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Month: July 2017
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Announcements and Order of Worship – July 30 2017
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Announcements and Order of Worship – July 21
Sermon Preview
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This coming Lord’s Day we will be taking a third and final look at 2 John 1:4-6, with particular emphasis upon verse 6, where the Apostle John says,
“And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.”
You will remember that the subject immediately under consideration is the way the believers in the local Church to whom John wrote were “walking” (v. 4). And, of course, by that word “walking” John is referring to how they, as Christian people, were living their lives every day in the real world. The word “walk,” which we encounter a number of times in this brief letter, is a common New Testament symbol for the believer’s conduct, his or her lifestyle, the manner in which the Christian carries out his or her life, in all of its complexities and details, each day. And up to this point, John has depicted the believer’s “walk” as most distinct in two wonderful ways. The believer’s life is distinguished by “truth” (v. 4), and by “love” (v. 5).
As we consider both the implications and contemporary applications of this passage, we need to see the beautiful link between these two blessed graces, “truth” and “love.” These are blessings that we often find coupled together in the Scriptures. You might at once think of Paul’s exhortation to the Ephesian believers to speak “the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15), or even the Old Testament’s admonition from Proverbs 3:3–“Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.”
What is the significance of this linkage? Why does “truth” need “love,” and “love” depend upon “truth”? And what happens when they are disjointed? And what does it mean for a believer to “walk” in “the truth” and in “love”? Let’s pray that our Lord will answer these questions and speak powerfully to us as we gather before Him in worship on Sunday.
A Word of Thanksgiving
I know you join me in giving praise to our Lord for the wonderful Vacation Bible School we enjoyed this week. The Lord blessed in so many ways, and this was made possible by the loving sacrifice of those who served in a variety of capacities in this year’s VBS. Thank you Ashley, and all of the workers who joined you, in teaching and leading our children into a greater understanding of our Redeemer and Savior! Praise His Name!
I love you all,
Mike
Upcoming Events:
July 23 – Back packs for CARE Center due
July 25 – Senior Fellows visit to Larry’s
August 13 – New Members ClassOrder of Worship:
You can access this week’s Order of Worship by clicking here
The songs for this week are:
O the Deep Deep Love of Jesus
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
It Is Well
Joyful JoyfulConnecting with the Catechism:
Quest. 91. How do the sacraments become effectual means of salvation?
Ans. The sacraments become effectual means of salvation, not from any virtue in them, or in him that doth administer them; but only by the blessing of Christ, and the working of his Spirit in them that by faith receive them.
I Pet. 3:21; Matt. 3:11; I Cor. 3:6-7.
I Cor. 12:13.Quest. 92. What is a sacrament?
Ans. A sacrament is an holy ordinance instituted by Christ, wherein, by sensible signs, Christ, and the benefits of the new covenant, are represented, sealed, and applied to believers.
Gen. 17:7, 10; Exod. 12; I Cor. 11:23, 26.
Quest. 93. Which are the sacraments of the New Testament?
Ans. The sacraments of the New Testament are, Baptism, and the Lord’s supper.
Matt. 28:19.
Matt. 26:26-28.Announcements:
Sunday School IN RECESS:
Sunday School is in recess for the summer. We will have a weekly time of fellowship beginning at 10 AM, with our regular worship beginning at 10:30 AM. Sunday school will resume in the Fall.Diaconate Announcement:
Do you have a practical need, or know of someone who does? Your diaconate is most ready and willing to serve you in any way we can. Please simply contact our Chairman, Jack Loose, or speak to any of our Deacons. Our names are listed in the bottom of the bulletin, or you can send us an email at deacons@christpreshamptoncove.org. Any one of us would love to have the opportunity to serve you, so don’t hesitate to contact us. VBS:
Vacation Bible School was a tremendous success! The kids memorized Phil 2:5-11, and also raised enough money to fund 10 children to attend Bible camp with our missionary Seth Lewis in Ireland. Special thanks to all the volunteers who made this happen. If you are interested, there is a brief video highlighting the week’s activities which you can view here. The password to view the video is “christpres”. To protect privacy, please don’t forward the password. Thanks for your support for this wonderful event!Back Packs for The CARE Center:
Filled bags for the Care Center are due this Sunday July 23rd. Please return them to the church. Thanks you.Senior Fellows:
On Tuesday, July 25, the Senior Fellows will visit Larry’s Gun and Pawn Shop at 2405 Memorial Parkway SW for defensive training. We will arrive about 9 AM. Meet at the church at 8:15 if you want to carpool. Visitors are welcome Lunch will follow at about 11:30 at Jason’s Deli at 4800 Whitesburg Dr. Join us for lunch even if you can’t make it to Larry’s. For more information contact David O’Neil or Joe Sims.Ladies Summer Scripture Read Along:
You are invited to participate with all ladies of Christ Presbyterian Church:Summer Scripture Read-Along in Isaiah, Jeremiah, & Lamentations
HOW: Start in Isaiah on July 3. Read 3 chapters a day, Monday–Friday.
Take the weekend off to reflect, journal, or catch-up as needed.
Then, keep reading following the schedule below!Read along with us, on your own time, no need to sign-up, just participate if you’re able.
We hope it will be a blessing to our ladies to be united in our devotion to God’s word through this read-along.
Here’s the breakdown:
July 24-28 read Isaiah 46-60
July 31-Aug 1 read Isaiah 61- the end.Wednesday-August 2 Break
Aug 3-4 Jeremiah 1-6
Aug 7-11 Jeremiah 7-21
Aug 14-18 Jeremiah 22-36
Aug 21-25 Jeremiah 37-50
August 28 Jeremiah 51-the end.Tuesday-August 28 Break
Aug 30-31 read Lamentations 1-5**Look for a chapter guide noted at the bottom of the church’s weekly emailed newsletter.
If you have questions, please email Denise Brown niniandjb@gmail.com
New Members and Inquirers Class:
The next New Members and Inquirers Class will be August 13 and 20 from 3-5 PM at the church. Nursery will be provided. Attending the class does not obligate you to join the church, but attendance is mandatory if you wish to become a member. Please tell anyone you know who might be interested about this upcoming class.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 and Mitzi Cowley, Nolan Osmer, Pam Thomason, and Sondra Behmer.
Expecting: Please pray for the Bryant family, expecting in December.
Ministries: Please pray for the following missionaries and ministries: Seth and Jessica Lewis (Ireland); Steve and Rita Williams (New Zealand); RUF at UAH and Alabama A&M; Ken and Angie Burnett (FCA); Franky Garcia (seminary student). -
Announcements and Order of Worship – July 16 2017
Sermon Preview
Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
One of the most moving scenes from the earthly life of our Lord is recorded for us in John 13. This is that blessed portion of Holy Scripture that tells us how Jesus, on the night of His betrayal and arrest, washed the feet of the Disciples and instituted what we know as the Lord’s Supper. It was also then, during that final time with the Disciples before He died, that Jesus gave to them the “new commandment”:
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another”–John 13:34-35.
A bit later in John’s Gospel, Jesus says it again:
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another”–John 15:12-17.
These two passages certainty reveal to us the background for what we discover in 2 John 1:4-6. In his second little letter, the Apostle John all but repeats and then applies the previous word of His Lord:
“I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.”
Last Lord’s Day we began our exploration of this passage and we noted that the Christian life, according to John, is a “walk.” It is a way of consistently living, and one that is most distinct from the way others, who do not know our Lord, conduct their every-day lives. And there are two great points of distinction that the Apostle highlights here. First, contrary to how others live, the believer’s “walk” is “in the truth” (v. 4). And secondly, the believer’s “walk” is one of “love,” particularly for our fellow Christians (vv. 5-6). Of course, this begs two questions that we will begin to answer as we gather together this coming Lord’s Day: What is “the truth” in which we are to “walk”? And what is “love,” and how is this “love” related to the “commandment” (v. 5), and the “commandments” (v. 6)?
I can’t wait to see each of you as we come before our Father in worship!
All my love and prayers for you all in Christ our King,
Mike
Upcoming Events:
July 16, 6:30 PM — Prayer Dessert for Meg Wohleber
July 17-20 – Vacation Bible School
July 19 – Diaconate Meeting
July 23 – Back packs for CARE Center due
July 25 – Senior Fellows visit to Larry’sOrder of Worship:
You can access this week’s Order of Worship by clicking here
The songs for this week are:
Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me
Wonderful, Merciful Savior
More Love to Thee, O Christ
Why So HeavyConnecting with the Catechism:
Q. 88. What are the outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption?
A. The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption are, his ordinances, especially the Word, sacraments, and prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for salvation.
Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 21:41, 42
Q. 89. How is the Word made effectual to salvation?
A. The Spirit of God maketh the reading, but especially the preaching of the Word, an effectual means of convincing and converting sinners, and of building them up in holiness and comfort, through faith, unto salvation.
Neh. 8:8-9; Acts 20:32; Rom. 10:14-17; II Tim. 3:15-17
Q. 90. How is the Word to be read and heard, that it may become effectual to salvation?
A. That the Word may become effectual to salvation, we must attend thereunto with diligence, preparation, and prayer; receive it with faith and love, lay it up in our hearts, and practice it in our lives.
Deut. 6:6ff; Ps. 119:18; I Pet. 2:1-2
Ps. 119:11; II Thess. 2:10; Heb. 4:2; Jas. 1:22-25Announcements:
Sunday School IN RECESS:
Sunday School is in recess for the summer. We will have a weekly time of fellowship beginning at 10 AM, with our regular worship beginning at 10:30 AM. Sunday school will resume in the Fall.Vacation Bible School:
VBS is this week! All campers, parents, and church members are invited to hear our camp songs, see us recite our memory work, and eat together Thursday July 20 at 6 PM.Dessert Fellowship Honoring Meghan Wohleber:
The women’s ministry would like to invite each of you to a dessert fellowship in honor of Meg Wohleber as we celebrate her upcoming wedding in August and wish her well as she leaves our church to join her husband at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Huntsville.Click HERE to RSVP to the dessert fellowship.
Back Packs for The CARE Center:
Our church is providing 20 packs for the CARE Center Care Pack Ministry for the upcoming school year. These packs provide school supplies for needy children in our area. Supply lists and bags for students will be available in the church foyer July 9thand July 16th. Filled bags can be returned to the church on July 23rd. By “adopting” a child you commit to purchasing a backpack and supplies.
If you choose to, you may also include encouraging notes and treats from your family to make this gift a little more personal. Get creative if you want to and have fun with it! Kids love surprises! The cost of the supplies per child ranges from $50-$100
More information on the mission/ministries of the Care Center is at: www.theCAREcenter.usSenior Fellows:
On Tuesday, July 25, the Senior Fellows will visit Larry’s Gun and Pawn Shop at 2405 Memorial Parkway SW for defensive training. We will arrive about 9 AM. Meet at the church at 8:15 if you want to carpool. Visitors are welcome Lunch will follow at about 11:30 at Jason’s Deli at 4800 Whitesburg Dr. Join us for lunch even if you can’t make it to Larry’s. For more information contact David O’Neil or Joe Sims.Ladies Summer Scripture Read Along:
You are invited to participate with all ladies of Christ Presbyterian Church:Summer Scripture Read-Along in Isaiah, Jeremiah, & Lamentations
HOW: Start in Isaiah on July 3. Read 3 chapters a day, Monday–Friday.
Take the weekend off to reflect, journal, or catch-up as needed.
Then, keep reading following the schedule below!Read along with us, on your own time, no need to sign-up, just participate if you’re able.
We hope it will be a blessing to our ladies to be united in our devotion to God’s word through this read-along.
Here’s the breakdown:
July 17-21 read Isaiah 31-45
July 24-28 read Isaiah 46-60
July 31-Aug 1 read Isaiah 61- the end.Wednesday-August 2 Break
Aug 3-4 Jeremiah 1-6
Aug 7-11 Jeremiah 7-21
Aug 14-18 Jeremiah 22-36
Aug 21-25 Jeremiah 37-50
August 28 Jeremiah 51-the end.Tuesday-August 28 Break
Aug 30–31 read Lamentations 1-5**Look for a chapter guide noted at the bottom of the church’s weekly emailed newsletter.
If you have questions, please email Denise Brown niniandjb@gmail.com
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 and Mitzi Cowley, Nolan Osmer, and Sondra Behmer.
Expecting: Please pray for the Bryant family, expecting in December.
Ministries: Please pray for the following missionaries and ministries: Seth and Jessica Lewis (Ireland); Steve and Rita Williams (New Zealand); RUF at UAH and Alabama A&M; Ken and Angie Burnett (FCA); Franky Garcia (seminary student). -
Announcements – July 7 2017
Sermon Preview
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
Perhaps like many of you, I have a particular love for the hymns of our faith. As I reflect upon my younger days as a Christian, I have very fond memories of singing hymn #409 in the old Baptist Hymnal, ‘When We Walk With the Lord.’ It was written by a man named John H. Sammis, a Presbyterian minister, and it first appeared in 1887 in a collection called Hymns Old and New. The lines of the first verse still echo pleasantly in my mind:
When we walk with the Lord,
In the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.The notion that the life of a believer in Christ is like a ‘walk,’ however, does not find its original source in this blessed hymn. Actually, it comes from the Old Testament! Over and again, the Old Covenant people were commanded to “walk” in a distinctive way in light of their redemption by Yahweh’s grace and mercy. A good example of this is found in Leviticus 18:3-5 where the Lord speaks to the Israelites through Moses:
“You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. You shall not walk in their statutes. You shall follow my rules and keep my statutes and walk in them. I am the Lord your God. You shall therefore keep my statutes and my rules; if a person does them, he shall live by them: I am the Lord.”
This image of ‘walking’ is then picked up in the New Testament where it becomes a prominent figure of speech for the faithful life of a follower of Jesus. We see this very thing in 2 John. The beloved Disciple of the Lord employs it three times in 2 John 1:4-6. There he says:
“I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.”
You can see from the context of this passages that the word “walk” is another way of speaking of one’s life, or lifestyle. Your “walk”—how you actually behave—reveals a lot about who you really are, where you have come from, who you belong to, and where you are going. While our ‘talk’ may be impressive indeed, it’s our “walk” that tells the truth about us. And this is the concern beating in the heart of the Apostle John as he writes to his brothers and sisters in Christ who are in one of the churches near Ephesus. His point is that those who have been saved by our Lord Jesus should have a most distinctive “walk.”
On Sunday, we will begin our look at these verses, and we will pray that the Spirit of God might teach us, in the most practical of terms, what it is to “walk with the Lord in the light of His Word.”
A Prayer Request
Before I sign off, let me ask you to pray fervently for our upcoming Vacation Bible School. VBS begins on Monday July 17 and we are expecting the Lord to do great things that week in the lives of our children. Please pray for Ashley Turnbull and those who will be assisting her in leading this ministry to our precious little ones.
I love each of you so very much, and I have you on my heart and in my prayers constantly!
See you Sunday,
Mike
Upcoming Events:
July 16, 6:30 PM — Prayer Dessert for Meg Wohleber
July 17-20 – Vacation Bible School
July 23 – Back packs for CARE Center dueConnecting with the Catechism:
Q. 85. What doth God require of us, that we may escape his wrath and curse, due to us for sin?
A. To escape the wrath and curse of God, due to us for sin, God requireth of us faith in Jesus Christ, repentance unto life with the diligent use of all the outward means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption.
Mark 1:15; Acts 20:21
Acts 2:38; I Cor. 11:24-25; Col. 3:16Q. 86. What is faith in Jesus Christ?
A. Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, as he is offered to us in the gospel.
Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 4:16
John 20:30-31; Gal. 2:15-16; Phil. 3:3-11Q. 87. What is repentance unto life?
A. Repentance unto life is a saving grace, whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, doth, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God, with full purpose of, and endeavour after, new obedience.
Acts 11:18; II Tim. 2:25
Ps. 51:1-4; Joel 2:13; Luke 15:7, 10; Acts 2:37
Jer. 31:18-19; Luke 1:16-17; I Thess. 1:9
II Chron. 7:14; Ps. 119:57-64; Matt. 3:8; II Cor. 7:10Announcements:
Sunday School IN RECESS:
Sunday School is in recess for the summer. We will have a weekly time of fellowship beginning at 10 AM, with our regular worship beginning at 10:30 AM. Sunday school will resume in the Fall.Dessert Fellowship Honoring Meghan Wohleber:
The women’s ministry would like to invite each of you to a dessert fellowship in honor of Meg Wohleber as we celebrate her upcoming wedding in August and wish her well as she leaves our church to join her husband at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Huntsville.Click HERE to RSVP to the dessert fellowship.
Vacation Bible School:
We are excited to open registration for Vacation Bible School 2017: Upward Bound! VBS is for students who have completed pre-K thru 5th grade. Adult volunteers may also enroll their littles in nursery (infant and toddler).Cost is $10 per child and may be dropped in the offering box anytime this month. Please denote “VBS” on the check.
Please see our website HERE and go ahead and register your children or grandchildren today! If you are a volunteer, please also fill out the volunteer form so that we’ll have your sizes for t-shirts. This includes any teen or collegiate volunteers. T-shirt deadline is June 30th. Volunteers t-shirts are FREE. Any registration questions may be directed to Betsy Morgan at bsm7305@yahoo.com.
I am still in need of a few volunteers to serve in nursery and with small groups of kids. Let me know if you’re interested (this can be teen or collegiates as well).
I have put out our list of needs in order to make our week successful! Please consider helping us out with one of these items. We will have your items ready to return the Sunday after, July 23rd.
Click HERE to see the donation list.
Register today! Looking forward to serving with each of you!
Back Packs for The CARE Center:
Our church is providing 20 packs for the CARE Center Care Pack Ministry for the upcoming school year. These packs provide school supplies for needy children in our area. Supply lists and bags for students will be available in the church foyer July 9thand July 16th. Filled bags can be returned to the church on July 23rd. By “adopting” a child you commit to purchasing a backpack and supplies.
If you choose to, you may also include encouraging notes and treats from your family to make this gift a little more personal. Get creative if you want to and have fun with it! Kids love surprises! The cost of the supplies per child ranges from $50-$100
More information on the mission/ministries of the Care Center is at: www.theCAREcenter.usLadies Summer Scripture Read Along:
You are invited to participate with all ladies of Christ Presbyterian Church:Summer Scripture Read-Along in Isaiah, Jeremiah, & Lamentations
HOW: Start in Isaiah on July 3. Read 3 chapters a day, Monday–Friday.
Take the weekend off to reflect, journal, or catch-up as needed.
Then, keep reading following the schedule below!Read along with us, on your own time, no need to sign-up, just participate if you’re able.
We hope it will be a blessing to our ladies to be united in our devotion to God’s word through this read-along.
Here’s the breakdown:
July 10-14 read Isaiah 16-30
July 17-21 read Isaiah 31-45
July 24-28 read Isaiah 46-60
July 31-Aug 1 read Isaiah 61- the end.Wednesday-August 2 Break
Aug 3-4 Jeremiah 1-6
Aug 7-11 Jeremiah 7-21
Aug 14-18 Jeremiah 22-36
Aug 21-25 Jeremiah 37-50
August 28 Jeremiah 51-the end.Tuesday-August 28 Break
Aug 30–31 read Lamentations 1-5**Look for a chapter guide noted at the bottom of the church’s weekly emailed newsletter.
If you have questions, please email Denise Brown niniandjb@gmail.com
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 and Mitzi Cowley, and Sondra Behmer.
Expecting: Please pray for the Bryant family, expecting in December.
Ministries: Please pray for the following missionaries and ministries: Seth and Jessica Lewis (Ireland); Steve and Rita Williams (New Zealand); RUF at UAH and Alabama A&M; Ken and Angie Burnett (FCA); Franky Garcia (seminary student). -
Women’s Event: Summer Scripture Read-Along
Summer Scripture Read-Along in Isaiah, Jeremiah, & LamentationsHOW: Start in Isaiah on July 3. Read 3 chapters a day, Monday–Friday.Take the weekend off to reflect, journal, or catch-up as needed.Then, keep reading following the schedule below!Read along with us, on your own time, no need to sign-up, just participate if you’re able.We hope it will be a blessing to our ladies to be united in our devotion to God’s word through this read-along.Here’s the breakdown:July 3-7 read Isaiah 1-15July 10-14 read Isaiah 16-30July 17-21 read Isaiah 31-45July 24-28 read Isaiah 46-60July 31-Aug 1 read Isaiah 61- the end.Wednesday–August 2 BreakAug 3-4 Jeremiah 1-6Aug 7-11 Jeremiah 7-21Aug 14-18 Jeremiah 22-36Aug 21-25 Jeremiah 37-50August 28 Jeremiah 51-the end.Tuesday–August 28 BreakAug 30-31 read Lamentations 1-5**Look for a chapter guide noted at the bottom of the church’s weekly emailed newsletter.If you have questions, please email Denise Brown niniandjb@gmail.com
