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Living the “Good Life”
By Mike Riley
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The American dream is to live the “good life.” We aspire to have a good job, own a nice home, drive a new car, send our kids to the best schools. This “good life” is then climaxed by a carefree retirement with ample funds to do the things we want.
In an of themselves, there’s is nothing wrong with the above goals, but they fall short of the noble goals set for us in Scripture.
Paul paints a far more accurate picture of what the “good life” consists of:
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me” (Gal. 2:20 – NKJV; cf. Isaiah 53:12 – NKJV).
In baptism, we participate in a most memorable death — our own (Romans 6:6-11 – NKJV). Conversion represents a shift from selfish ambition to unselfish generosity (Acts 20:35 – NKJV; cf. Acts 2:45 – NKJV; Acts 4:32-35 – NKJV. An awareness of our own inadequacies and sinful behavior, causes us to stop trusting in ourselves (Proverbs 3:5-6 – NKJV). Pride and its attendant destruction are indeed replaced with faith and its multiple blessings (Romans 10:17 – NKJV; Ephesians 1:3 – NKJV).
As Christians, we highly esteem one another (Romans 12:10 – NKJV), because Christ is the dominant influence in our lives (Gal. 2:20 – NKJV).
Our importance to our family and peers is not measured by our looks or what kind of position we have, but “Who” lives in our daily life and living. We live our lives as an expression of thanksgiving for His great blessings (2 Corinthians 9:7-15 – NKJV; Ephesians 1:3 – NKJV). Faithful worship and sacrificial obedience come more easily, because Jesus set the example at Calvary (Luke 22:41-42 – NKJV; cf. John 5:30 – NKJV; John 6:38 – NKJV).
Instead of following the world’s call to get all the “gusto” we can — let’s be ready to share with the world the “good life” in Christ that we have discovered as we unselfishly live for Him each day.
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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, January 26, 2025
Title: A Life You Can Live In
Text: Romans 12:9-10
Speaker: Bro. Mark Craigwell
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Sympathy: We extend our sympathy to the family of Bro. Lorenzo Woodley, who passed away on Thursday, January 23, 2025, following a lengthy illness. Please keep the family in prayer for comfort and strength in their bereavement. | |
Final Arrangements for Bro. James O. Maxwell | |
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Funeral Services for Dr. James O.
Maxwell will be held Thursday, January 30th @ 10:30am on the campus of Southwestern Christian College 'GKF' Auditorium.
Please Send Cards To:
The Maxwell Family
P.O. Box 2372
Rockwall, TX 75087
Please Send Flowers To:
Sacred Funeral Home 1395 HWY 67 Cedar Hill, TX 75104
(Send between Jan. 28-29).
Attn: Dr. James O. Maxwell Celebration
sacredfuneralhome.com (Tribute Wall)
Public Viewing:
Wednesday, January 29
@ Sacred Funeral Home
1395 HWY 67
Cedar Hill, TX 75104
Time: 1:00pm-7:00pm
Please Share.
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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 February 2, 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 January 26th to pick up a book on an important leader in the civil rights movement. Reports are due on February 9th – 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
1/5 - Youth & Family Ministry Meeting, 2pm @church building.
1/6 - Ministers'/Elders'/Deacons' Meeting, 7pm
1/6 - Singles' Ministry Meeting, 6:30pm @church building.
1/11 - Medicare/Medicaid Info Session @church building, 11am
1/12 - Deacons' Meeting
1/19 - Retention Ministry Meeting after 11:00 a.m. service.
1/20 - Martin Luther King, Jr., Breakfast, 9am-1pm @church building
1/20 - Singles' Ministry Meeting, 6:30pm @church building.
1/25 - Community Outreach, 9:30am @church building.
1/26 - 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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