ISSUE 7

2011/2012

VOLUME 1

Friendship�’s VoiceIN THIS ISSUE:

All eyes were watching as the lights dimmed and the performances began on Sun-day, December 18, 2011. �“The Joy of Christ-mas�” was presented by the FBC Drama Min-istry. The program featured a play entitled �“A Night in Bethlehem�”. The setting of the play was 2000 years ago in Ancient Israel and in-cluded such props as an Inn and even a stable. Cast members were adorned in costumes from the time period as they told the story of the birth of Jesus from the point of view of each of the characters they portrayed (Mary, Jo-seph, Innkeeper, Innkeeper�’s Wife, Shepherds, Wise Men, and Angels).

A NIGHT IN BETHLEHEM ...1-3

WATCH NIGHT ...4

YEAR-END BREAKFAST ...5-6

ENHANCE YOUR CHRISTIAN WALK ...7

Exalt the Savior * Equip the Saint * Evangelize the Sinner

Rev. Ronald L. Bowens �— Pastor

�“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which

is Christ the Lord�”. - Luke 2:11 (KJV)

Volume 1, Issue 7 A Purpose Driven Church DECEMBER/JANUARY

A Night in Bethlehem (Con�’t)

The Mistress of Ceremony for the evening was Dyanna Agee. Michelle Wilson began by welcoming all in attendance. Cynthia Ur-quhart and Erichka Shadburn led everyone in prayer and the reading of scripture. The play started at center-stage with Mary (mother of Jesus) played by Whitney Tucker. She dram-atized how she felt when she was approached by the Angel who gave her the news that she had been chosen by God to bring Jesus into the world. Next, Joseph played by Joseph Townsel, shared with the audience how he felt when he found out his bride-to-be was expecting a baby. The Innkeeper and his wife played by Emmanuel Tucker and Gail Lewis shared how they felt when they told Mary and Jo-seph there was no room in the Inn. The shep-herds played by Michael Long, William Pat-terson and Joseph White all shared how they were led to Bethlehem to see the miracle that had taken place there. The angels played by Austin Bookman, Donavan Garner, Trey Short, and Darian Malone all shared the good news of the birth of Jesus in �“A Night in Bethlehem�”.

Volume 1, Issue 7 A Purpose Driven Church DECEMBER/JANUARY

A Night in Bethlehem (Con�’t)

The audience enjoyed the wonderful sounds of Christmas music. The Joy of Christmas also featured soloist and instrumental recitals by Jazzmin, Autum, Cameron Williams and Stanisha Crowder. Delight was also felt when the younger children participated in the Hand Bell Choir led by Vanessa White. The program culminated with the energetic movements performed by the FBC Dance Ministry. Evangelist Denise Jackson shared an awesome performance routine to �“Mary Did You Know?�” by Helen Baylor. This was followed by the benediction, given by Pastor Bowens. What a Night in Bethlehem!

Volume 1, Issue 7 A Purpose Driven Church DECEMBER/JANUARY

Watch Night Service

The Ushers were busy finding spaces to seat the steady flow of eager worship-pers as the sanctuary filled to capacity. All were determined to end the old year and welcome the New Year worshipping our Lord and Saviour. This was the scene at Friendship Baptist Church on New Year�’s Eve, 201l. Traditionally, both the members of Friendship and our neighbor Mount Car-mel Baptist Church unite for Watch Night Service. This year Pastor Bowens presid-ed over the nights activities, while Dr. Willie Goodman of Mount Carmel deliv-ered the Watch Night Message.

The Watch Night service can be traced back to gatherings also known as �“Freedom�’s Eve.�” On that night, black slaves and free blacks came together in churches and private homes all across the nation awaiting news that the Emancipa-tion Proclamation actually had become law. At the stroke of midnight, it was January 1, 1863; all slaves in the Confed-erate States were declared legally free. When the news was received, there were prayers, shouts and songs of joy as many people fell to their knees and thanked God. Blacks have gathered in churches annually on New Year�’s Eve ever since, praising God for bringing us safely through another year. It�’s been over a century since the first Freedom�’s Eve and tradition still brings us together at this time every year to celebrate �“how we got over.�” This celebration takes many African American descendants of slaves into a new year with praise and worship. The service usually begins anywhere from 7PM to 10PM and ends at midnight with the entrance of the New Year.

Pastor Goodman delivered a very dynam-ic sermon. The message was based on Matthew 25:31-46 and he used the words �“Hungry, Thirsty, Stranger, Naked, Pris-oner: as his subject. It was a very spirit filled worship expe-rience. The praise and worship section of the service was led by the Deacons of Mount Carmel. We were also blessed with selections by Mount Carmel�’s choir. The service culminated with inspira-tional remarks from Pastor Bowens. Tru-ly, the presence of the Holy Spirit was felt throughout the evening, which ended with a great hope for the Year 2012!

Volume 1, Issue 7 A Purpose Driven Church DECEMBER/JANUARY

Year-end Breakfast

MEN�’S FELLOWSHIP YEAR END BREAKFAST

The Men�’s Ministry held their year end pray-er breakfast on Saturday, December 3th in the Fellowship Hall. The event was well attend-ed with more than 50 men and youth. As is typical at the Men�’s fellowship breakfast meetings, the morning started with a hot breakfast that featured grits, fish, eggs and bacon. Many of the men had set goals for 2011 as part of a ministry initiative from January 2011 and it was time to review progress, re-assess and set new goals for 2012. Goals re-lated to personal, financial, family and church related service matters. Brothers were invited to set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Attain-able) where progress and success could be measured. There was discussion on account-ability partners and the necessity for friends to help, support and counsel one another dur-ing the coming year. Brothers including the youth lined up to give their testimonies of what has happened and how God has worked in their lives in 2011. Story after story of hardships, illnesses, job-lessness, victories and successes, spiritual and material were recounted and in every case God�’s hand was clearly at work. One story triggered another. The Holy Spirit tru-ly was in the place. At least 20 men got up to tell their stories, some smiling and some crying but all praising the Lord. Everyone was moved beyond words.

Volume 1, Issue 7 A Purpose Driven Church DECEMBER/JANUARY

Year End Breakfast Photos

Volume 1, Issue 7 A Purpose Driven Church DECEMBER/JANUARY

Enhance Your Christian Walk

Classes on �“How to Study the Bible�”, with Minister Leslie Green as instructor, were held every Tuesday from 7:00-8:00 pm. These classes began in the Heritage House, but the response was so great, it had to be moved to the Fellowship Hall. Topics covered were �“How We Got the Bi-ble,�” �“God�’s Word to Us,�” �“The Divisions of the Bible,�” �“The Books of the Old and New Testament,�” The Life of Christ,�” and �“The Apostles and the Great Commission.�” These studies provided a better understand-ing of how to apply these basics to our daily time spent in the Word. If you missed the opportunity to take ad-vantage of the first session of this dynamic teaching, �“no need to fret.�” A new session of the same teaching begins again the se-cond Tuesday in March. Don�’t let this op-portunity pass you by!

SEVEN WORDS OF WORSHIP

�“But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Fa-ther in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him.�” - John 4:22-23 (KJV) According to the Webster College

Dictionary, worship is �“the reverent love and allegiance ac-corded to deity, a set of ceremonies, pray-ers or other religious forms by which this love is expressed.�” Worship is a vital in-gredient toward de-veloping a deeper and more meaningful walk with God.

Our own Deacon Bailey is leading a class on Monday nights at 7:00 p.m. in the Fel-lowship Hall. This course is an in-depth study of seven simple words as each one relates to worship. Just as our relationship with God is a per-sonal experience, our desire and form of worshipping is also personal. As we get to know God for who He is and what He has done we will make ourselves available to worship Him.

MEET THE STAFF:

Communication Ministry

Spiritual Advisor

Vacant

Ministry Deacon Deacon Harold Mitchell

President

Louie Malone

Vice President Vacant

Treasurer

Kevin Corbett

Secretary Barbara Tucker

Webmaster

Joseph Townsel

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

Youth Reporter Justice Williams

Photographers

Louie Malone

A Purpose Driven Church

Friendly through Fellowship

Developed through Discipleship

Enlarged through Evangelism

Sharing and Caring through Servant Hood

Stronger through God�’s Word and True Worship

F r i e n d s h i p �’ s V o i c e

Mission Statement Exalt the Savior * Equip the Saint * Evangelize the Sinner

OFFICE HOURS: 9:00am �– 5:00 pm; Monday - Friday

Friendship Baptist Church

A Purpose Driven Church

Associate Ministers Ministers of Evangelism

Minister Chris Colston Minister Amelia Brown Elder Chris Evans Evangelist Geneva Burse Rev. Gareld Garner Evangelist Karen DeLee Minister Shurron Green Minister Leslie Green Elder John T. Hayes Minister Roslyn Long Rev. Alton Wilson Evangelist Denise Jackson Rev. Dr. Joeann Malone Evangelist Ruthell Morris

Please direct comments or questions to: communicationsministry@friendshipduluth.org

OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE WEEKLY Bible Study (Adult & Youth) 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

Recovery Ministry �– Tim Sanford 7 days �– 24 hours 678-598-1120

Praise Team Preparation Tuesday (2nd, 3rd, 4th)

6:30 PM

Sunday School Teachers Wednesday 6:30 PM

Sunday Worship Sunday 7:30 & 11:00am

Youth Bible Study Wednesday 7:45 PM