Love Isn't Someplace We Fall: It's Something that We Do
By Mike Riley
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In his letter to the Galatian brethren (Gal. 5:6 ASV), the inspired penman, Paul wrote: “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love.”
The above text teaches us that to “work through love” is to work from a principle of love. If we love God, we seek to please Him and to do His will (Matthew 7:21; 1 John 3:22). Our faith in God motivates us to love God because He “first” loved us (1 John 4:19). Our love for our fellow man motivates us to do good to our fellow man as well as to our fellow Christians (Gal. 6:10).
I confess to being the kind of person who listened to country music when “country wasn’t cool.” Some of the lyrical content is terrible, but some of it preaches truth to people who won’t listen to preachers. A case in point is Clint Black’s song, “Love is Something That We Do.”
In the song, Clint makes the point that love is not just someplace we fall; it’s something that we do. I couldn’t agree more. We as Christians should be desirous of “doing” something in the Lord’s kingdom to demonstrate our love for Him (James 1:22-25). The following suggestions are provided:
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Seek out and teach someone– We must find them – they will not always come to us (Matthew 22:9-10).
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Make a real effort to help some fallen brother or sister back to Christ (James 5:19-20).
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Visit the lonely and alone – Knowing that someone “cares” lifts and encourages spirits! Try it out today! (2 Timothy 1:16-18).
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Visit the sick and offer help– It is a mockery to pray for the sick while neglecting them (Matthew 25:43).
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Show hospitality to strangers – Greet them, show courtesy and invite them to worship with us. Remember, they need to “see” God’s love in you! (Romans 12:13; 1 Timothy 3:2; Hebrews 13:2).
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Help the needy – Real love, not great ability, is needed to furnish food for the hungry (James 2:14-17).
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Write a note or call someone who needs encouragement – It may be someone who is in great difficulty or in deep sorrow (Job 4:3-4; Isaiah 35:3; Hebrews 12:12).
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Pray for others – The earnest petition of the righteous is powerful in the sight of God (Numbers 11:2; James 5:16).
The closing lyrics of Clint Black’s song should reflect our attitude of desiring to “do” something in the Lord’s kingdom:
“There’s no request too big or small,
We give ourselves, we give our all.
Love isn’t someplace that we fall:
It’s something that we do.”
Brethren, there is much to “do” in the kingdom of God. Don’t sit by and “wait” for an assignment (Matthew 20:1-16).
Remember……
Love Is Something that We Do!
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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, October 6, 2024
Title: Equipping the Saints
Text: Ephesians 4:12
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:11-16
Speaker: Bro. Denver Simmons
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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 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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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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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.- Details to come.
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.
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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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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Click here or scan the QR code above to register. | |
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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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