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Prayer – A Blessing from God
By Mike Riley
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Prayer is certainly a great blessing from God and should be a powerful part of the Christian’s life. We know prayer is important to God, because the words pray, prayer, prayers and praying are mentioned over 450 times in the Bible. With these thoughts in mind, let us ask and biblically answer the following questions regarding prayer:
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What is Prayer? — The word pray means “to petition, request or entreat.” It is the avenue by which we communicate with God (cf. Romans 10:1). Prayer necessarily involves praise (Matthew 6:9), thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6), confession (1 John 1:9) and petitions (Philippians 4:6).
- Why should we Pray? — Because prayer is a direct command (1 Thessalonians 5:17; cf. Ephesians 6:18). It is the medium through which we obtain God’s wisdom and blessings (James 1:5; James 5:18; cf. 1 Kings 18:42; 1 Kings 18:45). Prayer is indeed a powerful tool for God’s faithful (Acts 12:5-17).
- How often should we Pray?— Petitions before God should be offered as often as we have a need, and prayers of thanksgiving should be offered as often as God blesses us (Ephesians 1:3; cf. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4; 1 Peter 1:3). Note that the “how often” should be closely associated with the “without ceasing” attitude (1 Thessalonians 5:17; cf. 1 Thessalonians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 2:12-13; Ephesians 6:18).
- What should we Pray for? — Just to name a few; for strength to overcome our temptations (Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:38; Luke 22:40; Luke 22:46); for God’s wisdom (James 1:5-7); for unity (John 17:20-21); for forgiveness (Matthew 6:12); for the sick (James 5:14); for all people and those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-3; cf. Romans 10:1); for the saints (Ephesians 6:18).
- What hinders our Prayers?— When we allow sin to remain in our lives (Isaiah 59:1-2; when we pray with selfish motives (James 4:3); when we pray doubting the outcome (James 1:5-8; cf. 1 Timothy 2:8 – KJV).
- Who can Pray? — Prayer is the privilege of the obedient (1 John 3:22); those who are submissive to God’s will (1 John 5:14; cf. 1 John 3:22); and those who are faithful (John 9:31; John 15:7; cf. James 5:16; 1 Peter 3:12).
Brethren, let us never take the avenue of prayer for granted, but let us humbly thank God for this blessed means of communication with Him — the One who richly provides all good and perfect gifts (James 1:17; cf. John 3:27), including life itself (Acts 17:25; Acts 17:28).
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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 5, 2025
Title: The Prayer Warrior
Text: Ephesians 6:17-18
Speaker: Bro. Mark Craigwell
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HERE WE GROW AGAIN!
Martha Garcia was baptized into Christ on Friday, January 3, 3035. Martha is the sister of Sis. Suyapa Garcia. She lives in Virginia and will be attending the Mechanicsville Church of Christ. Let us welcome her into the body of Christ!
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NO 8:30 SERVICE ON SUNDAY, 1/5/25
As previously announced, there will be no 8:30 service on Sunday, January 5th, so that we can all worship together as we begin the New Year. We will begin the day with Bible Class for all ages at 10:00 a.m. followed by worship service at 11:00 a.m. We will resume our regular worship schedule on Sunday, January 12th.
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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 January 5th
Link for January 12th
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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
Medicare/Medicaid Info Session: Saturday, January 11th, 11 a.m. at the church building. All are welcome. See Upcoming Events for details.
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.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Breakfast: Monday, January 20th, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the church building. Sponsored by the Youth & Family Ministry. See Upcoming Events for details.
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 will resume 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, January 25th 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
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 other 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, January 25, 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 will resume ion Friday, January 10, 2025. | |
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Our next Women's Class will take place on Sunday, January 26, 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, or, Sis. Gallington can order it for you for $15, which includes tax and shipping. Please give your name and payment to Sis. Gallington no later than January 12th if you would like her to place your order.
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January 2025
Visitor Thank You Letters: Orquidea Tejeda
Visitor Gift Bags: Ailee Martin/Sandra Wade
Baptistry: Kayla Samuel/Denise Simmons
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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, January 26, 2025, at 5 p.m. at the church building.
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Registration is now open. Scan the QR code above to register. | |
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) | |
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.
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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 @ 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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