Sermon Preview:

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Hebrews 11:7 introduces us to the third ‘hero of faith’ that is set before us in the Epistle. This man really needs no introduction. “ Noah” is a name we all immediately recognize and fondly remember.

Perhaps you remember him every time there is a big rainstorm (and the Flint River overflows here in Hampton Cove!), or when you witness the appearance of a beautiful rainbow in the clouds. We all know who Noah was and what he did.

But this one verse from Hebrews tells us something about him that might not so quickly come to mind, if at all. As the author indicates, “ By faith” Noah “ condemned the world” and then “ became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.” These are admittedly strange words. And perhaps more perplexing is how this man described in such terms serves an example for Christians to follow today.

On Sunday, we will get more familiar with Noah’s story. And this will take us first to Genesis 6:5-22. Let me encourage you to study this passage alongside of the words found in Hebrews 11:7. And then on the Lord’s Day we will open our Bibles and go back in time to the amazing days of this great man of faith, Noah.

I love you all so much!

Mike

Announcements:

Bereavement Ministry:

Church member Andy Trent went to be with the Lord on October 1. Andy was the husband of S’ine Trent, father of Erica McNeese, and grandfather of Abigail and Stirling McNeese. Funeral services were held at Christ Presbyterian Church on October 8. Andy’s family has requested that the video of funeral services be made available to the Congregation. The family graciously thanks Drew Thompson for a wonderful video and hopes that it is an encouragement to you. The link to the video is: https://youtu.be/s7hpAqQgQOI

Children’s Ministry:

The Children’s Ministry is continuing our summer Fall Fellowships into the fall! We are gathering on Friday, 10/29 at 5:30 pm at the church/church house for chili, soup, and a few Reformation themed table activities/games for the children. It is always so good to get together with our church family!

As always, we welcome church members to come and fellowship with our young parents and hold babies 🙂

RSVP HERE

Ways you can help and/or support this event:

• If you’d like to help w/ our reformation table activities – email Faith Ann Gibson. 
• If you can help w/ food or set-up, email Amanda Dean. 
• If you can help with side dishes or paper products, email Amy Rodriguez-Feo.

We look forward to a fun night together celebrating Reformation Day and fellowshipping together!

Youth Group:

Fall Youth Calendar

November 7th – Youth Group
November 21st – Youth Group
December 5th – Youth Group
December 12th – Christmas Party

*All dates are Sunday evenings. Youth group is from 4:30 to 6:30.

Senior Fellows:

The next Senior Fellows Breakfast will be 9 AM, Tues, Nov 9. The topic for discussion will be Issues facing the PCA. It will be led by Pastor Mike and  start at 10 AM. Church members and visitors are invited to attend. If coming for breakfast, please notify Senior Fellows at:  seniorfellows@christpreshamptoncove.org

Help Needed Saturday, Oct 30 at Redeemer PCA Church in Scottsboro

Pastor Dieter Paulson, Redeemer PCA Church in Scottsboro, has asked us to support a 9 AM, Sat., Oct. 30 Church Work Day.  This work is in preparation for the November 7 Church Dedication Day.

Carpentry, painting and cleanup workers (and tools) are needed pretty much the same as the Oct 16 Church Work Day.

The church is located at 3307 S Broad St, Scottsboro, AL.

If you are able to help, please confirm by emailing Joe Sims at: vegeman1966@gmail.com

Women’s Ministry:

Monthly Lunch: Our next monthly luncheon will be on November 4 beginning at 11:30 at the Timbers Edge Clubhouse located at 1 Timbers Main, Brownsboro. It’s potluck – feel free to bring a dish or just yourself.

Fall Bible Studies:

The fall Bible studies are ongoing! The Tuesday study for mothers meets at 9:30 AM at the church. Contact Amy Schnorrenberg for more info. The Wednesday studies meet at 10 AM and 6 PM at the church. Contact Denise Scrip for more info.

Men’s Ministry:

Bible Study: We would like to invite all CPC men to our Fall Bible study series!

Title – Knowing the Times: A Look at Contemporary Works on Race, Social Justice, Wokeness and Christianity

Description – The church has always grappled with competing worldviews, issues of race, and alternate systems of morality. In modern society, we acutely feel the shifts in our society with our increased accessibility to information at our fingertips at all hours of the day. We would like to invite our men to our Fall study on issues of CRT, wokeness, and the response of the evangelical church. Led and taught by Dr. Mike Calvert, we will take several contemporary Christian works as starting points for our study and discussion. Among these works include Voddie Baucham’s Fault Lines: The Social Justice Movement and Evangelicalism’s Looming Catastrophe and Owen Strachan’s Christianity and Wokeness: How the Social Justice Movement is Hijacking the Gospel.

Time – Friday from 11:30 to 12:30. Please bring a bag lunch to enjoy while we study and discuss.

Locale – Church fellowship hall (to attend via Zoom, contact Senior Fellows at seniorfellows@christpreshamptoncove.org

Schedule – We will meet a total of 10 sessions with our first meeting on Friday, September 24th. Our final meeting will be on Friday, December 10th. skipping Friday, October 8th for Fall break.

Please make plans to join us for this important study! If you have any questions, please contact Matthew Elliott at matthew@christpreshamptoncove.org.

Career/Singles:

The Young Career Bible Study will not meet this Sunday, but will resume next Sunday at the Daughtry’s house at 5:30 PM.

Prayer Requests:

Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Suzanne Nimon, Lincoln Ely, Dave Angotti, Zig and Virdia Jastrebski, Ramona Edwards, Bill Dent, Jacky Haynes, Steve Terry, Bill Cowley, and Elizabeth Holton.
Expecting: Please pray for the Prinzingers and Paseurs, both expecting in November, as well as the Elliotts, expecting in March.
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

“ But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house” (Mark 3:27).

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

You’ve seen the movie before. It’s a very familiar plot line. A bad guy breaks into a home in the dead of night, awakens the occupants at gunpoint, ties them up, and takes whatever his wicked heart desires. This is a very real scenario that is played out over and again in our world with frightening regularity.

But there is nothing new here at all. This has been happening to homeowners since there have been private homes and families occupying them. Two-thousand years ago, our Lord Jesus mentioned this very scene as He interacted with the citizens of His hometown.

Having listened to what Jesus had to say, our Lord’s own family and a cadre of scribes from Jerusalem began to challenge His authority and His sanity (Mark 3:21-22). The most blasphemous charge hurled at Jesus that day was that His miracle-working ministry was being energized by “ the ruler of the demons” (v. 22).

It was in this rather tense setting that Jesus “ began speaking to them in parables” (v. 23).

The gist of our Lord’s rejoinder to the scribal charge was that Satan would never work against himself. If Jesus was indeed empowered by Satan, as they had alleged, then the devil’s diabolical kingdom would have already fallen. As Jesus suggested, it’s just simple logic that a “ kingdom,” or a “ house,” that is “ divided against itself” cannot “ stand” (vv. 24-25).

So, how was it that Jesus was able to heal the sick, release the demonized, and even raise the dead?

The encouraging answer is to be found in those words from verse 27 quoted above.

When Jesus came to this earth and began His public ministry of deliverance and salvation, it was like what happens when a robber enters a home, subdues the man of the house, and takes whatever he desires. Jesus came to the ‘home’ of the devil himself, bound him, and then proceeded to “ plunder” all of his possessions. This is what the ministry of Jesus made most apparent. The granting of forgiveness, the liberation of the captives, the various healings and deliverances all testified to the fact that the evil “ strong man” had been bound!

It is this very truth that the Apostle John so dramatically and symbolically portrayed in Revelation 20:1-3–

Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended.

Taken together, all of this means that right now the devil is still bound in chains. Jesus has subdued him, and the devil’s abode is being plundered this very moment as the Gospel goes forth from pulpits and individual Christian disciples all over this world! The Lord is still saving His people as those spiritually blind receive sight, those spiritually deaf are enabled to hear, and those who are spiritually dead in their sins are being raised to new life in Christ! And all the while, the “ strong man” is helpless to stop this ‘robbery’! Amen! Hallelujah!

On this new Monday, there is a great message of encouragement for us that we dare not miss.

Because we belong to Christ Jesus the Lord, we are safe and sound even though we live, work, worship, and serve on the devil’s playground. While the ancient serpent is able to threaten, accuse, spew lies, roar like a lion, and curse us, he is ‘all tied up at the moment’! As Luther said, “ his doom is sure”! We are safe from his schemes as we trust in the sovereign power of the One who has “ plundered” his evil kingdom!

As Isaiah said, “ no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed” (54:17) for your Mighty Immanuel has disarmed your adversary! You are safe in His loving arms! He is always protecting those whom He has chosen and redeemed as His precious sheep! You can rest in His perfect peace right now and every moment of life!

I pray that your hearts and minds will be filled today with this awesome truth! May you serve Him faithfully and fearlessly as you are amply supplied with His great strength!

I love you all so very much,

Mike

Sermon Preview:

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Hebrews 11:5 tells us about the mysterious Old Testament saint named “ Enoch.” This man, whose story is first recorded in Genesis 5:19-24, is the second person set forth in Hebrews 11 as a worthy example of persevering faith in Christ.

What’s really remarkable about this man is that, according to Scripture, he did not die! This places him in the same category as Elijah, the only two people in the Bible who never experienced physical death.

While Elijah was taken “ up by a whirlwind to heaven” (2 Kings 2:1), Enoch simply vanished! He “ walked with God; and he was not” (Genesis 5:24).

The author of Hebrews gives us a little more insight into what really happened to Enoch:

“ By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for before he was taken up, he was attested to have been pleasing to God” (11:5).

This coming Lord’s Day, we will meet this ‘hero of faith’ as we consider the inspired words of Hebrews 11:5.

Until then, let’s pray that we, too, might learn to walk with our Lord and Savior more closely!

I love you all so much,

Mike

Announcements:

Children’s Ministry:

The Children’s Ministry is continuing our summer Fall Fellowships into the fall! We are gathering on Friday, 10/29 at 5:30 pm at the church/church house for chili, soup, and a few Reformation themed table activities/games for the children. It is always so good to get together with our church family!

As always, we welcome church members to come and fellowship with our young parents and hold babies 🙂

RSVP HERE

Ways you can help and/or support this event:

• If you’d like to help w/ our reformation table activities – email Faith Ann Gibson. 
• If you can help w/ food or set-up, email Amanda Dean. 
• If you can help with side dishes or paper products, email Amy Rodriguez-Feo.

We look forward to a fun night together celebrating Reformation Day and fellowshipping together!

Youth Group:

Fall Youth Calendar

October 24th – Youth Group
November 7th – Youth Group
November 21st – Youth Group
December 5th – Youth Group
December 12th – Christmas Party

*All dates are Sunday evenings. Youth group is from 4:30 to 6:30.

Senior Fellows:

The next Senior Fellows Breakfast will be 9 AM, Tues, Nov 9. The topic will be Issues facing the PCA.

Limited Home/Auto Safety Checks for Christ Presbyterian Church Members:

Upon request the Senior Fellows or other CPC volunteers may perform limited home and/or auto safety checks for CPC members with the goal of maintaining a safer environment in homes and autos. This ministry is intended for CPC members needing assistance such as the elderly, widows, or those who cannot find someone to help.  The Senior Fellows and volunteers time is provided free of charge in the nature of neighbor helping neighbor. To request a limited home or auto safety check, refer another CPC member who might need help or to learn more about helping with this ministry, contact Senior Fellows at seniorfellows@christpreshamptoncove.org or ask any Senior Fellow or Deacon for help.

Women’s Ministry:

Monthly Lunch: Our next monthly luncheon will be on November 4 beginning at 11:30 at the Timbers Edge Clubhouse located at 1 Timbers Main, Brownsboro. It’s potluck – feel free to bring a dish or just yourself.

Fall Bible Studies:

The fall Bible studies are ongoing! The Tuesday study for mothers meets at 9:30 AM at the church. Contact Amy Schnorrenberg for more info. The Wednesday studies meet at 10 AM and 6 PM at the church. Contact Denise Scrip for more info.

Men’s Ministry:

Bible Study: We would like to invite all CPC men to our Fall Bible study series!

Title – Knowing the Times: A Look at Contemporary Works on Race, Social Justice, Wokeness and Christianity

Description – The church has always grappled with competing worldviews, issues of race, and alternate systems of morality. In modern society, we acutely feel the shifts in our society with our increased accessibility to information at our fingertips at all hours of the day. We would like to invite our men to our Fall study on issues of CRT, wokeness, and the response of the evangelical church. Led and taught by Dr. Mike Calvert, we will take several contemporary Christian works as starting points for our study and discussion. Among these works include Voddie Baucham’s Fault Lines: The Social Justice Movement and Evangelicalism’s Looming Catastrophe and Owen Strachan’s Christianity and Wokeness: How the Social Justice Movement is Hijacking the Gospel.

Time – Friday from 11:30 to 12:30. Please bring a bag lunch to enjoy while we study and discuss.

Locale – Church fellowship hall (to attend via Zoom, contact Senior Fellows at seniorfellows@christpreshamptoncove.org

Schedule – We will meet a total of 10 sessions with our first meeting on Friday, September 24th. Our final meeting will be on Friday, December 10th. skipping Friday, October 8th for Fall break.

Please make plans to join us for this important study! If you have any questions, please contact Matthew Elliott at matthew@christpreshamptoncove.org.

Career/Singles:

The weekly bible study and fellowship for career/singles meets at 5:30 PM Sunday evenings at the home of Jim and Sharon Daughtry.

Prayer Requests:

Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Suzanne Nimon, Lincoln Ely, Dave Angotti, Zig and Virdia Jastrebski, Ramona Edwards, Bill Dent, Jacky Haynes, Steve Terry, Bill Cowley, and Elizabeth Holton.
Expecting: Please pray for the Prinzingers and Paseurs, both expecting in November, as well as the Elliotts, expecting in March.
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

“. . . you do not know the work of God who makes everything” (Ecclesiastes 11:5).

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

There’s an old joke about a guy who was desperately worried about the future. Beset with anxiety, he finally decided to visit a local fortune-teller late one night. At 2 AM he knocked on her door. After a few minutes, he saw her peering through the widow. In a loud voice that penetrated the wooden front door, she asked, “Who are you, and what do you want this late at night?” With sudden disappointment and frustration filling his heart, he replied, “I don’t know. You tell me!!”

It may simply be my imagination, but it seems that there is more prognosticating going on these days than usual. There are wildly divergent predictions about future gas prices, the climate and the weather, stock prices, home values, the availability of goods and services, the economy, the COVID virus, the mid-term elections, and so on.

I readily admit my assumption that knowing (for sure) what’s ahead for us would be very helpful! It would be great to have a little ‘inside information’ on things to come so that we could plan accordingly. Even more so, I quite naturally assume that being assured of the future would provide a greater measure of emotional well-being and inner peace for us. After all, it’s the uncertainty that gets us, right? This is likely what’s behind our fascination with predictions.

But as we also know, the future is not so easily predicted. From the daily weather, to football scores, to national elections, the business of forecasting what’s coming is tenuous at best. We simply do not, and cannot, know with perfect certainty what will happen. And this is just the way it is, and always will be, for us who are mere creatures. The words of Deuteronomy 29:29 confirm this fact: “ The secret things belong to the Lord our God . . . .”

The “ Preacher” and “ son of David” who wrote the Book of Ecclesiastes (1:1) reminds us that there is much that we don’t know, and aren’t supposed to know.

In 11:5, he mentions such unknowable things as the “ path of the wind,” and “ how bones are formed in the womb of the pregnant woman” (NASB). And as he also states most emphatically, the knowledge of “ the activity of God” in our everyday world remains off limits to us as well. We must be content with not knowing what’s ahead!

As we ponder all of this, let me suggest that this limitation in our knowledge is a most wonderful and blessed thing, and not a liability at all!

What would your life be like if you did, in fact, know the future, those “ secret things of God” (Deut. 29:29)?

Well, I’m pretty certain that we would be unbearably miserable!

We would be paralyzed in fear.

We would be frantically (and hopelessly) trying to change the course of those events we saw coming.

We would be engrossed in ‘prepping’ for occurrences and conditions yet future, and not living faithfully in the present.

We would forfeit the immeasurably wonderful gift of our Father’s peace in the midst of our uncertainty.

In other words, we would make the painful discovery that the knowledge of the future is not so good after all! We can’t handle it. We were not designed to know it. This is our Heavenly Father’s territory, not ours!

Given the divinely designed limitations in our knowledge, our daily mission is to walk with our Savior in simple child-like trust. The One who hung upon Calvary’s cross for our sins is the Living Lord and King of all creation! He is our Good Shepherd. He upholds the entire universe by His sovereign Word. The Father of our Lord has ordained all that shall come to pass, and His eternal purposes will be perfectly accomplished for His glory and our good!

We don’t need to know the future if we know Him!

We can awaken every day with the peace that He knows what’s coming because He has most wisely planned it. All I need to know is that He is my Father, Jesus is my Lord, and His Spirit indwells me!

On this new Monday we know exactly what we need to know!

With each of you, I rejoice today in the all-sufficient knowledge that I have a . . .

“ great High Priest, whose Name is Love, Who ever lives and pleads for me. My name is graven on His hands. My name is written on His heart.”

(Before the Throne of God Above, by Charitie Lees Bancroft)

No late night visit to a ‘fortune-teller’ is ever needed!

I love you all, always!

Mike

Sermon Preview:

Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

When you think of the names Cain and Abel, what comes to mind?

Well, most of us think about the first murder committed in the history of the human race. Of course, we all know that it was Cain who murdered his younger brother Abel in cold blood (Genesis 4:8).

But what if there is something else, something of maximum importance, that should fill our minds when we remember this ancient pair of brothers?

The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews takes us back to Genesis 4 as he begins listing the individual examples of saving, persevering faith in chapter 11.

The first name mentioned is that of “ Abel” (11:4).

Remarkably, there is no mention of his murder at all! The only point of emphasis the author draws from Genesis 4 is that, “ By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain” ( NASB).

This coming Lord’s Day we will examine this simple inspired phrase that depicts the man called “ Abel.” And we will learn how his example of “ faith” instructs and challenges us today!

I love you all so very much!

Mike

Announcements:

Children’s Ministry:

Warm up those crockpots and join us for a Children’s Ministry Fall Fellowship and Chili Cook-off October 29 from 5:30-7:30 at the church house. We will have a couple of Reformation Day games and crafts for the kids so come ready for a sweet time of fun and fellowship. Church family and guests welcome! Click the link below to RSVP and indicate if you plan to enter some chili for potential Christ Pres Chili Champ bragging rights!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSczHClki2FjnXT3nB5477IBD9phtN3XZI7okUIiY94NlAA7Hg/viewform?usp=sf_link

Youth Group:

Fall Youth Calendar

October 17th – Youth Group
October 24th – Youth Group
November 7th – Youth Group
November 21st – Youth Group
December 5th – Youth Group
December 12th – Christmas Party

*All dates are Sunday evenings. Youth group is from 4:30 to 6:30.

Girls’ Night:

We will have the first of two youth “Girls’ Nights” on Monday, October 18th, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the home of Jeff and Denise Brown. All middle and high school girls are invited to join us for dinner, a vibrant devotion, and a very compelling activity. Please feel free to bring a friend!

Senior Fellows:

The next Senior Fellows Breakfast will be 9 AM, Tues, Nov 9. The topic will be Issues facing the PCA.

Urgent Call for Help to Support Redeemer PCA in Scottsboro

Pastor Dieter Paulson from Redeemer Presbyterian Church has requested help from Christ Presbyterian Church on Saturday, Oct. 16. There are multiple tasks needed to occupy their new meeting facility this month.  The scope of the effort will require 15-20 men and women to perform carpentry, painting, cleaning, etc. Tools needed include a miter saw, air compressor, nail gun, paint brushes, utility knives, and general carpentry tools and knee pads.

If you can help with labor and/or tools, please sign up in the narthex on Sunday, Oct 10 or email Joe Sims at (vegeman1966@gmail.com) by Wednesday, Oct 13.

Work at Redeemer Pres will start at 9 AM on the 16th.  If you would like to convoy with Christ Pres, please arrive at our church at 8 AM.

Redeemer Presbyterian Church address is 3307 S. Broad St., Scottsboro, AL

Thank you.

Limited Home/Auto Safety Checks for Christ Presbyterian Church Members:

Upon request the Senior Fellows or other CPC volunteers may perform limited home and/or auto safety checks for CPC members with the goal of maintaining a safer environment in homes and autos. This ministry is intended for CPC members needing assistance such as the elderly, widows, or those who cannot find someone to help.  The Senior Fellows and volunteers time is provided free of charge in the nature of neighbor helping neighbor. To request a limited home or auto safety check, refer another CPC member who might need help or to learn more about helping with this ministry, contact Senior Fellows at seniorfellows@christpreshamptoncove.org or ask any Senior Fellow or Deacon for help.

Women’s Ministry:

Monthly Lunch: Our next monthly luncheon will be on November 4 beginning at 11:30 at the Timbers Edge Clubhouse located at 1 Timbers Main, Brownsboro. It’s potluck – feel free to bring a dish or just yourself.

Fall Bible Studies:

The fall Bible studies have resumed! The Tuesday study for mothers meets at 9:30 AM at the church. Contact Amy Schnorrenberg for more info. The Wednesday studies meet at 10 AM and 6 PM at the church. Contact Denise Scrip for more info.

Men’s Ministry:

Bible Study: We would like to invite all CPC men to our Fall Bible study series!

Title – Knowing the Times: A Look at Contemporary Works on Race, Social Justice, Wokeness and Christianity

Description – The church has always grappled with competing worldviews, issues of race, and alternate systems of morality. In modern society, we acutely feel the shifts in our society with our increased accessibility to information at our fingertips at all hours of the day. We would like to invite our men to our Fall study on issues of CRT, wokeness, and the response of the evangelical church. Led and taught by Dr. Mike Calvert, we will take several contemporary Christian works as starting points for our study and discussion. Among these works include Voddie Baucham’s Fault Lines: The Social Justice Movement and Evangelicalism’s Looming Catastrophe and Owen Strachan’s Christianity and Wokeness: How the Social Justice Movement is Hijacking the Gospel.

Time – Friday from 11:30 to 12:30. Please bring a bag lunch to enjoy while we study and discuss.

Locale – Church fellowship hall (to attend via Zoom, contact Senior Fellows at seniorfellows@christpreshamptoncove.org )

Schedule – We will meet a total of 10 sessions with our first meeting on Friday, September 24th. Our final meeting will be on Friday, December 10th. skipping Friday, October 8th for Fall break.

Please make plans to join us for this important study! If you have any questions, please contact Matthew Elliott at matthew@christpreshamptoncove.org.

Fellowship Lunch Groups: Men’s fellowship groups are now forming. The purpose of these groups is to facilitate getting to know our brothers in Christ and enjoy time together. Groups will form around October 12th and run through the Spring Semester, ending around Memorial Day. Normally, groups will meet together for lunch, but it is flexible. Groups could play golf together, go to a Trash Pandas game … whatever you decide to do. For more information, please contact Norman Dean ndeaniv@gmail.com. You may sign up in the narthex or online at this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TQXKW5N.

Career/Singles:

The weekly bible study and fellowship for career/singles meets at 5:30 PM Sunday evenings at the home of Jim and Sharon Daughtry.

Prayer Requests:

Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Suzanne Nimon, Lincoln Ely, Dave Angotti, Zig and Virdia Jastrebski, Ramona Edwards, Bill Dent, Jacky Haynes, Steve Terry, Bill Cowley, and Elizabeth Holton.
Expecting: Please pray for the Prinzingers and Paseurs, both expecting in November, as well as the Elliotts, expecting in March.
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

“ He has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was in a besieged city”–Psalm 31:21.

My Dear Beloved Ones in Christ Jesus Our Lord,

Over the weekend my eyes caught one of those frequently occurring headlines detailing the humiliation and discipline of yet another university professor (who may still be fired pending the outcome of an ‘official investigation’). As is usual these days, the educator in question committed the unpardonable sin of causing some of the students to feel ‘unsafe’ in a classroom environment, this time at the University of Michigan.

To be more specific, his unspeakably horrific crime was showing the 1965 film Othello (starring Sir Laurence Olivier) in his class on the plays of William Shakespeare. In the movie, Olivier plays the part of Othello, and appears with his (naturally white) skin darkened by theatrical makeup in order to represent the Moorish background of Shakespeare’s famous character. Students complained to the school’s administration that such action violated their sense of security. As one of the professor’s students commented, “ I was shocked that [the professor] would show something like this in something that’s supposed to be a safe space.”

Of course, we are understandably amused and righteously indignant at such thinking that has now become standard operating procedure in many American universities. Exposure to ideas and concepts that challenge the student’s assumptions is strictly forbidden as it violates the sacred space reserved only for groupthink and psychological security.

Providentially, earlier that same day I had also read the words from Psalm 31 quoted above, and I could not help but make a very important connection in my mind.

When David (the author of this Psalm) recorded these inspired words he was reflecting upon an event detailed in 1 Samuel 23:1-14. King Saul was after him, boiling over with hatred and determined to kill the rival king of Israel. Verse 8 tells us that, “ Saul summoned all the people to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men.” It was there in that city called “ Keilah,” which was in the midst of a vicious attack, that David experienced the “ wondrously” sweet and persistently “ steadfast” faithfulness and “ love” of his sovereign God.

There is, I think, both instruction and encouragement here for us on this new Monday.

As for what we learn here, the lesson of Psalm 31 (be sure to read it all) seems to be that if safety is our first concern as Christians, we will be no more virtuous nor mature than those students at the University of Michigan.

In one very real respect, every one of us lives in a “ besieged city.” The earthly “ city” where we reside for now is always under attack and full of imbedded adversaries. Yet, this is where our mission is. This is the theatre of our discipleship, of our corporate worship, and of our public service to the eternal City of God. By definition, it is not a ‘safe space,’ and it never has been.

In this present kingdom we are, to use Paul’s blunt language, “ afflicted in every way . . . persecuted . . . struck down . . . always carrying in the body the death of Jesus” (2 Cor. 4:8-10). If we are waiting for things to be ‘safe’ before we come to together in worship and then depart into the world to serve our King, we will be waiting for a very long time indeed! As Jesus warned us, “ In the world you will have tribulation” (John 6:33). Such will be the case until our Blessed Savior comes again.

Perhaps I could put this in terms that express my biggest concern for our flock today.

What we are presently up against in our part of the world, in our quadrant of the “ city,” is relatively benign. The adversaries that besiege our city are not severe at all when compared to that which other believers around the globe are experiencing. The risks we face are rather tame in comparison to arrest, torture, or martyrdom, for example. For this we praise the Lord! But a pesky question keeps popping up in my mind:

If the comparatively mild dangers of today are keeping us from being faithful to our duties as believers in Christ, then what’s going to happen to us when real persecution breaks out tomorrow?

Now for the encouragement.

Let’s remember what David shows us here. While we are never ‘safe’ from all dangers in the “ besieged city,” and while we will be facing all kinds of tribulation as Jesus promised us, it is in this same assaulted “ city” that our Father will “ wondrously” show us His “ steadfast love”! For sure, ours is not a ‘safe space.’ But it is the very space where God’s love is most powerfully given and most meaningfully experienced!

So the choice before us is safety, or a much richer experience of God’s love and sufficiency? Will it be faithfulness to Christ and to His commands, or the ghostly illusion of security that the lost people of this world are seeking? Would we rather be safe, or know that we are loved and protected by our Sovereign God even on the battlefield where the “ flaming darts” of the evil one fly incessantly (Eph. 6:16)? Are we setting up the next generation of Christians to make an idol of safety, or to courageously worship and faithfully witness in a city that is always in the line of fire?

My Dear Brother and Sisters, in these days of persistent adversity let me encourage you to trust in the One who loves you and who always has your well-being in His heart! Let us not make an idol of safety and ‘safe spaces.’ Let us be faithful in the power of His promise that He will walk with us, even through the fiery furnace of affliction and danger!

I love you all so very much!!

Mike

Sermon Preview:

On Sunday, it will be our joy to welcome Rev. Dieter Paulson to our pulpit to preach for us again in my absence. As you know, Dieter is the founding Pastor of Redeemer Church (PCA) in Scottsboro, a Church plant of our Presbytery and one of the missions that we support each month.

Dieter will be preaching a message from Matthew 23:1-36 entitled, ‘ Warnings for Christ-Followers and Fakers.’ I know you will look forward to this sermon and will pray fervently for Dieter as he comes to be with us.

Also, on October 10, Matthew Elliott will be teaching our Adult Sunday School class on the Song of Solomon.

Announcements:

Children’s Ministry:

Warm up those crockpots and join us for a Children’s Ministry Fall Fellowship and Chili Cook-off October 29 from 5:30-7:30 at the church house. We will have a couple of Reformation Day games and crafts for the kids so come ready for a sweet time of fun and fellowship. Church family and guests welcome! Click the link below to RSVP and indicate if you plan to enter some chili for potential Christ Pres Chili Champ bragging rights!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSczHClki2FjnXT3nB5477IBD9phtN3XZI7okUIiY94NlAA7Hg/viewform?usp=sf_link

Youth Group:

Fall Youth Calendar

October 17th – Youth Group
October 24th – Youth Group
November 7th – Youth Group
November 21st – Youth Group
December 5th – Youth Group
December 12th – Christmas Party

*All dates are Sunday evenings. Youth group is from 4:30 to 6:30.

Girls’ Night:

We will have the first of two youth “Girls’ Nights” on Monday, October 18th, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the home of Jeff and Denise Brown. All middle and high school girls are invited to join us for dinner, a vibrant devotion, and a very compelling activity. Please feel free to bring a friend!

Senior Fellows:

The next Senior Fellows Breakfast will be 9 AM, Tues, Nov 2. The topic will be Issues facing the PCA.

Urgent Call for Help to Support Redeemer PCA in Scottsboro

Pastor Dieter Paulson from Redeemer Presbyterian Church has requested help from Christ Presbyterian Church on Saturday, Oct. 16. There are multiple tasks needed to occupy their new meeting facility this month.  The scope of the effort will require 15-20 men and women to perform carpentry, painting, cleaning, etc. Tools needed include a miter saw, air compressor, nail gun, paint brushes, utility knives, and general carpentry tools and knee pads.

If you can help with labor and/or tools, please sign up in the narthex on Sunday, Oct 10 or email Joe Sims at (vegeman1966@gmail.com) by Wednesday, Oct 13.

Work at Redeemer Pres will start at 9 AM on the 16th.  If you would like to convoy with Christ Pres, please arrive at our church at 8 AM.

Redeemer Presbyterian Church address is 3307 S. Broad St., Scottsboro, AL

Thank you.

Limited Home/Auto Safety Checks for Christ Presbyterian Church Members:

Upon request the Senior Fellows or other CPC volunteers may perform limited home and/or auto safety checks for CPC members with the goal of maintaining a safer environment in homes and autos. This ministry is intended for CPC members needing assistance such as the elderly, widows, or those who cannot find someone to help.  The Senior Fellows and volunteers time is provided free of charge in the nature of neighbor helping neighbor. To request a limited home or auto safety check, refer another CPC member who might need help or to learn more about helping with this ministry, contact Senior Fellows at seniorfellows@christpreshamptoncove.com or ask any Senior Fellow or Deacon for help.

Women’s Ministry:

Monthly Lunch: Our next monthly luncheon will be on November 4 beginning at 11:30 at the Timbers Edge Clubhouse located at 1 Timbers Main, Brownsboro. It’s potluck – feel free to bring a dish or just yourself.

Fall Bible Studies:

The fall Bible studies have resumed! The Tuesday study for mothers meets at 9:30 AM at the church. Contact Amy Schnorrenberg for more info. The Wednesday studies meet at 10 AM and 6 PM at the church. Contact Denise Scrip for more info.

Men’s Ministry:

Bible Study: We would like to invite all CPC men to our Fall Bible study series!

Title – Knowing the Times: A Look at Contemporary Works on Race, Social Justice, Wokeness and Christianity

Description – The church has always grappled with competing worldviews, issues of race, and alternate systems of morality. In modern society, we acutely feel the shifts in our society with our increased accessibility to information at our fingertips at all hours of the day. We would like to invite our men to our Fall study on issues of CRT, wokeness, and the response of the evangelical church. Led and taught by Dr. Mike Calvert, we will take several contemporary Christian works as starting points for our study and discussion. Among these works include Voddie Baucham’s Fault Lines: The Social Justice Movement and Evangelicalism’s Looming Catastrophe and Owen Strachan’s Christianity and Wokeness: How the Social Justice Movement is Hijacking the Gospel.

Time – Friday from 11:30 to 12:30. Please bring a bag lunch to enjoy while we study and discuss.

Locale – Church fellowship hall (to attend via Zoom, contact Senior Fellows at seniorfellows@christpreshamptoncove.com )

Schedule – We will meet a total of 10 sessions with our first meeting on Friday, September 24th. Our final meeting will be on Friday, December 10th. skipping Friday, October 8th for Fall break.

Please make plans to join us for this important study! If you have any questions, please contact Matthew Elliott at matthew@christpreshamptoncove.org.

Fellowship Lunch Groups: Men’s fellowship groups are now forming. The purpose of these groups is to facilitate getting to know our brothers in Christ and enjoy time together. Groups will form around October 12th and run through the Spring Semester, ending around Memorial Day. Normally, groups will meet together for lunch, but it is flexible. Groups could play golf together, go to a Trash Pandas game … whatever you decide to do. For more information, please contact Norman Dean ndeaniv@gmail.com. You may sign up in the narthex or online at this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TQXKW5N.

Career/Singles:

The weekly bible study and fellowship for career/singles meets at 5:30 PM Sunday evenings at the home of Jim and Sharon Daughtry.

Prayer Requests:

Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Suzanne Nimon, Lincoln Ely, Dave Angotti, Zig and Virdia Jastrebski, Ramona Edwards, Bill Dent, Jacky Haynes, Steve Terry, Bill Cowley, and Elizabeth Holton.
Expecting: Please pray for the Prinzingers and Paseurs, both expecting in November, as well as the Elliotts, expecting in March.
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

Sermon Preview:

Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

The Psalmist tells us that, “ By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host” (Psalm 33:6).

Perhaps this verse was in the mind of the inspired author of the Epistle to the Hebrews when he explained that, “ By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible” (11:3).

While we recognize Hebrews 11 as ‘Faith’s Hall of Fame,’ we encounter an illustration of faith in verse 3 before we meet the faithful heroes of the Old Testament.

The verse teaches us that is by faith in Christ, and in the power of the Word of God, that we know both the origin and the history of the universe. It is, to use the language of the Psalmist, by faith that we can affirm that the “ heavens” and “ all their host” were created “ by the word of God.” All that we see with our physical eyes was designed and brought into existence by that which was and is not seen.

On Sunday, we will consider these amazing words, and how they challenge us to come to a deeper understand of the life of faith in Christ that we have been called to live.

Looking Ahead

Following worship on Sunday, Carol and I are scheduled to be away for a few days of vacation. Next Lord’s Day, October 10, it will be our joy to welcome Rev. Dieter Paulson to our pulpit to preach for us again in my absence. As you know, Dieter is the founding Pastor of Redeemer Church (PCA) in Scottsboro, a Church plant of our Presbytery and one of the missions that we support each month.

Dieter will be preaching a message from Matthew 23:1-36 entitled, ‘ Warnings for Christ-Followers and Fakers.’ I know you will look forward to this sermon and will pray fervently for Dieter as he comes to be with us.

Also, on October 10, Matthew Elliott will be teaching our Adult Sunday School class on the Song of Solomon.

Speaking of Matthew, as many of you know he is in the final stages of completing his PhD dissertation in Pastoral Theology from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Please keep Mathew in your prayers as he concludes this program of study. We look forward to officially calling him ‘Dr. Matthew’ very soon!

I love you all and pray for you always!

Mike
PS: The Next Monday Note of Encouragement will be delivered to you on October 11.

Announcements:

Children’s Ministry:

Warm up those crockpots and join us for a Children’s Ministry Fall Fellowship and Chili Cook-off October 29 from 5:30-7:30 at the church house. We will have a couple of Reformation Day games and crafts for the kids so come ready for a sweet time of fun and fellowship. Church family and guests welcome! Click the link below to RSVP and indicate if you plan to enter some chili for potential Christ Pres Chili Champ bragging rights!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSczHClki2FjnXT3nB5477IBD9phtN3XZI7okUIiY94NlAA7Hg/viewform?usp=sf_link

Youth Group:

Fall Youth Calendar

October 3rd – Cookout and College Care Packages at the Turnbull House
October 17th – Youth Group
October 24th – Youth Group
November 7th – Youth Group
November 21st – Youth Group
December 5th – Youth Group
December 12th – Christmas Party

*All dates are Sunday evenings. Youth group is from 4:30 to 6:30.

College Care Packages:

Sunday will be a service night where we will box up our donated items from the church to send to our college students. We will meet at the Turnbull’s house and a hearty dinner will be provided. The entire event will be compelling.

Girls’ Night:

We will have the first of two youth “Girls’ Nights” on Monday, October 18th, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the home of Jeff and Denise Brown. All middle and high school girls are invited to join us for dinner, a vibrant devotion, and a very special activity. Please feel free to bring a friend!

Senior Fellows:

The next Senior Fellows Breakfast will be 9 AM, Tues, Oct 5. The Discussion on Issues facing the PCA will now be 10 AM, Tues, Nov 9.

Limited Home/Auto Safety Checks for Christ Presbyterian Church Members:

Upon request the Senior Fellows or other CPC volunteers may perform Limited Home and/or Auto Safety Checks for CPC Members with the goal of maintaining a safer environment in homes and autos. This Ministry is intended for CPC members needing assistance such as the elderly, widows, or those who cannot find someone to help.  The Senior Fellows and volunteers time is provided free of charge in the nature of neighbor helping neighbor. To request a Limited Home or Auto Safety Check, refer another CPC member who might need help or to learn more about helping with this Ministry, contact Senior Fellows at seniorfellows@christpreshamptoncove.com or ask any Senior Fellow or Deacon for help.

Women’s Ministry:

Monthly Lunch: Our next monthly luncheon will be on October 7 beginning at 11:30 at the Timbers Edge Clubhouse located at 1 Timbers Main, Brownsboro. It’s potluck – feel free to bring a dish or just yourself.

Fall Bible Studies:

The fall Bible studies have resumed! The Tuesday study for mothers meets at 9:30 AM at the church. Contact Amy Schnorrenberg for more info. The Wednesday studies meet at 10 AM and 6 PM at the church. Contact Denise Scrip for more info.

Men’s Ministry:

Bible Study: We would like to invite all CPC men to our Fall Bible study series!

Title – Knowing the Times: A Look at Contemporary Works on Race, Social Justice, Wokeness and Christianity

Description – The church has always grappled with competing worldviews, issues of race, and alternate systems of morality. In modern society, we acutely feel the shifts in our society with our increased accessibility to information at our fingertips at all hours of the day. We would like to invite our men to our Fall study on issues of CRT, wokeness, and the response of the evangelical church. Led and taught by Dr. Mike Calvert, we will take several contemporary Christian works as starting points for our study and discussion. Among these works include Voddie Baucham’s Fault Lines: The Social Justice Movement and Evangelicalism’s Looming Catastrophe and Owen Strachan’s Christianity and Wokeness: How the Social Justice Movement is Hijacking the Gospel.

Time – Friday from 11:30 to 12:30. Please bring a bag lunch to enjoy while we study and discuss.

Locale – Church fellowship hall (to attend via Zoom, contact Senior Fellows at seniorfellows@christpreshamptoncove.com )

Schedule – We will meet a total of 10 sessions with our first meeting on Friday, September 24th. Our final meeting will be on Friday, December 10th. skipping Friday, October 8th for Fall break.

Please make plans to join us for this important study! If you have any questions, please contact Matthew Elliott at matthew@christpreshamptoncove.org.

Fellowship Lunch Groups: Men’s fellowship groups are now forming.  The purpose of these groups is to facilitate getting to know our brothers in Christ and enjoy time together. Groups will form around October 12th and run through the Spring Semester, ending around Memorial Day.  Normally, groups will meet together for lunch, but it is flexible. Groups could play golf together, go to a Trash Pandas game … whatever you decide to do.  For more information, please contact Norman Dean ndeaniv@gmail.com.  You may sign up in the Narthex or online at this link:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TQXKW5N.

Career/Singles:

The weekly bible study and fellowship for career/singles meets at 5:30 PM Sunday evenings at the home of Jim and Sharon Daughtry.

Prayer Requests:

Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Suzanne Nimon, Lincoln Ely, Dave Angotti, Zig and Virdia Jastrebski, Ramona Edwards, Bill Dent, Jacky Haynes, Steve Terry, Bill Cowley, and Elizabeth Holton.
Bereavement: Please pray for the Trent family, as Andy went home to be with the Lord on Friday.
Expecting: Please pray for the Prinzingers and Paseurs, both expecting in November, as well as the Elliotts, expecting in March.
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