Jesus Eats With Tax Collectors & Sinners
“I Am The Vine; You Are The Branches. Whoever Abides In Me & I In Him, He It Is That Bears Much Fruit, For Apart From Me You Can Do Nothing.” John 15:5, ESV
Sermon
Preview
A Short Message To Get You Excited For Sunday’s Worship Service.
Jesus Eats With Tax Collectors & Sinners
Article By: Elijah Bell
We are in a series on meals with Jesus. In the previous lesson, we saw how Jesus shares a meal at a wedding in Cana in John 2 to show how Jesus is the new creation when He turns the water into wine.
This Sunday, we will look at another meal of Jesus to show how He calls and has mercy on sinners. In Matthew 9, Jesus calls a tax collector named Matthew. This would have been very unusual to His other followers, as tax collectors were often seen as traitorous, immoral people. Why would Jesus call someone like that? Even we have been guilty of having these thoughts on occasion against people we deem “unworthy” to follow Jesus. But then we realize that that person is us. We are the immoral, traitorous people. And Jesus still called us anyway. How blessed we truly are!
Jesus not only calls Matthew, He goes on to share a meal with Him. In this series, we have been looking at the fact that meals in ancient times represented a covenant, agreement, or peace. By eating with tax collectors and sinners, Jesus is extending an olive branch to those who are the farthest away from Him. Aren’t we glad that Jesus seeks peace for those who have lost their way?
This Sunday, we will see how everything changes when Jesus shares a meal with someone. Jesus is calling you to the table as well. Who will you be from this passage? The tax collectors and sinners who realize they are in need and who come to Him, or the scribes and Pharisees who think they are already righteous and judge others who come to Him? Jesus came not to call the righteous, but sinners. We will see you this Sunday at 10:00 AM for Bible class and 11:00 AM for worship.
News
This Section Is For Any Special Announcements That Are Not Upcoming Events Or Prayer Requests.
Holly Hill Security Plan
Holly Hill is implementing a security plan and needs several volunteers to fill vital positions. If you are interested in one of the roles below, please email both listed contacts no later than Saturday, Feb 21. There will be a brief meeting for all potential volunteers on Sunday, Feb 22 right after morning worship. If you’re interested in volunteering please email office@hollyhillcoc.org or dennisstockton994@yahoo.com.
Door Monitor (1)
Responsibilities: The monitor will assist individuals entering the building and watch the parking lot for signs of potential threats.
Armed Volunteer Sitting in Rear of Congregation (1)
Responsibilities: Armed volunteers will stay in the rear area of the auditorium before and during worship services. If needed, volunteer will engage with potential or active shooter. Volunteers would lock wooden entry auditorium doors in the event of potential or active shooter.
Emergency Response Team (12)
Responsibilities: Members will have various, or all duties listed in the Emergency Response Procedures Manual for the team. Members may be required to have training for their responsibility.
Security Monitor (1)
Responsibilities: Check all outside entry doors that are required to be locked. Also check for roaming individuals in the downstairs area and assist them to their seats in the auditorium if needed.
Key Manager (1)
Responsibilities: Replace all locks in the church building. Create and maintain a church Key Register that requires members wishing to obtain a key to sign in and sign out keys.
Feb 1 | Worship Duty Roster
Call To Worship: Lee Wise
Song Leader: Bradley Richardson
Prayer: Richard Dailey
Lord’s Supper: Mike Mayes
Scripture Reading: Brad Proctor
Jan 25 | Attendance & Contribution
Bible Class Attendance: N/A
Worship Attendance: N/A
Contribution: $690.00 (In-Person Service Canceled Due To Winter Storm)
Prayers
Here Are Some Individuals That Especially Need Our Prayers This Week. Please Keep Them In Mind Every Time You Pray.
New Prayer Requests:
The Stone & Freeman Family
Jenny Jones
Johnny Widener
David Gaddie
Bob Presley
Brenda Stone
Nanette Conway
Scott Mitchell & Family
Jackie Hensley
Ongoing Prayers For: Tristan Staley; The Anglin Family; Ashli Mayes; Bob Dabney; The Sharp Family; The Chatham-Hood Family; Brenda Perkins; The Irvin Family; Ezra Caldwell; Harding Risk; Jeff Jones; Ernie & Judy Casey; Jackye Stockton; The Jones Family; Jim & Valerie Clark; Molly Littlefield-Lane; Lee Isleman; Emmie Forrest; Jim Norrick; Phil & Suzanne Wilkins; Joue Manglicmot; The Pittman Family; Betty Blanton; Cora Owens; The Clarke Family; James & Rita Tackett; Dylan Smith; Geneva Hammons; Cathy Steele; Janis Friend; Tammy Radcliff; Jeannie LeBeau; Sonia Roach; Jerry Mayes; Kim Tillett; Carl Stoner; Melissa Farmer; Robin Ibershoff; Helen Hall; Charlene Ramsey; Inez Chatham; Ethan Jones; Jessie Tropoulos; Janice Coffelt; Polly Deaton; Robert Roach Sr; Janice Gregory; Penny Harland; Alyssa Deaton.
Upcoming Events
The Upcoming Events That You Need To Make Space On Your Calendar For.
Feb 1 | Feasting For Fellowship
In February at Holly Hill, we will begin Feasting For Fellowship 2026. The goal of FFF is for at least one church family or individual to share a meal with another church family or individual every day for the month of February. In other words, we’re aiming to share 28 meals (or more) among one another in the month of February. Sign up using the calendar in the lobby to invite someone out for a meal. Because now you know that a meal with brethren is much more than just that. It’s a partnership. A sharing with each other, and with Christ! Let’s be DEVOTED to breaking bread together in 2026!
Feb 1 | Life Groups
Life Group information is on the wall in the foyer, including group specifics & schedules. Life Groups meet on the 1st & 3rd Sundays of each month (Sep-May).
Feb 7 | Men's Bible Study & Breakfast
The Men's Bible Study & Breakfast takes place on the first Saturday of each month at the church building, downstairs in the fellowship hall. This month’s study will be on Saturday, Feb 7 at 8:00 AM.
Feb 15 | Life Groups
Life Group information is on the wall in the foyer, including group specifics & schedules. Life Groups meet on the 1st & 3rd Sundays of each month (Sep-May).
Mar 1 | Life Groups
Life Group information is on the wall in the foyer, including group specifics & schedules. Life Groups meet on the 1st & 3rd Sundays of each month (Sep-May).
Mar 7 | Men’s Bible Study & Breakfast
The Men's Bible Study & Breakfast takes place on the first Saturday of each month at the church building, downstairs in the fellowship hall. We’ll meet on Saturday, Mar 7 at 8:00 AM.
Mar 15 | Life Groups
Life Group information is on the wall in the foyer, including group specifics & schedules. Life Groups meet on the 1st & 3rd Sundays of each month (Sep-May).
Get Involved
There Are A Lot Of Ways You Can Get Involved & Do The Work Of God In Our Community!
Limited-Time Opportunities:
January Food Pantry Donations
For the month of January, the food pantry is collecting the following items:
Canned Green Beans
Canned Corn
Canned Carrots
Westridge Elementary Backpack Program
For the month of January, we will be providing backpack meals for students at Westridge Elementary School. The first two weeks have already been covered. If you have any questions, please contact Steve or Jenny Jones. If you would like to help with this ministry, you can find the needed items listed below. Printed copies of the list can be found on the Happening on the Hill information wall in the foyer. When purchasing items, keep in mind that these are for young children, so the containers need to be easy to open (pull/peel top), ready to eat, or easily microwaveable. If you would prefer to place a monetary donation in the offering plate, please be sure to list the WES Backpack Program on the memo line.
The WES Backpack Program needs the following items:
Capri-Suns
Kool-Aid Packets
Ramen Noodles (Packs/Bowls)
Oatmeal Packets
Nutri-Grain Bars
Protein Bars
Granola Bars
Easy Mac Microwavable Cups (Pull/Peel Top)
Chef Boyardee Microwavable Cups (Peel/Pull Top)
Vienna Sausages (Pull Top Can)
Beanie Weenies (Pull Top Can)
Fruit Cups (Pull/Peel Top)
Applesauce (Pull/Peel Top)
Veggie Cups (Pull or Peel Top)
Cracker/Pretzel Cheese Dippers
Peanut Butter or Cheese Filled Crackers (Individual Packs)
Pop-Tarts
Pudding or Jello Cups
Fruit Rollups
Fruit Gummies
Soup Cups
Pretzels
Chips
Cereal Cups
Cookies (Individual Packs)
Tuna/Chicken Salad Kits
Rice Krispy Treats
Raisins (Individual Boxes)
Meat Sticks (Slim Jim, Beef Jerky, etc.)
Long-Term Opportunities:
Mission Ministry
I urge you to watch Nancy Roach’s video reporting on the Güines congregation we support, as well as other congregations throughout Cuba. In light of a changing world in the Western Hemisphere this could be an even more pivotal mission work.
Women’s Ministry
Check out the Kingdom work being performed by the ladies of Holly Hill! Read the 3rd Quarter Report (Jul-Sep) at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vWHNjRC-eyQbQzbFxB7ngZXr8v_-jrvc/view.
Tech Team Support
The Holly Hill Tech Team needs help. We would love to have a few more people trained and available to set up the livestreams and audio equipment. It’s a fairly simple task and you’ll be well trained before being thrown into the seat alone. If you’re interested, see David Jones, Brad Gregory, or Brad Proctor.
Meal Train & Potluck Ministry
If you’d like to help a family in need of a meal or sign up to bring a dish to a potluck, please contact Robin Mayes.
Building Security
We are in need of volunteers to make sure the building is locked following the conclusion of our Sunday & Mid-Week services. A sign-up sheet that runs through the remainder of the year has been place in the foyer. If you have any questions, please contact Scott Trent.
Youth Ministry
Holly Hill is beginning a search for a Children and Youth Minister. The Evangelistic Committee (Scott Trent, David Jones, Tom Owens, Jeff Jones, or Robert Roach) need your suggestions and input. Please pray for this position and for our congregation and for the search committee that will be formed in the coming days.
Children’s Ministry
If you’d be willing to teach, sub, or help, please see Scott Trent. We have a wonderful opportunity to teach God’s Word to our children. Let’s make sure they get our very best! Thank you!
Greeting Card Ministry
Every Sunday there are cards spread out on a table in the auditorium, right in front of the nursery window, which will be sent out to various church members and guests who need encouragement. You can help serve and encourage by making sure to sign these cards each week. If you know someone who would benefit from receiving a card from the church, please provide the name and address to Joyce Best. We will have “Get Well” cards, “Thinking of You” cards, “Praying For You” cards, and “Sympathy” cards.
Shriners Children’s Hospital
Donna White is collecting soda can tabs to donate to the Shriners Children’s Hospital. Please leave your donations in the lobby.
Subscribe To The Weekly Vine
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