Armor Up

Friendship Community Church

Armor Up

November 19, 2023 • Pastor Logan Ames

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him" ~ Psalm 28:7

As many of you know by now, my first taste of Dover, Pennsylvania came not through this congregation, but through my job as a driver for FedEx Ground way back in 2004. While working that route for over four years, the absolute best time for business and the absolute worst time for stress levels was the holiday season. I often allowed the stress of the job during that time to rob me of joy and gratitude in a season when both should be on the forefront of my mind as a believer. The truth is, this happens to far too many of us. As you think about Thanksgiving next week, is your mind filled more with stress and worry about preparations, or gratitude for God's great mercy and grace in your life? As you consider that Christmas is under six weeks away, are you worried about shopping, money, and family plans, or focused on what the arrival of the Savior as meant in your life? The devil sometimes tempts us into sinful actions, but other times his goal is merely to make us forget about God, to become indifferent to what He has done and is doing for us. Either way, we need to wage war against his plans. This week at Friendship, we will discuss what it means to "Armor Up" so we can stand against Satan's wicked schemes. It's not as simple as putting on the armor of God; we also must get rid of our own stuff first. Join us for this important training to help prevent you from falling victim to plans of the evil one!

Victory

December 31, 2023 • Associate Pastor Ben Sorbello

So the presents are unwrapped but do you feel His presence? Take a minute to reflect on this next question before you answer it...ready...Do you feel Victorious? In what or who? Are you in a battle or trial right now, with your health, a relationship, life in general? Does your life have PURPOSE? When you look in the mirror are you content and feel blessed or cursed? Are you proud to be a Christian today? Are you fired up to go to battle for your Commander? Do you believe that we are winning the War? Do you feel prepared to continue the War? This week we will be finishing the teachings of the Holy Spirit on Waging War - The Victory. If you have been part of the training program at Friendship since August we have been learning about the Spiritual War that we are in and how we need to defend ourselves and loved ones from the evil that exists. This week we will find encouragement from our Commander so you do not want to miss this! Commit yourself and your family to following and listening to the Holy Spirit of God and we look forward to fellowshipping and praying with you this week.

Christmas Eve Service 2023

December 24, 2023 • Pastor Logan Ames

"Holy Light"

"The Big Picture"

December 24, 2023 • Pastor Logan Ames

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst" - 1 Timothy 1:15 Jesus was born to die. He came to be the Savior for us and for the whole world. Believers know this, but we tend to lose sight of it this time of year. We focus on the joy and the miracles and the celebration of His birth like somehow it's separate from His purpose. But God was planning this and foretelling it through the Law and Prophets for well over a thousand years, which means the Messiah's birth and death would always be linked. In order to save us and provide for our forgiveness, He had to shed His blood, something one can only do if they become flesh. This weekend at Friendship, we'll talk about "The Big Picture" of Jesus' birth for not only His own parents, but the whole world. If we want to wage war against the enemy, we must yield our own understanding to His; we must let go of our small picture of our circumstances and surrender to His big picture plan, even when we don't understand it.