How’s The World Treating You?
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5, ESV)
Mini Devotional
A mini message to take with you this week to help you in your devotion to God.
How’s The World Treating You?
Devotional by: Ray Bowman
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 ESV
I was walking into a home improvement store recently when I encountered an old friend.
Chuck’s a big, bearded guy with a perpetual smile, one of the nicest, sweetest guys you’d ever care to meet. His initial greeting to me was “well, how’s the world treating you?”
There’s no way of knowing how many thousands of times people have said this to me and I gave it absolutely no thought. But this time, for whatever reason, it threw me for a loop. I could hardly think of a response, but managed to stammer “uh, I’m OK” which was totally untrue. This simple phrase sent my mind reeling.
We exchanged a few more pleasantries and went our separate ways, but the phrase kept rolling around in my head, searching for an appropriate answer.
It would have been a great opportunity to initiate a conversation about my relationship with Jesus, but I missed it. The reply should have been something along the lines of “not very well, but I’m not particularly concerned about it, because my Lord and Savior’s got it covered.”
I’m not advocating sticking our heads in the sand and ignoring the chaotic influence of Satan in the world around us, but instead putting things into perspective.
“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
In John’s account of the last supper, Jesus’s “farewell discourse,” the Messiah addresses the concept of being “in the world, but not of the world.”
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” John 15:18-19 ESV
The world may indeed hate us, but what does that matter when Jesus loves us?
When afforded the opportunity, we should counter the negativity we are constantly bombarded with from TV talking heads and internet doom prophets who don’t treasure the Word of God in their hearts with the positive message of hope we are afforded when we profess our Christian belief.
“The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The LORD is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.” Psalm 118:6-9 ESV
So, how’s the world treating you?
God Bless!
News
This section is for any special announcements that are not upcoming events or prayer requests.
Marriage Retreat At Cumberland Falls Lodge
Our Marriage Retreat at Cumberland Falls Lodge (7351 Highway 90, Corbin, KY 40701) will be held Friday through Sunday, August 23rd-25th. Our Guest Speaker will be Adam Currence, LPCC. The cost will be $150 per couple, which includes your hotel room. If you plan to attend the retreat, you must sign-up and pay NLT June 1st.
“Family Bible Day” Announcement
Holly Hill’s “Family Bible Day” will be Saturday, June 8th from 8am to 1pm. We will have breakfast, bible classes, lunch, and fun activities! This will be a fun and relaxed day for the Holly Hill family to get together, and fellowship, while we learn some Bible.
“Women Of The Word” Bible Study Group - May 6th & May 7th (CANCELED)
“Women In The Word” will not be meeting May 6th or May 7th because it is our anniversary and Gabriel’s birthday. We will meet again on May 20th at 10am and May 21st at 6pm.
In Christian love,
Katie Bell
Kids & Teens Devo At The Blanton’s
Holly Hill’s kids & Teens are invited to the Blanton’s to see cows, play games, and have a short devo on Saturday, May 18th (1pm to 3pm). Snacks will be provided. Please let us know if anyone has a food allergy.
“Great Day In May” Announcement
Following consultation with the deacons, trustees, and ministers, the elders have decided that 100% of the “Great Day in May” contribution will go towards the mortgage. In addition, we plan to use three of the four “fifth” Sunday contributions towards the mortgage.
Church Records - Sunday, April 28th
Bible Class Attendance - 81
Worship Attendance - 126
Contribution - $4,553.50
Prayers
Here are some individuals that especially need our prayers this week. Please keep them in mind every time you pray.
New Prayer Requests:
Janice Gregory
Rhoda Jones
The Shoemaker & Paris Family
Brenda Perkins
Ongoing Prayers For: Charlotte Chowning, Larry & Renita Clarke, Phil & Suzanne Wilkins, Barbara Sudduth, Tim Lilly (The Trent’s neighbor), The Franklin Family (Matthew, April, & Anna Marie), Tany Phipps (Brenda Stone’s niece), Valerie Clark, The Poulter & Best Family, The Steele Family, Robin Ibershoff, The Bates Family, Roger Caudill, Judy Casey, Inez Chatham, John Widener Jr., The Tropoulos Family, Rita Tackett (Alyson Woodyard’s aunt), Cynthia Whitehead (friend of the Blanton’s), Patsy Cable (Bruce Blanton’s aunt), Ann Pittman, Mark McPherson, Janis Friend, Betty Blanton, Helen Hall, Penny Harland (Katie Bell’s mother), Alyssa Deaton, & Polly Deaton.
Please submit your prayer requests for inclusion at office@hollyhillcoc.org
Upcoming Events
Here are some events that are coming up that you need to make space on your calendar for.
Men’s Bible Study & Breakfast - Saturday, May 4th (8am)
The Men's Bible Study & Breakfast is a monthly event, held on the first Saturday of each month. The Bible study takes place at the church building, downstairs in the fellowship hall.
“Great Day In May” - Sunday, May 5th (10am)
Our annual “Great Day In May” event will take place on Sunday, May 5th. Please be sure to invite people you may have a relationship with who have not been attending very much over the last few years, someone who used to attend regularly but no longer attends, and friends and acquaintances who have never been to Holly Hill. Our schedule will be as follows:
Bible Class (10am - 10:45am)
Break (10:40am - 11am)
Worship & Lesson (11am - 12pm)
Potluck Lunch (12pm - 1:30pm)
Afternoon Devo (1:30pm - 2pm)
REAL Ladies Bible Study - Monday, May 13th (6pm)
The REAL Ladies will meet this month on Monday, May 13th at 6pm. This month’s class will be held at the church building, downstairs in the Fellowship Hall. April & Michele Blanton will teach this month’s class. Bring your favorite appetizer. A sign-up sheet will be posted on the bulletin board.
Kids & Teens Devo - Saturday, May 18th (1pm)
Holly Hill’s kids & Teens are invited to the Blanton’s to see cows, play games, and have a short devo on Saturday, May 18th (1pm to 3pm). Snacks will be provided. Please let us know if anyone has a food allergy.
Elder, Deacon, Minister Meeting - Sunday, May 19th (2pm)
Our monthly Elder, Deacon, & Minister Meeting will be Sunday, May 19th at 2pm. We'll meet at the church building, downstairs in the fellowship hall.
“Women Of The Word” Bible Study Group - Monday, May 20th (10am)
A Bible study group for ladies who want to learn Bible study tools for a deeper relationship with God, hosted and taught by Katie Bell.
“Women Of The Word” Bible Study Group - Tuesday, May 21st (6pm)
A Bible study group for ladies who want to learn Bible study tools for a deeper relationship with God, hosted and taught by Katie Bell.
Family Bible Day - Saturday, June 8th (8am)
Holly Hill’s “Family Bible Day” will be Saturday, June 8th from 8am to 1pm. We will have breakfast, bible classes, lunch, and fun activities! This will be a fun and relaxed day for the Holly Hill family to get together, and fellowship, while we learn some Bible.
Marriage Retreat At Cumberland Falls Lodge - August 23rd-25th
Our Marriage Retreat at Cumberland Falls Lodge (7351 Highway 90, Corbin, KY 40701) will be held Friday through Sunday, August 23rd-25th. Our Guest Speaker will be Adam Currence, LPCC. The cost will be $150 per couple, which includes your hotel room. If you plan to attend the retreat, you must sign-up and pay NLT June 1st.
How You Can Serve
There are a lot of ways you can get involved and do the work of God in our community!
Limited-Time Opportunities:
Operation Re-Stock the Food Pantry
The Food Pantry needs to be re-stocked. During the upcoming months we will be asking for specific food donations. There will be a box in the foyer for you to place your food donations. Thank you so much and let’s make Operation re-stock a success!! For the month of May, we need:
Beef Stew (Canned or Packaged)
Chicken Noodle Soup (Canned or Packaged)
Long-Term Opportunities:
Tech Team Support
The Holly Hill Tech Team needs help. We would love to have a few more people trained and available to set up the livestreams and audio equipment. It’s a fairly simple task and you’ll be well trained before being thrown into the seat alone. If you’re interested, see Nick, David, or Brad.
Card Ministry
Every Sunday there are cards spread out on a table in the lobby that will be sent out to various church members and guests who need encouragement. You can help serve and encourage by making sure to sign these cards each week. If you know of someone the church should send a card, please give the name(s) and address to Joyce Best. We have “get-well” cards, “thinking of you” cards, “praying for you” cards, and sympathy cards. You can also text the information to (502) 593-5865.
Casey Blessing Box
The Casey’s are collecting items to give away to those in need in their Blessing Box. Currently, they are accepting donations of: Can goods of fruit and vegetables. Crackers, or cereal.
Shriners Children’s Hospital
Donna White is collecting soda can tabs to donate to the children’s hospital. Please leave your donations in the lobby.
Children’s Bible Class Teachers & Helpers
If you’d be willing to teach, sub, or help, please see Matthew Woodyard. We have a wonderful opportunity to teach God’s Word to our children. Let’s make sure they get our very best! Thank you!
For more information or for help signing up for any of these ministries, please call the church office at: (502) 227-7796
Holly Hill Church of Christ
1020 Holly Hill Drive, Frankfort, KY 40601
Web - www.hollyhillcoc.org
Phone - (502) 227-7796
Email - office@hollyhillcoc.org
Service Times
Sunday Bible Class - 10am
Sunday Morning Worship - 11am
Sunday Evening Worship - 6pm
Wednesday Evening Bible Study - 6:30pm