Pastor's Blog

Earl Kirschenman had a defibrillator placed in his heart yesterday and did well with the exception of some excessive bleeding.  Nicholas Hacker & Helen Pugh were supposed to go home but I don’t know for certain that they did.  Ray Trehern, Miss Kittie’s brother, was discharged from the hospital.  Danielle Julian is supposed to go home today. 

Vera Bosarge’s brother, David Vesper, has been re-admitted to the hospital.  Betty Creech has some friends, the Chism’s, and Mr. Chism was involved in an automobile accident last night.  I don’t know the details but do ask that you pray for him.  Continue to pray for those affected by the hurricane.

I am excited about our AWANA ministry beginning this Sunday afternoon, 9/7, at 4:30PM.  Pray for this ministry.  Thanks to all who are helping! 

I want to remind the members of the Friendship family that we have extended the sign up for our summer ’09 GRACE trips through this Sunday, 9/7.  The Lord and has blessed and, as it presently stands, we have 17 teams signed up for 2009 and our summer is absolutely filled with teams. 

I also want to tell our friends in Michigan who read this blog (that would be two folks) that we will be hosting our annual GRACE Ministries pig roast fellowship on Tuesday, October 21, at the Vriesland Reformed Church.  We would love for you to join us and bring a friend or two.  Pass the word!

It is approaching 4:30AM and Lisa has already come in to ask me why I am not cutting grass so I had better go get with the program.  It will be a bit hard for me today as I reflect on the “old ball coach” and his team getting beat by Vandy last night! 

I pray that you will have a great Friday with Jesus.  I hope that you will go to church this Sunday!

The Lord blessed and we had a good Wednesday in our respective Bible studies and services.  Thanks to all of those who took part! 

Earl Kirschenman is having a defibrillator placed in heart this morning.  Nicholas Hacker had to have an emergency appendectomy yesterday afternoon but should come home from the hospital this morning.  Helen Pugh, Melissa Brown’s grandmother, did well through her surgery and could come home today too.  Danielle Julian gave birth to a 9 lbs 8 oz boy yesterday morning.  Ray Trehern, Kittie Camp’s brother, is in a local hospital.  Henry Brown, Sarah Thornton’s brother, will most likely remained hospitalized for a couple of more weeks.  Carla Kyser was able to work half of the day yesterday.  Keep all of these folks in your prayers!

I received a voice mail from Angie LeBlanc yesterday morning simply stating that they were okay with minimal damage.  Cell phone service is limited in their area so I did not try to return her call.  Derrick Wilkerson called Pastor Byron Brown, 1st Baptist Lacombe, LA, last night and they also had minimal damage.  The same is true for Robby & Tia Heath and Barney & Linda Rogers.  So, we are thankful but we continue to pray for those who did suffer damage and for all of those without electricity. 

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

First, I want to encourage you to read the comment attached to yesterday’s post.  Thanks to Elizabeth Sessions for sharing her thoughts with us. 

Wow, Tuesday was a Monday!  The Labor Day holiday and the hurricane have everything out of whack!  The schools reopen today so that will help life get back to “normal” around here. 

I have not been able to make phone contact with Danny or Angie LeBlanc but will try again today.  Robbie & Tia Heath live in the same area and, as of yesterday morning, Tina had not been able to make phone contact with them either.  So, we will try again today.  Pray for all of those affected by Hurricane Gustav.

Earl Kirschenman was taken by ambulance to a local hospital late yesterday afternoon.  He heart rate was too rapid and he is in an ICU room.  They will do a heart cath today.  Sarah Thornton’s brother, Henry Brown, is also in a local hospital.  He took a fall last week and broke one of his legs which required surgery and now therapy.  Melissa Brown’s grandmother, Helen Pugh, is having surgery today.  Pray for these folks! 

Our last two Sundays have been a little unusual because of Fay & Gustav.  So, we are extending the sign up for next summer’s GRACE trips by one Sunday.  Members of the Friendship family interested in being a part of one of these trips are asked to sign up by this Sunday.  If paying the deposit at this time presents a problem, please contact me personally and we will work it out. 

Our AWANA ministry begins this Sunday, 9/7.  Nicole Taylor needs to meet with the workers tonight at 7:00PM in the CAB.  AWANA workers – please be present for this meeting!

I am asking our deacons to meet with me tonight at 6:00PM in my office.  This meeting will be our regular monthly meeting which was originally scheduled for this coming Sunday. 

Mark Mast, I got your messages and e-mail yesterday – thanks!  I will get back to you. 

Today is a normal Wednesday for us with the morning service at 10:00AM and then the evening activities beginning at 6:00PM.  I pray that you will have a great Wednesday with Jesus. 

First, I haven’t posted since last month!  I simply decided to basically stay away from the computer all weekend with the exception of tracking the hurricane some via this means.  Otherwise, I have stayed away from my laptop. 

Here is a brief recap of the weekend – we had a great time in Atlanta especially when one considers the outcome of the game!  (It is always a good weekend when Bama wins and a certain team in orange loses which they did last night! If only the team from South Bend would have played and lost!) 

We did not have our evening service on Sunday which is a rarity for us.  However, we were under a hurricane warning and mandatory evacuation order.  Thankfully, South Mobile County was spared the worst of the hurricane as we have only dealt with some wind and a good bit of rain.  Otherwise, all seems well.  Thanks to all of our long distance friends who have checked on us.  As far as I know, all members of the Friendship family are good to go.  We thank the Lord for His protection.

Our good friends, Danny & Angie LeBlanc, from Louisiana were in the hurricane’s path.  I will check with Danny later today to see how we can help them and others. 

Today is a day of remembrance for me as it was exactly 22 years ago on this day/date that Lisa’s only brother, Michael, went to be with the Lord as the result of an automobile accident.  Yes, time helps when dealing with the loss of a loved one but it doesn’t heal.  I can recall the events of that day as though they happened yesterday.  Join me in praying for Lisa, her parents, and her sister today. 

I preached on spiritual warfare Sunday morning and I can tell you that Satan and the demons of hell are alive and well!  I simply ask that you join me in praying for those from within and without the Friendship family are going through tremendous battles right now. 

Bro. Jerry went to a lot of time and trouble to get our new SS classroom ready and I really appreciate his efforts.  He is on vacation the remainder of this week so please don’t contact him about anything.  If you have a need, contact the church office or, after hours, contact me.  I remind you that the absolute best way to reach me by phone is by calling my office at 251 445 5416 or home phone.  All voice mails on my office phone go directly to my e-mail.  I am not real punctual in answering my cell phone or checking those voice mails. 

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