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Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
If we were to consider how the grace of God finds its most powerful expression in the lives of the redeemed, what would come into your mind first? We might be tempted to think of something spectacular, perhaps on the order of an Old or New Testament miracle. I think of Daniel’s three friends whose vibrant faith in the Lord protected them, even in Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery furnace. Or you may be reflecting upon the Spirit-empowered courage of Peter and the other Apostles who courageously preached the Gospel in the city of Jerusalem, though they had been arrested for it, beaten, and warned never to do it again.
In Colossians 4:5-6 Paul addresses this very issue. But the way he speaks of the evidence of the Spirit’s work in our lives is very much pedestrian, to say it nicely! According to the imprisoned Apostle, the transforming power of the Gospel is made beautifully evident by our daily ‘walking and talking.’ Now, to be sure, this is not the stuff movies are made of. And no one would ever be moved to write a book about it! But here it is, in black letters–the proof that we have been radically changed by Christ. Note what he says here:
“walk in wisdom” (v. 5)
“Let your speech always be gracious” (v. 6)
Actually, the spectacular things, while much more impressive, are easier to pull off! What’s really hard, and takes nothing less than the resurrection power of the Spirit, is a daily, consistent, and faithful “walk” under the reign of Christ that evidences itself even in our “speech”! And ‘walking and talking’ this way in full view of “outsiders,” or the unsaved, and often in hostile environments!
This coming Sunday we will open the inspired Word of God and learn about ‘walking and talking,’ and how, even in these mundane things, the world-changing power of the message of salvation is made known.
Clock Adjustment This Saturday Night
I’m so very sorry to have to break the news to you that this coming Saturday night is that dreaded day of the year when we must move our clocks forward one hour to accommodate the start of Daylight Savings Time. Be sure to make this painful adjustment before you head to bed Saturday night!
And also, please note that Our Second Sunday Fellowship Lunch will be next Sunday, March 17 (not this week).
You are all deeply loved and always prayer for!
Mike
Upcoming Events:
March 9, 2 PM – Bridal Shower for Gibson Family
March 10, 2 PM – New Members Class
March 12, 9 AM – Mother’s Morning Bible Study
March 12, 10 AM – Senior Fellows Bags of Blessings
March 12, 6 PM – Women’s Evening Bible Study at the Church
March 13, 10 AM – Women’s Morning Bible Study at the Church
March 19, 10 AM – Senior Fellows visit Huntsville Museum of Art
March 20, 6 PM – Deacons Meeting
March 29-30 – Men’s Retreat at Guntersville State Park
March 31, 4:30 PM – Youth Group
April 4, 11:30 AM – Women’s Monthly Lunch at Timbers Edge Clubhouse
April 26, 6 PM – Parents Night Out
April 28, 4 PM – Church Picnic at Monte Sano State Park
May 19, 5 PM – End of School Cookout at Church House
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:
To God Be The Glory – Hymn 55 v.1-3
Let Us Praise God Together – Hymn 659 v.1-3
Take Time To Be Holy – Hymn 537 v.1-4
Take My Life and Let It Be – Hymn 585 v.1-3,6
Announcements:
Church Picnic: Save the date, there will be a church picnic at Monte Sano State Park on April 28. More details coming soon.
HPRC: Our church is partnering with the Huntsville Pregnancy Resource Center (HPRC). If you would like more information on how you can help please contact Norman Dean ndeaniv@gmail.com.
Senior Fellows: On Tuesday, March 12 at 10:00 AM the Senior Fellows will meet at Sam’s Club on South Parkway to transport food to the CARE Center. On Tuesday, March 19 at 10:00 AM the Senior Fellows will visit the Huntsville Museum of Art for a one hour docent led tour through the Our Shared Heritage and Jared Small exhibits. The group will have lunch at Pane e Vino afterwards. Admission is $8 per person. Wives and guests are welcome.
Youth Group: Youth Group for ages 13-18 meets March 31 at the church at 4:30 PM.
Bridal Shower: The women of the church are invited to a bridal shower Faithann Gibson is throwing for her brother’s fiance at the church on March 9 at 2 PM. The evite to sign up is here.
Men’s Spring Retreat: I am enthusiastic to share the plans for our Spring Men’s Retreat at Guntersville State Park Lodge. Mike will be leading four sessions on the theme: Counsel and Encouragement from the Apostle Peter. Session One- (1 Peter 1:1-2) “Living With Purpose”, Session Two- (1 Peter 1:3-5) “Living With Hope”, Session Three- (1 Peter 1:6-9) “Living With Joy” and Session Four- (1 Peter 1:13-16) “Living With Purity”. Logistics for the retreat are outlined below.
When: Friday night and Saturday morning, March 29-30.
Lodging and food plan: The cost per man is $75 which includes logging for Friday night (double occupancy), supper Friday night and breakfast Saturday morning. We will have a signup sheet for attendance and roommate name this Sunday and for the next three Sundays; or you can email Mark Cooper at cooperma777@gmail.com. Please pay by check made out to Christ Presbyterian Church noting Men’s Retreat on the memo line – deposit checks in the offering boxes by March 24.
This retreat is a great opportunity to have fellowship as brothers and be uplifted by God’s word.
Our preliminary outline for the event is as follows:
Friday Night
Arrive and Check In: 4:00 to 6:00 PM
Dinner: 6:00 – 6:45 PM
Music: 7:00 – 7:15 PM
Session 1: 7:15 – 8:00 PM
Session 2: 8:15 – 9:30 PM
Saturday Morning
Checkout before 11:00 AM
Breakfast: 8:00 – 8:45 AM
Music: 9:00 – 9:15 AM
Session 3: 9:15 – 10:15 AM
Fellowship and Check-out: 10:15 – 10:45 AM
Session 4: 10:45 – Noon
There is planning underway for a golf outing by Ben Calvert. Other possible activities, such as hiking, are being considered.
If you have questions please contact Mark Cooper.
Food Help for RUF UAH: We have the opportunity to help RUF UAH (college ministry) provide snacks for their large group sessions on Monday evenings. We are taking on two Mondays remaining in this semester. Please consider helping! The dates are March 25 and April 15 but the food items need to be brought to the church the Sunday prior to those dates (March 24 April 14). Someone will be in the kitchen area to assist the collection. Judi Fikes will be in the narthex area for the next few Sundays to sign you up so we know what we have. Items will be finger foods and can be homemade or bought… Cookies, mini brownies, chips, pretzels, cheese cubes, etc. They usually have around 100 students and leaders! Look for Judi and the RUF logo this Sunday! If you can’t be there you may email: judifikes@gmail.com
Prayer Requests:
Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Andy Trent, Bill Cowley, Larrabee Kirkland, Cynthia Dent, Katie Dyer, Robin Holloway, Chris Smotherman, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, and Nolan Osmer.
Expecting: Please pray for the Bryant family, expecting in September.
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