Pastor's Blog

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

My prayers today are with the McGath family as they will gather for the visitation and then the celebration of life service.  Visitation begins at 10:00AM and the service beginning at 11:00AM.  Pray for the family and, if possible, attend the visitation and/or service.

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

John Hardin McGath, 87, Theodore, AL, went home to be with his Lord & Savior March 17, 2019. Born December 21, 1931 to Edward & Lois McGath in Bedford, Indiana. In July of 1950 he enlisted in the US Navy, and served in Korea during the Korean Conflict. While in the Navy he met his wife of 43 years, Joan Delores McGath. In 1961 he entered the Baptist Seminary of Little Rock. He was a Baptist Preacher for over 50 years, holding pastorates in: Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri & Mississippi. He often enjoyed entertaining friends, cooking, and for many years was an avid student of genealogy and history as well as his longstanding memberships with the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution and the General Society of the War of 1812. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers; Bud Auffenburg, Tom McGath and Jerry McGath and sisters; Sherry Craven, and Judy Clark; his wife, Joan D. McGath and sons, Thomas Owen McGath and John Lee McGath. He is survived by his son, Benjamin E. (Julie) McGath, daughter Cynthia L. (Joseph) Jones, grandsons; Stephen E. McGath, Thomas L. McGath, Ethan C. (Gabrielle) McGath; granddaughters Caitlyn E. McGath & Chloe L. (Garrett) Keating; brother Norman “Mick” (Pat) McGath; and sister Janet (John) Miller. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 21, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. from The Baptist Chapel, 10431 Old Pascagoula Road, Grand Bay, Alabama. The family will be accepting friends at the church Thursday one hour prior to services. A graveside service will follow Friday, March 22, 2019 at 10:00 A.M. from Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida. Bro. Steve Merritt will be officiating.

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

The arrangements have been completed for Bro. Benny McGath’s father, Pastor John McGath.  The visitation with the McGath family will take place this Thursday, March 21, from 10:00AM until the 11:00AM celebration of service time.  The visitation and service will take place at Baptist Chapel Church 10431 Old Pascagoula Road in Grand Bay.  There will be a graveside service on Friday, March 22, at the Barrancas National Cemetery Naval Air Station, 1 Cemetery Road Pensacola, FL 32508 beginning at 10:00AM.  Pray for Bro. Benny and family during their time of sorrow.

The church office will be open today from 8:00AM until noon and then from 1:00PM until 4:30PM.

Gina, Soy & I arrived in Breckenridge, CO around 3:30PM yesterday after landing in Denver at 8:30AM.  There was a problem on I-70 and traffic was bumper to bumper for hours.

We did make two stops with the first one being something I really wanted to do.  We stopped and met Jack Phillips who is the owner of the Masterpiece Cake Shop.  He was a really nice, humble, friendly gentleman.

We also had lunch at Beau Jo’s Pizza.  Very unique pizza place.  Hugh Jackman eats there.  (I have no idea who Hugh is but he was there one time when we eating there)

Colorado is a beautiful state.  Snow everywhere.  It is twenty one degrees right now, heading up to thirty seven today and then down to fourteen tonight.  No more snow in the forecast but that is ok.

Not sure if I will be blogging over the next couple of days or not.  If something happens that the Friendship family needs to be made aware of then I will post an entry as soon as possible.

We are on a regular schedule this Wednesday morning and evening.  Deacon Jeff Holifield will be sharing in the services in the auditorium.

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

Good morning from the New Orleans airport.  Gina & I left the house at 2:00AM and arrived here at 4:00AM.  We are now sitting at the gate waiting on our 6:30AM flight.  We will meet Soy in Denver, Lord willing.

Bro. Benny McGath called me yesterday afternoon to share that his father has passed from this life.  It appears that he suffered a heart attack.  Bro. Benny’s dad was a pastor for many years.  Pray for Bro. Benny and family as they walk through this valley.  Obviously, arrangements pending.

Bro. Jerry Hovel missed last Wednesday night’s service and all of the services yesterday due to sickness.  Tena said he is going to try and be in the office today.  Pray that he fully recovers.

Deacon Jeff Holifield will be leading both of our services this Wednesday, 3/20.  I asked him to do this since Bro. Jerry has been sick and he could still be sidelined Wednesday.

We were blessed with a good day in our services yesterday.  It was a blessing indeed to see another public profession of faith in our 10:30AM service.  God gives the increase and we give Him the glory.

Our first week of our “exercise” leagues went well.  Amy made a good call in delaying the games due to the weather.  Lots of people attended the games in spite of the wet and cool weather.

Gina is on Spring break this week.  A couple of weeks ago I decided to treat her to a snow skiing trip as she loves to ski.  Dana is on Spring break next week and she will be joining Lisa in going to visit Deidra and the girls in Guatemala.  So, Gina and I are going to spend this week together and somehow Soy managed to get included.  Oh well, it is what it is!

Alabama did not make the tourney field.  Are you kidding me?  Had they been invited then it is possible they would have won it all.  Bama fatigue strikes again!  I am going with Duke to win it all simply because of Zion.  The dude is an incredible basketball player and he has a good supporting cast.

Congratulations to Auburn for winning the SEC tourney yesterday.  They basically destroyed Tennessee in that game.  The SEC has seven teams in the tourney which ties the ACC and trails only the Big 10 as they had eight teams invited.  By the way, the Michigan vs Michigan State game was a good one yesterday.

Our deacons stand ready and willing to minister in my absence so do not hesitate to call them, if needed.

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

Folks, you need to be sitting down when you read this as it is doubly bad!

First, our exercise league has pushed all matches back one hour this morning due to the rain.  That is the call as it stands right now.  Amy Reynolds will make the ultimate call on these exercise matches for today.

Second, here is the really bad news – the ice machine at the church is once again out of commission.  Yes, it was working on Thursday as I saw it myself.  However, there is a bad switch that will have to either be repaired or replaced.  It is possible that (gulp) it could be out for two or three weeks!  “Pastor, this is horrible, just horrible!”  Well, I have spoken to Will Reynolds about getting a rushed delivery on the needed part if replacement in necessary.  Can the church survive this?  Stay tuned!

Let me end this entry on an upbeat note.  Marcus & Rachel Hatcher have moved into their newly built house.  Rumor has it that they are going to allow another couple stay with them on Saturday nights.  “Mi casa su casa” is their motto.  Way to go Marcus & Rachel.  Another rumor floating around is that Eddie Albritton is actually going to move in with them.  I have not verified that one yet but I could see it happening as Marcus & Eddie are tight!

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

The celebration of life service for Soy’s paternal grandfather will take place today in the Dallas, Texas area.  Pray for Soy’s family as they walk through this valley.

Regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening on our campus.   Finance Committee meets at 5:00PM.

I have always been told that this number one “sport” in the world is good exercise.  Therefore, we are now hosting the Friendship “exercise” leagues.  Players will still be on teams with two teams taking the field simultaneously exercising.

It is raining a bit this morning in Grand Bay but I assume the exercise leagues will go on as scheduled.

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

Visited with Bro. Johnny & Miss Judy Tucker yesterday morning.  She was in hopes of being discharged later in the day.  Not sure if that happened or not.

Miss Catherine Leach was discharged from the rehab facility yesterday.  She was a happy camper!

Regular schedule this Sunday morning and evening on our campus.  My prayer is for the Friendship family to be found faithful in their attendance, praying, giving, et cetera.

Our Finance Committee meets this Sunday, 3/17, at 5:00PM.

I have great news (tongue in cheek) – the ice machine at the church has been repaired!  I am of the opinion that if we were concerned as much about people getting saved or disciples being made as we are about whether or not the ice machine at the church is working then we would set the world on fire spiritually.  I am trying to remember the last time anyone i.e. staff member, deacon, leader, member came to me and said something like, “pastor, I am concerned because no one was saved in our services today, no one came to the altar, no public decisions were made for Jesus.”  Does it matter eternally if the ice machine works this Sunday or not?  Does it matter eternally if someone passes from this life without Jesus?

Did you know that Patrick was not a saint as defined by the world?  More than that, did you know that he was not from Ireland?  Facts, who cares about facts?   I do not do or believe in the whole “saint” thing, do not celebrate them and certainly do not pray to them.  I do believe that a person who is a child of God through a personal relationship with Jesus is a saint – not because of that person but because of Jesus!  Guess the pastor will not be wearing green this Sunday?  You guessed correctly!

Want me to tell you about a good neighbor?  (Well, first I am married to one but that is not the one I am referring to here)  Yesterday afternoon, Deacon John Milton Ladnier came over and readied my garden spot with his disc and then his tiller.  John Milton has been working long hours six days a week and has very little daylight left when he gets home.  In spite of that fact, he graciously gave of his time and his equipment to help me be able to get a garden in the ground this year.  Lisa and I have lived on this hill for almost eight years and I can honestly say that John Milton & Teresa have been wonderful neighbors.  They have exemplified Christ.  Thank you John Milton for your kindness to me.  Folks, it is never wrong to be kind!

Ok, literally went to see the doctor yesterday morning.  You know the emotional struggles I have had this week.  (Hey, those doctors really do have couches!)  I thoroughly enjoyed our two minute visit.  It was paying the seventy three dollar co-pay that made me feel not so good.  Got prescribed two medicines to help me get through this time.  Called them in to the Grand Bay Pharmacy.  All is good minus the seventy three dollars.  Then the fine folks in the Grand Bay Pharmacy tell me that my co-pay on one of the medicines is one hundred and eighty five dollars!  However, they very graciously found some coupons and got it down to thirty dollars.   Let me give a shout out to Ross Hatcher, Jim Cooper (working yesterday) and the other folks who work at Grand Bay Pharmacy.

So, after seeing the doctor yesterday (I think I saw her but not sure as she came and went so fast) I have reached a conclusion about how to resolve my emotional issues.  Yes, I am going to take my medicines as prescribed but this plan is going to ultimately bring me peace of mind and satisfy my critics.  I will share it in tomorrow’s entry as this entry has been way too long.

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

P.S. – Did I mention that the ice machine at the church has been repaired?

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

Bro. Jerry Hovel was taken to the emergency room late yesterday afternoon.  They sent him home to rest for a couple of days.  Pray for him to get better soon.

Miss Vinnie’s sister, Donna, was put back in the hospital on Tuesday.  She had a little setback.  Her recovery is just going to take time.  Pray for Donna.

I was unaware that Miss Judy Tucker is still in the hospital.  She had a knee replacement on Tuesday and I “assumed” that she would be discharged yesterday.  Not so fast my friend.  I “think” she will be discharged this afternoon.  Pray for Miss Judy.

The services for Soy’s grandfather will take place in Texas on Saturday.  Pray for the family.

We had a good day in our services yesterday – morning and evening.  The morning service was dismissed eighteen minutes early – talk about a miracle!  We thank God for His blessings!

I knew it!  I just knew it!  People are disappointed in me because of my affiliation with soccer.  Willard Garnett sent me an iMessage telling me that he will be praying for me.  Bill Kendrick thinks I have a soccer poster in my room.  I am ruined!  Literally ruined!

The forecasters are calling for rain this afternoon.  We shall see!

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

Late Monday with the blog entry.  No blog entry yesterday.  Late with the entry again today.  What is up with that?  I could blame Katie Tillman but I am bigger than that!  I will share my story at the end of this entry.

The Friendship family is hospital free which is a good thing.

Miss Judy Tucker had knee replacement surgery yesterday.  Pray for her.

Yancey Hall will be having knee replacement surgery soon.  Ditto for Sandra McElwee in Birmingham.

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and tonight.

Our Easter weekend schedule has been set.  It is detailed in the letter being mailed today.  I will tell you that Evangelist Michael Mason will be our guest messenger that Sunday.  Begin praying now for that Sunday.  Begin now asking folks to join you for this absolutely wonderful celebration.

If the weather forecasters are correct then we should have a wet Thursday and a somewhat wet Friday.  I have not gotten my garden plowed yet so I am looking at the very real possibility of not having a garden this year.  I have to take into account when the vegetables will come in and compare that to my mission trip dates in June.

Ok, so here is the rest of the story regarding the blog entries.  Tuesday was a traumatic day for me.  I had known it was coming for several weeks.  In a very, very weak moment for me I agreed to help Pablo coach a (gulp) soccer team in one of our leagues.  How embarrassing is that!  First practice was yesterday at 6:00PM.  I thought about going incognito.  I was told no one would be there.  Liar, liar pants on fire!  Every parent, grandparent, uncle, and second cousin in the world was there.  Folks were excited.  Are you kidding me!  And there I was too which basically said “I approve of this exercise!”  It got worse.  Pablo was a no show and now there are eight players looking at me to lead practice.  Seriously?  So what did I do?  I said, “Brad Hutto, you got this” and I left at the halfway point as my nerves were shot!  I am basically reeling from this traumatic experience in my life.  Honest truth, I have an appointment with a doctor in the morning.

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  (Psalm 119:11)

As Katie Tillman always says, “better late than never” so maybe that is true of today’s blog entry.  Why so late?  Zero excuses.

Visited with Raymond Wilkinson just before 9:00AM today and he was about to head out the hospital door.  That is a bit early for a discharge but that particular hospital is slammed and they needed his room.  Raymond said he felt good and the tests they performed yesterday showed no damage.  Praise the Lord!

So, for the immediate time the Friendship family is free of anyone being hospitalized.  We are grateful.

Jim Erwin passed from this life last Friday.  He had been battling cancer.  There will be a visitation with the family this Thursday, 3/14, from 5:00 – 7:00PM at the Guardian Angels Funeral Home on Old Mobile Highway in Pascagoula, Mississippi.  Pray for Jim’s family.  Jim is the nephew of Sandy Felps.

Soccer practice begins today.  (Why did I just write that?  Soccer is not even a sport!)

We were blessed with a good day in our services yesterday.  The predicted rains never came which helped our attendance.  We were on the backend of a week out of school for the public schools and it was time change Sunday but we still had a good attendance especially in our evening service.  Thank you for being faithful!

I would call Wendy Johnston out for not remembering to spring forward but I am not going to do that!  (Folks, it must be tough getting old!  Poor Wendy!  No, poor George!)

I pray that you will have a great late afternoon and evening with Jesus.