As I sit in my office on a rare day with the temperature below freezing, I’m thinking back to when my family visited Friendswood nine months ago. In Kansas, things were still cold and brown. When we got in the rental car and drove out of Hobby Airport, Marcy saw green grass, leaves on trees, and flowers blooming. She kept talking about how all the green was good for her soul after an extra hard winter in Kansas. That was an intense weekend for the family full of visiting schools, driving around neighborhoods, and meeting church people. That Sunday night, Marcy and I met with the elders and coordinators, and we must have been visibly overwhelmed with the prospect of such a significant life change. I clearly remember a phrase that so many of the church leaders spoke over and over “Friendswood is a good place to live.”

Friends, I’ve now had a streak of company staying at my house for 27 days. (A LONG stretch of visitors for sure.) But I’ve found myself saying to my house guests of family and friends what you all said to my family, “Friendswood is a good place to live.” I sincerely believe this to be true, mostly because I have learned during the last half a year that it has a lot of really good people. I’m very much looking forward to journeying in 2024 with you all, even during these grueling few days of winter! 

With Love,

Joshua

Spring Connection – Coahuila, Mexico

High school students, college students, adults, and families too! Mexico Friends Churches have been hosting Friends Church Sr. High student missions’ teams in Coahuila, Mexico since 1993. Spring Connection allows students and families to serve the foreign mission field for one week, experiencing ministry in a cross-cultural community and seeing God’s action in the context of Coahuila, Mexico Friends Churches. Spring Connection gives all participants a tremendous blessing as they plunge themselves right into the middle of God’s work! If you are interested in going as a student, an adult leader, or a participant, or want to bring your family to serve, please attend the informational meeting this Sunday, January 21st at 4:00 pm in the coffee cafe.

Important Spring Connection Dates and Costs:

Registration Opens – January 17 (Tentative)

Informational Meeting – January 21

Registration Deadline – February 14

Fundraiser – February 14 – March 3

Orientation – March 3 (Tentative)

Cost – $250 for 14+ years and $100 for children 4-13 years old

Trip – March 9 – March 16

Passport Information:

A passport or passport card is necessary for traveling to Mexico. We are less than 8 weeks out from the trip. This places you in the “expedited” category if you do not already have one. Here is a link to passport forms and a link to information about the process of expediting. If you do not have a passport or your passport is expired, please make plans to apply or renew it soon. 

If you have questions, please contact Katelyn. 

Spring Connection Informational Meeting This Sunday

The informational meeting on January 21st at 4:00 pm will be in the coffee cafe and cover the following:

  • Trip history
  • Where we are going
  • Why we go
  • What we will do
  • Who is going
  • Safety
  • Passports
  • Team Orientation
  • Fundraising

There is no commitment to attend Spring Connection if you come to the informational meeting, but you could gain ideas on specific ways to support and pray for the team that is called to go. We hope you feel encouraged to attend the meeting this Sunday.

Contribution Statements

Contribution statements will be sent out this week by email or regular mail. If you have not previously requested a printed statement and would prefer that instead of an email statement, please contact the church office. We will be glad to provide a printed statement upon request. If you do not receive your statement by next week or have questions about your statement, contact Joyce at 281-482-7821 or [email protected]. 

Family Promise Host Dates

Save the date! The next Family Promise Host Week is coming up, February 4-11. From staying the evening as an overnight host, to making a meal and dining with families, to setting up rooms for guests; it takes many volunteers to make the week a success. We are so grateful for how each of you serves to help make the families in the program feel welcome. More details coming soon.

Dude Camp: Calling All 5th Graders!

On May 26th-29th, we will take a busload of 5th graders to Forest Glen Christian Camp in Huntsville. More details are coming soon but save the date and note that registration for Dude Camp will open to church families before and after the worship service on February 4 and February 11.

Funeral Information

Our heartfelt sympathy goes to the family of Mills Donald Wood. Donald (also known as “Woody”) was a long-time member of our church who passed away several days ago. A memorial service is planned for Saturday, January 27th at 10:00 am in the Chapel. Please remember the family in your prayers.

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ Ephesians 3:17-18