Hello to our church family,
Grace and peace be with each of you…
Our hearts and prayers go out to Ukraine and the innocent citizens as the war there prevails. Sadly, within our world there are wars on every front though…worldly battles; marital battles; societal battles ; moral decline; personal battles within us; and the one that trumps all others..spiritual warfare (the battle not against flesh and blood, but against God). Jesus addresses this in John 17 and encourages Christians to stay focused. He knows the battles we face in this world on every level. God’s gifts are far greater as He has overcome the world. John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world.”
GIVING THANKS:
- Cindy Holly gives thanks for her cousin’s daughter Taylor Rusin who received the results of her brain and spinal MRI. Thankfully there were no findings of cancer in her spine! The lesion they found on her brain in January that they assumed is a meningioma, appears to still be the same size so at this time they are not recommending surgery. They will follow up with another brain MRI in about 4 months. The family is giving much thanks to God for this report. She said that the next step is to wait for information on her whole body MRI from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston which will hopefully be done before summer. Taylor and her family are beyond grateful for the many prayers offered on her behalf.
- Flo Repecko is still not feeling well and waiting on the Doctor’s report.
- Covid numbers are on the decline. Praise God that we can return to some normalcy. With that being said, ‘normal is probably never coming back’, but JESUS IS!
NEWS & UPDATES:
- As you are all aware, we have been following the CDC guidelines throughout the pandemic. The mask mandate currently will be lifted as of February 28th so masks here at the building will be optional at that time. They are recommended for those who feel the need, and not required.
- The Tuesday morning Ladies Bible study will wrapping up their study of Philippians on March 8th . March 22nd will begin a new study of 1, 2, 3rdJohn & Jude. Please let Mary Lou or Lisa know if you’d like to participate in the new study. A great opportunity to invite friends and neighbors as well.
- Coming up is the Ladies Bible study on Friday March 11th at 7pm. (via zoom for now). Join us as we dig into Ephesians. Hoping the April meeting we can be back at the building and offer virtual as an option.
REMINDERS:
- The next planning session for our 150th Church anniversary will be held on Sunday, March 6th right after worship for 15 minutes. Here is a photo of the early Bridgeport church of Christ children: Frances Elizeus (center), Doris Brewer (to the left of Fran), Evelyn Watt(the little girl on the left with the bow) Jackie Pinto (Leah’s Mom & Fran’s sister – Center front), Fanny Guion (Behind Evelyn).
PRAYER REQUESTS:
- Mel Skigen’s sister Arlene passed away. Thanks to all for your prayers for Mel & family at this difficult time. Continued prayers for Mel’s health as well.
- Joe & Carol Ligouri are traveling to visit Joe’s Aunt & Uncle who are in their 90’s. They will be gone for a few weeks.
- Carolyn Metz and her husband are now unable to drive. She is still recovering from her mini stroke and her husband’s vision is poor.
- Jennifer Ruiz’s Neurologist has advised that she see an ENT now. We hope and pray that she will get relief from the vertigo soon.
RON’s CHALLENGE:
- As we study the life of Christ, we are learning about everything that Christ came for. Ron has set a few challenges for us, the first of which is to help feed the hungry. For many years this congregation has helped provide non-perishable food and items for the homeless through the Spooner House which is a local shelter. An effort is being put forth to up our donations for non-perishable food this month. As we donate this food, we give thanks to God for all that we have been given as we share it with those who are struggling. Thanks to all for your generous donations in the past. The container to place your food items is located in the auditorium.
- Reminder to invite others to our on-line bible studies and worship.
- Bible classes for all ages from cradle roll through adult.
- 10:00 a.m. on Sunday morning
- 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday evenings
- Worship Sunday morning at 11:00 a.m.
The world needs to hear the good news of Jesus Christ! Join us as Ron leads us through a great study of Jesus this year!
The scriptures are filled with verses that depict the Glory and Greatness of God. He alone is to be praised. He alone is to be glorified!
We use the word “great” loosely to admire someone’s accomplishments, or if someone possesses a skill or quality that surpasses the skills or qualities of others we know. It is a word that comes with weight & significance.
In scripture the word ‘great’ demonstrates that God is at the pinnacle of every admirable quality, making God alone, worthy of our Praise and worship.
In Genesis 1:1-31 we read of God’s incomparable power in creating Heaven and earth as well as everything in them!
Deuteronomy 32:3 “I will proclaim the name of the LORD, Oh Praise the Greatness of our God!”
Psalm 86:8-10 “ Among the gods there is none like you, LORD; No deeds can compare with yours. All the nations you have made will come and worship before you LORD: they will bring glory to your name. For you are great and do marvelous deeds, you alone are God”
Luke 9:43 “His greatness is unsearchable.”
God demonstrates His supreme power throughout scripture…
Job 38:31-41 “Can you bind the beautiful Pleiades? Can you loose the cords of Orion? Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons or lead out the Bear with its cubs? Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you set up God’s dominion over the earth? Can you raise your voice to the clouds and cover yourself with a flood of water? Do you send the lightning bolts on their way? Do they report to you, ‘here we are?’ Who endowed the heart with wisdom or gave understanding to the mind? Who has the wisdom to count the clouds? Who can tip over the water jars of the heavens when the dust becomes hard and the clods of earth stick together?”
Jeremiah 10:6 “There is none like You, O LORD; You are great, and great is Your name in might.”
1 Chronicles 16:25 “For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; He also is to be feared above all gods.”
1 Chronicles 29:11 “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth Yours is the dominion, O LORD, and You exalt Yourself as head over all.”
Isaiah spoke of God’s great command of Heaven and Earth and all things therein.
Isaiah 40:22 “He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing. No sooner are they planted no sooner are they sown, no sooner do they take root in the ground, than he blows on them and they with, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.”
Isaiah 40:26 “Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these stars, The One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, not one of them is missing.”
Isaiah 40:28 “Do you not know, have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 55:9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
Job 36:26 “How great is God – beyond our understanding! The number of His years is past finding out”
Ephesians 3:20 “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.”
Jeremiah 32:17 “Ah Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and Your outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You.”
Nahum 1:3 “The LORD is slow to anger and great in power. And the LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. In whirlwind and storm is His way, and clouds are the dust beneath His feet.”
Ephesians 1:19-20 “…”and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places.”
Philippians 2:9-10 “For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth.”
King David spoke of the greatness of God’s wondrous deeds in the book of Psalms:
Psalm 145: 4-7 “One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds. They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.”
Vs 13 “Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations.”
Psalm 104:1 “Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, You are very great; You are clothed with splendor and Majesty.”
Psalm 8
“O LORD, our Lord,
How majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your Glory
Above the heavens.
From the lips of children and infants
You have ordained Praise
Because of your enemies,
To silence the foe and the avenger.
When I consider your heavens,
The work of your fingers,
The moon and the stars,
Which you have set in place,
What is man that you are mindful of him,
The son of man that you care for him?
You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
And crowned him with glory and honor.
You made him ruler over the works of your hands;
You put everything under his feet;
All flocks and herds and the beasts of the field,
The birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,
All that swim the paths of the seas.
O LORD, Our Lord,
How majestic is your name in all the earth!”
PSALM 19
“The heavens declare the glory of God;
The skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
Night after night they display knowledge.
There is no speech or language
Where their voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out into all the earth,
Their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens he has pitched a tent for
The Sun,
Which is like a bridegroom coming
Forth from his pavilion,
Like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit
To the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
Reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are right,
Giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
Giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
Enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure,
And altogether righteous.
They are more precious than gold,
Than much pure gold;
They are sweeter than honey,
Than honey from the comb.
By them is your servant warned;
In keeping them there is great reward.
Who can discern his errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
Keep your servant also from willful sins;
May than not rule over me;
Then will I be blameless,
Innocent of great transgressions.
May the words of my mouth and the
Meditation of my heart
Be pleasing in your sight,
O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
God’s power and majesty are so expansive that they are unmatched anywhere. The Creator of the Universe, the very embodiment of greatness, is to be praised!”
The greatness of God is manifested in JESUS…
Hebrews 1:1-3 “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son whom he appointed heir of all things and through whom he made the universe. The son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exct representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”
The greatness of GOD is manifested in us, so that we can reflect His glory.
2 Corinthians 3:18 “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the spirit.”
God’s power and love are so vast that we cannot fathom it all.
Keep a spiritual song on your heart!
All Hail the Power of Jesus Name
All hail the power of Jesus’ name!
Let angels prostrate fall.
Bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown him Lord of all.
Bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown him Lord of all!O seed of Israel’s chosen race
now ransomed from the fall,
hail him who saves you by his grace,
and crown him Lord of all.
Hail him who saves you by his grace,and crown Him Lord of all!
Let every tongue and every tribe
responsive to his call,
to him all majesty ascribe,
and crown him Lord of all.
To him all majesty ascribe,and crown Him Lord of all.
We at his feet may fall!We’ll join the everlasting song
and crown him Lord of all.
We’ll join the everlasting song
and crown him Lord of all.
TO THEE WE ASCRIBE GLORY
“…ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.” Ps 29:1
To thee we ascribe Glory,
To thee we ascribe honor,
To thee we ascribe, Power and Majesty, Holy is the Lord.
Revelation 7:12 “Praise and Glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and strength be to our God forever, and ever.”
God bless,
Bruce & Paula
Praise God’s Greatness
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