Christ Presbyterian Church (PCA)

Month: November 2015

  • Announcements – November 27 2015

    The King With Four Names

     

    If you’ve been a Christian for very long at all you will remember that Isaiah 9:1-7 contains a most vivid prophecy of the birth and earthly ministry of the Son of God.  And in the heart of this magnificent prophecy are four names or titles that Isaiah employs for our Lord in verse 6: “Wonderful Counselor,” “Mighty God,” “Eternal Father,” and “Prince of Peace.”

     

    These titles will be the subject of our brief series of Advent messages from this passage as we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior. The glorious names we discover here, each having two parts, will tell us what the world needs to know and believe about Him. And each will shine the light upon certain features of His Person and work, and will confirm for us not only who He was and is, but why He came to this earth, born in the manger to the virgin who was betrothed to Joseph.

     

    This Sunday morning we will consider the historic context for this amazing word of prophecy. Our focus will be upon how Isaiah’s day, characterized by spiritual darkness and death (v. 2), was so much like our own.  And how into such a world of moral blindness and depravity came a blessed Promise from heaven above!

     

    As you prepare for Lord’s Day Worship and for the Season of Advent, let me encourage you to read the flowing passages: Isaiah 7:1-14; 8:22-9:7; Matthew 4:1-17.

     

    I love you all so very much, and eagerly look forward to seeing you on the Lord’s Day,

     

    Mike

     

    PS: Speaking of Christmas, don’t forget that our annual Christmas Eve Service of Worship and Communion will be on Thursday night, December 24, at 5:00 PM.

  • Order of Worship – November 29 2015

    ORDER OF WORSHIP
    November 29, 2015
     
    Call to Worship:                                                                                     Isaiah 44:6

    Prayer of Adoration:

    Confession of Faith:                          The Westminster Shorter Catechism

    Q.21                 Who is the Redeemer of God’s elect?

    1. The only Redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God became man, and so was and continues to be God and man, in two distinct natures and one person forever.

    Q.22                How did Christ, the Son of God, become man?

    1. Christ, the Son of God, became man by taking to himself a body and a soul like ours, being conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the virgin Mary, and born of her, yet without sin.

    Old Testament Lesson:                                                   Jeremiah 33:14-16

    Song: Man of Sorrows, What a Name                                    Hymn 246 v.1-5

    Song: The Son of God Came Down                                          CCLI# 4866259

    The Son of God came down and laid aside His crown
    Born without great renown, this Sovereign One
    All holiness and might, all glory shining bright
    Have come to earth this night in Mary’s son
    O come, let us adore

    CHORUS: O Christ the Lord, our hope and Savior
    Son of God yet made like us
    O Christ the Lord, our King adored
    Born a child, our Lord, Jesus

    Messiah born so small, asleep in cattle stall
    Come to redeem our fall, nailed to a tree
    This tiny, helpless child through death would reconcile
    The holy God and vile, His grace so free
    O come, let us adore

    New Testament Lesson:                                                         Luke 21:25-36

    Song: Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus                                Hymn 196 v.1-4

    Scripture Reading and Prayer for the Church:
    Fred Fohrell, Ruling Elder                                                                 Matthew 9:18-38

    Preaching of the Word:                            Dr. Michael Calvert, Teaching Elder
    “Wonderful Counselor”                                                                   Isaiah 9:6

    Confession of Sin and Assurance of Pardon:                            Psalm 29

    Pastor:           To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
    People:           O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me.
    Pastor:           Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
    People:           Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.
    Pastor:           Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.
    People:           Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.
    Pastor:           Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!
    People:           Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
    All:              He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.

    Communion*:

    Song: Wonderful, Merciful Savior                                                                CCLI# 106879
    Wonderful, merciful Savior, precious redeemer and friend
    Who would have thought that a lamb could rescue the souls of men?
    Oh you rescue the souls of men
    Counselor, comforter, keeper, Spirit we long to embrace
    You offer hope when our hearts have hopelessly lost their way
    Oh we hopelessly lost the way

    CHORUS: You are the One that we praise, you are the One we adore
    You give the healing and grace our hearts always hunger for,
    Oh our hearts always hunger for

    Almighty infinite Father, faithfully loving your own
    Here in our weakness you find us falling before your throne,
    Oh we’re falling before your throne

    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.

    Women’s Christmas Dinner: Mark your calendars, December 9th is the date of the upcoming Women’s Christmas Dinner. If you would like to help with planning, decorating, or gift making, please see Meg Wohleber. Please RSVP using the link on the church website, and if you are planning to attend, please drop off $10 in the offering box by 12/6.

    Missionaries Christmas Cards: Drop off your Christmas cards at the table in the Narthex. We will collect these cards and care packages to send to the missionaries we support. See Judi Fikes for details.

    Children’s Christmas Party: Children’s Christmas Celebration is Sunday, December 13th, from 5 to 7 p.m. All families with children nursery through 5th grade are invited. Please see the flyers and RSVP on the link on the church website. We also need 2-3 non-parent volunteers to come help serve the families. Please see Ashley if you can help.

    Calendar/Other Announcements: As always, check the website www.christpreshamptoncove.org for additional news and upcoming events.

     

    PRAYER REQUESTS

    Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, Katie Brown, S’ine Trent, and Suzanne Nimon.

    Expecting/adopting parents: Please pray for the Johnson family 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); Franky Garcia (seminary student)

  • Announcements – November 20 2015

    Beloved Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

     

    On Sunday our sermon series will move us on to the next ‘Great Event In the History of Redemption.’ We find it in Exodus 24:1-11.  This episode, which took place at Mount Sinai just after the giving of the Decalogue, has been called the “Old Testament Mount of Transfiguration,” and the greatest event “on all the pages of inspired history prior to the Divine Incarnation” (A. W. Pink, Gleanings In Exodus, 175).

     

    The critical importance of this Old Covenant text could not possibly be overstated.  And its significance for us as New Covenant believers is simply breathtaking.  As you familiarize yourself with this amazing passage in preparation for Lord’s Day worship, let me encourage you to read Matthew 26:26-29 and Hebrews 9:1-10:25 as well.  I think the ‘Covenantal connection’ will be very clear indeed!

     

    Officer Nominations

     

    Thank you for your participation in our recent Officer Nominations.  The men you have nominated for the Offices of Ruling Elder and Deacon are being notified. Those men who are willing to take the next step as outlined by the Book of Church Order will be trained and examined (through both written and oral examinations) over the next several months.  Those who pass these exams and are desirous of going further in the process will then be interviewed by the Session with special attention given to their character and spiritual qualifications for Church Office. Following this, the Session will submit a list of qualified candidates to the Church family, and Officer Elections will be held no less than thirty days later.  Ultimately, the Church family chooses her Officers.  Those who are elected by the Congregation will then be set aside for their work in a formal Ordination and Installation Service on a Sunday morning.  These are such exciting times!  Let’s be faithful to bathe this whole process in prayer!

     

    Don’t Forget About the Church Website!

     

    Just a reminder that all Church Announcements, Ministry News, the official Calendar of Church Activities, the Friday E-mails, and Orders of Worship are on the website.  You may also use the site to sign up for various events as well.  And of course you can find archived recordings of the Sunday sermons there too. Check it out at Christpreshamptoncove.org

     

    I love you all with all my heart!

     

    Mike

  • Order of Worship – November 22 2015

    ORDER OF WORSHIP
    November 22, 2015

    Call to Worship: Psalm 93:1-2

    Prayer of Adoration:

    Old Testament Lesson: 2 Samuel 23:1-7

    Prayer of Confession:

    Pastor: Dear Heavenly Father, we bow our heads before You and we confess that we have too often forgotten that we are Yours.
    People: We often carry on our lives as if there was no God, and we fall short of being a credible witness to You.
    Pastor: For these things we ask Your forgiveness and we also ask for Your strength.
    People: Give us clear minds and open hearts so we may bear witness to You in our world.
    Pastor: Remind us, O Father, to be who You would have us to be, regardless of who we are with or what we are doing.
    All: Call us to You and renew our relationship with You and with those You have given us on earth.

    Song: Lord Most High CCLI #2037688

    From the ends of the earth, from the depths of the sea
    From the heights of the heavens, your name be praised
    From the hearts of the weak, from the shouts of the strong
    From the lips of all people, this song we raise, Lord

    CHORUS: Throughout the endless ages
    You will be crowned with praises, Lord most high
    Exalted in every nation, sovereign of all creation
    Lord most high, be magnified

    Song: God Of My Life, To Thee I Call CCLI# 5397370

    God of my life, to Thee I call, afflicted at Thy feet I fall
    When the great water flood prevail, leave not my trembling heart to fail

    CHORUS: Poor though I am, despised, forgot
    Yet God, my God, forgets me not
    And he is safe, and must succeed, for whom the Lord is sure to plead

    Friend of the friendless and the faint, where should I lodge my deep complaint?
    Where but with Thee whose open door invites the helpless and the poor

    That were a grief I could not bear didst Thou not hear and answer prayer;
    But a prayer hearing, answering God supports me under every load.

    New Testament Lesson: Revelation 4:1-8

    Song: What Wondrous Love Is This? Hymn 261 v.1-3

    Scripture Reading and Prayer for the Church:
    Dr. Bud Lancaster, Ruling Elder Matthew 9:1-17

    Preaching of the Word: Dr. Michael Calvert, Teaching Elder
    “Covenant Affirmation” Exodus 24:1-11

    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.

    Communion*:

    Song: Oh Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go Hymn No 708, v,1, 3-4

    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.

    Women’s Christmas Dinner: Mark your calendars, December 9th is the date of the upcoming Women’s Christmas Dinner. If you would like to help with planning, decorating, or gift making, please see Meg Wohleber. Please RSVP using the link on the church website.

    Missionaries Christmas Cards: Drop off your Christmas cards at the table in the Narthex. We will collect these cards and care packages to send to the missionaries we support. See Judi Fikes for details.

    RUF Christmas Party: We still need a few items for the UAH RUF Christmas we’re supporting. See the link to donate on the website.

    Children’s Christmas Party: Children’s Christmas Celebration is Sunday, December 13th, from 5 to 7 p.m. All families with children nursery through 5th grade are invited. Please see the flyers and RSVP on the link on the church website. We also need 2-3 non-parent volunteers to come help serve the families. Please see Ashley if you can help.

    Calendar/Other Announcements: As always, check the website www.christpreshamptoncove.org for additional news and upcoming events.

     

    PRAYER REQUESTS

    Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, Katie Brown, S’ine Trent, and Suzanne Nimon.

    Expecting/adopting parents: Please pray for the Johnson family 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); Franky Garcia (seminary student)

  • Announcement – Women’s Christmas Dinner

    We will be holding our annual Women’s Christmas Dinner on 9 December 2015 at the Church. For additional details and to RSVP, please click on the following link: http://whoozin.com/TVK-X73-T9WP. For those interested in assisting with the event, send an email to meg.wohleber@gmail.com as there are still many ways to contribute.

  • Announcement – Youth Bible Study Christmas Party

    Church Family,
    The Christ Presbyterian Youth Bible Study has been rescheduled from Nov. 29 until Dec. 6.  We will meet at the Church House at 4:00 pm.

    We will shuttle from the church house to sing Christmas Carols to the residents of the Brookdale Nursing Home in Hampton Cove. After caroling, we will have a year-end Christmas Dinner at Stevi B’s Pizza in Hampton Cove. Bring $5 per person for pizza. Parents please pick up at Stevi B’s at 7:30 pm.

     

  • Announcement: Children’s Christmas Celebration!

    Click HERE to RSVP to the event.

    childrens_christmas2015_final

  • Order of Worship – November 15 2015

    ORDER OF WORSHIP
    November 15, 2015

    Call to Worship: Psalm 16
    Pastor: Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
    People: I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.”
    Pastor: As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.
    People: The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.
    Pastor: I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.
    People: I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
    Pastor: Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.
    People: For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.
    All: You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore

    Prayer of Adoration:

    Old Testament Lesson: Daniel 12:1-3

    Song: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty Hymn 53 v.1,3-5

    Song: More Love to Thee, O Christ Hymn 649 v.1,2,4

    New Testament Lesson: Hebrews 10:11-17

    Confession of Faith: The Westminster Confession of Faith, 8.3

    In his human nature, united to the divine nature, the Lord Jesus was set apart and anointed with the Holy Spirit beyond measure, having in him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. In him the Father was pleased to have all fullness dwell, so that—being holy, blameless, and undefiled, full of grace and truth—he might be completely equipped to fulfill the office of a mediator and guarantor. He did not take this office to himself but was called to it by his Father, who put all power and judgment into his hand and commanded him to execute it.

    Song: In Need CCLI# 2431435

    In need of grace, in need of love
    In need of mercy raining down from high above
    In need of strength, in need of peace
    In need of things that only You can give to me

    In need of Christ, the perfect lamb
    My refuge strong, the great I Am
    This is my song, my humble plea
    I am your child, I am in need

    Scripture Reading and Prayer for the Church:
    Dr. Bud Lancaster, Ruling Elder Matthew 8:1-29

    Preaching of the Word: Dr. Michael Calvert, Teaching Elder
    “The Tenth Commandment: You Shall Not Covet” Exodus 20:17

    Prayer of Confession:

    Holy and merciful God, we confess to You and to one another, and to the whole communion of saints in heaven and on earth, that we have sinned by our own fault in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart and mind and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not forgiven others as we have been forgiven. Have mercy on us, O God.

    Promise of Forgiveness: Ephesians 2:19-21

    Communion*:

    Song: The Precious Blood CCLI# 4804297

    Before the cross I kneel and see the measure of my sin
    How You became a curse for me though You were innocent
    The magnitude of Your great love Was shown in full degree
    When righteous blood, the crimson spill rained down from Calvary

    CHORUS
    Oh, the precious blood that flowed from Mercy’s side
    Washed away my sin when Christ my Savior died
    Oh, the precious blood of Christ the crucified
    It speaks for me before Your throne where I stand justified

    And who am I that I should know this treasure of such worth
    My Savior’s pure atoning blood shed for the wrath I’d earned
    For sin has stained my every deed my every word and thought
    What wondrous love that makes me one your priceless blood has bought

    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.

    Operation Christmas Child: The Christ Presbyterian Children’s Sunday school classes are participating in Operation Christmas Child through Samaritan’s Purse. Each Sunday school class will collect items for two boxes, one for a girl and one for a boy, each appropriate for the ages in the class (either 2-4 years old, 5-9 years old, or 10-14 years old). The classes will assemble the boxes, pray for the recipient, and include a letter of encouragement. Today is the last collection day. Please contact Denise Brown if you would like more information.

    Women’s Christmas Dinner: Mark your calendars, December 9th is the date of the upcoming Women’s Christmas Dinner. If you would like to help with planning, decorating, or gift making, please see Meg Wohleber.

    Calendar/Other Announcements: As always, check the website www.christpreshamptoncove.org for additional news and upcoming events.

     

    PRAYER REQUESTS

    Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, Katie Brown, and Suzanne Nimon.

    Expecting/adopting parents: Please pray for the Johnson family 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); Franky Garcia (seminary student)

  • Announcements – November 13 2015

    Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

     

    Sunday’s sermon will bring an end to our study of the Ten Commandments. You will remember that our recent expositions on the Decalogue have been part of our larger study of the Great Events in the History of Redemption.  From here we will move forward to some of the other great episodes of the Old Testament and, ultimately, into the New Testament where the shadows and types of the Older Covenant find their blessed fulfillment in the New.

     

    The final Commandment in the Decalogue, found in Exodus 20:17, deals with the sin of coveting.  And not only is coveting forbidden, but the Lord specifically lists the things that should not be desired: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”

     

    But what is it to covet?  Is the Lord forbidding all desires here?  Are their things that should be desired?  And if so, how do we determine what is a legitimate desire and what is sinful?  And then, how does this Old Testament Commandment apply to the New Covenant believer in Christ?  These are the questions we will tackle as we gather this coming Lord’s Day.

     

    In preparation for Sunday you’ll benefit from reading Luke 12:13-34. Here we discover a parable told by our Lord Jesus that is specifically aimed at the sin of covetousness (v. 15).

     

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

     

    Mike

  • Announcement – Support for the RUF at UAH Christmas Party

    Church Family,
    RUF at UA Huntsville is planing a huge Christmas event for Monday, November 30th at 6:30 p.m.. Our very own Jennifer Kent is in charge of the party and has asked us to partner with them to provide food for their students. They are expecting close to 60 to be there! Praise the Lord!
    I have set up a Sign-up Genius page for you with all of the various items we will provide. The church will supply the chicken fingers, and we members will take care of the rest.
    Please help us by donating a food or paper product item. I also need two women to be there at 5:30 p.m. to receive food and help set-up. You won’t have to stay more than one hour.
    Other notes:
    –The event is to be held at the White House at Southwood (directions will follow closer to the event).
    –Please drop your food item off in a disposable container so that we do not have to return glassware/cookware.
    –Please have your food item there NLT 5:45 p.m.
    –As mentioned, a Christ Pres volunteer will be there to receive your item.
    –You can also leave it at the church on Sunday, the 29th, and we will get it to the White House.
    Thank you so much for serving RUF in this way! Let’s also pray for Reid, Jennifer, and all of the students as they fellowship in the name of Christ!
    In Him,
    Ashley
    Click HERE to sign-up for an item to donate.