Sermon Preview
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This coming Lord’s Day, on the very last day of the year, we will be privileged to assemble ourselves together in worship and to open the Word of the Lord one final time in 2017. Our sermon will come from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 11, and verses 11-13.
With Advent having come (and now departed so quickly!), we have arrived at the last Sunday and final day of the year. And over the last several weeks, in anticipation of this very Lord’s Day, I have sought to discover a text of Holy Scripture that we might examine together as we conclude another year, and now look forward to the beginning of 2018. And in this search for an appropriate Biblical text and subject, I have been especially sensitive to the needs of my own heart. And, more specifically, to what I find myself in need of as we anticipate all that the Lord might bring into our lives in the 12 months that are before us. I have asked myself, what is the final thing I need to consider as we end 2017, and the first thing I need to focus upon and keep in view as we begin 2018?
In answering that question, I have been drawn to this compelling episode from the life of our Lord Jesus that we find recorded for us by Luke. In Luke 11 (and in Matthew’s parallel account in Matt. 7:7-11, although in a different setting), Jesus taught His disciples something that was most essential to their well-being as His followers, and as Christians living in the world and facing the many uncertainties that confronted them. And I believe that by the time we have considered these things that Jesus proclaimed, we will find ourselves in a much better place—in a better frame of mind and heart—to face with great hope whatever lies ahead for us in the new year.
To get the whole scene before you, take some time to read and reflect upon Luke 11:1-13 (and compare it to the similar episode in Matthew 7:7-11). And as you read and mediate upon these blessed words, think especially about the wonderful implications of knowing that we have a “heavenly Father” who always delights in giving us “good gifts” when we pray!
May our Lord bless you all most richly, and I can’t wait to see you on Sunday morning!
All my love,
Mike
PS: Don’t forget, there is no Sunday School this Sunday. There will be a Fellowship Time at 10:00 AM, followed by Worship at 10:30 AM. Sunday School resumes on January 7 at 9:15 AM.
Upcoming Events:
January 2, 6 PM – Women’s Evening Study
January 4, 11:30 AM – Women’s Lunch
January 7, 9:15 AM – Sunday School resumes
January 9, 9 AM – Senior Fellows Breakfast at Church House
January 10, 9:30 AM – Women’s Morning Study
Order of Worship:
You can access this week’s Order of Worship by clicking here
The songs for this week are:
And Can It Be (Hymn 455, vs. 1, 3-5)
What Wondrous Love is This (Hymn 261, all 3 verses)
Abide With Me
Before The Throne
Announcements:
Schedule Announcement: There will be no Sunday School on 12/31. Sunday School will resume for all ages on 1/7. For adults, the Spring Semester of Sunday School will be studying the Christian classic by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Its Cure. A link to this book is here if you’d like to secure your own copy and read along with us.
Women’s Bible Studies: The Women’s morning study will resume on January 10, while the evening study will resume on January 2.
Senior Fellows: On Tuesday, January 9 at 9:00 AM the Senior Fellows will have breakfast at the Church House. Come and join us for food, fellowship and a devotional. They will also support Bags of Blessings packing at The CARE Center on January 31.
Presbytery-wide Youth Retreat: “Roots” is the Providence Presbytery’s annual winter retreat. This retreat provides Gospel-centered teaching, worship, and fellowship for the youth in our presbytery. Make plans to join us the weekend of January 19-21, 2018 at Camp ToknowHim!! Note that registration is open until January 5. Click here for more details, including cost, agenda, and what to bring.
Prayer Requests:
Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Suzi Jones, Robin Holloway, Chris Smotherman, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, Nolan Osmer, and Joyce Bosley.
Expecting: Please pray for the the Townsley family, expecting in March, and the Staffords and Deans, expecting in April.
Ministries: Please pray for the following missionaries and ministries: Seth and Jessica Lewis (Ireland); Steve and Rita Williams (New Zealand); Vinnie and Molly Athey (RUF at UAH); RUF at Alabama A&M; Ken and Angie Burnett (FCA); Franky Garcia (seminary student).