Pastor's Blog

FYI – my email account appears to have been hacked.  At least two persons have contacted me today saying they received an “official” looking email from me.  First, nothing I personally send looks official!  Second, none of it is true.  Sorry for any, and all, inconveniences.

Jesus said very little the day of His crucifixion when He willingly suffered and died for our sins. But the words God the Son chose during those six hours were powerful. Billy Graham once explored seven of those Biblically recorded statements during a 1985 sermon in Hartford, Connecticut:

“My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”
Reference: Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34

What it means: Bystanders thought Jesus was calling for Elijah, the Old Testament prophet, from the cross. But really this comment is a callback to Psalm 22.

In this Psalm, David recognizes the holiness of God, just as Jesus is doing from the cross. “God cannot even look upon evil,” Graham explained in his 1985 sermon. “In that terrible moment … He was lonely, forsaken by His friends, and then a shadow comes for the first time since eternity began between God the Father and God the Son because God cannot look upon sin. In that moment [God] was laying your sins and mine on Christ. And Christ was suffering for us. In that mysterious moment, He was made to be sin for us Who knew no sin.”

Why it matters: During his 33 years on earth, Jesus had never known sin. He never told a lie or had an evil thought. “All of a sudden, all of that filth and dirt from your life and my life descended on Him and none of us will ever understand the mystery of that moment,” Graham said. “No theologian can explain it to my satisfaction at least. It was God’s great love for you that allowed His Son to take that suffering.”

The Lord blessed us with a special service last night.  Remember Jesus!  It was good to have all of the church family in attendance under one roof for a service.  I appreciate our deacons serving the elements.  Also, very grateful to those deacons and wives who prepared and cleaned up.  Great group of folks.

Gary Walton will be in the hospital until at least Friday.  I appreciate Scott & Nanette Fontenot for visiting him yesterday.  Keep praying for Gary & Rachel.

Go back and read yesterday’s entry to see our schedule for this weekend.  Big happenings!

We will observe the ordinance of baptism following both services this Sunday morning.  A couple of fathers have asked to be able to baptize their children.  Carl Camp will join me in the baptismal pool following the 10:00AM service.  Why?  The first pastor to baptize in this particular baptistry was his father, Pastor L.G. Camp, Jr.  This will be the final baptism in this baptistry and I wanted Carl to represent Pastor L.G. Camp.  Johnny Five will be the last person baptized in this baptistry.

As I type this entry, Lisa is three and one half hours from landing in Atlanta.  If all goes as planned, she will land in New Orleans at 12:10PM.  (Thank you to Jimmy Tagert for sending me a reminder of her arrival as I had forgotten!).  I am going to Keesler AFB for coffee this morning on my way to MSY.  Looking forward to it!

Will you join me in believing for a miracle seven thousand dollars love offering for John & Alaina Peacock this Easter Sunday?  Larry Whitehurst already has one thousand dollars in hand so we only need another six thousand this Sunday.  Anybody want to throw out a “I will match each dollar up to a certain amount?”  You choose the amount.  Folks, pray and then give as the Lord leads.

Thank you to our deacons’ wives for the ministry they are doing this week.

I have a chocolate cake and a coconut cake already in place for our Easter lunch.  Can you say thank you to Mae Mae and Miss Vinnie!  By the way, thank you to each lady who baked a cake, pie or something else for the USA BCM auction last Friday.  You ladies are great!  (Where do you think I got the Easter lunch cakes?)

As of around 1:00PM this Sunday, 4/5, the Refresh project will begin.  The chairs will be delivered today, Lord willing. Thank you in advance for your patience during this time.

Soccer tonight beginning at 5:00PM.  Pray for this ministry.  Support the concession stand which in turn supports our Summer mission team’s ministry opportunities while also supporting John & Alaina Peacock.

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

Friendship family, remember that we are only having one service today – 6:30PM.  We will all meet in the auditorium.  Come join us as we observe the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper.

Gary Walton was in pretty tough shape yesterday morning but improved as the day went along.  Lord willing, I will visit him again this morning.  Pray for Gary & Rachel.

Soccer tomorrow night beginning at 5:00PM.  The next games will then take place on Saturday, April 11th beginning at 9:00AM.

Big weekend in front of us with Saturday morning classes and services for our preschoolers and elementary students.  Classes begin at 9:00AM and everything ends at 11:00AM or shortly thereafter.

Easter Sunday will see us host Evangelist Johnny Tucker for our two services – 8:00AM and 10:00AM.  I have made the decision to baptize following both services.  Baptismal candidates who plan to participate need to contact me personally so all of the details can be finalized.  (pastor@friendshipfamily.net).

I am praying for an Easter miracle and you can help.  As you know, we have been receiving a special offering for the John Peacock family and the Friendship family has done well with a very nice assist from the men’s class of Danville Baptist Church.  The goal for this Sunday’s offering is seven thousand dollars!  Yes, $7,000.  There is a specific reason for this amount.  I ask you to prayerfully consider helping us to reach (exceed?) this goal in our two services this Sunday!  Blog readers from outside the Friendship family, you can help if the Lord so leads.  Contact me at pastor@friendshipfamily.net before Sunday to let me know of your pledge and it will be included in the total.  Thank you to each person who will give to this offering and glory to God!

The camp in South Africa is over.  The team is headed back to the base and will be heading to the airport in just a few hours.  Lisa is scheduled to land in New Orleans around noon tomorrow.  I am in hopes either Eddie A or Scott F can pick Lisa up from the airport as I have plans.  Just saying!

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

Gary “Cooter” Walton was admitted to the hospital late yesterday afternoon.  It appears he has an infection.  He has been a very sick man for several days.  Pray for Gary & Rachel.  I will visit them this morning.

Jeanette Bates got a great test result.  Praise the Lord!

Only one service on our campus tomorrow and it begins at 6:30PM in the auditorium.  We will observe the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper.  This will be a serious time of remembrance!

Preschool and children’s classes and services this Saturday, 4/4, from 9:00AM until 11:00AM.  (Basically a normal Sunday). Our buses will run their regular routes at their normal times.  Egg hunt included.

Services this Sunday, 4/5, at 8:00AM and 10:00AM with Evangelist Johnny Tucker bringing the message.  Pray for a great day!  We will conclude the 10:00AM service with baptism.  That is going to be a special time of worship.

I am praying for a miracle offering for the Peacock family this Sunday.  One of our all of town blog readers reached out to me via the phone yesterday and asked about the Peacocks and, once I shared their story, the caller is giving a nice financial gift to help.  How about that!  Any other blog reader want to follow?  Contact me personally and I will be glad to share the story.

Soccer again tonight, 3/31, and Thursday night, 4/2.  Soccer will then take a break until Saturday, 4/11.  Pray for this ministry.

I can tell you now that if I post anything at all on Friday it will be a Bible verse(s) only.  A day of remembering and reflection.

Yesterday was a long one for me but a good one in the sense that Mama is doing extremely well.  I am very grateful.  I also had the opportunity to spend time with my brother, Eddie.  Yes, the “golden boy” and the fifth favorite child spending quality time together.   I arrive home tired but extremely happy.  God is good!

Lisa is doing well.  I am sure she misses me tremendously.  (Somthing like that!)

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

The Friendship family was blessed with a very special day in our services yesterday.  Three public decisions (two professions of faith and one for baptism) in our morning service.  A nice job by Jeanette and our adult choir in the evening service.  Just a really good day all around.  Thank you Jesus!

We have soccer games tonight, tomorrow night and Thursday night this week.  Nothing on Saturday.  Saturday league play resumes on 4/11.

The Friendship family will gather this Wednesday, 4/1, at 6:30PM in the auditorium to observe the Lord’s Supper.  No other services/classes that day.  Please come join us as we remember Jesus and His sacrifice for us.

Easter Saturday will see our Preschool and Children’s Departments having classes and services at our regular Sunday times.  Our buses will run their usual routes at the normal times.

Easter Sunday will see us have two morning services – 8:00AM and 10:00AM.  Evangelist Johnny Tucker will be our guest messenger.  Join me in praying for a packed house both services.

Easter Sunday will also see us receive a special offering for John & Alaina Peacock.  I am praying for a miracle offering this Sunday and for a miracle healing in John’s body.  Will you join me in that prayer?  Pray fervently and give generously as the Lord leads.  I can tell you that, after meeting with John & Alaina yesterday afternoon, our deacons and staff are all in on helping this family during this challenging time.

I failed!  My goal was to have the “meal train” filled through May by yesterday.  We still have three dates open – May 26, 28 & 30.  Can you help fill these dates before March 2026 ends?  Contact Daphne or me.  By the way, you can try to top them but the two highlight dates when it comes to the meal train are April 11 and May 23 – not even close.  I have the advantage as I know Lauderdale County folks so it really is not fair to the others on the meal train!  Just saying!

Spoke to Lisa via the phone yesterday and all is well at camp.  She is enjoying her time with the children.  I had forgotten she was gone until AZ reminded me yesterday morning.  Just hope I remember to get her from the airport this Thursday!  Which airport?

I plan to drive to Hartselle today to visit with Mama.  It will be a short visit but I figure a short visit is better than no visit. (I remain her fifth favorite child)  Thank you for the prayers and words of encouragement.  I am blessed!

Pray for me as I travel today and for the soccer ministry tonight.

I pray you will have a great Monday with Jesus.

Soccer begins week two this morning at 9:00AM.  I am praying for safety for the players, a great spirit among everyone, and a record breaking concession stand sales!  If you come to soccer, purchase items from the concession stand.  If you do not do soccer (I feel you), then come purchase a combo meal (hamburger, hot dog, Conecuh sausage dog plus fries and a drink for only five dollars) which is the best deal in Alabama.  Or a Conecuh biscuit for breakfast?  All proceeds to Guatemala ministry opportunities for our June team and the John Peacock family.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation and support!

Speaking of support, our students who will be attending camp this Summer need your support tomorrow when it comes to lunch.  They will be supplying “to go” pulled pork sandwiches immediately following our morning service.  Sandwich, bag of chips, a cookie and a soft drink for eight dollars.  All proceeds will go to the overall cost of camp.

Adult choir musical presentation tomorrow beginning at 5:00PM.  I appreciate Jeanette Bates leading this ministry.  Come worship with us!

Baptism will also be part of our evening worship.  Next to last time we will use our present baptistry.  The last time will be Easter Sunday morning following our second service.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning.  I have had some regulars tell me they will not be present for various reasons.  (Like the two who are on their annual racing get away!) So, I am in hopes that everyone else in town will be present for our service – let’s go SRO in the auditorium.

We are almost there when it comes to the meal train for the Peacock family.  The last half of March has been good, April is filled and now we only have four suppers to be taken in order to fill May’s calendar.  Why not sign up today?  daphnehutto@gmail.com or (251) 533 4595.  Why wait?  Do it right now!  We even had three Pentecostals families join the train yesterday.  How about that!  Great folks and I appreciate their support.  Do not let a Pentecostal outdo you on this one!  Who is my neighbor?

Briefly spoke to Lisa at 2:00AM (our time) this morning (was on my lunch break).  She was pumped as the kids are at camp and all is well.  I am excited for her and the team there.  Now she is sending me pictures – great (eyes rolling!).

Pray for Bro. Abel, Bro. Jacob and Sister Jeanette as they lead the respective ministries on our campus over the next two days.  Pray for Bibbi as she prepares to launch her musical solo ministry Monday night.  You will soon be able to say, “I knew her before she made it big!”

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

Miss Bonnie’s surgery has been postponed.  Keep praying!

As far as I know, Jeanette still has not heard from her tests.  (I did share some sad news with her yesterday)

Cakes/pies for the USA BCM auction should be brought to our Preschool Building by noon today.  It is open.  (Miss Vinnie, I will come to your house at some point this morning to get your cake)

Mission of Hope service tonight beginning at 7:00PM.  Jeff Holifield preaching.  Lexie Whitehurst singing.  All invited to attend.

Soccer tomorrow beginning at 9:00AM.  Pray for this ministry and for Bro. Abel as he leads it.  Support missions and ministry by purchasing food from the concession stand.

Adult choir Easter musical this Sunday beginning at 5:00PM.  Pray and come worship with us.

Baptism this Sunday evening immediately following the musical.  Candidates, come prepared.

McKemie Place service Monday, 3/30.  Joey Bosarge preaching.  Bibbi Bosarge singing.  All invited to attend.

Regular schedule this Sunday morning – Sunday School begins at 9:00AM.  Worship service begins at 10:00AM.

Presently, we have the following dates open in May for the Peacock meal train – 9, 14, 16, 21, 26, 28 & 30.  I know that one of those dates has been taken but not sure which one.  Friendship family, thank you.  Let’s finish filling out the month of May by this Sunday.  Pam, Amberly, Leslee, Angie – get busy!  (FYI, Fruit Loops is not an acceptable supper for the Peacocks!)

Talked to Lisa earlier today.  All is well there.

The yard is calling my name today.  The cake auction is doing the same for tonight.  Honestly, I do not think Alabama has the size to hang with Michigan tonight but that is why they play the games.  Upsets do happen!

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

Word came to me just a bit ago sharing that Miss Bonnie’s surgery scheduled for tomorrow has been postponed for around three weeks.  Keep praying for Miss Bonnie.  Thank you!

I am thankful for another good day in our services yesterday.  God is good!

The visitation with the Sylvia Hesse (Jamie Hatcher’s mother) family takes place today from 11:00AM until the noon service time.  The visitation and service will take place from the O’Bryant-O’Keefe Funeral Home in Pascagoula, MS.  Pray for the Hesse family.

Miss Bonnie Smyly will have hip replacement surgery tomorrow morning.  Pray all goes well.

I am asking the nine ladies who are baking for he USA BCM cake auction to have their items in the Preschool Building no later than noon tomorrow, 3/27.  It will be unlocked beginning at 5:00AM.  Thank you to each lady who is helping with this mission project.

Mission of Hope tomorrow night, 3/27, beginning at 7:00PM.  Jeff Holifield will be preaching and Lexie Whitehurst will be singing.  Everyone invited to attend.  Pray for this ministry.

McKemie Place ministry on Monday night, 3/30.  Joey Bosarge will be preaching and Bibbi Bosarge will be singing.  Pray for this ministry.

Soccer this Saturday, 3/28, beginning at 9:00AM.  Come support this ministry and help us have a complete “sell out” in the concession stand.  Remember, combo meals for five dollars.  Best price in the state!

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday, 3/29.  Adult choir musical and baptism in the evening service beginning at 5:00PM.  Special offering for John & Alaina Peacock in both services Sunday.

It seems we have hit the proverbial brick wall in our sign up for the meal train for the Peacock family.  We need to fill eleven more spots to complete the month of May.  Our focus is the Friendship family but we invite others to join us.  Honestly, Deidra has even taken a meal and she does not live next door.  Friendship family, lets complete the train by this Sunday, 3/29.  Contact Daphne Hutto at daphnehutto@gmail.com or (251) 533 4595.  Al & Cindy Stokes, Derek & Meighan Brown – who is my neighbor?

Lisa and the others on the team have now begun the mission part of their trip.  She has been having a great time.  If folks did not remind me, I would not even realize she is gone!  (Something like that!)

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