Whom Shall I Fear?
“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.
Whom Shall I Fear? Devotional by: Elijah Bell
As part of our congregation’s Equip challenge this month, we’ve asked everyone to read Psalm 27 every day to learn how God is faithful, even during times of great difficulty in our lives, and how we should stay faithful to Him as a result. We hope you are reading it, and have benefited from its reminders.
It’s certainly true that life is full of ups and downs, and it's easy to lose hope and faith during times of suffering. However, as Psalm 27 reminds us, we can find strength in trusting in God even in the midst of our struggles.
The psalmist begins by declaring, "The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 27:1, NIV). Even in the darkest of times, when fear and uncertainty threaten to overwhelm us, we can take comfort in knowing that God is with us and will never abandon us.
The psalmist goes on to say, "Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident" (Psalm 27:3, NIV). This is a powerful statement of faith, reminding us that we can have confidence in God's protection and provision, no matter what challenges we may face.
The psalmist also speaks of seeking God's face and finding refuge in Him: "One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple" (Psalm 27:4, NIV). In times of trouble, it can be tempting to turn inward and focus solely on our own problems, but the psalmist reminds us that our greatest comfort and strength can be found in seeking God's presence and drawing near to Him.
Finally, the psalmist encourages us to wait patiently for God's deliverance: "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord" (Psalm 27:14, NIV). This can be one of the hardest things to do during times of suffering, but it's also one of the most important. Trusting in God means recognizing that He has a plan for our lives, even if we can't see it yet, and that He is always working for our good.
So, what are some lessons that we learn from this psalm that should impact our lives? Here are a few observations:
Trust in God's protection and provision, even when the future seems uncertain. This may mean stepping out in faith, knowing that God is with us every step of the way.
Seek God's presence through prayer, worship, and engaging Scripture, even when we don't feel like it. Making time for these spiritual disciplines can help us draw closer to God and find comfort in His love.
Remember that waiting on God is not passive; it's an active choice to trust in His timing and His plan for our lives. This may mean being patient during a job search, waiting for a relationship to heal, or persevering through a difficult health diagnosis.
Reach out to your church family for support and encouragement. Just as the David seeks to dwell in the temple of the Lord, we should seek to spend time with the temple of God today, the church. God will often provide us the support and comfort we need through His church, and it is there that we can find strength in coming together with others who share our faith and our struggles.
Trusting in God during times of suffering is not always easy, but it is always worth it. As Psalm 27 reminds us, our hope and our strength come from Him alone, and He will never leave us or forsake us.
Missions
These are the challenges that the congregation is actively working on this month.
Our Missions For April
Equip — Equip another disciple to remain faithful by encouraging someone to attend with you, or get involved with, a church activity or event.
Kids’ Challenge — Ask your parents how you can get involved at church, and ask for their help so you can make a difference.
Teach — Read Psalm 27 for as many days as you can this month, and each day, write down one thing you noticed either about God’s faithfulness towards us, or our loyalty to Him. Share your observations with someone.
Kids’ Challenge — Read Psalm 27 with your parents and ask them to help you understand what it means for you to seek God.
Serve — Look for a way to demonstrate faithfulness to God by helping someone, or getting involved, in a way that requires a sacrifice on your part.
Kids’ Challenge — Think of something that you like to do, and next time, sacrifice by by spending that time doing something kind for someone else.
*Be on the lookout for weekly training videos on our Facebook and YouTube pages, published each Sunday, to help you complete the challenges.
*As you complete each challenge, drop one of the pom-pom balls into the corresponding jar at the Mission Control Center in the lobby so we can see how many people are completing each challenge. One completion per person, per challenge, per month.
News
This section is for any special announcements that are not upcoming events or prayer requests.
Gift Card for Aaron & Kalyn Stratton (DEADLINE: This Sunday 4/9)
The deadline for contributing money towards a gift card for Aaron & Kalyn Stratton’s baby girl is THIS SUNDAY, APRIL 9th. Aaron is Gregg & Becky Stratton’s son. If you’ve not contributed yet, please see Barbara Sudduth as soon as possible.
“Complete” (Wednesday Nights 6:30pm) — Lesson Materials
It’s hard to believe that we’re already a month into our new mid-week adult Bible class, “Complete.” Enjoy the complete class experience and stay up-to-date on all class content, by monitoring your email announcements (Daily at 5pm) and weekly Vine Newsletter (Thursdays at 10am). If you're not receiving the daily email announcements or Vine Newsletter, see Matthew Woodyard about signing up. Lesson material for the previous (4) weeks of class can be found by following the provided links.
Operation Re-Stock the Food Pantry (April)
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 April, we need:
Peanut Butter
Jelly
Cards
If you know someone that needs to receive a card in the mail from the church, please send a note to office@hollyhillcoc.org with “Cards” in the subject line. We will get that information to Sonia to prepare a card for the church to sign.Important Announcement Regarding Mail
To counter the recent instances of mail theft, we rented a post office post to secure the delivery of mail. For at least the next three months, please send all correspondence, especially checks, to the following address:
Holly Hill Church of Christ P.O. Box 4001 Frankfort, KY 40604
Friendly Reminder 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.
Church Records
Bible Class Attendance (Sun AM) — 70 (2APR2023)
Worship Attendance (Sun AM) — 130 (2APR2023)
Contribution — $8, 122.00 (2APR2023)
Prayers
Here are some individuals that especially need our prayers this week. Please keep them in mind every time you pray.
New Prayer Requests:
Nell McNeely (Samantha Horn's grandmother)
Rhoda Jones
Bill and Mary Jo Marion (friends of Robin Mayes)
Ongoing Prayers For: Helen Hall, The family of Daniel Rowlette (Alyson Woodyard's cousin), Robin Iberschoff, Penny Harland (Katie Bell’s mother), The Parnell Family, Alyssa Deaton, Robert Lewis (Sharon Lewis’ son), Pete & Jessie Tropoulos, Codie Rich (Michael & Kimberly Mundt’s son-in-law), Emma Collins, Mary Johnson, Larry Clarke and family, Jerry Mayes, Blake Ramsay (Inez’s grandson), Bill Marion (father of Robin Mayes childhood friends), Rusty Bell (friend of Robin Mayes), Tanya Phipps (Brenda Stone’s niece), Samantha Stone (Brenda’s daughter), Butch Elliott (Robin Mayes friend), Gail Keith (Michele Blanton’s mother), Nikki Fenney (Johnny and Julie Widener’s niece), Bertha Young’s family, Dorothy Trent, Polly Deaton, Jane Dempsey, The Horn and Bell family, The Stone family, Rita Tackett (Alyson Woodyard’s aunt), Inez Ramsey, Sandra Haden (Tiffany Quarles’ mother), Tammy Dotson Riddle’s mother, The Valentine Family, Family of Bob Tankersley, David Fair (Asks for prayers for marriage and family situation), Steve Small, Phil and Suzanne Wilkins, Janis Friend, Jim Clark (Continued Prayers), Prayers for Mission Control Challenges, Glenda Mitchum, Lisa & Pete Vogel.
* 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, April 9th 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!
“Complete” (Week 5), Mid-week Adult Bible Study — Wednesday, April 12th at 6:30pm
Our new mid-week adult Bible study, “Complete,” will continue Wednesday evening at 6:30pm. Make sure to check your email this week for the Week 5 lesson material.
Baby Shower for Jody & Brenda Hughes — Saturday, April 15th at 2pm
Donna White, Cora Owens and Sonia Roach will be hosting a baby shower for Jody and Brenda Hughes on Saturday, April 15th at 2:00 in the fellowship hall. Jody is the son of Donna White. They are expecting a baby boy in August. For more information on the baby registry, please follow the provided link:
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:
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 April, we need:
Peanut Butter
Jelly
April Mission Control Challenges
We have 3 new challenges for the month of April that we need your help on. Please see the section above entitled “Missions” for more information.
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.
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 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 — Our next quarter begins in June, so we will be needing to staff our Children’s Bible Classes. 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’s Children’s Bible Class Ministry Needs Your Help With Materials
We are requesting your help with the launch of our new Spiritual Heritage Bible Class curriculum for K-6.
The teachers are tasked to create a God-made wall. This wall is a focal point in the classroom and will provide an opportunity to speak of the magnificence and wisdom of God. To ensure successful implementation of the program in our K-6 classes, the Bible class teachers need photos of any kind showing the greatness of God. These photos could be any type including nature, scenery, seasons, animals, people, etc. Use your imagination!
Also included in the curriculum are specific lessons directed at certain topics. We need photos of these items also.
God Planned Animal Houses
God Made Desert Animals That Can Survive On Little Water
God Made Camels, Snakes, Great Eyes, Protective Coverings, Beautiful Animals, Mosquitoes, Giraffes, Animal Hands (Claws, Wings, Paws), Big Cats
God Made Animal Hides, Perfect Animals (even though they look silly to us), Porpoises, Animal Ears, Micro-Organisms, Animal Cooperation
Great sources for these needed photos are magazines, outdated calendars, and old books. Size of the photo does not matter. Our first Sunday class with the new curriculum will be March 5th. We will be accepting and using these photos throughout the next 26 weeks. Please turn them in as you find them.
All we ask is that you cut out the photos and place them in the box located in the foyer labeled, Spiritual Heritage. Let's support these dedicated teachers and help ensure our Holly Hill kids know that our God is very great!
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