PASTOR'S UPDATE MAY 26, 2023
Happy Friday Friendship Family,
This week there is no video. We simply wanted to get this week’s announcement information out to you. Before we get to the announcements, however, I want to give you a word of encouragement.
My word of encouragement for us this week is adapted from the devotional Jesus Today by Sarah Young. It is a follow up to what I preached about on Sunday. Faith over Frustration.
Do you feel like you don’t know what will happen tomorrow? That’s okay because God does!
And guess what! He has everything you need to face it. Nothing — absolutely nothing — surprises our great God by surprise. Not surprise parties, not pop quizzes, not accidents, not even the weather.
People want to be able to tell the future. Some even make a lot of money pretending that they can tell the future. But the future belongs to God and God alone. And because it belongs to Him, you and I don’t need to worry about it.
We must simply keep our eyes on Jesus.
Too many people fear what the future may bring; they wonder if they’ll be able to handle it. But that kind of thinking is a waste of time. Remember, Jesus is working in our lives right now. And He will help us deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes because life has no surprises for Him.
Matthew 6:34 in the Message Bible Translation says it this way:
Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
Keep our eyes on JESUS.
One hymn writer wrote in this way in the hymn Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus:
This week there is no video. We simply wanted to get this week’s announcement information out to you. Before we get to the announcements, however, I want to give you a word of encouragement.
My word of encouragement for us this week is adapted from the devotional Jesus Today by Sarah Young. It is a follow up to what I preached about on Sunday. Faith over Frustration.
Do you feel like you don’t know what will happen tomorrow? That’s okay because God does!
And guess what! He has everything you need to face it. Nothing — absolutely nothing — surprises our great God by surprise. Not surprise parties, not pop quizzes, not accidents, not even the weather.
People want to be able to tell the future. Some even make a lot of money pretending that they can tell the future. But the future belongs to God and God alone. And because it belongs to Him, you and I don’t need to worry about it.
We must simply keep our eyes on Jesus.
Too many people fear what the future may bring; they wonder if they’ll be able to handle it. But that kind of thinking is a waste of time. Remember, Jesus is working in our lives right now. And He will help us deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes because life has no surprises for Him.
Matthew 6:34 in the Message Bible Translation says it this way:
Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
Keep our eyes on JESUS.
One hymn writer wrote in this way in the hymn Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Amen! Keep your eyes on JESUS!
Well, here are this week’s announcements for you. As you read what we have put together for you, I invite you to pray for our church and the ministry we are attempting to do for Christ and His Kingdom.
Well, here are this week’s announcements for you. As you read what we have put together for you, I invite you to pray for our church and the ministry we are attempting to do for Christ and His Kingdom.
MINISTERS AND TEACHERS CONFERENCE
Attention all Associate Ministers, FBI Teachers, and LEAD Academy graduates! You are ALL invited and encouraged to join us on Saturday, June 3rd, at 8:30 am for our 2023 Ministers and Teachers Conference. Our theme is Equipping Leaders: Building Strong Faith (Eph. 4:11-12). This conference is designed to enrich, equip, and encourage leaders to build strong faith in themselves and others. Please join us and register to attend HERE so we may prepare and plan accordingly.
CHILDREN & YOUTH CHOIR
The combined Children & Youth Choir is looking for maximum participation for the fourth Sunday in June, Children & Youth Annual Day! They are inviting ALL Friendship children and youth to come and sing together. The combined choir has been phenomenal and a great blessing to the congregation. Please let us know of your child's interest by going HERE.
NEW WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY CLASS
Ladies, have you ever considered or studied what the Bible says about hospitality, generosity, and stewardship? Join us for a new study titled, Every Good Gift, that will encourage us to develop a generous nature. In this seven-session series, we’ll discover biblical accounts of giving and explore what it means to offer hospitality, time, money, spiritual gifts, and empathy to the glory of God. This new study starts Wednesday, June 7th at 7:30 p.m. and will be held virtually. Facilitators: Rev. Belinda Wright & Rev. Fredia Travis. To register,click HERE.
Attention all Associate Ministers, FBI Teachers, and LEAD Academy graduates! You are ALL invited and encouraged to join us on Saturday, June 3rd, at 8:30 am for our 2023 Ministers and Teachers Conference. Our theme is Equipping Leaders: Building Strong Faith (Eph. 4:11-12). This conference is designed to enrich, equip, and encourage leaders to build strong faith in themselves and others. Please join us and register to attend HERE so we may prepare and plan accordingly.
CHILDREN & YOUTH CHOIR
The combined Children & Youth Choir is looking for maximum participation for the fourth Sunday in June, Children & Youth Annual Day! They are inviting ALL Friendship children and youth to come and sing together. The combined choir has been phenomenal and a great blessing to the congregation. Please let us know of your child's interest by going HERE.
NEW WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY CLASS
Ladies, have you ever considered or studied what the Bible says about hospitality, generosity, and stewardship? Join us for a new study titled, Every Good Gift, that will encourage us to develop a generous nature. In this seven-session series, we’ll discover biblical accounts of giving and explore what it means to offer hospitality, time, money, spiritual gifts, and empathy to the glory of God. This new study starts Wednesday, June 7th at 7:30 p.m. and will be held virtually. Facilitators: Rev. Belinda Wright & Rev. Fredia Travis. To register,click HERE.
SIDE-BY-SIDE COUPLES MINISTRY
The next virtual Side by Side Couples Ministry class is scheduled to take place on Friday June 9th at 7:00 pm. via zoom. We are studying the book Cherish by Gary Thomas. The topic for our upcoming session is Taking Your Marriage to the Next Level. No registration needed. The link to join the ZOOM class on Friday evenings is listed HERE. Should you have any questions, please contact Deacon Hilton McDaniel (949) 652-1489 or email Sheila McDaniel HERE. We look forward to you joining the class.
CLASS OF 2023!
We are trying to collect the names of all Friendship Baptist Church member graduating from high school or college this year. If you are a member of Friendship Baptist Church and are graduating from high school or college or know a student that is connected to Friendship Baptist Church who is graduating from high school or college in 2023, please let us know by adding their name HERE.
FAITHFUL GIVING
Beloved, as the summer approaches, we encourage you to remain faithful in your giving. I know it is graduation and travel season, but we still have ministry and financial obligations, and we need your faithful tithing support to meet those obligations! Therefore, we ask that you continue to be honest and trust God by bringing God your “whole” tithe weekly. Since most are paid at the end of the month or the first of the month, we will emphasize bringing the whole tithe on the First Sunday, but if you are paid bi-weekly or some other schedule, we encourage you to bring your whole tithe as an act of faith and obedience on the appropriate Sunday. Remember, you can still give online, via the mail, or in person on Sundays. Give HERE.
The next virtual Side by Side Couples Ministry class is scheduled to take place on Friday June 9th at 7:00 pm. via zoom. We are studying the book Cherish by Gary Thomas. The topic for our upcoming session is Taking Your Marriage to the Next Level. No registration needed. The link to join the ZOOM class on Friday evenings is listed HERE. Should you have any questions, please contact Deacon Hilton McDaniel (949) 652-1489 or email Sheila McDaniel HERE. We look forward to you joining the class.
CLASS OF 2023!
We are trying to collect the names of all Friendship Baptist Church member graduating from high school or college this year. If you are a member of Friendship Baptist Church and are graduating from high school or college or know a student that is connected to Friendship Baptist Church who is graduating from high school or college in 2023, please let us know by adding their name HERE.
FAITHFUL GIVING
Beloved, as the summer approaches, we encourage you to remain faithful in your giving. I know it is graduation and travel season, but we still have ministry and financial obligations, and we need your faithful tithing support to meet those obligations! Therefore, we ask that you continue to be honest and trust God by bringing God your “whole” tithe weekly. Since most are paid at the end of the month or the first of the month, we will emphasize bringing the whole tithe on the First Sunday, but if you are paid bi-weekly or some other schedule, we encourage you to bring your whole tithe as an act of faith and obedience on the appropriate Sunday. Remember, you can still give online, via the mail, or in person on Sundays. Give HERE.
FUTURE NOW INITIATIVE
We also want to thank those who have already started to give for our FUTURE NOW INITIATIVE. We request that you submit your PLEDGE FORM and begin making your pledges.
On the pledge form, please indicate your planned pledge amount and your frequency of giving. Again, if you have the printed form, please put your total pledge amount on the KICK STARTER LINE. Then tell us, on that form, whether you will give your pledge over 12 months or 15 months. Lastly, please tell us the frequency of your giving, whether you will give weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly (as a one-time gift). Also, the form is available online HERE.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Make sure to follow us on our social media pages for upcoming content. For Facebook, that’s Friendship Baptist Church. For Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, it’s @wearefriendshipchurch.
We also want to thank those who have already started to give for our FUTURE NOW INITIATIVE. We request that you submit your PLEDGE FORM and begin making your pledges.
On the pledge form, please indicate your planned pledge amount and your frequency of giving. Again, if you have the printed form, please put your total pledge amount on the KICK STARTER LINE. Then tell us, on that form, whether you will give your pledge over 12 months or 15 months. Lastly, please tell us the frequency of your giving, whether you will give weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly (as a one-time gift). Also, the form is available online HERE.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Make sure to follow us on our social media pages for upcoming content. For Facebook, that’s Friendship Baptist Church. For Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, it’s @wearefriendshipchurch.
General Church things to remember:
Ephesians 6:10-18 ESV
Isaiah 14:10; Duet 31:8; Matt 11:28-29; John 16:33; Psalm 32:8; Psalm 37:23-24
✔️ 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)
Well, that’s all I have this week. I look forward to seeing you Sunday!
Continue to Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, and Stay Connected!
Remember, God loves you, and so do I!
In His Service,
Rev. Kenneth C. Curry, Jr.
Your Pastor
- 2023 CHURCH THEME:
Ephesians 6:10-18 ESV
- MAY PRAYER FOCUS:
Isaiah 14:10; Duet 31:8; Matt 11:28-29; John 16:33; Psalm 32:8; Psalm 37:23-24
- CURRENT PREACHING SERIES:
- 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)
- WEEKLY HEALTH WALK
- IN-PERSON EX-HOUR:
- 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 Rev. Phil Yoder
- Young Adults Class (Carrington Building Rooms 207-208): This class is designed for those aged 18-35.
- 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 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 6:30am, 12pm, and 6:30pm. To connect with our prayer services, please follow this link HERE or dial in at +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.
Well, that’s all I have this week. I look forward to seeing you Sunday!
Continue to Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, and Stay Connected!
Remember, God loves you, and so do I!
In His Service,
Rev. Kenneth C. Curry, Jr.
Your Pastor