MessagesofLove_LoveThatSaysImYourFriend

Welcome to The Salvation Army USA Eastern Territory Women's Ministries Website

Women’s Ministries Programs

Theme:

“Messages of Love”

Love That Says I’m Your Friend

Kathleen A. Branch

Worship—April 2008

Worship Center

Cover the worship table with a lace cloth, flowers, ticket stubs, catalogs, a Bible, travel guides or pictures of women together—items that symbolize things women do together.

Program Outline

Call to Worship

“A friend is God’s way of proving He doesn’t want us to walk alone.”

—Anonymous

Chorus Sing—#163, “He’s the Same Today as Yesterday,” #182, “Jesus Knows,” #151, “Christ Is the Answer”

Prayer Time

(Ask for specific prayer requests concerning a friend. Give first name only. Make a

list on individual cards or a flip chart so answers can be noted in future weeks.)

Quote: ”Friend, I will remember you, think of you, pray for you and when another day is through, I’ll still be friends with you.”

Song #645, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”

Scripture reading, John 11:1–15 (Read by two friends)

Song #344, “I’ve Found a Friend in Jesus”

Devotional

Jesus Says, I’m Your Friend

Song #51, “Love Stands the Test”

Closing Prayer

—Songs from The Salvation Army Song Book

My Friends

Have the women collect autographs of their friends attending the meeting who fit each profile. Where possible, no one should sign in more than one category. This is something the women can work on prior to the beginning of the meeting.

1. Gave birth to a baby weighing over nine pounds.

2. Likes purple better than any other color.

3. Has ridden a horse in a race.

4. Attended a one–room school.

5. Is a twin or gave birth to twins.

6. Has a relative named Phoebe.

7. Is a die–hard John Wayne fan.

8. Likes to stay up for the late–night talk shows.

9. Has milked a cow or goat.

10. Has helped deliver a baby.

11. Has lived in China or Russia.

12. Likes bowling.

13. Adds honey and cream to their tea.

14. Sprinkles sugar on fresh tomatoes.

15. Can read fine print without glasses.

16. Hates to get up in the morning.

17. Has seen the movie “Forrest Gump.”

18. Likes cabbage better than lettuce.

19. Has been on TV.

20. Can name three songs made famous by Elvis Presley.

Do You Want a Good Friend? Then Be One!

♥ Write a card telling a friend how much you appreciate their friendship.

♥ Make a friendship book. Include poems and quotes about friendship. Record meaningful times that you and your friend have spent together and how much they

mean to you. Include copies of old photos of you and your friend.

(These first two items could be done during the program.)

♥ Buy or make a small gift. Consider sending it to a friend anonymously.

♥ Contact a friend whom you haven’t spoken to in awhile.

♥ Hug a friend.

♥ Make plans to go to lunch or dinner with a friend, or group of friends.

♥ Plan a special day with friends—go to a movie, have a picnic, go shopping.

♥ Make a friend a tape of songs that you know she likes.

♥ Host a “friendship tea” and invite some old and new friends.

Devotions

Jesus Says, I’m Your Friend

You’ve often heard it said, “That’s what friends are for!” after a friend has done something to help you and you’ve said thanks. Friends do things for and with each other. (Reference the worship center where you have displayed items having to do with women doing things together.) When you love someone it is a natural response to be there in time of need and also to want to share special fun times together!

The Scripture read previously from John points out that Jesus had some special friends named Mary, Martha and Lazarus. He would often spend time in their home enjoying good conversation, food and the relaxation of being in a home with friends who cared. Mary loved to listen to His teachings and Martha loved to cook for Him. Because that’s what friends are for! Likewise, Jesus was there for Mary and Martha in their time of

sorrow, and He bought them great joy. We see them doing the things that friends do for one another.

No matter what comes into our lives true, loving friends are there. You can count on them. The statement, “A friend is someone who knows all about you and is still your friend,” has been attributed to Benjamin Franklin. Whether he actually said it or not is not known. However, it is a great statement. Friends stick by you through thick or thin. That’s what

it’s all about.

Today we have friends whom we can count on to love us no matter what, to be there for us and have fun times with. There may be someone who says they don’t have a friend like that, but we all do. If not an earthly friend, we have a God who has promised, “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you” (Heb. 13:5). His promises are sure. He is our teacher and our constant companion. As the song says, “What a friend we have in Jesus!”

When we think of friendship and love, the words of song #51 in the Salvation Army Song Book seem to sum it all up. (Read or sing this song at the close of the devotional.)