PASTOR'S UPDATE APRIL 19, 2024
Greetings, Friendship Family…
I pray your April is going well! As we move through the month, I want to remind and encourage us to be fruitful and faithful. Spring is a time to be fruitful and faithful!
To be fruitful is to be productive. This is a call to productivity and not busyness! Busyness and fruitfulness are very different. Busyness causes stress and keeps your eyes on your calendar instead of the people you serve. Fruitfulness produces joy, because you are honoring God by serving people. If you are more focused on tasks than people, consider this your warning to reevaluate.
If you’re more busy than fruitful, stop, look around, and look for ways to do things differently. God doesn’t want us to be lazy. He wants us to love Him while loving others (see the Great Commandment). How can you do things differently so your busyness becomes servanthood and blessing while embracing the freedom of Christ?
To be fruitful, we must prioritize this truth; we cannot do everything.
To prioritize fruitfulness, consider the following…
Now, the other side of the coin is to be faithful.
Faithfulness is remaining steadfast and committed to God and His Word consistently. It demonstrates loyalty and trust in God’s promises, even in the face of adversity or temptation. Faithfulness reflects our relationship with God. It shows how we strive to honor Him in all our lives, including our thoughts, words, and actions.
It is impossible for us to stay perfectly faithful to God, but that’s okay. God is perfectly faithful to us. He demonstrated His faithfulness when He sent His Son to die on the cross for us (John 3:16).
We cannot possess faithfulness at 100%, but we can strive for it. We can live our lives in a way that is pleasing to the Lord, treating others with love and respect, and enacting what Jesus calls us to do. That’s faithfulness! I could go on, but my encouragement to us this week, the third week of April, is to strive for fruitfulness and faithfulness.
As we continue the month of April, we have a few updates for you.
I pray your April is going well! As we move through the month, I want to remind and encourage us to be fruitful and faithful. Spring is a time to be fruitful and faithful!
To be fruitful is to be productive. This is a call to productivity and not busyness! Busyness and fruitfulness are very different. Busyness causes stress and keeps your eyes on your calendar instead of the people you serve. Fruitfulness produces joy, because you are honoring God by serving people. If you are more focused on tasks than people, consider this your warning to reevaluate.
If you’re more busy than fruitful, stop, look around, and look for ways to do things differently. God doesn’t want us to be lazy. He wants us to love Him while loving others (see the Great Commandment). How can you do things differently so your busyness becomes servanthood and blessing while embracing the freedom of Christ?
To be fruitful, we must prioritize this truth; we cannot do everything.
To prioritize fruitfulness, consider the following…
- Put Christ first. Do you read Scripture? Do you pray? What do you pray about when you pray, and what do you ask for? Prayerfully put Christ first and ask him to continue making you more like himself.
- Know Your Priorities. Sit down sometime and work through your priorities. That is, what’s important to you and for you. If you process by talking it out, find someone and buy them coffee. If you’re a writer, then grab your journal. If you don’t know what matters most to you and haven’t prayerfully determined your priorities, do it ASAP.
- Learn to say “NO.” You can’t do everything. Whenever you say “Yes” to something, you’re saying “No” to something else. Be intentional about saying “Yes/No.” The Christian life is one of obligation to God, not to man. Let your commitments reflect that.
- Consistently and Constantly ask yourself, “Am I busy or fruitful?” This is the ongoing everyday self-assessment!
Now, the other side of the coin is to be faithful.
Faithfulness is remaining steadfast and committed to God and His Word consistently. It demonstrates loyalty and trust in God’s promises, even in the face of adversity or temptation. Faithfulness reflects our relationship with God. It shows how we strive to honor Him in all our lives, including our thoughts, words, and actions.
It is impossible for us to stay perfectly faithful to God, but that’s okay. God is perfectly faithful to us. He demonstrated His faithfulness when He sent His Son to die on the cross for us (John 3:16).
We cannot possess faithfulness at 100%, but we can strive for it. We can live our lives in a way that is pleasing to the Lord, treating others with love and respect, and enacting what Jesus calls us to do. That’s faithfulness! I could go on, but my encouragement to us this week, the third week of April, is to strive for fruitfulness and faithfulness.
As we continue the month of April, we have a few updates for you.
Now here are this week's announcements...
WOMEN'S MINISTRY VIRTUAL FELLOWSHIP
Women of Friendship, please note the next Virtual Women’s Ministry Monthly Fellowship will take place Friday, April 19th, at 7:00pm
The guest speaker is the Rev. Dawnesha Beaver. She will teach about Mary—When Women Pray, God Brings Redemption & Reconciliation into Darkness. based upon the book When Women Pray - 10 Women Who Changed The World Through Prayer" by Bishop T.D. Jakes. Bishop Jakes writes:
Women of Friendship, please note the next Virtual Women’s Ministry Monthly Fellowship will take place Friday, April 19th, at 7:00pm
The guest speaker is the Rev. Dawnesha Beaver. She will teach about Mary—When Women Pray, God Brings Redemption & Reconciliation into Darkness. based upon the book When Women Pray - 10 Women Who Changed The World Through Prayer" by Bishop T.D. Jakes. Bishop Jakes writes:
"Redemption is a financial concept. It means “to buy out.” Originally, it was a term used when someone purchased the debt incurred by a slave—to redeem a slave meant to buy their freedom. That is what Jesus has done for us. He has redeemed us. He canceled the debt of our slavery to sin and purchased our freedom at the cost of His own life. Paul wrote that in Jesus, and in Jesus alone, “we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace” (Eph. 1:7). Have you tasted that freedom? Do you want more life in your life? Do you want more light in your darkness? Do you want to see relationships healed and the very armies of heaven sent down to work on your behalf? Then pray. Because When Women Pray, God brings reconciliation and redemption into the darkness of this world."
Ladies, don't miss your blessing and a time to learn that something powerful happens When Women Pray! Register today, HERE.
KINGDOM WIVES
Friendship Kingdom Wives, don’t forget tomorrow, April 20th, is the next Kingdom Wives Class. It meets virtually from 9:00 to 10:30am via Zoom. Join Lady Karima and other Friendship wives as they continue their study entitled A Wife After God’s Own Heart. This class is open to new members at any time. Register today using the link HERE to receive the Zoom link to the class.
Friendship Kingdom Wives, don’t forget tomorrow, April 20th, is the next Kingdom Wives Class. It meets virtually from 9:00 to 10:30am via Zoom. Join Lady Karima and other Friendship wives as they continue their study entitled A Wife After God’s Own Heart. This class is open to new members at any time. Register today using the link HERE to receive the Zoom link to the class.
TEACHER'S MEETING
All teachers and LEAD graduates are invited and encouraged to join us for our 2nd Quarter Teachers Meeting, taking place tomorrow, April 20th, at 10am. We will gather in the multi-purpose building and look forward to a great time together, as we continue to expand and advance the kingdom of God through teaching His Word, for His glory alone.
All teachers and LEAD graduates are invited and encouraged to join us for our 2nd Quarter Teachers Meeting, taking place tomorrow, April 20th, at 10am. We will gather in the multi-purpose building and look forward to a great time together, as we continue to expand and advance the kingdom of God through teaching His Word, for His glory alone.
LOVE YORBA LINDA
Friendship, we have been invited to participate in Love Yorba Linda 2024, a citywide community service day on Saturday, April 27, from 8am to 12pm. It is a day where volunteers come together to complete community service projects across OUR city.
Last year, Love Yorba Linda had over 1,000 volunteers who completed 50 projects!
Friendship, let’s show up and show love for our city!
When volunteers arrive at 8 a.m. for the rally, they receive a Love Yorba Linda shirt (with our Church Logo on it!). All community service projects will be completed by noon. Don’t delay. Register today! And I will see you there! To pick your area of service, please scan the QR code above or go HERE.
Friendship, we have been invited to participate in Love Yorba Linda 2024, a citywide community service day on Saturday, April 27, from 8am to 12pm. It is a day where volunteers come together to complete community service projects across OUR city.
Last year, Love Yorba Linda had over 1,000 volunteers who completed 50 projects!
Friendship, let’s show up and show love for our city!
When volunteers arrive at 8 a.m. for the rally, they receive a Love Yorba Linda shirt (with our Church Logo on it!). All community service projects will be completed by noon. Don’t delay. Register today! And I will see you there! To pick your area of service, please scan the QR code above or go HERE.
LEAD ACADEMY
Also, we are excited to announce the start of our 2024 Leadership Excellence and Development (LEAD) Academy, starting on Thursday, May 2nd at 7 pm!
LEAD Academy is for all existing and aspiring leaders. This course offers meaningful discussion, readings, training videos, mentorship, and more - all in a hybrid learning environment (in-person, online, and self-study).
Our desire and goal is to develop existing and future church leaders. You do not need to hold a current leadership role or title within the church to participate. We especially welcome young adults and those aspiring to lead.
Join me, Lady Karima, Pastor Jaron, and Le Shon Archer as we LEARN to LEAD!
To sign up, go HERE.
Also, we are excited to announce the start of our 2024 Leadership Excellence and Development (LEAD) Academy, starting on Thursday, May 2nd at 7 pm!
LEAD Academy is for all existing and aspiring leaders. This course offers meaningful discussion, readings, training videos, mentorship, and more - all in a hybrid learning environment (in-person, online, and self-study).
Our desire and goal is to develop existing and future church leaders. You do not need to hold a current leadership role or title within the church to participate. We especially welcome young adults and those aspiring to lead.
Join me, Lady Karima, Pastor Jaron, and Le Shon Archer as we LEARN to LEAD!
To sign up, go HERE.
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
Also, on May 2nd at 7:30 p.m., we will have an in-person National Day of Prayer Service here at the Church!
More information will be sent to you via PUSH notification through the church app. Please plan to participate!
Also, on May 2nd at 7:30 p.m., we will have an in-person National Day of Prayer Service here at the Church!
More information will be sent to you via PUSH notification through the church app. Please plan to participate!
LEADERSHIP MEETING - MOVED TO MAY 4
In order to encourage maximum participation for the LOVE YORBA LINDA event, we have moved our Leadership Meeting to Saturday, May 4th @ 9:00am. We will meet for one hour - from 9am-10am. After the meeting, we can join right in with our Spring Clean-up Day.
In order to encourage maximum participation for the LOVE YORBA LINDA event, we have moved our Leadership Meeting to Saturday, May 4th @ 9:00am. We will meet for one hour - from 9am-10am. After the meeting, we can join right in with our Spring Clean-up Day.
SPRING CLEAN-UP DAY
We want to provide a warm, welcoming atmosphere in a clean facility for our church family & guests alike! We will start the “Spring Cleaning Day” on May 4 @ 9am and go until 3pm. We need VOLUNTEERS!
Friendship, we can use your help anytime between 9 and 3 as we clean up around the campus, inside and out. Sign up with Rikki Taylor in our church office. Email her HERE or call her at 714-579-7075. Also, we are asking ALL ministries with closet space in the Carrington Building to take this opportunity to purge and clean your designated closet.
We look forward to seeing you and getting some cleaning done on May 4th.
We want to provide a warm, welcoming atmosphere in a clean facility for our church family & guests alike! We will start the “Spring Cleaning Day” on May 4 @ 9am and go until 3pm. We need VOLUNTEERS!
Friendship, we can use your help anytime between 9 and 3 as we clean up around the campus, inside and out. Sign up with Rikki Taylor in our church office. Email her HERE or call her at 714-579-7075. Also, we are asking ALL ministries with closet space in the Carrington Building to take this opportunity to purge and clean your designated closet.
We look forward to seeing you and getting some cleaning done on May 4th.
SIDE-BY-SIDE COUPLES MINISTRY
The Side by Side Couples Ministry is starting a new study titled, Building a Better Marriage. This study starts on Friday, May 10th @ 7pm and invites married/engaged/seriously dating couples to explore God's blueprint for building a healthy marriage through trust, honesty, service, love, and God's Word. This series is offered through Right Now Media and the class will be facilitated online by Deacon Hilton and Sheila McDaniel. To register and join the study go HERE.
The Side by Side Couples Ministry is starting a new study titled, Building a Better Marriage. This study starts on Friday, May 10th @ 7pm and invites married/engaged/seriously dating couples to explore God's blueprint for building a healthy marriage through trust, honesty, service, love, and God's Word. This series is offered through Right Now Media and the class will be facilitated online by Deacon Hilton and Sheila McDaniel. To register and join the study go HERE.
60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Friendship, we have said it many times, but it bears repeating! Friendship celebrating 60 years of faithful ministry in May, and we have a wonderful celebration weekend planned.
Look below for more details...
Friendship, we have said it many times, but it bears repeating! Friendship celebrating 60 years of faithful ministry in May, and we have a wonderful celebration weekend planned.
Look below for more details...
GOSPEL CONCERT CELEBRATION
To kick off the weekend, on Friday, May 17th, we have a free Gospel concert at 7:30pm, with guests from our past and present. Come out and be blessed. More details to follow!
To kick off the weekend, on Friday, May 17th, we have a free Gospel concert at 7:30pm, with guests from our past and present. Come out and be blessed. More details to follow!
FAMILY FUN DAY
Saturday, May 18th, is a family fun day from 2 to 5 pm with games, food trucks, and more. You can bring your own food or purchase food from the food trucks
on site. The church will provide snacks and beverages. More details to follow!
Saturday, May 18th, is a family fun day from 2 to 5 pm with games, food trucks, and more. You can bring your own food or purchase food from the food trucks
on site. The church will provide snacks and beverages. More details to follow!
CHUCKIE OWENS COMEDY SHOW
Also, on Saturday, May 18th, we have the Chuckie Owens Comedy Show at the Ship! You don’t want to miss this. Tickets are only $20. Stop by the table on Sunday to purchase tickets, or you can do so online HERE.
60TH ANNIVERSARY SUNDAY
Finally, on Sunday, May 19th, we worship together and celebrate Friendship’s 60 years with dinner following the 11:30am service.
Also, on Saturday, May 18th, we have the Chuckie Owens Comedy Show at the Ship! You don’t want to miss this. Tickets are only $20. Stop by the table on Sunday to purchase tickets, or you can do so online HERE.
60TH ANNIVERSARY SUNDAY
Finally, on Sunday, May 19th, we worship together and celebrate Friendship’s 60 years with dinner following the 11:30am service.
60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION Commemorative Book Pre-Sales
Our 60th Anniversary Commemorative book is on the way. We will start taking pre-sales, today, Friday, March 15, 2024, online and on Sundays after each worship service. The book is only $75.00. Friendship family, friends, and guests, we need you to support this great milestone. Sixty faithful years of ministry! What a blessing it will be to look back over the years to see what God has done in our ministry and faith community. For more information, contact the church office. To purchase your Commemorative Book, go HERE.
Our 60th Anniversary Commemorative book is on the way. We will start taking pre-sales, today, Friday, March 15, 2024, online and on Sundays after each worship service. The book is only $75.00. Friendship family, friends, and guests, we need you to support this great milestone. Sixty faithful years of ministry! What a blessing it will be to look back over the years to see what God has done in our ministry and faith community. For more information, contact the church office. To purchase your Commemorative Book, go HERE.
CHILDREN'S & YOUTH WORSHIP SERVICES - 1-3 SUNDAYS
We are excited to announce that our Youth Worship Service is back. All youth 6th-12th Grade are welcome to join in. Come out as we continue this series called Bible Basics where we discover how we got the Bible and why we can trust that the Bible truly is the Word of God. The Youth Praise Team leads worship and there will also be games and fun. They meet in the Carrington Building Basement. Young people, JOIN IN!
Children's Worship also happens every 1st - 3rd Sunday. All Children from age 3 through the 5th Grade are welcome to join in. We currently have three groupings; Pre-K - Kindergarten, First - Third Grade, and Fourth & Fifth Grade.
SAFETY TEAM
The Friendship Safety Team is currently recruiting new members. We need more women and coverage for the 2nd service.
The prerequisites are:
We also would like to appeal to those in Law Enforcement Officers or Retired LEOs. We would love to you on the team, but we know that many of you want to just worship and leave the job at the job. The Safety team, however, just needs to know who you are and where you (in the service) are in case of an emergency.
If interested please contact Pastor Rodney Friend HERE.
We are excited to announce that our Youth Worship Service is back. All youth 6th-12th Grade are welcome to join in. Come out as we continue this series called Bible Basics where we discover how we got the Bible and why we can trust that the Bible truly is the Word of God. The Youth Praise Team leads worship and there will also be games and fun. They meet in the Carrington Building Basement. Young people, JOIN IN!
Children's Worship also happens every 1st - 3rd Sunday. All Children from age 3 through the 5th Grade are welcome to join in. We currently have three groupings; Pre-K - Kindergarten, First - Third Grade, and Fourth & Fifth Grade.
SAFETY TEAM
The Friendship Safety Team is currently recruiting new members. We need more women and coverage for the 2nd service.
The prerequisites are:
- Member in good standing. New Members must complete new member's class to be officially added to the team. However, they are able to serve will attending the class.
- Ability to serve the entire service. We ask that they show up 30 mins prior to the start of service and stay until the end of service, preferably until all the parishioners leave.
- Be available for special services/events, as needed.
We also would like to appeal to those in Law Enforcement Officers or Retired LEOs. We would love to you on the team, but we know that many of you want to just worship and leave the job at the job. The Safety team, however, just needs to know who you are and where you (in the service) are in case of an emergency.
If interested please contact Pastor Rodney Friend HERE.
FAITHFUL GIVING
We want to say thank you for your giving and partnership. YOUR GIVING MATTERS! Your faithful giving allows us to increasingly do the work of ministry for our members AND to everyone the Lord sends to us and sends us to. Let’s keep giving to make Friendship a productive church! You may give HERE.
General Church things to remember:
Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV
John 11:23-26: Luke: 24:6-7; 1 Thess 4:14; Matt 28:5-6; 1 Peter 1:3: 1 Cor 15:3-4
✔ 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)
Look, Friendship, that's all I have today. I know it’s a lot, but a lot is happening at the Ship.
We appreciate your continued support, Friendship Family! For more information, contact the church office.
Remember this, God loves you and so do I.
Be encouraged!
Rev. Kenneth C. Curry, Jr.
Your Pastor
We want to say thank you for your giving and partnership. YOUR GIVING MATTERS! Your faithful giving allows us to increasingly do the work of ministry for our members AND to everyone the Lord sends to us and sends us to. Let’s keep giving to make Friendship a productive church! You may give HERE.
General Church things to remember:
- 2024 CHURCH THEME:
Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV
- APRIL PRAYER FOCUS:
John 11:23-26: Luke: 24:6-7; 1 Thess 4:14; Matt 28:5-6; 1 Peter 1:3: 1 Cor 15:3-4
- BIBLE READING
We invite everyone to consider reading God’s Word this year! As of today, you have 256 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. Consider joining a Bible-reading small group that will be starting soon! The 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)
- WEEKLY HEALTH WALK
Remember, Health Care Ministry is sponsoring a weekly Health Walk every Saturday from 7:00 am to 7:35 am led by Rev. Aubrey Craig and Sister Sandra Jones. This is a 30-minute walk. The walking group will meet on the corner of Bastanchury Road and Rose Drive. If you want to participate, show up with water and energy snacks. Water and snacks will not be provided. For more information, please call Sister Sandra Jones at 909-438-7217.
- IN-PERSON EX-HOUR:
We invite you to stay after the first service or come earlier for the second service to attend EX-Hour in person. Remember, we have two adult classes meeting in person on campus and 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 Carl Randolph.
- Young Adults Class (Carrington Building Rooms 207-208): This class is designed for those aged 18-35.
- VIRTUAL 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 10am 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#.
- Friendship FOOD BANK OPEN: The Friendship 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.
Look, Friendship, that's all I have today. I know it’s a lot, but a lot is happening at the Ship.
We appreciate your continued support, Friendship Family! For more information, contact the church office.
Remember this, God loves you and so do I.
Be encouraged!
Rev. Kenneth C. Curry, Jr.
Your Pastor