Pastor's Blog

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”  (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading – Galatians 1-3

Happy Thanksgiving!

Piper Arlene Vice entered this world yesterday afternoon!  She checked in at six pounds and five ounces.  She had a couple of minor issues mainly because of being a little early.  Congratulations to TJ, Lindsey, Parker, Tucker and the entire family.

Greg Boutwell remains in the hospital and will do so for at least the next few days.  He is not happy about being in the hospital but has a good attitude in spite of that fact.  Keep praying for Greg.

Bro. Jerry coordinated the hanging of the Christmas decorations in the auditorium and it all looks nice.  I appreciate all those involved in this process.  Yes, Christmas is here!  It is the best season of the year so enjoy it!  O come let us adore Jesus!

I pray that your Thanksgiving Day will be a blessed time with family.  I am praying for those going through your first Thanksgiving Day without that special loved one present because of their passing.  May you find God’s grace sufficient today!

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

P.S. – I will be enjoying Thanksgiving with my family even though Nanette Brooks Fontenot has basically begged me to join them today!  Says she wants it to be like old times – what does that mean?

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”  (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading – Acts 15-16

Lindsey Hatcher Vice (she scolded me for calling her by her maiden name in yesterday’s blog; TJ panicked thinking he may not get to claim her as a deduction on his tax return if anyone from the IRS reads this blog but I assured him that we only have thirteen readers with none of them being IRS folks!) will see her doctor this morning and will “probably” give birth today.  It is a girl and her name is Tjetta.  I am going to guess her weight at six pound and one ounce and her length at eighteen and three quarters inches.  Pray that all goes well in the delivery of this precious gift of life.

Visited with Miss Kathleen Henderson early yesterday morning and she was feeling much better.  Was in hopes of being discharged yesterday.  I do not know if that happened or not.  (Joey Switzer is basically useless when it comes to providing pertinent information).

Visited with Greg Boutwell too.  He was thinking that he will be in the hospital through Thanksgiving Day and possibly beyond.  Pray for Greg!

Tim Knighten will begin his chemotherapy and his radiation treatments this coming Monday, 11/28.  Fairly long road in front of him so keep praying for Tim.

Jonny Gaston went with me (my ears hurt) to Meridian, MS yesterday to get Lazaro & Glendy Suruy.  We met Pastor Jordan, Lana and John Mark Lollar for lunch and then brought the Suruys to Grand Bay.  The Lord gave us traveling mercies and for that we are most grateful!

No services/classes/activities on our campus today.  I pray that everyone will spend time with family.

The church office is open this morning from 8:00AM until noon.  It will then be closed until Monday morning, 11/28, at 8:00AM.

Remember, there will be no letter from the pastor this week.  There will also be no “news & notes!”

I have decided after conferring with Jeanette Bates that we will not have a choir in our 8:00AM service for the remaining five Sundays of this calendar year.  However, we need the choir loft filled for the 10:30AM service each of those five Sundays.  Our senior adults are asked to fill the choir loft on Sunday, 1/1, for the 10:30AM service.

We will be having a “family night” on Sunday, 1/1, from 8:00 – 10:00PM at the bowling lanes in Gautier, MS.  Folks will come to the 6:00PM service and then we will make our way to the bowling center.  Cost is five dollars per bowler (non bowlers do not pay) with a twenty dollars maximum per family.  This event is for the entire family and all ages.  Do folks like Sammy, Myrtle and Les still have it after all these years removed from the Friendship bowling league?  I know Jack Lastorka and Rusty Suthoff have it as I have seen them bowl.  The question is, “can they beat Soy & Brad?”

My hope is for a standing room only crowd for our Christmas Eve service which will begin at 5:00PM and end at 6:00PM.  All angel tree recipients will be present for that service.  Please mark it on your calendar and come join us!  On Christmas Day we will only have one service which will begin at 10:30AM.

Bloomington, Indiana is no longer celebrating Columbus Day or Good Friday.  They will now celebrate a Fall Holiday and a Spring Holiday.  Afraid of offending folks thus the name change.  I think Good Friday is a pretty important day in the life of followers of Jesus.  I did note that they are not changing the name of any of the Muslim special days?  God help America!

I mentioned Rusty earlier in this blog.  The situation between Soy & him is bad.  How bad?  Last night Rusty joined us for supper as we welcomed Lazaro & Glendy to Grand Bay.  When Soy found out that Rusty was here he left and went to Dale Bosarge’s house.  Wow!

My new laptop arrived yesterday.  My cousin, Tony Gettig, gave me great advice as this MacBook Air is sweet.  Soy ordered for me and would have helped me set it up but Rusty was here and well you know!

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

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”  (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading – James 1-5

Sharon Jardee was discharged from the hospital yesterday.  Praise the Lord!

Greg Boutwell remains in the hospital.  As of yesterday morning, he was not sure when he would be discharged.

Miss Kathleen Henderson was moved from the ICU and is now in a regular room.  She was in hopes that she will be discharged today.

I have not checked on Lindsey Hatcher but she is most likely going to give birth tomorrow.  TJ was told that you get a discount if the baby is born the day before a holiday instead of on the actual holiday so he opted for tomorrow.  Just saying!

Our prayer time numbers have decreased.  This is such a busy time of the year so I understand.  I am very grateful to those who come and pray each week.  We will have the prayer time next Monday, 11/28, and then not have it again until 2017.

Our only grandson presently living here will have his seventh birthday this Friday, 11/25.  We had cake and presents Sunday at lunch but his “party” was last night at the bowling lanes.  That was his wish.  I am a little embarrassed to write this but in the first game Soy & Brad beat me by a fairly wide margin (I honestly do not remember the scores).  However, I got my game on a bit in the second and narrowed the gap to only two pins!  If only we had played a third game!

I said all of that to say this – we have reserved the entire bowling center for the Friendship family on Sunday night, January 1, 2017, from 8:00 – 10:00PM.  This is going to be a family outing!  The cost will be five dollars per bowler with a maximum of twenty dollars per immediate family.  I know that the public school teachers have to go back to work the next morning but the students will still be on vacation.  So, mark it on your calendar and make plans to join us!

I want to say a huge “thank you” to each person who has helped Maria Wainwright clean the buildings since she has been hobbling around because of her broken foot.  I will not mention names for fear of leaving someone off the list.  Those folks know who they are and I am very thankful!  Maria is thankful too!

Once again, Nanette Brooks Fontenot is mad at me!  What did I do this time?  I failed to mentioned yesterday that her (and Scott’s) daughter, Corie, has been named the head softball coach at the University of Mobile.  Honest truth – Nanette even came to the church office yesterday!  Her comment was something like this, “if that was one of your daughters it would make the blog!  Well, Corie is just like your daughter!”  What?  Pray for Scott!

Lord willing, driving to Meridian, MS today to get Lazaro & Glendy Suruy.  They will then be in Grand Bay until Saturday, 12/3.  Lazaro will be preaching in our Hispanic service this Sunday morning and then in our evening service.  He & Glendy will be staying in Henni’s old room this week and will then move to stay with Clara Broadus next week.

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

P.S. – I know that Korie’s name begins with a “K” but just wanted to ruffled Nanette’s feathers a bit more.  Plus, “Coach Corie” looks better than “Koach Korie!”  Just saying!

The auditorium will be open tonight from 5:00 – 7:00PM for our prayer time.  Come and go.  Come and stay.  Just pray.  Please enter/exit through the West side door.  Blessings!

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”  (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading – Acts 13-14

Tuesday, November 22 – James 1-5
Wednesday, November 23 – Acts 15-16
Thursday, November 24 – Galatians 1-3
Friday, November 25 – Galatians 4-6
Saturday, November 26 – Acts 17-18:18
Sunday, November 27 – 1 Thessalonians 1-5; 2 Thessalonians 1-3

Greg Boutwell was admitted to the hospital last week.  The thinking is that he “may” be discharged today.  Pray for Greg.

Miss Kathleen Henderson was admitted to the hospital over the weekend and is in the ICU.  I will be visiting with her today.  Miss Kathleen is so very faithful to attend our services and to pray for me.  Pray for her.

Sharon Jardee remains in the hospital and should be discharged today per her doctor.  Pray that her recovery will go as planned.

I mistakenly wrote that Tim Knighten would begin his raditation treatments today.  He will see the oncologist today.  Not sure when his treatments will begin.  Keep praying for Tim.

Becky Sellers has been having some tough days.  Pray for her.

Carla Kyser is MIA!  Really?

Brooke Whitehurst is having outpatient surgery on her knee this morning.  I overheard Rusty telling her yesterday morning that she will probably be “out” for the next three or four years based on his experience!  Pray for Brooke!

Good day in our morning services yesterday.  Thanks to everyone who helped with the food boxes and/or the bus ministry meal.  The adult choir was really strong in the second service – awesome!

Thank you to each member of the Friendship family who attended the community Thanksgiving service at the Methodist Church last night.  We were well represented.

We had forty five students attend the outing last night in Gulf Shores.  Special thanks to Terry Lucky for driving the bus to and from this activity.  Not sure how well Terry did on the trampolines!

Lazaro & Glendy Suruy will arrive in Grand Bay tomorrow, 11/22, if all goes as planned.  They will be with us in our services this Sunday, 11/27.

The following is taken from the calendar of activities which has been distributed for the past three or four weeks:  Wednesday, November 23 – No Services/Classes/Activities.  I will not get on my soapbox (LOL) but will simply remind everyone that we are not having any services, classes or activities this Wednesday, 11/23, as has been announced for the past month.

Courtney Cavin is my hero!  Why?  She gave me a Hope’s Cheesecake!  Amazing!

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

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”  (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading – Acts 9-10

Sharon Jardee’s surgery went well and the doctor was satisfied with the results.  I totally missed her surgery as she had been told it would take place in the afternoon.  However, they apparently took her first so when I got to the hospital at noon she was already in recovery.  I stayed in Mobile for a couple of hours and visited her once she got back to her room.  If all goes well, she will be discharged on Monday.

Our bus ministry workers will meet at 8:30AM today before going out into the fields to visit.  Tomorrow will be the annual bus ministry Thanksgiving meal which will take place immediately following the 10:30AM service.

Regular schedule tomorrow morning.  Lord willing, I will be preaching in both of those services.

Tomorrow evening, 11/20, we will gather at the First United Methodist Church at 6:00PM for the annual community Thanksgiving service.  All members of the Friendship family are encouraged to attend this service.

Our students will be traveling to Gulf Shores and The Factory after tomorrow night’s service.  This will be an all nighter for them.  Some sort of a trampoline park.  Pray for this activity which is being led by our student ministry intern, Josh Schlehuber.

Today is my least favorite Saturday of the college football season.  Alabama and Auburn both play lesser teams which is really no fun.  It is a good payday for the lesser teams but the games are generally boring.  I do look plan to catch some of the Florida vs LSU game.

Speaking of LSU, Rusty came over late yesterday afternoon for a visit.  However, Soy would not walk over and visit.  Rusty was visibly shaken as he seemingly did not realize how hurt Soy is over their break up.  Can you say “Peyton Place?”

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

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”  (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading – Acts 7-8

Sharon Jardee is scheduled to have surgery at some point today – most likely in the afternoon.  Pray that all will go well and that the doctor will be able to correct the problem.

Lindsey Hatcher is expecting and has been put on bed rest.  I do not remember her exact due date but do know it is some time in December.  TJ told me last night that the possibility is good that she will give birth next Wednesday.  Obviously, it could happen sooner.  Pray for Lindsey and the baby.

The meal yesterday for the senior adults was a huge success!  I cannot begin to say “thank you” enough to each person who helped in any way!  What a blessing you were!  Jennifer Brown did a nice job of sharing the Word in song.  Pastor Bubba Sawyer, 1st Baptist Fairhope, AL, did a nice job of sharing the spoken Word with us.  I had never met Bubba before but what a nice gentleman.  So, we give thanks to many but we give the glory to One!  Our God is an awesome God!

The bus ministry Thanksgiving meal takes place this Sunday, 11/20, immediately following the 10:30AM service.  Pray for this to be meaningful time for those families.

All boxes for Samaritan’s Purse must be turned in this Sunday morning, 11/20.

The Grand Bay community Thanksgiving service takes place this Sunday night, 11/20, beginning at 6:00PM at the 1st United Methodist Church.  I encourage the members of the Friendship family to attend this service as there will be no service, class, Bible study, et cetera at Friendship.

Lazaro & Glendy Suruy are presently in Pell City, Alabama.  They are scheduled to arrive in Grand Bay next Tuesday, 11/22, and stay until Saturday, 12/3.  Two things – if you want to host them for a meal (in home or eat out) then this will be on a first come, first served basis.  (Thanksgiving Day is not an option)  I will be the point man for scheduling them so contact me via e-mail.

If you want to give them personal items to take back to Guatemala, please remember that they have very limited luggage space.  You will need to be willing to pay/help pay for an extra suitcase or two.

Wow, did Houston put it on Louisville or what last night!  I would say so much for their playoff chances.  Arkansas State put a similar whipping on Troy.  Did not see either of those coming!  That is one of the reasons that I love college football!

It is sad.  Real sad!  Soy and Rusty are no longer BFFs.  I asked Soy on Wednesday night, “where is Rusty” and he told me with tears in his eyes that he did not know as they have not spoken in weeks.  I offered to counsel with him but he said it was just too emotional right now.  Wow!

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

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”  (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading – Acts 4-6

Warren Guidry was discharged from the hospital yesterday.  Praise the Lord!

Sharon Jardee remains hospitalized and is scheduled for surgery tomorrow.  It is “possible” that her surgery could take place today but it will most likely take place tomorrow.  Pray for Sharon!

They drew around one half liter of fluid from Carla Kyser’s lung yesterday.  This will help her breathing.  (It would probably help her breathing if she did not talk so much but that is a different story!)

Today is a big day for the Friendship family as we will host the annual Thanksgiving meal for the senior adults of our community.  I estimate there will be two hundred twenty five or so seniors gather for this meal.  Pray for the singer, the speaker and everyone involved in this day of ministry.  May it all be done to the glory of God!

We need folks (at least twelve) to come at 9:00AM to help do the final preparations.  We then need a small army to help take down and store the tables, put the chairs back in their rightful places and clean up.  That process will begin around noon.

I really appreciate the flexibility of the adults who attended our 6:30PM Bible study last night.  They were moved to a different location and they were more than flexible.  I am told that our student Bible study went very well in the auditorium.

Steve Morris has given the back forty a fresh mowing and it looks really nice!  I  appreciate the effort Steve has given in keeping that area looking good!

Well, I thought I was going to have to apologize to Bob Evans but “not so fast my friend!”  I asked what one calls a group of horses and Bob said a “team!”  Debbie Hyatt says that is correct.  It is but only if you are talking about working horses and I was not talking about working horses.  The general term would be a “herd” of horses.  Hey, even if that is not correct I am not admitting that Bob was right!

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

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”  (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading – Acts 1-3

How about some really great news to begin this entry?  Peggy Knighten called me yesterday afternoon to say that Tim Knighten’s PET scan revealed that his cancer is contained to one area which is basically the base of his tongue – no cancer in the lymph nodes or any other place in his body!  Hallelujah!  Yes, Tim will still receive radiation and chemotherapy.  He will still have to have a feeding tube.  However, this cancer being isolated to one place is huge!  So, join Tim, Peggy and family in giving thanks to God!  Keep praying!

Sharon Jardee has been admitted to the hospital again.  The most recent surgery was not a success and she will have another surgery this Friday, 11/18, to correct the problem.  Wow, she has been through it!

Warren “Blow Joe” Guidry was doing well when I visited yesterday and is thinking he will be discharged from the hospital today.

Sandra McElwee sent me a message late yesterday afternoon saying that David was being discharged around 6:00PM.  Sandra was a little nervous about taking him home and being the nurse but they will do great.

Wow!  I put out an eleventh hour request yesterday morning asking folks to meet me in our CAB at 10:00AM in order for us to clean the building and to set up the tables and chairs for the senior adults Thanksgiving meal.  I was delayed until 10:30AM in getting back from the hospital.  I stopped by the church to tell them that I needed to change clothes before coming back and we had a group of guys who had the building cleaned already and all of the tables in place.  They had already started on the chairs and in just a few minutes everything was in place and ready for the meal.  Amazing!  In the meanwhile a group of ladies were in the fellowship hall cooking dressing and it looked amazing!  So, I was extremely blessed.  It reminded me again of how blessed I am to serve as the pastor of such a wonderful church family.  (By the way, some folks who work secular jobs contacted me yesterday to say that they would come clean/set up last night.  Another blessing!)

Now, another request.  We will need to reverse the process tomorrow once the meal ends at noon.  We have to get all of the tables and chairs back into their place and clean the CAB.  All help will be appreciated!

Regular schedule this morning and evening.  One major change – our students will all meet together in the auditorium at 6:30PM.  Jim Chinners will be teaching and Jonny Gaston will be leading the worship.  The adults who normally meet in the auditorium for Bible study at 6:30PM will meet in the youth building.

If you sent me an e-mail or iMessage over the weekend, please note that I intentionally avoided electronic communications on Sunday.  Actually did not check messages until either late Sunday night or Monday morning.  I was swamped with messages.  I was traveling all day on Monday and had a meeting on Monday night.  I was in meetings a good part of the day yesterday regarding some of those messages.  So, I have not answered any of this messages up to this point but here is my hope for today – prepare for the morning service, teach the morning service, visit the hospital along with a couple of other folks, and then “begin” replying to the messages.  If it was not urgent in matter then I will probably not get a chance to reply.  My Sunday was completely filled so even if I had checked and  wanted to answer messages there really was not time in my schedule.  I hope you understand.

Some additional requests have been made for our angel tree.  There is a need for two more sponsors.  Interested?  Contact Glenda Chinners.  Thank you!

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

This is truly an eleventh hour request and I am in hopes that our thirteen readers of the blog can help get the word out.  I plan on being in the CAB at 10:00AM today (Tuesday) in order to clean and set up for Thursday’s meal.  All help will be appreciated.  Pass the word!  Thank you!