PASTOR’S WEEKLY UPDATE NOVEMBER 24, 2022
PLEASE READ THOROUGHLY
SOME ANNOUNCEMENTS WRITTEN HERE ARE NOT IN THE VIDEO
SOME ANNOUNCEMENTS WRITTEN HERE ARE NOT IN THE VIDEO
Hey there Friendship Family,
Happy day after Thanksgiving! I trust you had a fantastic Thanksgiving holiday, as that was my prayer for you!
Look, I know many of you are cleaning up after a long Thanksgiving. Others are out shopping for Black Friday, and some of you are simply relaxing.
I do not want to disturb your Friday. I usually don’t send out a message, but we had some updates we wanted to get to you, and we did not want the last message to be excruciatingly long!
So let me give you a few updates and let you get back to your long weekend!
ADVENT BEGINS THIS SUNDAY
I am looking forward to seeing you this Sunday for Worship. Sunday, November 27th, begins Advent. This year I will preach a series entitled THE PROMISED ONE. This series is based on a devotional published by Christianity Today. We have 450 hard copies that we will give away beginning this Sunday. Once they are gone, they are gone. Also, we have a link to the PDF of the devotional for those who prefer an electronic copy or do not receive a hard copy because we have run out. This Sunday, I will preach about JESUS ~ THE MIGHTY GOD!
Also, this Sunday, we are excited that our children & youth combined choir will lead us in worship. Won’t you come out and encourage our young people?
GENEROSITY & GRATITUDE MONTH
This Sunday is the last Sunday of our Generosity & Gratitude Month. This Sunday, we will support International Missions. We will not support a large missions organization but two groups personally connected to us here at Friendship. We will Support Pastor Hopkins & the True Vine Missionary Baptist Church in their efforts in Africa ~ specifically Burundi and Swaziland. Also, we will support my mother-in-law’s missionary efforts, Lady Karima’s mother, Evangelist Francie Jones, and her husband, Elder Willie Jones. They will lead a team to Ghana in January of 2023, including Lady Karima, Brietta Looney, and Angela Gardner from Friendship. They will host family camp meetings, leading teaching sessions like VBS and seminars for men, women, and children around a selected theme. Then they will hold a crusade for the last 2-3 nights with preaching and evangelistic services.
So this weekend, we will support these two groups, and whatever you give, we will match and split the total between the two groups. In addition, we will feature a special video for them this Sunday!
Remember, we have special envelopes and special giving designations in our electronic giving that is live today entitled International Missions. So make all checks payable to Friendship!
Here are our weekly announcements…
HEALTH CARE MINISTRY WALKING CLUB
Attention Friendship Family! The Healthcare Ministry invites you to jump-start your exercise routine by walking with the Healthcare Ministry! They will have a Walking Club that met this morning, November 25th, at 8:15am and will also meet tomorrow, Saturday, November 26th, at the same time, 8:15am.
The walk will take place on the El Cajon Trail in Yorba Linda. Our Healthcare Ministry invites you to meet them in the St. Joseph Heritage Medical Group parking lot located at 4300 Rose Drive, Yorba Linda. One block from the church at Bastanchury and Rose Drive.
COMMUNITY EDUCATION: MENTAL HEALTH SEMINAR
Friendship is partnering with Stepping Higher Inc. in presenting another Community Education seminar on Monday, November 28th. Stepping Higher is a community service organization dedicated to restoring, developing, and establishing cultural and personal achievement at all levels of our community. Stepping Higher has been tasked with incorporating Mental Health and Faith-based entities in treating and preventing mental illness. Their focus is Mental Health in the African American & LatinX Communities.
The subject of this seminar on Monday, November 28th, is: “DEALING WITH DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY.” They will cover a variety of areas in this seminar. The seminar takes place via Zoom HERE. Also, you can contact Rev. Felton Patrick Christian for more information assistance.
MINISTRY ELECTIONS
Also, ministry leaders remember that ministry elections need to occur by November 30th, and results should be sent to Leigha Carrington in the church office as soon as possible. Please advise your Governance Committee Liason if you will not meet the deadline.
STEWARDSHIP MEETING (AKA BUSINESS MEETING)
Our next Stewardship Meeting will occur on Saturday, December 3rd, at 10am. This is a joint membership and leadership meeting where we will review 2022, present the budget for 2023, give our 2023 theme and ministry focus, and discuss the exciting plans for the ministry! This meeting will take place in person only. So please plan now to join us for this meeting!
CHRISTMAS PLANS
As you know, Christmas is on Sunday this year. So we have decided to meet in person and invite you all to join us. We will have one service at 10:30am. We plan to have a 75-minute service.
Furthermore, we will have a Watch Night Service on Saturday, December 31st, at 10:30pm. This will be about a 90-minute service.
Then on Sunday, January 1st, we will have in-person service at, yes, you guessed, 10:30am. This will be a 75-minute service. I hope that is easy enough to remember!
All services from Christmas through the beginning of the New Year are at 10:30!
General Church things to remember:
See you Sunday!
God loves you, and so do I!
Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, and Stay Connected!
In His Service,
Rev. Kenneth C. Curry, Jr.
Your Pastor
Happy day after Thanksgiving! I trust you had a fantastic Thanksgiving holiday, as that was my prayer for you!
Look, I know many of you are cleaning up after a long Thanksgiving. Others are out shopping for Black Friday, and some of you are simply relaxing.
I do not want to disturb your Friday. I usually don’t send out a message, but we had some updates we wanted to get to you, and we did not want the last message to be excruciatingly long!
So let me give you a few updates and let you get back to your long weekend!
ADVENT BEGINS THIS SUNDAY
I am looking forward to seeing you this Sunday for Worship. Sunday, November 27th, begins Advent. This year I will preach a series entitled THE PROMISED ONE. This series is based on a devotional published by Christianity Today. We have 450 hard copies that we will give away beginning this Sunday. Once they are gone, they are gone. Also, we have a link to the PDF of the devotional for those who prefer an electronic copy or do not receive a hard copy because we have run out. This Sunday, I will preach about JESUS ~ THE MIGHTY GOD!
Also, this Sunday, we are excited that our children & youth combined choir will lead us in worship. Won’t you come out and encourage our young people?
GENEROSITY & GRATITUDE MONTH
This Sunday is the last Sunday of our Generosity & Gratitude Month. This Sunday, we will support International Missions. We will not support a large missions organization but two groups personally connected to us here at Friendship. We will Support Pastor Hopkins & the True Vine Missionary Baptist Church in their efforts in Africa ~ specifically Burundi and Swaziland. Also, we will support my mother-in-law’s missionary efforts, Lady Karima’s mother, Evangelist Francie Jones, and her husband, Elder Willie Jones. They will lead a team to Ghana in January of 2023, including Lady Karima, Brietta Looney, and Angela Gardner from Friendship. They will host family camp meetings, leading teaching sessions like VBS and seminars for men, women, and children around a selected theme. Then they will hold a crusade for the last 2-3 nights with preaching and evangelistic services.
So this weekend, we will support these two groups, and whatever you give, we will match and split the total between the two groups. In addition, we will feature a special video for them this Sunday!
Remember, we have special envelopes and special giving designations in our electronic giving that is live today entitled International Missions. So make all checks payable to Friendship!
Here are our weekly announcements…
HEALTH CARE MINISTRY WALKING CLUB
Attention Friendship Family! The Healthcare Ministry invites you to jump-start your exercise routine by walking with the Healthcare Ministry! They will have a Walking Club that met this morning, November 25th, at 8:15am and will also meet tomorrow, Saturday, November 26th, at the same time, 8:15am.
The walk will take place on the El Cajon Trail in Yorba Linda. Our Healthcare Ministry invites you to meet them in the St. Joseph Heritage Medical Group parking lot located at 4300 Rose Drive, Yorba Linda. One block from the church at Bastanchury and Rose Drive.
COMMUNITY EDUCATION: MENTAL HEALTH SEMINAR
Friendship is partnering with Stepping Higher Inc. in presenting another Community Education seminar on Monday, November 28th. Stepping Higher is a community service organization dedicated to restoring, developing, and establishing cultural and personal achievement at all levels of our community. Stepping Higher has been tasked with incorporating Mental Health and Faith-based entities in treating and preventing mental illness. Their focus is Mental Health in the African American & LatinX Communities.
The subject of this seminar on Monday, November 28th, is: “DEALING WITH DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY.” They will cover a variety of areas in this seminar. The seminar takes place via Zoom HERE. Also, you can contact Rev. Felton Patrick Christian for more information assistance.
MINISTRY ELECTIONS
Also, ministry leaders remember that ministry elections need to occur by November 30th, and results should be sent to Leigha Carrington in the church office as soon as possible. Please advise your Governance Committee Liason if you will not meet the deadline.
STEWARDSHIP MEETING (AKA BUSINESS MEETING)
Our next Stewardship Meeting will occur on Saturday, December 3rd, at 10am. This is a joint membership and leadership meeting where we will review 2022, present the budget for 2023, give our 2023 theme and ministry focus, and discuss the exciting plans for the ministry! This meeting will take place in person only. So please plan now to join us for this meeting!
CHRISTMAS PLANS
As you know, Christmas is on Sunday this year. So we have decided to meet in person and invite you all to join us. We will have one service at 10:30am. We plan to have a 75-minute service.
Furthermore, we will have a Watch Night Service on Saturday, December 31st, at 10:30pm. This will be about a 90-minute service.
Then on Sunday, January 1st, we will have in-person service at, yes, you guessed, 10:30am. This will be a 75-minute service. I hope that is easy enough to remember!
All services from Christmas through the beginning of the New Year are at 10:30!
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
1 Corinthians 12:12-27 ESV; Romans 1:16-17 ESV
⚫ NOVEMBER PRAYER FOCUS:
Expressing Thankfulness for God’s Grace & Mercy
II Tim 1:9, John 1:16, Titus 2:11, II Cor. 12:9, John 1:14, Eph 2:8-9, II Peter 1:2
II Tim 1:9, John 1:16, Titus 2:11, II Cor. 12:9, John 1:14, Eph 2:8-9, II Peter 1:2
⚫ 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. We now have two adult classes meeting in person on campus, along with a Young Adult Class. They meet as follows:
○ Adult Class One (Sanctuary): The team teaching in the sanctuary includes Lady Karima Curry, Pamela Jones, Deacon Demetrius Linebarger, Melanie Porter, Vivian Randolph, & Deacon James Shelby
○ Adult Class Two (Carrington Building Room 217): The team teaching in the Carrington Building Room 217 includes Le Shon Archer, Deacon Rick Archer, Karen Ammons, Gwen Matthews, and Rev. Phil Yoder.
○ Young Adults Class (Carrington Building Rooms 207-208): This class is designed for those aged 18-35.
We invite you to stay after the first service or come earlier for the second service to attend Ex Hour in person.
⚫ NEW MEMBERS CLASS:
If you’ve recently become a member of Friendship or are a member who has never attended the New Members Class, we invite you to attend a new session starting on Sunday, October 2nd. Over eight weeks, this class teaches what we believe about fundamental Christian doctrines, including Salvation, the Trinity, Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper. In addition, this class provides a good foundation on key doctrines in the Bible. Join us at 10 a.m. on Sundays; we meet on the 2nd floor of the Carrington Building, Room 209.
⚫ 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 in-person youth Ex Hour takes place during our designated EX Hour time in the Multipurpose Building. Parents, please encourage your students to join youth teachers for this biblically fun opportunity to learn God’s Word, connect with others, and grow.
⚫ CHILDREN’S EX-HOUR: As stated in previous weeks, our Children’s ExHour and Children’s Worship service is back. The archive of all the weekly Children’s Ministry Worship Videos is still available to keep our children connected, encouraged, and worshiping during the week or anytime! 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 COVID-19, we invite you to apply for one of our $500 assistance grants. The guidelines are available HERE, and the application is available HERE.
⚫ LOST & FOUND
Have you lost your favorite Bible, glasses, or a personal item while here at the church? If so, please contact the church office at 714-528-0990 or stop by on the 1st floor of the Carrington Building Monday-Friday between 9:00am-5:30pm or Sunday between 10:00am-2:00pm. There is a collection on the blue counter under the TV monitor.
See you Sunday!
God loves you, and so do I!
Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, and Stay Connected!
In His Service,
Rev. Kenneth C. Curry, Jr.
Your Pastor
Posted in COVID-19