Weekly Word from Pastor Curry: July 17, 2020
Continue Scrolling To Read Entire Email
Hey there Friendship,
Hopefully, you have had a safe and productive week. I am learning to remain flexible because things are always changing. I am not complaining; I am just stating the obvious. As many of you are aware, Governor Gavin Newsom has rolled back many of the reopenings we had just begun to experience. This order included no indoor worship services. While we were not ready to open due to the number restriction, this does set back many churches who had already begun to meet in person. There is cause for concern with the rise of cases locally and nationally. We are definitely in a surge, and something has to be done to curb the spread of COVID-19.
We MUST continue to PRAY, not PANIC, take PRECAUTIONS and be PATIENT. While we cannot gather, I am committed to providing the best quality virtual worship service on Sunday that we possibly can. I will be honest; I believe this is the way 2020 will end. I do not think we will gather together before the end of the year. So my staff and I are working to deliver ministry STILL VIRTUALLY and not merely cancel events and wait for this to be over. We must do your jobs and do ministry as God has directed us to do. Pray for us. Pray for me. Remember, we are STILL the CHURCH even though we meet virtually!
As a reminder of who we are as the church, I want to invite you to participate in a Mission Statement Video Collage. You may remember we’ve done something similar before with a prayer. A video collage is a visually beautiful way of displaying videos and can be combined with music to bring it to life. This video collage will feature you, the Friendship Family, reciting our church mission statement. I would like you or you and your family to record yourself reading. If you would read the mission statement in your video recording, it will help my media team when they edit the final product. If you are doing this, will your family or spouse please do it together in unison and not separately. Now, I need this back by Friday, July 24th. So you have a week to get it done. Also, please film landscape mode. That means you should turn your phone sideways. Doing so will make our final video look better. We plan to feature the video during Worship on Sunday, July 26th. Send your video to [email protected].
Hopefully, you have had a safe and productive week. I am learning to remain flexible because things are always changing. I am not complaining; I am just stating the obvious. As many of you are aware, Governor Gavin Newsom has rolled back many of the reopenings we had just begun to experience. This order included no indoor worship services. While we were not ready to open due to the number restriction, this does set back many churches who had already begun to meet in person. There is cause for concern with the rise of cases locally and nationally. We are definitely in a surge, and something has to be done to curb the spread of COVID-19.
We MUST continue to PRAY, not PANIC, take PRECAUTIONS and be PATIENT. While we cannot gather, I am committed to providing the best quality virtual worship service on Sunday that we possibly can. I will be honest; I believe this is the way 2020 will end. I do not think we will gather together before the end of the year. So my staff and I are working to deliver ministry STILL VIRTUALLY and not merely cancel events and wait for this to be over. We must do your jobs and do ministry as God has directed us to do. Pray for us. Pray for me. Remember, we are STILL the CHURCH even though we meet virtually!
As a reminder of who we are as the church, I want to invite you to participate in a Mission Statement Video Collage. You may remember we’ve done something similar before with a prayer. A video collage is a visually beautiful way of displaying videos and can be combined with music to bring it to life. This video collage will feature you, the Friendship Family, reciting our church mission statement. I would like you or you and your family to record yourself reading. If you would read the mission statement in your video recording, it will help my media team when they edit the final product. If you are doing this, will your family or spouse please do it together in unison and not separately. Now, I need this back by Friday, July 24th. So you have a week to get it done. Also, please film landscape mode. That means you should turn your phone sideways. Doing so will make our final video look better. We plan to feature the video during Worship on Sunday, July 26th. Send your video to [email protected].
Friendship’s Mission Statement:
Friendship Baptist Church is a church 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.
Friendship Baptist Church is a church 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.
We had a WONDERFUL Discipleship Bootcamp Week (AKA Vacation Bible School)! I would like to thank Sister Joyce Jackson and Rev. Jaron Singley (Rev. J) for their leadership. Thank you to Deacon Rick and Sister LeShon Archer for teaching the adult class. Also, thank you to Dr. LeSeanda Wesson and Sister Angela Gardner for teaching the youth class. You all did a fantastic job. Additionally, thank you to those who helped support the efforts by facilitating the chat discussions. Please note free T-shirts are still available for pick up at the church.
Now on Thursdays, our Children, Youth, and Young Adult ministries deliver a fun-filled month-long event called Summer Blast! After two weeks, I am receiving tremendous feedback regarding this experience. Thank you to all those working diligently to make this happen. Don’t forget Summer Blast will culminate with a Family Night Drive-in Event at the end of the month. CLICK HERE to find out more.
We wanted to give you a heads up; we are changing our live streaming platform to create a better viewing experience in our app, increase productivity, and reduce cost. So this Sunday will be the last Sunday, where our service will be available on the Boxcast TV app. If you are currently using the Boxcast TV app, we suggest watching our services on YouTube as its app is available on all TV streaming platforms. To make it simple to find our services or be notified when we are live, please subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you currently watch our services on our website or Facebook, your viewing experience will not change.
Leaders, don’t forget Leadership Meeting is coming via Google Meet Saturday, July 25th, at 10am. More information is coming. I look forward to meeting you then!
Beloved, remember we still have a civic responsibility as believers in these United States of America. We have a responsibility, and an obligation, to make a difference by utilizing our right to vote. This year is a significant election year. I will never tell you who to vote for, but I am adamant that we MUST vote. Too many individuals died and experienced great hardship to ensure that we could have the right and freedom to vote. Please plan to VOTE. If you do not remember if you’re registered to vote or if you need to check what name you’re registered under or what political party you’re registered with, you can check your registration status online at voterstatus.sos.ca.gov.
Also, if you have not already done so, please complete your 2020 Census information. Census results will inform how hundreds of billions of dollars are allocated to our communities in areas such as housing, food assistance, and healthcare. Remember, the U.S. Constitution mandates that a census of the population be conducted every ten years. Census statistics are used to determine the number of seats each state holds in the U.S. House of Representatives and inform how state, local, and federal lawmakers will allocate billions of dollars in federal funds to local communities every year for the next ten years. It has never been easier to respond on your own, whether online, over the phone, or by mail—all without having to meet a census taker. Let’s do our part.
Here are a few reminders:
I’m sorry this was a lot of information. It’s tough to get everything to you with limited communication. Please practice physical distancing and wear your mask and stay safe. Wear a mask, wash your hands, and watch your distance.
Serving you gratefully,
Rev. Kenneth C. Curry, Jr.
Senior Pastor
Now on Thursdays, our Children, Youth, and Young Adult ministries deliver a fun-filled month-long event called Summer Blast! After two weeks, I am receiving tremendous feedback regarding this experience. Thank you to all those working diligently to make this happen. Don’t forget Summer Blast will culminate with a Family Night Drive-in Event at the end of the month. CLICK HERE to find out more.
We wanted to give you a heads up; we are changing our live streaming platform to create a better viewing experience in our app, increase productivity, and reduce cost. So this Sunday will be the last Sunday, where our service will be available on the Boxcast TV app. If you are currently using the Boxcast TV app, we suggest watching our services on YouTube as its app is available on all TV streaming platforms. To make it simple to find our services or be notified when we are live, please subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you currently watch our services on our website or Facebook, your viewing experience will not change.
Leaders, don’t forget Leadership Meeting is coming via Google Meet Saturday, July 25th, at 10am. More information is coming. I look forward to meeting you then!
Beloved, remember we still have a civic responsibility as believers in these United States of America. We have a responsibility, and an obligation, to make a difference by utilizing our right to vote. This year is a significant election year. I will never tell you who to vote for, but I am adamant that we MUST vote. Too many individuals died and experienced great hardship to ensure that we could have the right and freedom to vote. Please plan to VOTE. If you do not remember if you’re registered to vote or if you need to check what name you’re registered under or what political party you’re registered with, you can check your registration status online at voterstatus.sos.ca.gov.
Also, if you have not already done so, please complete your 2020 Census information. Census results will inform how hundreds of billions of dollars are allocated to our communities in areas such as housing, food assistance, and healthcare. Remember, the U.S. Constitution mandates that a census of the population be conducted every ten years. Census statistics are used to determine the number of seats each state holds in the U.S. House of Representatives and inform how state, local, and federal lawmakers will allocate billions of dollars in federal funds to local communities every year for the next ten years. It has never been easier to respond on your own, whether online, over the phone, or by mail—all without having to meet a census taker. Let’s do our part.
Here are a few reminders:
- Phone Line for Worship: For our members who may have a tough time connecting to our worship service online for whatever reason, we are now offering a way for those members to dial in and listen to service over the phone. To access the service via telephone, members and guests need to dial 1 216-930-8774 and enter the PIN: 464 267 559#. It is live for both the 8:00am and 11:30am worship services.
- EX HOUR: Ex Hour meets weekly on Sundays, and we are studying Proverbs. This study will continue through the end of August. We have Ex Hour books if you would like to follow along better and study on your own. You can pick up a book Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm. Remember, EX Hour takes place every Sunday through the video conference app, Google Meet. Join us for class on Sundays at 10:15a via this link HERE.
- YOUTH EX HOUR: Our youth Ex Hour is off and running each Sunday during our designated EX Hour time. EX Hour for our youth sixth grade to twelfth grade is an exciting virtual Bible Study experience designed to grow our young people in God’s word. Parents, please encourage your students to join youth teachers for this biblically fun opportunity to learn God’s word, connect with others, and grow. To join Youth Ex Hour, follow the link HERE.
- AT THE DOOR WITH THE CURRYS: Remember this virtual experience that takes place after each worship service on Sunday. It is a time for Lady Karima and me to connect with you just like we would at church on Sunday. We invite you to join us via Google Meet with your camera on to check-in and connect with other church members and with us. We want to see your face, greet you, and hear how you are doing. If you are using a mobile device, be sure to download the Google Meet app ahead of time and follow the link HERE. See you Sunday!
- WEDNESDAY Prayer Day: 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 HERE or dial in at +1 (413) 418-4274 and use the PIN 287683504#
- RTNT Bible Study with Pastor Curry: After prayer on Wednesday evenings, please join me for RTNT Bible Study at 7pm. To connect with me for Bible Study, please follow this link HERE or dial in at +1 302-455-8997 and use the PIN: 906 944 250#. I hope you are keeping up with your reading and your SOAP journaling. The reading plan is available HERE.
- FBC FOOD BANK OPEN: The FBC Food Bank is OPEN with a new drive-thru system where our clients will receive a pre-packaged food box and bag of groceries. The Food Bank hours of operation are Tuesday - Thursday 2:30pm-4:30pm.
- COVID Membership Assistance Fund: We are STILL accepting applications for the COVID Membership Assistance Grant. If you are experiencing financial distress due to COVID19, we invite you to apply for one of our $500 assistance grants. The guidelines are available HERE, and the application is available HERE.
I’m sorry this was a lot of information. It’s tough to get everything to you with limited communication. Please practice physical distancing and wear your mask and stay safe. Wear a mask, wash your hands, and watch your distance.
Serving you gratefully,
Rev. Kenneth C. Curry, Jr.
Senior Pastor
Posted in COVID-19