Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
‘If I only had more faith!’
How many times have those words reflected your heart-felt desire and sincere prayer? If this is a request that you find flowing from your heart, then you are not alone at all. In fact, you’re in good company indeed! For this is the very thing the Disciples of Jesus requested of Him. The inspired record of this prayer is discovered in Luke 17:5–
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”
On the surface, this would appear to be a most righteous prayer, one that Jesus would answer every time. We would expect our Savior to be delighted to do such a thing for us, and especially for the Apostles. But, as the story proceeds, to our utter surprise we see that Jesus does not answer their prayer.
After verse 5, we’d be justified to expect our Lord to say, ‘Yes! I will indeed increase your faith!’ But as verse 6 shows us, Jesus says this instead:
“If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”
Why would Jesus respond in this manner? What do His words mean, and what do we learn here about our perceived need for ‘more’ faith? Is asking for an increase in faith a legitimate request to make of our Lord? Do we really need more faith?
As we prepare for Lord’s Day Worship, let’s consider this question in the light of what transpires in Luke 17:1-4. And let’s pray that our King will teach us what faith is, how it is measured, and what we are enabled to do as we trust in Him.
I love you all so very much!
Mike
ANNOUNCEMENTS
New Members Class – For those interested in membership at CPC, our next new members class will be from 2 to 5 on Sunday, October 1st. Dinner and childcare will be provided. A sign up sheet will be in the narthex.
Church Workday – On Saturday, October 14th, from 8am-12pm. This is an opportunity for your family, including capable children, to serve the church in a tangible way, maintaining this beautiful facility the Lord has provided and meeting/fellowshipping with church members as you work. Please sign up in the narthex. Contact John Dragash with questions.
Children’s Ministry
• Nursery – If you would like to serve in our nursery during service, contact Amanda Dean.Youth Ministry – Sunday night fellowship tonight at the church house from 4:30 to 6:30.
Women’s Ministry
• Senior Sisters meet monthly on the 3rd Thursday, 10-11:30am
• Senior Sisters exercise class meets Mondays at the church, 10-11:30am
• Monthly lunch 1st Thursday of the month at Timbers Edge Clubhouse at 11
• Women’s Bible studies are on Tuesday Mornings, Tuesday evenings and Wednesday morning
• Save the date for Women’s Christmas dinner, Wednesday, December 6th.Men’s Ministry
• Senior Fellows – Our next breakfast will be Tuesday Oct. 3rd at 9:00am.
• Men’s Friday Bible Study – Meets Fridays at 11:30 at the church.Career Ministry – Bible study & fellowship meets at the home of Jim and Sharon Daughtry, Sundays at 5:30 PM.
Baby Shower
• A baby shower will be held to bless first-time mom Maggie Tomlinson on Saturday, September 30th from 2-4pm at the home of Denise Brown.See christpreshamptoncove.org for detailed news and upcoming events.
PRAYER REQUESTS Healing – Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Collins Bailey, Bill Cowley, Elizabeth Holton, Steve Terry and Kristy York
Expecting – Please pray for the Prinzingers, Lancasters, Elliotts and Joe and Jennifer Calvert, all expecting in October, the Tomlinsons due in November, and Noah and Karleigh Stephens due in February.
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 and Marty Paulson (church plant in Scottsboro, AL)
• The Huntsville Pregnancy Resource Center