Weekly Word from Pastor Curry: April 24, 2020
Hey there Friendship,
This week has been a busy yet exciting week for me. Sunday, we launched our RTNT Sermon Series and Wednesday RTNT Bible Study. Thank you to every individual who is joining us on the journey. I don’t know about you, but I have great expectations for this series and Bible study and look forward to what God will do in us, with us, and through us. As I often tell you, I do not preach and teach in a vacuum, these series, sermons, and studies are transformational for me as well. I look forward to growing with you.
I want to be brief with you this week. As I look at the news, I am grateful to God that the state of California is seemingly successful at flattening the curve when it comes to COVID-19. For this to happen, we must remain vigilant in our physical distancing, no matter how frustrated or tired we may be of this temporary normal. Remember, trouble won’t last always! While I know the current orders are in effect until May 15th, I wouldn’t be surprised if they are pushed until May 30th, specifically to keep people from “gathering” for Memorial Day. We will see if I’m right in my thoughts. With that in mind, let’s “let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” Galatians 6:9. Keep reading, keep journaling, join me on Sundays and again on Wednesdays! ☺ We are going to make it!
Here is what I have for you this week:
Know that I appreciate you, Friendship, and I am praying for you. Thank you for your prayers and support. I want to close by reminding us of who we are. What better way to do that then to reemphasize our Mission Statement. Remember, Friendship Baptist Church is a church (BODY OF BELIEVERS NOT THE BUILDING) where CHRIST is magnified. Through individually and collectively presenting ourselves to CHRIST as a living and Holy offering. We are Bible Based, Christ Centered, Accountable, and Saved to Serve. Let’s rest there!
Praying for you,
Rev. Kenneth C. Curry, Jr.
Senior Pastor
This week has been a busy yet exciting week for me. Sunday, we launched our RTNT Sermon Series and Wednesday RTNT Bible Study. Thank you to every individual who is joining us on the journey. I don’t know about you, but I have great expectations for this series and Bible study and look forward to what God will do in us, with us, and through us. As I often tell you, I do not preach and teach in a vacuum, these series, sermons, and studies are transformational for me as well. I look forward to growing with you.
I want to be brief with you this week. As I look at the news, I am grateful to God that the state of California is seemingly successful at flattening the curve when it comes to COVID-19. For this to happen, we must remain vigilant in our physical distancing, no matter how frustrated or tired we may be of this temporary normal. Remember, trouble won’t last always! While I know the current orders are in effect until May 15th, I wouldn’t be surprised if they are pushed until May 30th, specifically to keep people from “gathering” for Memorial Day. We will see if I’m right in my thoughts. With that in mind, let’s “let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” Galatians 6:9. Keep reading, keep journaling, join me on Sundays and again on Wednesdays! ☺ We are going to make it!
Here is what I have for you this week:
- Thank you to those who have submitted prayers for Sunday. Make to join us Sunday for worship to see how the final product turned out. Remember, we need your Shout-Out video by Friday, April 24th, but we won’t be mad if you get it in by Sunday, April 26th. Please remember to film in landscape mode. That means your phone is turned sideways. Doing so will make our final video look better. The Shout-Out video will air on during worship on the First Sunday, May 3rd. Send your video to [email protected].
- Sunday, May 3rd, is First Sunday, which means we will celebrate Communion together. I want to remind you to prepare your Communion elements ahead of time. If you need guidance on how to prepare for Communion, please go HERE.
- I want to reiterate how important it is for us to stay connected to one another. Aren’t you grateful for Google Meet, Zoom, and FreeConferenceCall? I know I am! I want to encourage us to stay connected. Let’s reach out to one another. As you think of people, call or text them. As I said last week, stay at home orders do not prevent us from being the church.
- Again, I invite you to join us for Ex Hour on Sundays at 10:15am and for RTNT Bible Study on Wednesdays at 7pm. There is a tab on both the Church Website and in the Church App that will help you to connect to these exciting opportunities.
- Also, join us each Wednesday for Prayer. We pray at 6:30a, 12p, and 6:30p. To connect with our prayer services, please follow this link https://meet.google.com/yco-ykae-ugq or dial in at +1 (413) 418-4274 and use the PIN 287683504#.
- COVID Membership Assistance Fund: We are establishing a modest Membership Assistance Fund to help those hit hard financially by this pandemic. We are still in the early stages and need your help. We have received seed money to help us launch, and some of you have contacted me personally with a desire to donate to such a fund. My goal is to raise $15,000 above our budget and then work with our leaders and staff to award funds as needed. I invite you to give to the fund if you are able. I feel we need to do something, as the people of God, to help our members especially. You can give through our online giving platform and designate your gifts to the COVID Membership Assistance Fund. We also have a fundraiser on Facebook you can give through. Of course, you can mail in a check if you desire. Just note in the memo section that it is for the COVID Membership Assistance Fund.
Know that I appreciate you, Friendship, and I am praying for you. Thank you for your prayers and support. I want to close by reminding us of who we are. What better way to do that then to reemphasize our Mission Statement. Remember, Friendship Baptist Church is a church (BODY OF BELIEVERS NOT THE BUILDING) where CHRIST is magnified. Through individually and collectively presenting ourselves to CHRIST as a living and Holy offering. We are Bible Based, Christ Centered, Accountable, and Saved to Serve. Let’s rest there!
Praying for you,
Rev. Kenneth C. Curry, Jr.
Senior Pastor
Posted in COVID-19