PASTOR'S UPDATE DECEMBER 5, 2025
Greetings Friendship family!
Good day, Friendship family! We are now entering the last month of the year. Can you believe that 2025 will be over in roughly twenty-six days? Twenty-six days. Think about that. Can you even remember how we started this year? Do you remember everything that has transpired?
It has been a year of ups and downs. A year of blessings and burdens. A year where we have laughed together and cried together. A year where we have buried loved ones and celebrated new beginnings. We have seen growth, change, progress, and challenges. Through it all, God has kept us. Through it all, God has sustained us. Through it all, God has proved Himself faithful again and again. Family, it has been a year!
And today, I want you to know this is our last video announcement for the year. I think so. So thank you for watching and staying connected each month.
I also want to say this. I missed being with you for the last Sunday of November and the first Sunday of Advent. That has not happened since I have been your pastor. But Lady Karima and I needed to get away. With everything going on, I needed to rest. Thank you for praying for us, covering us, and giving us space to breathe. We love you, and we are grateful.
Here are this week's announcements:
Good day, Friendship family! We are now entering the last month of the year. Can you believe that 2025 will be over in roughly twenty-six days? Twenty-six days. Think about that. Can you even remember how we started this year? Do you remember everything that has transpired?
It has been a year of ups and downs. A year of blessings and burdens. A year where we have laughed together and cried together. A year where we have buried loved ones and celebrated new beginnings. We have seen growth, change, progress, and challenges. Through it all, God has kept us. Through it all, God has sustained us. Through it all, God has proved Himself faithful again and again. Family, it has been a year!
And today, I want you to know this is our last video announcement for the year. I think so. So thank you for watching and staying connected each month.
I also want to say this. I missed being with you for the last Sunday of November and the first Sunday of Advent. That has not happened since I have been your pastor. But Lady Karima and I needed to get away. With everything going on, I needed to rest. Thank you for praying for us, covering us, and giving us space to breathe. We love you, and we are grateful.
Here are this week's announcements:
MONTHLY FAMILY PRAYER SERVICE
Join us tonight, December 5th, for Family Prayer in person in the sanctuary from 7:30 to 9:00 PM. This is our final Family Prayer gathering for the year. I would love to see you and pray with you. Let’s finish strong in prayer. Join us for prayer & praise.
Join us tonight, December 5th, for Family Prayer in person in the sanctuary from 7:30 to 9:00 PM. This is our final Family Prayer gathering for the year. I would love to see you and pray with you. Let’s finish strong in prayer. Join us for prayer & praise.
CHURCH STEWARDSHIP MEETING
Then, tomorrow morning, December 6th, I look forward to seeing you for our Stewardship Meeting at 10 AM. This is a full church meeting. We will review this year, present and vote on the 2026 budget, and even take tours through the new building. I need you there. Your input matters. Your presence matters.
Then, tomorrow morning, December 6th, I look forward to seeing you for our Stewardship Meeting at 10 AM. This is a full church meeting. We will review this year, present and vote on the 2026 budget, and even take tours through the new building. I need you there. Your input matters. Your presence matters.
CHILDREN & YOUTH MINISTRY CHRISTMAS PARTY - DECEMBER 14 @ 11:30 AM
UPDATE: On December 14, our Children and Youth Ministry will host a Christmas Party for ages three to seventeen during Children's and Youth Worship. This will also be a time to celebrate with the young people and appreciate our Children and Youth volunteers. . Come for fun, food, fellowship, and Christmas joy.
UPDATE: On December 14, our Children and Youth Ministry will host a Christmas Party for ages three to seventeen during Children's and Youth Worship. This will also be a time to celebrate with the young people and appreciate our Children and Youth volunteers. . Come for fun, food, fellowship, and Christmas joy.
COMMUNION SUNDAY SERVICE
Please note that this Sunday is High Church Sunday. Our last one of the year. I look forward to the deacons leading us in worship, communion in community, the morning hymn, and simply the blessing of gathering together. I hope to see you in the house. Remember, we start 15 minutes earlier and begin with the Deacons leading Devotion.
Now we have four Sundays left in this year. And this Sunday is also a Bring the Whole-Tithe Sunday where we bring a honest tithe to the Lord, trusting His provision and protection! We have had a strong financial year, and for that we praise God. But we need to meet our full 2025 budget goal. To do so we still need to raise $350,000. Friendship Family, we can do it. We need a strong finish because we have strong faith. Thank you for your generosity and your commitment.
For those of you joining us for worship online, check out the communion instructions so you can observe communion virtually HERE.
And remember: Communion is for believers. If you have not yet placed your trust in Jesus Christ for salvation, we ask that you refrain from partaking, this is a biblical instruction.
Please note that this Sunday is High Church Sunday. Our last one of the year. I look forward to the deacons leading us in worship, communion in community, the morning hymn, and simply the blessing of gathering together. I hope to see you in the house. Remember, we start 15 minutes earlier and begin with the Deacons leading Devotion.
Now we have four Sundays left in this year. And this Sunday is also a Bring the Whole-Tithe Sunday where we bring a honest tithe to the Lord, trusting His provision and protection! We have had a strong financial year, and for that we praise God. But we need to meet our full 2025 budget goal. To do so we still need to raise $350,000. Friendship Family, we can do it. We need a strong finish because we have strong faith. Thank you for your generosity and your commitment.
For those of you joining us for worship online, check out the communion instructions so you can observe communion virtually HERE.
And remember: Communion is for believers. If you have not yet placed your trust in Jesus Christ for salvation, we ask that you refrain from partaking, this is a biblical instruction.
RHEMA MENS'S MINISTRY - GUYS NIGHT OUT
Are you ready for some football and fun? The Rhema Men’s Ministry invites all the men and boys of Friendship to a Year’s End Tailgating Party on Monday, December 8 from 6 to 8 PM. We will have the game on. We will have a trivia contest. We will play games. And of course, we will eat. It is a potluck, so men, bring your best side dish. Dads, bring your sons. Moms, send your boys. Let’s come together and celebrate the year and pray for the men of Friendship.
Are you ready for some football and fun? The Rhema Men’s Ministry invites all the men and boys of Friendship to a Year’s End Tailgating Party on Monday, December 8 from 6 to 8 PM. We will have the game on. We will have a trivia contest. We will play games. And of course, we will eat. It is a potluck, so men, bring your best side dish. Dads, bring your sons. Moms, send your boys. Let’s come together and celebrate the year and pray for the men of Friendship.
2025 CHRISTMAS GALA
Our Christmas Gala is coming up next Friday, December 12. You already know: great food, great fellowship, live entertainment, dancing, and an elegant night out with your church family. We currently have seventy tickets left. If you have not secured yours, now is the time. Let’s celebrate together.
Our Christmas Gala is coming up next Friday, December 12. You already know: great food, great fellowship, live entertainment, dancing, and an elegant night out with your church family. We currently have seventy tickets left. If you have not secured yours, now is the time. Let’s celebrate together.
CHRISTMAS SERVICE - DECEMBER 21
Everyone needs to plan to join us on Sunday, December 21 at 8:00 AM & 11:30 AM for Christmas Sunday. It promises to be all the way live. Great music, a great message, and great ministry with dance, spoken, choirs, many other surprises to engage the spirit and encourage your heart. Come and be blessed and bring someone with you.
Everyone needs to plan to join us on Sunday, December 21 at 8:00 AM & 11:30 AM for Christmas Sunday. It promises to be all the way live. Great music, a great message, and great ministry with dance, spoken, choirs, many other surprises to engage the spirit and encourage your heart. Come and be blessed and bring someone with you.
SCHOLARSHIP MINISTRY MOVIE OUTING
We have a few discounted group-rate tickets for the 3:25 PM showing of David on 12/21. Join our Children's Scholarship Ministry team for this new movie about one of our biblical heroes. Tickets are on $7.50. To sign up, go HERE.
We have a few discounted group-rate tickets for the 3:25 PM showing of David on 12/21. Join our Children's Scholarship Ministry team for this new movie about one of our biblical heroes. Tickets are on $7.50. To sign up, go HERE.
GIVING TUESDAY - CHRIST CHILDREN'S CENTER
As you know, Giving Tuesday happened earlier this week, but we want to highlight this again. We are asking you to partner with us, especially with your year-end giving, as we build Christ’s Children’s Center. This will be a dedicated, safe, and joy-filled space where our children can learn, worship, and grow. The children’s building and the adjoining playground will allow us to offer age-appropriate teaching, meaningful activities, and an engaging space designed just for them. Your giving helps us build for the next generation.
As you know, Giving Tuesday happened earlier this week, but we want to highlight this again. We are asking you to partner with us, especially with your year-end giving, as we build Christ’s Children’s Center. This will be a dedicated, safe, and joy-filled space where our children can learn, worship, and grow. The children’s building and the adjoining playground will allow us to offer age-appropriate teaching, meaningful activities, and an engaging space designed just for them. Your giving helps us build for the next generation.
ANGEL TREE
Friendship family, once again, we are partnering with Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree Ministry to bless children of incarcerated parents. If you’d like to serve as a volunteer donor, please sign up by sending an email Rev. Felton Christian, HERE.
Friendship family, once again, we are partnering with Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree Ministry to bless children of incarcerated parents. If you’d like to serve as a volunteer donor, please sign up by sending an email Rev. Felton Christian, HERE.
General Church things to remember:
FAITHFUL GIVING
We want to say thank you for your giving and partnership. YOUR GIVING MATTERS! Your faithful giving allows us to increasingly do the work of ministry for our members AND to everyone the Lord sends to us and sends us to. Remember the Word of God:
"The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." -- 2 Corinthians 9: 6-7 ESV
and
Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need." -- Malachi 3:10 ESV
You may give HERE. If you send or give with a check please make your checks payable to : Friendship Baptist Church of Yorba Linda
We want to say thank you for your giving and partnership. YOUR GIVING MATTERS! Your faithful giving allows us to increasingly do the work of ministry for our members AND to everyone the Lord sends to us and sends us to. Remember the Word of God:
"The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." -- 2 Corinthians 9: 6-7 ESV
and
Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need." -- Malachi 3:10 ESV
You may give HERE. If you send or give with a check please make your checks payable to : Friendship Baptist Church of Yorba Linda
- 2025 CHURCH THEME:
Fortifying the Faithful - Equipping the Elect
Ephesians 4:11-14 ESV
- DECEMBER PRAYER FOCUS:
Matthew 1:23-25; Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6-7; Luke 1:76-79; John 1:14
- BIBLE READING
We invite everyone to consider reading God’s Word this year! As of today, you have 26 days to complete a Bible reading plan, including today. At Friendship, we encourage every member to read one of six Bible reading plans in the year. Consider joining a Bible-reading small group that will be starting soon! The plans include:
✔ 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:
- WEDNESDAY PRAYER DAY: Join us each Wednesday for Prayer. We pray at 6:30 am, 12:00 pm, and 6:30 pm. To connect with our prayer services, please follow this link HERE or dial in at +1 (413) 418-4274 and use the PIN 287683504#.
- FRIENDSHIP FOOD BANK OPEN: The Friendship 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, 2:30 pm-4:30 pm.
Looking ahead, join us for Watch Night Service as we celebrate with the East Coast. Service starts at 7:00 PM and ends just after 9:00 PM, which is midnight on the East Coast. Watch Night is our historic and sacred tradition of ending the year in worship, reflection, gratitude, and expectation. Come and bring the family.
You have twenty-six days to finish your Bible reading for the year. Let’s get it done. If you have completed your reading already, please contact Minister Leshon Archer so we can celebrate your accomplishment. Her email address is [email protected].
As we move into these final days of the year, I want to remind you of something simple but true. God has carried us. God has kept us. God has covered us. Everything we have walked through, we walked through together, and God walked with us. So lift your head. Strengthen your heart. And take courage as we finish this year. The same God who brought us this far will take us further.
Family, I love you. I really do. But God loves you best, God loves you better, and God loves you beyond anything you can imagine or think. Stay encouraged, stay prayerful, and stay faithful. God is with us, and greater things are still ahead.
Blessings,
Rev. Kenneth C. Curry, Jr.
Your Pastor
You have twenty-six days to finish your Bible reading for the year. Let’s get it done. If you have completed your reading already, please contact Minister Leshon Archer so we can celebrate your accomplishment. Her email address is [email protected].
As we move into these final days of the year, I want to remind you of something simple but true. God has carried us. God has kept us. God has covered us. Everything we have walked through, we walked through together, and God walked with us. So lift your head. Strengthen your heart. And take courage as we finish this year. The same God who brought us this far will take us further.
Family, I love you. I really do. But God loves you best, God loves you better, and God loves you beyond anything you can imagine or think. Stay encouraged, stay prayerful, and stay faithful. God is with us, and greater things are still ahead.
Blessings,
Rev. Kenneth C. Curry, Jr.
Your Pastor
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