Pastor's Blog

My brother, Eddie, called me right at 6:00AM to share the news that our dad, Curly Turrentine, passed from this life and entered Heaven just before 6:00AM today.  Dad is now at rest.

My family and I are very grateful for the many prayers, calls, electronic communications, et cetera that have come our way during dad’s sickness.  Keep praying as we walk through this valley for the next several days.

Charles Edward Turrentine February 11, 1936 – May 14, 2020

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  (Psalm 46:1)

Stella Brinkman’s condition remains basically unchanged.  Keep praying!

Mary Jackson remains in the hospital but will hopefully be discharged this Saturday.  Pray!

There will be a graveside service for Stacey Dyess’ father on Friday in Louin, Mississippi.  Pray for the Dyess family.

The visitation with the Eddie Albritton, Sr family will take place Friday beginning at 2:00PM and lasting until the 3:00PM service time.  Visitation and service will take place in our auditorium.  Pray for the Albritton family.

Thank you to those who have signed up to help with the food for the Albritton family.  Please have it at the church no later than 3:00PM on Friday.  I am sure we need more food so call the church office or Tina Wilkinson today if you will help.

Our first day back in the auditorium was fantastic!  We had a good attendance and a sweet spirit.  Bro Abel said the youth service went well too.  Praise the Lord!

Lisa and I will leave this morning driving to Hartselle and then we will drive back tonight.  Crazy?  Yes.  Have to do what you have to do sometimes.  Pray for my dad.  Pray for us to have traveling mercies.

By the way, you win the prize if you know where Louin, Mississippi is located!

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

Gayla Dyess sent me an e-mail this afternoon sharing that Stacey’s father passed away this morning.  Stacey’s folks live in the Bay Springs, Mississippi area.  Obviously, arrangements pending.  Pray for the Dyess family.

The arrangements have been set for Eddie Albritton, Sr’s celebration of life service.  The family will receive friends this Friday, May 15, beginning at 2:00PM in the auditorium of Friendship Baptist Church.  The service will begin at 3:00PM.

We are going to minister to the Albritton family by providing a meal following the service.  If will help, please contact Tina Wilkinson or call the church office before 4:00PM today or between the hours of 8:00AM and 4:00PM tomorrow, 5/14.  We need to provide for fifty folks.  Please have some food in the Preschool Building no later than 3:00PM on Friday, May 15.  Thank you in advance to each person who will help with this meal.

I cannot adequately express to you how good it felt to be inside the auditorium for our service this morning.  We had a nice crowd inside and probably six to ten folks who remained in their vehicles and listened on the radio.  It was so nice to hear folks verbalize their prayer requests and to share their praise reports.

We will meet again tonight at 6:30PM – adults/children in the auditorium and students, 5th – 12th, in the CAB.  Hope to have a good number join us.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  (Psalm 46:1)

Eddie Albritton, Jr called me just as I was leaving Hartselle yesterday afternoon to tell me that his dad had just passed from this life.  Eddie, Sr was only sixty four years old.  I did not see this one coming.  Pray for Eddie’s family.  Arrangements pending.

Mariam Moates sent me a text yesterday afternoon updating me on her sister, Stella Brinkman.  Stella remains on a vent and is now unresponsive.  They will be some neurological tests today.   Pray for Stella, the medical folks and Stella’s family.  Stella is also the sister of Riley Glass.

Mary Jackson will receive a treatment on Friday and, if all goes well, will be discharged from the hospital on Saturday.  She will then go twice weekly for treatments.  Keep praying for Mary.

Bill Kendrick sent me a message saying Debbie’s mother, Mrs. Amonett, is now back in the convalescent home.  She has five stitches in her lip and is battling a UTI that is better but still there.  There is a possibility that Debbie will get to see her today.  Not sure if that is an actual visit or a window visit.  Pray for Mrs. Amonett.

One of my maternal aunts, Nancy Roelof, passed from this life yesterday morning.  She lived in Michigan.  Mama had nine siblings (five boys/five girls).  Three of the brothers and two of the sisters have now passed from this life.  Pray for Aunt Nancy’s family.

Baby Uli, daughter of David & Tess, checked into this world weighing five pounds and seven ounces.

Hallelujah, we will meet in the auditorium today for our two services – 10:00AM & 6:30PM.  Our students, 5th – 12th, will meet in the CAB at 6:30PM.  Friendship family, let’s get back in the routine of attending church in person on Wednesdays!

Daphne & I arrived at my parent’s house around 5:00PM on Monday.  We went back around 8:30AM yesterday morning.  The decline in my dad’s physical condition from Monday night to yesterday morning was pretty obvious.  When the nurse came just before noon she was pretty amazed too.  So, dad is in a declining mode.  The nurse thinks a couple of weeks but I think she is perhaps being too optimistic.  Only God knows.  Thank you to those who are praying and encouraging us during this time.

I plan on going back to Hartselle this week but I do not know the schedule yet.  It will become clearer after learning the arrangements for Eddie’s dad and hearing how dad is doing today.  Honestly, I could leave today if the need presents itself.

Lord willing, I will be at Friendship on Sunday but that could change too.

My maternal grandfather died very unexpectedly fifty years ago today.  I came home from school and was outside shooting basketball when Pastor Jack Freeman drove up to our house to comfort my mama.  I will never forget that.  I think Grandpa was fifty seven years old when he passed from this life.

I am calling on the church to pray about the situation in Guatemala.  Pray for Soy, Deidra and the girls.

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

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  (Psalm 46:1)

Debbie Kendrick’s mother, Mrs. Amonett, took a fall on Sunday night and had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance.  She was admitted, had to receive blood, and obviously got stitches.  Pray for Debbie’s mother.

I was allowed to visit with Eddie Albritton, Sr again yesterday.  There was really no change in his condition.  There seems to be some possible mixed signals coming from the doctor now.  So, please keep praying for Eddie, Sr and the family.

Stella Brinkman remains in the hospital.  Pray for Stella.

Mary Jackson also remains in the hospital and continues to need our prayer support.

Would you stop for a minute and pray for Soy, Deidra, the girls and the folks in Guatemala.  Soy & Deidra are finding some really needy families when it comes to food.  Pray for discernment and compassion.  Pray for the finances to continue to be there to purchase the food needed.  Pray that our June 18 – 25 team will be allowed entrance into the country.  Pray without ceasing.

Speaking of Guatemala, remember Tess Scholz?  “Bless Tess?”  Well, she gave birth to Uliyanna.  I do not know the details at this point but will share them in another entry.

Read last night of the apparent suicidal death of a mega church pastor in South Carolina.  Sad.  Yet seemingly becoming more frequent these days especially among the younger pastors.  Pray for your pastor.

Let me say a word about the 8:00AM service this Sunday which is for our senior adults, age 65 and older, only.  Folks younger than 65 can attend that service but will be asked to sit in either the Preschool Building or CAB and watch on the video monitor.

The 8:00AM (pastor preaching) and 9:15AM (Bro. Abel preaching) services will be live streamed.  The pastor will also preach the 10:30AM and 6:00PM services.

All services will be available on the radio for vehicles on our campus.

Carl Ray Moulds and Charlotte Davis will be united in marriage this Saturday, May 16, at 2:00PM on the back forty of our campus.  The Friendship family is invited to attend.

I am asking all of those folks taking part in our June 18 – 25, 2020 GRACE Ministries trip to attend an important meeting this Sunday evening immediately following our service.  We will meet in the auditorium.

As I mentioned Sunday morning, Classic Sweep & Swirl is no longer open.  Anna Carol’s beauty shop has been operating in Grand Bay for forty one years.  Congratulations to Anna Carol on her retirement even though it came about a few months ahead of the planned schedule.  Anna Carol has always been very kind to me in many ways including giving me free haircuts many times.  May the Lord bless Anna Carol in her retirement.

Daphne & I arrived in Hartselle early yesterday evening.  We spent about two and one half hours with my parents.  Dad was awake most of the time but not very talkative.  His physical condition seems to be about the same per the nurse.  We will spend more time with him today before heading back to Grand Bay.  Thank you to those who are praying.  I am grateful.

I have sad news.  Our blog readership is now down to twelve folks.  It breaks my heart to report that Katie Tillman has fallen by the wayside when it comes to being a faithful blog reader.  They come, they read, they leave.  Such is the life of a blogger!

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

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  (Psalm 46:1)

I was called to the hospital shortly after our service ended last night.  (Yes, for the first time in eight weeks I was called to the hospital and granted entrance)  Eddie Albritton, Sr has taken a turn for the worse and the doctor called for his wife and children to be with him.  It “appears” there is nothing the medical folks can do and that his time on this earth is very limited now.  Pray for Eddie’s family.  If allowed, I will be visiting again this morning but not sure if that will be allowable i.e. different personnel working this morning so we shall see.

Stella Brinkman should begin her more specialized therapy today.  I assume this will involve several weeks so keep praying.

Heard from Decker Terry last night.  He is at home and doing well all things considered.  He will travel back to Birmingham in two weeks for a follow up visit.  Decker thanks everyone for their prayer support and knows God is working a miracle in his life.  Keep praying!

Did not get an update on Shari Compagner but am believing “no news is good news!”  Keep praying for Shari.

I am so in hopes that our GRACE Ministries trip scheduled for June 18 – 25, 2020 will be a go.  However, the President there made things even more strict last night for the next week.  Honestly, I am of the opinion that folks are going to begin to die of starvation there if their borders are not open soon so aid can come in the form of supplies and people.  Pray for the situation in Guatemala, please.

We were blessed with a good day in our services yesterday.  The Lord certainly gave us an awesome weather day.  Our attendance seemed to be down just a bit in our morning drive in service but the evening service seemed to be ok.  I am very concerned that a good number of our young families have simply gotten out of the habit of attending services on campus.  This has been a source of worry for me for the past few weeks.  It has simply become too easy to not physically attend a service.

Prayerfully, every thing changes beginning this Wednesday, May 13, 2020, as we will have our 10:00AM and our 6:30PM services in the auditorium.  Our students, 6th graders through twelfth graders, will meet in the CAB at 6:30PM.  We will take the necessary measures to hold these services.

This Sunday, May 17, 2020 we will have five in person services on our campus.  The first one will begin at 8:00AM and will be for our Senior Adults only as far as the auditorium is concerned.  Folks under the age of 65 who would like to attend that service can do so by sitting in our Preschool Building or CAB and watching the video feed.

Our second service will begin at 9:15AM and will be open to any age group including senior adults.  Once we reach capacity in the auditorium then we will put the overflow in the Preschool Building and/or CAB.

Our third service will begin at 10:30AM and will also be open to any age group including senior adults.  Ditto as far as reaching capacity is concerned.

Our Spanish church will also meet for worship at 10:30AM.  They will meet in our student ministry building.

Our evening service will begin at 6:00PM and that service will be in our CAB.  This will be for all ages too.

This Sunday, 5/17, the 8:00AM & 9:15AM services will be live streamed.  All services will be available on the radio for those vehicles located on our campus.

We will not be requiring folks to wear masks during these services but will have masks available if someone needs one (thank you Josh Nelson).  All of the hymnals have been removed from the auditorium.  We will not be passing the offering plates but will instead use the offering boxes built by Grant Tillman.  We will wipe down the auditorium following each service.

What about extended care, children’s church, Sunday School, et cetera?  We are taking this thing one step at a time as it is a process of trial and error.  I am open to suggestions.  The schedule listed above is designed for the rest of May.  We may make some tweaks, changes, et cetera but we do hope to add even more beginning in June.

So, Friendship family, let’s celebrate our regathering this Wednesday and Sunday by being in attendance.  Have young children at home?  Why not have one parent attend a service while the other is home with the children and then reverse roles for another service?

My dad’s situation continues to seemingly decline.  Lord willing, Daphne & I will travel to Hartselle today and will be back tomorrow night.  This will most likely be the new “norm” for me until dad improves or the Lord calls him home.

The church office is open today through Thursday from 8:00AM until 4:00PM.

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

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  (Psalm 46:1)

The doctors did a MRI on Eddie Albritton, Sr yesterday and determined that he suffered a stroke.  They actually took him in for a second MRI with contrast late yesterday afternoon.  Eddie & his mother will meet with the doctors this morning for an update.  Pray without ceasing.

Stella Brinkman was moved to long term care facility yesterday afternoon.  This will allow her to receive more specialized care.  Keep praying for Stella.

I messaged Edna Pearl Morgan yesterday afternoon once Cecil told me she was home.  She messaged back and said the she was home and resting.  Pray for Pearl!

Edna Pearl also told me that Barney Rogers has improved a good bit in his battle against the virus.  Hopefully he will be up and about soon.  Pray for Barney.

Mary Jackson remains in the hospital.  Just keep praying!

Miss Vinnie called last night to say the her son, Buddy, is finished with his treatments.  Praise the Lord!  Buddy has done well through all of this.  Keep praying.

I did not get an update on Decker Terry yesterday.  I will do so today.

Tried to call Tom Compagner for an update on Shari but he obviously has caller id.

Carl Ray Moulds and Charlotte Davis will be getting married next Saturday, May 16, at 2:00PM.  The Friendship family is invited to attend.  As it stands right now, it will be drive in wedding but that could change with the new orders in place.  I will post a clarification next week.

Everything changes next Sunday, May 17, but for tomorrow we will do live stream at 8:00AM, drive in Sunday School at 9:15AM & 9:45AM and then drive in services at 10:30AM and 6:00PM.

Deacons, plan on meeting with me in the auditorium at 4:30PM tomorrow, please.

I want to say “thank you” to Gary Walton for getting rid of the poles that have been front of the trailer.  Tell Gary what you want done and then get out of the way.  The man is a machine!

I cannot remember if I ever mentioned the awesome job Grant Tillman did on building four offering boxes for our buildings.  Jeff Holifield built the original one that we use in our drive in services.  I appreciate Jeff & Grant doing this as we are looking at doing things differently in the days ahead.  Permanent?  Who knows.

Yes, we will meet in the auditorium for our services on Wednesday, May 13.  What about folks who are not comfortable entering a building with other folks present just yet?  We have a plan for that too.  Again, I am not as dumb as I look!  (It would be really hard to be that dumb!)

I spoke to Ross Genzink yesterday afternoon and he was just North of Grand Rapids, Michigan.  It was thirty eight degrees and snowing!  Are you serious!  The forecast low on Sunday morning for Hartselle, Alabama is thirty six degrees!  Wow!

My garden really enjoyed the rain last night.  Thank you, Lord!

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

Eddie Albritton, Sr suffered another seizure yesterday.  Pray that the doctors can find the cause and a cure.

Yes, that noise was me shouting around 11:15AM today when churches were given the state government’s blessing to meet again regardless of the number.  I was surprised by that announcement.  Yes, I understand the stipulations so no need to send me a message.  I am not nearly as dumb as I look!  I can tell you that we will be meeting in person in the auditorium next Wednesday, May 13, 2020.  This will be true for our 10:00AM and 6:30PM services.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  (Psalm 46:1)

Edna Pearl Morgan had to have an emergency appendectomy and will be in the hospital for a few days.  Pray for her to recover quickly and completely.

Staying in the Brinkman family, Stella has had some procedures done and they are just taking it day by day.  Stella is seemingly doing better but has a long way to go.  Keep praying.

Keep praying for Barney Rogers as he recovers from the virus.

Mary Jackson should have another week in the hospital.  She desires our prayer support.

Decker Terry did well through his surgery and the doctor seemed pleased with the initial results.  If all goes well, Decker should be discharged from the hospital today.  Keep praying for Decker!

Shari Compagner’s surgery was deemed a success too.  Hopefully, this will give her some much needed relief regarding her sinuses.  If I ever needed sinus surgery, I would be very confident having Dr. Rich Strabbing as the surgeon.  Pray for Shari as she recovers at home.

Once again, thank you to those who have communicated with me about dad.  For the time being, he is bed ridden.  I am in hopes that this is mainly related to the UTI and he will bounce back.  Thank you for the prayers on his behalf.

Mother’s Day 2020 will be the most different one ever.  We will not be able to formally recognize the mothers attending our services this Sunday but please know that we are grateful.

Our Sunday, May 10, schedule is live stream at 8:00AM, drive in Sunday School at 9:15AM (Bro. Abel) and 9:45AM (Bro. Jerry) and then drive in services at 10:30AM and 6:00PM.  I am praying for a strong attendance Sunday morning and evening.

The weather forecasters say that we “may” get some showers tonight early on.  I hope they are correct as my garden needs some moisture.  (I have a guy who is supposed to be helping me with a possible irrigation system but that has been like three weeks now!  You just cannot get good help these days!)

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