PASTOR'S UPDATE OCTOBER 27, 2023
Happy Friday, Friendship Family!
Blessings to each of you this week. Be encouraged! That’s all I want to say to you this week. I just wanted to get out a few quick announcements and reminders, but in these days where it seems that discouragement is at a premium, I want to say to you, BE ENCOURAGED! Everyone needs encouragement. How nice it is when someone sees you do something and seeks to cheer you on or affirm what you have done.
I have been hearing wonderful things about the Women's Conference that took place last Saturday. Kudos to Rev. Terry Abercrombie and her whole team for a fantastic conference - the first in-person conference since the pandemic. We have released videos of the two main sessions speakers on our YouTube page HERE.
This Sunday, the Wrecking Crew will be singing! We are in for a great time in the LORD!
Here are this week's announcements...
Note: we made the pictures a bit smaller this week, please tap or click on them to enlarge.
Blessings to each of you this week. Be encouraged! That’s all I want to say to you this week. I just wanted to get out a few quick announcements and reminders, but in these days where it seems that discouragement is at a premium, I want to say to you, BE ENCOURAGED! Everyone needs encouragement. How nice it is when someone sees you do something and seeks to cheer you on or affirm what you have done.
I have been hearing wonderful things about the Women's Conference that took place last Saturday. Kudos to Rev. Terry Abercrombie and her whole team for a fantastic conference - the first in-person conference since the pandemic. We have released videos of the two main sessions speakers on our YouTube page HERE.
This Sunday, the Wrecking Crew will be singing! We are in for a great time in the LORD!
Here are this week's announcements...
Note: we made the pictures a bit smaller this week, please tap or click on them to enlarge.
BAPTISM - OCTOBER 29TH
We will be having baptism service on Sunday, the 5th Sunday of this month during the 11:30 am service.
FUNERAL SERVICES FOR SIS. LORI SIMS
We were all very shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Sister Lori Sims. She was a very faithful servant and member and will be greatly missed. Please pray for her family and one another at this time. Her Celebration of Life service will occur at Friendship on Monday, October 30th, at 11:00 am. The services are open to the membership to attend. We will also stream the services live via YouTube and our church website.
We will be having baptism service on Sunday, the 5th Sunday of this month during the 11:30 am service.
FUNERAL SERVICES FOR SIS. LORI SIMS
We were all very shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Sister Lori Sims. She was a very faithful servant and member and will be greatly missed. Please pray for her family and one another at this time. Her Celebration of Life service will occur at Friendship on Monday, October 30th, at 11:00 am. The services are open to the membership to attend. We will also stream the services live via YouTube and our church website.
FAMILY PRAYER SERVICE
I invite you to join us next Friday, November 3rd for our Monthly Family Prayer Meeting. Just like the last Prayer Meeting before the "High Church" first Sunday, this will take place in person in the Sanctuary of our church! It will NOT be on Google Meet at all.
As I said to you last time, we will have prayer and worship. Worship and prayer; seeking God’s presence, power, partnership in our future endeavors. Remember we can do nothing without Him. We will meet from 7:30 pm until about 8:45 pm.
I invite you to join us next Friday, November 3rd for our Monthly Family Prayer Meeting. Just like the last Prayer Meeting before the "High Church" first Sunday, this will take place in person in the Sanctuary of our church! It will NOT be on Google Meet at all.
As I said to you last time, we will have prayer and worship. Worship and prayer; seeking God’s presence, power, partnership in our future endeavors. Remember we can do nothing without Him. We will meet from 7:30 pm until about 8:45 pm.
CAREERS IN THE ARMED FORCES INFORMATIONAL
Sponsored by our Veteran's Ministry and our Boy Scouts, this event on Saturday, November 4th is especially for all middle, high school and college students and their families. Come learn about various careers that our armed forces offer. Active-Duty Representatives will be here to share and answer your questions. For more info, please contact Mark Saunders HERE.
Sponsored by our Veteran's Ministry and our Boy Scouts, this event on Saturday, November 4th is especially for all middle, high school and college students and their families. Come learn about various careers that our armed forces offer. Active-Duty Representatives will be here to share and answer your questions. For more info, please contact Mark Saunders HERE.
HIGH CHURCH - FIRST SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH
Throwback Sunday. Wear your church finest and Ladies, wear your hats! But please, do not be overly concerned about what to wear. Come a bit early at 7:45 am as the deacons lead us in devotion. We will be installing some new Mothers to our Mothers Ministry. Our Mother's Ministry is an honorary ministry but these mothers serve as witnesses of the faithfulness of God in the church! We have four Mothers that we will bring to our Mother's Ministry: Mother Dimple Baylis, Mother Erma Thompson, Mother Hattie Knuckles, and Mother Mildred Henderson. This is first Sunday, so we will also celebrate the Lord's Supper together.
Throwback Sunday. Wear your church finest and Ladies, wear your hats! But please, do not be overly concerned about what to wear. Come a bit early at 7:45 am as the deacons lead us in devotion. We will be installing some new Mothers to our Mothers Ministry. Our Mother's Ministry is an honorary ministry but these mothers serve as witnesses of the faithfulness of God in the church! We have four Mothers that we will bring to our Mother's Ministry: Mother Dimple Baylis, Mother Erma Thompson, Mother Hattie Knuckles, and Mother Mildred Henderson. This is first Sunday, so we will also celebrate the Lord's Supper together.
GRIEFSHARE IS COMING TO FRIENDSHIP
We trust that your choice to participate in GriefShare proves beneficial and that healing may begin and or continue in your life. This group is here to encourage, and support you in this journey to healing from our loss. This session will begin on November 7th at 7:00 pm and goes for 13 weeks. It is our intention to meet each week as scheduled with the exception of really bad weather and for the winter holidays. This group is open to our Friendship family and guests. Please go HERE to register on our GriefShare page.
We trust that your choice to participate in GriefShare proves beneficial and that healing may begin and or continue in your life. This group is here to encourage, and support you in this journey to healing from our loss. This session will begin on November 7th at 7:00 pm and goes for 13 weeks. It is our intention to meet each week as scheduled with the exception of really bad weather and for the winter holidays. This group is open to our Friendship family and guests. Please go HERE to register on our GriefShare page.
HEALTH COMMUNITY FORUM
Join us here at Friendship on Thursday, November 9th for the Spirit of the Heart Community Forum. The Spirit of the Heart is the signature community program of the Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC). We are going to be discussing health in the African American Community. This program is scheduled in several U.S. cities each year and are developed to help consumers understand that heart disease is preventable, and to share heart-healthy practices as important steps for longevity. This program has made measurable differences in communities nationwide even leading to legislation for health care reform. This event is open to everyone! To register, please scan the QR code above or click HERE.
Join us here at Friendship on Thursday, November 9th for the Spirit of the Heart Community Forum. The Spirit of the Heart is the signature community program of the Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC). We are going to be discussing health in the African American Community. This program is scheduled in several U.S. cities each year and are developed to help consumers understand that heart disease is preventable, and to share heart-healthy practices as important steps for longevity. This program has made measurable differences in communities nationwide even leading to legislation for health care reform. This event is open to everyone! To register, please scan the QR code above or click HERE.
SIDE BY SIDE COUPLES GATHERING
Save the date! November 10th. We are in this new series entitled US IN MIND by Ted Lowe.
Save the date! November 10th. We are in this new series entitled US IN MIND by Ted Lowe.
FAITHFUL GIVING
Lastly, in the last several weeks, I have told the congregation we are in a $200,000 deficit. Our deficit continues, and my team and I are concerned. We need ALL members to continue to be faithful and generous, and we also need you to help encourage the others in our membership and fellowship to do so. We must try and close the gap and raise the budgeted amount by the end of the year. We have roughly 1,000 givers here, so if every member gives an extra $200 on top of what we are already giving for the year, we will meet our budget. We need to make a "Dent in the Deficit!" We must raise essentially $1.2M by December 31st. If we go into the new year with a deficit, it makes it that much harder for us to do excellent ministry. We will be sending a letter out soon that says "Thank you" for your past giving as well as articulate our current need. I sincerely want to thank all of those who give faithfully here at Friendship. You may give HERE.
FUTURE NOW INITIATIVE
Also, please continue to pray for the Future NOW Initiative. God is up to something!
Plans are being reviewed and we are making progress! Prayerfully, we can start sometime in November. Pray!
On the pledge form, please indicate your planned pledge amount and your frequency of giving. Again, if you have the printed form, please put your total pledge amount on the KICK STARTER LINE. Then tell us, on that form, whether you will give your pledge over 12 months or 15 months. Lastly, please tell us the frequency of your giving, whether you will give weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly (as a one-time gift). Also, the form is available online HERE.
General Church things to remember:
- 2023 CHURCH THEME:
Ephesians 6:10-18 ESV
- PRAYER FOCUS:
Col.2:2-3; James 3:17; 1 Cor 1:30; James 1:5; Prov.2:6
November - Expressing Thankfulness to Christ
Duet 20:4; 1 Cor 15:57; Prov. 21:31; I John 5:4
- BIBLE READING
✔️ 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)
Plans have been printed and you may pick up a copy in the foyer of the Carrington Building.
- WEEKLY HEALTH WALK
- IN-PERSON EX-HOUR:
- 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.
- EX HOUR: Virtual Ex-Hour meets weekly on Sundays via ZOOM. Join us for class at 10:00 am 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 EX-Hour is back and meets on Sundays at 10 am in the Multipurpose Building. Parents, please note you must check in and check out your children weekly for Ex-Hour.
- MOMMIES WITH BABIES: We have our Mommies with Babies class simultaneously during EX-Hour in the Multipurpose Building. Mommies with two years old and younger children are invited to this EX-HOUR class and are encouraged to bring their children with them! Come for encouragement, community, and growth! Amen!
- WEDNESDAY Prayer Day: Join us each Wednesday for Prayer. We pray at 6:30 am, 12:00 pm, and 6:30 pm. 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, 2:30 pm-4:30 pm.
That is all I have!
I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.
Remember, God loves you and so do I!
God bless you!
In His Service,
Rev. Kenneth C. Curry, Jr.
Your Pastor
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