|
|
Week of November 14, 2021 |
|
A querist asks, “Why should I become a Christian? What’s the advantage of being a Christian versus a non-Christian?”
There are many biblical reasons for our becoming a New Testament Christian, but here are three primary reasons that stand out in this writer’s mind:
1) Our Past — The inspired writer Paul tells us in Romans 3:23 “….for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God.” Since our sins separate us from a holy God (Isaiah 59:1-2), and since sin’s wages is spiritual death (Romans 6:23), there has to be a means by which our sins are forgiven, thus bringing us back into a proper relationship with God. That “means” is the sacrificial offering of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:7; cf. Romans 3:24-25; Hebrews 9:11-12) .
2) Our Present — God has only promised us the present – the “now” in which to accomplish His purpose in our lives. James tells us in James 4:13-14:
“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit’; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.“
Through our obedience to the gospel, we can experience joy and peace “now” (cf. Acts 8:39; Acts 16:34; Philippians 4:7). Part of that “joy” has to do with God bestowing us with “exceedingly great and precious promises” (2 Peter 1:4), one of those being our salvation from sin — not having to face God’s wrath (Titus 2:11-14; 2 Peter 3:9; Romans 5:8-10; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).
3) Our Future — The Bible not only gives us a glimpse of future judgment (Matthew 25:31-46; Acts 17:31), but also emphasizes the fact that there are only two eternal states of existence — either “everlasting punishment” or “eternal life” (Matthew 25:46). Our names must be found written in the “Book of Life” (Revelation 20:12), or we will be “cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15).
Yes, the above listed reasons are great reasons for becoming a Christian, being obedient to our Savior’s conditions of salvation. There is absolutely no good reason (or reasons) for remaining outside the saved body of Christ (Ephesians 5:23; cf. Ephesians 1:22-23; Acts 2:47).
|
|
Elders
Leon Cort
Mark Craigwell
Martin Samuel
|
Minister
Mark Craigwell
Assistant Minister
Denver Simmons
|
Deacons
Raleigh Gallington
Anthony Johnson
Gregory Johnson
Carlfred Malcolm
Albert Martin, Jr.
Walter Maxwell
Richard Meuse
Barry Person
Jason Reid
James Wade, Sr.
|
|
|
The Youth & Family Ministry Fellowship has been rescheduled to Saturday, November 20, 2021, at Bro. & Sis. Tony & Carol Johnson’s home from 3:00 until 6:00 p.m. RSVP with Sis. Juanita Tabb to attend. See Youth & Family Ministry section below for details.
Monthly Community Outreach: Our regular monthly Community Outreach will take place on Saturday, November 27th beginning at 10 a.m. at the building to assemble and distribute 50 bags of groceries to families in the community. All are welcome to assist.
|
|
We now offer two Sunday morning worship services to accommodate in-person attendees
We are now offering two Sunday morning worship services each week to accommodate those who would like to attend worship in person. The first service begins at 8:30 a.m. and runs until approximately 9:30 a.m.; the second service begins at 11:00 a.m. The auditorium is sanitized between services. The weekly 10:30 a.m. devotional will continue as scheduled. The usual sign-up rules and COVID protocols remain in effect. When you access the online sign up form, you will be required to specify which service you would like to attend. Once capacity has been reached for a particular time slot, the form will no longer accept new registrations for that time slot. We will continue to live stream the 11:00 service on our YouTube channel.
In-Person Worship Sign-up
Please note that there is a new registration link each week.
Links from previous weeks will not work.
E-giving link
Livestream link
|
|
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 for new/updated announcements.
- News & Notes
- Free Chairs! Must be removed from the building by November 14th
- Flat 9 at Whittier Apartments available for rent
- Fresh Truck fresh produce distribution, Wed., 11/24/21 5:30-7p.m. (details above)
- 2021 Thanksgiving Outreach
- Worship & Class Schedule - Links to Services & Classes; link to worship attendance registration form
- Latest on COVID-19
- Vaccine available for ages 5 and up. Walk in appointments available at many clinics
- Current and Upcoming Events -
- Monday-Friday Meal Distribution, 1:30 p.m. daily
- Monthly Community Outreach, Saturday, 11/27 @10am
- Ladies Take Note
- 4th Sunday Ladies' Class, 11/28 @5pm in person @church building
- Men Take Note
- 4th Sunday Men's Class, 11/28 @5pm in person @church building
- Youth & Family Ministry
- Evening of Fellowship and Fun at Johnsons' residence, November 20th, 3-6 p.m. (details below).
TextAlertz: If you are signed up to receive church text blasts via textalertz, but have stopped receiving the blasts, please email Sis. Gallington at ggallington@gmail.com so she can troubleshoot the issue.
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 enagarajah@gmail.com or Sis Gallington at ggallington@gmail.com of any changes to your contact information.
|
|
FREE CHAIRS!
The gray plastic chairs at the church building have been replaced. If you would like to take one or more of them for personal use, please do so no later than Sunday, November 14th.
|
|
2021 Thanksgiving Outreach |
|
Please contact the designated contact person for the item you plan to donate to let them know how many items you will donate, and bring your items to the church building on Friday, November 19th between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. We will also begin assembling and packing the boxes at that time.
Remember that all turkeys must be FROZEN SOLID.
If you would like to make a monetary donation toward this year's Thanksgiving Outreach, please use the congregation's e-giving link to make your donation and follow up with an email to cocroxbury@gmail.com with "Thanksgiving Outreach" in the subject line and your name and donation amount in the body of the email.
We will meet at the church building at 10:00 a.m. on November 20th to assemble the boxes for distribution.
|
|
Midweek Bible Study
Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.
via freeconferencecall.com
(Click image at left to join the class online, or see remote class schedule below for dial-in info)
|
|
COVID Safety Protocols continue
As noted above, we now conduct two worship services on Sunday mornings to accommodate all who would like to attend worship in person. The first service begins at 8:30 a.m.; the second service begins at 11:00 a.m.
The usual sign-up rules and COVID protocols remain in effect to to provide as safe a worship experience as we can and to facilitate the notification process in the event of possible COVID exposure.
NEW: When you access the online sign up form, you will be required to specify which service you would like to attend. Once capacity has been reached for a particular time slot, the form will no longer accept new registrations for that time slot.
We continue to require that all attendees at our in-person worship services and classes comply with the following:
- sign up to attend in advance to facilitate seating and contact tracing (link below);
- wear masks (covering nose and mouth, NO VENTED MASKS);
-
maintain social distance (6ft); and
- submit to temperature scans (fever free) to enter the building.
We are aware that not all members have been vaccinated and this requires that we continue the same safety protocols to keep ALL members safe – vaccinated and unvaccinated. Thank you for your continued cooperation.
We will continue to livestream the worship service on Sunday mornings at 11:00 a.m. on our YouTube channel for those who are unable to attend in person. See below for link to our YouTube channel.
If you will be attending the 11:00 a.m. service, please arrive at the building by 10:30 a.m. We ask that all attendees be seated by 10:45 a.m. so that the livestream can begin promptly at 11:00.
Please spread the word to those who do not have internet access to complete the form online that they can contact Sis. Craigwell at 617-980-7830 or Sis. Gallington at 617-922-5987. By signing up to attend worship in person, you are agreeing to follow all COVID protocols that have been put in place for the safety of all. All attendees will have their temperatures scanned (touchless) upon entry into the building. Facemasks covering the nose and mouth must be worn by all attendees while on church property, both inside and outside. Vented masks are not allowed. All attendees must sanitize hands before entering the auditorium.
To assist us with conducting the service in a decent, orderly and safe manner, we ask that you please not come to the building if you have not been added to the list of attendees. If you have been added to the list and find that you cannot attend, please let Sis. Craigwell or Sis. Gallington know right away so that your spot can be given to someone who can attend. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and patience.
Use this link to sign up to attend in-person on Sunday, November 21, 2021
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. There will be a one-week delay in processing offerings brought to in-person worship services. 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.
|
|
Current & Upcoming Events |
|
Massachusetts has lifted most COVID restrictions regarding masking, social distancing, and occupancy limits for most indoor and outdoor activities. The CDC recommends that those who have not been vaccinated continue to mask and adhere to social distancing recommendations. Businesses and organizations can, however still require COVID protocols at their venues, and the protocols are still in place on public and private transportation and in all medical facilities.
Click here for the most recent advisory from the Department of Public Health regarding face coverings and cloth masks.
All Massachusetts residents ages 5 and up are now eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine, and many facilities have walk-in hours. Booster shots are available for the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines at many pharmacies and health care facilities. Use the link below if you need assistance scheduling an appointment or locating a facility.
|
|
Click here or anywhere in the announcement above for more information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). |
|
Remote Class/Meeting Schedule |
|
Tender Lambs & Pure in Heart Sunday Morning Bible Class
Sundays 10-10:30 a.m. via Zoom
|
|
Children's Sunday Morning Bible Classes
Sundays 10 -10:45 a.mm. via Zoom
Meeting ID: 861 5908 0656
Passcode: 733792
If you prefer to dial in, use one of the numbers below:
+13017158592,,86159080656# US (Washington DC)
+13126266799,,86159080656# US (Chicago)
Meeting ID: 861 5908 0656
NOTE: The Peacemakers class, taught by Sis. Pam Alexander and Sis. Caroline Myers meets at the building at 10 a.m. on Sundays, and the Mustard Seeds class, taught by Sis. Surrie Alexander and Sis. Marilyn Stout, meets at the building at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays.
|
|
Wednesday Night Dial-In Bible Study
Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m.
Dial in number: 978-990-5000
Access Code: 261232#
Or join the class online at
|
|
Mid-Week Youth Bible Study
Wednesdays 7-7:30 p.m. via Zoom
|
|
Women's Saturday Prayer Meeting
Join us for prayer on Saturday mornings at 9:30 a.m. via freeconferencecall.com
Dial-in: 701-802-5069; Access code 3730930#
|
|
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. |
|
No announcements at this time. |
|
4th Sunday Ladies Class, Sunday, November 28th at 5 p.m. at the church building.
Presenter: Sis. Carol Johnson.
|
|
Sunday Morning Devotional: Brothers, please see Bro. Phillip Morrison if you would like to present a Sunday morning devotional at 10:30 a.m., prior to our Sunday morning worship service.
4th Sunday Men's Class Sunday, November 28th at 5:00 p.m. at the church building.
|
|
No announcements at this time. |
|
Young Adult Ministry (YAM) |
|
No announcements at this time. |
|
Meetings & Events
11/15-19 - Daily Lunch Distribution 1:30-2 p.m. @church building
11/19 - Community Outreach - Thanksgiving Dinner for Five
- Donation drop off/begin box assembly/packing
11/20 - Community Outreach - Thanksgiving Dinner for Five
- 10:00 a.m. - Box assembly and packing
- 12:00 noon - Distribution
11/22-26 - Daily Lunch Distribution 1:30-2pm @church building
11/27 - Monthly Community Outreach, 10am @church building
11/28 - Roxbury 4th Sunday Ladies' & Men's Classes, 5:00pm @church building
|
|
Ministry Meetings - Please contact your ministry coordinator for remote meeting schedules.
|
|
Weekly Events - ALL SERVICES, CLASSES, & MEETINGS NORMALLY HELD AT THE CHURCH BUILDING ARE SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, except as noted below:
|
- Sunday Bible Class (all ages) See above for connection info and times for individual classes.
- Sunday Worship Service 8:30 and 11:00 am in person and 11:00 a.m. via livestream on YouTube. 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
-
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)
-
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 TELECONFERENCE
- Women's Saturday Bible Study (4th Saturday @ 10:30am)
|
|
Bro. John Kurpiel, minister for the Lawrence congregation, hosts an international radio program, “Soul Food,” on Mondays and Tuesdays from 11AM until 3PM. The program airs on Ignite Radio Broadcast via Mixlr, an interactive internet radio platform. Use the link below to tune in to listen, or to participate in the conversation. Always free to listen. https://mixlr.com/ignite-radio-broadcast.
|
|
Church of Christ in Roxbury
81 Walnut Avenue
Roxbury, MA 02119
617-442-5826
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
