Bulletin Submission Deadline: Thursdays at Noon.

CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTSFROM THE MINISTER’S DESK: Sunday, January 1, 2017

New Year – New OpportunitiesIn Luke 5:36-39 He told them this parable: "No one tears a patch from a new garment and sews it on an old one. If he does, he will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins…” When Jesus spoke this parable, there were no water bottles, no Starbucks tumblers. Liquids were put into animal skins that were used like a canteen. When putting new wine into the old wineskins, the new wine would ferment and produce additional gasses—and the old wineskin would burst because it had become hardened & brittle.

The story reminds me of a reality that all of us face: New situations require new structures. With a new job, we need to learn new skills. New relationships require new ways of relating to people. To have a better attitude, we need to think differently and put our negative experiences, unhealthy emotions, mistakes, and failures behind us. Are there wineskins that we’ve depended on for a long time . . . old ways of thinking, acting, talking, or listening? Responses that worked well before might not work today. Perhaps some “new wineskins” could be considered. All of us will certainly have new challenges, pressures, and opportunities in 2017.

Some excuses that are frequently used for having a closed mind include:

We’ve tried that before We’ve never done it that way before. We’ve always done it this way. It’s too much trouble to change now. It costs too much. You’re right but…. We’re not ready for that… It isn’t in the budget.

Most people spend more time and energy trying to get around problems than they do solving them. You might say, “I’m not creative.” Yes, you are! You were made by the Creator and have creative abilities that you haven’t yet tapped. “You were taught to be made new in your thinking. You were taught to start living a new life. It is created to be truly good and holy, just as God is.” — Ephesians 4:23-24, NIRV.

This year, you are going to see wonderful new possibilities that God will bring to you. He desires to do wonderful things in your life—your family, your personal growth, your education, your occupation, and more. All of these areas will require “new wineskins.” You can do this, but in order to walk in courage, you will need to consider doing some things differently. Plowing new ground will take new courage. To change, to become better, to walk in new areas of faith, to overcome bad habits, to apologize, to obtain more education, and to trust our creative abilities will all take courage. Doing things in different ways can make us feel overwhelmed and fearful, but understand that you are a child of God (John 1:12) and He will give you wisdom for every decision you make.

Happy New Year & New You, Bro. Max

THERE WILL BE NO EVENING WORSHIP SERVICE TODAY.

TOILETRIES & SOCK DRIVE: Sponsored by our Figueroa youth. It’s not too late to bring your donations of soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste and socks. Please place articles in the boxes located in the foyer. These donations will be delivered to the Union Rescue Mission on January 21, 2017 from 10 A.M. – 2:30 P.M.

FIGUEROA GOSPEL CHORUS MINISTRY under the Deaconship of Brother Orlando Murray, will meet next Sunday AT 3:00 P.M. in the Chapel. Directors will be Sherilyn Daniels and Kathleen Hawkins with Alfred Garrett as assistant. Members of the Figueroa congregation who have previously been involved, and those who are interested in serving in this ministry are invited to attend this meeting.

GEAR UP FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Needed are Ideas, singers, actors, writers, artist, narrators & spoken word. Signup sheets are in the Foyer. All are welcome; young & old. See Laura Whitaker for additional information.

FIGUEROA CHRISTIAN WOMEN’S XXVIII ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM January 28-29, 2017. All ladies, please see Charlotte Murray or Kathleen Hawkins to sign up to serve on various committees and to fill out your registration forms. Registration fee is $25.00

YOUTH FUNDRAISER next Sunday, January 8, 2017, immediately following service, please support our youth by allowing them to provide your Sunday afternoon meal.

BROTHERHOOD NEWSNorth Ave. COC, 278 W. North Avenue, Fresno, CA. 93706; Annual Ladies Day, March 25, 2017. Guest speaker- Sister Gale Austin. Topic: “Fill My Cup, Lord.”

“TENDING TO YOUR TEMPLE” 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

HOLIDAY HEALTH and SAFETY TIPS (cont’d from CDC, 2015)

Tip #7: WATCH THE KIDS. Children are at high risk for injuries. Keep a watchful eye on your kids. Keep potentially dangerous drinks, household items, choking hazards (like coins and hard candy), and other objects out of kids’ reach. Learn how to provide early treatment for children who are choking. Develop and reinforce rules about acceptable and safe behaviors for all electronic media.

Tip #8: HANDLE AND PREPARE FOOD SAFELY. As you prepare holiday meals, keep you and your family safe from food related illness. Wash hands and surfaces often. Avoid cross-contamination by keeping raw meat, poultry, seafood and eggs (including their juices) ready-to-eat foods and eating surfaces. Cook foods to the proper temperature. Refrigerate promptly. Do not leave perishable foods out for more than two hours.

ORDER OF WORSHIPBrothers Privileged to Serve

Brothers privileged to serve are asked to meet each week 15 minutes prior to service in the room adjacent to the pulpit. This time is utilized to account for coverage of worship and dedicate our service to God through prayer.

WORSHIP ASSIGNMENTSScripture Meditation: Psalm 100

MORNING/EVENING Elder Forest Whitaker

Alfred Garrett

Minister Vincent E. Hawkins

Damon Saddler

Cecil Godbold

Minister Vincent E. Hawkins

Orlando Murray

Devon Taitt

Harold Daniels &Jerome Thompson

Dan Gates

Bill Savant

CALL TO WORSHIP & PRAYER

HYMNS OF PRAISE

RESPONSIVE READING & INVOCATION

SCRIPTURE

PRAYER

SERMON

RESPONSES

OFFERING

LORD’S SUPPER

ANNOUNCEMENTS

BENEDICTION

MORNING/EVENING Elder Forest Whitaker

Alfred Garrett

Minister Vincent E. Hawkins

Damon Saddler

Cecil Godbold

Minister Vincent E. Hawkins

Orlando Murray

Devon Taitt

Harold Daniels &Jerome Thompson

Dan Gates

Bill Savantme Williams

January 1, 2017 SERVICE January 8, 2017

WEEKLY ATTENDANCE RECORD SUNDAY 12/25/2016SUNDAY SCHOOL: 85MORNING WORSHIP 251EVENING WORSHIP: VISITORS:

SUNDAY 12/27/2015 SUNDAYSCHOOL: 89MORNING WORSHIP: 218 EVENING WORSHIP: 79VISITORS: 3

RESPONSE UPDATE & OFFERING RECORD

BAPTIZED………………..20Restored………………….63Prayer……………………331Placed Membership…….12Total……………………...426

REGULAR CONTRIBUTION…$12,325.07 ONLINE CONTRIBUTION………..$344.00

ONLINE CONTRIBUTION…………… $297.00

PLEASE SILENCE CELL PHONES BEFORE WORSHIP. For all of our Beautiful mothers of infants and toddlers, feel free to step into the CAMRI Room located in the rear of the sanctuary to calm your little one as needed.

Primary Worship is conducted simultaneously with the general assembly in the Wedding Chapel. Children Ages 3-10 are welcome!

You may access Figueroa’s mobile giving app or online giving for your convenience. Please visit

www.figueroacoc.com.

The Church of ChristWelcome to the Church of Christ at Figueroa – Where Christ is Supreme, You are Esteemed and Everybody is Somebody! We are happy to have you in our service and hope you find your time with us a blessing. We would like you to make a careful comparison of this church with the one described in detail in the Holy Bible. We believe that you will find that this church is not similar to but is identical to the church you read about in the New Testament. We are believers who desire to follow the biblical pattern of the church prophesied in the Old Testament and realized in the New Testament.

It is not its aim to amuse or entertain those who attend its services. It exists as a simple New Testament body, preaching the Gospel as it is, to the people as they are for the purpose of expanding His family on the earth which is the Kingdom of God.

What Must I Do To Be Saved?The Bible teaches us to Hear the Gospel

(Acts 15:7 Romans 10:17; I Corinthians 15:1-4, Luke 11:28)The Bible teaches us to Believe in Christ

(Hebrews 11:6; Mark 16:15-16; John 8:24; John 3:16)The Bible teaches us to Repent of sins

(Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38, Acts 17:30-31)The Bible teaches us to Confess Christ

(Romans 10:9-10; Acts 8:36-37)The Bible teaches us to be Baptized of water for

remission of sins (Acts 2:38)The Bible teaches us to Live Faithful unto death

(Titus 2:11-12)The Bible Teaches us to Continue to search the scriptures daily

to see if these things are true (Acts 17:11) and live for the Glory of God (I Corinthians 10:31)

After visiting with us, we hope that you will:

o Think about your worship experienceand compare it to scripture.

o Be encouraged to return again.o Bring someone with you.o Request more information about the Church of

Christ and/or schedule a personal study with the minister.

o Become a New Testament Christian and be faithful to Jesus.

THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCHMatthew 16:18; Colossians 1:16-18; Ephesians 4:1-6; Matthew 28:16-20

Welcome Visitors…

SERMON NOTES

CHRISTIAN EDUCATIONFOR ALL AGESSunday School: 9:00 AMMorning Worship: 10:10 AMEvening Worship: 5:00 PMWEEKDAY SERVICESLadies Bible Class: Tuesday, 10 AMPersonal Evangelism Ministry: Tue 7PMWednesday AM Bible Class: 11 AMSenior Lunch Wednesday: NoonGeneral Wednesday PM Class: 7 PMSERMONS ONLINEwww.figueroacoc.com click USTREAM.TV link under announcements column.FIGUEROA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Ages 2-5 (323)758-7214Monday-Friday 6:00 AM-6:00 PMCHURCH OFFICE HOURS(323) 753-2536Monday - Friday10:00 AM—3:00 PMFOOD & CLOTHING GIVEAWAYTuesdays & ThursdaysTicket Distribution & Service 7:30 AM4TH SUNDAY YOUTH SUNDAYEvening Worship

MONTHLY MEETINGSMEN OF PRAYER PRE WORSHIP

Sundays – 8 AMMEN’S BUSINESS MEETING 3RD Saturday – 8 AMSICK VISITATION POST WORSHIP

2ND Sunday – NoonWORSHIP TRAINING POST WORSHIP

4TH Sunday – 1 PMTEACHER’S MEETING AFTERNOON

4TH Sunday – 3:30 PMMEN’S BOOK STUDY EVENING

Tuesdays – 6 PM ♦Ladies Bible Class Tuesdays 10 AM

♦LA Bible College Fall Courses begin September 12 - December 17 –

Registration Opens September 9-10, 2016, Fee: $45 per 3 College Credits Contact: Wilfred Moore, (310) 666-1410

♦Member Care Ministry beginning August 2016 ♦Emeritus Group 1st Wednesday each month

YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME TO ATTEND ANY CLASSES.

…to the Church of Christ at Figueroa Street! You are our honored guest. For information about the Church of Christ, speak with an Elder, one of our Ministers or pick up an informational tract in the foyer. We are happy to have you, please come again, and again and again!

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To order a copy of today’s sermon CD please request your copy at the Welcome Desk in the foyer. You may also visit our website to request a sermon, www.figueroacoc.com. All Visitor’s recordings FREE: Members $5.

Special Need Counseling is available, call (323) 753-2536. Home Bible Study, Substance Abuse, Depression, Addiction Recovery, Grief Support, Pre-Marital/Marital Counseling, Parenting, Family Crisis, etc. Prayer Requests, calendar of events, address changes, online giving, mobile giving app, USTREAM.TV, please make your requests known by sending us an email info@figueroacoc.com. We care for you.