Perspective
“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.
Perspective
Devotional by: Todd Best
The first time I went to Honduras with the Mission Lazarus group, I had a very eye-opening experience. I had never seen so much poverty in my life. I saw adobe huts with a satellite dish on the roof. I saw stick huts covered in plastic and/or boxes. Most of these “huts” were no bigger than 10’ x 15’ or so. They all had a dirt floor and it was swept every day. That is, if it hadn’t rained. If it was a nicer “home,” it had a wash basin that was used to wash clothes, dishes and to take a bath. The stove was an open fire pit that they cooked with and if they needed heat for warmth. There would be handmade cots or hammocks to sleep in. Sometime there were up to 10 or 12 people living in these “homes.”
During the week we worked, each day, a group of men would go on a trip around the countryside to see the homes that had been built for people and deliver goods and supplies to people or schools that we supported. On the day I got to go, we went to see a home that was built for a family whose mother had worked in a factory and was given boxes to use for a house for her family of six. As you can imagine, the boxes had to be replaced after it rained. Mission Lazarus had built a brick home for the family as I had described above. The women’s son was living in the box house and asked all of us to come and see it, as he was so proud of it! I had to turn and walk away so no one could see me cry! I was ashamed that I had taken for granted all the blessings that I had been given. This box “house” that he lived in with a few necessities, a hammock to sleep in and a small candlelit “stove” was what he was so very proud to call his own!!!
There are many things I think we take for granted in our lives. Our nice warm homes, nice cars, clothes, food, most of all our physical needs. We can flip a switch and have light to see, but those in the countryside have no electricity. They grow corn and beans on the side of the mountain to have something to eat. We get upset trying to decide what we want to eat because we have so many choices. They wear the same clothes for several days, but we get mad because we have a closet full of clothes but nothing to wear! They will walk miles in any weather to go to church, we decide not to go to church because ________. Fill in the blank.
I think with the perspective of our wealth and blessings that we have, we think we have done it by ourselves. We think that all that we have is ours and not a blessing from God. We think we don’t have to go to church, but the Bible tells us that we need to have fellowship, support and to edify each other. Hebrews 10:24,25: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another , and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”
I think some people got “comfortable” sitting on their couch watching church on the TV for over a year during the pandemic and have lost sight of the need to be with the “Body.” I was blessed to be able to go to Honduras on six different trips. I got to see a lot of different things, meet many different people, and have some great experiences. But I will never forget that young man and his perspective of his blessings! My hope and prayer is that we can all have the same perspective as the young man I met in Honduras.
Missions
These are the challenges that the congregation is actively working on this month.
Our Missions For January
Equip — Pick a person in the church to pray for each day for the rest of the month, and show that you love them by sharing with them what you’re specifically praying about for them.
Kids’ Challenge — With your parents’ help, choose someone that needs prayers, and pray about them each night before bed.
Teach — Share with a non-Christian something God has done to show His love for you.
Kids’ Challenge — Write down all the things God has done for you to show He loves you. How many can you think of?
Serve — Show love by sacrificing your time, talent, or treasure for someone in need.
Kids’ Challenge — What is something you are good at that you could do to help someone else? Do that this month.
*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.
Registration For The Marriage Seminar
Please be aware that we are asking all attendees to register for the marriage seminar so we can get a number for childcare and catering. Please register by going to our website: www.hollyhillcoc.org.
Gift Card For Sam & Sarah Webb
Barbara Sudduth is collecting money for a gift card for Sam & Sarah (Anderson) Webb. If you wish to give, see Barbara Sudduth no later than February 19th.
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 February, we need:
-Spaghetti
-Spaghetti Sauce
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 Contributions
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.
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 (1/29/23)
Bible Class Attendance (Sun AM) - 73
Worship Attendance (Sun AM) — 122
Contribution — $5,898.96
Prayers
Here are some individuals that especially need our prayers this week. Please keep them in mind every time you pray.
New Prayer Requests:
Rusty Bell (Friend of Robin Mayes) is at UK Hospital after suffering a small brain bleed, broken vertebrae in his neck, and several broken ribs from a fall down the concrete steps at his home
Bill Marion (father of Robin Mayes’ childhood friends) is in Central Baptist with pneumonia (was on a ventilator, but has been taken off) and issues with his kidneys
Blake Ramsay (Inez’s Grandson) was in a motorcycle accident, forcing his leg to be amputated
Ongoing Prayers For: Tanya Phipps (Brenda Stone’s Niece), Samantha Stone (Brenda’s daughter), Pete Tropoulos, Phil Wilkins, Butch Elliott (Robin Mayes friend), 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.
* 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.
February 4th, Saturday Morning at 8am — Men’s Devo and Breakfast
Join us Saturday morning at 8am for our Men’s Devo and Breakfast. We will meet downstairs at the church building and discuss the book of James. Bring your Bibles and your appetite!
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.
February 5th, Sunday Night 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.
Next Sunday Night, February 12th 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!
“Finding Happily Forever After” Marriage Seminar — Friday, February 17th from 6-8pm & Saturday, February 18th from 9am-12pm
We hope you’ll join us for “Finding Happily Forever After: A His Shoes/Her Shoes Marriage Seminar,” taught by Wayne and Tammy Roberts. The seminar will begin Friday evening, February 17th from 6-8pm. We’ll conclude Saturday morning, February 18th from 9am-12pm. Holly Hill will host the seminar at the church building and childcare will be provided. Save the date. Bring your mate.
February 19th, Sunday Night 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!
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 February, we need:
-Spaghetti
-Spaghetti Sauce
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!!
February 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