Announcements and Order of Worship – June 21 2019

Sermon Preview

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This coming Lord’s Day we will take a look at one of the parables from Matthew’s Gospel. You might know this one as ‘The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares.’ It is found in Matthew 13:24-30, and the Lord’s explanation of it in 13:36-43.

We remember that the parables of Jesus are about the Kingdom of God, or the Kingdom of Heaven. And simply defined, this Kingdom is the reign of God though His Son, our Lord! It is a Kingdom that has come to earth in the Person of our Lord and Savior. In Him, the Kingdom was made present!  And yet, it is also a Kingdom that is on the way, and one day will be revealed in its fullness for all to see!

We have also learned that these stories were given by our Savior in order that two things might happen. First, that God’s grace in Christ might be revealed to those who believe in His Son (these are the ones who are strangely drawn to the parables of Jesus).  And second, that God’s judgment upon unbelievers might be revealed (these are the ones who are repelled by them).  And, as we have seen, in this way the parables of Jesus separate and distinguish, for they demonstrate who belongs to Christ and who does not!

And let us also keep in mind that these blessed stories of our Lord were presented in order to confront His audience with truth, divine truth that will both challenge and comfort all who read them!  And this will certainly be the case with ‘The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares’!

As we approach the study of this parable, let me ask you a few questions that will set the stage for Sunday’s message:

Do you ever wish that you could just snap your fingers and get rid of all the evil, and evil people, in the world?

Have you ever imagined what it would be like if all the criminals in the whole world were immediately rounded up and sent away somewhere, forever?

Are you ever alarmed, frustrated, or excessively burdened by so much wickedness at work in our world, or even within your own heart?

Do you ever wish that there was something you could do about all of this evil?

If so, then be sure to pay careful attention to this parable and to the wonderful and reassuring things that our Lord will teach us!

Have a restful and most blessed weekend, and I’ll see you on Sunday!

I love you all so very much,

Mike

Upcoming Events:

June 24, 6:30 PM – Women’s Book Club
July 2, 9 AM – Senior Fellows Breakfast
July 2, 11:15 AM – Senior Fellows Team B Downtown Rescue Mission feeding
July 8, 6 PM – Women’s Book Club Potluck at Timbers Edge Clubhouse
July 11, 11:30 AM – Women’s Monthly Lunch at Timbers Edge Clubhouse
July 12, 11:15 AM – Senior Fellows Team A Downtown Rescue Mission feeding
July 15, 6:30 PM – Senior Fellows attend Concert in the Park
July 17, 6 PM – Deacons Meeting
July 21, 2 PM – Davie Bridal Shower at Kim Fohrell’s house
July 30, 10 AM – Senior Fellows Bags of Blessings
July 30, 6 PM – Bags O’ Blessings packing at The CARE Center
August 11, 4:30 PM – Psummer Psalms recitation
August 12, 6 PM – Women’s Book Club Potluck at Debi Walker’s house
September 8, 9 AM – Sunday School resumes
September 20, 6 PM – Marriage Dinner

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 v.1,2,5
Be Unto Your Name
More Love to Thee, O Christ – Hymn 649 v.1,2,4
Wonderful, Merciful Savior

Announcements:

Summer Schedule: Christ Pres is on Summer Schedule, which means Sunday School and regular weekly activities are on hiatus. Our weekly time of fellowship begins at 10 AM, with worship beginning at 10:30 AM. Regular weekly activities resume September 3 and Sunday School resumes September 8.

Bags of Blessings:Members, Our church will pack “Bags of Blessings” food bags at the Care Center, New Hope at 6 PM, Tuesday, 30 July. These food bags are given out by public school teachers on Fridays to children not receiving adequate food on weekends. We need about 25 church helpers to accomplish this important job. If you would like to help, sign up at the table in the narthex. The packing will take place in a warehouse on Main Street in New Hope, next to the City Hall (on right facing City Hall). Take New Hope exit off Hwy 431. This is Main street and it goes by City Hall. Please arrive before 6 PM. The job should take 1-1.5 hours to complete, and children can help. Thanks for your support.

Women’s Book Club Fellowship: Title of book is Even Better than Eden by Nancy Guthrie. Meets Monday nights starting June 10th from 630-8pm at 2 locations
Home of Sharon Daughtry 5726 Jones Valley Dr HSV 256-520 0824
Home of Debi Walker 8538 Sedgebrook SE 256 929-3214
July 8th from 6-8pm will be a joint potluck fellowship at TimbersEdge Clubhouse
Aug 12th wrap up potluck fellowship for both groups at home of Debi Walker
We will not meet the week of VBS July 15-18

Psummer Psalms: Everyone in the congregation is invited to memorize one entire Psalm this summer, then join us for a recitation at the church, followed by ice cream, Sunday, Aug 11, 4:30pm. “How sweet are your words to my taste…” Psalm 119:103  Recitation can be individual, or together in a group or family. We had a great group last year–young and old sharing God’s word out loud and with conviction. If interested, email darondrown@gmail.com for periodic encouragement and accountability.

VBS UPDATE: Families, please go ahead and sign up for VBS so that we can begin to group children and order supplies. Volunteers also need to register so that you will receive your free t-shirt. Last day to register and guarantee a shirt will be July 8th. Please see all info and sign-up links HERE. Forward to friends and neighbors! Thanks! We are now LIVE with our registration for VBS 2019: Summer Seaquest. Original: Please see the website HERE and forward to any friends or neighbors who are interested in joining us. Cost is $10/child for a t-shirt (maximum of $30/family). Volunteers should also register and will receive a free shirt. You can drop your check in the offering plate (“VBS” on the subject line) or mail to the church. Please be in prayer for our volunteers and all those helping with this event. Thanks!

Nursery: Baby nursery volunteers are needed for the summer semester. Please click HERE to sign up for 1-2 Sundays over the course of the summer. Our babies love our member volunteers!

Senior Fellows: On Tuesday, July 2 at 9 AM the Senior Fellows will enjoy breakfast, fellowship and a devotional at the Church. Guests are welcome. Both Senior Fellows teams will serve at the Downtown Rescue Mission. Team B will serve on Tuesday, July 2. Team A will serve on Friday, July 12. Each team will meet at 11:15 AM and start feeding at 11:30 AM. Carpools will leave the church at 10:30.On Monday, July 15 at 6:30 PM the Senior Fellows will attend Concert in the Park to hear 60’s music in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Lunar Landing. Carpools will leave the church at 6:00 PM. Finally, on Tuesday, July 30 at 10:00 AM the Senior Fellows will meet at Sam’s Club on South Parkway to transport food to the Care Center in preparation for packing Bags of Blessings.

Bridal Shower for Maddie Davie : There will be a bridal shower for Maddie Davie (daughter of Gerry and Renee Davie) on July 21st from 2-4pm at the home of Kim Fohrell
3113 Haddonstone Dr, Owens Cross Rds, 35763
Maddie and Matthew are registered at Bed, Bath and Beyond, MyRegistry.com, and Amazon.

Prayer Requests:

Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: John Baxter, Pat Galecki, Jim Daughtry, Jim Garner, Bill Cowley, Larrabee Kirkland, Katie Jackson, Chris Smotherman, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, Ramona Edwards, and Nolan Osmer.
Expecting: Please pray for the Bryant family, expecting in September, and the Thoms, expecting in November.
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).

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