Announcements – December 29, 2023

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My Beloved Ones in Christ Jesus,
Before I introduce our Sermon for this coming Sunday, I want to make you aware of some Bible study opportunities we have coming up in 2024.
First, on Sunday January 7 we will begin a new Adult Sunday School class entitled ‘Understanding the Psalms of War.’  Our studies will be based upon the book by Dr. James E. Adams, War Psalms of the Prince of Peace: Lessons from the Imprecatory Psalms (P&R, 2016).
If you have ever wondered about those rather disturbing Psalms that delight in things such as the breaking of the teeth of God’s enemies (Ps. 58:6-10), or the perishing of unbelievers under God’s wrath (Ps. 6:10; 104:35), and even the destruction of their children (Ps. 137:9), then this class will help you.  We will consider why we find such apparently cruel words in the Psalms, and how we should interpret and apply them today in the light of the saving ministry of Christ.
Also our Weekday Bible Studies will begin again in early January. There are three Bible Studies for our Ladies and one for our Men.
For the Ladies:
The Tuesday morning Ladies Bible study begins January 9 (contact Amy Schnorrenberg for details).
The Tuesday evening Ladies Bible study will begin on January 9 at 6:00 PM at the home of Cynthia Keen (contact Cynthia Keen).
The Wednesday morning study begins January 10 in the Church Fellowship Hall from 10:00 to 11:30 AM (contact Denise Scrip).
For the Men:
The Men’s Friday Lunch-Time Bible Study will begin on Friday January 12 from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM in the Church Fellowship Hall. I will be teaching the Book of Revelation using the commentary by Dr. Dennis Johnson, Triumph of the Lamb (P&R, 2001).
This coming Lord’s Day, we will begin a brief series of sermons entitled, “The Curious Paradoxes of Our New Identity in Christ.”  These messages will be based upon five passages from the Epistle to the Romans.  We will study some of the strange, and apparently contradictory, ways that Paul describes our unique identity as Christians.  The five passages and descriptions are:
One: We Are Gentiles and We Are Jews–Romans 2:28-29
Two:  We Are Alive and We Are Crucified–Romans 6:4
Three: We Are Free and We Are Slaves–Romans 6:17-18
Four:  We Are Living and We Are Being Sacrificed–Romans 12:1
Five:  We Are Strong and We Are Weak–Romans 15:1
I hope you will go ahead and get familiar with these passages as we commence our studies this Sunday.
After we complete our studies from Romans, we will begin a series of messages from the Book of Ezekiel.  I’ll tell you more about our messages later, but for now let me encourage you to start reading through this amazing Old Testament prophetic book.  As you read, you will benefit from a good commentary on Ezekiel.  I would recommend one or both of these:
The Message of Ezekiel, by Christopher J. H. Wright (Intervarsity, 2001)
Ezekiel: The NIV Application Commentary, by Iain M. Duguid (Zondervan, 1999)
May our Lord bless you all with a wonderful weekend, and I’ll see you on Sunday.
All my love and prayers, always,
Mike

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Women’s Ministry
• The Tuesday morning study begins January 16th, 9:30-11:00am at the church. Childcare will be provided. We will study the book ‘Five Lies of our Anti Christian Age’ by Rosaria Butterfield.
• The Tuesday evening Bible study will begin on January 9th at 6:00pm at the home of Cynthia Keen. We will study the book “Identity Theft – Reclaiming the Truth of Who we are in Christ”
• The Wednesday morning study begins January 10th in the church Fellowship Hall from 10 to 11:30 am.
• Senior Sisters meets monthly on the third Thursday from 10:00 to 11:30am.
• Senior Sisters exercise class meets Tuesdays at the church, 10:00 to 11:30am.
• Monthly luncheon held the first Thursday of the month at Timbers Edge Clubhouse at 11am.

Men’s Ministry
• Senior Fellows – Our next breakfast will be at 9:00am on Tuesday, Jan. 9th.
• Men’s Lunchtime Book/Bible Study begins on January 12 at the church and will end on May 17th.

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

PRAYER REQUESTS

Healing – Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Collins Bailey, Maurice Belrose, 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