PASTOR’S WEEKLY UPDATE MARCH 25, 2022
Hey there, Friendship Family!
Do you know God is good? Yes, God is a good God!
While we live in challenging times, we must also remember that God is not bound by times or seasons, and He is still a good God!
Praise and adoration of God are things we all can do and shouldn’t be held back just because we aren’t on the “victory side” of things yet. Our problem as human beings is that we ONLY praise when we see the answer, but quite often in the Bible, we see how Praise should go first! How we should trust God even when we cannot trace God.
I’m often reminded of the beautiful story in the Book of Daniel of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. It’s important to know that the same God that was there for them at that time is here for you and me now! Usually, we think of the trials of life as something we hope God will deliver us from and not allow us to go through. Indeed, the Bible promises, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all” (Psalm 34:19).
However, there’s another side to this which we often overlook. Yes, God can deliver us from our trials. But more often, He delivers us in and through the trials of life. In other words, the Lord uses our tests and afflictions to set us free from the things that bind us, worry us, and confuse us. The biggest lesson from the fiery furnace is this! God was with them. He’s the fourth man in the furnace. And just as he was with them, He is with you and me!
Do you know God is good? Yes, God is a good God!
While we live in challenging times, we must also remember that God is not bound by times or seasons, and He is still a good God!
Praise and adoration of God are things we all can do and shouldn’t be held back just because we aren’t on the “victory side” of things yet. Our problem as human beings is that we ONLY praise when we see the answer, but quite often in the Bible, we see how Praise should go first! How we should trust God even when we cannot trace God.
I’m often reminded of the beautiful story in the Book of Daniel of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. It’s important to know that the same God that was there for them at that time is here for you and me now! Usually, we think of the trials of life as something we hope God will deliver us from and not allow us to go through. Indeed, the Bible promises, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all” (Psalm 34:19).
However, there’s another side to this which we often overlook. Yes, God can deliver us from our trials. But more often, He delivers us in and through the trials of life. In other words, the Lord uses our tests and afflictions to set us free from the things that bind us, worry us, and confuse us. The biggest lesson from the fiery furnace is this! God was with them. He’s the fourth man in the furnace. And just as he was with them, He is with you and me!
When you are overwhelmed, whisper to yourself, HE IS WITH ME!
When you are afraid, whisper to yourself, HE IS WITH ME!
When you are lonely, whisper to yourself, HE IS WITH ME!
When you are in a tight spot, whisper to yourself, HE IS WITH ME!
When you are afraid, whisper to yourself, HE IS WITH ME!
When you are lonely, whisper to yourself, HE IS WITH ME!
When you are in a tight spot, whisper to yourself, HE IS WITH ME!
Remember, no matter what, God is with you! AMEN!
Well, here are your announcements for this week.
KINGDOM WIVES CLASS
Attention all wives, The Kingdom Wives class takes tomorrow, Saturday, March 26th, from 9am to 10:30am. In this session, the Kingdom wives will continue in the book Sacred Marriage and focus on Chapter 13, Sacred Presence and how to be more aware of God’s presence in your marriage!
SINGLES CHAT N CHEW
Singles Ministry hosts a Chat N Chew Fellowship for Singles via Zoom tomorrow, Saturday, March 26th, at 2pm. Deacon Charles “Chuckie” Owens will be chatting with singles about Budgets and Spending! In this session, singles will talk about budgeting, pitfalls to avoid, doing your financial research, minimalist or hoarder - which are you, and attitudes & goals. This will be an exciting and informative event. For more information and to register, 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. This coming Wednesday! 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.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED ~ FOOD PANTRY
We need volunteers! We need willing workers to serve in our Food Pantry on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. We have been severely short-handed in the last few weeks. If you are willing to serve on those days from 1:30p-4:30p, we would greatly appreciate your assistance! You just show up, and Sister Gloria Banks will put you to work. If you prefer to call first, please contact Rev. Felton Patrick Christian at 714-579-7066 or [email protected].
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED ~ CHURCH OFFICE/FACILITIES
We need volunteers! We need facilities volunteer help in the coming weeks. We are preparing to put new carpet in the classrooms and offices of the Carrington Building, and we will need brothers to help us move furniture, etc. If you are willing and available, please contact Sharon Preston in the church office at 714-579-7060 or [email protected].
RESURRECTION SUNDAY IS COMING
Sunday, April 17th, is Resurrection Sunday, also known as Easter Sunday. Resurrection Sunday is the foundation of Christian theology and the bedrock of the evangelical faith. It celebrates the resurrecting reality of Immanuel, God with us! It celebrates Christ as a waymaker, miracle worker, and promise keeper!
Jesus, through His death and resurrection, offers us himself. He offers the chance to know God Almighty in His fullness and the opportunity to experience His unconditional love and acceptance and grace amid hurt and heartbreak.
As we look forward to Resurrection Sunday, we are planning a week of services leading up to Resurrection Sunday:
Stay tuned for more information.
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.
TITHE & OFFERING UPDATE
This Sunday is the last Sunday of the First Quarter of 2022. This Sunday is our last Sunday to make up some much-needed ground financially. We are still about 7% from our goal for the quarter! Again, I thank you for your financial support of Friendship Baptist Church and its various ministry efforts. 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
Well, here are your announcements for this week.
KINGDOM WIVES CLASS
Attention all wives, The Kingdom Wives class takes tomorrow, Saturday, March 26th, from 9am to 10:30am. In this session, the Kingdom wives will continue in the book Sacred Marriage and focus on Chapter 13, Sacred Presence and how to be more aware of God’s presence in your marriage!
SINGLES CHAT N CHEW
Singles Ministry hosts a Chat N Chew Fellowship for Singles via Zoom tomorrow, Saturday, March 26th, at 2pm. Deacon Charles “Chuckie” Owens will be chatting with singles about Budgets and Spending! In this session, singles will talk about budgeting, pitfalls to avoid, doing your financial research, minimalist or hoarder - which are you, and attitudes & goals. This will be an exciting and informative event. For more information and to register, 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. This coming Wednesday! 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.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED ~ FOOD PANTRY
We need volunteers! We need willing workers to serve in our Food Pantry on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. We have been severely short-handed in the last few weeks. If you are willing to serve on those days from 1:30p-4:30p, we would greatly appreciate your assistance! You just show up, and Sister Gloria Banks will put you to work. If you prefer to call first, please contact Rev. Felton Patrick Christian at 714-579-7066 or [email protected].
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED ~ CHURCH OFFICE/FACILITIES
We need volunteers! We need facilities volunteer help in the coming weeks. We are preparing to put new carpet in the classrooms and offices of the Carrington Building, and we will need brothers to help us move furniture, etc. If you are willing and available, please contact Sharon Preston in the church office at 714-579-7060 or [email protected].
RESURRECTION SUNDAY IS COMING
Sunday, April 17th, is Resurrection Sunday, also known as Easter Sunday. Resurrection Sunday is the foundation of Christian theology and the bedrock of the evangelical faith. It celebrates the resurrecting reality of Immanuel, God with us! It celebrates Christ as a waymaker, miracle worker, and promise keeper!
Jesus, through His death and resurrection, offers us himself. He offers the chance to know God Almighty in His fullness and the opportunity to experience His unconditional love and acceptance and grace amid hurt and heartbreak.
As we look forward to Resurrection Sunday, we are planning a week of services leading up to Resurrection Sunday:
⚫ Holy Week Revival: This will be a virtual event from Tuesday, April 12th through Thursday, April 14th at 7pm nightly! Our guests will be Pastor Larry Weaver of Atherton Baptist Church, Pastor Sonja Dawson of New Mount Calvary, and Pastor Jerome Grice of Mt. Zion of Pomona.
⚫ Good Friday Service: Friday, April 15th at 7:30pm, we will have an in-person Good Friday Service! This service will occur at Friendship, and we will have a traditional presentation of the Seven Last Saying of Christ with ministers from Friendship and guest ministers.
⚫ Resurrection Sunday: Sunday Morning, April 17th, we will celebrate the Resurrection with three services at 5:30am, 8am, and 11:30am. Yes, we will have Sunrise Service at 5:30am. Also, the Children & Youth Ministry will host a special family event in place of Ex-Hour at 10am in the Multipurpose Building.
Stay tuned for more information.
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.
TITHE & OFFERING UPDATE
This Sunday is the last Sunday of the First Quarter of 2022. This Sunday is our last Sunday to make up some much-needed ground financially. We are still about 7% from our goal for the quarter! Again, I thank you for your financial support of Friendship Baptist Church and its various ministry efforts. 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 +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