Today is our annual Friends Day here at the Barrie Church of Christ and we’re pleased you are here. We have brought in a special speaker to encourage us (Jason Rollins) and we’ve put together a potluck lunch to enjoy at noon. We hope to get to know you.

Our church building has sat on this corner for 55 years. Just a couple of years after the building’s construction, we began building Grove Park Seniors Home right next door. While the home has become completely independent, we share the same property and accommodate each other as much as we can. The church has always been concerned about making friends with all kinds of people in the community.

Christianity is a religion that thrives not only on faith in Jesus Christ, but on friendship and brotherhood. Members here treat each other with love and respect because we share the same Truth and have been saved by it. As you can see from this bulletin, we meet three times a week for worship and Bible study for all who can come. We enjoy being together and share each other’s lives. The scriptures tell us we are “members one of another” (Romans 12:5). We try to practice this in practical ways as best we can.

Life would be dire without a few good friends. Jesus said, “Greater love has no one that this, that one lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Of course, Jesus was speaking about his upcoming death on the cross, but we can also learn that friends care about you, watch your back, and extend loyalty and sacrifice. Life is a lot easier with friends watching out for you. The apostle John sent a message to a threatened church and said, “Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends by name” (3 John 15). Christians are friends who bring emotional health to others.

We hope you enjoy your time with us today. If you are willing, we would be happy to share the Truths that have bound us together as brothers and sisters in Christ – spiritual friends. We’re open to it. It’s part of our mission. Will you accept our friendship?

– Tim Johnson