Sermon Preview
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
It has been said that in chapters 14 and 15 of Luke’s Gospel we discover the “unqualified offer of grace to sinners” as it is “set forth in all of its majesty” (Bailey, Through Peasant Eyes, 88). In these two chapters there are no less than five parables presented by Jesus, each displaying the wonder of redeeming grace:
The Parable of the Wedding Feast (14:7-1)
The Parable of the Great Banquet (14:12-24)
The Parable of the Lost Sheep (15:1-1-7)
The Parable of the Lost Coin (15:8-10)
The Parable of the Prodigal Son (15:11-32)
And even chapter 16 begins with yet another parable, that of the Dishonest Manager (16:1-13).
So here in Luke 14-15 we have a significant concentration of our Lord’s stories, each designed to tell us something about the Kingdom of Heaven, or the gracious rule of our King and Savior.
This coming Sunday, we are going to take a close look at ‘The Parable of the Great Banquet’ recorded in Luke 14:12-24. As you read it, you’ll immediately connect with it, as this parable illustrates the wonder of God’s grace by means of images we are all familiar with. I won’t spoil it now by revealing this connection, but when you read this story for yourself you’ll see exactly what I mean!
In verses 12-15 Luke sets the stage for the parable. Then in verses 16-24 he relates to us the story as told by Jesus. Be sure to carefully observe the fuller context of the parable (verses 1-14), and the comment by one of the Pharisees that actually sparked this parable (verse 15).
Pray for VBS
Next week is VBS week at CPC! Let me urge you all to pray most fervently for this special week in the life of our covenant children. Our little ones will be studying the story of Jonah, the reluctant prophet of God who got very familiar with the inside of a great fish!
While many skeptics doubt the details of this amazing book, our Lord Jesus Himself affirmed its complete truthfulness, and He linked its historicity and significance to His own bodily resurrection as seen in Matthew 12:38-40–
Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”
This makes the Book of Jonah one of the most important books of the Bible in terms of its connection to the life of our Savior!
Let’s commit to praying for Ashley Turnbull and all of our teachers and helpers who will be investing in the lives of our precious children this week!
Counselor’s Corner
If you haven’t already, be sure to check out the new Counselor’s Corner section of our website. This is a series of posts authored by Matthew Elliott (Church Counselor and Ruling Elder). Here, Matthew will address a series of issues and concerns related to the family, marriage, children, relationships, and spiritual and emotional health. Just click on the Announcements button and there you will find his latest post on ‘The Tech-Wise Family.’
I love you all so much!!
Mike
Upcoming Events:
July 13, 6 PM – Single Adults Fellowship at Daughtry Home
July 15 – July 18 – VBS at the Church
July 15, 6:30 PM – Senior Fellows attend Concert in the Park
July 17, 6 PM – Deacons Meeting
July 18, 6 PM – Family Dinner Night and VBS Celebration at Church
July 21, 2 PM – Davie Bridal Shower at Kim Fohrell’s house
July 30, 10 AM – Senior Fellows Bags of Blessings
July 30, 6 PM – Bags O’ Blessings packing at The CARE Center
August 11, 4:30 PM – Psummer Psalms recitation
August 12, 6 PM – Women’s Book Club Potluck at Debi Walker’s house
September 8, 9 AM – Sunday School resumes
September 20, 6 PM – Marriage Enrichment Evening and Dinner
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:
By Thy Mercy
What Wondrous Love Is This – Hymn 261 v.1-3
Sweet Comfort
Marvelous Grace of Our Loving Lord – Hymn 465 v.1-3
Announcements:
Summer Schedule: Christ Pres is on Summer Schedule, which means Sunday School and regular weekly activities are on hiatus. Our weekly time of fellowship begins at 10 AM, with worship beginning at 10:30 AM. Regular weekly activities resume September 3 and Sunday School resumes September 8.
Single Adults Fellowship: There will be a Single Adult Fellowship on Saturday July 13, at 6:00 PM at the home of Jim and Sharon Daughtry, 5726 Jones Valley Drive. This is for singles of all ages, including college students.
VBS: Summer Seaquest begins this Monday, July 15th. We have around 70 children registered. I encourage you to read through the book of Jonah and pray that our children’s eyes are opened to the gospel as displayed through Jonah’s story. We also invite everyone to our Family Night Dinner on Thursday, July 18th at 6 pm. Please RSVP if you’d like to join us to hear our songs and celebrate all that the Lord has done!
Bags of Blessings: Members, Our church will pack “Bags of Blessings” food bags at the Care Center, New Hope at 6 PM, Tuesday, 30 July. These food bags are given out by public school teachers on Fridays to children not receiving adequate food on weekends. We need about 25 church helpers to accomplish this important job. If you would like to help, sign up at the table in the narthex. The packing will take place in a warehouse on Main Street in New Hope, next to the City Hall (on right facing City Hall). Take New Hope exit off Hwy 431. This is Main street and it goes by City Hall. Please arrive before 6 PM. The job should take 1-1.5 hours to complete, and children can help. Thanks for your support.
Women’s Book Club Fellowship: Title of book is Even Better than Eden by Nancy Guthrie. Meets Monday nights starting June 10th from 630-8pm at 2 locations
Home of Sharon Daughtry 5726 Jones Valley Dr HSV 256-520 0824
Home of Debi Walker 8538 Sedgebrook SE 256 929-3214
Aug 12th wrap up potluck fellowship for both groups at home of Debi Walker
We will not meet the week of VBS July 15-18
Psummer Psalms: Everyone in the congregation is invited to memorize one entire Psalm this summer, then join us for a recitation at the church, followed by ice cream, Sunday, Aug 11, 4:30pm. “How sweet are your words to my taste…” Psalm 119:103 Recitation can be individual, or together in a group or family. We had a great group last year–young and old sharing God’s word out loud and with conviction. If interested, email darondrown@gmail.com for periodic encouragement and accountability.
Nursery: Baby nursery volunteers are needed for the summer semester. Please click HERE to sign up for 1-2 Sundays over the course of the summer. Our babies love our member volunteers!
Senior Fellows: .On Monday, July 15 at 6:30 PM the Senior Fellows will attend Concert in the Park to hear 60’s music in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Lunar Landing. Carpools will leave the church at 6:00 PM. Finally, on Tuesday, July 30 at 10:00 AM the Senior Fellows will meet at Sam’s Club on South Parkway to transport food to the Care Center in preparation for packing Bags of Blessings.
Huntsville Pregnancy Center Baby Shower: Join us for a special time of fellowship and a Baby Shower to benefit the Huntsville Pregnancy Resource Center (HPRC) on Saturday, August 3rd from 9:30-11:00 at the home of Laurie Bower. Stop by the Welcome desk in the Narthex to sign up to attend and to pick up a list of needed items for Huntsville’s newest citizens. There will be a brief presentation by a staff member from the center. Any questions? Contact Christina Bagdazian at 256.812.2442 or cbagdazian@yahoo.com with questions.
Bridal Shower for Maddie Davie :We are excited to honor Ms. Maddie Davie, daughter of Gerry and Renee Davie, with a bridal shower on Sunday, July 21st from 2-4pm at the home of Kim Fohrell (3113 Haddonstone Drive, Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763). Maddie and Matthew are registered at Bed, Bath and Beyond, MyRegistry.com, Amazon.
Prayer Requests:
Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: John Baxter, Pat Galecki, Jim Daughtry, Bill Cowley, Larrabee Kirkland, Chris Smotherman, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, and Nolan Osmer.
Expecting: Please pray for the Bryant family, expecting in September, and the Thoms, 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).
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