PASTOR'S UPDATE DECEMBER 20, 2024
Hello, Friendship Family!
I bring you greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As we celebrate the Advent season and prepare for Christmas, Lady Karima and I, want you to know how much we love you and how grateful we are to serve as your pastor and first lady. It is truly a joy and privilege to walk this journey of faith with you.
We recognize that this season can be difficult for many, and I want to remind you of this truth: Christ is our hope in all circumstances. I pray that you will experience His peace, joy, and love as we close this year and prepare for the next.
I encourage you to lean into our Advent preaching series, inspired by the Christianity Today devotional A Time for Wonder: The Days of Advent through the Eyes of Worship. This series has reminded us of the beauty and wonder of Christ's coming and His power to work miracles in our lives. Click HERE to access A PDF digital copy of the devotional. Let us continue to reflect together as I preach from the passages outlined in the weekly readings.
Now, let's look at the announcements for this week/month:
I bring you greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As we celebrate the Advent season and prepare for Christmas, Lady Karima and I, want you to know how much we love you and how grateful we are to serve as your pastor and first lady. It is truly a joy and privilege to walk this journey of faith with you.
We recognize that this season can be difficult for many, and I want to remind you of this truth: Christ is our hope in all circumstances. I pray that you will experience His peace, joy, and love as we close this year and prepare for the next.
I encourage you to lean into our Advent preaching series, inspired by the Christianity Today devotional A Time for Wonder: The Days of Advent through the Eyes of Worship. This series has reminded us of the beauty and wonder of Christ's coming and His power to work miracles in our lives. Click HERE to access A PDF digital copy of the devotional. Let us continue to reflect together as I preach from the passages outlined in the weekly readings.
Now, let's look at the announcements for this week/month:
CHURCH SERVICES - DECEMBER 22ND
This Sunday, December 22nd, we will celebrate Christmas Sunday and the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Our services will take place at our usual times of 8:00 AM and 11:30 AM.
Christmas Sunday will be a multi-dimensional and multi-sensory worship experience featuring music, dance, drama, and the preached Word of God. We urge you to bring a guest and share this powerful time of worship.
This Sunday, December 22nd, we will celebrate Christmas Sunday and the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Our services will take place at our usual times of 8:00 AM and 11:30 AM.
Christmas Sunday will be a multi-dimensional and multi-sensory worship experience featuring music, dance, drama, and the preached Word of God. We urge you to bring a guest and share this powerful time of worship.
CHURCH HOLIDAY CLOSURE DATES
Please note that the church campus will be closed on Tuesday, December 24th (Christmas Eve) and Wednesday, December 25th (Christmas Day). We will resume operations on Thursday, December 26th, with limited staffing.
FOOD PANTRY HOURS DURING CHRISTMAS WEEK
The Food Pantry Ministry will be open only one day during Christmas week: Thursday, December 26th. If you or someone you know is in need, please take advantage of this opportunity.
Please note that the church campus will be closed on Tuesday, December 24th (Christmas Eve) and Wednesday, December 25th (Christmas Day). We will resume operations on Thursday, December 26th, with limited staffing.
FOOD PANTRY HOURS DURING CHRISTMAS WEEK
The Food Pantry Ministry will be open only one day during Christmas week: Thursday, December 26th. If you or someone you know is in need, please take advantage of this opportunity.
CHURCH SERVICES - DECEMBER 29TH
Join us on Sunday, December 29th, for the last Sunday worship service of the year! The dynamic Wrecking Crew, our Men’s Choir, will present a mini-concert to help us reflect on and celebrate 2024. Services will be held at 8:00 AM and 11:30 AM. Come and be blessed—and don’t forget to bring a friend!
Join us on Sunday, December 29th, for the last Sunday worship service of the year! The dynamic Wrecking Crew, our Men’s Choir, will present a mini-concert to help us reflect on and celebrate 2024. Services will be held at 8:00 AM and 11:30 AM. Come and be blessed—and don’t forget to bring a friend!
WATCH NIGHT SERVICE - DECEMBER 31ST
On Tuesday, December 31st, we will gather for our annual Watch Night Service at 7:00 PM. This historic and meaningful service, unique to the Black Church tradition, will conclude at 9:15 PM, aligning with the East Coast New Year. This earlier time accommodates those who prefer not to drive at night and allows for reflection before other New Year events. I pray you will join us as we give thanks for 2024 and prepare our hearts for what God has in store for 2025.
On Tuesday, December 31st, we will gather for our annual Watch Night Service at 7:00 PM. This historic and meaningful service, unique to the Black Church tradition, will conclude at 9:15 PM, aligning with the East Coast New Year. This earlier time accommodates those who prefer not to drive at night and allows for reflection before other New Year events. I pray you will join us as we give thanks for 2024 and prepare our hearts for what God has in store for 2025.
BIBLE READING PLAN CELEBRATION
As the year ends, we want to ask: Have you completed a Bible reading plan this year? If so, praise the Lord, and congratulations! We want to celebrate you. Please email our Minister of Christian Education, LeShon Archer, to let us know. Her email can be found on HERE. The submission deadline is Thursday, January 2nd, and we will recognize all Bible readers on Sunday, January 5th.
As the year ends, we want to ask: Have you completed a Bible reading plan this year? If so, praise the Lord, and congratulations! We want to celebrate you. Please email our Minister of Christian Education, LeShon Archer, to let us know. Her email can be found on HERE. The submission deadline is Thursday, January 2nd, and we will recognize all Bible readers on Sunday, January 5th.
PRAYER MINISTRY UPDATES
There will be no Wednesday Prayer Day on December 25th (Christmas Day) and January 1st (New Year’s Day). We will resume on Wednesday, January 8th.
On Friday, January 3rd, we invite you to participate in Family Prayer Day from wherever you are. Let’s cover our families, church, and community in prayer as we begin 2025.
On Friday, January 3rd, we invite you to participate in Family Prayer Day from wherever you are. Let’s cover our families, church, and community in prayer as we begin 2025.
GRIEFSHARE
1 Thessalonians 4:13 says, “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.” The fact is, however, we do grieve. Many of us are grieving the losses of loved ones, and we want to encourage you to participate in GriefShare, a 13-week small group support session. These meetings are designed to help you process your loss and begin healing.GriefShare sessions will run every Tuesday evening from January 21st to April 15th, 2025, from 7:00 PM to 8:45 PM in Room 217 of the Carrington Building. Registration is now open on the GriefShare website HERE.
1 Thessalonians 4:13 says, “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.” The fact is, however, we do grieve. Many of us are grieving the losses of loved ones, and we want to encourage you to participate in GriefShare, a 13-week small group support session. These meetings are designed to help you process your loss and begin healing.GriefShare sessions will run every Tuesday evening from January 21st to April 15th, 2025, from 7:00 PM to 8:45 PM in Room 217 of the Carrington Building. Registration is now open on the GriefShare website HERE.
LIVE READY EVANGELISM COURSE
Live Ready: Sharing Jesus as You Go is a six-week evangelism course designed to help you share the gospel in our current culture.
This course will expand your confidence, experience, and skills as you learn to share Jesus through empathetic listening, gospel principles, and personal stories. Sessions will occur on Thursday evenings from January 30th to March 6th, 2025, from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM in Room 217 of the Carrington Building. Registration is now open, and you can sign up HERE.
Live Ready: Sharing Jesus as You Go is a six-week evangelism course designed to help you share the gospel in our current culture.
This course will expand your confidence, experience, and skills as you learn to share Jesus through empathetic listening, gospel principles, and personal stories. Sessions will occur on Thursday evenings from January 30th to March 6th, 2025, from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM in Room 217 of the Carrington Building. Registration is now open, and you can sign up HERE.
60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION COMMEMORATIVE BOOK
Our 60th Anniversary Commemorative books are still available for purchase. You can purchase your book any time during the week from the church office or on Sundays for only $75.00. Thank you for your support.
Our 60th Anniversary Commemorative books are still available for purchase. You can purchase your book any time during the week from the church office or on Sundays for only $75.00. Thank you for your support.
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. Friendship Family, as we near the year’s end, your faithful support has been vital. God has blessed us with growth and new opportunities to reach people with His love, both online and in person. Let’s finish strong! Please consider a year-end gift to continue supporting our mission and our building project. Let’s keep giving to make Friendship a productive church! You may give HERE.
General Church things to remember:
Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV
Lk. 12:8-9; Jn. 8:12; Rom. 5:1, 8:1; Gal. 3:26; Eph.1: 7-10; Phil. 4:19
✔ 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)
Well, that’s all I have for you today! I look forward to seeing you in worship this Sunday and throughout this holiday season. Remember, God loves you, and so do I! Be encouraged, stay connected, and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
God bless you all!
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. Friendship Family, as we near the year’s end, your faithful support has been vital. God has blessed us with growth and new opportunities to reach people with His love, both online and in person. Let’s finish strong! Please consider a year-end gift to continue supporting our mission and our building project. 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
- DECEMBER 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
We invite everyone to consider reading God’s Word this year! As of today, you have 11 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 ADULT 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.
Well, that’s all I have for you today! I look forward to seeing you in worship this Sunday and throughout this holiday season. Remember, God loves you, and so do I! Be encouraged, stay connected, and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
God bless you all!
Rev. Kenneth C. Curry, Jr.
Your Pastor
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