IS OUR CHRISTIANITY ONE OF CONVENIENCE?
by Mike Riley
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From a practical standpoint, most of us like to hear of things that are convenient and easy to use (those so-called “time saving“ devices). For example, we have microwave ovens, electric door openers, remote control devices, and computers that are “user friendly.”
Unfortunately, in the religious world, some have the same “convenient” mindset. For example, we have folks among us who propagate the idea that Sunday and Wednesday night services are not required. And while it is good to be there with the assembled saints, it is not a sin to miss those assemblies.
But, have we ever thought of what Hebrews 13:17 says? It states:
“Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.”
By the authority of the inspired Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16 ESV), the elders are given the responsibility to lead us to heaven. They are responsible to provide us with opportunities to learn God’s word, and in so doing, do what is right before God, so that we might not miss heaven.
Thus, to miss appointed assemblies by the elders, is to sin against the Lord, since He, through the Holy Spirit, is the one authorizing the rule of elders over us as members (and note the word “obey“).
The old statement about only needing the church at our baptism, our marriage, and our funeral, is far too often believed. Those folks who ascribe to such a view will definitely be in for a surprise on the day of judgment (Matthew 7:21).
Paul told Timothy to “Preach the word,” not only when it is convenient, but when it is not convenient, i.e., “in season, out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2).
For those of us who do not want to assemble with the saints on Sunday and Wednesday evening, do we not have the mindset of those listed in 2 Timothy 4:3-4? As God’s children, we are obligated to live for Christ (Gal. 2:20), not only when others “do,” but when others “fail” to do so.
Wasted opportunities to serve the Lord, is going to be the downfall of many in the church of our Lord. We’re going to have to learn to make the most of every opportunity — “redeem the time” (Ephesians 5:16), for we don’t know if tomorrow will come for certain (James 4:13-14).
Brethren and friends, there’s also one other important point we need to consider. We need to set the right example before others (our children, for example — could this possibly be one reason why over sixty percent are abandoning the church and renouncing Christianity?), by making Christianity a way of life — not one of convenience.
Convenience was never promoted by Jesus or the New Testament writers (Matthew 16:24), however, obedience was (John 15:12-15; cf. Hebrews 5:9; 1 Peter 1:22).
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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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Sermon for Sunday, May 1, 2022
Christ Gave Death's Tutorial on Living from the Cross
1 Peter 2: 21
Speaker: Bro. Denver Simmons
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We extend our sympathy to the Simmons and Walrond families in the passing of Mr. Charles Walrond, Sis. Denise Simmons's step-father, on Saturday, April 30, 2022. Please keep the family in prayer for comfort and strength in their bereavement. Details regarding final arrangements for Mr. Walrond will be announced when available. |
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Calling All 2022 Graduates: If you are graduating this year, please email the following information to cocroxbury@gmail.com as soon as possible: your name, the name of your school, the date, time and location of your graduation (and whether tickets or invitations are needed), and your plans for the next academic year (college, work, etc.) Please also submit a photo for inclusion on the bulletin board and in the e-bulletin.
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More than 40 people of all ages participated in Friday's Friends & Family Bowling event at Boston Bowl in Dorchester. Thank you to all who participated. Your involvement contributed to the success of this event. |
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Click anywhere in the announcement above to download full size flier. |
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City of Boston Indoor Mask Mandate: Due to declining COVID-19 rates and high vaccination rates in the City of Boston, effective Saturday, March 5, 2022, the City of Boston lifted its indoor mask mandate. However, we will continue to require masking and distancing at our in person events until further notice. Thank you for your continued cooperation.
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Our May outreach will take place on Saturday, May 28th, beginning at 10 a.m. for bag assembly at the building. Masks required.
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We will continue to offer two Sunday morning worship services to accommodate in-person attendees
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 livestream the 11:00 service on our YouTube channel, and we encourage members to utilize e-giving, even when attending in person.
PLEASE NOTE: THE LINK BELOW IS FOR NEXT WEEK'S SERVICE. PLEASE SEE LAST WEEK'S E-BULLETIN FOR THE SIGN-UP LINK FOR THE MAY 1ST SERVICE.
In-Person Worship Sign-up
Please also note that there is a new registration link each week.
Links from previous weeks will not work.
E-giving link
Livestream link
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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
- Community Outreach
- Save the Date: October 15-19, 2022, Roxbury Fall Gospel Meeting with Bro. Eric Owens
- Worship & Class Schedule - Links to Services & Classes; link to worship attendance registration form for next week
- Please note that the New Converts' Class now meets both on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m., and Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. at the church building.
- Latest on COVID-19
- Vaccine available for ages 5 and up. Booster shots available for J&J, Moderna, and Pfizer. Walk in appointments available at many clinics.
- Boston Black COVID-19 Coalition Services and Resources
- Current and Upcoming Events
- Monday-Friday Meal Distribution, 1:30 p.m. daily
- Ladies Take Note
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4th Sunday Ladies' Class, 5/22/22 @5pm VIA ZOOM. See below for connection details.
- Mature in Heart
- 2022 Pennsylvania Dutch Country Excursion, October 28-29
- Men Take Note
- 4th Sunday Men's Class, 5/22/22 @5pm at the church building.
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New England Lectureship - See updated flier. Register now and book your hotel room before they are all gone! See below for link to registration form and updated program schedule. YOU MUST BE REGISTERED TO ATTEND THE LECTURESHIP.
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.
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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)
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The 2022 New England Lectureship is scheduled for May 6-8 in Marlborough, MA. Theme: Each One Reach One. Link to registration form is included below. To register online, use the e-giving link on the Bedford Street Church of Christ website at E-Giving | BedfordStCOC (bedfordstcocinabington.org). The registration fee is now $55 for adults. Registration is free for youth ages 17 and under. No refunds will be issued after April 1, 2022. Please note that late registrants may not receive registration packets.
Hotel Information: Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel & Trade Center 181 Boston Post Road West ~ Marlborough, MA ~ 508-460-0700. Room Rate: $99 per night + tax. When you call to make your hotel reservation, request the New England Lectureship rate. Register and book your hotel room now so you don’t miss out. The lectureship hotel rate was available until April 22nd.
Our own Bro. Phillip Morrison will be one of the featured speakers.
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Click here for full-sized updated NEL Flier
Click here for NEL Registration Form
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Current & Upcoming Events |
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The Department of Public Health continues to urge all who are eligible to be vaccinated and/or boosted to do so, as vaccination is currently the best medical defense against the potentially deadly effects of COVID and its variants.
Although the City of Boston has lifted the mask mandate for most indoor spaces, masks are still required on public transportation, in hospitals and medical facilities, and the Department of Public Health (DPH) still recommends masking in indoor spaces for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. Click here for the most recent advisory (March 1, 2022) 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.
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Click here or anywhere in the announcement above for more information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). |
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Remote & In-Person
Class/Meeting Schedule
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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
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Mid-Week Youth Bible Study
Wednesdays 7-7:30 p.m. via Zoom
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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#
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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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2nd and 3rd Fridays of the month @ 7:00 p.m.
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4th Sunday Ladies Class
Sunday, May 28th at 5 p.m.
VIA ZOOM ONLY
Click here to join class online
Meeting ID: 842 7265 5713
Passcode: 037668
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SAVE THE DATE!
Our 2022 Pennsylvania Dutch Country Excursion is currently scheduled for October 28-29, 2022 to see "David" live on stage at the Sight & Sound Theatre
in Lancaster County.
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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, May 28, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. at the church building.
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No announcements at this time. |
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Young Adult Ministry (YAM) |
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No announcements at this time. |
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Monthly Ministry Meeting
1st Sunday of each month at 2:00 p.m.
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Click here or anywhere in the announcement above to apply for this position.
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Meetings & Events
5/2-6 - Daily Lunch Distribution 1:30-2pm @church building
5/2 - Ministers'/Elders'/Deacons' Meeting, 7pm
5/6-8 - New England Lectureship, Marlborough, MA
5/9-13 - Daily Lunch Distribution 1:30-2pm @church building
5/16-20 - Daily Lunch Distribution 1:30-2pm @church building
5/21 - Ministers'/Edlers'/Deacons' Wives Meeting, 9am
5/23-27 - Daily Lunch Distribution 1:30-2pm @church building
5/28 - Community Outreach, 10am @ church building
5/28 - Roxbury 4th Sunday Ladies' Class 5:00pm @via Zoom
5/28 - Roxbury 4th Sunday Men's Class, 5:00pm @church building
5/31-6/3 - Daily Lunch Distribution 1:30-2pm @church building
Masks are required for all in-person events
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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 New Converts' Class, 10:00am @church building
- Sunday Bible Class (children) Sundays at 10:30am @church building
- Sunday Adult Devotional/Bible Study, 10:30am @church building
- Sunday Worship Service 8:30 and 11:00 am in person and 11:00 a.m. via livestream on YouTube. See above for details.
- Men's/Women's Classes, 5pm (4th Sunday of the month); Men @church building; Women via Zoom (details above)
- Youth & Family Ministry (1st Sunday of the month at 2pm)
- 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)
- Mid-Week New Converts' Class (Wednesdays @ 7pm) @church building
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Healing Hearts (Thursdays @6:15pm) VIA ZOOM
- Couple's Ministry (1st & 2nd Fridays @ 7 pm)
- Women's Prayer (Saturdays 9:30am) VIA TELECONFERENCE (Connection info above)
- Ministers/Elders/Deacons Wives Meeting, (3rd Saturday @10 am) @church building
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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.
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Church of Christ in Roxbury
81 Walnut Avenue
Roxbury, MA 02119
617-442-5826
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