Christ Presbyterian Church (PCA)

Month: July 2015

  • Announcements – August 2 2015

    Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

     

    What is ‘worship’? What are the similarities between the worship of the Old Covenant saints and that of New Covenant believers in Christ? What are the differences? What are the elements of New Covenant Worship? What should we be doing or not doing in our Lord’s Day service of worship each week?

     

    In our third and final message on the Second Commandment of the Decalogue (Exodus 20:4-6) we will be considering the proper and essential elements of Biblical worship. As we have seen, the Second Commandment forbids the use of any image or likeness of God as an aid to worship. But given this restriction, what is allowed in the worship of our Triune God? This Lord’s Day we will try and make the ‘covenantal connection’ that will help us understand how we are to worship in the way that Jesus commanded, “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24).

     

    In your preparation for our service of worship be sure to prayerfully meditate upon John 1:14, 4:20-24, Colossians 1:15-20, and Hebrews 1:1-3, 9:1-15.

     

    Church Picnic, This Sunday Afternoon at 4:30 PM

     

    I hope you will plan on joining us for our Church Picnic on Sunday afternoon! The weather forecast looks perfect, praise the Lord! BBQ will be served at 5:00 PM and our ice cream contest will guarantee a sweet ending to our meal. And please feel free to bring guests with you. What a wonderful opportunity to introduce them to our loving Church family!

     

    You are the joy of my heart, and I love you all and pray for you always!

     

    In His grace,

     

    Mike

  • Order of Worship – July 26 2015

    ORDER OF WORSHIP
    July 26, 2015

    Call to Worship:

    Pastor: Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. He has disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame by triumphing over them in His Son!
    People: Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. Worthy are You to receive glory and honor and power.

    Prayer of Adoration:

    Confession of Faith: The Westminster Confession of Faith – 1.4
    On the Authority of the Word of God

    The authority of the Holy Scripture, because of which it ought to be believed and obeyed, does not depend upon the testimony of any man or church, but entirely upon God, its author who is truth itself; therefore it is to be received, because it is the Word of God.

    Old Testament Lesson: Psalm 145:14-19

    Song: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Hymn No. 92, v.1-4

    Song: Spirit of the Living God Hymn No. 726

    New Testament Lesson: Ephesians 3:14-16

    Song: Abide With Me CCLI# 43190

    Abide with me: fast falls the eventide; the darkness deepens, Lord with me abide
    When other helpers fail and comforts flee, help of the helpless, abide with me.

    Thou on my head in early youth didst smile; And though rebellious, and perverse meanwhile
    Thou hast not left me, though I oft left thee, On to the close, Lord, abide with me.

    I need Thy presence every passing hour; what but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r?
    Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be? Through cloud and sunshine, abide with me.

    I fear no foe with Thee at hand to bless; ills have no weight, tears lose their bitterness
    Where is thy sting death? Where grave thy victory? I triumph still, abide with me

    Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes; shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies
    Heav’n’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee; in life in death, abide with me.

    Missions Report: Seth Lewis, Crossworld Mission, Ireland

    Scripture Reading and Prayer for the Church:
    Dr. Michael Calvert, Teaching Elder Romans 16:17-27

    Preaching of the Word: Dr. Michael Calvert, Teaching Elder
    “The Second Commandment: Worshipping the One Triune God–Part 2” Exodus 20:4-6

    Confession of Sin:

    Assurance of Pardon: 1 John 2:1-2

    Communion*:

    Song: How Deep CCLI# 4803944

    You were broken that I might be healed
    You were cast off that I might draw near
    You were thirsty that I might come drink
    Cried out in anguish that I might sing

    CHORUS: How deep is Your love, how high and how wide is your mercy
    How deep is Your grace, our hearts overflow with praise to you

    You knew darkness that I might know light
    Wept great tears that mine might be dried
    Stripped of glory that I might be clothed
    Crushed by Your Father to call me Your own

    Benediction:

    *Professing and baptized members in good standing of a Church in which Jesus Christ is proclaimed as Lord and Savior are warmly invited to join us in the celebration of the Lord’s Supper.

    ANNOUNCEMENTS
    Guests: Welcome to Christ Presbyterian Church. We want to thank you for joining us for worship! If this is your first time visiting our church, please fill out a visitor card and place it in the offerings box at the back of the sanctuary. We’d like to send you some info about our church and our ministries. Also, if you have any needs or would like additional information, please see one of the elders or deacons, or send an email to christprespca@gmail.com.
    Church Picnic: The annual summer church picnic is August 2 at 4:30 PM. It will be catered with BBQ and sides. Bring your own desserts and beverages. Please make plans to attend this fun event.
    Children’s Ministry: Our last summer playdate is coming up on Friday, July 31st. Meet at the Athens Kiddie Karnival for food, fun, and fellowship. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. Email Ashley at aoturnbull@gmail.com for more information or to be added to our children’s ministry email list.
    CARE Center Ministry: For those who signed up to provide school supplies (for adopted/sponsored children), the bags and supplies are due today. Please drop them off at the table in the narthex.
    Church Directory: If you are a member and haven’t gotten your picture or contact info into the new church directory software, please see Adam Turnbull for assistance. Joe Fikes will also be taking photos today after the service in the Sunday School wing.
    Calendar/Other Announcements: As always, check the website www.christpreshamptoncove.org for additional news and events.

    PRAYER REQUESTS
    Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, Nancy Bright, Katie Brown, Doug Robinson, and Billy Cranford.
    Expecting/adopting parents: Please pray for the Johnson, Matheny, and Stanford families as they prepare to expand.
    Ministries: Please pray for the following missionaries and ministries: Seth and Jessica Lewis (Ireland); Steve and Rita Williams (New Zealand); Reid and Kelli Jones (RUF UAH); Roy and Emily Hubbard (RUF Alabama A&M); Ken and Angie Burnett (FCA)

  • Announcements – July 24 2015

    Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

    This coming Lord’s Day we will continue our look at the Second Commandment in the Decalogue. Our text will again be taken from Exodus 20:4-6. As we saw last week, this Commandment forbids the worship of God by means of idols or likenesses of anything in heaven or on earth. And this prohibition specifically applies to the creation of anything that would represent God, the angels, or other creatures. Worship must be simple, and governed by God’s self-revelation and not the imagination or creative abilities of human beings. But why does the Lord restrict worship in this way? And what, in practical terms, does this mean?

    Throughout Church history the use of such images in worship has been a significant point of controversy and contention. Believers have at times made use of many objects in corporate worship, ranging from simple crosses to the (alleged) skeletal remains of notable saints. Of course, the Roman and Orthodox Churches continue to use various icons and sacred artifacts in their worship to this day. But is this pleasing to God? Does the employment of such worship aids violate the substance of the Second Commandment? And, a bit closer to home, how should this Commandment shape and govern our worship today? Is our worship pleasing to the Lord, and if not, how should we reform it?

    These are some of the issues we will touch this Sunday as we gather before our Savior and Lord. And, as always, let us be faithful to spend time in prayer for the preaching of God’s Word and ready our hearts to worship Him in spirit and in truth.

    Mission Report From Ireland

    Also on Sunday it will be our joy to hear a mission report from Seth and Jessica Lewis, our missionaries to Ireland serving with Crossworld Missions. Seth will be bringing us news of the Lord’s work, and he will tell us how we may specifically pray for them and the spread of the Gospel there.

    Sunday School Starts Sunday August 9th at 9:15 AM

    On Sunday August 9th we resume our Sunday School ministry for all ages. Below is the class breakdown for our fall semester of Christian Education.

    In our Children’s Division:

    Pre–K and Kindergarten
    1st and 2nd Grade
    3rd through 5th Grade

    In our Youth Division:

    6th through 8th Grade
    9th through 12th Grade

    In our Adult Division:

    Class 1–‘Let My People Think!’ Confronting the major issues of the day with the Word of God.
    Class 2–‘What Did Jesus Really Say?’ Examining some of the more difficult sayings of our Lord.

    Church-Wide Picnic Next Sunday at 4:30 PM

    And don’t forget about our Picnic next Sunday afternoon at the Church House at 4:30 PM (parking will be at the Worship Center parking lot). BBQ will be served beginning at 5:00 PM. And for those interested, we will also have our annual Ice Cream Contest. Bring your best recipe and we’ll see who becomes our ‘Frozen Chosen Champion’ this year!

    I love you all and have each of you in my heart and in my prayers!

    Mike

  • Order of Worship – July 19 2015

    ORDER OF WORSHIP
    July 19, 2015

    Call to Worship: Psalm 23

    Pastor: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
    People: He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
    Pastor: He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
    People: Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
    Pastor: You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
    All: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

    Confession of Faith: The Westminster Shorter Catechism

    Q. 41. Where is the moral law set out briefly?
    A. The moral law is set out briefly in the Ten Commandments.
    Q. 42. What is the sum of the Ten Commandments?
    A. The sum of the Ten Commandments is to love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.

    Prayer of Adoration:

    Old Testament Lesson: 2 Samuel 7:1-14

    Song: Come Christians Join to Sing Hymn 302 v.1-3
    Song: Give Reviving CCLI #5706868

    Father for Thy promised blessing, Still we plead before Thy throne
    For the times of, sweet refreshing, Which can come from Thee alone
    Blessed earnests, Thou hast given, But in these we would not rest
    Blessings still with Thee are hidden, Pour them forth and make us blest!

    Prayer ascendeth to Thee ever, Answer! Father, answer prayer
    Bless oh bless each weak endeavor, Blood-bought pardon to declare
    Wake Thy slumbering children, wake them, Bid them to Thy harvest go
    Blessings O our Father make, Round their steps let blessings flow

    Let no people be forgotten, Let Thy showers on all descend
    That in one loud blessed anthem, millions may in triumph blend
    Give reviving, give refreshing, Give the looked-for Jubilee
    To Thyself may crowds be pressing, Bringing glory unto Thee

    New Testament Lesson: Ephesians 2:11-13

    Song: Jesus Keep Me Near The Cross Hymn 264 v.1-4

    Scripture Reading and Prayer for the Church:
    Dr. Michael Calvert, Teaching Elder Romans 16:1-16

    Preaching of the Word: Dr. Michael Calvert, Teaching Elder
    “The Second Commandment: Worshipping the One Triune God” Exodus 20:4-6

    Confession of Sin: Psalm 51

    Pastor: Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me . . . .
    People: Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

    Assurance of Pardon: 2 Corinthians 5:21

    Communion*:

    Song: Come Thou Fount Hymn 457 v.1-3

    Benediction:

    *Professing and baptized members in good standing of a Church in which Jesus Christ is proclaimed as Lord and Savior are warmly invited to join us in the celebration of the Lord’s Supper.

    ANNOUNCEMENTS
    Guests: Welcome to Christ Presbyterian Church. We want to thank you for joining us for worship! If this is your first time visiting our church, please fill out a visitor card and place it in the offerings box at the back of the sanctuary. We’d like to send you some info about our church and our ministries. Also, if you have any needs or would like additional information, please see one of the elders or deacons, or send an email to christprespca@gmail.com.
    Church Picnic: The annual summer church picnic is August 2 at 4:30 PM. It will be catered with BBQ and sides. Bring your own desserts and beverages. Please make plans to attend this fun event.
    Children’s Sunday School: If you have a child in nursery up through high school, please email Ashley at aoturnbull@gmail.com with the name and the grade/class they are entering. This will help with planning the 2015/2016 curriculum. Also please let her know if you are interested in helping out with this ministry.
    CARE Center Ministry: For those who signed up to provide school supplies (for adopted/sponsored children), we will have the children’s names, bags, and supply lists for you to pick up today at the table in the narthex, before and after the Worship Service. You will have two weeks to pick up the supplies and return them on Sunday, July 26.
    Calendar/Other Announcements: As always, check the website www.christpreshamptoncove.org for additional news and events.

    PRAYER REQUESTS
    Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, Nancy Bright, Katie Brown, and Billy Cranford.
    Expecting/adopting parents: Please pray for the Johnson, Matheny, and Stanford families as they prepare to expand.
    Ministries: Please pray for the following missionaries and ministries: Seth and Jessica Lewis (Ireland); Steve and Rita Williams (New Zealand); Reid and Kelli Jones (RUF UAH); Roy and Emily Hubbard (RUF Alabama A&M); Ken and Angie Burnett (FCA)

  • Announcements – July 17 2015

    Dear Church Family,

    Does it really matter how we worship?

    Assuming that we are worshipping the right God and not some pagan idol, as the First Commandment in the Decalogue mandates, does it matter how we go about offering worship to the God of our salvation?

    Well, this is the exact question answered in the Second Commandant. While the first of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3) deals with the exclusive worship of the one, true and living God–Israel’s Redeemer who had graciously rescued them from Egyptian bondage (Exodus 20:2)–the second of Sinai’s holy laws deals with the correct worship of Yahweh (Exodus 20:4-6). That is, it forbids the false worship of the only true God.

    As I am sure most of you know, the subject of worship has been the source of no small degree of controversy and disagreement within the broader Evangelical Church. Even in our own denomination there are divergent views of what we should do and should not do in the corporate worship of our Lord. For example, dotting the landscape of our community you’ll easily discover a number of Church signs advertising the time and the ‘style’ of their services. One that I have in mind right now has a ‘Traditional’ service at 8:30 AM, a ‘Contemporary’ service at 9:45 AM, and a ‘Blended’ service at 11:00 AM. And then, there are those that follow a very orderly liturgy (like ours), and others that seem to follow no discernable pattern at all, or at least a very loose one. Then there are the elements, or the composition, of the worship services. Here you’ll discover a broad spectrum of worship practices. Some involve very elaborate stage productions, lighting, and technological innovations that might rival the local theatre. Some seem to focus upon extended times of corporate singing led by professional quality musicians. Some have jettisoned the hymnal in favor of a more contemporary soft rock sound, while others sing only from the Psalter, unaccompanied. Some have pulpits, and others have Plexiglas podiums. Some preachers, or speakers as the case may be, derive their messages directly from the Bible and ‘preach’ expository sermons each week. But there are others who only make simple references to Scripture when appropriate for their ‘talks.’ Some Churches kneel in prayer. Some have Communion every quarter. Some recite the Creeds and Confessions. Some worshippers dress casually. Others dress up.

    Well I could go on and on, but I think you get the point. When it comes to worship there appears to be no real consensus as to what we should do and how we should do it. Perhaps we have all arrived at the conclusion that it doesn’t really matter. You know, ‘Different strokes for different folks.’

    But is this assumption correct?

    On Sunday, we will begin a two-part look at the Second Commandment. As we investigate the meaning of this sacred command we will discover that the Lord has not left us in the dark about worship, what it is and how we should engage in it. He has given us very explicit instructions that must be followed when the New Covenant community gathers for worship.

    In preparation for the sermon let me encourage you to read Exodus 20:4-6 along with Exodus 32:1-35. And let’s pray most fervently that the Lord will teach us what true worship really is.

    I love you all so dearly, and can’t wait to see you on Sunday!

    Mike

  • Order of Worship – July 12 2015

    ORDER OF WORSHIP
    July 12, 2015
    Call to Worship: Romans 11:33-36

    Pastor: Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!
    People: How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
    Pastor: “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?”
    People: “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?”
    Pastor: For from him and through him and to him are all things.
    All: To him be glory forever. Amen.

    Confession of Faith: The Apostles’ Creed

    I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord: Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary: Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell: The third day he rose again from the dead: He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty: From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost: The holy universal church: The communion of saints: The forgiveness of sins: The resurrection of the body: And the life everlasting. Amen.

    Prayer of Adoration:

    Old Testament Lesson: Psalm 24

    Song: Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah Hymn 57 v.1-4
    Song: It Is Well With My Soul Hymn 691 v.1-4

    Mission Report: Dr. Steve Williams, MTW Missionary to New Zealand

    New Testament Lesson: Ephesians 1:3-14

    Confession of Sin:

    O most righteous and holy God, in Whose hand is my life and all my ways, save me from myself: from the treachery of my perverse nature; from the deceits of my sin; from denying Your charge against my offenses; from a life of continual rebellion against You; from wrong principles, views, and ends; for I know that all my thoughts, affections, desires and pursuits are alienated from You. I have acted as if I have hated You, although You are love itself. I wear out Your patience. I have lived wrongly in word and action. O, Father of my spirit, King of my life, wound my heart that it may be healed; break it that Your own hand may make it whole.

    Assurance of Pardon: Psalm 32:1

    Song: Why So Heavy CCLI# 5543234

    Oh why so heavy, oh my soul? Thus to myself I’ve willed
    Oh why so heavy, oh my heart? And why so sorrow filled?

    CHORUS: Hope thou in God, He still shall be Thy glory and thy endless praise
    His saving grace shall comfort thee through everlasting days,

    His goodness made thee what thou art and yet will he redeem
    Oh be thou of a contrite heart and put your trust in him.

    Scripture Reading and Prayer for the Church:
    Dr. Bud Lancaster, Ruling Elder Romans 15

    Preaching of the Word: Dr. Michael Calvert, Teaching Elder
    “The First Commandment: One Sovereign King” Exodus 20:3

    Communion*:

    Song: We Will Feast in the House of Zion CCLI #7041364

    CHORUS:
    We will feast in the house of Zion, we will sing with our hearts restored
    “He has done great things” we will say together
    we will feast and weep no more

    We will not be burned by the fire; He is the Lord our God
    We are not consumed by the flood; upheld, protected, gathered up

    In the dark of night before the dawn, my soul be not afraid
    For the promised morning, oh how long! O God of Jacob, be my strength

    Every vow we’ve broken and betrayed, You are the faithful One
    And from the garden to the grave, bind us together, bring shalom

    Benediction:

    *Professing and baptized members in good standing of a Church in which Jesus Christ is proclaimed as Lord and Savior are warmly invited to join us in the celebration of the Lord’s Supper.

  • Announcements – July 10 2015

    Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

    This coming Lord’s Day we will begin our journey through the Ten Commandments. I will be preaching on the first Commandment in the Decalogue, expressed in Exodus 20:3–“You shall have no other god’s before Me.” This Commandment has been called the “foundation of all true religion,” and it provides the moral and logical basis for the remaining nine. The eternal relevance of this sacred Command becomes apparent as we view the landscape of our own world which, in so many respects, is very much like that of the ancient near east. The world of Moses and the Israelites was awash in the veneration of countless deities. The Egyptian pantheon alone had over 1500 gods and goddesses! And while we consider ourselves more sophisticated and less inclined to follow the winds of superstition and primitive magic, we are no less vulnerable to the catalog of competing idol-deities that are available today. In the Decalogue, however, we will discover why and how the Covenant people in every age are commanded to guard the exclusivity of their love, devotion, and service of the one and only true and living God.

    Mission Report This Sunday

    During our Lord’s Day Service of Worship, it will be our great joy to hear a report from the mission field! Steve and Rita Williams, our MTW missionaries to New Zealand, will be with us. Steve will be giving a report on their work and sharing specific ways we can stand with them in our prayers. Below you will find out more about Steve and Rita and how the Lord is using them in such a significant way. Let me also say that while we support them financially as a Church body, their needs at the moment are great. As you know, PCA missionaries must raise their own support from local Churches and individuals who feel called to invest in their ministries. Lately, however, their funding has fallen short of what they require. Would you pray for them specifically about this need? And would you consider how you might be used of the Lord to bless and provide for them financially? The Lord has placed them in such a strategic location in the world where they are directly involved in planting faithful, Gospel-preaching Presbyterian Churches and training local pastors in the work of ministry. I am so excited about our partnership with them, now and in the future!

    Thank you for your faithful prayers, and I can’t wait to see you on Sunday morning!

    In His love,

    Mike

    Introducing Dr. Steve and Rita Williams

    Steve and Rita Williams previously served as Mission to the World missionaries in Germany and Austria where they established the retreat/counseling ministry of Barnabas Zentrum. During that time, Steve also served as the MTW European area missionary care coordinator. In 2006 the Williams redeployed to New Zealand where they now serve with the Grace Presbyterian Church of New Zealand on a church planting lead team in Auckland, the largest Polynesian city in the world. Steve trains national leaders in pastoral care at Grace Theological College as well as internationally throughout the Pacific region. Both Steve and Rita have been active in the support and care of Christian leaders and their families. They also have a special heart for ministering to young adults. All of these various ministries operate under the MTW/GPCNZ partnership project called the New Zealand Grace Care Community.

    Born in Jackson, Miss., Steve grew up here in Huntsville and is a graduate of Grissom High School (class of ’74). He obtained a Ph.D. from Florida State University with concentrations in both family social science and family therapy. He also holds a M.A. from Wheaton Graduate School with concentrations in theology and interpersonal relations. He formerly served as adjunct professor at Reformed Theological Seminary (Jackson, Miss.) and as Director of Family Science at Montreat College (Montreat, NC). Rita, a native of Asheville, NC, holds a B.S. in psychology from Liberty University (Lynchburg, VA) and served with Ben Lippen Ministries in administrative and counseling support.

  • Order of Worship – July 5 2015

    ORDER OF WORSHIP
    July 5, 2015

    Call to Worship: Dr. Michael Calvert, Teaching Elder
    Psalm 98:1-4

    Pastor: Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things!
    People: His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.
    Pastor: The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.
    People: He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel.
    Pastor: All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
    All: Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!

    Confession of Faith: The Westminster Larger Catechism

    Q. 36: Who is the Mediator of the covenant of grace?
    A: The only Mediator of the covenant of grace is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, of one substance and equal with the Father, in the fullness of time became man, and so was and continues to be God and man, in two entire distinct natures, and one person, forever.

    Prayer of Adoration:

    Old Testament Lesson: 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10

    Song: And Can It Be Hymn 455 v.1,3-5

    Song: All Things New CCLI #5448157

    Come, Lord, and tarry not; Bring the long looked for day;
    O why these years of waiting here, These ages of decay?
    Come for Thy saints still wait; Daily ascends their sigh;
    The Spirit and the Bride say “Come”, Does Thou not hear the cry?

    O come and make all things new, come and make all things new
    O come and make all things new. Build up this ruined Earth,
    Come and make all things new

    Come for creation groans, Impatient of Thy stay,
    Worn out with these long years of ill, These ages of delay.
    Come for love waxes cold, Its steps are faint and slow;
    Faith now is lost in unbelief, Hope’s lamp burns dim and low.
    New Testament Lesson: 2 Corinthians 12:2-10

    Confession of Sin and The Lord’s Prayer:

    Assurance of Pardon: Hebrews 8:12

    Song of Response: Amazing Grace Hymn 460 v.1-3,6

    Scripture Reading and Prayer for the Church:
    Dr. Bud Lancaster, Teaching Elder Romans 14

    Preaching of the Word: Dr. Michael Calvert, Teaching Elder
    “Grace, Law, and the People of the Covenant” Exodus 20:1-2

    Communion*:

    Song: In Christ Alone CCLI #3350395

    In Christ alone my hope is found; He is my light, my strength, my song;
    This cornerstone, this solid ground, Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
    What heights of love, what depths of peace, When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
    My comforter, my all in all—Here in the love of Christ I stand.

    In Christ alone, Who took on flesh, Fullness of God in helpless babe!
    This gift of love and righteousness, Scorned by the ones He came to save.
    Till on that cross as Jesus died, The wrath of God was satisfied;
    For ev’ry sin on Him was laid— Here in the death of Christ I live.

    There in the ground His body lay, Light of the world by darkness slain;
    Then bursting forth in glorious day, Up from the grave He rose again!
    And as He stands in victory, Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me;
    For I am His and He is mine— Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

    No guilt in life, no fear in death— This is the pow’r of Christ in me;
    From life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny.
    No pow’r of hell, no scheme of man, Can ever pluck me from His hand;
    Till He returns or calls me home— Here in the pow’r of Christ I’ll stand.

    Benediction:

    *Professing and baptized members in good standing of a Church in which Jesus Christ is proclaimed as Lord and Savior are warmly invited to join with us in the celebration of the Lord’s Supper.

    ANNOUNCEMENTS
    Guests: Welcome to Christ Presbyterian Church. We want to thank you for joining us for worship! If this is your first time visiting our church, please fill out a visitor card and place it in the offerings box at the back of the sanctuary. We’d like to send you some info about our church and our ministries. Also, if you have any needs or would like additional information, please see one of the elders or deacons, or send an email to christprespca@gmail.com.
    Children’s Ministry: Families, please join us for summer playdates throughout June, July and August! The next outing is Monday, July 15th (lunch at the Botanical Gardens). Please contact Ashley for details.
    Children’s Sunday School: If you have a child in nursery up through high school, please email Ashley at aoturnbull@gmail.com with the name and the grade/class they are entering. This will help with planning the 2015/2016 curriculum. Also please let her know if you are interested in helping out with this ministry.
    Women’s Ministry: Please join us as we gather for fellowship with one of our visiting missionaries, Rita Williams, on Sunday, July 12th at 9:15 am. She will share some of their work in New Zealand. We are asking for monetary donations (or notes of encouragement) to be given to Rita in a gift basket. Please drop those by the table in the narthex and see Judi Fikes for more details.
    Calendar/Other Announcements: As always, check the website www.christpreshamptoncove.org for additional news and events.
    PRAYER REQUESTS
    Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, Nancy Bright, and Billy Cranford.
    Expecting/adopting parents: Please pray for the Johnson, Matheny, and Stanford families as they prepare to expand.
    Ministries: Please pray for the following missionaries and ministries: Seth and Jessica Lewis (Ireland); Steve and Rita Williams (New Zealand); Reid and Kelli Jones (RUF UAH); Roy and Emily Hubbard (RUF Alabama A&M); Franky Garcia (RUF University of Central Florida); Ken and Angie Burnett (FCA)

  • Announcements – July 3 2015

    Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

    Last week Carol and I, along with our grandson Parker, enjoyed lunch at a restaurant at the base of Lookout Mountain. We had parked our car up at the top and then taken a ride on the Incline Railway down to the city below. The vertical drop from the summit to the valley floor is about 1400 feet, and the Railway has the distinction of being the steepest passenger railway in the world. The ride is only about a mile each way, but the sights and senses one experiences in that ten-minute trip are amazing. As we ate our food with the mountain in view, I thought about the two contrasting emotions I experienced on the trip down. First there was some fear. If you sit near the front of the rail car on the way down you will be impressed by the steepness of the descent. The track seems to go vertical at one point, and there is the brief sensation of walking off the side of a high cliff. This was a bit scary, since one of my life-mottos is ‘never climb higher than one is willing to fall’! But the other emotion–one that, given the context, seemed a bit out of place–was attraction. It was beautiful! Lookout Mountain is huge (the mountain extends almost 40 miles into Alabama)! The views from 2300 feet above sea level are thrilling. Being on the edge produced excitement. And if time and money were unlimited, I’d ride that train over and over again, and so would Parker!

    I mention this because I have a hunch that, in a much bigger way, this is how the Israelites felt at the base of Mount Sinai. We are explicitly told that they experienced great fear there, and such is understandable given that it was at this sacred place that they both saw and heard the Lord God. But I imagine they were also attracted to the magnificent beauty of the Lord’s transcendent holiness. We might say that they were simultaneously repelled and drawn closer. Of course, at this very site the Lord would both speak and write down the Ten Commandments, and I suspect that the revelation of God’s Law had a similar effect upon them–fear and attraction. Fear because they were in the presence of the Great and Holy “I AM,” and attraction because they were His people and He was their loving Father whose will for them would be codified in the Decalogue.

    It is imperative that we also feel those same conflicting emotions as we approach our study of the Ten Commandments. If we view and interpret these ‘ten words’ without fear, we will twist, distort, and dilute them for our own selfish ends. And without attraction we will likely ignore them, relegating them to a bygone era of ‘law’ that is no more relevant to us now than the telegraph. To properly understand the Law and its abiding place in our lives as New Covenant believers we must be both fearful of and attracted to God’s Holy Law. We must behold both the terror and the beauty of God’s perfection. We must appreciate both the danger and the delight found in His Law.

    On Sunday we will begin our consideration of the Ten Commandments. And we will start at the beginning, where our journey should commence. Our sermon text will be taken from Exodus 20:1-2, which is the preamble or introduction to the Decalogue. Over the weekend, take some time to reflect upon these verses, and then get familiar again with the Ten Commandments as set forth in verse 3-17.

    Before I sign off, let me say a heartfelt word of thanks to Col. Bob Owen and Rev. Jeff Hamm for preaching in my absence. What a joy and honor it is to have these two gifted men of God in our flock. I have greatly benefited from their many years of ministry experience and the wisdom the Lord has bountifully bestowed upon them. And I am deeply thankful for each of you, especially for your prayers during our two weeks off. We had such a blessed and refreshing time away, and I feel restored and reenergized. Your prayers ensured that we would find rest and refreshment, and would be better prepared for the Lord’s work. Thank you for your love and amazing kindness!

    I love you all so very much, and it is the highest honor to be your pastor and brother in the Lord.

    See you Sunday,

    Mike