Current issue
Russell Road Weekly Bulletin — October 13, 2026
TALKING WITH YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER
Prayer isn’t performance or panic. It’s a relationship. Because of Jesus, we get to talk to God like a child talks to his dad. The disciples watched Jesus pray and finally asked, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Lu. 11:1). They heard Him teach on a variety of topics, but they wanted this skill most. We treat prayer like a last resort, a duty or a wish list. So, we either feel guilty for not doing it, or frustrated when God seems silent.
Prayer is access to the Father. Before Jesus, only the High Priest had access to God but through Him, we all can approach the Father (Heb. 10:19–25). When we pray, we say FATHER. That was radical. The Jews didn’t call God “Father.” A five-year old doesn’t need perfect words to speak to his father, he just needs his attention. We have the Father’s attention (1 Pet. 3:12).
Prayer is shaped by God’s kingdom, not just our needs. In the model prayer in Matthew 6, you have six lines. The first three are God focused: Your name, Your kingdom and Your will. The last three are us focused: bread, forgiveness and deliverance. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus tells us to seek first the kingdom of God. God wants conversation, not the same old thing every time I come before Him.
Prayer is persistent trust, not perfect technique. In Luke 11:5–13, Jesus tells the story about a man banging on a friend’s door at midnight. Point: Ask, seek and knock. Then in verse 13, Jesus says, “How much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask!”
There are three enemies to prayer:
Distraction: Set a time and place to pray.
Discouragement: God hears even weak faith.
Doubt: Ask in faith (Jas. 1:6).
Father, teach us to pray like Jesus did. Forgive us for treating you like a vending machine. Give us hungry hearts for your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen. — Ray Rose
RECORD
The attendance for Wednesday Bible Study was 21; Thursday Prayer Meeting was 32, Sunday Bible Class 32; Church attendance Sunday Morning was 66; Night Service 34. General contribution $3,937.00; Debt Reduction: $20.00; SWCC: $46.00; PayPal $335.43 for a total of $4,829.43.
Sunday Bible Study Lesson 11: Spiritual Gifts (1 Cor. 12:1-31; Rom. 12:6-8)
FAMILY BIBLE HOUR
PLEASE ATTEND FAMILY BIBLE HOUR. YOU WILL BE RICHLY BLESSED!!
Please join in this very productive class to enhance our Bible knowledge and have fun doing it! Let’s increase the attendance.
PLEASE ATTEND ALL BIBLE CLASSES AND WORSHIP FOR AN INCREASE IN KNOWLEDGE AND FELLOWSHIP.
BAPTISMS
The angels in Heaven and the Russell Rd Church of Christ family are rejoice as Melanie Posey and Savannah Dansby were baptist. Please keep them in your prayers.
BREAST CANCER MONTH
IN OBSERVANCE OF BREAST CANCER MONTH ALL ARE REQUESTED TO WEAR SOMETHING PINK ON THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF THIS MONTH.
PRAYER LIST
William Snow, George Price, Melvin Thomas, Roosevelt Crosby, Eva Rambo, Leonard Cummings. Magnolia Manor: Felicia Willis, Freddie Jones. Spring Lake Rehab Center: Ruby Bolton (Atlean Snow’s sister). Home: Kathy Dunn, Thomas Harris, John A. Graham, Richard Graham’s brother, Lola Daniels, Andrea (Nikki) Watkins, Wanda Day, Gertrude Pitts, Thad Monson. Dallas, TX: Prince Brown. Monroe, LA: Lamar Allen. Chicago, IL: Dr. Daniel Harrison, Frances Harrison, Brenda Gilbert. Los Angeles, CA: Charles Owens; Mandrell Ross, Ricardo James (Kim Hunter’s nephews).
ADVERTISE RUSSELL ROAD
Please communicate with all you relatives, and friends all the activities available at Russell Road. Sunday Morning Bible Class and Worship (Morning and Evening) and Wednesday Bible Class on line at Russell Road Church of Christ YouTube. Prayer Meeting on Thursday on ZOOM 623162-6606. Let everyone know that we will be honored by their participation. ALL MEMBERS SHOULD ALSO TUNE IN IF IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO ATTEND IN PERSON. WE HAD 15 VIEWING OUR SUNDAY MORNING SERVICE, WE CAN HAVE 1,200 IF?
NURSING HOME VISITATION
“Monthly Nursing Home Visitation is this Saturday, at 9:30am – 9:50am, at Magnolia Manor Nursing Home….Letting the world know that the Church of Christ cares. /s/Brother Eric Patterson.”
EVANGELISM
Evangelism involves preaching, announcing, or otherwise communicating the gospel, which is the message that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who gave His life as a sacrifice for humanity’s sins, offering eternal life to those who believe, repent and is baptised. (John 3:16; John 14:6) It is not limited to formal preaching but can include personal conversations, teaching, media outreach, and missionary work.