Pastor's Blog

A big salute to all of the veterans!  Thank you for serving your country.  I made a huge mistake in the first service yesterday when I failed to recognize our veterans.  I had folks sit down near the end of the service in order to have the veterans stand and then completely forgot!  No excuses.  My mistake.  My apologies!

Thanks to those who took part in the ordination service for John Vickers last night.  Special thanks to the men who participated in the ordination council.  Also, special thanks to Cecil Guidry and all who helped coordinate the reception for John.  Obviously, many folks brought desserts and that is greatly appreciated too.  The clean up crew was spot on as well.  Neal & Mike did very nice jobs of bringing the Word.  John and his family have expressed their appreciation for every thing that took place last night.

Ruby Gulley is scheduled for a heart cath this morning.  Maxine Dupont was placed in the hospital last Friday and I suspect she is still in.  Lisa and I visited with her on Friday night.

Scott Eckert’s 16 year old nephew was tragically killed in an automobile accident over the weekend.  That funeral service takes place tomorrow afternoon at 3:00PM from the Lighthouse Baptist Church in Pascagoula.  Pray for the Eckert family.

Pastor Rodney Coleman’s father, Pastor James Coleman, passed away last Thursday.  That funeral service takes place today from Pastor Rodney’s church.  Pray for the Coleman family.

Phillip Marchand, Sr. passed away last Wednesday night.  That funeral service takes place today from the St. John’s Baptist Catholic Church in Grand Bay.

Lisa and I are on a plane bound for Guatemala.  We will be joined by 35 other folks in a week of ministry.  This team is comprised of folks from Alabama, Canada, & Michigan.  Pray for this team.  Caroline Ford was not able to join us on this trip due to a low heart rate (I did not know she had a heart!) and a low oxygen level.  Pray for her too!

The Grand Bay community Thanksgiving service is set for Sunday evening, 11/24, beginning at 6:00PM from the First Baptist Church.  The ministerial association has honored me by asking me to preach during that service.  I am looking for at least 200 members of the Friendship family to join me for that service.  Will you?

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

Mitchel Fox did have surgery late yesterday afternoon.  They left the incision open, packed it, and will let it drain.  Tiffany actually e-mailed me about five or six times yesterday which is a world record for her.  She is now caught up through 2027!

Ruby Gulley was moved from the unit to a regular room.  Not sure what that means as far as her getting to come home.

Mr. Oswalt and Heather Baria’s mother both remain hospitalized.

Amy Huhn’s mother, Mrs. Morrison, was placed in the hospital yesterday.  She is battling cancer and now has pneumonia.

Kerri Lastorka’s mother was also placed in the hospital last night battling kidney stones and an infection.

Danny Cole’s and Julie McGath’s brother-in-law, Dan will have major surgery next Tuesday in Birmingham.

Carla Kyser gets her scan results back next week.

Carla Cooper’s dad, Pastor Johnny Howard, got a great report from his most recent tests.  Praise the Lord!

Today is Billy Graham’s 95th birthday which means it is “My Hope America” night!  Matthews, pray without ceasing today.  Church, pray without ceasing for the gatherings that will take place tonight in homes all across America.  Pray, pray, pray!

The baby shower for Dale & Karla takes place this Sunday, 11/10, from 3:00 – 4:30PM.  A girl.  Registered at Target, Babies R Us, and Illusions Are So You!  Ladies, this is a church wide shower.

The ordination service for John Vickers takes place this Sunday, 11/10, beginning at 5:00PM.  (No DT this Sunday)  Reception to follow.  Friendship family, please bring sweets for the reception.  Questions?  Contact Cecil Guidry.

You may have noticed that these entries have been later than usual this week.  That may become the norm.  I apologize for any inconvenience.

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

Twenty one Matthews attended the meeting/prayer time last night.  It was good.  I truly appreciate those folks who have gone the extra mile in the “My Hope America” emphasis.  I appreciate everyone is taking part in this emphasis as some simply could not attend the meeting last night but they are with us all the way.  Pray!

Leslie Williams added a comment to yesterday’s entry asking us to pray for a situation they were facing with a student.  I did and hope some of you saw that comment as well and prayed.

Ruby Gulley was off the ventilator and doing well yesterday morning.  She was able to talk to me and thanked us for our continued prayer support.

Mitchel Fox was waiting for a test and then a possible surgery yesterday.  Do not know if he had the surgery or not.  Again, Tiff is not the greatest source of information.  I do not think Tiffany is a gossip as getting info from her is like pulling teeth!

Heather Baria’s mother has been in the hospital for the past few days.  She was much improved yesterday even though she remained in the unit.

Mr. Pee Wee Oswalt is in a local hospital and is not doing well.  Pray for him and his family.

Teresa Ladnier’s friend, Linda, did well through her surgery.

Regular schedule today/tonight.

The main phone (251 445 5412) is working.  Still waiting on the parts to get the other phones up and running.  We will probably be “moving” for the next couple of days.  Thanks for your patience.  A big thanks to all those who have helped get the offices ready and in the moving process.

Baby shower for Dale & Karla Bosarge this Sunday, 11/10, from 3:00 – 4:30PM.  Fellowship hall.  Registered at some stores.

Ordination service for John Vickers this Sunday, 11/10, beginning at 5:00PM.  Council at 3:45PM in the auditorium.

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

Ruby Gulley has been moved to a unit and placed on a ventilator due to a low oxygen level.  They are keeping her sedated.

Mitchel’s infection was seemingly isolating itself to one spot yesterday morning.  I do not know if they did anything i.e. lanced it  yesterday or not.  Tiff is not the greatest source of info in the world but she sure is sweet!

Carla Kyser continues her scans today.

Kent Blaylock continues treatment. Bob Henley needs our prayer support.

Teresa Ladnier has a friend, Linda, who was supposed to have surgery yesterday.  I will get the details today, hopefully.

Pastor Jack Bailey and the folks at Danville Baptist are in a series of revival meetings this week.  Pray for tonight’s service and the one tomorrow night.

Matthews – please meet with me tonight at 6:30PM.   We will meet in the auditorium.

There will be a baby shower this Sunday, 11/10, for Dale & Karla Bosarge.  It will take place in the fellowship hall from 3:00 – 4:30PM (note the time).  It is a girl or a boy!  Registered at some stores – I am thinking one may be The House of Illusions but not sure.  All ladies from the Friendship family are invited/encouraged to attend this shower.

There will be an ordination service for John Vickers this Sunday, 11/10.  That service will begin at 5:00PM (note the time) and there will be a reception in John’s honor immediately following the service.  We are asking the members of the Friendship family to bring cakes, pies, cookies, et cetera to this reception.

Please bear with us as we transition from the old office suite to the new one.  We do have internet service in the new office suite now.  However, it appears something important was thrown away during the clean up process so our phones are not up yet.  (Give Bro. Chris one job to do and he messes it up.  Next news you know he will be announcing Nicole’s pregnancy via the internet!)  If you come to the office, we are in the next office (former parsonage) and you need to use the front door.  BTW, our copier is down too so there “may not” be a letter from me this week.  Betty Creech came by for gas money yesterday and we had her help move stuff to even it all out (or something like that)!  We appreciate her help!

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

Our services yesterday were blessed.  Of course, it is always a God thing to have someone make a public profession of faith so it was a blessing to see Tonie Lee do so in our second morning service.  Brooke Ladnier played an important part in helping lead Tonie to Jesus last Thursday morning via a social site on the internet.  God gives the increase and we give Him the glory.

Dale did a really good job of sharing the message last night.  He was not in either of the morning services (doing children’s church) so he had no clue as to the content of those messages.  Yet, the message he delivered last night mirrored the morning messages as Caleb “wholly followed the LORD!”  Coincidence?  I think not!

It was good to have Alisha Vice in our service last night.  She is “home” for a couple of years or so now.  Apparently found a guy on the internet and will be getting married in May.  However, that could change whenever he meets Rita!  LOL!

Pray for the Rex Butler family this morning.  The visitation with Miss Kathryn and family takes place from 10:00 – 11:00AM.  A graveside service will begin shortly thereafter.  Pray that God will use that brief service to touch hearts and change lives.  Thank you to Miss Kittie and Max & Marjorie Peacock for ministering to his family.

Mitchel Fox and Ruby Gulley remain hospitalized.  Carla Kyser will have  scans today and tomorrow.  Bob Henley was able to attend the service at the truck stop yesterday morning but still needs our prayer support.  Same is true for all of those battling cancer!

Matthews – please meet me in the auditorium tomorrow night, 11/5, at 6:30PM for a season of prayer.  Important!

A group of ladies will be going to minister at the Haven of Hope this Friday, 11/8.  They will leave the church at 5:00PM and will be taking food.  If you want to go, please contact Anna Carol Bosarge or Cecil Guidry.  They need to get an idea about the food.  All ladies are invited.

The folks who came to the work day on Saturday did an outstanding job!  (Bro. Benny said Bill Kendrick was not much help washing the buses but other than that everyone did well!)  I cannot tell you how blessed I was to see how much got done in those few hours.  Thank you!  Same can be said for those who cooked the breakfast too!

You will have to bear with us for a few days as we transition from the “old” office to the “new” office suite.  We will most likely be without phone service for a day or two.  Beginning today, 11/4, the offices will be in the old parsonage.  Use the front door to enter, please.

Marisa Felps is now claiming that she was in the nursery during last night’s service?  Likely story.  All I know is that I did not see her and I have not found anyone who can vouch for her!  Her offering check is probably “in the mail” too!  LOL!

I pray that your Monday will be great with Jesus.

Received a call from Max Peacock early last night to share that Mr. Rex Butler had passed away.  I had attempted to visit with him on Thursday morning but he was sleeping very soundly.  Pray for his wife, Miss Kathryn.  I have been asked to preach the service but I do not know when that will be.

Ruby Gulley was taken by ambulance to a local hospital last night.  This is related to her heart beating out of rhythm.  The doctor will be doing some tests.

Carla Kyser has scans Monday & Tuesday.

Breakfast this morning at 7:00AM followed by work day at 8:00AM.  We will conclude the work day by 11:00AM.

Rick Bradley, Jr. and Kayla Brown will have their wedding ceremony this afternoon at 5:00PM.  The Old Place in Gautier, MS and everyone is invited.

Time changes tonight so remember to “fall back” one hour before going to bed.

Hope to be joined by many members of the Friendship family in tomorrow’s services.

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

The Hallelujah Festival was a success – to God be the glory!  Five hundred and ninety six tickets were distributed and a conservative estimate is that fifty to seventy folks did not take a ticket.  So, it would be safe to say that there were between 650 – 700 folks present not counting the workers.  I saw workers ranging from high school students to senior adults.  Thank you to everyone who helped in any way and especially to those who coordinated the entire ministry.  Great job!

The service for Bernard’s brother takes place at noon today from the chapel at Holder Wells.  It will be preceded by two hours of visitation with the family.  Pray for the Suthoff family.

Alisha Vice’s time in Uganda is over as she and Rita are flying to the States today.  She will now be in the States for the next couple of years getting married (any takers?) and teaching school as her husband does some additional schooling.  Pray for safe travels for Alisha & Rita.

Breakfast tomorrow morning at 7:00AM.  Work day at 8:00AM.

Rick & Kayla’s wedding takes place at 5:00PM on Saturday, 11/2, beginning at 5:00PM from The Old Place in Gautier, MS.  You are invited!

Time changes this Sunday, 11/3, so “fall back” one hour before going to bed Saturday night.

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