Weekly Word From Pastor Curry: August 28, 2020
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Greetings Friendship Family,
We are grateful to God for sustaining us another week! How great is our God!
Needless to say, this has been another emotionally draining week. We continue to experience record heat throughout Southern California, fires still rage across the state, and we await some return to normal. I am encouraged to hear that the positivity rate across the state is dropping and that Orange County has come off of the state’s watch list. We must, however, continue to pray. While some things in our state are getting better, things in our nation are still quite troubling. On Monday, we learned of the shooting of Jacob Blake, a black man, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, who was shot four times in the back by police. While the details are still unclear, the videos appear to show Mr. Blake was unarmed. This shooting has led, as you know, to more civil unrest. There are protests taking place all across the country. In one of those protests in Kenosha, WI, a 17-year-old gunman shot and killed protesters. Lord Help!
Further, in an unprecedented show of action, the Milwaukee Bucks refused to play their game five playoff game against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday, August 26th leading to the canceling of all games that night and a pause on the NBA playoffs altogether. Additionally, the WNBA and MLB canceled games on that night as well. All of this against the backdrop of the Republican National Convention. When I say a lot is going on in our country, a lot is going on! We must remain prayerful! I will be honest, leading amidst a pandemic, a hyper-partisan culture, a civil rights movement, and an upcoming election that has my head and heart spinning. YET GOD IS FAITHFUL!!! I don’t have ALL the ANSWERS, but I trust GOD in ALL of this!
The first Sunday is coming! Do you know what that means? Yup! DRIVE-IN Service is coming! YAY! 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].
Beloved, we continue to do ministry and make progress at Friendship. Throughout August, we have worked to transition more of our ministry to a virtual format so we can continue to be the church God has called us to be. I am very appreciative of all ministry leaders for taking the lemons we’ve been handed and making lemonade. Ministry has not stopped! MINISTRY IS STILL HAPPENING AT FRIENDSHIP! I am excited to announce what is coming your way in the coming weeks from Friendship!
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 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.
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. 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:
As I close, I want to announce that Sister Valerie Bordeaux, who has served as our Executive Director of Programming, Design, and Implementation is leaving her position after our agreed TWO years of service! Her last day is Tuesday, September 1st. I am so THANKFUL for ALL of her many contributions! Valerie, thank you for giving to the Lord. I am a life that was changed by your faithfulness, thoughtfulness, and support! Enjoy retirement, AGAIN!
Remember to PRAY, not PANIC, take PRECAUTIONS, and be PATIENT.
Serving you gratefully,
Rev. Kenneth C. Curry, Jr.
Senior Pastor/events
We are grateful to God for sustaining us another week! How great is our God!
Needless to say, this has been another emotionally draining week. We continue to experience record heat throughout Southern California, fires still rage across the state, and we await some return to normal. I am encouraged to hear that the positivity rate across the state is dropping and that Orange County has come off of the state’s watch list. We must, however, continue to pray. While some things in our state are getting better, things in our nation are still quite troubling. On Monday, we learned of the shooting of Jacob Blake, a black man, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, who was shot four times in the back by police. While the details are still unclear, the videos appear to show Mr. Blake was unarmed. This shooting has led, as you know, to more civil unrest. There are protests taking place all across the country. In one of those protests in Kenosha, WI, a 17-year-old gunman shot and killed protesters. Lord Help!
Further, in an unprecedented show of action, the Milwaukee Bucks refused to play their game five playoff game against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday, August 26th leading to the canceling of all games that night and a pause on the NBA playoffs altogether. Additionally, the WNBA and MLB canceled games on that night as well. All of this against the backdrop of the Republican National Convention. When I say a lot is going on in our country, a lot is going on! We must remain prayerful! I will be honest, leading amidst a pandemic, a hyper-partisan culture, a civil rights movement, and an upcoming election that has my head and heart spinning. YET GOD IS FAITHFUL!!! I don’t have ALL the ANSWERS, but I trust GOD in ALL of this!
The first Sunday is coming! Do you know what that means? Yup! DRIVE-IN Service is coming! YAY! 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].
Beloved, we continue to do ministry and make progress at Friendship. Throughout August, we have worked to transition more of our ministry to a virtual format so we can continue to be the church God has called us to be. I am very appreciative of all ministry leaders for taking the lemons we’ve been handed and making lemonade. Ministry has not stopped! MINISTRY IS STILL HAPPENING AT FRIENDSHIP! I am excited to announce what is coming your way in the coming weeks from Friendship!
- Wives Bible study, Kingdom Wives: The Power of A Praying Wife, kicks off tomorrow, August 29th at 10am! Thank you, Lady Karima and her team! It’s not too late to sign up and join! There is also a class for widows entitled Kingdom Widows: Being Made Whole, which starts on Tuesday, September 1st. To join either of these classes, please go HERE.
- Caregivers Class returns on Thursday, September 10th, and it’s a four-week course, the last day will October 1st. This class is for those who are taking care of loved ones and need support, guidance, and encouragement. Also, the Grief Class will start on Tuesday, September 22nd, and its four-week course as well. It is designed to help those experiencing grief. Both meet virtually! For more information, go HERE.
- ROOTED is back and kicks off September 9th. If you desire to participate in a rooted group, we need you to register ASAP. ROOTED is a 10-week discipleship course/pathway designed to bring you closer to God! Registration is available HERE.
- Also, we are excited to announce and offer a Marriage Conference in collaboration with RightNow Media on Saturday, September 12th, from 4pm to 7:30pm. This conference/event is FREE to Friendship Members! To register for this event, please go HERE.
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 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.
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. 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.
- AT THE DOOR WITH THE CURRYS: Remember this virtual experience that takes place after each worship service 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!
- 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. Also, there is a YOUTH EX HOUR: Our youth Ex Hour takes place 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.
- 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#. 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. We also need ADDITIONAL volunteers for the food pantry; if you are available, please contact Rev. Patrick Christian at [email protected].
- 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.
As I close, I want to announce that Sister Valerie Bordeaux, who has served as our Executive Director of Programming, Design, and Implementation is leaving her position after our agreed TWO years of service! Her last day is Tuesday, September 1st. I am so THANKFUL for ALL of her many contributions! Valerie, thank you for giving to the Lord. I am a life that was changed by your faithfulness, thoughtfulness, and support! Enjoy retirement, AGAIN!
Remember to PRAY, not PANIC, take PRECAUTIONS, and be PATIENT.
Serving you gratefully,
Rev. Kenneth C. Curry, Jr.
Senior Pastor/events
Posted in COVID-19