Sermon Preview
Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
This coming Sunday we will continue our studies in the Epistle to the Colossians, and our text will be Colossians 1:28-2:5. As we probe these verses together, we will consider some very important questions related to the life of the Church that this passage prompts us to reflect upon:
First: What is a pastor to do?
Second: What is the main goal of a local Church like ours?
Third: How do we know when we have reached our goal as a body of Christ?
Fourth: Is Christ enough for us? Or is there something or someone else that we need in order to make our lives complete?
While to us these may appear to be simple questions with obvious answers, the truth is that even within conservative Protestantism, there are some divergent answers given to these fundamental questions related to the Christian faith and Church. For example, some have argued that the pastor of a local Church is to function in much the same way as the head of a business or corporation. And some are now promoting the idea that the Church exists to transform our culture, and to ensure the well-being and ‘flourishing’ of the city. And, as you know, others measure the success of the Church’s mission numerically—by how many members or attenders there are. And then, some have suggested that there is more to the Christian life than conversion and a life of sanctification, followed by the promise of our future glorification. A ‘second blessing’ or experience is needed, or even a more rigorous adherence to certain laws or unwritten expectations. So this is certainly not a tempest in a teapot! These are bigquestions, and getting the right answers is essential.
So please study this passage and pray that the Spirit of the Living God would illuminate His Truth to us this Lord’s Day.
I love you all, and pray for you constantly,
Mike
Upcoming Events:
August 5, 2 PM – Kristy Hill Wedding Shower
August 7, 9:00 AM – Senior Fellows Breakfast
August 12, 4:30 PM – Psummer Psalms recitation at the church
August 15, 6 PM – Diaconate Meeting
August 28, 10:00 AM – Senior Fellows at the North Alabama Railroad Museum
Order of Worship:
You can access this week’s Order of Worship by clicking here
If you’d like to sing the songs with your family beforehand, the songs for this week are:
All Creatures of Our God and King – Hymn 115 v.1,2,5
O Love That Will Not Let Me Go
Holy, Holy, Holy – Hymn 100 v.1-4
Joyful, Joyful
Announcements:
Summer Schedule: Christ Presbyterian is on Summer Schedule. There will be no Sunday School, and regularly scheduled bible studies for men, women, and youth are on hiatus. Fellowship will be each Sunday at 10 AM, with worship beginning at 10:30 AM. Check this space for information regarding when the normal schedule will resume, including dates and times for specific studies and activities.
Children’s Ministry: Moving into August, we are excited to kick-off another semester of programming. How blessed we are to have programs for all ages to disciple and train our young people with solid teaching and fellowship. Many good things are in the works for this upcoming year for both adults and children’s classes! Watch for more info on that to come.
1. We are now registering the kids for Sunday School which begins September 9th. If you have an infant to 12th grader, please fill out the form for each of your children so that I can begin working on class breakouts, room assignments and materials.
***Additionally, I am still working out details for teachers. If you are interested, please make a note on the form for being involved as a teacher or co-teacher or “sub” and for what class/age range. Thanks!
2. Dr. Carol Bart is starting to make plans for fall Alleluia Choir. We had such a great year last year, and I am thrilled she’ll be directing again this year. Please email her if you’d like to sign your child up. This is for ages 2nd grade to 5th grade, meeting Sunday afternoons from 4:00-4:45 pm in the Music Room of the Church House. Please email her with questions: acbarts@hotmail.com
Prayers for the new school year
I am away this week for some family time, but I am already praying for all of your children as they transition back to the school year. One of my favorite passages to pray for my own kids as they begin a new year is Colossians 1:9-10, that they “may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”
Women’s Monthly Lunch: The next Women’s Monthly Lunch is August 2 at 11:30 AM.
Baby Nursery Volunteers: Moms of babies/toddlers, please sign up to work in our baby nursery at least once this summer. I also encourage all ladies of the church to sign-up. Please consider serving our families in this way! We need help July 29, and August 26. Click HERE to sign up.
Senior Fellows: On Tuesday, August 7 at 9:00 AM the Senior Fellows will enjoy breakfast, fellowship and a devotional at the Church House. Guests are welcome. Also on Tuesday, August 28 at 10:00 AM the Senior Fellows will visit the North Alabama Railroad Museum at 694 Chase Rd. N.E, Huntsville. To carpool, meet at the Church at 9:30 AM. The Fellows will go to lunch afterwards.
Member Services Survey: Annually we issue a list of church members who offer skills or services to other members. These may be professional services or just shared skills. This list is sent only to members by email and is not posted on any web site. Of particular interest may be services offered by our youth. Attached is last year’s list dated March 2017. If you would like to add an entry to this list or modify/delete your prior entry, please send your information in the format shown to Jack Loose, jackdloose@gmail.com, by August 1, 2018. If you have any questions, please contact Jack Loose by email or 256-881-8953.
Wedding Shower for Kristy Hill: Please join us August 5th at 2:00pm at the home of Jennifer Martin for a bridal shower to honor and celebrate Kristy Hill. See the link below for details and to RSVP.
http://evite.me/9DGzS6J1fj
Prayer Requests:
Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Debbie Hill, Suzanne Nimon, Robin Holloway, Chris Smotherman, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, and Nolan Osmer.
Expecting: Please pray for the Elliott family, expecting in September, and the Ely family, expecting in November.
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).
Emails:
general inquiries: admin@
benevolence needs and prayer: deacons@
men’s ministry: men@
women’s ministry: women@
children’s ministry: children@
youth ministry: youth@
senior fellows: seniorfellows@
Address:
288 Old Highway 431
Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763