Pastor's Blog

Merry Christmas!

He gave the greatest Gift so let’s remember to be thankful to Him today!

Also, enjoy the cooler temperatures.  I like it when it is cooler during the Christmas season.

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

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

Reach My City (Jonny Gaston) will be hosting a Christmas Eve service from 5:00PM until 6:00PM in the parking lot of State Farm Insurance.  Everyone is invited to attend.

Peggy Knighten’s surgery went well per the report from Tim.  He said she was experiencing some pain which is certainly understandable.  Pray for Peggy.

Keep praying for Donnie Felps.

Bill Kendrick has a family member who was taken into emergency surgery yesterday afternoon.  Pray.

I am going to be transparent here in saying that I am discouraged by our recent attendance, or lack thereof, in the auditorium on Wednesdays.  I understand those who are staying away out of caution because of the virus but there are many more who are simply choosing not to attend.  When I was on the proverbial “shelf” there were those who told me it was because I was away.  Well, I have been back for the past two Wednesdays so that excuse is no longer valid.

I was grateful to see Jeff & Nadine Holifield and Larry & Judy Whitehurst in our morning service yesterday.  All four of them have battled through the virus.  Jeff is still battling pneumonia but he has been determined to get back in our services.  The other three a clockwork faithful so I was not surprised to see them yesterday.

Honestly, our Sunday attendance has taken a hit too.  It just seems that folks have gotten real comfortable not attending the corporate services.  Folks, this goes against Scripture.

We are on a regular schedule this Sunday morning, 12/27, with worship services at 8:00AM & 10:30AM.  Sunday School will begin at 9:15AM.  No evening service or activities this Sunday.  No services or activities next Wednesday, 12/30.

The weather forecasters are calling for lows of thirty one tonight, twenty seven tomorrow night and thirty three Saturday night.  Yes!

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

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

Peggy Knighten is having surgery today.  Pray that all goes well.

Donnie Felps is showing some improvement.  Praise the Lord!

Pray for Miss Connie Hardy.

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and tonight.

Jonny Gaston & Reach My City are hosting a Christmas Eve service from 5:00PM until 6:00PM in the State Farm parking lot.  Sit in your vehicle or bring a chair.  Dress warm as it is supposed to be a bit cool.

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

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

Tim Knighten will be having a scan today.  Peggy Knighten will be having shoulder surgery tomorrow.  Pray for Tim & Peggy.

Keep praying for Donnie Felps.  Pray for Marisa too.

Coach Eric Collier is battling the virus.  He asked me to thank the folks who have been praying for him as he has had some tough days.  Keep praying.

Jeff Holifield is now a month into his battle with the virus and pneumonia.  This thing has really stayed with Jeff.  Pray for a recovery for Jeff very soon.

There are at least two other members of the Friendship family who are presently battling the virus.  I only list names if I have been given permission.  God knows those two folks and I ask you to pray for them and their caregivers.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.  I pray the members of the Friendship family will be faithful to attend, if possible.

Remember, Bro. Jerry Hovel begins a time of vacation tomorrow and it ends on January 2.  Please do not contact him by any means relating to church matters.  Please do not take the attitude that “he will not mind” as everyone needs time away.

Regular schedule this Sunday morning, 12/27 – buses will run their routes, Sunday School, extended session, children’s church, and worship at 8:00AM & 10:30AM.

Looks like we are going to get some cooler temperatures Christmas Eve and Christmas Day – how sweet is that!

There was a basketball game in our first and second grade league last night.  That was a fun game to watch.

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

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

This entry is late!  Duh!  Why?  Yes!

Let me begin by saying that the Lord really blessed our services yesterday morning and evening.  Our attendance was not the greatest in the world but the Spirit was excellent.  We saw altar decisions in the first service and then a profession of faith in the second service.  To God be the glory!

I want to say “thank you” to Emmy Hutto & Addison Tillman for their help in the 10:30AM service.  I was blessed!

Jeanette Bates and the choir did a fantastic job in our evening service.  Someone made this comment following the service, “the choir had such a sweet spirit!”  That is a huge compliment.  Yes, the numbers were down but those folks sang as unto the Lord and He honored their ministry.  Thank you Jeanette & choir!  Great stuff!

Tim Knighten will be having a scan tomorrow.  Pray that all goes well.

Peggy Knighten will be having shoulder surgery on Wednesday.  Pray for Peggy!

Donnie Felps continues to be on a roller coaster ride.  Keep praying!

We have three or four folks from the Friendship family who are presently battling the virus.  Keep praying for them.

We are on a regular schedule this Wednesday morning and evening.

We are on a regular schedule this Sunday morning  meaning 8:00AM worship, Sunday School at 9:15AM and then 10:30AM worship.  There will be no service on Sunday evening.

The church office will be closed this Thursday, December 24.

Bro. Jerry Hovel will be on vacation from Wednesday, 12/23, until Saturday, 1/2/21.  I am asking that he not be contacted electronically, by phone, et cetera.  If you need something then you can call the church office or contact Bro. Abel or me personally.

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

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

Regular schedule on our campus today with two morning services, Sunday School and the adult choir’s Christmas musical tonight at 6:00PM.  The 8:00AM and 6:00PM services will be streamed live.

Regular schedule on our campus this Wednesday, 12/23.

The church office will be closed this Thursday, 12/24, and then on Thursday, 12/31.

Bro. Jerry Hovel will be on vacation beginning this Wednesday, 12/23, through Saturday, 1/2/21.  I respectfully ask that no one contact Bro. Jerry about church stuff via phone calls, in person, electronically, et cetera.  Please respect his time away.  Here is how that goes, “I hate to bother you while you are on vacation but. . . ”  Please refrain from doing this.  Bro. Abel and I will be available and the church office will be open Monday – Wednesday each week.

I hope to be joined in person by a good number of the Friendship family members this morning and evening.

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

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

Our basketball leagues begin play this morning.  The virus has hurt our participation but it is exciting to see the boys and girls involved this season.  Pray for all involved – players, coaches, administrators, officials and everyone else.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.  Lord willing, I will be preaching in both morning services.

Jeanette Bates and our adult choir will present their Christmas musical tomorrow night beginning at 6:00PM.

The news coming from the doctors regarding Donnie Felps is enough to keep ones head spinning.  Pray for Donnie!

Keep praying for those folks from the Friendship family who are battling the virus.  As far as I know, we have no one in the hospital due to the virus.  Thank the Lord!

Deidra and I drove to Hartselle, AL and back yesterday.  We were able to spend five hours with mama and others.  I am thankful for traveling mercies as we got home shortly before midnight.

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

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

Donnie Felps is just having issue after issue health wise.  It would take me about two blog entries to even begin to list them all.  Donnie is seeing a doctor about every day and certainly needs our fervent prayer support.  As does Marisa.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday morning and evening.  The adult choir will present their musical in our 6:00PM service.  Folks, come prayed up and come expecting!

Basketball leagues begin tomorrow morning at 8:00AM.  Pray for this ministry.

I have now had my Christmas!  Getting to spend about ninety minutes with Jason Husband was a blessing.  He so misses the Friendship family and was thrilled at the cards, ornaments and gifts given to him.  We just do not realize how blessed we are!

Deidra and I are driving to Hartselle and back today.  Going to visit my mama and others.  (Actually just going for some great bar-b-que!)

I pray that you will have a great Friday with Jesus.  Remember to pray for those battling the virus.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

We had two good services in the auditorium yesterday but our numbers were down.  I fully understand our elderly folks staying away but not so much on our younger, healthy adults as they tend to go everywhere else they want to go.  Other churches are experiencing the same situation.  Has God become less important to us during this pandemic?  Where will those young or median adults go if calamity, in any form, strikes?  Folks, it is all about priorities!

Donnie Felps saw a nurse practitioner  yesterday.  Continue to pray for Donnie & Marisa.

Learned in our morning service yesterday that Tim Knighten will be having a scan on Monday and Peggy Knighten will be having shoulder surgery on Wednesday.

One of the members of the Friendship family called me yesterday to tell me they have been diagnosed with the virus.  So that is three new cases within a twenty four hour period.  None of them, as far as I know, picked up the virus from a church service.  Pray for all of those who are battling the virus.

Our basketball leagues begin play this Saturday.  Pray for this ministry.

Soy & Deidra arrived at our house early this morning.  Lizzi waited up on them and was glad to see her daddy and mother.  I was glad to see her mother!  (They drove to Grand Bay from Atlanta)

Lord willing, I will driving to Lucedale, MS today in order to take Jason H to lunch.  I am sure my ears will be sore but it is a privilege to do this.  Jason is missed by the Friendship family.  Thank you to those who have sent gifts and cards to Jason.

We are on a regular schedule this Sunday morning and evening.  Our adult choir will present their Christmas musical in our evening service.  I am looking forward to that night of ministry.

The weather service is calling for a low of thirty one degrees in Grand Bay tonight.  Hooray!

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

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

I would ask you to continue to pray for Donnie Felps.  It seems that Donnie takes about half of a step forward in his recovery and then two steps backward.  He is very weak physically and they are trying to get in to see his medical doctor.  Keep praying for Donnie & Marisa.

Last night, I learned of another member of the Friendship family who has the virus.  This morning I was told of yet another member who has it.  Obviously, I am not making these names public but do ask you to join me in praying for all those battling or recovering from this virus.

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening.

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