Same Clothing, Different Purpose
“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.
Same Clothes, Different Purpose
Devotional by: Tom Roach
Hat tip to Emily Rudic for this topic.
A couple of weeks ago, I worked with the high school ladies painting the classroom. Prior to starting, I changed from khakis and a button up shirt into khakis and a button-up shirt. At a glance, the only real difference was the color of the shirt I was wearing. This struck me as both humorous and ironic. What was the difference? Since painting can get a bit messy, I wanted to maintain integrity of the church clothes and wasn’t too worried about getting paint of the well-worn set of clothes into which I changed. I think there are some lessons for us.
Whether new or older, every Christian has a purpose at Holly Hill. Teddy Roosevelt credits Squire Bill Widener with the statement, “Do what you can with what you have where you are right now.” We often cite Matthew 25 for using assets wisely. Our purpose may be simple, behind the scenes, or supportive in nature. For others it may be more complex, public, or leading. Regardless of what your talent is, there is a suitable purpose for it.
There is a time for everything we do. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 says there is a season for everything in life. We need understand that as the seasons change so to should the duties we undertake change. This applies to the nature of our work in the congregation. It would be unfair and inappropriate to expect the same type of work, capabilities, or capacities from me today as I performed when I was in my 20’s or even 40’s. I’m better in some aspects and not as good in others. I think this probably applies to all of us.
Changing clothes shouldn’t change who we are or what we do. Like many, I have clothes that I wear for specific purposes. I have uniforms for work, athletic clothes for physical training, clothes that I wear for working on the farm, casual clothes, and dressy clothes. Regardless of what I wear, the clothes cover the same person and personality. Jesus chastised the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23 by comparing them to a cup and plate that are cleaned on the outside but dirty on the inside. He then compares them to a whitewashed tomb, beautiful but full of bones and filth. His point was the outside and the inside both need to be clean.
Be prepared for the task you are about to undertake. Matthew 25:1-13 is another cautionary parable. Jesus speaks of two groups of people who attended a wedding, one was prepared and one was not. Although specifically talking about His return, Jesus is indicating the importance of being ready at all times. It’s important for us to look ahead, anticipate the work that needs doing, and be ready to accomplish it. We shouldn’t wait to be asked before we get to work. However, if we are asked, we should be ready to assist.
Regardless of where you are in life, be ready to use the skills you have and do the work God puts before you.
Missions
These are the challenges that the congregation is actively working on this month.
Our Missions For March
Equip — Admit one of your struggles or trials to a fellow church member, and ask them for prayers.
Kids’ Challenge — To be announced.
Teach — If your life were a sermon this month, list the lessons on selflessness you’d hope someone would learn from it, and every morning, pray over the list, and ask God that you may be that living sermon that day.
Kids’ Challenge — To be announced.
Serve — Identify someone who may be marginalized or on the “fringe” of Holly Hill and do something for them to show they are loved.
Kids’ Challenge — To be announced.
*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 15th (Updated)
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
Update: Robert will be out of town for a couple days next week, so this class will begin the week after (March 15th).
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 (March)
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:
Canned Chicken (Large cans, if possible)
Canned Tuna (Large cans, if possible)
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.
Prayers
Here are some individuals that especially need our prayers this week. Please keep them in mind every time you pray.
New Prayer Requests:
Penny Harland (Katie Bell’s Mother) and her health concerns related to her cancer diagnosis
Helen Hall is having a feeding tube inserted and being transferred to a rehabilitation center
Dylan Jones (Donald Jones’ Son) had his tonsils successfully removed and is recovering
Wanda Justice (Alyson Woodyard’s Grandmother) has had issues with her heart this week
Ongoing Prayers For: Pete & Jessie Tropoulos, Codie Rich (Michael & Kimberly Mundt’s Son-In-Law), Emma Collins, Mary Johnson, 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), 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.
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.
Study Groups — March 12th, Sunday Night at 6pm
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!
“Complete” A New Mid-Week Bible Study Series Beginning Soon — March 15th, Wednesday Nights at 6:30pm
“Complete” is a new mid-week Bible Study Series, taught by Robert Roach, that will begin soon! The first class will be March 15th, Wednesday night at 6:30pm. Hope you’ll join us!
Singing Service — March 19th, Sunday Night at 6pm
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:
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 March, we need:
Canned Chicken (Large cans, if possible)
Canned Tuna (Large cans, if possible)
March Mission Control Challenges
We have 3 new challenges for the month of March 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