Sermon Preview:
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
First . . . Some News
Before I introduce Sunday’s sermon, I want to tell you about what will happen this fall, after Labor Day.
During the summer, your Session has been meeting and praying about if and how we should conduct Sunday School and our other fall Bible teaching ministries in view of the COVID pandemic. We have arrived at the conclusion that we should go about our normal ministries as best we can.
This means that on Sunday September 13, Sunday School will resume for all ages. In addition, our Ladies Weekday Bible studies will also restart (look for upcoming announcements from Denise Scrip), as well as our Career Bible study (watch for announcements from Rev. Jim and Sharon Daughtry), and our Youth Bible studies (watch for announcements from Matthew Elliott and Ken Burnett as to dates and times).
The details regarding our Nursery, Church lunches and fellowships, and other ministries are still being worked out. But our hope is that we may get back to ‘normal’ as much as is possible.
Your Session is also very much aware that due to the continued risk of infection, some of our members may not yet be able to participate in these ministries in person. We understand this fully, and we would encourage anyone whose health is compromised, and those who do not feel safe attending, to stay away from crowds until things improve. We are so very appreciative of the faithful labors of Drew Thompson who is recording and editing our Sunday Worship Services for viewing on Monday mornings. . . thank you brother!!
There will also be an adjustment to our start time for Sunday School. We will begin at 9:30 AM and end at 10:15 AM. Worship will be as usual at 10:30 AM.
Thank you again for your patience, gracious spirit, and flexibility. And we are especially grateful to you for your faithful prayers for the Session! We feel loved and supported, and we rejoice in the privilege of serving you on behalf of our Lord and King!
Sunday’s Message
This coming Lord’s Day we will consider Colossians 2:13-15. Our subject will be ‘The Cross and Our Life of Victory.’ This is the ninth message in our current series, ‘The Church Under the Cross.’
In this passage, Paul will give us the assurance that our Lord has already conquered all of His enemies, and ours as well. And since this is true, we are all ‘walking in victory’ now.
However, this victory that we all now share in Christ is not exactly what we would expect it to be. In our daily experience, it often does not look nor feel very ‘victorious.’ So what are we to make of this? What is it to be a ‘victorious Christian.’ And how is all of this connected to our Savior’s cross?
I can’t wait to discover the answers to these questions as we come together under the Word this Sunday!
I love you all!!
Mike
Announcements:
COVID-19 Message:
For those of you who are attending worship in person on Sunday morning, please practice social distancing as much as you are able and observe the pew markers so that we may keep a safe, 6-ft between families. During this time, we will not have nursery or fellowship time with food and drink. If any family member has been sick, or you have a pre-existing condition, please consider staying home and joining us by watching the recorded service when it is sent out. The Session has asked all congregants, out of love for one another, to wear a mask throughout our worship service if you are able. We hope and pray that if you have any needs, you will let a staff member or deacon know so that we can serve you well during this trying time.
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.
Senior Fellows:
The Senior Fellows began a new weekly Bible study on Tuesday, July 21 from 9:00 to 10:00 AM. We use the Zoom virtual meeting application to study Building a Christian Conscience by R.C. Sproul, and the topic is The Razor’s Edge. Church members are welcome to join us. For further information, email us at seniorfellows@christpreshamptoncove.org.
Future topics include:
Aug. 25 – “The Question of Conscience”
Parenting Conference:
The Conference has been postponed. Stay tuned for details about when this will be rescheduled.
Ministry Updates:
Sunday School and regular weekly ministries and Bible studies will resume under curtailed social distance practices during the week of September 13. Check this space and the calendar for updated times.
Children’s Ministry:
A friend of mine is the director of the Lincoln Village Preschool Ministry. I asked about ways we could support them during the back to school weeks.
This is their wishlist from Amazon. If your family would like to donate one of the items on the list, please go ahead and purchase. They use some of these supplies to send home a “bible bag” during the first week of school with their new bibles.
https://smile.amazon.com/hz/
Thank you for supporting this important organization and these precious children. To learn more about Lincoln Village, click HERE.
Career/Singles:
The career/singles group will resume meeting on September 13th at 5:30 at the home of Jim and Sharon Daughtry, for a time of fellowship and spiritual encouragement. More details to follow.
Prayer Requests:
Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Rich Bagdazian, Zig and Virdia Jastrebski, Ramona Edwards, Bill Dent, Jacky Haynes, Steve Terry, John Baxter, Bill Cowley, Larrabee Kirkland, Elizabeth Holton, and Nolan Osmer.
Bereavement: Please pray for Michael Perry, whose mother died this week
Expecting: Please pray for 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