The Brown Leather Gloves
By Mike Riley
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The story is told of a homeless woman who one night slowly shuffled into a Chicago subway. From the wrinkles on her brow, one could tell she was old, and she had only ragged clothes to protect her from the bitter Chicago winter wind. She took the nearest seat, her shoulders hunched against the cold — her eyes cast down. Her white, cracked, bony hands clutched a worn shawl tightly around her. A passenger seated next to her watched with wonder and pity.
At the next stop, an energetic young man strode confidently onto the train, his cheeks red with health. His clothes were sharp, his hair immaculate, his step graceful. He too saw the woman’s silent misery. Three stops later, as the train slowed, he glided by her to the other door and disappeared into the tunnel.
On her lap lay his brown leather gloves.
Whether or not this young man was a Christian, only God knows. But he saw the homeless woman’s need and responded with compassion — while the passenger seated next to the woman just sat there. It never occurred to him to give her his gloves.
That young man’s compassion reminds me of the kind of compassion that moved Jesus to heal two blind men near Jericho (Matthew 20:29-34), and ultimately, to give His own life on the cross for our sins (Romans 5:5-8; cf. Isaiah 53:5-6; 1 Peter 2:20-24).
Brethren, let’s follow our Lord’s example by reaching out, showing compassion, and giving hope to people in need (1 John 3:16-18).
Remember that true compassion is love in action.
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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, October13, 2024
Title: Built for Love
Text: Ephesians 4:14-16
Speaker: Bro. Mark Craigwell
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2024 Men's Retreat, Rumney, New Hampshire | |
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Hurricane Beryl
Hurricane Beryl did a great deal of damage this past summer to Grenada’s Carracou Island and St. Vincent’s Union Island, including severe damage to the Union Island Church of Christ. Healing Hands International, who we previously worked with to assist the church in the Ukraine, is working to assist the ongoing recovery, including rebuilding the church building. We encourage members to consider donating to this coordinated effort by congregations of the church of Christ through this organization. Donations can be made electronically or by check, specifying Hurricane Beryl Relief Effort.
Hurricane Helene
Hurricane Helene caused significant damage to several states in the southeastern United States. Churches of Christ Disaster Relief is involved in the recovery effort, and we will collect a love offering next Sunday, October 13th, to contribute toward this effort. Please consider contributing to this coordinated effort by congregations of the Church of Christ through this organization.
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Calling All Veterans & Active
Duty Service Men & Women
We would like to recognize all our veterans and active duty service men and women. If you have served or are serving in any branch of the U.S. military, please provide your responses to the following questions to Bro. Victor McKen no later than October 13th:
1. Full Name (first/middle/last)
2. Military Branch
3. Job while serving (MOS)
4. Time in service
5. What was your rank?
6. What motivated you to join the military?
7. Share a few (brief) memorable experiences.
8. Share some special people you met (or served with).
9. How has your military service affected your life today?
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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 deliver the gift bags 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
Education Ministry Open House: Wednesday, October 16th at 6:30 p.m., and Sunday, October 27th at 10:00 a.m.
Roxbury Fall Gospel Meeting: Saturday, October 19th - Wednesday, October 23rd. Guest Speaker: Bro. Greg Dismuke, Newport News Church of Christ, Newport News, VA. See News & Notes section above for details.
Housewarming Celebration for Tara Myers: Saturday, October 26th at 1 p.m. See News & Notes section for details. RSVP on bulletin board.
Menopause Awareness for Women of Color: Friday, October 18th, -7 p.m.. Free online event sponsored by Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. See Women's Ministry section below for details and registration link.
Manchester CoC Youth Rally: November 15-17 in Manchester, CT. Save the date and stay tuned for details.
Ministry Meetings and Events
The Singles’ Ministry meets the 1st Monday 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, October 26th 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
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2025 Caribbean Lectureship
There will be an informational/debriefing session on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 12:00 noon at the church building for those who attended the 2024 lectureship in Aruba as well as for others interested in attending the 2025 lectureship in Barbados.
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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, October 26th, 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, October 27th at 5:00 p.m. at the church building and via Free Conference Call.
Presenters:
Pam Alexander, Liz Pegram,
Amy Toledano, Cindy Woodley
Dial in number: 978-990-5000
Access Code: 261232#
Or join the class online at join.freeconferencecall.com/carl95fred
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October 2024
Visitor Thank You Letters: Sis. Denise Simmons
Visitor Gift Bags: Sis. Esther Vallepu
Baptistry: Sis. Elaine McGlothin
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2025 Mature in Heart Pennsylvania Dutch Country Excursion: Thursday, October 18 - Friday, October 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, October 27th at 5 p.m. at the church building.
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Young Adult Ministry (YAM) | |
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YAM Devotional Presenter Lineup
- 10/14/24 – Aznii Martin
- 10/28/24 - Ailee Martin
Time 7pm - 7:30pm
We are also planning for our 2025/2026 YAM Retreat (more details to come).
Please see Brother/Sister Gregory/Keitrice Johnson for more details.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81248419432?pwd=cvjN58xN6xSlINtdoM2evHeaiz1MNY.1
Meeting ID: 812 4841 9432
Passcode: 114072
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Monthly Ministry Meeting
1st Sunday of each month at 1:00 p.m.
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Meetings & Events
10/6 - Youth & Family Ministry Meeting, 2pm @church building.
10/7 - Ministers'/Elders'/Deacons' Meeting, 7pm
10/7- Singles' Ministry Meeting, 6:30pm @church building.
10/14 - YAM Devotional via Zoom, 7pm. Details above
10/16 - Education Ministry Open House, 6:30 p.m.
10/19-23- Roxbury Fall Gospel Meeting
10/20 - Area-Wide Fellowship @ Roxbury, 3:00 p.m.
10/26- Community Outreach, 9:30am @church building.
10/26 - Housewarming Celebration for Tara Myers, 1:00 p.m. Details above
10/27 - Education Ministry Open House (repeated) 10:00 a.m.
10/27 - Men's & Women's Classes, 5:00 p.m. @church building
10/28 - YAM Devotional via Zoom, 7pm. Details above
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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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