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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Friday, October 31, 2014

Some Important Weekend Reminders!





Enjoy an extra hour of sleep before worshipping with us at 10:30 at FBC!

Also, consider joining some of us on Saturday morning at 10:00 as we serve the homeless at the Haven of Rest in Akron. Wear a hat!

AND... The teens will be assembling subs to benefit the Operation Christmas Child efforts this year. If you would like to help them with that effort, meet at the Randolph Senior Center at 5:00 Saturday evening.

AND... Some of us will be meeting at the church at 2:00 to clean the place up before Sunday's worship services.

BIG WEEKEND! Join us where and when you can!

Thursday, October 30, 2014

As You Read Your Bible Today

Pray: God, connect with me here, as I seek you in your Word. Begin with focus and openness to see what God has for you.

Read: the selected section of Scripture slowly. Take note of intriguing words and phrases and read them a second time.

Reflect: on what strikes you as you read. Think through what God is communicating to you at this point in your life.

Respond: to the passage. Speak to God directly about what's on your mind and heart. Look for ways to live out what you've uncovered.


Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Much Prayer

PRAY WITHOUT CEASING. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

Brothers and Sisters - let us not neglect the important discipline of prayer.  Whether private or corporate, it is vital and indispensable.  This evening, and every Wednesday evening, between 6:30 and 7:15 PM, we gather at FBC for prayer meeting.  It is a duty.  It is also such an opportunity.

I encourage you to be faithful to it if you have attended in the past. As well, I encourage you to avail yourself of the opportunity if you have not in the past.

There is no pressure when attending an FBC prayer meeting.  Nobody is asked to pray aloud who does not wish to. Silent prayer reaches the ear of our God the same as audible prayer, and so if you wish to just silently participate, we will rejoice in that participation.

Join us?  Pray with us?

"Proceed with much prayer, and your way will be made plain." John Wesley

Monday, October 27, 2014

Tuesday Reminders

Don't forget work night at the church, Tuesday at 6:00. Lots of cleanup!

And for those on FBC101 - 6:30 at Johnson Acres.



Friday, October 24, 2014

Not a Single Inch Beyond His Permission




I shared this letter during Wednesday evening prayer meeting. John Newton wrote it to his wife while he was enduring a storm at sea. It blesses my soul.

We have another heavy gale of wind, and it is not easy to sit fast, or to hold a pen; but, as the distance between us is lessening at the rate of seven or eight miles per hour, I am willing to fill up my paper as fast as I can.

I wish I had words to convey some idea of the scene around me: but it cannot be fully described. A faint conception may be formed from pictures, or prints, of a storm at sea.

Imagine to yourself an immense body of water behind you, higher than a house, and a chasm of equal depth just before you: both so apparently dangerous; that you could hardly determine which to venture; and both so near, as not to allow you a moment’s time to choose; for in the twinkling of an eye the ship descends into the pit which is gaping to receive her, and with equal swiftness ascends to the top on the other side, before the mountain that is behind can overtake her. And this is repeated as often as you can deliberately count to four.

It is indeed wonderful, that a ship will run incessantly over these hills and dales, for days and weeks together, (if the gale lasts so long,) without receiving the least damage, or taking any considerable quantity of water on board; and yet never be more than four or five yards from a sea, which, if it was quite to reach her, would perhaps disable her beyond recovery, if not beat her to pieces at a single blow.

Need we go farther for the proof of a Providence always near, always kind, kind to the unthankful and the evil? For, though these marks of his care are repeated every minute, they are seldom acknowledged by seamen. For my own part, I see dangers so numerous and imminent, that I should be always in anxiety and fear, could I not submit myself and all my concerns to Him who holds the waves of the sea in the hollow of his hand, as the prophet strongly expresses it; so that, when most enraged by the winds, I am sure they dare not rise a single inch beyond his permission.

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

45 Important Minutes

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, (Luke 18:1)

Don't forget prayer meeting this evening and every Wednesday evening at 6:30. it may well be the most important 45 minutes you spend this week, both for yourself and for your brothers and sisters at FBC.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Husbands and Wives - You Need To Read This

Francis Chan's wise words on marriage

NO Work Night Tuesday

Some of the ladies already have plans for working on the Sunday school rooms this evening. If you are in that number, you can coordinate with Tammy concerning tonight's efforts. Other than that, though, there is no need for a work night this evening so enjoy a vacation day!

Friday, October 17, 2014

New Audio Online





Our audio team has just posted a bunch of new sermons online. Audio files are available via iTunes (search for the Friendship Bible Church podcast and subscribe) or at http://FriendshipBibleChurch.sermon.net.

If you've missed a service or two, check them out.

Thursday, October 16, 2014

OOPS... I SPOKE TOO SOON, LADIES.

It turns out we can use a couple ladies tonight to help with prepping the Sunday School rooms for paint.  Join us at 6:00 if you can help Tammy with this project.

Pastor's Masters - LAST CHANCE FOR 2014!!!

Calling all Friends!! 

Whether you are a golfer or not, this Saturday, October 18th, is your last chance to join us for a Pastor's Masters 18 hole scramble!  

We will be at Roses Run Country Club located at 2636 North River Rd Stow, OH 44224.   Please arrive by 9:45 AM.  Cost is $30 and includes cart!! We have plenty of room so come one, come all and join us for some fun!  

We'd also like to invite you back to Brother Don Richards home, immediately following the outing for food, drinks and fellowship.  Hope to see you there!!

ONE LAST PIECE OF DEMO!

Does anybody have an hour they would invest in one last little bit of demolition work this evening?  We need 3-4 men (ladies, you can relax this time) to remove just a small amount of the old plaster in the old soundroom, so the drywall crew can finish that area tomorrow morning.  The dumpster is scheduled for removal tomorrow, so we really only have this evening to complete this task.  But with 3-4 men, we can complete it in an hour.

Join us at 6:00?

Bring a demolition tools.

Monday, October 13, 2014

DRYWALL!

What a wonderful thing to see - drywall is going up. And Tuesday evening at 6:00 we will once again be working to get the Sunday School rooms, kitchen, and office ready. Join us? There will be food!

ALSO, those signed up for FBC101 remember it starts at 6:30 at Johnson Acres. Bring your Bible and a pencil or pen. There will be munchies!

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Be Still My Soul

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.

Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.



Tuesday, October 7, 2014

The Basement Restore Continues




If you can share one hour with us this evening, it will be a great help in getting our fellowship hall restored to use. We will be scraping the debris off the floor and restoring it to use, and cleaning up the kitchen, bathrooms, Sunday school rooms and office.

6 o'clock

Friday, October 3, 2014

Haven of Rest

... we should remember the poor... (Galatians 2:10)

Join us in serving the poor and needy at the Haven of Rest on the first Saturday of every month at 10:00 AM.  

That's this coming Saturday, so wear a hat and meet at the Haven of Rest at 10:00.  You'll be home by noon and will know you put your faith into practice.

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

How To See Your Way

"Proceed with much prayer, and your way will be made plain." John Wesley

It's the most important evening of the week - the evening we gather together just to pray.  I can think of no other activity that is more important, and so unless God hinders me, I shall go to prayer meeting.  You?  

Oh how we need to pray for each other.  Oh how we need to pray for the lost.  Oh how we need to pray for God's unfolding kingdom.  

Join us at 6:30 this evening in the sanctuary?