A Chick-fil-A Church
“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.
A Chick-fil-A Church
Devotional by: Elijah Bell
My family and I love Chick-fil-A. When we lived in Denver, we’d go all the time for lunch in-between classes. When we moved to Wisconsin, where there are no Chick-fil-A restaurants, we were disappointed and wondered if we’d ever get to go again. Now that we live in Kentucky, we get to visit fairly often.
One thing we notice about Chick-fil-A is how friendly all their workers are. “How do they do it?” I asked Katie one day as we were driving through to pick up our food. “How do they ensure that every single employee is so cheery all the time? Is it really THAT great of a place to work?”
But regardless of how many kind smiles, friendly hellos, and “my pleasures” I receive, I still go to Chick-fil-A for ONE reason, and one reason only— I’m hungry, and want a delicious meal. I don’t go to Chick-fil-A when a loved one passes away and I need a hug. I don’t go when I’m stressed to the max and need a listening ear. I don’t go when my family is sick and I need something picked up from the store.
Why? Because deep down, I realize that Chick-fil-A workers are not my friends, they’re just friendly. There’s a difference.
I wonder how many church members think that just being “friendly” is enough. We think that if we shake enough hands, and smile broadly enough, and talk to enough people, that our church will magically grow. But as a wise preacher once said, “people aren’t looking for a friendly church. They’re looking for a friend.”
So, what’s the difference between a friendly church and a church of friends? Well, the former is easy. All you have to do is smile and look happy. It requires no commitment and no sacrifices. If we’re merely a friendly church, we’ll be just like Chick-fil-A, serving hallow smiles, but not much else.
But to be a friend? Friends are there when you need them. Friends are people who see you at your worst and will still wrap their arms around you and encourage you. Friends are those who sacrifice their time and resources for you, even when you have nothing to give in return.
Being merely friendly might be good enough if you’re a fast food chain selling delicious chicken sandwiches, but the last time I checked, the Holly Hill Church of Christ hasn’t opened a cafe in the church building. Although, It would probably bring in some folks. So why don’t we do it? Because we’re not selling sandwiches. We’re changing lives through the power of love.
John 13:34–36 (ESV): 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Let’s not merely be a friendly church. Let’s be a church of friends!
News
This section is for any special announcements that are not upcoming events or prayer requests.
Baby Shower For Daniel & Nicole Roach
Carol & Nancy Roach are hosting a Baby Shower & Lunch for Nicole & Daniel Roach at the church building (12 PM to 1:30 PM) on Saturday, June 22nd. A sign-up sheet will be placed in the foyer. Contact Carol or Nancy Roach for any questions.
Potter Children’s Home Pickup For Tuesdays Treasures Resale Shop
The crew from Potter will be here Wednesday, May 29th at 11 AM. Please bring any items you wish to contribute to the Tuesdays Treasures resale shop to Room 12, downstairs in the Fellowship Hall. Drop-Off Items NLT Tuesday, May 28th. Contact Ray or Stephenia Bowman for details.
Children’s Bible Class Teachers STILL Needed For Upcoming Summer Quarter (Only 10 Days Away)
Our Children’s Bible Class ministry will be kicking off our Summer Quarter (Jun - Aug) on Sunday, June 2nd at 10 AM. We currently have (2) classes that still DO NOT HAVE TEACHERS. Our class curriculum is extensive, so it will take some time to read through. My sincere hope is that each class has a teacher that is prepared and ready to hit the ground running on the 1st day of class. All of the material is on our Google Drive, so I can send it to anyone within minutes. If you want to volunteer to help teach our children, please contact Matthew Woodyard immediately so that I can help you get everything you’ll need. We have a wonderful opportunity to teach God’s Word to our children. Let’s make sure they get our very best! Thank you!
Pre-K (Wed PM) - ***OPEN***
3rd-5th Grade (Wed PM) - ***OPEN***
Church Records - Sunday, May 19th
Bible Class Attendance - 81
Worship Attendance - 115
Contribution - $7,682.50
Prayers
Here are some individuals that especially need our prayers this week. Please keep them in mind every time you pray.
New Prayer Requests:
The Stivers & Eastman Families (Tony Stivers passed away on 5/22, due to the heart attack he suffered on 5/21)
Michael Drury (Joyce Best’s nephew, who’s been very ill & recently received test results showing spots on his pancreas)
Britney Bartley (Val Clark’s friend, who’s battling pancreatic cancer)
Alyson Woodyard
Rhoda Jones
Brenda Perkins
Karen Durham (Val Clark’s friend, who’s battling brain cancer)
Ongoing Prayers For: Jim & Val Clark, Phil & Suzanne Wilkins, Amber Collins, Janice Gregory, Missy Farmer (friend of Dorothy Trent), The Shoemaker & Paris Family, Charlotte Chowning, Larry & Renita Clarke, Barbara Sudduth, Tim Lilly, The Franklin Family (Matthew, April, & Anna Marie), Tany Phipps (Brenda Stone’s niece), 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.
Family Bible Hour - Sunday, May 26th (Sun PM)
Our Sunday evening activity for the month of May will be the “Family Bible Hour.” This Sunday, at time of your choosing in the afternoon or evening, gather everyone together in your home and spend an hour (or more) studying God’s Word together as a family. Material will be provided each week, or you can plan your own individual Bible study.
Potter Children’s Home Pickup - Wednesday, May 29th (11 AM)
The crew from Potter will be here May 29 at 11 AM. Please bring any items you wish to contribute to the Tuesdays Treasures resale shop to Room 12, downstairs in the Fellowship Hall. Contact Ray or Stephenia Bowman for details.
Drop-Off Items NLT Tuesday, May 28th
Men’s Bible Study & Breakfast - Saturday, June 1st (8 AM)
The Men's Bible Study & Breakfast is a monthly event, held on the 1st Saturday of each month at 8 AM. This month’s study will take place on Saturday, June 1st. The Bible study takes place at the church building, downstairs in the Fellowship Hall.
Children’s Bible Class Summer Quarter Kick-Off - Sunday, June 2nd (10 AM)
Our Children’s Bible Classes will kick-off the Summer Quarter (Jun - Aug) on Sunday, June 2nd at 10 AM. If you have signed up to teach or help assist with a class, please be sure that you have your curriculum and everything you need to hit the ground running. If you need teaching materials for your class, supplies, or have any questions, please contact Matthew Woodyard.
“Women In The Word” Bible Study Group - Monday, June 3rd (10 AM)
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. This class will meet on the 1st Monday of each month at 10 AM, downstairs in the Fellowship Hall.
“Women In The Word” Bible Study Group - Tuesday, June 4th (6 PM)
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. This class will meet on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 6 PM, downstairs in the Fellowship Hall.
Family Bible Day - Saturday, June 8th (8 AM - 1 PM)
Holly Hill’s “Family Bible Day” will be Saturday, June 8th from 8 AM to 1 PM. 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.
Elder, Deacon, Minister Meeting - Sunday, June 9th (2 PM)
Our monthly Elder, Deacon, & Minister Meeting will be held on the 2nd Sunday of each month. This month’s meeting will be held on June 9th at 2 PM, downstairs in the Fellowship Hall.
Baby Shower For Daniel & Nicole Roach - Saturday, June 22nd (12 PM)
Carol & Nancy Roach are hosting a Baby Shower & Lunch for Nicole & Daniel Roach at the church building (12 PM to 1:30 PM) on Saturday, June 22nd. A sign-up sheet will be placed in the foyer. Contact Carol or Nancy Roach for any questions.
“Women In The Word” Bible Study Group - Monday, June 24th (10 AM)
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. This class will meet on the 4th Monday of each month at 10 AM, downstairs in the Fellowship Hall.
“Women In The Word” Bible Study Group - Tuesday, June 25th (6 PM)
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. This class will meet on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 6 PM, downstairs in the Fellowship Hall.
Marriage Retreat at Cumberland Falls Lodge - Friday, August 23rd Through Sunday, August 25th (TBD)
Our Marriage Retreat at Cumberland Falls Lodge (7351 Highway 90, Corbin, KY 40701) will be held Friday, August 23rd through Sunday, August 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 & 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:
“Avenues For Women” Baby Bottle Collection
Each Mother's Day we pass out Baby Bottles to benefit Avenues for Women. It is a community organization dedicated to working with women to choose life and provides a variety of services. They even work with men and post-abortion women. It has a Christ based focus. We will start with 2 milk crates of baby bottles. They will be located at the main entrance. Let's each take one or two and have such a strong demand that we need even more bottles. The bottles are returned when they are filled. Just place in one of the crates. We try to have them in by Father's Day. Let's see if we can raise 2,000 for this great organization.
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
Chicken Noodle Soup
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 (Fruit & Vegetables)
Crackers
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
Our Children’s Bible Class ministry will be beginning our Summer Quarter (Jun - Aug) starting Sunday, June 2nd at 10 AM. If you’d be willing to teach, co-teach, or sub for one of our Children’s Bible Classes, please see Matthew Woodyard. Our class curriculum is uploaded to the church’s Google Drive folder, so if anyone would like to read through the material, just let me know and I can send it as soon as possible. We have a wonderful opportunity to teach God’s Word to our children. Let’s make sure they get our very best! Thank you!
Summer Quarter Teacher Roster (Jun - Aug):
Nursery (Sun AM) - Stephenia Bowman
Nursery (Wed PM) - Carly Gill
18-36 Month (Sun AM) - Michele Blanton
18-36 Month (Wed PM) - Samantha Horn
Pre-K (Sun AM) - Sarah Jones & Gala Catron
Pre-K (Wed PM) - ***OPEN***
K-2nd Grade (Sun AM) - Joyce Best
K-2nd Grade (Wed PM) - Inez Chatham
3rd-5th Grade (Sun AM) - Mike & Robin Mayes
3rd-5th Grade (Wed PM) - ***OPEN***
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
Sun AM Bible Study - 10am
Sun AM Worship - 11am
Sun PM Worship - 6pm
Wed PM Bible Study - 6:30pm