Christ Presbyterian Church (PCA)

Month: September 2023

  • Announcements – September 29, 2023

    My Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
    Should you receive special recognition and a reward for simply doing your job?
    Should your boss hand out special thanks to you for doing what was required by your job-description?
    Frankly, those seem to be rather misplaced questions to raise in a post designed as a ‘sermon preview.’  But actually, they have everything to do with an interesting episode in the life of Jesus that transpired as He made His way to Jerusalem where He would be crucified.
    In Luke 17:7-10, our Lord addressed this very issue of receiving thanks and special credit for simple obedience to His commands.
    As He continued to instruct the Disciples by way of a short little parable (and by logical extension, every believer in Christ), He taught that they should expect no such thanks from Him.  And if you’re a little skeptical about this, let me encourage you to pause right now and read this passage from Luke’s Gospel for yourself.
    We might even classify these inspired verses as some of the ‘hard sayings’ of Jesus, like several such sayings that we have already encountered in our study of Luke.
    When we trace the parable to its ‘punch-line’ in verse 10, we read the direct application that Jesus made to the Twelve: So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’
    As you would suspect, there is much for us to learn in this little parable!  There are lessons here about our identity as believers in Christ, our duty as His servants, and the attitude that should characterize our Christian obedience.
    I can’t wait to gather with you all before our Lord this Sunday!
    All my love,
    Mike

     

    ANNOUNCEMENTS

    New Members Class – For those interested in membership, our next new members class is today from 2 to 5. Dinner will be provided.

    Church Workday – On Saturday, October 14th, from 8am-12pm. This is an opportunity for your family, including capable children, to serve the church in a tangible way, maintaining this beautiful facility the Lord has provided and meeting/fellowshipping with church members as you work. Please sign up in the narthex. Contact John Dragash with questions.

    Children’s Ministry
    • Nursery – The fall quarter nursery sign up is now out. Please see the link in the email sent last week or the sign up sheet in the narthex to sign up. You can also contact Amanda Dean with any questions at acarpenter11570@yahoo.com or 256-541-2253.

    Youth Ministry – Our next Sunday night fellowship will be Sunday, October 8th at the church house.

    Women’s Ministry
    • Senior Sisters meet monthly on the 3rd Thursday, 10-11:30am
    • Senior Sisters exercise class meets Mondays at the church, 10-11:30am
    • Monthly lunch 1st Thursday of the month at Timbers Edge Clubhouse at 11
    • Women’s Bible studies are on Tuesday Mornings, Tuesday evenings and Wednesday morning
    • Save the date for Women’s Christmas dinner, Wednesday, December 6th, at Huntsville Country Club from 6-8pm.

    Men’s Ministry
    • Senior Fellows – Our next breakfast will be Tuesday Oct. 3rd at 9:00am.
    • Men’s Friday Bible Study – Meets Fridays at 11:30 at the church.

    Career Ministry – Bible study & fellowship meets at the home of Jim and Sharon Daughtry, Sundays at 5:30 PM.

    See christpreshamptoncove.org for detailed news and upcoming events.

    PRAYER REQUESTS Healing – Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Collins Bailey, Bill Cowley, Elizabeth Holton, Steve Terry and Kristy York

    Expecting – Please pray for the Prinzingers, Lancasters, and Joe and Jennifer Calvert, all expecting in October, the Tomlinsons due in November, Noah and Karleigh Stephens due in February and the Beams due in April.

    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 and Marty Paulson (church plant in Scottsboro, AL)
    • The Huntsville Pregnancy Resource Center 

  • Announcements – September 22, 2023

    Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

    ‘If I only had more faith!’

    How many times have those words reflected your heart-felt desire and sincere prayer?  If this is a request that you find flowing from your heart, then you are not alone at all. In fact, you’re in good company indeed!  For this is the very thing the Disciples of Jesus requested of Him.  The inspired record of this prayer is discovered in Luke 17:5–

    The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”

    On the surface, this would appear to be a most righteous prayer, one that Jesus would answer every time.  We would expect our Savior to be delighted to do such a thing for us, and especially for the Apostles.  But, as the story proceeds, to our utter surprise we see that Jesus does not answer their prayer.

    After verse 5, we’d be justified to expect our Lord to say, ‘Yes!  I will indeed increase your faith!’  But as verse 6 shows us, Jesus says this instead:

    “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”

    Why would Jesus respond in this manner?  What do His words mean, and what do we learn here about our perceived need for ‘more’ faith?  Is asking for an increase in faith a legitimate request to make of our Lord?  Do we really need more faith?

    As we prepare for Lord’s Day Worship, let’s consider this question in the light of what transpires in Luke 17:1-4. And let’s pray that our King will teach us what faith is, how it is measured, and what we are enabled to do as we trust in Him.

    I love you all so very much!

    Mike

     

    ANNOUNCEMENTS

    New Members Class – For those interested in membership at CPC, our next new members class will be from 2 to 5 on Sunday, October 1st. Dinner and childcare will be provided. A sign up sheet will be in the narthex.

    Church Workday – On Saturday, October 14th, from 8am-12pm. This is an opportunity for your family, including capable children, to serve the church in a tangible way, maintaining this beautiful facility the Lord has provided and meeting/fellowshipping with church members as you work. Please sign up in the narthex. Contact John Dragash with questions.

    Children’s Ministry
    • Nursery – If you would like to serve in our nursery during service, contact Amanda Dean.

    Youth Ministry – Sunday night fellowship tonight at the church house from 4:30 to 6:30.

    Women’s Ministry
    • Senior Sisters meet monthly on the 3rd Thursday, 10-11:30am
    • Senior Sisters exercise class meets Mondays at the church, 10-11:30am
    • Monthly lunch 1st Thursday of the month at Timbers Edge Clubhouse at 11
    • Women’s Bible studies are on Tuesday Mornings, Tuesday evenings and Wednesday morning
    • Save the date for Women’s Christmas dinner, Wednesday, December 6th.

    Men’s Ministry
    • Senior Fellows – Our next breakfast will be Tuesday Oct. 3rd at 9:00am.
    • Men’s Friday Bible Study – Meets Fridays at 11:30 at the church.

    Career Ministry – Bible study & fellowship meets at the home of Jim and Sharon Daughtry, Sundays at 5:30 PM.

    Baby Shower
    • A baby shower will be held to bless first-time mom Maggie Tomlinson on Saturday, September 30th from 2-4pm at the home of Denise Brown.

    See christpreshamptoncove.org for detailed news and upcoming events.

    PRAYER REQUESTS Healing – Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Collins Bailey, Bill Cowley, Elizabeth Holton, Steve Terry and Kristy York

    Expecting – Please pray for the Prinzingers, Lancasters, Elliotts and Joe and Jennifer Calvert, all expecting in October, the Tomlinsons due in November, and Noah and Karleigh Stephens due in February.

    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 and Marty Paulson (church plant in Scottsboro, AL)
    • The Huntsville Pregnancy Resource Center 

  • Announcements – September 15, 2023

    My Beloved Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
    I suspect that the personal experience I’m about to share with you is one that many of you have also endured at one time or another.
    Back in 1992, when we found out that Carol was expecting our daughter Brooke, we got serious about purchasing a home with an additional bedroom.  Up to that point, we had always either lived in a manse owned by the Church, or we had rented a house.  It would be the first time in our marriage that we would join the ranks of those who enjoy the joys and sorrows of home ownership.
    A realtor in our Church at that time helped us find the right home, just down the street from the Church where we were serving.   It was, in every way, just perfect.
    Everything was in order, and the day for the closing finally came.  However, the night before the closing day was one of great turmoil and sleeplessness for me.  We had never done such a big thing in our whole lives.  We had never committed to pay that much money each month.  What if something broke down, like the air conditioning system, or it needed some other costly repair in the future?  How could we pay for it?  After all, the price of the house was a whopping $65,000, and our mortgage payment would be approaching $700 per month!  I was a wreck!  But we did sign on the dotted line and, as always, the Lord was so gracious and faithful to provide what we needed to get by.
    We’ve all experienced that big lump in the throat right before (or just after) making such a big commitment.
    As we read the inspired words recorded Luke 14:25-33, we encounter a similar situation that, without a doubt, sparked such a reaction in the throats of those walking along the road with Jesus that day long ago.
    In that remarkable setting, Jesus said this:
    “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.”
    In other words, our Lord was telling that large crowd that choosing to follow Him as a disciple, not simply as a fan or an onlooker, would be the biggest thing they had ever done!  And, it would be very costly indeed!  I would imagine that those shocking words would have surely caused a powerful and deep reaction in the pit of everyone’s stomach that day.
    But what do our Savior’s words mean, and how are they applied?  Are we really to “hate” other people, those closest to us, and even our own lives, if we are to be His disciples?
    On Sunday, we will come before our Lord with open hearts and open Bibles, and we will explore these sacred and astounding words of Jesus together.
    I can’t wait to see you all!
    Mike

     

    ANNOUNCEMENTS

    New Members Class – For those interested in membership at CPC, our next new members class will be from 2 to 5 on Sunday, October 1st. Dinner and childcare will be provided. A sign up sheet will be in the narthex.

    Children’s Ministry
    • Nursery – If you would like to serve in our nursery during service, contact Amanda Dean.

    Youth Ministry – Sunday night fellowship begins this evening at the church house from 4:30 to 6:30.

    Women’s Ministry
    • Senior Sisters meet monthly on the 3rd Thursday, 10-11:30am
    • Senior Sisters exercise class meets Mondays at the church, 10-11:30am
    • Monthly lunch 1st Thursday of the month at Timbers Edge Clubhouse at 11
    • Tuesday Morning Fall Bible Study – Meets at 9:30am at the Church. Childcare will be provided. Topic: “When You Pray”.
    • Evening Fall Study – Tuesdays at 6:00pm at the home of Cynthia Keen.We are studying Jen Wilkin’s “Abide” on 1, 2, 3 John.
    • Women’s Morning Fall Bible Study – Wednesdays from 10-11:30am at the Church. Mike Calvert will continue his series on Ephesians.

    Men’s Ministry
    • Senior Fellows – Our next breakfast will be Tuesday Oct. 3rd at 9:00am.
    • Men’s Friday Bible Study – Meets Fridays at 11:30 at the church.

    Career Ministry – Bible study & fellowship meets at the home of Jim and Sharon Daughtry, Sundays at 5:30 PM.

    Baby Shower
    • A baby shower will be held to bless first-time mom Maggie Tomlinson on Saturday, September 30th from 2-4pm at the home of Denise Brown. Thank you for not bringing food and drinks into the Sanctuary.

    See christpreshamptoncove.org for detailed news and upcoming events.

    PRAYER REQUESTS Healing – Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Collins Bailey, Bill Cowley, Elizabeth Holton, Steve Terry and Kristy York.

    Expecting – Please pray for the Prinzingers, Lancasters, Elliotts and Joe and Jennifer Calvert, all expecting in October and the Tomlinsons due in November.

    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 and Marty Paulson (church plant in Scottsboro, AL)
    • The Huntsville Pregnancy Resource Center 

  • Announcements – September 8, 2023

    Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
    This coming Lord’s Day we look forward to resuming our Bible teaching ministry of Sunday School at 9:15 AM.  As you know, we have classes for all ages, each designed to fulfill our Savior’s ‘Great Commission’ to engage faithfully in “teaching them [disciples of Jesus] to observe all that I have commanded” (Matthew 28:20).
    It should be no real surprise, then, how very often we find references to the ministry of teaching in the New Testament.  For example:
    Acts 2:42– And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
    Acts 5:42– And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.
    1 Corinthians 4:17– That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.
    Colossian 1:28– Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.
    Colossians 3:16– Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom.
    1 Timothy 4:11– Command and teach these things.
    2 Timothy 2:2– and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teachothers also.
    2 Timothy 3:16– All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.
    While many more verses could be added to these, we can draw two important conclusions about the Church’s duty to teach in addition to preach.
    First, there is no healthy New Testament Church that does not faithfully teach God’s Word. And from the verses above, we can see that there is a distinction between preaching, what the Pastor does, and teaching, what the Elders and other such gifted people do.
    Second, there are no healthy New Testament Christians who are not taught by those gifted and appointed to teach the Word in the local Church.  A disciple is, after all, a learner.  And disciples of Jesus are to be learners throughout the entire course of their lives if they are to grow toward maturity.
    For these reasons, we are committed to a Bible-teaching ministry and to Sunday School.
    Perhaps the label ‘Sunday School’ seems a bit outdated, and indeed, it has been abandoned by many local churches altogether.  But I would argue that it remains a very useful and accurate description of what Jesus commanded us to do.
    When we participate in Sunday School, we are enrolled in our Lord’s ‘school of discipleship.’  And being what it is, this is no trivial or optional exercise.  It is nothing short of our Savior’s holy commission to us! A true disciple of Jesus is always ‘in school.’  And, as the New Testament makes abundantly clear, the Elders of the Church are divinely commanded to see that all of our Lord’s Word is taught to all of our Lord’s people.
    Let me encourage you to come to ‘school,’ or to come back to ‘school.’ Let me encourage you to be taught the Word yourself, and to make sure that the members of your family, from the youngest to the oldest, are also faithful students in the Lord’s school of discipleship. The truth is that Sunday School is not a program.  It is a blessed duty.  And it yields eternal dividends!
    Also this Lord’s Day, we will resume our series of messages tracing the earthly life and ministry of Jesus through the eyes of Luke.  Out text will be Luke 14:7-11, and the sermon is entitled ‘Be Careful Where Your Sit.’
    It will be a blessed Lord’s Day for sure, and I can’t wait to see you all!
    All my love,
    Mike

     

    ANNOUNCEMENTS

    Meals and Fellowship Ministries – Please join us today after worship for a fellowship meal.

    New Members Class – For those interested in membership at CPC, our next new members class will be from 2 to 5 on Sunday, October 1st. Dinner and childcare will be provided. A sign up sheet will be in the narthex.

    Coffee with Steve and Rita Williams – A come and go event with one of our supported missionaries at the home of Joe & Judi Fikes on Monday, Sept. 11th from 10:00 to 11:30. Please rsvp to Judi Fikes at judifikes@gmail.com.

    Children’s Ministry
    • Nursery – If you would like to serve in our nursery during service, contact Amanda Dean.

    Youth Ministry – Sunday night fellowship for high school and middle school begins on September 17th.

    Women’s Ministry
    • Senior Sisters meet monthly on the 3rd Thursday, 10-11:30am
    • Senior Sisters exercise class meets Mondays at the church, 10-11:30am
    • Monthly lunch 1st Thursday of the month at Timbers Edge Clubhouse at 11
    • Tuesday Morning Fall Bible Study – Meets at 9:30am at the Church. Childcare will be provided. Topic: “When You Pray”.
    • Evening Fall Study – Tuesdays at 6:00pm at the home of Cynthia Keen. We are studying Jen Wilkin’s “Abide” on 1, 2, 3 John.
    • Women’s Morning Fall Bible Study – Wednesdays from 10-11:30am at the Church. Mike Calvert will continue his series on Ephesians.

    Men’s Ministry
    • Men’s Friday Bible Study – Meets Fridays at 11:30 at the church.

    Career Ministry – Bible study & fellowship meets at the home of Jim and Sharon Daughtry, Sundays at 5:30 PM.

    Bridal/Baby Showers
    • A bridal shower honoring Rachel Bailey will be held on Sunday, September 17th from 2-4pm at the home of Sarah Burgess.
    • A baby shower will be held to bless first-time mom Maggie Tomlinson on Saturday, September 30th from 2-4pm at the home of Denise Brown.
    See christpreshamptoncove.org for detailed news and upcoming events.

    PRAYER REQUESTS Healing – Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Dean Alhorn, Collins Bailey, Perry Calvert, Bill Cowley, Elizabeth Holton, Steve Terry, S’ine Trent and Kristy York

    Expecting – Please pray for the Prinzingers, Lancasters, Elliotts and Joe and Jennifer Calvert, all expecting in October and the Tomlinsons due in November.

    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 and Marty Paulson (church plant in Scottsboro, AL)
    • The Huntsville Pregnancy Resource Center 

  • Announcements – September 1, 2023

    Dear Church Family,
    Before I introduce our sermon for this coming Lord’s Day, I wanted to share a few bits of news with you.
    First, next Lord’s Day, September 10, our fall semester of Sunday School Starts at 9:15 AM.  As always, we have a full line-up of classes for all ages.  Our Adult Class will be on the topic of ‘The Fruit of the Spirit,’ based upon Galatians 5:22-23.  Next Friday I’ll share more about this class and our Sunday School ministry.
    Second, next week our Adult Week-Day Bible Studies begin again.  There are three week-day classes for ladies, and one for our men.  Please consult the bulletin or the website for the details.  Also, be sure to check out the calendar of fall activities for our Women and Senior Sisters, and our Men and Senior Fellows.
    Third, today we officially welcome Gannon Miles as he begins his ministry internship with us.  Over the next year Gannon will be completing his internship requirements as he continues to prepare for the Gospel ministry.  Please pray for him as he completes his seminary studies, serves our Church family, and gains valuable experience as a candidate for ordained ministry.
    Sunday’s message will be our final one on ‘The Unusual Questions that Jesus Asked.’  Our text will be Luke 23:26-31, and it contains one of the strangest things our Lord ever said.   You can find His unusual question in verse 31: “For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”  And you’ll also notice that this question was raised by Jesus at a very odd time as well.
    I look forward to exploring our Savior’s question with you this Lord’s Day!
    I love you all so very much,
    Mike

     

    Announcements

    New Members Class – For those interested in membership at CPC, our next new members class will be from 2 to 5 on Sunday, October 1st. Dinner and childcare will be provided. A sign up sheet will be in the narthex.

    Coffee with Steve and Rita Williams – A come and go event with one of our supported missionaries at the home of Joe & Judi Fikes on Monday, Sept. 11th from 10:00 to 11:30. Please rsvp to Judi Fikes at judifikes@gmail.com.

    Children’s Ministry
    • Sunday School returns on Sept. 10th at 9:15 a.m. Please register your infants -12th graders on Church Center. Pray for our Sunday School teachers: Marilyn Hill, FaithAnn Gibson, Paul and Rachel Matheny, Stanley and Penny Gibson, Graham Burgess, Gannon Miles, Jon Swanner, and Adam Turnbull.
    • Nursery – If you would like to serve in our nursery during service, contact Amanda Dean.

    Youth Ministry – Sunday night fellowship for high school and middle school begins on September 17th.

    Women’s Ministry
    • Senior Sisters meet monthly on the 3rd Thursday, 10-11:30am
    • Senior Sisters exercise class meets Mondays at the church, 10-11:30am
    • Monthly lunch 1st Thursday of the month at Timbers Edge Clubhouse at 11
    • Tuesday Morning Fall Bible Study will start Tuesday, Sept 5th at 9:30am at the Church. Childcare will be provided. Topic: “When You Pray”.
    • Evening Fall Study begins Tuesday, Sept 5th at 6:00pm at the home of Cynthia Keen.We are studying Jen Wilkin’s “Abide” on 1, 2, 3 John.
    • Women’s Morning Fall Bible Study begins Wednesday, Sept 6th from 10-11:30am at the Church. Mike Calvert will continue his series on Ephesians.

    Men’s Ministry
    • Senior Fellows Breakfast -Tuesday, Sept. 5th, at 9:00am.
    • Men’s Friday Bible Study – Our study of Ephesians 4-6 will begin on Friday, September 8th at 11:30.

    Career Ministry – Bible study & fellowship meets at the home of Jim and Sharon Daughtry, Sundays at 5:30 PM.

    Bridal/Baby Showers
    • A bridal shower honoring Rachel Bailey will be held on Sunday, September 17th from 2-4pm at the home of Sarah Burgess.
    • A baby shower will be held to bless first-time mom Maggie Tomlinson on Saturday, September 30th from 2-4pm at the home of Denise Brown.

    Meals and Fellowship Ministries
    • 2nd Sunday Lunches     will resume September 10th. Please join us after worship for a fellowship meal. A sign up genius will go out the week before through email.Youth 

    PRAYER REQUESTS Healing – Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Dean Alhorn, Collins Bailey, Perry Calvert, Bill Cowley, Elizabeth Holton, Steve Terry, S’ine Trent and Kristy York

    Expecting – Please pray for the Prinzingers, Lancasters, Elliotts and Joe and Jennifer Calvert, all expecting in October and the Tomlinsons due in November.

    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 and Marty Paulson (church plant in Scottsboro, AL)
    • The Huntsville Pregnancy Resource Center