Sermon Preview:
My Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Before I introduce our sermon passage for this coming Lord’s Day, I want to share with you some exciting news as well as a prayer request regarding one of our dear Church families.
Over the last several months Daron and Amy Drown, and their five precious daughters, have sensed the Lord’s strong leadership regarding the ministry of Church planting. Recently (and providentially), a small core-group in our area has come together with the vision of birthing a mission Church of the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches, or CREC, in the city of Madison. After much prayer, conversation, counsel, and fervently seeking the Lord’s will, Daron and Amy have made the decision to assist in this mission effort, and will join the CREC for this purpose. Their last Sunday with us at Christ Presbyterian Church will be this coming Lord’s Day, January 31.
Of course, this is both an exciting and bitter-sweet thing for our Church. We are so honored and thrilled that the Lord has placed this call upon one of our own families. It is exciting when the Lord summons one of us, or one of our families, to an area of special service to His Kingdom. But we are saddened at the same time, and will deeply miss their fellowship in the Lord’s work among us here in our body.
Daron has so faithfully and sacrificially served us as one of our Ruling Elders. His gift of teaching has richly nourished us in God’s Word. And Amy has employed her wonderful gifts in faithfully ministering to our children, ladies, and youth. And we have all benefited so richly from their family’s influence upon us as the Lord has used each of them to contribute uniquely to the work of the Spirit that we see in evidence in our Church.
I want to personally express my gratitude to Daron and Amy. Thank you for all that you have done for us in the Lord’s Name over these years that you have been with us. Thank you for your constant encouragement, your faithful prayers, and your example of loving and dedicated leadership. The fruit of your ministry to us will continue to blossom for God’s glory for years to come. I love you all dearly, and I commit to remember you and your family in my prayers. And I will look forward in eager anticipation of the great things that our Lord will do through each of you in this new work.
Let me ask you to please lift up Daron and Amy, along with Emily, Sarah Kate, Anna, Ashlyn, and Grace in your prayers. And I hope that on Sunday you will take the opportunity to bless them with words of gratitude, support, and encouragement as they follow God’s will.
Then, as we proclaim the Word of God this Lord’s Day, we will consider Hebrews 6:11-15, with special focus upon verses 11-12. I believe our Father has such a strong word of hope for each of us in this passage. If you have ever doubted your salvation, or lacked the assurance of your standing in God’s grace, then this text from Hebrews will be of special help for you. I might suggest that you also read Hebrews 11 in anticipation of our sermon.
I love you with all my heart, and you are ever in my prayers,
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.
Youth Group:
Youth Group meets February 7 at 4:30 PM at the church house.
Also, the presbytery-wide youth event, the ROOTS Retreat, will be March 5-7 at Camp ToKnowHim. This year’s speaker is Rev. Braden Benson. He’s an ordained PCA minister, and ACBC Christian Counselor working with the Owen Center in Auburn. He’ll be presenting a series on Fear, Anxiety, and Depression (using Running Scared by Ed Welch). Braden holds a Masters of Arts of Christian Counseling as well as a Masters of Divinity from Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, NC. He received a degree in Psychology from Mississippi State University with a special focus in Marriage and Family Therapy. He is also a member of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC). For the past six years he and his wife have worked in ministries of counseling, adult Christian education and with Joni & Friends, a Christ-based ministry to the disabled. Through the Owen Center Braden pursues a life-calling to serve Christ by cultivating the ministry of biblical counseling in His church. This year’s Cost is $100 +$12 for a shirt. The deadline to register is February 12th. Please contact Matthew Elliott if you are interested in this event.
Children’s Ministry:
Children’s Sunday School Classes:
Toddler/preK – Nursery (Amanda Dean)
K, 1st and 2nd – Middle Back Classroom (Amy Drown, Tim Cummings)
3rd – Fellowship Room (Ashley Turnbull, Denise Brown)
4th and 5th – Back Right Classroom (Kerry Tameling)
Additionally, youth meets at the church house. Contact Matthew Elliott for any questions about youth classes.
Watch for a Summer VBS survey to go out next week!
Women’s Ministry:
Women’s Bible Studies have resumed for the new semester. Times and subjects below:
Mothers Morning Bible Study
Date: Tuesdays through May
Time: 9:30 am
Location: Christ Pres Church
Women’s Morning Bible Study
Date: Wednesdays through May
Time: 10-11:30 am
Location: Christ Pres Church
Topic: Book of Acts Ch, 1-12 by R. Albert Mohler Jr.
Acts 1-12 For You (a companion commentary ) by R. Albert Mohler Jr.
Women’s Evening Bible Study
Date: Wednesdays through May
Time: 6-7:30 pm
Location: Christ Pres Church
Topic: Book of Acts Ch, 1-12 by R. Albert Mohler Jr.
Acts 1-12 For You (a companion commentary ) by R. Albert Mohler Jr.
Senior Fellows:
At 9 AM on Tuesdays, the Senior Fellows are having a Zoom Bible Study on “Days of Creation”. Members and visitors are welcome to join us. For more information contact: seniorfellows@christpreshamptoncove.org.
Prayer Requests:
Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Rich and Christina Bagdazian, Dustin and Katie Jackson, Zig and Virdia Jastrebski, Ramona Edwards, Bill Dent, Jacky Haynes, Steve Terry, Bill Cowley, Larrabee Kirkland, and Elizabeth Holton.
Bereavement: Church member and brother in Christ Nolan Osmer died this week. Please pray for Linda, Rachel, and the entire Osmer and Matheny families.
Expecting: Please pray for the Deans, expecting in July.
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