To the dear members of FMBC, our heartfelt thanks and appreciation for your care and concern during our recent health challenge.  For some, it might appear that we were hit with a double “WHAMMY”, in as much as both Sister Jones and I experienced medical issues at the same time, however, as a believer, we join with the Psalmist and proclaim:  “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, now may Israel (God’s people) say; If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us:  Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:  Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul:  Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.  Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth.  Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers:  the snare is broken, and we are escaped.  Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.”  The lesson we can take away is, we can turn to the Creator for help in our time of need, for He is on our side.  We need only trust Him and look for His deliverance (healing, etc.).

Again, thanks for your prayers and your concern.

 Pastor J. Amos Jones

This is a very special day for the Friendship family. In addition to celebrating Deacons and Trustees Affirmation Day, on today we are also celebrating 23 years in this church building.  We join with the Psalmist and say:  “Praise ye the Lord, O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good:  for His mercy endureth forever.  Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord?  Who can show forth all His praise?  Blessed are they that keep judgement and he that doeth righteousness at all times.”  (Psalm 106:1-3)

We thank and praise God on this day of assertion and Godly validation.  On today, our deacons are standing up and stating publicly; “I am a deacon as defined by the Bible, God’s holy word.”  Deacons are appointed Church Officers, ordained by the apostles (Acts 6:1-6).  They are named with the Bishops/Elders (Philippians 1:1), and their qualifications are recorded in 1 Timothy 3:8-13.  Deacons, servants of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Men who have accepted and are serving in their holy calling.  We bless God and honor the leadership of the deacons.  The Word of God states:  For those who perform well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves and also gain much confidence and freedom and boldness in the faith which is [founded on an centers:] in Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 3:13 Amplified Bible).

The Trustees are certainly included in Colossians 3:23:  Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul, as [something done] for the Lord and not for men).  On today, the Trustees are affirming their stewardship, a trust granted for profitable use, of Spiritual things based on gifts bestowed upon His people.  Trustees servants, of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Men who have accepted and are serving in their holy calling.  We bless God and honor your servanthood.

On the first Sunday in January, in the year of 1996, the Lord blessed Friendship, with great fanfare, to move into this building.  For 23 years, God has been faithful.  In this building, souls have come to the Lord, weddings have been conducted, funeral services have been held.  Truly, God has manifested Himself in His house.  How apropos we celebrate Deacons and Trustees Affirmation Day along with our 23 year celebration of this building, for the former worked mightily to cause the latter to come to pass.

Deacons and Trustees, be blessed as you work for Him.  The best is yet to come!

 Pastor J. Amos Jones

Sister Emma Mitchell Wright.  Devoted mother, grandmother, loving family member, and in a summary statement, child of the Most High God.  The Friendship Baptist Church family mourns the passing of this dear lady and we praise God, who is the giver of life, for her life and her legacy.  Sister Wright was the embodiment of a Christian woman.  Oh, how she loved the Lord, and she had the God kind of love.  Sister Wright lived out Micah 6:8:  “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”  What can be said of Sister Emma Mitchell Wright?  She was “ALL IN” for the Lord, His Kingdom, and His Church.  She was totally, irrevocably, committed to the work of the Lord.  How this Pastor sees the legacy of Sister Emma Mitchell Wright is graphically depicted in Revelation 14:13:  “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth, yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and the works do follow them.”  Praise God for the Blessedness of the holy dead!  Where the corruptible put on incorruption and the mortal put on immortality and the weary shall be at rest.  “And their works do follow them.”  Sister Wright was a committed worker and worked as if it was for the Lord (and indeed it was) and not for men.  We would all do well to emulate the commitment of this dear lady.

To God be the Glory for the life and legacy of Sister Emma Mitchell Wright.

 Pastor J. Amos Jones