Pastor's Blog

We were blessed with a good worship service yesterday.  Someone mentioned to me following the service that it was a good service with a sweet spirit.  Strong attendance too.  Of course, the highlight of the service was seeing Jason Taylor, Jr come forward to make a public profession of faith.  His parents, Jason & Dana, had the privilege of leading their son to the Lord on Christmas night – how great is that!  Jason is twelve years old and wanted to make his decision public at the first opportunity.  To God be the glory!

A member of a family that has been attending our services commented to me yesterday of how much their family is enjoying coming to Friendship.  Music to my ears!  Friendship family, always be friendly, welcoming and Christlike to all persons on our campus.

Spoke to Eddie Albritton last night and his Aunt is doing better.  She is scheduled to undergo more surgery today.  Keep praying.

Soy, Deidra and the girls arrived safely in Millington, TN Saturday night.  They enjoyed going to a church service with Soy’s parents yesterday and then family time the rest of the day.

Pray for revival.  Evangelist Danny Long will be our guest messenger for four days beginning this Sunday, 1/2/22, at 10:30AM.  Evening service at 5:00PM.  Services Monday – Wednesday will begin at 6:30PM.  Pray, attend, bring others with you.

Nothing on our campus this Wednesday, 12/29 – morning or evening.  As a matter of fact, this will be a dead week for us.  Yes, the office will be open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.  Bro. Jerry is on vacation this week so please do not contact him for any reason.  Bro. Abel and I are available all week.  (Well, from 2:30PM until around 6:00PM this Friday, 12/31, I will be busy!  Just saying!)

The weather folks are calling for us to see highs in the seventies with lows only in the sixties all of this week.  However, they are saying we will have a low of thirty one Sunday night, a high of forty nine on Monday, 1/3, and a low of thirty four that night – hallelujah!

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

Merry Christmas!  Celebrate the birth of Jesus today in a very special way!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to each person who attended our Christmas Eve 2021 worship service.  Our attendance was strong.  It was not to the pre-pandemic level but it was strong.  I love seeing families take an hour out of their schedule to worship King Jesus!  It was a very special service and Addison Tillman was the proverbial icing on the cake as she sang “Happy Birthday Jesus!”  (Thanks to Aunt Dede for making this possible!)

Eddie Albritton’s maternal Aunt remains in critical condition.  Keep praying for her and the family.

Our granddaughter, Audrey, has now been to like four Urgent Care clinics and seems to be improving.  She has been a sick little girl for the past ten days or so.

Soy, Deidra and the girls will leave today heading to the Memphis, TN area to celebrate with Soy’s parents and family.  Pray for them to have traveling mercies.

Only one worship service on our campus this Sunday, 12/26.  That service will begin at 10:30AM.  I pray that we will fill the house to the glory of God.  O come let us adore Him!

Revival services Sunday, 1/2, through Wednesday, 1/5, with Evangelist Danny Long.  Pray, pray and then pray some more.  Make plans to attend the services.

I pray that you will have a great Christmas Day with Jesus.

Happy Christmas Eve!  Hope to be joined by many folks this afternoon at 5:00PM for our service.  The service will end no later that 6:00PM.

Eddie Albritton’s maternal Aunt and her husband were involved in an automobile accident.  The Uncle lost his life and the Aunt was admitted to an ICU in a Pensacola hospital.  She is in critical condition.  Pray for her and the family.

One worship service this Sunday, 12/26, beginning at 10:30AM.  Looking to be joined by many folks.

I pray that you will have a great Christmas Eve with Jesus!

The church office is closed today.  I am in town and available in the event of an emergency.

Please note that Bro. Jerry is on vacation this week and the rest of next week through January 1.  So, please do not contact him.

Good day in our services yesterday.  I did not go in the CAB last night but it seemed the Laser Tag went well.  Deidra did a really good job in both services of sharing about the work in Guatemala.

Scott & Nanette Fontenot cooked and delivered supper to Soy, Deidra and the girls Tuesday night.  What they do not know is that Lisa and I along with the Hutto clan all joined them in devouring that meal.  It was crawfish themed with great desserts.  (I never knew you could make a dessert dish from crawfish heads!)  I appreciate Scott and Nanette being so kind and thoughtful.

Christmas Eve service beginning at 5:00PM and ending no later than 6:00PM. What a great way to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Only one service this Sunday, 12/26, and that will begin at 10:30AM. Nothing else on our campus this Sunday!

Revival services the dates of Sunday, 1/2, through Wednesday, 1/5. Evangelist Danny Long will be our guest messenger during those days. Sunday’s services will begin at 10:30AM and 5:00PM. Starting times Monday – Wednesday will be 6:30PM.

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

One of two things happened regarding the entry for today.  I thought I have posted an entry early this morning but when I came back to this site it was not there.  Did I dream that I did?  Or, are folks now stealing blog entries?  Or did the NFL get word of yesterday’s post and are now trying to sabotage my blog entries?  At any rate, the entry never appeared.

I attended most of the last hour of the visitation with the Bryce Johnson family and then attended the service.  There was a large number in attendance for the service.  The casket was taken from the church to the cemetery by a horse drawn carriage.  Different  in today’s world but nice.  Thank you to Tina, Raymond & Rhea for coordinating the food ministry.  Thank you to each person who provided food.  Keep praying for Willie, Jody and family!

Matt Everett had a heart cath today.  (I am assuming it has already taken place)  Pray that Matt gets good news.

Regular service on our campus tomorrow – morning and evening.

Christmas Eve service beginning at 5:00PM and ending no later than 6:00PM.  What a great way to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Only one service this Sunday, 12/26, and that will begin at 10:30AM.  Nothing else on our campus this Sunday!

Revival services the dates of Sunday, 1/2, through Wednesday, 1/5.  Evangelist Danny Long will be our guest messenger during those days.  Sunday’s services will begin at 10:30AM and 5:00PM.  Starting times Monday – Wednesday will be 6:30PM.

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

Our first and second grade basketball leagues will have three games tonight beginning at 5:30PM.  Our leagues will then take a break until Saturday, 1/8/22.  Thanks to Eddie Albritton for coordinating this ministry.

The visitation and service for Bryce Johnson will take place tomorrow, 12/21, in our auditorium.  Visitation with the family is from 10:00AM until the noon service time.  Pray for the family.  Pray for Bro. Jerry as he will preach the service.  Thank you to those who are helping with the food to feed the family following the service.

Donnie Felps is recovering nicely from his knee replacement surgery but has developed a cough that continues to hang on.  Keep praying for Donnie.

Dale Ellerman continues to recover at home from his hip replacement surgery.  Keep praying for Dale.

A blessed day in our services yesterday.  Kathy Jordan came desiring to follow Jesus in baptism and to join the Friendship family.  God gives the increase and we give Him the glory.

Miss Jeanette Bates and our adult choir did a great job of sharing the Gospel through song in our evening service.  I appreciate those folks!  A special thanks to Jeanette for a job well done.

I no longer watch any professional sports for various reasons relating to the NFL, NBA and MLB.  I have boycotted the NFL for the longest period of time.  It was revealed over the past few days that the NFL is funding the “defunding of the police” and “the abolishing of prisons.”  Really?  The following comes from Trey Gowdy and his television show on Sunday night:  “My guess is the folks in the stands and buying merchandise and paying for NFL channel will be surprised to learn their money is going toward crazy things like defunding police and abolishing prison.”  Personally, I support the police and believe in prisons.  Just FYI.

Regular schedule this Wednesday morning and evening.  Christmas Eve service from 5:00PM until 6:00PM.  Only one service this Sunday, 12/26, and it begins at 10:30AM.

Revival services begin on Sunday, 1/2, at 10:30AM.  We will have Sunday School at 9:15AM that day.  Evangelist Danny Long will be our guest messenger 1/2 – 1/5.  Pray for revival.

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

Regular schedule on our campus this morning – 8:00AM; 9:15AM and 10:30AM.

Our evening service today will begin at 5:00PM and will feature the ministry of Miss Jeanette Bates and our adult choir as they present their Christmas musical.

O come let us adore Him!

Received a message from Amy Huhn last night sharing that her husband, Gary, had to have emergency surgery yesterday.  The surgeon removed his gallbladder and repaired a hernia.  He should come home either today or tomorrow.  Pray for Gary.

As most of you already know, Bryce Johnson, son of Willie & Jody Johnson, passed from this life earlier this week.  It appears the visitation and service will take place early next week.  Pray for Willie, Jody and family during this most difficult time.

The visitation and service for Richard Tillman’s son, Tyler, take place tomorrow, 12/18.  Pray for the Tillman family.

Keep praying for Dale Ellerman as he recovers from surgery.

Basketball leagues tomorrow beginning at 8:00AM and then again on Monday night, 12/20, beginning at 5:30PM.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday morning, 12/19.  Evening service featuring the ministry of our adult choir begins at 5:00PM.  Pray for Jeanette Bates and our choir.

Revival services begin on Sunday, 1/2/22!  Pray for revival!

Wendy Johnston retired from the USPS this past Wednesday after a thirty seven year career.  She started working there when she was thirty seven years old.  How ironic is that?  I am all for old people retiring!

Looks like we are going to have some rain for the next couple of days.  Be safe on the roads.  My family and I leave today heading to Hartselle for our family Christmas.  Lord willing, I will return home tomorrow while the rest of the family will enjoy an extra day there.  Pray for our traveling mercies!

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

Dale Ellerman’s surgery was deemed a success.  Pray that Dale’s recovery will go well.

We had a good day in our services yesterday – morning and evening.  I am grateful.  Remember, we are on a regular schedule next Wednesday, 12/22 – morning and evening.

The arrangements have been made for Richard Tillman’s son, Tyler.  Everything will take place this Saturday, 12/18, from Serenity Funeral Home.  The visitation with the family will take place from 10:00AM until the noon service time.  Pray for the Tillman family during this most difficult time.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday morning, 12/19.  Our evening service will begin at 5:00PM and will feature Jeanette Bates and our adult choir presenting their Christmas musical.  Please pray for this service and attend it too.

Lord willing, our entire clan will leave Friday heading to Hartselle, AL for our family Christmas which will be hosted by Eddie & Sue.  I will travel back on Saturday while everyone else will do likewise on Sunday afternoon.

Our basketball leagues will play this Saturday, 12/18, beginning at 8:00AM and then again on Monday, 12/20, beginning at 5:30PM.

Soy & Deidra arrived in Grand Bay around midnight last night.  It is good to have Deidra and the girls here.  By the way, Lizzi shared with our GA’s & RA’s last night.  I am told she did a good job.

As I predicted, our December 2022 GRACE Ministries mission trip to Guatemala has now reached capacity.  Folks signing up now will be placed on a waiting list.  Pretty amazing that one week after the December 2021 trip the next year’s trip is at capacity.

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

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening.  I pray that the members of the Friendship family will be faithful to attend.

Dale Ellerman will have hip replacement surgery today.  Pray for the surgeon and all those involved.  Pray for Dale’s family.  Pray for Dale and his recovery.

We are on a regular schedule this Sunday morning, 12/19, with the two morning services and Sunday School.  Our evening service will begin at 6:00PM and will feature Miss Jeanette Bates and our adult choir presenting their Christmas musical.  I pray that we will support this special service with our prayers and attendance.

We will have a Christmas Eve service beginning at 5:00PM and ending no later than 6:00PM – guaranteed.  On Sunday, 12/26, we will have one corporate worship service only which will begin at 10:30AM.

Soy & Deidra did not arrive last night.  Their flight plans got changed by the airline thus they were delayed by a day so the hope is they will arrive late tonight.

Our December 1 – 8, 2022 GRACE Ministries trip to Guatemala is about seventy five percent filled.  I would suggest anyone desiring to take part in that trip get their name on the list now if not sooner!  It will fill up and then we will have to go to a waiting list.  Please know that I do not “assume” that someone is going to take part in this trip even if they have always gone in December.  Sending me an email is the only way to sign up.  A word to the wise is sufficient!

Our basketball leagues will host another set of games this Saturday, 12/18, beginning at 8:00AM.  Pray for this ministry under the leadership of Eddie Albritton.

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