Pastor's Blog

Word came to me last night that John Milton Ladnier has been diagnosed with colon cancer.  He will meet with a surgeon this Thursday.  I have just told you everything I know about John’s situation.  I am asking you to join me in praying for John, Teresa and family.  John Milton is a really good guy, great church member and great neighbor.

The visitation with the Phillip Clark family will take place today from 11:00AM until the noon service.  Pray for that service and for Phillip’s family.

I spoke to Pam Lewis yesterday.  She will meet with the funeral directors this morning to make the arrangements for her mother’s celebration of life service.  Pray for Pam.

Speaking of Pam, Danny had two biopsies yesterday.  I did not speak to him to get an update but do ask that you pray for Danny.  Danny is as good as they come!

Chuck Rockwell is keeping me updated on his wife’s (Beth) situation.  They were to do a procedure yesterday to prevent a blood clot from moving to her heart or lungs.  Pray for Beth and Chuck.

Keep praying for Myrtle Bowden as she continues to wait on doctor’s appointments.

Also, keep praying for Buddy Brewer.

I spoke to Linda McConnell yesterday.  She is struggling emotionally.  Pray for her.  We are going to need someone to coordinate the meal for the McConnell family on Friday as Tina Wilkinson will not be available.  Any takers?

Lisa and I went to the visitation for Pastor Lamon Forrest yesterday.  We could not stay for the service as it conflicted time wise with the service for Evangelist James Messer.  We were well received and very thankful to have been able to attend.

I went from Serenity to First Dawes.  Mike Moreland came and sat by me before, and during, the service.  He is doing well and is teaching an adult Sunday School class.  Good for Mike!  How about Janice Moreland?  She was there but she did not sit with Mike and me.  As a matter of fact, she did not even speak to me – what is up with that?

I also saw Music Evangelist Phillip Willis at the service for Bro. James.  He is still going strong at eighty two years of age.

By the way, Lisa and I have a good day with my mama last Friday.  Lunch at the Old Cook Stove and then supper from Southern Hickory Bar-b-que – heaven for me!

Sign up has begun for our children’s basketball leagues.  Eddie Albritton is coordinating these leagues so contact him for the details.  The first day of sign up (last Friday) was strong.

Here is an odd request – does anyone have one of those “fit bit” type watches for a man that they are no longer using?  If so, I will buy it from you.  Obviously, need one that works.  I am asking for someone else (not a friend).  If you can help, contact me, please.

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

Danny Lewis brought me word last night following our evening service that his mother-in-law, Miss Dot Weber, passed from this life around 4:30PM yesterday.  Pray for Pam and the family during this time.  Arrangements pending.

The celebration of life service for Evangelist James Messer will take place this afternoon at 2:00PM from First Baptist Dawes.

The visitation and service for Phillip Clark will take place tomorrow from the San Souci Baptist Church.  I am not certain of the times but will post them once I am.

The visitation and service for Larry McConnell will take place this Friday, 10/15.

The celebration of life service for Pastor Lamon Forrest will be private.

Myrtle Bowden was in our services yesterday.  She is waiting on an opening to be able to confer with a doctor.  Keep praying for Myrtle.

Danny Lewis will have a couple of biopsies done today.  Pray that all goes well.

Buddy Brewer has been discharged from the hospital in Birmingham but is confined to a local hospital for the next three weeks.  He goes for blood work at the hospital every other day.  This is good news but keep praying for Buddy.

Dana Taylor, Hannah & JJ were involved in an auto accident yesterday afternoon.  Major damage to their vehicle but the three of them were not seriously injured.  Thank God for His protection.  By the way, they were actually out doing ministry related to yesterday morning’s message.  Also, they were in the service last night!

We were blessed with good services yesterday.  I did not realize that the public schools were closed today which means we had several families absence yesterday because of the long weekend.

Bro. Jerry Hovel is on vacation this week.  I am asking that you respect his time off by not contacting him for any reason.  The conversations usually go like this, “I hate to bother you while you are on vacation but. . .”  Bro. Abel and I are in the office and available all week.  Bro. Jerry will be back this Sunday, 10/17.

Friendship family, remember the love offering for Soy, Deidra and the girls on Sunday, 10/31, during our morning services.  This is a personal offering for their family.  Also, you will be given the opportunity to make a pledge to support their ministry, Shining Light Abroad Ministries.  Please make these things a matter of prayer.

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

There are four celebration of life services that will take place this week.

Evangelist James Messer’s family will receive friends today from 2:00PM until 5:00PM at Serenity Funeral Home in Theodore.  His celebration of life service will take place tomorrow beginning at 2:00PM from First Baptist of Dawes.  Pray for the Messer family.

I am told that the celebration of life service for Phillip Clark will take place on Tuesday, 10/12, from San Souci Baptist Church.  I do not know the details.  Pray for Phillip’s family.

The visitation with the Larry McConnell family will take place this Friday, 10/15, from 1:00PM until the 2:00PM service at Mobile Memorial Funeral Home.  Pray for Linda, Miss Lanell and the rest of the McConnell family.

I read last night where Pastor Lamon Forrest of the Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Grand Bay passed from this life this past Friday, 10/8.  The service for Pastor Forrest will be private.  Pray for his family and the church family.

Myrtle Bowden, Buddy Brewer, Danny Lewis, Beth Rockwell and Mark Timberlake all need our continued prayer support as they battle various illnesses.

Regular schedule on our campus today – morning and evening.

Deacons will meet today at 5:30PM.

I have come to the conclusion that we do not need to discuss college football on our church campus – LOL!  I reached that conclusion just before 11:00PM last night.

I hope to see many members of the Friendship family in our services today – even the Bama fans!

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

Word came to me last night that Phillip Clark has passed from this life.  He had the virus and has been in the hospital for several weeks.  Pray for the Clark family.

Just received a call from Miss Toby Fletcher letting me know that her husband, Evangelist James Messer, passed from this life yesterday.  He suffered a stroke Monday was a week ago and basically never recovered.  Pray for the Messer family.

A blog entry?  Are you serious?  I am.

The Friendship family has now seen its’ first member pass from this life as a result of the virus.  Larry McConnell was promoted on Tuesday night after spending several weeks in the hospital.  Pray for his family as they walk through this valley.

Beth Rockwell is in the hospital with a non virus related medical issue.  Pray for Beth as the doctors treat her and for Chuck as he waits beside her during this time.

Mark Timberlake will have a pace maker placed in his heart tomorrow.  Pray that all goes well.

Myrtle Bowden was told on Tuesday that her cancer has returned.  She will be meeting with the doctors to determine a plan of action.  Myrtle’s spirit is good as she is trusting God through it all.

Danny Lewis remains at home but is a sick man.  He is undergoing tests in order for the doctors to know what is taking place in his body.  Pray for Danny.

Buddy Brewer remains in a Birmingham hospital.  As of yesterday morning, he was still in ICU.  He will basically be in the hospital for almost all of October.  Keep praying for Buddy.

We were blessed with a good day in our services yesterday.  I am thankful to the Lord Jesus.

Lord willing, Lisa and I will drive to Hartselle tomorrow in order to visit my mama.  She has been having some health issues and will now be receiving home health care twice weekly.  Prayers appreciated.

Friendship family, remember the special offering that will be received on Sunday morning, October 31, for Soy & Deidra Taylor.  Also, the opportunity to pledge to support SLAM over the next year.  Make these things a matter of prayer and then give as the Lord leads.

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

Happy Friday morning to all thirteen readers of the blog!  I pray that your Friday will be the great start of an even greater weekend.

Brandon Baker’s paternal grandmother passed from this life earlier this week.  The celebration of life for her will take place tomorrow afternoon at 1:00PM in North Carolina.  Pray for Brandon and family as they go through this time.

Keep praying for those on our prayer list.  I really do not have any updates but I continue to pray.

Regular schedule on our campus Sunday morning and evening.

Deacons will meet this Sunday at 4:00PM.

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

Lisa and I were blessed to be able to attend the “hooding” of our daughter, Daphne, yesterday afternoon at USA.  She earned her doctorate as a nurse practitioner last December but there was no ceremony due to the virus.  We are very proud of Daphne and this accomplishment in her life.

I am very appreciative of my brother, Eddie, and his wife, Sue, for attending yesterday’s ceremony.  Was not expected but certainly appreciated.

I have no updates on the folks for whom we have been praying.  Just keep praying!

We do have a church member who is experiencing a “breakthrough” case of the virus.  Pray that all goes well!

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday morning and evening.  Deacons will meet at 4:00PM.

Recently, I received some cards from some children in our church.  I have no idea what age or gender.  One without a name on the card wrote the following:  “we presheat what you do.”  How cute is that!  I love it!

I hope you have a great Thursday with Jesus.

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening.

Miss Vinnie’s son, Buddy, did well through his procedure yesterday.  Keep praying as he will now be in the hospital for the next month.

Jennifer Kirschenman continues to recover from her hip surgery.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday morning and evening.

Deacons meeting this Sunday, 10/3, at 4:00PM.

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

Jennifer Kirschenman had hip replacement surgery this morning and all went well – praise the Lord!  Pray for Jennifer as she has now begun the healing process.

Miss Vinnie’s son, Buddy, is having the procedure done now and, if all goes as planned, he will be in the hospital for the next month.  Keep praying for Buddy.

I received a special, urgent prayer request this morning.  Not at liberty to share but do ask that you join me in praying for this need.

Regular schedule on our campus for tomorrow morning and evening.

The positive comments continue to come in regarding the church fellowship at Presley’s Outing this past Sunday.  This appears to be one of those “if you missed it then you missed it” type happenings.  Lord willing, we will do it again next year.

Our deacons will meet this Sunday afternoon, 10/3, at 4:00PM.  Brothers, take note.

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

Sorry for the lateness of this post but it is Monday – LOL!  Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose!  Yesterday was definitely a “win” for the Friendship family.  Good morning services and then a tremendous fellowship yesterday afternoon.  I am going to go on the conservative side and estimate our attendance for the fellowship at two hundred and ten.  I truly believe we had more based on the numbers Mr. Presley gave me this morning.  We had folks from a newborn to those in their eighties and all ages in between.

Thank you to Bro. Jerry Hovel, our deacons, and their wives for a job very well done!  The food was spot on.  Thank you to Scott & Nanette Fontenot for the use of their boat as the boat rides were a huge hit.  Thank you to Chris & Sherry Howell and Will & Amy Reynolds for the use of their wave runners.  I know they had to be tired from giving rides and pulling the tube like a million times!  That was a really big hit!  We had guests, new members and long time members in attendance.  The fellowship was superb!  We give God the glory for all He did!

Pray for Miss Vinnie’s son, Buddy, as he is in Birmingham most likely for the next month.  Pray for those battling the virus.

Regular schedule on our campus this Wednesday.

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