Evey Day’s A Journey
“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.
Every Day’s A Journey
Devotional by: Tom Roach
On our recent return trip from Asheville, I decided to avoid the interstate and the unusually heavy traffic around Pigeon Forge and Knoxville. Instead, we travelled US-25 through the Blude Ridge Mountains through Newport, NC and Morristown, TN and then on to Middlesboro, KY through the tunnel on US-25E, and picked up I-75 at Corbin, KY. The scenery was stunning but the road, until we got to Newport, was narrow and challenging. Fortunately, my GPS worked well, and we made it safely home.
When we compare our lives to a road trip, our visualization beforehand rarely matches what really happens. We see US25E with straighter roads, well-marked travel lanes, guardrails, and an emergency lane. Traffic flows at brisk pace, everyone uses their turn signal, and there are no wrecks. Unfortunately, that’s not always reality. At times we find ourselves on US25’s narrow mountain road with sharp curves, steep inclines, blind intersections, and few opportunities to change to a better route.
Like a road with the same number changing dramatically with the terrain on which it’s laid, our lives change dramatically as we move across the terrain of time. We are affected by everything and everyone around us. In return, we also affect everyone and everything.
Among Proverbs’ wisdom, there are 23 verses that talk about our “path.” I want to highlight just a few. In chapter one, the father warns the son to avoid the enticements of sinners who seek to shed innocent blood and steal; and finally states to “hold back your foot from their paths.” (1:15) Chapter four indicates the importance of a father’s teaching and the son’s keeping hold of the instruction “in paths of uprightness” (4:11) and to “not enter the path of the wicked.” (4:14)
These verses highlight the importance of (1) listening to the sound advice from more mature and experienced people, (2) applying that sound advice at the proper time, and (3) associating with people of good character that at least won’t lead us astray, but more importantly, help us reach our intended destination safely. Our life is a journey, pick a good route, enjoy the view and the companions with whom you choose to travel.
Missions
These are the challenges that the congregation is actively working on this month.
Our Missions For December
Equip — Sign up to host a meal for “Feasting for Fellowship 2023.”
Kids’ Challenge — The next time you sit down to have a meal together with your family, have everyone at the table say something kind about everyone else.
Teach — Share your favorite Bible verse with a non-church member and explain why it’s meaningful to you.
Kids’ Challenge — Ask your parents to help you memorize a new Bible verse for you to be able to say anytime you want.
Serve — Look around the congregation and identify a need and then fill it.
Kids’ Challenge — You are important in the church! Ask your parents what you can do to help the congregation.
*Be on the lookout for weekly training videos on our Facebook and YouTube pages, published each Sunday, to help you complete the challenges.
*As you complete each challenge, drop one of the pom-pom balls into the corresponding jar at the Mission Control Center in the lobby so we can see how many people are completing each challenge. One completion per person, per challenge, per month.
News
This section is for any special announcements that are not upcoming events or prayer requests.
“Feasting for Fellowship” beginning January 2023
Hey Holly Hill! We have an amazing upcoming ministry challenge for January of 2023, “Feasting for Fellowship!” The goal is simple: Each day in January, members of Holly Hill will assemble with one another to break bread. Simply put, this means that each day of the month at least (2) of our members (from different households), will meet and eat. Think of it as a prayer chain, but instead of praying, we’re eating! We will be posting a signup sheet where members can choose a date to share a meal. That may include having a family or two over for dinner, members meeting up at a restaurant for lunch, or grabbing lunch with a member who happens to work in the same building. We need folks to sign up on the bulletined board, agreeing to be responsible for a certain meal/date. I believe that this will be an amazing opportunity for our congregation! What a fun and exciting way to try and put into action Acts 2:42-47!
Children’s Bible Class Teachers/Helpe=
Our new quarter is just beginning (Dec-Feb), so we will be needing to staff our Children’s Bible Classes. 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!
Men’s Mission Trip To Honduras
We recently received an email about the Annual Men's Trip to Honduras. Tom Owens and I are going from Holly Hill and we hope others are as well. Please read the message below from the organizer of our trip, Mike Hayes from Berry's Chapel church of Christ. Please see either one of us if you would like to go and have questions.
Dear Potential Honduras Traveler for the 2023 Men's Trip,
You are receiving this email either because you have been on the Honduras men’s trip before, or someone thinks you might be interested in going for the first time. I’ve tried to make a complete list of people. If I have left anyone out that you know are interested, please pass this information on to them and get them to reach out to me with their contact information.
There’s some good news about this trip. While we are experiencing a time of inflation something unusual is happening with this trip. If you sign up early the trip will be at a reduced cost this year. The cost of the trip is $1250 per passenger. This includes all your travel expenses, food, lodging, and other expenses on this trip.
The dates for the large group trip in 2023 are February 24-March 3. I have reserved 40 seats on American Airlines flight 1139 leaving Nashville at 7:56am, arriving in Miami at 11:20am, departing Miami on flight 1531 at 12:36 and arriving in Comayagua, Honduras (XPL) at 2:26pm. If you want to be part of this group, please respond to me as soon as possible. This will be a first come first serve basis. After I have received 40 confirmed passengers, I will begin creating a list of backup passengers. If you plan to be in this group, please send me an email with your full name as it appears on your passport and your date of birth. I will keep you posted as the list begins to fill up.
As is usually the case five of us will fly down earlier to get things set up for the large group. Right now, there are four confirmed going down on February 20 and returning with the group of forty on March 3. Therefore, if one of you would like to travel early with us and stay a few more days in Honduras please let me know. This too is on a first come first serve basis. This group will fly out of Nashville on February 20 at 6:23am on American Airlines flight 2830 to Miami and then fly on flight 1531 to Comayagua. As I mention, we will fly back on the flights mentioned above with the group of 40.
Something new that is being offered this year is an earlier group flight for 10 people. This group will leave with the group of five from Nashville on Feb 20 but will be returning to Nashville on Sunday February 26. Their return flight schedule is as follows: Depart Comayagua on flight 2822 at 3:26pm to Miami and then depart Miami on flight 2766 which arrives in Nashville at 11:46pm on the 26th. This was primarily done to accommodate more men from Flow Construction. Therefore, they get first come first serve on this trip up to 7 men. The other three spots are available if someone else would like to make this trip. Once again, its on a first come first serve basis. Therefore, let me know if you want to be part of this group. I’ll keep you posted.
As you can see there are more logistical challenges with this trip than ones we’ve taken in the past. For that reason, please respond in as timely as manner as possible to ensure your spot and to ensure your cost will be at the reduced cost of $1250.
If any of you are planning on flying out of another city than Nashville, please try to book your ticket through American Airlines and be on the same flights from Miami to Comayagua and returning from Comayagua to Miami as the group flying from Nashville. If you are going to book and pay for your own flight from another city the cost for the rest of your trip, not including your airfare is $750. Please let me know if you are planning on this.
I will send you more information on what you will need to do, regarding payment, as I get confirmation from you on your plans to travel. Once again do not delay in responding to me. I think this is going to be a popular trip and I want to make sure as many of you can participate as possible.
If you have any questions, please let me know. I look forward to hearing from you soon. I hope you all have a blessed Thanksgiving.
Tu hermano en el amor y el trabajo,
Mike Hayes
Cards
If you know someone that needs to receive a card in the mail from the church, please send a note to office@hollyhillcoc.org with “Cards” in the subject line. We will get that information to Sonia to prepare a card for the church to sign.Church Records (11/27/22)
Bible Class Attendance (Sun AM) — 71
Worship Attendance (Sun AM) — 130
Contribution — $4,404.35
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 Horn and Bell family, as they mourn the loss of Teresa Bell (Sam Horn’s mom)
Gabriel Bell’s continued recovery from a very high fever and double ear infection
The Duncan family, as they mourn the loss of Billy Duncan (Matthew Woodyard & Brenda Perkin’s cousin)
Cathy Steele is currently battling the flu
Brenda Stone’s granddaughters (Ashby and Dani Stone) and their families are all battling high fevers and Type A Flu
Joyce Best’s continued recovery, after battling the flu
Polly Deaton’s struggling with her health and hasn’t been able to get out as much
Penny Harland, Katie Bell’s mother, has an upcoming surgery related to her battle with a very aggressive form of cancer
Jane Dempsey has just recently tested positive for the flu
Ongoing Prayers For: The Minturn and Montooth family (mourning the loss of Kurt’s grandmother, Ginny), The Catron family (mourning the loss of Paige’s cousin), The Mundt family (as they mourn the loss of Kim’s uncle), Rita Tackett (Alyson Woodyard’s aunt), Dawson Stone and family, Inez Ramsey, Sandra Haden (Tiffany Quarles’ mother), Gayle Walker (Anna Marston’s son-in-law), The Allen family (mourning the loss of 7-year-old Andrew Allen), Tammy Dotson Riddle’s mother, The Valentine Family, Gail Keith, Jenna Mayes, Family of Bob Tankersley, David Fair (Asks for prayers for marriage and family situation), Larry Clarke, Steve Small, Phil and Suzanne Wilkins, Janis Friend, Jim Clark (Continued Prayers), God’s will for the Tom Roach family and Hudson, Prayers for Mission Control Challenges, Glenda Mitchum, Lisa & Pete Vogel, Robin Mayes’ mother, Corinne Dossett (Hip replacement surgery).
* 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.
December 3rd, Saturday at 10am — R.E.A.L. Ladies
Mark your calendars for Saturday, December 3rd for our next R.E.A.L. Ladies Bible study. Join Sonia Roach and Janice Coffelt as they host the get together, beginning at 10am at their home (199 Hempridge Road, Shelbyville, KY 40065). Hope to see you there!
This Sunday Afternoon, December 4th at 2pm — Deacon’s Meeting
Deacon’s meeting, on Sunday afternoon at 2pm, downstairs in the fellowship hall.
This Sunday Afternoon, December 4th at 4pm — Elders/Ministers/Deacons Meeting
There will be an Elders/Ministers/Deacons meeting, this Sunday afternoon at 4pm, downstairs in the fellowship hall. Furthermore, the Elders/Ministers/Deacon’s monthly meeting will be held the first Sunday of each month, going forward. Please make note of this in your calendar’s.
This Sunday Night, December 4th at 6pm — Mission Control
Everyone meets in small groups in the fellowship hall. Material is provided for group discussion of each question. Responses on how to better meet the month's challenges are shared with all groups. Attendance at the previous mission control meetings is not required.
Upcoming Sunday Night, December 11th at 6pm — Study Groups
On this Sunday night, the men will meet in the auditorium for a group session, and the women will meet in room 12 downstairs. Some of the men will teach the children in a separate classroom downstairs in order to allow the mothers to participate in the women's study group. All are welcome! Please bring your family!
How You Can Serve
There are a lot of ways you can get involved and do the work of God in our community!
For more information or for help signing up for any of these ministries, please call the church office at: (502) 227-7796.
Limited-Time Opportunities:
Backpack Program
We will continue to work with Westridge Elementary School and provide food for 50 students through the weekend Backpack Program. We need your help to keep this program going for the months of December, February and April (see list of needed items below).
During these months please write (print) a card to encourage them or write your favorite Bible verse to share with them. We can invite them and their families to worship with us.If you have any questions please reach out to Tom and Sonia Roach. If you make a monetary donation please write Backpack Program in the memo line.
Items needed are:
Vienna sausage
Pull top ravioli cups
Shelf stable yogurt
Beef jerky
Oatmeal
Individual cereal
Cheese and crackers
Mac and cheese cups
Mashed potato cups
Beanie weenies
Popcorn
Raisins, pudding cups
Jell-O cups
Protein bars
Granola bars
Pop tarts
Cheese dippers
Pull top soup cups
Easy open green beans and corn.
December Mission Control Challenges
We have 3 new challenges for the month of December that we need your help on. Please see the section above entitled “Missions” for more information.Men’s Mission Trip To Honduras
We recently received an email about the Annual Men's Trip to Honduras. Tom Owens and I are going from Holly Hill and we hope others are as well. Please read the message below from the organizer of our trip, Mike Hayes from Berry's Chapel church of Christ. Please see either one of us if you would like to go and have questions.
Long-Term Opportunities:
Mission Launch Team
We are needing individuals to sign up for the Mission Launch Team. People on this team commit to working on the Mission Control challenges each month, and they also commit to encouraging at least one other person to work on the missions as well. We need you to sign up for this ministry so we can grow the Mission Control program organically from person to person. Sign up for the Mission Launch Team at the Mission Control Center in the lobby.
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.
Greeter Ministry — We’re looking for people who are friendly and outgoing to welcome our guests and members each Sunday morning. If you are interested, contact Tom Owens.
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.
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 — Our new quarter is just beginning (Dec-Feb), so we will be needing to staff our Children’s Bible Classes. 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!
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 class: 6:30pm