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SERMON: David Bridges

“Forgiven and Forgiving”

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 6:12

THE FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR TODAY are presented by Steve, Lisa, Matt, Kristen, Katie, Kelsea, & Marge Newton, and Delma Clark with thanksgiving and happiness for the graduation of Jacob Newton from Barclay College – We are so proud of you! We would also like to wish all moms a Happy Mother’s Day.

WE EXTEND A SPECIAL WELCOME to all of the mothers who are worshipping with us today – may God bless you and give you a great Mother’s Day! All ladies (whether or not you are a mom) are invited to stop by the table in the foyer as you leave today to pick up a devotional booklet and a plant. Special thanks to Scott Lee and Marvin Lee of Lee’s Landscape for providing the flowers.

PRIMETIMERS “CARNIVAL DAY” LUNCHEON will be Thursday, May 17^th at 11:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall (Coffee Café). There will be games, prizes and surprises! Plus, all of the food will be furnished. Come and bring a friend. See you then!

THE FRIENDSWOOD COMMUNITY PRAYER BREAKFAST will take place at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 19^th at the Friendswood Community Church (2821 West Parkwood in Friendswood). The cost for breakfast is $5. Everyone is welcome! Please mark “PB” in the attendance register if you wish to take part.

HEY KIDS! Come to our “Summer Kick-Off Bash” on the last day of school! We’ll have games, rides, food and fun here at the church from 1-5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 30th. A $20 armband includes all of the activities, food and drink. Bring a towel, swimsuit and your friends! All ages are welcome to come celebrate.

THANK YOU SO MUCH to everyone who has signed up to help so far with the Summer Kick-Off Bash! We are still in need of more shift work volunteers and financial sponsors. If you can work a shift helping with food, concessions, one of the game booths, set-up or clean up, or have a business or group that would like to provide financial sponsorship there will be a sign-up sheet available today in the Coffee Café. Please contact Katelyn Sanders for more information.

DID ANYONE BORROW A BOOK from David Bridges titled Memories, Hopes and Conversations by Mark Lau Branson? Please let him know you have it.

JUNIOR HIGH AND HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP PARTIES will be held on Monday, May 14^th at the home of Rick and Sonya Stutzman. The junior high party will take place from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. followed by the high school party from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Students with last names beginning with letters A-M, please bring some snacks to share. Students with last names beginning with letters N-Z, please bring drinks to share. Come and bring your friends! Contact Bobby Kirkpatrick  for more information.

ARE YOU GRADUATING from high school or college this year? We want to honor you in our special graduation bulletin on May 20^th. Graduating students or their parents are asked to contact the church office with the student’s name, the school that he or she will graduate from, the degree and major (for college students), or college plans, if known, for high school students. High school graduates will be honored during the 10:45 a.m. service on May 20^th along with the kids and mentors that have completed the “Making Disciples” program.

THE KIDS CAN-DO CLUB will have their last meeting before summer break on May 23^rd. If you would like to donate items for the “Blessing Bags” project, next week is the final week to do so. Thank you so much for all your support.

PLEASE JOIN US on Sunday, May 27^th as we welcome Wes English as our special musical guest during both services. Wes is the Worship Director for Oak Hills Church in San Antonio—the home of Max Lucado. Wes is also one of the “English Brothers” who have performed and ministered around the country for years. Watch for more information on our web site this week.

FAMILY PROMISE BEGINS AGAIN ON JUNE 3^RD! Just three weeks from today, the next group of guest families will arrive on our church campus. We are working on preparations now, and one of the things we need is a few more washable twin size blankets. If you would like to donate a new or gently used blanket, please bring it to the church. Julie Moncrief will coordinate the volunteer schedule; if you would like to help out this time and haven’t already been in touch with Julie (either individually or through your small group), please give her a call.

APRIL FINANCIAL REPORT: Our total income as of April 30^th was $280,178.32. Contributions have been very close to budgeted levels, and we recently received a large check for a health care tax credit which puts our total income nearly $8000 OVER our year-to-date budget. We are so grateful for your faithful giving and God’s provision! The early part of the year is typically a time of lower expenses for the church, so as of April 30^th we had spent $232,917.47 and have a cash flow surplus of $47,260.85. However, in the past two weeks we have learned of two situations that will pose challenges for us financially. Rates for our property insurance have risen dramatically (from approximately $30,000 per year to $80,000 per year) because of changes in how windstorm premiums for coastal areas are calculated. This is a huge unanticipated expense – a $50,000 increase that was not planned for in the budget. We have also learned that the cooling tower and chiller which provide air conditioning for the Worship Center and office area are in need of major repair and/or replacement. We are in the process of getting estimates, but the projected cost is anywhere from $70,000 for a shorter-term fix to $150,000 for total replacement. Please pray for wisdom for our Stewards as they look at options for funding these expenses, and for Jon Kerr and the Facility Stewards as they make decisions regarding the A/C repairs. We are coming into the summer season which is a time of higher utility expenses for us as well as more ministry expense for things like VBS, camps, etc. We continue to depend on your faithful giving and God’s provision in the coming months as we face these expenses.

DON’T FORGET

June 7^th – 11^th: Jr. High Camp – Camp Quaker Haven

June 11^th – 16^th: Sr. High Camp – Camp Quaker Haven

June 25^th – 29^th: VBS 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Registration Open

July 29^th – Aug. 1^st: Dude Camp – Registration Open

SERMON: David Bridges

“Our Daily Bread”

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 6:11

THE FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR TODAY are presented by Donald, Jennifer, Mara, and Graisa White in loving memory of our “Papaw”, Francis Mitchell. You are missed each and every day.

WELCOME to our new members: Bob and Judy Hamlet.

HEY KIDS! Come to our “Summer Kick-Off Bash” on the last day of school! We’ll have games, rides, food and fun here at the church from 1-5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 30th. A $20 armband includes all of the activities, food and drink. Bring a towel, swimsuit and your friends! All ages are welcome to come celebrate.

VOLUNTEERS AND DONATIONS ARE NEEDED to help with the Summer Kick-Off bash. If you can work a shift helping with food, concessions, one of the game booths, set-up or clean up, there will be a sign-up sheet available today in the Coffee Café. We are in need of two “backyard” canopies and some bags of ice. If you would be willing to help with any of these items or if you have questions, please contact Katelyn Sanders.

CAN YOU HELP PROVIDE COOKIES for the Summer Kick-Off? We need them to be wrapped (2 cookies per bag) and brought to the church by Tuesday, May 29^th. Contact Katelyn to sign up.

A COMMUNITY HEALTH FAIR will be held on Saturday, May 12^th, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at UTMB Health Specialty Care Center at Victory Lakes in League City. There will be many activities which include free health screenings. Fliers are available on the kiosk with details of this family event. There will be medical experts and how-to-clinics and demonstrations.

THE MONDAY SCRAPBOOKING MINISTRY will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Coffee Café on Monday, May 7th and is open to anyone who would like to work on their scrapbooks or similar hobbies (quilting, knitting, crocheting, etc.) and enjoy the fellowship of others. On the first Mondays of the month, our church’s quilting group will be there, too, so we plan to have a potluck lunch.

YOU ARE INVITED to share in the joy of Marianne Beran and Kenny Terrell (son of Mary Catherine Terrell) as they are united in marriage on Saturday, May 12^th at 2:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Caldwell, Texas. A reception will follow at the Burleson County Expo Center. You may pick up a printed invitation at the church office for more information. If you plan to attend, please RSVP by May 1^st.

JUNIOR HIGH AND HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP PARTIES will be held on Monday, May 14^th at the home of Rick and Sonya Stutzman. The junior high party will take place from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. followed by the high school party from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Students with last names beginning with letters A-M, please bring some snacks to share. Students with last names beginning with letters N-Z, please bring drinks to share. Come and bring your friends! Contact Bobby Kirkpatrick  for more information.

PRIMETIMERS “CARNIVAL DAY” LUNCHEON will be Thursday, May 17^th at 11:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall (Coffee Café). There will be games, prizes and surprises! Plus, all of the food will be furnished. Come and bring a friend. See you then!

THE FRIENDSWOOD COMMUNITY PRAYER BREAKFAST will take place at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 19^th at the Friendswood Community Church (2821 West Parkwood in Friendswood). The cost for breakfast is $5. Everyone is welcome! Please mark “PB” in the attendance register if you wish to take part.

ARE YOU GRADUATING from high school or college this year? We want to honor you in our special graduation bulletin on May 20^th. Graduating students or their parents are asked to contact the church office with the student’s name, the school that he or she will graduate from, the degree and major (for college students), or college plans, if known, for high school students. High school graduates will be honored during the 10:45 a.m. service on May 20^th along with the kids and mentors that have completed the “Making Disciples” program.

THE KIDS CAN-DO CLUB wishes to thank everyone for helping support the “Blessing Bags” project. Their plan is to prepare 300 gallon-sized bags filled with items that would be a blessing to a homeless person. They will then pass these bags out to the congregation so that you can hand them out when you see someone in need. They are half way to their goal! If you would like to help provide some of the items for the Blessing Bags, pick up one of the pink slips on the kiosk to see a complete list of what we have received so far and what is still needed. The kids will assemble the bags and add a caring note. Thanks for helping our children learn to serve and care for others!

SPECIAL THANKS to Tyler Huning and Boy Scout Troop 445 for the work that they have been doing on our church campus! As Tyler’s Eagle Scout project, he is giving leadership to a group of Scouts that are helping to spruce up the outside of our buildings and the parking area through some power washing and painting. Troop 445 meets in Friends Center on Tuesday evenings – we are grateful for their interest and commitment to help care for our facilities. Thanks also to Todd Bruemmer, who has been Tyler’s main contact at the church for this project. Todd has done lots of hard work on the buildings as well!

JUNIOR HIGH AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS interested in going to Camp Quaker Haven are encouraged to go to friendsyouth.com, where registration and camp information is now available. Senior High Camp is from June 7^th-12^th, and Junior High Camp is June 11th-16^th. The cost for registration is $210; an additional $75 made payable to FFC will help to cover transportation costs. You’ll also need to bring $40 cash for travel meals. Register online with your $50 deposit by May 23^rd to avoid a late fee. Pick up your information brochure on the kiosk, as well as the junior and senior high summer activity list. Please contact Bobby Kirkpatrick  with any questions.

DON’T FORGET

June 25^th – 29^th: VBS 9 a.m. to noon – REGISTRATION OPEN

July 29^th – Aug. 1^st: Dude Camp – REGISTRATION OPEN

SERMON: Jim Towne

“God Is Up to Something”

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 11:25-26

THE FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR TODAY are presented by Nubbin Chamblee and Pam Britton in honor of Nubbin’s parents, Bill and Ruby Chamblee.

THE KIDS CAN-DO CLUB is excited about working on “Blessing Bags”. Their goal is to prepare 300 gallon-sized bags filled with items that would be a blessing to a homeless person – mini toiletries, snacks, bottled water, etc. They will then pass these bags out to the congregation so that you can hand them out when you see someone in need. If you would like to help provide some of the items for the Blessing Bags, pick up one of the pink slips on the kiosk to see a complete list of what we have received so far and what is still needed. We especially need travel sized toiletries – if you travel and have soaps and shampoos from hotels that would be great. The kids will assemble the bags and add a caring note. Thanks for helping our children learn to serve and care for others!

HEY KIDS! Come to our “Summer Kick-Off Bash” on the last day of school! We’ll have games, rides, food and fun here at the church from 1-5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 30th. A $20 armband includes all of the activities, food and drink. Bring a towel, swimsuit and your friends! All ages are welcome to come celebrate.

THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER is scheduled for Thursday, May 3^rd. You are invited to gather with others from our community for worship and prayer at the Stevenson Park Pavilion from noon until 1 p.m. on Thursday.

SIGN UP TODAY! Our church is entering a discernment process, which will be kicked off the weekend of May 4^th-6^th with a series of “listening sessions.” These sessions will elicit responses from all who participate (and we want everyone to participate) about their perceptions of our church, its setting, and its calling. The goal of this process is to clarify our identity and mission, but the process itself—one of listening for God’s voice in one another—will also produce wonderful things. The times are listed below; – please sign up for one of them today on the information kiosk or you can call or email the church office this week (281-482-7821). If you need child care (ages 11 and under), please indicate the ages of the children you are bringing when you sign up. Each session is limited to 50 participants.

Friday, May 4^th: 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Saturday May 5^th: 9:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:30-2:30 p.m. or 3:00-5:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 6^th: 10:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m.

JUNIOR HIGH AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS interested in going to Camp Quaker Haven are encouraged to go to friendsyouth.com, where registration and camp information is now available. Senior High Camp is from June 7th-12th, and Junior High Camp is June 11th-16th. The cost for registration is $210; an additional $75 made payable to FFC will help to cover transportation costs. You’ll also need to bring $40 cash for travel meals. Register online with your $50 deposit by May 23rd to avoid a late fee. Pick up your information brochure on the kiosk, as well as the junior and senior high summer activity list. Please contact Bobby Kirkpatrick with any questions.

YOU ARE INVITED to attend a lecture entitled “Saving the Hanne Frank”, which will take place in the Coffee Café at 7 p.m. this evening. Walter Hansen, a conservator working with the Holocaust Museum of Houston, will tell the uplifting story of a three-week period in 1943 when Christian fishermen in Denmark risked their lives to ferry more than 7,200 Jews to safety in Sweden. The Hanne Frank is a Danish fishing boat, donated by a family who participated in the rescue effort. It was acquired by the Holocaust Museum in 2007, and has since begun to deteriorate in the Houston humidity. In addition to explaining the history and significance of this rare artifact, Hansen will discuss the techniques that are being used to repair and preserve it. He will also display a wooden boat that he built and donated to the museum to raise funds for this project. Everyone is welcome to come for the lecture. Dessert will be served after the lecture.

THANK YOU to the congregation for your help and support as we hosted the Bible Quiz finals last weekend. The group this year was the largest ever, and we are grateful to everyone who helped in any way – with set up or clean up, moderating and judging the competition, etc. Special thanks to Tina Roher and Bob Kirkpatrick and the many people who brought food for doing an outstanding job on the meals, to our youth group and former quizzers for all the ways that they helped out, to our Quiz leaders Mike and Debra Tomerlin for their hard work throughout the year, and to our great group of Quiz parents.

YOU ARE INVITED to share in the joy of Marianne Beran and Kenny Terrell (son of Mary Catherine Terrell) as they are united in marriage on Saturday, May 12^th at 2:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Caldwell, Texas. A reception will follow at the Burleson County Expo Center. You may pick up a printed invitation at the church office for more information. If you plan to attend, please RSVP by May 1^st.

REMINDER: Tuesday, May 1^st is the deadline for submission of applications and references for the Patricia Allen scholarship. Please contact the church office for more information.

ARE YOU GRADUATING from high school or college this year? We want to honor you in our special graduation bulletin on May 20^th. Graduating students or their parents are asked to contact the church office (281-482-7821) with the student’s name, the school that he or she will graduate from, the degree and major (for college students), or college plans, if known, for high school students. High school graduates will be honored during the 10:45 a.m. service on May 20^th along with the kids and mentors that have completed the “Making Disciples” program.

DON’T FORGET

June 25^th – 29^th: VBS 9 a.m. to noon – REGISTRATION OPEN

July 29^th – Aug. 1^st: Dude Camp – REGISTRATION OPEN

A $20 armband includes all of the activities, food and drink. Bring a towel, swimsuit and your friends! All ages are welcome to come celebrate.

On Monday a letter went out to every household in our congregation announcing that our church is entering a discernment process, which will be kicked off the weekend of May 4-6 with a series of “listening sessions.” 

These sessions will elicit responses from all who participate (and we want everyone to participate) about their perceptions of our church, its setting, and its calling.I think you’ll find these sessions to be very engaging and interesting and hope you’ll choose to sign up for one of them (times are listed below and you can sign up on Sunday in the church foyer or by emailing or calling the church office).  The goal of this process is to clarify our identity and mission, but the process itself—one of listening for God’s voice in one another—will also produce wonderful things.

The person who will lead us through this discernment process is Karen Parchman.  We found Karen through her doctoral supervisor, Mark Lau Branson.  Dr. Branson is a professor at Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, CA and somewhat of an expert at applying “Appreciative Inquiry” in the congregational setting in order to help a church discern the voice of God’s Spirit.  Karen lives in Austin and will be commuting to Friendswood several times over the coming months.  She is quite interested in our church and in this process, and I am anxious for you to get to know her.

Below, I’ve pasted in an outline of what we are expecting for this discernment process.  It will give you an idea of what is coming and perhaps answer some questions you might have about all of this.  If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me or one of the Coordinators.

Peace!

David Bridges

All sessions will be in the Coffee Café.  Session times for May 4-6:

Friday, May 4, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Saturday May 5, 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Saturday May 5, 12:30-2:30 p.m.

Saturday May 5, 3:00-5:00 p.m.

Sunday, May 6, 10:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

Project Overview

The church in North America is facing increasingly brisk headwinds of cultural relativism, which threaten to obscure the unique identity and purpose of the Christian faith from the broader culture.  Many church and denominational leaders have discovered their training and background has not given them the tools to confront the cultural challenges of our present day.

Friendswood Friends has a healthy core, relating to both its members and its structure.  The church has experienced a season of attrition, with members choosing different worship and church relationships.  David Bridges, Sr. Pastor, and the church’s ministry coordinators made the decision to engage consulting assistance for the church to identify and recommit to the church’s unique identity, purpose, and sense of calling.  In so doing, the church membership will gain additional communication and interpretive resources for future engagements and experiments in the greater Friendswood community, within the church community, and with their neighbors.

This proposal will outline the consultant process to be enacted between the Friendswood Friends Church and Karen Parchman, Ph.D. Candidate.   The goal is to provide communication resources that will cultivate an interpretive environment among all of the members and staff.  The process will invite stories around the document your church developed within the past twelve months, known as “Our Commitments and Hopes.”

Topics

1.  Explore features of the church’s history, context, and community that helped shape its commitments and hopes.

2.  Clarify together the church’s unique purpose and sense of calling, both within the church and in the greater Friendswood community.

3.  Introduce a Systemic-Appreciative approach to inquiry, in order to cultivate instincts of awareness, discernment, and interpretation as part of the culture of the Friendswood Friends church.

4.  Based upon the church’s unique self-understanding, calling, and purpose, design a ‘provocative proposal’[1] that stretches and stimulates people’s energy for the future.  Particular attention is paid to the unique theological and cultural environments of the church, and its possible engagements with its context.

5.  Debelop experiments for the church’s engagement in the community that are informed by the provocative proposal.

Proposal (3-4 Months)*

Phase 1 (Amended): The Consultant leads a church-wide introductory process that a) reviews the guiding document together; b) present an initial inquiry for people to engage with each other; and c) foster awareness for the large themes, questions, and meanings (of themes, meanings, questions).  The initial inquiries will provide a baseline for understanding any unique pressures or challenges from different perspectives.

Practices learned:                   Active Listening, Appreciative discernment

Proposed Length of time:     2.5 hours with 5 groups over two days (40 – 50 people in each group), preferably one weekend.

Process Outcomes:                 Perspectives will be compiled by Consultant to become part of the interview team training and Interview Guide Process.  Broad themes will be identified by Consultant, as well as any pressures discovered in the system based on initial inquiry.  Information to be shared with appropriate members, leaders, staff as identified by the Church.   Consultant will work with church leadership to identify 30 individuals for Listening Team Training from the initial inquiry process.[2]

Phase 2a:                               Consultant returns to train identified members as listening teams to engage the broader church community.

Practices Learned:                 Appreciative Inquiry interview process; Active Listening; Theological Reflection

Proposed Length of time:     5 hours (Saturday) with Consultant; 2 Weeks to interview; 2 weeks for Consultant to review and compile report

Process Outcomes:                 Listening teams will deploy over a 3-week period to conduct interviews; Liaison receives interview sheets and compiles themes [key and guide provided].  Liaison and Consultant connect to review results.  Report issued to appropriate group(s) highlighting patterns and themes.

Phase 2b: Consultant (a) returns to reflect on patterns and themes; elicit sharing on interview insights from broad constituency (i.e., entire church Sunday after services); or (b) provides additional resources for corporate reflection on current practices, unique presence in the community, and themes that are emerging for a future hope.  Lead team will provide details of the outcomes of those conversations to Consultant 2 weeks prior to Summit [Time-line and fee structure below assumes (b) rather than (a).  There is a parenthetical fee in ].

Practices Learned:                 Collaboration for Common Ground; Building Capacities for Deeper Listening and Dialogue.

Proposed Length of time:     6 hours with Consultant; Subsequent time determined by experiments, events, and reflection cycles.

Process Outcomes:                 Provocative Proposal for future engagement and direction; and Commitment to Action in the form of 1-3 experiments.

Sample Time-line:

Qualifications, Skills, Experience

Since 1997, Karen has been working with individual churches and church committees in the areas of Adult Education and Mission, developing teams, educating and equipping small groups for community engagement and involvement.  Karen has been on the staffs of two Presbyterian Churches, an Independent Community Church, and has served at the denominational level with the Association of Presbyterian Mission Pastors.  Her work in the church led to a field assignment with immigrant communities in the inner city.  During this season, Karen consulted with local churches interested in developing a deeper awareness of God’s activities in their communities.  She connected hospitality as a Gospel principal to respectful partnerships locally and globally.  Her experience with global mission has led to serving on the steering committees for inter-denominational mission boards for Central Asia and the United States; currently Karen serves as the North American Network coordinator for Del Camino Connection, an international network of mission-shaped churches.  She is certified in Conflict Transformation through the Lombard-Mennonite Peace Center.

Karen holds a Master of Arts in Missiology and Leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary.  She is completing her Ph.D. at Fuller Theological Seminary, focusing on the effects of revolutionary change on the communication practices of local churches.  Karen has developed a modified Appreciative Inquiry approach with church memberships and staffs that focuses on the language used by members when they interact.  She teaches in the MA online programs at Fuller, as well as in the School of Theology and the School of Intercultural Studies at Fuller’s regional campuses.

Concluding Thoughts

Maintaining what is best about Friendswood Friends is the highest value for the pastors, staff, leaders, and members of this church.  Any consultant you choose should have that as their value as well.  Determining not only what is best, but also how to live into the horizons of what could be, is one of the key practices of this appreciative approach to consulting.  A consultant provides the lens that the congregation cannot:  like a tourist, the consultant arrives with a curiosity to frame what is happening and provide insights from beyond the system.  A consultant also should understand that the church’s outcomes must fit the culture, context, and identity of the church; in other words, the Spirit of God is among you, and the choices you make must be as a result of your discernment in the midst of this process.  This underscores the need for a consulting relationship that is life giving and affirming.  My prayer for your leadership as they discern future directions is that your choice blesses your members, leaders, and community.

SERMON: David Bridges

“Goals of Prayer”

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 6:5-10

THE FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR TODAY are presented by Anna and Mike Barmore in memory of Anna’s parents, Claud and Jessie Flanagan.

KIDS CAN DO CLUB AND FOOD PANTRY VOLUNTEERS want to thank you for all the items that were donated during our project “Fill It Up”. Many families have been blessed through the success of this project, and the kids are excited about working to help those who are in need. For those of you wondering how to personally help a homeless person, our next project is an awesome solution – it’s called a “Blessing Bag”. This is a gallon size bag filled with items that someone who is homeless might need. We are asking you to help bring the items needed for the bags. The kids will collect the items, pack them, and return the bags to you – to hand out wherever someone asks for your help. Please pick up your bag in the foyer today after the service with the list of items needed. We hope to make around 300 Blessing Bags!

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN for our 2012 Vacation Bible School, which will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on June 25^th – 29^th. This year’s theme is SKY: Everything is possible with God. VBS is open to children from age 3 through completing 5^th grade. The $20 registration fee includes a VBS T-shirt, daily snacks, crafts and games, water day, songs, stories, and making new friends. What a deal for just $4 per day! Pick up a registration form on the kiosk or at the church office. Those from our church who register and pay by May 1^st will get a $5 early-bird discount!

JUNIOR HIGH AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS interested in going to Camp Quaker Haven are encouraged to go to friendsyouth.com, where registration and camp information is now available. Senior High Camp is from June 7^th-12^th, and Junior High Camp is June 11^th-16^th. The cost for registration is $210; an additional $75 made payable to FFC will help to cover transportation costs. You’ll also need to bring $40 cash for travel meals. Register online with your $50 deposit by May 23^rd to avoid a late fee. Pick up your information brochure on the kiosk, as well as the junior and senior high summer activity list. Please contact Bobby Kirkpatrick with any questions.

A GRADUATION LUNCHEON AND CELEBRATION in honor of David Bridges will be held in Friends Center today immediately following the 10:45 a.m. service. We rejoice along with David on the completion of his Master of Divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. Those who plan to attend the luncheon have been asked to sign up in advance and to help out by bringing a side dish, but if you are just hearing about the luncheon and have not had the opportunity to do this, we don’t want to exclude you. We have ordered a little extra food to accommodate some last-minute additions to the group, so please join us. There will be an offering basket at the dinner for those who would like to make donations toward the cost of the meal and the church’s graduation gift to David.

YOU ARE INVITED to attend a lecture entitled “Saving the Hanne Frank”, which will take place in the Coffee Café at 7 p.m. Sunday, April 29th. Walter Hansen, a conservator working with the Holocaust Museum of Houston, will tell the uplifting story of a three-week period in 1943 when Christian fishermen in Denmark risked their lives to ferry more than 7,200 Jews to safety in Sweden. The Hanne Frank is a Danish fishing boat, donated by a family who participated in the rescue effort. It was acquired by the Holocaust Museum in 2007, and has since begun to deteriorate in the Houston humidity. In addition to explaining the history and significance of this rare artifact, Hansen will discuss the techniques that are being used to repair and preserve it. He will also display a wooden boat that he built and donated to the museum to raise funds for this project. Everyone is welcome to come for the lecture. Dessert will be served, so it would help our planning if you could notify the church office if you plan to attend.

DUDE CAMP is coming up from July 29^th through August 1^st. We’ll travel by charter bus to Forest Glen Christian Camp (near Huntsville) for an amazing time of games, swimming, hiking, singing, and lots of other great activities. The cost is $215; register with your $50 deposit by May 15^th. For registrations after the 15^th, pay the entire $215. There will be a $20 late registration fee after June 1^st. Students finishing 3^rd through 5^th grade should have received a brochure in the mail; if not, pick one up from Janet Black and plan to join us for a great time of having fun and learning about God.

NEW CAMPUS MAP BROCHURES are now available on the kiosk. If you are helping a visitor to find a class, please pick one up. Special thanks to Kimberly Culver for her work on producing the maps!

ARE YOU GRADUATING from high school or college this year? We want to honor you in our special graduation bulletin on May 20^th. Graduating students or their parents are asked to contact the church office with the student’s name, the school that he or she will graduate from, the degree and major (for college students), or college plans, if known, for high school students. High school graduates will be honored during the 10:45 a.m. service on May 20^th along with the kids and mentors that have completed the “Making Disciples” program.

THE SCRAPBOOKING MINISTRY will be meeting Saturday, April 28^th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Coffee Café and is open to anyone who would like to work on their scrapbooks or similar hobbies (quilting, knitting, crocheting, etc.) and enjoy the fellowship of others. Please contact Alicia Baumer  or Diane Leaverton  for more information.

Senior High Camp is from June 7^th-12^th, and Junior High Camp is June 11^th-16^th. The cost for registration is $210; an additional $75 made payable to FFC will help to cover transportation costs. You’ll also need to bring $40 cash for travel meals. Register online with your $50 deposit by May 23^rd to avoid a late fee. Pick up your information brochure on the kiosk, as well as the junior and senior high summer activity list. Please contact Bobby Kirkpatrick with any questions.

SERMON: Cindy Dawson

“The Vocabulary of Prayer”

THE FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR TODAY are presented by Chuck and Debi Davis in loving memory of Chuck’s sister Charlcie Phifer.

OUR HEARTFELT SYMPATHY goes to the family of Kathryn Roebuck, who passed away on April 11th. Our sympathy and prayers are also with Steve and Michal Alexander; Steve’s father passed away last weekend. Please remember these families in your prayers.

KIDS CAN DO CLUB AND FOOD PANTRY VOLUNTEERS want to thank you for all the items that were donated during our project “Fill It Up”. Many families have been blessed through the success of this project, and the kids are excited about working to help those who are in need. For those of you wondering how to personally help a homeless person, our next project is an awesome solution – it’s called a “Blessing Bag”. This is a gallon size bag filled with items that someone who is homeless might need. We are asking you to help bring the items needed for the bags. The kids will collect the items, pack them, and return the bags to you – to hand out wherever someone asks for your help. Please pick up your bag in the foyer today after the service with the list of items needed. We hope to make around 300 Blessing Bags!

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN for our 2012 Vacation Bible School, which will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on June 25^th – 29^th. This year’s theme is SKY: Everything is possible with God. VBS is open to children from age 3 through completing 5^th grade. The $20 registration fee includes a VBS T-shirt, daily snacks, crafts and games, water day, songs, stories, and making new friends. What a deal for just $4 per day! Pick up a registration form on the kiosk or at the church office. Those from our church who register and pay by May 1^st will get a $5 early-bird discount!

THE JR. HIGH BIBLE QUIZ TEAM is in need of volunteers to help with the Bible Quiz Finals that will be held in the Friends Center on Saturday, April 21^st. If you are interested in helping, please contact Bobby Kirkpatrick for more information.

THE MONDAY SCRAPBOOKING MINISTRY will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Monday, April 16^th in the Coffee Café and is open to anyone who would like to work on their scrapbooks or similar hobbies (quilting, knitting, crocheting, etc.) and enjoy the fellowship of others.

PRIMETIMERS “CELEBRATE OUR EARTH DAY” LUNCHEON will be Thursday, April 19^th at 11:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall (Coffee Café). Come and bring a dish to share in an “earth friendly” (biodegradable or reusable) container. See you then!

BIRDING WITH FRIENDS is planning a spring bird trip to Brazos Bend State Park on Saturday, April 21^st. We will meet at the church parking lot at 7 a.m. and return in mid-afternoon. Bring a pair of long pants, sack lunch, water, hat, binoculars and bug spray, and expect a slow pace. Wonder what spectacles of creation we will see? See Google images for the “Prothonatory Warbler”, “Summer Tanager” and “Indigo Bunting” to get a taste! The plan is to carpool and share the gas. Contact Mark Rubash  to RSVP or ask questions. (A van is needed.) Learn to allow the language of nature to participate in revealing God’s great story!

YOU ARE INVITED to a luncheon next Sunday, April 22^nd following the 10:45 a.m. service. We will be honoring Pastor David Bridges for his completion of the Master of Divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. Please join us in Friends Center as we celebrate this special milestone in David’s life. Meat, rolls, salad and dessert will be provided. Please bring a side dish such as potatoes, rice or vegetables. We need a headcount, so if you plan to attend please mark “luncheon” and the number attending in the attendance register today, or contact the church office by this Wednesday, April 18^th.

YOU ARE INVITED to attend a lecture entitled “Saving the Hanne Frank”, which will take place in the Coffee Café at 7 p.m. Sunday, April 29^th. Walter Hansen, a conservator working with the Holocaust Museum of Houston, will tell the uplifting story of a three-week period in 1943 when Christian fishermen in Denmark risked their lives to ferry more than 7,200 Jews to safety in Sweden. The Hanne Frank is a Danish fishing boat, donated by a family who participated in the rescue effort. It was acquired by the Holocaust Museum in 2007, and has since begun to deteriorate in the Houston humidity. In addition to explaining the history and significance of this rare artifact, Hansen will discuss the techniques that are being used to repair and preserve it. He will also display a wooden boat that he built and donated to the museum to raise funds for this project. Everyone is welcome to come for the lecture. Dessert will be served, so it would help our planning if you could notify the church office if you plan to attend.

NEW CAMPUS MAP BROCHURES are now available on the kiosk. If you are helping a visitor to find a class, please pick one up. Special thanks to Kimberly Culver for her work on producing the maps!

FIRST QUARTER FINANCIAL REPORT: Contributions and other income as of March 31^st totaled $196,127.60, with expenditures of $172,006.04, which resulted in an operating surplus of $24,120.76 for the first quarter. Although our income was slightly below budgeted levels, we are thankful that your generous giving combined with lower expenses have allowed us to get off to a great start financially this year. Thank you for your faithfulness!

DUDE CAMP is coming up from July 29^th through August 1^st. We’ll travel by charter bus to Forest Glen Christian Camp (near Huntsville) for an amazing time of games, swimming, hiking, singing, and lots of other great activities. The cost is $215; register with your $50 deposit by May 15^th. For registrations after the 15^th, pay the entire $215. There will be a $20 late registration fee after June 1^st. Students finishing 3^rd through 5^th grade should have received a brochure in the mail; if not, pick one up from Janet Black and plan to join us for a great time of having fun and learning about God.