One Second from Now
By Walter Swain, via Mike Riley
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This writer enjoys bulletin articles that motivate the reader to “think” about his or her spiritual condition (cf. Luke 15:17; 2 Chronicles 33:12). The following article written by Brother Walter Swain of Cloudcroft, New Mexico, is just such an article:
While driving down the highway recently, for no reason at all, a thought suddenly popped into my mind: “One second from now I could be dead!” I reasoned that something could happen to the car, I could have a wreck, or some other happening could take me from this life at any time, and one second from now, this life could be over.
At this particular time, the thought seemed to be impressed upon me with a greater reality than ever before, and I began to think, “This is really true!” “One second from now my life could be over, and what then?” It is a sobering thing to stop and consider this fact.
One Second from Now, I could be in eternity — I could be living in the existence that has no end. That goes on forever and ever. And in that existence, I will be in a state that never can be changed. My eternal fate could be determined and sealed forever …. one second from now.
One Second from Now, all that I possess in this life could be nothing at all to me — Everything material, which seems so important now, could be left behind forever. The very things that motivate most of our lives, and the things we are most concerned about, will have no importance whatsoever. Everything I possess in this life, except my soul, could belong to someone else …. one second from now.
One Second from Now, I could be seeing my Lord face to face — This is the most glorious thought! Paul says, “Absent in the body, present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). If I should die, my first awareness will be that being present with Jesus Christ. In Paradise I will be with the Lord, even as He promised the thief on the cross (Luke 23:43). Yes, I could be with Jesus my Lord …. one second from now.
One Second from Now, I could be in eternal torment — The Christian knows at death he will be able to see Christ and begin an eternal existence with Him. But to those out of Christ, death will place them in the torments of hades (Luke 16:22-24). They too will begin an eternal existence, but it will be an existence that brings eternal torment and travail. At the judgment day, they will be cast into the final abode of hell(Revelation 20:11-15; cf. Matthew 25:31-46). To those out of Christ, death will bring eternal torment, and it could all begin …. one second from now.
It is indeed sobering to think what could be true of our existence one second from now, if we should pass from this life. Yet, is it not true that any or all of us could be dead one second from now? Life is uncertain to all (Hebrews 9:27).”For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (James 4:14).
Where will you be one second from now?
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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
In Memoriam
Gone, but never forgotten, our beloved brother,
James W. Wade, Sr.
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Sermon for Sunday, October 8, 2023
Title: The Truth, The Whole Truth, and Nothing but the Truth
John 17:17, 18
Speaker: Bro. Ossafa Gordon
St. George's Church of Christ, Grenada
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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.
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Community Outreach monthly grocery distribution will resume in January 2024.
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Roxbury Fall Gospel Meeting, October 14-18, with Bro. Gregory Dismuke. Details below.
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Tech Day: Saturday, October 21st, 11-1 @church building. See Upcoming Events section below for details.
- See Men Take Note below for information on the following
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4th Sunday Men's Class, Sunday, October 22nd @5pm @church building
- See Women's Ministry section below for information regarding the following:
- 4th Sunday Women's Class, Sunday, October 22nd, 5 p.m. @church building.
- Sisters in Service, October 2023.
- Kittery CoC Ladies' Day, Saturday, October 28th.
- Kings CoC Ladies' Day, Saturday, October 28th.
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2024 Mature in Heart Pennsylvania Dutch Country Excursion: We are now accepting registrations for next year's excursion to see a live performance of "Daniel" and the Sight & Sound Theater. See Mature in Heart Ministry section below for details and link to registration form. Registration form and deposits due by 12/31/23.
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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 | |
Effective immediately, and 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:
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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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Invite your family, friends, and neighbors to join us!
Click here to view/download full-size flier.
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Brothers Jerard Samuel and Javier Jackson, Jr.
invite you to join them for Tech Day
Bring your cell phones, tablets and laptops for technical assistance with email clean-up, storage, best practices, etc.
WHEN: Every third Saturday of the month, beginning Saturday, October 21, 2023
TIME: 11 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
PLACE: Church Building
Our first two sessions (October and November) will be specifically geared towards our Mature in Heart/Senior Citizens, but all are welcome to attend. A sign-up sheet has been posted on the bulletin board downstairs.
Coffee and donuts will be served.
Please contact Bro. Jerard or Bro. Javier with questions.
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Our monthly community outreach grocery distrubution will resume in JANUARY 2024. | |
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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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Rehearsals are held on Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m. at the church building
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COUPLES' MINISTRY MEETINGS WILL RESUME ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14TH WITH OUR GOSPEL MEETING COUPLES' SESSION AND ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20TH AT 7:00 P.M. via Zoom, and thereafter the second and third Fridays of the month at 7:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
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This month's Women's Class will be held on Sunday, October 22, 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
join.freeconferencecall.com/carl95fred
Presenter: Sandra Wade
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October 2023
Visitor Thank You Letters -
Visitor Gift Bags - Sis. Sandra Wade
Baptistry - Sis. Rosamund Bloom
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The sisters of the Kittery Church of Christ will host their annual Ladies' Day on Saturday, October 28th in Kittery, Maine. Details to come.
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2024 Mature in Heart Pennsylvania Dutch Country Excursion:
We are accepting registrations for the 2024 trip to Lancaster County Pennsylvania to see the September 19th showing of "Daniel" at the Sight and Sound Theater. The bus will be scheduled to leave at 4am on the 19th and estimated to return between 9pm and 10pm on the 20th. A minimum initial deposit of $120 is required to secure a spot. This should be completed by December 31, 2023 to allow us to plan for the number to attend. The deposit (and subsequent payments) can be made by cash, check (payable to Church of Christ in Roxbury), or electronically via our e-giving link: churchofchristinroxbury.org/e-giving. If you make your deposit or any subsequent payments electronically, please follow up with an email to cocroxbury@gmail.com with the subject line 2024 Pennsylvania Trip, and your name and payment amount in the body of the email.
The number of participants is limited by bus capacity. The overall cost of the charter bus, show ticket hotel and banquet has increased by $54 per person from 2023, however we have made some changes and restrictions to try to reduce the impact.
1. The minimum number for the event is increased from 24 to 30 (bus passengers). This will ensure that the bus cost per person is no more than $145.
2. The family-only restriction is removed for triple and quad hotel accommodations. However, we are requiring that all roommates be identified at the time of registration and the spots are not confirmed until all roommates have registered. There are also restrictions on refunds to make sure room costs are covered. More details are available upon request. Please see Bro. or Sis. Gallington, Sis. Keitrice Johnson, or Sis. Elizabeth Nagarajah with any questions.
Based on the changes described above, the following are the trip costs for 2024:
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Quad Occupancy hotel room, banquet seat, bus seat and theater seat -- $352
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Triple occupancy hotel room, banquet seat, bus seat and theater seat -- $371
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Double occupancy hotel room, banquet seat, bus seat and theater seat -- $408
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Single occupancy hotel room, banquet seat, bus seat and theater seat -- $535
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Grand king hotel room, two banquet seats, two bus seats and two theater seats -- $859
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Banquet seat and theater seat only -- $120
Please click here to access the online registration form.
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Our monthly Men's Class will be held on Sunday, October 22, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. at the church building.
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Young Adult Ministry (YAM) | |
Date of next meeting will be announced. | |
Monthly Ministry Meeting
1st Sunday of each month at 1:00 p.m.
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Meetings & Events
10/2 - Ministers/Elders/Deacon's Meeting
10/5-7 - Roxbury Men's Retreat, Rumney, NH. Details above.
10/7 - New Haven CoC Ladies' Day in New Haven, CT, 9am-1pm. Details above.
10/8 - Deacons' Meeting following 11:00 service @church building.
10/14-18 - Roxbury Fall Gospel Meeting. Details above.
10/21 - Ministers/Elders/Deacons Wives' meeting, 9 a.m.
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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
- 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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