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God as the Great Justifier (Part 1 of 2)
By Mike Riley
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An essential part of the nature of deity is justness. God is absolutely just — never doing anything which would be in violation of His justness (cf. Isaiah 45:21-22; Acts 3:14). In contrast, man is a violator of law being worthy of condemnation and death.
In fact, man justly deserves to die (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23). God’s justness and man’s unrighteousness contained this dilemma — how could God maintain His perfect justness and save man? Could God merely overlook man’s sin and say that it was all right? If He did, He would not be absolutely just.
From the Scriptures, we understand that justness demands two things: (1) the rewarding of the obedient (Romans 2:7; Romans 2:10) and (2) the punishment of the disobedient (Romans 2:8-9). To assure man of God’s fairness in dealing with this matter, Paul said:
“who will render to each one according to his deeds: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness — indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also of the Greek. For there is no partiality with God” (Romans 2:6-11).
This affirmation is repeated in Colossians 3:24-25:
“Knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. But he who does wrong will be repaid for the wrong which he has done, and there is no partiality.“
We are thus assured, knowing God is absolutely fair in His dealing with the obedient and the disobedient! However, the justness of God also presents this problem: Since there are no just men because all men are sinners (Romans 3:23), what hope did man have?
Continued next week
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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, May 25, 2025
Title: A Life-Changing Truth
Text: Romans 2:5-11
Speaker: Bro. Mark Craigwell
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We extend our condolences to the Malcolm family in the passing of Bro. Carlfred Malcolm’s father, Bro. Aubrey Malcolm, on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, after a long illness.
Services for Bro. Aubrey Malcolm will be as follows:
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
Visitation: 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Service: 11:00 a.m.
Church of Christ in Roxbury
81 Walnut Avenue, Roxbury, Massachusetts 02119
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We extend our condolences to Sis. Cora Morrison and family in the passing of her uncle, Mr. Wali Faulk on Saturday, May 24, 2025. Final arrangements for Mr. Faulk will be announced as they become available.
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We also extend our condolences to Sis. Annie Hicks in the passing of her friend and neighbor, Ms. Dorothy Agnew, last week.
Services for Ms. Agnew will be as follows:
Thursday, May 29, 2025
Visitation: 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Service: 10:30 a.m.
Holy Tabernacle Church
70 Washington Street, Dorchester, Massachusetts 02121
Please keep all of these families in prayer for comfort and strength in their bereavement.
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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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Final Arrangement Planning Info Session: Rebecca Ridley of Davis Funeral Home will give a presentation on Final Arrangement Planning on Wednesday, May 28th at 6:30 p.m. during our Mid-Week Bible Class time slot. All are encouraged to attend.
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Save Friday, June 20th for the next
Youth & Family Ministry Teen Talk.
Details to come.
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Calling ALL 2025 Graduates!
All 2025 Pre-school, Kindergarten, Elementary School, Middle School, High School, College and Graduate School graduates are asked to give their names to Sis. Gallington for inclusion in the e-bulletin. Please include graduate's name, school, and plans for the upcoming school year.
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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 Sunday, June 1, 2025
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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
Semi-Annual Clothing Give-Away: The Clothing Giveaway, previously scheduled for Saturday, May 17th, will be rescheduled.
Final Arrangement Planning Info Session: Presented by Rebecca Ridley of Davis Funeral Home, Wednesday, May 28th, at 6:30 p.m. at the church building during our Mid-Week Bible Class time slot. All are encouraged to attend.
Look Good, Act Good, Feel Good: Saturday, May 31, 2025, 9:30-2:30. Details above.
Graduation Celebration for Bro. Phillip Morrison, Saturday, June 14th. Details below.
Sojourner House 3rd Annual Boot Camp Fundraiser: Saturday, May 31st, 10:30 a.m. Details below.
Warwick CoC Ladies' Day: Saturday, June 21st. Featured speaker, Sis. Shirley Lawson of the Warwick congregation. Details in Women's Ministry section below.
Whom Do You Serve? 2025 Roxbury Youth Rally: September 12-14. Keynote speaker: Bro. Sebastian Davis. Details to come.
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.
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, June 28th at 9:30 a.m. at the church building. All are welcome to participate.
| | Please see Sis. Cora Morrison if you can prepare a dish for the celebration. | | |
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
| | Our next monthly community outreach grocery distribution will take place on Saturday, June 28, 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 meets the second and third Fridays of the month at
7:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
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Our next Women's Class will take place on Sunday, May 25th 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 the preface and chapter 1 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, May 25th at 5 p.m. at the church building.
| | Registration is now open. Scan the QR code above to register. If you have questions, please see Sis. Juanita Tabb. | | 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
5/4 - Youth & Family Ministry Meeting, 2pm @church building.
5/5 - Ministers'/Elders'/Deacons' Meeting, 7pm
5/5 - Singles' Ministry Meeting, 6:30pm @church building.
5/10 - Security Ministry meeting, 10 a.m. at church building
5/11 - Deacons' Meeting
5/11 - Spiritual Development Class, 4:45 p.m. @church building
5/17 - Clothing Giveaway in church parking lot, 9-1. Details above POSTPONED
5/18 - Retention Ministry Meeting after 11:00 a.m. service.
5/19 - Singles' Ministry Meeting, 6:30pm @church building.
5/24 - Community Outreach, 9:30am @church building.
5/25 - Men's/Women's Classes, 4:45 p.m. @church building
5/28 - Final Arrangement Planning Info Session, presented by Rebecca Ridley of Davis Funeral Home, 6:30 p.m. @church building (during Midweek Bible Class time slot)
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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
Email
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