Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and welcome to the Friendship Bible Church BLOG, your source for announcements and information about what's happening at FBC.

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And check out our main website, too, for everything else related to Friendship Bible Church in Randolph, Ohio - www.friendshipbiblechurch.org



Wednesday, June 30, 2010

The June Campfire Fellowship Was Great

If you didn't get to join in the fun, here are some memories:



Although we didn't get any pics of it, there was a truly spectacular volleyball game, too!

(Remember, if you're receiving this in email, and can't see the slideshow, you'll need to go to the BLOG to see it - http://friendshipbiblechurch.blogspot.com.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

It's a Baobab Blast! Register Now!

Vacation Bible School is just around the corner.  If you have kids who will be attending, we need to get them registered as soon as possible to aid in our planning.  Registration forms are available at the church, or at the Farmer's Market every Saturday (just stop by the FBC booth).

And now, you can also register using our online form - just click here.

Let your friends and neighbors know. Invite everybody you can!

When - August 2-6, 6PM - 8:30 PM nightly.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Opening Doors for the Gospel

I was reading a recent update from our Samaritan's Purse missionary partners, and on the very first page I read this line: "ministry to earthquake survivors in Haiti is opening doors for the Gospel". 


That got me to thinking and reminded me of why it is that we help others with physical needs. Why do we provide shelter and food and assistance for those who have physical needs? It is because it's an opportunity for us to share the Gospel. 


That's why we do everything we do at Friendship Bible Church.  It's way too easy for us to lose that focus, and our adversary the devil is way too quick to help us in losing it!  So let's let our brothers and sisters at Samaritan's Purse refocus our minds today, and let's determine to make every minute count in reaching our world for Jesus.  May all our activity be used to open doors for the gospel.

After all, Romans 1:16 says "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for IT IS THE POWER OF GOD TO SALVATION FOR EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES...."  

Friday, June 25, 2010

Let Both Grow Together

Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn."  (Matthew 13:30 NKJV)

The older we get in our walk with Christ, the less tolerable seems the ever-presence of evil in our world.  Am I the only one who feels that way?  

Jesus reminds us in this parable though that, while it is the will of the Lord for us to dwell in this evil world for a while, it won't be forever. 

Let both grow together UNTIL… what a glorious word that is… UNTIL the harvest, UNTIL the judgement, UNTIL the King returns and gathers us to Him and gets rid of all that is evil once and for all. 

I hope that thought encourages you as it does me.  Because, as the Oakridge Boys sing:



Jesus is coming soon, morning or night or noon,

Many will meet their doom, trumpets will sound.

All of the dead shall rise, righteous meet in the sky,

Going where no one dies, Heavenward bound!

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Of Biscuits, Gravy, Campfires and Zumba

Well, as usual, weekends at FBC are full of activity. This one will be no different.

Saturday morning starts things off with Men's Prayer Breakfast at 8:00 AM. If you haven't experienced Trudy's biscuits and gravy yet, now is your chance. Brother Jim will bring the devotional. Join us, guys.

BTW - Zumba is cancelled Saturday morning so we can eat biscuits and gravy. Guys, since the ladies are making such a sacrifice for us, we better make sure and show up!

Then. At 10:00, those scheduled to serve at the Farmer's Market will man their posts, doing what they can to reach our community for Christ.

Saturday evening at 5:00 PM we will gather at the Moore house for our first Campfire Fellowship of the summer. Food, fun, and fine fellowship are on the agenda. Bring a lawn chair and a dish to pass.

Of course, if Jesus doesn't return before Sunday, we will gather on the Lord's Day for worship at 10:30, followed by our softball game at 1:45. Don't forget, we are on a winning streak!

See you this weekend!

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Great Quote

Do you read good Christian books?  I mean, in addition to the Bible, of course.  I'm in the midst of one entitled "The Best Kept Secret of Christian Mission" by John Dickson, and I came across an interesting quote that got me thinking:
Our friends and neighbors live and breathe in the presence of the greatest Lord.  Yet, they do not know it.  We, people of the Lord, who know His majesty over heaven and earth, must, in whatever way is appropriate to our gifts, personality, and circumstances, promote His glory.
I found that a good reminder of why I should promote the gospel today, as well as a good motivation that encourages me to do it.  I hope it encourages you today, as well.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Calling All Men

This Saturday morning, we will undertake a project with which we could use your help, men.  We discovered this week that the antique chandelier hanging in our sanctuary has a broken wire in it and must be taken down from the ceiling, rewired and repaired, cleaned, and put back up.  Additionally, there is some wiring work that needs done in the attic to support this effort, as we discovered the circuit running to the chandelier is ancient.

Anybody able and willing to help, meet at the church a little after 8:00 AM Saturday morning.  We don't need a mob, but we do need 4-6 guys to ensure we can safely handle the task.  Some are already committed to the Farmer's Market outreach.  If so, please continue with that commitment.  But if you're free... see you at 8AM!

Who knows - there might even be free donuts involved.

Wanna see some more softball?

Thanks, Nick, for providing the great pics of the game, last Sunday.

And the winner is...


How sweet it is to win one!  Final score last Sunday was 8-7, giving FBC it's first ever victory in coed softball. 

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

The Awesome Privilege of Prayer

Indeed now, I who am but dust and ashes have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord. (Genesis 18:27 NKJV)


Considering who I am and who God is, what an amazing privilege it is that I can talk to Him. 


All believers have that privilege. 


Do you have a daily time set aside to talk with the Lord?  Do you get alone with Him regularly? The Bible teaches that we should cultivate just such a discipline as Christians, and so I encourage you today - find some time for prayer. 


And I remind you, too, that it is not just a private practice - it is also something we do together… corporately… with and for each other. Toward that end I remind you that we gather on Wednesday evenings to work together at prayer - the awesome privilege


Will you join us at 6:30 PM?

Friday, June 11, 2010

OK... it's not totally ready for prime time yet, but...

... I'm gonna share it with you anyway and see what you think.  I'm talking about the new church website, of course.

Point your web browser at www.friendshipbiblechurch.org and let me know what you think.  This BLOG isn't going anywhere, and will continue to be a primary site for announcements and news. The new site will be directed at those who are seeking information about our church.  What is Friendship Bible Church?  What goes on there?  Hopefully, those are the questions the new site will answer.

Check it out and share your thoughts!

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

No better way to spend a rainy day

It's prayer meeting night.  Will you join us as we gather at 6:30 for prayer?  I can't imagine a better way to spend a rainy evening than gathered with brothers and sisters at the throne of God.

Pray with us... pray for us... we will pray for and with you...

See you at 6:30!