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06/28/2025
Good morning church family,
CONGRATULATIONS TO ABBY RUIZ!!!
Abby was named to the University of Bridgeport’s Spring 2025 Dean’s list! Abby was among 350 students named to the Spring Dean’s list! To be named to the Dean’s list, a student must have a term grade point average of 3.2 to 3.69.
Great job Abby!! We are so proud of you!!!
CONGRATULATIONS TO DENISHA AND GUS KARAGIANIS AT THE BIRTH OF THEIR NEW SON NICHOLAS!!!
Baby Nicholas is in the NICU currently to stabilize his glucose levels so prayers that he can go home soon. Denisha is thrilled that baby Nicholas ” looks just like her!”. Our congrats as well to our Brother & Sister Devlal and Nesha Moktan and who are proud grand-parents again!
GIVING THANKS
Thanks to Logan Nunez who preached for our congregation last Sunday. Logan who is only 19 years old, did an outstanding job! No doubt God is leading him and will bless his steps as he prepares for his training with the New England Bible Institute. Here is a photo of the Young Adults and Logan. Kevon has known Logan for many years since they go way back to their elementary years together in the church.
PRAYER REQUESTS
Prayers for Allie and the family as they had to reschedule Cherie’s cataract surgery to next week.
Barb Wangerin our sister in Christ who has spoken for our ladies retreats in the past, requested these two prayer requests:
Please pray for Gregg Belcher and his wife Lori. Gregg came into contact with voltage on Thursday afternoon and was careflighted to Parkland Hospital in Dallas where he is being treated in the critical burn unit. He is in critical condition with burns to his neck, back, chest and lower face. His left arm was amputated above the elbow on Friday. He was brought out of sedation long enough on Sunday to confirm that he could obey verbal commands and move his legs and right arm. He is in wound treatment and also had additional surgeries this past week to burned areas, etc. The family is taking it one hour at a time and are very thankful for the outpouring of love and support.
Barb’s daughter April had brain surgery several months ago, and now her pain, head pressure are coming back. She is going through more tests to ascertain if this is a new issue or if the previous brain surgery failed.
Prayers are requested for Molly’s travel to Georgia.
Prayers for Lisa Saracino’s friend Terry who is having appendix surgery
Prayers for Cindy Holly’s nephew Seth who is serving in the military and stationed in Tehran where the bombings occurred. Praise God that so far Seth and his troop are ok!
Our sincere condolences go out to the Cerminara, Bonadio and DiScala Families. This past Thursday we had a memorial service for Marie. Below is Marie’s obituary.
In Memory of
Marie Preteska
1949 – 2025
Marie Cerminara Preteska, age 75, of Waterbury, beloved wife of the late Edward Preteska, died on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at the Ludlowe Center of Fairfield surrounded by her loving family. Born on October 11, 1949 in Platania, Calabria, Italy, she was a daughter of the late Raffaele and Rosaria Cerminara.
Marie was a longtime employee of Gastroenterology Associates of Fairfield and was a member of the Trumbull Church of Christ.
Survivors include her son, Shane Preteska of Waterbury, a brother, Greg Cerminara and his wife Linda of Shelton, two sisters, Antoinette Bonadio and her husband Ted of Shelton and Joanne DiScala and her husband Robert of Trumbull, her sister-in-law, Filomena Cerminara as well as several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. She was predeceased by her brothers, Luigi (Lou) Cerminara and Frank G. Cerminara.
Funeral services will take place on Thursday, June 26, 2025 at 6:00 pm in the Trumbull Church of Christ, 2 Drew Circle, Trumbull. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, Trumbull. To leave an online condolence, visit www.abriola.com.
TIDAL RIVER CHRISTIAN CAMP:
tidalriverchristiancamp.com
We have several members who are assisting Tidal River Christian Camp this year…
Tammie Carey (nurse)
Kevon Turner (Activities Director senior week 2)
Tori Saracino (Activities Director – all 4 weeks)
Pat Keller – State licensed and Program Director – Junior week 2
Nadine Keller ( Kitchen Junior week 2 ) and Kimberly Keller
Dennis Turner – Kitchen
Paula Pancoast (Teacher – Junior week 2).
TRUMBULL EVENTS:
 Wednesday evening zoom studies:
Ron is leading a bible study on the Old Testament Prophets.
We are currently studying the book of Isaiah.
Please look for the link and carve out time to join in.
NEXT POTLUCK – THIS Sunday, June 29th. We will be honoring our High School Seniors at this potluck Justin Coon and Canaan Stewart.
Hot dogs and hamburgers will be provided as the main course for this pot luck. Everyone is encouraged to bring sides (salads, deserts, chips, soft drinks,etc), or whatever you’d like to bring! See Jay and/or Dennis to help with grilling the hot dogs and burgers.
This will also be Greg and Linda Cerminara’s last Sunday with us before they move to Ohio. Our hearts are saddened to see them go, but God is with them as they desire to be closer to Amber & Mark & their children, and Christopher as well.
V.B.S.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL will be on July 26th, beginning at 11 am, ending at 2 pm.
VBS is coming up quickly! The next VBS meeting will be on June 29th, immediately following service. Note: The meeting which was originally scheduled for this Sunday 6/15 is cancelled due to Father’s Day. The only position that needs to be filled is for one Bible class teacher, however there’s always room for more. If you are interested in volunteering, please see Derin or Kristen Wilson. The food sign-up list will be on the back door. Flyers are on the table in the auditorium. Please invite family and friends for this afternoon of fun and learning about the bible.
Summer is here! We’ve had record temperatures with the heat reaching 100 degrees F.
Extreme heat is uncomfortable and hard to bear. Everyone is cranking up the A/C, trying to stay hydrated and finding shade.
Can we imagine temperatures even higher?
Deserts are among the most inhospitable environments on Earth, characterized by extreme temperatures, minimal rainfall and sparse or no vegetation. Deserts are barren.
One of the hottest and largest deserts in the world is the Sahara Desert in Africa. The highest temperature ever recorded in Africa was taken in the middle of the Sahara at an extreme temperature of 131 Fahrenheit.
In stark contrast to the above photo of the Sahara Desert, is an image of the Power of God…that of LIFE!
He controls the winds and the seas. Matthew 8:23-27
He who created this world Genesis 1:1 .
He who formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. Genesis 2:7
He who had a plan for us before time began Ephesians 2:20
GOD Provides…. LIFE…AND LIFE ETERNAL!
On Wednesday evenings we are studying the prophets of the Old Testament. Currently we are studying Isaiah.
Isaiah chapter 43 serves as a compelling reminder of God’s endless love, His unfailing promises, and His singular sovereignty. God calls out to His people, asserting that He has redeemed them. Even amidst adversities and unfaithfulness, God’s redeeming grace is promised to His chosen people. As such, it urges us to acknowledge God’s unparalleled power and His unwavering commitment to us, encouraging us to trust in His divine plans.
GOD calls out to His people, assuring them that they should NOT FEAR, for HE WILL BE WITH THEM through adversities such as passing through water or walking through fire. He continues to emphasize HIS LOVE for HIS CHOSEN people.
GOD promises to decimate Babylon and liberate Israel (God’s chosen people), creating a path in the mighty waters. The Exodus which was a significant event in scripture, is mentioned, but God encourages His people to look forward to NEW THINGS He has planned for their future!
In spite of Israel’s forgetfulness and neglect of God, He promises NOT to destroy them. Instead, He wipes out their transgressions for His own sake, and assures them that He has blotted out their sins.
Chapter 43 in Isaiah reminds us of who we are…HE calls us by our name!
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
you are Mine.” Isaiah 43:1
God intimately KNOWS US intimately, He is THERE for us ALWAYS, and is WITH US! He has REDEEMED us!
“When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be scorched,
and the flames will not set you ablaze.” Isaiah 43:2
No matter what we are going through, no matter how bleak or horrendous life can get, no matter how turbulent our days are here on earth, God knows about it ALL!
Yahweh, the GREAT I AM, The Alpha & Omega, CREATOR, GOD..
His words in scripture are beyond reassuring, just as a parent reassures a child!
He’s got us tenderly in the palm of HIS HANDS.
So…why do we fear?
Verses 10-13 in this chapter go on to declare God’s unique sovereignty…
“You are my witnesses, declares the LORD,
and My servant whom I have chosen,
so that you may consider and believe ME
and understand that I am HE.
Before Me no god was formed, and after Me none will come.”
God’s unmatched power and eternal purpose are central themes affirming His control over all creation!
in Verses 16 & 17
God recalls the Exodus, making a way through the sea, and promises a new act of deliverance..
“who makes a way in the sea and path through the surging waters.“
Isaiah continues to remind us of God’s promise of restoration!
verse 19
“Behold, I am about to do something new;
even now it is coming.
Do you not see it?
I will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert.
This promise of new beginnings and restoration is a testament
to God’s ability to transform desolation into abundance!
Do we not see it??
GOD TRANSFORMS DESOLATION….
INTO ABUNDANCE
For 40 years, God journeyed with His people, protecting them, guiding them, and providing for them.
For 40 years, their shoes and clothing never wore out. Deuteronomy 8:4 and 29:5
When the Israelites complained that they had no food, He provided manna from heaven. Exodus 16:15
When they needed water, God provided it out of a rock. Exodus 17:6
All of Scripture reminds us that God is present during our trials. Even if we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we can fear no evil, for His rod and His staff, comfort us! Psalm 23
If anyone is in CHRIST, he is a NEW CREATION. The old has passed away; behold, the NEW has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17 (This connects to God’s promise of doing something NEW as noted in Isaiah 43:19).
Thank God we have everything we need and are amply supplied. We lack nothing! Philippians 4:18-19
Praise GOD we have GOD’s unending provision! Philippians 4:19, Matthew 6:31-33
Thank GOD for HIS gift of JESUS CHRIST John 3:16
Below is a quote from Casandra Martin’s “Living the Jesus Resolution”.
“Nothing prepares us better for the wonders God has in store for us than pouring ourselves out before the One who has promised to do more than we ask or imagine. We serve a God who is willing to part waters, knock down cities, defeat giants, and send a Son to the cross. Don’t underestimate what He is willing to do for you.”
PRAISE GOD & KEEP SINGING:
GOD WILL MAKE A WAY
God Will Make A Way – Acapella Praise (Lyric Video)
God will make a way,
Where there seems to be no way,
He works in ways we cannot see,
He will make a way for me!
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side,
With love and strength for each new day,
He will make a way!
He will make a way!
God will make a way,
When there seems to be no way,
He works in ways we cannot see,
He will make a way for me!
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side,
With love and strength for each new day,
He will make a way,
He will make a way!
By a roadway in the wilderness, He’ll lead me.
And rivers in the desert will I see.
Heaven and earth will fade.
But His Word will still remain,
He will do something new today!
God will make a way,
Where there seems to be no way.
He works in ways we cannot see,
He will make a way for me.
He will be my guide,
Hold me closely to His side,
With love and strength for each new day,
He will make a way,
He will make a way!
With Love and strength for each new day,
He will make a way!
He will make a way!
Pray for all eyes to be opened to see the love of God and HIS transforming power in JESUS CHRIST our LORD.
Pray for strength and courage for the saints to face life’s challenges, trusting in God’s presence, protection and provision ALL THE WAY!
TO GOD BE THE GLORY, GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE!
In Him,
Bruce & Paula
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