Pastor's Blog

We had two good services yesterday.  Our morning attendance was very good and our evening attendance was fair.  I am grateful to those who attended.

Peggy Knighten’s surgery is scheduled to take place today shortly after noon.  I hope it does not get delayed too much.  Pray that all goes well.  Peggy & Tim are great members of the Friendship family.

One service this Sunday, 12/25, beginning at 10:00AM.  Praying for a full house!

Well, the shout out for the Jags that Kim & Daphne wanted did not help.  Wow, WKU looked really good.  However, South had a really strong season and are to be congratulated!  By the way, former Jag Jeremy Reaves made the NFL Pro Bowl.  The video of him receiving the news from Coach Ron Rivera is worth a look.  I saw it on AL.com.

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

The church office will be closed from 11:00AM until around 1:15PM today.  Otherwise, it will be open regular hours.

Regular schedule on our campus today – morning and evening.  The evening will see our Royal Ambassadors and Girls In Action having a Christmas fellowship beginning at 6:30PM.  Also, our student ministry will be having a Christmas fellowship during that same hour.

Peggy Knighten is scheduled to have surgery tomorrow.  Pray that all goes well.

No new updates on the others for whom we have been praying.  Keep praying!

Andy & Betty Hamil were told about a week or so ago that Betty had a spot on one of her lungs.  They received word yesterday that all is clear.  Andy & Betty are rejoicing and giving God the glory!

Gina saw the oral surgeon yesterday afternoon and he gave her the good news that she does not have a tumor.  We are very grateful to God.  The oral surgeon he “thinks” her problem is an infection but he does not know the source.  So, tomorrow she will see an endodontist.  Thank you for your prayers and keep praying, please.

I am trying to get the word out to as many folks as possible regarding the t-shirts for JZ Baker’s trip.  My hope is to sell at least fifty more shirts in our service this Sunday morning.  Obviously, this is not limited to just members of the Friendship family so get the word out.  Contact Bibbi Bosarge or Daphne Hutto for more information or to place your order.

This Sunday, December 25, will see us have one worship service on our campus.  That service will begin at 10:00AM.  I am praying for a full house for this special service as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Kim French and Daphne Hutto wanted me to give a shout out to their beloved South Alabama Jaguars football team as they play Western Kentucky tonight in a bowl game in New Orleans.  The game will be on television beginning at 8:00PM.  It is the only bowl game being played today!  Go Jags!

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

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.  Friendship family, please be faithful to attend.

Steve Morris remains at home under hospice care.  He has been having a little trouble eating but the one thing that is not giving him problem is sweets!  My wife helped him yesterday by baking and sending him a pound cake.  Steve was a happy camper when he saw that sweet!  Keep praying for Steve & Virginia.

Spoke to Sammy Bowden and he said that Myrtle is doing well at this point in time.  Continue to pray for Sammy & Myrtle.

Sharon Jardee remains basically homebound and in need of our prayer support.  Keep praying!

Peggy Knighten will have surgery this Thursday, 12/22.  Pray for all to go well.

We will NOT have a Christmas Eve service this year as we will gather at 10:00AM on Christmas Day for our regular Sunday worship.  That service will be our only one for this Sunday meaning there will be no Sunday School or evening service.  My hope is that we will completely fill the auditorium for this special service.  Let’s celebrate the birthday of the King of Kings – Jesus!  O come let us adore Him!

My goal is for us to receive at least fifty (50) new orders this Sunday, 12/25, during our service for the t-shirts for JZ Baker.  All orders and payments must be received by Wednesday, January 4, 2023.  By the way, there will be a meal on 1/4 before the evening service with all proceeds going toward funding JZ’s trip to Guatemala.

Out of town reader but want a t-shirt?  Contact Bibbi Bosarge (bibbibosarge1@gmail.com) or Daphne Hutto (daphnehutto@gmail.com) via email to order and to set up payment.

The church office will be closed Monday, 12/26, and will reopen on Tuesday, 12/27.

Today is forecast to be a cool, wet day for Southwest Alabama.  The forecasted high for tomorrow is sixty degrees and then it climbs to sixty-four on Thursday.  Thursday night all is expected to change drastically.  The low on Thursday night for us is predicted to be twenty-three degrees.  Here are the projected highs/lows for the three days following:  Friday – 35/20; Saturday – 38/21; Sunday – 42/23.  If the weather folks are correct with these predictions then we will have some of the coldest weather we have had in several years.  Four consecutive nights in the twenties – wow!  So, get ready!

I pray that you will have a great Tuesday with Jesus.  Stay dry and warm!

The Lord blessed us with a really good day in our services yesterday.  We praise His holy name for his continued blessings.  God is good!

Tomorrow, I will update the situations on those for whom we have been praying.  I plan on getting updates today.  In the meanwhile, keep praying!

Our GA’s have already raised four hundred and fifty dollars through the GA Post Office.  Awesome!  Special thanks to Tina Sprinkle, the other leaders and our Girls In Action.  All proceeds are going to help send JZ Baker and family to Guatemala in April.

We are on a regular schedule on our campus this Wednesday, 12/21 – morning and evening.

Here is our schedule for the rest of the year and January 1 – 2, 2023:

Sunday, December 25 – 10:00AM worship service only.

Monday, December 26 – church office closed.

Wednesday, December 28 – no services, classes or activities on our campus.

Sunday, January 1, 2023 – 10:00AM worship service only.

Monday, January 2, 2023 – church office closed.

I have plans to be in town for the rest of this year and am available, if needed.

One more calendar note – the Inspirations will be with us on Thursday, January 12, beginning at 7:00PM.  No admission charge.  Love offering will be received.

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

Our schedule for this Sunday, 12/18, will be Sunday School at 9:15AM, worship at 10:30 and 5:00PM.  Praying for many members of the Friendship family to join us for these classes and services.

Our prayer list remains unchanged.  Please keep praying.

Our RA/GA Christmas party will take place this Wednesday, 12/21, beginning at 6:30PM.

Our GA post office is open for business.  Great way to support the effort to help JZ Baker get to Guatemala along with his family.

Also, now is the time to order the “I want to build a house” t-shirts supporting JZ.

I have failed to mention this week that last weekend John Milton gave us a fresh mess of collard greens.  How nice is that?  Talk about pretty!  The man can flat out grow vegetables.  Thank you, John Milton.

Yesterday at the senior adult Christmas fellowship, Clinton Stringfellow offered me the chance to have basically any kind of green I would like including some vegetables that are not green.  Like John Milton, Clinton is a master gardener!  I am grateful for the generosity of these men.  (I just need for them to supply the cornbread too!  Just saying!)

By the way, the senior adult fellowship was a huge success!  I did not get to eat everything on the table but two things were outstanding – Bro. Jerry’s meatloaf and Rachel Walton’s potatoes.  Oh my!  Thank you to each person who attended and to those who helped in any way.  Great time of food and fellowship!

Lord willing, Lisa and I will leave this morning heading to Hartselle, Alabama.  We have a meeting early this afternoon and will then have the Turrentine Christmas tomorrow.  Plans are for us to return and, Lord willing, I will be in the pulpit Sunday morning and evening.

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

The threat of severe weather did not negatively affect our morning service yesterday but it did a number on our evening attendance.  I am very grateful to each person who attended either service.  We had a good day and our area was spared any deaths, injuries or damage from the storms.  Praying for those families who lost family members, suffered injury or lost material things.

The severe weather caused Sonny Bates from keeping his doctor’s appointment in New Orleans yesterday.  However, he shared a praise report in our morning service stating that his numbers are going in the right direction.  Yes, praise the Lord!  Keep praying!

Cecil Guidry shared with me yesterday morning that the doctor has decided to not do any treatment for Myrtle during this Christmas season so she can enjoy this time with her family without being sick.  In my opinion, nice move.  Keep praying for Myrtle.

Keep praying for Steve Morris.  No change in his situation.

Continue to lift Sharon Jardee up in your daily prayers.

Peggy Knighten is scheduled to have surgery one week from today, 12/22.  Pray for all to go well.

Nanette Fontenot has a post-op visit with her surgeon tomorrow and should receive a hard cast,  Keep praying for Nanette.

Our youngest daughter, Gina, has been diagnosed with what is most likely a tumor which is believed to be benign.  She will have a scan tomorrow and the see the doctor again next week.  Prayers appreciated.

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

As I posted earlier this morning, regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening.  It is an individual decision as to whether or not you attend as bad weather is predicted.  Each person must do what is best for them personally.

Nanette Fontenot sent me a message yesterday saying the pain from her surgery has lessened each day but her had is now swollen.  She is scheduled to see the doctor Friday and will receive a hard cast at that time.  Pray that the swelling will subside and that Nanette’s recovery from this point forward will go well.

I have not gotten any updates from Myrtle’s visit to the doctor this past Monday.  Keep praying!

No change in Steve Morris’ situation.  Keep praying for Steve & Virginia.

Want to order ground coffee?  Today is the absolute deadline.  It is now down to a first come, first served basis as the supply has dwindled very quickly.  Great Christmas gift for the coffee drinkers in your life.

Have you placed your order for a t-shirt supporting JZ and family?  Remember, January 4, 2023 is the deadline.

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

The weather forecast for today, especially late afternoon & evening, is not good.  However, we are going to stay the proverbial course and keep our regular schedule.  Bible study at 10:00AM.  Evening Bible study, classes, et cetera at 6:30PM.  Please pass the word!

This is what the local weather folks call a “weather day” meaning there is an increased risk of severe weather.  I want each person to take this into consideration and make the decision that is best for them and their family.  Totally each person’s call as to whether or not you attend.  Lord willing, I will be in the auditorium at 10:00AM and then again at 6:30PM today.  I am fine with only me in attendance or hundreds in attendance.

Our folks who minister at the GBCH are planning to host the annual Christmas party tonight beginning at 6:00PM.  Everyone invited.  Questions?  Contact Miriam Moates.

Thirty-two years ago today, Lisa, Deidra, Daphne and I moved into the church parsonage.  Obviously, we had help and for that we were most thankful.  Two of those helping were Caroline Ford and Cynthia Cumbie.  Precious memories!

I failed to mention in yesterday’s blog entry that Carl Ray & Charlotte Moulds, Warren & Cecil Guidry and Stacy Dyess cooked, served, et cetera for the men from the Mission of Hope this past Sunday.  I am most thankful for this act of service.  Five of those men got saved during the service so these five servants will be duly rewarded by the Lord Jesus Himself.  (If others helped then someone let me know and I will give them due credit too)  “My seat does not dictate my service!”  (Carnell Williams)

We have already sold out of the coffee I brought home this past Saturday morning.  Some more was brought in today and I can say with absolute confidence that it will be all gone by tomorrow night.  So, if you want some of this coffee then you must contact Lisa (251) 259 8072 by tomorrow night.  If you cannot physically get it before then she will hold it for you.  Folks, this is an absolute deadline and after tomorrow night there will be no more available for a while.

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Coach Mike Leach.  I know nothing about his life, his beliefs, et cetera but his passing shocked me.  He was one year younger than me.  I am praying for Coach Leach’s family, friends and the Mississippi State family.  Yes, it prepares to be ready!

Want to bless JZ Baker and his family?  Order a t-shirt.  We have forms in the church office and there will be forms available in our services.  Deadline to order and pray is January 4, 2023.  Contact Bibbi Bosarge or Daphne Hutto for more information.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow – morning and evening.  Our convalescent home team will host a Christmas party tomorrow beginning at 6:00PM (I think).  If you agreed to purchase a gift for one of the residents and have not brought it to the church office yet, please do so today or by noon tomorrow.  Pray for this ministry.  (Disclaimer – not sure if the severe weather forecast will have an impact on this party?  Stay tuned for more details as tomorrow unfolds)

Our senior adults will have their Christmas fellowship this Thursday, 12/15, from 10:00AM until noon in the Preschool Building.  All senior adults cordially invited to attend.  Contact Bro. Jerry Hovel for more information.

Basketball this Friday night and Saturday morning.  Pray for this ministry.

Our schedule this Sunday is Sunday School at 9:15AM; worship at 10:30AM and 5:00PM.

Thank you to those who gave to the love offering for the Gideons.  The total given was above fifteen hundred dollars.  Praise the Lord!

Do you know of someone in dire need this Christmas?  If so, personally contact me by this Sunday, 12/18, and help “may” be available.

The Cambridge dictionary is wrong when it comes to the definitions of man and woman.

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

Our senior adults will have their Christmas fellowship this Thursday, 12/15, from 10:00AM until noon.  It will take place in our Preschool Building.  All of our senior adults are warmly welcome to attend this time of great food and fellowship.  Contact Bro. Jerry Hovel if you need more information or have questions.