PASTOR’S WEEKLY UPDATE MARCH 18, 2022
Happy Friday, Friendship Family!
Greetings in the great name of Jesus!
Do you know you can find strength in His name?
There will be moments when your faith falters, when you’re lonely or exhausted or just plain sad. There will be moments when grief grabs ahold of you and crumbles you to the ground, where all you’ve believed feels empty, and when each breath feels like a chore. But in these moments, you will find redemption and power in His name. The name of Jesus is the most powerful name there is.
God gave Jesus the “name that is above every name” (Philippians 2:9). Why is this name so powerful? Because of the sacrifice, He made—living a perfect life, dying a sinner’s death, and His resurrection. Jesus made way for all of humanity to be saved and made right with God: “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13; cf. Acts 4:12).
When we talk about the name of Jesus, we are talking about Jesus Himself, His character, and the things He does. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, God gave Him the most powerful name of all time. Philippians 2:8–11 says:
Greetings in the great name of Jesus!
Do you know you can find strength in His name?
There will be moments when your faith falters, when you’re lonely or exhausted or just plain sad. There will be moments when grief grabs ahold of you and crumbles you to the ground, where all you’ve believed feels empty, and when each breath feels like a chore. But in these moments, you will find redemption and power in His name. The name of Jesus is the most powerful name there is.
God gave Jesus the “name that is above every name” (Philippians 2:9). Why is this name so powerful? Because of the sacrifice, He made—living a perfect life, dying a sinner’s death, and His resurrection. Jesus made way for all of humanity to be saved and made right with God: “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13; cf. Acts 4:12).
When we talk about the name of Jesus, we are talking about Jesus Himself, His character, and the things He does. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, God gave Him the most powerful name of all time. Philippians 2:8–11 says:
“And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
The name of Jesus compels us to worship Him and bring glory to God. Each person will one day come face to face with Jesus and have to confess that He is Lord. In the moments where you feel overwhelmed, stressed, and stretched, if you choose to follow Him, He will guide you away from the heartbreak, the loneliness, the death, the loss, the most challenging moments of your life, and back into His arms.
AMEN!
Well, here are your announcements for this week.
AMEN!
Well, here are your announcements for this week.
WOMEN’S MONTHLY FELLOWSHIP
Ladies, tonight is the first Women’s Monthly Fellowship of 2022! You are invited to join the Friendship Women’s Ministry tonight at 7pm for a Virtual Women’s Ministry Fellowship via Zoom. You are invited to hear Friendship’s own, Rev. Dr. Barbara Smith-Mustin, speak on A Lifelong Battle and what must be done to fight and win the battle against our adversary, the devil. To join the session, go HERE.
NEW WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY CLASS
We’re excited to announce the start of a new Women’s Bible Study on Wednesday, March 30th at 7:30p. All women are welcome to join in a new study where we will focus on and learn about women in the Bible. Our study will be based on the book titled: “Ten Women of the Bible: One by One They Changed the World” by best-selling Christian author Max Lucado.
Participants will explore the lives of 10 pivotal biblical women, including Sarah, Rahab, Abigail, Esther, Sapphira, Mary Magdalene, and others. And see to answer these questions: Why did God choose these women? What set them apart? They lived in a different world than our own, but women today find themselves facing some of the same issues. Yet, even more, these women demonstrate a God who sees women where they are and loves them for who they are. By exploring their lives, participants of this study will identify essential and relevant truths God wants them to grasp and apply to their own lives.
The book for this study is a workbook and costs $10 per participant. Books will be available in the church office soon, and we’ll be sure ladies who plan to attend the class are notified when the books arrive. Ladies, we look forward to a great time together studying God’s Word and women. To join the class, go HERE.
WEEKEND TO REMEMBER
Attention married and engaged couples! Lady Karima and I invite you to attend a special Weekend To Remember on April 8-10th. The Christian organization Family Life has successfully sponsored the Weekend To Remember marriage conference for many years, and we have been personally blessed by attending on numerous occasions. This year Weekend To Remember is coming to Anaheim, and we invite you to meet us there. Register at https://www.familylife.com/weekend-to-remember/ and use the group code wearefriendship to receive a discounted registration. Consider this an investment in your marriage relationship and an opportunity to grow deeper together.
Here are a few church office updates…
JOBS AT FRIENDSHIP
We invite you to visit the church website and see the jobs we have posted. We will post about eight positions over the next several weeks and months. Currently, we are posting two Executive Pastor Positions, a Marketing & Media Manager Position, an Executive Assistant Position, and a Finance Manager Position. We invite qualified candidates to apply. Go HERE to see the job postings.
VOLUNTEERISM
Remember Friendship; we are “Saved to Serve.” We had an excellent Ministry Volunteer Fair this past Sunday! Thank you to everyone who participated and signed up! You can STILL sign-up ONLINE to volunteer by completing the Change Maker Form on our website or church app. Please complete the Change Maker Form HERE if you are willing to serve. When all else fails, send an email to [email protected].
TITHE & OFFERING
Again, I thank you for your financial support of Friendship Baptist Church and its various ministry efforts. I want you to know we are making progress. As we anticipate greater in-person ministry, we are preparing for you and this. We are working to address deferred maintenance issues, complete some outstanding facility upgrades and renovations, and put staff in strategic positions!
While we have not made up the entire deficit for the quarter that I told you about two weeks ago, we already see an increase in our giving. Let’s continue to maintain this momentum. Thank you for standing firm with us and not abandoning the ship. Remember, generosity and giving have little to do with how much you have. It has everything to do with the attitude of your heart and your faithfulness to God. So let’s remain faithful because it helps us also to be fruitful!
General Church things to remember:
I look forward to seeing you Sunday!
Continue to Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected!
God loves you, and so do I!
In His Service,
Rev. Kenneth C. Curry, Jr.
Your Pastor
Ladies, tonight is the first Women’s Monthly Fellowship of 2022! You are invited to join the Friendship Women’s Ministry tonight at 7pm for a Virtual Women’s Ministry Fellowship via Zoom. You are invited to hear Friendship’s own, Rev. Dr. Barbara Smith-Mustin, speak on A Lifelong Battle and what must be done to fight and win the battle against our adversary, the devil. To join the session, go HERE.
NEW WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY CLASS
We’re excited to announce the start of a new Women’s Bible Study on Wednesday, March 30th at 7:30p. All women are welcome to join in a new study where we will focus on and learn about women in the Bible. Our study will be based on the book titled: “Ten Women of the Bible: One by One They Changed the World” by best-selling Christian author Max Lucado.
Participants will explore the lives of 10 pivotal biblical women, including Sarah, Rahab, Abigail, Esther, Sapphira, Mary Magdalene, and others. And see to answer these questions: Why did God choose these women? What set them apart? They lived in a different world than our own, but women today find themselves facing some of the same issues. Yet, even more, these women demonstrate a God who sees women where they are and loves them for who they are. By exploring their lives, participants of this study will identify essential and relevant truths God wants them to grasp and apply to their own lives.
The book for this study is a workbook and costs $10 per participant. Books will be available in the church office soon, and we’ll be sure ladies who plan to attend the class are notified when the books arrive. Ladies, we look forward to a great time together studying God’s Word and women. To join the class, go HERE.
WEEKEND TO REMEMBER
Attention married and engaged couples! Lady Karima and I invite you to attend a special Weekend To Remember on April 8-10th. The Christian organization Family Life has successfully sponsored the Weekend To Remember marriage conference for many years, and we have been personally blessed by attending on numerous occasions. This year Weekend To Remember is coming to Anaheim, and we invite you to meet us there. Register at https://www.familylife.com/weekend-to-remember/ and use the group code wearefriendship to receive a discounted registration. Consider this an investment in your marriage relationship and an opportunity to grow deeper together.
Here are a few church office updates…
JOBS AT FRIENDSHIP
We invite you to visit the church website and see the jobs we have posted. We will post about eight positions over the next several weeks and months. Currently, we are posting two Executive Pastor Positions, a Marketing & Media Manager Position, an Executive Assistant Position, and a Finance Manager Position. We invite qualified candidates to apply. Go HERE to see the job postings.
VOLUNTEERISM
Remember Friendship; we are “Saved to Serve.” We had an excellent Ministry Volunteer Fair this past Sunday! Thank you to everyone who participated and signed up! You can STILL sign-up ONLINE to volunteer by completing the Change Maker Form on our website or church app. Please complete the Change Maker Form HERE if you are willing to serve. When all else fails, send an email to [email protected].
TITHE & OFFERING
Again, I thank you for your financial support of Friendship Baptist Church and its various ministry efforts. I want you to know we are making progress. As we anticipate greater in-person ministry, we are preparing for you and this. We are working to address deferred maintenance issues, complete some outstanding facility upgrades and renovations, and put staff in strategic positions!
While we have not made up the entire deficit for the quarter that I told you about two weeks ago, we already see an increase in our giving. Let’s continue to maintain this momentum. Thank you for standing firm with us and not abandoning the ship. Remember, generosity and giving have little to do with how much you have. It has everything to do with the attitude of your heart and your faithfulness to God. So let’s remain faithful because it helps us also to be fruitful!
General Church things to remember:
⚫ 2022 CHURCH THEME:
United & Unashamed: God’s People United in Mission, Ministry, & Mandate
1 Corinthians 12:12-27 ESV; Romans 1:16-17 ESV
⚫ MARCH PRAYER FOCUS:
Praying for the Friendship Family to Walk in Humility before God
Prov. 22:4, II Cor.10:1, Col 3:12
⚫ BIBLE READING
You have 288 days to complete a Bible reading plan, including today. At Friendship, we encourage every member to read one of six Bible reading plans in the year. These plans include;
✔️ The entire Bible,
✔️ The Pentateuch (or the first five books of the Old Testament),
✔️ The entire Old Testament,
✔️ The Gospels (or the first four books of the New Testament),
✔️ The entire New Testament, and
✔️ Psalms and Proverbs (3 times)
⚫ SOCIAL MEDIA
Make sure to follow us on our social media pages for upcoming content. For Facebook, that’s @FriendshipBaptistChurch. For Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, it’s @wearefriendshipchurch.
⚫ IN-PERSON EX-HOUR: In-person Ex-Hour meets each Sunday from 10am to 11am in the Multipurpose Building. We invite you to stay after the first service or come earlier for the second service to attend Ex Hour in person.
⚫ EX HOUR: Virtual Ex-Hour meets weekly on Sundays via ZOOM. Join us for class at 10am via this link HERE.
⚫ YOUTH EX HOUR: Our youth Ex Hour takes place during our designated EX Hour time via Google Meet and in-person. Yes, it’s a hybrid approach! 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.
⚫ CHILDREN’S MINISTRY VIDEO: There’s a weekly Children’s Ministry Worship Video designed to keep our children connected, encouraged, and worshipping! Rev. Jaron Singley works hard weekly to produce a Children’s worship video. It is available through our website HERE or the Friendship YouTube Channel HERE.
⚫ WEDNESDAY Prayer Day: Join us each Wednesday for Prayer. We pray at 6:30am, 12pm, and 6:30pm. 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 a bag of groceries. The Food Bank’s hours of operation are Tuesday - Thursday 2:30pm-4:30pm.
⚫ COVID Recovery Kits:
We still have Covid Recovery Kits through Providence Health and the Yorba Linda Rotary Club. These kits help individuals who have been diagnosed with Covid-19 and are recovering at home. Each kit includes a pulse oximeter to monitor breathing, a thermometer, a box of masks, and a package of sanitizing wipes in a small canvas bag. If you or someone in your family could benefit from one of these kits, please call the church office and arrange to get one.
⚫ COVID Membership Assistance Fund: We are STILL accepting COVID Membership Assistance Grant applications. 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 look forward to seeing you Sunday!
Continue to Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected!
God loves you, and so do I!
In His Service,
Rev. Kenneth C. Curry, Jr.
Your Pastor