Pastor's Blog

Angie Bentley will have her PET scan this afternoon.  Continue to pray for a good result.

No significant change for any of the other folks for whom we have been praying.  Just keep praying!

The Friendship family will host a service at the Mission of Hope tonight beginning at 7:00PM.  Charles Grant will be bringing the Word and his family will be leading the musical worship.  Everyone invited to attend.

Our Spring 2023 soccer season begins in the morning.  Pray for this ministry as the season begins tomorrow and will end in May.  Pray that it will ultimately be all about Jesus.

I have been blessed to spend time on Tuesday and yesterday with my Mama.  Eddie & Sue brought Mama to Orange Beach for the week so we met them in Mobile Tuesday afternoon and then in Wilmer yesterday afternoon.  One of my goals in 2023 is to see Mama in person at least once each month.  January was easy and February was possible because of her birthday gathering.  March was going to be a challenge so Eddie & Sue decided to help out by bringing Mama here instead of Lisa and me having to drive to Hartselle.  I am very grateful!  Yes, April, May, June & July will be a bit challenging too because of the restrictions on my driving.  However, Lisa and I will work something out during those months and then I will be able to, if necessary, do solo trips up and back in the same day for the remaining five months.  God is faithful.

It has been nice to have my first cousin, Tony, here since Wednesday.  He is the cousin I am closest to on that side of my maternal family.  He will head North tomorrow.  Pray for traveling mercies for him.

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

The Lord blessed us with a really good day in our services yesterday.  I am very thankful to Him for these blessings!  We serve an awesome God!

Angie Bentley goes for a PET scan tomorrow afternoon.  Join me in praying for good results.  Richard and Angie are such good members of the Friendship family.

Clinton Stringfellow remains scheduled for a heart ablation on Monday, 3/27.  Keep praying for Clinton.

Myrtle Bowden is scheduled to see the doctor on Monday, 3/27.  She continues to have much pain and needs our continued prayer support.

Liz Whalen saw her doctor yesterday and is now scheduled to have surgery on Tuesday, 4/11.  Keep praying for Liz.

Dale Ellerman is scheduled to have surgery in Birmingham on Friday, 3/31.  Continue to pray for Dale.

Gayla Dyess is waiting for confirmation of her new date for surgery.

Robert Baria is waiting for confirmation of his new date for the nerve procedure on his shoulder.

Michelle Fore continues to recover from her recent surgery.  Michelle’s mother received a less than desirable report from the doctor recently.  Pray for Michelle and her mother.

Pastor Johnny Maxwell is doing better physically.  Keep praying for him, please.

Bro. Abel will travel to Houston, TX for a dental appointment this Monday, 3/27.  Yes, Houston.  Did you say dental appointment?  I did.

The opening ceremony for our soccer leagues takes place tonight, 3/23, on the soccer complex.  League games begin this Saturday, 3/25.  Pray for this ministry.

Our Easter 2023 weekend looks like this – our buses will run on Saturday, April 8, and we will have classes/service for our children fifth graders and below.  Classes will begin at 9:00AM and the morning will conclude with a giant egg hunt at 10:30AM.  Children must attend classes and services in order to take part in the egg hunt.

Also, there will be a class for our youth and adults on that day.  It will begin at 9:00AM in the auditorium and will be taught by Bro. Jerry Hovel.

Easter Sunday will see us have two worship services – 8:00AM and 10:00AM.  There will be drinks and light refreshments served during the hour in between these services.  Details TBA.

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

Let’s begin with really good news.  Terrell Brooks was discharged from the hospital yesterday.  An eighty-six year old man has quadruple heart by-pass surgery and is discharged from the hospital five days later.  Praise the Lord!  Pray for Terrell as he continues to recover!

Joey Switzer’s surgery yesterday morning went well.  He had a tear in his knee and a good bit of stuff that needed to be cleaned out.  Pray for Joey to “behave” during this recovery time!

Gayla Dyess was scheduled to have surgery today but that has been postponed due to an upper respiratory issue.  Keep praying for Gayla.

Robert Baria as supposed to have a nerve procedure done on his shoulder this morning but that has been postponed too.  Robert is in a lot of pain.  Pray for Robert!

Angie Bentley is scheduled to have a PET scan this Friday, 3/24.  Pray that she will get a great report.  She is faithfully trusting the Lord!

Keep praying for Myrtle Bowden.  She is home and is battling through some tough days.

Also, keep praying for Clinton Stringfellow as he awaits his next heart procedure.

Heather Baria’s mother is having some serious health issues.  Pray for her and the family.

Pastor Johnny Maxwell of Priceville, Alabama was taken to the hospital yesterday following some health issues.  He was discharged last night but needs our prayers.  Pastor Johnny is a living miracle and a great friend.  Pray for Pastor Johnny and his wife, Sharon.

Speaking of friends, please continue to pray for Kristie Potts in Michigan as she battles a malignancy.  She and her husband, John, are great folks!

A huge “thank you” to James Clark of Brightspeed for getting our internet and phone service repaired yesterday afternoon.  It is a temporary fix but at least we have service.  Thank you, James!

Regular schedule on our campus today – morning and evening.

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

Dale Ellerman will be going for his pre-op stuff today.  Pray for Dale as he drives to and from Birmingham.

Joey Switzer will be having knee repair surgery this morning.  Most likely, he is facing knee replacement surgery some years down the road but this procedure will buy him some time.  Pray for all to go well.

Gayla Dyess will be having surgery tomorrow, 3/22.  Pray for a successful surgery.

Robert Baria will be having a nerve procedure done in the morning.  If this does not work, he will be facing shoulder surgery in the very near future.  Pray for this procedure to work.

Terrell Brooks continues to do well.  The expectation is that he will be discharged from the hospital tomorrow.  Praise the Lord!  Keep praying for Terrell.

Continue to pray for Clinton Stringfellow and Myrtle Bowden.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow – morning and evening.

We will have a special Easter Saturday, 4/8, with our buses running their routes, classes for our children up to the fifth grade followed by preschool church and children’s church.  A huge egg hunt will end the day.

Our Easter schedule will see us have two worship services – 8:00AM & 10:00AM.

I pray you will have a great Tuesday with Jesus.

P.S. – Yesterday’s entry was late.  Today’s is way early as I am in the office using the internet.  Our internet and phone service at the house is down for the count.

Sorry for the lateness of this entry.  No excuses.

The Lord blessed us with a good day in our services yesterday.  Praise Him.

The Friendship family adopted the 2023 budget as proposed by the Finance Committee.  I appreciate this committee and their work.  I also appreciate the sweet spirit that was present in the meeting.

John Milton Ladnier, Grant Tillman and Larry Whitehurst have been appointed to bring a proposal to the church family regarding the building of a “bus barn” which will allow us to keep all of our buses under cover.  Also, to work on selling the short bus.  Pray for these men as they work on these things.

Visited Terrell Brooks in the hospital this morning.  He is doing great.  Our visit was cut short as the doctor came in but Terrell looked good and sounded good.  Amazing.  Keep praying for Terrell & Marie.

Dale Ellerman will be traveling to Birmingham and back tomorrow for his pre-op stuff.  Pray for safe travels.

Jim Broadus’ sister passed from this life and that service will take place today.  Pray for the Young family.

Myrtle Bowden is having some tough days due to excessive pain.  Keep praying for Myrtle and Sammy.

There was a death in Gary Walton’s family.  He and Rachel “may” be traveling out West this week for the service.  Pray for this family and for Gary & Rachel.

Gayla Dyess is scheduled to have surgery this Wednesday.  Pray that all will go well.

Clinton Stringfellow will see his doctor this week and is scheduled to have a surgical procedure next Monday.  Keep praying for Clinton.

Regular schedule on our campus this Wednesday – morning and evening.

Work day and garden planting day on Saturday, April 1.  Mark your calendars!

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

Yesterday, Nanette Fontenot sent me an email update on her father, Terrell Brooks.  The main point of her message was saying how powerful prayer is as Terrell was in really tough shape prior to his heart surgery.  Emergency surgery was necessary!  So, God answered the prayers of his people.  Marie, Nanette, Terry and family are thankful for the prayer support.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.  I “think” Dede’s class is taking a break for a few weeks beginning tomorrow in order for our adult choir under the direction of Jeanette Bates to prepare for Easter Sunday morning.  Bill Kendrick’s class will continue to meet at 5:00PM.

Speaking of Easter Sunday 2023, we will have two services that day – 8:00AM and 10:00AM.  Nothing else.

The proposed 2023 budget will be presented for discussion in a meeting tomorrow beginning at 4:15PM.  A vote, with no further discussion, will take place in the evening service.

Best of luck to Auburn (5:10PM tip) and Alabama (8:40PM tip) today.  Both games will be televised on TBS.  War Eagle and Roll Tide!

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

Terrell Brooks had four heart by-passes yesterday afternoon.  He did well and is presently in CCU.  I so appreciate Marie staying touch with me and giving me updates.  Pray for Terrell as he goes through the recovery process.  Pray for Marie as she serves as his care giver.

Keep praying for Myrtle.  She is at home continuing her battle against a malignancy.  Pray for Sammy and family.

Keep praying for Clinton Stringfellow.  If nothing changes, he is scheduled to have a procedure done on his heart on Monday, 3/27.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday, 3/19.

A very huge “thank you” to Eddie Albritton for going above and beyond to help me last night.  What a great guy!

Congratulations to both Auburn and Alabama on their respective victories in the basketball tourney yesterday.  SEC, SEC, SEC!

I pray that you will have a great Friday with Jesus.  Stay dry and be safe on the roads!

Terrell Brooks has been taken to surgery as the doctors found a blockage and decided a stent would not suffice to correct the problem.  The surgery is in progress now and will last several hours.  Pray for Terrell, Marie and the family.

Terrell Brooks has been admitted to the hospital.  He is scheduled to have a heart cath this morning and, if needed, a stent put in place.  Pray for Terrell and Marie.

Myrtle Bowden was discharged from the hospital yesterday – praise the Lord!  Keep praying for Myrtle, Sammy and family.

Continue to pray for Clinton Stringfellow as he is scheduled for a surgical procedure later this month.

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

This entry is late!  Duh!  Long story and it is not interesting at all so let’s skip the details.

Myrtle Bowden was moved into a unit early this morning but is now back in a regular hospital room.  There is a possibility that she will get to come home tomorrow.  That is her hope!  Keep praying for Myrtle, Sammy and their family.

Ryan Hatcher’s surgery went well.  I actually was able to see him late yesterday afternoon and he was doing good thanks to the medicine.  Keep praying for Ryan.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow – morning and evening.

Go ahead and mark Saturday, April 1, on your calendar and make plans to be on our campus that day.  Details forthcoming.

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