Pastor's Blog

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!

The Lord blessed us with a really good day in our services yesterday!  I drove away from our campus last night audibly thanking God for His blessings on the Friendship family.  God is good!  We give Him the praise!

Peggy Knighten is battling kidney stones.  Tim told me yesterday that she has a stone in each kidney.  I am not sure what the plan of action will be but I do ask that you pray for Peggy.

Myrtle Bowden received a shot on Tuesday and was doing well yesterday.  Keep praying for Myrtle as she continue to battle through this sickness.

Gary Walton is having issues with one of his knees and a leg.  He is in considerable pain but, Gary being Gary, is still going full steam ahead.  Pray for Gary!

Sharon Jardee will be seeing her doctor today.  Pray for Sharon!

Pray for Dale Ellerman as his surgery takes place next Friday, 9/9.

Leslee Harrington asked us to pray for a co-worker who is having major surgery today.

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

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

Camp 20 remains our emphasis.  The Lord allowed me the opportunity to use some of my twenty minutes sharing about Jesus yesterday along with the prayer time and Bible reading.  How about you?

If you want to give financially to Camp 20 then just place your money or check in an offering envelope and write the amount being given and “Camp 20” on the designated side of the envelope.  Remember, we have thirteen Sundays in September, October and November to give to this emphasis.  The amount given to date stands at $1,250.  Our goal by 11/30/22 is $5,500.  I will keep a running tab of our up to date gifts on this blog at least once per week.

Our women’s ministry has a diaper give away monthly.  They are running short on diapers.  Please consider helping this ministry. You can leave your donations in the auditorium foyer.  Thank you!

Regular schedule on our campus today – morning and evening.  Our college students meet at 7:30PM with Martin & Jennifer Brinkman.  I “think” they are going to be meeting on campus beginning tonight but I am not positive of the location.

This Sunday evening, 9/4, our evening service will begin at 5:00PM as will our children’s choir.  There will be no other evening classes or activities for the day.  Sunday morning will be normal.

Deacon led church will fellowship at Presley’s Outing on Sunday, September 25, from 4:00 – 7:00PM.  The church will provide the hamburgers, hot dogs and drinks.  You are asked to bring the sides and desserts.

We will be observing the ordinance of baptism as a part of that fellowship.  More details to come.

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

The following comes from Bro. Abel Garcia:

“I want to say a BIG thank you to my Friendship Family for these past three years. They have been absolutely amazing. I am so grateful for Pastor Teddy giving me the opportunity to come home and serve as well as minister alongside each of you. It has been a joy. Thank you so much for the love offering. What a blessing! It will be used to help with college expenses, plan a wedding and spoil my 1st grandbaby. LoL!”

Jennifer Brinkman let me know yesterday that the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce is offering a twelve day trip to the Holy Land leaving on October 17, 2023.  Discounted price is forty nine hundred dollars.  Jennifer can get you a brochure and more information, if interested.  Also, Pastor Joe David Bailey will be leading a trip to the Holy Land in 2024.  I can put you in touch with him, if interested.

CAMP 20 is our emphasis from now until the end of this calendar year!  I pray that many members of the Friendship family and others are joining us for this most special camp!

Missionary/pastor Mark Mast has an injured Achilles tendon that is giving him physical problems.  The doctor is saying this could be problematic for the next six to eight months.  Pastor Mark is always on the go so pray for him!  It must be tough getting old!

The Lord gave us a beautiful day weather wise yesterday and I am thankful!

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow – morning and evening.

Our Sunday morning schedule is normal this week.  Our Sunday evening will consist of a worship service at 5:00PM.  Our children’s choir will meet during that same hour.  Nothing else on our campus Sunday evening.

Anyone besides me ready for the college football season?  (Asking for a friend!)

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

The Lord blessed the Friendship family with a really good day in our services yesterday.  We had a profession of faith in our 8:00AM service and another one in our 10:30AM service.  We give God the praise and glory!

Camp 20 was the focus of our two morning services as the entire Friendship family was invited to join us going to camp.  Here is how:

20 minutes of prayer daily from now until December 31, 2022.

20 minutes of Bible reading daily from now until December 31, 2022.

20 minutes of sharing Jesus with someone weekly from now until December 31, 2022.

20 dollars given to GRACE Ministries weekly (September 1 – November 30) in order to build houses in Miss Kittie’s memory in Guatemala on our December 1 – 8, 2022 trip.  Each person can determine the amount they can give toward this ministry.

20 members of the Friendship family joining us for the June 15 – 22, 2023 GRACE Ministries mission trip.

All of these things are an “at least” with the exception of number four.

No one knew anything about this camp until yesterday morning.  Six hundred dollars was given following our second morning service, five hundred and fifty dollars was given at the start of our evening service and another one hundred dollars was given following the evening service.  So, twelve hundred and fifty dollars given on the first day.  Great start to Camp 20!  I have already heard from one member of the Friendship family this morning stating they have already done the praying and reading this morning!  Good stuff!

FYI, folks outside of the Friendship family are welcome to join us at camp!

Camp 20 will be an emphasis for the next four months.  Miss Kittie would be thankful and would quickly say, “to God be the glory!”

Thank you to those who gave to the anniversary offering for Bro. Abel Garcia yesterday.  He did a nice job of preaching in last night’s service.

This Sunday, 9/4, we will have a regular morning on our campus.  However, our evening service will begin at 5:00PM and will conclude by 6:00PM.  Miss Tena “may” have children’s choir at 5:00PM but otherwise there will be no other classes, activities, et cetera.

Dale Ellerman is set to have surgery in Birmingham on Friday, September 9.  Pray for Dale as he is back in Birmingham today.

Keep praying for Myrtle Bowden, Anna Carol Bosarge, Tim Knighten, Richard Bentley, Karen McGriff and others.

Rhett Butler got called out to work yesterday.  Jimmy Tagert stepped in and did an excellent job with our video for the service.  Brandon Baker has been handling the audio portion and is doing a nice job.  Raymond Wilkinson has done the audio since like forever and has always done a great job too!  Ditto for James Mareno on the video side.  We are blessed in this area.

As noted by Keith Barrett, my wife was found guilty of money laundering yesterday!

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