|
 9/19/2026
Good morning church family,
“You are the light of the world.
A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ”
Matthew 5:15
GIVING THANKS & PRAISE TO GOD:
Thanks to Jay Repecko for leading the Discipleship workshop last Friday & Saturday and preaching on Sunday morning. All went well and we were edified. Jay also cooked up a storm with barbecued chicken wings, chili, sandwiches and more. There was food & fellowship. Our spiritual cups overflow. The question remains for all of us, whom will we mentor for the Kingdom of God?
 
THE BARNABAS PROJECT – Card ministry Thanks to Lisa Saracino who will be taking over the Barnabas Project which is a card ministry we’ve had for many years. Unfortunately the original list of members for this group was lost, so please let Lisa know if you would like to be included in this ministry.
Brother Devlal Moktan wanted to express his thanks for all of the prayers offered up for his recovery which will take a few more weeks. He also wanted to thank all who made donations to the Saints in Nepal . He provided an update on the circumstances there.
6 Congregations,”Church of Christ mountain area churches in Nepal”were effected by the flood. 70+ members lost their lives. Many members have lost everything, and many children lost their mothers and fathers.
 
The above are children who lost their parents. The right photo is of three children whose parents perished. They are with one of their preachers. Prayers for all.
 
We will continue to lift up prayers for the ministry in Nepal, for all of the families & survivors affected by this disaster.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
Nadine Keller’s shoulder surgery has been postponed for two weeks so she can have the surgery at the hospital (not at the outpatient center). Thanks to all who have signed up to bring food which is now on hold. We will keep praying and giving thanks for God’s timing is perfect.
Prayers for Randy Springer as he recovers from a triple bypass. Praise God that the surgery went well. Our prayers will cover Randy and Karen as he recovers.
Barb Wangerin (past speaker of ladies retreats) asked for prayers for her daughter Amber (whose husband took his life last year), and for her two grand-children Madison & Noah, who are going through a very difficult time.
Tracie Walkup asked for prayers for Vivi – 3 year old who has an auto immune problem that is destroying her platelets. She is in serious condition at Yale. Her levels are low enough that she could have a stroke.
Karen Ohrenberger asked for prayers for a 1 year old little girl name Nora in a similar situation at their congregation.
Leah Fernandes asked for prayers for Jackson’s grandfather Rusty Duncan who is going through testing to see if he may have Lymphoma.
YOUNG ADULTS
There will be a young adult game and movie night at the Trumbull church of Christ on Friday, September 25 at 6:30 pm! (ice cream will be provided but if you can bring a topping to share for sundaes that’d be great) Please see Jin and Zach for more details.
Tammie Carey is leading a terrific effort in partnering to support Newborns and families at Griffin Childbirth Center with our congregation. ” Bringing a new life into the world is a moment of intense JOY, but for many expectant mothers and growing families in our local community, it can also bring significant financial stress.
We have the opportunity to ensure that every mother leaving the center has the essential supplies needed to care for herself and her newborn during the critical early days of their birth. They are putting together support packages for families in financial need. They are currently collecting donations for the following new, unused items:
For BABY:
Onesies, caps, socks, and scratch mittens, sleep sacks, swaddles, receiving blankets, and diaper bags.
Nursing & Postpartum care for Mom:
Nursing bras, nursing pads, nursing pillows and pillow covers, breast milk storage bags, lactation tea, lanolin nipple cream, diaper cream and lip balm, maternity pads and postpartum ice packs.
General Support:
Gift cards (e.g. Target, Walmart, or Grocery stores to help parents purchase diapers or extra supplies).
Note: As their facility supports breast feeding, bottles and pacifiers are not items that are permitted. If you would rather donate funds to this effort, Tammie Carey will accept your donation and shop on your behalf to add to the collected items. “
There is a print-out on the back table for all to take.
COLLEGE CARE BAGS
It has been our tradition every Fall to put together College Care bags. We have 8 students attending college and would like to do a few more for others who are former members away at college. The list of items is on the table in the auditorium and there is a bin in the foyer for the supplies. Please remember a few Gluten Free snacks as well. The items need to be in by Sunday October 3rd.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Many events are happening over the next few months…all LORD WILLING and with Praise and Glory to God.
Ron has started a bible study of the Gospel of John on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. This book is foundational to the Christian faith and a great study for everyone! If you are unsure as to how to share God’s Word with someone, please invite them to join this study.
The TUESDAY Ladies’ bible study started last week. Anyone interested in joining this Tuesday class which begins at 10:00 a.m. are welcomed. They are using Casandra Martin’s book – Women Opening the Word – “The ABC’S of a Godly Heart”. The books can be ordered on-line individually. Please see Lisa or Nadine if you have any questions. The next class will be on September 22nd
OUR ANNUAL HYMN SING will be on Sunday, September 27th at 3:30 p.m. This has been very well attended in the past. A sign up sheet is posted for food. Thank you in advance for your help!
May 2027 is the New England Lectureship.
Saturday October 3rd there will be a SENIORS DINNER (ages 70 and over) hosted by the Young Adults at 4:00 pm. Stay tuned for more details!
The Saturday October 10th ladies class has been pushed out to October 17th at 10:00 a.m. at the church building. The lesson on “The Fragrance of Peace” will be lead by Debbie Froehlich. We will be putting together the College Care bags at this time.
Saturday, October 24th at 9:00 a.m. there will be a Men’s Breakfast at the church building.
Our annual TRUNK or TREAT will be held on October 24th at 6:00 p.m. Set up will begin at 5:00 p.m.
Lisa Saracino is planning a fun “Ladies night of fellowship” after the New Year as we have done in the past. Stay tuned for more details.
Jesus Christ began His great Sermon on the Mount by teaching the Beatitudes which is a list of blessings that define the inner character of a genuine servant of God. Jesus spoke to the crowds (without a microphone) God’s kingdom principles (which are directly opposite of the world’s values).
Matthew 5:1-12
“Now when Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain, and after He sat down, His disciples came to him. He began to teach them. He said:
Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. “
“Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.“
vs. 17 – 20 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
“For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
“Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
Jesus said in John 9:5 “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.“
Jesus explained to His disciples,
“ I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life.“
John 8:12
Jesus is the LIGHT which illuminates our lives.
Everyone who puts their faith and trust in HIM will “no longer be in the dark” John 12:46
The apostle Paul taught..
“For you were once in darkness,
but now you are light in the Lord.
Live as children of light.“
Ephesians 5:8
At night , a city on a hill shines its light in all directions from a high point in elevation. The LIGHT can be seen far and wide, illuminating the way for many travelers and showing them which way to go.
Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14;6
GOD is LIGHT
JESUS is LIGHT
CHRISTIANS are the LIGHT
John 1:4-5
“In him was life and that life was the light of all mankind.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
By sharing the gospel of salvation with others, we shine our lights for those who are lost and living in darkness, glorifying our Father in Heaven.
Isaiah 9:2
and also in Matthew 4:16
Our lives are to have a visible impact for all. We are not to be living in secret or hidden from the world.
Jesus said,
“No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket.
Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand,
where it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your good deeds shine out
for all to see,
so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.“
Matthew 5:15-16
As true disciples of Jesus Christ, we become like a city on a hill that cannot be hidden.
The above image is the World’s Highest city located in Peru, La Rinconada. This city is high in the Peruvian Andes 5,100 to 5,300 meters. There are roughly 30,000 to 50,000 residents, driven by local gold mining. The Oxygen levels are about 50% lower than at sea level, with freezing temperatures year-round.
Ancient people viewed high places as being the closest to God.
Jesus delivered the Beatitudes on a mount, sharing divine wisdom and God’s kingdom rules in Matthew 5.
Moses received the Ten Commandments on top of Mount Sinai, establishing God’s covenant with the Israelites. Exodus 9-24
God tested Abraham on a mountain in the region of Moriah in Genesis 22
Jesus revealed His divine glory to His disciples on a high mountain connecting back to the old covenant encounters of Moses and Elijah. Matthew 17:1-8
2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,
the new creation has come:
The old has gone, the new is here!”
It is now part of our nature as kingdom servants to be the light in the world..
The LIGHT we shine does not come from us, but is but a reflection of the HOLY SPIRIT within us.
2 Corinthians 3:18
“God reconciled humanity to Himself through Jesus Christ
and gave believers the ministry of reconciliation.”
May we give GOD ALL the glory!
KEEP SERVING,
KEEP SHINING & KEEP SINGING ALL THE WAY:
SHINE JESUS SHINE
Lord, the light of Your love is shining In the midst of the darkness, shining JESUS light of the world, shine upon us Set us free by the truth You now bring us Shine on me, shine on me
Shine, JESUS shine, fill this land with the Father’s glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze, set our hearts on fire
Flow, river, flow, flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth Your word, Lord, and let there be light
Lord, I come to Your awesome presence
From the shadows into Your radiance
By the blood, I may enter Your brightness
Search me, try me, consume all my darkness
Shine on me, shine on me
Shine, Jesus, shine, fill this land with the Father’s glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze, set our hearts on fire
Flow, river, flow, flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth Your word, Lord, and let there be light
PRAISE THE LORD! ALL GLORY TO HIM.
In His precious and Holy Name,
Bruce & Paula
|
