It almost time for the F.M.B.C. Black History Month Family Weekend. The weekend begins with the Black History Month Academy on February 21, 2026. Check in begins at Friendship M.B.C at 8:15 a.m. The bus leaves at 9:00 a.m. Explore Black History treasures in Fort Bend County, enjoy an old-fashioned church picnic, actor reenactments, fun, games, museums and much more! Don’t miss the fun and fellowship! Sign up in the church foyer to register.

The Black History Family Weekend continues on Februrary 22, 2026, immediately after church with another original theatrical production by Sis. Pat Ward. Following the production we will have the Annual Soul Food Potluck. Sign up sheets are coming soon.

Friendship Family and Friends,

As a precaution, and interest in the of safety and wellbeing of our members and guest, we will only be having virtual services on Sunday, 1/25/2026. Deacon’s and Trustee’s Affirmation Day will be postponed to a later date.

Join us on Facebook Live at 10:15 a.m. for Sunday School, immediately followed by morning worship. Pastor Howard will be continuing in his series titled, “Get Ready for the Shift.”

Online giving is available by signing on to fannersoftheflame.org and clicking the DONATE button.

We’re looking forward to seeing you online Sunday morning.

Be safe and check on your family and neighbors.

Friendship, I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to each and every member of this body of Baptized Believers. You started “2025” without a Senior Pastor and you continued to keep the ship afloat and you kept doing God’s Work. Rev. Lara

accepted the call and led the church through some rough waters and strong winds and yet he never wavered in his commitment to doing His Father’s Will. He showed stellar leadership and he stood even in moments when others didn’t agree. He continued to serve as the captain of the ship, and he was successful because he kept his eyes on The Lord.

Each ministry continued to serve as they always have. The members continued to support the church Physically, by showing up each week, Financially, by continuing to give as God had prospered them, and Spiritually, by continuing to pray for the ministry and everyone connected to the ministry.

Friendship Missionary Baptist Church is a ministry that God has continued to keep His loving hands on. Everything about “2025” was not great, but you survived. You refused to give up, and you continue to be a beacon of God’s Love in Sugar Land, TX and surrounding cities. You did not grow weary, but you kept doing God’s Will.

You survived “2025” and you brought the ship into “2026”. Eyes have not seen, nor has ears heard the wonderful and amazing things that God has in store for our future. Keep your eyes on The Lord, Keep standing on His Word, and let’s all make Prayer a priority in “2026” as He takes us to another level of service as we work to build up His Kingdom.

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Pastor Eric D. Howard

The fourth Thursday in November is a federal holiday. This day is known as Thanksgiving Day. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is known as the busiest travel day of the year. Family and friends gather together, and large meals are shared. Many traditional dishes are made from recipes that have been handed down for generations. This day is usually filled with family, fun, football, and fellowship. 

Thanksgiving Day comes only once per year, but we should not wait on a special holiday that comes once per year for us to be thankful. Despite of what is going on, we all have a lot to be thankful for. We should wake up thankful that we woke up. We should walk around thankful that we’re able to walk. We should look around us and be thankful that we have our eyesight. 

We have so much to thank God for and we should practice “thanks-living.” So, on Thanksgiving Day and everyday – Be Grateful!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NKJV):  “¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Pastor Eric D. Howard