Announcements and Order of Worship – July 30 2017

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Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

Over the last several weeks as we have been studying the Epistle of 2 John, we have witnessed the surprising ‘density’ of this little book. John has, indeed, packed so much truth into such a small space! Of course, 2 John is the second volume in the three-part series of personal letters written to the Christians of ancient Asia-Minor. Each of the three letters is very much connected to the others, and New Testament scholars have identified the second letter as an ‘outline’ of the first.

This connection between the first and second letters is manifestly revealed as we come to 2 John 1:7. It is in this verse that John speaks of the “antichrist.”  But here in the second letter he simply mentions this enigmatic, end-times figure with little explanation as to his identity or activities.  For these details we must consider what he had previously written in the first letter where there is a fuller explanation. For example:

1 John 2:18Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.

1 John 2:22Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.

1 John 4:3–and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.

Along with the malevolent activity of this “antichrist,” John also tells us in 2 John 1:7 that there are “many deceivers” who are in league with this antichristian emissary of the devil.  And, furthermore, that their prime activities are deception and denial. With this situation in view, the balance of 2 John concerns the way the Church should respond to this frightening reality.

This Lord’s Day we will begin our investigation of these “deceivers” and their link to the “antichrist.”  As you study the words of this letter in preparation for the message, compare John’s teaching to what Jesus had taught earlier as recorded in Mark 13.

I love you all and I can’t wait to worship our Lord with you on Sunday!

Mike

Upcoming Events:

July 29 – Fohrell Wedding
August 13 – New Members Class

Order of Worship:

You can access this week’s Order of Worship by clicking here

The songs for this week are:

O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing
Oh Love That Will Not Let Me Go
Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted
In Christ Alone

Connecting with the Catechism:

Q. 94. What is Baptism?

A. Baptism is a sacrament, wherein the washing with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, doth signify and seal our ingrafting into Christ, and partaking of the benefits of the covenant of grace, and our engagement to be the Lord’s.

Matt. 28:19
Acts 2:38-42; 22:16; Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3:26-27; I Pet. 3:21

Q. 95. To whom is Baptism to be administered?

A. Baptism is not to be administered to any that are out of the visible church, till they profess their faith in Christ, and obedience to him; but the infants of such as are members of the visible church are to be baptized.

Acts. 2:418:12, 36, 38; 18:8
Gen. 17:7, 9-11; Acts 2:38-39; 16:32-33; Col. 2:11-12

Q. 96. What is the Lord’s Supper?

A. The Lord’s Supper is a sacrament, wherein, by giving and receiving bread and wine, according to Christ’s appointment, his death is showed forth; and the worthy receivers are, not after a corporal and carnal manner, but by faith, made partakers of his body and blood, with all his benefits, to their spiritual nourishment, and growth in grace.

Luke 22:19-20; I Cor. 11:23-26
I Cor. 10:16-17

Announcements:

Sunday School IN RECESS:
Sunday School is in recess for the summer. We will have a weekly time of fellowship beginning at 10 AM, with our regular worship beginning at 10:30 AMSunday school will resume in the Fall.

Ladies Summer Scripture Read Along:
You are invited to participate with all ladies of Christ Presbyterian Church:

Summer Scripture Read-Along in Isaiah, Jeremiah, & Lamentations

HOW: Start in Isaiah on July 3. Read 3 chapters a day, MondayFriday.
Take the weekend off to reflect, journal, or catch-up as needed.
Then, keep reading following the schedule below!

Read along with us, on your own time, no need to sign-up, just participate if you’re able.

We hope it will be a blessing to our ladies to be united in our devotion to God’s word through this read-along.

Here’s the breakdown:
July 31-Aug 1 read Isaiah 61- the end.

Wednesday-August 2 Break

Aug 3-4 Jeremiah 1-6
Aug 7-11 Jeremiah 7-21
Aug 14-18 Jeremiah 22-36
Aug 21-25 Jeremiah 37-50
August 28 Jeremiah 51-the end.

Tuesday-August 28 Break
Aug 30-31 read Lamentations 1-5

**Look for a chapter guide noted at the bottom of the church’s weekly emailed newsletter.

If you have questions, please email Denise Brown niniandjb@gmail.com

New Members and Inquirers Class:
The next New Members and Inquirers Class will be August 13 and 20 from 3-5 PM at the church. Nursery will be provided. Attending the class does not obligate you to join the church, but attendance is mandatory if you wish to become a member. Please tell anyone you know who might be interested about this upcoming class.

Prayer Requests:

Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Chris Smotherman, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, Katie Dyer, Rebecca Berry, Jenan Nuwayhid, Bill and Mitzi Cowley, Nolan Osmer, Pam Thomason, and Sondra Behmer.
Expecting: Please pray for the Bryant family, expecting in December.
Ministries: Please pray for the following missionaries and ministries: Seth and Jessica Lewis (Ireland); Steve and Rita Williams (New Zealand); RUF at UAH and Alabama A&M; Ken and Angie Burnett (FCA); Franky Garcia (seminary student).