Sermon Preview

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Before introducing Sunday’s sermon, I just wanted to offer a quick word or two about the turmoil and unrest in our nation, state, and in our own city (and I hope to add more to this a bit later).

Our hearts are sincerely broken by all that has happened and is still transpiring before our eyes. It’s almost inconceivable that we would witness such an intersection of terrible events, each of which in its own right convulses and twists our souls in the most painful way imaginable.

For all of us who belong to the Savior it is a time for fervent prayer. It is a time for a vibrant faith in the all-conquering power and grace of God. It is a time for mourning and grieving, but not as those without hope. It is a time for humility as we recognize our own sins, our unworthiness before God, and our need for massive doses of His amazing grace. It is also a time for boldness in proclaiming the one Message that gives us life and peace, and reconciles man to God and men to men. It is a time to love, and to demonstrate this Divine Love by giving ourselves more fully to the King of Love, and then taking His compassion to the world that needs Him so desperately. And it is a time for truth, and for speaking His truth in the spirit of His sacrificial love.

The fact is, we are where the Church has always been. Our mission station is a world in flames, lost and dying, determined to bring about its own destruction, in need of a divine miracle, and full of people who need our Savior. Let us ask the Lord of the harvest to send forth His laborers, for the fields are ripe for reaping!

Sunday’s Sermon

This Lord’s Day we will consider another of the well-known verses from the Epistle to the Hebrews. Our text well be taken from Hebrews 4:12-13. It would be helpful to read the (surprising) background of this passage, which is Numbers 14:1-45, with particular attention given to the warning found in verse 33.

A Look Ahead

This Sunday’s message will be our final one from Hebrews until September. I will be away on vacation from June 13-27, and in my absence Rev. Jim Daughtry will be preaching for us on June 14 and June 21.

Then, beginning on June 28, I will be starting a series of ten sermons on the cross. The series is entitled, “ The Church Under the Cross,” which is respectfully borrowed from the title of the book by J. B. Phillips, the twentieth-century Anglican theologian and pastor.

I love you all so very much!!

Mike

Online Orders of Worship:

Below is are printable versions of this week’s Order of Worship and Children’s Bulletin

Order of Worship
Children’s Bulletin

Announcements:

COVID-19 Message:

Our weekly service of worship has resumed! Please observe the following guidelines. First, practice distancing as much as possible – no physical contact, and keep 6 feet between your family and other families. Sit in pews where marked. There will be no nursery or childcare, or any other food or beverages on church property. There will also be no communion or congregational singing. Masks are highly encouraged. There will be no Sunday School until September. Per the State Health Department, if you have been in contact with someone who been sick, if you feel sick yourself, or if you have any pre-existing health conditions, you should remain at home. We will continue to provide a recording of the worship service to allow for participation in worship at home.

Message from your Diaconate:

As we continue through this difficult time, if you have needs of any kind, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Diaconate. We’re eager to help you or to find someone who can. This is one of the main reasons the church has deacons, to make sure that congregational needs are being met. Please remember that your Diaconate and Session are praying for you, and we’re here to help however we can.

Psummer Psalms:

Announcing our 3rd year of Psummer Psalms! Everyone, young and old, is invited to memorize one entire Psalm this summer. Then join us for a recitation and light dinner at church on Sunday afternoon, Aug 16. Recitation can be individual, or together in a group or family. New this year: a trophy t-shirt for anyone who recites an entire Psalm from memory! If interested, email darondrown@gmail.com for periodic encouragement and accountability.

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:

The Senior Fellows weekly Bible study will continue on Tuesday, June 9 from 9:00 to 10:00 AM. We will use the Zoom virtual meeting application to study “Chosen By God” by R.C. Sproul. Church members are welcome to join us. For further information, email us at seniorfellows@christpreshamptoncove.org.

Future topics include:

June 16 – “Man’s Radical Fallenness”

June 23 – “Does God Create Unbelief?”

June 30 – “The Divine Initiative”

Children’s Ministry:

All, the Session and I have made the decision to cancel VBS 2020 this coming July. We are so sad to do this, but this is the precedent that has been set within our city and our denomination. Our theme of “Olympics” will be carried over to NEXT year when the actual Olympics have also been rescheduled. In place of VBS, watch for information on other fellowship opportunities in upcoming weeks!

Nursery Use – I have been asked if it is okay for parents to take their children into the nursery during the service if need be to alleviate any overcrowding in the cry room. That is not a problem, but please wipe down any surfaces that you encounter during your stay so that others may feel comfortable using it as well. There will be sanitizing wipes on the counters.

Women’s, Career/Singles, and Youth Ministries:

Ministry activities have been canceled pending the virus quarantine. Check this space for rescheduled events.

Men’s Studies:

The weekly Men’s study of John Calvin’s Institutes is meeting via Zoom, contact Daron Drown for details.

Prayer Requests:

Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Zig and Virdia Jastrebski, Ramona Edwards, Bill Dent, Jacky Haynes, Steve Terry, John Baxter, Bill Cowley, Larrabee Kirkland, Elizabeth Holton, and Nolan Osmer.
Expecting: Please pray for the Libertos, expecting in August, and 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