Good morning to our church family,
c0d52dd0-e70a-9958-3feb-2d099ac61482@yahoo.com>”>GIVING THANKS:
* Michelle Rajpolt who recently had a heart transplant is making progress and now out of the ICU. She is sitting up in a chair and although it is a rough recovery, she is progressing. The surgeons are quite pleased with her strides. The Rajpolt family thanks everyone for your prayers and many cards of encouragement they received from our congregation. They read each card to Michelle and she became emotional knowing so many people were praying for her. Her Mother shared, “All the stories she’s heard me tell are now become real for her. I think it’s both scary to know how major her surgery and recovery are and also reassuring to hear how God (and so many prayer warriors) are with her too.”
* The Young Adults continue to grow! Enjoy these pictures from their trip to Mystic last week…
8f5e553b-623e-9932-2e18-9660215967bf@yahoo.com>”>
cd5d8f21-4aab-98da-8c18-0d75ed3f27b1@yahoo.com>”>Wait, are those vikings we see?
e4d473a1-1c83-2e9d-003d-3bcbf3724f08@yahoo.com>”>PRAYER REQUESTS:
* Jacqueline Charles who is a member at the Bridgeport church of Christ had a stroke and is in Stamford Hospital. She is in a medically induced coma while they wait for swelling to go down. Please pray for her healing and complete recovery.
* Molly Medling’s cousin Wylie Major, a high school student had a seizure and sadly passed away. Our prayers are with Molly and all of her family at this difficult time.
* Judith Gomez’s brother passed away this past week, Taurino Figueroa. Our prayers are extended to Judith and all of her family at this difficult time.
COMING UP:
SEPTEMBER EVENTS:
409ef4ce-8118-d5f1-f2b4-1b6dbb4e7aa3@yahoo.com>”>Beginning the first Sunday in September, Ron will begin a series on “Death and the Afterlife”. Stay tuned for more details. This will be a great study and a wonderful opportunity to invite friends and family!
ccd1ee7e-dc54-6ad2-ed10-5dc59ef76690@yahoo.com>”>TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17th at 9:30 a.m. begins the zoom mid-week ladies bible study lead by Lisa and Mary Lou Saracino. They will continue the study of Genesis. Please see Mary Lou if you need a book.
THE BIG E
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21st there will be a group trip organized to go to the “BIG E” . Below is a link to sign up with the website.
Thanks to Pat Keller for organizing this!
95d07ef3-4cf8-6015-2d24-7d55db129cd8@yahoo.com>”>AREA WIDE HYMN SING – SUNDAY September 29th 3:30 pm.
We will be hosting an area wide hymn sing at our building on Sunday September 29th. Stay tuned for more details!
Friday nights in September – Flo Repecko will be teaching a series on Biblical boundaries: “What the Bible teaches about Boundaries” There will be 4 lessons total, held every Friday in September, starting September 6th – 6:30 pm for Fellowship, 7:00 pm lesson. Refreshments will be provided.
dca0e65c-7226-1d7f-4cd6-e34e01a3843a@yahoo.com>”>OCTOBER EVENTS:
b7abc8aa-d94e-96de-ff61-d9bdeee2ebe4@yahoo.com>”>Saturday October 12th 10am – 12:00 noon will be the first of the Ladies’ Saturday Bible studies at the church building. These studies will meet every second Saturday of the month. We will be doing an in depth study on exploring the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT – LIVING BEYOND YOURSELF – Galatians 5:22-23 this coming year. Thanks to sister Nadine Keller who will lead us in a study of the Holy Spirit for this first class. These consecutive Saturday classes will continue to incorporate works of benevolence to encourage others both in and outside of the faith, and this body. We will be putting together the High School and College care bags this first Saturday class. Bring a friend as well!
Over the next 3 Fridays – August 23, August 30th and September 6th several ladies have interest in participating in a prayer fast from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Please see Nadine, Paula or Lisa if you would like to participate, or do your own fast privately, knowing other sisters are praying with you.
ddce8682-9b2a-ad39-4e49-2eff2667560d@yahoo.com>”>Sunday October 29th – POT LUCK after worship. Join us for our Harvest themed Pot luck and Pie contest!
063dcc58-9d23-d558-4206-87bcbab80cb3@yahoo.com>”>An Anchor is a device, usually made of metal, attached to a ship or boat by a cable or chain and lowered to the seabed to hold the vessel in a particular place by means of a fluke or pointed projection that digs into the sea bottom.
From Wikipedia: “Ancient anchors consisted of large stones, basketfuls of stones, sacks filled with sand, or logs of wood loaded with lead; these held the vessel merely by their weight and by friction along the bottom. As ships became larger, they required a more effective device to hold them, and wooden hooks that dug into the sea bottom came into use as anchors. Iron replaced wood in their construction, and teeth or flukes were added to help the hooks dig into the bottom. Another major improvement was the addition of a stock, or horizontal arm, that is set at right angles to the arms and flukes of the lower part of the anchor. The stock ensures that the arms rest vertically on the seabed, and thus one fluke will dig itself in, providing maximum holding power. This type, with its two flukes and its stock at right angles, remained the basic anchor for many centuries. “
00294683-89e6-3f51-e022-d698a35a0a6e@yahoo.com>”>Sailors who prepare their vessels when they know a storm is coming, let down the anchor. Sometimes, a diver will often be sent down to see what the anchor is bedded in. They make sure the anchor is set well. For example, if the anchor is set in the grass, and it begins to drag, then grass and mud can prevent the anchor from being able to secure the ship.
08f25804-90f0-8c84-0f30-1b0cbc4d7811@yahoo.com>”>
3256b582-a046-8d35-ecf1-b57800b9c01c@yahoo.com>”>
fbd77805-385a-03b4-fcb4-9600858b3c1e@yahoo.com>”>A sailor understands their anchor system and ensures their anchor will hold up during a storm.
The world’s largest anchor came off one of the world’s largest ships the “Sea Wise Giant”. The ship was so big that it was not able to enter many important ports across the world English channel, Suez Canal, and the Panama canal.
7e8bdcda-465b-2126-3b63-e61aeef6a7ad@yahoo.com>”>
11bd1449-5dab-4ea1-ec07-84e2e4e77880@yahoo.com>”>The anchor weighed 36 tons, but was no match for the LORD! Gone is the ship which
was bombed by Iraqi forces and sadly it sank to the bottom of the sea.
We live in a world that’s constantly in flux. There doesn’t seem to be much that we can count on to steady our lives. Jobs can be lost, loved ones pass away, hopes and dreams are often dashed. Yet we serve a God who is unchanging! We serve a God who is sovereign and good, and who LOVES US beyond measure! John 3:16, Psalm 136:26; Romans 8:37 and throughout God’s Word.
We read in scripture that God has provided for us an anchor, which holds fast no matter how many storms we experience. This anchor is steadfast, firm and reliable.
The anchor referred to in scripture is JESUS CHRIST.
Hebrews 6:19,20
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul,
firm and secure.
It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,
where Jesus who went before us,
has entered on our behalf.
He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.“
Verse 19 the King James version reads “The anchor is lodged within the veil.” This is a reference to the veil that hung across the inner sanctuary of the tabernacle and concealed the arc of the covenant where God in all of His glory, met with the high priest once a year, as the high priest brought a blood sacrifice to atone for the sins of the people.
d5b03a2f-ce66-4f7d-4449-07ad1222f3d7@yahoo.com>”>JESUS CHRIST lived, died and rose from the dead for each of us. He became the perfect Lamb of sacrifice for US. He bore it all, to go before us to enter the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. Because of His sacrifice, we can look forward to the hope of heaven! Because of His sacrifice, we can rest comfortably in the storms that hit, or when the waters of life hit, get rough or when we cannot see the shore.
IN CHRIST the eternal hope for our souls is steadfast and sure! Jesus has gone as a forerunner for US! He entered into the holy of holies once for all with HIS own infinitely precious blood, and his own perfect and eternal life as a “high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek“, so that His work for US is perfected and eternal! Hebrews chapters 6-8.
HE did all the work and suffered agony and torture, for each of us!
As followers of JESUS we have an anchor for OUR SOULS!
af52f4f4-1a12-c2bc-d516-0df57dacc1e4@yahoo.com>”>We have God’s Word which encourages us and reassures us of HIS promises, that our future is firmly secure in HIS HAND!
As Christians, the hope of Heaven should anchor our soul daily!
In Hebrews 6:13
“When God made his promise to Abraham,
since there was no one greater for him to swear by,
he swore by himself saying,
“I will surely bless you and give you many descendants”.
And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.“
The reason we have such a hard time remembering our anchor of hope is because we live our lives above deck, where the storms rage. We must regularly DIVE into the depths of God’s Word to be reminded of the eternal promises that CANNOT FAIL!
3dda1866-bbe1-d69d-e423-39ce936068d5@yahoo.com>”>GOD’S PROMISES may be blocked from our sight, but as the storms of life rage around us, our spiritual anchor of hope holds fast.
Here are but a few of the Promises of GOD….
Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength – Isaiah 40:31
He will give you rest – Matthew 11:28
His love for us is unshaken – Isaiah 54:10
We are redeemed – Colossians 1:14
We are adopted – Ephesians 1:5
He will fight for us – Exodus 14:14
He will give us wisdom – James 1:5
He protects us from evil – James 4:7
If we confess our sins, we are forgiven – 1 John 1:19
We are made new – Romans 6:6
Forgive others and He forgives you – Luke 6:37
He will exalt the humble – Matthew 23:12
He will never forsake you – Deuteronomy 31:6
He has given you eternal life – John 3:16
He will set you free – John 8:36
Ask in prayer and you will receive – Mark 11:24
He will meet all your needs – Philippians 4:19
Call on Him and He will answer – Psalm 50:10
He will give you what your heart desires – Psalm 37:4
Your name is written in the book of life – Revelation 3:5
He makes all things work for good for those who love the LORD – Romans 8:28
Seek His Kingdom and He will provide – Matthew 6:31
Trust in Him with all your heart, and He will make your paths straight – Proverbs 3:5
He has prepared a place for you – Romans 8:16-17
He is coming again soon – Revelation 22:12
The world is not anchored to anything and drifting farther and farther away from righteousness. Sadly, even many in the church have drifted away, or will drift from the faith. Spiritual drifting is the result of not securing our anchors and letting the undercurrents of the world pull us to the surf, being tossed around in every direction…going nowhere! Some don’t even know where their anchor is, or that they will need an anchor for the storm which is about to hit!
9d58d35a-9d81-fda1-c03e-5a92c2a71897@yahoo.com>”>We read in Hebrews 2:1 “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.”
81a7f44d-be40-b587-a00f-308a19bf63c1@yahoo.com>”>Jesus experienced the undertow of humanity when they nailed him to the cross.
Hebrews 2:17-19 “For this reason, he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”
Jesus said,
10545165-ca43-2d81-5666-a4bdb25b9c3b@yahoo.com>”>Our anchor in JESUS CHRIST is sure, certain and safe!
Our anchor in JESUS CHRIST is steadfast, firm and reliable.
PRAISE GOD for our savior Jesus Christ!
LET’S KEEP SINGING:
WE HAVE AN ANCHOR
Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,
When the clouds un-fold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift,
and the cables strain,
Will your anchor drift or firm remain?
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll,
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love.
It is safely moored, ’twill the storm with-stand,
For ’tis well secured by the Savior’s hand;
And the cables, passed from His heart to mine,
Can defy the blast,
Through strength divine.
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll,
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love.
When our eyes behold through the gathering night
The city of gold,
Our harbor bright,
We shall anchor fast by the heavenly shore,
With the storms all past for evermore.
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll,
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love.
ON CHRIST THE SOLID ROCK I STAND
“No one can lay any foundation other than the One already laid.” 1 Corinthians 3:11
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ the solid rock I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ the solid rock I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay,
On Christ the solid rock I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
When He shall come with trumpet sound,
O may I then in Him be found,
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.
On Christ the solid rock I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
6619e056-fcb2-d391-209f-34ed6b0a4103@yahoo.com>”>May we stay focused on God’s promises & our LORD JESUS CHRIST which will keep us from drifting away.
May we continue to press on to the goal set before us, preaching Christ Jesus rather than allowing other things to become more important.
May we remain anchored in the truth of God’s Word , for apart from Jesus, there is no hope.
May our anchors be rooted firm and deep in our Savior’s LOVE.
In His precious and HOLY name,
Bruce & Paula