Weekend Thunder

Here are a couple opportunities for service and / or fellowship this weekend at FBC:

If you would like to serve the Lord by serving others, our monthly Haven of Rest service opportunity is Saturday at 10:00. Meet the team at the Haven of Rest in Akron at 10:00, don an apron, and serve food to some of the area homeless and disadvantaged.

If you and your motorcycle are itching for the open road, hop aboard your steed and meet in the church parking lot at 10:30 for our first FBC ride of the year. We will head south toward Atwood Lake. Plan on stopping somewhere for lunch, and plan on about 100 miles and 4–5 hours duration for the trip. Of course this opportunity is "weather permitting." The weather for Saturday currently looks favorable, but the final decision is always made on ride day.

Of course, the most important activity of the weekend takes place on the Lord's Day. Join us for Sunday School at 9:30 and worship at 10:30.

And always remember - You have friends at Friendship Bible Church!

Bible and Prayer Soak

We're going to mix things up a bit tonight for prayer meeting. We're going to soak. Join us from 6:30–7:30!

Whatchadoin on the Lord's Day?

It's not just Sunday, you know. It's the LORD'S DAY… The day the Lord has set aside for us to gather, worship, praise, learn, teach, fellowship, recharge, and grow in our faith.

So whatchadoin on the Lord's Day? 

Start it out right by joining us at Friendship Bible Church for Sunday School at 9:30 and Worship at 10:30. We always strive to provide edifying worship and thought provoking teaching. This week we're going even further. We're providing ice cream!

Join us! And remember - YOU HAVE FRIENDS AT FRIENDSHIP BIBLE CHURCH!

Men's Prayer Meeting

YES!!! 

It's that time again. Time to gather on Saturday morning for prayer, praise and powerfully good eating! 

Invite a brother and join us at 8:00 Saturday morning, because YOU HAVE FRIENDS AT FRIENDSHIP BIBLE CHURCH!

ATTENTION FBC Singles!

We are hoping to see you this evening at the Cookout at Sherry's place (136 SR 44 in Hartville) at 6:30.

Bring a dish to pass (or not… we will have plenty of food if you can't bring anything) and your Bible and your copy of "They Were Single Too" if you have it. If you still need a copy, there will be some available at the meeting.

Burgers and drinks will be provided, as will sweet fellowship and fun.  Remember that all FBC singles activities are open to all, as long as somebody in your group is single. 

Turning Your World Upside Down For Jesus

I've been working on a revised version of my book "Digging Into the Acts of the Apostles" and came across this section in the chapter entitled "Turning Your World Upside Down" from Acts 17:1-9:

We need to be plodders at CHURCH ATTENDANCE. 

I am constantly amazed at Christians who submit prayer requests for their unsaved kids, and then miss church when their kids are in town. "I won't be in church today, preacher, because my lost and bound-for-hell kids and grandkids will be visiting." Of course, that's not what people say, but it may as well be. We wonder why our loved ones don't take the things of God seriously, but they see from our example that the things of God are less important than sleeping in with lost people who are visiting, or attending some recreational activity that can be done any day of the week. Our kids and our friends and our families and our co-workers are far more influenced by what they see in us than in what they hear from us. Someone once said, "I'm sorry, what you do shouts so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.” 

Even if you are a faithful plodder in this area today, I think it important to mention it, for Satan will use every tool in his considerable tool chest to get you out of church, or to just get you to be a casual and unfaithful attender. He knows such will never turn their world upside down for Christ. He doesn't have to worry about such. 

Oh my brothers and sisters! Be plodders in this thing. Develop the habit of attending church, and don't let minor things keep you away. Let your friends and family know that when they drop in on a Sunday morning, they can either come with you or wait until you return, but church is important! 

And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near. (Hebrews 10:25 NLT)

That's right on, if I do say so myself.  Don't forget to join your brothers and sisters this Lord's Day at church!  It's important for them and for you. It's important if you ever want to turn your world upside down for Jesus.

Why We Encourage More Than Just Attending

If you are one who attends church regularly, you are miles ahead of most in America who don't even faithfully do that.  But we always encourage more than just once a week attendance.  Why?  Because it benefits you and helps you in your walk with Christ, that's why.  

Consider this text I received just today from one of our church members:

This is a sad fact... but if I wasn't serving at FBC, my focus would be Sunday only most likely.  I typically can't be devoted unless I'm involved. I would be filling the time with work.  
FBC is such a continual blessing in my family's life.  
God would have gotten His plan done, but I can't imagine what He would have needed to do if I had continued down the road I was traveling. What an amazing God we serve.  The gentle subtleties that He uses to influence our lives - worthy of an eternity of praise.

When we serve Christ in His church, it is a win win for everybody concerned.  And it certainly brings benefits into our own lives.  Are you involved at FBC?  There are lots of things to do and lots of opportunities to serve.  Hit up one of the elders if you'd like to know more.