Waiting For God's Kingdom
“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.
Waiting For God's Kingdom
Devotional by: Nick Gill
We live in a world that is broken, hurting, and longing for healing. We see injustice, violence, oppression, and suffering all around us. We cry out to God for his intervention, his justice, his mercy, and his salvation. We pray, "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10).
But sometimes it seems like God is silent, distant, or slow to act. We wonder why he doesn't do something, why he doesn't fix the mess we are in, why he doesn't answer our prayers. We get impatient and frustrated, even with God. We may be tempted to give up on him, to doubt his goodness, to take matters into our own hands, seizing power to fix the world according to our own vision of good and evil.
How do we wait for God to act in a world that desperately needs Him? How do we keep our faith, hope, and love alive in the midst of pain and disappointment? How do we align our hearts and lives with God's kingdom vision and mission?
As a minister, husband, writer, and grant administrator I have learned that writing is not something I do on the side, but a way of life, a way of learning, and a way of discovering. Writing isn't something I do after I've figured everything out, but the way I figure things out. It's not a way of communicating what I already know, but a way of exploring what I don't know. It's not my way of telling you what to think, but my way of inviting you to think with me.
I believe that waiting for God to act is not a passive or hopeless attitude, but an active, faithful, and hopeful one. Waiting for God to act is not a way of avoiding responsibility, but a way of embracing what we're responsible for and trusting God to do what he's said He'll do. Waiting for God to act is not a way of escaping reality - it's a way of engaging it submissively while God works on us, revealing sinful patterns and attitudes and transforming us to be conduits of grace for the people and places around us.
Waiting for God to act means trusting in his power, wisdom, and love. Waiting for God means seeking His presence, voice, and guidance. Waiting for God means learning Jesus' mission, following His example and his commands, living in his grace, his peace, and his joy. Waiting for God to act is a way of being his people, his witnesses, and his partners. Waiting for God to act is how we join his story, partner in his movement, and his kingdom.
Waiting doesn't mean doing nothing. Waiting means continuing to bear His image and our cross daily until He comes in glorious triumph to complete His victory. Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus!
Missions
These are the challenges that the congregation is actively working on this month.
Our Missions For December
Equip - Sign up to host a meal for Feasting For Fellowship 2024.
Teach - Share your favorite Bible verse with a non-church member and explain why it’s meaningful to you.
Serve - Look around the congregation and identify a need and then fill it.
News
This section is for any special announcements that are not upcoming events or prayer requests.
1st Annual Robert Tankersley Chili Cook-Off (Feasting For Fellowship Event)
Our dear brother Bob Tankersley always loved fellowship meals, especially in winter when he would make his famous chili which he took such pride in. Our next potluck will be on December 31, with a soup and sandwich theme. As a part of the meal, and to kick off our January Feasting for Fellowship, we are pleased to announce the 1st Annual Robert Tankersley Chili Cook-Off. Please bring your award-winning chili and join in the fun as we remember our friend and fellow servant. Keep it between the white lines!
Announcement From Daniel Cruz, Missionary In Cuba
Thank you very much brothers for your support and prayers for our family. I have been recovering from surgery for 3 weeks. I am already joining in little by little and I have been evolving very well, by the grace of God. I always pray and thank God for you. God's grace and blessing be upon all. A big hug in the Lord!
Communion & Offering Tray Announcement
Beginning Sunday, January 7th, we will begin passing communion trays and offering plates. We will still use the single service cups, but they will be passed out by the men during the Lords Supper portion of worship. The cups will still be available at the back of the auditorium if you wish to pick them up yourself before service. Men willing to help pass the trays and plates please see Scott Trent to be added to the serving list.
Sunday Night Revamp Survey (Survey Link Provided)
For the last several months, the elders and ministers have been discussing how to best utilize the opportunities that Sunday Nights present. The goal of the elders and ministers is to encourage an environment of discipleship where Holly Hill can mature together as disciples of Jesus. The leadership team has defined discipleship as “the process of intentionally building relationships to grow together as disciples into the fullness of Christ,” and Disciples as people who “follow Jesus, are being transformed into his likeness, and are committed to his Kingdom mission.”
In order to work towards accomplishing these tasks, we have had the following Sunday Night programming each month: Mission Control, Women’s and Men’s Studies, Singing Sunday, and Small Group Sunday. Now, we want to evaluate the effectiveness of these programs at encouraging disciple making and discipleship, and to provide the congregation with a specific opportunity to express their views about how to best accomplish Holly Hill’s goal.
We hope you will provide valuable feedback as we evaluate the effectiveness of the current Sunday Night rotation in order to consider how best to use Sunday nights to grow as the people of God. The primary goal is not increased attendance – that will come naturally as a side effect of meaningful activities. Instead, the primary goal is to better help those who participate in our Sunday night programs to become disciples.
In order to help evaluate the Sunday Night programs, please complete the following survey:
Church Records - Sunday, December 17th
Bible Class Attendance - 66
Worship Attendance - 119
Contribution - $4,691.00
If you wish to make an announcement, please contact Matthew Woodyard via email (office@hollyhillcoc.org). Announcements submitted after 4pm will be included in the next day’s email. Emergency requests will be shared as soon as possible. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact the church office at (502) 227-7796.
Prayers
Here are some individuals that especially need our prayers this week. Please keep them in mind every time you pray.
New Prayer Requests:
Kurt Montooth
The Woodyard Family (Diagnosed with COVID)
Larry & Robin Ibershoff (Diagnosed with COVID)
Joyce Irvin (Julie Widener’s mother)
Daniel & Janet Cruz (Missionaries in Guines, Cuba)
Osman, Jasmine, Cristal, & Ana Melgar (Missionaries in Potrerillios, Honduras)
Alejandro & Analis Panza (Missionaries in Potrerillios, Honduras)
Ongoing Prayers For: Chery Mckinney (friendof Val Clark, diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia), Shirley Hood (Inez Chatham's sister), Beth Hawkins (Kurt’s cousin), Wanda Weakley (family friend of the Woodyard’s battling cancer), Dorothy Trent, Louise Roach, Ann Pittman, Steve Small, Larry & Renita Clarke, Candi Early (Mike & Robin Mayes’ sister-in-law's sister), 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, 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, 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.
Christmas Eve Schedule - Sunday, December 24th (NO Evening Service)
Our Sunday schedule for Christmas Eve (12/24) will be as follows:
Bible Class (10am)
Worship (11am)
Small Groups (CANCELLED)
1st Annual Robert Tankersley Chili Cook-Off - Sunday Afternoon, December 31st (Immediately Following Worship)
Our dear brother Bob Tankersley always loved fellowship meals, especially in winter when he would make his famous chili which he took such pride in. Our next potluck will be on December 31, with a soup and sandwich theme. As a part of the meal, and to kick off our January Feasting for Fellowship, we are pleased to announce the 1st Annual Robert Tankersley Chili Cook-Off. Please bring your award-winning chili and join in the fun as we remember our friend and fellow servant. Keep it between the white lines!
Men’s Bible Study & Breakfast — Saturday Morning, January 6th 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, January 7th at 4pm
Elders, Ministers, & Deacons will meet on the 1st Sunday of each month, from 4-6pm.
Mission Control — Sunday Night, January 7th 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.
How You Can Serve
There are a lot of ways you can get involved and do the work of God in our community!
Limited-Time Opportunities:
Mission Control Challenges
We have 3 new challenges for the month of December 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 December we need:
Green Beans
Chicken Noodle Soup
Saltine Crackers
Powdered Milk
Muffin Mix
Peanut Butter
Jelly
Sugar
Instant Potatoes
Applesauce in JARS
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!
For more information or for help signing up for any of these ministries, please call the church office at: (502) 227-7796
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 Study - 6:30pm