Sermon Preview:

Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

“ Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
‘Til He appears and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.”

As you would know, the words above come from the first verse of that blessed Christmas carol, ‘ O Holy Night.’ I’ve always loved this carol, and would place it at the top of my list of all-time favorites.

It’s hard not to recall these poetic words when reading the third ‘Servant Song’ of Isaiah, found in Isaiah 50:4-11. Seven and a half centuries before Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the prophet spoke of the Servant of the Lord who would come to a lost world “ in sin and error pining.” And those who listen to Him, and then turn to Him in faith and repentance, will be among those in this “ weary world” who find their eternal source of hope and joy in Him!

Note especially the Servant’s words in Isaiah 50:4–

“ The Lord God has given me
the tongue of those who are taught,
that I may know how to sustain with a word
him who is weary.”

In this third ‘Servant Song’ Isaiah speaks of our Savior’s life (vv. 4-5), death (v. 6), and resurrection (vv. 7-9). But notice that these prophetic words, while addressing the whole world, are especially meant to “ sustain” those who are “ weary” (v. 4), who walk in the “ darkness” of this lost world, and are seeking to “ trust in the name of the Lord” (v. 10). We have here, then, a beautiful Old Testament picture of a ‘Servant for the Weary’!

I look forward to what our Lord will teach us from this wonderful passage on Sunday.

I love you all so very much!

Mike

Announcements:

COVID-19 Message:

For those of you who are attending worship in person on Sunday morning, please practice social distancing as much as you are able and observe the pew markers so that we may keep a safe, 6-ft between families. During this time, we will not have nursery or fellowship time with food and drink. If any family member has been sick, or you have a pre-existing condition, please consider staying home and joining us by watching the recorded service when it is sent out. Masks are not required if you are maintaining social distance, but are welcome. We hope and pray that if you have any needs, you will let a staff member or deacon know so that we can serve you well during this trying time.

Sunday School:

Sunday School is on hiatus and will resume on January 10. We will have a time of fellowship beginning at 10:15 AM each Sunday, with our service of worship beginning at 10:30 AM.

Men’s Ministry:

Men’s book study of Calvin’s Institutes is meeting weekly on Tuesdays at 6:15-7:15 AM. We’re meeting upstairs at the Cooper House on Randolph Ave near downtown. All men are welcome to join us in building friendships as we discuss our lives in Christ at a practical level. If interested, please contact darondrown@gmail.com

Women’s Ministry:

Therefore, here is the Current information regarding our Bible Studies this Fall. The three studies will be listed below.

Tuesday Morning Study facilitated by Amy Schnorrenberg
Time: 9:30 am
Place: Christ Pres
Topic: Marriage
Speaker: Video series by Paul Tripp
Childcare: Will be provided and currently in the planning stages
Contact person: Amy Schnorrenberg

Wednesday Morning Bible Study
Time: 10am -1130am
Place: Christ Pres Fellowship Hall
Topic: Pilgrim’s Progress (Penguin Classics )
( book can order through Amazon.com for $10.79 )
Speaker: Video series by Derek Thomas (Ligonier Ministry)
Contact person: Mary Lee McKee

Wednesday Night Bible Study
Time: 6pm – 730pm
Place: Christ Pres Fellowship Hall
Topic: Pilgrim’s Progress (Penguin Classics)
( book can be ordered through Amazon.com for $10.79 )
Speaker: Video series by Derek Thomas (Ligonier Ministry)
Contact person: Denise Scrip

For the two Wednesday Women’s studies I am in the process of learning how to incorporate a Zoom Meeting process for those who don’t feel comfortable meeting in person but still want to participate. I will let you know if and when it becomes available.

Children’s Ministry:

It is now the season of Advent, and I always send a quick email with resources for your family to use during this special time. Today, I’m linking to last year’s post, and I’m adding a couple of quick thoughts as well:

**One of my favorite follows on social media is Raising Boys and Girls (Sissy Goff). She mentions these three ways that we can walk with our children through Advent this year, knowing what a “different” year it has been!

1. Children need a sense of anticipation {Romans 8:24-34/How can we grow this in them?}
2. Children need purpose {What will we do this Advent season to minister to another/reach out to others/be intentional with our time and money?}
3. Children need connection {How can we stay connected during this season, even when things aren’t “normal?”}

Advent is a season of waiting, and the longer we wait, the “larger” we become in our anticipation and joy! Let’s show that to our children now and always!

If you have any questions or needs, please reach out to me. Your church staff is HERE for each of you!

Love,
Ashley

Youth:

The final Youth Group meeting of this year will be a Christmas Party on Sunday, 12/13, at 4:30 pm at the church house.

Career/Singles:

The young career/singles group meets every Sunday evening at 5:30 at the home of Jim and Sharon Daughtry, for a time of fellowship & spiritual encouragement.

Prayer Requests:

Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Lincoln Ely, Rich Bagdazian, Zig and Virdia Jastrebski, Ramona Edwards, Bill Dent, Jacky Haynes, Steve Terry, Bill Cowley, Larrabee Kirkland, Elizabeth Holton, and Nolan Osmer.
Ministries: Please pray for the following missionaries and ministries: Seth and Jessica Lewis (Ireland); Steve and Rita Williams (New Zealand); Noah and Karleigh Stephens (Thailand); Vinnie and Molly Athey (RUF at UAH); Amos and Jessica Williams (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); Gannon Miles (seminary student); The Huntsville Pregnancy Resource Center.

Online Donations:

If you would like to give to Christ Presbyterian, you can do so at the following link:

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

So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life . . . .”(John 6:67-68).

My Dear Ones in Christ Jesus,

That’s a pretty strange question coming from our Lord, particularly as it was aimed directly at His disciples! It would seem that He is suggesting that some, if not all of them, might want to find someone else to follow. And as we encounter this passage, we are at once curious as to what prompted the Savior to put such a dreadful thought in their minds.

The larger context of John 6 gives us our answer.

Our Lord had just miraculously fed the five-thousand, and then the very next day He continued to teach the multitude that had been attracted to Him (there was a great Messianic frenzy stirring among them, v. 15). In the course of His instruction, Jesus confronted the shallowness of their faith (v. 26), and their desire to put Him to the test (v. 28). Then He defined His ministry to the world as one of salvation, not earthly kingship (vv. 36-40).

Also among the swelling crowds of people that day were “ the Jews,” that is, the Jewish religious officials, who seemed to always nip at the Lord’s heels. They were (as usual!) deeply offended at what Jesus had been saying, and in particular His astounding claims that God was His “ Father” (v. 40), and that He was the very “ bread that came down from heaven” (v. 41).

Rather than answering their questions (v. 42), Jesus plunged them even deeper into the glory and confounding mystery of His true identity and mission. Not only did He claim to be the Sovereign Dispenser of eternal life (v. 44), and the Lord of the living and the dead (v. 51), but He announced that those seeking this life must “ eat the flesh of the Son of Man” and “ drink His blood” (vv. 53-54).

And then, as if to sound one final and deeply odious truth, Jesus announced to them that “ no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father” (v. 65).

According to John, that attack upon their personal autonomy in matters of salvation was the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back! And note what we discover in verse 66:

After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.

It was all of this that had prompted Jesus’ strange question to the Twelve.

Many from among the larger circle of “ disciples,” or followers of Jesus, determined that they would no longer be associated with such a Man, and with the audacious claims He boldly made. So they turned away. Once attracted by the miracles and the thrill of traveling along with Him, they were repulsed by His Words!

Then, as if to bring the Twelve to a point of personal decision, Jesus posed the strange, yet convicting, question of verse 67. Would the Twelve be like the crowd? Would they want a Savior who said such things? Would they want to follow One whose claims were that big? Or, like many in the crowd, would they ‘follow’ Him only loosely?

Well, our encouragement for this first Monday in December comes from the Spirit-empowered reply of the Apostle Peter. Speaking on behalf of the Twelve, Peter countered with his own question: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

It must have been a truly remarkable scene! The once massive crowds, measured at over five-thousand men alone (not including women and children) had been reduced to just 12! And, as our Lord indicated in verse 70, even one of them was “ a devil” (Judas). The giddy throngs that once proclaimed their love and loyalty to Jesus had now completely abandoned Him. They had, indeed, eaten of the loaves and fishes and were “ filled” (v. 26), and that was all. But there was no substance to their professed faith in the Savior.

Suddenly, the atmosphere of excitement and adulation turned to complete rejection! And the Twelve disciples themselves were swept up in the swirl of disappointment, and even hatred of the Lord. Yet, the words of Peter serve not only as a confession of faith on his part, and that of the other ten, but are also profoundly instructive and encouraging for us.

There must have been a very sweet peace that rushed into Peter’s heart as he sounded these words. They had already abandoned everything to follow Jesus. There was no other place to go. There was no other Savior to turn to. Even as the world railed against them because of their allegiance to Jesus, they remained with Him. They could do no other!

Standing right before Peter was the Lord of Heaven and Earth, the King of Creation, the Lord of the Living and the Dead! As long as they were with Him, they were ‘at home’ and ‘at peace’! They needed nothing else, and certainly not the world’s approval or recognition! And even if suffering for their Savior was ahead for them, it was of little consequence! They belonged to Jesus. And that’s all that mattered!

Likewise, we also stand with Jesus. And we do so in the midst of a world that has rejected Him and His Word! We too shall suffer with Him. But, there is nowhere else to go! And that’s such a wonderful thing! He is all we need, both in times of prosperity and in painful seasons of adversity! He alone has the “ words of eternal life”! And if we have Him we need nothing more, and we could desire nothing more!

As you follow Jesus today, remember this: Even if we find ourselves standing in a very small company of believers, even if we suffer the same rejection that Jesus did, and even if we lose all we have in this life, we have Him! We are with Him! We don’t need to go anywhere! He is enough! With Him we are already home! And where He is there is peace!

I love you all, and I stand with you as we stand satisfied with Jesus,

Mike

Sermon Preview:

Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

As we prepare for the Second Sunday of Advent, let me encourage you to read and mediate upon the second of Isaiah’s four ‘ Servant Songs’ found in Isaiah 49:1-13.

As you consider these words, the theme of redemption will become most evident. Here is the promise that the One who is called God’s “ Servant” will save His chosen people by means of the Father’s rich compassion and mercy! And not only will He restore captive Israel and bring them back to life as His people in His grace and mercy, He will also extend God’s gracious salvation to the ends of the earth itself!

I can’t wait to explore this inspired ‘Christmas Song’ with you on this coming Lord’s Day!

Christmas Eve Service

We look forward to our annual Christmas Eve Service of Worship and Communion on Thursday night, December 24 at 5:00 PM. We will gather to read God’s Word, sing some of the wonderful hymns and carols of Christmas, and observe the Lord’s Supper. The service will last under one hour, and all members and guests are warmly invited.

A Special Plan for Unusual Times

It goes without saying that we have had great challenges over the course of the last eight months. And one of the biggest is that many of our members have been unable to attend our worship services due to health concerns related to the virus. Again, let me say that we are so very grateful for the faithful and tireless efforts of Drew Thompson to provide a video recording of the services each week!

But, obviously, those who cannot come have not been able to share in the Lord’s Supper with us. As your pastor, this weighs most heavily upon my heart, for we believe that Communion is one of the chief and essential ways we are strengthened, nourished, and united as believers in our Savior’s Name.

In light of this most unusual situation, I would like to offer the Supper to those who are health-compromised and unable to attend in person. The Session has approved a plan whereby I can make home visits for the purpose of providing the Supper to those among us who are most vulnerable and fearful of infection.

Ordinarily, the Lord’s Supper may only be offered by a duly ordained Teaching Elder in the context of corporate worship on the Lord’s Day. By definition, it is not a personal, private, or small group sacrament to be observed outside of the corporate assembly of the Church. It is for the whole gathered body of Christ. However, our Book of Church Order allows an exception to this rule under certain ‘emergency’ conditions. In such cases I may offer the Supper to individuals (or families) in their homes.

Until such time that the virus threat has been sufficiently reduced and those affected can return to worship, I will be scheduling home visits for this purpose. If you are among those so impacted and would want to participate in this ministry (and would feel safe having me in your home), please contact me directly by phone, text, or email.

You are “ my joy and crown” (Philippians 4:1), and I love you all more than I could ever possibly express!

Mike

Announcements:

COVID-19 Message:

For those of you who are attending worship in person on Sunday morning, please practice social distancing as much as you are able and observe the pew markers so that we may keep a safe, 6-ft between families. During this time, we will not have nursery or fellowship time with food and drink. If any family member has been sick, or you have a pre-existing condition, please consider staying home and joining us by watching the recorded service when it is sent out. Masks are not required if you are maintaining social distance, but are welcome. We hope and pray that if you have any needs, you will let a staff member or deacon know so that we can serve you well during this trying time.

Sunday School:

Reminder that the last Sunday School session of the Fall semester is this Sunday. Sunday School will resume after the first of the year.

Men’s Ministry:

Men’s book study of Calvin’s Institutes is meeting weekly on Tuesdays at 6:15-7:15 AM. We’re meeting upstairs at the Cooper House on Randolph Ave near downtown. All men are welcome to join us in building friendships as we discuss our lives in Christ at a practical level. If interested, please contact darondrown@gmail.com

Senior Fellows:

Women’s Ministry:

Therefore, here is the Current information regarding our Bible Studies this Fall. The three studies will be listed below.

Tuesday Morning Study facilitated by Amy Schnorrenberg
Time: 9:30 am
Place: Christ Pres
Topic: Marriage
Speaker: Video series by Paul Tripp
Childcare: Will be provided and currently in the planning stages
Contact person: Amy Schnorrenberg

Wednesday Morning Bible Study
Time: 10am -1130am
Place: Christ Pres Fellowship Hall
Topic: Pilgrim’s Progress (Penguin Classics )
( book can order through Amazon.com for $10.79 )
Speaker: Video series by Derek Thomas (Ligonier Ministry)
Contact person: Mary Lee McKee

Wednesday Night Bible Study
Time: 6pm – 730pm
Place: Christ Pres Fellowship Hall
Topic: Pilgrim’s Progress (Penguin Classics)
( book can be ordered through Amazon.com for $10.79 )
Speaker: Video series by Derek Thomas (Ligonier Ministry)
Contact person: Denise Scrip

For the two Wednesday Women’s studies I am in the process of learning how to incorporate a Zoom Meeting process for those who don’t feel comfortable meeting in person but still want to participate. I will let you know if and when it becomes available.

Children’s Ministry:

It is now the season of Advent, and I always send a quick email with resources for your family to use during this special time. Today, I’m linking to last year’s post, and I’m adding a couple of quick thoughts as well:

**The Deans are hosting children and families this weekend, Sunday, 12/6, for a quick supper and Advent craft. They’ll be free Jesse Tree printables available for your family. RSVP using this link to Amanda Dean if you want to come.

**One of my favorite follows on social media is Raising Boys and Girls (Sissy Goff). She mentions these three ways that we can walk with our children through Advent this year, knowing what a “different” year it has been!

1. Children need a sense of anticipation {Romans 8:24-34/How can we grow this in them?}
2. Children need purpose {What will we do this Advent season to minister to another/reach out to others/be intentional with our time and money?}
3. Children need connection {How can we stay connected during this season, even when things aren’t “normal?”}

Advent is a season of waiting, and the longer we wait, the “larger” we become in our anticipation and joy! Let’s show that to our children now and always!

If you have any questions or needs, please reach out to me. Your church staff is HERE for each of you!

Love,
Ashley

Youth:

The final Youth Group meeting of this year will be a Christmas Party on Sunday, 12/13, at 4:30 pm at the church house.

Career/Singles:

The young career/singles group meets every Sunday evening at 5:30 at the home of Jim and Sharon Daughtry, for a time of fellowship & spiritual encouragement.

Prayer Requests:

Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Lincoln Ely, Rich Bagdazian, Zig and Virdia Jastrebski, Ramona Edwards, Bill Dent, Jacky Haynes, Steve Terry, Bill Cowley, Larrabee Kirkland, Elizabeth Holton, and Nolan Osmer.
Ministries: Please pray for the following missionaries and ministries: Seth and Jessica Lewis (Ireland); Steve and Rita Williams (New Zealand); Noah and Karleigh Stephens (Thailand); Vinnie and Molly Athey (RUF at UAH); Amos and Jessica Williams (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); Gannon Miles (seminary student); The Huntsville Pregnancy Resource Center.

Online Donations:

If you would like to give to Christ Presbyterian, you can do so at the following link:

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