Saturday morning’s weather was beautiful, with just enough chill in the air to make a fire and a cup of coffee feel perfect. As we sat outside, our youngest daughter, Emilia, asked why it had taken so long for weather this good to arrive.
I could have explained the science behind the Earth’s tilt, its orbit around the sun, and our latitude. But the best explanation I could come up with? Roasting marshmallows.
I believe there’s a right and wrong way to roast a marshmallow. You can hold it over the fire and let it char in seconds, or take your time, turning it patiently until the outside is golden brown and the inside reaches that perfect, gooey melt.
Watching a marshmallow roast reminded me how uncomfortable waiting can be. When we’re stuck in the heat of summer, we long for cooler days. Sometimes, we’re so focused on what’s next that we forget to appreciate where we are.
Our walk with God can feel much the same. We pray for relief, answers, and a glimpse of what comes next. When nothing seems to change, we may wonder if God has forgotten us.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”
Life brings seasons we celebrate and seasons we’d rather skip. Some bring joy; others bring grief, uncertainty, and disappointment. Sometimes, we can look back and see how a difficult season strengthened our faith. Other times, we may never understand why we had to walk through it. Not every struggle comes with an explanation, and not every prayer is answered the way we hoped. But unanswered questions don’t mean God has abandoned us.
Last Saturday morning reminded me that faith isn’t simply about waiting for the next season. It’s easy to thank God when the weather cools, our problems resolve, or our prayers are answered. It’s harder to trust Him when the heat lingers and the answers don’t come. Yet we can grieve what hurts, pray for what needs to change, and still trust that God is with us.
So, as we welcome fall, let’s savor the cool mornings, gather around the fire, and thank God for the simple gifts we sometimes overlook. And if you’re walking through a difficult season, remember: you don’t have to understand it or know when it will end to trust the One who walks through it with you.
Faith isn’t knowing when the season will change. It’s learning to trust God while we wait.
Fall Festival
Join us this Sunday, October 25th from 5:00-7:00 pm in Friends Center for Fall Festival! We will host a fun evening of old-school Friends Fall Festival activities, snow cones, hot dogs, trunk-or-treating, and so much more!
Invite some friends and neighbors and join us this Sunday. If you are interested in volunteering you can sign up by clicking the button below. If you aren’t available to volunteer, but would still like to contribute to Fall Festival, prayer over the evening would be appreciated. Pray for a time of joy, connection and meaningful opportunities to share God’s love with our community.
We can’t wait to celebrate Fall with you!
Family Promise
Save the date for our next Family Promise host week: Sunday November 1st-8th. You can sign-up for making/serving a meal or to stay as an overnight host by using the link below. You can also contact Andrew and Deidre Stevens or the church office to sign-up, if you have questions, or if you would just like more details on Family Promise.
Run for Missions
Run for Missions began in 2009 as a fundraising event featuring a 5K, 10K, and half-marathon, along with a 100-mile run from Haviland to Wichita. The goal was to raise funds for EFC’s underfunded missionaries and show love and support for those serving on the mission field.
Over the years, the event has evolved into a 100-mile relay run from Haviland to Wichita, bringing together participants from across our yearly meeting. Runners commit to completing a portion of the route, passing a baton to the next runner until the team reaches the Ministry Center in Wichita. Each mile represents a shared commitment to supporting the work of our missionaries.
On November 7, a team from Friendswood Friends Church—Tim Clarke, JR Lolley, and Luke Ballard—will head to Kansas to participate in the Run for Missions Relay. Our church has committed to running 20 miles, and we would love your support and prayers as we take on this challenge!
A note from Run For Missions:
This year we are raising funds for Tony and Agi Frei. They lead EFCI-Europe, which spans Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Slovakia, and charity work in Ukraine. Our goal, and the amount needed to help this family, living in Hungary, reach 100% funding is $12,815.
Worship Night
Join us on Saturday, November 7th from 6:00-7:30 PM as Maggie Thomas and Nichole Beltran lead Worship Night in the Chapel. Children are welcome and encouraged to attend, but the nursery will be available as well.
We look forward to an evening full of praise. Contact Maggie or Nichole for more details.
Undie Sunday collection will be November 5th. FISDCares would appreciate donations of pajamas, socks, and underwear in youth-adult sizes. Collection bins will be located in the foyer and Coffee Cafe. Thank you for your support of this cause.
Pastor Appreciation Month
October is Pastor Appreciation Month. We want to thank our pastors for their faithful leadership, love, and dedication to our church family. We are so grateful for the way they serve, pray, and pour into our lives. We love and appreciate you!
Women’s Thursday Morning Study
Women’s Thursday Morning Bible Study will pause this week and will resume next Thursday morning. Contact the church office for more information.
Weekly Prayer
Weekly Prayer in the Chapel is open tonight from 6:00 – 7:30 pm.
Bell Friends
You are welcome to join the Bell Friends on Thursdays! Bring your own boxed lunch and enjoy lunch at noon, followed by a rehearsal at 12:30 p.m.
Love. Learn. Listen.