Pastor's Blog

Today’s Bible reading - Numbers 11:24-13:33 Mark 14:22-52 Psalm 52:1-9 Proverbs 11:1-3

I did not make any hospital visits yesterday so I really do not have any updates.

I can tell you that Mary Cole Holmes spent Friday night and Saturday in the hospital because of problems with high blood pressure.  She was having consistent contractions too.  They were supposed to send her home last night but I do not know if that happened.  Will find out this morning.  BTW, the baby (Jack) will be full term in five weeks.

Doris Perryman’s newborn grandson, Landon Alexander, is in ICU because of a low oxygen level.  He is three days old.

Lisa and I attended the funeral service for Lindsey Coleman Burkhalter yesterday afternoon.  It was a good service.  Pastor Gene Emswiler did a very good job in bringing the message.  Keep praying for the Burkhalter/Coleman family.

The wedding shower for Alisha & Matt takes place this afternoon from 2:00 – 3:30PM in the fellowship hall.

Our Finance Committee will meet at 4:00PM today in the office suite.

We will have a special guest in our 10:00AM service this Wednesday, 3/12.  This someone who has never been to our church previously. I am strongly encouraging our folks to attend this service.  It will be something new (and good)!

I pray that you will be involved in church somewhere today.  Friendship family, I hope to see you for Bible study and worship.

Today’s Bible reading - Numbers 10:1-11:23 Mark 14:1-21 Psalm 51:1-19 Proverbs 10:31-32

Men’s breakfast this morning at 8:00AM in the fellowship hall.

Betty McMann did well through her surgery and the surgeon was pleased with the outcome.  He had to place two plates in order to hold the bone in place but that was definitely better than the option.  She is supposed to be in the hospital until at least Monday.

Amazingly, the airfare for the trip to El Salvador has fallen to almost where it was one month ago.  Which means that if five or six folks would step forward with $500 each, we could send our praise band to the church’s anniversary celebration.  I had one person call to ask me about this yesterday but I told them the airfare had increased significantly.  It had but a quick check showed it has gone down.  So, I perhaps have two of the guys covered.  Can all six go on this trip?  Not sure.  However, if we could get at least four then we would be good.  Want to help?  Contact me today, if not sooner!

The wedding shower for Alisha & Matt takes place tomorrow afternoon from 2:00 – 3:30PM in the fellowship hall.  Registered at St. Elmo Feed & Seed, Grand Bay Auto Supply and Subway.

The July 10 – 17 GRACE team (Bro. Jerry) will have a yard sale/auction this Thursday morning, Friday, Saturday morning, and Saturday evening.  All proceeds help with the ministry portion of their trip.  Donations accepted.

Time changes tonight!  Set your clocks forward one hour before going to bed!

Pastor Ted Traylor will be with us this Thursday, 3/13, beginning at 6:30PM.  Friendship family, do not miss it!

I pray that you will have a great Saturday with Jesus!  Spring forward!

Sitting in a hospital surgical waiting room as Betty McMann is in surgery.  Her surgery began around 5:00PM and is expected to take a little over an hour unless problems arise.  I came by to have prayer with her and then went to two other hospitals to make visits.  Darryll was by himself and I told him that I would be back to sit with him during the procedure.  What a blessing to walk into the waiting room to see that Max & Marge Peacock, Mariam Moates and Wanda Jordan had come to be with Darryll.  Ministers!

Darryll’s mother, age 93, is in ICU in an Illinois hospital.  She has double pneumonia and is not responding to the antibiotics.  Darryll will not leave Betty but is obviously concerned about his mother’s condition too.

Began the morning going by to pray with Luthene Herston before her surgery.  Had another appointment so I could not stay.  Saw Beverly Aldrich this afternoon and she said the doctor was satisfied with the surgery.  Miss Luthene will be in the hospital until at least Monday.

Attempted to see Evan Eyler too.  He was not available.  I know he is ready to get out of the hospital.

Visited with infant Drake Howard and his parents this afternoon.  They took Drake to ICU to do some tests.  He continues to just randomly stop breathing.  Pray the doctors can find the cause and cure.

Walker Seaman is the young son of Rusty & Julie Seaman.  He has been in the hospital since Sunday with gastro problems.  They are going to do some tests tomorrow to try and determine the cause of his problems and the remedy.  I visited with Walker and his mother this afternoon.  Laura Cole, who is their neighbor, and her son, Dillon, were visiting them as well.  Ministers!

Visited with Lance Curl’s dad and sister this afternoon.  Lance’s condition remains unchanged.  Jim Chinners visited with the family yesterday and they were very grateful.  Minister.  Folks, Lance needs a miracle.

Got word from Rita Padilla this afternoon that Cristy Leytham is not doing well.  I do not know the details but do ask that you stop and pray for her now.

Most likely will not make it to the visitation with the Burkhalter/Coleman family tonight because of the lateness of Betty’s surgery.  Lisa and I will do the visitation and service tomorrow.

Pray for all of these needs.

Today’s Bible reading - Numbers 8:1-9:23 Mark 13:14-37 Psalm 50:1-23 Proverbs 10:29-30 08

Betty McMann fell this past Tuesday and broke her upper arm (left).  She will have surgery this afternoon and the doctor hopes to insert a plate.  She will spend at least one night in the hospital.

Luthene Herston is scheduled to have surgery this morning.  They will redo the surgery that was performed several weeks ago.

Evan Eyler had surgery yesterday morning.  He will most likely be in the hospital for a couple of days.

Went by see John Curl’s nephew early yesterday morning.  The family had not gotten to the hospital yet.  Jim Chinners was going to try and see them yesterday afternoon.

Visited with infant Drake Howard and his mother.  Drake has to go at least forty eight hours without one of his not breathing episodes before he can be sent home.

Art Elliott met with the oncologist yesterday.  His cancer was confirmed.  The good news is that it is confined to one spot.  They will do a scan of his brain next week.  Depending on those results, a decision will be made on the treatment plan.

Earl Kirschenman was examined by a doctor in Birmingham this week.  More testing will be done in Mobile.  After that, the doctor and Earl will make a decision on what is next.  Earl’s problem is heart related.

J.L. Nesmith continues to need our prayer support.  The deacons are doing a nice job of ministering to him.

The visitation with Lindsey Burkhalter’s family takes place tonight from 6:00 – 9:00PM.  The service will be tomorrow at 2:00PM preceded by an hour of visitation.  Everything takes place at the Canaan Assembly of God Church on Highway 613.

The men’s breakfast takes place tomorrow morning beginning at 8:00AM in the fellowship hall.  All men are invited.

Time change this Saturday night – spring forward!  Set your clocks forward one hour before going to bed.

Pastor Ted Traylor will be our special guest next Thursday night, 3/13, beginning at 6:30PM.  Pray, attend, bring others!

The Duke Blue Devils got beat so badly by Wake Forest on Wednesday night that Coach K got dizzy!  IMO, it is always good to see Duke get beat in basketball!  (Sorry about that Zach Huhn!)  I am glad Coach K checked out ok medically, really I am.  Just hope they get beat by UNC tomorrow night but that probably will not happen.

My recent entries have been too long.  Sorry about that!

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

P.S. – Have I mentioned that Pastor Ted Traylor is coming to Friendship?

Lindsey Elaine Coleman Buckhalter, 29, of Lucedale, MS passed away on Wednesday, March 5, 2014 in Lucedale with her family by her side. She was born on August 30, 1984 in Pascagoula, MS. Lindsey will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, daughter and aunt, who always loved spending her time with her family. She had a heart for missions especially for Casa Aleluya in Guatemala. Lindsey was preceded in death by her grandparents, Rev. James F. and Anna Coleman, Leon and Voncille Lewis, James “Buck” Buckhalter and Billy Wayne Tynes. She is survived by her loving husband, Christopher “Chris”  Buckhalter; son, Christopher Byron “Dink” Buckhalter; parents, Rev. Rodney and Rhonda Coleman; brother, Brandon (Emily) Coleman; sister, Darian Coleman; brother, Shayne Coleman; father and mother-in-law, Mitchell  and Susie Buckhalter; sisters-in-law, Rebecca “Becky” Buckhalter and Sarah Buckhalter; grandmothers, Etoile “Nana” Buckhalter and Betty Tynes; nieces, Ella Claire, Lily Anna, Elizabeth James, Alaya and Leeah; and her very special friend, Lacey McElderry. Visistion for Lindsey will be held on Friday, March 7, 2014 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.  at Canaan Assembly of God Church. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2014 beginning at 2:00 p.m. at the church with Bro. Gene Emswiler, Bro. Bob Wilburn and Bro. Chris Nowell officiating. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be held at Magnolia Springs Cemetery in Hurley, MS with Luke Pierce, Josh Miller, Trey Gray, John Holder, Maury Thompson, Derek Eubanks and Shayne Coleman serving as pallbearers. Heritage Funeral Home in Escatawpa, MS is in charge of arrangements.

Today’s Bible reading -  Numbers 6:1-7:89 Mark 12:38-13:13 Psalm 49:1-20 Proverbs 10:27-28

Pray for Pastor Rodney & Rhonda Coleman along with their family during this difficult time.

Edna Glover has two grandchildren in the hospital.  Evan is in a local hospital and will be having surgery possibly today.  Gabby is in an Atlanta hospital in ICU.

Miss Betty McMann has a broken arm and it is my understanding that it will require surgery.  I do not know the details of how she broke her arm.

Miss Luthene Herston did not have surgery yesterday and now they are thinking tomorrow.

No significant change in Lance Curl’s situation.

Annisa Iler did well through her surgery.

Drake Howard is the infant cousin of Katie Howard.  He was prematurely born.  Was sent home from the hospital but is now back in due to seizures and breathing difficulties.

Thanks to all from the Friendship family who helped minister to the Myra Herod family over the past few days.  Jim Chinners did a nice job preaching the service yesterday.

Men’s breakfast this Saturday morning, 3/8, beginning at 8:00AM in the fellowship hall.

Wedding shower for Alisha Vice and Matt Burks this Sunday, 3/9, from 2:00 – 3:30PM in the fellowship hall.  Registered at Target, Bed, Bath & Beyond and Grand Bay Auto Supply.

Time change (spring forward) this Sunday, 3/9.  Set your clocks forward one hour on Saturday night.

Pastor Ted Traylor will be with us on Thursday, March 13, beginning at 6:30PM.  Do not miss it!

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

Around 11:00PM tonight, Lindsey departed this life and entered Heaven.  Pray for her husband, son, and parents, Pastor Rodney & Rhonda Coleman, and the entire family.

Miss Luthene’s surgery was postponed.  Until when?  IDK.

Teresa Ladnier has taken it upon herself to collect diapers for the Women’s Resource Center in Mobile.  You may make donations at any time during March.  Box in the auditorium foyer and one in the  fellowship hall.

There will be a men’s breakfast this Saturday, 3/8, beginning at 8:00AM in the fellowship hall.  All men are invited.  Should be over no later than 9:00AM.  Questions?  Contact Jim Chinners or Jeff Holifield.

Have I mentioned Pastor Ted Traylor being with us on Thursday, March 13, beginning at 6:30PM?

Today’s Bible reading - Numbers 4:1-5:31 Mark 12:18-37 Psalm 48:1-14 Proverbs 10:26 06

Miss Luthene Herston is set to have surgery this morning.  It relates to the earlier surgery but I am not sure of the details.

The visitation with the family (11:00AM) and service (12:00PM) for Myra Herod’s brother-in-law, Dan Green, takes place today at Serenity Funeral Home in Theododre.

John Curl’s nephew, Lance, took a turn for the worse yesterday morning.  They did a surgical procedure that was deemed a success.  He remains in critical condition.  Amazingly, his young daughter (3 years old) was in the accident too but was not injured as she was properly restrained in her car seat.  The family is most grateful that she is well.

There has been basically no change in Lindsey Burkhalter’s condition.  The hospice nurse is thinking six to nine days at this point.  The family thinks it will be sooner and I concur with the family.  God knows.

Anissa Iler is scheduled to have surgery this morning.  I am hearing that the funeral service for her husband, Michael Iler, is tentatively set for next week.

Including today, we are nine days away from our special service with Pastor Ted Traylor.  That service is set for Thursday, March 13 beginning at 6:30PM.  Pray!

There will be a wedding shower for Alisha Vice and Matt Burks this Sunday afternoon, 3/9, from 2:00 – 3:30PM in the fellowship hall.  Registered at Target, Bed, Bath & Beyond and Grand Bay Auto Supply.

By the way, this Sunday, 3/9, is time change Sunday which means we “spring forward” by moving our clocks “forward” one hour on Saturday night.  In essence, you lose one hour of sleep.  It is important to remember to do this or you will be an hour late for church.

We are on a regular schedule today/tonight.

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

Deanna Wetterer sent me an e-mail early, early this morning asking if I could confirm that Steve Hicks had passed away yesterday.  I had Kayla Hatcher do some research but I could only confirm it via FB which I was not willing to post simply based on that.

Deanna just received an e-mail from Steve’s wife, Jamie, confirming that Steve did pass from this life yesterday.  That is all I know at this point but do ask you to pray for the Hicks family.