The Church Is A Hospital
“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.
THE CHURCH IS A HOSPITAL
Devotional by: Nick Gill
"People come in here and they’re sick and dying and bleeding, and they need our help. Helping them is more important than how we feel.” Dr Mark Greene, ER
Nobody wants to go to the emergency room. Nobody wants to be sick. Nobody wants to be in a car wreck, or to have an injured child.
So if nobody wants any of this stuff, why is there an emergency room?
Because there are emergencies. Because, despite our obsessive efforts to create a world of safety and security, we make mistakes. People sin. People put others’ lives in danger. Evil stalks the world, looking for people to devour.
God made the church to be His spiritual emergency room – a place where people are rescued from the brink of death. A place where people confront the spiritual diseases ravaging their souls. A place where the poor can go and know they’ll be cared for, regardless of the cost. A place where the weak can go and know they’ll be protected – that someone will stand between them and their oppressor and say, “Not anymore. Not on my watch.”
Some people expect the church to be more like the hospital gift shop. They play soft, serene music. Everything is sweet and cute and neat, and you can find just what you want and then get out. Others want it to be like the billing office, where everyone is quiet and neat and busy at the work of reminding others of how much they owe.
But that’s not what the New Testament churches looked like. That’s not what the church looked like in Jerusalem, or Rome, or Corinth. They were MESSY – precisely because they were emergency rooms – places where desperate people needing radical healing, people from all walks of life and all social groups, came together in a way unlike anything else in the history of the world.
A spiritually growing church can be an uncomfortable place, but Christians aren’t called to be comfortable. We’re called to serve, not to be served. Helping others is more important than how we feel.
News
This section is for any special announcements that are not upcoming events or prayer requests.
Brad Gregory Put Forward As Deacon
Brad Gregory’s name is being put forward as a deacon, and if no biblical objections are brought to the elders, he will be put in place as a deacon in 2 weeks. The elders ask that you read 1 Timothy 3, and get back to them if you have any biblical objections to Brad serving as a deacon.Sign-Up For Small Groups
Don’t forget to sign up for a small group, taking place this Sunday afternoon/evening. The sign-up sheets are in the lobby.
Prayers
Here are some individuals that especially need our prayers this week. Please keep them in mind every time you pray.
Pete Tropoulos
Janis Friend
Helen Hall
Steve Small
Ashton Sandifer (11 year old diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma)
Upcoming Events
Here are some events that are coming up that you need to make space on your calendar for.
This Sunday, July 17th — Small Groups
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. The sign-up sheets for the various groups are in the lobby. Please sign-up and commit to coming to one of the small groups.
This Monday. July 18th at 6pm — R.E.A.L. Ladies Devo And Fellowship
PLEASE SIIGN-UP IN THE LOBBY — Val Clarke is organizing a new ladies group. The first devo and fellowship will be at her house. R.E.A.L. stands for: Relationships, Encouragement, Accountability, and Laughter. Please note that the main focus of these meetings is to be warm and inviting so visitors will feel at home. Make sure to sign-up so Val knows how many people to prepare for.
Friday, September 30th at 6:30pm — Trivia Night
Robert Roach is hosting a trivia night at the church building to provide more opportunities for fellowship and community. Please make it a priority to be there if you can.
Saturday, October 8th — Hay Ride & Fall Festival
Games, activities, food, 4pm to 6pm. Hay ride at 6pm. The event will be held at the Bowman residence.
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:
Volunteer At Potters Home — Friday, July 22nd
If you want to volunteer at Potters, please see Sarah Jones.
Food Pantry Donations (Mini Pack the Pulpit events)
To better meet community needs and not overly burden the congregation, the elders have approved a change for the pantry: Mini Pack the Pulpit events — Each with a particular focus:July 24th — Collection for Holiday Boxes
Ramen Noodles
Macaroni & Cheese
Stuffing Mix
Instant Potatoes
Gravy packs
Taco seasoning
Taco shells
Spaghetti Sauce
Spaghetti pasta
Canned Meat (tuna & chicken)
Cans of corn
Cans of green beans
Cans of peas
Cans of carrots
Cream of mushroom soup
Cream of chicken soup
Cranberry sauce
Dessert mixes (brownies & cake with icing)
Minute rice
Peanut butter
Jelly
Pancake mix just add water
Syrup
Bisquick
Pudding Mix
Jello mix
Cereal
Crackers
Cans of fruit
Koolaid
If you make a monetary donation please put holiday food in the memo. If you have any questions please ask Tom, Sonia or Robin Mayes.
Aug. 28th — Collection for Backpack Program
Teachers Needed (Message From Matthew Woodyard, Deacon of Education):
It's been awesome to see more and more people return to in-person worship each and every week. Covid 19 robbed us of so much and I couldn't be happier to be on the other side of the tunnel. As more people have returned to in-person worship, so have their children. We've not had a full roster of teachers since the pandemic began. For a long time, this wasn't a big deal because we didn't have a lot of students. Thankfully we are seeing more and more students each week, but we still don't have enough teachers to be fully staffed. We desperately need volunteers to teach our Sunday and Wednesday Bible Classes. Our students need to be in the appropriate classes, where they receive age-appropriate instruction. We owe it to our kids to make sure they have everything they need and right now they need volunteers to teach their classes. The following classes need teachers for this current quarter: K-1st grade (Sunday & Wednesday), 2nd-3rd grade (Wednesday), and 4th-5th grade (Wednesday). If you'd be willing to help out, please get in touch with me. We've got a great group of kids and they deserve the best!
Long-Term Opportunities:
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 Caseys 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.
Holly Hill Church of Christ
1020 Holly Hill Drive
Frankfort, KY 40601
Web: www.hollyhillcoc.org
Phone: (502) 227-7796
Email: hollyhillcoc@gmail.com
Service Times:
Sunday Bible Class: 10am
Sunday Morning Worship, 11am
Sunday Evening Worship, 6pm
Wednesday Evening Bible class: 6:30pm