My Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
If you’ve ever read though the entirety of the Old Testament, then you’ve encountered what is, arguably, the most bizarre and perplexing book of the Old Covenant Scriptures. We know the book by way of the author’s name, a Hebrew name meaning “God strengthens.” It is a prophetic book, one of the five major prophetic books of the Old Testament.
According to many readers, the book appears to be the work of man who has disconnected himself from reality. The things he says, the events he claims to have seen and heard first hand, and the actions he engages in are unlike any other prophet before or since. The general opinion of critical scholars from the liberal tradition is that the author of this prophecy was clearly demented, perhaps suffering from some form of extreme mental illness, or enduring the effects of a significant personality disorder at the least. Indeed, any honest assessment of the man and his book must account for the obvious ‘uniqueness’ of what he has written.
For Christians like us, we also have to grapple with what we find here. We must raise the question as to why such a book falls within the Biblical canon, and why we must view it through the lens provided for us by the Apostle Paul, who said “all Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable” (2 Tim 3:16). The “all” in Paul’s second letter to Timothy certainly included this strange Old Testament book as well.
Ezekiel. That’s his name. And his prophecy, composed of forty-eight lengthy chapters, is one that we’d really like to avoid if possible. Aside from two chapters (37-38), most of us know relatively little about its contents, and even less about its initial purpose in Israelite history and its abiding significance for us as New Testament saints. But here it is in our Bibles, tucked in between Lamentations and Daniel.
I bring all of this to your attention because this Sunday, the Lord willing, we will begin a series of sermons from this prophecy. Now, fear not, for I’m not suggesting that we will engage in a years-long series of messages from Ezekiel. While that would be profitable, if not most daunting, my purpose in this series is less ambitious. My aim is to expose us to the bigger (and breathtaking!) picture that Ezekiel paints for us, one that has implications for all of creation. Our initial messages will come from the first three chapters.
This coming Lord’s day we will begin with a first look at Ezekiel 1:1-3. As you prepare for these messages, let me encourage you to start reading through the book, perhaps assisted along the way by a good commentary or study guide (see the links below for my suggestions). And let us pray fervently together that our awesome God, whom we will encounter afresh in this book, will speak to us with life-changing power!
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, February 25th. Dinner and childcare will be provided. A sign up sheet will be in the narthex.
Ministry Opportunity – CPC will support the Huntsville Pregnancy Resource Center (HPRC) on Feb. 8th by providing a meal for the Thursday evening class. Please coordinate with Tina Alhorn. Everything should be in disposable containers. See the website for a link to sign up. We are also collecting items (onesies 0-3 month & 3-6 month, pants, shorts, towels/washcloths, baby blankets). A collection box will be in the narthex today.
Children’s Ministry
• Mark your calendars for VBS on June 10-13, 2024. Please contact Anne Swanner if you are interested in serving at VBS this year.
Women’s Ministry
• Tuesday morning study meets 9:30-11am at the church. Childcare provided.
• Tuesday evening study meets at 6:00pm at the home of Cynthia Keen.
• Wednesday morning study in the Fellowship Hall from 10 to 11:30 am.
• Senior Sisters meet 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 this Thursday at Timbers Edge Clubhouse at 11am.
• Ladies Family Forum – February 8th from 6:30-8:30pm at the home of Leslie Jeffrey. Geared toward ladies with elementary age children, the topic will be “Raising Children in a Christ-centered Home.”
Men’s Ministry
• Senior Fellows – Our next breakfast will be at 9:00am on Tuesday, Feb. 6th.
• Men’s Lunchtime Book/Bible Study every Friday at 11:30 in the Church Fellowship Hall
• Senior Fellows – Zig Jastrebski will give his Life Story/Testimony in the Fellowship Hall at 10 AM, Tuesday, Feb. 13. All Fellows and other friends of Zig are encouraged to attend. A chill lunch will follow.
Career Ministry – Bible study & fellowship meets at the home of Jim and Sharon Daughtry, Sundays at 5:30 pm.
Baby Showers – Baby Shower for ShayAbigail Beam on Saturday, February 3rd from 9-11am at the home of Ashley Turnbull.
PRAYER REQUESTS
Healing – Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Collins Bailey, Maurice Belrose, Bill Cowley, Amy Fortenberry, 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