MONDAY, 4/13/20
“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:12-15 (NASB)
Easter 2020 is now history and I can only hope that it will be the most different Easter in my life as I do not want to think of experiencing another one any more different!
We enjoyed a good day in all three of our time slots. Wes Bates had the privilege of actually preaching to a live, in person audience even though they were in their vehicles. He brought a good message from Luke 24 – seek, remember, believe and marvel. Our sunrise service was well attended and those folks were very generous in the giving of their offerings. Thank you Lord, thank you Bro. Wes, and thank you Friendship family!
We actually had a pretty good number attend the drive in portion of our 8:00AM & 9:15AM services. Our streaming numbers were lower than they have been over the past three Sundays but this was the first time we have had folks on campus during our live streams. Bro. Abel did a nice job of preaching from Colossians – reminded, responsibility, resource, reason and revelation from Colossians 3:1-4. The folks who drove in also were generous with their offerings for which I am thankful.
I say “thank you” to our musicians, our media team, Jeff Holifield, Kendall Falana, Rita Broome and anyone else who helped make our Easter 2020 a success in light of the present situation.
I do know that for this pastor it was an absolute joy to see folks from the Friendship family yesterday morning even if they were in their vehicles. I miss in person corporate worship!
Terrell Brooks’ long time friend who was battling COVID-19 passed from this life yesterday afternoon. Pray for the family.
Marie Brooks’ oldest brother, James Lee, continues to be at home but appears to be in his last days upon this earth. One interesting side note is that James Lee & Belvin McDonald have been friends since their high school days. They had a virtual visit (yesterday I think) via FaceTime and I am told that was a special time for them. Pray for James Lee and his family.
Karla Bosarge will have surgery this Wednesday morning. Pray that all goes well.
Here is the direction I think we are heading right now for this week – I hope to do a drive in service at 10:00AM on Wednesday, 4/15. I will have a definite once I meet with James Mareno this afternoon. Can he teach me this technological stuff? Do not count on it but pray so. If this works out then I will preach from the carport on the East side of the auditorium and folks will just park in that parking area.
I plan on doing the same thing Wednesday night beginning at 6:30PM. I know we can do that because James will be off work. So, no Zoom on Wednesday night – hooray! Realize these plans could change but that is where I am right now.
As for Sunday, 4/19, I plan on streaming one service while having a drive in service at a different time. We will move the platform for the drive in service in order to make it more viewer friendly. I may be calling on some of our men to help build a bigger (think taller) platform for us to use for visibility sake. I need to talk to our media team about some logistical stuff before setting times and such. Basically, I tell them what I want and they always tend to make it happen – I like that! More details forthcoming.
I did watch Easter Across America last night. I gave you guys some bad information on watching it online, the duration, et cetera. I apologize. Dale got cut off before he got to share the Gospel. I was disappointed in the whole thing but especially in Dale getting short changed.
Bless Eddie Albritton’s heart – he read yesterday’s blog entry about my need for bleach and he brought me four one half gallons to the early service yesterday morning. Is that nice of him or what!
IF he has stayed put thus far then today is day five of Bob Evans’ self imposed quarantine. His end date goal is May 4, 2020. I simply do not see it happening.
Easter lunch at our house consisted of Lisa and me. How different is that? We have not eaten together as a family since March 8. See, there can be some good come out of bad – LOL!
I pray that you will have a great Monday with Jesus.