Hello church family,
GIVING THANKS:
* Karen Ohrenberger's surgery went as well as could be expected, praise God. Praying for no infections, or impairment from the surgery & complete healing. Thanks to everyone for your prayers!
* Karen McMullen's Mother's liver biopsy was benign. The family is relieved.
* Linda Cerminara is doing well, thanks for all of the prayers. She will not be able to walk on the foot for a few weeks but we look forward to when she will be able to!
* Joanna Orduna from the Spanish Ministry asked for prayers for her daughter and husband who are both going through a difficult time. Her husband who has cancer will have surgery on October 4th to remove his kidney. Her daughter will have heart surgery the week of October 20th.
* Ashley Stephens Mom Mary Likely had an allergic reaction to something. Ashley is flying out on Friday to check in on her. She asked for prayers for Eric while she is away since he will watch the girls. Ashley hopes to return on Tuesday Lord willing.
* Jay and Flo asked for prayers for their close friend Skip French who was in the ER this past week with fluid on his lungs.
* Mick McCreanor asked for prayers for his health since he was in a car accident over the summer and is having health issues. He is also asking for prayers as he looks into a Directorship position there.
* Prayers for Kristen Wilson who's due date is slated for October 9th. God knows the exact time little Derin Jr. will come! Prayers for all to go well!
* Our prayers are extended to the Caruther's family at the Manchester church of Christ. George was an elder at Manchester for almost 45 years and his wife Elaine just passed away.
COLLEGE CARE PACKAGES
Reminder that we are collecting Snacks, candy, gum, school supplies, gluten free cookies, chips, etc. for our college and Senior High students. Thanks for encouraging them! For those who would like to write notes of encouragement and including scriptures, etc. please get them to the building by Sunday October 7th.
THIS IS THE LAST WEEK FOR DREAM HUNT DONATIONS FOR GHANA
Esther will be picking up all of the donations for the children in Ghana tomorrow. Thanks to all who have been so generous for these children!
SPOONER HOUSE
Continues to be in desperate need of non-perishable foods. Thanks to everyone for supporting this food pantry ministry.
OCTOBER EVENTS:
* The next Tuesday morning Bible study will be on October 3rd at 9:30 a.m. watch for the zoom link. Thanks to Lisa and Mary Lou for leading this study on the book of James.
* The next Saturday Ladies Bible study will be on Saturday October 14th at 10:00 a.m. at JoAnne Discala's home at 175 Hilltop Circle, Trumbull, CT. JoAnne will be leading the lesson on our study of the book of Exodus – Courage over Fear. We will also assemble the students care packages that morning.
* Men's Breakfast – October 21st at 9:00 a.m. at the church building- See Jay, Ron or Bruce for what you can bring. There will be a sign up list posted.
* Trunk or Treating – Saturday October 28th at 6:30 at the church building. Thanks to Derin & Kristen for hosting this event. Stay tuned for more details.
* Next Pot Luck meal – Sunday October 29th
MANCHESTER CHURCH OF CHRIST IS HAVING THIS SEMINAR:
The Senior Saints invite you!
Program: Know the signs and symptoms of stroke
Speaker:Guest speaker will be Mary and Charlie Brown’s daughter Dr. Kelly (Brown) Matmati, Chair of Neurology and Stroke Program Director for Hartford Healthcare Fairfield region. She will be accompanied by Dawn Beland, RN, Stroke Center Coordinator for Hartford Hospital in Hartford.
Kelly will talk about the signs and symptoms of stroke, what to do if you experience a symptom, the various treatments for strokes, the rehabilitation, and more. Dawn will discuss what Hartford Hospital has available.
Date:SundayOctober 22, 2023
Time: 12:00 PM
Place: Fellowship hall at the Manchester Church of Christ, 595 Tolland Turnpike, Manchester.
Light Lunch first: Sandwiches and finger foods. To register to attend and/or bring a food item, click on this link: https://bit.ly/3rdhKOZ or call Mary Brown at 860-463-1351.
This event is free and open to all who are interested in this life-saving topic. Please invite your friends who are interested in this topic. We just ask that you register through the link or a phone call to me, Mary Brown.
Mary and Charlie Brown
Please see the attached flyer to print out and share.
Please contact Mary Brown for more details.
NOVEMBER EVENTS:
* LADIES NIGHT OUT – Friday November 10th at 6:00 p.m.. Old Towne Restaurant in Trumbull. Please RSVP to Lisa Saracino if you are able to come. So far there are 15 ladies coming which is great news!
As human beings we are all about the here and now. What we read and see in the news and in our current events daily can remain in the forefront of our minds.
The Scriptures share much about hidden things.
What is hidden?
Proverbs 2:1-4 “My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord.”
Psalms 119:11 “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
Matthew 13:44 “The Kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”
Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.“
In Colossians 3:1-4 , the apostle Paul highlights the crux of our Faith…from baptism to eternal glory…
“If then you have been raised with Christ,
seek the things that are above,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
Set your minds on things that are above,
not on things that are on earth.
For you have died,
and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ who is your life appears,
then you will also appear with him in glory.“
In this one scripture, Paul shares that when we follow Jesus Christ, and are immersed, we have been buried and then raised with Christ.
Jesus Christ is seated at the right hand of God. A place of the highest honor, dignity, power and authority. Not below God, not above God, but at the right hand of God…
1 Peter 3:20-22
“…God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built.
In it only a few people, eight in all were saved through water,
and this water now saves you also – not the removal of dirt from the body
but the pledge of a good conscience toward God.
It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand –
with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.”
Romans 8:34
“where He will intercede on our behalf.
“Who is he that condemns?
Christ Jesus who died – more than that ,
who was raised to life – is at the right hand of God
and is also interceding for us. ”
Hebrews 1:3
“The Son is the radiance of God's glory
and the exact representation of his being.”
God, the Creator of All Things. Col 1:16
God, The Creator of this world Genesis 1:1
God, The Creator of Mankind Genesis 1:26
We die, then our life is hidden with Christ, in God
We then will appear with him in Glory!
Colossians 2:13
“You have been buried with him in Baptism,
in which you were also raised with him through faith
in the powerful working of God,
who raised Him from the dead.“
Our life is hidden…
the glory is hidden…
our death with Christ is hidden...
our resurrection with Him is hidden!
Luke 8:17 says “for there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.“
Luke 12:2-3 “There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed. What you have said in the dark, will be heard in the daylight and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms, will be proclaimed from the roofs.“
1 Corinthians 4:5 “Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait til the LORD comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of mens hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God“.
Praise God for His goodness, His Mercy and His Grace.
Praise God we serve a risen Savior.
Praise God for that which has been disclosed to us through His Word and the clear path to Heaven.
Praise God for the hidden and secret things that belong only to the LORD.
Praise God for His knowing everything hidden deep within our minds, our hearts and our souls.
KEEP SINGING….
LISTEN TO OUR HEARTS
“He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit.” Romans 8:26-27
How do you explain,
How do you describe,
A love that flows from east to west,
and runs as deep as it is wide.
You know all our hopes,
And You know all our fears,
And words cannot express
the Love we feel,
but we long for You to hear.
So listen to our hearts,
Hear our spirits sing,
A song of praise that flows,
from those You have redeemed,
We will use the words we know.
to tell You what an Awesome God You Are,
But words are not enough,
To tell you of our Love,
So Listen to our Hearts.
If words could fall like rain,
From these lips of mine,
And if I had a thousand years,
I would still run out of time.
If you listen to my heart,
every beat will say,
Thank You for the Life,
Thank You for the Truth,
Thank You for the Way.
So listen to our hearts,
Hear our spirits sing,
A song of praise that flows,
from those You have redeemed,
We will use the words we know.
to tell You what an Awesome God You Are,
But words are not enough,
To tell you of our Love,
So Listen to our Hearts.
In closing…let us focus our minds and hearts on the Hidden things.
1 Corinthians 2:7-12
“we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden
and that God destined for our glory before time began.
None of the rulers of this age understood it,
for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
However, as it is written:
“No eye has seen,
No ear has heard,
No mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those
who love him”
“but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things even the deep things of God.
For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him?
In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God,
that we may understand what God has freely given us.
This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom
but in words taught by the Spirit,
expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.”
May we find comfort, peace and HOPE in the Hidden things of God.
May we continue to promote the saving message of Jesus Christ to the world.
May “we hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23
For His Glory and in His service,
Bruce & Paula