“How good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!  It is like precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes!  It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion!  For there the LORD has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.”  (Psalm 133)

Community is what we were made for. In that sense, it is the most natural thing in the world.  But at the same time, there is a very real resistance to it.  And so if community is going to be realized, we must be prepared to intentionally pursue it.  And be aware of each source of this resistance.

Sunday morning worship, important and vital as it is for our spiritual health and growth, is not enough.  Sneaking in and out each week is not enough.  Even hanging around here for an extra few minutes is not enough.  There is something reciprocal spoken of in the Scriptures, something interpersonal, something that clearly demands smaller gatherings – something along the lines of what we’re endeavoring to begin even here, the ministry of community groups.  There we have the opportunity to learn to be in the Word together, to pray and be prayed for together, how to share life together – which we cannot do any other way but by being together.

“By members…(Paul) meant what we should call organs, things essentially different from, and complementary to, one another, things differing not only in structure and function but also in dignity…How true membership in a body differs from inclusion in a collective may be seen in the structure of a family…If you subtract any one member, you have not simply reduced the family by number; you have inflicted an injury on its structure.”

- C. S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory, “Membership”

 

Madison/Memorial - Meets 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, 7:00 pm. Contact Chris Nussbaumer, chris.nussbaumer@gmail.com, (931) 647-4312

Sango II - Contact Stephen and Tina Lee, slee9980@charter.net, (931) 358-5730

St. Bethlehem - Meets 1st and 3rd Sundays, 5:30 pm. Contact Jay and Donna Outen, donnareevesouten@yahoo.com, (931) 645-6292

Tiny Town/Tylertown - Meets 1st and 3rd Sundays, 4:00 pm. Contact Eric and Juli Simpson, jewels544@yahoo.com, (931) 542-6065

Woodlawn - Meets 1st and 3rd Sundays, 5:30 pm. Contact Rick and Gwen Rodriguez, barefoothill@charter.net, (931) 647-3380

“So how do I join the church?” The answer entails a few simple steps.  First, the “Inquirers Weekend” (more on that below).  Second, an informal meeting with the elders of the church to give them an opportunity to hear of how our Lord has moved in your life.  And third, the taking of your membership vows before the congregation.

Back to the “Inquirers Weekend.”  Here are some of the more common questions about the course.

• Why should I attend?  For starters, it’s one of the necessary steps for membership.  We really want you to understand where we’re coming from before you take the formal step of actually joining Christ Presbyterian.  It’s a great opportunity not only to learn more about the church but to get to know others who have recently started attending as well. 
• When is it offered?  We meet on a Friday evening, 6:30-8:30 pm, and then the following Saturday morning, 8:30-11:00 am.  The plan is to offer this course once a quarter.
• What if I miss it?  Not to worry.  Again, the course will be offered once a quarter so another opportunity will be coming soon.
• What is the format?  We cover a broad range of topics, each intended to communicate the vision of our church (who we are, what we do, how we do it) in a way that allows for both formal teaching and class interaction.

Think of the “Inquirers Weekend” as something akin to pre-marital counseling.  Marriage is too significant to enter into it lightly.  You need to know your partner and the principles that shape the relationship.  So too with this class. 

 

Call Richard Schwartz (931) 906-6650