Sermon Preview:
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In the Gospel of John our Lord confronts the Disciple named Philip with a most convicting question: “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip?” (John 14:9). I think of that interaction between the Lord and His Disciple as I ponder the words of Paul in Philippians 3:10.
As we discovered last Sunday in our message, it is here that the Apostle expresses his greatest aim in all of life: “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.” We have suggested that this should be our preeminent ‘resolution’ for the New Year, and for each day of our lives.
Obviously, it is one thing to “know” our Lord in terms of becoming a Christian, and in this sense we all “know” Him. But these passages from John and Philippians also imply that there is much more to “know” about Him even after we have been redeemed!
In Philippians 3:10, Paul lays out three ways, or three mechanisms, for gaining a deeper knowledge of the Savior. The first one has to do with the resurrection power of God. The second involves suffering. And the third includes death.
At first glance, these appear quite mysterious to us. But as we probe them more closely, Paul’s message will become very clear, as will that which should be our greatest goal.
This Sunday we will examine what it means to “know” Christ more deeply through the experience of His power, the very energy that raised Him from the dead. Then on January 16, the Lord willing, we will consider the other two ways of knowing Him more.
Sunday School Resumes This Week!
Don’t forget that our Winter/Spring Sunday School term begins at 9:30 AM on Sunday. As always, there are classes for all ages. Our Adults will be studying the topic of The Attributes of God. I hope to see you all then and there!
I love you all so much!
Mike
Announcements:
Third Sunday Lunch:
Please join us immediately after worship on Sunday January 16 for a hearty and succulent meal in the fellowship wing of the church. Contact Denise Brown if you are willing to help.
Family Forum:
Please save the date — Friday, February 18th — for our upcoming Family Forum ministry event at Christ Presbyterian Church.
Our family forum is an opportunity for our church members to consider various topics on Christian discipleship, family, marriage, and parenting. Our sessions for the evening will orbit around the topic of parenting and sexuality. We will consider Biblical wisdom and guidance for parenting in an age of sexual chaos, promote awareness of helpful literature and resources for talking to your children and teens about sex and sexuality, and devote some time to discussion and Q/A.
The evening will include an optional dinner preceding the sessions. Please consider this opportunity as you consider your role as a parent or your general commitment to the nurture of covenant children in our fellowship!
Sign-ups and additional information will be forthcoming!
Children’s Ministry:
I hope you all had a wonderful advent season and are filled with hope and encouragement as we get ready to face a new year. I have created a new nursery volunteer sign up for the first quarter of 2022.
We invite any lady aged 13-113 who is a member of Christ Pres to volunteer to help our nursery staff during worship service on Sundays. We have been operating with one nursery and have had anywhere from 2-8 children in our nursery. Due to potential large numbers, we are adding an additional volunteer slot. With fewer than 6 children, one volunteer will be dismissed to worship.
Please follow the link below to sign up. On the day(s) you are signed up, you will report to the nursery at 10:15 to help greet our littles as they arrive. Amanda or Ashley will be there to get you started and Mrs. Irene, our nursery worker, will be there the duration of the service.
Signup Genius sends you a reminder two days out so you won’t forget!
https://www.signupgenius.com/
This is such a vital need in our church right now and a way that you can serve the young families by caring and loving on their little ones. No experience needed 🙂 Please consider serving 1-2 Sundays this coming semester!
Youth Group:
Below you will find the Winter/Spring dates for youth group, which meets at 4:30 PM at the church house.
January 9th
January 23rd
January 30th
February 13th (Superbowl Fellowship and Games)
February 20th
March 6th
March 27th
April 3rd
April 24th
May 1st
May 22nd
Senior Fellows:
The next Senior Fellows Breakfast and Bible Study will be be at 9 AM on January 4. Church members and visitors are invited to attend. If coming for breakfast, please notify Senior Fellows at: seniorfellows@christpreshamptoncove.org
Women’s Ministry:
Monthly Lunch: Our next monthly luncheon will be on January 6 beginning at 11:30 at the Timbers Edge Clubhouse located at 1 Timbers Main, Brownsboro. It’s potluck – feel free to bring a dish or just yourself.
Winter Bible Studies:
Winter bible studies are resuming! The Tuesday study for mothers meets at 9:30 AM at the church, starting back on 18 JAN. Contact Amy Schnorrenberg for more info. The Wednesday women’s studies start back on 12 JAN, meeting at 10 AM and 6 PM at the church. Contact Denise Scrip for more info.
Men’s Ministry:
Beginning on Friday February 4, 2022 our Friday Men’s Lunchtime Bible Study will resume.
For ten weeks, we will be studying the life of our Lord as guided by pastor and theologian Dr. Mark Jones in his book Knowing Christ. Dr. Jones takes the readers on a survey of the many aspects of our Lord’s life as revealed to us in the New Testament. We will cover subjects such as Christ’s incarnation, divinity, humanity, compassion, emotions, sinlessness, miracles, temptations, resurrection, exaltation, and many others.
All the men of CPC and guests are invited to join us as we get to know our Savior better!
Career/Singles:
Career/Singles will resume meeting January 9 at the Daughtry home at 5:30 PM.
Prayer Requests:
Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Bob Crossley, Mark Kreitzer, Glen Mettler, Jean Terry, Suzanne Nimon, Zig and Virdia Jastrebski, Ramona Edwards, Bill Dent, Jacky Haynes, Steve Terry, Bill Cowley, and Elizabeth Holton.
Expecting: Please pray for the Elliotts, expecting in March, and the Jacksons, expecting in June.
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); Marcus and Jessica Nobles (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