Pastor's Blog

The Lord blessed us with a good day in our services yesterday.  Bro. Abel did a nice job of sharing from the Word regarding the interruptions of Christmas from Matthew 1:18-25.

Mariam Moates sent word to me about thankful she is for the gifts given to the residents of the convalescent home.  Their Christmas party went well.  Thank you to each person who bought gifts, attended the party, et cetera.  To God be the glory!

Basketball games in our CAB this Friday night (6:00 – 8:00PM) and Saturday (8:00AM until 4:00PM).  Pray for this ministry.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday.  Our adult choir will lead our evening service which will be a Christmas songs time of worship.  Pray for Jeanette as she leads us during this time.

Our Christmas Eve Sunday will see us have Sunday School at 9:00AM and worship at 10:00AM.  We will then gather at 5:00PM for our annual Christmas Eve service.

The week of Monday, December 25, will be a quiet week on our campus.  There will be no services/classes on Wednesday, 12/27.  On Sunday, December 31, we will have a 10:00AM worship service and nothing else on our campus.

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

Good morning!  Friendship family, if you have not already brought your gift to the church for tonight’s party at the convalescent home then please do so before noon today.  Very important.  I assume that everyone has taken care of this but just making sure.  The party will begin at 6:00PM at the convalescent home.

Tina Sprinkle asked me to let our Girls in Action and our Royal Ambassadors know that the bus going to the party at the convalescent home will leave the church at 5:45PM tonight.  Those children will return to the church at 6:40PM for their Christmas party which will end at 7:30PM.

Regular schedule on our campus this morning (10:00AM) and evening (6:30PM).  One change for today – the meeting scheduled for this morning and evening will now take place following the evening service this Sunday, 12/17.  Unforeseen circumstances dictate this change.  Thank you in advance for understanding.

Miss Jeanette Bates will lead our adult choir in leading us in a evening of worship with Christmas songs this Sunday, 12/17, beginning at 5:00PM.  I hope many folks will join us for this special service.

On Christmas Eve we will have Sunday School beginning at 9:00AM followed by our morning worship service at 10:00AM.  Then we will have our annual Christmas Eve service beginning at 5:00PM and ending no later than 6:00PM – guaranteed!  Praying for a packed house for that service.

Basketball games in our CAB this Friday night and Saturday.  Thank you Bro. Abel for leading this ministry.  Pray that God will be glorified!

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

Jason Husband learned yesterday that he will need forty radiation treatments (five days a week for eight consecutive weeks).  Daphne has been a huge help in getting Jason to the radiation oncologist and will be working to set up the radiation schedule.  It is very possible that Jason may need some of his friends to help get him to and from these treatments.  You can contact Daphne for the details, how you can help, et cetera.  Pray for Jason.

Spoke to David McCarthy yesterday and he continues with him in home physical therapy.  He will see the doctor on Monday, 12/18.  Keep praying for David.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.  Men’s meeting about the roofs on our church buildings immediately following each service.  Again, thanks to Tyrone Crawley for doing the work up to the point in getting quotes, et cetera.  I am grateful.

Our GA’s and their leaders continue to run their post office.  Take advantage of this opportunity to send Christmas greetings while also supporting missions.

We will have a Christmas Eve service from 5:00 – 6:00PM.  Praying for a packed house!  Join us!

Pray for John Potts and his family today as they gather for the celebration of life service for Kristie.  A lady of great faith!

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

The Lord blessed us with a good day of worship yesterday.  Praise Him!  For me, it was good to be back in the pulpit yesterday morning.  So many members of the Friendship family were very gracious in their words of support and in welcoming me back.  Thank you!

Our children’s choir did a nice job of sharing their musical in our evening service.  They were assisted by a few members of our youth group.  And the preschool choir under the direction of Leslee Harrington was precious!  Thank you to Miss Tena Hovel for another job well done leading our children’s choir and to all who assisted her.

Yesterday marked Bro. Jerry Hovel’s final day on our church staff.  We thank him for his years of ministry here and wish him the best as he moves into retirement.

Speaking of Bro. Jerry, the annual yard sale was his idea and he has always led it.  Someone has volunteered to take over the leadership from this point forward.  I am just checking to see if there is anyone else who desires this position.  If so, you need to let me know no later than this coming Sunday, December 17, 2024.  If not, I will allow the one who has already volunteered to assume the leadership.

The celebration of life service for Kristie Potts takes place tomorrow in Holland, Michigan.  Lord willing, I will fly up tonight and back home tomorrow night.  John & Krisitie are dear friends and huge supporters of GRACE Ministries.  I did not think Kristie would live until I got back from Guatemala but she did and I am thankful for the opportunity to attend this service.  My hope is to squeeze in some family visits while in Michigan.

If you have not brought your gift for the convalescent home party then please do so today, 12/11.  The office will be open until noon and then from 1:00PM until 4:00PM today.

Regular schedule on our campus this Wednesday, 12/13.  Important note for our men.  Our buildings are in need of shingles.  Tyrone Crawley has spent a great deal of time working on getting quotes, et cetera.  So, we are going to meet with any men interested in learning more, giving input, et cetera following the 10:00AM and the 6:30PM service this Wednesday.  I do not expect these meetings to be long but they are important.  Pass the word!

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

“Hey, it’s good to be back home again, you know it is Sometimes this old farm feels like a long lost friend Hey, it’s good to be back home again I said, hey, it’s good to be back home again”  (John Denver)

The Lord blessed us with safe travels yesterday and we made excellent time getting to Grand Bay from the Atlanta airport as we got home just before midnight.  Praise Him!

Word came to me earlier this morning that Kristie Potts peacefully passed from this life.  Kristie was a godly lady with tons of faith.  Pray for John and the family as they walk through this valley.

Basketball leagues begin play tonight and continue tomorrow.  Pray for this ministry.

Regular schedule on our campus Sunday morning and evening.  Children’s choir program Sunday evening.

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

Coach David McCarthy had knee replacement surgery this past Tuesday.  He did well and came home the same day.  Pray for his recovery.

December seventh always brings two things to my memory.  First, Pearl Harbor.  Lisa and I visited there thirty years ago and it still impacts me today.  Thank God for those who have served and are serving in our military.

Second, Craig Kirschenman’s birthday.  Craig has been in Heaven for a few years now but he would never let me forget his birthday – never!  LOL!  I miss Craig!

Today is travel day for Deidra, Lizzi, Sydney, Audrey & me.  We will fly into Atlanta where Lisa will be waiting so we can drive home.  Expected time of arrival in Grand Bay is probably around 2:00AM tomorrow.  Pray for traveling mercies.

Keep praying for Jay Oakwood, Larry Whitehurst, Robert Baria, Jason Husband and Kristie Potts.

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

Happy eighty-eighth birthday to Lisa’s dad, Charles Clark.  I hope he has a great day.  Charles has been nothing but good to me for  over forty-four years.  I am blessed.  One day he and I will share a convalescent home room!  Just saying!  Happy birthday, Charles.

By the way, our second daughter, Daphne, celebrated a milestone birthday this past Sunday, 12/3.  She had a good day as Brad is very good at making sure she does every year.  Happy belated birthday, Daphne.

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening.

Members of the Friendship family who have purchased a gift for a resident of the Grand Bay Convalescent Home are asked to bring those to one of the services today, 12/6, or Sunday, 12/10.  Questions?  Contact Mariam Moates.  Thank you for giving to the Lord!

I spoke to Jason Husband, Jay Oakwood and Larry Whitehurst via the phone yesterday afternoon.  Jason has an appointment with a specialist next week.  Jay is doing much better and was very encouraged by the support he and Angie have received from the Friendship family.  Larry is still waiting on the doctors to diagnose exactly what is wrong with him.  He has good days and not so good days.  However, his faith remains strong.  Pray for Jason, Jay and Larry.

FYI, Jay’s main concern was how to join the Crimson Tide nation.  I sent him a link to the application.

Please continue to pray for Kristie Potts and her family.

Our basketball leagues begin play this Friday night and Saturday.  Pray for this ministry.

Lord willing, I will be in the pulpit this Sunday morning, 12/10.  Looking forward to it!  Join us for the service.

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

Jay Oakwood is in ICU due to an issue with his diabetes.  Pray for Jay & Angie.  What a great couple!

The arrangements have not been completed for Jo Nell’s & Peggy’s friend, Bo.  It appears the service will take place next week.  Pray for the family.

Please continue to pray for Kristie Potts, her husband, John, and their family.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday morning and evening.

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

Jason Husband’s latest test results did not come back with the desired results.  So, he will meet with a specialist to determine a plan of action.  I spoke to Jason yesterday and he asked the church to pray.

Keep praying for Kristie Potts, John and the family.

Friendship family, remember, the GA Post Office is open.  Contact Tina Sprinkle with questions or for more information.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday, 12/3.

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

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening.  Bro. Abel will be teaching in the auditorium.

Our GA Post Office is open until December 20th.  A great way to send Christmas cards within the Friendship family.  All proceeds go to support missions.  Receptacle in the foyer of the auditorium.  Questions?  Need more information?  Contact Tina Sprinkle.

All forty-four folks arrived safe and sound on GRACE Mountain yesterday with the last six arriving around 10:00PM.  Thank God for traveling mercies.

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