Good morning church family,
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We serve an AMAZING God who is with us during every breath and walks with us every step of our lives…
Psalm 139:1-10
O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying
down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue,
you know it completely, O LORD.
You hem me in – behind and before,
you have laid your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for
me,
too lofty for me to attain.
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your
presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you
are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to
you;
the night will shine like the day,
for the darkness is as light to you.”
GIVING THANKS:
* Thank you to all who donated items for the bags for the homeless and for all those who helped to assemble them last Sunday. We put together 30 bags. They will be stored in Ron’s office ready for distribution as needed. See Ron if you are interested in distributing them to those in need.
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Thanks to Nadine Keller for organizing the SECRET PRAYER SISTER activity which culminated in a night of Fellowship and Prayer last night. Trumbull is blessed to have such a loving, supportive and spiritually focused group of ladies that work in harmony for God’s glory. There were prayer stations encompassing prayers for the world, unity, peace, families, the Church, and the evening was spirit filled.
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Welcome Home to Trenton Carey who recently went on a trip to Italy with his High School.
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PRAYER REQUESTS:
* Dorothea’s son David was in the ER this past week.
* Prayers for Teddy & Toni Bonadio who are having many health challenges and Teddy continues to undergo many tests.
* Continued prayers for Flo Repecko’s health and for their son and daughter-in-law who is pregnant with a baby boy, and the doctors recently expressed concern over the baby’s size.
* Marie Preteska is in the hospital. Fervent prayers for Joanne, Toni & Greg as they continue to help their sister through this difficult season of her life.
* Prayers for close friends of the Pancoast’s Michael & Leslie Vuto, whose new baby boy was born with a rare birth defect called CGMN (Giant Congenital Melanocytic Nevus). Their baby boy named Levi will need several surgeries over the years.
COMING UP:
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THIS EVENING … APRIL 20th, 5:30 p.m. – There will be a YOUNG ADULTS BIBLE STUDY DINNER and Karaoke / game night at the church building. Please see Zach and Tori for details.
94fe900b-ae03-6422-aee5-068c51e80402@yahoo.com>”>TUESDAY LADIES BIBLE STUDIES THIS MONTH, 9:30 a.m. via zoom:
STUDY – GENESIS.
* Tuesday April 23
Thanks to Lisa and Mary Lou for leading these studies. Please see Mary Lou to get a copy of the book.
DANBURY church of Christ Hymn sing tomorrow– April 21st at 3:30 p.m.
e6a92840-bc09-cb16-a29c-a63beecae16d@yahoo.com>”>CHURCH DIRECTORIES ARE BEING UPDATED:
Pat Keller has placed lists of members names and contact information on the back table. Please take time to review your information and get back to Pat with any corrections.
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GIVE-A-WAY DAY is coming up on Saturday April 27th.
Starting Monday anyone donating items for the “Give Away Day” can schedule a time to drop off your items at the building.
Contact Patrick Keller to schedule a date and time so he can open the building.
Labeled tables will be set up down stairs to leave your items.
88cbb23c-9a32-df5a-fdf0-ef4b95100cd4@yahoo.com>”>Saturday, May 11th – 10:00 AM – MOTHER & DAUGHTER DEVOTIONAL
Lisa & Tori Saracino will lead the Ladies devotional and bible study at the church building. All ladies and young girls are welcomed!
555c49ad-59f4-8385-c5e7-9d3ef996537e@yahoo.com>”>Men are encouraged to register for the Kent Men’s retreat on June 14th & 15th!
4590bb35-1c36-464a-cca5-3bcb035e91de@yahoo.com>”>Sunday June 30th – Next Pot Luck immediately following worship
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VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL teachers and volunteers are needed. Please see Derin & Kristin Wilson if you are able to help.
Life is fairly easy when we are standing on top of the mountain! We are at the top, looking down and all is well
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Valleys are not so easy.
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In the Bible, valleys are often a metaphor for difficult times, times of darkness, times of despair, defeat or discouragement.
In the midst of the valley, life’s problems overwhelm us. Valleys are deep, dark, hopeless, and can loom over us with despair. We look up and see the top of the mountain, but climbing up it, seems insurmountable. Discouragement, anxiety, and fear come crashing down upon us. The evil one convinces us to give up, and makes us feel as though we will never leave the valley of despair.
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Did you know that crops grow better in the valley than on the mountain, because the valley is richer in soil nutrients than on the mountain? There is enough soil moisture in the valley and there is low or moderate temperature in the valley, versus the mountain.
In the Valley we come to know Christ more closely. We share in his sufferings and have nowhere to turn but His everlasting arms.
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In the Valley, James teaches us to count our trials as pure JOY, which brings us to spiritual maturity. He is forming us into the people he wants us to be,
In the Valley, we learn to trust in God’s plan for us. Sometimes that means waiting. We can only see part of the story, but He sees the whole picture.
God in all of His glory, has given us every tool to get us through the valleys. We will not remain in the valley, we are just on a journey through it from this life, to eternal glory!
Whether in this life, or the next, OUR SAVIOR IS WITH US through it all.
In the 23rd Psalm, David eloquently says,
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Those who have clothed themselves in Christ, have nothing but HOPE when we go through the Valleys!
He leads us to green pastures, quiet waters and restores our soul.
He guides us along paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
His rod and staff comfort us when we are in the dark valleys.
He prepares a table before us, when we are faced with enemy forces.
He anoints our heads with oil.
Our cups OVERFLOW.
Goodness and Mercy will follow us all the days of our lives, and we will LIVE in the HOUSE of the LORD, forever.
How incredible!
GOD will never leave us, or forsake us. To know that HE will NEVER leave us, is the lifeline we need to endure the valleys. He is faithful, Holy, Loving, forgiving, Righteous, Eternal.
How do we get through our valleys of despair?
FAITH
Mark 11:22-25
“Have faith in God’, Jesus answered.
‘ I tell you the truth,
if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go throw yourself into the sea,
and does not doubt in his heart
but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.
Therefore, I tell you whatever you ask for in prayer,
believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone,
forgive him,
so that your Father in heaven may forgive your sins“
HOPE
Lamentations 3:22-24
“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope;
the steadfast love of the LORD never ceases,
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
The Lord is my portion says my soul, therefore I will hope in him.“
TRUST
Proverbs 3:5
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and lean not on your own understanding,
in all thy ways acknowledge Him,
and he will direct thy path.”
WALK BY FAITH AND NOT BY SIGHT
2 Corinthians 5:6-8
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen,
but what is eternal:
since what is seen is temporary
and what is unseen,
is eternal.”
DO NOT FEAR
Isaiah 41:10
“Fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous hand.“
PRAY
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“Rejoice always,
pray without ceasing,
give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. “
DON’T WORRY
Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything,
by prayer and petition with thanksgiving,
present your request to God,
And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding
will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
STAND ON HIS PROMISES
He loves us. Zephaniah 3:17
He is with us. Psalm 23:4
The God of heaven and earth values us Matthew 6:26
He is a God of Mercy. Psalm 138:8
Nothing is impossible with God. Matthew 19:26
He has promised to sustain us. Isaiah 41:13
He has promised to work out all things for those who love him! Rom 8:28
PRAISE HIM IN YOUR VALLEY
Job 36:24
“Remember to extol his work,
which men have praised in song.
All mankind has seen it;
men gaze on it from afar,
How great is God –
beyond our understanding!”
LOOK FOR THE FRUIT IN YOUR VALLEY AND TASTE IT
Psalm 34:8
“Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.“
GIVE THANKS FOR THE FRUIT IN YOUR VALLEY
Psalm 118:1
“Give thanks to the LORD for He is good;
His love endures forever”
SERVE HIM IN YOUR VALLEY
Romans 12:11
“Never be lacking in zeal,
but keep your spiritual fervor,
serving the LORD.“
DON’T LET GO OF THE FATHER’s HAND IN YOUR VALLEY
John 15:5
“I am the vine and you are the branches:
If a man remains in me and I in him,
he will bear much fruit;
apart from me you can do nothing.”
As followers of Jesus, we need to remember,
“I can do ALL THINGS, through Christ who strengthens me”
Philippians 4:13
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KEEP SINGING:
Watching over Me
Watching Over Me
When the valley seems so dark and deep,
And the burdens hard to bear,
When the storm clouds gather in the east
And it seems that no one cares.
Remember you are not alone,
Look closely and you’ll see
The Savior watching over you, and He’s watching over me.
When the cross you carry weighs you down
And you fall upon your knees,
When it seems that no one is around ,who can hold you tenderly.
Remember you are not alone,
Look closely and you’ll see
The Savior watching over you, and He’s watching over me.
When you cry out on the stormy sea,
Buried by the angry waves,
When your soul is troubled and it seems,
that your life draws near the grave.
Remember you are not alone,
Look closely and you’ll see,
The Savior watching over you, and He’s watching over me.
The Savior watching over you….and He’s watching over me.
POEM by Jane Eggleston
Sometimes life seems hard to bear, Full of sorrow, trouble and woe.
It’s then I have to remember that it’s in the valleys I grow.
If I always stayed on the mountain top and never experienced pain,
I would never appreciate God’s love, and would be living in vain.
I have so much to learn and my growth is very slow.
Sometimes I need the mountain tops, but it’s in the valleys I grow.
I do not always understand why things happen as they do.
But I am very sure of one thing, my Lord will see me through.
My little valleys are nothing when I picture Christ on the cross.
He went through the valley of death; His victory was Satan’s loss.
Forgive me Lord, for complaining when I’m feeling so very low.
Just give me a gentle reminder that it’s in the valleys I grow.
Continue to strengthen me, Lord and use my life each day
to share your love with others and help them find their way.
Thank you for valleys, Lord for this one thing I know.
The mountain tops are glorious, but it’s in the valleys I grow.
Do you know anyone going through a valley?
Reach out to comfort them. Encourage them. Share God’s word, for the world is craving to hear the Word of God.
Remember, it’s in the Valleys we grow.
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Matthew 11:29-30
“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.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.“
To God be the glory, great things He hath done!
Our love in Him,
Bruce & Paula