Sermon Preview
Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
My prayer for each of you as you read these words is that, even today, you would know the joy of our Savior and the peace that His love and power provides for us.
We had certainly hoped that by now we would be able to meet together for worship. But, as you know, given the orders of our Governor and State Health Officials, it has been necessary to cancel all worship services and meetings of the Church body until further notice.
While we are disappointed, we are not in despair! For we know that all of this is in the mighty hands of the One who loves us, and is always working in the events of our lives for His glory and our good.
Every living thing (and all inanimate matter as well!) is under His sovereign command. And this goes for microbes, bacteria, and viruses! While there is, indeed, so much we do not really know about the pandemic that presently threatens us, and has successfully disrupted our lives so thoroughly, we do know that all of this is serving His greater purposes for the exaltation of our Lord, the blessing and purification of His people, and the progress of the Gospel!
Last night, in my bedtime reading, I discovered these fitting lines from Dr. John Piper regarding the weekly gathering of God’s people for worship:
“It is a beautifully fitting thing that Christian people gather for corporate worship every week. When they do, they give united expression to the truth-rooted knowledge of the triune God and their treasure-rooted affections for all God is for them in Jesus. They have seen with the eyes of their hearts (Eph. 1:18) the supreme beauty of God and his ways. And they have come to cherish the supreme worth of this treasure (Matt. 13:44; Phil. 3:8). And when they have completed their corporate exaltation of the glories of God, they continue the worship in a thousand daily tasks where the supreme worth of Christ governs their lives. This is what it means to be a Christian” ( Expository Exultation: Christian Preaching as Worship, p. 100. Emphasis added).
In His providence, our Father has not permitted us to assemble before Him together as the Body of Christ. We accept this as His good and perfect will, just as we do all of the events that transpire around us. But I believe that Dr. Piper has sounded a vital note for our current situation.
We have been reduced to “a thousand daily tasks,” conducted mostly in our homes as we seek to love one another and our neighbor by observing the quarantine. But even in this, we worship! Even in these days, now characterized by inconvenience, disruption, uncertainty, and fear, we seek to allow “the supreme worth of Christ” to control and to govern our lives at every point. To “be a Christian,” and to think like one, means that we view all of life, in any circumstance, as the proper and appropriate arena of our praise, adoration, exaltation, and our humble worship of the One who reigns on high!
For a season, we cannot meet together. But we are never, ever, hindered from worship or praise!
Sunday’s Message
On Saturday morning, we will once again be recording our sermon so that you may view it (along with the worship guide) on Sunday at your convenience. This week’s message will come from Hebrews 2:17-18, and our topic will be, “ Christ: A Better High Priest.”
Holy Week Observance
Then, next week, our Holy Week emphasis will continue with our observance of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. We will provide a worship guide for home use on each of these days as we move toward our celebration of Resurrection Sunday.
Information Regarding Tithes and Offerings
We want to thank you for your faithful giving during this most unusual season in the life of our Church. You may continue to mail your offerings directly to the Church, using the address listed on our website. Also, we wanted to let you know that our Deacons have been working to set up a way to give on-line. When this is up and running we will let you know.
I love you all, miss you terribly, and pray for you constantly!!
Mike
Order of Worship:
This week’s order of worship will be posted on Sunday morning along with a sermon video for use as you worship at home.
Announcements:
Meals for Brackins:
We praise the Lord for the safe arrival of William Quinn Brackin, born today to Kevin and Leanne. Both Mom and baby are well. While we as a church body usually love to provide homemade meals dropped off personally so we can meet William and hug the family, we thought it would be best to provide love and blessings by sending food gift cards. Publix, Walmart, or take out restaurants in the Hampton Cove Area would be great! We are praying that we will be together in worship and loving on this new family member soon! Please contact Erica McNeese if you have any questions. The link is below:
https://www.TakeThemAMeal.com/
Resources for Further Study:
Pastor Mike has posted a list of books on a variety of theological topics that you might find useful. Check out the list by clicking here. You can also find this list from the About Us menu on the web site home page.
Senior Fellows:
Senior Fellows activities have been canceled pending the virus quarantine. Check this space for rescheduled events.
Women’s Ministry:
Women’s Ministry activities have been canceled pending the virus quarantine. Check this space for rescheduled events.
Children’s Ministry:
We are testing out something new this week – a children’s bulletin for sermon notes! You may print this out for your children to use with Sunday’s sermon, and we hope to incorporate this into the regular bulletin when we are meeting together again.
Sermon notes for April 5, 2020
Sunday School Lessons: HERE is the next lesson for your elementary children from our Sunday School curriculum. Great Commission is putting that out for us for free right now, and I pray you will use it with your children. It includes a video lesson, coloring page and graphic.
Easter Resources: Click HERE to see a list of wonderful books and activities to included in your Holy Week celebration.
I also shared some additional things in the Children’s Ministry Facebook group (email me to be invited to our closed group).
Men’s Studies:
Men’s activities have been canceled pending the virus quarantine. Check this space for rescheduled events.
Career/Singles:
These activities have been canceled pending the virus quarantine. Check this space for rescheduled events.
Youth Group:
Youth Bible Study for Middle and High School has been canceled pending the virus quarantine. Check this space for rescheduled events.
Second Sunday Lunches:
Second Sunday Lunches are suspended until the virus outbreak is contained.
Flower Guild:
Have you noticed the beautiful flowers in the narthex and sanctuary? The Flower Guild places the flowers weekly. If you would like to assist in that ministry, please contact Donna Henry or Virdia Jastrebski.
Prayer Requests:
Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Lynn Doughty, Ramona Edwards, Pat Galecki, Bill Dent, Jacky Haynes, Steve Terry, John Baxter, Bill Cowley, Larrabee Kirkland, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, and Nolan Osmer.
Expecting: Please pray for the Elliotts, expecting in May; the Libertos, expecting in August; the Elys, expecting in September.
Ministries: Please pray for the following missionaries and ministries: Seth and Jessica Lewis (Ireland); Steve and Rita Williams (New Zealand); Noah and Karleigh Stephens (Thailand); Vinnie and Molly Athey (RUF at UAH); RUF at Alabama A&M; Ken and Angie Burnett (FCA); Franky and Alaina Garcia (church plant in Canada); Dieter Paulson (church plant in Scottsboro, AL); The Huntsville Pregnancy Resource Center.
Online Donations:
If you would like to give to Christ Presbyterian, you can do so at the following link:
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