| “The most important thing in your life is not what you do, it’s who you become.” – Dallas Willard I’m sitting in my office reflecting on how busy March was with all the things surrounding the Mexico Spring Connection trip combined with the Holy Week events. March was FULL, but it was filled with many good things. Now we’re deep into April, and I’m leaving this weekend to lead the EFC-MAYM Pastor’s Sabbath retreat. I’m feeling a bit of hypocrisy because if I had been wiser I would be taking the Sabbath retreat instead of agreeing to lead it. New rhythms and new schedules in a new place have left me with more learning to do than expected. We are what we do/produce is about as ingrained in our society as any other evaluative paradigm. Like most of us in our culture, I quickly get sucked in even when trying not to. No wonder we spend all our time focused on where we can be king/queen and building our own kingdoms! When Jesus is the King of the Kingdom, only He must have it together, and for that, I’m thankful. Because, friends, we have a problem! Willard has much advice on this topic, but today I’m going to just leave this one quote as I try to detox from the wild west of March that has extended into April: “Begin to eliminate things you ‘have’ to do. Don’t be afraid of ‘doing nothing.’ Plan to have such times.” To be honest, just typing these things made my blood pressure rise. May God have mercy as we learn to “become” people of HIS Kingdom. Blessings, Joshua Bunce Missions Night This Sunday Join us this Sunday, April 14 from 5:00-6:30 PM for an interactive Missions experience. There will be booths themed to each country coordinating with our Missionary Families. Kids will participate by taking passports around the room and making crafts at each station. We will have a video call with the Linvilles at 6:00 pm and then prayer time. We hope you can join us for a Missions Night traveling around the world! Bible Quiz Finals We are hosting the 2024 Bible Quiz Finals on Saturday, April 27 from 8-2ish. There will be many people on our campus that weekend, would you be praying for this event? We are also in need of 30+ volunteers. Specifically, we need judges and scorekeepers during the meet. If you have an interest in volunteering, please reach out to Katelyn Sanders. CQH Save the Date HS | June 5-11 JH | June 10-15 Mark your calendars! Camp dates have been finalized! The dates listed reflect the travel days needed for Friendswood Friends Church and will vary from the camp dates posted on the EFCMAYM website. Registration for camp begins this month. To be directly contacted once registration opens, please fill out the Camp Registration Contact link below. Camp Registration Contact Form Scholarship Applications Open The Patricia Ann and Robert Ladd Allen Scholarship is awarded annually to an incoming college freshman or a continuing college student. The recipient is chosen based on a strong Christian faith, active involvement in Friendswood Friends Church, character, leadership, academics, interest in Christian ministry, and financial need. The deadline for submission of applications is May 1st. Scholarship Application Women’s Bible Study Opportunities Ladies, join us on Wednesdays from 9:30-11:00 am for a bible study. We will be looking at the three enemies that sabotage our peace and what God says about recognizing them and resisting them. All you need is a bible. If you would like to dive deeper you can grab John Mark Comer’s book “Live No Lies” but it’s not necessary. The Ladies Evening Bible Study over “Ruth” will begin this Wednesday Night, April 10. The women meet in Susan Tam’s home: 1916 Lundy Lane. Contact the church office if you have any questions. Purchase “Ruth” Bible Study Book Here Handbell Rehearsals Bell Friends will not have rehearsals this week. Contact Nancy Hansen or the church office for more details. A Shower for Baby Stevens Join us on April 13 in the Coffee Cafe at 1:00 pm to celebrate Deidre and Andrew! In place of a card, please consider bringing a baby book with your name inside. Sunday Evening Activities April 14 Missions Night in the Coffee Cafe 5:00-6:30 pm April 21 Kidzone and Bible Study 5:00 pm | Fuse 6:00 pm | Core 7:30 pm April 28 Kidzone and Bible Study 5:00 pm | Fuse 6:00 pm | Core 7:30 pm May 5 Kidzone and Bible Study 5:00 pm | Fuse 6:00 pm | Core 7:30 pm (Last Week of Sunday Evening Activities for the Semester) Meal Train Last week Anouk Davis fell and broke her shoulder. If you would like to participate in providing meals for her family while she recovers, visit the meal train link below. Meal Train for Davis Family He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelations 21:5 |
