Christ Presbyterian Church (PCA)

Month: April 2024

  • Announcements – April 26, 2024

    Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
    As we all know, central to the Biblical story of redemption is the little word “sin.”  When we begin to follow God’s Word as it reveals to us the true significance that little arrangement of three letters, we soon discover that there is more meaning packed into “sin” than we have time to fully probe.
    To no one’s surprise, the prophecy of Ezekiel addresses this topic head on.  Yet, it does so with a measure of force that makes this book unique among the Old Testament prophets.  As we have discovered so far in our studies of this great prophecy, the Lord called Ezekiel to confront the sins of the covenant people.  After all, it was their many and persistent transgressions against the Lord that led to their captivity in Babylon in the first place.
    In chapters two and three of Ezekiel, the prophetic assault upon the wayward covenant people commences with a relentless, repetitive rhythm and unimaginable force.  Synonyms for the term “sin” flow from his mouth as inspired and empowered by the Spirit of the Lord.  “Sin” is exposed as rebellion, wickedness, iniquity, hard-heartedness, brazenness, stubbornness, obstinacy, and abomination.
    Modern believers like us, far removed from Ezekiel’s time, might wonder why the prophet is led by the Spirit to speak this way to those the Lord has loved and redeemed.  And even more critically, we are curious as to how all this finds a place of connection and relevance to us, the Bride of Christ.
    Our message on Sunday will address these important concerns.  As we reflect upon the words of our sermon text, Ezekiel 2:3-5, let’s ask the Spirit of the Lord to show us our own sins in a new light so that the wonder of His saving grace might overcome our guilt, and move us to deeper worship and more obedient service.
    I love you all with all my heart,
    Mike

     

    ANNOUNCEMENTS

    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.
    • A big thank you to those who have helped in the nursery this quarter! The new nursery sign up is out for the spring quarter. Please see the link in your email or sign up on the paper sheet in the narthex. Contact Amanda Dean if you have any questions.

    Women’s Ministry
    • Tuesday morning study meets 9:30-11am at the church. Childcare provided. We meet until May 14th and are studying the book ‘Five Lies of our Anti Christian Age’ by Rosaria Butterfield.
    • Senior Sisters meet monthly on the third Thursday from 10-11:30am.
    • 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, May 7th.
    • Men’s Lunchtime Book/Bible Study every Friday at 11:30am in the Church Fellowship Hall.
    • We are assessing interest in a weekly morning devotion/prayer time for the working age men in the congregation. The time would be early morning before work, and the location would likely be somewhere in the downtown area. If you would be interested in participating, please see the sign up sheet in the Narthex. Contact Adam Turnbull with questions.

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

    Church Spring Picnic – Please join us for our annual spring picnic today starting at 4pm on the church house grounds. We encourage everyone to bring their own lawn chair for the event.

    Bridal Shower – A bridal shower honoring Katy Yonkee will be held at the home of Mrs. Debi Walker on Sunday, May 19th from 2-4 pm.

    Video Team – The video team is working on a project to show how God has worked through the church in the past 19 years. If you would like to be interviewed, please see Timothy Alhorn.

    PRAYER REQUESTS

    Care and Healing – Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Collins Bailey, Maurice Belrose, Marilyn Calvert, Bill Cowley, Amy Fortenberry, Sonny Henry, Elizabeth Holton, Steve Terry and Kristy York

    Expecting – Please pray for the Thornhills due in September, and the Kings due in October

    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
    • Southside Presbyterian Church 

  • Announcements – April 19, 2024

    Beloved Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
    “If everything was true, all I got to do is repent sincerely from my heart.”
    The words quoted above were spoken recently by a wildly popular TV preacher and self-anointed mega-church ‘bishop.’  He uttered them publically before his congregation of loyal followers in response to rumors that he had participated in the most grievous forms of sexual debauchery in the home of an equally popular music mogul and rapper (who himself has recently come under serious scrutiny for alleged sexual crimes). The ‘bishop’ simply dismissed the allegations and innuendos by making this cavalier and thoroughly unbiblical claim regarding sin, repentance, and forgiveness.
    Reading between the lines, one can discern the deadly assumptions in his statement.  1) Sins, even the most heinous and dehumanizing, aren’t that big of a deal, even for an allegedly Christian minister. 2) Repentance is merely a matter of saying a few words.  3) Sin comes without corresponding consequences, such as discipline and disqualification from ministry.  And 4), grace and forgiveness are cheap.
    I bring up this unpleasant and tragic illustration because it helps us to understand the spiritual condition of the Israelites during the days of Ezekiel long ago.  Had we been among them there in exile in Babylon, we may have heard the covenant people asking, ‘What’s the big deal?  So we didn’t keep God’s Law. So we didn’t abstain from idolatry. So we didn’t keep the sacrifices.  So we didn’t remain morally pure.  All we have to do is repent and everything will be just fine!’
    Into such a situation as this, the Lord called the prophet to confront His own people with their spiritual blindness as to the nature of sin and true repentance.
    In Ezekiel 2:1-10, God will give the prophet the language of sin and confession so that he might confront the nation with their high crimes and ultimately point them to the way back home.  As we will learn, there is nothing trivial about sin, particularly the sins of those who claim to belong to the Sovereign Lord.  These verses speak with a jackhammer-like rhythm as they expose the true weight of our transgressions and show us that no sin can be easily swept aside by the mere utterance of few words.   Before revival and restoration can come to a wayward people, their sins must be revealed for what they are.  Then and only then will the sweet sounds of ‘Amazing Grace’ be heard.
    I love you all, and can’t wait to see you on Sunday!
    Mike

     

    ANNOUNCEMENTS

    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.
    • A big thank you to those who have helped in the nursery this quarter! The new nursery sign up is out for the spring quarter. Please see the link in your email or sign up on the paper sheet in the narthex. Contact Amanda Dean if you have any questions.

    Women’s Ministry
    • Tuesday morning study meets 9:30-11am at the church. Childcare provided. We meet until May 14th and are studying the book ‘Five Lies of our Anti Christian Age’ by Rosaria Butterfield.
    • Senior Sisters meet monthly on the third Thursday from 10-11:30am.
    • 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, May 7th.
    • Men’s Lunchtime Book/Bible Study every Friday at 11:30am in the Church Fellowship Hall.

    Youth Ministry – We will have youth group this evening from 4:30 to 6:30 at the church house.

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

    Church Spring Picnic – Please join us for our annual spring picnic on Sunday, April 28th starting at 4pm on the church house grounds. We encourage everyone to bring their own lawn chair for the event.

    Bridal Shower – A bridal shower honoring Katy Yonkee will be held at the home of Mrs. Debi Walker on Sunday, May 19th from 2-4 pm.

    Huntsville Pregnancy Resource Center – Dinner for the parenting class will be on April 25th. There is a collection box in the narthex for donations. Contact Tina Alhorn for more details.

    Video Team – The video team is working on a project to show how God has worked through the church in the past 19 years. If you would like to be interviewed, please see Timothy Alhorn. 

    PRAYER REQUESTS

    Care and Healing – Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Collins Bailey, Maurice Belrose, Marilyn Calvert, Bill Cowley, Amy Fortenberry, Sonny Henry, Elizabeth Holton, Steve Terry and Kristy York

    Expecting – Please pray for the Beams due in April, the Thornhills due in September, and the Kings due in October

    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
    • Southside Presbyterian Church

  • Announcements – April 12, 2024

    Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
    Our Sovereign Savior, who has built His Church from sinners loved in eternity and saved by grace in time, has also ordained that His elect bride be led and cared for by Elders and Deacons.
    In 2 Timothy 2:1-3, the Apostle Paul instructed Timothy to lead the Ephesian Church in the effort to identify and commission such men.  In this series of verses, the central exhortation is to “entrust” the Apostolic Gospel and the Church to “faithful men” (v. 2).  As it is certainly true that there would be no Church without a Savior, neither could Christ’s bride exist without “faithful men.”
    This coming Lord’s Day, it will be our great honor and solemn duty to do what our Savior has commanded.  We will be ordaining, or setting apart and authorizing, seven men, seven “faithful men,” who will care for and lead the Church that Jesus has redeemed.
    Our sermon will come from this passage taken from Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy.  And then, having heard the Word, we will all participate in a service of ordination as we commission these brothers to carry out their God-ordained duties as Ruling Elders and Deacons.
    As we do this, our hearts should full to the brim with gratitude that the Lord has been ever so faithful to raise up the leaders we have needed over these nineteen years that we have been in existence as a body of believers.  Praise His name for His faithfulness and preserving grace!
    It will be a great day of worship as we gather on Sunday!  Let us prepare our souls with fervent prayer and come before Him with joy overflowing!
    I love you all,
    Mike

    ANNOUNCEMENTS

    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.
    • A big thank you to those who have helped in the nursery this quarter! The new nursery sign up is out for the spring quarter. Please see the link in your email or sign up on the paper sheet in the narthex. Contact Amanda Dean if you have any questions.

    Women’s Ministry
    • Tuesday morning study meets 9:30-11am at the church. Childcare provided. We meet until May 14th and are studying the book ‘Five Lies of our Anti Christian Age’ by Rosaria Butterfield.
    • Senior Sisters will meet this Thursday, April 18th in the church fellowship room 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, May 7th.
    • Men’s Lunchtime Book/Bible Study every Friday at 11:30am in the Church Fellowship Hall.

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

    Church Spring Picnic – Please join us for our annual spring picnic on Sunday, April 28th starting at 4pm on the church house grounds. We encourage everyone to bring their own lawn chair for the event. 

    PRAYER REQUESTS Care and Healing – Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Collins Bailey, Maurice Belrose, Marilyn Calvert, Bill Cowley, Amy Fortenberry, Sonny Henry, Elizabeth Holton, Steve Terry and Kristy York

    Expecting – Please pray for the Beams due in April, the Thornhills due in September, and the Kings due in October

    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
    • Southside Presbyterian Church 

  • Announcements – April 5, 2024

    Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
    This coming Lord’s Day, we will return to our study of the Book of Ezekiel.  Our message will come from Ezekiel 1:28-2:3.   As we consider this passage together, we will discover some vital principles of worship, the kind of worship that is pleasing to our God and Father.  Our sermon is entitled, “The Call to Worship: What Ezekiel Can Teach Us About the Worship of God.”
    During our worship service, it will be our joy to hear a Missions Report from our own Ken Burnett, the Area Director of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.  Please pray for Ken as he shares with us some of the many great things that the Lord is doing in our elementary, middle, and high schools, and on college campuses all across north Alabama.
    This Sunday I will begin teaching a new Adult Sunday School Class on ‘How to Interpret the Bible: A Practical Guide for All Believers.’  We will have seven sessions before our summer break.  Some of the key questions we will seek to address are:
    Why study the Bible?
    What is the difference between ‘reading’ and ‘studying’ Scripture?
    What are the best and most accurate translations of the Bible?
    What are the rules for the proper interpretation of God’s Word?
    Should we interpret all the books of the Bible in the same way?
    What are the dangers we all should avoid as we study and interpret Scripture?
    I look forward to this Lord’s Day, and I love you all so very much,
    Mike

    ANNOUNCEMENTS

    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.
    • VBS volunteer meeting this Sunday, April 7th at 3pm.
    • A big thank you to those who have helped in the nursery this quarter! The new nursery sign up is out for the spring quarter. Please see the link in your email or sign up on the paper sheet in the narthex. Contact Amanda Dean if you have any questions.

    Women’s Ministry
    • Tuesday morning study meets 9:30-11am at the church. Childcare provided. We meet until May 14th are studying the book ‘Five Lies of our Anti Christian Age’ by Rosaria Butterfield.
    • 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 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, May 7th.
    • Men’s Lunchtime Book/Bible Study every Friday at 11:30 in the Church Fellowship Hall.

    Youth Ministry – Youth meets tonight at the church house from 4:30 to 6:30.

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

    Bridal Shower – A bridal shower honoring Sarah Gibson will be held at the church on Saturday, April 13 from 2-4.

    Church Spring Picnic – Please join us for our annual spring picnic on Sunday, April 28th starting at 4pm on the church house grounds. We encourage everyone to bring their own lawn chair for the event.

    See christpreshamptoncove.org for detailed news and upcoming events.

    PRAYER REQUESTS

    Care and Healing – Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Collins Bailey, Maurice Belrose, Marilyn Calvert, Bill Cowley, Amy Fortenberry, Elizabeth Holton, Steve Terry and Kristy York

    Expecting – Please pray for the Beams due in April, the Thornhills due in September, and the Kings due in October

    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
    • Southside Presbyterian Church