Pastor's Blog

This is the chance for members of the Friendship family to perhaps have their favorite Christmas hymn included in our Christmas Eve service this year.  All you have to do is e-mail me (pastor@friendshipfamily.net) no later than noon on Sunday, 12/22.  I will then take the top three or four and include them in our service.  Remember, hymns and not carols i.e. Rudolph, Jingle Bells, et cetera.  So, which of our thirteen readers will be first to submit a request?  (I just hope my computer does not crash due to the high volume of traffic!)

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

Gloria Whitmore was discharged from the hospital yesterday afternoon.  Whenever I visited her yesterday morning she was pretty sore but otherwise was doing well.  Her goal is to attend our Christmas Eve service.  Pray for Gloria!

Raymond’s mother was expecting to be discharged from the hospital yesterday too.  I “think” that happened but I am not one hundred percent sure.  I do know that the plan is to admit her again after Christmas.  Pray for Mrs. Wilkinson.

Bro. Jerry could use help packing the food boxes in the morning at 8:00AM in the Preschool Building.  Should not take long if enough folks show up to help.

Second Saturday of our basketball leagues takes place tomorrow beginning at 8:00AM in the CAB.

Our bus workers will meet for the final time in 2019 at 8:30AM tomorrow before going out on visitation.

We will have our “white Christmas” this Sunday morning during our two worship services.  Need a bag, list or more information?  Contact Bro. Abel personally.  My hope is to have Pastor Mark Williams in both services for a brief few minutes.  We shall see.

All Youth department and Adult department Sunday School classed will meet collectively in the auditorium this Sunday morning, 12/22, at 9:15AM.  Teachers, would be a great idea for you to contact your class members today or tomorrow to remind them of this change and make sure they are going to join you.

Adult choir musical this Sunday evening beginning at 6:00PM.  Friendship family, pray, attend, bring others.

Christmas Eve service from 5:00PM until 6:00PM.  Let’s fill the house!

The church office will be closed i.e. no secretary next week but the staff will be in place Monday & Tuesday.  No one will be in the office Wednesday or Thursday.

Bob Evans leaves early this morning heading out of town for the next eleven days.  Sammy will be lost without Bob.  I was going to drive Bob to the bus station but Eddie Albritton insisted on doing it.  Eddie said Bob is like a second dad to him.  As a matter of fact, he got a little emotional just talking about it.  I think it is a bit weird but whatever!  Rachel Hatcher is not happy that Uncle Bob is going to miss the family Christmas!

One source says it is thirty three degrees right now while the other says it is thirty five so let’s go with thirty four.  It appears the rain begins tonight and will be with us through Sunday.  The temperatures are supposed to warm up considerably lifting us out of this deep freeze we have been experiencing the past couple of days.

We will have extra counselors on hand this Sunday.  Why?  When the students went to Wendy’s house last night to sing Christmas carols she had already taken her hearing aids off, her teeth out and her hair in rollers in.  Just saying!

Does Tua stay or go pro?  It is a sure thing.  (Johnny Five is today’s source!)

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

Gloria Whitmore’s surgery went very well.  They kept her overnight in the hospital but she should be discharged this morning.  Her goal is to attend our Christmas Eve service next Tuesday.  Knowing her resolve, she will!  Pray for Gloria!

Miss Wilkinson did not get discharged from the hospital yesterday.  She was not a real happy camper when I visited her fairly early.  I will visit again today and get more details.  Keep praying!

Sammy said Myrtle did well with her treatment Tuesday but will be getting some extra shots this week so she could be a little sorer in the days to come.  Myrtle is doing well.  Keep praying.

Miss Vinnie reported last night her son, Buddy, has had some sickness with his treatments.  Pray for Buddy!

Miss Vinnie also shared that her great grandson, Case, is home from the hospital and doing very well.  Praise the Lord!

Bill & Debbie Kendrick’s granddaughter in Alaska had four wisdom teeth and another tooth surgically removed yesterday afternoon – ouch!  Pray for her!

Do you want our students to carol at your house tonight?  If so, contact Bro. Abel before noon today.  Wendy Johnston is in hopes the students will bring a sound system or she is afraid that she will not be able to hear them singing.  Said her hearing aids do not work well in colder weather.

Second day of our basketball league play this Saturday, 12/21, from 8:00AM until 2:00PM.  Pray for this ministry.

All Youth & Adult Sunday School classes meet together in the auditorium at 9:15AM this Sunday, 12/22.

“White Christmas” this Sunday, 12/22, during our two morning worship services.

Food boxes and angel tree gifts to be distributed this Sunday, 12/22, following our 10:30AM worship service.

Adult choir musical this Sunday evening, 12/22, beginning at 6:00PM.

Christmas Eve service from 5:00 – 6:00PM.  Our hope is a SRO crowd.  Pray, attend and bring someone with you!

Want to invest in the lives of around twenty students?  You can give five thousand dollars which will basically pay an annual salary for a teacher in our new school in Guatemala.  Interested?  Contact me personally or contact Deidra.

Bill Clinton was impeached by the House on 12/19/98 so it was almost exactly twenty one years later when President Trump was impeached by the House.  Personal opinion – I think social media played a big role in the current impeachment.  Our world is so different now from what it was twenty one years ago.  I do know this – our nation needs prayer!

It is a little after 4:00AM as I write this entry.  One source says it is 32 degrees outside while the other says it is 31 degrees so let’s go with 31.5 degrees!  They say it feels like 27 degrees.  So, we now know what our Yankee friends in Michigan and Mark Mast in Canada are talking about when they talk of cold weather.  The rain is supposed to move in Friday night, rain all day Saturday, all night Saturday and then a seventy percent chance on Sunday.  For me, it is a really good forecast as I love the rain in the colder weather.

It appears that the Alabama and Auburn football teams both enjoyed a good ESD yesterday.  The true story comes in three years or so.  Does Tua stay or go?  Definitely!  (Grant Tillman is my source today!)

I hope you will have a great Thursday with Jesus.  (I think I will take a quick swim before heading to the office.  Just kidding!  Was just seeing if you read the entire entry!)

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

No morning service on our campus today.  Regular schedule tonight with one exception – our RA’s & GA’s will leave our campus via bus at 5:30PM to go to the Grand Bay Convalescent Home for the annual Christmas party hosted by the members of the Friendship family who minister there each Wednesday night and Sunday morning.

Gloria Whitmore will be having surgery this morning.  Pray that all goes well.  Lord willing, I plan to be there with Jerry and the family during this time.

Raymond’s mother was in hopes that she will be discharged from the hospital today.  I pray that happens for her sake.

Myrtle Bowden received another chemo treatment yesterday.  Myrtle has done very well through this process thus far.  Keep praying.

Bro. Abel tells me that need five more families willing to host our student carolers tomorrow night.  Especially looking for old people like Wendy Johnston but will take younger families too.  Call the church office today 445 5412 if you will host them!

If you want to take part in our “white Christmas” and did not get a bag and list this past Sunday then you need to do so either by stopping by the church office today or attending our service tonight at 6:30PM.  If you got a bag and list then please be present for one of our two morning services this Sunday and await instructions for what to do.

All of our Youth & Adult Sunday School classes will meet together in the auditorium this Sunday at 9:15 for Sunday School.  This will be an important time so please do not miss it!

This Sunday will also be a day for the Christmas food boxes to be given away and the families on our angel tree have to be in attendance too.  Busy day!

I am praying for a SRO crowd for our annual Christmas Eve service which will begin at 5:00PM and end no later than 6:00PM.  Pray, attend, and bring others with you.  O come let us adore Him!

On Sunday, December 29, the only activity on our campus will be a worship service at 10:30AM.  Nothing else.  Please note this and make plans to attend!

The school building in Guatemala is nearing completion.  The first day of classes will be January 8, 2020.  We will have fourteen Guatemalan teachers/administrators in place this first year.  Danville Baptist Church under the leadership of their pastor, Joe David Bailey, has stepped up and will be providing the necessary funds to pay the salaries for five of these teachers.  That is awesome!  How sweet would it be if nine other churches and/or individuals would step up before the end of 2019 and give the funds to pay the remaining nine salaries?  You can do so by simply giving five thousand dollars ($5,000)!  Interested?  Need more information?  Contact me personally or contact Deidra.  Folks, this would be a great investment here and for eternity!

We need to pray for our President, Vice President and members of Congress.  We should do so every day but especially today.

Today is ESD for college football.  If you do not know what that means then never mind.  On the subject of college football – will Tua stay or go?  Yes!  (TJ Vice is my source on this one!)

I am writing this entry at 2:30AM.  One of my sources says it is 36 degrees outside while another one says it is 38 degrees.  So let’s just say it is 37 degrees.  Calling for high of 53 degrees today and a low of 31 degrees tonight.  Also forecasting rain all day Saturday and a seventy percent chance of the same on Sunday.

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

Visited with Raymond’s mother in the hospital yesterday.  Tomorrow is the earliest they will consider discharging her and that may not happen.  Thinking of possibly sending her home for Christmas and then taking some action afterwards.  Join me in praying for a complete healing prior to any action being taken.  Raymond’s mother is a very sweet lady.

Prayers for those families affected by the tornadoes yesterday afternoon and last night.  One couple from Brad’s hometown of Town Creek, Alabama lost their lives.  This is also true of one person in Louisiana.  Numerous injuries with some being listed in critical condition.

No morning service on our campus tomorrow!  We will be on a regular schedule tomorrow night.  I am asking our normal morning attendees to join us for the 6:30PM service.

Remember, if you have not brought your gift for your assigned convalescent home resident to the church office yet, please do so today between 8:00AM & noon or 1:00PM & 4:30PM.  Very important!

Are you ready for our “white Christmas?”  If you were not present this past Sunday morning and want to take part in this ministry effort then stop by the church office today or tomorrow or attend tomorrow night’s service.

I need to remind our Youth & Adult Sunday School classes that they will all meet in the auditorium this Sunday, 12/22, at 9:15AM.  No individual classes in those two departments.  Important to remember!

Let’s fill the house for our Christmas Eve service!  We will begin at 5:00PM sharp and end no later than 6:00PM – that is a promise!  What a great tradition for a family to either continue or begin this year!  Yes, Christmas Eve is an important time for our family but we always include this very special hour of worship.  Let’s make it truly CHRISTmas!

Am I concerned about some of the decisions/statements being made by a couple of our national Southern Baptist Convention leaders?  Absolutely!

On a much lighter note, I am looking forward to the cooler temperatures that are supposed to hit the Gulf Coast over the next three days – hooray!  Folks, it is supposed to be cooler in December, January & February!  Enjoy it!

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

We were blessed with a really good day in our services yesterday.  I appreciate the effort put forth by our children’s choir in our evening service.  I also appreciate those who attended that service especially those who did not have any family members participating in the program.

Friendship family, remember there will be no 10:00AM service this Wednesday, 12/18.  However, we will all gather at 6:30PM for a service.  This gives us an opportunity to all be in one service on a Wednesday.  This is a one time deal for this year.  So, I am asking/encouraging those who normally attend the morning service to make an exception and attend the 6:30PM service this Wednesday.

Speaking of Wednesday services, the annual Christmas party hosted by the Friendship family for the residents of the Grand Bay Convalescent Home takes place this Wednesday, 12/18, beginning at 6:00PM.  Everyone is invited to attend.  Our RA’s & GA’s will leave the church on a bus at 5:30PM.  I really mention this because there are around thirty gifts that have not been brought to the church as of yesterday.  We need those gifts brought to the church office either today or tomorrow, please.  Thank you.

If the response yesterday morning in our two services was a true indication, then our “white Christmas” is going to be special this coming Sunday morning, 12/22.  You have the bags and the instruction sheet so just do as instructed by Bro. Abel and show up this Sunday.  Did not get a bag and instruction sheet?  Contact Bro. Abel no later than this Thursday, 12/19.

Would you like for a group of our students to come to your residence and sing Christmas carols this Thursday evening, 12/19?  If so, contact Bro. Abel.  They are especially looking for senior adults, like Wendy Johnston, who will host them.  You need to do nothing except say “yes” and they will put you on the schedule.  Contact Bro. Abel to be on the schedule.

Our Sunday School classes, 6th grade and up, will all meet together in the auditorium this Sunday, 12/22, for a joint class beginning at 9:15AM.  Teachers, please remind your class members and be present.  Yes, that means you will have to eat breakfast before attending church this Sunday.  Just saying!

Adult choir Christmas musical this Sunday evening, 12/22.  Do not miss it!

Christmas Eve service from 5:00PM until 6:00PM.  Pray, attend, bring others with you!

Raymond Wilkinson’s mother remains hospitalized.  Keep praying.

My hat if off to the member of the Friendship family who spent Saturday night in an airport, arrived in MOB at 6:00AM and then was in our morning and evening services.  And tell me again your excuse for missing church yesterday?

We are supposed to have rain this afternoon, tonight and in the morning.  Today’s high temperature is supposed to be 79 degrees. We then move to forecast consecutive highs of 57, 54 & 56 with lows of 33, 31 & 37 – hallelujah!  The forecast high for Christmas Day is 70 degrees is a bummer but at least it means the eight tornadoes can play outside so I guess that is a good thing.

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

Raymond Wilkinson told me yesterday that his mother is doing better.  She remains in the hospital.  Keep praying for her.

Regular schedule on our campus this morning meaning two worship services and Sunday School.  There will be no Discipleship Training or AWANA ministry today.  Our children’s choir will present their Christmas musical beginning at 6:00PM.

Bro. Abel will be taking time in both of our morning worship services to lead us in the “White Christmas” ministry.  This will culminate in our morning services next Sunday, 12/22.

Friendship family, please note that this Wednesday, 12/18, we will have one worship service and that will begin at 6:30PM.  Why?  Just giving us the opportunity to all pray/worship together on a Wednesday.

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

Of our thirteen readers of the blog, only one asked “why no blog today?” yesterday.  Well, it was the thirteenth which has nothing to do with it.  Sometimes you just do not have anything to say/write.  Just saying!

Keep praying for Raymond’s mother.  I will get an update today on her situation.

Received some heartbreaking news yesterday afternoon.  We have an elderly gentleman, Juan, who works with GRACE Ministries in Guatemala.  He walks to the mountain five days a week and takes out the trash and does various other jobs around the mission house.  On Thursday afternoon they found Juan’s oldest son in a very remote place and he was injured.  Since they could not access the place by vehicle the son passed from this life before they could get him to a medical facility.  I know he initially left riding a horse and they went looking for him when he did not return in a timely fashion.  That is basically all I know.  Pray for Juan and the family during this most difficult time.

Another gentleman, Carlos Ivan, works for Robert & Paul on the mountain.  Recently, he suffered two strokes.  Carlos Ivan is probably around forty five to fifty years old.  He has not recovered fully so please pray for him too.

There will be a memorial service for Gena Davis today beginning at 2:00PM in our Preschool Building.  The Friendship family is invited to attend.  I appreciate Bro. Jerry, Bro. Abel, James Mareno and any others who helped set up for this service.

The Friendship basketball leagues begin play this morning at 8:00AM.  There will be six games each Saturday.  Pray for this ministry.

Our “White Christmas” ministry begins tomorrow morning.  Bro. Abel will share the details in our morning services.

Our children’s choir will present their Christmas musical tomorrow evening beginning at 6:00PM.  I hope the Friendship family will support this ministry by attending this service.

I love this season of the year!  I am looking at not one, not two but three Christmas trees as I write this entry.  Lisa went all out while I was in Guatemala.  What a joy to remember the birth of Jesus and to celebrate with family and friends.

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

Tina Wilkinson shared with me on Tuesday night that Raymond’s mother had been admitted to the hospital.  I would ask that you join me in praying for her.  Otherwise, as is quiet on the home front as far as I know.  That is good!

The team left GRACE Mountain at 10:00AM yesterday morning.  I assume that everyone made it home safe and sound.  We thank God for a really good week of ministry and of building new relationships and deepening other relationships.  Yes, there will be a December trip in 2020, Lord willing.  Exact dates to be announced later.

Deidra and I are in the city and had a really good meeting last night with a lady who works for the US Ambassador in Guatemala.

The following comes from Pastor/missionary Mark Mast in a comment on yesterday’s entry:

“Very exciting news about Pastor Walter becoming the Shepherd of Grace Community Church. We pray that the church thrives and continues to bless countless lives under his ministry and the ministry of those serving with him.

We also celebrate all that was accomplished by the team this week, both in terms of work on the school and ministry/blessing to so many families.

Thank you as well for your prayers for the ministry in northern Canada here in Pikangikum. Even with the bitter cold here in “Pik“ (-30) we had a big crowd out last night at Freedom From Addictions. I told the Christmas Story in rather dramatic fashion, using flannelgraph ?

Afterwards, I had some great conversations with people, and many just hung around to drink coffee and visit. I’m noticing more than ever this time that there seems to be a spirit of joy and happiness. At church on Monday evening, there was a lot of laughter, and tonight there was too. It is very refreshing. Hopelessness and despair have reigned far too long as a stronghold here in this community. May the Light of Jesus shine brightly this Christmas season!

Thank you for the blessing of your prayers! Continue praying that the Lord gives people Hope and a reason to live! Jesus is the Answer!”

??????

A cool -26 here today ?❄️?

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

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

This entry will be short and sweet.  I have heard nothing from the home front so I am taking that to mean all is well.  That is a good thing.

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and tonight.  Miss Tena asks that all children’s choir members be present tonight and then again on Sunday afternoon – very important.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday, 12/15, with one exception – no 5:00PM classes/activities.  Children’s choir musical during our 6:00PM service.

The team in Guatemala had a good last day of painting.  The lower two levels are basically done as far as the classrooms are concerned.  I appreciate the effort put forth by this team helping get the building ready for opening day which is January 8.  Want a prayer request?  Pray for the electricity to be connected in a timely fashion.  Thank you to Juan Marcos Ruiz for his help in this area as he has been great.

Several of our ladies continued to separate and put names on the school uniforms.  That, along with the separating the school supplies, will be such a huge help when Deidra returns in a couple of weeks.

Tim Knighten spent a good amount of time over the past two days on electrical matters.  Tim knows his stuff when it comes to electricity and has been a huge help.

Nic Gray has been a huge help with matters relating to the actual building of the school.  He has met with Delmar several times and has helped with some important decisions.  Huge help too.

The church on GRACE Mountain has a new pastor – Walter Aju.  He accepted the call yesterday afternoon and will begin his ministry here on January 1, 2020.  I am looking forward to see what God is going to do with this church under Pastor Walter’s leadership along with Pastor Adam and worship leader, Oscar.  Pray for this church.

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