Friendship s Voice Exalt the Savior * Equip the Saint * Evangelize the Sinner IN THIS ISSUE: PASTOR 27TH ANNIV...1-2 WIDOW S LUNCH...3-4 COLLEGE DAY... 5 FALL FEST... 6-7 Rev. Ronald L. Bowens Pastor VOLUME 1 ISSUE 6 2011 The first Sunday in October is set aside to celebrate and show appreciation for Pastor Bowens and his family. This year, the celebration of 27 years of dedicated service began with a two-day revival. On Thursday, September 29 th, Rev. Derrick Shelton and the Springfield Baptist Church family of Molena were the special guests. Rev. Shelton s message, A Servant Standing On His Promises was taken from Genesis 18:1-3. Rev. Shelton told us in a powerful sermon that, in order for us to possess the promises of God, we must have faith. Rev. Emerson Ross, pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Flowery Branch and members of his congregation joined us on Friday Night. Rev. Ross picked up where Rev. Shelton left off by telling us that God Gives the Vision to His Pastor. This anointed word was taken from Joshua 6:1-6, and informed us that God is the only One who sets the order. God gives the vision to the pastor who shares with the leaders and the church body
Volume 1, Issue 6 NOVEMBER Pastor 27th Anniversary (Con t) The celebration culminated on Sunday at 7:30 a.m. with Rev. Arthur Jones, pastor of Springfield Baptist Church of Lula, telling us that A Change Will Come, taken from 1 Cor. 15:50-58. Rev. Jones reminded us that God is the only One who can bring about a change in our lives and He determines the time of that change. One of our youth, Trey Lewis, gave a moving tribute to Pastor and Sister Debbie. At the 11:00 a.m. service, Pastor s cousin, Rev. Dennis Bowens an Associate Minister at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Atlanta, summed it all up by telling us to Rejoice in the Lord. His topic was taken from Phil. 4:4-5, and let us know that no matter what our situations and circumstances are, we should still and always rejoice in the Lord. Felicia Phillips presented the youthful tribute for Pastor and Sis. Debbie during the service. Pastor and Sis. Debbie gave closing remarks to thank God and the Friendship family. We are truly grateful for such a loving Pastor, Sis. Debbie and the entire family. Our prayer is that God will bless them and allow them to labor at Friendship for many years to come.
Volume 1, Issue 6 NOVEMBER Widow s Luncheon Everyone stood and applauded as each honoree was introduced and escorted to the head table at the 2 nd Annual Widow s Luncheon. This beautiful event was held in the FBC Fellowship Hall on Saturday, October 8, 2011. Fellow widows, family members and friends gathered to pay tribute to the five beautiful, special widows honored this year. The 2011 Honorees are: Mrs. Pamela Barksdale, Mrs. Julia Mae Barnes, Mrs. Carolyn N. Clay, Rev. Dr. Gwendolyn Yvonne Hicks and Mrs. Geraldine M. Powell. Each widow was given an opportunity to express her appreciation of the special recognition. Pastor Bowens shared moving Words of Inspiration entitled You Are Not Forgotten. He used Luke 2: 36-38 as the main scripture and referenced 8 other scriptures. His message highlighted that, throughout the Bible, God has ordered us to care for the widows. It was so then and still is our responsibility today. 2011 HONOREES Mrs. Pamela Barksdale, Mrs. Julia Mae Barnes, Mrs. Carolyn N. Clay, Rev. Dr. Gwendolyn Yvonne Hicks and Mrs. Geraldine M. Powell. A delectable luncheon was served and all enjoyed and fellowshipped together. Family members and friends were then given an opportunity to present flowers, gifts and expressions of love and appreciation to the honorees. The Women s Ministry looks forward to next year s 2012 honorees. A special thanks to Pastor Bowens for believing in the vision for honoring our widows. The Widow s Ministry s scripture of inspiration, I Timothy 5:3, states Honor widows that are widows indeed.
Volume 1, Issue 6 NOVEMBER Widow s Luncheon (Con t)
Volume 1, Issue 6 College Day On October 29th, our youth attended the 2011 Tuskegee College Day in full force. We proudly took 32 high school students to attend the event. There were many activities that day, starting with a welcome that included the performance of our own Matthew Brock, who is a student at Tuskegee. The youth were greeted by each Department Head. They then had the opportunity to participate in an informational session with those departments in the gym. Next they attended a Pep Rally preparing them to cheer on the team as Tuskegee played Clark Atlanta University. A catered lunch was provided on the lawn for the students before they attended the game. The final activity was a personal tour of the campus. Matthew Brock was our tour guide and narrator. The students cheered and chanted with excitement during the bus ride back to the church! We eagerly anticipate future responsibilities to tour other colleges during the Spring, sponsored by the Educational Ministry of FBC. NOVEMBER
Volume 1, Issue 6 Fall Festival The Youth Department is on the move as we approach 2012!!!!!! On October 29, 2011, Friendship Baptist Church embraced both its congregation and the greater community through the young people! The Youth Department of FBC coordinated the 2011 Fall Festival. More than 150 members and over 50 people from the community took part in a day packed with fun, music, food and fellowship for the whole family. The games, activities and environment captured the minds and bodies of the people as both the fellowship and the gospel music ministered to the hearts of all in attendance. NOVEMBER
Volume 1, Issue 6 Fall Festival (Con t) The younger children mostly attended the petting zoo, jumper, face painting and sand art. Other older youth enjoyed cake walk, tug o war, hula hoop competition, eating contest, sack races and, the big hit amongst the teens, Basketball. There were many adults assisting in the event working the activities, food and prizes; however, many other adults enjoyed the day also by staying around and participating or helping. Whether it was a member of the community enjoying the fun and lunch, a young girl from the Youth Department of FBC enjoying the beautiful painting of a flower on her face or FBC adults pitching in to help or simply to have fun themselves, all were pleased. From its start at 11am until its end around 3pm, the Fall Festival was food and fun from beginning to end. The first of many monthly and seasonal activities scheduled over the next 12 months for the Youth Department, the 2011 Fall Festival was a monumental success. Youth were served, ministered to and encouraged while adults were given the opportunity to assist in the development of God s Church through the youth. Pastor Bowens observed and commented favorably on the great music and activities that he witnessed! All honor and glory to God, our Father! Thank you to all of the adults and Youth who took part in the planning or the actual event. Thank you to Deacon and Sis. King for their continued sacrifice and effort to spiritually, educationally and physically edify the youth of FBC and strengthen the Youth Department! NOVEMBER
Communication Ministry Spiritual Advisor Ministry Deacon Deacon Harold Mitchell Friendship s Voice Friendship Baptist Church Mission Statement Exalt the Savior * Equip the Saint * Evangelize the Sinner President Louie Malone Vice President Vacant Treasurer Kevin Corbett Secretary Kristen Lucas Webmaster Joseph Townsel Friendly through Fellowship Developed through Discipleship Enlarged through Evangelism Sharing and Caring through Servant Hood Stronger through God s Word and True Worship Technical Advisor Henry Richardson Friendship Voice Newsletter Editor-in-Chief Ruth Ellis Publisher & Graphic Design Joseph Reeves Anthony Swint Editor & Reporters Kristen Lucas Errol Kerr Barbara Tucker Arlene Brathwaite Youth Reporter Justice Williams Photographers Louie Malone Please direct comments or questions to: communicationsministry@friendshipduluth.org Associate Ministers Rev. Garfield Garner Minister Chris Colston Minister Leslie Green Minister Shurron Green Rev. Alton Wilson OFFICE HOURS: 9:00am 5:00 pm; Monday - Friday Ministers of Evangelism Minister Amelia Brown Rev. Joeann Malone Evangelist Geneva Burse Evangelist Karen DeLee Evangelist Ruthell Morris Evangelist Denise Jackson Opportunities To Serve WEEKLY Bible Study Wednesday 7:30 PM Deacon s Meeting Tuesday 7:00 PM Intercessory Prayer Wednesday 6:00PM/Friday 7:00 PM New Members Class Sunday 9:30 AM Sunday School Sunday 9:45 AM Children s Church Sunday 7:30 & 11:00 AM Praise Team Rehearsal Tuesdays (2nd, 3rd,4th) 6:30 PM Sunday School Teachers Wednesday 6:30 PM Sunday Worship Sunday 7:30 & 11:00 AM Youth Bible Study Wednesday 7:45 PM Recovery Ministry-Tim Sanford 7 Days 24 hours 678-598-1120