Putting Our Confidence in God's Perfect, Proven Word
(Part 1)
By Mike Riley
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Visitors who come to our assemblies are sometimes awestruck by our unwavering focus on the Scriptures for everything we believe, teach, and practice. Then we may hear these same people say, “The Bible is important, but it’s not all there is to a relationship with God.”
It’s true that our relationship with God cannot be limited to simply book knowledge alone. It is necessary that we take what we read in the Scriptures and make those words the foundation and blueprint of an active life in Christ. In fact, the Bible itself says that it is the “implanted word” that is able to save the soul (James 1:21. The doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in the inspired Scriptures are intended to complete us as servants of God, equipping us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Therefore, discipleship is not merely an educational exercise — it is the process of allowing God’s word to transform us into the likeness of Christ (Romans 12:2-NKJV; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Gal. 2:20). It is infinitely more than studying as though for an academic exam — it is being recreated into a “new man who is renewed in knowledge,” by means of the instruction and direction of God’s word (Colossians 3:10).
Let us consider the words of David, recorded in 2 Samuel 22:31 and its parallel passage in Psalm 18:30:
“As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.”
Who else but God could it be said that “His way is perfect”? We have all learned many valuable things from parents, teachers, and other persons of positive influence, but would we say of any of them that everything they taught was perfect?
This writer is continually grateful for the many vital lessons learned from my father, mother, and grandparents, but they were not always correct. I have benefited from the study of many learned brothers in Christ, both through their preaching and teaching and through their writings, but I have never met a gospel preacher or teacher who was right about everything — including myself! Many times I’ve been compelled to go back to the Bible and restudy some issue, topic or text, once I realized that what I had previously believed and taught on the matter was incorrect.
To be continued next week
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Elders
Leon Cort
Mark Craigwell
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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
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Sermon for Sunday, April 23, 2023
When Holy Men Spoke
2 Peter 1:20-21
Speaker: Mark A. Craigwell
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DON'T FORGET YOUR MASK!
Remember that masks are required at all of our in-person events, including services, classes, and meetings. Please also remember to bring your mask with you. We have a limited supply of masks available for those who do not have them.
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Final Arrangements for Bro. James Wade
Visitation
Monday, April 24, 2023, 4 – 8 p.m.
Davis Funeral Home
89 Walnut Avenue, Roxbury
Celebration of Life
Tuesday, April 25, 2023, 10 a.m.
Church of Christ in Roxbury
81 Walnut Avenue, Roxbury
Repast
Tuesday, April 25, 2023, 12:30 – 2 p.m.
Prince Hall Grand Lodge
24 Washington Street
Grove Hall, Dorchester, MA
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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.
Boston Comics in Color Festival: Saturday, April 29th. See Youth & Family Ministry below or Sis. Vyniece Morrison for details. FREE.
Bedford Street CoC Couples’ Seminar: “Making Marriages Marvelous, Part 2.” Friday, May 26th through Saturday, May 27th. Registration, $60 per couple. Registration deadline, May 7th. See Upcoming Events below for details.
Fall River Ladies' Day: Saturday, May 13th. See announcement under Women's Ministry below for details. Space is Limited.
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Please subscribe or resubscribe to TextAlertz to receive text blasts from the congregation. 5linx now requires a two-step opt-in process to subscribe to receive church text alerts. What this means is that some members who were previously subscribed have stopped receiving text alerts because they opted in using a one-step process. We sent out an email blast containing a list of members who need to resubscribe. To subscribe or to resubscribe, text the keyword CCROXBURY to 855-908-6614, which should generate an automated text instructing you to reply YES to confirm that you want to subscribe. Once you reply YES, you will receive another automated text confirming that you have successfully subscribed. You can also opt in by scanning the QR code below and following the prompts. We apologize for the inconvenience, and we thank you for your continued patience.
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Click below for full sized flier
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Click here or anywhere in the announcement above for more information.
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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 9:45 a.m.; the second service begins at 11:00 a.m. The weekly adult Bible class/devotional begins at 10:00 a.m. 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
In-Person Worship Sign-up
Please also note that there is a new registration link each week.
E-giving link
Livestream link
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Click here or anywhere in the announcement above to view full-sized flier.
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Thank you to all who assisted with Saturday's outreach effort on April 22nd. Our May outreach will take place on Saturday, May 27th. All are welcome and encouraged to participate. Masks required. |
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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.
All Massachusetts residents ages 6-months 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 In-Person & Dial-In Bible Study
Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. in-person and via freeconferencecall.com.
Dial in number: 978-990-5000
Access Code: 261232#
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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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The Couples' Ministry meets via Zoom the second and third Fridays of the month at 7:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
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If you plan to ride on the church van, please let Sis. Gallington know ASAP so we can finalize transportation arrangements. |
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Our April Women's Class will be held on Sunday, April 23 , 2023 at 5:00 p.m. at the church building, and via Free Conference Call for those who cannot attend in person.
Dial in: 978-990-5000
Access Code: 261232#
Or, join the class online at
Presenter: Sis. Miranda ADEkoje
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April 2023
Visitor Thank You Letters - Sis. Maggie Robbins
Visitor Gift Bags - Sis. Elizabeth Pegram
Baptistry -Sis. Karla Unger-Laffin
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Please note that the dial-in number for this conference call has changed. The new number is 945-218-0112. The access code remains the same, 3730930. |
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2023 Mature in Heart Pennsylvania Dutch Country Excursion: Our 2023 trip is scheduled for Thursday, September 14th through Friday, September 15th to see a production of “Moses” at the Sight & Sound Theater in Lancaster at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 14th. The cost for bus, hotel, dinner and show is as follows:
- $340/person for quad occupancy (families)
- $358/person for triple occupancy (families)
- $393/person for double occupancy
- $514 for single occupancy
- $830/couple for grand king room
Sign up is open now and a $75 deposit is required by to hold a spot. The number is limited by bus capacity and hotel availability. If you have not already done so, please get your deposit in ASAP to secure your spot so we can finalize the theater seating. Seats can only be assigned for purchased tickets.
Payments can be made via our e-giving link at:
https://www.churchofchristinroxbury.org/e-giving. Please follow up any payments with an email to cocroxbury@gmail.com with the subject line "Pennsylvania Trip Payment" and your name and payment amount in the body of the email so that your payments can be properly recorded.
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Our March Men's Class will be held on Sunday, April 23, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. at the church building.
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2023 New England Lectureship
May 5-7, Mansfield, MA
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Don't Delay!
Book your hotel room and register now to attend this year's New England Lectureship in Mansfield, Massachusetts, Friday, May 5th - Sunday, May 7th. This year's theme is, "The Post-Pandemic Church: Lessons on Our New Normal."
Use the links below to access registration forms, hotel information, vendor form, and souvenir booklet ad form. Registration fee is now $55.
fee is
There are still rooms available at the discounted Lectureship rate, but you must call to take advantage of the discount (you can no longer get the discount online). Contact Michelle Loemis at 508-594-4135 to book your room at the letureship rate.
Click here for detailed schedule.
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Young Adult Ministry (YAM) |
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Date of next meeting will be announced. |
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Monthly Ministry Meeting
1st Sunday of each month at 1:00 p.m.
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Meetings & Events
4/1 - Security & Usher Ministry Meeting, 1 p.m. @church building
4/2 Youth Ministry Meeting, 1:00 p.m.
4/3 - Ministers/Elders/Deacons Meeting, 7 p.m. via Zoom
4/8 - Publications & Communications Ministry Meeting, 9 a.m. via Zoom
4/9 - Deacons' Meeting, following 11 a.m. service @church building.
4/16 - Retention Ministry Meeting following 11:00 service @church building.
4/22 - Community Outreach, 10 a.m.
4/23 - Men's and Women's Classes, 5 p.m. @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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- Sunday New Converts' Class, 10:00am @church building
- Sunday Bible Class (children) Sundays at 10:00am @church building
- Sunday Adult Devotional/Bible Study, 10:00am @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) @church building
- Youth & Family Ministry (1st Sunday of the month at 2pm)
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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) in person and 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 (2nd & 3rd 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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