I’m actually writing this on Monday afternoon and I have been a bit “off” today.  Today, my oldest child, my only daughter turns 18.  I keep finding my mind wandering back to her days as a toddler, the days before my boys came along.  I remember when she was first learning how to walk and we would take her to the beach. She loved it when I would run at her and jump over her. She would giggle and want me to do it over and over again.  I’m not sure why this is the memory I’m stuck in, but I’m stuck. Simultaneously, I’m trying to celebrate the grace of God forming her for the last 18 years, but mostly I’m just weepy from days gone by. 

This is making me reflect on how all of life is full of complex emotions.  We have deep feelings of the days gone past but must also recognize the call to be thankful and dwell in the present.  Today this is a struggle for me, because I want to CLING to those days’ past.  I want time to STOP, and I don’t want her, or either of my boys to get even one day older.

This is unusual for me, and not where my mind normally is. If you recall a couple of weeks ago, I preached a sermon about David’s son, Absalom, setting out a several year plan to take over his father’s Kingdom. I acknowledged that I’m naturally inclined to be very future focused. I’m a planner, and always have an internal list of long-term goals. But today, I want time to stand still.
Well, as we all know, we can’t turn back time, pause time, or speed time up.  We have no control over any of it. Time moves at the pace that time is going to move

I find myself thinking back to when I was 18 years old, and I had a mentor who I thought could see right through me. On one particular day he asked me a serious of questions that have greatly impacted my life:
What if you never graduate college and get a degree?
What if you never get that dream job?
What if you never get married or never have a family?
What if you never buy a house?
What if you never save for retirement?
Did you fail at life?
What if you didn’t do any of those things, but you were being present and obedient to God the whole time?
God desires present righteousness, rather than future accomplishments.
Now, over 25 years later, I consider this word to be in the top 10 spiritual lessons that have shaped my spiritual life. And it’s clearly something I’m still learning.

Friends, life is so unpredictable.  There are so many twists and turns as time ticks by.  Some times are painful and some times are beautiful, and yet so many times are simultaneously both. May we all continue together in learning to walk in present righteousness and hear the words of our King Jesus say, “I have come so that you might have life and have it to the fullest.” (John 10:10)
“Therefore, seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these other things will be given to you as well.” (Matt 6:33) 

Blessings,
Josh
With Sympathy
Our heartfelt sympathy goes to the family of Carl J. Horecky, Jr., who passed away at the age of 95 on November 7th.  Carl, together with his wife Henrietta (“Hank”), was a long-time member of Friendswood Friends Church.   One of the legacies that he leaves for our congregation is our beautiful Worship Center.  Carl devoted many hours to the process of planning and constructing our sanctuary. Friends and family are cordially invited to the visitation with the family on Saturday, November 16, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM followed by the funeral service at 11:00 AM in the Worship Center.  A private interment will take place immediately following the service. Please remember the Horecky family in your prayers as they grieve.
Carl Horecky Obituary
Christmas Carol Hayride
Join us for an evening of caroling and Christmas fun on Tuesday, December 3rd. We will meet in the Coffee Café for pizza and then load up for a hayride through Friendswood. We will carol to the elderly spreading Christmas cheer, singing loud for all to hear. Our final stop will be at the Brown House Museum for their Christmas Tree Lighting. We hope you plan to join us, laughing all the way, on the Christmas Carol Hayride. RSVP by emailing  Ms. Tena.
Student Ministries Update
High School Bible Study
Last week at Bible Study, high school students tested their scriptural knowledge with a round of AI or Jesus and discussed how transformative being in the Word can be. After some exploration of what it is that our group needs and what it is that our group desires, we landed on learning more about being a disciple of Jesus. This week we begin a study using The Good and Beautiful God by James Bryan Smith as a guide. This deep, loving, and transformative book will help us discover the narratives that Jesus lived by―to know the Lord he knew and the kingdom he proclaimed―and to practice spiritual exercises that will help us grow in the knowledge of our good and beautiful God. A book is not necessary to be a part of high school Bible Study on Tuesdays. 
reGeneration Registration
reGENERATION 2024 is a formation-focused gathering of 8th grade through college students alongside adults, who want to go deep with their faith. This will be an opportunity to not only learn but to practice and apply what we learn through interactive experiential labs that include time for specific spiritual practices. Registration closes November 20th.
reGeneration Registration Instructions
Bible Quiz Pie Sales
The Junior High Bible Quiz team is selling apple, pecan, and pumpkin pies for one more Sunday! Stop by the Coffee Cafe after the service on November 17th to order. All pies will be distributed in the Coffee Cafe on November 24th after the worship service.
Children’s Ministry Update
”God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1(NIV)
Have you ever played “Hide and Seek”? It’s a fun game isn’t it? It’s fun to try and find a really good hiding place and see how long it takes someone to find you. It wouldn’t be very fun, though, if every time you hid somewhere the person looking for you knew exactly where you were, would it? Sunday, in Children’s Church, we read the story of Jonah, a man who tried to HIDE from God.
When God asks us to step out of our comfort zones, our first reaction might be to run and hide, just like Jonah did when he was told to go to Nineveh. Obedience isn’t always easy. Obedience to God isn’t just about following orders; it’s about trust. When God calls us to do something, He’s leading us towards something greater than we might not see now. Which in Jonah’s case, his eventual obedience led to an entire city being saved and spared from destruction. Following God’s will can bring about incredible change in our lives and those around us.

Here are some fun activities you can do at home with your kids this week:
Play a short game of hide-and-seek with your family. Then thank God that you do not need to hide from Him when you do things that are wrong.

Review the memory verse ”God is our refuge (hug self) and strength (muscles), an ever-present help in trouble (reach out hand to help).” Psalm 46:1(NIV)Draw and cut out small fish for each memory verse word and write the words on them. Arrange the fish with the words in the right order.
Silent Auction
Stop by the Coffee Cafe to bid on items donated to Children’s Ministry. This Sunday, November 17th is the last day to make bids.The winning bidders will be notified the week of November 18th.
We are thankful for those that share their creative talents for the works of the Lord.
October 2024 Financial Update
October Income:   $63,363.59
October Expense:  $94,842.92
Cash flow deficit for October:   $-31,479.33 
Year-to-date Income (as of 10/31): $728,146.44
Year-to-date Expense: $850,111.19
Year-to-date Cash flow deficit: $-121,964.75 
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. 
Advent Choir
We will be singing together again this Christmas season under the direction of Melissa Smith. It is exciting to get back together, rehearse, and sing with as many as willing!  We hope to see you at our first rehearsal on December 8th.