Pastor's Blog

Happy birthday to our daughter, Dr. Daphne Hutto!  How old?  Yes.  I pray that Daphne will have an awesome day!

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

Short and sweet.  As far as I know, all is well.  Keep praying for those who have been mentioned over the past week or so.

I am on known day four with the virus and not a single symptom thus far.  I am certainly blessed.  I am very grateful!

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)

Marisa tells me that Donnie has had some tough days following his surgery of last Monday.  Keep praying.  Honestly, I often think of the help Carla would be to her parents during this time.  I miss that girl!

Tina Sprinkle says the doctors are working on getting her dad into a rehab facility.  Keep praying!

I know of a couple of folks who are struggling with the virus.  I do not mention names but do ask that you pray for them.

The mission team arrived on GRACE Mountain yesterday afternoon safe and sound.  Praise the Lord!

The workers on GRACE Mountain killed two snakes yesterday near the blackberry bushes.  They both were as long as Soy is tall so around six feet or so.  One tried to bite one of the workers.  Non poisonous.  The workers killed them, skinned them, cooked them over an open fire and, as far as I know, ate them.

Jennifer Davis came through with the dumplings yesterday afternoon.  Oh my!  Dumplings, corn bread, corn bread salad, cookies & brownies.  The girl can cook!  I appreciate her generosity to my family and me!

Al & Scotty are working on the CFB national championship game excursion.  How nice is that!

I am on day three of the virus and still have had zero symptoms.  I am blessed in that regard.

Regular schedule on our campus today and tonight.

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)

It is just after 1:30AM and I would say that the virus is causing me to not sleep.  However, not sleeping well/much is part of my every night life.  So, I cannot attribute this to the virus.

I can write that I have a perfect peace about being infected by this virus.  Did I want it?  Absolutely not.  Would I rather be getting ready to head to the airport in order to fly to Guatemala with eleven other mission team members?  Absolutely yes.  Does life bring disappointments?  Sure does.  Is God faithful?  He most certainly is.

I was disappointed when I learned of testing positive because Lizzi, Sydney & Audrey were supposed to fly home with me on Tuesday, 12/8.  I did not want them to be disappointed but my greater fear was that Soy would decide to come to Grand Bay a couple of weeks earlier than scheduled in order to bring the girls.  Lord, help us!

Enter my brother, Eddie.  He stepped in and authorized the purchased three tickets for the girls to fly to the States this Sunday, 12/6, with his daughter, Jamie.  (The girls and I were on Delta while the rest of the mission team is on United)  Eddie told me that it did not matter what it cost – just send him the bill.  So, I have spent this sleepless night working on a “bill” that will total just under ten thousand dollars.  Did it cost that much?  No, but Eddie said money was not an object.  It is called working the system.

Someone criticized me for putting my situation on the internet.  Said now the whole world knows.  I agree as I have heard from places as far away as Bayou La Batre and Irvington.  However, there is a method to my madness.  Jennifer Davis, wife of Pastor Shirlon Davis of More Life UPC, sent word that she will bring homemade chicken and dumplings today!   The girl can flat out cook some dumplings!  This is a proverbial silver lining for me.

Rumor has it that Al & Scotty Stokes are organizing a fund raiser in order to send Lisa and me to the CFB national championship game in Miami, FL on Monday, 1/11/21.  How sweet is that!  My Pentecostal friends are coming through big time – dumplings and a trip to the national championship game – oh my!

Let me share a most serious note regarding COVID – 19.  This virus is real and many folks have struggled with it big time.  It has obviously taken lives.  Lisa & Gina were blessed in their respective situations.  I am only on my second known day and have had zero symptoms.  Could that change?  It sure could.  I have prayed for those who have struggled with this virus and for those who have lost loved ones because of it.  I am praying for an effective vaccine and for an end to this pandemic.  Join me in this prayer, please.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.

Keep praying for Tina Sprinkle’s father.

Pray for the mission team as they travel today.  Pray for Deidra as she leads this team!  (Actually, pray for the team as Deidra leads them!).

The present temperature in Grand Bay is thirty one degrees.  The present temperature in Holland, MI is thirty two degrees.  Would my Yankee friends quit telling me how “cold” it is where they live?

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

My COVID test result came back positive.  The doctor has instructed me to isolate until Thursday, December 10.  The odd thing is that I feel perfectly fine.  Thanks to those who prayed.  God knows and I trust Him.

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

The church office will be open regular hours this week beginning this morning at 8:00AM.  Open daily Monday through Thursday from 8:00AM until noon and then 1:00PM until 4:00PM.

Regular schedule this Wednesday, 12/2, with morning service at 10:00AM and then the activities beginning at 6:30PM.  Bro. Jerry Hovel will be preaching in my absence.

Regular schedule this Sunday, 12/6, with worship services at 8:00AM, 10:30AM and 6:00PM.  The 8:00AM service will be live streamed.  All three services will be “in person” services.  Bro. Abel will be preaching in my absence.

We will have Sunday School during the four Sundays of December.  However, if a teacher is not comfortable being in a room then please contact Bro. Jerry Hovel no later than the Wednesday preceding the Sunday of any given week.  So, if a teacher is not comfortable teaching this Sunday, 12/6, then please contact Bro. Jerry by this Wednesday, 12/2, sharing this information so he can make proper arrangements for your class.

Our buses will run their normal routes all four Sundays in December.

We are asking that our Preschool Building be used only by our preschoolers and their parents this month.

Our children’s choir will present their Christmas musical on Sunday evening, 12/13, beginning at 6:00PM.

Our adult choir will present their Christmas musical on Sunday evening, 12/20, beginning at 6:00PM.

We will not have a Christmas Eve service this year simply due to the fact that we always basically have a packed house for that service.  Please note this major change.  I am very disappointed but trying to do what is best for all involved.

Today is a big day for me as I will be once again tested for the virus.  I am praying for a negative result.  Will you join me in that prayer?

Lisa asked that I express her sincere appreciation for each call, text, iMessage, email, et cetera that came to her last week.  Also, for the food and drinks that were front porch delivered to our house.  She is grateful and so am I.  We are blessed.

The weather forecasters are calling for a high of fifty two degrees and a low of twenty nine degrees in South Mobile County today/tonight.  That will be followed by a high of fifty six degrees and a low of thirty two degrees tomorrow.  That is bone chilling cold!  And the folks in Michigan think they have the market on cold weather!

You heard it here first – Auburn will beat A&M this Saturday.  They will finish the regular season at seven wins and three losses.  Just FYI.

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)

The scheduled on our campus for tomorrow is as follows:

Live stream of the 8:00AM service.  The radio feed will be available for those in our parking lot.  In house attendance will be allowed too.  We ask that folks adhere to social distancing.  It is requested that masks be worn by those seated on the lower level.  No music, preaching only.

Our 6:00PM service will be a repeat of our morning service in that we will live stream and have the radio broadcast.  It will be a different message.  We do plan on having some music in that service.

Please note there will be NO 10:30AM service, Sunday School or AWANA ministry tomorrow.

Lisa is officially off her quarantine as of yesterday and Gina is off as of today.  Lisa went to Urgent Care yesterday and got a steroid shot.  I am praying today will be a really good day for her.

Big football game in our state today.  Alabama is the heavy favorite to win but do not be surprised if Auburn pulls the upset.  Stranger things have happened.

Lord willing, I will be tested for the virus on Monday morning.  If I get a negative result then I will board a plane bound for Guatemala on Tuesday morning.  If I get a positive result then I will enter a period of quarantine.  Either way, I will be out of pocket for eight days (mission trip) or ten days (quarantine).  I would prefer a negative result but am comfortable with whatever God has for me.

The church office will be open again beginning Monday morning, 11/30, at 8:00AM.  Our schedule Wednesday, 12/2, will be a normal one with the 10:00AM service and the evening activities.

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)

Short and sweet this morning.  The member of the Friendship family who seemed to be struggling the most with the virus had a much better day yesterday.  Thank you for praying.

Lisa and Gina are better.  I think they will be good to go come Monday morning.

Coley & Katelyn Johnson delivered a fantastic dessert to us yesterday.  Very nice of them!  We are grateful!

Daphne & Ann cooked the Thanksgiving meal for everyone on the hill and then did a front porch delivery to each house.  They brought enough food to our house to feed Lisa, Gina and me for the next month!  Daphne cooked a turkey and a ham plus trimmings.  Ann cooked the dressing and desserts.  In my opinion, no one cooks a better dressing than Ann!  That is always a highlight of Thanksgiving for me.

Yes, it was a different Thanksgiving for sure but I have so much for which to be thankful.  God is good!  He is faithful!

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

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

Happy Thanksgiving!  Without a doubt, this will be the most “different” Thanksgiving in my sixty years on this earth.  Same holds true for almost all of us.  For me, the pandemic rendering Lisa and Gina unavailable for family time, first Thanksgiving without my dad being with us, Lisa not being able to be in Guatemala with Soy, Deidra and the girls, the list goes on.  However, we have much for which to be thankful and I am thankful to God for His many blessings!

By my count, we still have five or so members of the Friendship family still actively battling the virus.  Other than Lisa & Gina, I do not list names.  I can tell you that one of our members is having a tough time and needs extra prayer support.  So far we do not have anyone in the hospital with the virus and that is a good thing.

Keep praying for Donnie Felps (home) and for Tina Sprinkle’s dad (hospital).

Live stream of our 8:00AM service this Sunday, 11/29, with in person attendance allowed.  Masks suggested and social distancing strongly encouraged.  Preaching only.  Evening service at 6:00PM with music and preaching.  It too will be live stream with in house attendance allowed.

I mentioned Brianna Rice in my message last Sunday.  The following came to me via email from Elizabeth Westbrook last Saturday, 11/21: “Brianna is 15 years old and first starting coming to Friendship when another teenager in youth invited her. Brianna started off riding the bus. Even though services have been canceled for the next two weeks, Brianna made from scratch 14 pumpkin and pecan pies, 5 large pans of Banana Pudding and a ton of chocolate chip cookies to share with our bus riders as a substitute for our annual Bus Ministry Thanksgiving meal. The reactions for our families while Dylan and I were passing out these desserts and wishing families a Happy Thanksgiving was overwhelmingly positive today. We are so thankful that she put in the time and work to bless about 20 of our most faithful bus families! She truly has a servants heart and she is very talented!”

I spoke too early on Lisa’s improvement.  She was out of energy yesterday afternoon and last night.  Gina seemed to go backwards a step or two as well.  Maybe today will be a better day for them.  I pray so.

Daphne cooked supper for us last night.  Someone left energy water and Gatorade at our front door.  How nice was that!  I spent all day yesterday in my office at the church.  Needed to get some things done and needed a break from playing nurse.

One more thing that is really important.  I mentioned the other day about Daphne’s latest degree.  She now has her doctorate as a Nurse Practitioner and finished this degree with a 4.0 GPA.  Impressive to me.  I am proud of Daphne and this accomplishment in her life.  Yes, I am still better than she is at this nursing thing but she has the piece of paper that gives her bragging rights!

Would you pray for me to get a negative COVID test Monday morning?  Thank you!

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

Happy eleventh birthday to our oldest grandchild, Titus!  He was born on Wednesday, 11/25/09, which was also the day before Thanksgiving.  His celebration will have to be virtual this year because of the pandemic but I hope he has a great day otherwise.

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

Donnie Felps was discharged from the hospital yesterday afternoon.  He is experiencing a good deal of pain so keep praying.

Tina Sprinkle’s father remains hospitalized.  He was scheduled to move to a rehab facility but those plans are being delayed a bit.  Keep praying.

Markee Brinkman is trying to get in to see a specialist relating to his injury.  He “may” end up in New Orleans or Birmingham because of this needs.  Pray for Martin, Jennifer & Markee.

The church office remains closed and there will be no activities on our campus today or tonight.

Gina continues to do well in her bout with the virus.  It “seems” to me that Lisa was much improved yesterday afternoon.  She has slept well through the night so hopefully today will be good too.  Thank you for your prayer support.

We will live stream our 8:00AM service this Sunday morning, 11/29.  No music, preaching only.  Persons wishing to come “in person” may do so but will be asked to practice social distancing.  We will then have an evening service beginning at 6:00PM which will include music and preaching.  Again, social distancing will be the norm.

I pray that you will have a great Wednesday.

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

The surgery on Donnie Felps did not begin until early afternoon yesterday.  All went as expected and he is “scheduled” to be discharged today.  We shall see.  Pray for Donnie.  Pray for Marisa as she will be his caregiver once he gets home.

The church office is closed today and the rest of the week.

This is the schedule for this Sunday, 11/29, as it stands right now:  live stream at 8:00AM.  No music, preaching only.  Folks will be allowed to attend in person if they so desire.  Social distancing will be in place and those on the lower level will be asked to wear masks.  Evening service at 6:00PM with music & preaching.  The use of masks will be requested.  The 6:00PM service will also be live streamed.

We have a team of twelve folks scheduled to travel to Guatemala the dates of Tuesday, December 1, through Tuesday, December 8.  There will be one person from North Carolina, four folks from Danville, Alabama, two folks from Bay Minette, two folks from Mississippi, and three folks from Friendship.  The biggest challenge for this team is finding a PCR test within the seventy two hours from their departure.  Pray for each of them to find favor with a testing site.

Deidra cooked, served and fed a Thanksgiving meal to like one hundred and seventy five folks yesterday.  They consumed seven turkeys that weighed an average of twenty pounds.  Those folks prefer the dark meat and bones to the white meat.

On the home front, Gina continues to do well.  Lisa had some coughing issues last night.  I was premature in thinking Lisa was turning the corner.  As has been the case with others, the energy level is very low for Lisa.  Prayers appreciated.

I learned of another member of the Friendship family who tested positive yesterday.  Pray for all affected.

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