FRIENDSHIP S VOICE. April 2018 Theme: Salvation Vol. 6, Issue 4

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1 3375 Church Lane, Duluth, GA Ronald L. Bowens, Pastor April 2018 Theme: Salvation Vol. 6, Issue 4 FRIENDSHIP S VOICE INSIDE THIS ISSUE 78 Seeds of Faith... Cover The Gift of Salvation... 2 Hymn of the Month... 3 Inspirations from the Psalms... 4 Outreach Ministry... 7 Health Ministry... 8 Class of Vacation Bible School Movies Under the Stars Teen Lock In Life Lessons Please God, I m Only Women s Ministry Ushers Anniversary Service Good Friday Service Church News GriefShare When Life Is Hard Sunday School Opportunities to Serve CALENDAR MAY 5 Men s Ministry 8 NAACP Judicial Candidates Forum 11 Relay for Life Gwinnett 18 Movies Under the Stars 18 Youth Lock-In (through May 19 th ) th Church Anniversary JUNE Vacation Bible School Exalt the Savior Equip the Saint Evangelize the Sinner THREE KEYS TO THE SEED OF FAITH CAMPAIGN: 1. Recognize that God is your Source - Philippians 4:19 says, My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. God will use many different instruments to supply our needs but He alone is the Source, and He alone cannot fail. 2. Give first, so that it may be given back to you - Luke 6:38 says, Give, and it will be given to you. We must first plant a Seed of Faith so that God can multiply it back to meet our needs. Jesus is talking about giving in the deepest sense of the word the giving of ourselves to God. This includes anything we can give: love, time, patience, forgiveness, finances, and our prayers. Please note that Our giving reflects our Trust in God. 3. Expect a miracle - Mark 11:24 says, Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. The moment we ask God for something the moment we do our part and plant our Seed of Faith we should believe God that the answer is on its way. It s important to expect our miracle so we can recognize it and reach out to take it when it comes. How This Campaign Will Work: Over the next 78 weeks, we are asking every member and friends to sow a seed of $26 over and above your tithes and offerings. If you are not able to give $26, give what you can, and if you are able to give more than $26, please do so. If you are blessed to give $260 or $2,600 per week, be obedient to God. We are asking you to please utilize the blue envelopes located on the back of the pews. Using the blue envelopes will help our Finance Ministry greatly. This allows them to tract and account for your seed offerings. So please each Sunday for 78 weeks, give God something to work with. No matter how little you think you have, sow it in Joy and in Faith, knowing you are Sowing Seeds so you, your family, our church, each ministry and our community may Reap miracles from the seeds that you sow. Remember God is Our Source Give so that it can be Given Back to You and Expect a Miracle! This campaign is designed to eliminate the mortgage on the church. Thank you and God Bless!

2 Galatians 2:16 (KJV) 16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Q: I've heard preachers say that God gives us salvation as a free gift. But if that's true, then why doesn't God go ahead and give it to everyone? I guess I don't really understand this. A: One of the Bible s greatest truths is that God offers us our salvation as a free gift. It isn t something we can buy, nor is it something we can earn by our own good works. The Bible puts it this way: For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23) But the Bible also tells us two important truths about God s gift of salvation. First, it tells us that it is a costly gift. Think of it this way. Suppose you wanted to express your love for someone by giving them a very fine gift. What would you have to do? Well, you d first have to go to the store and buy it and the finer the gift, the more it would cost you. To your friend, it s a free gift, but it wasn t free on your part. The same is true with God s gift of salvation. To us it s free, but it cost God the life of His Son. The reason is because on the cross Jesus Christ became the final sacrifice for our sins. He paid for our salvation with His blood. But the Bible also tells us a second truth: Like any other gift, God s gift of salvation doesn t become ours until we accept it. Just as we can refuse the gift someone offers us, so we can refuse God s gift of salvation. But why would we? Don t let this happen to you, but by faith reach out and accept Christ into your life today. You can know Christ today. Source: Billy Graham Evangelist Association

3 HYMN OF THE MONTH Hymn Story: At the Cross This popular hymn was written by Isaac Watts. Watts was born in 1674 and died in He would become a pastor and wrote poems and hymns to go with his sermons. He wrote over 600 hymns during his lifetime. Today we still know some of his songs such as At the Cross and Joy to the World. We don t know the story that inspired this song, but there is a story of how this song inspired many more songs. Fanny Crosby, the beloved hymnist, attended a revival meeting in While there, the congregation sung Alas and did my Savior bleed for the invitational. Crosby was so moved that she prayed There Lord, I give myself away She stated that afterwards she was a changed woman. Crosby would go on to write over 8,000 hymns. Many of these hymns such as Blessed Assurance and Draw Me Nearer are still sung today. All of this because Fanny Crosby was inspired by the words of Isaac Watts. The Lyrics: 1. Alas! and did my Savior bleed And did my Sov reign die? Would He devote that sacred head For such a worm as I? 2. Was it for crimes that I had done He groaned upon the tree? Amazing pity! grace unknown! And love beyond degree! 3. Well might the sun in darkness hide And shut his glories in, When Christ, the mighty Maker died, For man the creature s sin. 5. But drops of grief can ne er repay The debt of love I owe: Here, Lord, I give myself away, Tis all that I can do. Refrain: At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away, It was there by faith I received my sight, And now I am happy all the day! 4. Thus might I hide my blushing face While His dear cross appears, Dissolve my heart in thankfulness, And melt my eyes to tears. Submitted by Sis. Hyacinth Chung

4 INSPIRATION FROM THE PSALMS Written By Evangelist Deloris Williams A PSALM OF DAVID Psalm 68:11-13 Remember the Published Word The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it. Kings of armies did flee apace: and she that tarried at home divided the spoil. Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold. OBSERVATION: Praise GOD for the provision and protection He gives His people throughout all time. We should move when GOD gives his word and summon those in the camp to ARISE! SITUATION: Our Creator s presence is always majestically present over evil, and a Sovereign help and protector and provider to orphans, widows, the suppressed, the poor and a father of the fatherless. APPLICATION: Our Majestic and Sovereign Father s solitary flame that aligns His family who is ready, prepared, and watching and waiting for the WORD! Because of a people whose security was rendered unto the (Higher Spiritual Vibration) of faith, and soberly watching and listening, for the orders of their higher author of (ALL) victories! David was about to lead the joyous procession of a people who had been disadvantaged. THE HIGHER ASCENDANCY: HOPE! Obedience was about to move the lonely and the disadvantaged from lean pots-- the people who knew the superiority and the dominance of being a (King s kid) ABBA s True Remnant people regardless of the culture prejudice neighbors of their time. SOBRIETY SOBERNESS TEST: Are you living a life in the Holy Spirit? Are you truly well read and know what it means to be Holy Spirit Filled? Knowing the voice of the HOLY SPIRIT or yourself, or the devil comes when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. He cannot live in an unclean temple. Living in obedience and loving discipline causes a child to develop discernment! CHANGE OF VALUES: GOD s spirit will not dwell in an unclean temple or a body that is sinning or breaking the laws or commandments of God. A person must pray often and obtain forgiveness of sin or the Holy Spirit will not abide within him. To retain this peace, joy and happiness, a person must pray and seek God s ULTIMATE will every day with readiness. Each of us has a need in our heart which only the Holy Spirit can fill. When you become a Christian, the Holy Spirit comes to inhabit your heart. Until the Holy Spirit comes to live with you, you will never find perfect peace. Nothing else will satisfy your void illegal substance, friends, sex, books, careers, entertainment, food, etc. There will always be Emptiness and a nagging effect of VOID!

5 (Inspiration from the Psalms cont d) INSPIRATION: The high points of this Psalm: we see David led his people and the treasury is that they handled the sacred ARK of GOD! With the words of the first two verses, the Ark is uplifted, and the procession begins to move... Then the glorious march of Jehovah in the wilderness is sung (Psalm 68:7-10), and his victories in war are celebrated in verses The joyous shouts are heightened as the Ark is brought to rest and the heightened splendor that Elohim keeps his promise as Zion comes in view of a battle victory that has been kept by ISRAEL s Promise Keeper, and the Ark to Rest in its glory up the hill. EXPLORATION AND ENLIGHTMENT: They rejoiced before the battle was over. The Triumphal blast of the outpouring of GOD S voice warned the camp. The Women s tongues became Ready Pens publishing in voice and deed. How? They ran from tent to tent, publishing the chant that the battle-note had been sounded. They were validated publishers of the wind and breathe as watchmen over sleeping valiant men. (How sweet is the published gospel in the hearts and penning saints voicing their voices TODAY! What does scripture say about Publishing the name of the LORD?) The Bible is the Supreme expression of the Sovereign heart of the Creator. Publish the name of the LORD (Deuteronomy 32:3). Publish Peace (Nahum 1:15). IN CONCLUSION, CHURCH: How are we doing in the camp as the LORD gives the WORD? Are we swift as men and women who have had lien pots? How do we witness by publishing the good news like the women in this Psalm hurrying to the men to ARISE? FINAL EXPRESSION: Yet, the hand of the Sovereign ABBA Father is Guiding Humanity to an Eternal Ascension. Let us Praise the LORD for the Under Shepherd who preaches the WORD! Let us arise and print, distribute, circulate, evangelize and make public each newsletter issue and thank you, Oh Lord, for our Communication s Ministry and The Voice Newsletter Team - those blessing our newsletter with Free Professionalism as the Unsung Heroes with hours of: YET: Their labor of clicking the Electronic Eyes through Optic Lens of Cameras Their Labor of Visual Arts of Layout and Design with anointing to consciously bring us mind space and visual Art Inserts mirroring imagination and motivation Of each spiritual inspiration on the White Parchment in publishing exhorting WORD Let our hearts Invoke the Soul of Yahweh

6 (Inspiration from the Psalms cont d) ENCOURAGING SOME SOUL (praying) out of the flickering flame of hope an illuminating request of an awakening in the lonely darkest hours, when all is quiet, the choir in symphony has retired, the preaching of the spoken word may have been quickly stolen by (the soul s enemy) and drawing perhaps from the depths of their hearts a spiritual letter like this: LET US TAKE NOTE OF THIS CONCLUDING DRAFT: The Mirror of Yahweh s Soul Reflecting His Biblical Handwriting on the Spiritual Wall of the Universe through the Language of Love to Exhort a Soul through the Gospel of Love! The Blood Never Grows Old Nor should our hearts grow cold!

7 THE OUTREACH MINISTRY - One Body Saved To Serve Sis. Diana McGhee, Ministry Leader It s Prom Time Again The Outreach Ministry has several beautiful gowns available for our young ladies to wear to prom this year. For confidential fitting services, please contact Pamela Stodghill at or by at pamelabarksdale@yahoo.com. We also need volunteer alteration services. If you would like to donate a gown or a tuxedo, please bring items to the Outreach Center during our business hours. The Friendship Market food distribution project needs more MALE VOLUNTEERS between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Fridays. If you can volunteer for any hours during that time, please contact Diana McGhee at or at dianaymcghee@bellsouth.net. Fruit & Produce The Friendship Market is open Wednesdays from 1:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m., Fridays from 4:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Items will be distributed in the Fellowship Hall on Fridays and from the Outreach Center on Wednesdays and Saturdays on a first-come, first-served basis. Mid-Week Service Did you know that the Outreach Ministry hosts a mid-week worship service every Wednesday at noon in the Fellowship Hall? Join us!!

8 HEALTH MINISTRY National Organ Donation Awareness Month Sis. Vickie Perry, RSN/BSN, Ministry Leader Be an organ donor! Register online through the state registry or DMV when you renew your driver s license. Be A Rainbow in Somebody Else s Cloud quoted by Maya Angelo. FBC Family Life Center Gym and Fitness Center Hours Monday-Friday Mornings 9:00 am-12:00 pm Tuesday Evenings 4:00pm 8:00pm

9 EDUCATION MINISTRY Sis. Vanessa Thomas, Ministry Leader KaSharri B Blacknell Kayla Dixon Tyler A. Gamble Bethanie Garner Donovan Garner Taijah J. Capers Marcus Huggins Shantrelle Jones De'Yon Lathan Jyqaz Dorsey Mahaffey Jasmine Murray Kendall A. M. Robinson Krystian Stevens Kieran Wehby Preston Wehb We look forward to celebrating the academic achievements of our graduating High School seniors. Educational Opportunities (Middle and High School) Tuskegee Airmen Aviation and STEM Training (TAAST) Summer Youth Aviation Program ACTAI will sponsor its sixth annual TAAST Program at Atlanta Metropolitan State College from June 2-8, One of the objectives of TAAST is to excite and motivate high school students to experience and gain knowledge about aviation, aerospace and STEM careers. The program is provided at no cost. Applications are available online at The University of Georgia (UGA) Summer Academy Camps is an exciting series of specialty summer camps in Athens for middle and high school students who want to do amazing things. Whether you dream about becoming a film director, doctor, scientist or artist, there is a summer camp just right for you! For additional information, go to

10 YOUTH MINISTRY Sis. Charlene Benn, Ministry Leader VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL June 11-15, :30 p.m. 9:00 p.m. The VBS theme for this year is: Jesus, the Kingdom Builder. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. (Hebrews 11:10 NIV) For more information, please contact: Madelyn Sharpless at or Kindell May at or Thank you in advance for your support and commitment.

11

12 TEEN CHURCH Rev. Stan Williams, Ministry Leader

13 Teen Church Cont d) The Teen Ministry presents Friday Night Live the third Friday of each month from 6:30 pm - 8:45 pm. in the Family Life Center. There will be life lessons, games, music and lots of fun! If you re a teen, please plan to attend and bring a friend. LIFE LESSONS

14 (Teen Ministry cont d)

15 PLEASE, GOD, I M ONLY 17 As prom time approaches and the end of the school year is approaching, let the clip below, taken from a Dear Abby newspaper column, remind young people of the importance of driving carefully and what could happen if they don t. Driving carefully includes being sober, not speeding, texting or any other distractions. This newspaper clipping was submitted by Sis. Virginia McLemore. Cell phone use is highest among year olds.

16 WOMEN S MINISTRY Vickie Chambers, Ministry Leader The women of FBC came together on Saturday, March 10 th, as one body in Christ to uplift our Savior through prayer, praise and study! The morning began with several sisters sharing a favorite bible verse after which we were ministered to through a short medley of inspirational songs. As always, a few moments were spent acknowledging birthdays and wedding anniversaries. Birthday wishes were extended to Thelma Matthews (3/17) and Vennie McDowell (3/23). Wedding anniversary acknowledgements went to Cheryl Alford (53 years), Debbie Chambers (33 years) and Dranita Morrow (10 years). We wish all of our sisters many more years of good health, joy and prosperity, and happy anniversary to their spouses as well. This morning s meeting was all about further educating women on the importance of being dressed in the full armor of God with a focus on Ephesians 6:16 which says, Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. (KJV) Facilitator for this discussion was Sis. Dranita Morrow, an educator by profession, who put her skills in action as she directed attention to pictures of shields and asked that the women identify the company or sports organization each represented. In the end, it was concluded that while the companies were different, each used a shield that represented respect, protection and security. Next, she provided a definition for the first two words of the verse above all. Emphasis was placed on the importance of using the Merriam Webster dictionary as the most reliable source. Merriam Webster says that above all simply means before every other consideration. Sis. Dranita enlightened listeners to the fact that the words, above all, can be found in the King James Version 74 times and in the book of Ephesians alone 5 times. For those who may want to do further research, the chapter and verse have been noted: Ephesians 1:21, 3:20, 4:6, 4:10 and 6:16 (our focus verse). In each reference, above all means before anything else. The main point is that before we do anything else, we must spend time with the Lord. Sis. Dranita shared her personal daily routine which included prayer, reflection and writing out her thoughts. She made it clear that while it does not always go as planned, this is her intended process for each day, and she encouraged every woman to make putting on the shield of faith a starting point in her daily life. Following are a few of the questions asked along with some of the responses that were offered: 1. How is faith different from belief? Belief is a mind thing and faith comes from the heart. Another: Belief is a feeling that someone or something is true; faith is belief in action. It is complete trust in God. 2. Can you believe in God but not have faith that He can fight your battles? We must have faith if we are true believers. Hebrews 11:1 says that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Sis. Dranita also provided a biblical example from Exodus 14:21: Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night and made the sea dry land and the waters were divided.

17 (Women s Ministry cont d) 3. How do we obtain faith? Romans 10:17: So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. The stronger you become in the Lord, the greater your faith. 4. What does faith provide? A shield. Something that protects or defends. (Pictures of shields that God made to protect various animals were displayed to support the importance of wearing one.) In summary, the shield serves as a weapon or instrument that can extinguish all, stop all, and quench all. It requires that we put our faith in front of us. The shield stops the fiery darts of the wicked. Even though they re aimed at us, we re protected. Nothing the enemy can send our way can cause harm if we have put on the shield of faith. At the end of this session, we were provided a piece of paper on which we wrote the word FAITH in the center. We were then asked to reflect on what faith meant to us either referencing two verses mentioned in the presentation or two that we were familiar with and three facts that indicated what faith meant to us personally. Before closing, we had opportunity to watch a video presentation by Priscilla Shirer in which she provided the missing words on page 122 in the study book. They have been listed below for those who have the book and were not able to attend the meeting: Faith Active Reliance Action Act..Truth Benefits..Actions Less.More Faithful.Active Equip Distract (The video stopped before answers for the last statement were communicated.) One last thing: Hazel Franklin displayed some of the beautiful floral pieces being made in the Creative Learning Workshop. She extended an invitation to all to come and share their talents and/or learn how to create some of the many beautiful art that is being taught. We hope you ll join with us every second Saturday of the month at 8:45 a.m. Cheryl Alford, Writer Shirley Price, Photographer

18 THE USHERS MINISTRY ANNIVERSARY SERVICE Sis. Shirley Harris-Johnson, Ministry Leader Hyacinth Chung, Writer and Usher On Sunday, March 25 th, at 3:00 p.m., the FBC Ushers lined up for their grand march into the Sanctuary to celebrate their Anniversary. The ladies were decked out in their white suits and matching accessories, with a new accompaniment of pink pearl necklaces and earrings to observe cancer awareness. The men were in new gray suits with pink accessories and the Youth Ushers were welcomed in their black and white uniforms. After the formalities of Scripture reading, Prayer, Welcome and the Occasion, the FBC G.U.I.D.A.N.C.E Ministry rendered their praise in dance followed by the Offertory song. We marched in to the beat, while the FBC Choir sang the lyrics of For the Rest of My Life. The mistress of ceremony was Evangelist Ruthell Morris, who did a great job in emceeing the program. The FBC Choir was also on top of their game as they ministered songs to tell of His Story.

19 (Ushers Ministry cont d) Pastor Ronald Bowens introduced the speaker of the hour, Rev. Christopher A. Wimberly, Sr. from Hunter Hill Baptist Church in Atlanta GA. The Scripture was taken from Matthew 6:11 and the sermon title was He Knows What I Need. Rev. Wimberly began by reminding us who God is. God is Awesome because of who He is, an Omnipresent God. He is everywhere. God takes our past and our present to prepare us for the future. This includes blessings, trials, heartaches and whatever else comes into our lives. God knows what we need, but we have to ask Him for it to get to the place where He wants us to be. We have to communicate with God through prayer--that s how we talk to God. Rev. Wimberly referenced the Lord s Prayer as we come to know it, but said this prayer is not for the Lord, but for us to pray it to the Lord. This is the prayer He taught the disciples to pray. When we pray to God, we have to be careful how we pray. Pointers of sincere prayer are: 1. Don t show off when we pray. It s not how long we pray, it s how strong our prayer is. 2. Hallow God s name. Give him reverence and glory and praise. 3. Ask him for everything we need to get us through the day. 4. Acknowledge God for who He is to you -- your Healer, Master, Father, Provider, the list goes on and on. Can you shout when you ask God for something and it didn t come through for you? Withholding a blessing is not denying a blessing; the time may not be right for you at that moment. We sometimes pray for a spouse, and when that person moves on, we think our prayers are not answered, but that holy wedlock that you were looking at may just become unholy padlock for you later in the marriage. When we pray give us this day our daily bread, it s not just bread that we eat, but Bread in this sense means He will supply our needs and take care of us, emotionally, spiritually and physically. We have to learn to feed on the word of God so when trials pull our strings, we can recite the Word of God to encourage ourselves. We withhold our praise because we didn t get what we asked for, but learn to thank God in all things. Bread is our need and cake is our want. Learn to feed on the Bread of Life. It was a precise and powerful message and we thank Rev. Wimberly for giving us what the Lord gave him to feed us. After the message, our Ushers President, Sister Shirley Harris-Johnson made some acknowledgements and presentations to some deserving recipients for outstanding service.

20 (Ushers Ministry cont d) Rev. Wimberly offered the Invitation to Discipleship and Pastor Bowens gave the Closing Remarks, with Rev. Wimberly doing the Benediction and blessing of the food. We then continued the Fellowship in the Family Life Center with Italian Cuisine, cakes, pies and refreshments. FBC Ushers Ministry Leaders Shirley Harris Johnson, President 1 st Joanne Williams Joseph Reeves, Vice President 2 nd Bobby Williams Henry Richardson Vanessa White, Secretary 3rd Isabelle Robinson Irene Cassell JoAnne Williams, Treasurer 4 th Lula Tally Barbara Johnson Irene Cassell, Chaplain 5 th Vanessa White Lula Tally Deacon Clyde Johnson, Ministry Advisor Ministry Team Members Wonda Nadirah Askew Randy Harrell Joseph Reeves Mary Anderson Kevin Hayes Calneh Richardson Brenda Ball Rosena Heyward Henry Richardson Thaddeus Bell Kennedy Horton Israel Richardson Rita Bowens Barbara Johnson Latasha Richardson Julia Brown Frances Johnson Isabelle Robinson Sherie Brown Shirley Harris Johnson Violet Sanford Alfred Cassell Jackie Lash Michael Sharpless Irene Cassell Darion Malone Mikayla Sharpless Demetra Casseus Nellie Mims Karington Smith Hyacinth Chung Yolanda Morgan Lula Tally Ashley Clark Desmond Nagbe Agnes Taylor

21 GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE THE SEVEN LAST WORDS/SAYINGS OF JESUS CHRIST ON THE CROSS MARCH 30, 2018 The sayings of Jesus Christ on the cross (also called the Seven Last Words from the Cross) are seven expressions said by Jesus during His crucifixion, according to Wikipedia. Traditionally, the sayings have been called "Words." They are gathered from the four Gospels. Three of the sayings appear only in the Gospel of Luke and three only in the Gospel of John. The other saying appears in both the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Mark when Jesus cries out to God, the Father. In Luke, he forgives his killers, reassures the penitent thief, and commends his Spirit to the Father. In John, He speaks to His mother, says he thirsts, and declares the end of his earthly life. Moderator Rev. Garfield Garner Associate Minister The fact that there are so few sayings recorded suggests that Jesus remained relatively silent during the hours that He hung on the cross. A final fact is that since the 16th century, they have been widely used in sermons on Good Friday. (Reprint from May 2017 newsletter) Songs of praise, worship and adoration offered up before the Seven Last Words of Jesus on the Cross.

22 THE SEVEN LAST SAYINGS OF JESUS CHRIST ON THE CROSS First Words Second Words Third Words Father, forgive them for they know not what they doeth. Luke 23:34 Jesus said unto him, verily I say unto thee, today though shalt thou be with me in paradise. Luke 23:43 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, woman, behold, thy son. Then he said to the disciple, behold thy mother. John 19:26-27 Evg. Kimberly Rogers Rev. Kenneth Blacknell Min. Karen Blacknell Fourth Words Fifth Words Sixth Words My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Matthew 27:46 Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished that the scriptures might be fulfilled said, I thirst. John 19:28 He said, It is finished." John 19:30 Rev. Eugene Graves Min. Geneva Crownhart Min. Barbara Williams Seventh Words "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit. Luke 23:46 Rev. Stanley Williams What was Finished? What was the Payment? What was the Proof of Payment? What do you do with this information? Look for the answers in the May issue of Friendship s Voice.

23 & Other Important Information INTER ES TED IN BEING A DRIVE Dance Ministry - Has God given you a passion for movement? Do you have a dedication for Praise and Worship? Then, the FBC Guidance Dance Ministry is for you. For ages Come join us on Fridays from 7:00 pm - 8:45 pm. God, You and I Dance. For more details, contact Nyla Blacknell at Greeters Needed - If you have a warm, friendly smile and enjoy welcoming people and have not yet found a place to serve, we would love to have you be a part of the Greeters Ministry. We only ask that you commit to one service a month. We also need greeters who can step in at the last minute to fill in for another greeter when needed. If that s you, please call Virginia McLemore at Kitchen Ministry - Do you have a passion for cooking? Are you looking for a rewarding ministry? Do you like eating hot breakfast served at Friendship? If you answered yes, then FBC Kitchen Ministry is looking for Cooks, Servers and Dishwashers that can commit to at least one or more Sundays per month. Please contact Reggie Denson at or Paul Turner at Lost and Found If you have lost items and would like to check the Lost and Found, you may contact the church office Monday Friday, 9:00 am 3:00 pm. If you find a lost item, please see one of the ushers after any Sunday service, or contact the church office. Transportation Ministry - Interested in being a driver? Dial Need a ride to the church? Dial and leave a message. Ushers Ministry - Are you looking for a ministry to serve in? Are you committed? Do you like to meet and greet? The Usher Ministry would love to have you join us. Youth 10-17, young adults and men and women of all ages are needed. We meet the first Tuesday of the month in the FLC, Room 135. For further details, you may contact anyone of our ushers or Shirley Johnson at shirleyhasfaithnow@yahoo.com. Relay For Life is the signature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Relay is staffed and coordinated by volunteers in thousands of communities and 27 countries. These events bring communities together to remember loved ones lost, honor survivors of all cancers, and raise money to help the American Cancer Society make a global impact on cancer. Let s join in and help one of our Friendship family members, Min. Karen Blacknell, fight cancer. Will you walk with Karen or if unable to walk with her, would you consider making a donation of any amount? Learn more at: The Event: Relay for Life of Gwinnett County Friday, May 11, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. Gwinnett County Fairgrounds 2405 Sugarloaf Pkwy Lawrenceville, GA Thank you in advance for your support. Submitted on behalf of Karen Blacknell Paulette Tapp, Editor

24 COME JOIN US Every Wednesday Night for: Intercessory Prayer 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Worship Service & Bible Study 7:30 p.m.

25 INTER ES TED IN BEING A DRIVER? GriefShare Ministry Leader Minister Karen L. Blacknell Karen83052@gmail.com Help and encouragement after the death of a spouse, a child, family member or friend. GriefShare is a special weekly seminar and support group designed to help you rebuild your life after losing a loved one. The support group is led by caring people who have experienced grief themselves and want to help you through the difficult days ahead. We know it hurts, and we want to help. The GriefShare Ministry has received the necessary GriefShare training to be able to provide a warm, caring and comfortable environment to those experiencing the pain of grief. Training is key for effective ministry. GriefShare provides ongoing training to the support group in order to continue to build and maintain a strong leadership team. GriefShare s 13-week class started March 25, 2018, at 9:45 a.m. in the Family Life Center in Room 234. Each participant will need to register to attend this class. The workbooks are $15. The GriefShare Ministry support group members are: Minister Karen L. Blacknell, Rev. Kenneth M. Blacknell, Rev. Garfield Garner, Minister Amelia Brown, Minister Barbara Williams, Sis. Sandra Williams, Sis. Linda Berry, Sis. HaLynn Brown, Mother Gerald Baker, Mother Dorothy Blagman, Sis. Tyesaha Peak-Lane, Sis. Tradenia Hill, Sis. Cortney Garner, Sis. Hyacinth Chung and Evangelist Deloris Williams.

26 Friendship Baptist Church - Fellowship Hall Monday Nights 7:00 8:00 p.m. Books - $12 If you are a child of God, you can be sure that trials are coming your way. But your hardships are raw materials in the hands of a mighty God who wants to work in your life for good. This study is anchored in the scriptural truth that God disciplines all of His children, using trials to train you for your good and for His purposes.

27 FBC YOUTH MINISTRY (AGES: NURSERY - 5TH GRADE) 7:30 AM & 11:00 AM SERVICES As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace 1 Peter 4:10 TEEN MINISTRY HERITAGE CHURCH AGES 12 TO 19 (MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL) 7:30 AM & 11:00 AM SERVICES

28 Minister Geneva Crownhart Superintendent Bro. Dorian Rogers Assistant Superintendent CLASSES LOCATED IN THE FAMILY LIFE CENTER (FLC): Class Room Class Room Men s Class 131 In Teens (High School) 217 Survival Kit 135 Jesus and Me (Middle School) 219 Women s Class 139 CONN3CT (College age 19-29) 220 Basic Bible Study 208 IGNITE! (Singles and Young Adults 29 & Older) 221 New Member s Class 209 Marriage Class 233 MasterLife 1: The Disciple s Cross 130 Single Parenting 220 MasterLife 2: The Disciple s Personality 210 MasterLife 3: The Disciple s Victory 211 Note: Adult classes are combined on the 5 th Sundays and meet in the Sanctuary MasterLife 4: The Disciple s Mission 212 CLASSES LOCATED IN THE LOWER LEVEL OF THE MAIN BUILDING: The Nursery (3 months-2 years old) Beginner s (3-4 year olds) Primary (K-2 nd Grade) Juniors (3 rd -5 th Grade)

29 0PPORTUNITIES TO SERVE W E E K L Y Worship Services Sunday 7:30 & 11:00 am Sanctuary Teen Church Sunday 7:30 & 11:00 am Heritage Church Sunday School Sunday 9:45 am Family Life Center Sunday School (Youth) Sunday 9:45 am Lower Level Main Building New Members Class Sunday 9:45 am Room 209 Family Life Center God s Calling & Purpose for Your Life Monday 7:00 pm Fellowship Hall Deacon s Meeting Tuesday (1st & 3rd) 7:00 pm Room 232 Family Life Center Mid-Week Service Wednesday 12:00 noon Heritage Church Intercessory Prayer Wednesday 6:30 pm Sanctuary Sunday School Teachers Wednesday 6:30 pm Lower Level Main Building Adult Bible Study Wednesday 7:30 pm Sanctuary Youth Church WoW Bible Study Wednesday 7:45 pm Lower Level Main Building Marriage Class Thursday 7:00 pm Room 201 Lower Level Main Bldg Recovery Ministry 7 days a week 24 hours a day Contact: Tim M O N T H L Y Education Ministry 2nd Monday 7:00 pm Room 303 Lower Level Main Bldg Usher Ministry 1st Tuesday 7:00 pm Room 135 Family Life Center Men s Ministry 1st Saturday 7:30 am TBA Monthly Media Ministry 1st Saturday 9:30 am Room 130 Family Life Center Mother s Ministry 1st Saturday 9:30 am Room 135 Family Life Center Minister s Meeting 1st Saturday 3:00 pm Room 232 Family Life Center Women s Ministry 2nd Saturday 8:45 am Fellowship Hall Money Matters 2nd Saturday 11:30 am Fellowship Hall Male Chorus Preparation 2nd & 4th Saturday 9:30 am Sanctuary Health Ministry 2nd Saturday 11:00 am Room 303 Lower Level Main Bldg Outreach Ministry 3rd Saturday 9:00 am Fellowship Hall Shepherd s Care Ministry 3rd Saturday 10:00 am Room 202 Lower Level Main Bldg Communication s Ministry 3rd Saturday 11:00 am Room 135 Family Life Center Marriage Ministry 3rd Saturday 5:00 pm Room 239 Family Life Center Seniors Ministry 4th Saturday 11:00 am Fellowship Hall Singles Ministry 4th Saturday 12:30 pm Lower Level Heritage Church Prison Ministry Gospel Choir Preparation Youth Choir Preparation Tuesday before 1 st & 3 rd Sunday 7:00 pm Tuesday before 2 nd & 4 th Sunday 6:45 pm S P E C I A L M O N T H L Y S E R V I C E S Holy Communion 1st Sunday 7:30 & 11:00 am Sanctuary Baptism 3rd Sunday 11:00 am Sanctuary Baby Dedications 4th Sunday 7:30 & 11:00am Sanctuary Get plugged in and start serving today. Your gifts, talent, skills and time are needed.

30 9 CHURCH ADDRESS AND CONTACT INFORMATION 3375 Church Lane, Duluth GA Contact: Rita Bowens, Office Office Hours: Monday Friday 9:00am-5:00pm fbcduluth@att.net Website: FBC ASSOCIATE MINISTERS Rev. Ken Blacknell Minister Chris Colston Rev. Garfield Garner Rev. Eugene Graves Minister Shurron Green Rev. Timothy Twyman Minister Floyd Williams Rev. Stanley Williams Rev. Alton Wilson FBC MINISTERS OF EVANGELISM Minister Karen Blacknell Minister Amelia Brown Evangelist Geneva Burse Minister Geneva Crownhart Evangelist Karen DeLee Evangelist Denise C. Jackson Minister Roslyn Long Evangelist Valerie Montaque Evangelist Ruthell Morris Evangelist Kimberly Rogers Minister Nicole Walker Minister Barbara Williams Evangelist Deloris Williams COMMUNICATIONS LEADERS Louie Malone, President Terrill Tarver, Vice President Shatina Patterson, Secretary Kelly Wilson, Assistant Secretary Christine Smith, Treasurer Hyacinth Chung, Chaplain Harold Mitchell, Deacon Advisor NEWSLETTER STAFF Editor and Graphic Designer: Paulette Tapp Photography: Louie Malone & Shirley Price Writer: Hyacinth Chung Proofreader: Christine Smith Publisher: Terrill Tarver Web Design: Antonio Neal Please direct comments regarding the Newsletter to: communicationsministry@friendshipduluth.org SUBSCRIBE today at Friendship Baptist Church has a newly-enhanced website to provide greater communication across FBC Ministries. The address has not changed, so visit us at fbcduluth.org. Improvements are ongoing. Feedback can be provided to the Communications Ministry at tag49llm@aol.com