Announcements – December 1, 2023

My Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This Lord’s Day begins the Advent Season!  The next four Sunday’s we will celebrate the incarnation of the Son of God, and we will give our worshipful attention to the miracle of all miracles!

What are some of the Biblical images that come to mind when you hear the word ‘Christmas’?  Well, I’m sure you’re thinking right now of manger scenes, angels, shepherds, wise men, Mary and Joseph, and “the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.”

But what if I told you that there is a Christmas story, found in the Bible, that involves an expectant “woman” who is “clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet,” and a “crown of twelve stars” on her head?   And a “great red dragon” with “seven heads, and ten horns” and “seven diadems,” and a long, powerful “tail” that could reach all the way to heaven? And, also a little “male child” who will one day “rule the nations with a rod of iron”?

Sounds very strange, doesn’t it!  But all of this and more is to be found in Revelation 12.  Placed at the very center of the most misunderstood and abused book of the Bible is a Christmas story, but one unlike you’ve ever heard before!

Over the next four Sundays, we will read and listen to the Apostle John as he tells the Advent story from a much different perspective than we are accustomed to!  And I’m absolutely certain that you’ll be amazed at all there is to discover here in the chapter’s 17 verses!

I love you all so very much, and I can’t wait to see you on the Lord’s Day!

Mike

Greeting Ministry – Consider supporting the work of the church by serving on our greeting ministry team! Those interested can reach out to Matthew Elliott for more information.

Children’s Ministry
• Parents’ Night Out – December 9th from 5:30-8:00 p.m. Register your children on Church Center.
• Nursery – The spring quarter nursery sign up is now out. Please see the link in the email sent recently. Please contact Amanda Dean with questions.

Youth Ministry
• Youth Roots Retreat – The annual presbytery youth Roots retreat will be on January 19th – 21st at CamptoknowHim. Please contact Matthew Elliott for details and registration.
• Youth Fellowship – Our students will meet tonight at the church house from 4:30 to 6:30.

Women’s Ministry
• 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

Men’s Ministry
• Senior Fellows – Our next breakfast will be at 9:00am on Tuesday, Dec. 5th.
• Senior Fellows will visit our wonderful veterans at Floyd E. “Tut” Fann State Veterans Home at 10:00 AM on Thursday, Dec. 7th. Afterward the group will meet for lunch at Newk’s Eatery (corner of Whitesburg and Airport).

Career Ministry – Bible study & fellowship meets at the home of Jim and Sharon Daughtry, Sundays at 5:30 pm.

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 Stephens (missionaries to Thailand) due in February and the Beams due in April.

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