Pastor’s eNote: Weekly Update

One of our church’s strengths is relationships. Many in our church have formed deep bonds of community with others within the life of FFMC. No matter the time, blessings, or challenges, these relationships continue to endure in classes, groups, and other settings at our church.

In the summer of 2025, I shared the belief that our church is called to be a relational church. This was already true of who we are, but I suggested that God is calling us to deepen the gift of relationships. Rather than be an attractional church or even a purely missional church, our calling to be a relational church might just attract others and send us into mission at the same time.

Last September we started with a theme for this year of “Built on Grace” which was a year-long focus on relationships with God, each other, and the world. This Sunday, we are launching a new series focused on deepening relationships with one another. It is called “Hold Close.”

Each week we will be exploring a specific topic on relationships:

• Jan 18: Holding Friends Close – 2 Timothy 1:1-14
• Jan 25: Holding Marriage Close – Ephesians 5:22-33
• Feb 1: Holding Generations Close – Deuteronomy 6:4-9
• Feb 8: Holding Everyone Close Enough – Matthew 7:1-12

I encourage you to listen to each week’s Bible study (Passages) on the FFMC podcast.

FFMC Podcast

May we all discover how to hold each other and those we love close in these challenging days. Our life together makes for joy in the Lord!

Grace to You All,

Pastor Craig Brown

(January 13th, 2026)