“Has America Become the Soft Under-Belly of Christianity?
What would happen in most of the churches of America if a visiting evangelist should take the pulpit to preach not only the duty but also the joy of suffering for the sake of Christ?
What if this man of God should enlarge on the Apostle Paul’s declaration to the Philippians”…that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his suffering, being made conformable unto his death.” (Phil. 3:10).
Imagine with me one more step: Suppose this speaker pointed out that everything in the Bible has to say about taking up one’s cross and about suffering for the Lord Jesus was written for :ordinary” believers- not for heroic missionaries on some far-flung pagan shores, but, at least potentially, for everyone who names the name of Jesus.
What would happen? Would the churches empty? Would your church empty?
We get reports of what is happening to brothers and sisters in Christ elsewhere. We hear of forcible conversions, on pain of death, to Islam to Indonesia- particularly in the Moluccas. We read of a “possible bloodbath against Christians” by fundamentalist Hindus in India. We learn of terrible atrocities against black Christian tribes in Southern Sudan, and lesser, but still potent, discriminations against believers in Nigeria and elsewhere in Africa, in the Philippines, in China, Russia, Greece, Turkey. The list goes grows longer almost every week. Everywhere, it seems, the tide of hatred against the gospel and those who believe it is rising.
Are we, “at home” in America, insulated from all of this? Or will the tide come even to our shores? If our Bibles are to be believed- and how can we claim the name of Christians, if we do not trust the Book that introduces and explains God-come-in-the-flesh?- we must all become personally acquainted with persecution: “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12)
In 1949, as the godless Chinese Communist armies gathered momentum against Nationalist forces, anxious Christians asked their missionary- mentors what they should do. Tragically, a great many were assured that God would not let the unthinkable happen. But He did. Today, we see a sturdy church in China, despite the bitter persecution (or because of it?). But in 1949, hundreds of thousands of Chinese believers were betrayed by their well-intentioned leaders. They were left unprepared.
I am convinced that churches everywhere should be teaching and preaching “the whole counsel of God” - and that surely includes Romans 5:3,4”…we glory in tribulations also, knowing that tribulation worketh patience, and patience experience, and experience, hope.”
Copied..... Love, Pastor Tommy
McWane Science Center Outing for Senior CitizensThe Shelby County Commission invites you to attend a Shelby County Senior Outing, designed especially for adults 55 and over. McWane Science Center is a world class museum, where you will experience hands on, interactive exhibits and have the opportunity to see the film “Wild Oceans: in the IMAX Dome Theater. A complimentary lunch will be provided at McWane Science Center. This outing is being sponsored by McWane Science Center and the Shelby County Commission.Monday, September 20,2010 9am-1pm
In its regular meeting called to order at 6:30pm on August 16,2010 following prayer, devotion and previous minutes approved, your session took the following actions:
1. Christian Ed.- No recommendations
2. Worship & Music- Recommendations: Communion & Benevolent fund on 9-5-10
3. Mission, Outreach & Stewardship- Recommendation: General Account $ 5187.95, fellowship hall reserved 9-17-10.
4. Fellowship & Membership- Recommendation: not to send goody bags any longer to those in the hospitals. Send either a fruit basket or plant $35-45.00, the elders will take care of the individuals on their shepherd list, No Tailgate dinner this year- instead the CPW will host a Fund raiser. The church will provide the hamburgers and hot dogs and the CPW will provide everything else. The CPW will be accepting donations at the meal.
5. Buildings- No recommendations
6. Motion made by Michelle to pay church and van insurance seconded by Mike. By consent the church office will be closed Labor Day. Motion made by Olen for Wanda to proceed with creating a new pictorial directory, it will cost $20.00 per family, seconded by Elizabeth. Motion made by Michelle to appoint Brandi Lawson as Session Clerk, seconded by Elizabeth. 2010 Nominating committee : Chairperson Elder Mike Ensminger, Rita Warren, Jane Penny and Pastor Tommy.
Time spent talking over concerns and needs of our church family. Motion was made to adjourn. All present gave the closing prayer. The next scheduled meeting is September 20, 2010 at 6:30pm.
CPW
CPW meets on the 2nd Sunday night of each month at 6:30. All ladies in the church are invited. This is a time of fellowship, Bible Study and food. We still have plenty of cookbooks. Next meeting September 12.
The Center of the BibleShould the central verse not have a key message? It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man”. Is this central verse not also the central theme of the Bible? This is not a coincidence. God is in complete control.
1. Psalm 118 is the middle chapter of the entire Bible.
2. Psalm 117, before Psalm 118, is the shortest chapter in the Bible.
3. Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible.
4. The Bible has 594 chapters before Psalm 118 and 594 after Psalm 118.
5. If you add up all the chapters except Psalm 118, you get a total of 1188 chapters.
6. 1188, or Psalm 118:8, is the middle verse of the entire Bible.
Upcoming Events for September
5- Men’s Breakfast 7am
Holy Communion/ Benevolent Fund Offering
6- Church office closed
12- CPW 6:30pm
20- Session Meeting 6:30pm
26- Fellowship Meal 5:30pm
Grace Presbytery Alabama Region C.P. Churches Joint Service
September 12, 6pm held at Rocky Ridge CP Church. Mike Clark, missionary to Guatemala and head of Casa Para Ninos Children’s Home will be our speaker. Special music and fellowship to follow. Pray for this service. THANKS!
Chitter Chatter(The latest happenings at Helena CPC)
Congratulations to Trey and Kristen Cotney, who were married in July and will make their home at 848 Vestavia Villa Ct. Birmingham 35226. Trey is in Law School and Kristen is in Med School. Good luck to you and may God bless you and your home.
Mrs. Elsie Wade, spent a few days in the hospital in August. She is home and feeling better. Please keep her in your prayers.
Rob Cotney is now living in Auburn and attending Auburn University.
Jason Grammer is attending ITT Tech.
Emily Edwards and James Grammer are both attending Jeff State Community College.
If you have any information that you would like to have published in the newsletter, please contact the church office before the last Sunday of the month.
Do you sometimes feel that this world is out of control? How about your own life… do you feel like it’s out of control also? The solution for living a productive and fulfilled life is living a life that is controlled by God’s Holy Spirit. Sammy Tippit, a Christian writer once wrote that Christians try to live a Christian life without spending time with God--- and this is impossible to do--- we must spend time with Him, learn to wait upon Him, so that we may be like Him.
Please join us in Bible Study on Sunday nights at 5:30pm and on Wednesday nights at 6:30pm for the Women’s and Men’s Bible study.
Too Many “Waterbed Saints!”
Ever notice the difference between a water bed and a pillow top bed? On the former, no matter how much it’s slept on no impression is left; on the latter, the more it’s slept on, the greater impression. People’s lives are like that. Some lives are lived and leave no impression; like a finger pulled from a glass of water, when the finger leaves the water closes in behind and no one would know the finger had ever been there. Other lives are lived and the impression left behind requires decades, even centuries, to erase. A very few are never erased because of the depth of their impression on this world (Socrates, Plato, Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Mother Theresa, Stalin, Hitler, Pasteur, Edison, Noble, Carver, Ghandi, Confucius, to name a few). Only one man has left an eternal impression: our Lord. When all is over and the ash is blown away, only one name will be above all names, The name of Jesus Christ. copied
A Prayer To Pray- For Your Children
Dear Lord, May they know You as the God of peace. Bless them with Your favor, that they will be equipped with all that is good to do Your will. Work in them what is pleasing in Your sight. Let Your favor be on them throughout their lives, and establish the work of their hands. Whatever they’re doing with their lives at any age, make their efforts successful and let it go well for them! They are Your workmanship, Your masterpieces, created in Christ to do good works, which You have prepared in advance for them to do. Bless them to be a blessing, for Your promise belongs to us. Bless them wonderfully, and as they walk with You, help them in everything they do, extending the influence of their lives so they lay up treasure in heaven. Be with them in all that they do, and keep them from harm. I Jesus Name, AMEN. Copied
Report for August 1 August 8 August 15 August 22
Sunday School 20 24 25 20
Morning Worship 32 36 44 30
Sunday Night 15 15 18 0
Fellowship Meal 23
Tithes & Offerings $1015. $1833. $2851. $710.
Needed Weekly $1844.13
When you feel like you can’t go any further and want to drop out of the Christian race, drop to your knees and pray, “Lord, have mercy on me. I don’t know if I can make it another day, but people are depending on me. I still want to make my life count for you. Help me to somehow make it through, and I’ll give you the glory.” AMEN!!
September Birthdays and Anniversaries
1- Elsie Wade 1- John & Doris Young
2- Ruth Grammer 9- Michelle Burt
20- CW Fulgham 20- Barbara Johnson
23- Wanda Barron 23- Mike & Tracy Ensminger
If I miss your birthday or anniversary please let me know.
CPW meets on the 2nd Sunday night of each month at 6:30. All ladies in the church are invited. This is a time of fellowship, Bible Study and food. We still have plenty of cookbooks. Next meeting September 12.