Patience, Not Passivity
“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.
Patience, Not Passivity
Devotional by: Nick Gill
"For the son treats the father with contempt, the daughter rises up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man's enemies are the men of his own house. But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will watch for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me. Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me." (Micah 7:6-8)
As Christians, we live in the intersection between two realms: life as it is now in the fallen world around us, and the life of the age to come that is bursting forth in and around us. This is a season of waiting, a season of tense expectation, a season where we remember the fierce and indomitable hope God's people clung to, and cling to up to this very day, awaiting the fulfillment of the promises of God. But there is a danger that all that waiting, all that patient expectation... will become passivity.
Just as we're tempted to take on more than we're responsible for and carry around unmerited guilt that we aren't Christian superheroes, there's a mirrored temptation to shirk responsibility, to sit on our rights and just wish for what we want, what we think we deserve. I think the difference between passivity and patience is agency. Passivity is sitting idle, letting life happen to you and your neighbor while you remain placid, unchanged.
Patience is not that.
Patience is actively living out our faith, our values, even though the timing might not align with what we desire. The Christian faith is not the easy triumphalism touted through various popular media. Our faith is about Jesus Christ, born into this world as a light in the darkness, showing us how love and forgiveness and redemption and hope have a part in every decision that we make, every single day of the year, regardless of what our circumstances look like.
The prophet Micah speaks to us from a time of rampant injustice, and he is not optimistic that things will get better. Optimism relies on a positive mental attitude that always figures out a way that things will just work out. Christian hope looks at a world, a country, a neighborhood full of darkness and injustice and HOPES, saying "There is zero evidence that things will improve unless God acts. But God, who is rich in mercy... God has always acted, and I need to be prepared for Him to act, so I can get in on what He is doing." God's character, not our circumstances, tell us that the future will be better than the present, but we'd better be prepared for what's going to happen or we could miss out.
The fruit of the Spirit is not passivity, but rather patient endurance in being prepared for God to act. Jesus warns us over and over that we don't-won't-can't know when we need to be ready, so we need to be ready every day. That's not intended to scare us; it's meant to remind us that the kingdom of heaven is everywhere, even - especially! - when we least expect it. Preparing ourselves for God to act is really about going through the darkness rather than trying to circumvent it through our own wishful thinking or manipulations. The true light, the true joy we're waiting for is nothing we create or that we find with our own skill or power or ability - it is what comes to us when we are ready and waiting for it.
"Let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light," says Paul in Romans 13:12. Let us focus on taking off those things that we do not need and wrapping ourselves in the warmth of what is coming - the light of the world, appearing just when we need it most.
Missions
These are the challenges that the congregation is actively working on this month.
Our Missions For November
Equip — Encourage another church member to be thankful by inviting them to share in completing the thanksgiving themed Teach and Serve missions for the month.
Teach — Using the blank slips in the lobby, write out something you are thankful for, along with a Bible verse, and drop it in the thankfulness jar (put in at least 3). These will be shared with the congregation later.
Serve — Give notes of encouragement to 3 different church members, thanking them for something they do for the church.
News
This section is for any special announcements that are not upcoming events or prayer requests.
An Announcement From The Elders
Recently we have had a significant increase in spam and scam phone calls to the church’s office number. As a result, there is an increased likelihood the answering machine will pick up before one of the ministers. If this happens, please leave a message and someone will contact you as soon as possible.
We expect this will subside after the Holidays and appreciate your patience.
Packing Food Boxes for Thanksgiving - Sunday Afternoon, November 19th
We will be packing FOOD BOXES for Thanksgiving on Sunday, November 19th at. 4:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall.
If you know of anyone that needs a food box, please let Mike or Robin Mayes know please. Thank you!
Greeting Cards For Steve Small
If anyone would like to send Steve Small a card while he's receiving treatments, his current address is:
Steve Small, Room 1117, Albert B Chandler Hospital, 800 Rose St, Lexington KY. 40536.
Steve Small Update
This is a post that is hard to write. So it’s taking some time for us as a family.
Steve’s biopsy came back. It’s the word no one wants to hear. He does have Cancer. He has Angiocarcenoma. The good news is that all his scans show the spot to be contained to the one area.
We met with the oncology specialist and made a plan together. The good news is this is a highly treatable cancer. We all agree that surgery is not an option because of his current health. So Isolating radiation to the one area is our plan. Chemo will be absolutely last resort.
So Friday he was moved from Good Samaritan to UK Chandler to the cancer center for treatment.
He will start radiation will start tomorrow. We will do radiation treatments to the one area Tuesday through Friday this week. Then reevaluate from there.
He will stay there a few weeks for treatment then we will start the plan to move him to a rehabilitation center.
Again.. keep him in your thoughts and prayers. We appreciate all the prayers.
We do need more people to start to visit him. He’s going to be in the hospital for a while. So please share this post.
Church Records
Bible Class Attendance (11/5) — 79
Worship Attendance (11/5) — 125
Contribution (11/5) — $7530.00
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:
Candi Early (Mike & Robin Mayes’ sister-in-law's sister)
Steve Small
Larry & Renita Clarke
Ongoing Prayers For: Abe Martha (Brenda Stone’s nephew-in-law), Rita Tackett (Alyson Woodyard’s aunt), The Stone & Morris Family, The Kerman & Chatham Family, The Parrott Family, 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.
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!
Packing Food Boxes for Thanksgiving - Sunday Afternoon, November 19th
We will be packing FOOD BOXES for Thanksgiving on Sunday, November 19th at. 4:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall.
If you know of anyone that needs a food box, please let Mike or Robin Mayes know please. Thank you!
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 November that we need your help on. Please see the section above entitled “Missions” for more information.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 November (Thanksgiving Boxes), we need:
Applesauce (In a Jar)
Brownie or Muffin Mix
Saltine Crackers
Canned Tuna
Canned Chicken
Mayonnaise or Miracle Whip
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