Friendship Lutheran Church News Blog

Hummingbird

2007-09-20T12:40:00.001-04:00

When we took Karen Hendrickson's body from Cincinnati to the cemetery in Abbottsville, Ohio, near Dayton, where she was buried on August 26, 1999, I drove alone. As I did so, I began to compose a song in my mind, the melody and the first verse washing over me like a flood. I made a mental note to complete the song, which I was calling Hummingbird, and share it with Kathy Luccasen, then our pianist and an extraordinary musician. (Kathy and I had already composed several songs together, she writing the melodies and me the lyrics.)

Some days later, in a conversation I can only describe as a God-incident, Kathy said to me, "I think that we should write a song for Karen to present on All Saints Day." "That's what I've been thinking," I replied. "I think that we should call it Hummingbird." "That's what I've been thinking."

Kathy then revealed to me that she'd come up with the melody for a chorus. I told her that I had a melody for the verses. Kathy also had the melody for a bridge, which we'd not been able to use in any of the previous songs we'd written together. They all turned out to be in the same key. I was then able to write lyrics for the entire song.

We presented the song on the day before All Saints' Day, Reformation Day, October 31, 1999, during worship at Friendship. Here are the lyrics:

Hummingbird

Hummingbird, fluttering, flying,
Outside the window pane
Have you come helloing, goodbying,
Beauty in the middle of pain?
Have you come to show us that freedom
Will be ours in the end?
And joy will follow all of our mourning
That life and peace will blossom again?

Hummingbird, our smiles and our heartaches,
Mingled joy and fear,
Leave us wondering just what it takes
To make it through down here
Could you please show us the vista,
That city on a hill,
Where bright, the Savior reigns forever
And with His life we all will be filled?

Hummingbird fly away
On wings of grace
Soar to the endless day beyond
There is a God Who has shared His life
So one day we all may rise

Trying
Crying
Looking for the perfect path
Tearing
Wearing
We rarely live for things that last
But in your flight
We catch a glimpse of
Beauty that awaits all who believe

Hummingbird fly away
On wings of grace
Soar to the endless day beyond
There is a God Who has shared His life
So one day we all may rise

Hummingbird, your soulmate awaits you
Escort her to her home
Let her fly in hope and in freedom
To Him Whose grace she owns.
Like you, her too-fleeting presence
Has thrilled our earthbound eyes
We'll try now to look to the Savior
And point our lives to the skies.

Hummingbird, fly!

[The following was shared by way of background in the worship bulletin of October 31, 1999.]

Funeral for Karen Hendrickson, August 26, 1999, Part 2

2007-09-20T12:34:00.001-04:00

[Click on the images to enlarge]

Funeral for Karen Hendrickson, August 26, 1999

2007-09-20T12:25:00.001-04:00

Karen Hendrickson, then vice president of Friendship's Church Council, and a person of inspiring faith, died on August 22, 1999. Her funeral was held four days later.

[Click on images to enlarge.]

Construction Photo #5

2007-09-20T12:13:00.001-04:00

A sign of things to come at 1300 White Oak Road.

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Construction Photo #4

2007-09-20T12:10:00.001-04:00

Steve Snoke, Phil Hudak, and Dave Mikolay chewing the fat in the southeast corner of the main room of the building.

[Click image to enlarge.]

Construction Photo #3

2007-09-20T12:06:00.000-04:00

Friendship folks really pitched in on the construction of our first building, making it possible for us to get it done under budget and on time. Here, we see work being done to treat the arches and decking. Top pic: Who is that masked man? Bottom pic: Mike DeVore

[Click on image to enlarge.]

Construction Photo #2

2007-09-20T11:59:00.001-04:00

In this photo, we see Friendship folks preparing to seed the lawn between the parking lot and Appomatox, on the north side of the lot. Pictured (l-to-r), I think: Don Wood, Phil Hudak, Nate and Mike Cheney, Lisa Wood, Jeff Daniher, Aaron Knorr, Kim Miller, somebody behind her, Jerry Miller.

[Click on photo to enlarge.]

Construction Photo #1

2007-09-20T11:48:00.000-04:00

These pictures show early site work on the construction of Friendship's building, taken in the summer of 2002.

As you can see, the footers are in place, but the foundation hasn't yet been poured.

[Click on image to enlarge.]

More Pictures from the Groundbreaking, June, 2002

2007-09-11T21:35:00.000-04:00

Bundled against the chill, we set up chairs in the middle of Appomatox, which Pierce Township officials had graciously closed off between Ohio Pike and White Oak Road. The folks at Jelly Bean Junction allowed us to use their parking lot. (Goddard School was not yet constructed.)

Top left: Megan Henderson, youngest of Dan and Michelle Henderson. Dan was president of the congregation at the time. They moved back to their native Iowa.

Small inset: Jerry Miller and Steve Snoke

Middle Left: (from left) Nanci Daniher, Michelle Henderson, Kathy Bendick

Bottom Left: Paul and Marti Niehaus

Bottom right: Some of my extended family, who will be identified below.

Rectangular shot, middle right: Nate Cheney

Who's the kid with the shovel in the middle?: Kassadi Snoke

Top, middle right: I talk with Ron and Sue Hendrickson, who drove from the Dayton area, to be with us. Their daughter was Karen Hendrickson, one of the four Friendship members who have died since the congregation began in 1990.

Top right: Front row, l to r: My sister-in-law Trina; my dad; daughter Sarah; my mom; my nephews Cameron, Jameson, and Andrew; Ann. Back row: Me; Phil; my brother Marty; my sister Kathy; my brother-in-law Scott.

In the beginning...

2007-09-10T17:57:00.000-04:00

Some members of our small core group prepare mailing to community announcing Friendship's first worship, which happened on May 19, 1991.

From left to right: Barb Holmgren, Ann Daniels, Kathy Meyer. On the other side of the table, l to r: Sibylle Waugh, Diana Russell.

The husbands really were working on the same project at the Daniels kitchen counters and card tables set up around the house. Honest.

[Click on image to enlarge.]

'Friendship Profiles'

2007-09-10T17:36:00.000-04:00

Our 'Friendship Profiles' newspaper ads were the brainchild of D.C. Stanfa. Based on the old Dewar's campaign, the ads were designed to let people know that ordinary folks just like them liked Friendship...maybe they would, too.

[Click on the images to enlarge them.]

Our Billboards

2007-09-10T16:57:00.000-04:00

With the help of D.C. Stanfa, we had three billboards on State Route 125 in 1992. We learned that you really need multiple billboards over an extended period of time for these to be effective.

In the top one, several Friendship folks donned Groucho glasses to ask, "Who says church people are no fun?"

The second shows a bunch of Friendship kids and announces, "We're the new kids on the block."

The last one's message is simple: "Down on Monday? Get up on Sunday!"

[Click on the image to enlarge.]

I Don't Know How to Rotate This...

2007-09-10T16:56:00.000-04:00

so turn your head.

This appeared on page 1 of The Cincinnati Enquirer on Christmas Day, 1992.

[Click on image to enlarge...and turn your head.]

One of Our Early Advertisements

2007-09-10T16:55:00.000-04:00

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Another Picture from the Land Dedication/Spruce-Up...

2007-09-10T16:51:00.001-04:00

May 3, 1992

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Land Dedication and Spruce-Up, May 3, 1992

2007-09-10T16:43:00.000-04:00

Most of these pictures were taken on what is now the frontage of Goddard School, which didn't then exist, of course. As explained elsewhere, we sold our front 1.7-acres in order to have the money to pay the balance on the loan for our land, enabling us to use money raised in the capital campaign to construct our building.

Part of the agreement we made with Goddard for the land was a shared sign on which Friendship would get top billing. Since we were giving up frontage, we didn't want to lose the advantage that represents entirely. A prominent sign on Ohio Pike was a way to keep some of that advantage.

By the way, I got ticks this day and had to be tested for Lyme's Disease. Thankfully, I didn't contract it.

[Click on image to enlarge.]

Scenes from Friendship's First Easter, 1992

2007-09-10T16:39:00.001-04:00

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More from Friendship's First Worship, May 19, 1991

2007-09-10T16:34:00.001-04:00

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Some of the Publicity for Our First Worship

2007-09-10T16:25:00.000-04:00

In addition to five years' worth of decreasing support for my salary and benefits from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), we also received support from several Lutheran congregations. (Most notably maybe, Saint John Lutheran Church, Grove City, Ohio, which gave us $18,000 a year for three years.) These additional monies allowed us to do some publicity, including advertising. We even had billboards for three months in 1992.

Maybe the Convict Picture Wasn't the Way to Go

2007-09-10T16:21:00.000-04:00

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More VBS Pics

2007-09-10T16:13:00.001-04:00

I think that they both were taken in 1996. I scared one poor kid to death with that Roman centurion get-up.

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Vacation Bible School, ca. 1996

2007-09-10T16:02:00.000-04:00

The date is an extremely educated guess. In those pre-building days, our VBS was held in Lutheran Church of the Resurrection's facilities. My recollection is that this was the first year that Group published VBS materials. They were and have remained so consistently great, that we've stuck with them ever since.

Youth Kindness Outreach, ca. 1995

2007-09-10T15:52:00.001-04:00

Even before the rest of the congregation got into the kindness business, our youth group were doing outreaches. Once, for example, we took cold cans of Coke to area construction sites. Here, the kids are pictured after we spent part of an October evening raking leaves in Shayler Crossing. We did it for free, of course. That's because, as Saint Paul reminds us, "...God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance..." (Romans 2:4)

[Click on image to enlarge.]

More Campaign Kickoff Pictures

2007-09-10T15:42:00.000-04:00

Above: Mel and Lois Simmons

Below: Mike and Amy Cheney, with Pastors Iseringhausen and Beck in the background.

[Click on image to enlarge.]

Capital Campaign Kickoff, 2001

2007-09-10T15:28:00.000-04:00

These were snapped at our Capital Campaign Kickoff at Royal Oak Country Club. The campaign raised enough money for us to seek a commercial loan to finance construction of our current church building.

Pictured Above: The jabbering pastor is speechifying. To my far right, Carl Beck of Church First, who coordinated our campaign. To my right, Pastor Tim Iseringhausen, formerly assistant to the Southern Ohio Synod bishop. (Tim graduated three years after me at Trinity Lutheran Seminary and is currently pastor at his home church, Trinity Lutheran Church in Bexley, Ohio.) To my left, is Ann as well as former West Clermont Local School District Superintendent, Mike Ward, and his wife.

Below: Some of the attenders at the kickoff.

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Karen Hendrickson, Whose Witness for Christ Inspired Us All

2007-09-10T15:01:00.000-04:00

Here's Karen, pictured with her then-infant son, Paul. This picture was taken in 1994.

See more here, here, and here.

[Click on image to enlarge.]

Lord's Table, Banners, 1994

2007-09-10T14:57:00.000-04:00

Taken at Withamsville-Tobasco Elementary School.

More From the 1997 Picnic

2007-09-10T14:49:00.000-04:00

This is another set of pics from the '97 Picnic.

Top: Debbie and Tyler Snoke.

Middle: Various picnic-ers.

Bottom: Me, demonstrating how I acquired my middle-age spread.

[Click on image to enlarge.]

Friendship's 1997 Picnic

2007-09-10T14:39:00.000-04:00

Friendship's first congregational picnic happened in September, 1991, at Juilfs Park in Anderson Township.

Top Picture: Brian Ward, overseeing a grill. Brian and wife Lezlie moved to Michigan and later, to Evanston. They continue to follow what's going on at Friendship closely.

Bottom: The balloon toss.

[Click image to enlarge.]

Showing a Little Kindness

2007-09-10T13:33:00.000-04:00

Inspired, encouraged, and at times, financed, by Vineyard Community Church in the TriCounty area of Cincinnati, Friendship undertook weekly kindness outreaches from 1997 to 2002. We gave away cold cans of Coke in the warm months, dollar-off coupons for gas at the SuperAmerica station at Route 32 and Old Route 74, cans of soup, Busken pastries, and other things. When asked why, we responded, truthfully, "We're trying to share the love of God in practical ways."

Brenda (Hilberg) Knorr was probably the most consistent participant in the outreaches.

In the five years we ran the outreaches, we "committed" more than 20,000 acts of kindness, all of which I've documented in a journal.

These two pictures were snapped during an outreach in September, 1998. In the bottom pic you see adults, from left to right, Bill and Kris Smith and Amy Cheney. The young man is Kris' son, Kyle. Bill and Kris were later transferred to Rhode Island.

[Click on image to enlarge.]

Worship, Withamsville-Tobasco Elementary School, 1993

2007-09-10T13:24:00.000-04:00

For most of the twelve-and-half-years before Friendship had a building, worship was held in the W-T School. For several weeks in the summer of 1993, we worshiped though in the cafeteria of Saint Thomas More's school. A West Clermont levy failed in the spring of '93 and in order to save money, the school board decided to close the buildings to outside groups. But when Glen Este Youth Basketball Association found a provision in Ohio law that forbade schools from prohibiting outside groups from using their buildings, we were back into W-T. It's a good thing, because our exile at Thomas More, no matter how appreciative we were for the hospitality, nearly killed Friendship!

These pictures though, were taken in the gym at W-T.

[Click on the image to enlarge.]

The Building Committee Meets, 2002

2007-09-10T13:18:00.001-04:00

Pictured here, meeting with our architect, Bill Gunter, is most of the building committee, from left to right: Jim Jordan (barely visible), Dan Henderson, Mike Cheney, Steve Snoke, me, Laurel Vogel.

[Click on image to enlarge.]

Groundbreaking, May, 2002

2007-09-10T13:04:00.000-04:00

It was, as you can see, unseasonably cool when we broke ground for the construction of Friendship's building.

Top left: Judy and Jim Jordan and Dara and Pete Wagner

Top right: A group of folks, including Cheryl Weyant's parents and Tara's fiance, now husband, Jason.

Middle right: Sabrina Darnowsky and son, Alex Nelson.

Just below that: A group, including old friends from my first parish, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Okolona, Ohio.

Bottom left, seated: Ron and Sue Hendrickson, parents of the late and wonderfully faithful Karen Hendrickson.

Bottom right: At the center of this picture is Rev. Dan Perrin, formerly pastor of Faith Presbyterian Church in Mount Washington. Dan was a wonderful colleague, a neighbor, and like Ann and me, a Glen Este High School choir parent. He prayed often for Friendship and is now in the Saint Louis area. Members of my extended family are also pictured.

These pictures and a whole bunch more were taken by Don Wood.

[Click on the image to enlarge.]

"Surveying the Land"

2007-09-10T12:36:00.000-04:00

Jumping ahead wildly in this Friendship photo history, here's a picture snapped of me as the church property was prepared for construction.

My family and I arrived in Clermont County on August 22, 1990. I formally began my work on September 1 and began going door-to-door to introduce people to this new congregation on October 1. (By the way, I believe that going door-to-door is--and already was then--a horrible way to start a new congregation. But it was the proscribed procedure then. I only learned later that when it comes to bureaucratic procedure, even in the Church, it's far easier to get forgiveness than permission.)

In the period between our arrival and the first worship celebration on May 19, 1991, we also held biweekly Bible studies in our home and I sent out weekly newsletters to prospective members.

Friendship's property was purchased in 1991 by the Mission Investment Fund (MIF) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. It was a 5.2-acre rectangular parcel that ran from State Route 125 (Ohio Pike) to White Oak Road, Appomatox Drive forming the east boundary line.

After striving for and attaining three or four different MIF-established thresholds, the fund wouldn't give us a loan. So, we pursued the next set of goals they established for us. They were composed of worship attendance, offerings, and a proscribed dollar amount pledged in a capital campaign. We hit those targets as well, then were told by MIF that they still wouldn't lend us the money for construction.

So, I urged the Building Committee and Church Council to see if commercial loans couldn't be found. Steve Snoke took hold of this challenge with faith and tenacity. At about this same time, we were approached by the Goddard School. They wanted to purchase the front 1.7-acres of the lot, a portion bounded by Ohio Pike. Their offer would allow us to pay what we owed MIF for the entire parcel, freeing us then to use the capital campaign-generated dollars for construction. God set that in our laps, for sure!

Steve was also the person who found Adeco of Springboro, Ohio, a company that had already been involved in more than 600 design-build churches across the country. The company's founder was an extraordinary man of faith and he and his company were a dream to work with. Steve was the point person and God used him to get the project completed under budget!

The people of the congregation also helped reduce costs by all of their volunteer labor. Among other things, Friendship members did roofing and soffit work, treatment of the arches and decking, and lots of other things. Volunteers, for example, painted the walls. (One day I walked into the place to find 23 people painting!) Don and Lisa Wood wallpapered the women's rest room. Eric Binder and sons, Sean and Adam, designed and put down the pavestones. Steve Snoke designed the tiling and he and Judy Jordan put it down.

Ann Daniels chaired the appointments committee, selecting the colors and the chairs.

Aaron Hauke designed and constructed the altar, the pulpit, and the coffee bar.

Aaron Knorr built the shed, which provided needed storage. The original building plan called for more storage and a slightly bigger building. But Clermont County's building inspectors required extensive carbon monoxide-detecting fresh air returns, adding $13,000 to the cost of the project. To save money, the building committee ordered revisions to the design, knocking out storage. Right now, of course, as part of his Eagle Scout project, Kyle Barrett are adding to the shed, allowing us to have both "outdoor" and "inside" items stored there.

This picture was taken by our daughter, Sarah, in June, 2oo2. Clearing of the property began that month. The foundation was subsequently laid. The arches and decking, which were shipped from Canada, were delayed when the truck carrying them broke down in Minnesota. They were finally erected on the Tuesday following Labor Day, 2002. We received a temporary occupancy permit in order to hold our first worship service on Christmas Eve, 2002. We began regular worship there on the third Sunday in January, 2003.

[Click on image to enlarge.]

Friendship Photo History, First Worship

2007-09-10T12:24:00.000-04:00

[I'm going to start posting photographs from the history of Friendship Lutheran Church here.]

The photo below is from the congregation's first worship celebration. It was held on May 19, 1991 in the auditorium of Withamsville-Tobasco Elementary School. The president of Lutheran Men in Mission of Ohio presented hymnals and Good News Bibles to the not-yet chartered church. (That wouldn't happen until November 23, 1993.)

The LMMO president is at the podium. To his right is Roger Holmgren, president of the congregation's Service Committee. That committee was a kind of Church Council, but unelected, recruited by me as Pastor-Developer.

At the piano on that first Sunday as a special favor was Vi Sill, a member of Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Anderson Township. At first, our only pianist was Barb Holmgren, Roger's wife. She would soon be spelled by Paul Niehaus.

There were 91 at Friendship's first worship service, 45 of them from our area. We started with a nucleus of just five households, including the Danielses. That core group of five hand addressed three mailings of 10,000 apiece to announce the service. By that time, I had knocked on some 6000 doors inviting people to learn more about this new church.

The Holmgrens would soon move from our area. But they maintain their interest in and prayers for Friendship to this day.

By the way, I don't think that clock ever told the right time.

[Click on image to enlarge.]

Thanks!

2007-08-30T13:58:00.000-04:00

Thanks to all who helped with the fund raising at New Richmond's River Days. With a match from Thrivent Financial Services for Lutherans, you raised $1600.00 for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Clermont County!

Thanks to...

Nancy and Jim Ball
Gail and Don Niemeier
Aaron Hauke
Laurel and Tim Vogel
Letitia Fulkerson
Kim Miller
Mark Wilkins
Debbie and Steve Snoke
Jan Witkowski...who coordinated the entire thing.

Thanks so much!

Thanks, Tim!

2007-08-30T13:57:00.000-04:00

He probably won't like this...but big thanks go to Toerner for all he does to keep the building clean and hospitable each week.

Also: Tim could use your help. So, if you can volunteer once a month to do the weekly clean-up at the building, that would be great!

Thanks, Tim!

Witnesses for Christ

2007-08-28T09:38:00.002-04:00

WITNESSES FOR CHRIST next happens on Wednesday evenings in October. Resolve that you’ll be part of this next offering of a course designed to help you fulfill your mission as a Christian.

Your Service Hours

2007-08-28T09:38:00.001-04:00

MAKE SURE TO NOTE YOUR OUTSIDE-THE-CONGREGATION SERVICE HOURS ON YOUR ATTENDANCE REGISTRATION FORMS. THESE RECORDS ARE STILL BEING KEPT.

PSST...You Can Help the Local Hungry

2007-08-28T09:37:00.001-04:00

PSST!! When you're grocery shopping, remember those four letters. They stand for peanut butter; spaghetti; spaghetti sause; and tuna, four items that we'll collect at church each week, and take to the Christian Help Center in Batavia. You can see Ann Daniels for more information.

GoDeep Resumes September 8

2007-08-28T09:36:00.000-04:00

Our GoDeep Saturday worship celebrations resume on September 8. These weekly worship opportunities are laidback and incorporate the chance to discuss the Biblical texts and themes at hand. We’ll skip the Saturday service on September 29 to accommodate a wedding happening at Friendship that night. GoDeep happens at 5:30 PM.

For This Evening's Bible Study...

2007-08-28T09:24:00.000-04:00

Here is the set of Biblical passages and discussion questions we'll be looking at this evening.

As you know, we're discussing basical Christian teaching. We began looking at Salvation last week and had an interesting discussion last Tuesday.

We meet tonight from 7:00 to 8:30. Hope to see you then.

[Click on the images to enlarge them. You can also print them from your computer.]

[UPDATE: These will be the passages and discussion questions for our September 4 gathering.]

The Newest Column

2007-06-05T11:54:00.000-04:00

Original Version
Column-Edited Version

Tomorrow Night's Bible Study

2007-06-04T23:02:00.001-04:00

Our Tuesday night Bible studies are dealing with "The Faith of the Church." We get together again tomorrow night from 7:00 to 8:30PM. Above are scans of what the next unit of the study covers, some of which we might get to tomorrow evening. Everyone's invited...bring a friend!

To Prepare for Worship, June 3

2007-05-30T13:58:00.000-04:00

See here.

In the News...

2007-05-28T17:13:00.000-04:00

...new series of messages at Friendship.

Tuesday Night Bible Study Passages and Questions

2007-05-28T10:56:00.000-04:00

We got through the first page of the first session of our study on "The Faith of the Church" last week. But below, you'll find that material and what we'll be doing tomorrow night. You are invited to be with us for Bible study, from 7:00 to 8:30PM.

[Just click on the images above to enlarge them.]

Consider This Weekend's Bible Lesson

2007-04-20T09:46:00.000-04:00

Here

Here

and

Here

Now What?: In the Face of a Terrible Tragedy

2007-03-27T10:08:00.000-04:00

[Yesterday, a memorial celebration of the life of Eileen Murphy, the principal of Summerside Elementary School in our community was held. More than one-thousand people were in attendance, filling the Performing Arts Center of Glen Este High School. She was a beloved figure and the 600-children and staff of Summerside were just some of the people wrestling with the suicide of a beloved educator. Many more who are part of our West Clermont Local School District have been affected by this loss.

[The memorial was wonderful, including a moving and funny eulogy by our friend, Barb Dardy; a solo presentation of Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus by our district superintendent, Gary Brooks; and a parent eloquently speaking of his appreciation of Miss Murphy, among other things. Below is a message I shared during the memorial.]

There are things that happen in this life that are so big and so sad and so horrible that we can’t explain them. As you think about the tragic death of a beloved family member, principal, and colleague, it’s natural to ask, “Why has this happened?”

I’m not sure there is an answer to that question.

More than that, I’m not sure that having an answer would help us very much.

I think that the far more important question for all who mourn Eileen Murphy to ask is this: “Now what?”

How do you--how do we all--proceed with the living of our lives knowing that there are things that happen in this life that are so big and so sad and so horrible that we can’t explain them? How do we live knowing that life is good, but life isn’t fair and life doesn't always make sense? Just a few thoughts.

First, and this is especially for the boys and girls: Listen to each other. Be kind to each other. Treat each other with respect. When we know that even this beautiful world full of wonders and laughter can be infected by sad things, we should all make it our goal to treat others with the same kindness and love with which we want them to treat us.

Second, boys and girls, when you have feelings of sadness or anger inside of you, tell a trusted grown-up like a parent, a teacher, a counselor, a pastor, or, for some of you, a Boys and Girls Club adult. When I was a little boy and I got frightened or sad, those bad feelings always got worse if I kept them to myself. But when I told my parents, grandparents, or some other grown-up I trusted, those feelings got smaller or went away. A trusted grown-up can help that happen for you too. And grown-ups, we never grow too old for this advice!

Third: The sixty-something year old woman who, when I was in my early twenties, helped me move from being an atheist to a believer in God used to tell me whenever something was bothering me, “You know, Mark, it’s not something you can’t pray about.” You can talk with God about anything! You can even tell Him when you’re angry with Him. The Bible tells us to cast all our cares on God because He cares for us. He cares for you. So, talk to God. Pray.

Fourth: Live in the assurance that your life matters to God. Every single second of it!

In the New Testament portion of the Bible, you can read the letters of a man named Paul. Once a hardboiled enemy of Christian faith, he became a follower of Christ and suffered beatings, imprisonment, shipwrecks, and all sorts of abuse because of his faith. He had every reason to ask, “Why?” But Paul kept following Christ.

He did this because he remembered, as many of us will do in just a few days, that Christ gave up His life on Good Friday and then rose to give new life to all who believe in Him on Easter Sunday.

Paul knew that no matter what happened, he was still loved. You should know that too. Toward the end of his life, Paul wrote some words to the band of Christians living in Rome that comfort me whenever I face the uncertainties and pain of life. I hope they will help you today too:

What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?...No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

As you face a loss so big and so sad and so horrible that you can’t explain it, I hope you’ll remember that God is bigger than all our hurts and that today and every day, His arms are opened wide to you.

Friendship Men

2007-03-14T21:55:00.000-04:00

From Steve Snoke...

Hello Men of Friendship-

Our next get together is this Saturday 3/17 @ 8 AM. We will be meeting at Abbott's Restaurant in Amelia. Abbott's has a good breakfast menu and the few times we've met there have been nice.

Our Men's group get together's are a really informal event full of interesting conversation. If you haven't attended a get together, I urge you to try us out. In fact, first time visitors will receive a free breakfast, complements of our group.

See everyone this weekend.

God Bless,

Steve

Discussion Questions for Next Tuesday Night's Bible Study

2007-03-14T16:29:00.000-04:00

Next Tuesday, we continue our study of the Holy Spirit. These are the discussion questions around which our time together will be built. Please plan on being with us next Tuesday, from 7:00 to 8:30PM. [Click on the image to enlarge the discussion questions.]

Meeting for Mission Trip Participants and Parents

2007-03-14T16:22:00.000-04:00

There will be an important meeting for all participants in the Summer Mission Trip this coming Sunday evening, March 18, at 7:00. More details of the trip as well as upcoming fundraising plans will be discussed. At present, 19 persons are registered to go. It's little more than three months away!

This meeting is for youth and adult participants and parents of youth participants. We should be done in one hour. Please plan on attending!

Improving...BUT

2007-03-14T16:17:00.000-04:00

Friendship's financial picture showed some improvement in February after a horrible January. However, as you can see if you click on the image above, we still finished in the red. Were we to continue on such a course over the next two months, there would be dire financial consequences.

Thank you to all who made the effort to maintain regular worship attendance and offerings in February.

Continue to invite your spiritually-disconnected friends to worship. In our fellowship, they'll meet Jesus and we'll all be able to do more in the way of reaching out to others.

Please also continue to pray that God will provide for our financial needs. Thank God that He is already hearing these prayers!

The First Pass at This Weekend's Bible Lesson...

2007-03-13T23:07:00.000-04:00

is here.

See 'Amazing Grace'!

2007-03-13T22:03:00.000-04:00

Ann and I joined with some friends on Sunday afternoon to see Amazing Grace, the big-screen treatment of the life and work of William Wilberforce. Wilberforce was the British politician whose forty-plus-year commitment to bringing an end to slavery and the "reform of manners" in his country resulted in the abolition of the slave trade. It all stemmed from Wilberforce's faith in Christ and his relationship with John Newton, the one-time slave ship captain who, repentant for his participation in slavery, became a Christian and a pastor and a composer, most notably of the hymn, Amazing Grace.

This film isn't heavy-handed in its portrayal of Wilberforce and his faith. No matter where you are spiritually, you'll enjoy this movie. Nor does Amazing Grace overlook Wilberforce's faults, such as his battle with addiction to opium or his initial tentativeness to fight for what he believed was right in the political realm.

This is nothing less than a triumph of a movie, full of interesting, inspiring people and story that will stir you and make you feel good! Go see Amazing Grace.

Some past posting about or inspired by William Wilberforce is linked here.

Go to page 9 of the latest issue of The Asbury College Ambassador here to find an interesting article about Wilberforce.

About Tonight's Clermont 20/20 'Salute to Leaders'

2007-03-08T22:11:00.000-05:00

This evening, I attended Salute to Leaders, an annual event sponsored by Clermont 20/20, an organization in our suburban/rural county that fosters the development of leadership and that recognizes those whose service makes our communities better. There were about 500 people in attendance. It's heartening to note the supportive presence of our elective officials, too.

Two of the leaders recognized this evening are involved with the Boys and Girls Club of Clermont County: Lynn Baird, who works with the high schoolers, received the county wide Civic Award; Deidra Thacker, a nine-year member of the New Richmond club, received the youth leadership award.

I was honored to provide the prayer for the event:

Lord:
You’ve taught us and during this Lenten season we especially remember, that the only true leaders in the world are those who dare to be servants. They put the needs of others ahead of their own agendas. True leaders have learned that to accomplish anything of significance, they must think “we” more than “me.”

This is difficult for us to accept, Lord, and even more difficult for us to live. So, we’re grateful when we find good examples of servant-leaders like those we honor here tonight.

As we salute these Clermont County leaders, Father, help us also to thank them for being living examples of servanthood. And teach us all to be servants.

We thank You for the efforts of those who prepared our meal and those who will serve it and those who readied this room for our gathering tonight.

Thank You for the food that’s set before us. We ask You to use it to strengthen us to be Your servants.

We pray all these things in the Name of the Savior God Who dared to put us first, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

The Third Pass at This Weekend's Bible Lesson...

2007-03-08T14:11:00.001-05:00

...is here.

The Second Pass at This Coming Weekend's Bible Lesson...

2007-03-07T16:52:00.000-05:00

is here.

Reset Your Clocks This Coming Saturday Night

2007-03-07T11:55:00.000-05:00

We go to daylight savings time overnight. So, spring forward one hour before you go to sleep that night!

Here are the Discussion Questions...

2007-03-07T11:39:00.000-05:00

for next Tuesday night's Bible study. We gather from 7:00 to 8:30PM. Hope to see you then! [Just click on the images to enlarge them.]

Remember...

2007-03-07T11:38:00.000-05:00

Our second Lenten Soup and Salad gathering happens tonight, starting at 6:30PM. Come hungry for food, fellowship, and a discussion of God's Word. We should be done my no later than 8:00PM. Tonight, we'll enjoy Wedding Soup from Judy Mikolay.

The First Pass at This Upcoming Weekend's Bible Lesson...

2007-03-07T11:37:00.000-05:00

is here.

This weekend's message...

2007-03-04T16:57:00.000-05:00

is here.

Steve Snoke's February 25 'Temple Talk'

2007-03-01T13:53:00.000-05:00

The Church Council of Friendship, the congregation's elected leadership, is involved in a series of Temple Talks shared on Sunday mornings. The first one was this past Sunday, when finance chair Steve Snoke gave his thoughts. Click on the images to read Steve's outline. Thanks, Steve!

Discussion Questions for Next Tuesday Night Bible Study

2007-03-01T13:36:00.000-05:00

We've just started a six-part look at the Holy Spirit. If you click on the images here, you'll be able to read and even print the discussion questions we'll explore as we get together.

The Tuesday Night Bible Study happens from 7:00 to 8:30PM. You are invited. Also feel free to bring your non-churchgoing friends with you!

'Making Room for Jesus'

2007-02-28T13:07:00.000-05:00

The first of our Lent, 2007 Soup and Salad Gatherings happens this evening, from 6:30 until about 7:45. After a time of food and fellowship, we'll sing a Lenten song and then briefly discuss some questions based on our daily Lenten devotions, Making Room for Jesus, by Marci Alborghetti. Even if you and your family haven't been able to read all the daily readings so far, please make a point of being with us. It will add so much to your celebration of Easter, coming up in April.

Today's Message...

2007-02-25T22:25:00.000-05:00

is here.

Discussion Questions for This Tuesday Night's Bible Study

2007-02-25T22:20:00.000-05:00

We begin a new six-week study on what the Bible has to say about the Holy Spirit. It happens on Tuesdays from 7:00 to 8:30PM. Above, I've scanned the discussion questions based on John 3:1-21. I hope that you can be with us. [Click on the image in order to be able to read it.]

The Ash Wednesday Message...

2007-02-21T23:10:00.001-05:00

is here.

Upcoming Tuesday Bible Study Topics Decided

2007-02-20T23:02:00.000-05:00

At this evening's gathering of the Tuesday Night Bible Study, participants decided on topics we'll be delving into in coming weeks.

We enjoyed the four-session study of the New Testament book of First Peter from the Augsburg Fortress small group Bible studies. (Augsburg Fortress is the official publishing house of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.) The upcoming studies will all be from this series.

The upcoming studies will be:

Blowing in the Wind: A six-session Bible study on the Holy Spirit
Galatians: A four-session Bible study of living freely in Christ
Justice for a troubled world: A four-session study in Amos
Epistle of Joy: A four-session study on Philippians

With each of these studies, there will be some advance reading and you'll receive questions on the passages to be looked at, which you'll receive in advance via email and on this site.

The study on the Holy Spirit will begin next Tuesday evening, February 27, from 7:00 to 8:30PM. It was written by Wilfred Bockelman, a son of Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Napoleon Township, Ohio, about five miles from the congregation Pastor Mark served as pastor for six years before coming here to found Friendship. His nephew and his family were members of that congregation, Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Okolona, Ohio. Plan on attending and invite a non-churchgoing friend!

Habitat for Humanity 'Noisy Offering' is This Coming Sunday, February 25

2007-02-20T23:01:00.000-05:00

Remember to save your change to help support the construction of the new Habitat for Humanity home for the Higgins family in New Richmond. (Thrivent Financial Services for Lutherans has granted us 65% of the construction costs.) Then bring your change to worship on the last Sunday of each month--this month that's February 25--four our Noisy Offering!

Lent Starts Wednesday, February 21

2007-02-20T22:53:00.000-05:00

Friendship Lutheran Church, 1300 White Oak Road, begins its celebration of the Lenten season with Ash Wednesday worship, beginning at 7:00PM, on Wednesday, February 21.

During the rest of the six-weeks of Lent, the church will hold Wednesday Soup and Salad gatherings. Those gatherings will happen at 6:30PM. During these gatherings, a light dinner will be provided, followed by discussion of a set of daily readings and faith action steps.

The gatherings are open to the public.

Lent is a great way to prepare for Easter and to get tuned into God!

[For more on what Ash Wednesday and Lent are about, see here.]

Friendship is in the News

2007-02-20T22:52:00.000-05:00

Here are links to two items from the Cincinnati Enquirer web site. The second item will appear in a future edition of the newspaper's Hometown page. I don't know about the first one.

You might want to forward these links to friends you want to invite to worship with us.

Ash Wednesday and Lent at Friendship, Amelia News at Cincinnati.com

Preaching Beyond the Pulpit, Amelia News at Cincinnati.com

Catechism Postponed

2007-02-20T22:50:00.000-05:00

Due to some scheduling conflicts that have come up, we've decided to postpone this coming Saturday's Catechism class. On Friday morning, Tim Vogel, Debbie Snoke, and Pastor Mark will announce the make-up date for this class.

If you have a sixth-through-eighth grade student who hasn't yet gotten their book for this year, see me after worship either tomorrow night, Saturday night, or Sunday morning.

January, 2007 Financial Report

2007-02-20T22:32:00.000-05:00

Financially, we had a rough January, only partly because of missing one weekend with bad weather. If February doesn't see us all offering at our estimated giving levels, we may be forced to dig into our building and kitchen reserves, something it would be best to avoid completely.

Please pray for our congregation's spiritual, numerical, and financial growth. God will grant growth to a congregation committed to sharing Christ and to inviting others to worship with them!

[Click on the image to enlarge it.]

'The Cincinnati Enquirer' Talks About Blogging Pastors

2007-02-19T23:53:00.001-05:00

...including Friendship's.

This Weekend's Message...

2007-02-18T14:41:00.001-05:00

is here.

The Third Pass at This Weekend's Bible Lesson...

2007-02-15T16:37:00.001-05:00

is here.

The Second Pass at This Weekend's Bible Lesson...

2007-02-14T12:39:00.000-05:00

is here.

Habitat for Humanity TGIF's Event Rescheduled...and Other Habitat Reminders

2007-02-13T20:04:00.000-05:00

From Jan W.:
Lovely weather we're having, isn't it? But I can't complain when I compare it to the snow our family and friends are getting back in upstate New York!

Just wanted to let you all know that the fundraiser event that had been scheduled at TGIF's for Thursday, 2/15, has been cancelled by Donna, the store manager. Seems several of her key servers will not be available this Thurs. pm, and as Donna wants this particular fundraiser to go really well, she asked us to cancel. And in light of the weather and Valentine's Day tomorrow, etc., I'm sure it's for the best anyway. So....

Please mark Thursday, March 8th on your calendar as the date to dine @ Anderson's TGIF to support the Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity. If anyone would like to experience what it's like to be a server, a hostess, a greeter, or a busser---well, I'd love to help you fulfill this lifelong goal! You'll need to be at the restaurant around 4:30 and would be put to work from 5-9 pm. We don't get to eat food during that time, but we do get to have whatever non-alcohlic beverage we need throughout the evening. If unable to serve, please come and dine with us on that evening. Habitat gets to keep all the tip money from the night. (Donna does something different for her "real" servers at these events and apparently they are eager to work with us in this capacity!)

Also, the spaghetti supper for February 25th will be from 5-7 pm at St. Veronica's on Mt. Carmel-Tobasco Road. The entertainment for the evening will be the handbell choir from All Saints Lutheran. I stopped by to see their choir director last evening for some Thrivent business, and they were practicing their concert program. They have 4 full octaves and they sounded amazing last night! They are so excited about helping with Habitat and about working in our own community. Adult dinners are $7, children $5, and no family will pay more than $20 unless they want to give more. Hope you can come to this event as well.

Guess that's it for now. Hope you are all staying warm and keeping dry. Remember, Phil did not see his shadow, so spring is just around the corner! :-)

God Bless,
Jan

The First Pass at This Weekend's Bible Lesson...

2007-02-13T20:02:00.001-05:00

is here.

Tuesday Night Bible Study Scrubbed

2007-02-13T12:05:00.000-05:00

Because of the icy rain that it's forecast we'll continue to get through this afternoon and this evening, tonight's Bible study won't happen. We'll plan on resuming next Tuesday...knowing full well how much God laughs when we make plans.

Habitat for Humanity 'Noisy Offering'

2007-02-12T20:43:00.001-05:00

Catechism

2007-02-12T20:40:00.000-05:00

Sixth through eighth graders can pick up their Catechism books this week at Pastor Mark's home or before or after worship this coming Saturday or Sunday. Our class will meet on February 24, from 9:00AM to 2:00PM. The assignment is to read the first six chapters in the book and to create an essay, a PowerPoint, a comic book, or collage explaining how the Ten Commandments express God's love for us.

Lent is On Its Way

2007-02-12T20:37:00.000-05:00

LENT, A TIME FOR SPIRITUAL RENEWAL, BEGINS WITH ASH WEDNESDAY WORSHIP at 7:00PM ON FEBRUARY 21. We’ll once more have our Wednesday Soup and Salad gatherings during Lent. Those gatherings will happen at 6:30PM. Daily devotionals will be provided, built around the theme: Making Room for Jesus. Thanks to Rochelle Feine and Betsy DeVore for coordinating these gatherings! (By the way, if you’d like to help pay for the materials used during the Lenten season, add another $1.00 to your offering. That should cover costs and shipping.)

Your Help Needed

2007-02-12T20:36:00.001-05:00

FRIENDSHIP FOLKS HAVE BEEN A BIG HELP TO CLERMONT CASA FOR KIDS! Our help is needed again. We’re conducting another drive for items to go into diaper bags. But only a few items are needed at this time:
diaper bags
sleepers
baby shampoo
baby lotion
baby wipes
baby wash
age appropriate toys (0-12 months)
small rolling suitcase
large onesies (24 months and up)
age appropriate toys (18-36 months)
Please bring in your items over the next three weeks, no later than February 18. Thanks so much. You can ease the transitions of children taken into foster care by creating these wonderful care packages!

Friendship Youth's Next Gathering

2007-02-12T20:35:00.000-05:00

Friendship’s Youth get together from 6:00 to 7:30 this coming Sunday, February 18. There are two purposes for the meeting: to pack items donated for the CASA duffel bags and to discuss preparations for the March 4 Southern Ohio Synod Bible Bowl.

February 18 Brings CASA Bake Sale

2007-02-12T20:33:00.000-05:00

There will be a Bake Sale to support CASA for Clermont Kids! before and after worship on Sunday, February 18. Kassidy L. will bake and do the sale as part of her Senior Exit Action Project at Glen Este High School.

Sunday's Presentation on 2007 Outreach Efforts, Part 2

2007-02-12T20:27:00.000-05:00

[Click on the images to enlarge. Presentation given by Outreach chairperson, Carol Barrett.]

Sunday's Presentation on 2007 Outreach Efforts, Part 1

2007-02-12T20:25:00.000-05:00

[Click on the images to enlarge. Presentation given by Outreach chairperson, Carol Barrett.]

We Have Great Young People at Friendship...

2007-02-12T01:00:00.000-05:00

Kyle Barrett and Sam Miller are two of them.

[Click to enlarge image...and to read the article.]

This Weekend's Message...

2007-02-11T19:33:00.000-05:00

is here.

Talking About the True Meaning of Love and Saint Valentine's Day...

2007-02-11T12:57:00.000-05:00

during this morning's children's message at Friendship Lutheran Church. Thanks to Truman for taking this photograph and many others! (Click on the pic to see an enlarged version.)

The Second Pass at This Weekend's Bible Lesson...

2007-02-09T11:04:00.000-05:00

is here.

Your Friendship Pictures Needed

2007-02-06T15:42:00.000-05:00

Our Friendship web site is being updated even as we speak by our fine voluntary web master, John Warner of Katy, Texas.

One of the things I'd like to get on the site (and this news blog) are your pictures of various Friendship people and activities. So, if you have any jpg files of your Friendship photos, please send them to MarkLuth@aol.com as attachments. If you have prints that I could scan, that would be great as well. I hope that the site can be a more dynamic, real-time place in the future.

But continue to come back here for the latest Friendship news.

Due to the Continuing Snow...

2007-02-06T15:32:00.000-05:00

there will be no Bible study tonight. We'll meet again next Tuesday evening, from 7:00 to 8:30PM.

First Pass at This Weekend's Bible Lesson...

2007-02-06T15:31:00.000-05:00

is here.

This Month's Outreach Gathering

2007-02-05T09:42:00.001-05:00

The Outreach gathering, open each month to all members of the congregation, originally scheduled for this coming Sunday, has been rescheduled for Sunday, February 18. It will happen immediately following worship.

Past Weekend's Announcements (Updated)

2007-02-05T09:42:00.000-05:00

Please Keep the Following People and Concerns in Your Prayers This Week

Seek healing for: Lois Simmons; Mel Simmons; Brittany Smith; Paul Niehaus; Tessie Witkowski; Alberta Collingwood; Charlene Hauke; Vic Feine; Ruth Fiegenschuh; John Krueger (uncle of Jan Witkowski); Alena, granddaughter of Dara and Pete Wagner; Jerry Rogers; Franny Bishop; Bonnie (a friend of Carol Barrett’s); Allyn; John Clough; Sarah Russell; Susan Frejofsky; Ross Hudson; Angie Satterfield (Vic Fay’s sister); Nick Wimmers; another Angie (friend of Carol Barrett); Courtney DeMoss; Cheyann Fletcher; Jim Tenbrink (father of Betsy DeVore); Eileen Martin (sister of Tim Toerner); Kristina Erdmann; Sheron (a friend of Judy Toerner); Veldonna Agee; Gracie Cress; Jason Hauke; Brian Collins; Allie Meckstroth; Jessica Niehaus; Pat Sidwell; Doug, who needs protection from addictions; and Lindsay Bond. (If you have names to add to or delete from the list, let Mark Daniels know via email at MarkLuth@aol.com.)

Please pray for all in harm’s way in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Ask God to bless the efforts of our youth group as they plan and prepare for their Week of Hope misision trip in June, 2007.

Ask God to bless Sinanzinkosi Moyo, the Zimbabwean girl our congregation sponsors through World Vision. Our sponsorship helps Sinanzinkosi and her fellow villagers to have schools, clean drinking water, and the opportunity to know and follow Jesus.

Pray God’s guidance for all world leaders and that their wills will be open to that guidance.

Pray for Friendship, asking God to help us to be faithful in our mission of reaching out to others with the love of Jesus and thereby experience growth in faith, love, unity, outreach, prayer, discipleship, giving, numbers of disciples, numbers of worshipers.

Pray for our Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), asking God to grant the same sort of growth to our entire denomination that we seek for Friendship.

FRIENDSHIP FOLKS HAVE BEEN A BIG HELP TO CLERMONT CASA FOR KIDS! Our help is needed again. We’re conducting another drive for items to go into diaper bags. But only a few items are needed at this time:
diaper bags
sleepers
baby shampoo
baby lotion
baby wipes
baby wash
age appropriate toys (0-12 months)
small rolling suitcase
large onesies (24 months and up)
age appropriate toys (18-36 months)
Please bring in your items over the next three weeks, no later than February 18. Thanks so much. You can ease the transitions of children taken into foster care by creating these wonderful care packages!

LENT, A TIME FOR SPIRITUAL RENEWAL, BEGINS WITH ASH WEDNESDAY WORSHIP at 7:00PM ON FEBRUARY 21. We’ll once more have our Wednesday Soup and Salad gatherings during Lent. Daily devotionals will be provided, built around the theme: Making Room for Jesus. Thanks to Rochelle Feine and Betsy DeVore for coordinating these gatherings! (By the way, if you’d like to help pay for the materials used during the Lenten season, add another $1.00 to your offering. That should cover costs and shipping.)

Holy Communion is now offered at Friendship at least three times a month. It happens during worship celebrations on the second Sundays of each month and every other Saturday. This is part of our long-time vision of having multiple worship services each week, eventually affording the opportunity to share the Sacrament during at least one of them each week.

What is GoDeep? It’s a worship celebration that consists of a brief time of prayer and an indepth look at a passage of Scripture. It takes place at 5:30 P.M. on most Saturdays. Make sure that you invite friends who might not be able to make it on Sundays or who want to go a little deeper in their faith.

Want to know more of the background behind the Bible lessons used in Sunday morning worship? Want to get more out of the Sunday message and worship experience? Mark Daniels meets each Sunday morning at 9:00 A.M. to delve more deeply into the Biblical passages and themes around which Friendship’s weekly worship is built. Plan on being with us.

Those wishing to use Friendship’s building facilities are asked to fill out the yellow, half-page request forms you can find in the lobby, tacked to the church activities bulletin board.

“Who Am I?” Workshop Presented by Life Management Strategies, LLC

Why volunteer? Because one person can make a great difference…

Have you ever thought to yourself, “I want to help. I want to give back to the community, but I don’t know what I want to do.”

Self-assessment is the first step in determining what you want to do. Exploring your values, interests, personality, and skills will help you narrow down your choices and focus your search for your perfect volunteer opportunity. Aristotle once said, “Happiness is the utilization of one’s talents along lines of excellence.” Take your first step toward happiness and attend this workshop!

This workshop will be presented on February 11, 2007 after our regular Sunday Worship Service. It will end at 1:30 and lunch and childcare will be provided. Pre-registration is required! To do so, email: cheneya@greatercincinnatifdn.org.

Friendship’s Mission Statement:

Friendship Church is a welcoming and caring people who seek to share the kindness of God so that all metropolitan Cincinnati may grow in the faith, hope, and love of Jesus Christ!”

Friendship’s Vision:
1. Exalt the Lord
2. Each One Reach One
3. Engage in Service
4. Expand Your Vision

Women's Book Club Cancellation

2007-02-05T09:40:00.000-05:00

The Women's Book Club scheduled for tonight has been cancelled. The club will meet again next month.