Pastor's Blog

The Kirschenman family will receive guests from 5:00 – 6:00PM this Sunday, 11/13.  A memorial service will then take place at 6:00PM.  Both the visitation and service will take place from the church auditorium. 

Members of the Friendship family – we will not have choir rehearsal, AWANA, or Discipleship Training this Sunday, 11/13, as we will devote ourselves to remembering Lois and encouraging her family.

Not even ten hours have passed and I am now writing another one of those entries that you simply do not want to write.  Louise Morris passed from this life into Heaven around 6:25AM today.  Louise “Emmy Lou” was a sweetheart.  Look up the word faithful in the dictionary and you will find a picture of her.  Folks, the Friendship family has lost two heroes less than twelve hours apart.

I will post the arrangements for Louise once they are finalized.  I can tell you that they are planning on a Monday visitation and service.  Pray for the Morris family.

Dazed!  I guess that word can partly describe how I feel this morning as I try to wrap my mind around the fact that Lois Kirschenman is gone.  Lois is the only member of the Friendship family who attended both of our services (10:00AM & 7:00PM) on Wednesdays.  Folks, I have heard me preach and. . . . .  So, we pray for the family and trust God as we know that Lois is now in His presence.  I will post the arrangements just as soon as they are completed.

I have not talked to Miss Vinnie Brewer yet but I know that she will graciously coordinate the feeding of the Kirschenman family.  You can call the church office today if you are willing to help.  This is not a large family so it will not take a ton of food.

Sharlynn came home from the hospital and is recovering.  Liz told me last night that Laurie Chandler is continuing her recovery at home too.  Bobby Stork’s mother was moved to a rehab facility yesterday.

Louise Morris continues to decline physically.  I think it would be fair to say the same of Gage Hudson.

I want to say “thank you” to the guys who helped clear the stage last night.  I know John & Liz are grateful too.  Thea & Aaron will tie the proverbial knot tomorrow at 5:00PM.  Friendship family, you are invited!

As a general rule, I post my daily entry somewhere between 5:00 – 6:00AM.  However, it does not always show immediately.  If you click to read the entry (which appears as yesterday’s), you will find today’s.  Do not ask me why but just know it is usually there by 6:00AM or so.

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

P.S. – If you can help with food for the Kirschenman, please call the church office today.  Thanks!

This is one of those entries that you simply do not want to write!  Lois Kirschenman passed from this life into heaven somewhere around 7:30PM tonight.  She was in our 10:00AM service today.  Faithful to the end!

Pray for Mr. Earl, Craig, Scott & Jennifer and the rest of the family.  The family will meet with the funeral directors tomorrow morning (Thursday) to make the arrangements.

Wow, I suspect sleep will be evasive tonight for me.  My mind is racing with memories of one of the best followers of Jesus that I have ever had the opportunity to know.  I will miss Lois in a big way!

Just received an e-mail from Bro. Jerry stating that Josh & Desiree Hovel became the parents of their third child this morning as Noah Lee Hovel checked into this world weighing 7 pounds 3 ounces.  Congratulations to Josh & Desiree, big brother, Gabriel, big sister, Faith, and grandparents Jerry & Tena!

Visited with Phil Morris yesterday morning and Louise’s condition seems to be about the same.  Pretty amazing!

As she has done so faithfully in days past, Pattie commented on yesterday’s entry to update us on Gage’s condition.  You can read that to be informed as to how to pray.

Bobby Stork’s mother, Miss Myrtle Stork, is scheduled to be moved to a rehabilitation facility today.

There are three funerals today – at 10:00AM the service for Keith Collins will take place from the chapel of Serenity Funeral Home.  (Bro. Jerry & Miss Gloria Whitmore and Bill Kendrick will attend this one to represent the Friendship family); also at 10:00AM there will be a graveside service at Jackson County Memorial for the mother of Miss Vinnie Brewer’s son-in-law, Hugh.  At 11:00AM the service for Miss Edith Kelley’s brother-in-law will take place near Hattiesburg, MS (Bro. Jerry Hovel and Bro. Herbert Benefield will attend this one to represent the Friendship family).   Pray for these families.

I will get updates today from Sharlynn’s surgery and Phil’s biopsy.

Pastor Jack has not blogged yet today but I did get word that last night’s service at Danville Baptist was blessed and that Pastor Michael Mason did a great job bringing the message.  Praise the Lord!

Thea Whalen and Aaron Burnett will become Mr. & Mrs. this Friday evening.  The wedding ceremony begins at 5:00PM in the church auditorium and the members of the Friendship family are invited to attend.

Regular schedule today with the morning service and evening activities.  I pray that many members of the Friendship family will join me for these services.  By the way, today marks the 64th anniversary of the founding of Friendship Baptist Church.  We give God the praise for all He has done over these years!

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

Here are the arrangements for Miss Maxine Dupont’s grandson-in-law:

COLLINS Keith Collins age 49 passed away November 5, 2011. He is survived by his loving wife Sheelah Baggett Collins; sons, Tylor and Pierce; daughters, Amber and Emily; parents, Robert and Faye Collins; sister, Sherry Hill (Craig); father in law, Douglas Baggett (Debbie); niece, nephew, aunts, uncles, other relatives and friends. Visitation will be held at Serenity on Tuesday, November 8th from 5:00pm to 8:00pm. Funeral service will be Wednesday, November 9th at 10:00am with graveside service to follow.

It is a little after 3:00AM.  Lisa and I arrived home shortly before 3.  We had a good trip.  Pastor Jack Bailey & Pastor Joe David Bailey were gracious in allowing me to take part in these services.  What a joy to work alongside Dr. Rex Looney.  Pastor Terry Nappier, Pastor Michael Mason, and Dr. Tico Vargas were all present for the service too.  The altar was full during the invitation.  We give God the glory!

Visited with Louise (actually with Steve) on the way out yesterday morning.  No change.  Keep praying.

Sharlynn Theobald will have surgery today.  Phil Morgan will have a biopsy.  Pray for these procedures.

As far as I know, Gage remains the same too.  No real update on the others mentioned yesterday.

Miss Edith Kelley’s brother-in-law’s arrangements are a visitation with family tonight in Hattiesburg, MS followed by an 11:00AM service tomorrow just north of Hattiesburg.  Bro. Kerry will be involved in that service as a singer and speaker.  Pray for Miss Edith and her family during this time.

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

I visited with Louise Morris and family early yesterday morning.  Bo told me at church last night that her grandmother seems to be in more pain as the meds do not seem to control it for extended periods of time.  Keep praying.

Maxine Dupont’s grandson-in-law, Keith Collins, passed away Saturday afternoon.  The arrangements are incomplete as far as I know.  Pray for the Collins family.

As far as I know, there has been no significant change in Gage Hudson’s condition.  Keep praying for Gage, Callie, and Pattie.

Jim Brannon is at home recovering from his back surgery.  Earl Gunter was in our services yesterday.  Sharlynn Theobald will have another surgery tomorrow, 11/8.  Phil Morgan will have a biopsy tomorrow and then consult with his doctor on Thursday.  I do not have an update on Kathleen Henderson.  Keep praying for those battling cancer i.e. Carla Kyser, Chuck Rockwell, Amy Huhn’s mother, et cetera.  The service for Lee’s mother went well.  Bobby Stork’s mother remains hospitalized recovering from her surgery.  Pray for all of these folks!

Miss Edith Kelley had a brother-in-law to pass away.  I do not know any of the details but do ask that you pray for the family.

We had a good day in our services yesterday.  It was a blessing to see Katelyn Coleman make a public profession of faith in our evening service.  She prayed to receive Jesus as her personal Savior a couple of months ago in a Wednesday night student Bible study.  To God be the glory!

Pray for the “personhood” amendment vote taking place in Mississippi tomorrow.

Our first “turkey day” went well with 35 turkeys in the freezer!  We need 37 more between now and next Sunday!

Also, your shoe boxes for the Christmas Child project must be turned in no later than next Sunday, 11/13.

Lisa and I are driving to Danville, AL today in order for me to preach in a revival service for them tonight.  We will drive home immediately following the service.  Why?  Because Soyetta is on the way – this week!

We are not talking football on this blog today!

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

It is just before 4:00AM and I have been home from the Bama game (did they play?) for an hour or so.  I wanted to give a couple of updates.

First, I have not received any word about Louise since yesterday afternoon so I assume things are the same.  Pray for her and the family.

Second, I heard that Miss Kathleen Henderson has been hospitalized in an Atlanta hospital for the past week.  I do not know the details but will find out.

Third, I will be preaching the funeral service for Lee’s mother this afternoon.  Pray for that service.

Hope to see many of you in our services today!