Pastor's Blog

Clara Broadus & Becky Hatcher both called to give me an update on Susan Quinn.  She remains in ICU but did well through the surgery.  They had to remove five percent of a lung as the tumor was attached to the lower portion of that lung.  No decision has been made regarding any type treatment but the doctors are not sure if she will even need treatment.  Keep praying for Susan & her family.

Lois Kirschenman got a great report from the doctor this week too as they determined she does not have a malignancy.  The doctor has ordered another scan for next week as he still isn’t satisfied.  Keep praying.

The MBI Chorale just left.  A very special “thank you” goes to Bro. Jerry, Tena, Louise Morris, & Sharon Jardee for taking care of the food (supper, breakfast, lunch) for the group.  Great job!  Thank you to each host family – I have heard nothing but good comments from the chorale members. 

By the way, those in attendance last night gave an offering of $1,099.  Awesome!  Thanks!

While I normally do not post on the weekends, this entry basically serves a two fold purpose.  First, to say “thank you, thank you, thank you” to the members of the Friendship family who attended the service last night.  We did not have a “great” attendance but we did have a “very good” attendance.  I so appreciate your faithfulness.  Friendship folks are the greatest! 

Second, I want to remind you to SPRING FORWARD tonight as time changes.  My prayer is that we will have a strong attendance in our services tomorrow.  Don’t forget to set your clocks forward one hour before you go to bed tonight. 

By the way, I haven’t gotten an update on Susan Quinn’s surgery.  I will post once I know something. 

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

Susan Blackmon Quinn is having surgery in Greenville, SC today so please pray for her.  She is the oldest daughter of Edwin & Eula Mae Blackmon. 

Pastor Jack Bailey’s mother’s funeral service will take place this afternoon at 4:00PM.  Pray for those who will share during the service and pray for the family.

Five or six months ago I made a commitment to the Moody Bible Institute that we would host their Chorale on their annual tour.  I did not want to host a Friday night service but that was our only option.  So, tonight at 7:00PM we will host the Chorale and my hope is that a large number of the Friendship family will attend this special service.  Please!

I had the opportunity to speak to Dr. Michael Mason via the phone yesterday.  He & his lovely wife, Crystal, are going to take part in this year’s GRACE Ministries pastors’ conference – hooray!  I asked him about his recent trip to Israel and he said it was great.  VP Biden probably won’t be saying the same thing upon his return to the States – wow! 

Spring forward!  Spring forward!  Spring forward!  Time changes this Saturday night so please remember to move your clocks forward one hour before going to bed. 

Al called yesterday afternoon.  The problem with the internet connectivity (Al likes to use big words) is not with a rival political party but is due to global warming!  He says that if global warming continues there will be no more curling!  Wow! 

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

Obviously, this entry is way late and I apologize for that fact.  For some reason, I was not able to access the internet this morning before leaving for the hospital.  I called Al and he is doing some research but the intial thought involves sabotage by some members of the opposite political party.  Interesting stuff!

Louise Mason sent me an e-mail today asking the we pray for John & Susan Waldrup’s family in Arkansas.  Susan’s father was killed by a tornado that touched down last night and her mother was seriously injured.  John & Susan have been friends, fellow church members, et cetera with Louise for years. 

Edwin Williams had a heart cath this morning and did well.  The doctor found some “narrowing” of some veins but said that can be treated with medication. 

Lisa & I visited with Edd, Sandy, & Braxton this morning and they are doing as good as can be expected.  Again, they expressed their profound appreciation to the Friendship family for your every act of ministry bestowed upon them.  Folks, you did well and my prayer is that God will get the glory!

The funeral service was blessed yesterday.  I appreciate all who helped in any way.  Thank the Lord that the rains held off until all was said and done at the graveside. 

Susan Blackmon Quinn will have surgery tomorrow in Greenville, SC.  Pray for her as the doctors remove this malignant tumor from her chest cavity. 

I think we have finally worked out the “flaws” in the rooming assignments for the MBI Chorale.  I am so hopeful that a large number of the Friendship family will be present for the service tomorrow night at 7:00PM. 

We had some great help getting set up for the MBI folks last night.   Thank you to all who helped in any way. 

Spring forward, spring forward, spring forward!  Time changes this Saturday night – don’t forget! 

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

My niece, Jamie, just called to let me know that Pastor Jack Bailey’s mother passed away this morning.  She was at home surrounded by her family and now she is at “home” surrounded by her family.  Absent from the body, present with the Lord!

Pray for Pastor Jack & his family.

Wow, what a crowd for the visitation with the Gillespie family last night!  Because of the rainy weather, we had to be a little innovative to get folks in the building and out of the rain.  Special thanks to those who helped make that possible.  Edd, Sandy, & Braxton did well.  It was a long night for them as they didn’t leave the church until around 10:15PM or so.

I also want to say a huge “thank you” to Raymond & Tina Wilkinson for taking care of serving the refreshments in the fellowship hall last night.  They always do a super job and I appreciate it!

Folks bringing food for the Gillespie family can bring it any time between now & noon.  Please place it in the fellowship hall.  Thanks to Miss Vinnie Brewer for coordinating this ministry and to all who will help in any way.

The service is at 2:00PM.  I appreciate the e-mail I received early this morning assuring me of prayer support.  Pray for Edd, Sandy, Braxton, and the entire family.  Pray that they will find His grace sufficient.

Pastor Mike Soesbie, 1st Baptist St. Elmo, is having surgery this morning.  He has been diagnosed with terminal cancer.  Pray for him, his family, and the church family.

I haven’t heard any update on Pastor Jack Bailey’s mother.  Sue Wyse told me last night that Jayne has seemingly been more alert in recent days.

We will not have our morning service today but will have our evening services/activities.  The sheetrock men begin their work this morning on phase one of the CAB renovation.  They will only work until the early afternoon out of respect for the Gillespie family.

This post represents a “first” for me as it is being typed using a MacBook Pro laptop.  I have had it since early January but haven’t really gotten use to using it. It was a gift and I know that I am going to love it once Chris Taylor teaches me how to use it!

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

First, you will do well to read the comment left by Pattie Suthoff on the post prior to this one.  It explains Gage’s situation, what has been happening, and where they are headed with his treatments. 

Edd, Sandy, & Braxton finalized the arrangements yesterday morning  for the visitation and the service.  The visitation begins at 6:00PM tonight.  The obit in today’s paper list it as ending at 8:00PM but it should read 9:00PM.  However, it will end when the family has received all of the friends in attendance. 

There will be another time of visitation tomorrow afternoon from 1:00PM until the 2:00PM service time.  The visitation and service will take place in the church auditorium. 

We could use some cakes, cookies, brownies, et cetera to be available for the family during tonights visitation.  If you can help, please call Edna in the office today.  Thanks!

No real change in the lives of the other folks we have on our prayer list.  The hospice nurse is telling the Bailey family that Pastor Jack’s mother is in her final hours of life on this earth so keep praying for her and the family. 

Remember, we will NOT have our 10:00AM service tomorrow but we WILL have our evening services, classes, et cetera. 

Also, we need a strong attendance for this Friday night’s service which begins at 7:00PM and features the Chorale from the Moody Bible Institute.  The housing assignments will be available at tomorrow night’s service. 

A big “thank you” to the folks who helped with the second day/night of the CAB renovation yesterday.  A little electrical work needs to be done today and then the sheetrock guys arrive tomorrow. 

Also, a big “thank you” to the folks who participated in the outreach visitation last night.  I don’t know the numbers but it was good.  Praise the Lord!

This post represents the 900th one written on this site.  What does that mean?  It means the next one will be number 901.

The visitation with Edd, Sandy, Braxton & family will take place tomorrow night, 3/9, from 6:00 – 9:00PM in the church auditorium. 

The funeral service for Britan will take place at 2:00PM on Wednesday, 3/10, preceded by an hour of visitation.  This service will also take place in the church auditorium. 

Please continue to pray for the Gillespie family.

We had a blessed day in all four of our services yesterday.  God is so faithful!  I appreciate Bro. Robbie challenging us last night to not “miss any chariots” along the way.  I have in days gone by and perhaps you have too.  Run after a chariot today and share Jesus! 

Bobby Jack Felps came home from the hospital on Saturday – wow!  Jayne English remains in the same hospital as they work through the insurance situation.  Gage Hudson, Pattie Suthoff’s grandson, remains hospitalized and they are supposed to get the biopsy results tomorrow.  Bill Abendroth is going to begin his cancer treatments soon.  Steve Morris continues to recover at home from his surgery.  Carla Kyser & Miss Joyce Bosarge continue their respective battles against cancer.  Susan Quinn, Edwin & Eula Mae’s oldest daughter, will have surgery this Friday, 3/12, to remove the tumor from her chest cavity.  Pastor Jack Bailey’s mother is seemingly near death’s door so pray for her and the family. 

I will go this morning with Edd & Sandy Gillespie to the funeral home to finalize the arrangements for Britan’s service.  I will be posting them here probably shortly after noon today.  Keep praying for Edd, Sandy, Braxton, & the entire family.

Folks who are helping with the food for the Gillespie family are asked to have it in the fellowship hall two hours prior to the service time. 

Two really important things for this week – the MBI Chorale will be with us this Friday, 3/12, at 7:00PM.  We need a good attendance.  We will receive a love offering for their ministry. 

Time changes this Sunday, 3/14, at 2:00AM.  So, “spring forward” before going to bed on Saturday.  Don’t forget! 

Tony Hacker and our CAB renovation committee continue to move forward with phase one.  They will be working tonight at 5:00PM doing some building.  Sammy Bowden is leading the electrical work and will be working between now & Wednesday morning as the sheetrock crew arrives then. 

These are blessed days within the Friendship family.  Thank you for being faithful! 

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

This post is being written just before 2:00AM.  I was in the office last night when Lisa called at 9:00PM to say that Edd & Sandy Gillespie needed me to come to their house.  They had just gotten home to find their daughter, Britan, 21, had passed away.  Obviously, they are very shaken and the cause of death is unknown at this time.  An autopsy will be performed so I will not speculate on the cause.  However, I do want to say that there wasn’t foul play, drug usage, et cetera involved. 

Pray for Edd, Sandy, & their son, Braxton, as they face these dark days.  My heart breaks for them. 

Pattie Suthoff’s grandson, Gage Hudson, is in an ICU in a local hospital.  They are scheduled to get the results of the biopsy next Tuesday.

Lisa talked to Jayne English’s daughter and the insurance company continues to deny coverage for her to be moved to another hospital .  Pray that situation can be resolved.   

Bobby Jack is doing well – praise the Lord!