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Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

While Carol and I are away for the next couple of weeks, it will be our joy to have Rev. Jim Daughtry preaching for us this coming Sunday and again on June 21. Jim will be preaching two messages from the Gospel of John. This Sunday’s sermon will come from John 4:31-42, and is entitled “Drawing From the Deep Well.”  Then on June 21, Jim will be preaching a sermon entitled “The Father and Son Working” from John 5:16-29.

As you become familiar with these passages, please pray fervently for Jim and for the preaching of the Word.

I will look forward to returning to the pulpit on Sunday June 28.  And on that day, the Lord willing, we will begin our summer preaching series on “The Church Under the Cross.” Our first message will be taken from Mark 8:34. Until then, we are so thankful for your prayers while we are away, and for the opportunity to rest that you so graciously provide for us.

Before I go, I want to remind you of something that I find so comforting at this difficult time in our lives and in our nation.

It goes without saying that there is much anxiety for many of us over all that is presently happening. We are experiencing fears that we have never had to face before.  Our faith in our Father’s power, sovereignty, and wisdom is being tested in many ways and by many forces that are hostile to our Savior and His kingdom. I share these same fears and anxieties, and often discover that my faith is weak.

When I find myself in the grip of such distresses and in need of our Lord’s comfort, I remember something that He said about faith. In Matthew 17:20 Jesus declared, “ For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

Many years ago, a wise and seasoned pastor explained to me that this verse teaches us that it’s not the amount, or the size, or the strength of our faith that matters.  It is only the object of our faith that counts. This is what Jesus meant when He spoke of the efficacy of even a microscopic fraction of faith, one as small as the mustard seed. If our faith, albeit miniscule and equally weak, is focused upon the Son of God, then that’s all that is needed. As we trust our Lord, even with a faltering faith, He moves in great power to accomplish His will, even to the point of moving mountains!

With this truth in mind, we can triumphantly face all of those things in our lives that make us fearful and anxious. For when we turn to Him, even in great fear and trepidation, He uses our faith to bring about good for His people and glory for His Father.  The truth is that there is absolutely nothing going on in our world that is outside of His sovereign control! Praise His Name!

So let us take our fears to Him, even when we sense that our faith is failing. He will uphold us and grant us His peace!  And let us then faithfully pray for our city, our state, our nation, and world.  And let us do so in the confidence that His eternal Kingdom will prevail, and that He will use our simple trust in Him as the means to accomplish even the impossible!

Carol and I love you all more with each passing day, and rejoice that we have the privilege of serving our Lord with you.  And even when I am away on vacation, I will be coming before our Father in prayer for each of you every day!

You are our joy in Christ,

Mike

PS: Our Monday Encouragement notes will resume on June 29, and my next Friday email will be posted on July 3.

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:

Children’s Ministry:

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