Count It All Joy
“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5, ESV)
Mini Devotional
A mini message to take with you this week to help you in your devotion to God.
Count It All Joy
Devotional by: Elijah Bell
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4)
A butterfly is a beautiful creature that many of us enjoy watching flutter around in the spring. It has been transformed from a caterpillar into something breathtakingly beautiful through a process ordained by the hand of God. But this process of transformation is not easy for the creature. When the butterfly is ready to emerge, it struggles to remove itself from the confines of its chrysalis, which may take a long time. If you find yourself watching the butterfly struggle, it may be tempting to help it along by tearing a hole in the chrysalis. However, this may result in the butterfly dying. It must have that time of struggle in order to strengthen its wings enough to fly and find food.
We also are being transformed into something beautiful through a God-ordained process. We are being sanctified into the image of Christ. In His wisdom, God understands that struggles are often what we need in order to become strong enough to face the challenges ahead. At this moment, you are no doubt facing struggles: loss of a loved one, health difficulties, financial burdens, or mistreatment from people you know. How is it possible to find joy in these situations? By reminding ourselves that God knows what we are going through, and that He equally knows that they will be that which strengthens and sanctifies us into the image of Christ.
Just as we feel an urge to remove the butterfly from its struggle, we often feel the urge to run from the challenges of life. But this passage is a promise from God that the challenges you are facing today are that which will help you to transform into the most beautiful version of yourself.
PRAYER: Lord, thank you for the struggles I am enduring today. Help me to face them with joy, knowing that you have a plan to sanctify me into the image of Christ.
Missions
These are the challenges that the congregation is actively working on this month.
Our Missions For December
Equip - Sign up to host a meal for Feasting For Fellowship 2024.
Teach - Share your favorite Bible verse with a non-church member and explain why it’s meaningful to you.
Serve - Look around the congregation and identify a need and then fill it.
News
This section is for any special announcements that are not upcoming events or prayer requests.
“Feasting For Fellowship” Beginning January 2024!
Hey Holly Hill! We have an amazing upcoming ministry challenge for January of 2024. We’re continuing “Feasting for Fellowship” for a second year! The goal is simple: Each day in January 2024, members of Holly Hill will assemble with one another to break bread. Simply put, this means that each day of the month at least 2 of our members (from different households), will meet and eat. Think of it as a prayer chain, but instead of praying, we’re eating! We will be posting a signup sheet where members can choose a date to share a meal. That may include having a family or two over for dinner, members meeting up at a restaurant for lunch, or grabbing lunch with a member who happens to work in the same building. We need folks to sign up on the bulletin board, agreeing to be responsible for a certain meal/date. This will be an amazing opportunity for our congregation! What a fun and exciting way to try and put into action Acts 2:42-47!
Obituary For Raymond Thomas Peak
Raymond Thomas Peak, 87, husband of the late Rachel Headen Peak, passed away December 19, 2023, at Frankfort Regional Medical Center. Born in Anderson County on April 11, 1936, Raymond was the son of Silas Lindsey Peak and Bertha Grugin Peak.
Along with his wife and parents, Raymond was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Craig Jenkins, a great granddaughter, Paxtyn Rae Edgington, and siblings, Virginia Moak, Cindy Ingles, Christine Sneed, and Everett Elder.
Raymond retired after 40 years of service at Universal Fasteners in Lawrenceburg. He was a member of Van Buren Church of Christ, where he was known as The Candy Man. Raymond enjoyed hunting, gardening, and working in his flowers. In recent years, he enjoyed making and delivering sandwiches to friends and neighbors.
Survivors include his children, Larry (Patsy) Peak, Becky Jenkins, and Barbie (Berry) Young, all of Lawrenceburg; six grandchildren, Jeremy (Melanie) Jenkins, Lindsey Brown, Ashley Edgington, Logan (Katie) Young, Kelsey (Patrick) Richardson, and Brooke (Joey) Gunnels; 14 great grandchildren; and two sisters, Nellie Peak and Faye (Dennis) Wainscott.
Funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, December 23, 2023 at Ritchie & Peach Funeral Home. Terry Cooper and Matt Sawyer will officiate the service. Burial will follow in Corinth Cemetery in Anderson County. Visitation will be 4 – 8 PM Friday and after 9 AM Saturday.
Serving as pallbearers will be Jeremy Jenkins, Logan Young, Joey Gunnels, Brian Edgington, Patrick Richardson, and Ken Scobey. Honorary bearers will be Lindsey Brown, Ashley Edgington, Kelsey Richardson, Brooke Gunnels, Melanie Jenkins, and Katie Young.
In honor of Raymond’s desire to help others, memorial contributions in his memory are suggested to Open Hands Community Food Pantry, P.O. Box 664, Lawrenceburg, KY 40342.
Condolences to the family may be expressed at: http://www.ritchieandpeach.com
Steve Small Update
I have now been transferred to Heritage Hall in Lawrenceburg, Room C2. The treatments went well and I am now in rehab. I still have other health issues with which I am dealing with. I apologize for you're not getting my annual personal email Christmas card which I have done for over 20 years. I just can’t physically do it right now, which is also why my birthday greetings dwindled. Merry Christmas and I look forward to getting back to church in the near future. Thanks for all the previous cards and prayers.
If you would like to send Steve a card, mail it to: Heritage Hall, 331 S. Main St., Lawrenceburg, KY 40342
Communion & Offering Tray Announcement
Beginning Sunday, January 7th, we will begin passing communion trays and offering plates. We will still use the single service cups, but they will be passed out by the men during the Lords Supper portion of worship. The cups will still be available at the back of the auditorium if you wish to pick them up yourself before service. Men willing to help pass the trays and plates please see Scott Trent to be added to the serving list.
Sunday Night Revamp Survey (Survey Link Provided Below)
For the last several months, the elders and ministers have been discussing how to best utilize the opportunities that Sunday Nights present. The goal of the elders and ministers is to encourage an environment of discipleship where Holly Hill can mature together as disciples of Jesus. The leadership team has defined discipleship as “the process of intentionally building relationships to grow together as disciples into the fullness of Christ,” and Disciples as people who “follow Jesus, are being transformed into his likeness, and are committed to his Kingdom mission.”
In order to work towards accomplishing these tasks, we have had the following Sunday Night programming each month: Mission Control, Women’s and Men’s Studies, Singing Sunday, and Small Group Sunday. Now, we want to evaluate the effectiveness of these programs at encouraging disciple making and discipleship, and to provide the congregation with a specific opportunity to express their views about how to best accomplish Holly Hill’s goal.
We hope you will provide valuable feedback as we evaluate the effectiveness of the current Sunday Night rotation in order to consider how best to use Sunday nights to grow as the people of God. The primary goal is not increased attendance – that will come naturally as a side effect of meaningful activities. Instead, the primary goal is to better help those who participate in our Sunday night programs to become disciples.
In order to help evaluate the Sunday Night programs, please complete the following survey:
Church Records - Sunday, December 24th
Worship Attendance - 118
Contribution - $4,803.00
If you wish to make an announcement, please contact Matthew Woodyard via email (office@hollyhillcoc.org). Announcements submitted after 4pm will be included in the next day’s email. Emergency requests will be shared as soon as possible. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact the church office at (502) 227-7796.
Prayers
Here are some individuals that especially need our prayers this week. Please keep them in mind every time you pray.
New Prayer Requests:
Raymond Thomas Peak’s Family
Steve Small
Ongoing Prayers For: Larry & Robin Ibershoff, Daniel & Janet Cruz (Missionary Family in Guines, Cuba), Osman, Jasmine, Cristal, & Ana Melgar (Missionary Family in Potrerillos, Honduras), Alejandro & Analis Panza (Missionary Family in Potrerillos, Honduras), Ann Pittman, Larry & Renita Clarke, Rita Tackett (Alyson Woodyard’s aunt), Mark McPherson, Janis Friend, Rhoda Jones, Betty Blanton, Helen Hall, Penny Harland (Katie Bell’s mother), Alyssa Deaton, Pete & Jessie Tropoulos, Polly Deaton, David Fair (prayers for his marriage & family situation), Phil & Suzanne Wilkins, & prayers for Mission Control Challenges.
Please submit your prayer requests for inclusion at office@hollyhillcoc.org
Upcoming Events
Here are some events that are coming up that you need to make space on your calendar for.
1st Annual Robert Tankersley Chili Cook-Off — Sunday Afternoon, December 31st (Immediately Following Worship)
Our dear brother Bob Tankersley always loved fellowship meals, especially in winter when he would make his famous chili which he took such pride in. Our next potluck will be on December 31, with a soup and sandwich theme. As a part of the meal, and to kick off January’s “Feasting for Fellowship,” we are pleased to announce the 1st Annual Robert Tankersley Chili Cook-Off. Please bring your award-winning chili and join in the fun as we remember our friend and fellow servant. If chili isn’t your favorite dish, please note that you can bring any other type of soup or sandwich as well. Keep it between the white lines!
Men’s Bible Study & Breakfast — Saturday Morning, January 6th At 8am
Join us on the 1st Saturday morning of each month, for the Men’s Bible Study & Breakfast. We will meet downstairs in the Fellowship Hall. See you there!
Elders, Ministers, & Deacons Meeting — Sunday Afternoon, January 7th At 4pm
Elders, Ministers, & Deacons will meet on the 1st Sunday of each month, from 4-6pm.
Mission Control — Sunday Night, January 7th At 6pm
Everyone meets in small groups in the fellowship hall. Material is provided for group discussion of each question. Responses on how to better meet the month's challenges are shared with all groups. Attendance at the previous mission control meetings is not required.
Study Groups — Sunday Night, January 14th At 6pm
On this Sunday night, the men will meet in the auditorium for a group session, and the women will meet in room 12 downstairs. Some of the men will teach the children in a separate classroom downstairs in order to allow the mothers to participate in the women's study group. All are welcome! Please bring your family!
Singing Night — Sunday Night, January 21st At 6pm
We will meet downstairs in the fellowship area to sing together in worship to God, and to encourage each other. The chairs will be arranged in a circle to intentionally draw attention to the fact that we are a family and are singing to build each other up. For many, these singing events are very moving and powerful. We want you to be there!
How You Can Serve
There are a lot of ways you can get involved and do the work of God in our community!
Limited-Time Opportunities:
“Feasting For Fellowship” Meals (Signup Sheet In Lobby)
The goal is simple: Each day in January 2024, members of Holly Hill will assemble and at least (2) of our members (from different households) will meet and eat. We will be posting a signup sheet where members can choose a date to share a meal. We need folks to sign up on the bulletin board, agreeing to be responsible for a certain meal/date. This will be an amazing opportunity for our congregation!
Mission Control Challenges
We have 3 new challenges for the month of December that we need your help on. Please see the section above entitled “Missions” for more information.
Operation Re-Stock The Food Pantry
The Food Pantry needs to be re-stocked. During the upcoming months we will be asking for specific food donations. There will be a box in the foyer for you to place your food donations. Thank you so much and let’s make Operation re-stock a success!! For the month of December we need:
Green Beans
Chicken Noodle Soup
Saltine Crackers
Powdered Milk
Muffin Mix
Peanut Butter
Jelly
Sugar
Instant Potatoes
Applesauce in JARS
Long-Term Opportunities:
Mission Launch Team
We are needing individuals to sign up for the Mission Launch Team. People on this team commit to working on the Mission Control challenges each month, and they also commit to encouraging at least one other person to work on the missions as well. We need you to sign up for this ministry so we can grow the Mission Control program organically from person to person. Sign up for the Mission Launch Team at the Mission Control Center in the lobby.
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 Nick, David, or Brad.
Card Ministry
Every Sunday there are cards spread out on a table in the lobby that 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 of someone the church should send a card, please give the name(s) and address to Joyce Best. We have “get-well” cards, “thinking of you” cards, “praying for you” cards, and sympathy cards. You can also text the information to (502) 593-5865.
Casey Blessing Box
The Casey’s are collecting items to give away to those in need in their Blessing Box. Currently, they are accepting donations of: Can goods of fruit and vegetables. Crackers, or cereal.
Shriners Children’s Hospital
Donna White is collecting soda can tabs to donate to the children’s hospital. Please leave your donations in the lobby.
Children’s Bible Class Teachers & Helpers
If you’d be willing to teach, sub, or help, please see Matthew Woodyard. We have a wonderful opportunity to teach God’s Word to our children. Let’s make sure they get our very best! Thank you!
For more information or for help signing up for any of these ministries, please call the church office at: (502) 227-7796
Holly Hill Church of Christ
1020 Holly Hill Drive, Frankfort, KY 40601
Web - www.hollyhillcoc.org
Phone - (502) 227-7796
Email - office@hollyhillcoc.org
Service Times
Sunday Bible Class - 10am
Sunday Morning Worship - 11am
Sunday Evening Worship - 6pm
Wednesday Evening Bible Study - 6:30pm