Christ Presbyterian Church (PCA)

Month: May 2016

  • Order of Worship – May 29 2016

    Call to Worship: Psalm 113:1-4

    Pastor: Praise the Lord!
    People: Praise, O servants of the Lord, Praise the name of the Lord.
    Pastor: Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forever.
    People: From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the Lord is to be praised.
    All: The Lord is high above all nations; His glory is above the heavens.

    Prayer of Adoration:

    Old Testament Lesson: Genesis 18:10-14

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

    Song: Better Is One Day – CCLI #1097451

    How lovely is your dwelling place, oh Lord Almighty
    My soul longs and event faints for You
    For here my heart is satisfied, within Your presence
    I sing beneath the shadow of Your wings

    CHORUS
    Better is one day in your courts, better is one day in your house
    Better is one day in your courts than thousands elsewhere

    One thing I ask and I would seek, to see Your beauty
    To find you in the place your glory dwells

    Repeat CHORUS

    My heart and flesh cry out, for You, the living God
    Your Spirit’s water for my soul
    I’ve tasted and I’ve seen, come once again to me
    I will draw near to You, I will draw near to You

    Repeat CHORUS

    New Testament Lesson: Romans 5:1-8

    Confession of Sin:

    O Lord God, Who inhabits eternity, the heavens declare Your glory, the earth Your riches, the universe is Your temple. Your presence fills immensity, yet You have of Your pleasure created life, and communicated happiness. In You I live and have my being; I thank You for Your riches given to me in Jesus: for the unclouded revelation of Him in Your Word. Help me to feel a need of His continual Saviorhood; subdue in me the love of sin, let me know the need of renovation as well as of forgiveness, in order to serve and enjoy You forever.

    Assurance of Pardon: 1 Peter 2:5

    Song: Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me – Hymn 499 v.1-4

    Scripture Reading and Prayer for the Church:
    Dr. Michael Calvert, Teaching Elder – Matthew 21:1-22

    Preaching of the Word: Dr. Michael Calvert, Teaching Elder
    “Poor Man, Rich Man, and the Wisdom of God” – James 1:9-11

    Confession of Faith: The Belgic Confession of Faith Article 33: The Sacraments

    Pastor: We believe that our good God, mindful of our crudeness and weakness, has ordained sacraments for us to seal his promises in us, to pledge his good will and grace toward us, and also to nourish and sustain our faith.
    People: He has added these to the Word of the gospel to represent better to our external senses both what he enables us to understand by his Word and what he does inwardly in our hearts, confirming in us the salvation he imparts to us.

    Communion*:

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

    Benediction: 1 Peter 5:14

    Peace be to you all who are in Christ

    *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.

    Sunday School Summer Recess: We are currently on summer break from Sunday School. There will continue to be coffee and fellowship starting at 10 AM, with the service of worship beginning at 10:30 AM. Sunday School will resume in September.

    Summer Splash: There will be swim party for our Children’s Ministry families on Friday, June 10th from 5 to 8 pm. $5/family for pizza and drinks! See Ashley Turnbull for more information.

    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: Chris Smotherman, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, Katie Dyer, Bill Cowley, and Joe Fikes.

    Expecting/adopting parents: Please pray for the Johnson family as they continue in their adoption process.

    Ministries: Please pray for the following missionaries and ministries: Seth and Jessica Lewis (Ireland); Steve and Rita Williams (New Zealand); Reid and Kelli Jones, Jennifer Kent (RUF UAH); Ken and Angie Burnett (FCA); Franky Garcia (seminary student).

  • Announcements – May 27 2016

    Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

    So far in our study of the Epistle of James we have seen how the brother of our Lord has summoned all believers in Christ to a life of “joy”—even when our lives are made turbulent and difficult by the “various kinds of trials” that we often encounter (1:2).  And this life of “joy” is made possible by what we know to be true with absolute certainty—that by means of these same difficulties and struggles the Lord is producing “steadfastness” in each of us, and is bringing us forward to greater Christian maturity and Christlike virtue (1:3-4).  What happens in our lives, then, is not accidental or random but comes to us from the hand of the One who sits enthroned over all things and loves us with an eternal love that will never abandon us or fail!  However, we have also learned that the acquisition of “wisdom,” God’s “wisdom” that comes to us as His gracious gift, is needed in order to view life and circumstances in this way—from the perspective of eternity (1:5-8).

    But then, in verses 9-11, we find James giving us two illustrations of what he has been talking about. He will speak of two of the circumstances of life that we might “meet” as we follow the Lord Jesus.  And these are representative of the many kinds of difficulties that we face along the way.  Now, James could have well chosen from an endless list of possible circumstances that we could encounter, both pleasant and unpleasant. Included would be good health or sickness, an unexpected gain or the loss of something or someone that we love, any kind of calamity or season of peace, a relational struggle or victory, a financial reversal or promotion, or a time of deep spiritual doubt or profound assurance, and the like.  But here James has chosen two examples from life that are most common and very easy to understand—poverty and wealth.  In verse 9 he will speak of the “lowly brother,” the one who is poor and is suffering through a time of material and financial need.  And then in verses 10-11 he will speak of the one who is “rich,” or the one who is experiencing a time of great abundance and material prosperity.  Despite the obvious and major differences in these two life-situations, his command to both has to do with boasting!  Both are to rejoice, but in different things. And, both are to see their respective circumstances as a test of their faith leading to the production of endurance and maturity!

    On Sunday we will begin exploring the riches of this section of Holy Scripture, and I know that the Lord has a word for each of us.  Thank you for your fervent prayers as we come together for worship and the proclamation of the Word of God.

    No Sunday School Until the Fall

    Just a reminder that we are now on our annual Summer Break from Sunday School.  From now until early September we will meet for fellowship each Lord’s Day at 10:00 AM, followed by Worship at 10:30 AM.

    Have a most blessed weekend, and I’ll see you Sunday morning!

    All my love,

    Mike

  • Parents’ Night Out: The Campout

    Meg, Beth, and their team of volunteers put on yet another successful PNO this May. It was a glorious night for a campout! Thank you to all our volunteers for such a wonderful event to teach our children more about Jesus and support our families! {Click on the images to enlarge}

    PNO1 PNO2 PNO3 PNO4 PNO5 PNO6 DSC_3604

  • Order of Worship – May 22 2016

    Call to Worship: Isaiah 65:17-18

    Prayer of Adoration:

    Old Testament Lesson: Psalm 8

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

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

    New Testament Lesson: 2 Corinthians 13:11-14

    Confession of Sin:

    Assurance of Pardon: Isaiah 1:18

    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

    Scripture Reading and Prayer for the Church:
    Dr. Mike Calvert, Teaching Elder – Matthew 20:1-20-34

    Preaching of the Word: Dr. Michael Calvert, Teaching Elder
    “A Prayer for Wisdom, Part Two” – James 1:5-8

    Confession of Faith: The Nicene Creed

    Pastor: I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
    People: And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.
    Pastor: Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate;
    People: He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.
    Pastor: And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.
    All: And I believe in one holy universal and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

    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: Romans 16:20

    *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.

    Sunday School: Reminder that today is the last day of Sunday School before beginning our Summer break. There will continue to be coffee and fellowship starting at 10 AM, with the service of worship beginning at 10:30 AM. Sunday School will resume in Spetember.

    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: Chris Smotherman, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, Katie Brown, Bill Cowley, and Joe Fikes.

    Expecting/adopting parents: Please pray for the Johnson family as they continue in their adoption process.

    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); Ken and Angie Burnett (FCA); Franky Garcia (seminary student).

  • Announcements – May 20 2016

    Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

    In our two previous messages from the Epistle of James, we have seen that James is immediately concerned with the fact that his “brothers” in the Lord, who are scattered throughout the Roman Empire in various local churches, are suffering through times of great distress and difficulty. His heart surely reaches out to them in brotherly love and concern, and he has penned this letter to offer them all the help and encouragement that he can.

    But, oddly enough, James tells them that such episodes of pain and persecution and trial are the normal course for all those who follow Jesus—“when you meet trials of various kinds” (v. 2). And even beyond this fact, James wants to press home to them the truth that, as incomprehensible as it may sound at first, such common difficulties are actually occasions for joy—“count it all joy” (v. 2).

    And this is the case because of the fact that our Lord Himself sends such times of pressure and difficulty for the specific purpose of “testing”—“the testing of your faith produces steadfastness” (v. 3). And the production of this virtue of “steadfastness” will result in true Christian maturity for all in the body of Christ—“that you may be prefect and complete, lacking in nothing” (v. 4).

    All “trials” and difficulties, then, are occasions for rejoicing and “joy” because by them our Father is making us more like His beloved Son! In such situations of pressure and “testing” we are growing and deepening in Christlike character and virtue.

    However, we have also seen that “wisdom” is required in order to understand this blessed divine purpose for our “trials” and sorrows.  We can only have this “joy” as we see that the Lord has designed them, and that He is working through them for the good of His people. And to see things this way necessitates a complete change in the way we think.

    Simply expressed, we need God’s “wisdom.” But not the false and artificial ‘wisdom’ that comes from the world.  But God’s “wisdom” that comes only “from above” (3:15).  We need renewed minds. Minds submissive to God’s truth!  Thoughts that are made “captive to obey Christ”–2 Corinthians 10:5.

    But how can we find this “wisdom”?  How do we acquire it?  How do we get it from heaven above down into our minds and hearts below?

    This is the practical question we will try to answer this coming Lord’s Day from James 1:5-8.

    Sunday is the Last Day of Sunday School

    Don’t forget that our spring semester of Sunday School ends this week.  Over the summer months we will have a time of fellowship at 10:00 AM, followed by Worship at 10:30 AM each Sunday Morning.

    In our final adult class on ‘The Fruit of the Spirit’ I will be covering the fruit of goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

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

    In His grace,

    Mike

  • Order of Worship – May 15 2016

    Call to Worship: Colossians 2:9

    Corporate Prayer of Adoration: From Psalm 104

    Pastor: Bless the Lord, O my soul!
    People: O Lord my God, you are very great!
    Pastor: You are clothed with splendor and majesty,
    People: Covering yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent.
    Pastor: O Lord, how manifold are your works!
    People: In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.
    Pastor: May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works,
    People: I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
    Pastor: May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord.
    People: Bless the Lord, O my soul!
    All: Praise the Lord!

    Confession of Faith: 1 Timothy 3:16

    Old Testament Lesson: Isaiah 32:14-16

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

    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

    New Testament Lesson: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

    Confession of Sin:

    Assurance of Pardon: 1 Timothy 1:13-15

    Song: Be Thou My Vision – Hymn 642 v.1-2,4-5

    Scripture Reading and Prayer for the Church:
    Dr. Bud Lancaster, Ruling Elder – Matthew 20:1-19

    Preaching of the Word: Dr. Michael Calvert, Teaching Elder
    “A Prayer for Wisdom” – James 1:5-8

    Communion*:

    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.

    Benediction: Philippians 4:7

    May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus our Lord

    *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 – May 13 2016

    Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

     

    This coming Lord’s Day we will once again find ourselves at the very beginning of that powerful New Testament letter written by James, the brother of our Lord Jesus.  And so far we have listened as he has told us about the purpose for the various trials and tribulations that the Lord sends into our lives. James has made it abundantly clear that those who believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ should have a most distinct attitude and belief about the difficulties they face—those troubles that all of us meet as we follow Christ. We “count” them all “joy” if and “when” we “encounter” them (1:2). And we do so in view of how the Lord uses these difficulties for His glory and our good. Namely, that such trials are designed to produce Christian maturity in each of us.

     

    The “steadfastness” of heart that grows in such times of trial leads to a completeness or perfection in Christian virtue and Christlike character (1:4). This is one of the main ways that the Lord makes His people strong—He places them in times of testing and proving. And in these experiences—that are admittedly difficult—our faith will grow, our spiritual ‘muscles’ will be exercised, and we will reach full maturity.

     

    Now, to be sure, this Biblical perspective on suffering and trials is very challenging to us. It seems to go against everything that we feel or may believe about God, the world, and the way that the Lord governs the affairs of our lives. To rejoice when we are tested? To consider ourselves blessed by God? To find in our pains and tribulations occasions for “joy”?  How crazy this must sound to some people!  And yet, this is exactly what James has written in the opening lines of the letter.

     

    But how can we come to such a place where we see things this way? How can we gain such a perspective on our lives, and on the lives of those we love in the Body of Christ?  How can we “count it all joy” when we “meet trials of various kinds”?   Well, it’s as if James has anticipated just such a dilemma.  And in verses 5-8 he gives us the answer we are searching for.  It is all about gaining “wisdom.”

     

    This will be our sermon passage for the next two Sundays as we consider how we may find the Lord’s joy and peace no matter what our circumstances may be.

     

    I love you all,

     

    Mike

  • Order of Worship – May 8 2016

    Call to Worship: Isaiah 61:10

    Prayer of Adoration:

    Old Testament Lesson: Psalm 93

    Song: By Thy Mercy

    Jesus, Lord of life and glory, Bend from Heav’n Thy gracious ear;
    While our waiting souls adore Thee, Friend of helpless sinners, hear:
    From the depth of nature’s blindness, From the hardening power of sin,
    From all malice and unkindness, From the pride that lurks within:

    Chorus: By Thy mercy, O deliver us, good Lord.
    By Thy mercy, O deliver us, good Lord, good Lord.

    When temptation sorely press, in the day of Satan’s power
    In our times of deep distresses, in each dark and trying hour
    When the world around is smiling, In the time of wealth and ease,
    Earthly joys our hearts beguiling, In the day of health and peace,

    In the weary hours of sickness, in the times of grief and pain
    When we feel our mortal weakness, when all human help is vain
    In the solemn hour of dying, In the awful judgment day,
    May our souls, on Thee relying, Find Thee still our Rock and Stay

    Song: Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus – Hymn 679 v.1-4

    New Testament Lesson: Ephesians 1:15-23

    Confession of Sin:

    Pastor: O Lord God, Who inhabits eternity, the heavens declare Your glory, the earth Your riches, the universe is Your temple. Your presence fills immensity.
    People: Yet, You have of Your pleasure created life, and communicated happiness.
    Pastor: In You I live and have my being.
    People: I thank You for Your riches given to me in Jesus: for the unclouded revelation of Him in Your Word.
    Pastor: Help me to feel a need of His continual mercy.
    People: Subdue in me the love of sin.
    Pastor: Let me know the need of renovation as well as of forgiveness.
    All: Give me a renewed heart to serve and enjoy You forever. Amen.

    Assurance of Pardon: 2 Corinthians 2:14

    Song: It Is Well With My Soul – Hymn 691 v.1-4

    Scripture Reading and Prayer for the Church:
    Dr. Michael Calvert, Teaching Elder – Matthew 19:16-30

    Preaching of the Word: Dr. Michael Calvert, Teaching Elder
    “Count It All Joy!” – James 1:2-4

    Confession of Faith: The Westminster Confession of Faith–29.1

    Our Lord Jesus, on the night when he was betrayed, instituted the sacrament of his body and blood, called the Lord’s Supper.

    It is to be observed in his church until the end of the age for the perpetual remembrance of the sacrifice of himself in his death, for the sealing of all the benefits of that death unto true believers, for their spiritual nourishment and growth in him, for their increased commitment to perform all the duties which they owe to him, and for a bond and pledge of their fellowship with him and with each other as members of his mystical body.
    Communion*:

    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”, dost thou not hear the cry?

    CHORUS:
    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.

    Benediction: Hebrews 13:20-21

    Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus . . . equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

    *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 – May 6 2016

    Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

    This Sunday we are continuing our new series of messages for the summer months on the Epistle of James, an inspired first-century letter penned by the very brother of our Lord Jesus Christ.  And we have already made the important observation that while James was indeed the actual blood kin of the Son of God, he spoke of himself only as the slave or “servant” of “the Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 1).

    And we also learned that this brief letter was written to the Church of our Savior, to new Christians, whom James referred to as “the twelve tribes” that had been scattered around the world by the providential hand of God—mostly through persecution. His Epistle targeted a number of very young Christian congregations dispersed throughout the Roman Empire, and these were largely made up of former Jews who had confessed that Jesus was the Messiah and Lord.

    And now on Sunday we will come to the body of the letter where James immediately speaks of something that, when considered by itself, is not very pleasant at all—the subject of trials and tribulations. To be sure, these believers in the Lord Jesus to whom James wrote were paying a very high price to be loyal to their new King and Redeemer. We know this as a fact due to what is later set forth in the letter, most notably in chapter 5 where James encourages them to be patient and faithful in their times of difficulty and suffering (vv. 7-11).

    But as we come to the beginning of the letter, we see that James takes on this rather delicate subject of suffering with much boldness. And he suggests an approach to trials and difficulty that is most distinct, and very surprising as well!  In verses 2-4 he exhorts his readers to do that which seems hopelessly futile, if not impossible—to “count it all joy . . .  when you encounter various trials”!

    Let’s pray that the Lord will help us to understand why such an unusual command is given to those who are being so sorely afflicted, and how this same amazing “joy” can be ours!

    I love you all with all my heart!

    Mike