DECEMBER 2016 NEWS - Friendship Assembly 2016 Tis the Season ... Through strug-gles perhaps our...

DECEMBER 2016

Tis the Season

Every one of us walks through sea-

sons that God has ordained in our

lives. Some seasons are full of won-

der and excitement, while others

leave us feeling broken and alone.

The key to success in all circum-

stances is to remember Who your

provision is in every circumstance.

First Thessalonians 5:18 says, “give

thanks in all circumstances; for this

is the will of God in Christ Jesus for

you.” Learning to give thanks in every

ordeal or even in every blessing can

be a difficult request. Through strug-

gles perhaps our thoughts are, “Why

am I going through this, God?”

In our times of blessing perhaps we

lean on the concept, “I deserve this

season because I’ve worked hard for

it.” In all cases, whether we are in a

good or difficult place it is important

to remember that God has His provi-

sion and strength available. Since He

is sovereign and is seated on the

Volume 22, Issue 12

Editor: [email protected]

NEWS

From The Pastor

throne, then we can trust that He is

more than able to be our Sufficiency

and our Joy. He deserves the thanks

and the trust for all times and sea-

sons.

As we begin to live our life around

this concept it will lead to questions

from those who investigate why you

live this way. In those situations,

what Peter commands will be an im-

portant part of your testimony: “But

in your hearts honor Christ the Lord

as holy, always being prepared to

make a defense to anyone who asks

you for a reason for the hope that is

in you; yet do it with gentleness and

respect…” (1 Peter 3:15).

So, this season is an

opportunity for you to

live in thanksgiving

and testimony,

Falalalala la la la la!

Pastor Bradley Williamson

[email protected]

INFORMATION

PLEASE . . .

To provide the Office with

your new information or up-

dates please use one of the

green cards from the seat

pocket. You may drop it in

the offering plate or the offer-

ing box in the Foyer.

Thank you!

Glory to God in

the Highest!

Our children will sing

like angels for the

Kids' Church

Christmas Performance

Sunday Morning,

December 11th in the

10:45am Service

Please invite your friends!

4th A Emilio & Marisela Delgado

4th A James & Penny Kressman

5th B Ali Stahl

7th B Debbie Boardman

7th B John Parrish

8th B Paul Garibay

8th B Betty Jones

9th B Elaine Downer

10th A David & Patty Addis

14th A Glenn & Norma Metzler

14th A Richard & Marilyn McGee

15th B Ernest Austin

16th B Taylor Waters

18th A Paul & Alice Garibay

18th A Jon & Amy Seay

19th B Kimberly Lenn

19th B Rich Kotwica

21st B Roberta Barger

23rd A Barrett & Niki Curlis

25th B Emmanual Delgado

25th B Judy Richardson

27th B Camden Babst

28th B Pastor James Kressman

28th B Mark Rupprecht

29th A Will & Jean Brent

30th B Bonnie Holm

Friendship News

We had a great month of worship in No-

vember and now we are singing Christmas

songs. In December we remember that Je-

sus is the reason we celebrate. Already we have

been rehearsing our line up of Christmas music and

now it's time to sing about the most wondrous gift

ever given, Jesus Christ. Remember to show the

love of Christ and to pray that God will anoint and

lead us into the path He wants. This month we will

solidify the two worship teams for our services. Our

8:30 service will be traditional worship as of January

1st and our 10:45 service will be newer music. Spe-

cial thanks to everyone who has worked so hard to

honor God with your skill in

song and tech.

Refuge Student Ministries Grades 6 - 12

MERRY CHRISTMAS to you all!

During the month of December, Refuge Stu-dent Ministries will continue to explore the wondrous grace that our Lord Jesus Christ dis-played in coming to this earth to live among us. As we remember His birth, December will see us focus on worshipping God, not only in praise through music but in the way we live our lives on a daily basis. I truly believe that our highest praise and greatest testimony is a life lived out in faith.

In addition to the teachings, I look forward to hosting a small Christmas party for the stu-dents, and also singing some great Christmas songs throughout the month.

It's such a blessing to serve these wonderful kids and I look forward to a month filled with fun and faith! Blessings and peace to you this season!

Pastor Sam

We hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving celebrating all God has given you! We certainly enjoyed celebrating with our families, and we continue to feel so blessed during this joyous holiday season and

throughout the entire year.

We would love for you to join us Friday, December 2nd at 6:00pm (5265 Oats Ct.) as we continue to study the Sermon on the Mount. Even if you have not been to our Bible study yet this year, it is not too late to start. We welcome anyone, so bring the whole family for a good

Bible study, food and fellowship.

Holidays are a time of celebrating our favorites. We share favorite holiday traditions with our family; we eat our favorite foods; we sing our favorite Christmas carols. As Julie Andrews sings it in The Sound of Music, "When I'm feeling sad, I simply remember my favorite things and then I don't feel so bad." So bring your favorite dish (either your favorite dish to make or your favorite dish to eat) to share for Bible Study, and we will enjoy some of our "favorite things." Any type of food would be wonderful for our Favorite Food theme. Also, please join us downstairs Sunday mornings for Sunday School at 10:00am. Scott will begin teaching from 1 Peter, 2 Peter and Jude.

Scott continually asks thought-provoking questions to prompt good discussion, so come jour-

ney through God's Word with us!

Scott & Erin

MERGE Family Ministries (ages 25 - 49)

Music & Tech Ministry

Pastor James Kressman

[email protected]

Pastor Samuel Thurman [email protected]

If you have been part of Friendship Assembly for six months or more we would love to help you “plug-in” to ways to serve the Lord by volunteering. All new Volun-teers will be asked to fill out an application and those working with minors must agree to a Background Check. Please see or call the following Ministry Leaders for more information:

Construction & Cleaning Projects:


Kids’ Church: Ann Campos

Sunday School: Pastor James Kressman

Girls’ Ministries Clubs: Erin James

Royal Rangers’ Outpost: Tim Weigel

Greeters: Will & Jean Brent

Ushers 1st Service: Gene VanVleet

Ushers 2nd Service: Tom Johnson

Ushers PM Service: Paul Garibay

Youth Ministries: Pastor Samuel Thurman

Volume 22, Issue 12

PRAYER TIMES

Keenagers (ages 50+)

Devote a little time before Sunday Evening Service to pray for our missionaries and for fellow believers who are being persecuted in other countries, beginning at 5:30pm in the Sanctuary.

There is a Ladies’ Prayer Meeting on Tuesday mornings at 10:00 a.m. AND monthly Intercessory Prayer times on a Friday evening (see Information Center to sign up.)

Kenny & Christine Gonzales, Prayer Coordinators

Here we are and it's already December! This month

we are having great music with plenty of Christ cen-

tered Christmas hymns. We've been working on these congregational songs and some great Christ-

mas specials as well. Be sure to show up for Decem-

ber 4th AM and PM services as we are having a great

line up that includes a Christmas Hymn sing that

night at 6PM.

We are also having our Christmas Banquet here at

the church on December 10th 1-3PM.

On December 16th we are planning to go sing carols

at Stella Barbaro's and Billy Hicks’ care facilities.

We end our month of Christmas celebrations with

our annual Tour De'Lights on the 20th. We will

have details at the Information

Center in the foyer. So come join

in and bring a friend!!

On November 12th, we attended the Pikes Peak Section Turkey Shoot. We had great participation with 12 boys and 6 Adults/Commanders in attendance. The boys competed in Archery, Knife and Hawk and BB Gun Marksmanship. Prizes of Turkeys were awarded in each age group, for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. Ranger Kids came on strong, with Dylan Seay winning First Place, and Joey Wilkins winning Second. Both took home turkeys almost as big as they are! Thanks to all the Commanders who participated, and especially Paul Garibay for bringing the ATV’s, and to Eric Wilkins for treating the section to rides in his mo-torcycle with side car! A special treat for all the boys! With the Holidays upcoming, we will not have special activities for November and December, but in January we will have a Lock-in at the YMCA, sharing the experi-ence with Outpost 88. More boys equal more fun! De-tails to follow. We will also be announcing some new changes to the Outpost soon, as more boys take on more responsibility and grow into Boy-Leaders. All of this is in the effort to fulfill our mission…to equip and empower the next generation and create lifelong servant leaders! Great things are happening! We have a strong group of dedicated Commanders and if you have any boys (Kindergarten through 12th grade) come join us every Wednesday even-ing. I look forward to seeing you!

A truck, a van, a bus... what does all that have to do

with breakfast? To find out talk to the men that attended

November's Breakfast. There was lots of good food and

fellowship. OK, here's a clue: Mike Adkins shared a story

on Seeds For A Harvest. You don't want to miss the next

Breakfast, because you just never know what's going to

happen :). Come join us on Dec 3rd at 8am, be here to

join the party and close out "2016" and find out what's

coming up in "2017". We had 30 men and three first time

attenders at November's Breakfast and the only thing

missing was YOU. Ask the men from the last breakfast

why the State of Virginia is such a Great Place??

Thanks again to all the men that make the breakfast pos-

sible: Ernie, Chris, Will, Barrett, Len, Ed H., Dan, Ed W.,

Eric, & Tony :) Also, Thanks Emilio Delgado for

the reminder about Missions. Remember to support each

other in all ministries.

The Friendship Assembly Men's Outreach Team

Ministry is going well and we are truly blessed. We

would like to invite you to speak with one of our

team leaders to find out how, you too, can do a

Christian Man's Good Work of Helps.

We Pray That We'll All Be Ready... We Pray That We'll All

Be Ready... We Pray That We'll All Be Ready..... For His

Return. We Pray That We'll Get Down On Our Knees, So

That The Lord Can Wash Us Clean. Learn How To Pray..

While There's Still Time... For HIS Return.

Tim Weigel Outpost Coordinator

Men’s Ministries

Royal Rangers ~ Outpost 141

Lorenzo Grant, Coordinator

Pastor James Kressman

[email protected]

Friendship News

Women’s Ministries

Ladies, we are having our Annual Christmas Ban-quet Dec. 3rd at 2pm here at Friendship. The tickets are $16/person. We are having a $5 gift exchange as well. Vicki Proffit will be our speak-er.

Also, please join us December 17th as we visit Pikes Peak Care to deliver the blankets we have been making throughout the year.

If you would like to get involved with Women’s Ministries please consider one of our many areas:

Ladies’ Prayer ~ Tuesdays at 10:00am in the Sanctuary. Contact Christine Gonzales for information.

Helping Hands ~ might be the place for you if helping people is your thing. We help God’s people in their time of need. We carry food to them after surgery or after hospitalization and such. Please contact Alice Garibay for details.

Alice’s Crochet Group & Little Scrappers ~ meet together the first Thursday of each month (December 1st) at 6:30pm. If you have any questions please contact Alice Garibay or Connie Shackelford.

Ladies’ Breakfast Club ~ meets the last Saturday of each month (December 31st) at the Perkins Restaurant on Chelton & Platte, 8:30am. For more information call Marie Muffo.

Harvester's Circle ~

ON HOLIDAY BREAK FOLLOWING THE ANNUAL CRAFT FAIR. Beginning again in January, join us every Thursday at 9am. Fellowship is great and proceeds for what we create are given to Mis-sions every year.

Girls Ministries

We had a great time at our Ministry Day in the begin-ning of November. A big thank you to Kenny and Christine Gonzales,

Scott James, and Emilio Delgado who took time out of their busy schedules to teach the girls more about ministry. The girls learned more about prayer, missions, and the importance of serving others. They made cards for missionary girls and boys, and they located countries on the map where we have missionaries. They also filled a few shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child.

We look forward to our an-nual Christmas caroling trip at the beginning of Decem-ber. We will be visiting a lo-cal nursing home and deliv-ering cards to the residents

there. We hope to bring a little bit of Christmas cheer as we sing some of our favorite carols.

We look forward to celebrating the birth of our Lord this month. May we all remember to slow down and stop to remember what the season is all about. Let's make our “to do” list short and simple, so we have time to spend time with the Father and reflect on the many blessings He has given us. I pray that we all take time on a daily basis to stop and thank Him for his goodness and grace. May the spirit of Christmas live in our hearts now, and all year long as we rejoice in Him.

CLUBS FOR GIRLS Ages 3 thru 12th grade

MEETING EVERY WEDNESDAY AT 7:00pm

Connie Shackelford Coordinator

Erin James GM Coordinator

CHRISTMAS SEASON SCHEDULECHRISTMAS SEASON SCHEDULECHRISTMAS SEASON SCHEDULE

Sun. 12/04/16 MORNING WORSHIP (8:30/10:45) CHRISTMAS HYMN SING & SPECIALS (6:00pm)

Sun. 12/11/16 FAMILY WORSHIP (8:30am)

Kids Christmas Presentation (10:45am) EVENING WORSHIP, Youth & JBQ (6:00pm)

Sun. 12/18 FAMILY WORSHIP (8:30/10:45/6pm)

Sat. 12/24 Christmas Eve Candlelight Service (5:00—6:00pm)

Sun. 12/25 FAMILY WORSHIP (10:45 only)

(last day to get offerings in for 2016 credit; or 12/31/16 postmarked)

OFFICE CLOSED 12/26 - 12/31 Wed. 12/28 NO FAMILY NIGHT

Sun. 1/1/2017 FAMILY WORSHIP (10:45 only)

Volume 22, Issue 12

Missions: Home & Abroad

We currently help support over 40 missionaries as the Lord provides, thank you

to everyone that has turned in their Missions Faith Promise so far for 2017. It is

not too late to turn your Missions Faith Promise to support our missionaries at

Home and Abroad!

Mercy’s Gate (Northern Churches Care, then) was launched in 1982 as a collaboration of churches desiring

to meet the physical, financial, emotional, and spiritual needs of people living in the northern part of Colora-

do Springs. Over the years, they’ve seen the city’s boundaries change and the needs of our community grow.

As a result, they’ve grown, expanded their services and programs, and spread into two locations. Including

their new ministry center at Montebello.

As emotional struggles and economic pressures in our community increase, they see the needs of our neigh-

bors ramping up. Serving 71 percent of our city’s population in 15 zip codes, they see the desperation of un-

employment, financial stress, family conflict, and hunger. These people need to experience the mercy of God

and the God of mercy!

Through ongoing partnerships with more than 50 churches and the loving care of neighbor advocates and

staff, they provide – hope, encouragement to our neighbors through physical and financial assistance. They

also have many opportunities to share the love and hope of “the living Water,” Jesus Christ. Bringing peo-

ple from crisis to hope is the primary goal of Mercy’s Gate. Since their founding more than three decades

ago, churches, business, foundations, and individuals have linked arms with them to pursue this goal. We at Friendship are humbled to be a “member church” of Mercy’s Gate!

Mercy’s Gate Services Food Pantry – Families receive a four day emergency supply of food up to three times each year.

Financial Assistance – Help is provided for rent, utilities, clothing, and medical prescription, and other resources. Faith Community Nurse – A registered nurse is available to assess health care needs, provide prescription assistance, and to link our clients with community resources. Legal Advice – An attorney is available to assist neighbors needing legal advice. Budget Counseling – Volunteer counselors are available to help our neighbors with budgeting and financial planning. Tax Preparation – Provide free tax preparation for low income households through Income Tax Assistance Program. Mercy’s Gate Ministry Center – Ministries to the whole person – body, soul and spirit by leading, training, and prayer.

Seasonal Programs –Annual Healthy Families Back-to-School Event, Thanksgiving Basket Drive, and Home for the

Holidays Rental Assistance Program works to ensure everyone they meet is offered help when seeking

assistance with a rent/mortgage during the Christmas Season.

Sunday, December 11th is the day to bring your donations of non-perishable food

items to help restock the Mercy’s Gate Pantry. Grocery store cards are also appreciat-

ed & if donating by check, make it to Friendship Assembly, please put Mercy’s Gate

in the memo.

Prayerfully submitted by Emilio Delgado

Mission Ministry Liaisons for Friendship Assembly ([email protected])

Friendship News

GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST!

Our children will sing like angels for

the Kids' Church Christmas Performance

Sunday Morning,

December 11th in the 10:45am Service

Parents/Grandparents, would you please have your children arrive in the Kids' Church room on the day of the perfor-

mance at 9:30 am to get into their costumes?

Ann Campos, K.C. Director

[email protected]

We are in need of men to help us minister to the

prisoners in Cañon City. You can speak or preach

if you would like, but we mainly need men to

PRAY, PRAY, PRAY with the prisoners.

We are on the schedule to begin going to Cañon

City in January. We will be going the first and third

Thursday of every month. We will drive the church

vans to the prison and leave the church at 5:30.

Services will be from 7:00-9:00, and we will return

to the church around 10:00.

You are welcome to join us just to see what it is

like before you make a commitment. If you're

ready to make a monthly or bimonthly commit-

ment, please see B.L. James for an application or

for more information. Help us share the Gospel &

see these prisoners born again in Christ!

Prison Ministry CHRISTMASCHRISTMASCHRISTMAS SEASON SCHEDULESEASON SCHEDULESEASON SCHEDULE

Sun. 12/04/16 MORNING WORSHIP (8:30/10:45) CHRISTMAS HYMN SING & SPECIALS (6:00pm)

Sun. 12/11/16 FAMILY WORSHIP (8:30am)

Kids Christmas Presentation (10:45am) EVENING WORSHIP, Youth & JBQ (6:00pm)

Sun. 12/18 FAMILY WORSHIP (8:30/10:45/6pm)

Sat. 12/24 Christmas Eve Candlelight Service (5:00—6:00pm)

Sun. 12/25 FAMILY WORSHIP (10:45 only)

(last day to get offerings in for 2016 credit; or 12/31/16 postmarked)

OFFICE CLOSED 12/26 - 12/31 Wed. 12/28 NO FAMILY NIGHT

Sun. 1/1/2017 FAMILY WORSHIP (10:45 only)

Volume 22, Issue 12

Sunday School

If you have been part of Friendship Assembly for six months or more we would love to help you “plug-in” to ways to serve the Lord by volunteering. All new Volun-teers will be asked to fill out an application and those working with minors must agree to a Background Check. Please see or call the following Ministry Leaders for more information:

Construction & Cleaning Projects:


Kids’ Church: Ann Campos

Sunday School: Pastor James Kressman

Girls’ Ministries Clubs: Erin James

Royal Rangers’ Outpost: Tim Weigel

Greeters: Will & Jean Brent

Ushers 1st Service: Gene VanVleet

Ushers 2nd Service: Tom Johnson

Ushers PM Service: Paul Garibay

Youth Ministries: Pastor Samuel Thurman

DECEMBER 2016

A link to the updated Church Calendar is at the bottom of the home page of our website: www.friendshipag.net

Lisa Skaggs, Sunday School Secretary

Student’s Classes & Room #s Nursery, ages newborn - 36 months (East Addition)

Pre-school, ages 3-4 (1b & 1d)

Kindergarten, ages 5-6 (W1)

Primary, 1st-2nd grades (W2)

Middler, 3rd-4th grades (W4)

Pre-Teen, 5th-6th grades (W5)

Young Teen, 7th-8th grades (W6)

High School, 9th-12th Grades (Basement-6)

Adult Classes available Powerful Living (Adult I): Radiant Life Curriculum (Basement-4)

Pathfinders (Adult II): Spiritual Growth (East Addition)

D E C I S I O N S (Adult III): Topics for day to day living (Library)

Women’s (Adult IV): Closer Walk with Jesus (Basement-3)

The WORD (Adult V): G E N E S I S (1e)

Volunteer Today!

FRIENDSHIP ASSEMBLY OF GOD

3685 New Center Point

Colorado Springs, CO 80922 Phone: (719) 574-3155

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.friendshipag.net

SUNDAY SERVICE TIMES:

*Sunday Early Morning Worship, 8:30 am

Kids’ Church (ages 3-5th grade) meets after praise and worship

*Sunday School, 10:00 am

*Sunday Regular Morning Worship, 10:45 am

Kids’ Church (ages 3-5th grade) meets after praise and worship

*Sunday Evening Service, 6 pm

Refuge Youth Church, 6 pm

Kids’ Club JBQ (ages 3-6th grade) meets after praise and worship

WEDNESDAY FAMILY NIGHT ACTIVITIES:

*Pastor’s Bible Study, 7:00 pm

Girls Ministries, 7:00 pm

Royal Rangers, 7:00 pm

*Attended Nursery is Available; ages newborn-36 months.

* CRY ROOM is available for parents training children to stay in the service and is located at the rear of the Sanctuary.

Online Giving Option: https://friendshipag.generush.org/

https://friendshipag.generush.org/

DECEMBER 2016 NEWS - Friendship Assembly 2016 Tis the Season ... Through strug-gles perhaps our...

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