Life In Quarters
“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.
Life In Quarters
Devotional by: Tom Roach
The current life expectancy in the U.S. is 79.11 (macrotrends.net), however there is some disagreement about that number. That seems appropriate as it is an estimate for those born each year. Before the advances in medicine which have greatly extended, many children died before age 10 and women were more likely to die during childbirth. Advances notwithstanding, accidents, injuries, and disease still claim many lives before reaching the expected age. Also, while it’s true we “start” in the same way, we don’t start in the same place. We start where we are based on geography, socio-economic status, culture, family structure, etc.
We can compare our life to a football game with four quarters. We assume almost twenty years per quarter based on the life expectancy number. We have different skills and play different positions based on those skills. During recent games, several teams have had huge halftime leads, only to lose the game. How is football like our lives?
OUR TEAMMATES MATTER. Jesus cautioned His disciples about the Pharisees & Sadducee (Matthew 16:6) and the Scribes (Mark 12:38). Not everyone that seems to be on our team wants us to succeed. Paul warned of “fierce wolves” that would get in amongst the flock and not spare them (Acts 20:29).
STAY FOCUSED. Every day is a new play or series of plays. Draw your strength to do the important things from the one who gives strength (Philemon 4:13). Focus on things above (Colossians 2:2) and transform your mind so you can test and approve what is God’s perfect will (Romans 12:2).
USE SCRIPTURE. Use Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17) to build your daily plays to have life abundantly (John 10:10).
WHERE YOU START IS NOT NEARLY AS IMPORTANT AS HOW YOU FINISH. Jesus instructs us to seek His kingdom first (Matthew 6:33). Paul is a prime example of making the big switch. He was a premier Pharisee, highly educated and renowned. He had the authority to seize and imprison Christians across the region. He gave up all the power and prestige when he became part of what he had persecuted. His transformation from Christian destroyer to builder is proof that the ending is more important than the beginning (Acts). It’s not over until the final whistle blows. We are cautioned to not think we have already attained but to follow after and be apprehended by Christ (Philemon 3:12-14).
Every day we select and run a series of plays. Finish the race and keep the faith (2 Timothy 4:7). Be the good and faithful servant who gets to enter into the joys of the master (Matthew 25:21-23).
Missions
These are the challenges that the congregation is actively working on this month.
Our Missions For October
Equip — Invite a church member or family to do something with you outside of the worship assembly.
Teach — Share something with another church member that stood out to you from a recent Bible study.
Serve — Ask a deacon, ministry leader, elder, or minister how you can help, and serve in the way they direct you.
News
This section is for any special announcements that are not upcoming events or prayer requests.
Lance Kerman’s Celebration of Life — Saturday Afternoon, October 28th at 1:30pm
A celebration of life will be held for my nephew, Lance Kerman (age 37), on Saturday, October 28th at 1:30pm. The service will be at Evergreen Funeral Home, followed by internment at Cave Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held at 11:30am, until time of service. My family appreciates your prayers.
Address: Evergreen Funeral Home, 4623 Preston Hwy, Louisville, KY 40213
Address: Cave Hill Cemetery, 701 Baxter Ave, Louisville, KY 40204
Obituary For Billy Carson Morris (Brenda Morris’ Father)
Billy Carson Morris, 90, of Mt. Washington, KY, passed away on Thursday, October 19, 2023 at Norton Hospital in Louisville. He was a native of Horse Branch, KY, a retired electrician with General Electric, and an Army veteran. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carson and Mildred Morris; and a son-in-law, Daniel Stone. He enjoyed working on computers, studying family genealogy, and reading history novels. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Brenda Morris; four children, Deborah L. Phipps (Randy), Brenda Morris Stone, Lisa Vogel (Pete), and Susan Morris (Jeff); seven grandchildren, Christie Martha, Tanya Phipps, Jason William Stone, Samantha Stone, Tyler Stone, Alexis Morris, and Caden Lovett; seven great grandchildren; and one great-great grandson. Funeral services will be 12 p.m. Thursday, October 26, 2023 at McFarland-Troutman-Proffitt Funeral Home with interment to follow in Highland Memory Gardens. Friends may visit from 10 a.m. until time of services on Thursday. Memorial gifts are suggested to the Alzheimer's Association or Norton Children's Foundation.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Billy Carson Morris, please visit our floral store.
Main Street Church of Christ (Pikeville) Ladies Day — Saturday Morning, November 4th at 8:30am
Pikeville Main Street Church of Christ will host a ladies day on Saturday, November 4th. Registration begins at 8:30am with the program beginning at 9am. They will serve lunch. The theme is My Cup Overflows and the guest speaker is Vicky Yocum of Louisville.
Address: 198 Main Street, Pikeville, KY
Gift Card Collection for Aundreya Rich (Deadline is Sunday, October 29th)
Kim & Mike Mundt’s daughter Aundreya Rich and her roommate Holly Collins unfortunately had a house fire this weekend in Georgetown and lost everything. Barbara Sudduth will be collecting funds for a Gift Card. If you wish to contribute and help these ladies out, see Barbara no later than October 29th. Thank you in advance for your help.
Church Records
Bible Class Attendance (10/22) — 75
Worship Attendance (10/22) — 123
Contribution (10/22) — $3,475.00
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:
The Parrott Family
The Kerman & Chatham Family (Following the death of Inez’s nephew, Lance)
The Stone & Morris Family
Valerie Clark
Rita Tackett (Alyson Woodyard’s aunt)
Steve Small
Hope & Equip
Larry & Renita Clarke
Ongoing Prayers For: Aundreya Rich & Holly Collins, Ann Pittman, Jerry Mayes, Phillip Bartley, Michael Morris, Mark McPherson, Charlotte & Tanner Henderson (Elijah’s sister and brother-in-law, who lost a child), Wilton Hudson, Scarlet Stumbo (aunt of Val Clark), James Robert (Val Clark’s uncle), Janis Friend, Pam Smith (foster parent of Robin Mayes niece, Lexi), Horn family, Butch Elliott (friend of Robin Mayes), Rhoda Jones, Betty Blanton, Bill & Mary Jo Marion (friends of Robin Mayes), Helen Hall, Penny Harland (Katie Bell’s mother), Alyssa Deaton, Pete & Jessie Tropoulos, Rusty Bell (friend of Robin Mayes), Gail Keith (Michele Blanton’s mother), Nikki Fenney (Johnny & Julie Widener’s niece), Bertha Young’s Family, Dorothy Trent, Polly Deaton, Sandra Haden (Tiffany Quarles’ mother), Valentine family, David Fair (prayers for his marriage & family situation), Phil & Suzanne Wilkins, prayers for Mission Control Challenges, Glenda Mitchum.
* 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.
Potluck (5th Sunday) — Sunday Afternoon, October 29th at 12pm
Our “5th Sunday” service will follow our normal Sunday morning schedule, Bible Classes at 10am & Worship at 11am. We hope you’ll stick around following worship and join us for a potluck meal, downstairs in the fellowship hall. We look forward to seeing you there!
Men’s Bible Study & Breakfast — Saturday Morning, November 4th at 8am
Join us on the 1st Saturday morning of each month, for the Men’s Bible Study & Breakfast. We will meet downstairs in the Fellowship Hall. See you there!
Elders, Ministers, & Deacons Meeting — Sunday Afternoon, November 5th at 4pm
Elders, Ministers, & Deacons will meet on the 1st Sunday of each month, from 4-6pm.
Mission Control — Sunday Night, November 5th 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 — Sunday Night, November 12th 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!
Singing Service — Sunday Night, November 19th 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!
Small Group Sunday — Sunday, November 26th
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.
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:
Mission Control Challenges
We have 3 new challenges for the month of October that we need your help on. Please see the section above entitled “Missions” for more information.Operation Re-stock the Food Pantry (October)
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 October, we need:
Bisquick
Canned Corn
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.
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. If you know of someone the church should send a card, please give the name(s) and address to Joyce Best. We have “get-well” cards, “thinking of you” cards, “praying for you” cards, and sympathy cards. You can also text the information to (502) 593-5865.
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 — 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