Month: November 2023

My Beloved Ones in the Lord,

As we gather together this coming Sunday for worship, we will complete our brief series of messages from 1 Thessalonians, which we’ve entitled ‘Until He Comes.’  This Lord’s Day, our sermon will be taken from 1 Thessalonians 5:8-11.

If I were to pick out just one passage from God’s Word, just one verse that gives me peace and hope for living in today’s world, it would be difficult not to choose 1 Thessalonians 5:9.  In this one simple line of inspired text, the Apostle Paul gives us a foundational truth that all believers in Jesus are to build their lives upon.

What is most interesting about this truth, however, is the way the Apostle depicts it for us in verses 8-9.   Oddly, he describes this promise of salvation in terms of a warrior’s armor!  He mentions a “breastplate” and a “helmet” that each believer is to “put on.”  And he does so in the context of the certainty of the Second Advent of our Lord and King!

So what is Paul talking about here?  How are we to understand this armor?  What does it mean to put it on?

As always, I cannot wait to probe the wondrous depths of God’s Holy Word with you this Lord’s Day!

I love you all, and you are always in my heart!

Mike

Children’s Ministry
• Parents’ Night Out – December 9th from 5:30-8:00 p.m. Register your children on Church Center.
• Nursery – The fall quarter nursery sign up is now out. Please see the link in the email sent recently. Please contact Amanda Dean with questions.

Youth Ministry
• Youth Roots Retreat – The annual presbytery youth Roots retreat will be on January 19th – 21st at CamptoknowHim. Please contact Matthew Elliott for details and registration.

Women’s Ministry
• 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
• 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 at 9:00am on Tuesday, Dec. 5th.

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 Stephens (missionaries to Thailand) 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 

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,

I would bet that a good many of you have seen that TV commercial now airing on one of the cable networks that advertises a new book by a much respected pastor and Bible teacher.  The ad for the book depicts what is commonly known as ‘the rapture of the Church.’ It shows scenes of people, believers in Christ, suddenly disappearing into thin air. You see this happening on the streets, in the airport, and at places of work.  Millions of Christians gone in the blink of an eye, and unbelievers left behind, only to wonder what had just happened.

The advertisement, and the book, sets forth what a very large segment of Christians believe will happen one day, perhaps even this day.  And the Biblical foundation for this much treasured belief is to be found in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.  But, as compelling and attractive as this concept is (that the Church will be taken away from earth secretly, thereby missing the ‘Great Tribulation’), we must ask whether or not such a view is really supported by Scripture.

This Sunday, we will explore together this passage from Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians.  And, as the Spirit of the Lord helps us, we will seek the truth about a glorious Day yet ahead for all who belong to Jesus.

I love you all so very much!

Mike

November Sunday Fellowship Lunch – Please join us TODAY after worship for a wonderful meal and fellowship.

Children’s Ministry
• Parents’ Night Out – December 9th from 5:30-8:00 p.m. Register your children on Church Center.
• Nursery – The fall quarter nursery sign up is now out. Please see the link in the email sent recently. Please contact Amanda Dean with questions.

Youth Ministry
• Youth Roots Retreat – The annual presbytery youth Roots retreat will be on January 19th – 21st at CamptoknowHim. Please contact Matthew Elliott for details and registration.

Women’s Ministry
• 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
• 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 at 9:00am on Tuesday, Dec. 5th.
• Men’s Friday Bible Study – Meets Fridays at 11:30am 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 Stephens (missionaries to Thailand) 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 

My Beloved Ones in our Lord,

Whether we are ready or not, we are just a few weeks away from beginning our celebration of Advent!  As you know, on each of the four Sundays of Advent we consider the subject of our Lord’s incarnation.  But on the three Sundays before the Advent Season gets officially underway, we are going to reflect upon the ‘Second Advent’ of Jesus, His glorious return at the end of this present age.

Our next three messages will come from a section of Paul’s First Epistle to the Thessalonians.  In 4:13-5:11 we find the Apostle’s extensive treatment of this critical subject.   As you read though and reflect upon these words, you’ll be amazed at how Paul transforms this doctrine into an essential foundation for living each and every day.  And he does so in the most practical of terms!

This Lord’s Day, our sermon text will be taken from 1 Thessalonians 4:13-16 where the Apostle addresses the danger and consequences of ignorance concerning the Lord’s return.

Also this coming Sunday, we will begin a new Six-Part Adult Sunday School Class on the subject of ‘Understanding God’s Will and Making Wise Decisions.’

I will be leading our six lessons on how we can know what God’s will is, and how we can make good and wise decisions in life as we seek to serve Him.  Some of the important questions we will address in this class are:

Does God have more than one will?

Can we know God’s will for our lives in terms of everyday decisions?

How do our decisions function in view of our Father’s sovereignty?

Can we miss God’s will for our lives, and if we do, is there a ‘plan B’?

I look forward eagerly to our time of study and worship with you this Sunday!

All my love, with all my heart, to all of you,

Mike

Meals and Fellowship Ministries Announcements – Our November Sunday Fellowship Lunch will be on November 19th this month. Please make plans to join us after worship.

Children’s Ministry
• Parents’ Night Out – December 9th from 5:30-8:00 p.m. Register your children on Church Center.
• Nursery – The fall quarter nursery sign up is now out. Please see the link in the email sent recently. Please contact Amanda Dean with questions.

Youth Ministry
• Service/Game Night – All youth are invited to the Turnbull’s house this evening from 4:30 to 6:30 to help us box up our college care packages. Dinner will be provided.

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 Morning, Tuesday evening 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 at 9:00am on Tuesday, Dec. 5th.
• Men’s Friday Bible Study – Meets Fridays at 11:30am at the church.
• Senior Fellows will have game night at 7PM on Tuesday, Nov. 14 at Bill Bower’s home. More information on the Church Center calendar. To join in, email us at seniorfellows@christpreshamptoncove.org.

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 Stephens (missionaries to Thailand) 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 

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As we gather together this Lord’s Day for worship, we will once again consider the Words of Jesus recorded in Luke 21.  You will recall that this section of Luke is known as the ‘Olivet Discourse,’ and here Jesus gives the Disciples their marching orders in view of the promise of His Second Advent. Our focus will be upon what He says in verses 34-36.

As we will discover, Jesus speaks most practically here about what we should and should not be doing during this long interval of waiting for His return.  Such an apparent delay between the promise and the fulfillment presents us with several serious challenges and dangers.  Yet, our Savior does not leave us to fend for ourselves, but provides us with words of hope, encouragement, and promise.  I can’t wait to encounter our Lord’s Word with you this Sunday!

Remember that tomorrow night you will get back that hour of sleep that you lost last Spring. . . praise the Lord!

I love you all so very much,

Mike