Graham Friends Church

01/09/2025

Yay for her integrity

Post Malone left a $20,000 tip on a $1 bill for Houston bartender Renee, a single mother working two jobs

11/24/2024

Today, October 28th, we pause to honor and celebrate all the courageous individuals who serve us each day. We are grateful for first responders across the nation – remarkable people who dedicate their lives to ensuring the safety and well-being of others, often placing themselves in harm's way.
Our first responders embody the very best of our society. They include:

- Police Officers and Sheriff’s Deputies: Always ready to respond to our calls, they provide assistance and maintain public safety regardless of the circumstances.
- Firefighters: With unwavering courage, they rush toward danger, battling flames to protect lives and safeguard communities.
- Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and Paramedics: Delivering critical care in emergencies, often under the most challenging conditions.
- 911 Dispatchers and 988 Crisis Responders: The calm voices on the line, coordinating emergency responses and offering vital support in times of crisis.
- Medical Professionals in Emergency Care: Doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers who stand ready to offer immediate care when it’s needed most.

First responders are the everyday heroes of our community. We are thankful to work with some of the best here at Graham Police Department. City of Graham, NC

10/29/2024

Touching Hearts, Transforming Lives!

10/26/2024

The pastor says they sit front and center. The gay boys. Sometimes they hold hands. And some folks have said he should address the issue. But the pastor tells me he doesn’t know what to say.
There is the couple who are pregnant and not married. Walks in shame as her father a “Man of God”, physically slaps her legs while she is having morning sickness and the Boyfriend who is not wanting to marry her. But the pastor tells me he doesn’t know what to say.
And then there’s the man who sneaks in the back door. Fresh off the street. After the service starts. And leaves before altar call. The people sitting close complain about how bad he smells. Of beer and smoke and sweat. But the pastor tells me he doesn’t know what to say.
And then there’s the young mama who wears dirty clothes and lets her four children come in and eat all the donuts and drink all the watered-down juice. Some church staff say they “…eat like little pigs. Like they haven’t eaten in weeks.” While the Mama just stands there and lets them. And the elders say something must be done and said. But the pastor tells me he doesn’t know what to say.
And there’s the w***e sitting among the faithful. And everybody knows her. She sits with a painted-up face, cheap perfume, and a broken heart. And those who sit close, well, they all treat her for what they think she is. And at the last staff meeting, her name came up. Something must be done about her. But the pastor tells me he doesn’t know what to say.
The pastor is a good man. Holy and just. And he wants to do the “right and loving” thing. And he wants to “look like Jesus”. And he asks me if I have any thoughts on anything he could say.
Yes, sweet Pastor. I do. Start with this and say it Louder than any other words:
“Welcome to Church. This is a place of love and hope and safety and forgiveness. There will be food for the hungry. Living water for the thirsty. We are so glad you are here. You are invited. You are loved. Come on in—we’ve been waiting on you. Welcome here. We are the church.”
Say that. To the called and to the called-out. To the leaders and the greeters. To the dirty and the clean. We are all the same. We are.
May we blow the dust of religion out of our souls and choose affection instead. May our words and actions and reactions be a sanctuary for all.
Jesus broke many laws to love. So, Jesus, be our voice. Be the only words we should ever speak.I believe this with all my heart. Years ago we were kinder. Everybody looked out for one another. We need to go back to that. It takes us all. We gotta do better at looking out for each other instead of breaking each other down.
I'm going to make a bet, that out of my family and friends, less than 4 will take the time to put this on their wall. Will you open your heart and let Him in?

09/26/2024

Some see a snake shedding his skin thinking he will be a better or different snake. When he really sheds his skin to be a bigger snake. If you think this is about snakes you miss the point completely.

09/16/2024

Holy Spirit moving throughout our service yesterday at GFC. Three visitors, 6 children. One visitor feeling moved to stand and share in song. Join us In Worship Sunday.

09/04/2024

My grandmother, Grace Caldwell Bayes, was born on May 20, 1910. When I was a child and needed a home, she took me in. I spent about half of my childhood under her care. She looked after me. She cared about me. Such things were at a premium in my spotty childhood.
She was a walking, breathing stereotype, tough as an old boot with a heart of gold. She was born on Mud Creek, in eastern Kentucky, 3 miles south of a godforsaken hamlet by the name of Tram. On the 1920 census, she’s listed as Gracie, 10 years old.
By the time I tumbled into her life, she had lived through two world wars and had birthed and raised seven daughters. She had four teeth, untreated diabetes, a bad case of arthritis, and bulging varicose veins.
Despite the aches and pains, I remember her working that old farm in her bare feet, day in, day out, singing songs about Jesus and warning me about the devil. She usually wore a big scarf around her head like a Russian peasant and looked twenty years older than her actual age.
I traipsed after her, wanting to help. Mostly, however, I was an overeager, inept little companion. But I tried to overcome that with my willingness to risk life and limb to win her approval.
We were partners, and we were always doing. Sometimes we would wander out into the fields foraging for a mess of greens. Other times we would kill a chicken. In the evenings we would sit on the porch and break green beans, and we would play word games and, in the fading light, she would tell me stories about the old times. About bad old times.
I still love words, like she did, and people tell me I’m a story-teller, like she was. I like to think that, like she was, I’m tough as an old boot, and I am certain that whatever kindness lies within me, I gained from her for she was the kindest person I have ever known. All of that is my inheritance. From Gracie, born on Mud Creek.
I’m grown now, grown old now, but I’ll tell you straight out that losing her still cuts through my soul. ❣️❣️❣️❣️
Credits goes to the respective owner ✍️

09/03/2024

HOMECOMING SUNDAY
GRAHAM FRIENDS CHURCH
S/S 10am
Worship 11am barbecue meal following Worship. Bring the family