Never Forget the Importance of the Blood (Part 1)
By Mike Riley
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The blood of Christ should cause the Christian’s mind to focus on the “incarnation” of Christ (Philippians 2:8; cf. Hebrews 2:14-18; Hebrews 4:14-15). In thinking of Christ’s death, Christians should be motivated to (1) think about the atonement Christ made for all mankind through the shedding of His blood at the cross (cf. Hebrews 9:12-14) and (2) to reflect upon the suffering and death of the sinless Son of God (1 Peter 2:24).
The phrase, “the blood of Christ,” appears verbatim in the New Testament (KJV) in four verses. With each reference, one finds important lessons about the function and significance of His blood. Christ’s blood is central in the Father’s plan of salvation and spiritual life.
In this article, let us ask this question, “How important is the blood of Christ to mankind?”
1) The Blood Of Christ Brings Redemption (1 Peter 1:19)
In 1 Peter 1, we see the inspired apostle speaking to (1) persecuted, (2) predestined, (3) purified, and (4) obedient people of God. What would cause a Christian to suffer wrong for doing right? What would cause a Christian to search out from the scriptures the terms of election, accept the terms of pardon, and follow the terms of Christian living? Simply, an understanding of redemption.
Perhaps the verse most loved and quoted is John 3:16. In this verse, Jesus, with His divine foreknowledge, foretells the act of redemption. Christ understood that the gift of the Father’s only begotten Son (Himself) meant the shedding of His blood at Calvary. The purpose of that shed blood, He knew, was to “redeem” the lost race of man from the power and hopelessness of sin. Paul says, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons” (Gal. 4:4-5). Paul reinforces this idea of redemption in Titus 2:14.
2) The Blood Of Christ Brings The Removal Of Sin (Hebrews 9:14)
The Hebrew writer explains to his readers the effect of the blood of Christ upon the conscience of one to whom that blood is applied. Thayer shows the original word translated “purge” (Strong’s 2511) in Hebrews 9:14 means “free from the guilt of sin.” Mankind needed some agent to remove the guilt of sin (“dead works”) from their lives. The blood of Christ was that agent. For the agent to be effective, one must come in contact with it. Where does one come in contact with the blood of Christ? Jesus shed His blood when He died (John 19:34). Paul explains “that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death” (Romans 6:3). One cannot literally go over to Jerusalem to a hill called Matthew Calvary and find the man Jesus bleeding to death on a cross. Furthermore, because one cannot do this, one cannot in some literal way reach up to Christ and take some of His shed blood and apply it to himself. Thus, there is no literal, physical way for today’s man or woman to contact the actual, shed blood of our Lord.
John tells us in Revelation 1:5, that the crucified Christ “washed us from our sins in His own blood.” God would not allow His Son to shed His life-blood and then provide no means for mankind to contact that blood in some way. There is a way and only one way. Acts 22:16 says that baptism“washes away sins”. Summarizing, we see that (1) Christ shed His blood in His death; (2) we are buried with Christ in baptism; (3) Christ washed our sins with His blood; (4) We wash away our sins in the act of baptism. Thus, the blood of Christ and baptism, inseparably joined, removes the sins of those who recognize and submit to the authority of Christ in being baptized “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38; cf. 1 Peter 3:21).
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
In Memoriam
Gone, but never forgotten, our beloved brother,
James W. Wade, Sr.
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Sermon for Sunday, January 28, 2024
Title: Redemption
Text: Ephesians 1:7-10
Speaker: Bro. Mark A. Craigwell
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Sympathy: We extend our sympathy to Sis. Velita Person and family in the passing of her aunt, Sara Lee Lewis, in Memphis, and to Sis. Sheree Holmes and family in the passing of her cousin, Peter Toney. Please keep both families in prayer for comfort and strength in their bereavement.
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BOSTON WESTON METCO PARENT ORGANIZATION NEWS | |
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The Boston Weston METCO Parent Organization (BWMPO) has launched our winter fundraiser for the John Hudson Memorial Scholarship fund with My Grandma's Coffee Cakes. There are ten (10) amazing flavors from which to choose. These cakes will not disappoint. Pickup will be at the building on Sunday, February 11th in one of the classrooms. Please support our METCO seniors by purchasing your cake(s) today! The order form will close on January 26th and payment should be submitted at the time of your order via Venmo to BWMPO1. Please contact Keitrice Johnson with any questions and submit your order here.
Secondly, we’ll have our annual John Hudson Fundraiser at WHS on Sat, February 10th from 4-6PM. Please mark your calendar and save the date. This year’s event will feature a documentary on our METCO seniors. This event promises to inform and to entertain. Tickets are $15 for an individual and $50 for a family of four. The flyer for this event will be shared later this week and included in mid-week announcements.
Lastly, if you can’t participate in either of these fundraisers but would still like to contribute, you can make a donation of any amount to BWMPO. Preferred payment for fundraisers and donations is Venmo but checks and cash are also accepted. Venmo handle is BWMPO1. Thank you!
There are two positions available in Weston Public Schools which urgently need to be filled. They are a bus driver for the elementary late bus and METCO academic liaison for the high school. Additional details can be found here.
High School METCO Academic Liaison - job posting
Weston School Bus Driver job posting
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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.
Opt-In to Text Alerts: If you are not already subscribed to the congregation’s text alerts, and would like to do so, you must text the keyword CCROXBURY to 855-908-6614. You will receive a confirmation text. Reply YES to the confirmation text to opt in. Text and data rates may apply. You may opt out of text alerts at any time by replying STOP to any text alert you receive from us.
Congregational Address: Our annual congregational address will take place on Sunday, January 28th at 5:00 p.m. at the church building. We encourage all members to attend. Our monthly men’s and women’s classes will not be held on that date.
The Couples’ Ministry meets the 2nd and 3rd Friday of the month via Zoom. See Couples' Ministry section below for connection information.
The Singles’ Ministry will meet on Monday, February 5th at 6 p.m. at the church building.
Youth & Family Ministry: Opportunities for Youth - see Youth & Family Ministry section below for summer job and other opportunities for youth.
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. The February Tech Day is currently scheduled for February 17th.
2024 Mature in Heart Pennsylvania Dutch Country Excursion: We are now accepting registrations for next year's excursion to see a live performance of "Daniel" and the Sight & Sound Theater. See Mature in Heart Ministry section below for details and link to registration form. Registration form and deposits were due by 12/31/23. If you have not yet submitted your deposit, please see Bro. Gallington, Sis. Nagarajah, or Sis. Keitrice Johnson to do so ASAP.
2024 Roxbury Ladies' Day: Saturday, March 16th at the Tirrell Room in Quincy. See Women's Ministry below for details. Please submit payments by the end of January.
Community Outreach: Our monthly community outreach grocery distribution will resume on Saturday, January 27th 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.
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Electronic donations may be made via the E-Giving option at ChurchofChristinRoxbury.org/e-giving, followed up with a text or email to Bro. Gallington [(617) 922-4598, mrcg13@hotmail.com].
Click here to complete the pledge form electronically.
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OUR CURRENT COVID PROTOCOLS | |
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Effective immediately, and 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 monthly community outreach grocery distribution will resume on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. at the church building. All are welcome to participate. Distribution will begin 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. | |
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Our February Women's Class will take place on Sunday, February 25th at 5:00 p.m. at the church building and via Free Conference Call. No class in January due to our annual congregational address.
Dial in number: 978-990-5000
Access Code: 261232#
Or join the class online at join.freeconferencecall.com/carl95fred
If you would like to present a lesson for our Women's Class in 2024, please see Sis. Wendy Craigwell.
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January 2024
Visitor Thank You Letters: Sis. Sharee Farley
Visitor Gift Bags: Sis. Sandra Wade
Baptistry: Sis. Wendy Craigwell
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Roxbury Sisters: Please check the bulletin board to make sure you are signed up to attend this event. The date will be here before you know it. The cost is $70 per person/$35 for ages 18 and under. Remember that we do not ask our guests or our sisters from other congregations to pay to attend this event. Please submit your payment(s) to Sis. Gallington, Sis. Cindy Woodley, or Sis. Maria Harris by the end of January or submit your payment online via our e-giving link at: https://www.churchofchristinroxbury.org/e-giving. If you submit your payment online, please follow up with an email to cocroxbury@gmail.com with the subject line "Ladies' Day Payment," and your name and payment amount in the body of the email. | |
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2024 Mature in Heart Pennsylvania Dutch Country Excursion:
We are accepting registrations for the 2024 trip to Lancaster County Pennsylvania to see the September 19th showing of "Daniel" at the Sight and Sound Theater. The bus will be scheduled to leave at 4am on the 19th and estimated to return between 9pm and 10pm on the 20th. A minimum initial deposit of $120 is required to secure a spot. This should be completed by December 31, 2023 to allow us to plan for the number to attend. The deposit (and subsequent payments) can be made by cash, check (payable to Church of Christ in Roxbury), or electronically via our e-giving link: churchofchristinroxbury.org/e-giving. If you make your deposit or any subsequent payments electronically, please follow up with an email to cocroxbury@gmail.com with the subject line 2024 Pennsylvania Trip, and your name and payment amount in the body of the email.
The number of participants is limited by bus capacity. The overall cost of the charter bus, show ticket hotel and banquet has increased by $54 per person from 2023, however we have made some changes and restrictions to try to reduce the impact.
1. The minimum number for the event is increased from 24 to 30 (bus passengers). This will ensure that the bus cost per person is no more than $145.
2. The family-only restriction is removed for triple and quad hotel accommodations. However, we are requiring that all roommates be identified at the time of registration and the spots are not confirmed until all roommates have registered. There are also restrictions on refunds to make sure room costs are covered. More details are available upon request. Please see Bro. or Sis. Gallington, Sis. Keitrice Johnson, or Sis. Elizabeth Nagarajah with any questions.
Based on the changes described above, the following are the trip costs for 2024:
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Quad Occupancy hotel room, banquet seat, bus seat and theater seat -- $352
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Triple occupancy hotel room, banquet seat, bus seat and theater seat -- $371
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Double occupancy hotel room, banquet seat, bus seat and theater seat -- $408
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Single occupancy hotel room, banquet seat, bus seat and theater seat -- $535
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Grand king hotel room, two banquet seats, two bus seats and two theater seats -- $859
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Banquet seat and theater seat only -- $120
Please click here to access the online registration form.
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February men's class is Sunday, February 25th at 5 p.m. at the church building. No class in January due to our annual congregational address.
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The tentative date for our next zoom planning meeting is January 30, 2024 at 7:30pm. Please place this on your calendar. More details will be shared as we get closer to our meeting date. | |
Young Adult Ministry (YAM) | |
Date of next meeting will be announced. | |
Monthly Ministry Meeting
1st Sunday of each month at 1:00 p.m.
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2024 Youth Jobs & Resource Fair
Our Annual Youth Jobs & Resource Fair will be a great opportunity for youth ages 14-24 to connect with employers, get a summer job, gain resources, and more! Free food, fun activities, and live performances—register your spot!
We are also looking for Volunteers to participate! Register here!
More details to come!
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Click here to view full-sized 2-page flier, Deadline for submissions is January 31, 2024 | |
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Meetings & Events
1/7 - Youth & Family Ministry Meeting, 2pm @church building.
1/8 - Ministers'/Elders'/Deacons' Meeting, 7pm
1/14 - Deacons' Meeting following 11:00 service @church building.
1/15 - Martin Luther King Day Breakfast, 9:00 a.m. @church building
1/20 - Ministers'/Elders'/Deacons' Wives' Meeting, 9am
1/20 - Tech Day, 11am-1pm
1/21 - Retention Ministry Meeting following 11:00 service @church building.
1/27 - Community Outreach, 9:30am @church building.
1/28 - Congregational Address, 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
- 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
- Choral Ministry (Thursdays @7:30pm) in person @church building
- 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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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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