Pastor's Blog

Lisa and I were blessed to be able to attend the “hooding” of our daughter, Daphne, yesterday afternoon at USA.  She earned her doctorate as a nurse practitioner last December but there was no ceremony due to the virus.  We are very proud of Daphne and this accomplishment in her life.

I am very appreciative of my brother, Eddie, and his wife, Sue, for attending yesterday’s ceremony.  Was not expected but certainly appreciated.

I have no updates on the folks for whom we have been praying.  Just keep praying!

We do have a church member who is experiencing a “breakthrough” case of the virus.  Pray that all goes well!

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday morning and evening.  Deacons will meet at 4:00PM.

Recently, I received some cards from some children in our church.  I have no idea what age or gender.  One without a name on the card wrote the following:  “we presheat what you do.”  How cute is that!  I love it!

I hope you have a great Thursday with Jesus.

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening.

Miss Vinnie’s son, Buddy, did well through his procedure yesterday.  Keep praying as he will now be in the hospital for the next month.

Jennifer Kirschenman continues to recover from her hip surgery.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday morning and evening.

Deacons meeting this Sunday, 10/3, at 4:00PM.

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

Jennifer Kirschenman had hip replacement surgery this morning and all went well – praise the Lord!  Pray for Jennifer as she has now begun the healing process.

Miss Vinnie’s son, Buddy, is having the procedure done now and, if all goes as planned, he will be in the hospital for the next month.  Keep praying for Buddy.

I received a special, urgent prayer request this morning.  Not at liberty to share but do ask that you join me in praying for this need.

Regular schedule on our campus for tomorrow morning and evening.

The positive comments continue to come in regarding the church fellowship at Presley’s Outing this past Sunday.  This appears to be one of those “if you missed it then you missed it” type happenings.  Lord willing, we will do it again next year.

Our deacons will meet this Sunday afternoon, 10/3, at 4:00PM.  Brothers, take note.

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

Sorry for the lateness of this post but it is Monday – LOL!  Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose!  Yesterday was definitely a “win” for the Friendship family.  Good morning services and then a tremendous fellowship yesterday afternoon.  I am going to go on the conservative side and estimate our attendance for the fellowship at two hundred and ten.  I truly believe we had more based on the numbers Mr. Presley gave me this morning.  We had folks from a newborn to those in their eighties and all ages in between.

Thank you to Bro. Jerry Hovel, our deacons, and their wives for a job very well done!  The food was spot on.  Thank you to Scott & Nanette Fontenot for the use of their boat as the boat rides were a huge hit.  Thank you to Chris & Sherry Howell and Will & Amy Reynolds for the use of their wave runners.  I know they had to be tired from giving rides and pulling the tube like a million times!  That was a really big hit!  We had guests, new members and long time members in attendance.  The fellowship was superb!  We give God the glory for all He did!

Pray for Miss Vinnie’s son, Buddy, as he is in Birmingham most likely for the next month.  Pray for those battling the virus.

Regular schedule on our campus this Wednesday.

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

Happy birthday to our granddaughter, Audrey Clark Taylor!  She is now seven years old and lives in Guatemala.  (Soy & Deidra’s girls are now nine, eight & seven years old)  I hope Audrey will have a great day and I know she will because her MeMe is there to make that happen!  We love Audrey!

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and tonight.  I pray that the Friendship family will be faithful to attend.

On Monday, September 6, Pastor Cecil “Doc” Wainwright passed from this life.  This past Sunday, September 19, his wife, Nina, passed from this life.  The visitation with Nina’s family takes place tomorrow night at the Independent Church of God in the bayou and a service will take place on Friday morning.  Pray for the Wainwright family during this difficult time.

We have a member of the Friendship family who remains hospitalized and is not doing so well.  Pray!

Church fellowship this Sunday, September 26, at Presley’s Outing from 4:00PM until 7:00PM.  The members of the Friendship family are asked to bring a dessert.  The church will provide everything else.

Daphne & Ann have taken good care of me food wise in Lisa’s absence.  I am fat and happy!

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

Continue to pray for Miss Vinnie’s son, Buddy, as the doctors in Birmingham put together a plan for his procedure.  It all depends on his heart.

Keep praying for Max & Marjorie Peacock.

Also, pray for those folks who are battling the virus.  We have no new cases within the Friendship family but some folks are still in the “recovery” phase.  One member remains hospitalized.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.

We are going to have a church fellowship at Presley’s Outing this Sunday, 9/26.  We will begin at 4:00PM and quit by 7:00PM.  Meal will be served at 5:00PM.  Come and go format.

Wow, the boss on my new job is tough even though she is thousands of miles away!  She is making me clock in and out.  I am dragging up Friday whether she is home or not!

Eddie Albritton can spin some huge tales.  Believe nothing he says!  Just saying!

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

Sorry for the lateness of this entry.  I spent the night going through Lisa’s closet getting rid of the excess clothes.  LOL!

The visitation with the Dianne Clark family takes place at Serenity Funeral Home today from noon until the 2:00PM service time.  Pray for Dianne’s family which includes Clara Broadus who is a very faithful member of the Friendship family.

The response to the “homework” assignment was really strong!  Thank you to each person who responded.  I believe it was a God thing and while giving you thanks I also give God the glory!  May lives be changed for His glory!

As you know, Lisa is in Guatemala to celebrate Audrey’s seventh birthday.  I promised her that I would take vacation days in order to help in her office during her absence so that is my plan this week.  Obviously, I am in town and will be doing some ministry things but will not be in the office.  Certainly available in the event of an emergency.  Bro. Jerry and Bro. Abel will be in the office as normal.

We are on a regular schedule on our campus this Wednesday morning and evening.

Alabama eked out a win over Florida on Saturday.  That was costly to me as I paid for Rick Bradley’s game ticket, fuel, lodging and meals in order for him to attend the game.  Rick is a Florida fan and Alabama has never lost to Florida whenever Rick is in attendance!  Saban owes me!  Just saying!

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

Happy wedding anniversary to my brother, Eddie, and his wife, Sue.  I “think” this is number forty five.  I hope they will have a great day.  I anticipate Dr. Rex Looney will take them to Big Bob’s for lunch today – how nice is that!

If everything went as planned, the medical folks put Buddy Brewer’s cells back into his body yesterday.  Keep praying for Buddy and his family.

Word came to me last night that Jennifer Knipper Moss’ mother passed from this life yesterday afternoon.  Pray for Craig, Jennifer and family during this time.

I imagine Bill & Debbie Kendrick are enjoying some really cool weather as they are in Alaska.  Makes me envious and, yes, that is a sin!

Danny Lewis is set to retire on the thirtieth of this month.  Good for Danny!

We are planning a church wide fellowship on Sunday, 9/26, at Presley’s Outing.  Make plans to attend.  More details this Sunday.

Lisa boards a plane this morning heading to Guatemala.  Audrey turns seven on Wednesday and MeMe is going to be there to celebrate with her.  So, I will hold the fort down here.  As a matter of fact, I will be using vacation days Monday – Thursday in order to help in Lisa’s office.  That should be interesting – LOL!  Pray for Lisa to have a safe, good trip.  (Anyone interested in buying some insurance?  Asking for a friend!)

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

Good Thursday morning.  We were blessed with a really good evening our Bible study and classes last night.  I am grateful to the Lord and thankful for the good number who attended.  The call to not have a Bible study yesterday morning was the correct one as the rains were very heavy in the AM.

Keep praying for Max & Marjorie Peacock.  Max will see the doctor again today.

Robert Baria is battling a major sinus infection so he needs our prayers.

A niece of Jeff Long’s passed from this life on Monday.  Her celebration of life service will take place this Friday in Georgia.  Pray for the Long family during this time.

The service for Clara’s sister, Dianne Clark, takes place this Monday, 9/20.  Pray for Clara and family.

My friend, Ranny Cockrell, passed from this life and his service will take place on Saturday, 9/25.  Pray for Ranny’s family.

Keep praying for Buddy Brewer.  Also, for Lee Sessions.

Leah Falana’s son is in Kuwait.  Pray for his continued safety.

Lisa will leave tomorrow heading to Guatemala in order to celebrate Audrey’s birthday next Wednesday, 9/22.  Pray for traveling mercies.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday morning and evening.  The morning service and the evening service will be connected.  Pray for those services.

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

NO 10:00AM service on our campus today!  Our readership is down to eleven folks so I need those eleven to get the word out!  NO 10:00AM service on our campus today!

However, we are good to go for tonight’s classes and Bible study all beginning at 6:30PM.

I learned last night of a couple within the Friendship family who are both battling the virus.  One was taken to the hospital yesterday in serious condition.  I am asking you to stop right now and pray for this couple!

Miss Vinnie’s son, Buddy, is in Birmingham.  If all goes as planned, he will be there for one month this time.  Her other son, Burl, is there with his brother.  Pray for Buddy and for his family.

Keep praying for Lee Sessions.

The arrangements for Clara Broadus’ sister, Dianne Clark, are as follows:  visitation with the family will take place on Monday, September 20, from noon until the 2:00PM service time from Serenity Funeral Home.  Keep praying for the Clark family.

Our children will be having an off campus event this Sunday morning, 9/19.  It is different and parents need to contact Dylan or Elizabeth for the specifics.

I am sending two deacons to the Alabama vs Florida football game this Saturday.  One (Rick Bradley) to monitor the Gators and one (TJ Vice) to monitor the Tide.  I just hope they do not get into a fuss while at the game!  If they do, I hope they will not be wearing their “I am a deacon at Friendship Baptist” shirts!

I pray that you will have a great Wednesday with Jesus.  NO 10:00AM service on our campus today!