Jesus’ Favorite Book
“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.
Jesus’ Favorite Book Devotional by: Nick Gill
Do you have any idea what Jesus’ favorite book of the Bible was? In the four gospels, Jesus quotes more often from the book of Deuteronomy than from any other book in the Torah, the books of Moses, the first five books of the Bible.
Do you know what Deuteronomy means? It comes from a Greek word meaning “second law” or “copy of the law” -- it got that name because a large portion of the book is a sermon from Moses where he reiterates the laws laid out by the True and Living God for his people. The Hebrew title is Devarim - “There are the words...” which comes from the first sentence of the book: “These are the words Moses spoke to all Israel in the wilderness.” At the end of Genesis, Jacob gathers his sons and grandsons around him, blesses them, and prophesies over them. In Deuteronomy, Moses gathers all Israel around him, proclaims the fulfillment of God’s promises to Abraham through them, and predicts Israel’s covenant unfaithfulness and the consequences that will follow.
So why in the world would this be Jesus’ favorite book?
Part of the reason might be because in Deuteronomy, Moses reminds God’s people how God redeemed them from slavery in Egypt. This is the heart of Moses’ message – that God is the Redeemer. Being a redeemer in the ancient context meant more than we typically perceive. Beyond the literal idea of buying someone back, it also covers restoring their rights, avenging wrongs against them, and in that way making up for past suffering. A basketball player redeems a night of missing lots of shots when they finally hit a game winner! A victim of abuse can redeem their suffering when they’re empowered to help others find healing and justice after their own abuse. Followers of King Jesus have that promise: “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
The apostle Paul made it clear that Jesus’ life was all about redeeming our lives - “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us” (Gal 3:13). Your life was redeemed when Jesus paid the price on the cross to set you free! No matter what you’ve been through, what you’ve done, or what you’re facing, God will redeem your life – it's what He does! Just like Moses spoke words of blessing to Israel, God wants to speak words of blessing to you in your wilderness. Gather around His Word and listen today!
God paid a great price for you – so use your body to honor God (1 Cor 6:20).
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 — Ask someone from church to pray for you. They will be happy that you thought of them as someone you could count on.
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 — Talk to your parents about what other kids could learn from the example you set. Do you demonstrate selflessness?
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 — Think of someone at church who might need cheering up. Do something to encourage them.
*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.
Important Announcement Regarding Mail
To counter the recent instances of mail theft, we rented a post office post to secure the delivery of mail. For at least the next three months, please send all correspondence, especially checks, to the following address:
Holly Hill Church of Christ P.O. Box 4001 Frankfort, KY 40604
Gift Card for Aaron & Kalyn Stratton
Barbara Sudduth will be collecting money until April 9th, going toward a gift card (Baby Girl) for the Stratton’s.
Gift Card for The Monthooth’s
Barbara Sudduth will be collecting money until April 2nd, to go toward a (Baby) Gift Card for the Montooth’s.
“Thank You” From Steve Small
Thank you, Holly Hill members, for the birthday cards, emails, phone calls, and texts. I also wanted to thank everyone visited the “Stop By & Say Hi” Birthday party. The party was well attended, and Heather & Jeremy Steele did a great job planning and hosting.
Thanks,
Steve
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.
Church Records
Bible Class Attendance (Sun AM) — 81 (19Mar2023)
Worship Attendance (Sun AM) — 130 (19Mar2023)
Contribution — $4,775.00 (19Mar2023)
Prayers
Here are some individuals that especially need our prayers this week. Please keep them in mind every time you pray.
New Prayer Requests:
Parnell Family who are mourning the loss of Jack Parnell (Emily Montooth’s grandfather)
Penny Harland (Katie Bell’s mother)
Nell McNeely (Samantha Horn’s grandmother) had surgery to remove a soft tissue mass blocking her bile duct
Daniel Rowlette (Alyson Woodyard’s cousin) is currently in the hospital with serious heart issues
Ongoing Prayers For: Alyssa Deaton, Robert Lewis (Sharon Lewis’ son), Helen Hall, 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), 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.
“Teaching Tabithas,” A New Ladies Group — March 23rd, Thursday at 6pm
A new monthly ladies group is starting. It’ll be held the 4th Thursday of every month. The group is called “Teaching Tabithas” ladies ministry. It’s a group where each month, a different woman will teach a different life skill. The first meeting will be Thursday the 23rd at 6pm at the church building. Feel free to bring your own food and eat at the building.
This month’s session will be taught by Katie Bell and she’ll be teaching how to make and bind a mini traveler’s notebook. The supplies will be provided for you.
Ladies wishing to attend MUST sign-up, and the cut off for registration is Tuesday the 21st to ensure enough supplies will be available to everyone.
The sign-up will be in the lobby, and there will also be a sign-up for future teaching opportunities.
This ministry will be coordinated my Michele Blanton and Katie Bell. Contact them with any questions or ideas.
Small Group Sunday — March 26th, Sunday Evening 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.
“Complete” (Week 3), Mid-week Adult Bible Study — Wednesday, March 29th at 6:30pm
Our new mid-week adult Bible study, “Complete,” will continue Wednesday evening at 6:30pm. Make sure to check your email this week for the Week 3 lesson material.
Men’s Prayer Breakfast — Saturday, April 1st at 8:00am
On the first Saturday of each month, the men of Holly Hill meet to study God’s Word and fellowship over breakfast. The meeting will be at the church building, downstairs in the fellowship hall.
Elders/Ministers/Deacons Meeting — Sunday Afternoon, April 2nd at 4pm
Elders/Ministers/Deacons will meet on the 1st Sunday of each month, from 4-6pm.
Mission Control — Sunday Night, April 2nd 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.
Baby Shower for Jody & Brenda Hughes — Saturday, April 15th at 2pm
Donna White, Cora Owens and Sonia Roach will be hosting a baby shower for Jody and Brenda Hughes on Saturday, April 15th at 2:00 in the fellowship hall. Jody is the son of Donna White. They are expecting a baby boy in August. For more information on the baby registry, please follow the provided link:
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