Waiting For The Wind

Written By Holly Hill Church of Christ

“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.

Waiting For The Wind
Devotional by: Nick Gill

Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:3-4)

There is a region out in the ocean, five degrees north and south of the equator, known as the “doldrums.” In this area, the trade winds usually do not reach, so there is almost no wind in this section, making sailing very dangerous and nearly impossible. When we think of things that scared old-time sailors, we usually imagine tropical storms, typhoons with waves the height of skyscrapers, but at least in those intense moments, there’s something to DO. In the doldrums, there’s nothing to do but wait – wait for the wind. If the wind doesn’t come, all is lost.

There are periods of the Christian life that feel like the doldrums, and that makes sense because we are spiritual creatures. For Christians, spirituality is derived – always and exclusively – from Spirit; God’s Holy Spirit. And in Hebrew and Greek, the word spirit is the word for wind, or breeze, or breath – an invisible living power with visible effects. This is the Wind / Spirit that created all life we both see and can’t see (Genesis 1:2); that created the life of Jesus (Luke 1:35; 3:22); that gives life to every Christian (Romans 8:11).

When You send forth your Spirit, they are created and you renew the face of the earth. (Psalm 104:30)

For long years, Israel waited for the wind to blow. In Psalm 137, we read about the Israelites in exile hanging their harps in trees hoping that the wind / spirit / breath of God would play songs of hope, songs they couldn’t bring themselves to sing in a foreign land. But the wind didn’t come. In Ezekiel 37, the prophet gives Israel an image of hope – of resurrection – of the wind / spirit / breath of God “making these dry bones live.” But the wind didn’t come.

There’s a man in John 3 who has been waiting for the wind to blow. He comes to Jesus at night – is he afraid that his friends will see him visiting this man… this man that the rumor mill says had the wind / spirit / breath of God speak at his baptism in the Jordan? We don’t know why he comes at night, but we know what Jesus taught him: “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8)

I’ve been in the spiritual doldrums before. I’m sure some of you have too – you may be there right now. Imagine that sailors trapped in the doldrums decided to take down their sails and throw them overboard because they were just too heavy and if the ships were going to move, they’d need to lighten their load. We’d call that giving up. Psalm 37:3-4 give us an image of what it looks like to raise our spiritual sails. Eugene Peterson calls it, “a long obedience in the same direction.” And just like sailors and sails, raising our sails doesn’t make the wind blow – it doesn’t earn us our trip to our destination – it doesn’t make us more valuable or special in any way. All it does is keep us ready for the wind to blow.

The life of the people of God we read in the Scriptures is full of people waiting for the wind, waiting for God to fulfill his promises. The difference between those who waited and those who didn’t was simply this: the ones who wait keep trusting in God and raising their sails, no matter what. Please don’t give up – keep raising your sails in song and prayer and loving your neighbor. Dwell in the land, befriend faithfulness, and DELIGHT IN THE LORD. When we delight in the Lord, He WILL give us the desires of our heart, because our heart’s greatest desire will be Him.

News

This section is for any special announcements that are not upcoming events or prayer requests.

  • Building Godly Families: Class Notes (Week 2)

    A new Sunday morning Bible class designed to help "young" parent(s). Building Godly Families will be held in Room 12 (w/ copy machine) downstairs in the fellowship hall. The purpose of the class is to study and discuss Biblical principles regarding the family. Please pray for this class and if you are a "young" parent I look forward to seeing you as we seek to have more Godly families.

    Building Godly Families Class Notes (Week 2) (Click Here)

  • The “Women In The Word” Bible Study Group’s July Schedule

    The “Women In The Word” Bible Study Group will not meet during the first week of July, but will continue as planned for the remainder of the month (7/22 at 10 AM or 7/23 at 6 PM). For further information, please contact Katie Bell.

  • Polishing The Pulpit 2024

    PTP is an annual event associated with churches of Christ. It is held each summer in Branson and each fall in the Smoky Mountains. It is attended by over 5,000 people from all over the U.S. and many nations. Its focus is on worshipping God, edifying His children, and educating/training His workers. It is an opportunity for continuing education for preachers and others.

    There is simply no way to describe the PTP experience to someone who has never attended.

    You just have to be there—when thousands of people join in worship, it is indescribable—when hundreds of preachers feast on the Word and share their expertise, it is unlike anything you have seen before—when elders share wisdom to solve complicated issues, you will be amazed—when 700 teens and youth get together, the excitement is palpable—when hundreds of women grow together spiritually, the joy is evident.

    When 200+ speakers cover 700 topics in 10-14 concurrent classes over the week, your spiritual bucket will overflow and your heart will soar—when the constant challenge is deciding which class to attend because they all sound so interesting, you will know you are at PTP.

    Early Bird Registration is limited. So do not delay!

  • Church Records - Sunday, June 23rd

    Bible Class Attendance - 75

    Worship Attendance - 126

    Contribution - $10,607.76

Prayers

Here are some individuals that especially need our prayers this week. Please keep them in mind every time you pray.

  • New Prayer Requests:

    • Fern Perkins (Matthew Woodyard’s Aunt)

    • Kyle Cordial (Val Clark’s Friend)

    • JD Roberts (Val Clark’s Uncle)

    • The Stone & Sanders Family

  • Ongoing Prayers For: Alyson Woodyard, Karen Durham (Val Clark’s friend), Britney Bartley (Val Clark’s friend), Wanda Justice (Alyson Woodyard’s grandmother), Michael Drury (Joyce Best’s nephew), Rhoda Jones, Jim & Val Clark, Phil & Suzanne Wilkins, Amber Collins, Janice Gregory, Missy Farmer (friend of Dorothy Trent), Larry & Renita Clarke, Tim Lilly, Tanya Phipps (Brenda Stone’s niece), Robin Ibershoff, Roger Caudill, Judy Casey, Inez Chatham, John Widener Jr., Rita Tackett (Alyson Woodyard’s aunt), Cynthia Whitehead (friend of the Blanton’s), 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.

  • Sunday Morning Service - Sunday, June 30th (10 AM - 12 PM)

    Bible classes for all ages begin at 10 AM. Adults meet in the auditorium and kids meet downstairs. Bible Classes end at 10:45 AM and our worship service begins at 11 AM, upstairs in the auditorium.

  • Sunday Evening Worship - Sunday, June 30th (6 PM)

    A traditional worship service each Sunday night at 6 PM. Our Sunday evening services continue through the end of August.

  • Mid-Week Service - Wednesday, July 3rd (6:30 PM)

    Bible classes for all ages. Adults meet in the auditorium and kids meet downstairs.

  • Men’s Bible Study & Breakfast - Saturday, July 6th (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, July 6th. The Bible study takes place at the church building, downstairs in the Fellowship Hall.

  • Sunday Morning Service - Sunday, July 7th (10 AM - 12 PM)

    Bible classes for all ages begin at 10 AM. Adults meet in the auditorium and kids meet downstairs. Bible Classes end at 10:45 AM and our worship service begins at 11 AM, upstairs in the auditorium.

  • Sunday Evening Worship - Sunday, July 7th (6 PM)

    A traditional worship service each Sunday night at 6 PM. Our Sunday evening services continue through the end of August.

  • Mid-Week Service - Wednesday, July 10th (6:30 PM)

    Bible classes for all ages. Adults meet in the auditorium and kids meet downstairs.

  • Family Bible Day - Saturday, July 13th (10 AM to 2 PM)

    Holly Hill’s “Family Bible Day” will be Saturday, July 13th from 10 AM - 2 PM. We will have 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.

  • Sunday Morning Service - Sunday, July 14th (10 AM - 12 PM)

    Bible classes for all ages begin at 10 AM. Adults meet in the auditorium and kids meet downstairs. Bible Classes end at 10:45 AM and our worship service begins at 11 AM, upstairs in the auditorium.

  • Elder, Deacon, Minister, & Trustee Meeting - Sunday, July 14th (2 PM)

    Our monthly Elder, Deacon, Minister, & Trustee Meeting will be held on the 2nd Sunday of each month. This month’s meeting will be held on July 14th at 2 PM, downstairs in the Fellowship Hall.

  • Sunday Evening Worship - Sunday, July 14th (6 PM)

    A traditional worship service each Sunday night at 6 PM. Our Sunday evening services continue through the end of August.

  • Mid-Week Service - Wednesday, July 17th (6:30 PM)

    Bible classes for all ages. Adults meet in the auditorium and kids meet downstairs.

  • Sunday Morning Service - Sunday, July 21st (10 AM - 12 PM)

    Bible classes for all ages begin at 10 AM. Adults meet in the auditorium and kids meet downstairs. Bible Classes end at 10:45 AM and our worship service begins at 11 AM, upstairs in the auditorium.

  • Sunday Evening Worship - Sunday, July 21st (6 PM)

    A traditional worship service each Sunday night at 6 PM. Our Sunday evening services continue through the end of August.

  • Women In The Word Bible Study - Monday, July 22nd (10 AM) or Tuesday, July 23rd (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 Monday (10 AM) or Tuesday (6 PM) of each month downstairs in the Fellowship Hall.

  • Mid-Week Service - Wednesday, July 24th (6:30 PM)

    Bible classes for all ages. Adults meet in the auditorium and kids meet downstairs.

  • Sunday Morning Service - Sunday, July 28th (10 AM - 12 PM)

    Bible classes for all ages begin at 10 AM. Adults meet in the auditorium and kids meet downstairs. Bible Classes end at 10:45 AM and our worship service begins at 11 AM, upstairs in the auditorium.

  • Sunday Evening Worship - Sunday, July 28th (6 PM)

    A traditional worship service each Sunday night at 6 PM. Our Sunday evening services continue through the end of August.

  • Mid-Week Service - Wednesday, July 31st (6:30 PM)

    Bible classes for all ages. Adults meet in the auditorium and kids meet downstairs.

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 June, we need:

    • Peanut Butter

    • Jelly

    • Saltine Crackers

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

    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
Sun AM Bible Study - 10am
Sun AM Worship - 11am
Sun PM Worship - 6pm
Wed PM Bible Study - 6:30pm

Holly Hill Church of Christ
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Dead Bones That Live
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