Pastor's Blog

Visited with Bea Unrue this morning.  She was sleeping but I went ahead and talked to her and prayed with her.  That was around 10:30AM.

It is now around 1:30PM.  Bro. Jerry called to say that Miss Bea has taken a turn for the worse.  I called her daughter, Rita, and she said that her mother is not being sedated but is non-responsive.  A palliative care doctor is scheduled to meet with the family later today.

Pray for Bea, Bill, and the family.

Laurie Chandler’s surgery went well according to the doctor.  The doctor talked to Laurie’s husband, Bobby, around 9:00AM.  She should be discharged early tomorrow.  Pray for her recovery.

Robin Corley was in good spirits.  She told me that she will not have to take chemotherapy.  Pray for Robin as she will be in the hospital for several more days.

Today’s Bible reading – 2 Kings 6:1-7:20 Acts 15:36-16:15 Psalm 142:1-7 Proverbs 17:24-25

Laurie Chandler is scheduled to have surgery this morning.

Visited with Bea yesterday morning but she was asleep.  Talked to her daughter, Rita, via the phone and she said there is no change.  Bea remains in ICU.

Kayla Hatcher was discharged from the hospital yesterday morning.  You can already tell she is milking this “minor” surgery for all it is worth!  Poor Ryan!

Miss Kathleen Henderson was scheduled to be discharged from the hospital yesterday morning.  Visited with her and she was just waiting on the paper work to be finished before going on.

Robin Corley was diagnosed with a malignancy yesterday.  She will be in the hospital several days.

Cristy Leytham continues in her battle against cancer.  She is at home in Guatemala.

Pastor Terry Rainey & Pastor Eddie Burdette are leading a team in Guatemala this week.  They have faced obstacle after obstacle and have literally only been able to build one day due to rain, mudslides and demonstrations.  (Personally, I do not think their building skills are so bad that the town’s people should demonstrate against them but it is what it is!)

Daphne Hutto, Rusty & Caryn Suthoff, Hennie Tran, Caitlin Trehern & Lisa Turrentine get a special “thank you” for helping Sonrise Baptist Church (Todd & Kelli Stork) wi their VBS last night.  That is the good news.  The bad news is that they were “dismissed” after one night!

“Pound the pantry, pound the pantry, pound the pantry!”

Regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening with the exception of no 7:30PM Bible study at our house.

The Dores won last night.  Can they beat the Hoos one more time?  It will be tough but go SEC!  (Or as they say on the Finebaum show, “the SEC conference!”)

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

Today’s Bible reading – 2 Kings 4:18-5:27 Acts 15:1-35 Psalm 141:1-10 Proverbs 17:23

Tuesday, 6/24 – 2 Kings 6:1-7:20 Acts 15:36-16:15 Psalm 142:1-7 Proverbs 17:24-25

Wednesday, 6/25 – 2 Kings 8:1-9:13 Acts 16:16-40 Psalm 143:1-12 Proverbs 17:26

Thursday, 6/26 – 2 Kings 9:14-10:31 Acts 17:1-34 Psalm 144:1-15 Proverbs 17:27-28

Friday, 6/27 – 2 Kings 10:32-12:21 Acts 18:1-22 Psalm 145:1-21 Proverbs 18:1

Saturday, 6/28 – 2 Kings 13:1-14:29 Acts 18:23-19:12 Psalm 146:1-10 Proverbs 18:2-3

Sunday, 6/29 – 2 Kings 15:1-16:20 Acts 19:13-41 Psalm 147:1-20 Proverbs 18:4-5

Kayla Hatcher had an emergency appendectomy yesterday morning.  She did well and should come home this morning.

Miss Kathleen Henderson is in the hospital too.  Rumor has it that she will be discharged today.

Miss Bea Unrue remains in ICU.

Bro. Johnny’s sister, Margaret Ann, continues to need our prayers in her battle against cancer.

Miss Cristy Leytham’s situation is not good but her faith is remarkable!  She has such a positive outlook.

We were blessed with a good day in our services yesterday.  We have a good number of folks out of town but our overall attendance was good.  Could it have been better?  Sure, but that is always true!  Thank God for folks who are faithful!

We have one more week to “pound the pantry” by bringing non-perishable food items to be placed in our food pantry.  The 29ers had a good haul yesterday while the 39ers continue to lag behind!

I am trying to make certain that our sponsorship list for the children in Guatemala is correct.  If you are sponsoring a child, would you please send me an e-mail telling me the name of that child?  Thanks!

This Sunday night, 6/29, we will elect three men to serve as deacons for a three year rotation beginning August 1, 2014.  The names of the nominees will be included in this week’s letter.  Pray about this important ministry.

Soy tells me that the USA lost their soccer game (is it a game or a match?) yesterday.  I wish he had not told me as it caused me to lose probably two seconds sleep last night!  Alabama is claiming to be a “soccer” state now – are you serious?  Just wait until the real football season begins in August and see what folks are watching then!

BTW, rumor has it that Pastor Jack Bailey cancelled their service last night – due to the soccer game?  (Remember, it is just a rumor!)

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

Today’s Bible reading – 2 Kings 3:1-4:17 Acts 14:8-28 Psalm 140:1-13 Proverbs 17:22

Kayla Hatcher was taken to an emergency room last night around 8:00PM and will be having an appendectomy this morning.  Pray for her.

Miss Bea Unrue remains in ICU.  Keep praying!

We have until next Monday, 6/30, to “pound the pantry” during the month of June.  I hope a good number from the Friendship family will bring non-perishables to the services this morning or evening.  Lets fill the food pantry!

The Mississippi Black Bears let me down yesterday while the ‘Dores came through in the college baseball world series.  It would have been nice to see an all SEC final.  Go Vandy!

I hope to see many of you in our services today.

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

Today’s Bible reading – 2 Kings 1:1-2:25 Acts 13:42-14:7 Psalm 139:1-24 Proverbs 17:19-21

Visited with Bea Unrue yesterday morning.  She remains in ICU and is on a ventilator.  Obviously, she could not talk to me but indicated that she was doing ok.

Heard from my niece, Jamie, this morning that her mother-in-law, Margaret Ann, is not doing well.  Of course, this is Bro. Johnny Tucker’s younger sister.  Adam & Jamie are in China so I know this is weighing on him emotionally.  Pray for this family.

I have not mentioned our “pound the pantry” emphasis in a couple of weeks.  We have two Sundays left to bring non-perishable items to help stock our food pantry.   Receptacles are in the foyer of the auditorium, hallway in the adult building, and fellowship hall.  I do not know for a fact but am fairly confident that the 29ers have brought more than double what the 39eers have!  Lets make these last two Sundays the best two of the month in this regard!

We will be recognizing several couples in the 10:30AM service tomorrow.  Each of these couples have been or were (widows/widowers) married for fifty plus years.  It is a joy to honor the institution of marriage and those who have been faithful to it!

Summer 2014 begins today at 6:51AM which means this will be the day of the year with the most hours of sunlight.  Summer also means vacations, beaches, weekend trips, et cetera for folks from the Friendship family.  I am glad that families get to spend some time away from the hustle and bustle of life.  However, I encourage those who are in town to be faithful to the church by attending the services, serving, giving, et cetera.

We have our Celebration service tonight at 6:00PM and then all three (8:00; 10:30AM & 6:00PM) services tomorrow.  Lets fill the Lord’s house to His glory!

Was able to get the gardening done yesterday morning and then some of the yard work.  Charles did more than his share of the grass cutting yesterday so that is a huge help.  Today will be spent mowing, weed eating, and studying for tomorrow.

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

Yesterday’s (6/19) Bible reading – 1 Kings 20:1-21:29 Acts 12:24-13:15 Psalm 137:1-9 Proverbs 17:16

Today’s Bible reading – 1 Kings 22:1-53 Acts 13:16-41 Psalm 138:1-8 Proverbs 17:17-18

Miss Bea Unrue remains in ICU.  She coded on Wednesday night but was better yesterday per Bro. Jerry.

I “think” everyone arrived home safely from the GRACE trip.  I say “think” because it seems some of the folks flying United were delayed in Houston.  My cell phone battery was dead so I did not have the numbers needed to call them.

We are on a regular schedule this Sunday, 6/22, which will be preceded by our Saturday Celebration on 6/21 service at 6:00PM.  Lord willing, I will be in the pulpit for all three services on Sunday.  Bro. Chris will be preaching on Saturday night.

I arrived home in time yesterday afternoon to take care of the chickens and work in the garden.  Lisa and I picked okra, squash, peppers and peas.  I have a little more work to do in the garden this morning and then the grass cutting awaits me.  Lisa and Charles did a nice job with the garden and the yard in my absence.  I am grateful.

My nephew, Josh, and niece, Jamie, and their families left for China yesterday.  They were delayed in Seattle so they are still in route.  Hopefully, they will arrive in Hong Kong later this morning and will enjoy a good time with Eddie & Sue.

It is quiet around this place too as Dana & Gina stayed in Guatemala with Soy, Deidra and the girls.  Lisa will go get the girls in a couple of weeks while Soy, Deidra and the girls will remain there for six more weeks.  Pray for their ministry there.

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

Today’s Bible reading – 1 Kings 19:1-21 Acts 12:1-23 Psalm 136:1-26 Proverbs 17:14-15

Miss Bea Unrue remains in ICU.  They were supposed to give her some blood yesterday.   Pray for Bea.

The funeral service for Tommy & Vic Johnson’s niece will take place today.  The visitation with the family takes place from 12:00 until the 2:00PM service time.  Visitation and service will take place at the Gospel Way Church in Bayou La Batre.  Pray for the Johnson family.

Regular schedule today/tonight.  The students will all meet together in the CAB tonight as they have hosting the group from Youth Works tonight.  Contact Bro. Chris for the details.

We need to hear from the couples who have been/were married 50 plus years by noon today.  Please call the church office.

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

Today’s Bible reading – 1 Kings 18:1-46 Acts 11:1-30 Psalm 135:1-21 Proverbs 17:12-13

Bea Unrue has been placed in ICU so she definitely needs our prayer support.

We will be on a regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening.

Need to hear from the couples who have been/were married for 50 plus years as they will be recognized in this Sunday’s 10:30AM service.

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

Today’s Bible reading – 1 Kings 15:25-17:24 Acts 10:24-48 Psalm 134:1-3 Proverbs 17:9-11

Tuesday, 6/17 – 1 Kings 18:1-46 Acts 11:1-30 Psalm 135:1-21 Proverbs 17:12-13

Wednesday, 6/18 – 1 Kings 19:1-21 Acts 12:1-23 Psalm 136:1-26 Proverbs 17:14-15

Thursday, 6/19 – 1 Kings 20:1-21:29 Acts 12:24-13:15 Psalm 137:1-9 Proverbs 17:16

Friday, 6/20 – 1 Kings 22:1-53 Acts 13:16-41 Psalm 138:1-8 Proverbs 17:17-18

Saturday, 6/21 – 2 Kings 1:1-2:25 Acts 13:42-14:7 Psalm 139:1-24 Proverbs 17:19-21

Sunday, 6/22 – 2 Kings 3:1-4:17 Acts 14:8-28 Psalm 140:1-13 Proverbs 17:22

The final number from our VBS were an enrollment of 226 with an average daily attendance of 196.  The love offering for Legacy of Faith ministries was somewhere around $1,300.  Again, thank you to each person who helped make our VBS the success it was.  To God be the glory for the souls that were saved during VBS.

Miss Bea Unrue is back in the hospital.

It is my understanding that we had a good attendance in our first service yesterday morning and a good attendance in last night’s service.  Our second morning service lacked somewhat in this area.  I appreciate Bro. Jerry preaching in my absence yesterday morning.

We need each of the couple who have been married for 50 plus years to let us know of their intentions to attend the 10:30AM service this coming Sunday, 6/22.  It is vital that we know this by noon this Wednesday, 6/18.  Please call the church office if you have not done so already.

I am told that the Spurs won it all last night!  Hooray!  Do I like the Spurs?  No.  Just really am not a fan of the Heat.

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

Today’s Bible reading – 1 Kings 12:20-13:34 Acts 9:26-43 Psalm 132:1-18 Proverbs 17:6

Tommy & Vic Johnson’s niece, Candice, passed away unexpectedly yesterday.  She was a young married mother of two.  Obviously, this is Coley’s cousin.  Pray for this family.

Bridgett & Sawyer should be discharged from the hospital tomorrow.

Our 2014 VBS is history with the exception of family night this Sunday at 5:00PM.  I think our attendance yesterday was around 180.  Special thanks to each person who helped in any way with VBS!

Our Celebration Saturday service takes place tonight beginning at 6:00PM.  Bro. Chris will be leading that service.

We will have the dedication of the GRACE Ministries feeding center today beginning at 5:00PM (6:00PM Grand Bay time).  Our plan is to stream this service.  If interested, you can get the details for watching this via the internet.

Tomorrow is Father’s Day.  Bro. Jerry will be preaching in our morning services and the VBS family night will begin at 5:00PM.  I pray that the members of the Friendship family will be faithful.

Unless something out of the ordinary happens, I will not post an entry here tomorrow.  So, here is tomorrow’s Bible reading – 1 Kings 14:1-15:24 Acts 10:1-23 Psalm 133:1-3 Proverbs 17:7-8.

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