Weekly Word from Pastor Curry: July 3, 2020
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Hey there Friendship,
I haven’t said it lately, so I want to say it now, I miss you all. I miss seeing your faces, giving you hugs, hearing your stories, and connecting with you personally. I know this will not last always, but I wanted you to know as your pastor, I miss you, and I am praying for you intently and faithfully. Be encouraged and know that things will get better.
As I write you weekly, I feel like James, the half-brother of Jesus. When James wrote his epistle, which bears his name, he wrote to those who were scattered. These were Jewish individuals who had come to faith in Jesus, so Jewish Christians, and were scattered through the Palestinian region. They were connected but not connected; connected in faith, connected in experience, and connected in adversity. They, however, could not come together in community, so James wrote to keep them encouraged and to keep them connected! That’s my desire. I pray that these weekly updates keep us connected to each other and keeps us encouraged.
I, like you, am concerned about the rise of cases locally and nationally. I have to limit how much information I take in from the news media while keeping my finger on the pulse of all the changes taking place. And as you know, the changes are many. While I am honestly concerned, I rest in the hope of Christ in all situations. That is the message of James. He encourages believers to act like God’s people regardless of the circumstances and to walk in faith. Remember, trials and difficulties are common, are cultivating, and can be conquered! We will get through this! Remember, we must continue to PRAY, not PANIC, take PRECAUTIONS, and be PATIENT. Yes, that’s a new directive. Patience is necessary as things continuously change, and the health officials attempt to lead us through this pandemic. I do not know when we will re-gather. I do not know what re-gathering will look like. I do know, however, that God is STILL in control.
As this nation observes Independence Day this weekend, I pray that you will thoughtfully consider how you are moving around, if you move around. Please practice physical distancing and wear your mask. There is a statewide mask order and a directive to practice physical distancing. Let’s protect ourselves and protect one another. Remember, people spread this virus and not places. Wear a mask, wash your hands, and watch your distance.
Remember, we are hosting a Drive-by Graduation Celebration at Friendship, in the parking lot, on Sunday, July 5th, at 1:30pm for our 12 graduating High School Seniors. Cars will line up in the lower Parking lot at Friendship. Would you consider participating to show our love for these students? Please consider bringing a card to encourage their hearts.
While we have canceled our annual church picnic, we have not canceled Discipleship Bootcamp 2020 (AKA Vacation Bible School)! It will be a virtual experience via Google Meet. Here are a few details:
Here are a few reminders:
That’s it beloved, continue to pray. Continue to take care of one another. Continue to be the church!
Serving you and grateful,
Rev. Kenneth C. Curry, Jr.
Senior Pastor
I haven’t said it lately, so I want to say it now, I miss you all. I miss seeing your faces, giving you hugs, hearing your stories, and connecting with you personally. I know this will not last always, but I wanted you to know as your pastor, I miss you, and I am praying for you intently and faithfully. Be encouraged and know that things will get better.
As I write you weekly, I feel like James, the half-brother of Jesus. When James wrote his epistle, which bears his name, he wrote to those who were scattered. These were Jewish individuals who had come to faith in Jesus, so Jewish Christians, and were scattered through the Palestinian region. They were connected but not connected; connected in faith, connected in experience, and connected in adversity. They, however, could not come together in community, so James wrote to keep them encouraged and to keep them connected! That’s my desire. I pray that these weekly updates keep us connected to each other and keeps us encouraged.
I, like you, am concerned about the rise of cases locally and nationally. I have to limit how much information I take in from the news media while keeping my finger on the pulse of all the changes taking place. And as you know, the changes are many. While I am honestly concerned, I rest in the hope of Christ in all situations. That is the message of James. He encourages believers to act like God’s people regardless of the circumstances and to walk in faith. Remember, trials and difficulties are common, are cultivating, and can be conquered! We will get through this! Remember, we must continue to PRAY, not PANIC, take PRECAUTIONS, and be PATIENT. Yes, that’s a new directive. Patience is necessary as things continuously change, and the health officials attempt to lead us through this pandemic. I do not know when we will re-gather. I do not know what re-gathering will look like. I do know, however, that God is STILL in control.
As this nation observes Independence Day this weekend, I pray that you will thoughtfully consider how you are moving around, if you move around. Please practice physical distancing and wear your mask. There is a statewide mask order and a directive to practice physical distancing. Let’s protect ourselves and protect one another. Remember, people spread this virus and not places. Wear a mask, wash your hands, and watch your distance.
Remember, we are hosting a Drive-by Graduation Celebration at Friendship, in the parking lot, on Sunday, July 5th, at 1:30pm for our 12 graduating High School Seniors. Cars will line up in the lower Parking lot at Friendship. Would you consider participating to show our love for these students? Please consider bringing a card to encourage their hearts.
While we have canceled our annual church picnic, we have not canceled Discipleship Bootcamp 2020 (AKA Vacation Bible School)! It will be a virtual experience via Google Meet. Here are a few details:
- Dates: July 14th -16th
- Adult Classes: July 14-15, 2020 at 7:30pm (1 class each day)
- Youth Classes: July 15-16, 2020 at 6:30pm (1 class each day)
- Children Class: July 16, 2020 at 5:30pm (1 class)
- Theme: Stay Focused ~ Philippians: 3:15-16 MSG
- Free T-shirts: Pick up at the church beginning Tuesday, July 7th (9-4:30pm).
Here are a few reminders:
- Phone Line for Worship: I am excited to announce, for our members who may have a tough time connecting to our worship service online for whatever reason, we are now offering a way for those members to dial in and listen to service over the phone. To access the service via telephone, members and guests need to dial 1 216-930-8774 and enter the PIN: 464 267 559#. It is live for both the 8:00am and 11:30am worship services.
- FBC FOOD BANK OPEN: The FBC Food Bank is NOW OPEN with a new drive-thru system where our clients will receive a pre-packaged food box and bag of groceries. The Food Bank hours of operation are Tuesday - Thursday 2:30pm-4:30pm. Members of Friendship are encouraged to participate. Thank you to all of you who have volunteered to assist with set-up, preparation of grocery bags, placement of food items in car trunks, and to assist with traffic control. Now we need to spread the word to our local community, so tell a friend and help us serve the community!
- EX HOUR: Ex Hour meets weekly on Sundays, and we are studying Proverbs. This study will continue through the end of August. We have Ex Hour books if you would like to follow along better and study on your own. You can pick up a book Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm. Remember, EX Hour takes place every Sunday through the video conference app, Google Meet. Join us for class on Sundays at 10:15a by opening our church app, clicking “ATTEND” and choosing EX Hour. A Google account is not required, but if you access on a mobile device, you may need to download the Google Hangouts: Meet app. You can also join on your computer by visiting wearefriendship.church/exhour and following the instructions listed.
- WEDNESDAY Prayer Day: Join us each Wednesday for Prayer. We pray at 6:30a, 12p, and 6:30p. To connect with our prayer services, please follow this link HERE or dial in at +1 (413) 418-4274 and use the PIN 287683504#
- RTNT Bible Study with Pastor Curry: After prayer on Wednesday evenings, please join me for RTNT Bible Study at 7pm. To connect with me for Bible Study, please follow this link HERE or dial in at +1 302-455-8997 and use the PIN: 906 944 250#. I hope you are keeping up with your reading and your SOAP journaling. The reading plan is available HERE.
- COVID Membership Assistance Fund: We are pleased to announce that we are now accepting applications for the COVID Membership Assistance Grant. If you are experiencing financial distress due to COVID19, we invite you to apply for one of our $500 assistance grants. We have thirty of these grants available, and they are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. The guidelines are available HERE, and the application is available HERE.
That’s it beloved, continue to pray. Continue to take care of one another. Continue to be the church!
Serving you and grateful,
Rev. Kenneth C. Curry, Jr.
Senior Pastor
Posted in COVID-19