The Here Before the After
By Ray Wallace
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There is an old saying that the older we get, the more we think about the “hereafter” – we walk into a room and ask ourselves, “What am I here after?” While that describes most of us, sooner or later, it also raises an important question, “What am I to do while I am here – before the after?”
I am certain that if you are still here on earth, God is not finished with you yet. And if God is not finished with you yet, then He must have some things for you to do with your time here on earth. As we consider the providence of God, we come to realize that He is gently, lovingly, and often specifically bringing about circumstances in our lives that cause “all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28, NASB)
Since God’s providence causes all things to work together for good for you and for me, we realize that He pulls some of the proverbial strings of life to make sure we are where He wants us to be, when he wants us to be there. Time, space, and circumstance become the tools of His providence for His purposes, to His glory in our lives.
This concept is seen very clearly in God’s word to the Christians at Corinth. As Paul described the “body” of Christ (Christians) in the church, he reminded them that each part has a function, but he also describes God’s providence in 1 Corinthians 12:18:
“But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.”
God’s providence arranged time and circumstance in just such a way that He places us where he needs us, when He needs us there. Think about it. God has placed you right where He wants you, just when He wants you there – to be a working part of His body, to His glory, for the blessings of those around you!
Relax and enjoy the precious processes He has working in your life, as you work in His family!
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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, November 3, 2024
Title: Built for Love, Part 3
Text: Ephesians 4:15-16
Speaker: Bro. Mark Craigwell
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Fall Back: Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 3, 2024. Remember to set your clocks BACK one hour on Saturday night. Note: most “smart” devices will adjust the time automatically. | |
HERE WE GROW AGAIN, AND AGAIN! | |
Maria Diaz and Shemeka Maxwell were baptized on Wednesday, October 30, 2024. Let us welcome our new sisters in Christ! | |
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All payments must be received by Sunday, November 3rd.
We will take up a love offering for Bros. Maxwell and Meuse on Sunday, November 3rd. Contributions can be made by cash, check, or electronically via e-giving. (https://www.churchofchristinroxbury.org/e-giving)
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This November we will host a Children’s Coat Drive to support the Horadan Way Children’s Early Education Center. We kindly ask for donations of new coats, hats, and mittens/gloves for the children. All donations should be brought to the church building by Wednesday, November 13th. We will assemble the bags beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 14th, and deliver them on Friday, November 15th at 4 p.m. (volunteers are needed). Please sign up on the bulletin board downstairs and indicate if you are available to help sort donations and package the gift bags. Questions? See Sis. Wendy Craigwell. | |
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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
Appreciation for Brothers Maxwell and Meuse: Saturday, November 9th, noon to 4 p.m. at the Italian-American Club in Dedham. See detailed flier below.
Manchester CoC Youth Rally: November 15-17 in Manchester, CT. Sign up on Youth & Family Bulletin Board
City-Wide Evening Worship Service: Sunday, November 24, 2024, 5:00 p.m. at Florian Hall, 55 Hallett Street, Dorchester. Details above.
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 meets the 2nd and 3rd Friday of the month via Zoom. See Couples' Ministry section below for connection information. Meetings will resume in the fall.
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, November 23rd 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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Volunteers are needed to assist with our New Year's Eve celebration
in the following areas:
Media, Food, Program, Maintenance, Decorations.
Please reach out to Sis. Samantha Reid if you would like to volunteer or if you have any questions. 781.589.1081
Please use the link below to upload photos of this year's church events and activities to be included in the New Year's Eve movie project:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ph--DWbObKAHqKxrsao56Q-OiL4B9Red?usp=drive_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, November 23, 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. Meetings will resume in the Fall. | |
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Our next Women's Class will take place on Sunday, December 22nd 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
NOTE: There will be no class in November due to the area-wide evening worship service on Sunday, November 24th.
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November 2024
Visitor Thank You Letters: Sis. Tara Myers
Visitor Gift Bags: Sis. Abigail Malcolm
Baptistry: Sis. Pam Alexander/Sis. Esther Vallapu/Sis. Samantha Reid
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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, December 22nd at 5 p.m. at the church building.
NOTE: There will be no class in November due to the area-wide evening worship service on Sunday, November 24th.
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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
11/3 - Youth & Family Ministry Meeting, 2pm @church building.
11/4 - Ministers'/Elders'/Deacons' Meeting, 7pm
11/4 - Singles' Ministry Meeting, 6:30pm @church building.
11/14 - Coat Drive Gift Bag Assembly, 6:0 p.m. @church building
11/15 - Coat Drive Gift Bag Delivery, 4:00 p.m.
11/17 - Retention Ministry Meeting after 11:00 a.m. service.
11/18 - Singles' Ministry Meeting, 6:30pm @church building.
11/23- Community Outreach, 9:30am @church building.
11/24 - Area-Wide Evening Worship Service, 5:00 p.m. at Florian Hall
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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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