Pastor's Blog

Good Monday morning from Decatur, Alabama.  Daphne & I drove up last night in order to attend the funeral service for Brad Hutto’s uncle, Ricky Bradford, this afternoon.  Pray for Brad’s mother and the entire family!

We had a good day in our services yesterday.  What a joy to welcome Stan & Tonya Gordon into the Friendship family by letter.  They have been attending for several months now and we are glad to have them and their two daughters “officially” join us. 

I was especially blessed by the good attendance in our evening service.  Thank you for being faithful! 

Shirley Bosarge is in ICU and needs our prayers.  Louise Gibson remains hospitalized.  Joyce Bosarge (Liz Whalen’s mother) received a less than favorable report from the doctors last week so pray for her too. 

Nicole Taylor tells me that we are about where she had hoped to be for our first Sunday of the AWANA ministry.  Thanks to those who have placed your children in this ministry and to those who are working in some capacity. 

Our next semester of FAITH begins tonight.  Our emphasis this semester will be on our Sunday School.  I pray each adult and youth class will have at least one team present for FAITH. 

Obviously, since I am out of town then I have no idea how many additional folks signed up for the summer ’09 GRACE trips.  Please note that you have two more Sundays to sign up for these trips and then we will open them to folks outside the Friendship family. 

We are going to have a Labor Day weekend fellowship on Sunday afternoon/evening, 8/31.  More details will be forthcoming in this week’s newsletter. 

I am off to visit family and then to the funeral service before heading home.  I pray that you will have a great Monday with Jesus. 

The old adage goes “seeing is believing” and I have been waiting to see the engagement ring so I could believe but decided to go ahead and make the announcement sight unseen.  Rebecca Bates is engaged!  She will become Mrs. Jay Taylor on May 16, 2009.  Congratulations to Rebecca & Jay! 

I normally don’t post on Saturdays but did need to ask you to pray specifically for Shirley Bosarge.  I visited her yesterday and John Wayne noted that her hands had begun swelling.  Tina called me late tonight to say that Miss Shirley has an infection which is causing swelling over her entire body.  Pain medication causes a significant drop in her blood pressure so she is in a great deal of discomfort.  Please pray for Shirley, John Wayne, Tina, Mark, and the entire Bosarge family. 

Also, Brad Hutto’s Uncle Ricky passed away late this afternoon.  He lived in Town Creek.  It is expected his funeral service will take place Monday afternoon.  Pray for Brad and his family. 

My mother-in-law, Ann Clark, was discharged from the hospital this afternoon.  She has to go back daily for some out patient treatments.  Thank you for your continued prayer support. 

I don’t have an update on Louise Gibson.  I could not find Steve Mayfield yesterday and have not made phone contact yet either. 

Thank you to the ladies from the Friendship family who attended the funeral service for Mary Brown’s sister yesterday.  I know Mary appreciates you being there! 

This Sunday, 8/17, will see the 20-29 class meet in the parsonage during Sunday School.  It is also the last day to sign up for AWANA.  Also, all high school Juniors & Seniors are asked to meet with me at 5:00PM in the parsonage.   

Hope to see you in the services tomorrow! 

Today is going to be a busy day.  Steve Mayfield is supposed to have surgery today.  The service for Pat Smith, sister of Mary Brown, will be from 12:00PM – 2:00PM at the Barton Baptist Church in Barton, MS.  Pray for these folks.

Bryan Cumbie, Caroline Ford’s son, had surgery yesterday and was to remain hospitalized overnight.  Lindsey Hatcher’s maternal grandmother has been in an ICU for several days now due to complications from an automobile accident.  My mother-in-law, Ann Clark, was admitted to the hospital yesterday with a staph infection (she has actually suffered from a “staff” infection for the past 28 years!).  Louise Gibson was admitted to a local hospital yesterday.  Shirley Bosarge was discharged from the hospital this past Tuesday and taken back to the hospital by ambulance yesterday afternoon.  Caroline Ford’s test results came back okay.  I don’t have an update on Joyce Bosarge, Liz Whalen’s mother, and her test results.  Carla Kyser continues to take treatments.  My dad got a good report from the doctor.  Jeff Camp is going to have surgery at a date TBA.  Phyllis Bush continues to take the radiation treatments.  Pray for these folks too!

I need to meet with the high school Juniors & Seniors only this Sunday afternoon, 8/17, at 5:00PM.  We will meet in the parsonage.

Parents interested in their children being involved in the AWANA program must sign them up by this Sunday, 8/17. 

Folks planning on taking part in the GRACE trips next summer must sign up by Sunday, 8/31. 

Lisa spent the night at the hospital with her mother so I am Mr. Mom this morning.  Gotta go fix the girls’ hair – it is going to be awesome! 

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

We had another good Wednesday in our services.  Once again, we had a great number in our “college/young professionals” Bible study as there were 38 folks present.  Thanks to Soy & Deidra for hosting this event!  I was in our senior high Bible study and they had a good number, 34, of students present for that event too.  Overall, we had a good attendance in all areas last night and I appreciate the folks who give Wednesdays priority! 

This Sunday, 8/17, is the final day to sign up for our AWANA ministry which begins Sunday, 9/7, at 4:30PM.  You can call the church office today by 5:00PM or sign up Sunday with a form.  If you have questions, please contact Nicole Taylor directly.

Also, we have three more Sundays for members of the Friendship family to sign up for next summer’s GRACE mission trips.  The dates for Bro. Jerry’s trip will be Thursday, 7/16, through Thursday, 7/23.  The dates for the “college/young professionals” trip will be Thursday, 7/23, through Thursday, 7/30.  The other team led by me will go either 6/25 – 7/2 or 7/2 – 7/9 – that date will be firm in a few days.  We cannot “assume” that a person is going so please sign up by 8/31. 

I need to meet with all of our high school juniors and seniors this Sunday, 8/17, at 5:00PM.  This meeting will take place in the parsonage.  Juniors & seniors, please be present!

Steve Mayfield’s surgery was postponed until tomorrow.  Mary Brown’s sister, Pat Smith, passed away yesterday afternoon and the arrangements are pending.  Caroline Ford and Joyce Bosarge are awaiting their respective test results.  Carla Kyser & Phyllis Bush are undergoing their respective treatments.  Louise Gibson is supposed to be admitted to the hospital today for some testing.  My mother-in-law, Ann Clark, is sick and could be admitted to the hospital tomorrow.  Brenda Poiroux had a nuclear stress test yesterday.  Pray for all of these needs!

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

First, Danny & Liz Cole’s granddaughter, Bethani Eddins, did not have surgery yesterday as there was a scheduling conflict.  It will be rescheduled to be done in a month or so.

Mary Brown’s sister, Pat Smith, was seemingly very near passing from this life late yesterday afternoon.  The last of her six children got to the hospital around 4:00PM and the family was going to meet with the doctor. 

I didn’t get an update on Shirley Bosarge.  However, I did hear that Joyce Bosarge, Liz Whalen’s mother, is having a test done today as she continues to have some physical problems.  Caroline Ford has also been having some health issues and goes for a test this afternoon.  Jeff Camp is still deciding on his options regarding his cancer.  Carla Kyser is still undergoing treatments.  I think Steve Mayfield is having a procedure done today.  Pray for these folks. 

Sign up continues for AWANA and next summer’s GRACE trips.  Please note the respective deadlines!

Today is a regular Wednesday with all of our services, classes, Bible studies, et cetera at their normal time.  I think the only major difference is that our middle school (6:00PM) and high school choirs (7:10PM) meet tonight for the first time this church year. 

As the day passed yesterday, I became emotionally despondent as yesterday marked the two year anniversary of Bruce Gill’s funeral service.  My thoughts were with Bruce’s family all weekend as he passed away on 8/9/06.  I miss Bruce tremendously and ask that you join me in praying for Tressa and the family. 

I pray that you will have a great Wednesday with Jesus.  I hope to see the members of the Friendship family in our services today or tonight. 

I keep forgetting to share two things that I have known for several days.  First, Estuardo Morales (Pastor Max’s son-in-law) is not going to need surgery at this time.  This is the opinion of Dr. Tony Matheu.  Please keep praying for Estuardo and his family. 

Second, I spoke to Pastor Terry Rainey about Josh Caldwell’s treatments.  Josh continues to do well and has not had any adverse side effects thus far.  Keep praying for Josh too!

I was wrong – imagine that!  Danny & Liz Cole’s granddaughter had pre-op stuff done yesterday and will actually have surgery today at UAB.  Pray for her. 

Mary Brown’s sister suffered a major heart attack yesterday which did extensive damage to her heart muscle.  She certainly needs our prayers during this time. 

Shirley Bosarge was to receive a new stent in her bladder yesterday and then was expecting to go home from the hospital today.  She is very intent on going home even though she still has a long way to go in her recovery.  Pray for Shirley. 

As of this writing, we have eleven folks from the Friendship family who have signed up for our summer ’09 GRACE mission trips.  Ten of those have signed up to be on Bro. Jerry’s trip which means my trip should be very easy to lead!  I am simply reminding folks from the Friendship family to sign up during August and to pay the necessary non-refundable deposit.  Again, the airlines have changed the rules and we have to reserve seats early and have to be more definite in our numbers. 

Speaking of signing up, this Sunday, 8/17, is the final day to sign up for the AWANA program which is scheduled to begin in September.  This is for all 4K through 5th graders. 

I am having a difficult time being interested in the taped Olympic events but have enjoyed watching the live events.  Personally, I miss the “curling” events from the Winter games!  If they would only show the women’s soccer games live then my life would seem more complete! 

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

I heard comments and received e-mails that expressed appreciation for the services featuring Kacy Benson this past weekend.  It was certainly a joy to see Patrick Julian make a public profession of faith and Hannah Black pray to receive Jesus as her personal Savior.  It was a blessed weekend! 

Alisha Vice did a nice job of sharing about her summer experiences too.  Thank you to those who attended that service and for all who helped her in any way this past summer.  Pray for her as she now moves to New Orleans to begin a new chapter in her life. 

Danny & Liz Cole’s granddaughter is scheduled to have surgery at UAB today.  I don’t know the specifics but do ask you to pray as the Lord brings it to your remembrance. 

Shirley Bosarge remains hospitalized.  I think Steve Mayfield is scheduled for surgery later this week.  He was in the second service yesterday morning but I did not get a chance to speak to him.  Pray for Miss Shirley and Bro. Steve. 

We need parents to enroll their children in the AWANA program.  Plans call for us to begin on Sunday, 9/7, and the classes will be from 4:30 – 6:00PM each week.  Nicole Taylor is coordinating this ministry and you can contact her directly or call the church office for more information. 

Even though Cottage Hill Academy began classes this past week, today seems more like the “first day” of school as the public schools begin.  Faith Academy also begins today.  Pray for the students, teachers, administators, bus drivers, and all involved in the education process. 

Our women’s ministry has begun selling tickets to their annual conference featuring the ministry of Tammy Bryant.  You can call the church office for more information. 

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

It is unusual for me to post on a Saturday but I am basically waiting for daylight to come so I can weed eat my yard.  I wanted to encourage our adults and students to give priority to attending tonight’s service at 8:00PM.  There will be pizza for the students at 7:00PM.  I attended the service last night and God really used Kacy Benson to speak a clear word to all of us.  I appreciate the adults who attended.  It was a good night.  Pray for tonight’s service and come join us!

As a matter of fact, I would encourage everyone to attend the 10:30AM service in the morning as that is the service in which Kacy will be preaching.  Jon Cowart and several others from the Friendship family will be leading our musical praise and it is going to be good! 

A few random thoughts from this past week:

I have always considered Miss Exie Woods & Miss Idice Reeves two of the sweetest ladies I have ever known.  Their respective afflictions which have rendered them unable to communicate verbally has not changed their sweet spirit. 

Kacy Benson has no idea that Grand Bay is an unincorporated area with no police department, jail, et cetera!

A trip to do mission work in Guatemala impacts the people receiving the houses, clothes, et cetera and may have a larger impact on those doing the mission work.  This seems to be true of every team regardless of where they come from as evidenced by the ten teams using the Camp house this summer. 

Chris Taylor is doing a good job of leading our students.  Nicole is a huge help to him.

Our college/young professionals are a good group of young adults with a heart to help our student ministry. 

If you mow your yard at 3:00AM, you can do so without interruptions! 

Lisa and I now have thirty something pecan trees and I am clueless! 

Driving a zero turn mower is different from driving a mower with a steering wheel – look out for that tree! 

Kacy Benson is a good juggler! 

I pray you will have a great Saturday and I hope to see you in church tomorrow!

Joey Switzer called around 6:30PM last night to say that he finally heard from the pathology report – no cancer!  Hallelujah!  He is rejoicing and giving God the glory!  I ask you to join him in thanking God! 

Shirley Bosarge remains hospitalized.  I saw her ever so briefly yesterday as she was being taken from the room for another test.  I also was able to visit with Miss Alice Pigorsch and Miss Exie Woods yesterday.  They both seemed to be doing okay all things considered.  I stopped by to check on Clara but didn’t get her to the door and assumed she was probably resting. 

Jeff Camp, Miss Kittie’s son, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.  Of course, Jeff lives in Montgomery and is active military.  They are in the early stages of deciding which course of action to take to battle this disease in his body.  Pray for Jeff and his family!

Our students have a big weekend beginning tonight at 7:00PM.  Kacy Benson is scheduled to arrive this afternoon and tonight’s service begins at 7:00PM.  John Cowart, Chris Taylor, and a host of our students were in the auditorium last night rehearsing the praise & worship music.  I encourage all of our students to attend these three services – tonight at 7:00PM, tomorrow night at 8:00PM, and Sunday morning at 10:30AM.  Pray for our student ministry!

First Baptist Wilmington, NC has a team in Guatemala this week and they are staying in the Camp house.  Today is their last day of ministry as they fly home tomorrow.  This brings the summer of ’08 to a close for GRACE Ministries and it has been a blessed summer.  Thanks to each person who has taken part in this ministry this summer.  God has been so very faithful and we give Him the glory!

We are using the month of August to sign up next summer’s GRACE participants.  Please sign up as we will open our trips up to others once August ends.  We are also finalizing the team dates and it appears our summer will be absolutely full. 

Nicole Taylor is hosting a meeting regarding our AWANA ministry this Sunday evening following the service.  All interested workers should attend.  Don’t forget – Alisha Vice will be sharing from her summer experiences during our evening service.   

Let the Games begin!  Today marks the official opening of the 2008 Summer Olympics and I am looking forward to watching some of the events.  I will watch with a bit of a different angle since the Lord allowed me to visit Beijing this past April.  The Olympics aren’t what they used to be but I still enjoy watching them and following the storylines on some of the athletes. 

I am glad that Bret Favre got traded.  Trade him, play him, do something but please quit talking about him were my thoughts! 

I pray that you will have a good weekend with Jesus.  Go to church!