Worship Theme: “Pentecost: Then and Now?”
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Category Archives: Focus News
Friendship Church Newsletter May 2013
Reflections from Pastor Anna: May 2013
Read entire May 2013 newsletter, click here to download.
The earth has finally shown a clear sign of spring. It is green everywhere! It has been a long winter, but nothing can stop the bursting energy of new life. If you drive around town on a sunny day, you will surely see people cleaning their yards, trimming bushes and planting flowers in the freshness of the soil. If you drive out a little bit into the countryside I am sure you will see tractors rolling across the farmlands digging up the ground, turning it over for spring readiness.
When I look at such lovely springtime readiness for new birthing and growing around the earth, I ponder on what it is like to have my heart ready for a new phase of life. I, too, must be open to the ‘turning over of last year’s harvest.’ It might involve digging up with the sharp blade of a shovel shaking my convictions. I must allow my rough edges to be smoothed so that God’s fresh seed can be settled and take root in me. I must be willing to break down the hardened spot in me so that fresh air of God’s spirit can flow in and around me. Most of all I must trust in the work of God that has already worked on me even while I was in deep cold, nourishing and tending unceasingly.
This is not work done alone. Our readiness for growing relies on our potentials for trusting one another in this process of springtime readiness and the work of God in our midst.
May is an excellent time to face our readiness for new growth and recognize more of our potential for vitality as a congregation. It is an excellent time to encourage that growth in others. Growing involves pain. If there is encouragement, the pain would be endurable. And joy comes out of growing pains. It is an excellent time to express appreciation. What-ever we do, we do together. May God bless us with God’s presence in this season of new birth.
“The whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love. (Ephesians 4:15-16)”
Blessings,
Pastor Anna
P.S. I am deeply touched by the thank you card written in many languages from the card ministry team of Caring Christians. Thank you.
Sunday Morning Adult Study
“JESUS IS THE LIGHT
OF THE WORLD”
An Adult Sunday School class is held following the Traditional Service, typically beginning about 11:50am. This class is held in the sanctuary for 15 to 20 minutes and led by a member of our congregation, Ben Vidad.
Upcoming topics include:
4/21 “Roadmap to Maturity”
4/28 “Understanding the New Birth”
5/5 “Magnificent Mothers”
5/12 “Mothers of the Middle East”
5/19 “A Praying Church”
The class is open to everyone! Please help our Sunday School class grow by committing to participate.
Mission 2013: Van Buren Service Project (VBSP!)
Youth Mission 2013: Van Buren Service Project (VBSP)
Once again Friendship Youth and Leaders will travel to Van Buren County to ‘lend a hand’ in service to those who could definitely use a little help.
We will leave June 16th following a commissioning serve and will return on June 21st , 2013. Tired, but truly filled with wonderful experiences, fond memories and new friendships!
In June of 2012, 36 Friendship Youth and Leaders served by assisting others with a helping hand to clean, cut grass, cut weeds, clear weeds and brush, install ceiling fans, paint, pull weeds, move rocks and gravel, fill holes and build 2 wheel chair ramps.
By serving others, we are lives changed, for we learned that by far the best service is through communication, fellowship and developing personal relationships.