Pastor's Blog

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.