Christ Presbyterian Church (PCA)

Month: May 2022

  • VBS Prayer Calendar

    VBS_ Faith Expedition Prayer Calendar

  • Monday Encouragement

    “Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord!”–Psalm 130:1
    My Beloved Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
    One thing that can be counted upon, as sure as today’s sunrise, is the universal human awareness and experience of personal guilt.
    While I want to avoid any unnecessary reductionism, this ubiquitous and innate knowledge of one’s own guilt explains why humans behave the way we do. In fact, I might argue that personal guilt is the ‘driver’ behind virtually everything we sinners engage in.  Yet, there is a rather sinister paradox, or contradiction, about it.
    For example, some people, moved by the knowledge of their own guilt, build hospitals, care for the poor and disenfranchised, teach the illiterate, feed the hungry, become exceptional parents, establish foundations that give away millions, work as first-responders, doctors, pastors, teachers, lawyers, community advocates, and accomplish many other such apparently selfless and laudable acts of sacrifice and service to mankind.  For such people, this is how their guilt is mitigated.
    Yet others, driven by that very same inner guilt, become thieves, murderers, maniacal dictators, ruthless corporate executives, gangsters, self-aggrandizing politicians, sexual deviants, manipulative and phony preachers, swindlers, narcissistic celebrities and the like. For such people, this is how their guilt is assuaged.
    Christian apologists (those specially trained theologians who defend the Christian faith) often appeal to this universal human experience of guilt (and the diverse actions it fosters) as proof enough that we are, indeed, made in the image of the God of Holy Scripture.  This persistent guilt continually testifies to us that we are all sinners before Him and must face the consequences that we so justly deserve. It is, then, not a matter of ‘if’ one is guilty. Rather, it is a simple matter of what one will ‘do’ with their guilt.
    This brings us to Psalm 130 and the inspired words that we discover in the very first line: “Out of the depths. . . .”
    The “depths” here are not those of a generalized despair, or ill-defined experience of debilitating anxiety or fear.  Verses 3 and 4 of the Psalm make this very clear with the mention of “iniquities” and “forgiveness.”  What is irrefutably in view is the despair and hopelessness that is always left in the wake of a sinner’s guilt before God.  The only outstanding matter is what will one do next.
    For the Psalmist, who speaks on behalf of all those who believe upon the Lord for their salvation, there is only one thing to do in response to the despair produced by the knowledge of our own sins and transgressions: we “cry to you, O Lord!”  This is our starting point when we become painfully aware of our sins, and either experience the gentle conviction of the Holy Spirit, or the slanderous and destructive accusations of the devil.  We raise our voices to our Heavenly Father, crying out to Him who loves us, and never turns His ears away from us, ever!
    And be sure to note the way this Psalm ‘ascends’ (it is, after all, a ‘Psalm of Ascent’):
    It begins at the bottom with a despairing confession of guilt, and a humble prayer for mercy and help: “Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy! If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?” (vv. 2-3).
    Then it rises to an affirmation of faith: “But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared” (v. 4).
    Then it ascends further to the place of confidence: “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope” (v. 5).
    Finally, it reaches its blessed summit where all despair, doubt, fear, and uncertainty have vanished: “And He will redeem Israel from all his iniquities” (v. 8).
    The difference, then, between a believer in Christ and a non-believer is not the presence and awareness of our guilt. The distinction is to be discovered in what we do with it.  Here in Psalm 130, our Father in Heaven bids us to cry out to Him!  His Son has already paid for all of our iniquities!  He will greet our broken-hearted cries with His mercy and lavish grace! He will immerse us in His “steadfast love” (v. 7), and soothe our troubled souls with His Son’s blood, which has already accomplished our redemption!
    So, on this new Monday, resolve that when guilt accosts you, when it leads you to despair over your sins, you will look up into the face of your Lord and Redeemer!  You will trust His Word and His character!  You will rest in His eternal loving-kindness and grace!  And you will be encouraged all day long!
    I love you all dearly, and always have you on my heart as I pray,
    Mike
    PS: After a short break, our next Monday Encouragement will come to you on Monday July 11.  Our Monday notes for the rest of 2022 will be based on the words of Jesus (those in red) found in the four Gospels.

  • Announcements – May 20 2022

    Sermon Preview:

    Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

    In Acts 2:41-42 we find a simple description of the Church that was formed after Peter preached in Jerusalem at Pentecost:

    41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

    Embedded within these inspired verses are what we have come to refer to as ‘the means of grace.’ That is, we see three ways that the Holy Spirit initially bought new life to those who believed in Christ, and then sustained that new life over the course of time. They are, 1) the Word, 2) the Sacraments, and 3) prayer.

    In the Westminster Larger Catechism, these three ‘means’ are further explained:

    Q. 154. What are the outward means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of his mediation?

    A. The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicates to his church the benefits of his mediation, are all his ordinances; especially the word, sacraments, and prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for their salvation.

    That the ‘means of grace’ are said to be “effectual to the elect for their salvation” indicates that these are the ways the Holy Spirit brings us to maturity in Christ, nourishes our souls, and testifies to us that we belong to our Lord, thus, providing divine comfort and the assurance in this life that we are redeemed.

    On Sunday, we will explore this passage of Scripture and consider how the Word, the Sacraments, and prayer not only distinguish Christ’s Church, but also bring about her growth in holiness.

    Sunday is our last day of Sunday School until September 11

    Our Summer schedule begins next Sunday, May 29. There will be no Sunday School until we resume on September 11. Over the summer, we will have our Sunday morning fellowship time from 10:00-10:30 AM, followed by Worship at 10:30 AM each Lord’s Day.

    I love you all and hope to see you on Sunday!

    Mike

    Announcements:

    Summer Schedule:

    As of May 29, Sunday School is on hiatus and will resume September 11. During the Summer, fellowship will begin each week at 10 AM, with our regular service of worship beginning at 10:30 AM.

    Church Directory:

    If you haven’t yet, please use the link below to sign up in the new church directory.

    https://christpreshamptoncove.churchcenter.com/directory/edit

    Children’s Ministry:

    VBS is LIVE! We are utilizing the new Planning Center program. You will click the link HERE, log in to your PC account, and select those you want to register. For example, I can choose to register myself and Kate as “volunteers” and the boys as “attendees.” It will allow you to choose t-shirt size, include allergy information, and pay.

    Please register both volunteers (adult/youth) and children. You’ll receive a confirmation email once completed. This is how we will communicate with volunteers, order t-shirts, place youth/children in age groups, and check-in attendees.

    Feel free to invite a friend, neighbor, or cousin! Registration will be open until mid May. Amanda and Erin still need help, so reach out to them if you are able!

    Youth Group:

    Below you will find the Winter/Spring dates for youth group, which meets at 4:30 PM at the church house.
    May 22nd

    Summer Fellowship Schedule
    VBS – June 6th-8th
    Game Night (Turnbull House) – Thursday, June 30th
    Ultimate & Pizza (Church House) – Thursday, July 28th
    Pool Night Cookout & 9 Square (Location TBD) – Thursday, August 18th

    Church Work Day:

    On Saturday, June 18, starting at 9 AM we will have a Church and Church House Work Day to clean the windows, clear the Church East Woodline and pressure wash the walkways. We should be finished by 12 noon.

    If you (men, women, teens) can help, please sign up at the desk in the Narthex or  email: vegeman1966@gmail.com. Also sign up to loan us the equipment needed for the tasks.

    We will have great fellowship while caring for Christ’s Church.

    Senior Fellows:

    On Tues., May 24 Senior Fellows will attend the Trash Panda Baseball Game. On June 14 at 9 AM the Senior Fellows will have breakfast and fellowship in the fellowship hall. Please email us at seniorfellows@christpreshamptoncove.org if you plan to join us.

    UAH RUF Leader to Discuss Today’s College Spiritual Environment

    Vinnie Athey, UAH RUF Leader, will discuss Today’s College Spiritual Environment at 9:30 AM Tues, June 14 in Fellowship Hall following the Senior Fellows Breakfast.  Students approaching college and parents are encourage to come hear Vinnie. He will also discuss how we can better prepare our students for this environment.

    Women’s Ministry:

    Monthly Lunch: Our next monthly luncheon will be on June 2 beginning at 11 AM at the Timbers Edge Clubhouse located at 1 Timbers Main, Brownsboro. It’s potluck – feel free to bring a dish or just yourself. If you have questions or transportation needs please contact Pat Galecki at 256-244-0612

    Panera Bread Summer Fellowships: There will be a fellowship dinner at Panera Bread on Airport Rd at 5:30 PM on May 25.

    Career/Singles:

    Career/Singles meet on Sundays at the Daughtry home at 5:30 PM.

    Prayer Requests:

    Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Collins Bailey, Virdia Jastrebski, Ramona Edwards, Bill Dent, Cynthia Dent, Steve Terry, Bill Cowley, Elizabeth Holton, and Jean Terry. Additional details may be found in the Ministries/Prayer Requests section of the church website.
    Expecting: Please pray for the Jacksons (June); the Thornhills (August); the Thompsons (September).
    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); Marcus and Jessica Nobles (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

  • Monday Encouragement

    “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth”–Psalm 121:1-2.
    My Beloved Ones in Christ Jesus,
    Psalm 121 is another one of the ‘Psalms of Ascent.’  As you know, this category of Psalms represents those songs (Psalms 120-134) that were sung by Old Testament saints as they journeyed to Jerusalem to worship.  Of course, from virtually any location in Israel one always went “up” to the holy city given its prominent location on a mountain (about 2800 feet above sea level).  Those coming from the east, from the region of the Dead Sea (1400 feet below sea level), would by far have the most arduous climb, some 4200 feet in all.  You can imagine that if you started out one day from that area of Israel headed to Jerusalem, you would literally “lift up” your “eyes” to the “hills” as you walked.  Your destination was far above you among the mountains. It would be a very long and difficult climb.  And as verse 1 suggests, the pilgrims would view the hills in front of them and ask a very practical question: “From where does my help come?”  That is, ‘How can I make the journey?’ ‘Who will assist me on this pathway that is so hard and demands so much?’
    For centuries now, this Biblical image of going up to Jerusalem to worship our Holy God has served as a picture of the entire life of the believer, and the believing community of saints as a whole. Our pilgrimage on this earth is an uphill climb in every way. All of life is our service and worship of God, not just one day of the week.  And, therefore, all of life is going up, walking the sometimes vertical pathway of adoration, faithfulness, and obedience to the sovereign and gracious One who has redeemed us.  If you are feeling the strain, the exhaustion, the stress of being faithful to your Savior and Lord, and if you are asking ‘How can I make it?’ then everything is normal!
    Now, admittedly, that news might not encourage you very much at all!  So let’s see what else is going on in this blessed Psalm.
    Our encouragement on this new Monday comes from the second verse where the Israelite pilgrim makes a confession of faith, and answers his own question: “My help comes from the Lord”!  Now, this for sure is not wishful thinking. It is not simply the discipline of reflecting on something pleasant, or accentuating the positive. Rather, it is an appeal to the character of our God, as well as to His infinite power, love, wisdom, and grace, and to His unfailing Word that has promised us His ever-present help!  And take note again of the words that are sounded by the pilgrim: “My help comes.”  He does not say, ‘Perhaps the Lord will help me,’ or ‘I hope He assists me when I need help.’  To the contrary, the pilgrim declares what God Himself has said, and there is no uncertainty about it at all. For example,
    Psalm 28:7–“The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him.”
    Psalm 54:4–“Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.”
    Psalm 118:7–“The Lord is on my side as my helper.”
    The truth is that helping us is more than simply something God does. It is who He “is” all the time, in every moment and in season of life!
    If you are looking “up” to those mountains in front of you (and who could not see them and become nervous or uncertain about the climb), then rest assured that this is the way forward as we serve and worship our Savior on this side of our entrance into the heavenly Jerusalem.  It is uphill.  The territory on which we have been commissioned as disciples of Jesus is not flat.  Even Jesus said it is a “narrow way” that we journey, beset with multitudinous hardships and adversities.  But nevertheless, it is the right way!   He is glorified as we climb, as we endure, and as we remain faithful when we are frequently stressed and challenged. He finds pleasure not only in shaping us and building our faith by means of this upward ascent, but He is especially pleased to be our “helper” and “upholder”!
    So keep taking those steps, one at a time.  Confess what you know to be true of Him. He “is” after all “the Lord, who made heaven and earth”!  What’s a little hill to the Maker of the mountains!
    I love you all with all my heart,
    Mike PS: Next up, Psalm 130.

  • Announcements – May 13 2022

    Sermon Preview:

    Beloved Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

    How do others know we are the people of God, the Church of the Lord Jesus, the bride of Christ, the sons and daughters of God by grace though faith alone? What distinguishes us from the lost world around us? How can you tell us apart from everybody else?

    Well, there are many ways to address such questions. But we get inspired help from the Book of Acts. In Acts 2:38-42 we are presented with a picture of the distinguishing marks of the very first Christian Church. These marks are set forth explicitly in verses 38, 41, and 42:

    Hearing and believing the Gospel

    Repentance

    Baptism

    Devotion to Apostolic doctrine

    Fellowship

    The Lord’s Supper

    Prayer

    As we begin to examine this passage on Sunday, we will learn something else about the Church, the New Covenant people of God. In addition to being a supernatural people, a crucified people, a resurrected people, a priestly people, a holy people, and a Word-founded people, we are also a distinguished people.

    What a joy we will share as we come before our Lord to worship and to hear the proclamation of His blessed Word!

    I love you all!

    Mike

    Announcements:

    Sunday Lunch:

    There will be lunch in the fellowship wing immediately after church on Sunday.

    Church Directory:

    If you haven’t yet, please use the link below to sign up in the new church directory.

    https://christpreshamptoncove.churchcenter.com/directory/edit

    New Members Class:

    Sunday May 15, 2:00-6:00 PM in the Fellowship Area. A supper will be served. Sign Up for the class today at the table in the Narthex.

    Children’s Ministry:

    VBS is LIVE! We are utilizing the new Planning Center program. You will click the link HERE, log in to your PC account, and select those you want to register. For example, I can choose to register myself and Kate as “volunteers” and the boys as “attendees.” It will allow you to choose t-shirt size, include allergy information, and pay.

    Please register both volunteers (adult/youth) and children. You’ll receive a confirmation email once completed. This is how we will communicate with volunteers, order t-shirts, place youth/children in age groups, and check-in attendees.

    Feel free to invite a friend, neighbor, or cousin! Registration will be open until mid May. Amanda and Erin still need help, so reach out to them if you are able!

    Youth Group:

    Below you will find the Winter/Spring dates for youth group, which meets at 4:30 PM at the church house.
    May 22nd

    Church Work Day:

    On Saturday, June 18, starting at 9 AM we will have a Church and Church House Work Day to clean the windows, clear the Church East Woodline and pressure wash the walkways. We should be finished by 12 noon.

    If you (men, women, teens) can help, please sign up at the desk in the Narthex or  email: vegeman1966@gmail.com. Also sign up to loan us the equipment needed for the tasks.

    We will have great fellowship while caring for Christ’s Church.

    Senior Fellows:

    On Tues., May 24 Senior Fellows will attend the Trash Panda Baseball Game. On June 14 at 9 AM the Senior Fellows will have breakfast and fellowship in the fellowship hall. Vinnie Athey, UAH RUF Leader, will join us to discuss Today’s College Spiritual Environment. Students approaching college and parents are encourage to come hear Vinny at 9:30 AM. He will also discuss how we can better prepare our students for this environment. Please email us at seniorfellows@christpreshamptoncove.org if you plan to join us.

    Women’s Ministry:

    Monthly Lunch: Our next monthly luncheon will be on June 2 beginning at 11 AM at the Timbers Edge Clubhouse located at 1 Timbers Main, Brownsboro. It’s potluck – feel free to bring a dish or just yourself. If you have questions or transportation needs please contact Pat Galecki at 256-244-0612

    Panera Bread Summer Fellowships: There will be fellowship dinners at Panera Bread on Airport Rd at 5:30 PM on May 11, 18, and 25.

    Quarterly Dinner: Our next Women’s Quarterly Dinner is coming up at the home of Sherry Hearn on May 19 at 5:30 PM. The address is 2903 Tantallon Dr Owens Cross Rds AL 35763. Contact Sherry @ 615-478-5789 if you have any questions. The theme is Italian Potluck Night. Sherry will be providing water, tea, coffee and ice as well as plates, cups, napkins and silverware. We will need to bring the main dishes including salads, bread, appetizers, pastas and desserts. Below you will find the link to the Perfect Potluck meal signup. Hope you can join us

    Quarterly Dinner Dish Signup

    Career/Singles:

    Career/Singles meet on Sundays at the Daughtry home at 5:30 PM.

    Prayer Requests:

    Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Collins Bailey, Virdia Jastrebski, Ramona Edwards, Bill Dent, Cynthia Dent, Steve Terry, Bill Cowley, Elizabeth Holton, and Jean Terry. Additional details may be found in the Ministries/Prayer Requests section of the church website.
    Expecting: Please pray for the Jacksons (June); the Thornhills (August); the Thompsons (September).
    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); Marcus and Jessica Nobles (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

  • Announcements – May 6 2022

    Sermon Preview:

    My Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,

    Our sermon for this coming Lord’s Day will focus upon the words of the Apostle Peter in his First Epistle. In 1:23-25 he gives us insight into how it was that we came into possession of eternal life in Christ our Savior and Lord:

    “you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for ‘All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.’ And this word is the good news that was preached to you.”

    In these inspired verses we see that the Church, the very children of God and the body of Christ, is ‘A People of the Word.’ Upon the authority of God Himself, we understand that the Church was, in effect, created by God’s self-revelation in the written Scriptures. That means that each of us who have been saved by God’s mercy and grace in Christ Jesus have experienced, in the most personal way, the very power of God’s voice, His mighty Word!

    On Sunday, we will explore this subject more fully as we seek to discover in what ways we are ‘A People of the Word’ and how we may remain such people.

    Pray for Vacation Bible School

    From June 6-9 our little ones will be studying God’s Word and learning more about their Lord and Savior. Doubtless, there are many of us who can recall having wonderful and life-changing experiences in VBS as children. It was through VBS that I was further prompted to love God’s Word, the Gospel message, to embrace the Savior, and to experience the love of my Church family as they invested in me by means of their time and their prayers. Let me encourage you to begin praying even now for our little ones and for Ashley Turnbull, Amanda Dean, and Erin Bower, and our entire staff of volunteers who will assist them.

    This Week in Adult Sunday School

    All of us have become very familiar with the term ‘Progressive.’ We hear it used frequently in reference to politics. But it is also a very significant term in matters related to the Scriptures and the Gospel. This week will investigate the rise of Theological Progressivism within the Evangelical Church. We will first attempt to define it, and then we will compare it to what faithful evangelicals have always believed to be true.

    I hope to see you all this Lord’s Day, and I love you all dearly!

    Mike

    Announcements:

    Church Directory:

    If you haven’t yet, please use the link below to sign up in the new church directory.

    https://christpreshamptoncove.churchcenter.com/directory/edit

    New Members Class:

    Sunday May 15, 2:00-6:00 PM in the Fellowship Area. A supper will be served. Sign Up for the class today at the table in the Narthex.

    Children’s Ministry:

    VBS is LIVE! We are utilizing the new Planning Center program. You will click the link HERE, log in to your PC account, and select those you want to register. For example, I can choose to register myself and Kate as “volunteers” and the boys as “attendees.” It will allow you to choose t-shirt size, include allergy information, and pay.

    Please register both volunteers (adult/youth) and children. You’ll receive a confirmation email once completed. This is how we will communicate with volunteers, order t-shirts, place youth/children in age groups, and check-in attendees.

    Feel free to invite a friend, neighbor, or cousin! Registration will be open until mid May. Amanda and Erin still need help, so reach out to them if you are able!

    Youth Group:

    Below you will find the Winter/Spring dates for youth group, which meets at 4:30 PM at the church house.
    May 22nd

    Senior Fellows:

    On Tues., May 10 Senior Fellows will hike/fish/picnic at the Green Mountain Nature Trail. On Tues., May 24 Senior Fellows will attend the Trash Panda Baseball Game. On June 7 at 9 AM the Senior Fellows will have breakfast and fellowship in the fellowship hall. Please email us at seniorfellows@christpreshamptoncove.org if you plan to join us.

    Senior Sisters:

    The next meeting will be at 9 AM on May 12 at Libby Loose’s house. For sign up and any questions you may have please contact Kathy Cooper, Kathy Hightower, or Suellen Dempsey.

    Women’s Ministry:

    Monthly Lunch: Our next monthly luncheon will be on June 2 beginning at 11 AM at the Timbers Edge Clubhouse located at 1 Timbers Main, Brownsboro. It’s potluck – feel free to bring a dish or just yourself. If you have questions or transportation needs please contact Pat Galecki at 256-244-0612

    Panera Bread Summer Fellowships: There will be fellowship dinners at Panera Bread on Airport Rd at 5:30 PM on May 11, 18, and 25.

    Quarterly Dinner: Our next Women’s Quarterly Dinner is coming up at the home of Sherry Hearn on May 19 at 5:30 PM. The address is 2903 Tantallon Dr Owens Cross Rds AL 35763. Contact Sherry @ 615-478-5789 if you have any questions. The theme is Italian Potluck Night. Sherry will be providing water, tea, coffee and ice as well as plates, cups, napkins and silverware. We will need to bring the main dishes including salads, bread, appetizers, pastas and desserts. Below you will find the link to the Perfect Potluck meal signup. Hope you can join us

    Quarterly Dinner Dish Signup

    Career/Singles:

    Career/Singles meet on Sundays at the Daughtry home at 5:30 PM.

    Prayer Requests:

    Healing: Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Virdia Jastrebski, Ramona Edwards, Bill Dent, Cynthia Dent, Steve Terry, Bill Cowley, Elizabeth Holton, and Jean Terry. Additional details may be found in the Ministries/Prayer Requests section of the church website.
    Expecting: Please pray for the Jacksons (June); the Thornhills (August); the Thompsons (September).
    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); Marcus and Jessica Nobles (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

  • Monday Encouragement

    “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding”–Psalm 111:10.
    My Beloved Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
    The words quoted from above, taken from Psalm 111, are normally associated with Proverbs 1:7, which are virtually identical.  In Proverbs, the word “knowledge” is found rather than “wisdom,” but the meaning is the same. To “fear the Lord” is the essence and fountain of true “wisdom.” Of course, in the Bible the term “wisdom” is not used as an intellectual category, but as a moral and spiritual one. Those who trust and love the Lord are wise, and those who reject Him are fools.
    But to get down a little deeper into this memorable phrase from God’s Word, we need to explore this “fear of the Lord” a little more.  The essential meaning of “fear” is not only that of being aware of the greatness and sovereignty of God, but of humble submission to His divine authority.  This is why the author of Psalm 111 can also tell us that those who “practice” this “fear” are people of “understanding.”
    Have you ever thought about practicing “the fear” of God?  Yes, I know, it’s a concept that is strange to our ears!  So what does this mean, and how can we find our Monday encouragement here in these inspired words?
    Doubtless, you’ve heard the old expression, ‘marching to the beat of a different drummer.’  We use it to comment on the driving principle in someone’s choices and behaviors.  That inner ‘drummer’ supplies the direction of one’s life as it beats out its rhythm in literally thousands of decisions one makes each day.  And there are any number of ‘drummers’ sounding out their patterns in the lives of people all over this world, including Christians as well.  Some people, for example, do what they do because they are moved by pride and vanity, others hear the beat of materialism, while still others are dancing to the repetitive, thumping sounds of the approval or affirmation of someone else.  You get the picture.
    So what the psalmist is saying is that those who are wise in the eyes of the Lord, in the truest and most profound way, are those who are moved to do what they do by their personal apprehension of the majesty, glory, sovereignty, and goodness of their God!  This is what it is to “practice,” or live practically as controlled by, “the fear of the Lord.”
    This reverential awe of the Lord, which fills the hearts of the wise (those redeemed by Christ, and indwelt by His Spirit), moves them in a definite, new direction. And this life-trajectory is in accordance with what is good, what is true, what is holy, and what is worthy of pursuit because it is submissive and obedient to the infallible Word of the only One who is worthy of such reverence and worship!  Contrariwise, the foolish person is the one who listens to another sound, is moved by it in another direction, and, as a sad consequence, makes daily choices and lives accordingly.
    Now here is our encouragement.
    Because you have Christ in your heart, you have the One who is the very Wisdom of God living in you!  As the Apostle Paul said,
    “but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God . . . . And because of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God” (1 Cor. 1:24, 30).
    The ‘Divine Drummer,’ the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ, is beating out His holy rhythm in your heart. He inhabits you, He teaches you the Word, He causes you to hunger and thirst for righteousness, and He makes your way through life a straight one that glorifies your Father in heaven!  And as you look to Him today, He will surely guide you into all of His truth, make your way prosperous in His sight, and, in the end, bring you safely home!
    So today, put this holy “fear” into practice!  As the Scripture says it elsewhere, “In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will make your straight your paths”!
    I love you all so much!
    Mike
    PS: Next up Psalm 115