Christ Presbyterian Church (PCA)

Month: December 2023

  • Announcements – December 29, 2023

    My Beloved Ones in Christ Jesus,
    Before I introduce our Sermon for this coming Sunday, I want to make you aware of some Bible study opportunities we have coming up in 2024.
    First, on Sunday January 7 we will begin a new Adult Sunday School class entitled ‘Understanding the Psalms of War.’  Our studies will be based upon the book by Dr. James E. Adams, War Psalms of the Prince of Peace: Lessons from the Imprecatory Psalms (P&R, 2016).
    If you have ever wondered about those rather disturbing Psalms that delight in things such as the breaking of the teeth of God’s enemies (Ps. 58:6-10), or the perishing of unbelievers under God’s wrath (Ps. 6:10; 104:35), and even the destruction of their children (Ps. 137:9), then this class will help you.  We will consider why we find such apparently cruel words in the Psalms, and how we should interpret and apply them today in the light of the saving ministry of Christ.
    Also our Weekday Bible Studies will begin again in early January. There are three Bible Studies for our Ladies and one for our Men.
    For the Ladies:
    The Tuesday morning Ladies Bible study begins January 9 (contact Amy Schnorrenberg for details).
    The Tuesday evening Ladies Bible study will begin on January 9 at 6:00 PM at the home of Cynthia Keen (contact Cynthia Keen).
    The Wednesday morning study begins January 10 in the Church Fellowship Hall from 10:00 to 11:30 AM (contact Denise Scrip).
    For the Men:
    The Men’s Friday Lunch-Time Bible Study will begin on Friday January 12 from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM in the Church Fellowship Hall. I will be teaching the Book of Revelation using the commentary by Dr. Dennis Johnson, Triumph of the Lamb (P&R, 2001).
    This coming Lord’s Day, we will begin a brief series of sermons entitled, “The Curious Paradoxes of Our New Identity in Christ.”  These messages will be based upon five passages from the Epistle to the Romans.  We will study some of the strange, and apparently contradictory, ways that Paul describes our unique identity as Christians.  The five passages and descriptions are:
    One: We Are Gentiles and We Are Jews–Romans 2:28-29
    Two:  We Are Alive and We Are Crucified–Romans 6:4
    Three: We Are Free and We Are Slaves–Romans 6:17-18
    Four:  We Are Living and We Are Being Sacrificed–Romans 12:1
    Five:  We Are Strong and We Are Weak–Romans 15:1
    I hope you will go ahead and get familiar with these passages as we commence our studies this Sunday.
    After we complete our studies from Romans, we will begin a series of messages from the Book of Ezekiel.  I’ll tell you more about our messages later, but for now let me encourage you to start reading through this amazing Old Testament prophetic book.  As you read, you will benefit from a good commentary on Ezekiel.  I would recommend one or both of these:
    The Message of Ezekiel, by Christopher J. H. Wright (Intervarsity, 2001)
    Ezekiel: The NIV Application Commentary, by Iain M. Duguid (Zondervan, 1999)
    May our Lord bless you all with a wonderful weekend, and I’ll see you on Sunday.
    All my love and prayers, always,
    Mike

     

    ANNOUNCEMENTS

    Women’s Ministry
    • The Tuesday morning study begins January 16th, 9:30-11:00am at the church. Childcare will be provided. We will study the book ‘Five Lies of our Anti Christian Age’ by Rosaria Butterfield.
    • The Tuesday evening Bible study will begin on January 9th at 6:00pm at the home of Cynthia Keen. We will study the book “Identity Theft – Reclaiming the Truth of Who we are in Christ”
    • The Wednesday morning study begins January 10th in the church Fellowship Hall from 10 to 11:30 am.
    • Senior Sisters meets monthly on the third Thursday from 10:00 to 11:30am.
    • Senior Sisters exercise class meets Tuesdays at the church, 10:00 to 11:30am.
    • Monthly luncheon held the first Thursday of the month at Timbers Edge Clubhouse at 11am.

    Men’s Ministry
    •     Senior Fellows – Our next breakfast will be at 9:00am on Tuesday, Jan. 9th.
    • Men’s Lunchtime Book/Bible Study begins on January 12 at the church and will end on May 17th.

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

    PRAYER REQUESTS

    Healing – Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Collins Bailey, Maurice Belrose, 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 

     

  • Announcements – December 22, 2023

    Beloved brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
    This coming Sunday, Christmas Eve, we will complete our celebration of Advent with two services of worship.  At10:30 AM we will have our morning service, and then at 5:00 PM we will gather again for our Annual Christmas Eve Service of Lessons, Carols, and the Lord’s Supper.  There will be no Sunday School this week or on December 31.
    Sunday morning, our sermon will come from Revelation 12:10-12.  This is the final message in our series on ‘The Christmas Story Like You’ve Never Heard It Before.’  In these three verses, the Apostle John will introduce us to a new Christmas hymn, one you’d never expect to discover in the last book of inspired Scripture.
    And on Sunday evening, we will briefly consider the words of Revelation 1:16 as we come with faith, humility and joy to the Lord’s Table.  In this verse of Revelation’s opening chapter, John describes the exalted appearance of our resurrected and reigning King.  And we will pay particular attention to how the Apostle speaks of our Lord’s “right hand,” and what (and who) He holds secularly there in His omnipotent palm.
    I know that many of you have family and friends visiting with you for Christmas.  Please encourage them to join us for these services.
    On behalf of our family, let me say that we love you all so much, we pray for you always, and we beseech the Lord to bless you with a glorious celebration of His incarnation!
    In His rich and eternal grace,
    Mike

     

    ANNOUNCEMENTS

    Children’s Ministry
    • Nursery – Parents, there WILL be nursery during the Christmas Eve evening service for those who wish to utilize that. Thank you to all who work in our nurseries through the year! You are a blessing to our children and their parents.

    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 Tuesdays at the church, 10-11:30am
    • Monthly lunch 1st Thursday of the month at Timbers Edge Clubhouse at 11
    • For information on the Tuesday morning study, please contact Amy Schnorrenberg.
    • The Tuesday evening Bible study will begin on January 9th at 6:00pm at the home of Cynthia Keen. We will study the book “Identity Theft – Reclaiming the Truth of Who we are in Christ”
    • The Wednesday morning study begins January 10th at 10:00am at the church. We will use the book and video study, “Abide – A study of 1, 2, & 3 John.”

    Men’s Ministry
    • Senior Fellows – Our next breakfast will be at 900am on Tuesday, Jan. 9th.

    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 

  • Announcements – December 15, 2023

    Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
    Where is the most unusual place you have ever experienced Christmas Day?
    Perhaps it was in a foreign country, on the battlefield, or in the hospital. Or, for some of the astronauts that live in our city, even in outer space!  Maybe you were on a special Christmas vacation to some exotic location, a once-in-a-lifetime Christmas.
    But have you ever celebrated Christmas in the wilderness?
    I raise that question because, as we have learned in Revelation 12:6, the “wilderness” is where we currently live.  In fact, from the day of our Lord’s ascension until this moment, the Church has existed in the “wilderness.”
    In Revelation 12 John tells us (employing stunning symbols) that our current status is much like that of Old Testament Israel when they were delivered from Egypt.  Like them, we too are making our slow journey through the wilderness on our way to the land of promise, the New Jerusalem, the heavenly City of God.   It is in this time of wilderness living that we work, worship, serve, and witness.
    But, as John will show us in Revelation 12, there is much more to this wilderness experience than meets the eye.   While there are many things going on as we move toward our eternal destiny, the most amazing of them all is that in this wilderness we celebrate Christmas!  However, our celebrating will express itself in a most unexpected and unusual way!
    I know that our Father will bless us richly this Lord’s Day as we open His Word together!
    I love you all so very much,
    Mike

     

    ANNOUNCEMENTS

     Children’s Ministry
    • Nursery – The spring quarter nursery sign up is now out. Please see the link in the email sent recently. Please contact Amanda Dean at acarpenter11570@yahoo.com.

    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 Tuesdays at the church, 10-11:30am
    • Monthly lunch 1st Thursday of the month at Timbers Edge Clubhouse at 11

    Men’s Ministry
    • Senior Fellows – Our next breakfast will be at 900am on Tuesday, Jan. 9th.

    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 

  • Announcements – December 8, 2023

    My Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
    Let’s play a little game of ‘fill in the blank.’  What comes next after the word “Christmas” in your mind?
    Christmas . . . carols
    Christmas . . . cards
    Christmas . . . joy
    Christmas . . .angels
    Christmas . . . vacation
    Christmas . . .party
    Christmas . . . presents
    But how about this one:  Christmas dragon?
    Obviously, that’s a very strange thing to connect with the notion of Christmas.  And if that seems almost sacrilegious, then what you feel is very much understandable.  I mean, who in their right mind would link such opposites?
    Well, according to the Apostle John, if we don’t think about a “great red dragon” when we consider Christmas, we are leaving out a most significant part of the story of Advent!  In fact, if we don’t recognize the “dragon” in the account of our Lord’s incarnation, we just might miss the very heart of the celebration of Christmas itself.
    This coming Lord’s Day, we will take our second look at the ‘Christmas story’ that John tells us in Revelation 12.  And we will focus our attention upon verses 7-9 where we read of war in heaven, the defeat of the dragon, and his expulsion from God’s presence.  And, as led by the Apostle, we will see why there must be a place for a “dragon” in every Christmas celebration!
    I love you all so very much,
    Mike

    ANNOUNCEMENTS 

    Greeting Ministry – Consider supporting the work of the church by serving on our greeting ministry team! Those interested can reach out to Matthew Elliott for more information.

    Meals and Fellowship Ministries – Our monthly fellowship lunch is today, after worship in the fellowship hall. All visitors are invited to stay and eat with our church family.

    Children’s Ministry
    • Nursery – The spring 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.
    • Youth Fellowship – Our students will meet tonight in the fellowship hall from 4:30 to 6:30.

    Women’s Ministry
    • Senior Sisters exercise class meets Tuesdays at the church, 10-11:30am •Monthly lunch 1st Thursday of the month at Timbers Edge Clubhouse at 11

    Men’s Ministry
    • Senior Fellows – Our next breakfast will be at 900am on Tuesday, Jan. 9th.

    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 

  • Announcements – December 1, 2023

    My Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
    This Lord’s Day begins the Advent Season!  The next four Sunday’s we will celebrate the incarnation of the Son of God, and we will give our worshipful attention to the miracle of all miracles!
    What are some of the Biblical images that come to mind when you hear the word ‘Christmas’?  Well, I’m sure you’re thinking right now of manger scenes, angels, shepherds, wise men, Mary and Joseph, and “the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.”
    But what if I told you that there is a Christmas story, found in the Bible, that involves an expectant “woman” who is “clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet,” and a “crown of twelve stars” on her head?   And a “great red dragon” with “seven heads, and ten horns” and “seven diadems,” and a long, powerful “tail” that could reach all the way to heaven? And, also a little “male child” who will one day “rule the nations with a rod of iron”?
    Sounds very strange, doesn’t it!  But all of this and more is to be found in Revelation 12.  Placed at the very center of the most misunderstood and abused book of the Bible is a Christmas story, but one unlike you’ve ever heard before!
    Over the next four Sundays, we will read and listen to the Apostle John as he tells the Advent story from a much different perspective than we are accustomed to!  And I’m absolutely certain that you’ll be amazed at all there is to discover here in the chapter’s 17 verses!
    I love you all so very much, and I can’t wait to see you on the Lord’s Day!
    Mike

    Greeting Ministry – Consider supporting the work of the church by serving on our greeting ministry team! Those interested can reach out to Matthew Elliott for more information.

    Children’s Ministry
    • Parents’ Night Out – December 9th from 5:30-8:00 p.m. Register your children on Church Center.
    • Nursery – The spring 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.
    • Youth Fellowship – Our students will meet tonight at the church house from 4:30 to 6:30.

    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

    Men’s Ministry
    • Senior Fellows – Our next breakfast will be at 9:00am on Tuesday, Dec. 5th.
    • Senior Fellows will visit our wonderful veterans at Floyd E. “Tut” Fann State Veterans Home at 10:00 AM on Thursday, Dec. 7th. Afterward the group will meet for lunch at Newk’s Eatery (corner of Whitesburg and Airport).

    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