Sermon Preview
Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
As we continue our studies through the Epistle to the Colossians, we have arrived at a major feature of Paul’s Prison letters. Some have called it his ‘sin list,’ or ‘list of vices,’ that we find in Colossians 3:5-9 and Ephesians 5:3-11. In these passages, the Apostle lays out the sins that once characterized believers before they encountered the life-transforming grace and power of God in the Lord Jesus Christ. These verses, in all their awful bluntness, show us what we once were, what we once were enslaved by, and the terrible trajectory of our lives apart from God’s mercy. It is precisely these ‘sin lists’ that form the dark background upon which our new life in Christ shines with heavenly brilliance. In both passages, Paul makes it abundantly clear that these sins attract the holy wrath of God, and are not to be a part of our new existence as disciples of our Lord.
However, our transformation from what we were to what we shall finally be in Christ is not yet complete. We do face temptations that travel along these sinful pathways and involve our bodies as well as our souls. We are in the process of being sanctified by the Spirit of God. But in this long process, which fully depends upon divine grace and power, we do have duties and responsibilities. In Colossians 3, these duties are two-fold: There are sins to “put to death,” or to “put off” (3:5-9). And there are virtues to “put on” (3:12-17).
On Sunday, we will consider what must be “put off” as we examine Colossians 3:5-9. And we will also try to understand what putting these sins away really means and involves. We will consider how we “put them to death,” and how we get rid of them so that the new life we have been granted in our Savior may be seen.
Let’s pray for the Lord to open our eyes and our hearts to His Truth, and for His Spirit to bless us as we come together to worship our Great Lord and King!
Church-Wide Fellowship Lunch After Worship This Sunday
Don’t forget that immediately after our service of worship we will have a fellowship lunch for all of our members and guests! I hope you will plan to join us!
I love you all so very much!!
Mike
Upcoming Events:
September 16, 12 PM – Second Sunday Fellowship Lunch
September 16, 4 PM – Alleluia Choir at Church House
September 16, 4:30 PM – Youth Group at Church
September 18, 9 AM – Senior Fellows visit Larry’s Gun and Pawn
September 18, 9 AM – Mother’s Morning Bible Study at Church
September 18, 6 PM – Women’s Evening Bible Study at Church
September 19, 10 AM – Women’s Morning Bible Study at Church
September 19, 6:30 PM – Parenting Small Groups
September 19, 6 PM – Diaconate Meeting
September 20, 6 AM – Men’s Bible Study at Church
September 21, 6 PM – Women’s Ministry Fall Conference Day One
September 22, 9 AM – Women’s Ministry Fall Conference Day Two
September 23, 2:30 PM – Men’s Bible Study at Church
September 23, 5 PM – Nursery Families Fellowship at Church House
October 4, 11:30 AM – Women’s Ministry Potluck Lunch and Timbers Edge Clubhouse
October 21, 2 PM – Ely Baby Shower at Walker Home
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:
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (hymn 92, all 4 verses)
Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah
How Deep the Father’s Love For Us
All Things New
Announcements:
Schedule: Our regular schedule has resumed. We have Sunday School for all ages at 9:15 AM, and studies throughout the week. All members are encouraged to participate.
Alleluia Choir: Music activities for Second through Sixth graders continues Sunday from 4:00 – 4:45 pm in the Music Room of the Church House.
Youth Group: We will meet again on Sunday, September 16th at the Church Fellowship Hall. The times will be from 4:30-6:30 pm and this will be for students ages 13-18 years of age. We ask that those who attend be at least 13 years of age due to the content of some of the discussions and the wide age range in the group.
Also of interest to the youth, the second annual Presbytery-wide youth picnic will be held at Monte Sano State Park on Saturday November 3. Details will be forthcoming. This event will be for all middle and upper schoolers, with youth from all of our Presbytery’s churches planning to attend.
Senior Fellows: On Tuesday, September 18, the Senior Fellows will visit Larry’s Gun and Pawn 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. For more information contact David O’Neil or Joe Sims.
Second Sunday Fellowship Lunch:
Starting Sept. 16th: Christ Pres. Second Sunday Fellowship Lunches
**because of the new member class on Sept. 9, meals begin on Sept. 16 (subsequent dates are the second Sunday of the month unless noted otherwise)
When: Immediately after worship ends, please join us for lunch!
Where: In and around the fellowship hall
Who: Everyone is invited to attend! A suggested donation of $5.00 per person/$20 max per family to help offset cost of food. Children under 5 and visitors eat free.
What: September menu: Loaded Baked Potato Bar/Drinks/Dessert
Please make plans to join us September 16th!
If interested in helping please contact: Denise & Jeff Brown niniandjb@gmail.com or 256-698-0475 call or text
Nursery Families Fellowship: A fellowship for current or soon to be infant and toddler nursery families is planned for September 23rd from 4 pm to 6 pm at the church house. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be provided. Please click here to sign up to bring other food. Weather permitting, activities will include sprinklers and kiddie pools so children should be prepared to get wet. For more information see Norman or Amanda Dean, ndeaniv@gmail.com.
Men’s Fall Bible Study: The Fall Men’s Study will meet Sunday September 23rd and 30th and October 7th at 2:30 PM at the church. There will be a fourth meeting which will be announced at a later date. As a reminder, the study topic is “A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions” using Gregory Koukl’s book Tactics. This book is thought provoking and practical. As I Please see Mark Cooper if you have any questions.
Ely Baby Shower: Save the date, Megan Ely’s baby shower is set for October 21 from 2:00-4:00 at Debi Walker’s house. See Amanda Dean if you’d like to help.
Prayer Requests:
Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Stewart King, Andy Trent, Debbie Hill, Suzanne Nimon, Robin Holloway, Chris Smotherman, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, and Nolan Osmer.
Bereavement: Please be in prayer for Bill Cowley, whose sister Joyce died this week.
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@christpreshamptoncove.org
benevolence needs: benevolence@christpreshamptoncove.org
counsel and ministry needs: matthew@christpreshamptoncove.org
men’s ministry: men@christpreshamptoncove.org
women’s ministry: women@christpreshamptoncove.org
children’s ministry: children@christpreshamptoncove.org
youth ministry: youth@christpreshamptoncove.org
senior fellows: seniorfellows@christpreshamptoncove.org
Address:
288 Old Highway 431
Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763