First Friends Church

FIRST FRIEN
E DS
May 6, 2012
CHURCH
Restoring people to the Father’s heart.
Growing disciples in Christ’s likeness.
Reaching neighbors and nations in the Spirit’s power.
5455 Market Avenue North, Canton, Ohio 44714
330.966.2800 • info@firstfriends.org
FirstFriends.org
Welcome
Reaching Neighbors & Nations
Community Outreach of Love (C.O.O.L.)
to
Worship
at
First Friends!
Prayer at the Altar
A Message
from Pastor Stan
Good Shepherd
Here at First Friends God works through prayer.
We offer different opportunities for prayer at our
altar each Sunday. During our musical worship,
if you would like to come and pray at the altar
in private, we invite you to come to the left
side by our cross. If you would like one of our
Prayer Team to pray with you, please come to
the opposite side (right) of the altar. We will also
continue to offer prayer at the end of each service.
Jesus said
"I Am..."
Who is Jesus in your life right now? What does it mean for him to be "Light, Life, the Door, the Good Shepherd"?
As we continue in our study of the Gospel of John we will look at a different identity statement of Jesus each
week. When Jesus says, "I am the resurrection life", "I am the Light of the World", "I am the Good Shepherd" and
other statements, he was revealing more of his divinity, his character, and how he wants to work in our lives.
Today, Paul Johnson will be preaching on the "Good Shepherd" - John 10. Paul is the Director of the Youth
Sports Ministries, here at First Friends.
I hope you will join us in this wonderful study of the eye witness account of Jesus, written by the disciple who
refers to himself as "the disciple Jesus loved". The Gospel of John continues to reveal the depth, and riches of
who Jesus really is!
Please join us in the weekly reading schedule and come prepared each Sunday morning having read the chapter
of the week several times.
May 6 – John 10
Gospel of John
Serving together,
May 13 – John 11
Sermon Series
May 20 - John 12
Bible Reading
May 27 – John 13
Schedule:
June 3 – John 14
Stan Hinshaw,
Lead Pastor
Thank You for Considering Others in Worship
Please turn off your cell phones during the worship service. Also, if your child becomes restless and loud, the service can be
heard in the hall, the women's restroom nursing room, or you can take your child to one of our excellent church nurseries.
The C.O.O.L. project has been a blessing to
three neighborhoods in the past years. This
year, however, instead of working on many
houses, the work will focus on one building.
ChildReach Ministries intends to renovate The
Martin Center to be a community center for the
Hartford neighborhood. It has a wonderful gym
for basketball, stage for plays and talent shows,
universal weight machines and rooms for cardio
health workouts, a place for the neighbors to
come do laundry while having a Bible Study, game
room for the teen age youth, coffee/snack area
for mentor-fellowshipping, and even rooms for
ministry interns to live.
Much work still needs to be done, and YOUR
help is needed. There are general tasks that most
anyone can do, as well as tasks requiring technical
skill. The C.O.O.L. team will help place you in the
best spot. Sign up online or in the lobby today.
Wednesday and Saturday workdays in May have
been designated: May 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 30.
The special offering today will go for materials
needed in the building. Visit the C.O.O.L. web site
at www.coolday.org to view the explanatory video,
and be sure to pray for the C.O.O.L. project.
Prayer & Church News
Hospitals & Rehab
Have a Prayer Need?
Volunteers Needed to
Library Corner
Jim Linthicum, Jenny Straw, Renny Gibbons, Steve
Robinson, David Smethers, Marie Robertson
serve in our Coffee Cafe on Sunday mornings.
Your smile and a warm cup of coffee will help
folks feel at home. For more information email
or call Janet at jguiley@firstfriends.org or
330.966.2800.
Call Gerry Bradshaw 330.499.5575. Our faithful
prayer warriors will lift your request before the Lord.
Books from the Missionary Book Reading List are
on display in our library. Stop in and check one
or two out to read and help us reach our goal of
300 books read from this list by June 30. We will
receive some new books for the library if we reach
our goal. Books read on E readers count, too.
With your help we can do it!
Churchwide Events this Week at First Friends
S
Gospel Concert
Art Show
M
Art Show
T
Art Show
The Well
W
T
F
S
Children's Worship
Sundays, 8:15 am
Preschool may go directly to room E-141
K-5th Grade will be dismissed from the service
to go to Children’s Church in E-114
T
oday we will joyfully celebrate God's
help and protection as we study Exodus
14 and 15 to see how the Israelite people
followed Moses away from Egypt..
Children
ontact Marva at
C
mhoopes@firstfriends.org or visit
firstfriends.org/childrens-ministries
Children’s Discipleship
Preschool-K may go directly to their classes
Wednesdays, May 9, 16, 23 (E-118)
Children who have made a decision for Christ
as their Savior are invited to join this group
from 7:00 – 8:15 pm. Miss Marva will lead the
children in discovering how to grow in their
faith. There will be some age-appropriate
homework, as they find assurance of salvation
by faith, further their relationship with God
through Bible reading and prayer, deal with
temptation, live a life of Christian love, and
take part in the church.
Grades 1-5 will be dismissed from the service to
go to Children’s Church in E-110.
VBS Volunteers Needed
Sundays, 9:30 am
All children may go directly to their Sunday
School classes
Sundays, 11:00 am
Sunday School
Sundays, 9:30 am
Today children will learn the following Bible
stories and concepts:
Preschoolers & Kindergartners
Children will know that God cares for His people,
and protected Baby Moses.
1st & 2nd Grade
Children in early elementary grades will continue
learning about the 10 Commandments. The fifth
commandment tells children to honor and obey
their parents.
3rd & 4th Grade
Middle elementary students will learn that God’s
people choose to put Him first in their lives, as
we follow the first two commandments.
5th Grade
Preteens will continue their study of the 10
Commandments, focusing today on the fifth
commandment to honor and obey parents.
Christian Life Club (CLC)
CLC has concluded for the season. Join us again
on September 5 for the Fall start-up.
Fill out the enclosed insert to make a difference
this summer in the lives of children at VBS! Join
us June 25-29 from 9:00 am to noon.
Camp Gideon
A full listing of the camps and details are listed
on the brochures, and are available online
at www.campgideon.org. Register by May
15 to take advantage of the Early Bird
Registration. Scholarships for children
are available – see the insert in the camp
brochure for requirements. The theme this
year: “Branded by Refining Fire” – a western
theme that’s sure to be fun for all!
Kids Camp
Gr. 3-5, June 17-22
Sports Camp
Gr. 4-6, June 17-22
Adventure Camp
Gr. 4-6, June 25-29
Day Camp
Gr. K-5, July 2,3,5,6
Father/Son Camp
Gr. K-6, July 6-8
Challenge Camp 1
Gr. 7-9, July 8-13
Splash Camp
Gr. 3-5, July 15-20
Challenge Camp 2
Gr. 6-8, July 21-26
Arts & Drama Camp
Gr. 4-6, July 29-Aug 3
Mother/Daughter C
Gr. K-6, Aug 3-5
Mini Camp
Gr. 2-4, Aug 5-7
Middle School
Contact Joel Daniel at jharris@firstfriends.org or visit flipd.org
Sunday Mornings
Sundays, 9:30 am – 10:40 am (E-111)
Join us every Sunday morning for fellowship
and learning in the middle school room! We're
working through the book of Colossians in
April and will be beginning mission trip training
breakouts May, including a gathering for students
not going on a trip.
Sunday Nights
Tonight, May 6, 6:30 pm
Join us tonight for our last Sunday Night
Flipd Celebration!
Mission Trips Fundraiser
Attend our cookout fundraiser today! There will
be a lot of good food and fun games, and it's an
awesome opportunity to hang out with friends
and family while supporting our middle and high
school mission trips.
Summer Events
Be on the lookout for our summer events! We're
planning some pretty cool stuff for students to
participate in over June, July, and August.
High School
Contact Chris at cking@firstfriends.org or visit rootedffc.org
Sunday Mornings
Sundays, 9:30 am (E-101)
Series for the month of May:
Who we are – what makes up our identity, what
defines us, what makes us, us.
For the Month of May:
The high school will still be meeting at their
regular time on Wednesday nights. We hope to
see you there from 7:00 – 8:30!
Graduating Seniors
Submissions due by May 23
We will be recognizing graduating seniors
from local high schools, colleges, and graduate
schools in the bulletin June 3. Please email Emily
(ewoolf@firstfriends.org) with your name and
school in order to be recognized in the bulletin
on June 3.
Young Adults
Contact Ben at bwalters@firstfriends.org or visit firstfriends.org/young-adults
Breakfast Questions
May 6 – June 3
Sunday at 9:30 am
Join Relevant as we eat breakfast, fellowship and
discuss some of life’s tough questions in the CE
Wing kitchen. All young adults are welcome.
Connect
Wednesday at 9:00 pm
Join us as we continue through the book of
Hebrews. Bring your Bible and a friend. All young
adults are welcome.
The Well
Tuesday May 8, 7:30 pm
The Law or The Love
10 Commandments…613 Rules…One Way
Women
MENS MINISTRY
Contact Laurel at lnotturno@firstfriends.org or visit firstfriends.org/women
Prayerfully Made for You
Tomorrow, May 7, 7:00 pm (L-42)
Barb Thomas, Clair Hanni
Women will meet together for a time of
fellowship, encouragement and rubber stamping.
Projects with a variety of stamping skills are
suitable for beginners to advanced stampers. Most
materials supplied; please bring double-sided tape
and scissors.
Women’s Missionary
Fellowship
Tuesday, May 8, 11:30 (L-6)
Mary Evelyn Moore
Women of all ages are invited to join us as we pray
globally for missions and missionaries. Come and
hear up-to-date news from our mission fields and
participate in praying for their work and their families.
Life Groups
Contact Laurel at lnotturno@firstfriends.org or visit firstfriends.org/life-groups
Our Life Groups are the small group ministry of First Friends where learning, discipleship and fellowship take
place. Life Groups help you grow spiritually while connecting you with a community of faith and friendships.
Bluegrass Jam Session
Thursday, May 10, 7:00 pm
Tom McHolm (330.966.4773)
We enjoy playing traditional and bluegrass
music in a welcoming atmosphere. Call Tom for
directions and join us! Bring your own acoustic
instrument and we will make beautiful music as
unto the Lord!
Eat to Live
Monday, May 14, 7:00 pm (L-41)
Jim & Denise Aman
Anyone is welcome to drop in! Topic for this
session: needs & sources for protein--milk—
calcium as well as a quick review of last month’s
fiber & probiotics topic. We meet the 2nd MON
of each month; come learn the tools that lead
to health and re-think your eating “norms”. The
biblically based book Forget the Die-Its, Learn to LiveIt by Karen Knox is our springboard for discussion.
Birding 101
Friday, May 25 (will not meet May 11), 8:00 am
Randy & Connie Beck
Nature lovers meet at First Friends then head out
to enjoy one of God’s greatest creations: birds! We
will grow in our knowledge of identifying the birds
we hear and see. By traveling to nearby parks and
trails we will enjoy the beauty of God’s creation
and enjoy times of fellowship. Bring binoculars if
you have them and dress for the outdoors!
ontact Tom at tschooley@firstfriends.org
C
or 330.966.6868
Paintball Outing
Sunday, May 20, 1:30 pm
TPA Paintball, Alliance
Guys, bring your son, bring your neighbor. Join us
for our 3rd annual paintball outing, an afternoon
of fun and friendly competition. Preregistration
is recommended. $30 for 4 hours of action, all
rental gear and 500 paintballs. Contact Tom for
questions or details.
Sacred Arts
16th Annual Art Show &
Gospel Concert
Our 16 Annual Art Show will be held
May 6, 7, & 8. Plan now to attend and view the
work of many artists who are using the gifts God
has given them.
th
Also, join us for the Gospel Concert tonight at 6:30.
The evening will begin with our children's choirs and
end with the adult choir and orchestra. Ice cream
sundaes will be served following the concert.
Sports
all the Sports Office at 330.966.6868
C
or visit firstfriendssports.com
Spring Sports Starting Soon
Register online at firstfriendssports.com
or pick up a brochure from the brochure racks.
Visit the website firstfriendssports.com for
more information about opportunities in First
Friends Sports and Recreation, to check game
schedules, class times and announcements.
We are accepting registrations for the following:
Boys/Girls T-Ball
Ages 5-6
Boys Baseball
Ages 7-8
Girls Fast Pitch Softball
Ages 7-15
Men's Softball
Ages 15+
Girls' Dance Classes
Ages 3-12
Couples Golf
Senior Friends Luncheon
Tuesday, May 15, Noon (L-1,2)
Pastor Phil DiSabatino
Sign up at a Welcome Center through May 13 for
our Outdoor Picnic – no charge for lunch – just
bring your favorite pot luck picnic food item! We
will enjoy fellowship, our meal and hearing from
our F.F. Sports department leaders: Paul Johnson,
Angie Arrington and Tom Schooley.
Life Groups Meeting May 7 – May 12
Monday
• Pause for Prayer
• Prayerfully Made for You
Wednesday
• Connect
• Men’s Resolution
Tuesday
• The Mom Connection
• Band of Brothers
Thursday
• House to House Life Group
• Bluegrass Jam Session
Friday
• 20/20/20 Women’s Workout
• Divorce Care
• Boundaries
• New Beginnings
Saturday
• Organic Food Co-Op
FFC Financial Update
Congregational Meeting
Last Sunday at our Congregational meeting,
members voted and approved the 3 year
renewal of Pastor Stan's call as our Lead
Pastor here at First Friends Church. We look
forward to seeing how God will use him in
this leadership role in the coming years!
General
Ministries
Missions/
Faith Promise
Total
Weekly
Need*
Received
Last Week
YTD Weekly
Average
$44,717
$38,441
$47,013
$2,453
$2,149
$2,216
$47,170
$40,590
$49,229
Freedom Campaign Received in 2012
(100% paid on mortgage principal)
*to fully fund budget – $2,500,000
$53,965
Highlights
C.O.O.L.
Today is our special offering with the goal
to raise $7000 to help pay for materials
for the Martin Center Building. C.O.O.L.
(Community Outreach of Love) is taking place at
The Martin Center in May. Information is available
online at coolday.org and at childreachministries.
org. The mission is the same, but the dates
and look are different. Register online, or at
the C.O.O.L. table in the lobby and join us in
making a difference in the
Canton community, with an
outreach of love!
VBS IS COMING
June 25 – 29
Make a difference this summer.
Sign up to be a VBS volunteer!
see insert
Youth
Missions
Cookout
Come join us for a great
lunch while supporting
our 6–12 grade students
for their summer
mission trips!
Today
11am – 2pm
All your favorite
cookout foods
Cornhole and
activities for the
whole family to
do after you eat
5455 Market Avenue North • Canton, Ohio 44714 • 330.966.2800 • info@firstfriends.org • FirstFriends.org