Pastor's Blog

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

Happy birthday Jesus!  I pray that today will be a day of celebrating God’s gift to the world!

Wonderful Christmas Eve service!  The house was almost completely filled and the spirit was excellent!  The singers were spot on with young Addison leading the way – how sweet was that!  Bro. Abel did a great job of sharing the Word and leading us in the candlelight ceremony.  Our deacons were most efficient in leading us during the Lord’s Supper.  Bro. Jerry did all of the preparatory work for the Lord’s Supper.  Eddie Albritton & Titus gathered up the candles and glasses following the service.  I left that service very uplifted and very grateful.  Yes, God gave the greatest Gift!

I pray that you will have an awesome Christmas Day with Jesus!

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

Merry Christmas Eve 2019!

The church office will once again be on a skeleton crew today which will consist of Bro. Jerry plus one.  Tomorrow and Thursday the office will be completely closed.  However, I am in town and available, if needed.  (Reminder, the church office will only be closed for one day next week – Wednesday, 1/1/20)

Martin, Jennifer, Carl & Christian Brinkman, Heidi Butler and Bro. Abel all get a huge “thank you” for their efforts with the angel tree ministry yesterday.  The families receiving the gifts gathered in the auditorium for a time of listening to the Gospel story and then hearing much information about our church.  Bro. Abel did an excellent job in that presentation.  It really seemed to be a time of connecting with some of those families.

This afternoon at 5:00PM we will gather for our annual Christmas Eve service.  It is literally one of my favorite services of the entire year.  I am in hopes the house will be filled.  Special music, the Lord’s Supper, a brief message from the Word, the Christmas story from Luke 2, candles, et cetera.  Please do not miss it!  Again, the service will end no later than 6:00PM.

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

What a wonderful day of worship we enjoyed yesterday in our services.  God is so good!  Pastor Mark Williams did a nice job in both of our morning services briefly sharing about the “Faith by Works” ministry.  The Friendship family did an awesome job of bringing a white Christmas to our auditorium and then sending it over to the Bethlehem Baptist Church.  Thanks to Randall Broome for providing the trailer for transportation purposes, to each person who helped load/unload the trailer and to Bro. Abel for coordinating all of the white Christmas logistics.

Bro. Jerry coordinated the distribution of the food boxes following our second morning service.  Thanks to him and each person who helped pack the boxes Saturday morning or load them yesterday.

Jennifer Brinkman is coordinating our angel tree ministry this year.  That will culminate this afternoon as those families will gather at the church to hear the Gospel presentation and then receive their gifts.

Jeanette Bates and the choir did a very nice job of presenting the Christmas musical in our evening service.  I am thankful for the effort they put into this ministry.

I am so in hopes for a great turnout for our Christmas Eve service which will begin at 5:00PM and end at 6:00PM.  We will have great music, the observance of the Lord’s Supper and a great word from the Word!  Let’s fill the house for this most special service.

Our church office will be running on a skeleton crew for the next two days.  It will be Bro. Abel plus one today and then Bro. Jerry plus one tomorrow.  The office will be completely closed Wednesday and Thursday.  However, I am in town and stand ready to assist in the event of an emergency.  Our home number is 865 4912.  (If you cannot remember that number then simply contact any telemarketer as they all have it and call daily!)  FYI, the church office will be closed next Wednesday, 1/1/20, but on a regular schedule with secretaries and all on Monday, Tuesday & Thursday.  No activities on our campus this Wednesday, 12/25, or Wednesday, 1/1.

Coach Eric Collier placed five of his Bobcats on the 7A all state football team.  Congratulations, Coach!

The Auburn men’s basketball team is off to a sizzling start!  Impressive!

The forecasters are calling for a high of fifty nine degrees today but then we are back in the seventies for highs for six consecutive days.  In that sense, it is not beginning to feel a lot like Christmas but it is what it is where we live.

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

I was wrong!  (I always pause for a few seconds when writing that to allow it to sink in as I know it amazes you!)  Raymond’s mother did not get discharged on Thursday as planned because of a clerical error.  However, once the doctor made rounds on Friday morning that error was quickly corrected and Mrs. Wilkinson was on her way home.  Keep praying for Raymond’s mother.

“White Christmas” on our campus today during our two morning worship services.  If you need help getting your bag to the auditorium from your vehicle, just come inside and we will get someone to help you.

All Youth Department and Adult Department classes will meet together in the auditorium for Sunday School beginning at 9:15AM today.  Eat breakfast before you come!

Food boxes to be distributed following the 10:30AM service.  Tickets for the angel tree gifts will also be distributed following that service.  The actual gifts will be given tomorrow afternoon.

Our adult choir will present their Christmas musical tonight beginning at 6:00PM.  I pray that the members of the Friendship family will be faithful to attend this service.

It is forecast to be a cool, wet morning.  So, what a great morning to gather with others for worship!  O come let us adore Him!

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

All is quiet on the hospital front as far as the Friendship family is concerned and for that fact we are most grateful.

Packing food boxes today beginning at 8:00AM in the Preschool Building.  All help appreciated.

Basketball league play begins at 8:00AM today in the CAB.

Bus workers meet today beginning at 8:30AM followed by visitation.

“White Christmas” tomorrow in our two morning services.  Pastor Mark Williams will make a brief appearance in both services.  Remember to bring you bags and food!

Joint Sunday School class in auditorium for all Youth & Adult classes tomorrow beginning at 9:15AM.  Eat breakfast before coming to Sunday School.

Adult choir Christmas musical tomorrow evening beginning at 6:00PM.

Christmas Eve service from 5:00 – 6:00PM in the auditorium.

We have had a few requests for Christmas hymns for the Christmas Eve service.  Again, I will only recognize requests sent to me via e-mail – nothing else!  Also, if you make a request then it is obviously assumed you plan on attending that service.  Hello!

The church secretaries will not be in the office this coming week.  Staff will be in place Monday & Tuesday.  Office totally closed Wednesday & Thursday.  By the way, the office will be closed on Wednesday, 1/1, of the following week but open the other normal office days.

Only one worship service on our campus next Sunday, 12/29.  That will begin at 10:30AM.

It is a balmy fifty two degrees outside right now.  The rain is expected to begin with regularity around noon and last about twenty four hours.  Our highs then move into the seventies most of next week with lows in the fifties and sixties.  Not my kind of late December forecast but God knows what He is doing.

It is now a definite that Tua will either stay or go.  (John Curl is the source today)  He did not ask my opinion but I think the Coe kid from Auburn should stay another season.

Bob Evans arrived at his destination safe and sound yesterday.  He said it was pretty emotional when he and Eddie Albritton parted ways at the bus terminal.  Rachel Hatcher has already assured me that she will be there to pick up Uncle Bob when he returns.  I am good with that!

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

This is the chance for members of the Friendship family to perhaps have their favorite Christmas hymn included in our Christmas Eve service this year.  All you have to do is e-mail me (pastor@friendshipfamily.net) no later than noon on Sunday, 12/22.  I will then take the top three or four and include them in our service.  Remember, hymns and not carols i.e. Rudolph, Jingle Bells, et cetera.  So, which of our thirteen readers will be first to submit a request?  (I just hope my computer does not crash due to the high volume of traffic!)

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

Gloria Whitmore was discharged from the hospital yesterday afternoon.  Whenever I visited her yesterday morning she was pretty sore but otherwise was doing well.  Her goal is to attend our Christmas Eve service.  Pray for Gloria!

Raymond’s mother was expecting to be discharged from the hospital yesterday too.  I “think” that happened but I am not one hundred percent sure.  I do know that the plan is to admit her again after Christmas.  Pray for Mrs. Wilkinson.

Bro. Jerry could use help packing the food boxes in the morning at 8:00AM in the Preschool Building.  Should not take long if enough folks show up to help.

Second Saturday of our basketball leagues takes place tomorrow beginning at 8:00AM in the CAB.

Our bus workers will meet for the final time in 2019 at 8:30AM tomorrow before going out on visitation.

We will have our “white Christmas” this Sunday morning during our two worship services.  Need a bag, list or more information?  Contact Bro. Abel personally.  My hope is to have Pastor Mark Williams in both services for a brief few minutes.  We shall see.

All Youth department and Adult department Sunday School classed will meet collectively in the auditorium this Sunday morning, 12/22, at 9:15AM.  Teachers, would be a great idea for you to contact your class members today or tomorrow to remind them of this change and make sure they are going to join you.

Adult choir musical this Sunday evening beginning at 6:00PM.  Friendship family, pray, attend, bring others.

Christmas Eve service from 5:00PM until 6:00PM.  Let’s fill the house!

The church office will be closed i.e. no secretary next week but the staff will be in place Monday & Tuesday.  No one will be in the office Wednesday or Thursday.

Bob Evans leaves early this morning heading out of town for the next eleven days.  Sammy will be lost without Bob.  I was going to drive Bob to the bus station but Eddie Albritton insisted on doing it.  Eddie said Bob is like a second dad to him.  As a matter of fact, he got a little emotional just talking about it.  I think it is a bit weird but whatever!  Rachel Hatcher is not happy that Uncle Bob is going to miss the family Christmas!

One source says it is thirty three degrees right now while the other says it is thirty five so let’s go with thirty four.  It appears the rain begins tonight and will be with us through Sunday.  The temperatures are supposed to warm up considerably lifting us out of this deep freeze we have been experiencing the past couple of days.

We will have extra counselors on hand this Sunday.  Why?  When the students went to Wendy’s house last night to sing Christmas carols she had already taken her hearing aids off, her teeth out and her hair in rollers in.  Just saying!

Does Tua stay or go pro?  It is a sure thing.  (Johnny Five is today’s source!)

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

Gloria Whitmore’s surgery went very well.  They kept her overnight in the hospital but she should be discharged this morning.  Her goal is to attend our Christmas Eve service next Tuesday.  Knowing her resolve, she will!  Pray for Gloria!

Miss Wilkinson did not get discharged from the hospital yesterday.  She was not a real happy camper when I visited her fairly early.  I will visit again today and get more details.  Keep praying!

Sammy said Myrtle did well with her treatment Tuesday but will be getting some extra shots this week so she could be a little sorer in the days to come.  Myrtle is doing well.  Keep praying.

Miss Vinnie reported last night her son, Buddy, has had some sickness with his treatments.  Pray for Buddy!

Miss Vinnie also shared that her great grandson, Case, is home from the hospital and doing very well.  Praise the Lord!

Bill & Debbie Kendrick’s granddaughter in Alaska had four wisdom teeth and another tooth surgically removed yesterday afternoon – ouch!  Pray for her!

Do you want our students to carol at your house tonight?  If so, contact Bro. Abel before noon today.  Wendy Johnston is in hopes the students will bring a sound system or she is afraid that she will not be able to hear them singing.  Said her hearing aids do not work well in colder weather.

Second day of our basketball league play this Saturday, 12/21, from 8:00AM until 2:00PM.  Pray for this ministry.

All Youth & Adult Sunday School classes meet together in the auditorium at 9:15AM this Sunday, 12/22.

“White Christmas” this Sunday, 12/22, during our two morning worship services.

Food boxes and angel tree gifts to be distributed this Sunday, 12/22, following our 10:30AM worship service.

Adult choir musical this Sunday evening, 12/22, beginning at 6:00PM.

Christmas Eve service from 5:00 – 6:00PM.  Our hope is a SRO crowd.  Pray, attend and bring someone with you!

Want to invest in the lives of around twenty students?  You can give five thousand dollars which will basically pay an annual salary for a teacher in our new school in Guatemala.  Interested?  Contact me personally or contact Deidra.

Bill Clinton was impeached by the House on 12/19/98 so it was almost exactly twenty one years later when President Trump was impeached by the House.  Personal opinion – I think social media played a big role in the current impeachment.  Our world is so different now from what it was twenty one years ago.  I do know this – our nation needs prayer!

It is a little after 4:00AM as I write this entry.  One source says it is 32 degrees outside while the other says it is 31 degrees so let’s go with 31.5 degrees!  They say it feels like 27 degrees.  So, we now know what our Yankee friends in Michigan and Mark Mast in Canada are talking about when they talk of cold weather.  The rain is supposed to move in Friday night, rain all day Saturday, all night Saturday and then a seventy percent chance on Sunday.  For me, it is a really good forecast as I love the rain in the colder weather.

It appears that the Alabama and Auburn football teams both enjoyed a good ESD yesterday.  The true story comes in three years or so.  Does Tua stay or go?  Definitely!  (Grant Tillman is my source today!)

I hope you will have a great Thursday with Jesus.  (I think I will take a quick swim before heading to the office.  Just kidding!  Was just seeing if you read the entire entry!)

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

No morning service on our campus today.  Regular schedule tonight with one exception – our RA’s & GA’s will leave our campus via bus at 5:30PM to go to the Grand Bay Convalescent Home for the annual Christmas party hosted by the members of the Friendship family who minister there each Wednesday night and Sunday morning.

Gloria Whitmore will be having surgery this morning.  Pray that all goes well.  Lord willing, I plan to be there with Jerry and the family during this time.

Raymond’s mother was in hopes that she will be discharged from the hospital today.  I pray that happens for her sake.

Myrtle Bowden received another chemo treatment yesterday.  Myrtle has done very well through this process thus far.  Keep praying.

Bro. Abel tells me that need five more families willing to host our student carolers tomorrow night.  Especially looking for old people like Wendy Johnston but will take younger families too.  Call the church office today 445 5412 if you will host them!

If you want to take part in our “white Christmas” and did not get a bag and list this past Sunday then you need to do so either by stopping by the church office today or attending our service tonight at 6:30PM.  If you got a bag and list then please be present for one of our two morning services this Sunday and await instructions for what to do.

All of our Youth & Adult Sunday School classes will meet together in the auditorium this Sunday at 9:15 for Sunday School.  This will be an important time so please do not miss it!

This Sunday will also be a day for the Christmas food boxes to be given away and the families on our angel tree have to be in attendance too.  Busy day!

I am praying for a SRO crowd for our annual Christmas Eve service which will begin at 5:00PM and end no later than 6:00PM.  Pray, attend, and bring others with you.  O come let us adore Him!

On Sunday, December 29, the only activity on our campus will be a worship service at 10:30AM.  Nothing else.  Please note this and make plans to attend!

The school building in Guatemala is nearing completion.  The first day of classes will be January 8, 2020.  We will have fourteen Guatemalan teachers/administrators in place this first year.  Danville Baptist Church under the leadership of their pastor, Joe David Bailey, has stepped up and will be providing the necessary funds to pay the salaries for five of these teachers.  That is awesome!  How sweet would it be if nine other churches and/or individuals would step up before the end of 2019 and give the funds to pay the remaining nine salaries?  You can do so by simply giving five thousand dollars ($5,000)!  Interested?  Need more information?  Contact me personally or contact Deidra.  Folks, this would be a great investment here and for eternity!

We need to pray for our President, Vice President and members of Congress.  We should do so every day but especially today.

Today is ESD for college football.  If you do not know what that means then never mind.  On the subject of college football – will Tua stay or go?  Yes!  (TJ Vice is my source on this one!)

I am writing this entry at 2:30AM.  One of my sources says it is 36 degrees outside while another one says it is 38 degrees.  So let’s just say it is 37 degrees.  Calling for high of 53 degrees today and a low of 31 degrees tonight.  Also forecasting rain all day Saturday and a seventy percent chance of the same on Sunday.

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

Visited with Raymond’s mother in the hospital yesterday.  Tomorrow is the earliest they will consider discharging her and that may not happen.  Thinking of possibly sending her home for Christmas and then taking some action afterwards.  Join me in praying for a complete healing prior to any action being taken.  Raymond’s mother is a very sweet lady.

Prayers for those families affected by the tornadoes yesterday afternoon and last night.  One couple from Brad’s hometown of Town Creek, Alabama lost their lives.  This is also true of one person in Louisiana.  Numerous injuries with some being listed in critical condition.

No morning service on our campus tomorrow!  We will be on a regular schedule tomorrow night.  I am asking our normal morning attendees to join us for the 6:30PM service.

Remember, if you have not brought your gift for your assigned convalescent home resident to the church office yet, please do so today between 8:00AM & noon or 1:00PM & 4:30PM.  Very important!

Are you ready for our “white Christmas?”  If you were not present this past Sunday morning and want to take part in this ministry effort then stop by the church office today or tomorrow or attend tomorrow night’s service.

I need to remind our Youth & Adult Sunday School classes that they will all meet in the auditorium this Sunday, 12/22, at 9:15AM.  No individual classes in those two departments.  Important to remember!

Let’s fill the house for our Christmas Eve service!  We will begin at 5:00PM sharp and end no later than 6:00PM – that is a promise!  What a great tradition for a family to either continue or begin this year!  Yes, Christmas Eve is an important time for our family but we always include this very special hour of worship.  Let’s make it truly CHRISTmas!

Am I concerned about some of the decisions/statements being made by a couple of our national Southern Baptist Convention leaders?  Absolutely!

On a much lighter note, I am looking forward to the cooler temperatures that are supposed to hit the Gulf Coast over the next three days – hooray!  Folks, it is supposed to be cooler in December, January & February!  Enjoy it!

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