Weekly Word from Pastor Curry: August 21, 2020
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Hello Friendship!
God is great and greatly to be praised! He has brought us through another week and continues to sustain us through this pandemic. While I wish this were over sooner, I am grateful that God has us in His hands. The statewide numbers are getting better slowly, but it seems we still have a long road ahead of us. Patience is required!
I want to request that you pray about these wildfires that are plaguing our state. I am very concerned about these fires and the loss that come with them. As I was told growing up, “if it ain’t one thing, it’s another.” Lord, help us!
Remember, SABBATH REST is CANCELLED this year! We will continue to remain connected through August! All Bible Studies and Ministry opportunities will continue! Please remain connected and remain engaged! If you need to know what opportunities are available to you, please go to www.wearefriendship.church/events. There you will see all we offer every week!
As announced last week, TONIGHT is the night! Our Women’s Ministry will host its first Virtual Women’s Monthly Fellowship Event via Google Meet with special guest, Rev. Sharon Norris Elliot. Rev. Elliot will discuss her new book, Power Suit! The event kickoff @ 7pm. To participate in this event, please go HERE. Ladies, we hope to see you there!
Also, please note out Caregivers Class will return on Thursday, September 10th , virtually via Google Meet. More information is coming soon! This class is for those who are taking care of loved ones and need support, guidance, and encouragement.
As schools return, mainly with a virtual format, we want you to know that we are here to serve and support your educational efforts. Our College and Career Prep Initiative (CCPI) has produced an excellent and comprehensive one-stop virtual academic and education assistance resource for parents and families of K- through 12 and college-bound students. Click HERE to access our Google Classroom. Feel free to share with others.
Don’t forget, please register for our next Drive-in Service on Sunday, September 6th ! You can register and RSVP now by going HERE. We are also in need of volunteers for the services. If you are willing to volunteer for the next service to be held on September 6th , please email Rev. Eric Archer at [email protected] or Kito Bell at [email protected].
We are excited to announce a new service to small business owners. We know that this pandemic has been especially difficult for many of you. To serve you and help you, we would like to promote your business through our website, church app, social media outlets. If you would like for us to feature your small business, please contact Rev. Eric Archer at [email protected].
We look forward to hearing from you and working with you! Remember, we have a civic responsibility as believers. While we have a heavenly hope, we live in an earthly reality and should do our part to exercise justice and mercy in the world. For us as citizens of America, this is done through practicing our right to vote. Please plan to VOTE.
We are currently in a partnership with Christ Our Redeemer (Pastor Ralph Williamson), Second Baptist of Santa Ana (Pastor Ivan Pitts), and New Hope Presbyterian (Pastor Chineta Goodjoin), to get Souls to the Polls. 100 FBC volunteers are needed to join our voter outreach effort to contact FBC members to provide information and voter registration assistance beginning September 1st .
If you are interested in joining our voter registration team, please contact our office with your name, phone number, and email address. We will follow-up with additional information soon.
Also, if you have not already done so, please complete your 2020 Census information. Census results will inform how hundreds of billions of dollars are allocated to our communities in areas such as housing, food assistance, and healthcare.
Remember, the U.S. Constitution mandates that a census of the population be conducted every ten years. Census statistics are used to determine the number of seats each state holds in the U.S. House of Representatives and inform how state, local, and federal lawmakers will allocate billions of dollars in federal funds to local communities every year for the next ten years.
It has never been easier to respond on your own, whether online, over the phone, or by mail all without having to meet a census taker. Let’s do our part.
Here are our weekly reminders:
• Phone Line for Worship: 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 8:00a and 11:30a worship services.
• EX HOUR: Ex Hour meets weekly on Sundays, and we are studying Proverbs. This study will continue through the end of August. Remember, EX Hour takes place every Sunday through the video conference app, Google Meet. Join us for class on Sundays at 10:15a via this link HERE.
• YOUTH EX HOUR: Our youth Ex Hour is off and running each Sunday during our designated EX Hour time. Parents, please encourage your students to join youth teachers for this biblically fun opportunity to learn God’s Word, connect with others, and grow. To join Youth Ex Hour, follow the link HERE.
• AT THE DOOR WITH THE CURRYS: Remember this virtual experience that takes place after each worship service on Sunday. It is a time for Lady Karima and me to connect with you just like we would at church on Sunday. We want to see your face, greet you, and hear how you are doing. To meet us, follow the link HERE. See you Sunday!
• 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 7p. 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.
• 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 bag of groceries. The Food Bank hours of operation are Tuesday - Thursday 2:30p-4:30p.
• COVID Membership Assistance Fund: We are STILL 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. The guidelines are available HERE, and the application is available HERE.
Remember to PRAY, not PANIC, take PRECAUTIONS, and be PATIENT. Wear a mask, wash your hands, and watch your distance.
Serving you gratefully,
God is great and greatly to be praised! He has brought us through another week and continues to sustain us through this pandemic. While I wish this were over sooner, I am grateful that God has us in His hands. The statewide numbers are getting better slowly, but it seems we still have a long road ahead of us. Patience is required!
I want to request that you pray about these wildfires that are plaguing our state. I am very concerned about these fires and the loss that come with them. As I was told growing up, “if it ain’t one thing, it’s another.” Lord, help us!
Remember, SABBATH REST is CANCELLED this year! We will continue to remain connected through August! All Bible Studies and Ministry opportunities will continue! Please remain connected and remain engaged! If you need to know what opportunities are available to you, please go to www.wearefriendship.church/events. There you will see all we offer every week!
As announced last week, TONIGHT is the night! Our Women’s Ministry will host its first Virtual Women’s Monthly Fellowship Event via Google Meet with special guest, Rev. Sharon Norris Elliot. Rev. Elliot will discuss her new book, Power Suit! The event kickoff @ 7pm. To participate in this event, please go HERE. Ladies, we hope to see you there!
Also, please note out Caregivers Class will return on Thursday, September 10th , virtually via Google Meet. More information is coming soon! This class is for those who are taking care of loved ones and need support, guidance, and encouragement.
As schools return, mainly with a virtual format, we want you to know that we are here to serve and support your educational efforts. Our College and Career Prep Initiative (CCPI) has produced an excellent and comprehensive one-stop virtual academic and education assistance resource for parents and families of K- through 12 and college-bound students. Click HERE to access our Google Classroom. Feel free to share with others.
Don’t forget, please register for our next Drive-in Service on Sunday, September 6th ! You can register and RSVP now by going HERE. We are also in need of volunteers for the services. If you are willing to volunteer for the next service to be held on September 6th , please email Rev. Eric Archer at [email protected] or Kito Bell at [email protected].
We are excited to announce a new service to small business owners. We know that this pandemic has been especially difficult for many of you. To serve you and help you, we would like to promote your business through our website, church app, social media outlets. If you would like for us to feature your small business, please contact Rev. Eric Archer at [email protected].
We look forward to hearing from you and working with you! Remember, we have a civic responsibility as believers. While we have a heavenly hope, we live in an earthly reality and should do our part to exercise justice and mercy in the world. For us as citizens of America, this is done through practicing our right to vote. Please plan to VOTE.
We are currently in a partnership with Christ Our Redeemer (Pastor Ralph Williamson), Second Baptist of Santa Ana (Pastor Ivan Pitts), and New Hope Presbyterian (Pastor Chineta Goodjoin), to get Souls to the Polls. 100 FBC volunteers are needed to join our voter outreach effort to contact FBC members to provide information and voter registration assistance beginning September 1st .
If you are interested in joining our voter registration team, please contact our office with your name, phone number, and email address. We will follow-up with additional information soon.
Also, if you have not already done so, please complete your 2020 Census information. Census results will inform how hundreds of billions of dollars are allocated to our communities in areas such as housing, food assistance, and healthcare.
Remember, the U.S. Constitution mandates that a census of the population be conducted every ten years. Census statistics are used to determine the number of seats each state holds in the U.S. House of Representatives and inform how state, local, and federal lawmakers will allocate billions of dollars in federal funds to local communities every year for the next ten years.
It has never been easier to respond on your own, whether online, over the phone, or by mail all without having to meet a census taker. Let’s do our part.
Here are our weekly reminders:
• Phone Line for Worship: 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 8:00a and 11:30a worship services.
• EX HOUR: Ex Hour meets weekly on Sundays, and we are studying Proverbs. This study will continue through the end of August. Remember, EX Hour takes place every Sunday through the video conference app, Google Meet. Join us for class on Sundays at 10:15a via this link HERE.
• YOUTH EX HOUR: Our youth Ex Hour is off and running each Sunday during our designated EX Hour time. Parents, please encourage your students to join youth teachers for this biblically fun opportunity to learn God’s Word, connect with others, and grow. To join Youth Ex Hour, follow the link HERE.
• AT THE DOOR WITH THE CURRYS: Remember this virtual experience that takes place after each worship service on Sunday. It is a time for Lady Karima and me to connect with you just like we would at church on Sunday. We want to see your face, greet you, and hear how you are doing. To meet us, follow the link HERE. See you Sunday!
• 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 7p. 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.
• 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 bag of groceries. The Food Bank hours of operation are Tuesday - Thursday 2:30p-4:30p.
• COVID Membership Assistance Fund: We are STILL 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. The guidelines are available HERE, and the application is available HERE.
Remember to PRAY, not PANIC, take PRECAUTIONS, and be PATIENT. Wear a mask, wash your hands, and watch your distance.
Serving you gratefully,
Rev. Kenneth C. Curry, Jr.
Senior Pastor
Senior Pastor
Posted in COVID-19