| Wednesday, October 2nd-Friday October 4th Tena and I had the privilege of traveling to San Francisco to attend the 24/7 Prayer National Gathering. I don’t think either of us knew exactly what to expect or what we might receive from our attendance. If you are unaware, 24/7 prayer is an international, interdenominational movement of prayer, mission, and justice – or in simpler terms; pray, go, do. They have a plethora of free resources on their website should you want to know more or dive deeper. We are both still processing all that we learned, and heard, and how we were moved by the people we met. Many thoughts are certainly being refined through this continued processing. This gathering was titled Praying in Color. There were speakers on many different “types” of prayer, and the theme was to pray with your feet, meaning to carry your prayers out of your “self” and into your community. In other words; Do Something; discern, but then actually take action. In my personal journey with God right now this was an incredible experience to learn to dive deeper and listen, be creative, be bold…Being a creative person I was especially interested in creative prayer, which, except for very recently, has never even occurred to me. There are so many avenues to pray and listen; we can be contemplative, lament, adore, intercessory, creative…It has been so good to consider all of these and how to go much deeper with my own relationship with God and discernment through using different prayer avenues. As I practice this my life is transforming into a life that reflects constant/continuous prayer with my Father. The diversity of people who were at the gathering was amazing, how MIGHTY is our God that He can bring so many people together in unity to pray in/for a world that is divided by so much. We met many people and enjoyed getting to know a few well, but we felt God intentionally placed one person, also from Friendswood, directly in our path. This meeting left us feeling as if we needed to pray on why God placed us together. 24/7 has prayer rooms all over the world and after meeting with this person from Friendswood, we began to wonder what it could look like to have our own community prayer room for Friendswood. We have been discerning how this partnership could form and what our part in this process might be. We invite you to be in prayer with us over this community prayer room. Tena and I both felt like being together in such a diverse setting was truly a glimpse of what heaven is like. It was magnificent! I am grateful to have been privileged to attend this 24/7 prayer gathering. It is a gift. It has blessed me abundantly. It will continue to do so as I continue to journey with God; individually, in my community, and beyond. Be Bold and Behold the Power of our Risen King! Michelle Hancock FFC Coordinating Elder Parenting with Purpose Hey Moms and Dads, have your kids ever had a meltdown? Have you ever responded to that flip-out with your own meltdown? Come join us and speaker Barbara Gruener on November 2nd as she provides us with information to help us understand why meltdowns happen and gain tools to help navigate those family blowups. Parents with children of all ages are encouraged to attend. No-cost childcare and dinner will be provided. Registration for one parent is $15 and $25 for two parents. Contact Tena for more information. Parenting with Purpose Registration Family Movie Night Everyone is invited to a churchwide outdoor movie night on Friday, October 18. Bring a chair or blanket as seating and your dinner and refreshments for the movie. Popcorn will be provided before the movie begins. The parking lot will open at 7:00pm and the movie will begin at 7:30pm. We will show Ron’s Gone Wrong on the side of Friends Center (gym building). Movie Synopsis from Disney+: The story of Barney, an awkward middle-schooler and Ron, his new walking, talking, digitally-connected device. Ron’s malfunctions set against the backdrop of the social media age launch them on a journey to learn about true friendship. Fall Festival Fall Festival is October 27th! We will host a fun evening of old-school Friends Fall Festival activities, snow cones, hot dogs, trunk-or-treating, and so much more! There is no cost to attend, but donations to the Shower Ministry are welcome at the door. Feel encouraged to invite your friends and neighbors. Follow the link below to sign up as a volunteer. Contact Tena Roher if you have questions. Volunteer for Fall Festival Undie Sunday Undie Sunday Donation Boxes will begin taking donations this Sunday. The final day for donations will be November 10th. Sunday Evening Activities All Sunday Evening Activities meet at their normal times and locations. Student Ministries Update reGENERATION 2024 is a formation-focused gathering of 8th grade – college students alongside adults, who want to go deep. This will be an opportunity to learn, practice, and apply what is taught through interactive experiential labs. Intentional time for specific spiritual practices will be provided. reGeneration participants will feel equipped and challenged as apprentices of Jesus to explore life with God in order to more faithfully seek God’s Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. Registration for ReGeneration 2024 is now live. For information on how to register follow the link:reGeneration Registration Information Children’s Ministry Update “I will guide you and watch over you.” Proverbs 3:5-6 Tweens and Gym Kids are on Fall Break.Enjoy your time together!All mid week activities will resume next week. Bell Friends Bell Friends: Regular rehearsal times are Thursdays 12:30-2:00 PM. September 2024 Financial Update September Income: $63,909.25 September Expense: $85,892.11 Cash flow deficit for September: $-21,982.86 Year-to-date Income (as of 9/30): $664,782.85 Year-to-date Expense: $755,268.27 Year-to-date Cash flow deficit: $90,485.22 Thank you for your faithful giving to the ministries of the church! If you ever have questions about church finance or would like more detailed information, contact Joyce Byrne at the church office. |
