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 lovingkindness 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 lovingkindness 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 we collectively have been able to accomplish.  I am thankful, as an example, but not limited to, the great work of the New Members Committee.  What an awesome work they do in integrating new members into the Church community.  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 heart-felt gratitude.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

It is with eager anticipation that we look forward to renewing our annual trip to Lufkin.  What an absolute blessing this trip is for body, mind, and spirit.  It is a time of refreshing and renewal.  The scenery in East Texas is awesome.  The colors are brilliant, beautiful, and a testimony to the awesomeness of Almighty God.  It is as if you have been ushered into the very presence of God.  Then there is the blessing that is found in fellowship with the dear members of the New Life Church of Lufkin.  There is something about the worship with these dear people that quickens one’s spirit.  There you are indeed ushered into the presence of the Lord.  Hear the Word of the Lord:  “Thou wilt shew me the path of life:  in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there pleasures for evermore.”  (Psalm 16:11)

Fullness of joy!  Hallelujah!  There is a joyful excitement found in the worship services at the New Life Church of Lufkin.  To add to the excitement, they are now in their new facility.  And then, there is the food.  Lest I slip into the flesh, suffice it to say, the food is wonderful, really, better than wonderful.  For those of you who have made the trip with us, you know the joy of the trip.  For you who have not experienced the blessing, come with us and be blessed.

Remember, the bus departs at 12:15PM.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

Zai-Marie Timpson            

Rosa Morrow                    

Diane Brisco                     

 Jazmine Jordan                 

 Jamie Fluellen                   

 Kerriel Lyles                             

Sierra Jones                              

Karla Sims                        

Rev. Troy Bryant                      

Donald Ferguson                   

Kenneth Milton               

Candice Barnett                

Nicholas Ford                   

Solomon Alexander-Scott            

Ahmad Dixon                    

Kureyan Dixon                  

Darrell Hatten                  

George Johnson                 

Alice Coleman                   

Tasha Smith                           

Rev. Charles White            

FMBC Renewed Trek to New Life Church of Lukin, TX – Pastor Earl Whitaker

Sunday School will begin at 8:30AM – 9:45AM

Morning Worship Service will begin at 10:00AM

Bus will depart Friendship Missionary Baptist Church promptly at 12:15PM

“So the last shall be first, and the first last:  for many be called, but few are chosen.”  (Matthew 20:16) 

In the parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard, Jesus further clarified the membership rules of the Kingdom of heaven…entrance is by grace alone.  In chapter nineteen, Jesus has turned the world’s values upside down.  He gave the proper perspective to marriage and divorce, proper use of money and rewards for service.  In this parable in chapter 20, God is the householder, and believers are the laborers.  This parable is especially for those who feel superior because of heritage or favored position, for those who feel superior because they have spent too much time with Christ and for new believers as reassurance of God’s grace.

This parable is not about rewards, but about salvation.  It is a masterful teaching about grace, God’s generosity.  (For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; Ephesians 2:8)

We should not begrudge those who turn to God in the last moments of life, because in reality, no one deserves eternal life.  Thank God for His Grace.  Whether one has wrought but one hour or hast borne the burden and heat of the day, the gracious generosity of God provides acceptance of all.  Many people we don’t expect to see in the Kingdom will be there.  The thief who repented as he was dying (Luke 23:40-43) will be there along with people who have believed and served God for many years.

Thank God for His graciousness and His inclusion.

Pastor J. Amos Jones