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1/31/2026
Good morning church family,
 We hope everyone made it through the snowstorm last weekend. There is more snow to come!
Psalm 46:10 GIVING THANKS & PRAISE:
CONGRATULATIONS AND THANKS BE TO GOD!
Zach Saracino was notified last week from the Graduate Admissions Committee that he has been accepted to the PhD program at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. In addition, he was awarded full tuition remission and an annual stipend! We are incredibly proud of Zach and give much thanks and praise to God!
Thanks to Patrick Keller for leading the Men’s devotional on Saturday. There were 18 men who attended the men’s breakfast and it was a great study and time of fellowship.
    
Irene Aschen is doing well on her updated medicine regimen, praise God!
PRAYER REQUESTS:
Leo Benevento is still dealing with high pain levels. His spine is shifting due to the past spine surgeries and the doctors are concerned. He has been re-admitted to Yale and will have spine surgery today. Our prayers cover all of the family as they continue to wait on God through this storm.
Continued prayers for Dorothea’s son David who had heart surgery on Wednesday. He is finally able to walk so thanks for your prayers for a full recovery.
Toni Bonadio had a heart catheterization this past week and they decided to put a stent in due to an 80% blockage. Praise God that they caught it before a heart attack occurred. Toni is home recovering and is grateful for all of the prayers.
Debbie Christy’s grand niece Akea Marshall in California was recently diagnosed with cancer and is afraid she will lose her job soon, which means she will lose her benefits. Please keep Akea in your prayers.
Larry Lewis has not been feeling well and thought he had a possible stroke this past week. The hospital determined that he did not have a stroke, but a sinus infection.
Pat Yaglowski’s husband Henry fell on Thursday and broke several ribs (4 on his side, and 3 broken in the back). He will be at Bridgeport Hospital for the next few days being monitored. Pat is also dealing with many health issues, so please pray for them both, as well as their daughter Patrice who is juggling her job, her son Javi and caregiving her parents.
Karen Stanzione is recovering from an incident as she was walking her daughter’s dog. A neighborhood dog came up and attacked the dog she was walking. It was a frightening situation and could have been much worse. God was with them both.
church of Christ ASIAN MINISTRY speakers are coming up:
Ladies – February 7th 8:45-10:15 AM
Men – January 31st 8:30-10:00
COMING UP:
The next Tuesday Ladies bible study via zoom will be on February 3rd at 9:30 am. The new study will be on Lesson 5 in the book as Lisa and Mary Lou lead us in the book of Ezra.
Lord willing the next Saturday Ladies bible study will be on Saturday, February 14th at the church building. Angela Weber will lead the discussion on the topic of “The Fragrance of Brokenness” The scripture for this lesson is “Blessed are those who mourn”. Thanks to all of the ladies who are doing a great job of leading these lessons. It takes much time to prepare these lessons and it has been a great study.
Lord willing the CONGREGATIONAL MEETING is rescheduled for this Sunday – February 1st. Please take the time to stay on after worship to attend. The meeting should take about an hour.
NIGHT OF PRAYER – Lord willing, here at the building on February 6th , between the hours of 6:30pm to 9:00 pm. Please take the time to attend this evening of prayer. It is a powerful evening of prayer to come at whatever time is convenient for you.
Prayer cards will be laid out on the back table for you to choose from the submitted requests. The lights will be dimmed, and it will be a time for us to quietly pray for individuals, concerns, the church, our nation, or prayers of praise and thanksgiving. Cards have already been set out for people to complete and put in the box.
Psalm 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim his handiwork.”
God in all of His glory has created this magnificent planet in which we live.
Animals use camouflage to hide from predators by blending into their environment through color, pattern or shape. Some animals such as the snow leopard, blend in with their surroundings no matter what the season. Snow Leopards show several adaptations for living in cold, mountainous regions which have snow and rock terrain.
 
The snowshoe hare has the name “snowshoe” because of the large size of his hind feet. His fur turns white during the winter months & rusty brown in the summer.
 
The Snowy Owl has a wingspan of 4 to 5 feet wide. They need insulation from arctic temperatures so have lots of feathers. They sneak up silently on prey, and swallow small prey whole. Their feet are covered with feathers like fluffy slippers. The Snowy Owl is known as one of the heaviest owl species in North America!
Predator & Prey…they all play an important role in our ecosystem. All designed by our AWESOME GOD!
We’ve just experienced a ton of the white stuff…known as SNOW.
Frozen ice crystals falling as light white flakes on the ground which brings a white layer everywhere!
It’s hard to believe that these tiny little snowflakes can accrue to create mountains and mountains of SNOW!
Snowflakes are considered unique because no two follow the exact same, complex path through the atmosphere, ensuring they encounter distinct temperatures and humidity levels that dictate their crystalline structure. Whey they all share a hexagonal, six sided symmetry at the atomic level, the specific intricate branching patterns of a snowflake are influenced by their unique journey to the ground!
 
We’ve been pretty spoiled over the past few years with very mild winters. However, this past week our country was hit with a major snow storm which affected many states from the southwest to the northeast. States of emergency were in effect for the tri-state region along with two dozen other states across the country. Schools and most businesses were closed. All due, to lots and lots of snowflakes, and freezing temperatures. And there is more to come apparently, given the forecast.
The storm forced many people in the country to hunker down in their homes. Connecticut got approximately 15 or more inches of snow. It was a great opportunity to be still, to watch the storm unfold.
“Be still, and know, that I am God” Psalm 46:10
What a powerful scripture!
The Hebrew word for “still” is “rapa” which means to stop striving, let go, or relax, allowing for a release of anxiety. A call to acknowledge God’s ultimate control, power and presence, even when we are facing overwhelming situations.
To Know in this instance means “to properly ascertain by seeing” and “acknowledge, be aware.” How does acknowledging God impact our stillness? We know that He is omniscient (all-knowing), omnipresent (present everywhere), omnipotent (all-powerful), holy, sovereign, faithful, infinite, and good. Acknowledging God implies that we can trust Him and surrender to His plan because we understand who He is.
To find quiet rest in God’s presence, recognizing Him as our refuge.
Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
When we are still and surrendered to God, we find peace even when the earth gives way, the mountains fall down, or the nations go into an uproar and kingdoms fall . When life gets overwhelming and business takes over our lives, acknowledge that He is God and that He is exalted in the earth. Be still and know that He is God.
To be completely still, helps us to focus on Yahweh, praising Him, acknowledging Him, and making Him be foremost in our minds.
It’s a difficult thing for many of us to be still and wait on God. This life is fast paced, and there is always something to do or somewhere to go, until a storm hits us and stops us in our tracks!
By being still, we can allow the potter to mold us, sculpt us, and help us be who He wants us to be. Isaiah 64:8 “We are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand“.
By being still, it helps us to make our hearts long for His presence, to quiet our minds and spirits to focus on HIM. The Lord is good to those who put their hope in Him. Lamentations 3:25-26
By being still, we offer an attitude of reverence, and quiet. Having our hearts and minds be totally in sync and taking the time to focus on the Creator of the Universe. He who rebuked the wind and said to the waves … “Quiet, Be still” Mark 4:39
As we be still, we can trust that the LORD will fight for us…in whatever storms we are encountering, we need only to be still.
Exodus 14:14
Our true rest comes from trusting God. When we are still and put our hope in Him, we find peace that nothing else can give. Psalm 62:5
MAY WE BE STILL & KNOW….
KEEP SINGING THROUGH THE STORM:
It is well with my soul
When Peace like a river attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows role,
Whatever my lot,
Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well
With my soul.
My sin, Oh the bliss of this glorious thought,
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross,
and I bear it no more;
Praise the Lord,
Praise the Lord,
O my soul!
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well
With my soul.
And Lord haste the day,
when the faith shall be sight.
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll
The trump shall resound,
And the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well, with my soul.
It is well, it is well.
With my soul, With my soul.
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD
Be still and know, that I am God,
Be still and know that I am God,
Be still and know that I am God.
My Lord, my God,
Exalted on High.
I praise You now, and lift you High!
I stand in awe
and trust in Your love.
To God be the glory great things He hath done!
Bruce & Paula
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