Pastor's Blog

Terry Lucky did come home from the hospital on Sunday.  At this moment, the Friendship family has no one in the hospital and that is a good thing.

Met with Austin & Nicole last night for some pre-marital counseling.  They are going to go through with it anyway despite my best efforts – LOL!  Ladies, remember the wedding shower for them tonight from 6:30 until 8:00PM at our house.  Registered at Target, Wal Mart and Tide Marine.

Speaking of showers, Dr. Jack Bailey stole an idea from another pastor (Dr. Tom Campbell) that I may see about stealing from him.  The person(s) gets the gifts and it does not require that folks give up their time.  Takes away some of the personal touch but it does have some advantages.

September is the month for the members of the Friendship family to sign up for the Summer 2014 GRACE trips.  I am being contacted regularly by folks outside the Friendship family asking for the opportunity to join us on a trip next Summer.  They will be given that opportunity beginning October 1, 2013.  Sign up now by using one of the forms in the foyer of the auditorium or contacting me electronically.

Holly Isom joined us for our second service this past Sunday morning.  It was so good to see her.  She is one of those “outsiders” who joined us this past Summer for a GRACE trip and is now seemingly hooked.  She also has been very kind to a number of our young adults by hiring them at the place of business where she is the manager.

I have not heard from our senior adults but I live by the adage that “no news is good news” and trust that is true in this case too.

Watched maybe five minutes of the two NFL games combined last night.  My football mind is on a college game this weekend.  College football > the NFL in my opinion.  Once again, Joe David is wrong!

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

We were blessed with a good day in our services yesterday.  The attendance in the morning services was good even though some of our senior adults were gone as they were traveling to the National Quartet Convention.  The evening service took the biggest hit attendance wise.  Stephanie Leavins did a nice job of sharing in song and word.  You gave her a nice love offering too and, for that, I am thankful.

I assume that Terry Lucky came home from the hospital yesterday but I do not know that for a fact.  Carol will let me know today as she is a reader of the blog.

Victoria Collier received a heart transplant earlier this year.  She had to be taken by to UAB this weekend but came home last night.

The wedding shower for Austin Jackson & Nicole Clark takes place tomorrow night, 9/10, from 6:30 until 8:00PM at our house.  They are registered at Target, Wal Mart, and Tide Marine (I think) but do not hold me to it.  Everyone from the church is invited to attend.

We will observe the ordinance of baptism this Sunday, 9/15, as a part of our evening service.

My weekend of watching football did not end well as the Cowboys won!  I probably watched a total of about ten minutes of pro football.  Did watch some of the USC/UGA game, some of the ND/UM game and a little of the UT/BYU game.  Predicted that the UT defensive coordinator would be fired on Sunday and that became a reality.  Replaced him with a guy who did not fare well as the head coach at Syracuse and was fired after two seasons as DC at Michigan?  It will be interesting to see how Bama fares in College Station this Saturday afternoon.

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

This entry is way late with no excuse.  The men’s breakfast this morning had 26 (+/-) in attendance.  Good food, good fellowship and a good message from the Word by Jeff Holifield.  Thanks to all the men who helped cooked, serve, clean up, et cetera.

Visited Terry Lucky in the hospital yesterday.  He was sleeping soundly so I did not awaken him.  First time I have ever visited the hospital in a tuxedo and Terry slept through it – LOL!

Why the tux?  Did the wedding ceremony for Cody Grimes and Kelsey Hodges last night.  Nice wedding with the exception of having to deal with the photographer – what a beast!

Baby shower for Summer McGriff tomorrow afternoon from 2:00 – 3:30PM in the fellowship hall.

Wedding shower for Austin Jackson & Nicole Clark on Tuesday night, 9/10, at our house from 6:30 – 8:00PM.

Stephanie Leavins will be ministering in song in tomorrow night’s 6:00PM service.  We will receive a love offering for her ministry.

Senior adults leave at 7:00AM tomorrow headed to the National Quartet Convention in Louisville, KY.

Yes, there was an earthquake in Guatemala yesterday that measured 6.6 on the scale.  No damage on the mountain as far as I know.

Got to go finish mowing the back forty and do a few other things before the USC vs UGA game followed by the ND vs UM game.  I am going with UGA and UM to win.  I would love to see USM upset the Huskers but that is not likely.  Chris & Courtney are about to make the move over to the Bama side.  They want to but just have not gotten the courage to do so yet.  Maybe today!

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

Terry Lucky’s surgery went very well yesterday morning.  The doctor said that there were no surprises.  I prayed with Terry before surgery and then the surgeon came in, knowing I had just prayed, and prayed again in the name of Jesus.  How about that?  Terry should be discharged Sunday.

The men’s breakfast begins at 7:00AM tomorrow.  It will take place in the fellowship hall.  All men are invited to attend.

The senior adults leave at 7:00AM on Sunday morning heading to the National Quartet Convention.  They will return next Friday, 9/13.  Pray for them.

Stephanie Leavins will be our guest in the 6:00PM service this Sunday, 9/8.  We will receive a love offering for her.

Ladies, two showers coming up over the next few days.  First, there will be a baby shower for Summer McGriff and Abigail this Sunday afternoon from 2:00 – 3:30PM in the fellowship hall.

Second, there will be a wedding shower on Tuesday night from 6:30 – 8:00PM for Austin Jackson and Nicole Clark.  That one will take place from our house.  (Everyone needs to be gone by 8:00PM sharp – LOL!)  All ladies are invited to attend both of these showers.

Joe David Bailey is so wrong!  Watched a good bit of the Ravens vs Broncos game last night.  Good game but no way it compares to college football.  I am not a UT fan but Peyton can play!

I really thought that Ross & Queen Genzink would be kind and thoughtful enough to invite me to attend the final (at least in the foreseeable future) game between ND and UM this Saturday night.  Wrong!  It almost makes me want to pull against Michigan but there is no way I am going to side with ND.  Hope Michigan beats them convincingly.

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

We were blessed with a good day/night in our services yesterday.  The morning attendance was real good and the evening attendance in the auditorium was perhaps our best since moving to the earlier starting time.  Friendship family, thank you for being faithful to attend!

Terry Lucky is having knee replacement surgery this morning.  His surgery is scheduled for 7:00AM which I really like as it means he should be taken on time.  Pray that all goes well for him.

The funeral for Ken Freeman’s grandson, Trey, takes place today in Oklahoma so pray for the family during this difficult time.

The NFL regular season begins tonight with the Ravens traveling to take on the Broncos.  I would rather watch a good college game but will most likely watch some of the NFL game tonight.  It is a good time of the year if you are a football fan.

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

The visitation with the Versiga family takes place this morning from 10:00AM until the noon service time at Holder Wells Funeral Home in Moss Point.  Pray for the family and the service.  Helping with the food?  Please have it in the church fellowship hall no later than noon today.

The maternal grandmother, Dora Stone, of Bill & Debbie Kendrick’s daughter-in-law, Katie, passed away yesterday morning.   Miss Stone is also the grandmother of Ken, Tom & Susan (Chandler) Wheat.  Pray for the family.  The service will take place on Saturday afternoon in Carrolton, Alabama.  Pray for the family.

Evangelist Ken Freeman’s grandson, Trey, passed away Sunday and the celebration of life service takes place tomorrow in the Oklahoma City, OK area.  Pray for the Freeman family.

One of Larry Whitehurst’s brothers, Charlie, was involved in a motorcycle accident a couple of days ago.  They were waiting for the swelling to subside before doing surgery on his leg.  That surgery could have taken place yesterday but I am not for certain.  Pray for Charlie.

Infant Connor Crist is improving but still has a ways to go.  Keep praying.

Terry Lucky will have one of his knees replaced tomorrow.  Pray that everything goes well.

Visited with our folks in the convalescent home yesterday morning.  Everyone was doing well.  Rob’s mother, Miss Barbara, was doing extremely well.  The only one I did not get to visit with was Miss Exie as the nurses/aids were in her room.

What a great night we had last night at our My Hope America meeting.  There were 51 in attendance and we secured 33 Matthew commitments.  That is great!  You will be hearing much about My Hope and Matthew over the next two months.  Pray!

Marisa Felps and Cecil Guidry took care of the food for last night’s meeting and, as always, they did a great job.  Bro. Chris helped with the set up of tables/chairs and did the computer stuff.  Several guys took the chairs back to the CAB after the meeting.  Thanks to everyone who helped in any way!

I was asked several times yesterday about what I did on Labor Day.  Literally worked from 8:00AM until 7:30PM with a fifteen minute lunch break.  Trimming pecan trees and mowing.  Did Soy help?  LOL!  He literally “played in the water” all day!  He was so “cute” with his floaties on!

Regular schedule today/tonight.  I will be in the morning service sandwiching it between the Versiga visitation and service.  We will ask the Friendship family to vote to license Bro. Chris Taylor and to license/ordain John Vickers in the services today.

I do not know what the menu is for tonight’s 7:30PM Bible study.  My wife will make it good whatever it is!

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

Tonight marks a very important time in the life of the Friendship family.  Two Sunday nights ago (8/25), we had 54 families commit to “consider” being a host for the “My Hope America” emphasis in November.  They also agreed to attend a meeting to further discuss the possibility.  That meeting takes place tonight beginning at 6:30PM in the fellowship hall.  A light sandwich supper will be served.  What if you cannot be there promptly at 6:30PM?  Com anytime between then and 7:00PM.  Folks, this is important.  I will make it as brief as possible.  There will be a time for questions and answers.

What if I did not sign up to attend this meeting but want to come anyway?  Come join us.  This is an important meeting.

The funeral service for Miss Gertrude Versiga takes place tomorrow at noon from the chapel at Holder Wells Funeral Home in Moss Point, MS.  It will be preceded by two hours of visitation with the Versiga family.  You can attend our morning service and still have plenty of time to visit with the family and/or attend the service.

If you are helping feed the Versiga family, please have the food at the church no later than noon.  Put it in the fellowship hall.  Questions?  Contact Miss Vinnie Brewer.

The men’s breakfast takes place this Saturday, 9/7, beginning at 7:00AM in the fellowship hall.

There will be a baby shower for Summer McGriff this Sunday, 9/8, from 2:00 – 3:30PM in the fellowship hall.  Ladies, please take note.

I trust that you had a great Labor Day.  Mine was filled with labor – that Lisa is a slave driver!

Today marks the 27th anniversary of Lisa’s brother, Michael, passing from this life as an 18 year old young man.  It seems like an eternity ago on one hand and like yesterday on the other.  Just three short years later, Dub Ladnier would pass on the same date.  Dub & Michael were good friends and it was ironic to me that they passed on the same day.  So many memories.

We saw three students make public professions of faith in the second morning service yesterday.  They had accepted Jesus as their personal Savior last Wednesday night.  We praise God for these decisions.

Our attendance was down some yesterday morning but we still remained over 400 in worship.  I appreciate the members of the Friendship family being faithful.

We had 140 (+/-) in our service last night which is about what I expected.  Marisa and the others did a great job of hosting the fellowship.  John Milton & Blo Joe did an excellent job of cooking.  You did a wonderful job of providing the sides and desserts.  Randall, Lynda, & Rita did a great job of leading our musical worship.  Jim Chinners is to be thanked for running the sound.  It was a good evening of fellowship.  It was good to have Sara Nell Moulds in the evening service.

The monthly men’s breakfast takes place this Saturday, 9/7/ beginning at 7:00AM in the fellowship hall.  All men are invited to attend.  Questions?  Contact Jim Chinners or Jeff Holifield.

There will be a baby shower for Summer McGriff this Sunday, 9/8, from 2:00 – 3:30PM in the fellowship hall.  All ladies are invited to attend.

There will be a wedding shower for Austin Jackson & Nicole Clark on Tuesday evening, 9/10, from 6:30 – 8:00PM.  This will take place at our house.  Katelyn Jackson is in charge so if you have questions contact her.  Everyone is invited.  I think they are registered at Tide Marine.

The church office is closed today.  It will be open tomorrow at 8:00AM.

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

Gertrude Bozeman Versiga, age 87, Grand Bay, AL, passed away on Saturday, August 31, 2013, in a local hospital surrounded by loved ones, after a long illness. She was born on February 17, 1926 to Charlie Monroe Bozeman and Ester Lee Bishop Bozeman in Bruce, FL.

After moving to the Moss Point – Pascagoula, MS area, Gertrude met the love of her life, George Leon Versiga. She was a resident of Grand Bay, AL for the past 37 years. She was retired co-owner of George’s Auto Service. Gerturde was a member of Griffin Street Baptist Church in Moss Point until moving to Grand Bay and had taught Sunday School for many years. She was a member of the Eastern Star Chapter 178, serving as the Chaplin for seven years until the chapter moved.

Gertrude loved cooking for her family and friends. She always looked forward to her family vacations traveling in the motor home. She loved attending the family reunions at the old homestead in Bruce, Florida. Gertrude was always there when her family needed her support. Gertrude was a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother. She will be greatly missed by all her family and friends.

Gertrude was preceded in death by her parents; sons, Raymond Earl Versiga and infant son Jack Lawrence Versiga, daughter in laws, Brenda Versiga and Erma Versiga; grand daughters, Ashley Versiga and Madison Little; sisters, Irene Bullock and Alma Strickland.

Gertrude is survived by her devoted husband of 66 years, George Leon Versiga; sons, Robert Versiga of Pascagoula, MS, Dennis Versiga and Butch (Betty) Versiga of Grand Bay, AL; daughter in law, Sherri Versiga, Wiggins, MS; brother, Jimmy (Judy) Bozeman of Blakely, Georgia; sisters, Olla Mae Mitchell of Titusville, Florida, Evie Fayard and Lorraine (Tillie) Zampieri of Gulfport, MS; sister in law, Louise Guiditta, Mobile, AL; grandchildren, Heather Price, Andrea Ewing, Kimberly Versiga, Chad Versiga, Dana Ray and Tamara Smith: 8 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, September 4, 2013 from 10;00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Holder Wells Funeral Home in Moss Point, Ms. Funeral Services will follow at 12:00 p.m. in the Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Teddy Turrentine officiating. Interment will be at Machpelah Cemetery in Pascagoula,MS. Serving as pallbearers are Butch McKeithen, J. D. Barrow, Chad Versiga, Larry Ewing, Mickey Cook and Kenneth Dewitt.

The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Marla Lambert, Dr. Seibert, Dr Melton, nurses and staff at Providence Hospital and Gentiva Hospice for the care of Ms. Gertrude.Arrangements made by Holder-Wells Funeral Home Moss Point, MS.Online condolences may be made by visting www.holderwellsfuneralhome.com