Sermon Preview
Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
This coming Lord’s Day we will begin looking at one of the most exciting episodes from the early life of king David. It is found in 1 Samuel 17.
David’s encounter with Goliath has been called, “one of the world’s classic narratives,” and “one of the most fascinating and encouraging events recorded in Scripture.” Generations of believers, and their children, have read this story of David’s victory over the Philistine giant and drawn strength and hope. And even outside of the Church and Christianity, this is a well-known and moving account. It presents an enormously disadvantaged ‘underdog’ winning a stunning victory over a vastly superior opponent, beating almost impossible odds in the process!
I suspect that most of us assume that we know what this episode is really about, and how we should interpret and apply it. After all, it seems so obvious. This is about you and me, and the many ‘giants’ we confront in life. And it is an encouragement to be like David. When we encounter giant-sized adversities and problems, we need only to load our ‘slingshot of faith’ with five smooth stones, and drop the opponent dead in his tracks! As did David, we also face our giants. And if we have enough faith, then we can prevail over anything!
But . . . what if this really isn’t the correct way to view this episode at all? What if looking at the story of David’s victory over Goliath in this manner misses the point entirely . . . by a mile, actually?
This is why we need to slow down, cast off our assumptions, and look at this episode in a totally different light, one that is more faithful to the flow of the larger story of redemption. And this is exactly what we are going to do this Lord’s Day. We are going to get re-acquainted with one of the most beloved and encouraging events in the whole Bible! And what we shall discover along our way will be more wonderful than we could have ever assumed or imagined!
I love you all so much!
Mike
Upcoming Events:
April 29, 4 PM – Alleluia Choir concert at Church Fellowship Hall
April 29, 4:30 PM – Youth Group
May 1, 9:00 AM – Women’s Book Study
May 1, 9:00 AM – Senior Fellows Breakfast
May 1, 6 PM – Women’s Evening Study
May 3, 11:30 AM – Women’s Monthly Lunch
May 10, 6 AM – Men’s Morning Study
May 16, 6 PM – Diaconate Meeting
May 20, 5 PM – Children’s Ministry End of Year Extravaganza
May 22, 10 AM – PCA MNA Training
Order of Worship:
You can access this week’s Order of Worship by clicking here
The songs for this week are:
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (Hymn 53, vs 1,3-5)
Come Ye Souls By Sin Afflicted
Sweet Comfort
How Deep
Announcements:
Youth Group: Youth Group meets again on April 29 at the church at 4:30 PM for all students in grades 6-12. Invite friends and neighbors!
Women’s Bible Studies: The Women’s weekly studies are ongoing. Check the calendar for days and times.
Men’s Bible Study: The Men’s Morning Bible Study is also ongoing, meeting every other Thursday. Check the calendar for the next occurrence.
Women’s Monthly Lunch: The next Women’s Monthly Lunch is May 3 at 11:30 AM.
Women’s Book Club: Life is busy for mothers and we need each other for support and encouragement. We are meeting Tuesday mornings from 9 to 10:30 at the church. Childcare provided. Book is Treasuring Christ when your Hands are Full by Gloria Furman. Contact Amy Schnorrenberg for details.
Alleluia Choir: The choirs end of year program, entitled “Praise Is. . .”, will be performed on Sunday, April 29th, 4:00 pm in the church Fellowship Room. The congregation is invited to attend.
Children’s Ministry Update: We are still in need of some folks to sign up as VBS group leaders! Dates are July 16-19. Leadership meeting is this Sunday, April 22nd at 3:30 pm at the church (back Sunday school classroom). See our needs HERE. We are going to have BLAST together as we head to Space!
Also, Children’s Ministry End of the Year cookout on Sunday, May 20th from 5 to 8 pm at the church house. Everyone join us for food, yard games, and the sno-cone truck! RSVP by clicking HERE and bringing a side dish. Members and guests welcome!
Senior Fellows: The Senior Fellows will have breakfast and a devotional at the church house on May 1 at 9 AM.
PCA MNA Disaster Response Training: Mission to North America (MNA) is charged by the General Assembly with coordinating the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) disaster response in the US and Canada. This vital mission is accomplished through disaster preparedness awareness & training in advance of disaster events and by providing support in response to disaster events. Preparedness training is conducted regularly through local and PCA-wide events. MNA Disaster Response provides support to PCA churches in disaster affected communities through a network of staff and volunteer damage assessment teams, first response teams, site managers, and key leaders. MNA recruits and mobilizes volunteers, receives and distributes supplies and equipment, brings awareness of specific needs, channels recovery funds, focuses prayer and provides spiritual encouragement to our PCA family and their communities.
Christ Pres will host a disaster response training session from 10 am until noon on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 in the Fellowship Hall. Mike Kennamer, who serves as the Disaster Response Specialist for the Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia (TAG) Region, will share about PCA MNA Disaster Response:
– Who they are
– What they do
– Why they do it; and
– How you can become involved
Your are invited to attend. Please see Jack Cooper or Joe Sims for more details.
Prayer Requests:
Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Jeffery Daniels, Debbie Hill, Allison Randall, Perry Calvert, Suzanne Nimon, Robin Holloway, Chris Smotherman, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, and Nolan Osmer.
Expecting: Please pray for the Elliott family, expecting in September.
Ministries: Please pray for the following missionaries and ministries: Seth and Jessica Lewis (Ireland); Steve and Rita Williams (New Zealand); Vinnie and Molly Athey (RUF at UAH); RUF at Alabama A&M; Ken and Angie Burnett (FCA); Franky Garcia (seminary student).