|
|
10/5/2025
 Good morning church family,
GIVING THANKS:
 Thanks to all for your prayers while we've been away for several weeks. We felt your prayers and are so grateful to be home! Thanks to everyone who covered for us in many capacities here. We have an incredible church family and we are beyond grateful for each of you!
Thanks to all for donating food for the Hymn Sing last Sunday! 80 brothers and sisters in Christ attended and it was a huge success. The singing was heavenly and the fellowship which followed was such a blessing. Heaven will be a wonderful place, where we will be singing PRAISE to GOD, FOREVER!
Thanks for your prayers for Amanda Liu, our daughter Jody's friend who almost died. Amanda still has mountains to climb given her weak immune system and wounds which are not healing, but thankfully she is stable and home from the hospital so she can care for her 5 year old son.
BENEVOLENCE:
In collaboration with The Trumbull early school program (Head Start). We are collecting items that S.N.A.P does not cover. These items will be given to children in need. Soap, Toothpaste, toilet paper, etc. We will be collecting these over the next few weeks. A list and a collection box can be found in the front foyer. Thanks to Kayden for spear heading this effort.
SPOONER HOUSE is in need of non-perishable food items.
Just a reminder that we have an ongoing need at SPOONER HOUSE for non-perishable food. So many of you have been so generous through the years. Thanks for always remembering to bring food in for them.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
Continued Prayers for Leo Benevento.
Leo Benevento started chemotherapy this past Thursday. Lord willing his bone marrow transplant will take place on 10/8. He will be in ICU for 6 weeks and become very sick. Our prayers continue to be with Leo, Joanne, Bob and all of the family during this storm. The family is extremely thankful for the bone marrow donor. This donor has matched with ALL 12 …that is 12 out of 12…of the markers needed for a successful surgery. We serve an amazing God!
Carol & Joe's grandson Anthony Katz is slated to have eye surgery on November 15th. Prayers for all to go well!
Nancy Melson's friend Sally fell and fractured her right femur and has a sprained ankle. Prayers for healing.
FLYERS FOR ALL AREA EVENTS ARE POSTED ON THE AUDITORIUM TABLE
COMING UP:
Tuesday Ladies bible study via zoom, next class on October 28th. This past Tuesday class had a great turn-out and rich discussion. Thanks to Lisa Saracino and Mary Lou for leading this mid-week bible study which continues in the book of Revelation.
Saturday, October 11th 10:00-12:00 Ladies' bible study. These Saturday studies will focus on discovering the Aroma of Christ in the Beatitudes. Thanks to all of the ladies who have signed up for teaching these bible classes this year. We have an amazing group of women and God is glorified!
We will be putting together the college care bags as well this Saturday. Thanks to all for your donations thus far!
October 25th – Trunk or Treat set up will be at 4:30pm and we will start at 5:00pm. See the sign up sheets for food & trunks!
Sunday, November 2nd – POT LUCK
A suggestion was made that we have a theme for this pot luck. Since most people celebrate Thanksgiving with turkey and mashed potatoes, this pot luck will have an Italian theme…pastas, italian dishes, garlic bread, salads, Friends and family are welcomed!
YOUNG ADULTS
There will be a young adult picnic TODAY… October 4 at 12:30 pm followed by a hayride and apple picking at Lyman Orchards! Please see Zach or Jin for more details 🍂🍎
Here are a few pictures from the Young Adults trip to Six Flags a few weeks ago:
Ron & Lisa will be hosting an evening for the Young Adults November 14th. Stay tuned for more details.
Psalm 19:1
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows his handiwork.“
A bait ball occurs when small fish swarm in a tightly packed spherical formation about a common centre. It is a last ditch defense measure adopted by a small schooling fish when they are threatened by predators. Bait Balls are known as the disco balls of the sea.
We can learn much from the fish in the sea with this behavior. The scriptures encourage us to remain united in Christ.
Ephesians 5:21
Being united tightly offers countless blessings. Working together leads to mutual support, spiritual growth, effective ministry, a powerful witness to the world, and having a sense of belonging. Sticking together builds us up and strengthens our ties in the LORD! 2 Thessalonians 3:3. Proverbs 27:17; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Romans 12:9-10; Hebrews 10:24-25 and the list goes on!
Ephesians 4:3-6
“Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit,
binding yourselves together with peace.
For there is one body and one Spirit,
just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.
There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
one God and Father of all,
who is over all,
in all,
and living through all. “
In 1765 Dr. John Fawcett became the pastor of a small church in Wainsgate, England. Although his congregation of farmers and shepherds paid him a modest salary and donated wool and potatoes to them, the growing Fawcett family struggled to make ends meet. When a prestigious London church extended a call to him, Fawcett accepted and preached his farewell sermon. The family's belongings were loaded on their wagon when parishioners gathered around him and begged him to stay. When his wife cried, “Oh John, John, I cannot bear this,” the pastor agreed. He ordered the wagon unloaded and remained at the parish for 54 years. Tradition has it that Fawcett wrote the words to “Blest be the Tie” in commemoration of that day.
We can totally relate to the Fawcett's deep rooted feelings about the church. This hymn encapsulates how members of the church share fears, hopes, burdens, and joys, fostering a deep sense of togetherness. This hymn symbolizes the importance of strong, connected relationships within the family of God. No matter what we endure in this life, our deep rooted “ties” of love and connections through Jesus Christ, endures through time and even death.
The past 8 days of our trip to Europe allowed us the privilege to serve the Marseille church of Christ in doing some mission work there. The congregation of 54 years, is in growth mode, praise the Lord, and they recently purchased a 100 year old monastery. This purchase is part of a huge goal for this building to become a Christian outreach center with many detailed plans in the works. The commitment that the congregation has with everyone collectively, is impressive!
Dan Cooper (John Coopers brother) organized a team of about 30 people from the U.S. and varying congregations to help be the first team to clean out the monastery. The building as you can imagine, had things left over from the monks who had resided there. This included old clothing, shoes, paraphernalia, furniture, and even one dish which still had some crumbs left on it.
The work was heavy and no joke. We began the day at 8:00, with a devotional (prayer and singing) each morning and evening. We broke for lunch at 12:30, then a snack at 4:00, then back to work until 7:30 for dinner. By the time we returned to our rooms, we were totally exhausted. Before we knew it, it was time to start it all over again with each new day. The devotionals were spiritually uplifting and provided our spiritual nourishment daily!
 We worked side by side of this team of Christians which was a beautiful thing! No one complained…no one murmured at how sore they were after a hard day of labor….. everyone worked in harmony, helping each other as need be (even though our bodies were aching). Day by day, it was a true taste of heaven, and we got to meet so many wonderful people. Saints from all over the world speaking different languages, and different nationalities. Many of the French church members could not speak English but that didn't matter. We were all united through Christ, and were able to accomplish incredible things by simply working together!
The church in Marseille has instituted what they call “Christians en Mission” which is a one year internship for recently Graduated High School students to participate in, before they go on to a trade, or college. This has been a very successful program and they are finding that this one year of the students living for Christ, under the supervision and direction of the church, helps these young people become spiritually rooted for Christ. Many of these young people are third generation CEM Students, whose parents and grandparents all participated in CEM. They are actively serving the church in many different capacities.
These young people worked so hard! There was no air conditioning, and poor conditions overall. We had no electricity (no lighting, no elevators). They carried heavy furniture up and down 3 flights of stairs in extreme heat. We had no idea that in France, they don't serve ice cubes! The heat got to all of us, yet the only drink that was available, was lukewarm water. No soda, no ice tea or lemonade, nothing…. but water.
NOTE: We take the smallest thing such as ice cubes for granted here in the United States.
Our Last day was touching and humbling. We had become so close with everyone, as we labored together side by side. We sang together, we prayed together, we worked together, we laughed together, and tears were shed as we faced the last day to leave for home. We all were thinking, will we ever see our brothers and sisters in Christ again? The photo below is the team of members from the U.S. who helped with this work. We are standing in front of their church building which is a renovated garage.
To know that we have brothers and sisters in Christ, all over the world, where we share deep rooted bonds in Jesus Christ, is surreal. This experience offered much more than an opportunity to worship and help them out, but it offered a fellowship and forever friendship with other believers. We are part of something SO BIG, SO HUGE, SO WONDERFUL, SO ETERNAL it is inexplainable.
There is a tie that binds us all together that has nothing to do with politics, weather reports, worldly organizations, or anything else. It has to do with our shared LOVE of Jesus Christ and faith in GOD ALMIGHTY! Our spiritual connection is one that runs deep in our souls. Our Christian fellowship celebrates our “kindred minds” that mirror the unity found within the Trinity – God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit!
Way up on the mountain the church has a large cross that overlooks Marseille. We climbed the mountain together and were able to take a group shot. It was a powerful, poignant and special moment.
Because of the sacrifice which was paid for by Jesus Christ, YES WE WILL BE TOGETHER FOREVER!
Heaven IS our Home and we will see all of the saints from all over the world there… one day!
WE ARE ONE IN THE SPIRIT
We are one in the Spirit,
we are one in the Lord,
we are one in the Spirit,
we are one in the Lord,
and we pray that all unity
will one day be restored
and they'll know we are Christians
by our love, by our love,
yes they'll know we are Christians
by our love.
We will walk with each other,
we will walk hand in hand,
we will walk with each other,
we will walk hand in hand,
and together we'll spread the news
that God is in our land.
and they'll know we are Christians
by our love, by our love,
yes they'll know we are Christians
by our love.
We will work with each other,
we will work side by side,
we will work with each other,
we will work side by side,
and we'll guard each one's dignity
and save each one's pride.
and they'll know we are Christians
by our love, by our love,
yes they'll know we are Christians
by our love.
All praise to the Father,
from whom all things come,
and all praise to Christ Jesus,
who is God's only Son,
and all praise to the Spirit,
who makes us one,
and they'll know we are Christians
by our love, by our love,
yes they'll know we are Christians
by our love.
BLESSED BE THE TIE THAT BINDS (by John Fawcett)
Blessed be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian Love;
The fellowship of kindred minds,
is like to that above.
We share our mutual woes.
Our mutual burdens bear;
And often for each other flows the
sympathizing tear.
When we asunder part,
it gives us inward pain;
But we shall still be joined in heart,
And hope to meet again…
From sorrow, toil and pain,
And sin, we shall be free
And perfect love and friendship reign,
Through all eternity.
Colossians 3:14-16
“Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.
And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.
For as members of one body you are called to live in peace.
And always be thankful.
Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives.
Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives.
Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God
with thankful hearts.“
Praise the LORD for our deep rooted relationships with one another in Christ!
Praise GOD we can serve HIM, looking forward to the day when Jesus will return and we can spend eternity together with God in heaven!
Praise GOD for the HOPE we have in CHRIST. He did all of the work, and we get to taste a heavenly reward because of HIS sacrifice.
We close with one last song….
To God be the glory great things He hath done!
Bruce & Paula
|
|
|
|
