Sermon Preview

Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

Throughout the month of October, we have been looking at the five essential truths—extracted from the Word of God—that served as the foundation for that historical event launched in the sixteenth century known simply as ‘The Reformation.’ And as we have discovered, the Reformers and their immediate disciples believed that the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ could be faithfully summarized by five affirmations concerning the way God saves sinners from His wrath.  Moved by the testimony of the Word of God itself, the Reformers declared that ‘Scripture Alone,’ the ultimate authority, testifies that salvation is by God’s ‘Grace Alone,’ through ‘Faith Alone,’ in the work of ‘Christ Alone,’ to the ‘Glory of God Alone’!

This coming Lord’s Day we will consider the last of these five declarations concerning the salvation of lost sinners, ‘To the Glory of God Alone,’ or Soli Deo Gloria.  Our sermon text for this message is found in the letter from the Apostle Paul written to the Church of Ephesus. There in Ephesians 3:20-21 he declares: “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

I can’t wait to explore the rich meaning and implications of this amazing Biblical theme together with you on Sunday!  Thank you already for your prayers as we prepare to proclaim the inspired Word of our Lord and King!

Farewell to Dr. Jeff and Kelly Hamm

For the last five years it has been our unique joy to have Dr. Jeff and Kelly Hamm as members of CPC.  As most of you know, Jeff, a Teaching Elder and experienced pastor in the PCA, has recently completed his PhD in Theology from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. Now the Lord has opened up another exciting chapter in their lives as Jeff has just accepted the call to become the Senior Pastor of Christ Church Presbyterian (PCA) in Atlanta, GA. This coming Sunday will be Jeff and Kelly’s final Lord’s Day with us here at CPC.

Though we will miss them dearly, we rejoice at the faithfulness of God in answering prayer, and for providing this wonderful opportunity to lead a congregation that is strategically located in one of the most vibrant cities in our land. We give the Lord praise that there will be a strong, Biblical, and Reformed pulpit in the heart of Atlanta, and we can’t wait to see all that the Lord will accomplish through Jeff and Kelly’s ministry there! Also, you will be interested to know that Jeff’s PhD dissertation (on the apologetic methodology of the great Lutheran theologian Helmut Thielicke) has been picked up by a major publisher and will be released in book form in the near future!

Please pray for them in this time of transition, especially for the sale of their home here in Huntsville, and that they will find a new home in Atlanta very soon. Thank you Jeff and Kelly for how you have blessed and encouraged us, and we love you and pledge our continual prayers for your new ministry!

I love you all so much, and you are ever in my prayers!

Mike

Upcoming Events:

October 29, 4:00 PM – Children’s Choir
October 29, 4:30 PM – Youth Group
October 30, 6:30 PM – Young Adult’s Study
October 31, 9 AM – Senior Fellows Breakfast at the Church House
October 31, 6 PM – Women’s Evening Study
November 1, 9:30 AM – Women’s Morning Study
November 9, 6 AM– Men’s Morning Bible Study
November 2, 11:30 AM  – Women’s Lunch at Hampton Cove Golf Course Clubhouse
November 5, 2 PM  – Bryant Baby Shower
November 12, 2:30 PM  – Flower Guild Meeting
November 14, 6 PM  – Senior Fellows Dinner at BRAVO
November 15, 9 PM  – Senior Fellows Bags O’ Blessings at The CARE Center
November 28, 9 AM  – Senior Fellows Breakfast at the Church House
November 29, 9 PM  – Senior Fellows Bags O’ Blessings at The CARE Center
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:

I Sing The Almighty Power of God (Hymn 119, vs 1-3)
We Will Feast in the House of Zion
Come Ye Souls By Sin Afflicted
How Great Thou Art (Hymn 44, vs 1, 3-4)

Announcements:

Youth Group: Youth Group will meet again on October 29 at 4:30PM at the church. All students in grades 6-12 are encouraged to attend, and please bring friends!

Alleluia Choir: The Alleluia Choir (Grades 2-6) meets every Sunday 4:00-4:50 pm upstairs in the Church House. New choristers are always welcome!

Young Adults Study: Monday night is the final 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.

Senior Fellows: The Senior Fellows will have breakfast at the Church House at 9 AM on October 31. It’s Halloween, so come dressed as your favorite Senior Fellow. Also on November 14 the Senior Fellows will celebrate their wives and will kick off the holiday season with a dinner at 6:00 PM at BRAVO in Bridge Street.

Women’s Ministry Luncheon: Ladies of Christ Pres,

In the spirit of encouraging fellowship and developing friendships among our women in the church, we are offering another opportunity to get to know each other. On the first Thursday of each month we are inviting all ladies to get together for lunch at the Hampton Cove Golf Course restaurant. The food is good and the prices are reasonable. The start time will be 11:30am. Please mark your calendar for this standing event.

The purpose of this lunch is to give those ladies who are not plugged into a Bible study or other ministry a chance to get to know each other as well as those already involved who are able to come (as they are welcome to attend also) in a casual, no agenda social setting. We can lift up and encourage one another, learn how we can love each other well as God commands, and grow in unity as a body of believers.

If you are able, please join us on the first Thursday of every month at 11:30 am (unless that Thursday falls on a holiday).  Visitors are welcome also.

Our first lunch date is Nov 2nd.

If you have any questions , please contact Pat Galecki at 256-244-0612

Denise Scrip
Women’s Ministry Coordinator

NOTE:
The golf course is located about a half mile past our church on the right side of the road as you head toward Gurley. Walk up the front entrance steps and the restaurant is on your right. There is an elevator for those that don’t like stairs.

Bryant Baby Shower: All women of the church are invited to a baby shower honoring Stephanie Bryant on Sunday, November 5th, from 2 to 4 pm, at the Timbers’ Edge Clubhouse. RSVP HERE.

Flower Guild: The Flower Guild will be conducting a planning meeting for decorating the church for the Advent/Christmas Season on November 12, 2017 from 2–4pm in the church fellowship hall.  All who are interested in helping are encouraged to attend.  There will be many opportunities to help during the 4 week season and all ideas and suggestions are welcomed.  Please sign up in the Narthex or contact Virdia Jastrebski virdiaj@gmail.com or Donna Henry    henry_donna@bellsouth.net

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: Robin Holloway, Chris Smotherman, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, Nolan Osmer, George Boyd, and Joyce Bosley
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 be considering the fourth of the five theological affirmations of the Protestant Reformation of the sixteenth century, ‘Christ Alone,’ or Solus Christus.  When this slogan was sounded, the Reformers meant that the salvation of sinners is by God’s grace alone, through faith alone, in the work of Christ alone!  In other words, they proclaimed that there is just one Savior of lost sinners, and that what He has done is fully sufficient to redeem them from the wages of their sins, and to provide eternal life forever in the presence of God!

Regarding this affirmation of the Reformation era, Dr. Michael Horton has written that:

“The Reformation was, more than anything else, an assault on faith in humanity, and a defense of the idea that God alone reveals Himself and saves us. We do not find Him; He finds us. That emphasis was the cause of the cry, ‘Christ alone!’ Jesus was the only way of knowing what God is really like, the only way of entering into a relationship with Him as father instead of judge, and the only way of being saved from His wrath” (From Monergism.com).

This essential truth—that we are saved from the just wrath of God by His Son alone, our Lord Jesus Christ—is like each of the other four affirmations in that it needs to be recovered again and proclaimed with renewed conviction and emphasis today!

While there are many Scripture passages to which we could appeal to defend this truth of ‘Christ Alone,’ perhaps none is more moving and beautiful than our Lord’s teaching in John 10:1-18.  You might immediately recognize this as the ‘Great Shepherd’ chapter, where Jesus sets forth His self-identity and defines His mission using the tender illustration of a shepherd’s care for his sheep. It is also here that we discover two of the “I AM” sayings of our Lord: “I am the door” (v. 7), and “I am the good shepherd” (v. 11).  As we examine this passage we will see how Jesus, in His own words, emphatically teaches that He alone is the divine Son of God and Savior of the world.

I love you all, and can’t wait to worship our Lord and King with you on Sunday!

In His grace,

Mike

Upcoming Events:

October 22, 4:00 PM – Children’s Choir
October 22, 4:30 PM – Youth Group
October 23, 6:30 PM – Young Adult’s Study
October 24, 6 PM – Women’s Evening Study
October 25, 9:30 AM – Women’s Morning Study
October 25, 6 PM– Women’s Potluck Dinner
October 26, 6 AM– Men’s Morning Bible Study
October 27, 6 PM – Reformation Walk
October 28 – Church Work Day
October 31 – Senior Fellows Breakfast at the Church House
November 5  – Bryant Baby Shower
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:

O Worship the King
How Sweet to Wait Upon the Lord
Amazing Grace
In Christ Alone

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!

Alleluia Choir: The Children’s Choir (Grades 2-6) is now the Alleluia Choir, and they meet every Sunday 4:00-4:50 pm upstairs in the Church House. New choristers are always welcome!

Young Adults Study: Monday nights in October, 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.

Women’s Fall Potluck: Hey there ladies, I want to invite you all to our Fall fellowship dinner. We always enjoy events like this as opportunities to get to know each other better in a more relaxed and casual setting.

The event is at the home of Isabel Rodriquez on October 25, 2017 at 6 PM. Her address is 14 Huntleigh Place, Gurley, AL 35748 A meal sign up is below.

The theme for this fun potluck is Welcoming Fall, so bring your favorite fall recipe! If you are unable to bring something, or all of the potluck signups have been filled come on anyways! Sweet Isabel will provide the paper produces, utensils, drinks, and coffee. Fall food and fellowship. Can’t wait!!!!

www.PerfectPotluck.com/PSPP8767

Reformation Walk: Christ Pres Children’s Ministry Team would like to invite your family to our Reformation Celebration on Friday, October 27th from 6 to 9 pm.

Senior Fellows: The Senior Fellows will have breakfast at the Church House at 9 AM on October 31. It’s Halloween, so come dressed as your favorite Senior Fellow.

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.

Bryant Baby Shower: All women of the church are invited to a baby shower honoring Stephanie Bryant on Sunday, November 5th, from 2 to 4 pm, at the Timbers’ Edge Clubhouse. RSVP HERE.

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: Robin Holloway, Chris Smotherman, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, Nolan Osmer, George Boyd, John Baxter, and Joyce Bosley
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

My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I first want to express my love and appreciation to Rev. Jim Daughtry for preaching for us while I was away last Sunday. Jim did an excellent job expounding the glories of Sola Fide, ‘By Faith Alone,’ from Romans 1:16-17.  This coming Lord’s Day, I will be continuing our sermon series on the ‘Five Solas of the Reformation’ with a message from Ephesians 1:3-14 on Sola Gratia, or ‘By Grace Alone.’

The medieval Church of Luther’s day affirmed that salvation was by divine grace. But there was a critical caveat. Divine grace, according to Rome, was granted to the sinner by faith, empowering him to perform good works. Then, as the Church maintained, the sinner was justified before God on the basis of these righteous deeds that grace enabled him to accomplish. However, the Reformers, moved by the teaching of Scripture, summarily rejected this distorted view of grace. They argued that the grace that comes from God leading to salvation stands alone.  Good works, they proclaimed, are not added to grace, nor are they required for salvation. Grace is enough! The repentant sinner is justified by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone! Only then, after the sinner has been justified freely by God’s grace alone, do good works appear as the fruit of saving faith. That is, righteous deeds necessarily follow one’s experience of saving grace, but they do not cause or contribute in any way to one’s salvation.

Perhaps there is no book in Holy Scripture more saturated with grace than Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.  There, the Apostle employs the word “grace” thirteen times in the six chapters of the epistle, and frames his letter around it as the supporting superstructure for his message. Paul’s bold affirmation in 2:8, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,” sends shattering shock waves through every claim that sinners may contribute anything to their salvation in addition to what God has done in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Grace is sufficient!  Grace is efficient!  Grace is all the sinner needs!

In 1:3-14 Paul has much more to tell us about the sufficiency and efficiency of God’s grace, and we will explore this rich passage together on Sunday.  I hope you will meditate on these blessed and inspired words, and pray most diligently that our Lord will speak to us as we joyfully come together before Him in worship.

I love you all so very much,

Mike

Upcoming Events:

October 15, 12:30 PM– Visitor’s Luncheon
October 15, 2:00 PM– Flower Guild Demo
October 15, 4:00 PM – Children’s Choir
October 16, 6:30 PM – Young Adult’s Study
October 17, 6 PM – Women’s Evening Study
October 18, 9:30 AM – Women’s Morning Study
October 18, 6 PM– Diaconate Meeting
October 22, 4:30 PM – Youth Group
October 25, 6 PM– Women’s Potluck Dinner
October 26, 6 AM– Men’s Morning Bible Study
October 27, 6 PM – Reformation Walk
October 28 – Church Work Day
October 31 – Senior Fellows Breakfast at the Church House
November 5  – Bryant Baby Shower
December 6 – Women’s Christmas Party

Announcements:

Senior Fellows: The Senior Fellows will have breakfast at the Church House at 9 AM on October 31. It’s Halloween, so come dressed as your favorite Senior Fellow.

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!

Alleluia Choir: The Children’s Choir (Grades 2-6) is now the Alleluia Choir, and they meet every Sunday 4:00-4:50 pm upstairs in the Church House. New choristers are always welcome!

Young Adults Study: Monday nights in October, sthere 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.

Flower Guild Demo: The Flower Guild is hosting a floral demonstration this afternoon from 2-4:30 in the Fellowship Hall. If you haven’t signed up see Donna Henry or Virdia Jastrebski in the Narthex immediately before and following church

Women’s Fall Potluck: 

Hey there ladies, I want to invite you all to our Fall fellowship dinner. We always enjoy events like this as opportunities to get to know each other better in a more relaxed and casual setting.

The event is at the home of Isabel Rodriquez on October 25, 2017 at 6 PM. Her address is 14 Huntleigh Place, Gurley, AL 35748 A meal sign up is below.

The theme for this fun potluck is Welcoming Fall, so bring your favorite fall recipe! If you are unable to bring something, or all of the potluck signups have been filled come on anyways! Sweet Isabel will provide the paper produces, utensils, drinks, and coffee. Fall food and fellowship. Can’t wait!!!!

www.PerfectPotluck.com/PSPP8767

Reformation Walk:

Bryant Baby Shower: All women of the church are invited to a baby shower honoring Stephanie Bryant on Sunday, November 5th, from 2 to 4 pm, at the Timbers’ Edge Clubhouse. RSVP HERE.

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: Robin Holloway, Chris Smotherman, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, Nolan Osmer, George Boyd, John Baxter, and Joyce Bosley
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 Church Family,

Once again it will be our great joy to have Rev. Jim Daughtry in our pulpit this coming Lord’s Day while Mike is away on vacation.  Jim will be continuing the series on the Five Solas of the Reformation with a sermon from Romans 1:16-17 entitled, ‘The Righteousness That Is By Faith Alone.’  Please pray fervently for Jim as he prepares to deliver the Word of the Lord.

Mike

Upcoming Events:

October 8, 4:00 PM – Children’s Choir
October 9, 6:30 PM – Young Adult’s Study
October 10, 9 AM – Senior Fellows breakfast at Cyn Shea’s
October 10, 6 PM – Women’s Evening Study
October 11, 9:30 AM – Women’s Morning 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 18, 6 PM– Diaconate Meeting
October 22, 4:30 PM – Youth Group
October 27, 6 PM – Reformation Walk
October 28 – Church Work Day
October 31 – Senior Fellows Breakfast at the Church House
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:

And Can It Be
What Wondrous Love Is This
Sweet Comfort
Before the Throne

Announcements:

Senior Fellows: The Senior Fellows will have breakfast as Cyn Shea’s at 9 AM on October 10. There will also be breakfast at the Church House at 9 AM on October 31. It’s Halloween, so come dressed as your favorite Senior Fellow.

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!

Alleluia Choir: The Children’s Choir (Grades 2-6) is now the Alleluia Choir, and they meet every Sunday 4:00-4:50 pm upstairs in the Church House. New choristers are always welcome!

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:If you are a visitor or a member of Christ Pres who has not had an opportunity to fellowship with others in the congregation you are encouraged to reserve a space at the table for the luncheon on Sunday, October 15.  Immediately following the church service lunch will be served at the home of Rich and Christina Bagdazian, 2614 Legacy Preserve Dr. just five minutes from the church. You MUST sign up by this Sunday in the church lobby as space is limited.  If reservations fill you will be able to sign up for the next luncheon scheduled for December 3. This will be the perfect opportunity for casual fellowship with Mike and Carol Calvert as well as others in the church.

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:

Bryant Baby Shower: All women of the church are invited to a baby shower honoring Stephanie Bryant on Sunday, November 5th, from 2 to 4 pm, at the Timbers’ Edge Clubhouse. RSVP HERE.

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: Robin Holloway, 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).