Peace, Be Still
“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.
Peace, Be Still
Devotional by: Ray Bowman
"Trouble comes to you, and you are discouraged; it strikes you, and you are dismayed" (Job 4:5)
Georgia street singer and preacher Pearly Brown was a mentor to my friend Sparky Rucker. One of his signature songs was “It’s a Mean Old World to Try to Live In.” I won’t burden you with the lyrics, but it’s a pretty dismal tune.
With the way things too often are in the world around us, it’s not difficult to find yourself mired in despair like Pilgrim’s Progress author John Bunyan’s protagonist, Christian, who was sinking in the Slough of Despond.
Just remember, it’s not a sin to be discouraged but it can certainly lead to sinful behavior if you attempt to address it in the wrong way. Anger, doubt, fear - they are all byproducts of despair and discouragement. We can give in to them or we can fight them. We can begin to fight them with reassuring words of Jesus.
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
God saw Joshua struggling with the same impediments that faced his predecessor, Moses, and offered the same encouragement He had given to that brave but battered leader.
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9)
The sweet singer of Israel also faced his share of discouragement. David never hesitated to pour out his fears and frustrations to the Almighty, but he was quick to recognize where his peace would come from.
Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. (Psalm 118:5)
I pray your week is free from distress and discouragement, but for those times when the sadness of a broken world threatens to overcome you, take refuge in the word of the God who is still our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble who tells us;
“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
Missions
These are the challenges that the congregation is actively working on this month.
Our Missions For February
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.
“Complete” Mid-Week Bible Study Series — Wednesday Nights, Beginning March 8th
Dear Holly Hill Church Family,
From an early age I have always felt that the ground was shifting. Sometimes the shift was so pronounced I wondered and still wonder if I live on an alien planet. I believe all of us feel this at some time or another and often for different reasons. What has kept me grounded is my belief in God, the message of the Gospel and my membership in the kingdom of God. The last 5 years I have to a much greater degree figured out that I need to spend less time on this shift and more time on being COMPLETE and using the time left that the Lord has given me to assist others in being more COMPLETE. I just spent about 7 months taking a slight detour from this in my new job and it was painful until I realized that I should do the same thing there. This is what our class will be about, how each of you can be more COMPLETE and how you can be used by God to assist others in being more COMPLETE.
Colossians 2:6-15 “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.”
Starting March 8th, I will be teaching on Wednesday night for three months being complete in Christ and helping others be more complete. I ask that you do several things:
Do everything possible to attend on Wednesday night, if you cannot attend watch online.
Bring guests.
Start praying now for the class.
Start studying.
What a blessing each of you are to this congregation. Let’s bless each other through this class.
Robert Roach
Holly Hill’s Youth Bible Class Ministry Needs Your Help
Holly Hill Members,
We are requesting your help with the launch of our new Spiritual Heritage Bible Class curriculum for K-6.
The teachers are tasked to create a God-made wall. This wall is a focal point in the classroom and will provide an opportunity to speak of the magnificence and wisdom of God. To ensure successful implementation of the program in our K-6 classes, the Bible class teachers need photos of any kind showing the greatness of God. These photos could be any type including nature, scenery, seasons, animals, people, etc. Use your imagination!
Also included in the curriculum are specific lessons directed at certain topics. We need photos of these items also.
God Planned Animal Houses
God Made Desert Animals That Can Survive on Little Water
God Made Camels, Snakes, Great Eyes, Protective Coverings, Beautiful Animals, Mosquitoes, Giraffes, Animal Hands (Claws, Wings, Paws), Big Cats
God Made Animal Hides, Perfect Animals (even though they look silly to us), Porpoises, Animal Ears, Micro-Organisms, Animal Cooperation
Great sources for these needed photos are magazines, outdated calendars, and old books. Size of the photo does not matter. Our first Sunday class with the new curriculum will be March 5th. We will be accepting and using these photos throughout the next 26 weeks. Please turn them in as you find them.
All we ask is that you cut out the photos and place them in the box located in the foyer labeled, Spiritual Heritage. Let's support these dedicated teachers and help ensure our Holly Hill kids know that our God is very great!
Operation Re-Stock The Food Pantry (February)
The Food Pantry needs to be re-stocked. During the upcoming months we will be asking for specific food donations. 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!! For the month of February, we need:
Spaghetti
Spaghetti Sauce
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.Friendly Reminder Regarding Church Announcements
Just a friendly reminder to everyone regarding church announcements: If you wish to make an announcement or have a prayer request, please contact Matthew Woodyard via email (office@hollyhillcoc.org). Announcements will be included in our daily email (5pm), our weekly Vine (Thursdays at 10am), and posted to Holly Hill’s Facebook page. If you wish something to be shared, please submit your announcement by 4pm. Emergency prayer requests can be submitted at any time and will be shared as soon as possible. If you’re not receiving our daily emails, weekly Vine Newsletter, or text messages, or if you have any questions about this process, don't hesitate to contact Matthew.
Church Records (2/19/23)
Bible Class Attendance (Sun AM) - 76
Worship Attendance (Sun AM) — 140
Contribution — $3,521.00
Prayers
Here are some individuals that especially need our prayers this week. Please keep them in mind every time you pray.
New Prayer Requests:
Codie Rich (Mike & Kim Mundt’s Son-In-Law) ruptured his patellar tendon and will require surgery
Jessie Tropoulos has been released from the hospital, suffering from heart issues (heart attack) and a GI bleed
Penny Harland (Katie Bell’s Mother) was diagnosed this week with Stage 3 Colon Cancer and then had to be taken to the ER with a possible stroke or blood clot
Mary Johnson needs prayers for an upcoming surgery
Emma Collins had a successful surgery on her left leg and is beginning the recovery process
Ongoing Prayers For: Larry Clarke and family, Jerry Mayes, Blake Ramsay (Inez’s Grandson), Bill Marion (Father of Robin Mayes Childhood Friends), Rusty Bell (Friend of Robin Mayes)Tanya Phipps (Brenda Stone’s Niece), Samantha Stone (Brenda’s daughter), Pete Tropoulos, Butch Elliott (Robin Mayes friend), Gail Keith (Michele Blanton’s mother), Nikki Fenney (Johnny and Julie Widener’s niece), Bertha Young’s family, Dorothy Trent, Polly Deaton, Jane Dempsey, The Horn and Bell family, The Stone family, Rita Tackett (Alyson Woodyard’s aunt), Inez Ramsey, Sandra Haden (Tiffany Quarles’ mother), Gayle Walker (Anna Marston’s son-in-law), 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.
Small Groups — Sunday Night, February 26th at 6pm
In order to build relationships with our church family, instead of meeting at the church building, we will meet in each other's homes for a short devotional, guided discussion, prayer, and fellowship. More information on locations will be coming soon.
Men’s Devo & Prayer Breakfast — Saturday Morning, March 4th at 8am
Bring your Bible and your appetite! Join us on the first Saturday morning of each month, for the Men’s Devo and Prayer Breakfast. We will meet downstairs in the Fellowship Hall and be studying from the book of James. See you there!
“Game Night” Hosted By: Holly Hill’s HS Girl’s Bible Class and Tom & Sonia Roach — March 4th, Saturday Night at 5pm
Mark our calendar’s and save the date! Holly Hill’s HS Girls Bible Class, along with Tom & Sonia Roach, are hosting a Game Night! This event will be held at the church, downstairs in the Fellowship Hall at 5pm. Please bring finger foods or foods representing your heritage (Example: German food or Irish food). We’ll be playing Rook, UNO, Board Games, but feel free to bring your favorite game to teach someone else how to play! Guaranteed to build friendships, make memories, and share lots of laughter. Hope to see you there!
Elders/Ministers/Deacons Meeting — March 5th, Sunday Afternoon at 4pm
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.
Mission Control — March 5th, Sunday Night at 6pm
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:
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. 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!! For the month of February, we need:
Spaghetti
Spaghetti Sauce
February Mission Control Challenges
We have 3 new challenges for the month of February 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’s Children’s Bible Class Ministry Needs Your Help With Materials
We are requesting your help with the launch of our new Spiritual Heritage Bible Class curriculum for K-6.
The teachers are tasked to create a God-made wall. This wall is a focal point in the classroom and will provide an opportunity to speak of the magnificence and wisdom of God. To ensure successful implementation of the program in our K-6 classes, the Bible class teachers need photos of any kind showing the greatness of God. These photos could be any type including nature, scenery, seasons, animals, people, etc. Use your imagination!
Also included in the curriculum are specific lessons directed at certain topics. We need photos of these items also.
God Planned Animal Houses
God Made Desert Animals That Can Survive On Little Water
God Made Camels, Snakes, Great Eyes, Protective Coverings, Beautiful Animals, Mosquitoes, Giraffes, Animal Hands (Claws, Wings, Paws), Big Cats
God Made Animal Hides, Perfect Animals (even though they look silly to us), Porpoises, Animal Ears, Micro-Organisms, Animal Cooperation
Great sources for these needed photos are magazines, outdated calendars, and old books. Size of the photo does not matter. Our first Sunday class with the new curriculum will be March 5th. We will be accepting and using these photos throughout the next 26 weeks. Please turn them in as you find them.
All we ask is that you cut out the photos and place them in the box located in the foyer labeled, Spiritual Heritage. Let's support these dedicated teachers and help ensure our Holly Hill kids know that our God is very great!
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