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7/27/2025
Good morning church family,
The computer that allows us the ability to offer streaming of our worship service has been down. We are hoping it is back up and running for this Sunday. Thank you all for your patience and thanks to Luis for all of his labor with it all.
GIVING THANKS
* We prayed for Kimberly Keller on Wednesday evening since she had a critical pre-calculus test to take relating to her major at school. Praise God that she passed with flying colors and we give God thanks! There is true power in prayer!
* God has blessed Jennifer & Luis with great news regarding Levi! Their court date was Thursday and it is OFFICIAL that Luis & Jennifer have received permanent guardianship! Praise the Lord and we give GOD much thanks!
* We give thanks to all who are helping with our Vacation Bible School which is TODAY at 11:00!
* Thanks to Dennis Turner who volunteered in the Kitchen at TRCC this week! No doubt the kids ate well with Chef Dennis’s cooking talents!! They also celebrated Kevon’s birthday as well!
Thanks to Tori for being a camp counselor this past week!
 Thanks to Trenton Carey for being a Camper. They ALL had a great week!
And the Young Adults drove up for a special Birthday surprise for Kevon!
PRAYER REQUESTS:
Leo Benevento had the port put in this week. He will undergo several transfusions weekly. Continued and fervent prayers for Leo as they find a PERFECT DONOR. They just found out that his brother and sister are not a match so they are trusting in God to provide the PERFECT DONOR. Fervent prayers for Leo….
Desrine Forbes is back in the hospital. Our prayers are with Desrine and the doctors to help her assess her heart challenges.
Prayers for Kimberly and Nadine who’s close friend Tyreese died in an accident. He was only 22 years old and Kimberly is devastated. Our prayers are with all.
Mildred Perkins had a stroke this past week and is at St. Raphael’s hospital. Our prayers are for Mildred’s peace.
John Cooper is slated to have surgery June 28th. Prayers for all to go well.
TRUMBULL EVENTS COMING UP:
Friday – August 1st 7:00pm – Ladies song night and devotional at the Pancoast’s house, 479 Elm Street, Monroe. This night of singing has been a tradition and one we look forward to every year. Bring a fruit of your choice to be added to create a delicious FRUIT SALAD!
Sunday – August 31st is a POT LUCK right after worship.
We all can’t wait to taste what Dennis will bring!
Saturday, September 13th 10:00-12:00 begins the first of the Saturday morning Ladies’ bible studies. We will be delving into a rich study of “The Aroma of Christ‘. Thanks to Nadine Keller who will lead this study!
Tuesday, September 16th begins the Tuesday Ladies bible study via zoom. Thanks to Lisa Saracino and Mary Lou for leading this mid-week bible study which continues in the book of Revelation.
Area Wide Hymn Sing – Sunday September 28th 3:30 p.m. hosted by the Trumbull church of Christ
LOCAL CONGREGATIONAL EVENTS (All flyers are on the back table)
Patchogue church of Christ – Annual Ladies’ Day August 9th 10:00 – 1:00 p.m.
2025 Gander Brook Ladies Retreat – September 11th – 13th – Through the Eyes of Jesus
Registration is on-line and by mail.
Manchester church of Christ Youth Rally – November 7th – 9th
Jin’s baptism last weekend has brought us all so much JOY! There are really no words which can properly express our feelings… but PRAISE GOD!
Betty Adams (Ashley Stephens Aunt) who worshiped with us last Sunday, was baptized recently while in Alabama, and we welcome Betty to our church family as well!
Luke 15:7 “I tell you that in the same way there is more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine persons who do not need to repent.”
Revelation 5:11 – 14
“Then I looked,
and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne
and the living creatures
and the elders;
and the number of them
was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands...”
To witness the transformation of someone’s soul from the world, to God’s glory, is a beautiful thing & an inexplicable moment. The angels in heaven sing when a soul is saved! Can we fathom myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands of angels singing?
The word Metamorphosis as noted in the dictionary means…”a profound change in form from one state to the next in the lift history of an organism, as from the caterpillar to the pupa to the adult butterfly. A complete change of form, structure, or substance, as transformation by magic or witchcraft; any complete change in appearance, character, circumstances, etc ”
We all know that this definition is void of the message of the power of God, for there is no magic in a transformed heart.
The biblical Greek word for “metamorphosis” is
- The verb μεταμορφόω describes a profound, visible change that proceeds from an inward reality, never a mere external disguise. Each New Testament occurrence links the term to glory—either the majestic glory of Jesus Christ or the moral glory God is shaping in His people.
Our Creator, who created everything that is both seen and un-seen , has given us the beauty of watching metamorphosis happen with the human heart. A heart that is molded, shaped and fashioned by HIS HAND, through our journey in this life. A heart that is touched by the gospel message as we read in Romans 10:17.
In Romans 12:2 the apostle Paul encourages the believers in Rome to “be transformed by the renewing of the mind“. The Greek word here used for transformation is ‘metamorphosis’.
The metamorphosis of the butterfly which is God’s beautiful design of nature, gives us a tiny glimpse of HIS GLORY! Psalm 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.“
A caterpillar instinctively (by God’s perfect design) creates for itself a pupa or chrysalis, which undergoes an incredible, indescribable transformation! The process of forming the chrysalis itself takes only a few hours to complete. The average time it remains in the chrysalis can be 7 to 10 days. (Some butterflies, especially those in harsh environments like deserts, can stay in their chrysalis for up to three years). Monarch butterflies typically stay in their chrysalis for 8 to 15 days.
The metamorphosis of the butterfly is expedited when the temperature is up! So, the warmer the temperature, the quicker the process!
In our Christian walk, we encounter many trials in life. God works to transform us and bring us closer to Him during our storms. Our transformation happens by God turning up the heat! We are purified during the smelting process… of life!
Romans 5:3-4
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.“
Most of the change within the pupa is unseen!
1 John 3:2
“Beloved, now we are children of God,
and it has not yet been manifested what we will be.
We know that if He is manifested,
we will be like Him because we will see Him even as He is.”
A caterpillar’s changes are not made known until the final stage of its maturation. Likewise the Christian life and growth in Christ, is largely mysterious and unseen.
“God has made everything beautiful in it’s time.
He has also set eternity in the hearts of men;
yet they cannot fathom what
God has done from beginning to end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11
When someone decides to follow Jesus, the heart transforms from a physical life of sin, to that of the spiritual life, living for Christ. The metamorphosis of change affects the body, mind, soul and spirit.
What goes on inside a pupa?
National Geographic explains:
“The pupa begins to basically disintegrate into a liquid state, kind of like “soup” . Some of its organs and appendages are preserved while others become like stem cells. The cells create imaginal discs – structures that produce adult body parts. There’s a pair for the antennae, a pair for the eyes, one for each leg and wing, and so on. So if the pupa contains a soup, it’s an organized broth full of chunky bits.”
This metamorphosis brings us into a deep and meaningful relationship i.e. a complete transformation, in having a personal relationship with JESUS, who was with GOD from the beginning.
Following Jesus means living for HIM. Denying self, and taking up our cross daily and to live in commitment to Him. Obedience and submission to Jesus’ teachings and submitting to His sovereign will.
Romans 10:17
“Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.“
And the process begins…the molding, the shaping, the sculpting, the configuring, the growing! God sculpts us while we are moldable, and transforms us from the inside, out!
In the final days, the chrysalis often becomes darker and more transparent, allowing you to see the butterfly’s wings and body take shape!
Acts 16:31 “And they said, Believe in the LORD JESUS CHRIST, and you will be saved. “
Acts 3:19 “Repent, then and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the LORD.”
Romans 10:9-10 “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is LORD” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”
Mark 16:16 “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.“
The emerging butterfly is a spectacular NEW CREATION and wonderful sight to behold!
How much more sublime is God’s work in bringing forth His new creation through His work within His called and chosen people! A new soul who has been added to the church is incredible!
Trust and faith in God during this metamorphosis involves trusting in God wholeheartedly , and not relying on our own understanding of anything that happens in this life.
2 Corinthians 5:17
“So then if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away;Behold they have become new.”
Colossians 2:12
“Having been buried with Him in Baptism, you were also raised with Him through Faith in the powerful working of God.”
Yielding to the Holy Spirit’s leading, allows Him to guide, comfort, and empower our lives.
The average lifespan of an adult butterfly is typically around 2 to 4 weeks. However, this can vary greatly depending on the species. Some butterflies, like certain generations of monarchs, can live for several months or even close to a year, especially those who migrate over winter.
We too live a brief life on earth…
James 4:14
“What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”
In closing, we all may ask, what is the purpose of the butterfly?
Butterflies serve multiple purposes in the ecosystem. They serve as pollinators, contributing to the reproduction of many plants, including those that provide food for humans. They are an important food source for various animals like birds and bats, and their presence indicates the health of an ecosystem!
What is our purpose in this life?
To POLLINATE and spread God’s word and show people THE WAY to GOD!
Christians pollinate the world and spread God’s Word!
In the GREAT COMMISSION…Jesus said…
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
And surely I am with you always,
to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
Make me new, LORD JESUS,
Make me new,
For it seems that in so many ways,
I’m not enough like You.
Take this weary vessel, I am in,
and mold me once again,
take my life, take my spirit,
Make me new.
CHANGE MY HEART OH GOD
Change my heart oh God,
Make it ever true,
Change my heart Oh God
May I be like You.
You are the potter,
I am the clay,
Mold me and make me,
This is what I pray…
Change my heart oh God,
Make it ever true,
Change my heart Oh God,
May I be like You.
Change my heart oh God,
Make it ever true,
Change my heart Oh God,
May I be like You.
Our Fellowship In CHRIST is crucial for the new Christian!
“Encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Monarch butterflies migrate to Mexico where there is a gathering of millions upon millions of other Monarch butterflies. They huddle together surviving on stored energy.
Our fellowship is essential for a new Christian to thrive in Christ. As a church family we all need to rally around both Jin and Betty to show them our love, and continue to encourage each of them while they grow spiritually. Be sure to introduce yourself if you haven’t already, and extend a loving warm welcome!
In Christ, we REJOICE ALWAYS, even when times are tough!
The Christian has eternal HOPE IN JESUS, for He is with us ALWAYS, even unto the end of the age!
TO GOD BE THE GLORY, GREAT THINGS HE HATH DONE!
In Him,
Bruce & Paula
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