Let your LIGHT so shine

8/2/2025

Good morning church family,

VIRTUAL VIEWING UPDATE:

The computer that allows us the ability to offer streaming of our worship service has been down. Stay tuned they are working on it! Hoping it is back up soon. Thank you all for your patience and thanks to Luis for all of his labor with it all.

CONGRATULATIONS TO LaTOYA & DAVID KAMARA at the birth of their new son Elijah! Elijah was born on July 27th weighing 7lbs 14 oz and is 20 inches long! All are doing well, including proud grandmother Lillie Bendolph. (Lillie and LaToya Bendolph are former longtime members of Trumbull). We are so excited for them all!

GIVING THANKS:

Lisa Tobey (Leah Fernandes’ cousin who had cancer) sent this text to thank everyone for their prayers:

“Good news to share! My scans came back clear of cancer cells! We couldn’t be happier. I have immunotherapy for the next three years but today we celebrate! Love and thanks to you all for thinking of me and helping me on this journey💕I believe in miracles!!!!! 💕 “

Thanks for your prayers for John Cooper. All went well for his recent bladder surgery. Thankfully he is not in any pain.

Thanks to the Young Adults who continue to let their lights shine, grow and encourage others! They picked up Emily Hubbell for her birthday and went to the movies this past week! They are an inspiration for us all and always have a great time letting their LIGHTS SHINE!

A HUGE thanks goes out to Derin and Kristin Wilson for leading our Vacation Bible School last Saturday! We also thank everyone who contributed so much to make VBS a success. People donated food, their time, energy, manpower (many hours) in helping every aspect of this fun outreach activity. God was surely glorified and the children who attended had a great time! Several new families attended and shared that they will be back to worship with us!

PRAYER REQUESTS:

All of our prayers continue to cover JoAnne and Bob’s grandson Leo Benevento. They are waiting on God’s direction as to which medical path to take. Leo continues to be in good spirits in spite of weekly transfusions and the family trusts in the power of God.

Larry requested prayers for his friend Tom whose wife Kathy is on hospice. Prayers for God’s peace that passes understanding at this difficult time.

Prayers for Gustavo, Nuris and Rebecca who will be flying to Puerto Rico on August 9th to visit Gus’s family.

Desrine Forbes is home from the hospital and undergoing tests. Prayers for her to continue to be strong as she waits on the doctors to treat her and that she feels better soon.

Prayers for Mildred Perkins family. Mildred was a long-time member of this congregation and she passed away last Sunday after having had a stroke. Mildred leaves a special place in our hearts and is someone who will never be forgotten. Her spirit, tenacity, and strong faith in God was unmatched! We will miss Mildred and are thrilled that she is in the presence of the LORD! She finished the race and is singing praises and shouting “AMEN, PRAISE JESUS” in the heavenly realm! The family is still discussing details, however, Friday August 15th is a tentative date set for her memorial service. Stay tuned for more details.

TRUMBULL EVENTS COMING UP:

Sunday – August 31st is a POT LUCK right after worship. We all can’t wait to taste what Dennis will bring!

Saturday, September 13th 10:00-12:00 begins the first of the Saturday morning Ladies’ bible studies. We will be delving into a rich study of “The Aroma of Christ‘. Thanks to Nadine Keller who will lead this study!

Tuesday, September 16th begins the Tuesday Ladies bible study via zoom. Thanks to Lisa Saracino and Mary Lou for leading this mid-week bible study which continues in the book of Revelation.

Area Wide Hymn Sing – Sunday September 28th 3:30 p.m. hosted by the Trumbull church of Christ

LOCAL CONGREGATIONAL EVENTS (All flyers of local church events are on the back table).

This morning there is a zoom webinar hosted by the Asian Missions:

Our Vacation Bible School theme last Saturday was “Sea of Miracles” . Several of the miracles of Jesus were taught in creative ways to the children. The fellowship on all levels, from the adults to the tiniest of the children, was incredible. It is such a blessing to be part of this congregation who has supported VBS all through the years. GOD was and continues to be glorified!

Christian fellowship is the mutual bond that we share in our relationship with Jesus and with each other. The Greek term often translated as “fellowship” is “koinónia,” denoting partnership, participation, and sharing Acts 2:42

Christian Fellowship involves far more than casual social interaction; it encompasses deep spiritual unity, active cooperation in worship and service all around, and joint commitment to living out the truths of Scripture.

God’s Word highlights the vital importance of fellowship among believers.

Acts 2:42 points to the four foundational activities of the early church:

Teaching God’s Word, fellowship, observing the Lord’s Supper each week, and prayer are an integral part of who we are and what we do.

Fellowship is not optional; it is intrinsic to the life and mission of each congregation.

Vacation Bible School provided a beautiful opportunity for everyone to participate in serving God as a unified body. We continue to be amazed at the harmony, huge effort, and love which is poured into this event. VBS is a beautiful way to let our lights SHINE, as well as many other events that we host throughout the year.

The Apostle John shares that genuine fellowship flows from a shared life in Christ:

1 John 1:3 “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”

In other words, fellowship among believers stems from fellowship with God Himself, who is the source of spiritual unity, and LIGHT!

1 John 1:5 “This is the message we have heard from him, and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”

There was Unity

The New Testament repeatedly teaches the unity of believers, likening the church to a single body..

“For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body, so also is Christ” 1 Corinthians 12:12

A body’s many parts rely on each other, each fulfilling necessary roles. Christian fellowship thrives when our diverse gifts and acts of service are shared in harmony, reflecting a oneness rooted in Christ’s love.

Ephesians 4:4-6

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;

one LORD, one FAITH, one baptism;

one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

Our Fellowship fosters spiritual growth and accountability.

Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages believers to “spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another.”

As we strengthen, edify, and correct one another through the teachings of Scripture, we grow closer together in the Lord.

The early church gathered together on many levels, corporately, privately, sharing resources, and mutual care which leads to our expressions of sacrificial giving, showing concern for each other’s needs is really the cornerstone of our fellowship.

Acts 4:34 “There were no needy ones among them“.

Gathering together for worship each Sunday in this free country is such a blessing and privilege. Together as a church we show love for God, love for each other, and the world. Singing, preaching God’s Word, sharing communion together, and prayer are how we glorify God and Praise Him!

John 13:35 “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another“.

Acts 2:46

“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.”

Fellowship is active. It may involve helping someone in financial difficulty, offering childcare, visiting the sick & more. This means getting to know one another and knowing about each other’s needs within the congregation and in the community! If there is a need, this church family meets that need!

Matthew 25:35-36

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.“

Our Fellowship reflects God’s nature…

Serving in unity with one another, we mirror the divine relationship of the Godhead – Father, Son and Holy Spirit, as well as the resurrection of Jesus Christ which establishes our foundation for hope, and unites believers regarding the ultimate outcome of our Faith!

Our Fellowship is the sphere in which the reality of eternal life is at work! 1 Corinthians chapter 15

We are the LIGHT of the world!

Matthew 5:14 “You are the LIGHT of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden.“