Christ Presbyterian Church (PCA)

Month: January 2019

  • Announcements and Order of Worship – January 25 2019

    Sermon Preview

    Beloved Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

    This coming Lord’s Day we will be continuing our study of Colossians, and that portion of Paul’s letter that addresses the subject of ‘The New Life at Home,’ or ‘The Lordship of Christ Over the Household’ (Colossians 3:18-4:1).

    And you will recall how we have learned that there are critical duties and responsibilities given by the Lord that relate to each of the three components of the first-century household:

    the husband and the wife,

    the parents and the children,

    and the master and the bondservants (a relationship that we will identify and study next Lord’s Day).

    But this Sunday morning we will be looking once again at what Paul has to say regarding the relationship between parents and their children, with a special emphasis upon “fathers” and “children.”

    As we have in our previous messages, we are going to see how God’s saving and transforming grace in our Lord Jesus Christ not only changes our individual lives, but how it also completely revolutionizes the home, and especially the way the father disciplines and trains the children.

    As we examine Colossians 3:21, we will also be taking a very close look at Ephesians 6:4 where Paul lays out the same instructions for Christian fathers, but with some helpful additions. When we set these two passage side-by-side, a fuller picture of the role of the father comes into view:

    Colossians 3:21—“Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.”

    Ephesians 6:4—“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

    In addition to learning what the Bible says to earthly fathers, we will also discover much about our Heavenly Father. Any study of fatherhood must take us ultimately to the One we have come to know as “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15) by means of faith in His Only Begotten Son.

    I love you all so dearly, and look forward to our time of study and worship this Lord’s Day!

    Mike

    Upcoming Events:

    January 27, 4 PM – Alleluia Choir at Church House
    January 29, 9 AM – Mother’s Morning Bible Study
    January 29, 6 PM – Women’s Evening Bible Study at the Church
    January 30, 10 AM – Women’s Morning Bible Study at the Church
    February 3, 4:30 PM – Youth Group
    February 5, 9 AM – Senior Fellows Breakfast
    February 7, 11:30 AM – Women’s Monthly Lunch at Timbers Edge Clubhouse
    February 10, 12 PM – Second Sunday Fellowship Lunch
    February 16, 9 AM – Senior Fellows Disaster Response Training
    February 19, 10 AM – Senior Fellow Bill Cowley Life Story/ Testimony
    February 20, 6 PM – Deacons Meeting

    Order of Worship:

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

    If you’d like to sing the songs with your family beforehand, the songs for this week are:

    All Creatures Of Our God and King – Hymn 115, vs. 1,2,5
    To Thee I Come
    Fairest Lord Jesus – Hymn 170, vs 1-3
    Wonderful Merciful Savior

    Announcements:

    VBS: Mark your calendars! We’ll get to be sea explorers, following Jonah as he flees, then faces, the God who wouldn’t let him go! July 15-18 2019

    Alleluia Choir: Alleluia Choir continues Sunday from 4:00-4:45 pm in the Church House. All second graders through age 12 are encouraged to join us.  There will be six sessions, with practice wrapping up on February 24.

    Senior Fellows: On Tuesday, February 5 at 9:00 AM the Senior Fellows will enjoy breakfast, fellowship and a devotional at the Church House. On Saturday, February 16 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Mission to North America (MNA), Providence Presbytery, and Christ Presbyterian Church will host a disaster response team training session. Lunch will be provided. Topics include Initial Assessment of Disaster Sites and Church/Team Preparation. Contact Alan Cockrell for more information. On Tuesday, February 19 at 10:00 AM Bill Cowley will give his Life Story and Testimony. We will meet at the Church House, and a chili lunch will be provided. Members and Visitors welcome.

    Men’s Spring Retreat: I am excited to announce that we will be having our Spring Men’s Retreat at Guntersville State Park March 29-30, 2019. We will be spending Friday night at the lodge, having dinner Friday night and breakfast Saturday morning. We are planning four teaching sessions; topic to be announced soon. Expect dinner at 5:45 PM Friday and we will end at noon on Saturday. The rooms will be double occupancy so start planning on someone to share a room with. I will be sharing more information in the coming weeks. I am seeking some volunteers to plan possible activities for Friday prior to our dinner and/or Saturday after lunch. Ideas include golf, fishing, and hiking but you my have other ideas. If you are willing to take this on please let me know. Please plan on joining us. – Mark Cooper

    Prayer Requests:

    Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Bill Cowley, Larrabee Kirkland, Cynthia Dent, Katie Dyer, Suzanne Nimon, Robin Holloway, Chris Smotherman, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, and Nolan Osmer.
    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).

    Emails:

    general inquiries: admin@christpreshamptoncove.org
    benevolence needs: benevolence@christpreshamptoncove.org
    counsel and ministry needs: matthew@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 and Order of Worship – January 18 2019

    Sermon Preview

     

    Friday January 18, 2019

    Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

    This coming Sunday is a very special Lord’s Day. All across our land, in many like-minded Churches, it is the Sanctity of Life Sunday.

    This week we will step aside from our normal course of preaching to address a very important issue that we both need to know more about, and that we must speak to most clearly and courageously as believers in Christ. And that is, of course, what we call the ‘sanctity of human life.’ It is the Biblical teaching, the essential doctrine, of the special and unique nature of human beings who have been created by God in His very own “image and likeness” (Genesis 1:26-27).

    We will approach this subject from a portion of one of the most beloved of all the 150 Psalms, Psalm 139:13-18. This beautiful and familiar Psalm, authored by king David, is composed of a prayer of gratitude for God’s comprehensive watch-care over those He has personally and purposefully created. It is here, in these ancient and inspired words, that we will find our text for confronting what the late Dr. R. C. Sproul called “the greatest evil of our time,” abortion.

    With hearts that are broken over this perpetual holocaust, and with Gospel-mercy extended to those who have participated in it, we will discover how God’s Holy Word affirms the inestimable value that our Creator has placed upon human life. I appreciate the words of Baptist theologian Dr. Russell Moore, who explains why an emphasis like this is both appropriate and important for the Church:

    “But the reason why we need Sundays like this is because human dignity is a spiritual issue. It’s a spiritual issue because the gospel grounds human dignity in Jesus Christ himself. In Christ, God has forever joined deity with flesh. Jesus did not merely become human once; he is human to this day, and God’s purposes in Christ center on the humanity that bears the Creator’s divine image. To deny human dignity, then, is to deny Christ himself.”

    Along with this special one-day focus, the Session is most excited to tell you about a brand new way that we will be involved in missions in 2019. Added to our Missions Budget will be a monthly contribution to the Huntsville Pregnancy Resource Center (Formerly Choose Life of Alabama). This is a ministry, located on Rand Avenue in the medical district, that provides Christ-centered prenatal health care for moms-to-be, as well counseling for post-abortive women.

    Just to give you a brief snapshot of what this ministry does day-to-day, consider this: from January to October of 2018 the Center was visited by over 3500 women.There were nearly 2000 ultrasounds performed. Almost 100 women made professions of faith in Christ. And 124 babies were saved.

    Let me ask you to please visit their website at www.huntsvilleprc.org to find out more about the Center and its work in Huntsville. And as you do, join us in praying regularly for this ministry, and then consider how you might be practically involved in helping the Center to achieve its mission. Volunteers are always needed for a variety of projects and jobs. If you would like to know more about how you may help, you can contact Mrs. Trish Morris, the Executive Director, or any of her staff (contact info is at the website).

    I look forward to this Lord’s Day, and I hope you will take some time to study Psalm 139:13-18 as we prepare for worship.

    I love you all so very much, and what a delight it is to be your pastor and brother in our Lord,

    Mike

    Upcoming Events:

    January 20, 4 PM – Alleluia Choir at Church House
    January 22, 9 AM – Mother’s Morning Bible Study
    January 22, 6 PM – Women’s Evening Bible Study at the Church
    January 23, 10 AM – Women’s Morning Bible Study at the Church
    January 26, 3 PM – Senior Fellows Hockey Game
    February 3, 4:30 PM – Youth Group
    February 7, 11:30 AM – Women’s Monthly Lunch at Timbers Edge Clubhouse
    February 10, 12 PM – Second Sunday Fellowship Lunch
    February 20, 6 PM – Deacons Meeting

    Order of Worship:

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

    If you’d like to sing the songs with your family beforehand, the songs for this week are:

    We Will Feast in the House of Zion
    In The Shadow of the Glorious Cross
    I Need Thee Every Hour – Hymn 674, 1-3, 5
    All Things New

    Announcements:

    VBS: Mark your calendars! We’ll get to be sea explorers, following Jonah as he flees, then faces, the God who wouldn’t let him go! July 16-18 2019

    Adult Handchime Choir: We have an adult Handchime Choir that meets on
    Monday mornings upstairs in the Church House, 10:30-11:30 AM. If you would be interested in learning to make beautiful sounds together with us, please see Carol Bart or email her at acbarts@hotmail.com.

    Alleluia Choir: Alleluia Choir resumes January 20 from 4:00-4:45 pm in the Church House. All second graders through age 12 are encouraged to join us.  There will be six sessions, with practice wrapping up on February 24.

    Senior Fellows: The Senior Fellows will attend the Huntsville Havoc Hockey Game on Saturday, January 26 at 3 PM at the VBC. Visitors are welcome. For more information, email: seniorfellows@christpreshamptoncove.org

    Men’s Spring Retreat: I am excited to announce that we will be having our Spring Men’s Retreat at Guntersville State Park March 29-30, 2019. We will be spending Friday night at the lodge, having dinner Friday night and breakfast Saturday morning. We are planning four teaching sessions; topic to be announced soon. Expect dinner at 5:45 PM Friday and we will end at noon on Saturday. The rooms will be double occupancy so start planning on someone to share a room with. I will be sharing more information in the coming weeks. I am seeking some volunteers to plan possible activities for Friday prior to our dinner and/or Saturday after lunch. Ideas include golf, fishing, and hiking but you my have other ideas. If you are willing to take this on please let me know. Please plan on joining us. – Mark Cooper

    Prayer Requests:

    Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Bill Cowley, Larrabee Kirkland, Cynthia Dent, Katie Dyer, Suzanne Nimon, Robin Holloway, Chris Smotherman, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, and Nolan Osmer.
    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).

    Emails:

    general inquiries: admin@christpreshamptoncove.org
    benevolence needs: benevolence@christpreshamptoncove.org
    counsel and ministry needs: matthew@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 and Order of Worship – January 11 2019

    Sermon Preview

     

    Friday January 11, 2019

    Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

    From our recent studies in Colossians 3, you will remember that the Apostle Paul has been giving us a look at how the new life that we have been granted in our Lord Jesus Christ is to be on display. And we have also learned that the Gospel that has saved us is also the Gospel that begins to drastically change everything about us! Specifically, we see these Spirit-empowered changes in our relationships with one another, beginning with those within the fellowship of the Church (vv. 12-17).

    And then, in Colossians 3:20, Paul turns to speak of our relationships within the home, or household. And we recall that in the ancient world of Paul, there were three components of the home. We have already considered that of the “wives” and “husbands” (vv. 18-19). And then there were “children” and “parents” (vv. 20-21), what we will investigate this coming Lord’s Day. And finally, there were “bondservants” and “masters” (vv. 22-4:1). The larger point being made here is that Christ’s Lordship must find practical and demonstrable expression, particularly in the home.

    This coming Lord’s Day morning our focus will be upon the relationship between parents and their children. In 3:20-21, the Apostle will set out the duties of the “children” and those of the parents, with special emphasis upon the “fathers.” On Sunday, we will look very closely at what Paul says concerning the children. And then next time, we will return to this passage to consider what the Apostle says to the “fathers.”

    Again, it will be helpful to study this passage alongside Ephesians 6:1-4 as you prepare for worship.

    Second Sunday Fellowship Lunch is This Week

    Don’t forget that this Sunday, following our worship service, we will share in our Fellowship Lunch. This week we will enjoy a delicious BBQ meal catered by Lawler’s!

    I love you all!!

    Mike

    Upcoming Events:

    January 13, 12 PM – Second Sunday Fellowship Lunch
    January 15, 9 AM – Mother’s Morning Bible Study
    January 15, 6 PM – Women’s Evening Bible Study at the Church
    January 16, 10 AM – Women’s Morning Bible Study at the Church
    January 16, 6 PM – Deacons Meeting
    January 20, 4 PM – Alleluia Choir at Church House
    January 26, 3 PM – Senior Fellows Hockey Game
    February 7, 11:30 AM – Women’s Monthly Lunch at Timbers Edge Clubhouse

    Order of Worship:

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

    If you’d like to sing the songs with your family beforehand, the songs for this week are:

    O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing – Hymn 164 v.1-4
    His Mercy Is More
    O The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus – Hymn 535 v.1-3
    Why So Heavy

    Announcements:

    Fellowship Lunch: All members and guests are invited to lunch immediately after the service today in the Fellowship Hall. Suggested donation is $5 per person, but guests eat free.

    Alleluia Choir: Alleluia Choir resumes January 20 from 4:00-4:45 pm in the Church House. All second graders through age 12 are encouraged to join us.  There will be six sessions, with practice wrapping up on February 24.

    Bible Studies for Women: I want to remind anyone who is interested in participating in the Wednesday morning or Tuesday night Bible studies to order your books from Lifeway.com if you haven’t already done so. It’s the Jen Wilkins study on the “God of Covenants.”

    Since most of those returning have received their books we are going to plan to start the Bible study at the following date and time listed below:
    Tuesday nights beginning January 8th from 6:00 – 7:30 pm
    (first meeting will be at the church)
    Wednesday mornings beginning January 9th from 10:00 – 11:30 am
    at the church
    I hope those that have not been in a study by Jen Wilken will consider joining this one. If you did not do the Genesis study you can still do this one because the subject matter is different and does not depend on having the first study completed, so don’t let that keep you from wanting to participate in the study. Enjoy the rest of December and we will see you in January.
    God Bless You all,
    Denise

    Senior Fellows: The Senior Fellows will attend the Huntsville Havoc Hockey Game on Saturday, January 26 at 3 PM at the VBC. Visitors are welcome. For more information, email: seniorfellows@christpreshamptoncove.org

    Youth Group: There is a presbytery-wide winter retreat coming up, the Roots retreat, January 25-27, 2019 at Camp ToknowHim. You can get more info by clicking here. The base price is $100 for the weekend. $110 with the t-shirt, and $122 for t-shirt plus the extreme hike. Students can make the checks payable to our church.

    Prayer Requests:

    Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Bill Cowley, Larrabee Kirkland, Cynthia Dent, Katie Dyer, Suzanne Nimon, Robin Holloway, Chris Smotherman, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, and Nolan Osmer.
    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).

    Emails:

    general inquiries: admin@christpreshamptoncove.org
    benevolence needs: benevolence@christpreshamptoncove.org
    counsel and ministry needs: matthew@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 and Order of Worship – January 4 2019

    Sermon Preview

    Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

    As we continue to travel through the New Testament letter from the Apostle Paul to the church at Colossae, we recall that we have been considering the subject of the new life that we have been granted most graciously in our Lord Jesus Christ. And we have discovered that this new inner spiritual life, freely bestowed to us by the Holy Spirit, is to manifest itself outwardly in several practical ways.

    In our relationships with each other as fellow-members of Christ’s body.

    As those who worship together under the authority of the Word of our God.

    And as those who serve and glorify our Savior in all that we might do, or say, or even think!

    In fact, as we discovered last Lord’s Day, “everything” that we engage in must be done “in the name of the Lord Jesus” while “giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (v. 17). We spoke of this as the fundamental test by which we must live out our daily lives—that all that we do is done under the authority of Christ our Lord, and for the glory of His wonderful name!

    As we now come to Colossians 3:18, the Apostle will begin applying this test to the home, the most essential unit of human society. And here, in this larger paragraph that moves from 3:18-4:1, Paul will lay out what we might call a list of ‘household responsibilities’ to be performed in light of the Lordship of Jesus Christ. The bigger point here is that the power of the Gospel changes the home!

    This Sunday we will look at the relationship between wives and husbands that is addressed in verses 18-19:

    “Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.”

    Along with this passage, let me also encourage you to study Ephesians 5:22-33 and 1 Peter 3:1-7.

    Sunday School Resumes for All Ages This Week at 9:15 AM

    And don’t forget that we will be offering a new class for Adults (it meets in the worship center). It’s entitled “The Church: Present and Future.” We will be exploring some very important themes in our theology that have to do with the Church here and now, and the Church in the future.

    This week we will begin considering The Church Present. Topics to be covered under this heading are:

    The Government of the Church: Understanding Church Leadership

    The Sacraments of the Church: Understanding Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

    The World and the Church: Understanding the Relationship Between the Church and Culture

    I love you all, and look forward to seeing you on the Lord’s Day!!

    Mike

    Upcoming Events:

    January 8, 9 AM – Senior Fellows Breakfast at Church House
    January 8, 6 PM – Women’s Evening Bible Study at the Church
    January 9, 10 AM – Women’s Morning Bible Study at the Church
    January 13, 12 PM – Second Sunday Fellowship Lunch
    January 15, 9 AM – Mother’s Morning Bible Study
    January 20, 4 PM – Alleluia Choir at Church House
    January 26, 3 PM – Senior Fellows Hockey Game
    February 7, 11:30 AM – Women’s Monthly Lunch at Timbers Edge Clubhouse

    Order of Worship:

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

    If you’d like to sing the songs with your family beforehand, the songs for this week are:

    Praise to the Lord, the Almighty – Hymn 53, vs 1,3-5
    Come Ye Souls By Sin Afflicted
    Amazing Grace – Hymn 460, vs. 1-3, 6
    The Precious Blood

    Announcements:

    Schedule: Our regular schedule for Sunday School and weekly Bible studies has resumed. Please check the calendar for announcements about particular events.

    Alleluia Choir: Alleluia Choir resumes January 20 from 4:00-4:45 pm in the Church House. All second graders through age 12 are encouraged to join us.  There will be six sessions, with practice wrapping up on February 24.

    Bible Studies for Women: I want to remind anyone who is interested in participating in the Wednesday morning or Tuesday night Bible studies to order your books from Lifeway.com if you haven’t already done so. It’s the Jen Wilkins study on the “God of Covenants.”

    Since most of those returning have received their books we are going to plan to start the Bible study at the following date and time listed below:
    Tuesday nights beginning January 8th from 6:00 – 7:30 pm
    (first meeting will be at the church)
    Wednesday mornings beginning January 9th from 10:00 – 11:30 am
    at the church
    I hope those that have not been in a study by Jen Wilken will consider joining this one. If you did not do the Genesis study you can still do this one because the subject matter is different and does not depend on having the first study completed, so don’t let that keep you from wanting to participate in the study. Enjoy the rest of December and we will see you in January.
    God Bless You all,
    Denise

    Senior Fellows: The Senior Fellows will meet on Tuesday, January 8 at 9 AM for breakfast at the Church House and will attend the Huntsville Havoc Hockey Game on Saturday, January 26 at 3 PM at the VBC. Visitors are welcome. For more information, email: seniorfellows@christpreshamptoncove.org

    Youth Group: There is a presbytery-wide winter retreat coming up, the Roots retreat, January 25-27, 2019 at Camp ToknowHim. You can get more info by clicking here. The base price is $100 for the weekend. $110 with the t-shirt, and $122 for t-shirt plus the extreme hike. Students can make the checks payable to our church.

    Prayer Requests:

    Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Bill Cowley, Larrabee Kirkland, Cynthia Dent, Katie Dyer, Suzanne Nimon, Robin Holloway, Chris Smotherman, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, and Nolan Osmer.
    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).

    Emails:

    general inquiries: admin@christpreshamptoncove.org
    benevolence needs: benevolence@christpreshamptoncove.org
    counsel and ministry needs: matthew@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