The Vital Few
“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 Vital Few
Devotional by: Tom Roach
In 1906, Vilfredo Pareto, an Italian Sociologist and Economist, identified that 80 percent of the land in Italy was owned by 20 percent of the population. He further identified that 80 percent of the peas produced in his garden came from 20 percent of his plants. He labelled that 20 percent as the vital few. Building on that work in 1941, Joseph Juran generalized the concept by stating that 80 percent of an outcome is the result of 20 percent of the quality inputs (simplypsychology.org). The Bible is packed with examples of people who had some number of talent(s) that were useful for God’s work at a particular time and in a particular place. I want to consider Moses in some detail.
In Exodus 2:24, God heard the groans of the Israelites and subsequently remembered His covenant with Abraham. In Chapter 3, he calls Moses through a burning bush to be His spokesman to Pharaoh and then to lead Israel out of Egypt. God’s selection of Moses was not random. Moses, having come of age as Pharaoh’s daughter’s son, was familiar with the Royal Family, their customs, and those in the Royal court, including their spiritual leaders and gods. Further, having been initially raised by his biological mother among Israelites, he was familiar with Hebrew customs and God. God’s recognition of his unique capabilities and His calling of Moses to the work should have been enough for Moses to go. Regrettably, Moses offered five excuses in Exodus Chapters 3 and 4 as to why God should choose someone else: (1) Who am I, (2) What will I say, (3) What if they don’t believe me, (4) I can’t, and (5) Send someone else. Moses did not see himself as one of the vital few, however, for every excuse, God provided an answer.
Each of Moses’ excuses are used by us today, and again God provides an answer.
Who am I? We are members of His royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:5 & 9).
What will I say? We will proclaim His excellencies (1 Peter 2:9) speaking not to please man but please God (1 Thes 2:4); ready in and out of season to reprove, rebuke, and exhort (2 Timothy 4:2).
What if they don’t believe me? Leave and shake off the dust from your feet (Mark 6:11) without quarreling (Titus 3:9).
I can’t. Nothing is impossible for God (Luke 1:37); we can do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13).
Send someone else. Here am I, send me (Isaiah 6:8). Go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20).
Let’s stop making excuses. All too often, the congregation’s work is accomplished by that 20 percent. However, we are all called to be that vital few, His royal priesthood. Look at the talents you have, see where they may best be used, and get more involved in His work.
News
This section is for any special announcements that are not upcoming events or prayer requests.
Missionary Team Report From Guines, Cuba (Nov-Dec 2023)
Follow the link provided below for an update on the Kingdom work being done by the Guines, Cuba Missionary Team.
“Feasting for Fellowship” Announcement
Remember to keep putting Acts 2:42-47 into action by planning times to eat, pray, and praise together with church members outside your family. The host/facilitator of each get-together (anything from a simple coffee break to dinner out together to a potluck at someone's house) should drop a pom-pom ball into one of the three cylinders on the Mission Control table. Our goal is 100 get-togethers in the month of January.
January’s Sunday PM Services Will Be Canceled
Just a friendly reminder that our regularly scheduled Sunday PM services (Mission Control, Study Groups, Singing Service, & Small Groups) will be canceled, due to our monthly focus on “Feasting for Fellowship”.
Communion & Offering Tray Announcement
With the start of the new year, we have begun passing the 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.
Church Records - Sunday, January 14th
Bible Class Attendance - 69
Worship Attendance - 98
Contribution - $6,926.86
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:
Rita Tackett (Alyson Woodyard’s aunt)
The Tropoulos Family
Feasting For Fellowship
Ongoing Prayers For: The family of Carolyn Collins (Friend of Brenda Perkins), Cynthia Whitehead (friend of the Blanton’s), Patsy Cable (Bruce Blanton’s aunt), Steve Small, the Raymond Thomas Peak Family, Daniel & Janet Cruz (Missionary Family in Guines, Cuba), Osman, Jasmine, Cristal, & Ana Melgar (Missionary Family in Potrerillos, Honduras), Alejandro & Analis Panza (Missionary Family in Potrerillos, Honduras), Ann Pittman, Larry & Renita Clarke, Mark McPherson, Janis Friend, Rhoda Jones, Betty Blanton, Helen Hall, Penny Harland (Katie Bell’s mother), Alyssa Deaton, Polly Deaton, David Fair (prayers for his marriage & family situation), & Phil & Suzanne Wilkins.
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.
Favorite Things Party - Monday Evening, January 29th at 6pm
Ladies, I am hosting my annual “Favorite Things” Party on January 29th at 6pm in the church fellowship hall. This event is towards Feasting for Fellowship in the month of January, so the theme for our potluck styled meal will be “dips” and sides (Thank you, Emily Montooth for the food theme idea). For the party, please bring three items (all three of the items being the same thing) of something that is your favorite. It can be anything, kitchen utensils, makeup, notebook, lotion, book, ect. And we will go around and tell each other why that item is one of our favorites. The price limit is a max of $30 for all three items combined. After the party is done you will go around and take three different items home with you of your choosing out of something someone else brought! This is a great opportunity to get to know your fellow sisters in Christ better while having fun! Please sign up in the foyer if you plan to attend, so I can plan for how many are coming! Hope to see you all there! And contact me with any questions.
Men’s Bible Study & Breakfast — Saturday Morning, Febuary 3rd 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, Febuary 4th At 4pm
Elders, Ministers, & Deacons will meet on the 1st Sunday of each month, from 4-6pm.
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:
“Feasting For Fellowship” Meals (Signup Sheet In Lobby)
The goal is simple: Each day in January 2024, members of Holly Hill will assemble and at least (2) of our members (from different households) will meet and eat. We will be posting a signup sheet where members can choose a date to share a meal. We need folks to sign up on the bulletin board, agreeing to be responsible for a certain meal/date. This will be an amazing opportunity for our congregation!
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 January, we need:
Cereal
Pancake Mix
Pancake Syrup
Long-Term Opportunities:
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