Start the Weekend with Service

This Saturday at 10:00 we will meet at the Haven of Rest in Akron to feed and serve the hungry and needy. Join us and start your weekend off right!

"Inasmuch as you have done it to one of the least of these... You have done it to Me. Inasmuch as you have not done it... You have not done it to Me."

Happenings

A few cool opportunities at FBC this week:

Tuesday Evening - Men's Bible Study, 6:30 at the Ross Ranch
Wednesday Evening - Midweek Prayer Meeting, 6:30 in Fellowship Hall
Saturday Morning - Haven of Rest Setup and Serve, 10:00 at the Haven of Rest

It's always better when you're there with us!

Brothers Let Us Pray

Saturday, January 25th, 8:00 AM in the FBC Fellowship Hall. Don't miss it. Bring a friend!

TOP TEN PREDICTIONS FOR 2014 and Beyond

Bro. Carl shared the following:

With all the problems the World is facing, it can be unsettling to the mind. Today, I share with you ten predictions that are true!

1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still be the most powerful thing on Earth..
3. The Holy Spirit will still move..
4. God will still honor the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.

Isn't it great To Remember Who Is Really In Control, and that; "the Word of the Lord endures forever." ( 1 Peter 1:25 )

Sometimes we need the reminder of just "WHO" is really in control.

'Until the nets are full, keep on fishing.        

 

Mens Bible Study Reboot

We are starting a new study on What The Bible Teaches About Last Things. Join us at the Moore home for an introductory video and fellowship.

Tuesday, 6:30 PM

A Daily Dose of Spurgeon

Charles Spurgeon suffered from depression. But he found God was with him even there:

This depression comes over me whenever the Lord is preparing a larger blessing for my ministry; the cloud is black before it breaks, and overshadows before it yields its deluge of mercy. Depression has now become to me as a prophet in rough clothing, a John the Baptist, heralding the nearer coming of my Lord's richer benison. So have far better men found it. The scouring of the vessel has fitted it for the Master's use. Immersion in suffering has preceded the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Fasting gives an appetite for the banquet. The Lord is revealed in the backside of the desert, while His servant keepeth the sheep, and waits in solitary awe. The wilderness is the way to Canaan. The low valley leads to the towering mountain. Defeat prepares for victory. The raven is sent forth before the dove. The darkest hour of the night precedes the day- dawn. The mariners go down to the depths, but the next wave makes them mount towards the heavens; and their soul is melted because of trouble before the Lord bringeth them to their desired haven.

How Are You Doing?

On your Bible reading plan for 2014, that is?

All the resolutions in the world have to take a backseat to three vital disciplines that all of us need to cultivate as believers - regular Bible reading, regular prayer, and regular worship with the local church.

On the church website, we've posted several Bible reading plans to help you with that first discipline. Even if you haven't started one yet, it's not too late. Pick one and get started. I am using the 5x5x5 Plan and it only takes a few minutes each morning. And it is an easy one to get caught up on if you fall a bit behind.

Try the midweek prayer meeting to help keep you on track with prayer. And determine to be super faithful to gathering with God's people every Lord's Day.

Cultivate those three disciplines and you'll gain more than all resolutions combined.

Pray

A.A. Bonar said, "O brother, pray; in spite of Satan, pray; spend hours in prayer; rather neglect friends than not pray; rather fast, and lose breakfast, dinner, tea, and supper—and sleep too—than not pray. And we must not talk about prayer, we must pray in right earnest. The Lord is near. He comes softly while the virgins slumber."

Oh, brothers and sisters, how desperately we need to pray. No program or activity at Friendship Bible Church is more important than the midweek prayer meeting. And nothing that might take place during that hour is more important than the time we pray together.

Join us in that ministry every Wednesday at 6:30.

Prayer Meeting Restart

First prayer meeting for 2014 will take place this evening, Wednesday, at 6:30 in Fellowship Hall.  Join us as we pray for one another.

Spurgeon Song

A hymn, written by Charles Spurgeon early in his ministry:

If to my God I now may speak,
And make one short request;
If but one favour I might seek
Which I esteem the best,--
I would not choose this earth's poor wealth;
How soon it melts away!
I would not seek continued health;
A mortal must decay.
I would not crave a mighty name;
Fame is but empty breath.
Nor would I urge a royal claim;
For monarchs bow to death.
I would not beg for sinful sweets;
Such pleasures end in pain.
Nor should I ask fair learning's seats;
Love absent, these are vain.
My God, my heart would choose with joy,
Thy grace, Thy love, to share;
This is the sweet which cannot cloy,
And this my portion fair.

Sing it back to God today, brothers and sisters!

Annual meeting and 6-10 Plan

Members of FBC - this Lord's Day, immediately following the worship service, the annual church meeting will take place. Reports from 2013 were distributed last week and will also be available this week in the foyer. We will review these reports in the meeting. Additionally, we will review our goals for 2014, as detailed in the 6-10 Plan (the 5 year plan under which we are currently operating). Copies of the 6-10 Plan are available on the church website here.

A review of the Phase 2 building project will be given, the budget for 2014 will be shared, and the church officers for 2014 will be introduced.

All current members are requested to attend this meeting. The meeting is open to all non-members who are interested as well.

Reading More - Especially the Bible

Want to read the Bible more in 2014? It's a worthy desire, if you have it. And you should have it, for the Bible is so important to our growth as Christians. Frankly, I think Scripture indicates quite clearly that you are not going to grow as a Christian without reading your Bible.

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (II Timothy 3:16-17)

Here are a few suggested reading plans that you might find useful. If you find one you like, print it out and put it in your Bible. Mark off your progress as you follow the plan. And if you get behind, don't fret... just pick up where you left off and keep going.

Here is one that will take you through the entire Bible, Old and New Testaments, in one year - Through the Bible In A Year Plan

If your excuse is time, here is a great plan that only requires 5 minutes a day 5 days a week, leaving 2 days per week for catching up... reading something else... reflection... etc. If you struggle with setting aside time for God's Word, give this one a try - 5x5x5 Plan

This one is designed to guide you through the entire New Testament during the summer, but it is simply a 90 day plan for reading the New Testament. Use it once, or multiple times throughout the year to accomplish reading the New Testament as many as 4 times during 2014 - Read the New Testament in 90 Days Plan

Here is a beautifully designed chart to guide you through the Bible in a year - Bible Reading Chart

And here is another simple plan for reading the entire Bible in a year - Yet another 52 week Bible reading plan

Download and print any or all of these plans to help you in your Bible reading in 2014. Alternatively, any or all of them are available in printed form through the church office.

Let's get in the Word more in 2014!!