Eggs and Buildings

Calling all men - you won't want to miss the Men's Prayer Breakfast this Saturday morning at 8:00.  It's always a great time.   Brother Ray will be providing the devotional this month.

Afterwards, any men who are able to hang around for a bit can help the deacons as they work to move the two storage sheds away from their current location, and onto the other side of the lot. This is a needed step before we begin Phase 2, and any help is appreciated.  The heavy equipment is already on hand, so all we need is manpower.  We'll begin right after prayer breakfast.

Oklahoma

Can we help?

YES!

We can pray.  Join us this evening for prayer meeting where this will be at the top of the list.  

We can give.  If you would like to give an offering to help with relief efforts, please mark that offering "Oklahoma" and include it with your regular giving.  All collected funds will be sent immediately to Samaritan's Purse Oklahoma Relief Efforts.

We can go.  We are assessing interest in a trip to Oklahoma to help.  If you would be willing to participate, please contact the pastor a.s.a.p.  This trip, like the gifts, would be under the direction of our mission partners at Samaritan's Purse.  They need people who can assist with debris cleanup, roof tarping, chain saw use, and any other cleanup activities.  They only allow those 14 and older to participate. This is an opportunity to show the love of Christ to people who are very broken right now. 

Will you help?

Getting ready for the Haven!

Just minutes away now from hopping in the car and heading off to Akron to serve at the Haven of Rest, as we do every first Saturday of the month.

It's been a huge week at Friendship Bible Church, hasn't it? In addition to the regular weekly items on the calendar, this week we had a funeral dinner on Tuesday, a revised Wednesday schedule for the Leadership Training Institute and the teens, the Caregivers' Meal prep and delivery as well as the National Day of Prayer observance on Thursday, set up and preparation for the Mother's Day banquet on Friday evening, and now we're looking forward to that wonderful banquet this evening!

As I've participated in some of these activities, and watched others, I'm reminded of how a local church only runs successfully when people exercise their gifts, and serve the Lord together in that church. And make no mistake, those who labored in the kitchen, in setting up and tearing down tables, in decorating, in preparing programs, in laboring behind the scenes, in any of these areas, were SERVING THE LORD!

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23-24)

You who have served Him so faithfully this week – I thank my God upon each and every remembrance of you. Know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Oh, and by the way, it's not too late to hop in your car and join us at the Haven of Rest - 10 o'clock. Wear a hat!

Happy Birthday To Me

I've published this same blog posting for the last few years. Each year it gets more precious. Praise the Lord.

It was May 3, 1970. In just 24 hours one of this area's most well-known historical events would occur - the shootings at Kent State University. But on May 3, something happened that didn't make the news, and is unknown to all but a select few now. On that day, a twelve year old boy experienced the most important event in his personal history. That boy was me, and on May 3, 1970, I trusted Christ as my Savior. I am, spiritually, 43 years old today. And so it is a special day as I look back over the journey Christ has led me on so far - a journey that has included both ups and downs, successes and failures, victories and defeats. But one thing is certain. I am more sure today of His love for me than I have ever been. He promised, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." (Hebrews 13:5) I can testify after 43 years of walking with Him, that He never has, and He never will.

NDP Video

Click here for the National Day of Prayer promo video.

National Day of Prayer

The church will be open from 5-9PM. Will you join us in praying for America?

If my people...

Just a quick reminder that the format for our midweek prayer is different this week. The regularly scheduled Wednesday Prayer meeting will not take place. Rather, on Thursday, from 5PM-9PM, the church will be open for prayer in observance of the 2013 National Day of Prayer. There is no program for this event, so just come anytime during that window and pray.

Our goal? Prayer continuously bombarding the throne throughout the evening. Some have already signed up for various time slots to ensure someone is praying each half hour between 5-9. Will you join us? Pray with us? Pray for America?

(BTW - The other Wednesday activities - Teen Gathering, and Leadership Training Institute, will take place at their regularly scheduled Wednesday time slots.)