SERVICE: SUNDAYS AT 8:00AM & 11:30AM

Weekly Word from Pastor Curry: September 11, 2020

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Greetings My Friendship People,

I remain a grateful man and a grateful pastor. I am grateful to God for the opportunity to serve and grateful to each of you for your love, care, and concern for me. THANK YOU so much for your many expressions of love for my 47th birthday! All I can say is WOW! So many calls, texts, emails, cards, and Facebook posts. In fact, I am still reading the cards that you have sent me! Again, WOW, and THANK YOU. You are so kind. Thank you to Lady Karima for making my birthday memorable and THANK YOU to the staff and volunteers who assisted her! You are certainly appreciated, and we want you to know how grateful we are for you. 

Today is the 19th anniversary of the tragedy that is now known as 9/11. Many of us still remember and recall where we were when the events of that day, September 11, 2001, took place. We remember the shock, the sadness, and the overall impact of those terrorist attacks on American soil. Statistics report that 2,977 people lost their lives on September 11, 2001, in New York City, Washington D.C., and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, at the hands of Islamic extremists who hijacked four commercial airliners, carrying out suicide attacks against the United States. Nineteen years later, we are still affected in so many ways. In remembering 9/11, let’s be sure not to be anxious, fearful, and distressful feelings. Despite trouble happening all around us, Jesus says we can walk in His peace. “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).

Please note that I am participating in the Interfaith Council of North Orange County’s Light the Darkness Community 9/11 Commemoration Event ~ “Embracing One Another With Kindness.” The event begins tonight at 7pm via Zoom. To join the event, please go HERE. The password is interfaith.
Last Sunday was an AMAZING DRIVE-IN SERVICE, even with the HEAT, and it was sweltering. I believe we got up to 115 degrees in Yorba Linda! I want to express my sincere thanks to Rev. Eric, Kito Bell, Lester McKinney, our Worship Team, Media Team, Audio Team,  Facilities Team, Safety Team, and ALL the volunteers. A very special thank you to Deaconess Melissa Hunter for her help and leadership! With the extreme heat, we did experience some technical difficulties, but we got through it! PRAISE GOD!!!

Many of you have heard that Orange County was downgraded from Purple, which denotes widespread risk with a positivity rate of greater than 8%, to Red, which denotes substantial risk with a positivity rating between 5-8%. This means that certain businesses can re-open indoor operations with limitations. This includes churches. The new church guideline now for Orange County is a max capacity of 25% or 100 people, whichever is fewer. This means that for now, things continue at Friendship the way they have been. Further, we have been moving the bulk of our ministries to ta virtual format with some limited in-person opportunities. No matter what,  MINISTRY CONTINUES AT FRIENDSHIP! Virtually and creatively!

Beloved, we continue to do ministry and make progress at Friendship. Throughout August, we worked to transition more of our ministry to a virtual format so we can continue to be the church God has called us to be. I am very appreciative of all ministry leaders for taking the lemons we’ve been handed and making lemonade. Ministry has not stopped! MINISTRY IS STILL HAPPENING AT FRIENDSHIP!  I am excited about what you will see this “fall” here at Friendship!

  • Don’t forget we are offering a Marriage Conference in collaboration with RightNow Media on Saturday, September 12th, that’s TOMORROW, from 4pm to 7:30pm. This conference/event is FREE to Friendship Members!  To register for this event, please go HERE

  • The Caregivers Class has begun! It returned on yesterday, Thursday, September 10th. You can still join this four-week course. The last day will October 1st. Again, this class is for those who are taking care of loved ones and need support, guidance, and encouragement. Also, the Grief Class will start on Tuesday, September 22nd, and its four-week course as well. It is designed to help those experiencing grief. Both meet virtually! For more information, go HERE.

  • Also, I need to correct an announcement we made last week. The class UnInvited  ~ Living Loved when you feel less than, left out, and lonely is NOT an open class. It is a closed small group. My apologies. We are working on an alternative for single and young adult women, and we will update you soon! We are also working on classes for men

  • I want to remind you that CELEBRATE RECOVERY meets every Thursday at 7pm via ZOOM! 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. The password is 5891377.

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!

I am excited about our Virtual Throwback Revival, which will take place Monday, September 14th through Wednesday, September 16th, at 7pm. It will feature past messages from guests we have had for either Revival or Convocation in the past. I pray you will join me for Revival 2020.

We will feature:

  • Pastor Sherman Fort of the Word Church in Mesa, AZ
  • Rev. Dr. Claybon Lea, Jr. Pastor of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church of Fairfield, CA 
  • Rev. Dr. Jerry Carter, Jr. of Calvary Baptist Church of Morristown, NJ

Please plan to join us and invite others! There’s more information HERE.

Then on Friday, September 18th, the Women’s Ministry will host its next monthly Women’s Fellowship. Their guest speaker will be Sis. Patricia Ashley of Dallas, TX. She will share from the topic: Kingdom Women - Having Hope In The Midst Of Chaos! To register for this event, please go HERE. Ladies, we hope to see you there!

Our College and Young Adult Sunday is September 20th.  We are asking all of our young adults (18-35) to record a video of yourselves reading Isaiah 40:29-31 ESV.  
“He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might, he increases strength.
Even youths shall faint and be weary,
    and young men shall fall exhausted;
but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
    they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
    they shall walk and not faint.”
We will take parts of it and remix it with other submissions to make a video collage to be shown during the service.  Please record with your phone sideways (landscape).  Please email videos to Rev. Jaron Singley at [email protected].

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.

Also, our next SATURDAY SCIENCE FUN DAY WORKSHOP “Stomp Rockets: Theory, Construction & Launch” will take place on Saturday, October 3, 2020, 11am - 12:30pm. This will be a virtual workshop, structured for 3rd-6th graders, where our children and families can participate right from your own homes.  We do need you to register by September 20th  so that we can prepare workshop kits.  The kits will need to be picked up from the church office beginning Wednesday, September 23rd.  The cost is only $10 per family. The virtual workshop will take place via Zoom.  The Meeting Link will be sent to you after you register.  Please click HERE to register.

We are STILL attempting to support our members with small businesses. Recognizing that this pandemic has been especially difficult for many of you, we would like to promote your business through our website, church app, social media outlets. If you would like for us to feature your small business, please contact Rev. Eric Archer at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you and working with you!

Friendship, I want to share with you some vital information about our congregation care program. Over the past two years, our deacons have communicated with you on periodic bases.

I want to let you know that we have experienced some changes within the Deacon Ministry that necessitates us to re-assign some of our members.  Please be aware that between now and December 2020, you will receive a call, text, or email from your assigned Deacon. Please know that we at Friendship value this vital program and look to continue our on-going communication with you.

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.

Also, if you have not already done so, please complete your 2020 Census information. 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 Isaiah beginning this Sunday. Our member, Sister Leshon Archer, helped to write the curriculum with a team of five other individuals. This study will continue through the end of November. 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. Also, there is a YOUTH EX HOUR: Our youth Ex Hour takes place 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#‬. ‬The reading plan is available HERE
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  • 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.  We also need ADDITIONAL volunteers for the food pantry; if you are available, please contact Rev. Patrick Christian at [email protected]

  • 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.

Serving you gratefully,
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/lK6ri-mjKfB2sIhmcqg2Hi5NyudCSRNzgARr3Mf2K6eUJbquKsJKTjRH8bwIsoC_hqMxDcBGgvz_iM-bLMT8GRoG7ZyW8HAgJwXEgcNgXaSzgCXTwPnItGvBjZf7eqWKVIIalN7w
Rev. Kenneth C. Curry, Jr.
Senior Pastor
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