In this new year, where is your focus and where should the focus of the church be? Are we really about our Father’s business? In this time of prevalent secular humanism, many confuse being busy with being in the will of God. Dear Ones, please know this, it is our obedience to His will that pleases our Heavenly Father. Hear what the writer of the book of Hebrews tells us about our focus: “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame,” (Hebrews 12:2 a,b.). Just as a runner concentrates on the finish line, in the year 2010, let us concentrate on Jesus, the goal and objective of our faith. Whatever it is that we do should glorify Him, because it is all about Him. Let us press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Our faith, which has its beginning in Him, is also completed in Him. In 2010, let us spend more time with Him: in prayer, in Bible Study, in mediation, in fulfilling the law of Christ (Gal. 6:1-10). Lastly, let us grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever. Amen and Amen.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

On January 4, 2009, the first Sunday in 2009, we wrote: “Here it is the first Sunday in the year of 2009. Usually at the beginning of a New Year, there is this profound statement (or some variation thereof): “Wow! A brand new year. Where did the time go? It seems like we just entered into (whatever the year) and now we are in a new year. “Where did the time go? It passed in orderly transition. There were twelve months, fifty-two weeks, 365 days.”

As we enter into the year 2010, how the refrain from the Jennie Wilson / Franklin L. Eiland hymn reverberates in our being: “Time is filled with swift transition, naught of earth un-moved can stand, build your hopes on things eternal, hold to God’s unchanging hand”! The year 2009 had many challenges, but offered many opportunities. We praise God for His faithfulness! He is the Divine Timekeeper of the universe, the One who sits outside the realm of time, yet, He orchestrates time. This Great God has allowed us to enter into this new year, and we are mandated to display certain distinctive characteristics. Especially significant, considering the moral depravity of our society, is to “show a pattern of good works.”

Have a happy and prosperous New Year as you walk in Him.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

Dear Ones, we now stand at the threshold of a new year. The year 2009 will soon be consigned to history. During 2009, we experienced some exhilarating highs and some debilitating lows, but through it all, our God has been faithful. We praise our heavenly Father for His immutability. We have the assurance of His word that things will be well with us. “For I am the Lord, I change not; Therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” (Mal. 3:6) Contrary to what many in our society are thinking, God remains faithful to His covenant. When God says: “And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all His commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth” (Deu. 28:1). Here, we have the introduction to eleven verses of blessings for the people of God, contingent upon the obedience of God’s people.

God is faithful in spite of our history of unfaithfulness. He wants to bless us. In the year of 2010, appropriate this word as a manner verse in your life: “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth” (3 John 2).

Be blessed as you walk in Him in twenty-ten.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

Congratulations and a big “God Bless You” goes out to those members who recently completed New Member Orientation. You have received information that will benefit you greatly in your Kingdom walk. As disciples of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we are charged to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18). It is this Pastor’s desire that each person attending New Member Orientation will grasp the foundational truths that will enable him/her “to grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (Ephesians 4:15). The scripture tells us that “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge, Because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me” (Hosea 4:6). We never want it said that we failed to teach God’s word to the people. To the teachers and the members of the New Member Committee, thank you so very much for the great job you are doing.

Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation and provides for us, you, a diligent people, His instrumentality. Be blessed as you walk in Him.

Pastor J. Amos Jones

It is with a profound sense of loss that this Pastor mourns the loss of a faithful, and dedicated church worker, Sister Verdell Cooper.  Sister Cooper was Church Secretary when this Pastor was called to Friendship in the year of 1973.  She remained the faithful secretary of record for the entire period I have served as your Pastor.  What an accomplishment!  Sister Cooper served with excellence.  She was the personification of 2 Corinthians 4:8:  “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the  power may be of God, and not of us.”  Sister Cooper worked diligently to advance the Kingdom of our Lord.  Some of you might not know that she was president of the choir and was a featured lead singer (she was very good, I might add).  She was so proficient at getting floral arrangements where they should be, even with little advance notice.

With all the Kingdom duties that Sister Cooper performed, she was a meticulous record keeper.  We praise God for her life and her legacy.  “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints” (Psalm 116:15).  We have experienced a precious event and we offer our condolences to the Cooper/Brisco families

Pastor J. Amos Jones