Sermon Preview

Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

As you know by now, the month of October brings us closer to the 500^th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.  The beginning of this critical period in Church history, what J. I. Packer has called, “a spiritual revival, if any movement in Christendom ever was,” is forever linked with the date October 31, 1517.  It was on this day that Martin Luther nailed his famous ‘Ninety-Five Theses’ to the church door in the German city of Wittenberg. With this simple request for debate on some of the questionable practices and beliefs of the Catholic Church, the Reformation was ignited, and we are the direct heirs of its gospel flames.

The Protestant theology that resulted from this time of theological and spiritual renewal was set forth by five Latin slogans, each representing an essential doctrine that, as the Reformers insisted, must be believed and proclaimed in order to be faithful to Christ:

Sola Scriptura-By Scripture Alone
Sola Fide–By Faith Alone
Sola Gratia–By Grace Alone
Solus Christus–Through Christ Alone
Soli Deo Gloria–Glory to God Alone

Throughout the month of October, we will be focusing our sermons on these five Reformation slogans that find their foundation in the Word of God.

This coming Lord’s Day our text will be 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17, and our message will be entitled, “By Scripture Alone.” When the Reformers coined this phrase, they had in mind the Scripture’s self-testimony regarding its claim to be the ultimate authority for faith and practice.  And this claim regarding the written Word of God was made in view of the assertions of the medieval Roman Church that ultimate authority was found in the Church, in her authorized teachings, and in her traditions.  For the Reformers Sola Scriptura answers the essential question, ‘Where has God spoken with final authority?’

Then, on October 8, Rev. Jim Daughtry will preach from Romans 1:16-17 on the “Righteousness That is By Faith Alone.” Then I will follow with sermons on the three remaining solas, ending on the triumphant note of Soli Deo Gloria on October 29.

Let me also encourage you to take advantage of our current Adult Sunday School Class on Church History. Cliff Smith is leading us through the interesting, if not often tumultuous, history of the Reformation and the growth of the Protestant Church. In the next few weeks we will be considering some of the more notable Reformers and their teachings.

On a personal note, I will be on vacation from Monday October 2 through Sunday October 8.  I am so thankful to have Jim Daughtry filling the pulpit for us while I am away.

I love you all, and find great joy in serving our Lord with you!

In His abundant mercy,

Mike

Upcoming Events:

October 1, 2:30 PM – Men’s Fall Study
October 1, 4:00 PM – Children’s Choir
October 3, 6 PM – Women’s Evening Study
October 4, 9:30 AM – Women’s Morning Study
October 9, 6:30 PM – Young Adult’s Study
October 12, 6 AM– Men’s Morning Bible Study
October 15, 12:30 PM– Visitor’s Luncheon
October 15, 2:30 PM– Flower Guild Demo
October 22, 4:30 PM – Youth Group
October 27, 6 PM – Reformation Walk
October 28 – Church Work Day
December 6 – Women’s Christmas Party

Order of Worship:

You can access this week’s Order of Worship by clicking here

The songs for this week are:

He Leadeth Me
Oh Love That Will Not Let Me Go
God of My Life, To Thee I Call
Doxlogy

Announcements:

Youth Group: Youth Group will meet again on October 22 at 4:30PM at the church. All students in grades 6-12 are encouraged to attend, and please bring friends!

Children’s Choir: Children’s Choir continues Sunday at 4 at the church house.

Young Adults Study: Monday nights in October, starting on October 9th, there will be a Bible study for young adults at 6:30 PM at the home of John and Leslie Jeffery. The topic is “Humility.” This is open to anyone who considers themselves to be a young adult, single or married.

Visitor’s Luncheon: There will be a luncheon for all visitors of CPC at the home or Rich and Christina Bagdazian, 2614 Legacy Preserve Dr, Brownsboro, AL, immediately after worship on October 15. To sign up please see Christina at the table in the narthex.

Flower Guild Demo: The Flower Guild will be hosting a floral demonstration on October 15 from 2-4:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall. Sign up in the Narthex.

Reformation Walk – On October 27 at 6 PM, we will have our first ever Reformation Walk, celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. This fun event for children will help them learn about the history of the Reformation through games, crafts, and songs. Volunteers are needed to help with this, so if you are interested please see Ashley Turnbull or Amy Drown. Afterwards we will  gather to watch a little play, sing songs and pray. At 8:30, we will dismiss for hot cider and desserts outside! Get excited!

Church Work Day: We will have a Church Workday Saturday, October 28, starting at 8 AM. The purpose is to perform needed maintenance including landscaping and cleaning at the Church and Church House. In doing this we will have a great time of fellowship. We need the help of about 20 -25 adults and teens to help with this job. We also need tools. Please sign up to help and to bring designated tools in the narthex starting Sun, Oct 1. We will provide a light breakfast (coffee and donuts) and snack food. We plan to finish around noon. If the weather is bad, our backup day will be Saturday, November 4.

Women’s Christmas Dinner: Save the date for the Women’s Christmas Dinner at the Monte Sano Lodge on December 6 at 6 PM.

Prayer Requests:

Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Chris Smotherman, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, Nolan Osmer, George Boyd, John Baxter, Joyce Bosley, and Sondra Behmer
Expecting: Please pray for the Bryant family, expecting in December, the Townsley family, expecting in March, and the Staffords, expecting in April.
Ministries: Please pray for the following missionaries and ministries: Seth and Jessica Lewis (Ireland); Steve and Rita Williams (New Zealand); Vinnie and Molly Athey (RUF at UAH); RUF at Alabama A&M; Ken and Angie Burnett (FCA); Franky Garcia (seminary student).

Sermon Preview

Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

This coming Lord’s Day we will begin looking at one of the most well-known characters in the Book of Judges, second only to Samson, and his name is “Gideon.”  I’m confident that most of you know a good bit about this man, whose Hebrew name means something rather odd like ‘one who cuts down,’ or ‘chops.’ And you will also likely remember that this man “Gideon” is mentioned in the New Testament. He appears in that place in the Epistle of Hebrews where we find the ‘roll call’ of those Old Testament men and women who believed God’s Word and served Him faithfully (11:32).

Well, on Sunday we are going to begin telling Gideon’s remarkable story, which is the subject of chapters 6-8. We will get our study underway by looking at the setting for his appearance on the scene of Israel’s colorful history. This is set forth in Judges 6:1-10.  And as we get to know this man, as well as his times and place in the drama of redemption, we will learn some very important lessons about being Christians, true and faithful believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.

As you reflect upon this passage (and the larger context of Judges 6-8), take notice of the statement that ends chapter 5: “And the land had rest for forty years.” Then compare it to the blunt words that begin chapter 6: “The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord . . . .”  How did God’s redeemed people go from “rest” to “evil” in the mere span of one verse?  Let’s pray that the Lord will show us the answer!

Before I go, let me say one more word to our Men and Young Men about our Fall Bible Study.  We have enjoyed two great weeks of study and fellowship as we have focused upon the critical theme of moral and sexual purity.  What a joy it has been to see so many of our boys and young men participating in this study along with our adult brothers! There are two more weeks left, so it’s certainly not too late to join us!  We will gather once again from 2:30 to 4:00 PM this Sunday and again on October 1.

Also, on Thursday morning September 28 from 6:00-7:00 AM, our Men’s Every-Other Thursday Study and Fellowship will begin studying the book Redemption Accomplished and Applied, by John Murray.  This is a classic on Reformed Theology, and will be an appropriate subject as we celebrate the 500^th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.  Below is the Amazon link, so purchase your copy and join us next week at the Church in the Fellowship Hall!

I love you all, and always have you in my prayers!

Mike

https://www.amazon.com/Redemption-Accomplished-Applied-John-Murray/dp/080287309X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1506081742&sr=8-1&keywords=redemption+accomplished+and+applied

Upcoming Events:

September 24, 2:30 PM – Men’s Fall Study
September 24, 4:00 PM – Children’s Choir
September 24, 4:30 PM – Youth Group
September 26, 6 PM – Women’s Evening Study
September 27, 9:30 AM – Women’s Morning Study
September 27, 8 AM – Senior Fellows Bags of Blessings at The CARE Center
September 28, 6 AM– Men’s Morning Bible Study
October 28 – Church Work Day
December 6– Women’s Christmas Party

Order of Worship:

You can access this week’s Order of Worship by clicking here

The songs for this week are:

Be Unto Your Name
Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted
Dear Refuge of My Weary Soul
All Creatures of Our God and King

Announcements:

Youth Group: Youth Group meets Sunday at 4:30PM at the church. All students in grades 6-12 are encouraged to attend, and please bring friends!

Children’s Choir: Children’s Choir starts Sunday at 4 at the church house.

Church Work Day: We will have a Church Workday Saturday, October 28, starting at 8 AM. The purpose is to perform needed maintenance including landscaping and cleaning at the Church and Church House. In doing this we will have a great time of fellowship. We need the help of about 20 -25 adults and teens to help with this job. We also need tools. Please sign up to help and to bring designated tools in the narthex starting Sun, Oct 1. We will provide a light breakfast (coffee and donuts) and snack food. We plan to finish around noon. If the weather is bad, our backup day will be Saturday, November 4.

Women’s Christmas Dinner: Save the date for the Women’s Christmas Dinner at the Monte Sano Lodge on December 6 at 6 PM.

Prayer Requests:

Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Chris Smotherman, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, Nolan Osmer, George Boyd, John Baxter, Joyce Bosley, and Sondra Behmer
Expecting: Please pray for the Bryant family, expecting in December, the Townsley family, expecting in March, and the Staffords, expecting in April.
Ministries: Please pray for the following missionaries and ministries: Seth and Jessica Lewis (Ireland); Steve and Rita Williams (New Zealand); Vinnie and Molly Athey (RUF at UAH); RUF at Alabama A&M; Ken and Angie Burnett (FCA); Franky Garcia (seminary student).

Sermon Preview

Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

Do you ever wonder why our heavenly Father doesn’t answer some of our prayers more quickly, and in the way that we hope and expect? Do you ever contemplate why our lives are so often fraught with difficulties, and why many times there is one challenge heaped upon another with little time to breathe in between?  Why can’t our lives as believers in Christ be easier? Why all the struggles? Why the perpetual adversities? What good do they accomplish? How is our Lord glorified, and how are we benefited in and by our many problems?

And then, we could ask ourselves about temptation and sin.  Why doesn’t the Lord at once remove all of our spiritual enemies and those things that tempt us so powerfully? Why don’t we have a quicker victory over those pesky sins that seem to hunt us?

To be sure, these are good and appropriate questions that each of us have wrestled with.  And the good news is that they are answered for us in the Word of God. One place where the solution becomes visible is the Book of Judges. In the opening chapters of this Old Covenant story of the nation of Israel, we find some answers to these troubling questions.  For example, consider Judges 2:20-3:2. In this section of the book’s introduction we discover something that will help us to understand the divine purpose for our trials and temptations.  2:22 speaks of the Lord’s desire to “test” His people. And then 3:2 describes the Lord’s intention to “teach war” to His people.

Testing us and teaching us to fight! This is what the Lord is doing in all of our experiences, particularly the ones that are the most difficult, troubling, and even tempting! In a most unexpected way, it is in the Lord’s ‘school of affliction and combat’ that we find the most wonderful blessings of all!

On Sunday, we will consider these things from the Book of Judges, especially 2:11-3:6.   I hope you will have some time to read these inspired words, mediate upon them, and pray that the Lord will bless us as we come together to hear them proclaimed.

Speaking of warfare, before I go let me encourage our Men and Young Men to take advantage of our Fall Bible Study that is now underway.  We had a wonderful beginning last week as we took up the subject of moral purity. With our Bibles open before us, we are specifically tackling the issue of pornography.  Our desire is to arm ourselves against this deadly enemy, and to better equip our men and young men to fight for sexual integrity, all for the glory of our Lord’s Name. It is not too late for you to join us!  We will meet for the next three Sunday afternoons from 2:30 to 4:00 PM at the Church.  We would love for you to enter into the fight with us!

I love you all with all my heart!

Upcoming Events:

September 17, 2:30 PM – Men’s Fall Study
September 17, 4:30 PM – Youth Group
September 19, 6 PM – Women’s Evening Study
September 20, 9 AM – Women’s Morning Study
September 20, 12:00 PM – Senior Fellows visit to Lincoln Village
September 20, 6:00 PM – Diaconate meeting
September 21, 6 AM– Men’s Morning Bible Study
September 24, 4:00 PM – Children’s Choir

Order of Worship:

You can access this week’s Order of Worship by clicking here

The songs for this week are:

How Deep the Father’s Love For Us
Fairest Lord Jesus
To Thee I Come
Come Thou Fount

Announcements:

Men’s Bible Study: The Fall Men’s Bible study continues Sunday at 2:30 PM at the church. The subject is maintaining purity. All men are encouraged to participate, and please invite guests.

Senior Fellows: On Wednesday, September 20 the Senior Fellows will visit Lincoln Village Ministries located in a former textile mill area of Huntsville. This community helps project was started by Southwood PCA Church in the early 2000s. We will meet at 12:00 PM, in the Conference Room of Lincoln Academy, 1110 Meridian Street, Huntsville. Carpools will leave the Church at 11:15 AM. More information on Lincoln Village Ministries can be found at www.lincolnvillageministry.com. We will have a late lunch following the visit.

Women’s Ministry Survey: Please take a moment to fill out a short survey that the Women’s Committee has created in order to better serve you. This is especially important for us to know if any of you would like to host, lead, or co-lead our various events. We are looking for those willing to serve in our ministry and for new ideas!

Women’s Ministry Survey

Email Sarah Burgess with any questions at scburgg@yahoo.com

Plug in by contacting any of our leaders as shown on the Christ Pres Ministry Webpage (Women, Flower Guild, Healing Hearts).

Church Work Day: We will have a Church Workday Saturday, October 28, starting at 8 AM. The purpose is to perform needed maintenance including landscaping and cleaning at the Church and Church House. In doing this we will have a great time of fellowship. We need the help of about 20 -25 adults and teens to help with this job. We also need tools. Please sign up to help and to bring designated tools in the narthex starting Sun, Oct 1. We will provide a light breakfast (coffee and donuts) and snack food. We plan to finish around noon. If the weather is bad, our backup day will be Saturday, November 4.

Prayer Requests:

Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Chris Smotherman, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, Nolan Osmer, Frances McQuay, George Boyd, John Baxter, Joyce Bosley, and Sondra Behmer
Expecting: Please pray for the Bryant family, expecting in December, and the Staffords, expecting in April.
Ministries: Please pray for the following missionaries and ministries: Seth and Jessica Lewis (Ireland); Steve and Rita Williams (New Zealand); Vinnie and Molly Athey (RUF at UAH); RUF at Alabama A&M; Ken and Angie Burnett (FCA); Franky Garcia (seminary student).

Sermon Preview

Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

While each and every Lord’s Day is special, this coming Sunday is a big day for us as we begin our Fall Semester of Sunday School.  We are so thankful for the team of teachers and workers that are in place, ready to use their gifts for the glory of the Lord and the growth of His people!  All our classes start at 9:15 AM.

Here is the line-up for each of our classes and the names of the teachers so that you might keep them in your faithful prayers:

Babies: Nursery Staff
Toddlers: Paul and Rachel Matheny, Joey and Courtney McCool, and Faithann Gibson
Pre-K/Kindergarten: Stanley and Penny Gibson
1-2 Grade: Todd and Mollie Cranford, and Ollie Burton
3-5 Grade: John and Leslie Jeffery
6-8 Grade: Wayne and Cindy Johnson
9-12 Grade: Glen Doughty, and Tyler Pimental
Adult: Cliff Smith

As you pray for our Sunday School teachers and leaders, let me also ask that you pray for Denise Scrip. I am so thrilled to announce that Denise is our new Coordinator for Women’s Ministries. We are so thankful for her willingness to serve in this capacity, and I would ask that you join me in prayer for her as she assumes this responsibility.

Also this Sunday, we begin our Four-Week Men’s Fall Bible Study.  The men and young men of the Church will gather in the fellowship hall from 2:30 to 4:00 PM for the next four Sunday afternoons.  Our topic is ‘Maintaining our Moral Purity in an Impure World.’   I look forward with great excitement to this special time of fellowship and study with the brothers of the Church, particularly as we tackle such an important and relevant topic.

Finally, this coming Lord’s Day we will resume our sermon series entitled ‘Great Events in the History of Redemption.’ We will pick up the unfolding story of salvation with the Book of Judges.  You will likely remember that this Old Testament book is where we find that infamous and tragic description of the people of God who, at that time, had fallen far away from the Lord: “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes”–Judges 17:6. From the pages of this ancient, inspired book we will learn many practical and contemporary lessons about serving the Lord and being faithful disciples of our Savior and King. In preparation for this week and the sermons that will follow, I would encourage you to read Judges 1:1-2:23. And if you have a study Bible, take some time to read over the introduction to Judges to help you better understand the book’s background and setting.

We have so much to look forward to and to be thankful for!  And I can’t wait to see each of you this Sunday as we come together before our great and merciful King in worship!

I love you all with all my heart, and delight in serving our Lord with you,

Mike

Upcoming Events:

September 10, 9:15 AM -Sunday School resumes for all ages
September 10, 2:30 PM – Men’s Fall Study
September 12, 6 PM – Women’s Evening Study
September 13, 9 AM – Women’s Morning Study
September 14, 6 AM– Men’s Morning Bible Study
September 17, 4:30 PM – Youth Group
September 20, 12:00 PM – Senior Fellows visit to Lincoln Village
September 20, 6:00 PM – Diaconate meeting
September 24, 4:00 PM – Children’s Choir

Order of Worship:

You can access this week’s Order of Worship by clicking here

The songs for this week are:

Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Give Reviving
Nothing But the Blood

Announcements:

Sunday School: Sunday School resumes this Sunday at 9:15 AM. There are classes for all ages. Please make plans to participate in this important opportunity for Bible Study and fellowship.

Texas: “If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.”   Isaiah 58:10-12

Men’s Bible Study: The Fall Men’s Bible study will begin this Sunday at 2:30 PM at the church. The subject is maintaining purity. All men are encouraged to participate, and please invite guests.

Supper Club: Each fall we get together in small groups, typically about 8 people, to share meals together as a way to get to know one another better.  Here’s how it works:  We try to get together about four times between now and Christmas with each couple or single being responsible for coordinating one of the get-togethers.  We often will meet at the coordinator’s home with everyone bringing part of the meal.  But we’ve also done picnics or gone out to a restaurant after church or on a Friday or Saturday evening.  Keep it simple.  A pot of chili is great or hot dogs/hamburgers/pizza.  You don’t have to be a Christ Pres Member – everyone is welcome to participate.  We’ll have signup sheets in the narthex for the next two Sundays and then we’ll make group assignments.  Please consider joining us!  If you have any questions, contact Joe Fikes at 256-883-5281.

Senior Fellows: On Wednesday, September 20 the Senior Fellows will visit Lincoln Village Ministries located in a former textile mill area of Huntsville. This community helps project was started by Southwood PCA Church in the early 2000s. We will meet at 12:00 PM, in the Conference Room of Lincoln Academy, 1110 Meridian Street, Huntsville. Carpools will leave the Church at 11:15 AM. More information on Lincoln Village Ministries can be found at www.lincolnvillageministry.com. We will have a late lunch following the visit.

Music Time: We invite all Second through Sixth Graders to a new music group meeting upstairs in the Church House “Music Room,” beginning Sunday, September 24, 4:00-4:45 pm. Singing, hand chimes, hymn study and stories, music reading, and other musical activities will all be included in our brief time together. Please try to sign up by this Wednesday with Carol Bart at mailto:acbarts@hotmail.comso appropriate preparations can be completed.

Women’s Ministry Survey: Please take a moment to fill out a short survey that the Women’s Committee has created in order to better serve you. This is especially important for us to know if any of you would like to host, lead, or co-lead our various events. We are looking for those willing to serve in our ministry and for new ideas!

Women’s Ministry Survey

Email Sarah Burgess with any questions at scburgg@yahoo.com

Plug in by contacting any of our leaders as shown on the Christ Pres Ministry Webpage (Women, Flower Guild, Healing Hearts).

Prayer Requests:

Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Chris Smotherman, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, Nolan Osmer, Frances McQuay, George Boyd, John Baxter, Joyce Bosley, and Sondra Behmer.
Expecting: Please pray for the Bryant family, expecting in December.
Bereavement: Please pray for Penny Gibson, whose sister Patti Carter died this week.
Ministries: Please pray for the following missionaries and ministries: Seth and Jessica Lewis (Ireland); Steve and Rita Williams (New Zealand); Vinnie and Molly Athey (RUF at UAH); RUF at Alabama A&M; Ken and Angie Burnett (FCA); Franky Garcia (seminary student).

Sermon Preview

Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

Before I give you a brief preview of Sunday’s sermon, I want to highlight some upcoming opportunities for us to grow in both our faith in Christ, and in our fellowship together as a Church Family.

Next Sunday, September 10, we are looking forward to the beginning of our Fall Sunday School Semester at 9:15 AM.  There are classes for all ages, from birth through adults. Our Adult Class, which will meet each week in the Worship Center, will be a study of the History of the Church From the Reformation Forward. We will discover how the Lord used people like John Calvin and Martin Luther to recover the Gospel, and how the Protestant Church grew and expanded throughout the world.

Then, there are several opportunities for you to be involved in Bible study during the week.

Our Ladies Bible Studies get underway Tuesday night September 5 at 6:00 PM, and Wednesday Morning September 6 at 9:30 AM. The Ladies will be studying the book, Peacemaking Women: Biblical Hope for Resolving Conflict.

There are also upcoming studies for Men and Young Adults.

Our Men will gather on four consecutive Sunday afternoons (Sept. 10, 17, 24, and Oct. 1) at the Church from 2:30-4:00 PM beginning on September 10. We will be studying the topic of Maintaining Our Moral Purity, particularly in view of the dangers of pornography.

Then, on Thursday morning September 14 at 6:00 AM at the Church, our Men’s Bi-weekly Morning Bible Study will begin.  We will meet every-other Thursday from 6:00 to 7:00 AM, and all men, young men, and visitors are invited to attend.

Our Young Adult Bible Study will begin on Monday October 9 from 6:30-8:00 PM at the home of John and Leslie Jeffery. We will meet for four consecutive Monday nights in October (9, 16, 23, and 30).  Our topic will be Humility: Developing The Mind of Christ.  This study is for anyone who considers themself to be a ‘young adult,’ married or single.

I hope you will take advantage of these occasions for study and fellowship!

This coming Sunday I will be preaching from 2 Peter 3:3-13.  This message will serve as a ‘bridge’ between our series from 2 John and our fall series from the Book of Judges that will begin on September 10.  In this great text, the Apostle Peter reveals how we—the redeemed people of God—are to live in the “last days” (3:3). This breath-taking section of Holy Scripture comes to its conclusion with the practical exhortation to practice “holiness and godliness” as we await the Second Advent of our Lord (3:11-12). The connection to the Old Testament Book of Judges is just this: there is always the danger for God’s people that the world around us will have too much influence over our beliefs and behavior. Judges is a sad illustration of the power of secular culture to shape (or misshape) our lives. And this was precisely Peter’s concern as he wrote to the first century believers living and serving the Lord in the Roman Empire.

I can’t wait to see you Sunday, and I pray that you will have a restful weekend!

All my love to all of you in our blessed Lord,

Mike

Upcoming Events:

September 5, 6 PM – Women’s Evening Study
September 6, 9 AM – Women’s Morning Study
September 10, 9:15 AM -Sunday School resumes for all ages
September 10, 2:30 PM – Men’s Fall Study
September 14, 6 AM– Men’s Morning Bible Study
September 17, 4:30 PM – Youth Group
September 20, 12:00 PM – Senior Fellows visit to Lincoln Village
September 20, 6:00 PM – Diaconate meeting
September 24, 4:00 PM – Children’s Choir

Order of Worship:

You can access this week’s Order of Worship by clicking here

The songs for this week are:

Marvelous Grace of Our Loving Lord
In the Shadow of the Glorious Cross
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Wonderful, Merciful Savior

Announcements:

Sunday School: Sunday School resumes on September 10 at 9:15 AM. There are classes for all ages. Please make plans to participate in this important opportunity for spiritual formation and education.

Texas: There are a few ways you can help with the PCA’s disaster relief efforts in Texas. First, pray for relief from the storm and for those being rescued and affected. Second, give generously. Funds will be used for assessment, mobilization, relief grants for flooded PCA families and churches, to purchase needed supplies and equipment, to construct Sheds of Hope, and to setup and operate flood recovery sites. Next, send relief supplies & equipment. Finally, prepare to go and help. If you would like to donate financially, provide supplies, or register your intent to serve, please click the following link: https://pcamna.org/disaster-response/storms/

Help Needed: Volunteers are needed to give an elderly church member a ride to and from church. Her apartment is near the intersection of South Parkway and Martin Road. Volunteers would need to pick her up around 8:40. If you would be interested in volunteering please sign up in the Narthex or on the church website. For more information, please see Norman Dean or Judi Fikes. You may sign up by clicking on the following link: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090444a9a92ca7ff2-volunteers

Men’s Bible Study: The Fall Men’s Bible study will begin September 10 at 2:30 PM at the church. The subject is maintaining purity. All men are encouraged to participate, and please invite guests.

Supper Club: Each fall we get together in small groups, typically about 8 people, to share meals together as a way to get to know one another better.  Here’s how it works:  We try to get together about four times between now and Christmas with each couple or single being responsible for coordinating one of the get-togethers.  We often will meet at the coordinator’s home with everyone bringing part of the meal.  But we’ve also done picnics or gone out to a restaurant after church or on a Friday or Saturday evening.  Keep it simple.  A pot of chili is great or hot dogs/hamburgers/pizza.  You don’t have to be a Christ Pres Member – everyone is welcome to participate.  We’ll have signup sheets in the narthex for the next two Sundays and then we’ll make group assignments.  Please consider joining us!  If you have any questions, contact Joe Fikes at 256-883-5281.

Senior Fellows: On Wednesday, September 20 the Senior Fellows will visit Lincoln Village Ministries located in a former textile mill area of Huntsville. This community helps project was started by Southwood PCA Church in the early 2000s. We will meet at 12:00 PM, in the Conference Room of Lincoln Academy, 1110 Meridian Street, Huntsville. Carpools will leave the Church at 11:15 AM. More information on Lincoln Village Ministries can be found at www.lincolnvillageministry.com. We will have a late lunch following the visit.

Music Time: We would like to offer to our children who are in Second through Sixth Grades an opportunity to come together each week for a focused time of singing and other musical activities. Our overall purpose is that every child would find his or her best singing voice and come to understand the importance of full participation in the corporate worship of our church. We would like to meet every Sunday afternoon from 4:00-4:45 pm on the upper floor of the Church House beginning September 24. For more information and/or to sign up your children with their names, ages, and grade levels, please see Carol Bart or email her at acbarts@hotmail.com.

Ladies Summer Scripture Read Along: I’ve heard some good things this summer regarding the Scripture Read-Along.  Many of you have told me that you’re following the chapter guide and I, like you, have discovered new verses that I love as well as ones that I’d heard before but never been able to place.  If you started but then fell off, I did too! My audio Bible app has been a help in getting caught up.

{This week’s reading: finishing up Jeremiah 51-end}

A few ladies have mentioned that they’d like to be able to pray for others who are participating, and we also talked about having a coffee fellowship at Panera Bread to close out the series.  If we do another read-along this fall, I’d love to have a list to share so that we could pray together and for one another; and if a coffee fellowship interests you, look for an upcoming email announcing a date in September.

BUT before I plan out the next series: I would appreciate any feedback you have about this!

Email me at niniandjb@gmail.com

Sincerely In Christ,
Denise Brown

Women’s Bible Studies: The Women’s Bible studies will begin in September with the morning study being held on Wednesday morning at 9:30 at the church and the evening study on Tuesday evening at 6:00 at the church.  The women will be studying Peacemaking Women: Biblical Hope for Resolving Conflict.  Please, contact Kathy Cooper, Gretchen McKee, or Dona Sims for more information. They will be in    the Narthex before and after church  August 20 and 27 to sign up and to answer any questions. If you need childcare for the day time session, please email Ashley at children@christpreshamptoncove.org

Women’s Ministry Survey: Please take a moment to fill out a short survey that the Women’s Committee has created in order to better serve you. This is especially important for us to know if any of you would like to host, lead, or co-lead our various events. We are looking for those willing to serve in our ministry and for new ideas!

Women’s Ministry Survey

Email Sarah Burgess with any questions at scburgg@yahoo.com

Plug in by contacting any of our leaders as shown on the Christ Pres Ministry Webpage (Women, Flower Guild, Healing Hearts).

Prayer Requests:

Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Chris Smotherman, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, Nolan Osmer, Frances McQuay, George Boyd, John Baxter, 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); Vinnie and Molly Athey (RUF at UAH); RUF at Alabama A&M; Ken and Angie Burnett (FCA); Franky Garcia (seminary student).