Weekly Word from Pastor Curry: October 23, 2020
Happy Friday Friendship,
Can someone get me off of the roller coaster? That’s how I feel this week? Is that who you feel? Things continue to go up and down. This week we learned that Riverside County moved back up to the most restrictive tier (PURPLE), and Orange County maintains its status in the RED tier. Nationally cases are on the rise, but thankfully California is doing well for the most part. Unfortunately, Disneyland will not open any time soon, and many are not happy about it. The economy is down, unemployment is high, and people are concerned. Beloved, we must continue to PRAY, not PANIC, take PRECAUTIONS, and be PATIENT as we continue through this problematic pandemic. My encouragement to us all is to KEEP THE FAITH! Hold on and KEEP THE FAITH. I invite you to listen to Charles Jenkins and the Fellowship Chicago Choir encourage us to KEEP THE FAITH. Be encouraged; we are going to make it!!!
Here’s what I have for you this week!
This Sunday, October 25th, is Women’s Day here at the Ship. How exciting! I am grateful that we can keep some semblance of normalcy. The Rev. Terry Abercrombie will bring the message, and Radiance will lead us in worship. I hope you will join us Sunday and invite someone as we Celebrate the ministry and vitality of women here at Friendship Baptist Church! Also, please join Lady Karima and me after worship for Curry’s at the Door this Sunday! We look forward to the opportunity to see your face and greet you personally.
Next weekend is pretty busy. Our Family Prayer Service is on Friday, October 30th, at 7:30 on our prayer line via Google Meet. This is one-hour of open prayer, and we invite the ENTIRE Friendship Family to join us. To connect with our prayer services, please follow this link HERE or dial in at +1 (413) 418-4274 and use the PIN 287683504#.
Due to the pandemic, the pumpkin patch will not be coming this year, and we will not be able to host our traditional Harvest Festival. However, our CYYA team has planned a fantastic event on October 31st called “Faith-fall Family Amazing Race!” Do you like word puzzles, brainteasers, scavenger hunts, the reality show “The Amazing Race?” Participants of this great adventure race will be led all over the local area by clues that combine word puzzles, visual brain teasers, and city-specific trivia questions and more; according to the event’s co-founder Jaron Singley, “It should be an enjoyable, family-friendly way to explore our area and get out the house safely.” The race will begin @ 2pm on October 31st at Friendship. For more info and to register, go HERE. See you there!
The first Sunday is coming! Do you know what that means? Yup! DRIVE-IN Service is coming! YAY! Please register for our next Drive-in Service on Sunday, November 1st, at 9am ONLY. You can register and RSVP now by going HERE. RSVP ASAP.
We are STILL looking for volunteers to help keep the ministry going. We currently need volunteers in the FOODBANK, TECHNOLOGY/MEDIA, and in our SHEPHERD’S MINISTRY. If you are available to serve in our foodbank, please contact Rev. Patrick Christian at [email protected]. Can you help with ZOOM TRAINING, CAMERA OPERATING, or VIDEO EDITING? If so, we need you. Please contact either our media department at [email protected] or me at [email protected]. Do you have a heart for people, and are you willing to help NEW members become acclimated to Christ and our CHURCH? If so, we need you as a Shepherd. Please contact Rev. Eric Archer at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you!
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 have a few Family Announcements:
Now, election years are always pivotal moments in history, with 2020 being no exception. As disciples of Jesus, we should prepare our minds and guard our hearts not only to vote as the Spirit leads but to respond to others in a Christ-like manner. Friendship, you know I would never recommend or ask you to vote in a particular way; I do, however, encourage you to vote and to remember a few things as you prepare to vote:
Things to remember:
We are STILL attempting to support our members with small businesses. If you would like us to feature your small business, please contact Rev. Eric Archer at [email protected].
That’s all, folks!
Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected!
In His Holy Grip,
Rev. Kenneth C. Curry, Jr.
Senior Pastor
Can someone get me off of the roller coaster? That’s how I feel this week? Is that who you feel? Things continue to go up and down. This week we learned that Riverside County moved back up to the most restrictive tier (PURPLE), and Orange County maintains its status in the RED tier. Nationally cases are on the rise, but thankfully California is doing well for the most part. Unfortunately, Disneyland will not open any time soon, and many are not happy about it. The economy is down, unemployment is high, and people are concerned. Beloved, we must continue to PRAY, not PANIC, take PRECAUTIONS, and be PATIENT as we continue through this problematic pandemic. My encouragement to us all is to KEEP THE FAITH! Hold on and KEEP THE FAITH. I invite you to listen to Charles Jenkins and the Fellowship Chicago Choir encourage us to KEEP THE FAITH. Be encouraged; we are going to make it!!!
Here’s what I have for you this week!
This Sunday, October 25th, is Women’s Day here at the Ship. How exciting! I am grateful that we can keep some semblance of normalcy. The Rev. Terry Abercrombie will bring the message, and Radiance will lead us in worship. I hope you will join us Sunday and invite someone as we Celebrate the ministry and vitality of women here at Friendship Baptist Church! Also, please join Lady Karima and me after worship for Curry’s at the Door this Sunday! We look forward to the opportunity to see your face and greet you personally.
Next weekend is pretty busy. Our Family Prayer Service is on Friday, October 30th, at 7:30 on our prayer line via Google Meet. This is one-hour of open prayer, and we invite the ENTIRE Friendship Family to join us. To connect with our prayer services, please follow this link HERE or dial in at +1 (413) 418-4274 and use the PIN 287683504#.
Due to the pandemic, the pumpkin patch will not be coming this year, and we will not be able to host our traditional Harvest Festival. However, our CYYA team has planned a fantastic event on October 31st called “Faith-fall Family Amazing Race!” Do you like word puzzles, brainteasers, scavenger hunts, the reality show “The Amazing Race?” Participants of this great adventure race will be led all over the local area by clues that combine word puzzles, visual brain teasers, and city-specific trivia questions and more; according to the event’s co-founder Jaron Singley, “It should be an enjoyable, family-friendly way to explore our area and get out the house safely.” The race will begin @ 2pm on October 31st at Friendship. For more info and to register, go HERE. See you there!
The first Sunday is coming! Do you know what that means? Yup! DRIVE-IN Service is coming! YAY! Please register for our next Drive-in Service on Sunday, November 1st, at 9am ONLY. You can register and RSVP now by going HERE. RSVP ASAP.
We are STILL looking for volunteers to help keep the ministry going. We currently need volunteers in the FOODBANK, TECHNOLOGY/MEDIA, and in our SHEPHERD’S MINISTRY. If you are available to serve in our foodbank, please contact Rev. Patrick Christian at [email protected]. Can you help with ZOOM TRAINING, CAMERA OPERATING, or VIDEO EDITING? If so, we need you. Please contact either our media department at [email protected] or me at [email protected]. Do you have a heart for people, and are you willing to help NEW members become acclimated to Christ and our CHURCH? If so, we need you as a Shepherd. Please contact Rev. Eric Archer at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you!
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 have a few Family Announcements:
- Joseph and Linda Brown have relocated to Grand Rapids, Michigan, as of October 3rd. Their last Sunday with us was Sunday, September 27th. We are grateful for their many years of membership and partnership. Joseph and Linda, the Friendship family, will greatly miss you. Please know you are in our prayers, and you ALWAYS have a home here at Friendship.
- I am also excited to announce the birth of Pryce Elijah Waller, born to David and Patrice Waller on Friday, October 16th, at 11:52am. We thank God for a healthy baby, a healthy mommy, and a healthy family. Congratulations! Pryce came in at 7lbs 11ozs and 19.5 inches long. Welcome to Friendship Pryce!
Now, election years are always pivotal moments in history, with 2020 being no exception. As disciples of Jesus, we should prepare our minds and guard our hearts not only to vote as the Spirit leads but to respond to others in a Christ-like manner. Friendship, you know I would never recommend or ask you to vote in a particular way; I do, however, encourage you to vote and to remember a few things as you prepare to vote:
- Remember who you are — what defines you, where your true citizenship lies and with whom you most align in your core identity.
- Remember your social responsibility – to think; to act responsibly, and to engage with culture as salt and light for transformation
- Remember your calling – you are a disciple; to love even those who disagree with you and live in mutual submission to one another in joyful commitment as a child of God.
Things to remember:
- 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! Each week we have praise and worship, reading the CR principles, and a featured weekly speaker. The open share takes place virtually and maintains the confidentiality requirements based on CR guidelines. To participate in this event, please use the link HERE.
- 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.
- 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. This study will continue through the end of November. Remember, EX Hour takes place every Sunday through the video conference app, ZOOM. 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 via Google Meet. 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 happens each worship service on Sundays. It is a time for Lady Karima and me to connect with you just like we would at church on Sunday. 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#.
- 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.
We are STILL attempting to support our members with small businesses. If you would like us to feature your small business, please contact Rev. Eric Archer at [email protected].
That’s all, folks!
Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected!
In His Holy Grip,
Rev. Kenneth C. Curry, Jr.
Senior Pastor
Posted in COVID-19