The "Value Added" Life
By Mike Riley
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A key phrase in today’s business world is the phrase “value added.” It simply means the value that an employee adds to the overall value and success of any business operation. We have come to expect “value” in everything we purchase. No one wants an automobile that doesn’t run, a house which offers no protection from the elements, or a chair in which we can’t sit. If we possess anything that has little value attached to it, we simply repair it (if it’s repairable) or replace it with something of equal value.
The same is true in the spiritual world. God has little use for a Christian who does not add “value” to His kingdom (cf. Matthew 25:14-30; John 15:1-6). In our Lord’s teaching of judgment, all who were condemned had lost their usefulness. For example, the fishermen cast the useless fish away (Matthew 13:47-50). The one talent man was called an “unprofitable servant” (Matthew 25:30 KJV). The foolish virgins were shut out of the marriage festivities because they didn’t serve the purpose for which they were selected (Matthew 25:1-13). The fig tree was cut down because it bore no fruit (Luke 13:6-9; cf. John 15:2; John 15:6).
It’s easy for us as Christians to be lifted up with pride when God blesses us so richly. When this happens, we are likely to forget the basic reason for our existence as Christians (Deuteronomy 6:10-12; Isaiah 43:7; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Revelation 4:11). The inspired writer Paul expressed it this way in Romans 15:5-6:
“Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.“
Brethren and friends, the bottom line is this: God expects us to be of value to His cause. We are to be fellow workers with God in fields that stand ready to be harvested (1 Corinthians 3:9; 2 Corinthians 6:1; Matthew 9:37-38; John 4:35).
The individual or church which has no usefulness is thoroughly condemned in God’s word (2 Timothy 4:10; Revelation 2:1-5; Revelation 3:1-6; Revelation 3:14-19). This is why Paul urges us to engage in self-examination so we can determine whether or not we are useful in God’s kingdom (2 Corinthians 13:5; cf. 2 Timothy 2:20-21).
Today, let’s ask ourselves the following soul-searching questions:
- Are we adding value to God’s kingdom? (John 15:8; cf. Matthew 5:16; Philippians 1:11).
- Are we setting forth the kind of example before others that we should? (1 Corinthians 11:1).
- Are we busy preaching and teaching the gospel message to the lost? (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16).
Our eternal destiny may very well hinge on the answers we give.
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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
James Wade, Sr.
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Sermon for Sunday, March 19, 2023
Title: Confirming The Call
2 Peter 1:10-11
Speaker: Mark A. Craigwell
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DON'T FORGET YOUR MASK!
Remember that masks are required at all of our in-person events, including services, classes, and meetings. Please also remember to bring your mask with you. We have a limited supply of masks available for those who do not have them.
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We extend our sympathies to the Creech family in the passing of Sis. Shante Creech's grandfather, Archie Christian. Please keep the family in prayer for comfort and healing.
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The S.U.M. scheduled for Saturday, March 18th had to be cancelled due to the water leak at the church building. The date for the rescheduled meeting will be announced. |
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3rd Sunday Fellowship at Bedford Street CoC: The Bedford Street congregation will host the 3rd Sunday Fellowship at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Whitman (next door to their church building) on Sunday, March 19th at 3:00 p.m. all are welcome. Click image at left for full-sized flier with details and address.
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The Books Have Arrived: If you ordered copies of the Peacemakers’ Class book, please see Sis. Sharee Farley on Sunday to pick up your copy and to make your payment if you have not already paid.
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An email with a draft church directory went out to all members for whom we have email addresses. Please review the draft ASAP and notify Sis. Nagarajah by return email of any updates or corrections. If your information is correct, please respond via return email to let Sis. Nagarajah know that as well. If you did not receive the email with the draft directory from Sis. Nagarajah, please email her at enagarajah@gmail.com so she can send it to you. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. |
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Please subscribe or resubscribe to TextAlertz to receive text blasts from the congregation. 5linx now requires a two-step opt-in process to subscribe to receive church text alerts. What this means is that some members who were previously subscribed have stopped receiving text alerts because they opted in using a one-step process. We sent out an email blast containing a list of members who need to resubscribe. To subscribe or to resubscribe, text the keyword CCROXBURY to 855-908-6614, which should generate an automated text instructing you to reply YES to confirm that you want to subscribe. Once you reply YES, you will receive another automated text confirming that you have successfully subscribed. You can also opt in by scanning the QR code below and following the prompts. We apologize for the inconvenience, and we thank you for your continued patience.
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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. The auditorium is sanitized between services. The weekly adult Bible class/devotional begins at 10:00 a.m. The usual sign-up rules and COVID protocols remain in effect. When you access the online sign-up form, you will be required to specify which service you would like to attend. Once capacity has been reached for a particular time slot, the form will no longer accept new registrations for that time slot. 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.
PLEASE NOTE: THE LINK BELOW IS FOR NEXT WEEK'S SERVICE
In-Person Worship Sign-up
Please also note that there is a new registration link each week.
E-giving link
Livestream link
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Don't Miss Out! Scroll On... |
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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.
See the following sections for new/updated announcements.
- News & Notes (above)
- Fishing Trip, 4/22/23
- Worship & Class Schedule - Links to Services & Classes; link to worship attendance registration form for next week.
- Upcoming Events
- 3rd Sunday Fellowship hosted by Bedford Street CoC, 3/19
- Inspire New England 2023 Conference 3/24-25
- 2023 Caribbean Lectureship
- Community Outreach 3/25
- Latest on COVID-19
- Vaccine available for ages 6 months and up. Booster shots available for J&J, Moderna, and Pfizer. Walk in appointments available at many clinics.
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Click anywhere in the announcement above or scan the QR code for detailed information and schedule. |
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Thank you to all who assisted with Saturday's outreach effort. Our March outreach will take place on Saturday, March 25th. We will deliver 100 bags of groceries to MLK Senior Housing. All are welcome to participate. Masks required.
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The Department of Public Health continues to urge all who are eligible to be vaccinated and/or boosted to do so, as vaccination is currently the best medical defense against the potentially deadly effects of COVID and its variants.
All Massachusetts residents ages 6-months and up are now eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine, and many facilities have walk-in hours. Booster shots are available for the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines at many pharmacies and health care facilities. Use the link below if you need assistance scheduling an appointment or locating a facility.
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Click here or anywhere in the announcement above for more information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). |
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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. |
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The Couples' Ministry meets via Zoom the second and third Fridays of the month at 7:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
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Click here to RSVP to attend .
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Our March Women's Class will be held on Sunday, March 26, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. at the church building, and via Free Conference Call for those who cannot attend in person.
Dial in: 978-990-5000
Access Code: 261232#
Or, join the class online at
Presenter: Sis. Gloria Gallington
Topic: Whom Shall I Fear? Psalm 27:1
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March 2023
Visitor Gift Bags - Sis. Marilyn Meuse
Baptistry - Sis. Liz Pegram
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Please note that the dial-in number for this conference call has changed. The new number is 945-218-0112. The access code remains the same, 3730930. |
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2023 Mature in Heart Pennsylvania Dutch Country Excursion: Our 2023 trip is scheduled for Thursday, September 14th through Friday, September 15th to see a production of “Moses” at the Sight & Sound Theater in Lancaster at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 14th. The cost for bus, hotel, dinner and show is as follows:
- $340/person for quad occupancy (families)
- $358/person for triple occupancy (families)
- $393/person for double occupancy
- $514 for single occupancy
- $830/couple for grand king room
Sign up is open now and a $75 deposit is required by to hold a spot. The number is limited by bus capacity and hotel availability. If you have not already done so, please get your deposit in ASAP to secure your spot so we can finalize the theater seating. Seats can only be assigned for purchased tickets.
Payments can be made via our e-giving link at:
https://www.churchofchristinroxbury.org/e-giving. Please follow up any payments with an email to cocroxbury@gmail.com with the subject line "Pennsylvania Trip Payment" and your name and payment amount in the body of the email so that your payments can be properly recorded.
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Our March Men's Class will be held on Sunday, March 26th at 5:00 p.m. at the church building.
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2023 New England Lectureship
May 5-7, Mansfield, MA
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Don't Delay!
Book your hotel room and register now to attend this year's New England Lectureship in Mansfield, Massachusetts, Friday, May 5th - Sunday, May 7th. This year's theme is, "The Post-Pandemic Church: Lessons on Our New Normal."
Use the links below to access registration forms, hotel information, vendor form, and souvenir booklet ad form. Registration deadline is April 15, 2023.
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Young Adult Ministry (YAM) |
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Date of next meeting will be announced. |
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Monthly Ministry Meeting
1st Sunday of each month at 1:00 p.m.
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Meetings & Events
3/3-4 - NEBI Church Leadership Workshop
3/5- Youth Ministry Meeting, 2:00 p.m.
3/6 - Ministers/Elders/Deacons Meeting, 7 p.m. via Zoom
3/11 - Publications & Communications Ministry Meeting, 9 a.m. via Zoom
3/12 - Deacons' Meeting, following 11 a.m. service @church building.
3/17 - Youth & Family Ministry Game Night, 6-9pm @church building - POSTPONED
3/18 - Midwives & Marshmallows Free Family Event (details above)
3/19 - Retention Ministry Meeting following 11:00 service @church building.
3/19 - Area Wide Fellowship @ Bedford Street CoC, 3:00pm
3/25 - Community Outreach, 10 a.m.
3/24-25 - Inspire New England Conference, Manchester Church of Christ, Manchester, CT
3/26 - Men's and Women's Classes, 5 p.m. @church building
Masks are required for all in-person events.
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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, 10:20am @church building
- Sunday Worship Service 8:30 and 11:00 am in person and 11:00 a.m. 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
- Couple's Ministry (2nd & 3rd Fridays @ 7 pm)
- Women's Prayer (Saturdays 9:30am) VIA TELECONFERENCE (Connection info above)
- Ministers/Elders/Deacons Wives Meeting, (3rd Saturday @10 am) @church building
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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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