Do Good
“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.
Do Good
Devotional by: Ray Bowman
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9
There’s a slightly twisted aphorism that states “No good deed goes unpunished.”
While on the surface this sounds pessimistic and cynical, let’s investigate the kernel of truth that lies behind it.
Contemporary culture adopts a philosophy of “what’s in it for me?” Certainly, Satan wants us to examine any opportunity to do good with an eye towards how it might benefit us. If we adopt a true Christian attitude and do good for the sake of doing good, doesn’t it stand to reason that the Evil One will do everything within his power to thwart us and try to discourage us? To “punish” us?
So, how do we handle it? With scripture, just like Jesus did when he was tempted and responded with “It is written…”
Just as Paul had written to the church at Galatia, he told the church at Thessalonica “As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.” 2 Thessalonians 3:13
Being discouraged when a “good deed” doesn’t work out quite the way we intended is certainly a very human response. As another aphorism states, “it can make us bitter or it can make us better.” Choose better.
By taking ourselves completely out of the equation and doing good solely for the benefit of others, we take away the weapon the evil one uses to punish us. We eliminate the pride or the greed or the myriad of other negative human emotions that might make us question our decision.
“Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience” Colossians 3:12
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:10
Do Good. God Bless
Missions
These are the challenges that the congregation is actively working on this month.
Our Missions For January
Equip — Sign up to host a meal for “Feasting for Fellowship 2023,” and if you already have, encourage another church member to sign up, too.
Kids’ Challenge — The next time you sit down to eat with your family, ask everyone to say something they are thankful for.
Teach — Identify the 3 people (either non-Christians or fellow disciples, excluding immediate family) in your life that you are in the best position to help transform with messages from God’s Word.
Kids’ Challenge — Who are the people you’d call your close friends? What Bible verse would you like to share with them?
Serve — Identify one non-Christian who is struggling in life and do something unexpectedly kind for them.
Kids’ Challenge — Practice kindness for a whole day. Do only kind and caring things and say nice things to people. Give it a try!
*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” Has Officially Begun!
What better way to kick off the new year than to share a meal with your family! That’s exactly what we’re doing this month at Holly Hill with “Feasting for Fellowship,” sharing a meal with our church family. The early church met daily and, according to Acts 2:42-47, prayed, thanked God, and ate meals together. In that spirit for each day this January, in faithfulness to Scripture, we’d like at least (2) non-family Holly Hill members to meet in fellowship and share a meal. Sign-up for your “Feasting for Fellowship” day at the following link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1TRl9jVyH4Rx2NO9VmZLxlQ_bumPRDpSXkvPGgPNWyJM/edit?usp=sharing.
Select your day and place your name by the “X”. This month has the power to build the type of community that the Holy Spirit can use to transform our community. I pray that you will consider signing up for one of the dates.
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. For the month of JANUARY, we need:
-SYRUP
-PANCAKE MIX
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!!
Thanks,
Robin Mayes
Honduras Men’s Mission Trip
Please contribute to the Honduras Men’s Trip. Your donation could go toward food for the hungry, education for the uneducated, health care for the sick, and other humanitarian needs. We have to see what the humanitarians’ needs are when we get there. We will do our best to be good stewards.
Thanks,
Robert Roach and Tom Owens
Deadline This Sunday, January 8th/Gift Card For Sarah Engler Walker
Sunday, January 8th is the last day to give on the gift card for Sarah Engler Walker and her husband Jeremy. Please see Barbara Sudduth if you want to give.
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 (1/1/23)
Bible Class Attendance (Sun AM) - 57
Worship Attendance (Sun AM) — 116
Contribution — $5,325.00
Prayers
Here are some individuals that especially need our prayers this week. Please keep them in mind every time you pray.
New Prayer Requests:
Gideon Bell and Family, as they recover from his bout with acute viral myositis
Phil Wilkins and he recovers from recent breathing difficulties
Pete Tropoulos’ continued battle with prostate cancer
Butch Elliott and his continued success toward recovery
Ongoing Prayers For: Penny Harland (Katie Bell’s mother), Gail Keith (Michele Blanton’s mother), Nikki Fenney (Johnny and Julie Widener’s niece), Bertha Young’s family, Pete and Lisa Vogel (Brenda Stone’s brother-in-law and sister), Dorothy Trent, Polly Deaton, Jane Dempsey, Larry Clarke and family, The Horn and Bell family, The Stone family, 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, 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.
January 8th, Sunday Evening 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!
January 15th, Sunday Afternoon at 4pm — VBS 2023 Launch Meeting
Sick of the cold already? Join us on January 15th as we warm ourselves with thoughts of summertime fun and officially launch the planning for Holly Hill's VBS 2023. The meeting will begin at 4pm, downstairs in the fellowship hall. Last year's VBS was a hit and this year’s will be even better! Hope to see you there.
Next Sunday Night, January 15th at 6pm — Singing Service
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!
February 5th, Sunday Afternoon at 3pm — Holly Hill Children's Bible Class Teachers/Helpers Meeting
We will be discussing the new children’s Bible class curriculum (Our Spiritual Heritage), which we plan to begin using next quarter (March). We would like ALL current children’s teachers and helpers to attend, so that you may learn how to best use the new material.
February 5th, Sunday Afternoon at 4pm — Elders/Ministers/Deacons Meeting
The elders/ministers/deacons will meet on the 1st Sunday of each month, from 4-6pm. The meeting will take place downstairs, in Room 12.
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:
Contribute To The Honduras Men’s Mission Trip
Please contribute to the Honduras Men’s Trip. Your donation could go toward food for the hungry, education for the uneducated, health care for the sick, and other humanitarian needs. We have to see what the humanitarians’ needs are when we get there. We will do our best to be good stewards.
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. For the month of JANUARY, we need:
-SYRUP
-PANCAKE MIX
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!!
January Mission Control Challenges
We have 3 new challenges for the month of January 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 next quarter begins in March, 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