Christ Presbyterian Church (PCA)

Month: May 2024

  • Announcements – May 31, 2024

    Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
    Over the last several weeks, we have been studying the initial three chapters of the magnificent prophecy of Ezekiel.  We’ve been amazed at the stunning and often perplexing visons of God’s glory and power that the prophet has left us.  But I would also venture a guess that along our journey so far, you’ve seen some things that remind you of someone else.  And we should rather say, Someone else!
    The fact is that as we examine this ancient prophecy, we are powerfully reminded of our Savior and Lord.  Hints and shadowy symbols of our incarnate King are everywhere to be found in this inspired word from the prophet!  I wonder, how many have you identified for yourself as you have studied these chapters?
    This coming Lord’s Day, we are going to see how many of these ancient prophetic reminders of Jesus we can spot, for this is the ultimate purpose and design of Ezekiel’s message.  And as we pick them out, one by one, we will be filled with the same sense of awe and wonder as was the prophet himself so long ago!
    Take a few moments this weekend to read Ezekiel chapters one through three once again, and give special attention to Ezekiel 3:22-23.
    I love you all with all my heart,
    Mike

     

    ANNOUNCEMENTS

    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.

    Children’s Ministry
    • Nursery     – We still have some volunteer slots open this quarter to help in the nursery. 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.
    • VBS – June 10-13: Register online by June 1st. Please pray for VBS children and volunteers using the prayer calendar available in the narthex.

    Women’s Ministry
    • 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, June 4th.

    Career Ministry –    The career group will not meet Sunday, but will attend the Monday night concert at Big Spring Park from 6:30-8:30pm. Bring a chair and picnic supper and meet near the memorial torch. Contact Sharon Daughtry for more information or any questions. Contact information can be found in the church directory.

    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, Sonny Henry, Elizabeth Holton, and Steve Terry

    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 – May 24, 2024

    Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
    This coming Lord’s Day, we will continue our examination of Ezekiel 3:17-21.  Our topic, as prompted by the text, is how we are to listen to a sermon.  We’ve suggested that Ezekiel the Old Testament prophet is giving us some very practical lessons on how we are to hear the preaching of the Word, even as New Testament Christians far removed from Ezekiel’s time and context.
    Just as a refresher, we’ve noted that listening to a sermon requires 1) a certain mindset, 2) proper expectations, and 3) the appropriate response.  This week we will probe further into the expectations needed and the response that is demanded.
    Don’t forget that we have ended our Spring Sunday School term.  There will be no Sunday School until after Labor Day. In the meantime, we will fellowship together at 10:00 AM, followed by worship at 10:30 AM.
    I love you all so very much, and always have you on my heart in prayer,
    Mike

     

    ANNOUNCEMENTS

    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.

    Children’s Ministry
    • Nursery     – We still have some volunteer slots open this quarter to help in the nursery. 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.
    • VBS – June 10-13: Register online by June 1st. Please pray for our Vacation Bible School using the prayer calendar available in the narthex.

    Women’s Ministry
    • 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, June 4th.
    • We are beginning a weekly morning devotion/prayer time for working age men in the congregation. If you would be interested in participating, please sign up 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.

    PRAYER REQUESTS

    Care and Healing – Please pray for the health of the following individuals: Collins Bailey, Maurice Belrose, Marilyn Calvert, Bill Cowley, Bob Edwards, 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 – May 17, 2024

    Friday May 17, 2024
    Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
    Let me ask you to do a quick calculation in your mind.  See if you can come up with a ball-park estimate of how many sermons you’ve heard in your lifetime.  As I was thinking about this myself, I wondered how many sermons I’ve preached at Christ Pres since the founding of our Church back in 2004. I came up with approximately 920!
    But this prompts a key question that has a connection to our studies in the prophecy of Ezekiel.  Have you ever received instruction in how to listen to a sermon?  I would guess that answer for most of us would be ‘no.’ There is a strange irony to this fact, given that the preaching of the Word of God is central to all that the Church is and does.
    There is some good news, however, as we consider the inspired words of Ezekiel 3:17-21.  Deposited in this prophetic message is a most practical lesson from the Lord on how to listen to the preaching of His Word.  We may categorize this critical instruction around three headings:
    • Instructions related to our attitudes
    • Instructions related to our expectations
    • Instructions related to our responses
    This coming Lord’s Day, we will begin our series of lessons on listening to a sermon.  Ezekiel the prophet will be our teacher.  And I know for sure we that will be not only informed, but wonderfully enriched as we learn to hear, really hear, God’s Word.
    Just a reminder that this Sunday is the last day of Sunday School for the summer.  Starting Sunday, May 26th we will have our Sunday Morning Fellowship Time from 10:00-10:30 AM, followed by Worship at 10:30 AM.
    I love you all so very much!
    Mike

     

    ANNOUNCEMENTS 

    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.

    Children’s Ministry
    • Nursery     – We still have some volunteer slots open this quarter to help in the nursery. 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.
    • VBS – June 10-13: Register online by June 1st. VBS volunteer meeting will be on Monday, May 20th at 5pm at the church.

    Women’s Ministry
    • Tuesday morning study meets 9:30-11am at the church. Childcare provided. Bible study concludes May 21st.
    • 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, June 4th.                                                                                             • We are beginning a weekly morning devotion/prayer time for working age men in the congregation. If you would be interested in participating, please sign up in the Narthex. Contact Adam Turnbull with questions.

    Youth Ministry – The youth will meet at the Burgess’ lake house from 3 to 7pm Sunday for an end of Spring fellowship. Please contact Matthew Elliott for any questions.

    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 Katy Yonkee will be held at the home of Mrs. Debi Walker Sunday from 2-4. 

    PRAYER REQUESTS 

    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 – May 10, 2024

    My Beloved Church Family,
    In Romans 10:14 the Apostle Paul raises one of the biggest questions of life: “how shall they hear without a preacher?”  Then, just three verses later he makes what is really a startling claim about preachers and preaching: “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (10:17).  Flowing between the lines of this remarkable statement is the fact that preaching, when done faithfully, is the very “word of Christ” to His people and to the world!
    In light of this truth, it was Dr. D. Martyn-Lloyd Jones, arguably one of the greatest of modern preachers, who said that “the main task of the Church and of the Christian minister is the preaching of the Word of God” (Preaching & Preachers, p. 19).  No one who reads the Bible faithfully could argue against this.
    Surprisingly, this is where the Old Testament prophet Ezekiel can help us tremendously.  As we discovered last Lord’s Day, a wealth of truth regarding the essential ministry of preaching may be gleaned from the opening chapters of his prophecy.  You will remember that we were able to extract a basic definition of preaching from Ezekiel 2:7–“speak My words to them.”  Simply expressed, preaching is the delivery of God’s Word by a God-called man to God’s redeemed people, and to the world.
    But what about the preacher himself?  What are the characteristics that should distinguish and identify him? What are his duties and obligations?  Well, once again Ezekiel comes to our aid.
    As we examine Ezekiel 2:8-3:3 for a second time this coming Sunday, we will uncover a portrait of a faithful preacher.  Here is what he must do and what he must be.  Here is his divinely-ordained job description.  Here is what all preachers must engage in. Here we will find what every Christian Church must seek and expect in a preacher.
    Let me encourage you to prayerfully reflect upon this passage and its wider context (2:1-3:4) as we prepare to come together in worship this Lord’s Day.  And let us get on our knees and beseech our Sovereign King to enable our spiritual ‘ears’ to hear and respond to the voice of our Great Shepherd!
    I love you all with all of my heart,
    Mike

     

    ANNOUNCEMENTS

    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.

    Children’s Ministry
    • Nursery     – We still have some volunteer slots open this quarter to help in the nursery. 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.
    • VBS – Register online 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. Bible study concludes May 21st.
    • 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, June 4th.
    • Men’s Lunchtime Bible Study – Meets Fridays at 11:30 in the Fellowship Hall

    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 Katy Yonkee will be held at the home of Mrs. Debi Walker on Sunday, May 19th from 2-4. 

    PRAYER REQUESTS

    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 – May 3, 2024

    Beloved Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
    Is preaching still relevant?  Do we really need it in order to love and live for our Lord?  Is there still a place for preaching in the Church?
    I am certain that these are odd questions for you to ponder.  I know this because you love the Word of the Lord, and you treasure its exposition from the pulpit each Lord’s Day.  But, believe it or not, there are certain places in the Evangelical world where these very questions are answered in the negative.
    I remember a conference for pastors that I attended back in 1999.  One of the guest speakers delivered a lecture on ‘The Death of Preaching,’ which he saw as a good thing for the turn-of-the-century Church! Turns out, his words were both prophetic and tragic.  He argued, quite passionately, that preaching is an outmoded form of communication for modern Christians.  As he stated, preaching is too ‘preachy.’  It’s too authoritative. It makes us uncomfortable. It drives ‘seekers’ away from the Church. It is too negative.  And, preachers tend to preach too long, interfering with the busy and demanding schedules of parishioners. In the many years since that conference I’ve encountered some fellow Christian pastors (whom I’m certain love the Lord more than I do) who never use the word “preach” because it has come to have very off-putting connotations.
    Well, all of this brings us back to the prophet Ezekiel.  In the first three chapters of his prophecy, we encounter a man called to preach.  But what is preaching, exactly?  What does preaching do? What is to be preached?  Who is preaching for? Should we use a different word?  Is preaching optional for God’s people?
    This Lord’s Day, we will begin probing these important questions together as we examine the inspired words of Ezekiel 2:3-3:3.   I can’t wait to preach on preaching!
    Deacon Nominations
    Beginning this Sunday, May 5, until Sunday May 26, the Session will be receiving your nominations for the Office of Deacon.  Nomination forms are available in the Narthex.  All Communing Members are entitled to submit the names of qualified men for this office.  Your completed nomination forms should be placed in the Tithes and Offering boxes at the entrance to the worship Center.
    I love you all so much!
    Mike

    ANNOUNCEMENTS

    Children’s Ministry
    •     Register online for VBS on June 10-13, 2024. Please contact Anne Swanner if you are interested in serving at VBS this year.
    • Nursery – We still have some volunteer slots open this quarter to help in the nursery. 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 will not meet on May 7th but will meet again on May 14th.
    • 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 beginning a weekly morning devotion/prayer time for working age men in the congregation. If you would be interested in participating, please sign up in the Narthex. Contact Adam Turnbull with questions.

    Youth Ministry – Youth group 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 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