Pastor's Blog

The funeral arrangements for Mrs. Ruth Womack remain incomplete as the family will meet with the funeral director this morning.  I will post those finalized arrangements later today. 

Also, I am going to list our 2007 graduates later today.

So, check the blog later today.  Go to church today!

This morning shortly after 7:00AM Mrs. Ruth Womack left this life to enter Heaven.  Mrs. Ruth is the mother of Annette Sims, Judy Whitehurst, Larry Womack, & Vaughn Womack.  She was a long time faithful member of the Friendship family along with her husband, Alvin, who preceded her in death.  Pray for this family as they go through this time of mourning her passing yet celebrating her life and her eternal life! 

The arrangements are incomplete but I will post those once they have been finalized. 

Pray for Judy as she has been up all night sitting beside her mother and has the wedding for Curtis & Marisa this afternoon at 2:00PM. 

Word came yesterday that the doctors told Neal Barnes that there were no more treatment options for his cancer.  Obviously, this news was not what the Barnes family wanted to hear but they are still trusting the Lord.  Pray for Neal and his family during this time. 

Mike Blaylock continues to do remarkably well in his recovery from surgery.  He is not experiencing much pain or some of the potential side effects they anticipated.  The doctors gave him a good report Wednesday night regarding the area where the liver was divided and removed.  Keep praying. 

Jay Black’s sister, Bre, was in the hospital yesterday giving birth to her twins but I didn’t hear the time of birth, weights, et cetera from Jay or Robin yet.  The Lord has blessed by allowing Bre to carry these babies long enough for them to develop physically.  Pray for Bre and the babies.

I had the privilege of meeting Mike Parker and David Manuel from Seymour, TN yesterday afternoon.  (Can anything good come out of Tennessee?)  Mike has a ministry called Clubhouse Ministries which is basically a block party in a trailer.  Churches looking to have an evangelistic outreach using inflatables, games, et cetera might want to take a look at Mike’s website – www.clubhouseministries.com.  It appears the Lord may orchestrate Clubhouse Ministries and GRACE Ministries partnering together to do ministry in Guatemala possibly as early as August.

I look forward to recognizing the Class of 2007 this Sunday.  I am going to post again later today or early tomorrow listing the known graduates within the Friendship family.

Speaking of graduates, we received an e-invitation from Rachel Mast in Canada as she is graduating high school this year.  She has been accepted to attend Moody Bible Institute next Fall.  Rachel is a sweetheart and I congratulate her on her graduation!  Of course, Rachel is the daughter of our missionary friends, Mark & Tina Mast.  (Actually, I think I am a former friend of Mark’s for the immediate future!)   

Daphne & Brad’s wedding shower is Sunday afternoon, we will baptize Sunday night, we will have a Wild Week meeting Sunday night, and there are still two openings for men on the July 3 – 10 GRACE trip.  Also, it is possible there could be one opening on the June 18 – 25 trip but that hasn’t been confirmed yet.  Contact Bro. Jerry about the June trip and me about the July trip, if interested.

It is off to Wal Mart and then back to cut grass at my in-laws as I try to get in that will.  Charles has told me if I keep cutting the grass every week this summer that he will put me in his will to get his boat! 

I pray you will have a great day with Jesus! 

We received good news on two fronts last night – Lois Kirschenman does have cancer but the doctors believe it is contained to a small area and will surgically remove it – PTL! 

Mike Blaylock was moved from the ICU last night so he is obviously making progress.  His liver function continues to be slow but it is functioning.  Please continue to pray for Mike and his family. 

The mission team in Peru was delayed by one day because of the accident but otherwise all is well.  We thank God for His watching over them. 

We will recognize the Class of 2007 during our 10:30AM service this Sunday, 5/20.  Today is the deadline for those graduates to call the church office to make certain we know you are going to attend the service.  Also, we need to know how many folks are going to join us for the meal at Lakeview. 

There will be a wedding shower for Daphne Turrentine, bride-elect of Brad Hutto, this Sunday, 5/20, from 2:00 – 3:30PM in the fellowship hall.  Personally, I feel that this couple has already gotten enough gifts so I recommend “cash” gifts to the father of the bride!

All students participating in Wild Week this summer must attend a meeting this Sunday night, 5/20, immediately following the worship service. 

We have had a few men inquire about the openings on our July 3 – 10 GRACE trip but no one has committed to filling either of the two yet.  If interested, please contact me personally. 

Deacon Dewayne did in fact upload the newsletter to our website yesterday.  You can view it there.  We continue to look for folks who wish to be removed from our regular mailing list and added to our electronic mailing list.  We are now e-mailing folks to let them know when the newsletter has been uploaded so they can read it from the website.  However, we can send it to your inbox if that works better for you.  You may contact us about either of these scenarios at kittie@friendshipfamily.net. 

I learned yesterday that Pastor Donald Sewer is undergoing radiation treatment to combat some tumors.  I would simply ask that you join me in praying for him and his family. 

A team from 1st Baptist Lacombe, Louisiana, under the leadership of Pastor Byron Brown, leaves tomorrow for eight days in Guatemala.  They will be staying in the L.G. Camp, Jr. mission house.  I have been trying since Monday to get over to Lacombe to take a suitcase containing some supplies to Pastor Byron.  So, today will see me making that trip. 

I trust that you will have a great day.   

Shorty after I posted this morning, Rita Vice called to say that they had been awaken during the night by a call from Alisha.  One of the vehicles being used by the team in Peru was involved in an accident.  At least one of the team members from William Carey was injured but apparently no one was seriously injured and/or kept in the hospital. 

I would simply ask that you join me in praying for these folks as events like this can be unsettling to those on the trip and family members at home. 

Nate e-mailed to say they had gotten Mike up again last night.  His liver function is still slow.  However, they are thinking Mike may get moved from the ICU later today.  Keep praying, please.

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Pastor Jerry Falwell yesterday.  It just serves to remind me that, no matter who we are, life is but a vapor.  The Falwell family, the Thomas Road family, and the Liberty family all need our prayers during this time. 

Rita said that Alisha and the team arrived safely in Lima, Peru and were leaving early yesterday morning for an eight hour drive to their ministry location.  I don’t know if we will hear any more updates from them until they return to Lima.  Just pray.

Lois Kirschenman called yesterday afternoon to share that she has been diagnosed with cancer.  I do not know the details but she is seeing a doctor today and will give us an update during our 7:00PM service tonight.  Pray for Lois.

I did not attempt to see Mike Blaylock yesterday.  Nate sent an e-mail stating they had gotten his dad up and his liver function was slow but that is still a good sign.  Keep praying. 

Folks often ask about my dad’s situation.  He began his second round of chemo this week.  On Monday, the oncologist said the first round had been successful and was very encouraging.  Thanks for your concern and prayers and please keep praying.

We are going to have a couple of openings for men on the July 3 – 10 trip to Guatemala.  If interested, please respond immediately or sooner!

Our missionary friend in Canada, Mark Mast, had a tough day yesterday.  It must be tough getting older and not able to remember – enough said!  I spent a good deal of time on the phone last night counseling with Mark and I think he is going to make it!

My cousin, Tony Gettig, and his wife Kathy, have opened an online coffee store called Kalamazoo Coffee.  You can visit them at www.kalamazoocoffee.com.  The reason I mention this is because ten percent of their sale of Guatemala coffee will be given to GRACE Ministries.  They have decaf Guatemalan coffee.  If interested, check it out. 

Our newsletter should be uploaded to the website at some point today.  Please take the time to check it out.

It is Wednesday so that means a full day.  Remember, there is no more children’s choir at Friendship until August.  I hope to see the members of the Friendship family in a service/Bible study at some point today. 

I pray you will have a blessed day.

They say “no news is good news” and I am taking that approach regarding Mike Blaylock.  I will hear from Nate at some point during the day and no further update today on this post means that there has been no significant change. 

Alisha Vice and team left Atlanta around 5:30PM yesterday and were scheduled to arrive in Lima, Peru some six hours later.  They were going to spend the night in town and then head to a more remote location.  I will update as we receive word through Rita.

I have heard no new word from Bro. Johnny & Miss Judy as they minister in the Philippines. 

Pastor Byron Brown and a team from 1st Baptist Lacombe, Louisiana will be leaving this Friday, 5/18, to spend a week doing ministry in Guatemala using the L.G. Camp, Jr. mission house as their base.  They will be working alongside Derrick & Jodie.  Please keep this team in your prayers as they make final preparations for their first international mission trip. 

Curtis Whitehurst and Marisa Skipper will be united in marriage this Saturday, 5/19, at 2:00PM.  This wedding will take place at the home of Larry & Judy Whitehurst and all members of the Friendship family are cordially invited to attend.

We will recognize the “Class of 2007” during our 10:30AM service this Sunday, 5/20.  Afterwards, we will treat these graduates to lunch at the Lakeview Catfish Cabin.  Family members of the graduates are invited to join us (dutch treat) for lunch.  However, we need to know exactly how many will be participating in this service and joining us for lunch so please call the church office no later than Thursday. 

It appears we may have an opening or two for men on our July 3 – 10 trip to Guatemala.  If interested, please contact me by this Sunday for all of the details. 

We will observe the ordinance of baptism as a part of our evening worship service this Sunday.  All baptismal candidates should meet in the pastor’s office at 5:30PM for a brief time of instruction. 

Also, this Sunday evening we will meet with all students participating in Wild Week this summer.  This meeting will take place immediately following the evening service. 

I pray you will have a great day in Jesus!

Nate sent a message at 4:50PM saying that his dad was out of surgery – they began shortly before 8:00AM.  The doctor deemed the surgery a success but said it was hard on Mike.  They had to oblate tumors on the left side of the liver and remove the right side of the liver.  The next few hours and/or days will be critical to see if Mike’s liver resumes function.  Please make certain to pray fervently for Mike and his family during this time.  I will post any new updates as they become available. 

The Lord blessed and we had wonderful Mother’s Day services yesterday.  It was special to recognize Exie Woods (86), Edith Kelley (83), Vivian Ladnier (82), and Carmen Reyer (79) as the oldest mothers present in our two morning worship services.  I thank God for Christian mothers. 

It was also special to see those babies/children and their parents stand in front of the auditorium as they were dedicated to the Lord.  Pray that those parents will take seriously the charge given them yesterday morning. 

Our children’s choir did a great job in presenting “Simon Says” last night during our evening service.  Thanks to each child and the workers for a job well done. 

Mike Blaylock is already at the hospital as this entry is being written.  Nate told me last night that his dad could be in surgery any where from two to eight hours.  As you go through the day, please remember to say a prayer for Mike, his family, and the medical personnel performing this operation.  If possible, I will update his condition later today but definitely will do so tomorrow morning. 

Alisha Vice leaves for Peru today.  She and the team from William Carey are scheduled to return home on Friday, May 25.  Please pray for this mission team/trip. 

Bro. Johnny & Miss Judy continue to do ministry in the Philippines.  They are scheduled to come home on Monday, May 28.  Keep praying for them too.

It was good to see Andy Hamil, Steve Morris, and Brenda Poiroux in the services yesterday after their respective surgeries/hospital stays last week.  Please continue to pray for Christine Leasure in rehab and Neal Barnes in the hospital.  Phil Sims’ son-in-law, Darren Haynes, is having some swelling in his lymph nodes again so please pray for him.

I pray that you will have a blessed day serving Jesus!

I normally do not post on Sundays but did want to ask you to join me in praying for Alisha Vice as she leaves tomorrow for Peru.  She will be joining a team from William Carey on this mission trip.  I will get the details on how long they will be gone, et cetera today at church. 

It was thirty-seven years ago today that my mother received a call from Michigan with the very unexpected news that her father, Troy Brown, had passed away.  One of my most vivid memories of that day was our pastor, Jack Freeman, coming to the house to comfort and pray with mama during her time of grief.  I was only ten years old at the time but that one visit made a lasting impression upon my life.  I thank God for the men who have served as my pastor over the years and for their respective ministries. 

If possible, I trust that you will contact your mother today and wish her a “Happy Mother’s Day!”  It is credited to President Abraham Lincoln as saying “no man is poor who has a godly mother” and I simply say amen!