Disciples before He died, that Jesus gave to them the “new commandment”:
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another”–John 13:34-35.
A bit later in John’s Gospel, Jesus says it again:
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another”–John 15:12-17.
These two passages certainty reveal to us the background for what we discover in 2 John 1:4-6. In his second little letter, the Apostle John all but repeats and then applies the previous word of His Lord:
“I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.”
Last Lord’s Day we began our exploration of this passage and we noted that the Christian life, according to John, is a “walk.” It is a way of consistently living, and one that is most distinct from the way others, who do not know our Lord, conduct their every-day lives. And there are two great points of distinction that the Apostle highlights here. First, contrary to how others live, the believer’s “walk” is “in the truth” (v. 4). And secondly, the believer’s “walk” is one of “love,” particularly for our fellow Christians (vv. 5-6). Of course, this begs two questions that we will begin to answer as we gather together this coming Lord’s Day: What is “the truth” in which we are to “walk”? And what is “love,” and how is this “love” related to the “commandment” (v. 5), and the “commandments” (v. 6)?
I can’t wait to see each of you as we come before our Father in worship!
All my love and prayers for you all in Christ our King,
Mike
Upcoming Events:
July 16, 6:30 PM — Prayer Dessert for Meg Wohleber July 17-20 – Vacation Bible School July 19 – Diaconate Meeting July 23 – Back packs for CARE Center due July 25 – Senior Fellows visit to Larry’s
Order of Worship:
You can access this week’s Order of Worship by clicking here
The songs for this week are:
Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me
Wonderful, Merciful Savior
More Love to Thee, O Christ
Why So Heavy
Connecting with the Catechism:
Q. 88. What are the outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption?
A. The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption are, his ordinances, especially the Word, sacraments, and prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for salvation.
Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 21:41, 42
Q. 89. How is the Word made effectual to salvation?
A. The Spirit of God maketh the reading, but especially the preaching of the Word, an effectual means of convincing and converting sinners, and of building them up in holiness and comfort, through faith, unto salvation.
Neh. 8:8-9; Acts 20:32; Rom. 10:14-17; II Tim. 3:15-17
Q. 90. How is the Word to be read and heard, that it may become effectual to salvation?
A. That the Word may become effectual to salvation, we must attend thereunto with diligence, preparation, and prayer; receive it with faith and love, lay it up in our hearts, and practice it in our lives.
Deut. 6:6ff; Ps. 119:18; I Pet. 2:1-2
Ps. 119:11; II Thess. 2:10; Heb. 4:2; Jas. 1:22-25
Announcements:
Sunday School IN RECESS: Sunday School is in recess for the summer. We will have a weekly time of fellowship beginning at 10 AM, with our regular worship beginning at 10:30 AM. Sunday school will resume in the Fall.
Vacation Bible School:
VBS is this week! All campers, parents, and church members are invited to hear our camp songs, see us recite our memory work, and eat together Thursday July 20 at 6 PM.
Dessert Fellowship Honoring Meghan Wohleber:
The women’s ministry would like to invite each of you to a dessert fellowship in honor of Meg Wohleber as we celebrate her upcoming wedding in August and wish her well as she leaves our church to join her husband at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Huntsville.
Back Packs for The CARE Center:
Our church is providing 20 packs for the CARE Center Care Pack Ministry for the upcoming school year. These packs provide school supplies for needy children in our area. Supply lists and bags for students will be available in the church foyer July 9thand July 16th. Filled bags can be returned to the church on July 23rd. By “adopting” a child you commit to purchasing a backpack and supplies.
If you choose to, you may also include encouraging notes and treats from your family to make this gift a little more personal. Get creative if you want to and have fun with it! Kids love surprises! The cost of the supplies per child ranges from $50-$100
More information on the mission/ministries of the Care Center is at: www.theCAREcenter.us
Senior Fellows: OnTuesday, July 25, the Senior Fellows will visit Larry’s Gun and Pawn Shop at 2405 Memorial Parkway SW for defensive training. We will arrive about 9 AM. Meet at the church at 8:15 if you want to carpool. Visitors are welcome Lunch will follow at about 11:30 at Jason’s Deli at 4800 Whitesburg Dr. Join us for lunch even if you can’t make it to Larry’s. For more information contact David O’Neil or Joe Sims.
Ladies Summer Scripture Read Along:
You are invited to participate with all ladies of Christ Presbyterian Church:
Summer Scripture Read-Along in Isaiah, Jeremiah, & Lamentations
HOW: Start in Isaiah on July 3. Read 3 chapters a day, Monday–Friday.
Take the weekend off to reflect, journal, or catch-up as needed.
Then, keep reading following the schedule below!
Read along with us, on your own time, no need to sign-up, just participate if you’re able.
We hope it will be a blessing to our ladies to be united in our devotion to God’s word through this read-along.
Here’s the breakdown: July 17-21 read Isaiah 31-45 July 24-28 read Isaiah 46-60 July 31-Aug 1 read Isaiah 61- the end.
Wednesday-August 2 Break
Aug 3-4 Jeremiah 1-6 Aug 7-11 Jeremiah 7-21 Aug 14-18 Jeremiah 22-36 Aug 21-25 Jeremiah 37-50
August 28 Jeremiah 51-the end.
Tuesday-August 28 Break Aug 30–31 read Lamentations 1-5
**Look for a chapter guide noted at the bottom of the church’s weekly emailed newsletter.
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 and Mitzi Cowley, Nolan Osmer, and Sondra Behmer. Expecting: Please pray for the Bryant family, expecting in December. Ministries: Please pray for the following missionaries and ministries: Seth and Jessica Lewis (Ireland); Steve and Rita Williams (New Zealand); RUF at UAH and Alabama A&M; Ken and Angie Burnett (FCA); Franky Garcia (seminary student).