PASTOR’S WEEKLY UPDATE APRIL 1, 2022
Happy Friday, Friendship Family!
I pray this communication finds you well, and looking forward to a great weekend!
The other day I was thinking about the Lord. Who He is and who He is to me. Have you ever thought about who the Lord is? Or who is the Lord to you? The Bible is totally sufficient for telling us all about who our Lord is, how we can know Him, and how we can serve Him.
The Bible describes for us who God is. God is the All-Powerful Creator of the universe. The Lord is One in three divine persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is holy, loving, and perfect. God is totally trustworthy and safe. He alone is our salvation. When nothing else will work, encourage yourself in the Lord. Do it with the word of God.
George Muller, a Christian evangelist of the 1800s said, “Be assured, if you walk with Him and look to Him, and expect help from Him, He will never fail you.” How true!
Now read these verses. I pray they are encouraging in the days, weeks, and months ahead.
I pray this communication finds you well, and looking forward to a great weekend!
The other day I was thinking about the Lord. Who He is and who He is to me. Have you ever thought about who the Lord is? Or who is the Lord to you? The Bible is totally sufficient for telling us all about who our Lord is, how we can know Him, and how we can serve Him.
The Bible describes for us who God is. God is the All-Powerful Creator of the universe. The Lord is One in three divine persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is holy, loving, and perfect. God is totally trustworthy and safe. He alone is our salvation. When nothing else will work, encourage yourself in the Lord. Do it with the word of God.
George Muller, a Christian evangelist of the 1800s said, “Be assured, if you walk with Him and look to Him, and expect help from Him, He will never fail you.” How true!
Now read these verses. I pray they are encouraging in the days, weeks, and months ahead.
“The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.”
Exodus 15:2 ESV
“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer…”
2 Samuel 22:2 ESV
“The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.”
Psalm 16:5 ESV
“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
Psalm 18:2 ESV
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
Psalm 23:1 ESV
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
Psalm 27:1 ESV
“The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
Hebrews 13:6 ESV
Exodus 15:2 ESV
“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer…”
2 Samuel 22:2 ESV
“The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.”
Psalm 16:5 ESV
“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
Psalm 18:2 ESV
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
Psalm 23:1 ESV
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
Psalm 27:1 ESV
“The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
Hebrews 13:6 ESV
AMEN!
Well, here are your announcements for this week.
FAMILY PRAYER
Our next Monthly Family Prayer Service is tonight at 7:30pm and only lasts one hour. This prayer meeting takes place on our church prayer line. Please join the Prayer Posse and me as we pray for our March Prayer Focus which is Praying for the Friendship Family to Walk in Unity, and our 2022 Church theme is located below. Remember, this prayer meeting is an open prayer time, so if you feel led to pray, simply unmute your line and PRAY! See you there! To connect with our prayer service, please follow this link HERE or dial +1 (413) 418-4274 and use the PIN 287683504#.
WEEKEND TO REMEMBER
Attention married and engaged couples! Lady Karima and I invite you to attend a special Weekend To Remember on April 8-10th. The Christian organization Family Life has successfully sponsored the Weekend To Remember marriage conference for many years, and we have been personally blessed by attending on numerous occasions. This year Weekend To Remember is coming to Anaheim, and we invite you to meet us there. Register at https://www.familylife.com/weekend-to-remember/ and use the group code wearefriendship to receive a discounted registration. Consider this an investment in your marriage relationship and an opportunity to grow deeper together.
SIDE BY SIDE COUPLES MINISTRY
The next Side by Side Couples Ministry class for 2022 is scheduled on Friday, April 8th, at 7:00pm via Zoom. The class is studying the book The Art of Marriage, Growing Together in Christ. The topic for the upcoming session is Making Disciples. Should you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact Deacon Hilton McDaniel (949) 652-1489 or email Sheila McDaniel at [email protected]. They look forward to you joining the class. To join the session, go HERE.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED ~ FOOD PANTRY
We need volunteers! We need willing workers to serve in our Food Pantry on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. We have been severely short-handed in the last few weeks. If you are willing to serve on those days from 1:30p-4:30p, we would greatly appreciate your assistance! You just show up, and Sister Gloria Banks will put you to work. If you prefer to call first, please contact Rev. Felton Patrick Christian at 714-579-7066 or [email protected].
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED ~ CHURCH OFFICE/FACILITIES
We need volunteers! We need facilities volunteer help in the coming weeks. We are preparing to put new carpet in the classrooms and offices of the Carrington Building, and we will need brothers to help us move furniture, etc. If you are willing and available, please contact Sharon Preston in the church office at 714-579-7060 or [email protected].
RESURRECTION SUNDAY IS COMING
Sunday, April 17th, is Resurrection Sunday, also known as Easter Sunday. Resurrection Sunday is the foundation of Christian theology and the bedrock of the evangelical faith. It celebrates the resurrecting reality of Immanuel, God with us! It celebrates Christ as a waymaker, miracle worker, and promise keeper!
Jesus, through His death and resurrection, offers us himself. He offers the chance to know God Almighty in His fullness and the opportunity to experience His unconditional love and acceptance and grace amid hurt and heartbreak.
As we look forward to Resurrection Sunday, we are planning a week of services leading up to Resurrection Sunday:
Stay tuned for more information.
Here are a few church office updates…
JOBS AT FRIENDSHIP
We invite you to visit the church website and see the jobs we have posted. We will post about eight positions over the next several weeks and months. Currently, we are posting two Executive Pastor Positions, a Marketing & Media Manager Position, an Executive Assistant Position, and a Finance Manager Position. We invite qualified candidates to apply. Go HERE to see the job postings.
General Church things to remember:
1 Corinthians 12:12-27 ESV; Romans 1:16-17 ESV
Ps. 133:1, I Cor 12:12, Eph. 4:13
I look forward to seeing you Sunday!
Continue to Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected!
God loves you, and so do I!
In His Service,
Rev. Kenneth C. Curry, Jr.
Your Pastor
Well, here are your announcements for this week.
FAMILY PRAYER
Our next Monthly Family Prayer Service is tonight at 7:30pm and only lasts one hour. This prayer meeting takes place on our church prayer line. Please join the Prayer Posse and me as we pray for our March Prayer Focus which is Praying for the Friendship Family to Walk in Unity, and our 2022 Church theme is located below. Remember, this prayer meeting is an open prayer time, so if you feel led to pray, simply unmute your line and PRAY! See you there! To connect with our prayer service, please follow this link HERE or dial +1 (413) 418-4274 and use the PIN 287683504#.
WEEKEND TO REMEMBER
Attention married and engaged couples! Lady Karima and I invite you to attend a special Weekend To Remember on April 8-10th. The Christian organization Family Life has successfully sponsored the Weekend To Remember marriage conference for many years, and we have been personally blessed by attending on numerous occasions. This year Weekend To Remember is coming to Anaheim, and we invite you to meet us there. Register at https://www.familylife.com/weekend-to-remember/ and use the group code wearefriendship to receive a discounted registration. Consider this an investment in your marriage relationship and an opportunity to grow deeper together.
SIDE BY SIDE COUPLES MINISTRY
The next Side by Side Couples Ministry class for 2022 is scheduled on Friday, April 8th, at 7:00pm via Zoom. The class is studying the book The Art of Marriage, Growing Together in Christ. The topic for the upcoming session is Making Disciples. Should you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact Deacon Hilton McDaniel (949) 652-1489 or email Sheila McDaniel at [email protected]. They look forward to you joining the class. To join the session, go HERE.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED ~ FOOD PANTRY
We need volunteers! We need willing workers to serve in our Food Pantry on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. We have been severely short-handed in the last few weeks. If you are willing to serve on those days from 1:30p-4:30p, we would greatly appreciate your assistance! You just show up, and Sister Gloria Banks will put you to work. If you prefer to call first, please contact Rev. Felton Patrick Christian at 714-579-7066 or [email protected].
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED ~ CHURCH OFFICE/FACILITIES
We need volunteers! We need facilities volunteer help in the coming weeks. We are preparing to put new carpet in the classrooms and offices of the Carrington Building, and we will need brothers to help us move furniture, etc. If you are willing and available, please contact Sharon Preston in the church office at 714-579-7060 or [email protected].
RESURRECTION SUNDAY IS COMING
Sunday, April 17th, is Resurrection Sunday, also known as Easter Sunday. Resurrection Sunday is the foundation of Christian theology and the bedrock of the evangelical faith. It celebrates the resurrecting reality of Immanuel, God with us! It celebrates Christ as a waymaker, miracle worker, and promise keeper!
Jesus, through His death and resurrection, offers us himself. He offers the chance to know God Almighty in His fullness and the opportunity to experience His unconditional love and acceptance and grace amid hurt and heartbreak.
As we look forward to Resurrection Sunday, we are planning a week of services leading up to Resurrection Sunday:
- Holy Week Revival: This will be a virtual event from Tuesday, April 12th through Thursday, April 14th at 7pm! Our guests will be Pastor Larry Weaver of Atherton Baptist Church, Pastor Sonja Dawson of New Mount Calvary, and Pastor Jerome Grice of Mt. Zion of Pomona.
- Good Friday Service: Friday, April 15th at 7:30pm, we will have an in-person Good Friday Service! This service will occur at Friendship, and we will have a traditional presentation of the Seven Last Saying of Christ with ministers from Friendship and guest ministers.
- Resurrection Sunday: Sunday Morning, April 17th, we will celebrate the Resurrection with three services at 5:30am, 8am, and 11:30am. Yes, we will have Sunrise Service at 5:30am. Also, the Children & Youth Ministry will host a special family event in place of Ex-Hour at 10am in the Multipurpose Building.
Stay tuned for more information.
Here are a few church office updates…
JOBS AT FRIENDSHIP
We invite you to visit the church website and see the jobs we have posted. We will post about eight positions over the next several weeks and months. Currently, we are posting two Executive Pastor Positions, a Marketing & Media Manager Position, an Executive Assistant Position, and a Finance Manager Position. We invite qualified candidates to apply. Go HERE to see the job postings.
General Church things to remember:
- 2022 CHURCH THEME:
1 Corinthians 12:12-27 ESV; Romans 1:16-17 ESV
- APRIL PRAYER FOCUS:
Ps. 133:1, I Cor 12:12, Eph. 4:13
- BIBLE READING
- 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)
- SOCIAL MEDIA
- IN-PERSON EX-HOUR: In-person Ex-Hour meets each Sunday from 10am to 11am in the Multipurpose Building. We invite you to stay after the first service or come earlier for the second service to attend Ex Hour in person.
- EX HOUR: Virtual Ex-Hour meets weekly on Sundays via ZOOM. Join us for class at 10am via this link HERE.
- YOUTH EX HOUR: Our youth Ex Hour takes place during our designated EX Hour time via Google Meet and in-person. Yes, it’s a hybrid approach! 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.
- CHILDREN’S MINISTRY VIDEO: There’s a weekly Children’s Ministry Worship Video designed to keep our children connected, encouraged, and worshipping! Rev. Jaron Singley works hard weekly to produce a Children’s worship video. It is available through our website HERE or the Friendship YouTube Channel HERE.
- WEDNESDAY Prayer Day: Join us each Wednesday for Prayer. We pray at 6:30am, 12pm, and 6:30pm. To connect with our prayer services, please follow this link HERE or dial +1 (413) 418-4274 and use the PIN 287683504#.
- 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 a bag of groceries. The Food Bank’s hours of operation are Tuesday - Thursday, 2:30pm-4:30pm.
- COVID Recovery Kits:
We still have Covid Recovery Kits through Providence Health and the Yorba Linda Rotary Club. These kits help individuals who have been diagnosed with Covid-19 and are recovering at home. Each kit includes a pulse oximeter to monitor breathing, a thermometer, a box of masks, and a package of sanitizing wipes in a small canvas bag. If you or someone in your family could benefit from one of these kits, please call the church office and arrange to get one.
- COVID Membership Assistance Fund: We are STILL accepting COVID Membership Assistance Grant applications. 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.
I look forward to seeing you Sunday!
Continue to Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected!
God loves you, and so do I!
In His Service,
Rev. Kenneth C. Curry, Jr.
Your Pastor