And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS:  for He shall save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

 The Hebrew word for JESUS is “Saviour” and in the Greek, Jesus is Joshua, which means “The Lord saves”.  Christmas is the day that we celebrate the birth of our dear Saviour.  His name implies salvation and wholeness.  Hear the Apostle Peter in his defense of the healing of the lame man:  “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by Him doth this man stand here before you whole.  Neither is there salvation in any other:  for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:10, 12).

 Christmas is about God giving us the most precious of gifts, His dear Son.  During this time of hustle and bustle, looking for the right gift, spending money as if there is no tomorrow, may I direct your focus unto the City of David, which is called Bethlehem.  It was there a virgin brought forth her firstborn Son “and when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, His name was called JESUS” (Luke 2:21a).

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!

Pastor J. Amos Jones

As we celebrate the Choir’s Annual Day, this is the opportune time to tell them that we love them and appreciate their Music Ministry.

 To the choir leadership, President, Sister Beverly Hurd; Minister of Music, Bro. Andre’ Martin; Director, Sister Janet Spurlock; Treasurer/Pianist, Sister Janice Wright; Musicians, Bro. Ryan Brisco; Bro. Maurice Farris and Rev. Avery Smith, and to every member of the Mass Choir, thank you for your service to the Kingdom and for the Master.  Words are really inadequate to convey to you how much this Pastor appreciates your marvelous contributions to the worship services.

 Dear Ones, thank you for being the embodiment of Psalm 96:  “O sing unto the Lord a new song:  sing unto the Lord, all the earth.  Sing unto the Lord, bless His name; Show forth His salvation from day to day.  Declare His glory among the heathen, His wonders among all people.  For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised:  He is to be feared above all gods.  For all the gods of the nations are idols:  but the Lord made the heavens.  Honor Majesty are before Him:  Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.  “[Praise God!]

 Just as this Psalm is a call to all nations to praise the Lord as the only God and to proclaim the glory of His reign throughout the world, so is the ministry of the Choir, to praise the Lord God as the God of the universe, and His Son, our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.  Thank you choir for the awesomeness of your service and your dedication to Him.

 Be blessed as you continue to praise the Triune God.

  Pastor J. Amos Jones

“But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons”  (Galatians 4:4, 5).

 At God’s appointed time, He sent His only begotten Son into the world that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.  “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1).

 At God’s appointed time, the Word became flesh, indicating a transition; the Word existed before He became a man.  The advent of Jesus is indicative of the Great love that God has for His creation.  “For God so loved the world: —The great truth that motivated God’s plan of salvation.  “In this was manifested the love of God towards us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins”  (1 John 4:9, 10).

 Propitiation — what a term.  It refers to turning away God’s wrath.  God’s holiness demands punishment for man’s sins.  God, therefore out of love sent His Son to make substitutionary atonement for the believer’s sin.  In this way the Father’s wrath is propitiated (satisfied as you were).  His wrath against the Christian’s sin has been turned away and directed toward Christ.

 When the fullness of time was come”, that’s why we celebrate Christmas.

 Pastor J. Amos Jones

Musings with the Pastor.  As we continue in this season of thanksgiving, it is this pastor’s prayer that you indeed did take an introspective review of your “thanksgiving quotient”.  Even a cursory look into the Psalms reveals the imperative to “give thanks unto the Lord”.  Please take note:

 Psalm 105:1       “O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon His Name:  Make known His                                         deeds among His people”.

 Psalm 106:1       “Praise ye the Lord, O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good:  For                                         His mercy endureth forever”.

 Psalm 107:1       “O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good:  For His mercy endureth                                       forever”.

 It is obvious that this is one who lives his life with thanksgiving and gratefulness.  It is this Pastor’s desire that every member of FMBC will exemplify the “Lifestyle of the Thankful and Grateful”

 Thankful:  Grateful acknowledgement of something received by or done for.

 Grateful:   Thankful appreciation for benefits or favors received.

 May I remind you that:  “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights” (James 1:17).

 Be blessed as you continue in Him.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

Musings with the Pastor.  As we approach the national holiday of Thanksgiving, this is an appropriate time to take an introspective review of ones “thanksgiving quotient”.

 This Pastor joins with the Psalmist and declares:  “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High:  To shew forth thy loving-kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night” (Psalm 92:1-2).   Psalm 92 is a joyful celebration of the righteous rule of God.  It is testimony to the prosperity of the righteous, the joy experienced in our relationship with Him, and an acknowledgement of His loving-kindness and faithfulness. 

 This Pastor is thankful for his relationship with the Father, made possible through the Lord Jesus Christ. 

 I am thankful for a loving wife and wonderful children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and that His word says:  “But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His righteousness unto children’s children; To such as keep His covenant, and to those that remember His commandments to do them”  (Psalm 103:17-18).

 I am thankful to God for the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church and for each and every member of the Church.  I am grateful for the work that collectively we have been able to accomplish. 

 I am thankful, as an example, but not limited to, the great work done in the recent “Men and Women’s Conference”.  What an awesome work! 

 I am thankful for wonderful, loving members who love the Lord and are concerned about the Kingdom. 

 Needless to say, I am a thankful Pastor and to God be the glory.  With deep gratitude.

   Pastor J. Amos Jones