| Lent is often associated with the wilderness—a place of solitude, testing, and transformation. Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness fasting, praying, and resisting temptation (Matthew 4:1-11). It was a time of deep communion with the Father, away from distractions, before stepping into His public ministry. I was moved last week by something Katelyn wrote in her church email: “Though technology was supposed to create more leisure, it has instead filled our lives with more demands, leaving us feeling rushed and disconnected from what truly matters.” and later, “by ruthlessly eliminating hurry and embracing a slower more intentional way of living, I can create space for God to shape me.” This year, I chose to give up social media and limit my use of devices for Lent. At first, I thought it might not be that hard as I am not a big device person anyway, but surprisingly it felt like stepping into my own wilderness—a space stripped of constant notifications, scrolling, and the noise of online life. I hadn’t realized how often I reached for my phone out of habit, how much time I spent filling moments with texts, checking the weather, or simply filling the time if I was bored. The absence of those distractions left me feeling antsy, restless, and disconnected. But as the days passed, something shifted. Without the constant pull of my phone, I found a deeper stillness. I started paying more attention—to the world outside my window, to the people in my neighborhood as I prayed over them while I walked rather than listening to a podcast, to the voice of God that had been waiting for a longer time of undivided attention. The wilderness of device-free living became a sanctuary. Spring Break brought an even deeper gift. Without the usual digital demands, I had space to breathe—to sit with Scripture, to journal, to listen. The rustling of the wind, the crackling of the fire, and the unhurried pace of nature reminded me that God often speaks in whispers, NOT in the chaos of constant connectivity. And then, just this morning, during my quiet time, I was struck again by this theme. As I listened to Lectio 365, Izwe Nkosi spoke directly to this very idea—how the wilderness, the quiet places, are where we truly encounter God. It was a confirmation, a holy reminder, that this season of stepping away from the noise was not about deprivation, but about deepening. In the wilderness, Jesus was sustained not by the world’s noise but by the Word of God. He showed us that solitude is not a place of emptiness but a place of filling. Likewise, the slowing down of my schedule, deleting activities from the calendar, and my time away from social media or devices has reminded me that silence is not absence; it is an invitation to be present with the Lord. An opportunity to hear those gentle whispers from God of encouragement and direction. As we journey through Lent toward Easter, perhaps the wilderness is exactly where we need to be—not as a place of punishment but of preparation. A space where we can hear God more clearly, free from the business of life. What if we encountered the wilderness not as something to endure, but as a gift? May we step into the quiet, trusting that in the stillness, God is waiting to meet us. Blessings friends, Tena |
| Missions Night |
| Missions Night is this Sunday, March 30th from 5:30-7:00 pm. There will be fun kid-friendly activities and a call with one of our missionaries. All regular Sunday evening activities will pause in order for all to participate. We can’t wait to explore how God is working around the world with you. |
| Holy Week |
| During Holy Week, April 14th-20th, we invite you to journey to the cross through prayer. Monday- Wednesday, we will have the chapel open from 6:30-8:00 pm providing a sacred space for reflection and prayer. Through various interactive prayer stations, we invite you and your family to travel from Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem to His crucifixion, preparing our hearts for the hope of resurrection. Come and go as you are able to take time to pause, pray, and experience the depth of His love. Maundy Thursday, also at 6:30 pm, an additional communion station will be added and available for reflection on the last supper. On Good Friday, there will be a traditional evening service in the chapel at 6:30pm. The prayer journey will remain open until 8:30 pm. Nursery care will be provided. On Easter Sunday, April 20th, an Easter Sunrise Service will take place near the picnic tables in front of Friends Center at 6:45 am. Then, join us at 10:00 am for an Easter Worship Service. |
| With Sympathy |
| Our heartfelt sympathy goes to the family of Gloria Baker who passed away on March 19th at the age of 92. Gloria and her husband, Benny, were longtime members of the church. She was a friend to all and will be missed by many. A viewing will be held on Thursday, March 27th at Jeter Memorial Funeral Home from 5:00-7:00 pm. Funeral services will take place in the Friendswood Friends Chapel on Friday, March 28th at 11:00 am. Please remember Gloria’s family in your prayers as they grieve. |
| Gloria Baker Obituary |
| 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 Sunday, April 6th after the service, 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 lunch will be provided. Registration for one parent is $15 and $25 for two parents. Contact Tena for more information. |
| Register for Parenting with Purpose |
| Church Family Directory |
| Thank you to everyone that completed Step 1 and Step 2 for the new church directory! If you still need to complete Step 1, you can do so here. Once you have submitted your information, you will receive an email on how to complete Step 2. For those that have completed Step 1 previously, you may begin the Step 2 process any time. Detailed instructions can be found on our website. For anyone that is interested in having their information featured in the directory but would feel more comfortable if someone else did the data entry for them, we are glad to do that. Just email Jennifer at the church office to let her know, and we will add your information to the directory for you. If you are interested in a printed version of the directory, please call the church office and we will put your name on the list. Likewise, if you need assistance with any of the steps, please give us a call. We are here to help! |
| Easter Chorale |
| The Choir will be performing on Easter Sunday, April 20th. Any and all are welcome to join us at rehearsals on April 6th and 13th at 5:00 pm. Contact Bobby Kirkpatrick for more information. |
| Children’s Corner |
| Decorating Committee Request Our VBS Decorating Dream Team is already working hard on sets for VBS True North. They are requesting donations of any old or worn out Christmas trees you may have lying around. Contact the church office if you find yourself Spring Cleaning and realize you have one you would like to donate. VBS Volunteers Needed We are blessed to have so many children signed up to hear about Jesus, but we will need Adult and Student Volunteers to make our week a true success. Please use the buttons (that are now working!) below to register. Even if you cannot physically volunteer, we thank you for praying for the many children and adults that will be on our campus in June. |
| Adult Volunteers Student Volunteers |
| Student Ministries Update |
| JH Bible Quiz Volunteers Needed |
| We are hosting Bible Quiz on Saturday, March 29th. 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. |
