Raising Your Kids for Christ (Part 1) | |
How important is it for children to heed their parents’ instruction? It could be the “difference” between heaven and hell. As parents, we have been blessed with some of the most precious gifts from God (Psalm 127:3-5; cf. Genesis 33:5). May we never take them for granted and may we ever prepare them for eternity.
With the above thoughts in mind, the following twenty suggestions on “Raising Your Kids For Christ” by Brother Gary Workman are presented:
1) Teach them what the “the wages of sin” are and what the “gift of God” is (Romans 6:23).
2) Clearly demonstrate to them at all times that serving God and working in His kingdom is the most important priority of your life(Matthew 6:33).
3) Let your child’s earliest memories include daily readings of Bible stories and frequent discussions of God’s Word in the family circle (2 Timothy 3:15).
4) Give them their own Bible even before they can read. Read to them from it at home and have them take it to church services (cf. Deuteronomy 6:6-7). In their pre-school years, have them begin a lifetime habit of regular memorization and review of important Bible verses (Psalm 119:11,16).
5) Teach them to pray by having them repeat after you phrase by phrase as soon as they are able. Continue their spiritual development by praying audibly with them daily (Ephesians 6:18). (Never teach them a memorized prayer, but one that comes from the heart!).
6) Have “devotional” times and speak often of the joys of serving God (Philippians 4:4). Sing spiritual songs about it (Colossians 3:16), and instill in them a longing to go to heaven.
7) Spend the necessary time to be the main spiritual teacher of your children, more so than the preacher or Bible class teacher, etc. (Ephesians 6:4), and you will produce young people who will not blindly follow some unstable teacher or youth group but who will, instead, be leaders in helping mold other young people for Christ.
8) Teach them that lying is one of the worst things they could ever do (Revelation 21:8, 27), and punish them firmly (at the “seat” of the problem) when you discover they’ve done it (Proverbs 29:15-17). This will help keep their lives an “open book” before you and save you possible heartache in their teenage years.
9) Train them early in principles of modesty and you won’t have to combat shorts, halter-tops and scanty swimsuits in years to come (1 Timothy 2:9).
10) Keep their speech pure by not allowing yourself (or them) to ever use profanity or even a substitute such as: “golly”, “gee”, “gosh”, “darn”, “heck”, etc. (Matthew 12:36-37).
Source: Gary Workman, “Raising Your Kids for Christ,” The Peninsula Proclaimer (church of Christ in Newport News, Virginia, August 1981).
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Elders
Leon Cort
Mark Craigwell
Raleigh Gallington
Carlfred Malcolm
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Minister
Mark Craigwell
Assistant Minister
Denver Simmons
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Deacons
Anthony Johnson
Gregory Johnson
Albert Martin, Jr.
Walter Maxwell
Richard Meuse
Barry Person
Jason Reid
In Memoriam
Gone, but never forgotten, our beloved brother,
James W. Wade, Sr.
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Sermon for Sunday, February 2, 2025
Title: God's Righteousness, Man's Conviction
Text: Romans 1:16, 17
Scripture Reading: Romans 3:21-26
Speaker: Bro. Denver Simmons
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Asanteah Parker was baptized into Christ on Sunday, January 26, 2025, following the 11:00 service. Let us welcome our new sister in Christ! | |
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Roxbury Christian Academy
The Church of Christ in Roxbury is in the process procuring a facility to open the Roxbury Christian Academy, a new Church of Christ elementary school in Boston, MA. Our plan is to begin operation in September 2025 and we solicit your prayers in this undertaking
Our Challenge and Request
We are in the process of securing the financing for the school and your pledges and donations will help greatly in that process. We have a signed Purchase & Sales agreement with the seller and are working with lenders. Several of these have declined and those remaining are very interested in the financial support we can gather and anticipate for this effort. It is a very large undertaking for a congregation of our size.
We invite/encourage you to make pledges toward the school for donations to be completed later in the year – please complete the linked pledge form – or to make immediate donations using this donate link, which is exclusively for this effort.
Note: If we are ultimately unable to complete the current process, we will refund your donations. We are committed to opening a Christian school in Boston and will redirect our efforts to other methods and facilities for opening a school if the current effort cannot be completed.
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2024 Offering Letters: Offering letters will be sent out via email the week of January 19th to those for whom we have email addresses. Hard copies will be mailed to those for whom we do not have email addresses. Please make sure we have your current email and mailing addresses. If you have not received your letter by the end of the week, please contact Bro. Gallington. | |
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UPDATED TRANSPORTATION PROCEDURES
Effective immediately, members who wish to request van transportation for Sunday morning services must sign up at least 24 hours prior to requested pick up time via a link that will be provided each week. If you are unable to sign up using the link to the sign-up form, please contact Bro. or Sis. Reid to sign up.
Link for Sunday, February 9, 2025
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Scan QR code or click anywhere in the announcement above for more information. | |
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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.
Current and Upcoming Events
Chain of Change Book Group at BPL Roxbury Branch: Facilitated by Sis. Tchad Cort, 11:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 21st, Saturday, January 18th, and Saturday, February 8th. See Upcoming Events for details.
Black History Month Book Report Competition for Elementary, Middle & High School students. Details in Youth & Family Ministry section.
Save the Date: Save Saturday, March 8, 2025, for our Annual Ladies' Day at the Tirrell Room in Quincy, MA, with keynote Speaker Sis. Jamila Lyiscott of the Manchester, CT, congregation. See Upcoming Events for details.
Ministry Meetings and Events
The Singles’ Ministry meets the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the church building.
The Couples’ Ministry has resumed meeting the 2nd and 3rd Friday of the month via Zoom. beginning January 10, 2025. See Couples' Ministry section below for connection information.
Young Adult Ministry Bi-Weekly Devotional: Every other Monday at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. See Young Adult Ministry section below for connection information.
Tech Day: 3rd Saturday of the month, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the church building. Bring your cell phones, tablets, and laptops for help with your tech issues. See Bro. Javier Jackson, Jr., or Bro. Jerard Samuel for details. Sign-up sheets will be posted monthly.
Community Outreach: Our next monthly community outreach grocery distribution will take place on Saturday, February 22nd at 9:30 a.m. at the church building. All are welcome to participate.
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The congregation is requesting member support of its Mission Fund as we provide an educational stipend to Bro. Phillip Morrison while he attends Sunset International Bible Institute full time for the next 18 months to train as a minister. We are asking members to commit/pledge at whatever amount your heart and ability can provide for this period of time. This is a commitment over and above your regular giving and we hope all members will participate to the level of their ability and heart for God. Our target is to provide $3,000 per month and all commitments, whether large or small, are helpful and appreciated.
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Please make checks and money orders payable to Church of Christ in Roxbury and write Mission Fund in the memo line.
Electronic donations may be made via the E-Giving option at ChurchofChristinRoxbury.org/e-giving. Specify Mission Fund in the comments section.
Click here to complete the pledge form electronically.
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Click here for full-sized flier
Click here for online registration form
Roxbury sisters: Please either sign up on the bulletin board or by using the QR code above by February 2nd. The cost for sisters from the Roxbury congregation is $60; $30 for those ages 18 and under. Please submit your payments to Sis. Harris, Sis. Woodley, or Sis Gallington, or submit electronically via our e-giving link with "Ladies' Day Payment" in the memo section so that your payment can be properly allocated. There is no charge for guests or for our sisters from our sister congregations.
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Chain of Change: The Friends of the Roxbury Branch Library are hosting a book club for Mel King’s “Chain of Change: Struggles in Black Community Development”. This is a collaborative effort with the Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library, and the Mel King Institute’s statewide read initiative. Sis. Tchad Cort will be serving as the book club's moderator. All are welcome! Please join us!
Boston Public Library
Roxbury Branch (Learning Lab - 2nd Floor)
149 Dudley Street
Roxbury, MA 02119
The book will be discussed in 3 sessions.
Saturday, December 21, 2024 (parts 1 & 2)
Saturday, January 18, 2025 (part 3)
Saturday, February 8, 2025 (parts 4 & 5)
Each session will reflect the format below:
11:30-12:00 Social time & refreshments
12:00-12:30 Welcome/Goals/Intros/Warm-Up Question
12:30-2:30 Book Discussion
2:30-3:00 Closing Reflections
Updated Registration Link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfLlHy-sfeyi24oU7YTHmw012uz80bLQxoZogAJAT8pCPmyHQ/viewform?usp=sf_link
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OUR CURRENT COVID PROTOCOLS | |
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Until further notice, we have suspended the requirement for attendees to sign up in advance to attend Sunday worship. We have also suspended attendance taking at our in-person services, classes, and events. Masking remains optional.
Remember that although COVID numbers are down, COVID has not gone away, and is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Please protect yourself and those around you by adhering to the guidelines below.
If you test positive for COVID after attending an in-person church event, please notify us by email at cocroxbury@gmail.com or by text to Sis. Gloria Gallington at 617-922-5987 so that notifications can be made as needed.
For up-to-date information regarding COVID in Massachusetts, click the link below:
COVID-19 Updates and Information | Mass.gov
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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. Our weekly Bible classes for all ages begin at 10:00 a.m. 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. As noted under News & Notes, it is no longer necessary to sign up in advance to attend worship services in person.
E-giving link
https://churchofchristinroxbury.org/e-giving
Livestream link
Church of Christ in Roxbury - YouTube
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Our next monthly community outreach grocery distribution will take place on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. at the church building. All are welcome to participate. Distribution begins at 11:00 a.m. | |
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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. | |
The Couples' Ministry meets the second and third Fridays of the month at 7:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Meetings resumed on Friday, January 10, 2025. | |
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Our next Women's Class will take place on Sunday, FEBRUARY 23, 2025 at 5:00 p.m at the church building and via Free Conference Call.
Dial in number: 978-990-5000
Access Code: 261232#
Or join the class online at join.freeconferencecall.com/carl95fred
The book we will be reading for 2025 is Consider One Another by Aubrey Johnson. It is available from Amazzon.com for $13.99 plus tax.
Please see Sis Gallington to pick up your book if you ordered through her.
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2025 Mature in Heart Pennsylvania Dutch Country Excursion: Thursday, September 18 - Friday, September 19
Next year's Sight & Sound production will be "Noah." Stay tuned for detailed information regarding the date and cost in the near future.
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Next men's class is Sunday, FEBRUARY 23, 2025, at 5 p.m. at the church building.
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Registration is now open. Scan the QR code above to register. Reduced registration fee for the month of January only. | |
The Singles' Ministry now meets the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the building. | |
Young Adult Ministry (YAM) | |
Black History Month Book Report Competition: The Youth & Family Ministry is sponsoring a Black History Month Book Report Competition, in which all elementary, middle and high school students are invited to participate. See Bro. Victor McKen on Sunday, February 2nd to pick up a book on an important leader in the civil rights movement. Reports are due on February 23rd – elementary school students (2 pages); middle school students (2-3 pages); high school students (3 pages). Reports must include details about the leader’s upbringing, education, early activism and key turning points and their impact on social movements. Prizes will be awarded to the authors of the winning submissions. | |
Monthly Ministry Meeting
1st Sunday of each month at 1:00 p.m.
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Meetings & Events
2/2 - Youth & Family Ministry Meeting, 2pm @church building.
2/3 - Ministers'/Elders'/Deacons' Meeting, 7pm
2/3 - Singles' Ministry Meeting, 6:30pm @church building.
2/9 - Deacons' Meeting
2/16 - Retention Ministry Meeting after 11:00 a.m. service.
2/17 - Singles' Ministry Meeting, 6:30pm @church building.
2/22 - Community Outreach, 9:30am @church building.
2/23 - Spiritual Development Class, continued from 2nd Sunday, 5pm @church building
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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 11:00am in person and 11:00am via livestream on YouTube. See above for details.
- Men's/Women's Classes, 5pm (4th Sunday of the month) @church building unless otherwise noted.
- 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 @ 6:30pm) @church building
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Healing Hearts (Thursdays @6:15pm) VIA ZOOM
- Couple's Ministry (2nd & 3rd Fridays @ 7 pm)
- Retention Ministry (3rd Sunday following 11:00 service)
- Women's Prayer (Saturdays 9:30am) VIA TELECONFERENCE (Connection info above)
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Close to Him Ministry is an inspiring organization that welcomes both curious seekers and devoted Christians.
They embark on a journey to ignite your faith and bring you closer to God. Whether you’re already on a path of belief or just starting to explore, they offer a warm space to delve into the richness of the Christian faith.
Close to Him Ministry was founded by Bro. Frank Addae. Its mission is to spread the Word of God, provide evidence of His existence, and guide both Christians and non-Christians towards a deeper more meaningful relationship with Him. For more information or to subscribe to Close to Him Ministry, follow this link:
https://www.youtube.com/@ClosetoHimMinistry
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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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