Month: February 2017
-
Announcements – February 24 2017
Sermon Preview
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
Our sermon text for this Lord’s Day is James 5:9-11. Here the brother of Jesus addresses a very common problem among all people, and even among those who are in the Church. The ESV translates it as “grumble” (v. 9). James writes, “Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.” The situation that James was addressing was that the believers in the Churches of ancient Asia were suffering oppression from unbelievers, especially wealthy unbelievers (vv. 1-6). Amidst the stresses and pressures of persecution, tensions rose among them. The result was predictable, and one we all understand very well. Their frustrations and disappointments, triggered by the injustices suffered at the hands of others, led to strife and friction. This toxic atmosphere within the body of Christ then gave birth to ‘grumbling’ against one another.
The warning that James gives regarding this sin is as stark as the command that forbids it. Such murmuring, criticizing, and complaining have no place among God’s people. And the reason, as suggested in verse 9, is that grumbling against another believer is a form of judgment. The grumbler is acting as the judge of his fellow-Christian, and this is strictly forbidden by the Lord.
Then, in verses 10-11, James provides some examples of those who faced times of suffering and persecution, and yet maintained an attitude of steadfastness and patience. They accepted their afflictions as coming from God’s hand, and came to know the mercy and compassion of the Lord in a much deeper way (v. 11). In verse 7 James encouraged us to remember the “farmer” and follow his example of patience. In these verses we are to remember the “prophets” and the man named “Job.” If we do, then grumbling will be less of a problem. And like these faithful Old Testament servants of the Lord, we too will be “blessed” even in our tribulations (v. 11).
I love you all so dearly, and I look forward to seeing you Sunday Morning!
In His mercy,
Mike
Upcoming Events:
February 25, 10 AM – Baby Shower for Leah Johnson (at Renee Davie’s house)
February 26, 4:30 PM – Youth Group Meeting
February 26, 5 PM – Parenting Class 1
February 28, 9 AM – Senior Fellows Painting at the Church House
February 28, 6 PM – Women’s Evening Bible Study
March 1, 9 AM – Women’s Morning Bible Study
March 4, 4 PM – Sisk Wedding in Sanctuary
March 6 – Snacks for RUF
March 8, 6 PM – Bags of Blessings Packing at The CARE Center
March 12, 4:45 PM – Men’s Bible Study
Connecting with the Catechism:
Q. 24. How doth Christ execute the office of a prophet?
A. Christ executeth the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by his Word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation.
Luke 4:18-19, 21; Acts 1:1-2; Heb. 2:3
John 15:26-27; Acts 1:8; I Pet. 1:11
John 4:41-42; 20:30-31
Q. 25. How doth Christ execute the office of a priest?
A. Christ executeth the office of a priest, in his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, and reconcile us to God; and in making continual intercession for us.
Isa. 53; Acts 8:32-35; Heb. 9:26-28; 10:12
Rom. 5:10-11; II Cor. 5:18; Col. 1:21-22
Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25; 9:24
Q. 26. How doth Christ execute the office of a king?
A. Christ executeth the office of a king, in subduing us to himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies.
Ps. 110:3; Matt. 28:18-20; John 17:2; Col. 1:13
Ps. 2:6-9; 110:1-2; Matt. 12:28; I Cor. 15:24-26; Col. 2:15
Announcements:
Men’s Bible Study:
Be sure to put the following dates on your calendars: Sunday March 12, Sunday March 26, and Sunday April 9. On these three Sundays, from 4:45-6:30 PM, we will be having our Men’s Spring Bible Study. We will be studying the lives of two important New Testament men, Timothy and Titus. More information will follow.Shower for Sam Johnson:
There will be a baby shower for Sam Johnson on Saturday, February 25, at 10 AMat the home of Renee Davie.Parenting Class:
This year, we will meet again and discuss the topic of Leading Our Children to Faith in Christ. He will be using the book “Bringing the Gospel to Covenant Children” as a guide. This will be a wonderful chance for us to learn more about the reformed view of covenant children and their coming to Christ, what this looks like at our church, as well as ask any questions related to the communicant’s book that the Session has us go through with our children before they make a profession. It’s also a chance for us to fellowship! Mark your calendars:- Sunday, February 25th at 5:00 to 6:30 pm
- Sunday, March 6th at 5:00 pm (with potluck fellowship dinner to follow)
- Location: The Nuwayhid’s Basement, 3002 Firethorn Drive, Hampton Cove
Please RSVP to children@
christpreshamptoncove.org, along with $6 for a copy of the book.
So that we may all be present at the sessions, please plan to have a sitter for your children so that they may stay at home. The church is offering a childcare stipend for this event. We will provide a form for you to fill out closer to time.. Don’t let childcare hinder you from coming (email me if you need ideas!).Snacks for RUF:
Christ Presbyterian has committed to providing snacks for the RUF at UAH Large Group meeting on Monday, March 6th and Monday, April 10th.Some information below:- We are providing snacks (chips, trail mix, granola bars, fruit) and/or desserts (brownies, cookies, donuts, etc) for UAH students at the RUF “Large Group” meeting – between 75-100 students.
- We are asking 4 people to sign up for each night with each person preparing a snack/dessert to serve 25-30 people.
- If possible, bring your food in containers/bags that do not need to be returned.
- DROP-OFF: If possible, bring your contributions to the UAH Nursing Building on the Monday you sign up at 6:45pm. Come into the lobby of the ‘newer-looking’ Nursing Building and you will find RUF students setting up. If you are unable to drop off at that time contact Norman for pickup (334-313-1298, ndeaniv@
gmail.com). - If you have any questions please contact Norman
Please use this link to sign up for a slot: http://www.signupgenius.
com/go/4090444a9a92ca7ff2- provide Bags of Blessings:
Our church has volunteered to help March 8th and April 5th with the Bags of Blessings ministry at the Care Center in New Hope. Packing begins at 6:00 PM and lasts around 1.5 hours. We need 25-30 volunteers. Please contact Norman Dean, ndeaniv@gmail.com, if you would like to help or want more information.Prayer Requests:
Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Chris
Smotherman, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, Katie Dyer,
Rebecca Berry, Jenan Nuwayhid, Bill Dent, Zig Jastrebski, Leon Galecki, Gannon Miles, and Sondra Behmer.
Expecting parents: Please pray for the Wightman family who is due in March, the Lancaster family (April), and for the McCool family (June).
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 – February 17 2017
Sermon Preview
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
You could just about ask any Christian what his or her favorite Biblical subject is, and the answer would likely be the Second Coming of Christ. I can still remember the chills that would run down my spine as a young believer whenever our pastor would announce that he was preaching on this beloved topic. Just reading about this truth in the Word, hearing my pastor peach about it with passion and excitement, and imagining what it would be like to witness our Lord’s return seemed to make my steps much lighter.
Now, let’s flip the coin over, so to speak. If our favorite topic is the return of Jesus, then what is our least favorite one? Many of us might answer immediately with the word patience, or perhaps, endurance. The first subject gets us thinking about our deliverance from the trials and adversities and evils of this lost world. The second prompts unpleasant thoughts of struggle and long periods of waiting in the midst of such trials. The two seem diametrically opposed. I think of that warning we often give to one another: be very careful about asking the Lord to teach you patience! For the development of this virtue implies that we must endure and wait, often through very unpleasant circumstances.
But in James 5:7-8 we encounter something very interesting. The brother of our Lord links these two seemingly opposite subjects together. You can see this in the first few words of verse 7—“Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord.” By doing this, James is teaching us that these two subjects belong together in the life of Christ’s disciples. Jesus is certainly “coming.” Therefore, we must all “be patient.”
On Sunday, we will explore more fully this connection between the promise of our Lord’s return, and the necessity of patient endurance.
In the meantime, here’s a suggestion for you to get you ready for the message. See how many references to the Lord’s Second Advent you can find in the New Testament. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the answer! Then, see how many references to patience, or endurance, or longsuffering you can locate.
A Special Word of Thanks
Last Tuesday, our Church hosted the quarterly meeting of our Presbytery for the very first time. Teaching and Ruling Elders from all over Providence Presbytery met to conduct the business of the Church and to worship and fellowship together. We had a blessed time indeed! And what made it so special was the way so many of our folks joyfully gave of their time and energy to make it happen. Thank you to all of you who worked so hard to prepare for this event! We are so grateful for our Church Hostesses, our Flower Guild, our Worship Team, our Deacons, and others who assisted in making our brothers feel welcomed!! Praise the Lord for your labor of love!
I love you all!!
Mike
Upcoming Events: February 19, 3 PM – New Members Class
February 19, 4:30 PM – Youth Group Meeting
February 20, 6:30 PM – Quarterly Ladies Fellowship @ Rosies on S. Pkwy
February 21, 9 AM – Senior Fellows Visit to Harris Children’s Home
February 21, 6 PM – Women’s Evening Bible Study
February 22, 9 AM – Women’s Morning Bible Study
February 25, 10 AM – Baby Shower for Leah Johnson (at Renee Davie’s house)
February 26, 5 PM – Parenting Class
March 12, 4:45 PM – Men’s Bible Study
Connecting with the Catechism:Q. 21. Who is the Redeemer of God’s elect?
A. 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 continueth to be, God and man in two distinct natures, and one person, forever.
John 14:6; Acts 4:12; I Tim. 2:5-6
Ps. 2:7; Matt. 3:17; 17:5; John 1:18
Isa. 9:6; Matt. 1:23; John 1:14; Gal. 4:4
Acts 1:11; Heb. 7:24-25Q. 22. How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?
A. Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking to himself a true body, and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the virgin Mary, and born of her yet without sin.
Phil. 2:7; Heb. 2:14, 17
Luke 1:27, 31, 35
I Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15; 7:26; I John 3:5Q. 23. What offices doth Christ execute as our Redeemer?
A. Christ, as our Redeemer, executeth the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in his estate of humiliation and exaltation.
Deut. 18:18; Acts 2:33; 3:22-23; Heb. 1:1-2
Heb. 4:14-15; 5:5-6
Isa. 9:6-7; Luke 1:32-33; John 18:37; I Cor. 15:25Announcements: Men’s Bible Study:
Be sure to put the following dates on your calendars: Sunday March 12, Sunday March 26, and Sunday April 9. On these three Sundays, from 4:45-6:30 PM, we will be having our Men’s Spring Bible Study. We will be studying the lives of two important New Testament men, Timothy and Titus. More information will follow.Ladies Fellowship Dinner:
There will be a dinner for the ladies of the church at Rosie’s Cantina on S. Parkway on February 20 at 6:30 PM. Please RSVP on the calendar on the church website.Senior Fellows:
Senior Fellows will visit the Harris Children’s Home (1210 Church St NW, Huntsville) 10 AM, Tues, Feb 21. Carpools will leave the Church at 9:30 AM. We will have lunch after the visit. Visitors are welcome. For more information, email seniorfellows@christpreshamptoncove.org or phone: 256-532-1856. Shower for Sam Johnson:
There will be a baby shower for Sam Johnson on Saturday, February 25, at 10 AMat the home of Renee Davie.Parenting Class:
This year, we will meet again and discuss the topic of Leading Our Children to Faith in Christ. He will be using the book “Bringing the Gospel to Covenant Children” as a guide. This will be a wonderful chance for us to learn more about the reformed view of covenant children and their coming to Christ, what this looks like at our church, as well as ask any questions related to the communicant’s book that the Session has us go through with our children before they make a profession. It’s also a chance for us to fellowship! Mark your calendars:- Sunday, February 25th at 5:00 to 6:30 pm
- Sunday, March 6th at 5:00 pm (with potluck fellowship dinner to follow)
- Location: The Nuwayhid’s Basement, 3002 Firethorn Drive, Hampton Cove
Please RSVP to children@
christpreshamptoncove.org, along with $6 for a copy of the book.
So that we may all be present at the sessions, please plan to have a sitter for your children so that they may stay at home. The church is offering a childcare stipend for this event. We will provide a form for you to fill out closer to time.. Don’t let childcare hinder you from coming (email me if you need ideas!).Snacks for RUF:
Christ Presbyterian has committed to providing snacks for the RUF at UAH Large Group meeting on Monday, March 6th and Monday, April 10th.Some information below:- We are providing snacks (chips, trail mix, granola bars, fruit) and/or desserts (brownies, cookies, donuts, etc) for UAH students at the RUF “Large Group” meeting – between 75-100 students.
- We are asking 4 people to sign up for each night with each person preparing a snack/dessert to serve 25-30 people.
- If possible, bring your food in containers/bags that do not need to be returned.
- DROP-OFF: If possible, bring your contributions to the UAH Nursing Building on the Monday you sign up at 6:45pm. Come into the lobby of the ‘newer-looking’ Nursing Building and you will find RUF students setting up. If you are unable to drop off at that time contact Norman for pickup (334-313-1298, ndeaniv@
gmail.com). - If you have any questions please contact Norman
Please use this link to sign up for a slot: http://www.signupgenius.
com/go/4090444a9a92ca7ff2- provide Bags of Blessings:
Our church has volunteered to help March 8th and April 5th with the Bags of Blessings ministry at the Care Center in New Hope. Packing begins at 6:00 PM and lasts around 1.5 hours. We need 25-30 volunteers. Please contact Norman Dean, ndeaniv@gmail.com, if you would like to help or want more information.Prayer Requests:
Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Chris
Smotherman, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, Katie Dyer,
Rebecca Berry, Jenan Nuwayhid, Bill Dent, Zig Jastrebski, Leon Galecki, and Sondra Behmer.
Expecting parents: Please pray for the Wightman family who is due in March, the Lancaster family (April), and for the McCool family (June).
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).
admin@christpreshamptoncove. org 
http://www. christpreshamptoncove.org Christ Presbyterian Church, a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America
CCLI# 11187937Emails:
general inquiries: admin@christpreshamptoncove.org
needs and prayer: deacons@christpreshamptoncove.org
men’s ministry: men@christpreshamptoncove.org
women’s ministry: women@christpreshamptoncove.org
children’s ministry: children@christpreshamptoncove.org
youth ministry: youth@christpreshamptoncove.org
senior fellows: seniorfellows@christpreshamptoncove.org Address:
288 Old Highway 431
Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763 -
Announcements – February 10 2017
Sermon Preview Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
Sometimes God speaks to the world through a message written for His people. He addresses an absentee audience, as it were. We encounter this phenomenon in the Old Testament prophets. For example:
“Draw near, O nations, to hear, and give attention, O peoples! Let the earth hear, and all that fills it; the world, and all that comes from it. For the Lord is enraged against all the nations, and furious against all their host; he has devoted them to destruction, has given them over for slaughter.”–Isaiah 34:1-2.
We see a very similar thing, with equally shocking language, in the prophetic words of James 5:1-6. Standing in the rich and authoritative tradition of Israel’s inspired prophets, James pronounces a word of doom and destruction upon the “rich” (v. 1) who are destined for “slaughter” (v. 5). The audience in view here, however, is the unbelieving world outside the Church. James is warning all unbelievers, but especially those who are “rich” in worldly goods, that a day of reckoning is on the way. But if this is true, then we might be curious as to why the Lord would say things intended for an audience of people who will never read these words.
The solution to this puzzle is discovered in the fact that by speaking this way to His own people, God both instructs and warns those who belong to Him. In this passage, James is demonstrating the awful peril of making a god out of one’s wealth. He wants us—the followers of Jesus—to see what’s really happening to such people, the “rich,” when we look past the glitz, glamour, and the care-free spirit that effectively disguises their real “miseries” (vv. 1-3), terrible sins (vv. 4-6), and ultimate destiny (v. 6). And it’s not a pretty sight at all! Yet the point is well-taken, and the warning intended for us is clear enough! There is a grave danger associated with the accumulation of earthly treasures. It is an indisputable fact that “worldly wealth is an area of high risk in the battle to walk humbly with God” (Alec Motyer).
On Sunday, we will feast upon this passage of Holy Scripture. We will be both instructed in the way of righteousness, and warned of the peril of allowing our hearts to be captured by the love of things.
I love you all, and you are my constant joy!
Mike
Upcoming Events: February 12, 3 PM – New Members Class
February 14, 9 AM – Presbytery Meeting
February 14, 9 AM – Senior Fellows Painting @ Church House
February 14, 6 PM – Women’s Evening Bible Study
February 15, 9 AM – Women’s Morning Bible Study
February 19, 4:30 PM – Youth Group
February 25, 10 AM – Baby Shower for Leah Johnson (at Renee Davie’s house)
February 26, 5 PM – Parenting Class
Connecting with the Catechism: Q.18 Wherein consists the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell?
A.18 The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consists in the guilt of Adam’s first sin, the want of original righteousness, and the corruption of his whole nature, which is commonly called Original Sin; together with all actual transgressions which proceed from it.
Rom. 5:12, 19 5:10-20
Eph. 2:1-3
James 1:14-15
Matt. 15:19.Q.19 What is the misery of that estate whereinto man fell?
A.19 All mankind by their fall lost communion with God, are under his wrath and curse, and so made liable to all miseries in this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell for ever.
Gen. 3:8, 10, 24
Eph. 2:2-3
Gal. 3:10
Lam. 3:39
Rom. 6:23
Matt. 25:41, 46Q.20 Did God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery?
A.20 God having, out of his mere good pleasure, from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life, did enter into a covenant of grace, to deliver them out of the estate of sin and misery, and to bring them into an estate of salvation by a Redeemer.
Eph. 1:4.
Rom. 3:20-22
Gal. 3:21-22Announcements: New Members Class:
The next New Members class will be held at the church on February 12 and 19from 3 to 5 PM. This class is for anyone interested in learning more about becoming a member of our church. Attending the class does not obligate you to join, but anyone wishing to become a member must attend both classes. See the sign up sheet in the Narthex. Nursery will be provided, and there will be a meal after the February 19 meeting.Presbytery Meeting:
There will be a meeting of the Providence Presbytery this week at the church on February 14 at 9 AM. The church will be feeding the participants both breakfast and lunch. Below is a sign up for some things to fill out our meals. If you would like to provide a dessert or breakfast muffins for the meeting you can access the group meal by clicking here. If you have any questions, please contact Erica McNeese.Ladies Fellowship Dinner:
There will be a dinner for the ladies of the church at Rosie’s Cantina on S. Parkway on February 20 at 6:30 PM. Please RSVP on the calendar on the church website.Senior Fellows:
Senior Fellows will visit the Harris Children’s Home (1210 Church St NW, Huntsville) 10 AM, Tues, Feb 21. Carpools will leave the Church at 9:30 AM. We will have lunch after the visit. Visitors are welcome. For more information, email seniorfellows@christpreshamptoncove.org or phone: 256-532-1856.Parenting Class:
This year, we will meet again and discuss the topic of Leading Our Children to Faith in Christ. He will be using the book “Bringing the Gospel to Covenant Children” as a guide. This will be a wonderful chance for us to learn more about the reformed view of covenant children and their coming to Christ, what this looks like at our church, as well as ask any questions related to the communicant’s book that the Session has us go through with our children before they make a profession. It’s also a chance for us to fellowship! Mark your calendars:· Sunday, February 25th at 5:00 to 6:30 pm
· Sunday, March 6th at 5:00 pm (with potluck fellowship dinner to follow)
· Location: The Nuwayhid’s Basement, 3002 Firethorn Drive, Hampton Cove
Please RSVP to children@christpreshamptoncove.org, along with $6 for a copy of the book.
So that we may all be present at the sessions, please plan to have a sitter for your children so that they may stay at home. The church is offering a childcare stipend for this event. We will provide a form for you to fill out closer to time.. Don’t let childcare hinder you from coming (email me if you need ideas!).Snacks for RUF:
Christ Presbyterian has committed to providing snacks for the RUF at UAH Large Group meeting on Monday, March 6th and Monday, April 10th.Some information below:
· We are providing snacks (chips, trail mix, granola bars, fruit) and/or desserts (brownies, cookies, donuts, etc) for UAH students at the RUF “Large Group” meeting – between 75-100 students.
· We are asking 4 people to sign up for each night with each person preparing a snack/dessert to serve 25-30 people.
· If possible, bring your food in containers/bags that do not need to be returned.
· DROP-OFF: If possible, bring your contributions to the UAH Nursing Building on the Monday you sign up at 6:45pm. Come into the lobby of the ‘newer-looking’ Nursing Building and you will find RUF students setting up. If you are unable to drop off at that time contact Norman for pickup (334-313-1298, ndeaniv@gmail.com).
· If you have any questions please contact Norman
Please use this link to sign up for a slot: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090444a9a92ca7ff2-provide
Bags of Blessings:
Our church has volunteered to help March 8th and April 5th with the Bags of Blessings ministry at the Care Center in New Hope. Packing begins at 6:00 PM and lasts around 1.5 hours. We need 25-30 volunteers. Please contact Norman Dean, ndeaniv@gmail.com, if you would like to help or want more information.Prayer Requests:
Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Chris
Smotherman, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, Katie Dyer,
Rebecca Berry, Jenan Nuwayhid, Bill Dent, Zig Jastrebski, Bill and Mitzi
Cowley, Leon Galecki, and Sondra Behmer.
Bereavement: Mr. Alvin Oaks, father of Betty Terry and grandfather of Kaitlin
Passeur, died this week. Please pray for the family during this time.
Expecting parents: Please pray for the Lancaster family who is due in April,
and for the McCool family who is due in June.
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 – February 3 2017
Sermon Preview
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
On the night of our Lord’s betrayal and arrest, in those monumental hours before His trial and execution, He uttered some powerful and profound words to the Father in prayer. They are recorded for us in Luke 22:42–“Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And while these words may be perplexing to us on many fronts, they should not be unexpected, for this is the very way that Jesus had instructed His Disciples to pray: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). Jesus had taught His followers that all of life must be lived in humble submission to the will of God.
In that same place in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus had also spoken of God’s providence, a very closely related subject. You might recall His comforting words in the Sermon on the Mount in 6:25-34 where He taught that we should not be filled with anxiety concerning any aspect of our lives, but that we should trust in the Father’s tender care and faithful provision. Throughout the Bible we are told that God is in control, that He is good, that He is wise, and that His eternal plans and purposes shall never fail. And, given these realities, we have been called to live in each moment and in every circumstance as if they are indeed true!
The subjects of God’s will and of divine providence are in view in the words of James 4:13-17—our sermon passage for this coming Lord’s Day. It seems that there were some believers among those addressed in this letter who had forgotten these truths. They were living as if they, not the Lord, were in charge of their lives. You can hear the oozing spiritual pride and pomposity in their voices: “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit” (v. 13).
In response to this, as James characteristically does, he warns them sternly against such boastful “arrogance” (v. 16), and then instructs them in the proper way to speak and live: “Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that’” (v. 15).
This inspired instruction represents what we might call a profound ‘worldview shift.’ Contrary to human ‘wisdom,’ our lives are not left to the mercy of chance or human decisions. Rather, they are under the command of God. And this fact demands of us a change in perspective and in speaking—how we view our lives in all of their vast complexity, and how we speak of them in daily conversation as we go about our tasks.
So until Sunday, let’s all prayerfully reflect upon this passage and pray most fervently that the Lord will speak to us as we gather before Him.
I love you all most dearly!
Mike
Upcoming Events:February 5, 4:00 PM – Children’s Ministry Committee Meeting February 5, 4:30 PM – Youth Group
February 7, 9 AM – Senior Fellows Painting @ Church House
February 7, 6 PM – Women’s Evening Bible Study
February 8, 9 AM – Women’s Morning Bible Study
February 12, 3 PM – New Members Class
February 14, 10 AM – Presbytery Meeting
February 25, 10 AM – Baby Shower for Leah Johnson (at Renee Davie’s house)
February 26, 5 PM – Parenting Class
Connecting with the Catechism:Q. 15. What was the sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created?A. 15. The sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created, was their eating the forbidden fruit.
Gen. 3:6, 12.
Q. 16. Did all mankind fall in Adam’s first transgression?
A. 16. The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity; all mankind, descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him, in his first transgression.
Gen. 2:16-17; Rom. 5:12; I Cor. 15:21-22.
Q. 17. Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?
A.17. The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery.
Rom. 5:12
Announcements: Annual Budget:
Information about the yearly budget is available on handouts in the Narthex to anyone who is interested.Senior Fellows:
Senior Fellows will visit the Harris Children’s Home (1210 Church St NW, Huntsville) 10 AM, Tues, Feb 21. Carpools will leave the Church at 9:30 AM. We will have lunch after the visit. Visitors are welcome. For more information, email seniorfellows@
christpreshamptoncove.org or phone: 256-532-1856. New Members Class:
The next New Members class will be held at the church on February 12 and 19from 3 to 5 PM. This class is for anyone interested in learning more about becoming a member of our church. Attending the class does not obligate you to join, but anyone wishing to become a member must attend both classes. See the sign up sheet in the Narthex. Nursery will be provided, and there will be a meal after the February 19 meeting.Parenting Class:
This year, we will meet again and discuss the topic of Leading Our Children to Faith in Christ. He will be using the book “Bringing the Gospel to Covenant Children” as a guide. This will be a wonderful chance for us to learn more about the reformed view of covenant children and their coming to Christ, what this looks like at our church, as well as ask any questions related to the communicant’s book that the Session has us go through with our children before they make a profession. It’s also a chance for us to fellowship! Mark your calendars:- Sunday, February 25th at 5:00 to 6:30 pm
- Sunday, March 6th at 5:00 pm (with potluck fellowship dinner to follow)
- Location: The Nuwayhid’s Basement, 3002 Firethorn Drive, Hampton Cove
Please RSVP to children@
christpreshamptoncove.org, along with $6 for a copy of the book.
So that we may all be present at the sessions, please plan to have a sitter for your children so that they may stay at home. The church is offering a childcare stipend for this event. We will provide a form for you to fill out closer to time.. Don’t let childcare hinder you from coming (email me if you need ideas!).Presbytery Meeting:
There will be a meeting of the Providence Presbytery at the church on February 14.Snacks for RUF:
Christ Presbyterian has committed to providing snacks for the RUF at UAH Large Group meeting on Monday, March 6th and Monday, April 10th.Some information below:- We are providing snacks (chips, trail mix, granola bars, fruit) and/or desserts (brownies, cookies, donuts, etc) for UAH students at the RUF “Large Group” meeting – between 75-100 students.
- We are asking 4 people to sign up for each night with each person preparing a snack/dessert to serve 25-30 people.
- If possible, bring your food in containers/bags that do not need to be returned.
- DROP-OFF: If possible, bring your contributions to the UAH Nursing Building on the Monday you sign up at 6:45pm. Come into the lobby of the ‘newer-looking’ Nursing Building and you will find RUF students setting up. If you are unable to drop off at that time contact Norman for pickup (334-313-1298, ndeaniv@
gmail.com). - If you have any questions please contact Norman
Please use this link to sign up for a slot: http://www.signupgenius.
com/go/4090444a9a92ca7ff2- provide Bags of Blessings:
Our church has volunteered to help March 8th and April 5th with the Bags of Blessings ministry at the Care Center in New Hope. Packing begins at 6:00 PM and lasts around 1.5 hours. We need 25-30 volunteers. Please contact Norman Dean, ndeaniv@gmail.com, if you would like to help or want more information.Prayer Requests:
Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Chris
Smotherman, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, Katie Dyer,
Rebecca Berry, Jenan Nuwayhid, Bill Dent, Zig Jastrebski, Bill and Mitzi
Cowley, Leon Galecki, Charlotte Powell, Sondra Behmer, Gerry Davie, Linda Baxter, and Suzanne Nimon.
Expecting parents: Please pray for the Lancaster family who is due in April,
and for the McCool family who is due in June.
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).