Sermon Preview:
Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
If you took just a moment to read Hebrews 5:1-6, you might be tempted to think, ‘Here we go again!’
What you find in these verses is yet another treatment of the grand theme of our Lord’s superior priesthood. As you know this is a subject that the author of the Epistle has been addressing since 2:17 where, for the first time, he speaks of Jesus as a “ high priest.” And then, as we have recently seen, this subject is explored in detail in 4:14-16 with the chapter concluding with the summons to “ draw near with confidence to the throne of grace.”
Chapter 5 seems to start all over again with an emphasis upon the priestly ministry of Jesus on our behalf. And this subject matter will be on the ‘front burner’ all the way through 10:25! And if I have counted correctly, there are no less than 39 reference to priests and the priesthood found in the thirteen chapters of this letter!
So why is this the case? Why the repetition of this theme? Why all of the exhaustive details about the work of the Old Testament priests? After all, isn’t this a New Covenant book, and isn’t the author addressing Christians? And maybe the bigger question on your mind is, ‘Do we really need to hear more sermons about the priesthood, the offerings and sacrifices, and such?’
If that last question is on your mind, let me encourage you not to feel too guilty about it. While you’re asking that one, I’m asking if I really need to preach all of this yet again!
Well, despite our questions about this re-emphasis and repetition, we must remember (and believe!) that all of this about the priesthood is found here because, like the first readers of this Epistle, we need it! There are treasures here that will enrich our lives as flowers of Jesus. There is help here. There is profound encouragement here. There is exactly what we all need and must have today, yet to be discovered in these inspired words!
So, here we go again. But I can assure you that our journey through this key section of the letter will be anything but boring!
I love you with all my heart!
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. Masks are not required if you are maintaining social distance, but are welcome. 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.
Church Work Day:
We will have Church Work Day 8 AM – Noon, Saturday, October 24. The purpose is to perform needed landscaping and cleaning at the Church and Church House. While doing this, we will have a great time of fellowship. We need the help of about 30 adults and teens to help with this job. We also need tools.
Please sign up in the narthex to help and bring needed tools or send sign up email to Joe Sims at: vegeman1966@gmail.com
We will maintain social distancing and provide sanitary snacks (packaged and bottled water).
If the weather is bad, our backup Work Day will be Saturday, November 7.
Men’s Ministry:
Men’s book study of Calvin’s Institutes meets weekly on Tuesdays at 6:00-7:15 AM at Blue Plate on Governors Dr. All men are welcome to join us in building friendships as we discuss our lives in Christ at a practical level. If interested, please contact darondrown@gmail.com
Senior Fellows:
On Tuesday, October 20, the Senior Fellows will visit Larry’s Gun and Pawn at 2405 Memorial Parkway SW for defensive training. Plan to arrive by 9 AM. Meet at the church at 8:00 if you want to carpool. Visitors are welcome. Lunch will follow at about 11:30. For more information call David O’Neil.
The Zoom Bible study will resume on the following Tuesday, October 27.
Women’s Ministry:
Therefore, here is the Current information regarding our Bible Studies this Fall. The three studies will be listed below.
Tuesday Morning Study facilitated by Amy Schnorrenberg
Time: 9:30 am
Place: Christ Pres
Topic: Marriage
Speaker: Video series by Paul Tripp
Childcare: Will be provided and currently in the planning stages
Contact person: Amy Schnorrenberg
Wednesday Morning Bible Study
Time: 10am -1130am
Place: Christ Pres Fellowship Hall
Topic: Pilgrim’s Progress (Penguin Classics )
( book can order through Amazon.com for $10.79 )
Speaker: Video series by Derek Thomas (Ligonier Ministry)
Contact person: Mary Lee McKee
Wednesday Night Bible Study
Time: 6pm – 730pm
Place: Christ Pres Fellowship Hall
Topic: Pilgrim’s Progress (Penguin Classics)
( book can be ordered through Amazon.com for $10.79 )
Speaker: Video series by Derek Thomas (Ligonier Ministry)
Contact person: Denise Scrip
For the two Wednesday Women’s studies I am in the process of learning how to incorporate a Zoom Meeting process for those who don’t feel comfortable meeting in person but still want to participate. I will let you know if and when it becomes available.
Children’s Ministry:
Please help our young families by volunteering to serve in the toddler nursery on Sunday mornings from 10:15 to 11:30. We welcome any adult and teen over 12 (with an adult). We need lots of help! You may sign up HERE.
Remember, our baby nursery will remain closed through December.
Youth:
Youth Group meets again on Sunday, October 25 at 4:30 at the Church house.
Church Work Day: We have been coordinating with Joe Sims regarding the church work day, which will be on Saturday, October 24th. We would love to see youth and their dads come on out and help! There is a good bit of work to be done in the upkeep of our church grounds. Please consider making this a service opportunity for you and your kids! Further information to follow regarding times and sign ups.
Youth Fellowship: All youth are invited to a fellowship Sunday evening, November 1st, hosted at the Drown’s house. We will have food as well as serve our church body by boxing up care packages for our college students. For questions, please contact Matthew Elliott at matthew@christpreshamptoncove.org.
College Care Packages: Consider serving our CPC college students by donating items to be packaged and mailed at the beginning of November. A donation box will be placed in the foyer of the church on the mornings of October 18th, 25th, and November 1st. Having approximately 25 college students, please brings items such as pre-packaged snack bars, candy, other snacks like cookies and brownies, encouragement cards, gift certificates for pizza and fast food/coffee, tissue packs, hand sanitizer, wipes, pens, snack packs of all sorts, Fall seasonal items, gum, hot chocolate, tea, microwave popcorn.
Career/Singles:
The young career/singles group meets every Sunday evening at 5:30 at the home of Jim and Sharon Daughtry, for a time of fellowship & spiritual encouragement. Other upcoming events include a bonfire on October 23rd at 6:00 at the home of Shay Huter, the Galaxy of Lights walking tour (dog-walk night) in November, & Winterlude concert in December. Details to follow.
Prayer Requests:
Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Lincoln Ely, Rich Bagdazian, Zig and Virdia Jastrebski, Ramona Edwards, Bill Dent, Jacky Haynes, Steve Terry, Bill Cowley, Larrabee Kirkland, Elizabeth Holton, and Nolan Osmer.
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); Amos and Jessica Williams (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); Gannon Miles (seminary student); 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