Good morning church family,
As 2023 comes to a close, we give thanks to all of you for your commitment and dedication to this body of Christ.
GIVING THANKS:
* We give much thanks to God that Randy Springer walked into worship last Sunday after his spinal fusion surgery. His pain levels have subsided and he is beyond grateful.
* Sam Walkup was able to be discharged after his long hospitalization and difficult month in the hospital. Prayers for Sam and his wife Leslie while he recovers.
* Thanks to Patrick Keller for leading the Wednesday night bible study.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
* We appreciate your prayers for my brother-in-law Kevin Early who will be on a long haul of treatment for his mental health challenges.
* Carol Ligouri still deals with major sciatica pain. She is waiting on MRI results to hopefully determine the cause of the pain.
* Ronnie Ralph is dealing with Neurolgia, pain in his cheek.
* Prayers for the church to continue to hold out the Gospel of Christ to all of the world.
YOUNG ADULTS FELLOWSHIP
Zach and Tori Young shared a photo from the Young Adults get together at the building last weekend.
PAST MEMBERS SAYING HELLO TO ALL:
* Lillie Bendolph called us this week to see how everyone was doing. She is doing well and still hopes to come up to Connecticut this coming year to visit. She sends her love to all.
* Vickie Henderson Seidel asked us to say Hi to everyone! Vickie, Joseph and their little boy Caleb are doing well. She misses everyone and they all say “HI” from Kentucky!
SUNSET INTERNATIONAL BIBLE INSTITUTE COURSES:
Information is on the back table in the auditorium for the wonderful SIBI bible classes that will be offered here at the building. These classes are being made available to anyone interested in increasing their bible knowledge. Both Jay and Ron have shared that these courses are fantastic! Jay has provided everyone with a form to complete below. Please email this completed information to him as soon as possible if you have interest.
If you are interested in attending the Sunset International Bible Institute video classes being offered by the Trumbull Church of Christ please let Jay Repecko know of your interest by completing the following:
I am interested in the SIBI Satellite School video classes. Classes will be offered Sunday night and either Monday or Tuesday evening, depending on which night is most convenient
Name:
I would like to attend class
Sunday evening _____
Monday evening _____
Tuesday evening _____
Please email Jay at jrepecko@comcast.net
COMING UP IN JANUARY:
* Please mark your calendars for….A night of Prayer , Friday January 12th at 7:00 p.m. here at the building. As we welcome in the new year, please join us for an evening of scripture reading, the singing of hymns, and prayer.
We hope you will carve out time to be here as this body of believers comes together to Praise God and lift up our prayers.
1 John 5:14 “This is the confidence we have in approaching God that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”
SATURDAY MORNING LADIES BIBLE CLASS:
* Flo Repecko will lead the Saturday morning Ladies Bible study on January 13th at 10:00 a.m. The book of Exodus has been a wonderful study as we learn not to complain, mumble or grumble, but trust in God's promises. Thanks to all of the ladies who have stepped up to lead these studies.
* Sunday January 28th there will be a baby shower for Jenna Jones right after worship in our fellowship hall. Jenna and Emille are blessed to know they are having a girl Emiliana Adaline. A sign-up sheet will be posted soon with more details.
It's hard to believe 2023 is almost over and that we begin a new year soon. New Years is always a time of reflection as we look back on life, and look forward to making good choices for the coming year.
One news station opened their morning broadcast by saying that “2023 was a year governed by chaos”. A true statement for sure. Chaos is now becoming the new norm. Disorder is now confronting us on every level.
Unfortunately we live in a world that does not value Godly wisdom. Most people choose to go with the flow of society and rely upon worldly wisdom. Whatever floats your boat. Whatever feels good. Whatever we think about something, becomes the way of the world these days. The ultimate fools game is to have an attitude that says, “I can live apart from what God says, and win.” But, this arrogance and self-reliance are the complete opposite of Godly wisdom.
As we say farewell to 2023, we look with trepidation to the coming year based on the perilous times we are in. For the Christian, thankfully we have the hope in the LORD.
What a privilege to be able to walk in this life with Godly wisdom.
Godly wisdom begins with reverence. To “revere” means “to stand in awe of”.
To revere God, we need to know that He holds our souls and our eternal fate in His hands.
To revere God, we need to know of His Power and Might.
We all know what happened to the Egyptians after the Israelites crossed through the Red Sea on dry ground. God destroyed the Egyptian army who came after them…
Exodus 14:28 “The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen – the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived.”
Exodus 14:31 “And when the Israelites saw the great power the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.”
By studying God's word, we are reading the Written Word of the Great I AM. Make every opportunity this coming year to read God's word. It will take you on a incredible journey to come closer to HIM, to grow in Christ, and make wise choices.
Ephesians 5:15-17
“Be very careful then, how you live – not as unwise but wise,
making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery, instead be filled with the Spirit.
Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.
Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,
always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Submit to one another out of reference for Christ.”
How do we get Godly Wisdom?
Walking in Godly wisdom requires a decision and a commitment.
Proverbs 2:1-8 “My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. ”
Pray for Wisdom
James 1:5-6 “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”
Obey God's Word
James 1:22-25 “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says, is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, and after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it- he will be blessed in what he does.“
Fellowship with Believers
1 Corinthians 15:33 “Do not be deceived. Evil company corrupts good morals.“
Proverbs 13:20 “He who walks with wise men, shall be wise. But the companion of fools will be destroyed.“
Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another”
Trust in the LORD
Proverbs 3:1-5 “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.”
We are called to apply the eternal knowledge we learn about from God's Word and grow.
Reading, learning and meditating on God's word is only the beginning! Then once it all clicks, once we put it all together, we produce good fruit for God's Kingdom through our obedience to Christ's commands. We learn that life is not about us, and serve others and share the gospel of Jesus Christ. We learn to be encouragers. We learn that our “life is but a mist” James 4:14 , and Praise Him!
KEEP SINGING:
ANCIENT WORDS
“All scripture is God breathed & is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.”
2 Tim. 3:14-17
Holy words, long preserved
for our walk in this world,
They resound with God's own heart,
Oh let the Ancient words impart.
Words of life, words of Hope
Give us strength, help us cope
In this world, where e're we roam,
Ancient words will guide us Home.
Ancient words ever true,
Changing me, and changing you,
We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart.
Holy words of our Faith,
Handed down to this age,
Came to us through sacrifice
Oh heed the faithful words of Christ.
Holy words, long preserved
for our walk in this world,
They resound with God's own heart,
Oh let the Ancient words impart.
Ancient words ever true,
Changing me, and changing you,
We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart.
Ancient words ever true,
Changing me, and changing you,
We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart.
We have come with open hearts,
Oh let the ancient words impart.
TAKE TIME TO BE HOLY
“Be holy in all you do” 1 Peter 1:15-16
Take time to be Holy,
Speak oft with thy LORD.
Abide in Him always,
And feed on His Word.
Make friends of God's children;
Help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing,
His blessings to seek.
Take time to be Holy,
The world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret,
With Jesus alone,
Abiding in Jesus,
Like Him thou shalt be,
Thy friends in thy conduct,
His likeness shall see.
Take time to be Holy,
Be calm in thy soul,
Each thought and each motive,
Beneath His control,
Thus lead by His Spirit,
To fountains of love,
Thou soon shall be fitted,
For service above.
Our world is growing darker and darker spiritually. We must do all we can to root ourselves in God's Word, in Christ, and humble ourselves in reverent fear.
Every moment of life is precious.
May we use every opportunity to walk with Godly Wisdom this coming year.
Make every opportunity to worship with this body of believers:
Bible study at 10:00 a.m. for all ages
Worship at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings
Wednesday evenings join us via zoom at 7pm. for a mid-week bible study.
Watch for the Mens and Women's studies and join in!
Watch for sign-up sheets and contribute towards the efforts of love this congregation has.
Make it a point to Fellowship and you will surely grow in CHRIST.
Find JOY.
Serve with GLADNESS.
Be the LIGHT!
Encourage and build one another up in LOVE, which is one of the greatest command's of all.
“In Thy presence is fullness of JOY;
at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
Psalm 16:11
A writing composed by our Brother Joe Nuzzo to share:
Learning
Learning to love, learning to forgive
Learning by taking, learning to give
Learning by listening, learning by sight
Learning to shine, learning the light
Learning from others, learning by will
Learning be silent, learning be still
Learning by reading, learning by choice
Learning his heart, learning his voice
Learning to live, learning today
Learning by following, learning one way
Learning to feel, learning to touch
Learning to comfort , learning so much
Learning is endless, learning divine
Learning with wisdom , learning refine
Learning when rising, learning from sleep
Learning to share, learning to keep
Learning to laugh, learning to cry
Learning eternal, learning just why
Learning with Jesus, learning am i