Connect E-Letter
February 17, 2012 - Edition Number 174
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From the Pastor
|  Dear Friends,
Last Sunday was a good day in the life of our church. We had a very solid re-start of evening worship. Bryan set the bar high for exposing us to one Old Testament book per sermon. After Genesis last week, I will be preaching Exodus this Sunday at 5:30. Remember that this is an approximately 45-minute service that we strive to conclude by 6:15 or so.
It was also a good day as Jeremy and Tricia Goad gathered some of our young adults at the Barbour home for lunch and a discussion about how they fit into the life of a simple means-of-grace church. In an ecclesiastical landscape that offers "enticing" amenities like indoor rock-climbing walls and segregated services for young singles and married couples, we are striving to intentionally weave into the larger Body folk at every place in life. We think doing so makes our church look more and more like Her Lord (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). This does not preclude regular social gatherings for our young adults who are in a unique position with their time, responsibilities, and transition. Our hope is to foster good relationships that see the larger congregation and Lord's Day worship as "the main thing."
In a similar vein, I want to follow up on last week's pastoral letter in the Connect regarding simple means-of-grace ministry. If you missed that explanation, you might want to click here. This week, I want to address the "so-what?" by anticipating some questions you might have:
What does this mean for student ministry? We will continue to have student ministry events and would encourage the young people of our church to come together to know God's Word and one another better. With that said, we believe that the place our students most need to be in the weekly calendar of the church is corporate worship on the Lord's Day. We also offer our youth a Sunday School class that, we hope, applies the Bible to situations that are specific to them. Many of our youth are very busy during the week (as the father of three of them, I would say that most of the youth I know are usually too busy), so let's make all we can of the three opportunities they have on the Lord's Day to enjoy the means of grace. What does this mean for small groups? Small groups can be a wonderful means of deepening relationships, learning to pray, and studying God's Word together. If you have time and desire, then a small group Bible study might be a very healthy step to take. Our only caveat is that you see "the main thing" each week as Lord's Day worship together with all of the Body of Christ rather than seeing it as optional and your small group as essential. What does this mean for women's Bible studies? Everything we said in the last answer would be true for our women's Bible studies that meet during the week. It would also be true for the large group Bible studies (CBS and BSF) that meet in various churches in town during the week. These studies have been very instrumental in the lives of several of our members and we praise God for how He has used them. They can be great supplements to a regular diet of preaching and teaching in your church. What does this mean for missions, mercy, outreach, and evangelism? In sum, even more time to focus on it, we hope! Romans 10:17 tells us that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Thus, we believe that the best means of evangelism is to equip our members to understand the Gospel thoroughly so that we can all communicate it clearly. While the Lord is pleased to work wherever, whenever, and however He will, the ordinary pattern of evangelism (outside the Christian home) is through our speaking the Gospel to friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors. It may also mean inviting them to worship with us. We also hope that our burden for missions increases, and that our desire to show Gospel-driven mercy to those nearby and around the world will also increase as we know the Lord better.
If you have other questions, please speak to any member of the Session (Eric Bolton, Bryan Crotts, Kent French, Robert George, Bill Ratchford, Bill Sykes, or me). We want to be clear about what we are saying - and, especially, what we are not saying - when we talk about the priority of the simple means of grace. The bottom line is that we want to worship well privately, as families, and as a "family of families" when we come together. Having done those things, then, we should be well equipped to worship the Lord in all of life as we work at our jobs, know our neighbors, live as citizens, and do all for the glory of God.
This Sunday morning we will cover the last portion of Acts 8, as the Lord uses Philip in the Ethiopian eunuch's conversion. During the Sunday School hour, Bryan will be teaching on effectual calling. If that term does not mean anything to you, then you should especially look forward to this class; by the end of the hour, I think you will find it a precious Biblical truth and another cause for worship together.Your Friend,
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This Sunday, February 19th, 2012
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Sunday School Classes at 9:15 a.m.
Sunday Worship at 10:30 a.m.
Nursery, Toddlers, Children's Church & Children's Sermon available
during 10:30 a.m. Worship Service.
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Sunday Sermon: "From the Bud to the Flower"
Rev. Bill Marsh Acts 8:26-40
Morning Worship Hymns and Songs:
- All Glory, Laud and Honor
- Come People of the Risen King
- How Deep the Father's Love for Us
- Nothing But the Blood
- All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name
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Don't forget to come back at 5:30 p.m.
for our Sunday Evening Worship
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This Week's Memory Verse
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No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.
-- John 6:44
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Sunday Evening Worship - 5:30 p.m.
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A BIG Thank You from the Carters
| The Carter family was so blessed to come home to a well furnished apartment that felt like home. They are so thankful to the many of you that loaned, purchased and donated so many quality items to make their furlough very enjoyable. Now that they have had a chance to settle, they have been able to evaluate what needs they still have. Here is a list of things they could use:
- toilet brush, toilet plunger
- iron and ironing board
- microwave cart
- outdoor grill (nothing too fancy, propane or charcoal are great.)
- mop
- paper shredder
If you have any of these items for donation, please bring them to church on Sunday or by the church office Monday - Friday: 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Questions? Contact Dave Carter by email by clicking HERE.
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A change of schedule
| Due to the combination of construction, cold weather and difficult logistics of tear down and setup in the fellowship hall with two services, we have decided to keep February simple and cancel the Sunday night supper on February 26th. We will still have our normally scheduled Sunday Evening Service on February 26th and plan to have a meal together in March when we can utilize the great outdoors.
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New Precept Upon Precept Bible Study - Esther
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Ladies of all ages are invited to join us as we begin our next study on the book of Esther, beginning on Tuesday, March 6th.
What is your purpose?
God is always working in the affairs of His creation, even when we are unaware. This study shows us how Esther attained royalty to fulfill God's purpose in her life and the lives of His people. Can God use you "for such a time as this"?
Tuesday nights from 7 -9 p.m. Workbook cost is $10.00. Please contact Kathy Wilson @ 430-9030. |
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Important Information
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Last week's Tithes and Offerings: $5,246
Morning Attendance: 182
Senior Saint Driver: Helen Alburo
This Week's Nursery Volunteers:
9:15 a.m. - Mae Andrews, Steve Teague 10:15 a.m. - Suzanne Gregory, Emily Conrad
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Sanctuary Renovations have begun!
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Construction Corner
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We have broken ground on the foyer and sanctuary renovation! Praise God for his provision of a permit, of diligent and capable volunteers, and of most of the funds required to complete this project! This is a very comprehensive project which involves many trades - excavation, concrete, framing, drywall, cabinetry, countertops, painting, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, flooring, trim, etc. It takes as long as 4 months to build the average home in America. Our goal is to compress this type of schedule in to just over 2 months! This is a very tight schedule.
OUR TARGETED COMPLETION DATE IS APRIL 20. Although unforeseen challenges and delays are common in remodel situations, we have every intention of finishing a final inspection on April 20th if possible. Of course, there will be some straggling items and details to resolve after this, but we anticipate worshiping in the new building on Sunday, April 29th, if no unforeseen delays arise.
During the next 2 months, we appreciate everyone's patience and the great help of many of you in the process. During construction, please be mindful of 2 important things:
1) ACCESS - Parts of the building will be unsafe over the next 2 months, and parts of the building will be absolutely FILTHY even on Sundays. We do not want to afford the money or the schedule delay involved in doing a complete clean of the building every Sunday, so we
will appreciate everyone's patience with last minute determinations of Sunday School locations etc. There will definitely be a period of time when access to the children's wing will not be possible. We will keep you abreast via the Connect, and we will do everything possible to minimize these inconveniences without sacrificing budget and schedule.
2) INSPECTORS - If at any time an inspector or anyone outside the Church shows up on site, any one of us on site will appear to represent the church. For this reason, please do not discuss any matters with an inspector (or anyone else outside the church) for ANY REASON. Call Paul Holst immediately. We want Paul Holst and ONLY Paul to discuss any matters related to the building (no matter how apparently simple or obvious) with city inspectors, and we want Paul Holst and ONLY Paul granting inspectors access to the building during this period of construction.
Thanks to all of you for your incredible support of this project. You are all critical contributors - whether through prayer, through finances, or through labor. We especially covet your prayers during the next 2 months. Thank you!
In Christ,
Future Facility Team
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On Our Book Table
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 The February 2012 issue of Tabletalk features articles examining what Jonathan Edwards called charity as described by the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. This passage rings familiar to many people on account of its frequent use (or misuse) in wedding ceremonies and other occasions demanding a proclamation of love. Yet the truth of Christian love as laid out in 1 Corinthians 13 reaches far beyond these settings. Contributors include R.C. Sproul along with Joel Beeke, D.A. Carson, Michael Haykin, Joe Holland, Steven J. Lawson, Keith Mathison, Ray Ortlund, John R. Sittema, R.C. Sproul Jr., and Cal Thomas. Tabletalk features articles about topics central to the Christian faith and daily, in-depth Bible studies with featured columns by contributors such as David Murray and Mark Ross. Free copies are available on the book table.
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Let's Pray Together this Week
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Saturday, February 18
As we prepare to worship together tomorrow, pray for persecuted Christians around the world. Ask the Lord to give them courage and to guard them from discouragement. Pray that they would stand firm against the Enemy's attacks, shining as lights in dark places. Thank Him for the good work He has begun in them and pray for His glory to shine amid their oppression.
Sunday, February 19 Pray today for those around us, especially in our worship service, who are not reconciled to Christ. Ask the Lord to stir in them a sense of guilt for sin and restlessness over life. Pray that they would understand the message of the Gospel as never before. Ask the Lord to bring them from darkness to light. Monday, February 20 Pray today for our elders and ministers as the meet this afternoon and evening for their February stated meeting. Ask the Lord to increase their love for Him, one another, and our congregation. Pray for their conversation and deliberations to be words seasoned with grace. Ask the Lord to give them wisdom and courage as they lead our congregation in the Lord. Tuesday, February 21 Pray for revival in our city, state, and nation. Ask the Lord to bring great conviction of sin and confidence in Christ. Pray for increasing holiness and a winsome contrast between Christians and the world. Ask the Lord to lessen our attachment to perishing things and to delight more and more in Him. Wednesday, February 22 Pray today for the growth in Christ of your brothers and sisters at Christ Community Church. Ask the Lord to give us a hunger for the Word of God and a zeal for holiness. Pray for our praying. Ask the Lord to so burden each of us for several specific individuals in our lives to know Christ that we would faithfully speak the Gospel to them. Pray especially today for those who are suffering, asking the Lord to sustain them even as He refines them. Thursday, February 23 Pray today for the church planting work James and Anna Dickson are doing in Trussville, Alabama. Ask the Lord to bless Christ Church PCA and for that ministry to have Gospel ripples throughout that community. Pray for lives to be changed as James faithfully teaches and preaches the Word of God. Ask the Lord to provide the resources they need and to encourage the Dicksons as they patiently build relationships and become part of the Trussville community. Friday, February 24 Pray today for the targeted outreach ministries we support in our community. First, pray for Youth for Christ and its longtime Executive Director, Wayne George. Second, pray for the Greensboro Pregnancy Care Center and its Executive Director, Lyn Thrasher. Pray that both of these ministries would be used of the Lord to bring men, women, boys, and girls to faith in Christ and growth as His disciples. Ask the Lord to give them the resources they need and great joy to their staff and volunteers as they labor for Him.
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Now that we have offices . . .
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Now that we offices . . .
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Food for Thought
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Is the Bible the Word of God? Then let us all resolve from this day forward to prize the Bible more. Let us not fear being idolaters of this blessed book. People may easily make an idol of the Church, of ministers, of sacraments, or of intellect. People cannot make an idol of the Word. Let us regard all who would damage the authority of the Bible, or impugn its credit, as spiritual robbers. We are traveling through a wilderness: they rob us of our only guide. We are voyaging over a stormy sea: they rob us of our only compass. We are toiling over a weary road: they pluck our staff out of our hands. And what do these spiritual robbers give us in place of the Bible? What do they offer as a safer guide and better provision for our souls? Nothing! Absolutely nothing! Big swelling words! Empty promises of new light! High sounding jargon; but nothing substantial and real! They would willingly take from us the bread of life, and they do not give us in its place so much as a stone. Let us turn a deaf ear to them. Let us firmly grasp and prize the Bible more and more, the more it is assaulted.
~ J.C. Ryle
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