Suffering:
The Fragrance of Every Christian
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I have never liked being the bearer of bad news. When we hear the word suffering, we often associate it with something negative or unpleasant. My intent in this article is to look at suffering from a positive perspective.
The Bible notes that “since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lust of men, but for the will of God.” (1 Peter 4: 1 -2)
No one in their right mind likes to suffer. It is one of those things in life we would like to avoid at all cost. However, if you are trying to live faithfully as a Christian you are going to suffer. It is inevitable. But suffering as a Christian gives the glory to God, which is always pleasing to Him. The scriptures tell us “But if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in His name.” (1 Pet. 4:16)
The result of our suffering for the Lord, shows that we are willing to deny the desires of our flesh. And that is a good thing! It means that we are growing and maturing in our walk as Christians. It means that we are getting spiritually stronger by the grace of God to keep those sinful tendencies and behaviors at bay!
It also sends a powerful message to those around us; that we are serious about our walk with the Lord. We are proving not only to God, but to ourselves and to others that any “suffering” that must be encountered for the Lord on earth cannot compare to the promises of an eternal life with Him in heaven!
When God allows us to be in a position to suffer on His behalf, we should look at it as an honor, not as punishment! Remember how God chose Job to suffer on His behalf. “The Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man fearing God and turning away from evil. And he stills holds fast his integrity, although you incited Me to ruin him without cause.” (Job 2: 3)
Therefore, in your next encounter (for there will be one), as you suffer for taking a Christian stance; gird yourself with the full armor of Christ and give the glory to God, for in that special spiritual moment you are called upon to be a sweet smelling “OSME” (aroma) to the Lord!
Always with Love,
Bro. Craigwell
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Elders
Leon Cort
Mark Craigwell
Martin Samuel
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Minister
Mark Craigwell
Assistant Minister
Denver Simmons
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Deacons
Raleigh Gallington
Anthony Johnson
Gregory Johnson
Carlfred Malcolm
Albert Martin, Jr.
Walter Maxwell
Richard Meuse
Barry Person
Jason Reid
James Wade, Sr.
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Sympathy: We extend our sympathy to the Sis. Leslie Jordan and family in the unexpected passing of her in-laws, Curtis and Ellen Jordan of Mattapan, who were found dead in their Mattapan home on Friday, February 5, 2021. Please keep the Jordan family in prayer.
Education Ministry Meeting: Monday, February 8th at 6 p.m. via Zoom.
Connection info:
or click here to connect.
Please keep us updated: Please keep us apprised of any changes to your address, phone number and email address so that we can maintain an accurate database of member information. Please notify Sis Nagarajah at [email protected] or Sis Gallington at [email protected] of any changes to your contact information.
Don't Miss Out! Please scroll through the entire e-bulletin each week to be certain not to miss any important announcements or links. Many items are repeated each week, but there are also new announcements that you'll miss if you don't scroll through the entire bulletin.
See the following sections below for new/updated announcements.
- Latest on COVID-19 - Vaccine available for Phase 1 and those 75 & older
- Current and Upcoming Events -
- Wedding Shower for Tiye Cort & Kevwe Odima (RSVP by 2/20/21)
- Community Outreach (2/27/21)
- Ladies' Day Update - Please make refund requests by February 28, 2021
- Young Adult Ministry - Next meeting 2/14/21
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Midweek Bible Study
Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.
Lesson 2 (Weeks 5-8)
The Fragrance of Our Suffering
(2 Corinthians 1:1-2:11)
via freeconferencecall.com
(See remote class schedule below for connection info and link)
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The Church of Christ in Milton is now
The Bedford Street Church of Christ in Abington
Address: 21S Bedford St, Abington MA 02351
Telephone: 617-274-2409
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Click here or in the announcement above to go directly to our YouTube channel.
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Our Sunday Worship will be by livestream only, Sundays at 11 a.m., until further notice
PLEASE NOTE: WE HAVE TRANSITIONED OUR SUNDAY 11 AM WORSHIP LIVESTREAM TO YOUTUBE.
Only the media team and those brothers on the order of service will be onsite at the church building for worship service each Sunday. All others are encouraged to join us at 11 a.m. for the livestream on our YouTube channel (link below)
Giving: We encourage members to continue using e-giving via the Paypal link on the church website, or to mail their offerings to the church building. Use the following link to access e-giving:
Use the link below to join us for our worship livestream on Sunday mornings at 11:00 a.m.
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COVID-19: It's Not Over Yet - Although COVID numbers are going down in Massachusetts, please continue to exercise vigilance in observing recommended safety protocols, e.g., wash your hands frequently, wear a mask whenever you are around people who are not part of your immediate household, in both public and private settings, do not travel unless absolutely necessary, keep your distance, and self-quarantine for the recommended amount of time if you contract or are exposed to COVID-19. Although there is light at the end of the tunnel with the roll out of multiple vaccines, for now, the pandemic rages on, and it is not time to relax our vigilance in limiting its spread.
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Reminder: Please remember that cloth face masks or coverings are required in all public places, including for outdoor activities. Please also remember to launder your cloth facemasks and/or coverings regularly, wash your hands frequently, and practice social distancing.
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REMINDER: Please remember to mute your phone or computer when joining any of the above conference calls to avoid interrupting the class or service you are entering, particularly if you are joining the call after the event has started. |
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Please note that some of the ministries listed below are meeting via Zoom or freeconferencecall.com during the state of emergency. Check with your ministry coordinator(s) for remote meeting schedules. The ministries will resume their regular schedules once the state of emergency has been lifted.
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Current & Upcoming Events |
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Click here or in the announcement above to RSVP by February 20, 2021
Click here for Tiye & Kevwe's gift registry.
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Click here or in the announcement above to donate funds via the congregation's e-giving link. To earmark your donation for Community Outreach, please let Bro. Gallington know via email at [email protected] so that he can properly allocate the funds to Community Outreach.
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No announcements at this time.
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Click anywhere in the announcement above to join the conference call online. Feel free to turn on your camera if you want to be seen by others on the call. You will also be able to see those who have turned on their cameras. |
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Click here or anywhere in the announcement above to assist us in processing your refund request. Please make all refund requests by February 28, 2021.
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No announcements at this time. |
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The 2021 New England Lectureship has been cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic. We hope to be able to hold it in 2022. |
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The next Retention Ministry meeting will be via Zoom. Date and time TBA. |
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Young Adult Ministry (YAM) |
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If you are interested in joining the planning committee for the YAM Virtual Conference, please email [email protected] by January 31, 2021. |
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No announcements at this time. |
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Special Events
2/27 - Community Outreach, 10 a.m.
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Ministry Meetings - Please contact your ministry coordinator for remote meeting schedules.
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Weekly Events - ALL SERVICES, CLASSES, & MEETINGS NORMALLY HELD AT THE CHURCH BUILDING ARE SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, except as noted below:
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Sunday Bible Class (all ages) See above for connection info and times for individual classes.
- Sunday Worship Service 11:00 am. via livestream on Facebook. See above for details.
- Evening Worship Service, 5pm (1st Sunday of the month)
- Spiritual Development Class 5pm (2nd Sunday of the month)
- Men's/Women's Classes, 5pm (4th Sunday of the month)
- Young Adult Ministry (2nd Sunday of the month at 6pm) VIA ZOOM
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Mature in Heart Women's Prayer (Tuesdays @ 10:30am) VIA TELECONFERENCE (connection info above)
- Prayer Meeting (Tuesdays @ 7pm) VIA TELECONFERENCE (connection info above)
- Mid-Week Bible Study (Wednesdays @ 6:30pm) VIA TELECONFERENCE (connection info above)
- Congregational Song Practice, 3rd Wed. 6:30pm
- Mature in Heart Quilting (Thursdays 10:30-12)
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Healing Hearts (Thursdays @6:15pm) VIA ZOOM
- Choral Group Rehearsal (Thursdays @ 7pm)
- Couple's Ministry (Fridays @ 7 pm)
- Women's Prayer (Saturdays 9:30am) VIA TELECONFERENCE (Connection info above)
- Ministers/Elders/Deacons Wives Meeting, (3rd Saturday @10 am) VIA ZOOM
- Women's Saturday Bible Study (4th Saturday @ 10:30am)
Please note that there are no evening services or classes on the 3rd or 5th Sundays of the month.
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Church of Christ in Roxbury
81 Walnut Avenue
Roxbury, MA 02119
617-442-5826
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