Weekly Update from Pastor Curry: August 14, 2020
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Good Day, Friendship!
It has been an incredible week!
Record heat here in Southern California!
The Historic Vice Presidential Nomination/Selection of a sitting California Senator, Kamala Harris! The First African-American/Asian-American Woman of Color to be nominated for a major party. Congratulations again, Senator Kamala Harris. Many of you remember Senator Harris’ visit to Friendship in May of 2016. You have been sending me your pictures. Check out our congratulatory post HERE.
Then the news that California hit 600,000 COVID-19 cases, leading the nation with our number of cases.
This week has been an incredible week that can be described both as exhilarating and discouraging. My word of encouragement for us this week is PERSEVERANCE! We must persevere. We can, and we will get through this! With God, ALL things are STILL possible.
As we continue through August, remember, SABBATH REST is CANCELLED this year! We will continue to remain connected through August! All Bible Studies and Ministry opportunities will continue! Please remain connected and remain engaged! If you need to know what opportunities are available to you, please go to www.wearefriendship.church/events. There you will see all we offer every week!
With that in mind, I am excited to announce that next week Celebrate Recovery RETURNS via ZOOM! Celebrate Recovery is returning on August 20, 2020 @ 7pm. Celebrate Recovery offers an opportunity to worship our God and stay connected as we surrender our hurts, habits, and hang-ups to the Lord! The large group, the Open share small groups, and the current step study are ALL offered through the virtual platform. Included in the large-group will be praise and worship, the reading of the CR principles, and a featured weekly speaker. The open share will resume in the virtual format and will maintain the confidentiality requirements based on CR guidelines. The questions of reflection in the groups will stem from the large-group topic discussed each evening. Sister LeShon Archer will be our first featured speaker in the large-group; she will speak on the topic, “Confession: The need, Power, and Liberty in confessing our sins/weaknesses/shortcomings” (James 5:16a Psalm 32:3-5). To participate in this event, please use the link HERE.
Then on Friday, August 21, 2020, @ 7pm, our Women’s Ministry will host its first Virtual Women’s Monthly Fellowship Event via Google Meet with special guest, Rev. Sharon Norris Elliot. Rev. Elliot will discuss her new book, Power Suit! To register for this event, please go HERE. Ladies, we hope to see you there!
As schools return, mainly with a virtual format, we want you to know that we are here to serve and support your educational efforts. Our College and Career Prep Initiative (CCPI) has produced an excellent and comprehensive one-stop virtual academic and education assistance resource for parents and families of K- through 12 and college-bound students. Click HERE to access our Google Classroom. Feel free to share with others.
Registration for our next Drive-in Service on Sunday, September 6th, is now open! Yep, the day after my birthday. ☺ Did I say that? Yep, I did! You can register and RSVP now by going HERE. We are also in need of volunteers for the services. If you are willing to volunteer for the next service to be held on September 6th, please email Rev. Eric Archer at [email protected] or Kito Bell at [email protected].
Remember, we have a civic responsibility as believers. While we have a heavenly hope, we live in an earthly reality and should do our part to exercise justice and mercy in the world. For us as citizens of America, this is done through practicing our right 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 our weekly reminders:
Remember to PRAY, not PANIC, take PRECAUTIONS, and be PATIENT. Wear a mask, wash your hands, and watch your distance.
Serving you gratefully,
Rev. Kenneth C. Curry, Jr.
Senior Pastor
It has been an incredible week!
Record heat here in Southern California!
The Historic Vice Presidential Nomination/Selection of a sitting California Senator, Kamala Harris! The First African-American/Asian-American Woman of Color to be nominated for a major party. Congratulations again, Senator Kamala Harris. Many of you remember Senator Harris’ visit to Friendship in May of 2016. You have been sending me your pictures. Check out our congratulatory post HERE.
Then the news that California hit 600,000 COVID-19 cases, leading the nation with our number of cases.
This week has been an incredible week that can be described both as exhilarating and discouraging. My word of encouragement for us this week is PERSEVERANCE! We must persevere. We can, and we will get through this! With God, ALL things are STILL possible.
As we continue through August, remember, SABBATH REST is CANCELLED this year! We will continue to remain connected through August! All Bible Studies and Ministry opportunities will continue! Please remain connected and remain engaged! If you need to know what opportunities are available to you, please go to www.wearefriendship.church/events. There you will see all we offer every week!
With that in mind, I am excited to announce that next week Celebrate Recovery RETURNS via ZOOM! Celebrate Recovery is returning on August 20, 2020 @ 7pm. Celebrate Recovery offers an opportunity to worship our God and stay connected as we surrender our hurts, habits, and hang-ups to the Lord! The large group, the Open share small groups, and the current step study are ALL offered through the virtual platform. Included in the large-group will be praise and worship, the reading of the CR principles, and a featured weekly speaker. The open share will resume in the virtual format and will maintain the confidentiality requirements based on CR guidelines. The questions of reflection in the groups will stem from the large-group topic discussed each evening. Sister LeShon Archer will be our first featured speaker in the large-group; she will speak on the topic, “Confession: The need, Power, and Liberty in confessing our sins/weaknesses/shortcomings” (James 5:16a Psalm 32:3-5). To participate in this event, please use the link HERE.
Then on Friday, August 21, 2020, @ 7pm, our Women’s Ministry will host its first Virtual Women’s Monthly Fellowship Event via Google Meet with special guest, Rev. Sharon Norris Elliot. Rev. Elliot will discuss her new book, Power Suit! To register for this event, please go HERE. Ladies, we hope to see you there!
As schools return, mainly with a virtual format, we want you to know that we are here to serve and support your educational efforts. Our College and Career Prep Initiative (CCPI) has produced an excellent and comprehensive one-stop virtual academic and education assistance resource for parents and families of K- through 12 and college-bound students. Click HERE to access our Google Classroom. Feel free to share with others.
Registration for our next Drive-in Service on Sunday, September 6th, is now open! Yep, the day after my birthday. ☺ Did I say that? Yep, I did! You can register and RSVP now by going HERE. We are also in need of volunteers for the services. If you are willing to volunteer for the next service to be held on September 6th, please email Rev. Eric Archer at [email protected] or Kito Bell at [email protected].
Remember, we have a civic responsibility as believers. While we have a heavenly hope, we live in an earthly reality and should do our part to exercise justice and mercy in the world. For us as citizens of America, this is done through practicing our right 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 our weekly 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 8:00a and 11:30a worship services.
- EX HOUR: Ex Hour meets weekly on Sundays, and we are studying Proverbs. This study will continue through the end of August. 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. 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 want to see your face, greet you, and hear how you are doing. To meet us, 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 7p. 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 2:30p-4:30p.
- 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.
Remember to PRAY, not PANIC, take PRECAUTIONS, and be PATIENT. Wear a mask, wash your hands, and watch your distance.
Serving you gratefully,
Rev. Kenneth C. Curry, Jr.
Senior Pastor
Posted in COVID-19