Faith & Family

Good morning to all,

 

We hope you had a blessed Thanksgiving holiday!

 

 

GIVING THANKS:

 

• Thanks to God for all of the families who were so sick last week and are on the mend.

• We offer our Praise and thanks to God for his blessings that overflow. 

 

 

 

 

PRAYER REQUESTS:

 

 

• Mike Ross continues to deal with chronic pain and is recuperating from a pain procedure he had done last week. 

 

• Nadine’s Mother Audrey Parks went to the ER this past week. Thankfully she is home now after a flu diagnosis. 

 

• Karla Jones’s mother went to the hospital on Tuesday after an allergic reaction.  They drove to Florida to be with her. Kevin & Karla are friends of Paula’s at work.

 

•  Prayers for Nancy (Roldan) Johnston  who was a member here at Trumbull many years ago. Her husband Johnny Johnston passed away on Wednesday.  This is only a few weeks after she lost her son Christopher.  Our hearts go out to Nancy, Ginny and Mike Lichac as well at this difficult time.

• Flo Repecko had a stroke this past week . She is home recovering and will begin rehab soon.

• Randy Springer is finally home & still recovering.  Continued prayers for his healing.

• Mel was taken to the hospital on Wednesday since they thought he was having a heart attack.  Thankfully all is well, but he was sorry he missed the Wednesday evening bible study!  Thanks for your fine example Mel of being steadfast in the Lord no matter what!

 

 

 

COMING UP:

 

 

• The December 9^th bible study has been bumped up to Friday, December 2^nd at 7pm at the building.  Nadine Keller will be leading this study.

 

• Note:  For January, February and March we will meet at 9:00 AM on the second Saturday of each month at the building.  Great things are planned for our ladies’ classes this coming year!

 

 

 

SPOONER HOUSE NEEDS:

 

• Spooner House has 24 residents, 4 of which are women who have no families.  They could use toiletries such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoos, conditioner, deodorant, soaps, hand-soap, etc.   If you would like to donate items towards this effort, please bring them in a zip-lock back and leave them in the container for Spooner House in the foyer.  Thanks for all of the donations which they are very grateful for.    For anyone who might like to bring a meal or make sandwiches, etc. please contact Liz Holcomb at (203)225-0455 x105.

 

 

 

Thanksgiving is a favorite holiday for many because of it's focus on family. 

God created families as a beautiful reflection of his love.  He designed the family so we may see the depth of God's love reflected in the devotion of parents to their children.   We get a glimpse of what God's steadfast trust is like when we see a child trusting a parent, or grand-parent.  A family is that safe place, a loving environment where that child can grow physically, emotionally, and in the Christian family, spiritually.   A Christian family begins with each person's personal commitment to God.

Families are not perfect, in fact many struggle with dysfunction, drama, and heartache.  The first family – Adam and Eve were far from perfect.   We are seeing more and more the degradation of the family unit as God intended it to be. Emulating the love that exists between God and his church is no easy feat. 

The apostle Paul often spoke about family relationships. He defines the relationship for wives and husbands – Ephesians 5:22  Husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loves His church, and wives are called to devote themselves to their husbands as the church devotes itself to Christ. 

Paul admonishes in the book of Galatians to live by the Spirit . Galatians 5:22 “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control” 

For children and parents – Ephesians 6:1-4 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right. Honor thy father & mother; that it may be well with thee, and thou may live long on the earth. And, ye father's provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord“.  

The Christian family prays together, creating a deep bond centered around God the Father.  These traditions and values – faith – that are passed down from generation to generation are precious in God's sight.  

There are many examples of Godly families in the scriptures. 

2 Timothy 1:5 is a great example of family passing down the heirloom of faith from generation to generation.   Paul celebrates Timothy's family for the example of faith they've passed down to him.  

Timothy was young when he learned the Gospel while Paul was on his missionary journey.  Timothy learned the Good News from his Grandmother and mother.  Like a tradition or valuable heirloom, Timothy's grandmother passed down the faith to her daughter and her daughter (Timothy's Mother) passed it down to Timothy.   His faith grew and ultimately he partnered with Paul to help promote the Gospel of Christ to many.    The book of Timothy yields to watching your life and doctrine closely.  

The church is God's family; adopted by Him as children, and we live on the basis of the new covenant.  The church is the Body of Christ, a community of faith of which Christ Himself is the Head.  How precious is the church, the bride for whom Christ died, that he might sanctify and cleanse her. 

The church and the family are the two institutions that God has created for the spread of His grace and His gospel message.  These two institutions are the most important institutions on earth.  

Jesus cared for His family.  Throughout the New Testament we learn how Jesus Christ showed love for His family members, especially His mother, Mary. Even while in agony on the cross, Jesus showed concern for His mother's care:  “When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.”  John 19:26-27

God established families from the very beginning. They are precious to Him.

Value your family, each and every member.  Show the unconditional love we need to shine for the Lord and give thanks.

KEEP SINGING….

THE FAMILY OF GOD

I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God;

I've been washed in the fountain

Cleansed by His blood!

Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,

For I'm part of the family, 

The family of God.

You will notice we say brother and sister 'round here,

From the door of an orphanage, to the house of the King,

It's because we're a family  and these folks are so near,

When one has a heart-ache we all share the tears,

And rejoice in each victory in this family so dear.

I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God;

I've been washed in the fountain

Cleansed by His blood!

Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,

For I'm part of the family, 

The family of God.

From the door of an orphanage

to the house of the King,

No longer an outcast,

a new song I sing:

From rags unto riches, 

from the weak to the strong,

I'm not worthy to be here but praise God I belong!

PASS IT ON

It only takes a spark

To get a fire going

And soon all those around

Can warm up in its glowing.

That's how it is with God's love,

Once you've experienced it.

You spread His love to everyone

You want to pass it on!

What a wondrous time is spring

When all the trees are budding.

The birds begin to sing,

The flowers start their blooming.

That's how it is with God's love

Once you've experienced it

You want to sing

It's fresh like Spring

You want to pass it on.

I wish for you my friend,

This happiness that I've found

You can depend on Him,

It matters not where you're bound.

I'll shout it from the mountain top

I want my world to know

The Lord of love has come to me,

I want to pass it on.

In closing we share Ephesians 3:14-17, 19-21

“For this reason I kneel before the Father,

from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name.

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you

with power through His Spirit in your inner being,

so that christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,

may have power, together with all the saints, 

to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 

that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,

according to his power that is at work within us,

to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus

Throughout all generations, for ever and ever! “

Amen.

Let's pass it on…

In Him,

Bruce & Paula