Sunday, February 1st, marked the last day where the registration fee for the Men’s Advance was $60. Now, registration will be $75. Please pass your information and payment to Jeff Hamann, registrar.
All women of the church are invited to a wedding shower for Elizabeth Serven scheduled for Saturday, April 4th, at the Grand Vandalia Hotel.
Trinity Hymnal #97 “We Praise You, O God, Our Redeemer, Creator”. This hymn, built upon a tune from the Dutch Reformation, focuses on three themes–praise for God, hope of deliverance, and the blessings of Christian unity. It is truly glorious!
Please pick-up your copy of our CFC directory. Note the contact information of the Session members and missionary endeavors we support.
If God wants to do something, he does it. The desire and decree of God are one and the same. God does all His holy will. Atonement=The reconciliation between God and man, brought about by Christ. The mediator=The one who restores peace. Christ actively gave his life for His people. Paul, appointed a herald of the gospel. Our responses: awe at the outworking of God’s redemption purposes, thanksgiving by giving our hearts to Christ, praise for His sovereign, holy, omnipotent desire and decree.
Text: 1 Timothy 2:5-7
This is a key question in theology that has oftentimes confused and separated evangelical Christians—for whom did Christ die? Three answers have been proposed by various Bible teachers over the centuries. These are,
(1) Christ died on the cross for all people, actually saving all of them (Universal Salvation or a Universalism)
(2) Christ died on the cross for all people, potentially saving those who freely believe in him by faith (Universal Redemption or a General Atonement)
(3) Christ died on the cross for all types of people, truly saving only his Elect (Particular Redemption or a Definite Atonement)
Problems abound with the first two proposals: For example, we know by experience that all people are not saved, because many go to their death rejecting the claims of Christ. Plus, the Bible clearly teaches that there will be a Judgment Day and that unbelievers will be sent to Hell. Secondly, if Jesus died on the cross for all people, potentially saving those who freely believe in him by faith, then salvation is ultimately accomplished by a human work rather than solely by the grace of God which is contrary to John 1:12-13; Rom. 3:21-26; Eph. 2:8-10; and Titus 3:5-7. This logic, then, inexorably leads us to the third proposal which teaches that Jesus Christ died on the cross for all types of people. In other words, he died only for his Elect who can be found in every tribe, tongue, and nation. Our response should be one of awe, thanksgiving, and praise for our sovereign God!
Your chance to register at the $60 rate has almost vanished. Postmark your registration before February 1, 2009 to get the early bird rate. Other wise, we’ll be happy to receive your payment of $75 at a later point in the month. Really and truly. Register here.
All women of the church are invited to a wedding shower for Elizabeth Serven. More information will be forthcoming soon—time, date, place, etc.
On February 1st we will celebrate our Fifth Anniversary with a shared meal to be followed by our Annual Meeting. Pastor Serven will share a few remarks on our past, present, and future, and Mr. Neil Bringe will report on finances; with time for questions.
We are now preparing a new CFC church directory for 2009. Please review your entry and make any changes. The directory will be out next week!
Text: Ephesians 5:22-33
Guest Preacher: Pastor Jeff Yelton
One of God’s greatest gifts to mankind is government. Whenever men and women are gathered together in a community, they need a government. So, we experience many kinds of government in our everyday lives. We are under federal, state, and county governments. Even our families have a kind of government, since someone must make decisions, and others must submit to them. Churches also have governments. Just as the Bible has a great deal to teach us about civil governments and the government of the family, so the Bible teaches us about the form of church government that is pleasing to God.