Good morning church family,
GIVING THANKS:
* Cindy Holly gives thanks to our congregation for the encouraging cards, prayers and notes sent to her minister Aaron Tremblay who has thyroid cancer and had surgery last week. Aaron sends his gratitude and appreciation in this message to all:
“I wanted to tell you I received a mountain of cards and encouragement from the members of the Trumbull church of Christ. I was amazed. Thank you so much for appealing for prayers and encouragement on my behalf. Tell them I said ” thank you and God bless you!”
* Thanks to all of our Veterans who have served this country well. We are grateful for your sacrifices. Be sure to reach out to a Veteran, or a spouse or family of a veteran with a kind word. Our freedom was paid for by many. Let’s say Thank You!
PRAYER REQUESTS:
* Dennis Turner’s Father Donald Chaffin is not doing well and still in the hospital. He is in a life threatening situation and will be needing surgery soon.
CONGRATULATIONS:
* To Kristen Hubbell who graduated from Seton Hall University with honors in Special Education. We are so proud of Kristen’s accomplishments and know she will go on to do great things and continue to Shine for the LORD!
CELEBRATION:
* Please join us on Sunday, June 11th for a Pot Luck that will follow right after worship to celebrate the installation of our new Deacons! Bob Discala, Patrick Keller and Derin Wilson.
Plan on bringing enough food for your family, and others.
Please note that the Secret Prayer Sister reveal will also be held at the same time.
Lots to REJOICE about and give thanks to God!
REMINDERS:
* Keep the donations of food coming in for SPOONER HOUSE.
* TRCC has asked our congregation to supply the large bags of Potato Chips and cookies by June 10th. Thanks to everyone who have contributed already!
* Men, please be sure to register for the KENT MEN’S RETREAT on June 16th & 17th
* The Tuesday morning Ladies Bible class will be via zoom on May 30th at 9:30 a.m.
June 16th will be the last class of the season at 9:30 a.m. watch for the zoom link. Many thanks to Lisa Saracino, Mary Lou and also Nadine Keller for teaching these classes.
Lord willing our VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL will be on SATURDAY JULY 22nd from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM. Jayden designed the flyer below:
Wikipedia defines a circus as:
“A circus is a company of performers who put on diverse entertainment shows that may include clowns, acrobats, trained animals, daring trapeze acts, musicians, dancers, hoopers, tightrope walkers, jugglers, magicians, ventriloquists, and unicyclists as well as other object manipulation and stunt-oriented artists. The term “circus” also describes the performance which has followed various formats through its 250 year history.
The word circus has the same root as “circle” and “circumference”, recalling the distinctive environment in which such entertainment is presented – the ring, a circular performance area usually bounded by a short fence or “curb”. The ring may be enclosed in an arena, in a building designed for circus performances or in a tent, and is generally surrounded by tiers of seats for spectators.”
In ancient Rome, the circus was a roofless arena for the exhibition of horse and chariot races, equestrian shows, staged battles, gladiatorial combat and displays of (and fights with) trained animals.
People love to be entertained. The more exotic and bizarre, the more the crowds cheer.
Jayden Rzasa came up with the VBS theme this year which is incredibly appropriate in these trying times…
“Trusting God through the Circus of Life”. Jayden is 16 years old and has been a member of our congregation all of her life. She said that she “came up with this theme because we need to focus on GOD during these crazy times of life!”
Life as we see it today, is a spectacle paralleling that of a circus for sure. What is happening around us, is no longer just in the setting of a circus tent, or arena. The bizarre is all around us, everywhere. We are seeing the moral decay of society and it’s becoming more rampant every day.
Jayden has chosen 5 Bible stories that will be told to the children this year:
Daniel & the Lion’s Den – Trusting in God – Daniel 6
Teachers: Tori & Laney
The Disciples Fishing – Obedience – Matthew 4:18-22
Teacher: Paula Pancoast
Abraham & Sarah – Patience – Genesis 12-17
Teacher: Karen Rzasa
Queen Esther – God’s Faithfulness – The book of Esther
Teacher: Zach and Jin
Jesus calmed the Storm – The Power of God – Mark 4:35-41
Teacher: Abby Ruiz
God continually reminds us in scripture to trust in His Promises!
“Do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10
“You will keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you.”
Isaiah 26:3
“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you;
he will never leave you nor forsake you
and will be with you;
Do not be afraid;
do not be discouraged.”
Deuteronomy 31:8
“I have told you these things,
so that in me you may have peace.
In this world you will have trouble.
But take heart!
I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him;
though he may stumble,
he will not fall,
for the LORD upholds him with his hand.”
Psalms 37:23,24
“But he said to me,
“My grace is sufficient for you,
for my power is made perfect in weakness.
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
That is why, for Christ’s sake,
I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.
For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 Corinthians 12: 9 & 10
“Come to me,
all you who are weary and burdened and
I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and
learn from me,
for I am gentle and
humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.”
Matthew 11:28 & 29
“
“Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar like wings on eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.“
Isaiah 40:31
“Do not be anxious about anything,
but in every situation,
by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God.
And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts
and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally brothers and sisters,
whatever is true,
whatever is noble,
whatever is right,
whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable,
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy,
think about such things.
Whatever you have learned
or received or heard from me,
or seen in me,
put into practice.
And the God of peace will be with you.”
Philippians 4:6-9
There are numerous scriptures about God’s promises, too many to include in this email, God’s word has ALL of the answers to this world’s problems. If only the world could learn how to walk in the way that leads to eternal life, and put their faith in God.
We are incredibly proud of our youth in this congregation who are growing spiritually and have stepped up to lead bible studies and now Vacation Bible School. GREAT JOB!
Now its our turn as adult members of this congregation to not only promote this to the community, inviting friends and family, but to offer our services to help out in any way. Please see Jayden or sign up on the posted list if you can help set-up, clean-up, bring supplies, or help that day in some way. EVANGELISM AT ITS FINEST where The Church works in harmony towards an incredible goal…preaching and teaching the WORD OF GOD.
VBS is an intentional evangelistic opportunity! The biblical content laid out and built into this curriculum lays foundational truths that help children understand who Jesus is and why they need a personal savior!
VBS is a short term event, with LONG TERM RESULTS!
STORY OF BARB WANGERIN:
Barb Wangerin was the speaker who was asked to speak at the Trumbull church of Christ Ladies retreat in Manchester “In His Image” a few years ago. Barb shared this about her attending a Vacation Bible School…
“Attending the VBS was a catalyst to a relationship with the church. It was the connection I made with the people there who showed me they cared enough to keep in touch with me. Even when I didn’t attend services with any kind of consistency, several of them checked on me. This went on for years. They invested their time in me for the long haul. It made an impact on me that couldn’t be shaken or completely lost. They watched me behave in inappropriate ways, get involved with the wrong people, and still pursued my heart. They were there for me when my family wasn’t. It couldn’t have been easy to watch me travel an unnecessary road. When I did show some spiritual promise, there was no scolding, shaming, or rebuking. They continued to love me, guide me, and most of all, accept me. They always taught me on a level I could comprehend and believe, using my blunders as a resource to teach Jesus. I still hear from them every so often.
So, if you plan to develop a care system that is a continuous follow up for the kids who attend, from families who do not share any interest in a relationship with our Lord, then that is how God kept His hands on me until I surrendered all to Him.”
Vacation Bible School is a wonderful opportunity to reach out to families in our community and share the good news of JESUS CHRIST.
God is ALWAYS working!
KEEP SINGING:
DARE TO BE A DANIEL
- Standing by a purpose true,
Heeding God’s command,
Honor them, the faithful few!
All hail to Daniel’s band!- Refrain:
Dare to be a Daniel,
Dare to stand alone!
Dare to have a purpose firm!
Dare to make it known.
- Refrain:
- Many mighty men are lost,
Daring not to stand,
Who for God had been a host
By joining Daniel’s band. - Many giants, great and tall,
Stalking through the land,
Headlong to the earth would fall,
If met by Daniel’s band. - Hold the Gospel banner high!
On to vict’ry grand!
Satan and his hosts defy,
And shout for Daniel’s band.
FISHED ALL NIGHT, CAUGHT NO FISHES
Peter, James and John in a sail boat
Peter, James and John in a sail boat
Peter, James and John in a sail boat,
Out on the deep blue sea.
Fished all night, caught no fishes
Fished all night, caught no fishes,
Fished all night, caught no fishes,
Out on the deep blue sea.
Along came Jesus walking by the water,
Along came Jesus walking by the water,
Along came Jesus walking by the water,
Out on the Deep Blue sea.
He said, “Cast your nets on the other side,
Cast your nets on the other side,
Cast your nets on the other side,
Out on the deep blue sea”
Now their nets are full of fishes,
Now their nets are full of fishes,
Now their nets are full of fishes,
Out on the deep blue sea.
We are fishers of men for Jesus,
We are fishers of men for Jesus,
We are fishers of men for Jesus,
Out on Life’s big sea!
Cast your nets….
and Cast them again….
We plant the seed and God grants the increase! 1 Corinthians 3:6-8
May God be glorified in all that we say and do.
In Him,
Bruce & Paula