Announcements and Order of Worship – February 22 2019

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Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

This coming Sunday we will return to Colossians 4:2-4. As you know, the subject at hand here is prayer (v. 2). The Apostle Paul exhorts the Church to be steadfast in corporate prayer, and equally persistent in personal prayer. And we also learned that there are two features of this steadfast praying. The first is constant watchfulness (v. 2), and the second is thanksgiving (v. 2).

Then, beginning in verse 3, Paul requests prayers for himself and for his ministry associates (vv. 3-4). Of course, we recall that Paul is in prison in Rome, and it is understandable that there would be many needs facing him. So he turns to his brothers and sisters for help, and for help through the ministry of persistent prayer.

Look again at this passage:

At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak” (4:3-4).

As we give attention to this remarkable passage once again on Sunday, I need to ask for your kind indulgence. I sense the need to go very slowly and methodically through this portion of the Apostle’s letter. In fact, the Lord willing, we will turn again to this this passage for a third time on March 3. But I believe that this subject of prayer is of such vital importance for us that I cannot permit myself to go any faster! So this week, we want to zero in on just four words that we find here in verse 3: “pray also for us.”

In the first place, as we examine these four words we can observe three basic truths concerning prayer that are very strongly implied here:

  • Our persistent prayers matter, and they really make a difference.
  • Our persistent prayers are made effectual by God’s sovereign and eternal designs.
  • Our persistent prayers have been commanded by our Father who loves us.

Then, we will discover two major lessons concerning persistent praying that will encourage us as we give ourselves to this sacred duty:

  • Our Father takes great delight in our persistent praying.
  • Our Father sanctifies us by our persistent praying.

Along with this passage from Colossians, let me also invite you to read and reflect upon one of the blessed parables that Jesus told. In Luke 18:1-8 our Lord spoke of the persistent widow and the unrighteous judge. And He gave us this particular parable for the express purpose of teaching us “always to pray,” and to do so with steadfastness, and not to give up our “lose heart” (v. 1).

I look forward to probing the Word of the Lord with you this Sunday, and I love you and pray for you constantly!

Mike

Upcoming Events:

February 24, 4 PM – Alleluia Choir at Church House
February 24, 4:30 PM – Youth Group
February 26, 9 AM – Mother’s Morning Bible Study
February 26, 6 PM – Women’s Evening Bible Study at the Church
February 27, 10 AM – Women’s Morning Bible Study at the Church
March 7, 11:30 AM – Women’s Monthly Lunch at Timbers Edge Clubhouse
March 9, 2 PM – Bridal Shower for Gibson Family
March 10, 2 PM – New Members Class
March 17, 12 PM – Second Sunday Fellowship Lunch
March 20, 6 PM – Deacons Meeting
March 29-30 – Men’s Retreat at Guntersville State Park
April 26, 6 PM – Parents Night Out
April 28, 4 PM – Church Picnic at Monte Sano State Park
May 19, 5 PM – End of School Cookout at Church House

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:

Man of Sorrows, What a Name – Hymn 246, all 5 verses
Fairest Lord Jesus – Hymn 170, vs 1-3
We Fall Down
How Deep

Announcements:

Childrens’ Ministry Update: I just wanted to send a quick update from our Children’s Ministry. So many exciting things to look forward to over the next six months. Our ministry thrives because our church body is so supportive! Thank you!!! Our nurseries are always growing and changing. We have been blessed with so many new, young families, and also many visitors. Almost every week we have a family visiting with small children. To be our main support, we have seven paid staff members who work in our three nursery/classrooms or to assist me each week. I also have a member volunteer in the baby nursery to supplement our staff. But, there is always a need to rock babies! I still have some slots needed for Spring: Click HERE to volunteer for the next few weeks.

Need: Nursery Backup Team There are times where I am scrambling to get a volunteer due to sickness or absence. I need women who would be able to sub in nursery on a last minute basis. This might mean a Saturday night text. But, with 6 women on my list, it would happen very infrequently. Ideally, this would be non-baby/toddler moms 🙂 Additionally, I am interested in finding any women who have experience with special needs children. This may mean that you have job experience or that you simply have a heart to serve and pray for this component of our ministry. Click HERE to sign-up to be on my nursery team. And email me at children@christpreshamptoncove.org if you have a heart for special needs (in any way, shape, or form). Please prayerfully consider serving in this way – not much of a commitment to you except to support this ministry!

Alleluia Choir: Alleluia Choir concludes Sunday from 4:00-4:45 pm in the Church House. All second graders through age 12 are encouraged to join us.

Youth Group: Youth Group for ages 13-18 meets February 24 at the church at 4:30 PM.

New Members Class: The Next New Member’s Class will be on Sunday March 10, from 2:00-6:00 PM at the Church, with supper provided. Please sign-up in the Narthex and indicate if you need childcare.

Bridal Shower: The women of the church are invited to a bridal shower Faithann Gibson is throwing for her brother’s fiance at the church on March 9 at 2 PM. The evite to sign up is here.

Men’s Spring Retreat: I am enthusiastic to share the plans for our Spring Men’s Retreat at Guntersville State Park Lodge. Mike will be leading four sessions on the theme: Counsel and Encouragement from the Apostle Peter. Session One- (1 Peter 1:1-2) “Living With Purpose”, Session Two- (1 Peter 1:3-5) “Living With Hope”, Session Three- (1 Peter 1:6-9) “Living With Joy” and Session Four- (1 Peter 1:13-16) “Living With Purity”. Logistics for the retreat are outlined below.

When: Friday night and Saturday morning, March 29-30.

Lodging and food plan: The cost per man is $75 which includes logging for Friday night (double occupancy), supper Friday night and breakfast Saturday morning. We will have a signup sheet for attendance and roommate name this Sunday and for the next three Sundays; or you can email Mark Cooper at cooperma777@gmail.com. Please pay by check made out to Christ Presbyterian Church noting Men’s Retreat on the memo line – deposit checks in the offering boxes by March 24.

This retreat is a great opportunity to have fellowship as brothers and be uplifted by God’s word.

Our preliminary outline for the event is as follows:

Friday Night
Arrive and Check In: 4:00 to 6:00 PM
Dinner: 6:00 – 6:45 PM
Music: 7:00 – 7:15 PM
Session 1: 7:15 – 8:00 PM
Session 2: 8:15 – 9:30 PM
Saturday Morning
Checkout before 11:00 AM
Breakfast: 8:00 – 8:45 AM
Music: 9:00 – 9:15 AM
Session 3: 9:15 – 10:15 AM
Fellowship and Check-out: 10:15 – 10:45 AM
Session 4: 10:45 – Noon

There is planning underway for a golf outing by Ben Calvert. Other possible activities, such as hiking, are being considered.
If you have questions please contact Mark Cooper.

Prayer Requests:

Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Andy Trent, Bill Cowley, Larrabee Kirkland, Cynthia Dent, Katie Dyer, Robin Holloway, Chris Smotherman, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, and Nolan Osmer.
Expecting: Please pray for the Bryant family, expecting in September.
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