Sermon Preview
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This coming Lord’s Day we will open the inspired Word of the Lord once again to the Book of Judges chapter 13, and to verses 2-7, and also verses 24-25. We will be considering the very beginning of the intriguing story of one of the more famous men of the Old Testament, the man named “Samson.”
Of course, Samson was the twelfth and final deliverer for the Covenant people during that lengthy and tragic time in Israelite history called the ‘period of the judges.’ That season, as summarized by the final verse of the Book, was an awful period of sin and depravity when “there was no king in Israel,” and when “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (21:25).
We will discover that by the time of Samson’s arrival on the scene, Israel has declined to its lowest point ever. There is little hope for her recovery. The nation appears to be all but dead, a reality dramatically underscored by the sad note that the unnamed wife of Manoah—like several other most significant women in the Old Testament history of redemption—“was barren and had no children” (v. 2). Yet, as bleak as the situation appears to be, there are grace-filled rays of hope flashing all around!
On Sunday we will consider the unique circumstances surrounding Samson’s miraculous birth, his naming, and the fact that he was immediately endowed with the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. I hope that between now and Sunday morning you will have some time to read all of chapter 13. And as you read, please pray for the preaching of the Word of the Lord, and that we will have our hearts attuned to the message of grace and salvation that we find here.
I love you all so very much!
Mike
Upcoming Events:
January 30, 6 PM – Women’s Evening Study
January 31, 9:30 AM – Women’s Morning Study
January 31, 8:30 AM – Senior Fellows Bags O’ Blessings packing at The CARE Center
February 1, 6 AM – Men’s Morning Study
February 1, 11:30 AM – Women’s Monthly Lunch
February 4, 3:30 PM – Alleluia Choir at Church House
February 4, 4:30 PM – Youth Group
February 9, 6 PM – Parents Night Out
February 11, 3 PM – Elliott Meet and Greet
February 21, 6 PM – Diaconate Meeting
February 22, 6 PM – Mom’s Coffee Night
February 24, 2 PM – Stafford Baby Shower
February 25, 2 PM – New Members Class
Order of Worship:
You can access this week’s Order of Worship by clicking here
The songs for this week are:
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty Hymn 53, vs 1,3-5
Come Ye Souls By Sin Afflicted
Sweet Comfort
How Deep
Announcements:
Youth Group: Youth Group meets again on February 4 at the church at 4:30 PM for all students in grades 6-12. Invite friends and neighbors!
Women’s Bible Studies: The Women’s weekly studies are ongoing. The Tuesday evening study is at 6 PM, while the Wednesday morning study is at 9:30 AM.
Men’s Bible Study: The Men’s Morning Bible Study is also back in action, meeting every other Thursday. The next meeting is February 1 at 6 AM.
Senior Fellows: On January 31 at 8:30 AM the Senior Fellows will support Bags of Blessings packing at The CARE Center.
Women’s Monthly Lunch: The next Women’s Monthly Lunch is February 1 at 11:30 AM.
Alleluia Choir: Alleluia Choir for students in Second through Sixth Grades will resume on Sunday, February 4th, meeting from 3:30-4:20 PM upstairs in the Church House. New choristers are always welcome.
Parents Night Out: There will be a Parents’ Night Out on February 9, 6:00-8:30. We will have a winter theme, with crafts, games, a movie and probably pizza. Please contact Faithann Gibson if you are interested in helping out. We hope we can give the parents at our Church a Valentine’s Day treat!Her email: faithanngibson@gmail.com
Elliott Meet and Greet: On Sunday February 11 from 3-5 PM there will be a Meet and Greet time to welcome our newest staff member Matthew Elliott and his wife Meghan. It will be held at the church. Please join us in welcoming them.
Stafford Baby Shower: There will be a baby shower to celebrate the arrival of Baby Stafford on February 24 at 2 PM at the church. Contact Fatihann Gibson to help.
New Members Class: The next New Members Class will be on February 25 from 2 to 6 PM at the church. Childcare will be provided, and there will be a meal immediately following. Attending the class does not obligate you to join the church, but those wishing to join must attend the class. Visitors will not receive this notice via email, so if you know of any visitors interested in church membership, please help make them aware of the upcoming class date.
Mom’s Coffee Night: Moms’ Coffee Night is a small fellowship for moms to gather and pray. Date is Thursday, 2/22, from 6:30 to 8:00. Contact Nikki Profozich if you want to be involved and plan to invite a mom-friend from your school or homeschool group to join us. We’d love to have guests so that we may pray for our children together!
Prayer Requests:
Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Bill Bower, Suzi Jones, Robin Holloway, Chris Smotherman, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, Nolan Osmer.
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).