Pastor's Blog

Got to hurry with this one as internet connection issues are problem here again.  Comes and goes.  Sorry but there is nothing I can about it even though I am basically a genius when it comes to technology. Not on Al’s level but. . . .

Marisa Felps’ sister, Lynn, passed from this life yesterday afternoon.  Pray for the family.  Lynn was ten days short of her seventieth birthday.  Arrangements pending.

Jonathan Jordan’s mother was moved to ICU yesterday.  Obviously, not a good situation.  Keep praying for this family.

“Chloe’s Challenge” is before us.  I would love to see at least nine more folks step up by June 7 and finance a house to be built in Guatemala this year (June, September or December).  Chloe has raised the funds for one house.  Her sister, Jenna, has now done likewise.  A gentleman gave a check this past Sunday for another house.  The goal is twelve houses paid for by June 7.  Five hundred and fifty dollars is all it takes.  Give through our church in the offering or you can easily give online.  Pray and give, please.

Our “move in” day is Sunday, May 24, 2026 as the Refresh project will be complete.  We will all enter the auditorium just before 10:00AM for that special first service.  Save the date, join us, bring others.

Regular schedule on our campus today.  Co-op graduation at noon in the CAB.

Pray for Bro. Abel as he has to make a decision regarding soccer this Saturday.  The rain is good, and we are thankful, but it is making it tough on the playing fields.  (Personally, I think there should be a five year moratorium on soccer world wide!).  I do love the concession stand proceeds!

GRACE Ministries got some amazing news yesterday afternoon.  God is great!  We praise Him!  Details TBA.

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

Pastor Jack Bailey had the following quote in his blog this morning: Our attitude toward the unfortunate is a reflection of our attitude toward the LORD Himself. (John Philips).  I agree with Philips.

Marisa Felps sister, Lynn, is not doing well.  It is most likely that some decisions could be made today regarding the what comes next.  Pray for all involved in this situation.

I have not gotten an update on Jonathan’s mother but I do ask you to keep praying.  There may be updates on social media but I would never see those.

I was pleasantly surprised last night to see Aaron Baisden’s mother at one of our soccer games.  She is very thankful for the prayers.  Ditto for Aaron and his family.  Keep praying.

Sunday, May 24, 2026 will be a huge day in the life of the Friendship family as we move back into the auditorium for our worship services.  Please make plans to join us for this most special day!

VBS online registration is open.  Our VBS will be June 1 – 5 from 9:00AM until noon daily.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow – morning and evening.

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

Two pressing prayer needs this morning.  First, Jonathan Jordan’s mother is in a Jackson, MS hospital and is seemingly near the end of her earthly life.  Jonathan, Jamie and the girls left yesterday afternoon to go visit with her.  Pray for this family.

Second, Marisa Felp’s sister, Lynn, is still in the hospital and is not well.  Her daughter arrived in town yesterday.  Not sure what will be the outcome but do ask that you pray for Lynn, Marisa and family.

The Lord Jesus blessed us with a really good day in our services yesterday.  Thank you Friendship family for blessing the Peacock family with the tissue and towels.  Alaina did a really good job of sharing in our evening service.  (The girl can talk!).  Thank you Lord for a great day of worship.  He is worthy!

The fish fry at State Farm on Saturday was a success.  The proverbial icing on the cake was the fellowship following last night’s service.  Thank you to Scott Fontenot and John Milton Ladnier for being the chief cooks.  Thank you to Daphne for coordinating everything else.  Thank you to all others who helped in any way.  Thank you to Lisa for use of her office and parking lot.  She is a good neighbor!  Even better wife!  Just saying!

Henry Wyse and I talked last night and we will once again begin holding our worship services in the auditorium on Sunday morning, May 24, at 10:00AM.  (The auditorium class will meet in the youth building that Sunday morning so we will all enter the auditorium at the same time for the initial service).  Friendship family – save the date!  By the way, I am open to any suggestions as to what we should do for that special service.

Regular schedule this Wednesday morning and evening.

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

As I sit here listening to it rain, it refreshes me.  I am a fan of rain.  We serve an amazing God!  One Who knows exactly what He is doing as He supplies our needs.

I was blessed with an uneventful drive to Hartselle and back yesterday.  I was able to spend over an hour with Mama and, during that time, she confirmed that my place as her fifth favorite child has not changed.  Mama looked better than I have seen her look since Dad passed from this life (5/14/20) six years ago.  She is perhaps the most content person I personally know.  I am thankful and grateful to God for this blessing.

It was also a blessing to get to see Willard.  One of the nicest men I know.  I missed seeing one of his daughters and I was blessed to not see the other one.  Just saying!

Keep praying for Marisa’s sister, Lynn, as she remains in the hospital.

The fish fry begins today at 10:00AM in the parking lot of Lisa’s State Farm Agency on Highway 90 in Grand Bay.  The rain should be moved out of our area and we are supposed to have a beautiful, cool Saturday.  Fish plates cost ten dollars each.  This event will end at 1:00PM (sooner if we run out of food which is not likely to happen).  Come support the ministry portion of our June 26 GRACE Ministries mission trip.

Friendship family, I would love to see us absolutely overwhelm John & Alaina Peacock tomorrow (Sunday, 5/3) as we “roll the Peacocks!”  Bring rolls of toilet tissue and/or paper towels to be given to this family.  Either service.  Remember, we are blessed to be a blessing!  Cards of encouragement are welcomed but not required!

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow.  Prayer time in the auditorium beginning at 8:30AM sharp.  Jeanette Bates will voice our prayer.  Come join us as we celebrate the Refresh project.

I pray you will have a great Saturday with Jesus.  Fish plate, anyone?

Still struggling with internet connection issues.  This entry is being written on Thursday night while I have a connection.  Short and sweet is the goal.

Fish fry this Saturday, 5/2, from 10:00AM until 1:00PM in the parking lot of Lisa’s State Farm Insurance Office on Highway 90 in Grand Bay.  Ten dollars per plate.  Proceeds to ministry opportunities in Guatemala as a part of our June GRACE Ministries trip.

If you would like to purchase more of the Tidal Wave car wash coupons then please email Daphne no later than this Sunday night, 5/3.  Coupons are ten dollars each and the holder receives a thirty dollar car wash.  Really good deal.  Nice gift idea.  Expires in around April 2027.  Next week is teacher appreciation week in Mobile County.  Just saying.  daphnehutto@gmail.com

“Roll The Peacocks” with us this Sunday, 5/3, during either of our services.  Bring toilet tissue and/or paper towels to be given to John & Alaina.  Again, cards of encouragement welcome and appreciated.  Not required.  Totally optional.

I will be driving to Hartselle and back today (Friday, 5/1) in order to visit Mama.  This is my Mother’s Day visit for 2026.  Pray for traveling mercies.  Yes, going solo humanly speaking but God will be with me.

I pray you will have a great Friday with Jesus.  Hope to see you in our services (regular schedule on our campus) this Sunday, 5/3.

I will be glad to get to GRACE Mountain in June so I will have access to the internet.  Living on Potter Tract Road in Grand Bay is not optimum for having reliable service.  However, the full bill is due each month.  Imagine that!

Marisa Felps sent me a message earlier this morning saying her sister, Lynn, remains basically the same.  Vitals are good but Lynn is not reacting to Marisa’s conversations.  Keep praying!

Had a couple of “unspoken” prayer requests given to me yesterday.  God knows so please just join me in praying.

No soccer this Saturday.  The forecasts continue to call for rain for us Friday & Saturday.  Again, I think Bro. Abel is making the correct call regarding this matter.  Games will be played next Monday & Tuesday nights, Lord willing,

FISH FRY this Saturday, 5/2, from 10:00AM until 1:00PM in the parking lot of Lisa Turrentine’s State Farm Insurance Office.  Plates are ten dollars each and include, fish (white trout), baked beans, cole slaw, bread, cookie and a canned drink.  All proceeds go to help with the ministry of June GRACE Ministries trip.

ROLL THE PEACOCKS this Sunday, 5/3, in either service.  Toilet tissue and/or paper towels are the target.  Or, like Jeanette Bates, you can consider bringing aluminum foil since it also comes on a roll.  Just saying!  (Actually, that is not a bad idea but I cannot admit that to Jeanette!).  Bring the items to the CAB.  Thank you in advance for supporting John, Alaina & the boys.

By the way, one of our senior adult ladies brought a card yesterday for me to give to the Peacocks.  What a good idea!  So, if you want write some encouraging words to this family that will be great!  Totally optional.

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

Due to the basically unanimous call by the forecasters for a wet Friday night and Saturday morning, Bro. Abel has made the call to postpone the soccer games scheduled for this Saturday, 5/2.  Instead, the games will now be played on Monday, 5/4, and Tuesday, 5/5, beginning at 5:00PM & 6:00PM.

However, regardless of Saturday’s weather, the fish fry will take place at Lisa Turrentine’s State Farm Insurance Office.  The time will be from 10:00AM until 1:00PM.  Cost is $10 per plate with a $50 maximum per immediate family.  Pass the word, please.  All proceeds go to ministry opportunities on our June GRACE Ministries trip.

A blog entry?  Really?  Surprisingly, we have internet service for right now.  I may not finish this entry before the service just ends.  It is frustrating but folks have a lot bigger, and more important, issues than not being able connect to the internet.  I do apologize for being spotty in my entries.  No excuses but an explanation.

Marisa Felps’s sister, Lynn, is in the hospital and is on a ventilator.  I will not try to go into all of the details but I do know it is serious and need to pray for Lynn, her family and the medical personnel involved in Lynn’s care.

Jonathan Jordan’s mother is in the hospital Mississippi.  She has been in and out of the hospital for the past few years.  Join me in praying for this family.

Also, Jamie Jordan has a lifelong friend who is having some serious health challenges.  Join me in praying for this friend and those involved.

Aaron Baisden’s mother has been battling health issues for years.  Serious issues.  She has recently been in the hospital but is presently at home and is actually doing better than in previous weeks.  Pray for Aaron’s mother and the family during this time.

Regular schedule on our campus today – morning and evening.  Come join us!

We are going to “roll the Peacocks” this Sunday (both services).  Please prayerfully consider bringing rolls of toilet tissue and/or paper towels to help John, Alaina and the boys.  There will be a table in the CAB to receive these items.  Thank you in advance for giving to the Lord through this ministry opportunity.

The Refresh project is going well and looks beautiful!  Folks, we are almost home!  Thank you to each person who has been involved.  Special thanks to Henry Wyse.  Henry is a good guy even if he is married to Sue – LOL!

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

The Lord certainly blessed us with a good day yesterday.  We had to bring extra chairs out for our morning service.  The spirit was excellent.  The meal for the senior adults was very well done.  The evening service with the Grand Bay Ministries family was good too.  Special thanks to Al Stokes for coordinating that service.  Glory to God for all He did in our midst yesterday.

We have a couple of men in the Friendship family who have family members who are hospitalized.  Not at liberty to share names as I do not have permission.  God knows so I ask you to join me in praying.

Have you ever rolled a peacock?  The Friendship family has the opportunity to “roll” the John Peacock family this Sunday, May 3.  How?  Bring rolls of toilet tissue and/or paper towels to either of our two services which will then be given to John, Alaina & the boys.  Hopefully this will be a help to them.  A table will be situated on the back wall in the CAB and all donations can be placed there.  Thank you in advance for your participation as we help this family during their time of need.

Also, thank you to those who are on the meal train for the last couple of days in April and then all of May.  This has definitely helped John & Alaina.

The Refresh project is coming along nicely.  Our first Sunday back in the auditorium will be either May 17 or 24.  A definite date will be announced soon.  I cannot adequately express my appreciation to the members of the Friendship family who have given countless hours to making this refresh a reality.  What a great group of people!

Our soccer leagues got postponed this past Saturday due to the rain – thank God for the rain!  So, games will take place tonight, 4/27 and tomorrow night, 4/28, beginning at 5:00PM each night.  By the way, Bro. Abel made the correct call regarding soccer this past Saturday.

It would be awesome if our soccer concession stand would be extremely busy for the next two nights due to missing this past Saturday.  Men, a cheap date and/or family supper.

This Saturday, May 2, we will have a fish fry with all proceeds going to the ministry portion of our June GRACE Ministries trip.  Plates will be ten dollars each.  Details will be in my letter this week.

Regular schedule on our campus this Wednesday.

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

P.S. – we have not had internet service (continuously) at our house for several days.  I get way better and consistent service on GRACE Mountain in Guatemala.  So, sorry for the delays.

Bill & Debbie Kendrick’s daughter did well through her surgery.  Praise the Lord.  Thank you for praying.  Keep doing so.  It will be good to see Debbie when she gets home!

Senior adults, my hope is that you will join us Sunday morning for our 10:00AM service and the catered meal afterwards.  Service and meal in the CAB.

Friendship family, praying we will show up strong attendance wise for the praise and worship service at the Grand Bay Church of God this Sunday beginning at 5:00PM.  Remember, a love offering will be received to go toward ministry opportunities on the June mission trip to Guatemala.

Soccer tomorrow beginning at 9:00AM.  I “think” I am correct in saying that we have four consecutive Saturdays and this season will be a wrap.  Pray for this ministry.  Support the Peacock family and missions by getting food from the concession stand.

On Saturday, May 2, we will host a fish fry to support the June mission trip ministries.  We will begin signing folks up for plates this Sunday morning, 4/26.  More details coming.

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