Good morning everyone,
Winter is here!
With the season of winter there are new beginnings and transformation!
This time of year gets a bit challenging given the inclement weather and being sensitive to the cancellations of events.
Please be sure that Ron has your cell number so he can add your number to the ROBO Call list. If you know any new members who have not completed the contact sheet, there are a few on the back table. Please complete your contact information and give it to Ron or myself so we can add your contact info to the list.
WHO IS HAVING FUN IN THE SNOW???
GIVING THANKS:
* Thanks to all who came to support the Night of Prayer last night. It was a humbling & powerful evening to lay before our Creator, the prayers of this church and for the world. Thanks as well to Ron for organizing this and for all of the men who participated.
* The Aggrey family is back from Ghana safely. Esther is waiting on receiving some photos of the children and the donations that were sent. Thanks to all who supported this effort!
PRAYER REQUESTS:
* Several members in our membership either have covid, or are recovering from it.
* Angela Weber's Aunt Mary Jo is now in hospice after several hospitalizations and a rough journey with chemo.
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
REMINDERS:
Please remember our commitment to helping provide non-perishable food to Spooner House each week. Just a few cans of food combined by all of us, helps them tremendously.
COMING UP IN JANUARY:
SATURDAY MORNING LADIES BIBLE CLASS:
* This morning will be 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.
* Nadine Keller will be heading up the Secret Prayer Sister activity which went very well last year. Any ladies who would like to participate, please let Nadine know asap.
* The Tuesday morning bible study will resume on January 16th at 9:30 a.m. via zoom. Please see Lisa or Mary Lou if you know anyone who can benefit from this mid-week study. The following class will be on Tuesday January 30th.
NEW EVENT:
* There will be a YOUNG ADULT BIBLE STUDY led by Andrew Langalis with food and games January 19 (next Fri) at 5pm at the Church building. Please see Andrew, Zach or Tori for more details.
LADIES ZOOM LECTURESHIP
* Sister Simone Beans shared this link to an upcoming zoom ladies event on Saturday, January 27th from 10AM until 2PM. The topic is SURVIVORS – TRIED, PURIFIED & CERTIFIED. If you know anyone going through major trials, this will be a wonderful series of lessons. Here is the link to register and the cost is FREE:
* Sunday January 28th there will be a baby shower for Jenna Jones right after worship in our fellowship hall. A sign up sheet for what you can bring is posted. All are welcomed to attend as we honor this new little one on the way, and their family. Emille's family will be coming up for this event and we look forward to meeting them all. The registry is under Amazon baby registry/ search under Jenna Jones / March 2024 / New Haven, CT. Diapers and baby supplies are welcomed!
COMING UP IN FEBRUARY:
* GAME NIGHT – FEBRUARY 24th – 4:00 p.m. Jay & Flow are hosting a game night at the church building. Stay tuned for more details to come.
This past week we had our first Snowfall of the year and it was just beautiful! It's funny how everyone has a different perspective on snow…some love it, some not so! But we all can agree, that when everything is completely covered in this beautiful white blanket of fluff, it is peaceful, beautiful and serene.
Did you know that snowflakes are individually unique? Just as our fingerprints and each one of us are?
Each winter in Japan, a unique weather phenomenon produces the “snow monsters” of the Zao mountains. Hundreds of tall fir trees on the Zao mountains are glazed with snow and ice, morphing them into strange monster looking figures. Freezing winds from Siberia slam this alpine area of the Northern Honshu Island and create this beautiful landscape.
White Snow represents purity. The blood of Christ brings us heavenly whiteness and purity. To be whiter than snow means that although we are sinners, we are covered in the blood of the Lamb, which makes us clean and holy before God.
Snow in the scriptures is purposed by God to glorify Him and “do his bidding.”
Snow has “a sender” as we read in , and frost has a “scatter-er” as we learn from . God uses both to showcase His supremacy.
Did you know that snow falls at God's command?
and in ” The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit.“
Snow in the scriptures is the symbol of purity and cleanness.
We sometimes forget and fail to be reminded of the power, the glory and the Mercy and Grace of Christ's blood continually cleansing us, over and over. God does something for us, through Jesus Christ, that is impossible for us to do on our own. He took the fall and became the perfect lamb, and it was His precious blood that makes us whiter than snow.
There are many scriptural references regarding being “white as snow”. Pure. Undefiled. Having no sin.
shares that the blood of Christ, shed for our sins, cleanses “our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serving the living God!” for all who trust in Christ, we are washed in his blood, fully cleansed from sin so that we may serve Him!
“And by that will we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.“
We are nothing without the blood of Jesus covering us from those stains. He makes us be whiter than snow before the Father.
Jesus had no sin, yet took the fall, bearing all of the sins of the world, for us.
Can we grasp the Love of God by His indescribable gift?
Can we grasp the deep and searing sacrifice that was made at the cross, for us?
He told Isaiah in Chapter that
“Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow.;
though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool”
“He will forgive their iniquity, and will remember their sins no more.”
“Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.”
We know how dedicated Daniel was to God. We read in as he praised the God of heaven:
“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
Wisdom and power are his.
He changes times and seasons;
he sets up kings and deposes them.
He gives wisdom to the wise,
and Knowledge to the discerning.
He reveals deep and hidden things,
he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.
I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers,
You have given me wisdom and power.
You have made known to me what we asked of you,
You have made known to us the dream of the king.”
In Daniel shared this about his dream:
“As I looked, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat.
His clothing was as white as snow.
the hair of his head was white like wool.
His throne was flaming with fire,
and it's wheels were all ablaze.
A river of fire was flowing,
coming out from before him,
Thousands upon thousands attended him;
ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him.
The court was seated and the books were opened.”