The Cornelius Next Door

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.

The Cornelius Next Door
Devotional by: Elijah Bell

Hidden away in your neighborhood is a Cornelius. You may not know him by that name, and you may not know the kind of person he is, but he is there, and you probably don’t even know it. The world is full of people just like the Scribes and Pharisees, who are offended by doctrinal honesty, who cover their ears when they hear truth, and who gnash their teeth at godly wisdom. These people are the majority, and the earth is full of them! But know this: somewhere, probably close by, maybe in your very neighborhood, there is a Cornelius, someone quietly searching for truth, and trying to obey God as best they can, even though they lack the knowledge to worship in “spirit and in truth” (John 4:23).

The Cornelius of the Bible was described as a devout man who feared God (Acts 10:2), but he was a Gentile. He was outside of the law, and lacked the knowledge to serve God fully. But what we find so admirable about this man was his heart. He was honest, and truly wanted to do what was right in God’s sight. Notice the two major areas of his attempt at righteousness in Acts 10:2: First, he offered alms, which can be described as “acts of mercy.” Secondly, he prayed continually. This man was going out of his way to perform acts of mercy on people, and never ceased to pray to God. We can recognize a genuine desire to serve God in Cornelius. Jesus promised us that those who seek the truth shall find it (Matthew 7:8).

Is there a Cornelius in your neighborhood? I would say that there is a good chance that there is. God has promised that those who are truth-seekers shall be truth finders, and so He will provide a way for your neighbor Cornelius to find truth. Have you ever considered that God might be trying to use you as the tool to deliver that truth? How many true New Testament Christians live in your neighborhood? Not many? Then who will teach the truth-seekers in your area? If not you, then who? What a haunting thought it is to imagine that at the judgment you should discover that just next door to you there lived a man or woman who was a Cornelius, someone desperately seeking the truth, but you would not let God use you as the deliverer of that truth.

While this world may be full of Scribes and Pharisees, we mustn’t let our hearts be hardened, or our passion for the gospel be depleted because of those who don’t care. Just remember, there are Corneliuses living out there somewhere even at this very moment, and one of them just might be your next-door neighbor. Be a Peter, and deliver the good news while you still have a chance.

News

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

  • Praise Report From The Forrest Family

    EMMIE IS OFF THE VENT!!

    She has been doing so well she got her breathing tube out this morning, and we are praising God today for this glorious milestone!!

    Only other thing this week is we ask for prayers that she won’t need a shunt to help drain fluid off her brain. We won’t know about that for a couple of days they just want to watch her for now before they decide. But our prayer is that she is able to reabsorb the excess fluids on her own and not need that intervention!

  • Building Godly Families Announcement

    All,

    Last Sunday's class continued excellent understanding and comments about what it means to have a Godly family. We finished the Week 4 lesson. This Sunday I am out of town in Spokane, WA with my wife and daughter and the following Sunday Nancy is being presented to the Berry's Chapel congregation for her new job in Franklin, TN. I am very sorry to miss two Sundays in a row. Please attend upstairs and pay close attention to Nick, he is one of the sharpest people I have ever met.

    -Robert Roach

  • 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, July 14th

    Worship Attendance - 110

    Wed PM Attendance (7/17) - 35

    Contribution - $6,718.50

Prayers

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

  • New Prayer Requests:

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

    • The Best & Drury Family (Joyce’s nephew Michael passed away from cancer)

    • Cecelia Bryant (Jim Clark’s sister, recovering from surgery due to an aneurism)

    • Jerry Roberts (member of Jim & Val Clark’s family, suffered a brain bleed & became partially paralyzed on left side)

    • Thelma Spears (member of Jim & Val Clark’s family, had a heart attack due to the covid virus)

  • Ongoing Prayers For: Iris Griffin (Inez Chatham’s niece), Lori Armstrong (friend of April Deaton), Jessie Tropoulos, 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), 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, 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). Robert will be out of town for 2 weeks, so this class will resume on August 4th. 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.

  • REAL Ladies Bible Study - Thursday, July 25th (6 PM)

    The REAL Ladies Bible Study group will meet on Thursday, July 25th at 6 PM. Cora Owens will be hosting this month’s study at: 324 Whippoorwill Lane, Frankfort, KY 40601. Please bring your favorite snack or appeitizer. Dessert will be furnished.

  • 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). Robert will be out of town this week, so this class will resume on August 4th. 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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