CPC THIS WEEK
MAY 26, 2010
THE E-NEWSLETTER OF CHRIST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
MORAL AND ENTERTAINING By Tom Stein
“I know one man at least who is both moral and entertaining.”
Those words were spoken by a man who knew William Wilberforce. We know him as the man who tirelessly worked for the end of the British slave trade. Yet if you read the story of his life, you will discover that others knew him this way, too. In the midst of his very serious business, Wilberforce was quite a likeable fellow.
We think of the Christian life as filled with “either/or.” You can either do this, or do that. But in this and many other cases, it is actually a “both/and.”
The Christian lives a holy (and moral) life, not to earn salvation, but in devotion to the God of salvation. We will avoid what is wrong, and we will do what is right. We will not apologize for our standards or violate those standards.
One of the greatest testimonies against Christianity is the immorality of those who profess faith in Christ. If Jesus changes nothing, why follow him?
Yet the Christian life is also “entertaining,” in the sense that we are free to enjoy the good gifts of our gracious God. Life is not merely entertainment. But there is a time to laugh - and we are free to laugh as heartily as anyone.
Have you ever heard the word “priggishness”? This is when you look down on everyone who does not live as you do, with a snooty air of moral superiority. With this attitude, we will reduce the Christian life to a self-righteous scowl against any and all enjoyment.
How would you describe yourself?
Do you strive to live a moral life? You should!
Yet do you also demonstrate joy in God’s good gifts? You can!
May God give us grace to be moral and entertaining - for his glory, for our good, and as a positive testimony to the people around us.
UPCOMING EVENTS
THIS SUNDAY - MAY 30
Since it is a fifth Sunday...
* The CCYF band and singers will lead the music.
* The sermon will be on a topic requested by one of you.
* We will receive our quarterly offering for our meals at Rock Solid.
SUNDAY, JUNE 6 - OUTDOOR SERVICE AND KIDS’ MUSICAL
Outdoor Service - 8 AM - at Christ’s Ambassador’s - 5353 Hodgin Road
Pancake Breakast Served By the Youth - 9 AM - at church
Kids’ Musical - 10 AM - at church
TUESDAY, JUNE 8 - START OF SUMMER WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY
Angie Bowen will host a Beth Moore study on Esther - Tuesdays at 9:30.
Contact Angie (935-0074) if you are interested in attending!
SUNDAY, JUNE 13 - CONGREGATIONAL MEETING AFTER WORSHIP
The purpose of this brief meeting is to approve a change in the CPC By-Laws - to return CPC to a January 1 to December 31 fiscal year.
JUNE 21-25 - VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Whom have you invited to join us?
PRAYING FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH: YEMEN
Voice of the Martyrs reports, “Security forces have rescued Lydia (6) and Anna (4) Hentschel, German sisters who were taken hostage in Yemen last June, along with their parents, brother and four other Christians. ”
SUNDAY SCHOOL
We will again have a summer break from Sunday School. We are tentatively planning to resume Sunday School on August 15.
THIS WEEK’S FRIENDLY REMINDER
Each Sunday morning, our musicians begin leading “gathering songs” at 9:20. Please join us as we enter our season of worship to the Lord.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
May 29 - Judy Hall
May 31 - Jon Baker, Hannah Tegeler
June 2 - Madeline Steinfort, Mary Brown
THIS SUNDAY’S SERMON TEXT: PSALM 13
MAY VERSES TO MEMORIZE: PSALM 131