The Cheerful Giver
“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 Cheerful Giver
Devotional by: Kurt Montooth
It’s Christmas season! Christmas is a wonderful time to spend with family, partake in holiday traditions including the exchanging of gifts. When I was a child Christmas mostly meant receiving gifts, but now that I am an adult with small children Christmas is more about gift giving. The bible has a lot to say about gift giving, so I thought I might share some bible verse about gift giving! Think of it as a Christian gift giving guide.
Jesus often spoke about giving and generosity. In the Luke 6:38, He says, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Jesus teaches us that we should be generous, and that God responds to our generosity. There is a saying in Christianity, “You can never outgive the Lord.” James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” We should be generous in life, because we are being transformed into the image of a generous God. Building on this, the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write in Romans 12:8, "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Jesus also spoke about giving anonymously and not giving for attention. In Matthew 6:3-4 He says, "When you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Jesus emphasizes the idea that giving should be done selflessly, without seeking recognition or reward. This is contrary to what the Pharisees did, who gave for the attention of giving. This holiday season let your giving be motivated by love and not fame.
Overall, the New Testament principles of giving focus on the idea that giving should be done selflessly, without seeking recognition or reward. It should be done with a generous and loving heart, and it should be done willingly and without hesitation. These principles can serve as a valuable guide for those looking to give gifts during the holiday season or any other time of year.
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 (12/11/22)
Bible Class Attendance (Sun AM) — 58
Worship Attendance (Sun AM) — 107
Contribution — $6,123.00
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 (Gallbladder) will not need surgery, but will have an upcoming doctor’s appointment
Pete (Kidney Transplant) and Lisa Vogel (Medical Issues), Brenda Stone’s brother-in-law and sister, both need our prayers
Nikki Fenney, niece of Johnny and Julie Widener, is undergoing radiation treatment
Ongoing Prayers For: Polly Deaton, Jane Dempsey, 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), 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.
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!
This 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!
Christmas, Sunday, December 25th — Worship Service Only At 11am/Devotional Video at 6pm
The elders have decided that on Christmas, Sunday, December 25th, we will have a worship service only. ALL Bible classes will be canceled. Worship will still be held at our normal time (11am). A devotional video will be shared at 6pm in lieu of Sunday evening service.
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.
January 1st, Sunday Evening 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.
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.
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