PASTOR'S UPDATE DECEMBER 15, 2023
Hey there Friendship family!
It is the third week of December and I am ecstatic to reach out to you and share with you. I hope you are enjoying our Advent series, Come Thou Almighty King. This month, we have talked about some attributes of the Savior. First, we have the character of the King. Meaning that He’s humble, and then, last week, we discussed the glory of the King - that He is worthy of a exaltation. This Sunday, we’ll talk about the radiance of the King and we’ll talk about how glorious He is in our everyday lives, and I hope that you’ll come out and be with us this Sunday.
This Sunday is actually the third Sunday of Advent and the big idea this Sunday is joy, That makes me think about that song lyrics...
Joy, joy God’s great joy,
Joy, joy deep in my soul,
Sweet, beautiful. soul-saving joy,
I’ve got joy, joy, my soul.
I pray this Sunday is joy-filled for you. We will have our Inspirational Voices choir singing as we are making our way towards Christmas…
Here are this week's announcements...
Note: we made the pictures a bit smaller, please tap or click on them to enlarge.
It is the third week of December and I am ecstatic to reach out to you and share with you. I hope you are enjoying our Advent series, Come Thou Almighty King. This month, we have talked about some attributes of the Savior. First, we have the character of the King. Meaning that He’s humble, and then, last week, we discussed the glory of the King - that He is worthy of a exaltation. This Sunday, we’ll talk about the radiance of the King and we’ll talk about how glorious He is in our everyday lives, and I hope that you’ll come out and be with us this Sunday.
This Sunday is actually the third Sunday of Advent and the big idea this Sunday is joy, That makes me think about that song lyrics...
Joy, joy God’s great joy,
Joy, joy deep in my soul,
Sweet, beautiful. soul-saving joy,
I’ve got joy, joy, my soul.
I pray this Sunday is joy-filled for you. We will have our Inspirational Voices choir singing as we are making our way towards Christmas…
Here are this week's announcements...
Note: we made the pictures a bit smaller, please tap or click on them to enlarge.
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE
As you may know Christmas EVE is on Sunday this year. We will meet in person and invite you all to join us. We will have one service at 10:00am on December 24th. We plan to have a full, interactive service with music from our various choirs, video, drama, and dance. We will also have places around campus where individuals, groups and families can take pictures together to commemorate the holiday season.
WATCH NIGHT SERVICE - NEW YEAR'S EVE
Then on Sunday, December 31st the last Sunday of the year we will also have one Sunday morning worship service at 10 am. We will also celebrate Watch night with the East Coast Saints with a service at 7:30pm that will end at 9pm. This will be about a 90 minute service. Come early because from 6:30 - 7:30 our Deacons will lead devotion and testimony service!
As you may know Christmas EVE is on Sunday this year. We will meet in person and invite you all to join us. We will have one service at 10:00am on December 24th. We plan to have a full, interactive service with music from our various choirs, video, drama, and dance. We will also have places around campus where individuals, groups and families can take pictures together to commemorate the holiday season.
WATCH NIGHT SERVICE - NEW YEAR'S EVE
Then on Sunday, December 31st the last Sunday of the year we will also have one Sunday morning worship service at 10 am. We will also celebrate Watch night with the East Coast Saints with a service at 7:30pm that will end at 9pm. This will be about a 90 minute service. Come early because from 6:30 - 7:30 our Deacons will lead devotion and testimony service!
YOUTH NEW YEAR'S PARTY
Calling all youth 6th-12th Grade! Sunday, January 7th @ 9:45am, Let's get together and celebrate the new year and plan and pray for what's ahead. We are planning a fun time of games, music, food and prizes. This will take place right after the first service and go through Ex-Hour time. Feel free to bring your friends!
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. ESSAY WRITING CONTEST
The FBC Silver Eagles Ministry is calling for students 3rd grade through 12th grade to participate in the Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Writing Contest. Students are encouraged to research and learn about Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life, accomplishments, and how he worked to help improve people’s lives, and write an essay that explains how Dr. King’s life inspires the legacy they would like to make on our community and world. Submissions are due by Thursday, January 4, 2024 at 4:00pm.
Please email your essay in by the due date to Rosa Kelson HERE. You can also place your printed essay in the Silver Eagles Ministry mailbox in the Carrington Building. For more information Click HERE!
"DENT THE DEFICIT"
Friendship, as I close, we continue to need your partnership to close the gap and raise the budget by the year’s end, and make a “Dent in the Deficit!” We have just THREE SUNDAYS to meet the 2023 Budget. We have been closing the gap, but we need your continued push over these next three weeks. This is not merely about reaching the budget but about our walk of faith. However, If we go into the new year with a deficit, it makes it that much harder for us to do excellent ministry. I am confident that all things are possible together and with God! To give, go HERE.
Also, our Finance office wanted to encourage us to make any electronic donations that you want counted in this calendar year, 2023, by Sunday, December 24th. After the 24th, We may not receive your gift until after the new year. If you need to give a financial gift after the 24th, we ask that you pay by check and bring it in to the office.
General Church things to remember:
Ephesians 6:10-18 ESV
Lk. 12:8-9; Jn. 8:12; Rom. 5:1, 8:1; Gal. 3:26; Eph.1: 7-10; Phil. 4:19
✔️ 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.
We love you! Karima and I want you to know we love you and we appreciate you so much. Thank God for you! I pray that you have a great holiday season, and that you might be encouraged all the way through. Have a great day and a great rest of your weekend.
In His Service,
Rev. Kenneth C. Curry, Jr.
Your Pastor
Calling all youth 6th-12th Grade! Sunday, January 7th @ 9:45am, Let's get together and celebrate the new year and plan and pray for what's ahead. We are planning a fun time of games, music, food and prizes. This will take place right after the first service and go through Ex-Hour time. Feel free to bring your friends!
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. ESSAY WRITING CONTEST
The FBC Silver Eagles Ministry is calling for students 3rd grade through 12th grade to participate in the Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Writing Contest. Students are encouraged to research and learn about Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life, accomplishments, and how he worked to help improve people’s lives, and write an essay that explains how Dr. King’s life inspires the legacy they would like to make on our community and world. Submissions are due by Thursday, January 4, 2024 at 4:00pm.
Please email your essay in by the due date to Rosa Kelson HERE. You can also place your printed essay in the Silver Eagles Ministry mailbox in the Carrington Building. For more information Click HERE!
"DENT THE DEFICIT"
Friendship, as I close, we continue to need your partnership to close the gap and raise the budget by the year’s end, and make a “Dent in the Deficit!” We have just THREE SUNDAYS to meet the 2023 Budget. We have been closing the gap, but we need your continued push over these next three weeks. This is not merely about reaching the budget but about our walk of faith. However, If we go into the new year with a deficit, it makes it that much harder for us to do excellent ministry. I am confident that all things are possible together and with God! To give, go HERE.
Also, our Finance office wanted to encourage us to make any electronic donations that you want counted in this calendar year, 2023, by Sunday, December 24th. After the 24th, We may not receive your gift until after the new year. If you need to give a financial gift after the 24th, we ask that you pay by check and bring it in to the office.
General Church things to remember:
- 2023 CHURCH THEME:
Ephesians 6:10-18 ESV
- PRAYER FOCUS:
Lk. 12:8-9; Jn. 8:12; Rom. 5:1, 8:1; Gal. 3:26; Eph.1: 7-10; Phil. 4:19
- 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.
We love you! Karima and I want you to know we love you and we appreciate you so much. Thank God for you! I pray that you have a great holiday season, and that you might be encouraged all the way through. Have a great day and a great rest of your weekend.
In His Service,
Rev. Kenneth C. Curry, Jr.
Your Pastor
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