Pastor's Blog

Feb. 4, 1951 – Nov. 8, 2016 James Calvin Crist Jr. passed away November 8, 2016. Calvin is survived by his wife, Suzanne McKnight Crist; mother, Helen Crist; son Cory (Ashley) Crist and grandson Connor; daughter, Courtney (Chris) Cavin, granddaughters Blakeley and Lilly; stepsons Brandon (Meghan Reintz) and Charles Clarke; sister, Diane (Mike) Onderdonk; niece, Cristen (Todd) Mahone; nephew, Chad Onderdonk; and an aunt, Debbie Glisson. Calvin’s father was the late Rev. James Calvin Crist. Calvin was an educator for more than 45 years in Mobile County. He began his career at Central Baptist School where he taught history, physical education and health, and later became principal and head custodian. He taught at Live Oak Academy and Northside Bible Academy before moving to Mobile County Public School System for a 39-year career. With MCPSS, Calvin taught and coached at Theodore Middle School and at Alba Middle/High School, Clark School of Math and Science and Satsuma High School. For several years, he instructed special needs students’ drivers’ education. At his death, Calvin was Supervisor of Athletics, Physical Education, Driver’s Education and Health Education for Mobile Public Schools. In his youth, he played sports, excelling in basketball and track, and played softball for many years. He was an avid sports fan, and all who knew him also knew that he loved watching Alabama football. During his long teaching and coaching career, Calvin had a positive effect on many students’ lives as a mentor and role model. He was an inspiration to his children and was loved and admired for the strong faith instilled by his mother and father, a Baptist minister for 50 years. His family was his heart, and he will missed by family, friends and co-workers. Visitation will be from 9-11 a.m. Friday, November 11 at Radney Funeral Home on Dauphin Street. A funeral service will follow at Radney; interment will be at Serenity Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Theodore.

Wow, life can change without notice!  This morning I visited with Miss MaryJackson and she was doing great.  She was in a regular room and expecting to be discharged within a day or two.  I had not gotten back to Grand Bay good when I received word that she will receive a pacemaker this afternoon.  Not sure what brought all of that about but do ask you to join me in praying!

However, the bigger surprise came when the doctor came to talk to Cecil & Joey following Warren “Blow Joe” Guidry’s heart cath.  He has multiple blockages, was admitted to the hospital and will have open heart surgery in the morning.  His only symptoms have been shortness of breath over the past couple of months.  Wow!  So, pray for Blow Joe, Cecil & the family.

Unknown to Blow & Cecil and Sammy & Myrtle Bowden, their family had planned a surprise fiftieth wedding anniversary for them.  It was to take place tomorrow night in our fellowship hall.  However, that celebration has now been postponed until a later date.  Please pass the word to anyone who you think may have had plans to attend.  As you know, we only have thirteen readers of this blog so we need to get the word to everyone else.  )BTW, Sammy & Myrtle were married on November 19, 1966 and Warren & Cecil were married on December 10, 1966.)

I had planned to drive to Birmingham tomorrow morning  in order to pray with David McElwee before his open heart surgery.  I am flexible and will now be staying in Mobile for Blow Joe’s surgery.  Sandra, I plan to see David at some point this weekend.  Praying for you guys!

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”  (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading – Luke 22; John 13

Warren Guidry will have a heart cath this morning.  Pray that all goes well.

As far as I know, David McElwee is still scheduled to have open heart surgery in Birmingham early tomorrow morning.

Miss Mary Jackson continues to do well in her recovery from her heart surgery.

Tim Knighten was told by the doctor on Tuesday that he will need radiation and possibly a couple of chemotherapy treatments.  The biggest jolt was being told that he will be out of work for at least four months.  Tim is a worker and that did not set well with him.  He will have a PET scan in the near future and then get fitted for his radiation mask, et cetera.  Pray for Tim!

Carla Kyser was to see the doctor yesterday but that got postponed until this Monday, 11/14.  Did she contact me and let me know?  Therefore, I am not going to mention the “family fun day” set in her honor that takes place this Saturday, 11/12, at Bryant High School beginning at 8:00AM and lasting until noon.  It includes a color run, food, games, et cetera. However, I am not going to mention any of this because Carla stiffed me!

The celebration of life service for Calvin Crist will take place tomorrow at 11:00AM from the chapel at Radney’s Funeral Home on Dauphin Street in Mobile.  It will be preceded by two hours of visitation with the family.  Keep praying for the Crist family.

Kirk Lightfield did a nice job of sharing with us in our services yesterday.  I appreciate Kirk & Michelle and their ministry in Guatemala.  The “potluck with the pastor” went well too.  Lisa did a superb job of hosting that gathering.  She always does.  I am thankful.

I did not realize that Al Sharpton was one of the ones who said he would be moving to Canada if Donald Trump were to be elected president.  What a nice surprise!

Let me mention my friend, Nanette Brooks Fontenot (she insists I use her maiden name).  She is one of the ones who did not volunteer to help with the meal for the senior adults set for next Thursday, 11/17.  Just saying!  (She is going to be so mad at me for calling her out!)

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

The visitation with the Calvin Crist family will take place this Friday, 11/11, from 9:00AM until 11:00AM at Radney’s Funeral Home on Dauphin Street in Mobile.  The celebration of life service will take place at 11:00AM from the funeral home’s chapel.  Burial will take place in Serenity Memorial Gardens.  Keep praying for the Crist family.

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”  (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading – Matthew 26; Mark 14

It is with a sad heart that I share that Courtney Cavin’s dad, Calvin Crist, passed from this life early this morning.  His body was racked with infection.  Pray for his family especially his wife, mother and children.  Obviously, the arrangements are pending.  I do want to say “thanks” to Coach Eric Collier for being with the family during those last hours of Calvin’s life.

Did not get a chance to hear from Tim or Peggy about yesterday’s visit.  Will hear today.

Miss Mary Jackson was doing well yesterday per Bro. Jerry.

“Potluck with the pastor” this morning immediately following our morning service.  Kirk & Michelle Lightfield will be our special guests in both services today.  I hope many folks will join us for the meal.  Lisa has already begun cooking the roast.  We will also provide the bread and drinks.  You bring the sides and desserts.  Bring a friend or two as well.

Our daughter, Daphne, and Rita Broome worked hard to get us enough fruit salads for the senior adult meal.  Then Cecil sends me a message saying we need six more.  Two have been covered.  So, we need four more (Katie Tillman, Claire Turner, two others?) fruit salads.  BTW, Rita helped because that is what she does.  Daphne helped because she was tired of my blogs!

Thank you to each person who volunteered to cook for the senior adult meal.  Wow, what a great and quick response!  I am going to check with Cecil but I do not want any senior adult cooking for this meal.  Just need to check her list!

The USA has elected a new president.  Folks, I am most excited about the new vice president.  Did your hear his speech last night as he introduced the president elect?  He is a follower of Jesus Christ.  I am happy about that fact!  (Personally, I did not think Bill Clinton would have made a good first lady!)

The fare for the college Bible study will be roast, mashed potatoes, beans, dessert and drinks.  It will be delicious!

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

Our thirteen readers have done well in getting the word out!  We are good to go with the exception of needing five more fruit salads.  Now, do you really want me to go to bed tonight worrying about the lack of fruit salads?  If so, so be it.  If not, I need to hear from five more folks before I retire for the night.  What time will that be?  Varies from night to night so just as long as you respond before you call it a day will be fine.

Otherwise, I will be forced to start calling names  of those who have not responded to this plea to help our senior adults.  I do not want to put folks like Katie Tillman on the spot!  Know what I am saying!

Ok, the response has been great.  Almost there.  At this point, we need no more cakes and no more sweet potato casseroles.  We need nine more fruit salads and six more folks willing to cook a turkey.

If you have already contacted Cecil Guidry and put your name on her list, do not contact me too.  (I did not realize she had a list as well. She sent me what was “left” as far as needs are concerned)  I am thinking Rita Broome & Vera Bosarge were on both lists.  Others?  If so, let me know, please.

I am about to be away from my computer for several hours.  When I return, I hope our list will be finished.

I will get with Cecil later (she is working the polls today) to make sure we have everything worked out numerically.  Thanks!

Let’s do this today!

I feel like the hosts on K-Love radio.  The response to the things needed for the community Thanksgiving meal has been pretty good this morning and I would like to complete the list by the end of the day.  Will you help?

Here is where we stand at the moment:  we need eight more cakes, eight more sweet potato casseroles, and eleven more fruit salads.  But wait, if you contact me in the next five minutes. . . .

K-Love always has those matching sponsors but that is not possible here.  However, someone has volunteered to purchase the turkeys if thirteen (we have one) folks will volunteer to cook them.  Their request is that these twelve additional folks volunteer by noon tomorrow, 11/9.  The turkeys would then be available to pick up tomorrow night through this Sunday.

Remember, we are asking folks under the age of sixty five to do all of this cooking.  At this point, I am refusing to let any of our senior adults help.

Since we only have thirteen blog readers, I need for you to get the word out to those from within the Friendship family who do not read the blog.  Call, text, e-mail, whatever and have them contact me via e-mail – tcturrentine@gmail.com.  Thank you!

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”  (Psalm 19:14 KJV)

Today’s Bible reading – Matthew 25

Miss Mary Jackson did well through her surgery.  I do not know exactly what they did but I am told that she did well.  I will visit her later today.

As far as I know, Judy Hall did well through her surgery too.

Blow Joe Guidry had some tests done yesterday and has more to come.  No results from yesterday’s tests yet.

The results from my dad’s latest scans were good.  They showed something in the lungs that concerned the doctor but there is nothing to do at this point.  He asked dad to come back in four months and dad finally agreed to come back in six months (he was intent on not ever going back!)  So, we are thankful to the Lord!

Tim Knighten sees the doctor today.  Pray that he gets some good news regarding his situation.

Keep praying for those battling cancer.

We had four ladies e-mail me regarding the food for the community senior adults Thanksgiving meal on 11/17.  (This is actually a surprise birthday party for Rita Broome but do not tell her!  LOL!)  So, as of the morning, we need thirteen cooked turkeys; eight sweet potato casseroles; eleven fruit salads; eighteen cakes.  I am calling on all of the ladies and/or men from the 20 – 29, 30 – 39, 40 – 49 and 50 – 59 Sunday School classes to step up by tomorrow and meet these needs.  I know that our senior adult ladies will help but I really want them to be the recipients of these blessings.  E-mail me today or tomorrow or call the church office to sign up.

The “fun day” for Carla Kyser takes place this Saturday, 11/12, from Bryant High School.  Starts at 8:00AM and concludes at noon.  You do not have to stay the entire time.  So, if you are in town, consider joining this great cause.

A big shout out to the men who helped clean the church buildings yesterday.  I am not going to list any names for fear of leaving someone out but I do appreciate their help.  Maria Wainwright turned her ankle really severely last Wednesday and cannot do the cleaning right now.

Also, want to say a big “thank you” to our senior adults for filling the choir loft this past Sunday morning during our 10:30AM service – good job!  Your next call is for Sunday, 1/1/17, in our 10:30AM service which will be our only morning service that day.

Obviously, today is election day.  I encourage you to go vote.  Pray for America.

Young(er) ladies – I need to hear from you regarding the food for the community Thanksgiving meal.  Today would be nice!

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

We will have “potluck with the pastor” this Wednesday, 11/9, immediately following the morning service.  Lisa and I will provide the roast, the bread and the drinks.  You bring the sides and desserts.  This will serve as our senior adults monthly gathering too.  Please plan to join us and bring others.