Pastor's Blog

We were blessed with a really good day in our services yesterday.  The attendance was very good in both the morning and evening services.  The spirit was excellent.  Thanks be to God!

Carol Lucky has been scheduled for a 1:30PM surgery to repair her hip.  The surgeon says it will be at least a three hour surgery due to the complicated manner.  Lord willing, I will drive over to Pensacola to be with Terry during this time.  Pray for the surgery to go well.

Dale Ellerman was moved to a rehab facility in Birmingham yesterday afternoon.  The thought is that he will be there for five days.  Pray for Dale’s pain to subside quickly so he can come home and Vanessa can return to Virginia.

Sammy told us in the morning service yesterday that Myrtle was having a good day.  Keep praying!

Our “Ladies Helping Hands” ministry will meet tonight beginning at 6:30PM in the Preschool Building.  All ladies are invited to attend.

Missionary P.C. Alexander will be our guest messenger in all three of our worship services this Sunday.  We will receive a love offering Alex & Alice.  Pray, attend, and give as the Lord leads.

Adult choir rehearsal this Sunday, 9/18, beginning at 4:45PM in the choir room.

All baptismal candidates are asked to meet with me this Sunday, 9/18, beginning at 5:00PM in the 38-45 SS room.  This is in preparation for the baptisms at Presley’s Outing on 9/25.

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

Carol Lucky is in a Pensacola, FL hospital and is scheduled for surgery tomorrow morning if all goes as planned.   Lord willing, I will drive over to sit with Terry while Carol is in surgery.  Keep praying for Carol.  She is a lady of very strong faith.

As far as I know, Dale Ellerman remains in a Birmingham hospital.  I hope to get an update later today.

Regular schedule on our campus today – morning and evening.

Missionary P.C. Alexander will be our guest messenger this Sunday morning and evening.  I am looking forward to hearing from the Lord once again through Bro. Alex.  Pray for the services.

I learned yesterday that Rhett “McGyver” Butler spent basically an entire day working on the back forty trying to whip it back into shape following all of the rains.  Rhett, and others like him, do so much on our campus and for our church without seeking any recognition.  God knows and He will reward them accordingly!

Our fall soccer season begins league play this Saturday, 9/17.  Bro. Abel is coordinating the leagues and many others are helping.  William Sessions is definitely a huge help to Bro. Abel and I am thankful for his helping heart too!

Joey Bosarge came by the house late yesterday afternoon bringing stone crab ready to eat.  I was out mowing and by the time I got in the house Lisa had devoured all of them.  She said they were delicious!  Thank you Joey & Bibbi for this kind act.

Over the past few days, I have received some extremely nice correspondence from random folks.  Not sure if they know something that I do not know but I am grateful for the kind words shared.

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

If I understand correctly, Carol Lucky will be taken to a Pensacola hospital today in order to have her hip surgically repaired.  Not sure what the exact schedule will be but do ask that you pray for Carol, Terry, the surgeon and the surgical team.

I do not have an update on Dale Ellerman but do know that he continues to need our prayer support.  Thankfully, he has his daughter, Vanessa, there to help him during this time.  Keep praying!

Sonny Bates got a good report from the doctor yesterday – praise the Lord!

Katelyn Johnson’s maternal grandfather, Mr. Hill, will have surgery on one of his shoulders today.  Pray that all goes well.

Missionary Mark Mast arrived in Northern Canada yesterday to teach Bible in school for the next two weeks.  He is scheduled to teach thirty two classes each week and to preach on Sunday evening.  Mark is the energizer bunny on steroids!  Pray for Mark!

My Mama is scheduled to be moved from the nursing home back to assisted living this morning.  Thank you for praying.

Our “Helping Hands” ministry will have a diaper give away this morning.  Pray for this ministry.

I spent much of yesterday and last night remembering Hurricane Frederic.  Wow, what a night 9/12/79!  Will never forget that one!

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

Carol Lucky is being transported to Pensacola later this afternoon where she will have surgery on her hip.  I do not know when that surgery will take place but am assuming maybe tomorrow.  Pray for Carol & Terry.

Dale Ellerman was discharged from the hospital last night but was readmitted today due to excessive pain.  Pray for Dale.

Good day in our services yesterday.  We had another public profession of faith.  Praise the Lord!

Bro. Dylan did an excellent job of preaching the Word in our evening service.

Missionary P.C. “Alex” Alexander will be our guest messenger this Sunday, 9/18, in all three services.

Church fellowship on Sunday, 9/25, from 4:00 – 7:00PM at Presley’s Outing.  Baptism at 4:30PMish.

I pray that you will have a great rest of the day with Jesus.

Carol Lucky’s doctors decided to do dialysis before proceeding with the surgery on her hip.  There has been some thought to sending her to Birmingham for the surgery.  Nothing has been set in stone as far as I know.  Pray for Carol, Terry and the medical folks making these decisions.

Gary Walton’s brother is in the hospital and is not doing well.  It is critical.  Pray for this situation.

Also, Gary will be having a test to try and determine a course of action for his leg and knee.  Pray!

Dale Ellerman is scheduled for surgery in Birmingham tomorrow.  Pray that all goes well.

Myrtle Bowden definitely continues to need our prayers.  She is fighting hard but needs all of the prayers she can get.

Joey Switzer’s father remains in the hospital.  Keep praying.

The celebration of life service for Chris Barrett’s father-in-law will take place tomorrow, 9/9, from Mobile Memorial Funeral Home beginning at 2:00PM.  It will be preceded by an hour of visitation with the family.  Pray for this family.

David & Sandra McElwee’s son-in-law’s mother passed from this life yesterday afternoon.  A service will take place in Mobile.  Arrangements pending.  Pray for this family.

“Camp 20” is in full swing!  You with us?  We have one camper from Texas, a church family from Atmore and a lady from Mobile who have joined us for camp.  The invitation is open for everyone to join us as we honor God by remembering Miss Kittie.

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

Carol Lucky took a fall last night which resulted in a broken hip.  It is the hip that has previously been replaced.  Not sure what the plan of action is as she is now in the hospital.  Pray for Carol & Terry.

Larry & Judy Whitehurst returned home from Florida last night.  The latest MRI revealed that the tumor remains the same size at it was four years ago.  The doctor did not guarantee that it would never grow again but did say this is good news.  Larry & Judy are giving God the glory and are rejoicing in Him!

Dale Ellerman is scheduled to have surgery in Birmingham this Friday.  I do not know the details but do ask that you pray all will go well.  Dale is faithful to attend our services and is an important part of the Friendship family.

Joey Switzer’s father remains in a local hospital.  (This is also Hilda Gunter’s brother)  Not sure of all that is going on but do ask that you pray for Bobby & Shirley.

Tim & Peggy Knighten are back home after being out of town over the weekend.  Not sure what is next for Peggy and her “friends” but I do know Tim now has an appointment at M.D. Anderson in November.

Gary Walton is having issues with a leg/knee.  It has not kept him down as he drove the church bus this past Sunday.  Pray for healing!

Keep praying for Myrtle Bowden.

Also, continue to pray for Anna Carol Bosarge.

Sharon Jardee continues to need our prayer support as she has been basically sidelined at home for a couple of months.

The visitation and service for Chris Barrett’s father-in-law takes place this Friday afternoon, 9/9.  Pray for the family.

Regular schedule on our campus today – morning and evening.

Bro. Jerry will be meeting with our senior adults tomorrow morning at 10:00AM in the preschool building.  All senior adults are invited to attend.

Our ladies ministry is in need of more diaper donations.  Collection point in the foyer of the auditorium.

Missionary P.C. “Alex” Alexander will be our guest in our services on Sunday, 9/18.  Pray for those services.

Church wide fellowship at Presley’s Outing on Sunday, 9/25, from 4:00 – 7:00PM.  We will be observing the ordinance of baptism during that fellowship.  Pray for this to be a great fellowship, food and fun!

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

Good Tuesday morning.  Larry & Judy Whitehurst are in Florida today to have consultations with the doctors, tests, et cetera.  Pray for good results and traveling mercies.

Otherwise, nothing new to report today as all of our prayer requests remain the same.  Keep praying!

We were blessed with a good day this past Sunday with two more professions of faith and one other joining the Friendship family by transfer of letter from a sister Baptist church.  God gives the increase and we give Him the glory!

The church office was closed yesterday so I do not have an update on the financial side of Camp 20.  Miss Edna will get that information to me today.  Remember, we are “camping” through the end of this calendar year.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.

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

Joey Switzer called me yesterday to ask that we pray for his father as he was admitted to the hospital Friday night.  Pray for Bobby, Miss Shirley, the family and the doctors.

Aninha Barrett sent me a message yesterday to share that the father-in-law of their son, Chris, passed from this life.  Pray for the family during this difficult time.

Of course, the brother of Judy Dickens passed from this life too.  Keep praying for the family.

Tim Knighten has now been scheduled to be back at M.D. Anderson Hospital in early November for a scan.  Not exactly sure what the schedule will be from that point forward but keep praying for Tim & Peggy.

Regular schedule on our campus this morning.  Camp 20 is our emphasis!  Let’s have a great offering on this first Sunday of camp!

Evening service and children’s choir at 5:00PM today.  Nothing else on our campus this afternoon/evening.

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

Judy Dickens’ brother passed from this life earlier this afternoon.  This was a very unexpected loss.  The family is taking it very hard.  Prayers needed.

Obviously, everything is pending.  I will share the details once things begin to take shape.  Just pray!

Today marks the thirty sixth anniversary of the passing of Lisa’s only brother, Michael.  Michael was eighteen years old and on his way to his first day of college.  I can truthfully say that death stings!

Judy Dickens brother was involved in an accident yesterday morning and was in critical condition in a local hospital last I heard.  The last report I received was that his chance of survival was very low as he suffered burns over much of his body.  Pray!

Peggy Knighten does have the two kidney stones but she also may have other issues so keep praying.

I am praying for an amazing first Sunday of Camp 20.  Sunday’s focus will mainly be on the financial gifts.  I pray that you have had a good first week of praying, reading the Bible and sharing Jesus with others.  Remember, put your financial gifts in an offering envelope and write your name and the amount along with “Camp 20” on the designated side of the envelope.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday morning, 9/4.  We will only have children’s choir and a worship service at 5:00PM as our evening activities.  Pass the word!

I decided against driving to Hartselle and back today.  Long story.  However, Lord willing, I will go to Tuscaloosa tomorrow for the Bama game.

I do not plan on posting a blog entry tomorrow, Sunday or Monday unless something happens which I pray will not be true.  Hope you will have a nice Labor Day weekend.

Church wide fellowship on Sunday, 9/25, at Presley’s Outing from 4:00 – 7:00PM!  Save the date!