Dead Bones That Live

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.

Dead Bones That Live
Devotional by: Elijah Bell

Many churches today have the appearance of vibrancy and activity, when in reality, they have no true life in them. What makes a congregation “alive”? A big Vacation Bible School every year? A large number attending on Sunday? A surplus in the church budget? The things we often use as measuring rods are not what God looks at when determining if a church is truly living or not.

In Ezekiel 37, God brings Ezekiel in a vision to a large valley. The valley is filled with piles of “very dry” bones. These bones represent the spiritual state of Israel, who were being taken off into Babylonian captivity. Away from the temple in Jerusalem, the way God had prescribed worship, they were as good as dead spiritually, having their national way of life and purpose stripped from them due to their sin and idolatry. However, even amidst this equivalent of a death sentence for the Israelites, God promises Ezekiel that He will, “put sinews on you, make flesh grow back on you, cover you with skin and put breath in you that you may come alive; and you will know that I am the Lord” (Ezekiel 37:6).

As soon as Ezekiel prophesies this to the bones, something begins to happen: “And I looked, and behold, sinews were on them, and flesh grew and skin covered them; but there was no breath in them” (37:8). The bones had the APPEARANCE of life, but there was something missing. In the very next verse, God tells Ezekiel what is missing: God’s “breath,” or as stated in the Hebrew, His RUACK, or in other words, His animating, life-giving force of God—His Spirit. This is the same “breath” we see in Genesis 2:7 when God “breathed into his (Adam’s) nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being.” This is also the same idea we see in John 20:22 when Jesus “breathed” on his apostles and told them to “receive the Holy Spirit.” The bones appeared alive, but until receiving God’s “breath,” they were still dead.

Once Ezekiel prophesied again to the bones, and told them about this “breath,” scripture states that “the breath came into them, and they came to life and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army” (37:10). The bones may have appeared alive before, but it was not until they received the life-giving “breath” of God that they were able to rise up as an army to figuratively fight their enemy.

How many churches have the appearance of life, but are really dead? How many churches spend all their time making sure the “bones,” “sinews,” and “skin” of a living congregation are in place, without ever giving thought to if they themselves are alive? We might do a good job at hosting regular potluck meals, sending out get-well cards, and making sure we let everyone know how “doctrinally sound” we are, but until we we breathe in deeply from God’s Holy, life-giving Spirit, we’ll never be anything more than dry bones. The question we should all ask ourselves is the same question God asked Ezekiel in verse 3: “Can these bones live?” The answer to that question doesn’t depend on our abilities or activity as a church. It depends on if we welcome God’s Word, and His Spirit into our hearts and minds.

News

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

  • Celebration Announcement

    We have wonderful news! Isabelle Jones was baptized on June 27th. We are so proud of her for giving her life to Christ. Be sure to encourage and pray for Isabelle as she starts her journey as a Christian!

  • Family Bible Day Sign-Up Sheet

    Holly Hill’s “Family Bible Day” will be Saturday, July 13th at 10 AM - 2 PM. We will have bible classes, lunch, and fun activities!

    Our lunch menu will be barbecue for the adults and grilled cheese/chicken nuggets for the kids. If you plan to attend, PLEASE SIGN-UP ON THE SIGN-UP SHEET IN THE FOYER. We want to make sure we have plenty of food for everyone attending!

    This will be a fun and relaxed day for the Holly Hill family to get together, and fellowship, while we learn some Bible. See you July 13th!

  • Operation Re-Stock The Food Pantry (July)

    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 July, we need:

    • Muffin Mixes

    • Mac & Cheese (Box)

  • 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 30th

    Bible Class Attendance - 73

    Worship Attendance - 103

    Contribution - $7,878.00

Prayers

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

  • New Prayer Requests:

    • Logan & Emersyn Forrest (Todd & Angela Best’s Son-In-Law & Granddaughter were in a very serious hiking accident & are hospitalized in Knoxville)

    • Phil Wilkins (hospitalized w/ fluid in his lungs)

    • Jessie Tropoulos

    • Iris Griffin (Inez Chatham’s niece)

    • Lori Armstrong (April Deaton’s friend, who’s battling cancer)

    • Matthew Woodyard

    • Caribbean Islands (Hurricane Beryl)

  • Ongoing Prayers For: Kyle Cordial (Val Clark’s friend), JD Roberts (Val Clark’s friend), The Stone & Sanders Family, Fern Perkins (Matthew Woodyard’s aunt), 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.

  • 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. We have (2) adult bible classes, “Getting To Know God,” which is taught by Nick Gill in the auditorium, and “Building Godly Families,” which is taught by Robert Roach downstairs (Rm. 12). Our children’s classes 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. The adult class for the summer quarter is “Bee in The Word,” taught by Elijah Bell.

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

    Holly Hill’s “Family Bible Day” will be Saturday, July 13th at 10 AM - 2 PM. We will have bible classes, lunch, and fun activities!

    Our lunch menu will be barbecue for the adults and grilled cheese/chicken nuggets for the kids. If you plan to attend, PLEASE SIGN-UP ON THE SIGN-UP SHEET IN THE FOYER. We want to make sure we have plenty of food for everyone attending!

    This will be a fun and relaxed day for the Holly Hill family to get together, and fellowship, while we learn some Bible. See you July 13th!

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

    Bible classes for all ages begin at 10 AM. We have (2) adult bible classes, “Getting To Know God,” which is taught by Nick Gill in the auditorium, and “Building Godly Families,” which is taught by Robert Roach downstairs (Rm. 12). Our children’s classes 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. The adult class for the summer quarter is “Bee in The Word,” taught by Elijah Bell.

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

    Bible classes for all ages begin at 10 AM. We have (2) adult bible classes, “Getting To Know God,” which is taught by Nick Gill in the auditorium, and “Building Godly Families,” which is taught by Robert Roach downstairs (Rm. 12). Our children’s classes 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. The adult class for the summer quarter is “Bee in The Word,” taught by Elijah Bell.

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

    Bible classes for all ages begin at 10 AM. We have (2) adult bible classes, “Getting To Know God,” which is taught by Nick Gill in the auditorium, and “Building Godly Families,” which is taught by Robert Roach downstairs (Rm. 12). Our children’s classes 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. The adult class for the summer quarter is “Bee in The Word,” taught by Elijah Bell.

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 July, we need:

    • Muffin Mix

    • Mac & Cheese (Box)

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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