WHY BECOME A CHRISTIAN?
By Mike Riley
|
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.
|
|
|
In-Person Worship: Please see announcement below under Worship Service Schedule for detailed information regarding the resumption of in-person worship on Sunday mornings.
Please note that there is a new link each week.
Links from previous weeks will not work.
|
|
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.
|
|
Sympathy: We extend our sympathy to the family of Sis. Bertha Williams, who passed away on Sunday, April 26, 2021 in Augusta, Georgia, to the Stewart family in the passing of Sis. Rosalie Stewart on Tuesday, April 27, 2021, and to Bro. Earl Woolf and family in the passing of his sister, Cassandra Woolf on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 in Boston. Services for Sis. Bertha Williams will be Saturday, May 8, 2021 in Augusta, GA. Services for Sis. Rosalie Stewart and Cassandra Woolf are still pending. Please keep these families in prayer for comfort and strength in their bereavement.
Education Ministry Meeting: Monday, May 3, 2021, 7 p.m. via Zoom. All current teachers are asked to be present. The Zoom link has been sent to teachers via email.
|
|
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.
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.
- Worship & Class Schedule - Links to Services & Classes; link to worship attendance registration form
- Latest on COVID-19 - Vaccine available for ages 16 & up
- Ladies Take Note
- 4th Sunday Ladies' Bible Class via freeconferencecall.com
- Hartford/New Haven/Bridgeport CT Combined Ladies' Class via Zoom
- Current and Upcoming Events -
- Tuesday Food Box Distribution
- May Community Outreach
- Youth & Family Ministry - Scholarship Opportunities for High School Seniors and College Students
|
|
Midweek Bible Study
Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.
The Fragrance of Our Ministry
Part 2 - Ministers of the Gospel (2 Cor. 4:1-18)
"We have the same spirit of faith, therefore..."
2 Corinthians 4:13-18
via freeconferencecall.com
(Click image at left to join the class online, or see remote class schedule below for dial-in info)
|
|
In-person Sunday worship has resumed on a limited basis; weekly worship livestream will continue
We resumed in-person worship on a limited basis on Sunday mornings at 11:00 last Sunday. The number of attendees is limited to 50 in the auditorium, and attendees must register by completing an online sign up form each week. A link to the sign-up form will be included in the e-bulletin each Sunday (see below). We will continue to livestream Sunday morning worship at 11:00 a.m. on our YouTube channel for those who are unable to attend in person.
If you will be attending worship in person, please arrive at the building by 10:30 a.m. All attendees must be seated in the auditorium by 10:45 a.m. so that the livestream can begin promptly at 11:00.
Those who do not have internet access to complete the form online 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. We ask that all attendees bring their communion with them, but we will have supplies on hand if you forget.
To assist us in adhering to COVID capacity limits and contact tracing (if necessary), please do 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 on Sunday, May 9, 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 |
|
Click here to donate funds via the congregation's e-giving link. To earmark your donation for Community Outreach, please let Bro. Gallington know via email with the subject line "Community Service Donation" at cocroxbury@gmail.com so that he can properly allocate the funds to Community Outreach.
|
|
COVID-19: All Massachusetts residents ages 16 and up are now eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Use the link below if you need assistance scheduling an appointment. Although COVID numbers had been declining, they are now climbing nationwide, including in Massachusetts, and it is more important than ever that we continue to exercise vigilance in observing recommended safety protocols, e.g., frequent handwashing, wearing a mask whenever you are around people who are not part of your immediate household, in both public and private settings, avoiding all unnecessary travel, keeping your distance, and self-quarantining 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, we are still in the midst of a pandemic and it is not time to relax our vigilance in limiting its spread.
|
|
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.
|
|
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 Tender Lambs, Pure in Heart, and Peacemakers children’s classes will meet via separate Zoom links as follows:
-
The Tender Lambs and Pure in Heart classes, taught by Sis. Samantha Reid, will continue using the link they have been using for the time being (see above for connection information).
-
The Peacemakers class, taught by Sis. Pam Alexander and Sis. Caroline Myers will continue their Saturday meetings via the Zoom link they are currently using (contact Sis. Pam Alexander for connection information).
|
|
Tuesday Evening Prayer Meeting
Join us Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. via freeconferencecall.com for our weekly prayer meeting conducted by Bro. Tony Johnson by dialing 319-527-2774, access code 708846#, or connect online at join.freeconferencecall.com/caroljohnson.
|
|
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.
|
|
Click here or anywhere in the announcement above to join the class online.
|
|
No announcements at this time. |
|
The next Retention Ministry meeting will be via Zoom. Date and time TBA. |
|
Young Adult Ministry (YAM) |
|
Meetings & Events
5/3 - Education Ministry Meeting, 7 pm via Zoom
5/4- Food Box Distribution, Time TBA
5/11- Food Box Distribution, Time TBA
5/18- Food Box Distribution, Time TBA
5/22 - Community Outreach, 10am
5/22- Combined Ladies' Bible Class, 11:00am via Zoom (details above)
5/25 - Food Box Distribution, Time TBA
|
|
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 11:00 am in person and 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 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.
|
|
Church of Christ in Roxbury
81 Walnut Avenue
Roxbury, MA 02119
617-442-5826
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
