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Is God the Potter of Your Life? (Part 3 of 3)
By Mike Riley
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God Sees the Finished Product
We are hindered by our inability to see the end of the process. God has the power to truly change lives through the power of the Gospel (Romans 1:16). Paul wanted the Philippians to know that God was continually in the process of shaping and molding his life when he said:
“But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear” (Philippians 1:12-14).
Paul continued, “For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death” (Philippians 1:19-20).
Whatever happened to him, Paul knew God could make it work for spiritual good. He later encouraged them to acquire this mindset, as the mind of Christ.
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:5-8).
Jesus humbly trusted the Father and was obedient to His will (Hebrews 5:8; cf. Philippians 2:8).
Conclusion:
There is another aspect about the clay and the potter’s wheel that we need to think about. Every revolution of the potter’s wheel brings the clay closer to what its end will look like. It is that way with our lives. As we are being turned on the Potter’s wheel, we are being molded and shaped, regardless of how long we’ve been turning.
There’s a sacred hymn that we sing from time to time entitled, “Have Thine Own Way Lord,” which beautifully illustrates how we (the clay) should be pliable in the Potter’s hands.
The song reads, “Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way! Thou art the Potter, I am the clay. Mold me and make me After Thy will, While I am waiting, Yielded and still.” The last verse reads, “Hold o’er my being Absolute sway! Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see Christ only, always, Living in me.”
Dear reader, as Isaiah pleaded with the people of his day (Isaiah 64:8), we are pleading with you today to allow God to be the Potter of your life, continually shaping and molding you, as you willingly render obedience to His will (Romans 10:17; Acts 17:30; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:1-11; Gal. 3:26-27; John 8:31; Revelation 2:10).
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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, July 27, 2025
Title: This is No Ordinary Love!
Text: Romans 5:6-11
Speaker: Bro. Mark A. Craigwell
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We 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.
E-giving link
https://churchofchristinroxbury.org/e-giving
Livestream link
Church of Christ in Roxbury - YouTube
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TRANSPORTATION PROCEDURES
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, July 27, 2025
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The Singles' Ministry thanks Bro. and Sis. Holmes for opening their home for the Singles' Ministry fellowship and for the continued effort and dedication they provide to the ministry.
| | Ark of Cherubs Summer Camp | | |
Ark of Cherubs Summer Camp is back for three weeks this summer, from July 21st through August 8th. The cost per week is $160.00 per camper.
If you are interested in having your child attend, please click here to download the application, which is due as soon as possible to Arkofcherubs98@outlook.com.
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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
Bedford Street CoC Musical, Revival, and 15th Anniversary Celebration: August 16-22. Details in Upcoming Events section below.
2025 National Christian Singles' Seminar: August 28th - September 1st in Marlborough, Massachusetts. See Singles' Ministry section below for details.
Whom Do You Serve? 2025 Roxbury Youth Rally: September 12-14. Keynote speaker: Bro. Sebastian Davis. Details above.
2025 Ganderbrook Ladies' Retreat: September 11-13 at Gander Brook Christian Camp in Main. Details in Women's Ministry section below.
2025 Bedford Street CoC Teachers' Workshop: Friday, September 12 - Saturday, September 13th. See Upcoming Events section below for details. RSVP deadline is August 31st.
2025 Martha's Vineyard Ladies' Retreat: September 12-14 on Martha's Vineyard.
2025 Pennsylvania Dutch Country Excursion: September 18-19. Details in Mature in Heart section below. This year's performance is "Noah." All payments due by July 31st.
2025 Men's Retreat: October 9-11, Rumney, NH. Details in Upcoming Events section below.
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. See Couples' Ministry section below for connection information. Meetings will resume in OCTOBER. Enjoy the summer!
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, August 23rd at 9:30 a.m. at the church building. All are welcome to participate.
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Musical: Saturday, August 16th, 6:30pm, Knights of Columbus Hall, Whitman.
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All Services on Sunday, August 17th will be held at Florian Hall in Dorchester. A catered lunch will be served at 1 p.m., after the morning service. All are welcome, to attend all services but you must have RSVP’d by July 23 to attend the luncheon.
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The Revival with Bro. Bethea will continue Monday through Thursday at the Bedford Street Church of Christ in Abington at 7pm nightly.
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The week will culminate with a 15th anniversary banquet on Friday, August 22nd at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Whitman, next door to the Bedford Street Church of Christ. The cost of the banquet is $30 per person.
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Banquet Tickets must be purchased by August 8th. To purchase tickets, send your check, payable to Bedford Street Church of Christ, to Bedford Street Church of Christ, 21 S. Bedford Street, Abington, MA 02351. Write “Banquet Tickets” in the memo section of your check and also include a mailing address if you would like your tickets mailed to you. You can also purchase tickets via PayPal on Bedford Street’s website: https://www.bedfordstcocinabington.org/e-giving. Click on “Offering” and enter the amount you are paying. In the notes section, indicate Banquet Tickets and the address to which you want your tickets mailed, if you want them mailed to you.
| | Our next monthly community outreach grocery distribution will take place on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. at the church building. All are welcome to participate. Distribution begins at 11:00 a.m. | | |
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#
| | 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 will resume meeting the second and third Fridays of the month at 7:00 p.m. in OCTOBER. Enjoy the summer! | |
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Our next Women's Class will take place on Sunday, August 24th 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 Amazon.com for $13.99 plus tax.
Please read chapter 3 prior to our next class.
Sis. Pamela Alexander will facilitate the discussion.
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2025 Mature in Heart Pennsylvania Dutch Country Excursion: Thursday, September 18 - Friday, September 19
Single Hotel -- $574
Double Hotel -- $441
Triple Hotel -- $402
Quad Hotel -- $383
Couple King -- $915
$125 Deposit ASAP to secure a spot
Must be paid in full by July 31st
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Next men's class is Sunday, August 24th at 5 p.m. at the church building.
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Scan the QR code above to register. If you have questions, please see Sis. Juanita Tabb. To place an ad in the NCSS Souvenir Booklet, click the NCSS logo at right. All ads are due by 8/1/25.
| | The Singles' Ministry 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
7/6 - Youth & Family Ministry Meeting, 2pm @church building.
7/7 - Ministers'/Elders'/Deacons' Meeting, 7pm
7/7 - Singles' Ministry Meeting, 6:30pm @church building.
7/13 - Deacons' Meeting
7/13 - Spiritual Development Class, 4:45 p.m. @church building
7/20 - Retention Ministry Meeting after 11:00 a.m. service.
7/21 - Singles' Ministry Meeting, 6:30pm @church building.
7/26 - Community Outreach, 9:30am @church building.
7/26 - Youth & Family Ministry Car Wash, 10am - 1 p.m., church parking lot
7/27 - Men's/Women's Classes, 4:45 p.m. @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) RESUMES IN OCTOBER
- 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
Email
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