FCC NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2016

From the Pastor’s Desk “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ…” (Ephesians 4:11).

Charles H. Spurgeon once said in part, "Ministers of the gospel are sent to bear witness about Jesus Christ.” I agree with Pastor Spurgeon. A minister’s job, among everything else, is first and foremost, to bear witness about the One that called us into the ministry. That is the reason God’s gift to His church is a pastor who bears witness about the One who has a claim and call on his life. The pastor is the under-shepherd of the flock of God. He is God’s gift to the church. God gives a church a pastor:

1. For the Perfecting of the Saints — The word “perfecting” means to adjust in conduct and in character. The Bible says that humanity is corrupt in every way. Our speech is corrupt, our character is corrupt, and our conduct is corrupt. We are 180 degrees out with God. The work of the pastor is to lead the sheep in such a way that a complete adjustment is made. Whenever my car is pulling to the right or to the left, it means the car needs an alignment. I have to take it to a mechanic that knows how to align the car to go straight down the road. That’s the job of a pastor. He is to help people adjust their lives so their conduct and character will be aligned with the Bible. Pastors are to perfect the saints.

2. For the work of the ministry — A pastor’s job title is “ministry.” A pastor’s primary job description is to be involved in the lives of God’s people. God gives pastors to churches to train and equip the members to do the work of ministry; known as “Christian service.” Pastors are to ready Christians for action and to make them useful in the kingdom’s service. It is not the pastor’s job to meet every need of the congregation. It is the church’s job to see that every need is met. This is accomplished through biblical training.

3. For the edifying of the body of Christ — The word “edify” means to (build up or to grow stronger.) The pastor is to lead Christians to grow in Christlikeness. As Christians grow, they mature and align their lives with God’s word and will. Then, and only then, will Christians be engaged in ministry. Then the body of Christ is built up as lost souls are saved and become a part of the church.

CONCLUSION: Leading one of the Lord’s churches as a pastor is a great privilege. What excites a true pastor most of all is seeing lost souls come to Christ and observing members grow spiritually. God has placed me as pastor to feed you the word of God, guard your soul, and to minister to you in such a way that you not only see the adjustments that need to be made in your life, but that you actually make them. As pastor, I’m here to perfect the saints, do the work of the ministry, and edify the body of Christ. This is god’s gift to Friendship.

FRIENDSHIP

OUTREACH MINISTRIES

PRAYER Tuesday Prayer meetings and our prayer room available to all who desire intimacy with the Lord.

BENEVOLENCE Helping to feed the hungry, Clothes Closet for men, women & children. Assisting those in need.

COMPUTER COURSES Preparing the community in the age of computers.

COUNSELING Seeking God’s healing as we minister in His wisdom.

VISITATION Visiting in homes, hospitals and nursing homes to share the hope of the Lord.

TRANSPORTATION Van ministry for those needing a ride who desire to attend church services & other church activities.

FRIENDSHIP COMMUNITY CHURCH

Pastor Brown

Friendship Community News God’s Gift to the Church

FCC NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2016

Points of Interest

Agape Meal – Lord’s Supper

Sunday October 2, 2016 - 8:00 A. M.

Pastor’s Anniversary Worship Service Sunday October 16, 2016 - 8:00 A. M.

Thanksgiving Food Drive

We are now accepting non-perishable food items for Thanksgiving. If you have any items, please bring them to the church so that we can distribute them to various food banks. We want to do our part to help feed the hungry in our city.

Remember: 5th Saturday Brunch

FRIENDSHIP COMMUNITY CHURCH

Spot Light on Ministry

Men and Women’s Ministry

Saturday October 1, 2016 - 10:00 A.M.

Usher’s Meeting Saturday October 1, 2016 - 9:30 A.M.

Evangelism Ministry Team

Evangelism is everyone job, not just the pastor. If God has real ly done something miraculous in your l i fe , share that mi rac le w i th o thers . You’ll be surprised how you can impact lives.

Scripture Emphasis for September

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me

faithful, putting me into service, even though I was

formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent

aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted

ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.” (1st Timothy

1:12-14).

Personal Ministry – Everyday!

Thought for the Month

So often no one can see Your service for the Lord,But know that Jesus sees the work You've done for no reward. We just want to let you know, We appreciate you too; And we are sure a heavenly rewardIs waiting there for you.

Little Gary Little Gary is bothering Pastor Brown about taking driver education classes.

He’s ready to start driving.

The problem with this is he will want to drive my car or want me to buy him a car.

FCC NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2016

FRIENDSHIP COMMUNITY CHURCH

1204 Payton Gin Road P.O. Box 180122 Austin, TX 78758 Phone: 512-837-3800 Rev. Gary D. Brown, Pastor Rev. Leroy Holliday, Assistant to the Pastor

Weekly Activities Sunday - Morning Worship - 8:00 AM Sunday - Bible Study - 9:50 AM Tuesday - Prayer Meeting & Bible Study - 6:00 PM Tuesday - Choir Rehearsal - 1st & 3rd Tue. Saturday -Personal Evangelism - 10 AM

Please Pray for:

Sis. Ellen Hendron Bro. Dave Anderson Bro. Jimmy White

Men’s Ministry Meeting: October 1, 2016 – 10:00 A. M.

In our meeting we will prepare for:

1. Pastor Appreciation Service {October 16, 2016}

2. Building Maintenance 3. New Fiscal Year

We wi l l d iscuss our Pastor ’s Anniversary Worship Serv ice. Discuss plans for new fiscal years. Most important of all, Evangelism 1st. We MUST share the gospel with lost and unchurched.

{Men on a Mission}

Usher’s Meeting: October 1, 2016 – 9:30 A. M.

God has blessed us with (4) four ushers that serve with sincerity and integrity. (2) Two of our ushers have mobility issues. Nevertheless, they are the first ones at church on Sunday, ready to serve. Our ushers take their job serious. They serve with integrity. We thank God for all of our ushers. In our meeting we will discuss and plan for our Pastor’s Anniversary Worship Service. They deserve our appreciation and we want to do our part.

Women’s Ministry Meeting:

October 1, 2016 – 10:00 A. M.

In our meeting we will prepare for:

1. Pastor Appreciation Service {October 16, 2016}

2. New Fiscal Year

We need all of our women to support our Pastor’s Anniversary Worship S e r v i c e . I t ’ s t i m e f o r u s t o d e m o n s t r a t e h o w m u c h w e appreciate our pastor.

We will assist Pastor Brown as he l e a d s u s e v a n g e l i z i n g o u r community. Everyone can do their part.

Lauren Myracle has said, “If everyone started off the day singing, just think how happy they would be.” Our choir plays an important part in life and in the life of the church.

Music in worship is nothing more than praising God and ministering to the hearts of worshippers. Gospel music prepares hearts to receive the Word of God. Music and choirs set the tone for worship.

This month on October 16, 2016 we will observe our Pastor’s 15th Anniversary Worship Service. Please come out and support us.

Preachers are important servants in our church and in society.

Preachers preach the Word of God, teach the Word, and most important of all, try to live the Word.

In society, preachers are called upon to minister in hospitals, nursing facilities, counselors in schools, government, and homes.

Preachers are present when children are born and intrinsically involved in the life of families during a time of death.

If you have a relationship with a Bible preacher, you have a w o n d e r f u l a n d b l e s s e d relationship.

“Let the children come to me. “

Frederick Douglas said,"It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men."

Our job at Friendship is to build strong Christian character in our children so that the world may not break them. We have quality biblical education for our children each Sunday morning. We want to help each child be the best Christian he/she can be.

Our children / youth will be involved in another 5th Saturday Brunch this month. Plan to support them.

Usher’s Report Choir Report

Preacher’s Report

Men’s Ministry Report Women’s Ministry Report

Children’s Ministry Report

Pastor Brown Sis. Annette Nims

Sis. Louise Holliday Pastor Brown

Pastor Brown Pastor Brown

FCC NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2016

REPLACE LIFE’S LIES WITH GOD’S WORD

When you commit your ways to the Lord, He speaks all of His promises into your life. That Word of the Lord breathed into your spirit causes something to happen. It causes something new to be birthed in you . . . and brought to the bud stage . . . and brought to the harvest stage of producing “seed” or “grain: . . . and brought to the fulfillment state in which that grain is turned into “bread” that nourishes and satisfies your deepest desires. His Word once sent does not return void. It accomplishes what God sends it to do.

God’s Word brings to wholeness the person to whom it is sent. A Sensational Life!

By Paula White

Come Join Us, this Sunday and every Tuesday evening as we worship, fellowship, and study God’s Word together!

Sunday Service

8 A.M.

Sunday Bible Study

9:50 A.M.

FRIENDSHIP COMMUNITY CHURCH