CPC THIS WEEK
JULY 14, 2010
THE E-NEWSLETTER OF CHRIST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
SO WHAT DID WE DO?
By Tom Stein
Last week, I described how we did our work at the PCA General Assembly. But, you may ask, what in the world did we do?
I could overwhelm you with details, but I want to highlight two areas of interest:
1. “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” The current Administration and Congress are considering ending this policy, which affects homosexuals in the military.
General Assembly overwhelmingly approved a letter to our public officials, asking them to keep intact the law that authorizes this policy.
Why? We are deeply concerned for the freedom of our chaplains to proclaim the truth of the Bible and the claims of the gospel. The PCA has a strong, vibrant, effective group of chaplains ministering in all the branches of our military. But if the current policy is removed, they may be muzzled and disciplined for speaking against homosexual practice.
We do not approve letters like this often, because our Westminster Confession of Faith wisely counsels us to involve ourselves, as a church, with civil matters ONLY when the case is extraordinary, and when we are asked.
In this case, the government has asked for input, and we believe this is an extraordinary case, so we have spoken.
2. Sanctity of Human Life. The PCA has passed resolutions in the past, asking our government to defend human life. But this year, we approved a proposal with a new aim: encouraging PCA believers to urge believers in other churches to stand with us against the destruction of abortion.
One final thought: you may soon hear about the “Presbyterian Church” acting on the issue of ordaining homosexuals. That is the PCUSA - NOT the PCA.
WASHINGTON MISSION TRIP - RETURNING THIS SATURDAY!
PRAY FOR GOD TO:
* Provide - in every way.
* Protect - physically and spiritually.
* Produce - fruit for His kingdom glory!
TEAM MEMBERS:
Mike, Beth, Sam and Peter Allen, Bob Clark, Isaac Cook,
Molly and Ben Harrington, Taylor and Andrew Stein, Kurt and Sadira Steinfort
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
CPC 25TH ANNIVERSARY WORSHIP SERVICE AND CELEBRATION:
SUNDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 19
PRAYING FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH: INDONESIA
Voice of the Martyrs reports:
“Christians in Bekasi, West Java have faced growing opposition in recent months from Muslims opposed to ‘Christianization’...
“On July 5, a banner with the picture of a Christian man with a noose around his neck was hung on the front of a mosque in Bekasi, stating, ‘This man deserves the death penalty’...
“Church services throughout the city have been repeatedly interrupted and Christians threatened.”
THIS WEEK’S FRIENDLY REMINDER
If you are a regular member of attender of CPC, you have been assigned to a shepherding elder. That elder has been matched with a deacon. You can call on your elder for spiritual needs, and your deacon for mercy ministry needs. Contact the church office for information about your elder and/or deacon.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
July 15 - Mark Harrington
July 16 - Roger Golden
July 19 - Melissa Krutz
July 20 - Rod Weiss
THIS SUNDAY’S SERMON TEXT: LUKE 18:35-43
JULY VERSES TO MEMORIZE: PHILIPPIANS 2:1-11