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1/10/2026
Good morning church family,
GIVING THANKS & PRAISE:
We give much thanks to God that the team at Yale identified the specific organism causing the staff infection for Leo. They are treating him with a specific antibiotic now for a specific treatment. Praise God they are looking at a possible discharge date of next week. Please keep praying, since the previous fungal infection has caused some deterioration to some of his vertebrae. This has caused a compression fracture that is causing his spine to be out of alignment and causing significant pain. This may require surgical intervention at some point but God knows all. Our prayers will be non-stop for Leo even once he gets HOME! Praise GOD he is come this far, and is SO CLOSE! Cards of love, prayers and encouragement can be sent to: Gina, VJ Benevento, 91 Shelton Rd., Trumbull, CT 06611
Thanks to Tori Saracino for leading the Tuesday morning zoom Ladies Bible class and she will be helping Lisa today at the Ladies Bible Study at their home. We are incredibly proud of Tori for taking this on to help out, while her Mother Lisa continues to struggle with her vision.
We give thanks that sister Beulah is feeling better after having had the flu.
PRAYER REQUESTS:Our prayers and deepest condolences are extended for Chidi Okoroafor who had a death in the family. His cousin Loveth Oby Duru, whom he was very close with, passed away. Prayers for Chidi and all of his family. His parents are Mr. Linus and Mrs Happiness Okoroarfor. To send a sympathy card their address is: 1316 Oakley Street, Bronx, NY 10469
Nancy Melson has experienced severe abdominal pain which they are looking into. Nancy requested prayers for her friend Sally who is 88 years old and has the Flu.
Dorothea’s son David has been in the hospital for a few days due to cardiac issues.
COMING UP:
The next Tuesday Ladies bible study via zoom will be on January 20th at 9:30 am. The new study will be on Lesson 4 in the book as Lisa and Mary Lou lead us in the book of Ezra.
Today’s Ladies Bible study will be at the home of Lisa & Tori Saracino at 10:00 am. They are leading the lesson in “The Fragrance of Emptiness“
The next Saturday Ladies bible study will be on Saturday, February 14th at the church building. Angela Scalzo will lead the discussion on the topic of “The Fragrance of Brokenness”.
YOUNG ADULTS
There will be a young adult New Year’s devo and dinner on Friday, January 16 at 6:30 pm at the church building! (young adults that are helping prepare food can arrive as early 5:30) Afterwards Kevon will teach everyone how to bake desert! Please see Kevon for more details.
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING – JANUARY 18th
Join us for a congregational meeting right after worship on Sunday January 18th.
MENS BREAKFAST – Saturday January 24th
Please mark your calendar for the Men’s breakfast on Saturday January 24th. 9:00am
NIGHT OF PRAYER – Here at the building on Friday night January 23rd. Stay tuned for more details.
Just a reminder to let the red ” ONE MEAL AT A TIME” bags remind us to bring in non-perishable food for the Spooner House!
Psalm 19:1
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim his handiwork.”
 
The Barrelleye Fish
This peculiar fish is known for its unique eyes – two bright green upward pointing orbs – visible through the transparent dome on its forehead. The upward pointing eyes can spot prey above them in the water column and rotate forward when needed. Barreleyes live in the ocean’s twilight zone – a depth where the sunlight from the surface fades into darkness. Its ultra sensitive eyes look up to see the silhouettes of its prey.
Barreleyes are thought to be solitary creatures that inhabit the ocean’s twilight to midnight zones, usually between 2,000 to 2,600 feet (600 and 800 meters) in the northeastern Pacific ocean.
May we stand in complete AWE of our CREATOR!
In 2004 the tsunami which hit Thailand is known as “The wave that shook the world” . This tsunami came on quickly with 100 foot waves which swept across the Indian Ocean.
There were little to no warnings of what was about to happen.
There was little to no information on sea surface levels from the region, giving officials no way to ‘see’ the wave which came on swiftly.
The Tsunami hit swiftly and hard. It had widespread destruction with much loss of life. There were approximately 230,000 people who perished. It was one of the deadliest disasters in modern history.
Life as we know it, is short, fragile and temporary.
Leo Benevento was hit with a terrible storm over 100 days ago. One day he got up and noticed bruising all over his body. After the doctor diagnosed him he was sent to Yale immediately and the diagnosis of ‘severe aplastic anemia’ was given. This 12 year old boy has endured fear, relentless pain, agony, suffering and surgery after surgery, and is still in the fight of his life. Praise God for the wonderful strides which have been made thus far. But lessons can be learned from this that life can change on a dime! One day we are fine, and the next, not so! Or perhaps, we won’t be here at all.
James shares that our life is but a mist, that quickly disappears.
Life is uncertain and we do not know what tomorrow holds.
We only have today!
We should make our plans today, acknowledging God’s sovereignty.
The brevity of life should motivate us to live meaningfully, serving others, and seeking what truly lasts… God’s glory!
King Solomon addresses the meaning of life in Ecclesiastes which is worth the read from chapter 1 through 12.
Ecclesiastes 1:1-11
“The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem.
“Meaningless! Meaningless! says the Teacher.
Utterly meaningless!
Everything is meaningless!
What does man gain from all his labor,
at which he toils under the sun?
Generations come and generations go,
but the earth remains forever.
The sun rises and the sun sets.
and hurries back to where it rises.
the wind blows to the south,
and turns to the north;
round and round it goes,
ever returning to its course.“
King Solomon shares Godly wisdom throughout Ecclesiastes.
Wisdom is meaningless
Pleasures are meaningless
Wisdom and folly are meaningless
Toil is meaningless
Riches are meaningless
“Everything done under the sun, is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” vs 17
What brings us true meaning?
King Solomon goes on in Chapter 5 to tell us that the wisdom we should seek is to “stand in awe of God“.
King Solomon shares many words of wisdom for us…
Ecclesiastes Chapter 12 is a well known chapter, referring to life as we age. King Solomon begins with “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, I find no pleasure in them.”
He reminds us of the Inevitability of Aging…
“before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark,
and the clouds return after the rain.
when the keepers of the house tremble,
and the strong men stoop
when the grinders cease because they are few
and those looking through the windows grow dim.
when the doors to the street are closed and the sound of grinding fades.
when men rise up at the sound of birds,
but all their songs grow faint
when men are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets
when the almond tree blossoms
and the grasshopper drags himself along
and desire no longer is stirred.
Then man goes to his eternal home and mourners go about the streets.“
He reminds us of the Fragility of Life – Life is precious and fragile….
“Remember him – before the silver cord is severed.
or the golden bowl is broken.
before the pitcher is shattered at the spring
or the wheel broken at the well and the dust returns to the ground it came from (death).
and the spirit returns to God who gave it.” (Death & judgement)
Our days are numbered…and we do not know when our last day or breath will be, but God knows….
We must live purposefully, valuing each moment as a gift from God & PRAISE HIM!
Jesus’ return will be sudden, requiring us to be watching, and ready. He warns us that it will be like a thief in the night. Matthew 24:42-44
Focus on eternity….prioritize spiritual matters and eternal values, over temporary gains.
Number your days to live with wisdom and purpose – Psalm 90:12
Exalt the LORD and He will guide and protect you.– Psalm 91
Jesus Christ’s return is imminent and can occur at any moment. We look forward to the “blessed hope – the glorious appearance of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Jesus said, “No one knows about that day or hour” Matthew 24:36
The time of His coming is something God has not revealed to anyone, and so, until He returns, we should continue worshipping and serving Him.
In Luke 12:35-37 we read the Parable of the Faithful servant.
“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning.”
In Matthew 25:1-13 we read about the Parable of the ten virgins.
May we have our spiritual oil ready and be found faithful and ready for the Bridegroom’s arrival.
2 Peter 3:14 Live “in peace, without spot, and blameless.”
Paul shares in 1 Corinthians 15:58 “Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord.”
Paul also gives us stern warning in 1 Thessalonians 5:6 “So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.”
Every day the sun comes up, we have another opportunity to Praise God and contribute to spreading the good news of Jesus Christ.
Mark 16:15 “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved. He that does not believe shall be condemned. “
Life brings us amazing and wonderful opportunities to teach God’s word to the world, for once life is over, that’s it! We work and make a difference now while we can….
John 9:4
“Night is coming when no one can work.”
Live as if each day were your last.. and be ready!
Live to glorify God our Creator and spread the good news!
KEEP SINGING and PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME….
I want to be ready to meet HIM….
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I WANT TO BE READY TO MEET HIM [with lyrics] Acapella Church Hymn Religi…
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You may have your worldly pleasures,
your silver and your gold.
You may pile up all the riches
that this old world can hold;
But I’d rather have my Savior,
and with Him firmly stand,
For I want to be ready to meet Him,
in the glory land.
I want to be ready,
to meet Him by and by.
I want to be ready to meet Him in the sky.
O, I want to be more like Him, and do His blest command,
For I want to be ready to meet Him
in the Glory Land.
You may talk about your riches,
your diamonds and your pearls.
You may gain the wealth for ages
of this and all the world.
But the Savior is more precious, with Him I’ll take my stand.
For I want to be ready to meet Him,
in the Glory Land.
I want, to be ready,
To meet Him by and by.
I want, to be ready,
To meet Him in the sky,
Oh I want to be more like Him,
And do His blessed command,
So I want to be ready to meet Him,
in the Glory Land.
There is one thing I can boast of,
salvation from the fall.
I’m an heir to wealth in glory,
my Father owns it all;
That is why I’m shouting happy
and go at His command,
For I want to be ready to meet Him
in the Glory Land.
To God be the glory great things He hath done!
Bruce & Paula
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