“The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints”.  What a vivid declaration of the Ministry of the Ushers.  We find in the Ushers, workers that have a clear understanding of whom they are serving.  They are settled in their calling.  Their hope, that desire with the expectation for good, is rooted in the words of Jesus our Lord:  “I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day:  the night cometh, when no man can work.  As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:4,5).

 The Ushers are the personification of Kingdom dwellers, easily identifiable by their  spirituality, their professionalism and their dedication to Him who called them.

 When a person understands the riches of the glory of His inheritance, Col. 3:23 becomes a reality of life:  “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men”; My brothers and sisters, these are the Ushers of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church.  To God be the glory for all He has done with and through these wonderful and dedicated people, the Ushers.  A big “God Bless You” goes out to President Craig Miller and all the members of the Usher Board. 

 President James Craig Miller, thank you for the Godly leadership that you are providing for the Ushers.  Usher Board members, thank you for your loving follow-ship.

 Be blessed as you continue in Him.

   Pastor J. Amos Jones

On today as we celebrate with the Ushers, we praise God for their commitment to the expansion of His Kingdom.  In our Ushers, we truly find the personification of “servanthood”.  The Word of God tells us that:  “A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master” (Mal. 1:6a).

 Ushers, thank you for the reverential respect you display as you serve the Lord through the service you provide for His people.  Again, hear the Word of God:  “Servants, obey in all things your Masters according to the flesh; not with eye -service, as menpleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God.  And whatever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men, knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance; for ye serve the Lord Christ” (Col.  3:22-24).

 Thank you Ushers for the great job that you do throughout the year.  Your commitment to Him, your steadfastness to your task, your faithfulness to the Church of the Living God, is a blessing to behold. 

To President, Craig Miller and to very member of the Usher Board, not only are we celebrating with you on this, your annual day, we honor you.

Be blessed, as you continue to serve Him and His saints at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church.

 Pastor J. Amos Jones

Sister Jodie White.  This Pastor and the membership of the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church join Sister Donna White and the members of the White family in mourning the loss of this dear lady.  We thank God for the outstanding life and the legacy of this quiet lady with a warm, generous, and loving spirit.  When you were in the presence of “Ms. Jodie”, you knew you were in the presence of royalty.  (This  Pastor always referred to Sister Jodie affectionally as “Ms. Jodie”) 

 Truly, “Ms.” Jodie was a proverbs thirty-one woman.  Can’t you see her in:  verse 26:  “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness”.  We praise God for the wisdom and the kindness that was “Ms. Jodie”.  Verse 28:  “Her children arise up, and call her blessed;”  Wherever Sister White was, there was happiness and joy.  Verse 30:  “Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain:  But a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised”.

 In a summary fashion, Sister Jodie White was a quiet, and loving person with a smile that warmed your heart.  She had a loving reverence for God that was reflected in her submission to His lordship and the adherence to His Word.

 To Sister Donna, thank you for your faithfulness to your mother and to our heavenly Father.  What a loving example you are of “Honor thy father and thy Mother”.  You are indeed the personification of faithfulness.  God bless you.

   Pastor J. Amos Jones

To God be he glory for an AWESOME Anniversary “74” program and celebration service.

 A big “God bless you” goes out to everyone who had a part in the celebration services.  This was truly a God inspired service and FMBC is a blessed church.

 Thank you Friendship for your participation in the seventy-four years.  Only when you get to heaven will you know the full impact of your Kingdom involvement.

 To each of you who worked so hard (you know who you are) to make Sunday such a grand day, may the Lord bless you really good.

 Let us continue.

   Pastor J. Amos Jones

What an awesome day of celebration this is.  This is the day the Lord has made, we will celebrate and be glad in it!

 Seventy-four years ago, God birthed the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church into the four corners area of Fort Bend County.  That was the day that God’s purpose for ministry in this community was brought to fruition.  

 This Pastor knows for certain that God has set this congregation in the Universal Church as it has pleased Him.  “And God hath set some in the Church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, governments, diversities of tongues”  (1^st Corinthians 12:28)

 God has truly equipped Friendship for the work He has ordained for her.  Moreover, God has wonderfully placed the leadership, all that are involved in the ministry of “helps”, and every member according to His plan, and His purpose through these seventy-four years. 

 It has been this Pastor’s great privilege to have served as Pastor for forty-one of those seventy-four years.  How humbling that is.  The Word that Almighty God spoke to Zerubbabel through the prophet Zechariah were certainly for this Pastor:  “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts” (Zech. 4:6)

 Even though Zerubbabel did not possess the royal might and power that David and Solomon enjoyed, he would still complete the rebuilding of the temple because he had the Spirit’s enablement.  Praise God for the work of the Holy Spirit.  “He shall glorify me: for He shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you” (John 16:14).

 Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, Holy Ghost infused and Holy Ghost led.  To God be the glory for all He has done to bring us to this day.

  Pastor J. Amos Jones