The Time Is Now
“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 Time Is Now
Devotional by: Todd Best
While sitting in Elijah’s Sunday morning Bible class, I started thinking about why we haven’t been seeing new faces at our services. I thought, “Have we not been putting into practice the things that we have studying over the past year?” If we have not been practicing what we are learning, why are we here? Are we afraid to approach people? Then I started thinking, “What have I done myself to bring new people to church?” And I could not answer that question. As you know from me in the past, it is tough for me to talk in front of a group of people. I just don’t like to do it. But I know, as a Christian and an elder, I must do things that are tough and things I’m not comfortable doing. Elijah has had excellent classes on how to be a disciple and how to make disciples. If you have not been participating in these classes, you have missed out. We all know, or should know, that the Bible tells us we are to be disciples and make disciples to spread God’s Word around His creation. Mark 16:15 says, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” I think this is where the hard part for us starts. There are a lot of things in our lives that we let take priority over our church work.
Let’s start with my issue of talking to people. If I have ever sent you an email, at the bottom of the email I have the scripture of Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” That is something I have to remember in my life – it’s not me but God who should be working through me. God made the ultimate sacrifice in giving his only Son to die on the cross for our sins. Fear should not be an excuse.
The next issue most of us face is not knowing what to say or how to say it. There are two places at our church where we can learn how to approach people. The first is Elijah’s classes on Sunday morning. Another place is Mission Control held on the first Sunday night of each month. This has been a well-attended event. There has been a lot of progress made from those who have attended. The best place for learning how to talk to people is directly from God’s Word. The Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 3:6-8 “I planted; Apollos watered but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor.” The Bible is telling us here, that all that is expected of us is to plant and water the seed, Which is to share the good news of Jesus and to keep talking about Him and answering questions about our faith. If we do not know the answer to some of these questions, that’s okay! There’s no shame in telling someone that you do not know that answer right now but you will find an answer for them. And I know of at least six people in our congregation that will help you answer any question: myself, Tom, Ray, Kurt, Elijah and Nick.
We are all our own people and have our own story of how we were brought into the family of God.This is also a good place to start when talking with people: telling them how you became a Christian and what the Holy Spirit has done for you in your life. Like a lot of other things in this life, the best time to start is right now, so just do it!
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!
Westridge Elementary School Food Boxes Will Be Packed On Sunday, December 18th at 4pm
We will be packing food boxes for Westridge Elementary on Sunday, December 18th at 4pm. If any member has someone that needs a food box, please let Mike or Robin Mayes know. Thank you!
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!
Men’s Mission Trip To Honduras Is FULL
The Men’s Mission Trip to Honduras is full. If you wish to go, see Robert Roach or Tom Owens to have your name placed on the waiting list.
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 (12/4/22)
Bible Class Attendance (Sun AM) — 61
Worship Attendance (Sun AM) — 100
Contribution — $7,174.00
Prayers
Here are some individuals that especially need our prayers this week. Please keep them in mind every time you pray.
New Prayer Requests:
Dorothy Trent has an inflamed bladder that will require surgery
Nikki Fenney, niece of Johnny and Julie Widener, is undergoing radiation treatment
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
Jane Dempsey’s awaiting the results of her medical tests
Ongoing Prayers For: Larry Clarke and family, The Horn and Bell family, The Stone family, Penny Harland, 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), 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.
Friday Night, December 9th at 6pm — Ladies Ornament Party
The ladies of the congregation are invited to the home of Carol Roach for the annual ornament party.
When: Friday, December 9th at 6pm
Where: 986 Inverness Rd., Frankfort, KY 40601
Bring your favorite holiday snack and a wrapped ornament if you would like to play the ornament exchange game. You are welcome to bring a friend or friends!
This 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!
Saturday, December 17th at 12pm — White Elephant Party
The women, teens included, of Holly Hill are invited to a White Elephant Party on Saturday, December 17th, at 12pm. The party will be at the Mundt Home: 1125 S Benson Rd. Frankfort, KY 40601.
What is a “White Elephant Party”? Make a gift, recycle an item, find something in your home to give as a gift, create a gag gift, or buy a gift that’s under $20. It can be weird, funny, or really awesome. Come and share in laughs and good fellowship. Wrap your gift without a name tag and bring it to the party.
We will have lunch (taco bar), but you can bring finger foods or a dessert.
Questions? Call Kim at (308) 202-0293. RSVP is welcomed and a sign-up sheet will be on the board.
What better way to get into the Christmas spirit, than with some gift giving and stealing.
See you on the 17th!
Upcoming Sunday Night, December 18th at 6pm — Singing Night
We will meet downstairs in the fellowship area to sing together in worship to God, and to encourage each other. The chairs will be arranged in a circle to intentionally draw attention to the fact that we are a family and are singing to build each other up. For many, these singing events are very moving and powerful. We want you to be there!
January 1st, Sunday Afternoon at 4pm — Elders/Ministers/Deacons Meeting
There will be an Elders/Ministers/Deacons meeting January 1st, 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.
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