Pastor's Blog

The Lord blessed us with a good service yesterday.  The attendance was good, not great, but God showed up and blessed us by letting us witness Piper Vice come forward during the invitation to share, “I want to be saved!”  Talk about precious.  Folks, that is a big reason we do what we do!

Things are intentionally quiet on our campus this week.  Bro. Jacob is in Vicksburg, MS and I have instructed Bro. Abel to stay away.  I am serving as the chief cook and bottle washer today through Wednesday.  The office will be closed on Thursday.  Laura will come in later today in order to get the pastor’s letter out electronically and through the USPS.

If you call the church office and I am not here, you can always reach me by calling Lisa at (251) 259 8072.  Deidra and the girls leave tomorrow returning to Guatemala and a big part of my afternoon will be spent getting them to the airport and seeing them off.  We have enjoyed our time with them and with the rest of our family.

A bit of an odd request that is meant to go beyond the Friendship family.  If you have an iPhone 13 or higher that you are not longer using, would you consider donating it to GRACE Ministries.  It needs to work.  We will get it to Guatemala and it can be used there.  I probably know what you are thinking but please understand the use of iPhones in Guatemala can be way different.  Basically a means of communication without having to pay.  Got questions?  Contact me personally.

I pray that you will have a great Monday with Jesus.

I pray that each person reading this entry had a wonderful Christmas Day 2025.  As a family, we were greatly blessed.  I am thankful to God for each blessing.  We are certainly not a perfect family but God chooses to bless us in spite of our failures and flaws.  Thank you, Jesus.

Today will see us head North in order for us to celebrate Christmas with the Turrentine side while Brad & family will also enjoy family time with the Hutto’s.  We will get to treat our family to some of Stacey & Gayla Dyess’ gumbo.  It is good stuff – a little spicy for me (I am a wimp when it comes to spicy) – but has a great flavor and plenty of ingredients.

Lord willing, I will drive home tomorrow and will be in the pulpit for our 10:00AM worship service.  Remember, no buses running, no Sunday School and no evening service on our campus this Sunday, 12/28.  Come join us for our morning worship service – 10:00AM.

I pray that you will have a great Friday with Jesus!

Merry Christmas to each person reading this delayed blog entry.  (My laptop has refused to cooperate today!  Maybe time for this early 2015 version to be retired and replaced?)

I ask you to join me today in praying for Miss Vinnie Brewer.  What a blessing to see her in our Christmas Eve service even though she was not feeling her best.  What a walking testimony of one’s love for Jesus!

I am thankful for each person who participated and attended last night’s service.  I do love the Christmas Eve service.  Already praying for ways to make next year’s service better.

We enjoyed family time last night following the service and will enjoy lunch together today.  Tomorrow will see us heading North to celebrate with the Turrentine’s.  Lord willing I will be in the pulpit Sunday morning for our 10:00AM service which will be our only activity of the day.

Today’s edition of al.com has an article written by Ben Thomas about the Reason to celebrate Christmas even through some tears.  Worth reading!  Thank you, Ben!

Merry Christmas!

To say that I was blessed Sunday night to see Clinton Stringfellow in our evening service would be an understatement.  Hallelujah!  Keep praying for Clinton.

We prayed in our Sunday evening service for a person very close to our heart.  Please keep praying!

It was a blessing to see Bobby Jack Felps in our service Sunday morning.  Keep praying for Bobby Jack and his family.

Our Michigan friend, Dr. Bill Decker, had his second knee replaced last Thursday.  He had his first knee replaced earlier this Fall.  He is not jumping fences yet but is making progress, slowly but surely!  Pray for Dr. Bill and his recovery.

Will you join me in praying for Dr. Mike and Miss Dottie Clark?  Thank you.

Our Christmas Eve service tomorrow will begin at 5:00PM and will last an hour or less.  My prayer is for a full house.  Please join us by praying and attending.  (Please note that our Chrismas Eve service will not be streamed, on FB live, et cetera)

This is a quiet week on our campus other than the Christmas Eve service.  We will have a 10:00AM service only this Sunday, 12/28.  Otherwise, nothing!

Our deacons did an excellent job of preparing and serving the Lord’s Supper this past Sunday evening.  I really do love and appreciate our deacons.  (Please do not tell them I said that!)

I had the privilege of going with Deidra and Audrey to New Orleans yesterday in order for Audrey to get her passport renewed.  The process was as smooth as silk.  Praise the Lord!

When D&G Garage closed I did not know what we would do for a mechanic.  Donnie is excellent has always been very kind to us.  We have had two mechanical issues recently and have gone to L&L Automotive 12800 US-90 in Grand Bay.  We have been well pleased.  Shawn Felps gave us the initial recommendation and we are grateful.  Just FYI.  (We tried Eddie Albritton as a mechanic and. . .)

Let me end with some disappointing news for some of the Friendship family members – Bro. Abel wrote the letter to the church family yesterday and indicated that I would be out of the pulpit on Sunday, 1/4/26.  Sorry to disappoint you but I will be, Lord willing, in the pulpit both services that day.

I pray that you will have a great Tuesday with Jesus!

The visitation with the Sandy Felps family will take place from Serenity Funeral Home today from 10:00AM until the 11:00AM service time.  Burial will be in Serenity Gardens.  Continue to pray for Bobby Jack & the family.

Basketball continues tomorrow night and Saturday in the CAB.  (7:00PM and 8:00AM respectively)

The Inspirations will be in concert at Friendship on Friday, 1/2, beginning at 6:00PM.  Everyone invited.  Love offering to be receive.  Pray for this service.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday morning and evening.  Lord’s Supper during the evening service.

Christmas Eve service from 5:00 – 6:00PM.

Mama enjoyed having her sons, daughter and the in-laws present for lunch yesterday.  Good family time.

I pray that you will have a great Thursday with Jesus.

Sandra “Sandy” Lee Felps passed away on December 15, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family.
Sandy was a devoted wife, loving mother, and proud Nana. Her greatest joy in life was her family. She shared a beautiful love story with her high school sweetheart, Bobby Jack Felps. Married for 59 years, their love was one many only dream of—built on faith, laughter, loyalty, and a deep bond that grew stronger through the years. From sharing a love of sports to cheering on their grandchildren, Sandy and Bobby Jack did everything side by side.

Sandy believed deeply in her family and was their biggest supporter. She poured her heart into her children and grandchildren, always encouraging them and reminding them of how loved they were. Being a Nana was one of her greatest honors, and her legacy of love will live on through generations.

She was preceded in death by her father, William King; her mother, Ernestine King; her father-in-law, Rufus Felps; her mother-in-law, Dorothy Felps; her sister, Penny Erwin; and her beloved granddaughter, Alyssa Felps.
She is survived by her beloved husband of 59 years, Bobby Jack Felps; daughter Tonya Hammond (Dorlan); sons Mike Felps (Simone’), and Bobby Joe Felps (Tia); grandchildren Ashleigh Baker (Greg), Jessica Davitt (Sean), Joshua Odom (Corey), Aaron Odom (Haley), Bailey Felps (Hunter), Jordan Felps (Breanna), Graci Felps (Keegan), Jayden Felps (Makayla), Kendyl Felps, and Kailey Felps; and great-grandchildren Brayden Baker, Colton Baker, Addlyn Klaire Baker, Jasper Davitt, Taylor Odom, Tripp Odom, Mary Ellis Odom, Miller Odom, Braxton Dickens, Bennett Kerin, and Ella Rose Kerin.
She is also survived by her sisters, Kandy Andrews, Gwen Horn, and Lynn Gaskin.

A very special thank you is extended to Gentiva Hospice and Hannah Richmond for their compassion, care, and support.

Good morning from Rocky Ford, Alabama.  Lisa and I drove up yesterday for a meeting at lunch and then got to attend the Danville Hawks girls varsity and boys varsity basketball games.  The main reason for our traveling here is to be with Mama the facility where she lives will have their annual Christmas lunch at noon today.  Her other three children and their siblings will attend and, being Mama’s fifth favorite child, I did not want to miss.  I appreciate Bro. Abel teaching in today’s services.

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening.

The visitation with the Sandy Felps family is scheduled to take place at Serenity Funeral Home this Thursday, 12/18, from 10:00AM until the 11:00AM service time.  The burial will also take place at Serenity.  Pray for Bobby Jack and his family.

I pray that you will have a great Wednesday with Jesus.

Sandy Felps passed from this life yesterday afternoon.  Pray for Bobby Jack and family as they walk through this valley.  Arrangements pending.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow – morning and evening.  The temperatures are supposed to be much warmer.

The GA Post Office is open to send cards to fellow members of the Friendship family.  All proceeds to to missions.

Regular schedule this Sunday morning and evening.  We will observe the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper during our evening service.

I pray that you will have a great Tuesday with Jesus.

Stacey & Gayla Dyess are presently taking orders for seafood gumbo.  The order deadline is this Friday, 12/19.  The gumbo will be delivered on Tuesday, 12/23.  Cost is twenty dollars ($20) a quart.  It can be frozen and served eaten later.

The members of the Friendship family are well aware of the fact that Stacey & Gayla can cook!  They did not ask me to share this information or to solicit orders but it may be just what you want for the Christmas season.

This is a fundraiser to help one of their granddaughter’s cheer team go to nationals.  Contact Stacey or Gayla to place an order.  I can give you their number if you so desire.

The Lord blessed us with a good Sunday.  Our morning attendance was strong, not SRO strong but very good.  Our evening attendance was good.  I am thankful for folks who are faithful.

Clinton Stringfellow is home but still needs our prayers.  Please join me in continuing to pray for Clinton!

Bonnie Smiley is having some difficulties health wise.  I do not know all of the details but do ask that you join me in praying for her too.

Daisy, in Guatemala, is facing surgery at some point this week or Sunday.  She will have her gallbladder removed.  Pray for Daisy!  Yes, we did receive an offering for her yesterday and “may” do the same this Sunday, 12/21.

Pastor Shirlon & Jennifer Davis became grandparents yesterday afternoon as their daughter gave birth to a set of twin boys.  I think the birth took place at thirty-four weeks.  I have just told you all that I know but I do ask that you pray for this family.  Congratulations to the entire family!

Regular schedule on our campus this Wednesday, 12/17.

The Inspirations will be in concert at Friendship on Friday, January 2, 2026, beginning at 6:00PM.  A love offering will be received.  Everyone invited!  Pass the word!

I pray that you will have a great Monday with Jesus.  Enjoy these cooler (cold?) temperatures while they last.  Blessings!