Bulletin Notes January 3, 2016

WE ARE GOD’S LETTER TO PEOPLE

-Stanislav Kuropyatnikov

“Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you!” (1 Tim. 4:16)

Through Christians, their ministry to God and people, their good works our Lord Jesus Christ is glorified. Every Christian is able to become God’s letter to people. It all depends on how we are going to write our letter (ourselves) to people. Would a person be willing to praise the Lord and convert to Christ upon reading your letter or not?

A letter starts when a person believes and gets baptized (Mk. 16:16). At this moment, we start writing God’s letter. We write in ourselves a letter that is not our own but God’s, trying to imitate not this world but Christ. In other words we want to recreate Christ within us. We do that so that when people see our actions, our works, hear our words, i.e. read that letter, they could see Jesus Christ. Understanding that the aim of the faith is the salvation of the souls (1 Pet. 1:8-9), we should not forget an important biblical truth: “Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself” (Jam. 2:17). Actions and works are the ink for our letters. With the help of ink we see and are able to write some information on the piece of paper and read it. The ink of our faith is our actions, and when people see them, they can read about Jesus. Then they can achieve the aim of the faith, which is salvation of their souls. 

Jude says in his epistle: “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith…” (Jude 1:20). A Christian should build himself. However, in order to build something one should put forth efforts and often times sacrifice something for that purpose. First of all, we need to set time for prayer, following the example of Jesus, when He went to be alone to pray to His Father. Apostles also gave a very big part of their lives to prayer. Prayer is an important part of Christian life because is our communication with God. Open your hearts before Him through your personal prayer between you and God, just as our Lord has taught in Matthew 6:6. In His turn God speaks to us through the Holy Scriptures (the Bible). While reading it, we have to start doing what Christ has called us to do.

Matthew, the gospel writer, wrote down the commandment Jesus Christ gave to His apostles that applies now to Christians of twenty-first century: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Mt. 28:19-20). Apostles went and started fulfilling this commandment that the Lord gave them. We can see that in the book of Acts. They built themselves up, changed themselves, made mistakes, but they got up and moved on, doing God’s will.

If we build ourselves in faith and hope in God, we will be able to bring others to God, convert those who are near and those who are far to Christ. Meanwhile, we ought to have a correct attitude in spreading the gospel and try to keep as far from sin as possible.

And only time and our fruits will show what kind of letter of God to people we are, and whether we could really become God’s letter. Take heed of yourselves, build yourselves in God, and don’t disregard the blood of Christ by disregarding His will. Bring His good news to all people!

(Stas Kuropyatnikov is our work-partner in Lviv, Ukraine)

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IN OUR PRAYERS-   SHUT-IN: Jason Duke (Camden Health Care), Levi Towater (skilled care in Mount Juliet), Jerry Young (Lakeside in McKenzie), and Kay Miles (at home). ONGOING: Hank Rook, David Spain, Ernest Thorne, Randy Hatch, Laverne Hatch, Vickie Cox, Dwight Bullington, Ross & Darnell Cole, and Mercedes Gibbons. UPDATES: Mary Lou Christian (will return to Atlanta for a CAT scan and doctor consultation on January 10^th), Jill Shomaker (in Vanderbilt Hospital), Margie Martin (will see her doctor on January 4^th), John Martin (at home not feeling well last Sunday, back at church Wednesday night), Stephanie, Sydney, Seiley, and Stormy Parish (sick at home), Charles Sisson (having trouble with a swollen hand), Jerry Massey (has not been feeling well, but is somewhat improved), Gaye Massey (sick at home), Ron Hogan, Sr. (Holly Young Hogan’s father in law- will have triple bypass heart surgery soon), Samma Hastings (sick at home), and Muriel Larkins (at home not feeling well).

SUNSHINE SISTERS:   Dues are due today.

BUSINESS MEETING:   Next Sunday, January 10^th, following afternoon services.

PANTRY ITEM:   Canned Soup.

Stas Kuropyatnikov November-December 2015

Dear brothers and sisters,

We have finally moved from Odessa to Lviv in November. We have planted a new church here started having worship services, different Bible classes on Wednesdays and Christian fellowship on Fridays. During this month there were 7 people attending Sunday services, and there are still three more members of our missionary group who are still on their way to join us. So when we get together with all the people we were able to invite to the church, there should be about 10 people. It’s very good for the newly started church at a religious city where there was never a church of Christ.

All of our meetings are conducted in Ukrainian. Before I moved to Lviv, every church or town where I preached and ministered were Russian speaking. The population in Lviv is speaking Ukrainian; therefore, we have planned from the beginning to have everything conducted in Ukrainian in the newly planted congregation. There are certain difficulties especially with the Biblical terminology, but we are working on our skills. We’re also getting used to the mindset of this area; since it’s closer to Poland, there is some difference.

 Right now we are in a period of adaptation. We evangelize with help of those people that we already know, inviting them to different church meetings and events. At the business meeting we have agreed to start working on official registration of the congregation in Lviv. It will help us to do more open and wider evangelizing work and various other church activities. Also we have planned to start looking for an office for church meetings after the New Year.

Summarizing 2015 and all that was done during this year, in the first half of the year, there was a lot of work done in Odessa, standing up for God’s truth. In the second half of the year, there was some work done to start a congregation in Lviv. I have also been invited to teach a course on Homiletics at Bear Valley Bible institute in Ukraine.

I’m so grateful to God that together with you we can do ministry in Ukraine and preach Jesus Christ and stand for God’s biblical truth. Thank you for your financial and prayer support. God bless you abundantly!

Your brother and co-worker in Christ,

Stas

Happy New Year!

Andrew Zhuravlev December 2015

Hello dear brothers, sisters and families.

The last month of the passing year was filled with the work for the Lord.

1. Ministry to Christians in Gorlovka.

Though there was made a decision about full cease fire in Minsk during the meetings of the contact group (there were representatives of Ukraine, Russia and DNR), the military actions never stopped even for a day. On the contrary, there was a marked growth of its intensity. During December DNR insurgents were able to broaden the territory under their control, by gaining some more populated small towns. They were also shooting multiple times at Ukrainian block post that serves to let people out from the frontline area, including Gorlovka. There were victims from civilians. It’s difficult for our brothers and sisters in Gorlovka to get used to shootings and constant danger to their life again. I try to encourage them every day with phone calls and Bible classes via cell phone connection. They tell me how they are suffering and how they long to see me every day. I understand their need in personal support and face-to-face communication. Thus, I want to visit them again in between teaching courses at BVBIU. Together with my family I pray for the military actions to cease by then.

In the middle of the month I was able to send the wheelchair to Gorlovka for our sister in Christ, Raisa Smalyuga. Dennis helped with that, bringing it to Artyomovsk; a preacher from Artyomovsk brought it to block post, and a Christian lady Zoya Grigoryeva brought it to Gorlovka to Raisa. We thank God that Raisa who has been bedridden for several months now can move around her apartment.

2. Ministry in Kyiv region.

In the second half of December we started evangelizing work in Kyiv and Bila Tserkva, using those tents that were made for this purpose. It was that case when the result were even better than the expectations, especially in the case of Bila Tserkva. We have placed the tent in the busiest place, right in front of the entrance to the popular mall. People were showing a great interest in our activity. They asked many questions and were interested in the church address and the times for the services and meetings. Though there were many brothers and sisters in Christ in our team, there was a group of people around each one of them, and they wanted to talk and get some Christian literature. There are some results of this evangelizing already. A young man came to an evening Bible class that very day. Seeing such interest in people, we had an idea to preach right on the street next time. For this purpose we might need to get a microphone with speakers on batteries.

This month I have taught Bible classes on Wednesdays in Bila Tserkva and chapels for the students. I have also taught Bible classes and preached in Shevchekivska church of Christ in Kyiv.

On December 12, in Bila Tserkva there was a meeting of preachers and active ministers of the churches in Kyiv region, BVBIU teachers and students. The aim was to show the importance of unity among the church of Christ members that is based on the word of God. I was one of the four speakers. The topic for my lesson was “The Authority of the Holy Scriptures”. This meeting encouraged all brethren. We have agreed to have a similar meeting in Kyiv in two months.

On December 25, BVBIU students finished the first semester of the school year. After they took all of the tests we had a festive celebration. On December 27, we had a festive celebration for the children after the church service. My wife Veronica participated in preparations of the treats for both celebrations and in the program of the celebration for the kids.

3. Bear Valley Bible Institute.

December 16-25, I have taught Denominational Teachings for the second year students. During these classes I was able to teach them about the history of creation of different denominations that are widely spread on the territory of Ukraine and about the various deviations from the Biblical truth that they teach. We have also discussed such things as ecumenism and liberalism and their dangers. Considering that the leaders of the church have to encounter representatives of various denominations on a regular basis, they ought to have a good preparation in order to fight with their influence effectively and maintain the purity of the New Testament teachings in their congregations. I see this course to be very needed for the future ministers.

We thank God that in such difficult time He keeps us safe and cares for us away from home. We thank Him for your support and Christian love. We want to wish you God’s blessings in 2016. God bless you and keep safe you and your families, congregations of the churches of Christ and help you in service to Him.

In service to Him,

Andrew.