Pastor's Blog

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Good Sunday morning greetings from GRACE Mountain in Guatemala.  I arrived here late Saturday night and then had a full day yesterday which included not getting online until last night thus no Saturday blog entry.  More on why I am here later in this entry.

Robert Baria was scheduled to be discharged from the hospital yesterday morning and I am “assuming” that happened.  Keep praying for Robert.

Wendy Johnston’s mother continues to decline physically.  She, her daughters and their families need our prayer support.

In my opinion, the celebration of life service on Friday for Sara Nell Moulds was good.  I appreciate the honor of being asked to take part in that service as Sara Nell was such a special lady.  I am very thankful to Jeanette Bates, Randall Broome and Brad Hutto for the outstanding job they did with the musical portion of that service – they knocked it out of the park!  I am also very thankful to James Mareno, Raymond Wilkinson and Rhea Wilkinson for handling the audio/video portion of the visitation and service.  I am grateful for Tina Wilkinson as she did her usual wonderful job of hosting the meal and the Friendship family, along with Woodridge Baptist, did an outstanding job with the food.  Obviously, I give thanks for God for His blessings and presence during the service.  I can only hope that it brought glory to His name!

Our Senior Saints are asked to attend our 10:30AM service today as we will honor God by recognizing them.  Pastor Randy Johnson will be preaching in all three services.  A complimentary lunch will be served in the CAB immediately following the 10:30AM service.  The Heritage House is catering the meal.  Kayla Hatcher & Katelyn Johnson are hosting the meal and will be assisted by other young adults and about one dozen of our students.  I believe it is going to be a great day!

Real quick – in December of 2017 Ross Genzink and I (ok, Ross would be emotional support as I worked) were going to replace the water heater in the mission house during a week when no team was present.  Great plan with one problem – the replacement heaters did not arrive in Guatemala on time.  So, the next available week without a team was 5/3 – 5/10.  We changed our tickets, added Queen & Lisa to the mix and were good to go.  I delayed my trip by one day due to the service for Sara Nell.  I needed favor in getting from Grand Bay to Pensacola, FL in time to catch my flight following the service.  God granted me favor and I am very thankful to Him.

I was involved in an important meeting yesterday and then had supper with John & Laurie King along with two of their daughters last night.  John & Laurie leave today heading back to Canada and will not return here until early October so I wanted to spend some time with them.  Tonight, I have a very important meeting that could have a major impact on the future of GRACE Ministries.  Prayers appreciated.

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

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

I have a lot on my plate this morning so this will be short and sweet.  The celebration of life service for Sara Nell Moulds will take place this morning beginning at 11:00AM in our church auditorium.  It will be preceded by an hour of visitation with the family.  Keep praying for the Moulds family.

Robert Baria was moved to a regular hospital room yesterday.  He seemed to be better.  His most pressing concern is wondering how Carl Ray is holding up.  His second most pressing concern was having to miss our Wednesday night service.  Amazing!

Sharon Jardee continues to recover at home.  Keep her in your prayers.

Wendy’s mother continues to decline physically.  Wendy is having a hard time dealing with the whole situation.  Pray for mercy.

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

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

We enjoyed a blessed day in our services yesterday morning and evening.  Our morning crowd is really faithful and they are a wonderful group!  I really enjoy our Wednesday morning service.  Likewise, I enjoy the Wednesday evening crowd too – totally different group of people.  Such a nice mix.  The evening crowd is always a blessing to me.  Thank you Lord for folks who attend our Wednesday services.

Robert Baria is in ICU.  He is not a happy camper.  He is battling pneumonia and his temperature has reached one hundred and three.  Pray for Robert!

The visitation with the Sara Nell Moulds family takes place tonight from 5:oo – 8:00PM in our church auditorium.  I am asking folks to please be respectful of the private family time and not come until the 5:00PM hour.  We will have at least two deacons on hand during each hour of the visitation should anyone need assistance.  Our deacons are great guys.  Great ministers.

Our “Helping Hands” ministry is hosting a tea for ladies this Saturday, May 5, from 2:00 – 4:00PM in the fellowship hall.  All ladies are invited to attend.

Remember, our CAB is now shut down until after the Senior Saints meal on Sunday.  No other activities are to take place.

Have you checked out Deidra’s blog lately?  She is doing an excellent job at the feeding center on GRACE Mountain in Guatemala.  Tess is now there too and they are going to make an awesome pair as they tackle the task of helping those one hundred and ten children educationally.  By the way, shininglightabroad.com is the website where the blog can be found.  She does not blog daily but she does a nice job when she does post one.

What?  Les Hacker’s Braves have moved to the top in the NL East Division!  However, Bobby & the boys are only four games back and one game away from playing five hundred ball.  The Dodgers finally won a game but are still eight games out.

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

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Another day of beginning with good news – Tim Knighten received an “all clear” report from his doctor yesterday after reviewing his PET scan taken Monday.  Praise the Lord!

Robert Baria was taken to the hospital via ambulance around 1o:00PM last night.  He has been through a battery of tests over the past two days and his temperature got elevated so the doctor told Rose Anne to have him brought to the emergency room.  I appreciate Carol Lucky keeping me up to date on Robert’s situation.

Spoke to Larry Whitehurst yesterday.  He is very upbeat as it relates to his visits with the doctors in Jacksonville.  Just keep praying that Larry will keep improving and the tumor will be arrested.

Wendy Johnston’s mother continues to decline physically.  She is asking God for mercy.  Pray for Wendy’s mother and the entire family.

Regular schedule this morning and tonight.  Remember, the CAB will be closed following tonight’s activities in order to be ready for the Moulds family and then the Senior Saints meal on Sunday.

I posted the obit for Sara Nell on this site.  Keep praying for the family.

We have almost sixty Senior Saints signed up for the meal this Sunday.  If you have not signed up but want to join in this time of food and fellowship, please call the church office today.  It is going to be good!

I have Zach & Charlotte Brown, Ethan & Brittney Nelson, Scott & Megan Older, Levi & Brianne Seymour and Curtis & Brooke Whitehurst as the parents requesting to be involved in our “parent/child” dedication service at 10:30AM on Sunday, May 13.  Am I missing anyone?  If so, please let me know today.

Bobby & the boys have now won three in a row.  They broke out the lumber last night as they scored twelve runs – send ’em Bobby!  Good stuff!  Meanwhile, the Dodgers have lost four in a row – not good!

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

Sara Nell Moulds, age 66, of Grand Bay, AL was promoted to her eternal heavenly home on Sunday April 29, 2018. She was born February 15, 1952 in DeKalb, Mississippi.

Sara Nell was a long time member of Friendship Baptist Church where she enjoyed teaching Sunday School, assisting with the Bus and Senior Adult Ministry, as well as many other areas of the church. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother who will be sorely missed by her family and all who knew her.

Sara Nell was preceded in death by her father, J.L. McArthur and mother, Janell Parker McArthur.

Sara Nell is survived by her husband of 47 years, Carl Ray Moulds; son, Sid (Jennifer) Moulds; and daughter, Amy (Adam) Seab; brother, Gene (Laurie) McArthur; grandchildren, Evan and Miranda Moulds, Grant and Alivia Seab, nieces, nephews; along with other family and friends.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 3, 2018 from 5:00PM until 8:00PM and Friday, May 4, 2018 from 10:00AM until the 11:00AM service at Friendship Baptist Church in Grand Bay, AL. Interment will be held in Grand Bay Cemetery.

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Let’s begin with some good news today!  Marie Brooks had a biopsy yesterday and the results were good.  That “spot” they had been seeing and could not determine what it was proved to be scar tissue.  Hallelujah!

Larry & Judy Whitehurst finished meeting with the doctors earlier than then expected yesterday which allowed them to return home earlier too.  While I do not have all of the specifics I do know they were very encouraged by what the doctors told them.  Still have to go back in about three months for a MRI but are confident the doctors there are on top of Larry’s situation.  That is good news too!

Tim Knighten had a PET scan yesterday.  He has a consultation with the doctor today.  Pray for great results!

Jimmy Moates is scheduled for a PET scan this Thursday.  Again, pray for great results.

As you already know, the visitation with the Sara Nell Moulds family takes place this Thursday night, May 3, from 5:00 – 8:00PM in our church auditorium.  The service will be Friday morning, May 4, beginning at 11:00AM preceded by one hour of visitation with the family.  Our ladies, under the leadership of Tina Wilkinson, will minister to the family by feeding them following the interment.  Thank you in advance to those who will help with this ministry.  How many times has Sara Nell been the one helping minister during times like these?  More than I can remember!  Thank God for Sara Nell.

Our Christian Activities Building will be closed following our Wednesday night activities.  We will have refreshments and drinks in there for the Moulds family on Thursday night, will feed them in there on Friday afternoon, and  will then just leave everything in place for our Senior Saints meal on Sunday.  Please note this and pass the word.

It seems the older I get the more I struggle with the passing of others.  I am reeling from the passing of Caroline Ford on February 22 and now another wonderful Christian sister has passed from this life.  Do I know where Caroline and Sara Nell are?  Yes.  Does that help?  Yes.  Does death still sting?  Absolutely!  Maybe I am just not as spiritual as some others but I am being honest.

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