Sermon Preview

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in the Lord:

I must sadly confess that it has been at least forty-four years since I’ve read anything penned by William Shakespeare. But I do remember one famous line embedded in the words of Macbeth:

“And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
the way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle.
Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player
that struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
and then is heard no more. It is a tale
told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
signifying nothing.”

I think we’d all agree that ours is also a era of such empty “ sound and fury.”

Each day of the week without fail, we are exposed to such vacuous sounds. It is true that our day is a day of many voices and noises that vie for our attention and call for our allegiance. In whatever direction we turn, someone is speaking to us, yelling at us, claiming to be the truth, the authoritative interpreter of ‘the facts,’ and the possessor of life’s ‘secret.’

To whom should we listen? What sound and whose voice should we discover and cherish among all of the countless options?

Well, this is where the author of Hebrews can help us.

In Hebrews 1:1-2, we are told that, amidst all of the meaningless “ sound and fury” of our age, there is but one Voice, one Authority to whom we should give our undivided attention. Here we encounter the twin claims that, “ God spoke,” and that “ He has spoken.”

It was Dr. Raymond Brown, the former principal of Spurgeon’s College in London, who said:

“ The letter to the Hebrews begins by asserting the greatest single fact of the Christian religion: God has spoken to man through His word in the Bible and through His Son, Jesus.”

It is this absolute claim, this sound coming from heaven, and its life-changing implications, that we will prayerfully consider on Sunday.

May our Lord bless you as you prepare your hearts and minds to come before Him in worship!

I love you all so very much!

Mike

Upcoming Events:

These are upcoming events and activities over the next few days at Christ Presbyterian Church.

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:

Be Unto Your Name
And Can It Be – Hymn 455 v.1, 5
Come Ye Souls By Sin Afflicted
My Jesus, I Love Thee – Hymn 648 v.1,2 4

Announcements:

Schedule Note:

Reminder, all regularly scheduled studies and activities for all ages have resumed for the Winter/Spring. Check the Upcoming Events for times and dates.

Women’s Ministry:

The Mother’s study will resume on January 14 at 9am at the church and study “In All Things” by Melissa Kruger. The Women’s Night study will resume January 14 at 6pm at the church and will study “Sermon On The Mount” by Jen Wilkens. The Women’s Morning study will resume on January 15 at 10am at the church and will study “Sermon On The Mount” by Jen Wilken. Also, if anyone is interested, Nancy Guthrie will speak at Briarwood Presbyterian Church on February 1 at 8:30am-3:30pm. Standard registration ends January 25.

Children’s Ministry:

Baby Nursery Staff Member Need

Our precious Ms. Merlene, who has been with us more than 8 years, is leaving us in February. This leaves a big hole as she has faithfully served the babies and watched so many of our children grow up. If you know of a sweet woman who would like to work for us, please have them call or email me or Jack Cooper. The pay is very good, and there is opportunity to work more than just Sunday morning. Current need is Sunday morning from 8:45 to 12:15.

Baby Nursery Volunteer Sign-up

At the beginning of each semester, I send out this sign-up form for you to volunteer in our baby nursery each week. This class varies so much that it is vital that our members volunteer to rock babies or play with the little ones (up to age 2). Girls ages 12 and up are also welcome to volunteer. Please consider taking 1-2 dates.

Click HERE to volunteer.

Children’s Ministry Meeting

If you are interested in helping me map out our 2020 events, plan to join me on Sunday, 1/26, at 5 pm (church) for an hour long planning session. I would love input into our ministry (nursery to 5th grade) from various aged parents. Email me to let me know you’ll be there! I already have some awesome things set for our children this year!

Men’s Studies:

The men are meeting at Panera at Bridge Street on Tuesdays at 6 AM to study Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion. If interested, email darondrown@gmail.com

Career/Singles:

Resuming on January 12 at 5:30pm , the Career/Singles group will meet at the Daughtry’s house at 5726 Jones Valley Dr, 35802. Email them to get involved.

Transportation for Jean Terry to Worship

Steve Terry’s treatment, which will take place in Arkansas, will be a long process – 42 weeks. So, we as a church body have the opportunity to serve this sweet family during the difficult road ahead. One way we can serve and bless them is to provide transportation for Jean Terry, Steve’s mom, to and from worship service. A link is provided to sign up if you are able to help in this manner. Please contact Kim Fohrell if you have questions about serving. Click HERE to volunteer to drive Ms. Jean to and from worship service.

Youth Group:

Second Sunday Lunches:

Many of you remarked to me that you’ve only been able to come to one or two lunches because of forgetting or making other plans – well let me encourage you to mark your calendars! 😉

We plan to continue each 2nd Sunday of the month from January through May. The May lunch will most likely move to the 3rd Sunday because of Mother’s Day.

January 12 is the next one coming up. Please make plans to join us in the Fellowship Hall after worship. And please welcome visitors to stay and join us to eat! Please click HERE  to sign up for desserts, drinks, or to help clean up after our 2nd Sunday lunch this Sunday, January 12.  We will be serving Lawler’s BBQ.

***A word of thanks to all the MANY helpers who prep, set out tables, serve the meals, bring food or dessert or tea, and those who linger to clean up – THANK YOU for making these lunches a great success. It is a pleasure to work alongside you and serve the church body this way.

Sincerely in Christ,
Denise Brown

Prayer Requests:

Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Jacky Haynes, Steve Terry, John Baxter, Bill Cowley, Larrabee Kirkland, Elizabeth Holton, Janet Chou, and Nolan Osmer.
Expecting: Please pray for the Brackins, expecting in March, and the Elliotts, expecting in May.
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 and Alaina Garcia (church plant in Canada); Dieter Paulson (church plant in Scottsboro, AL).

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