Pastor's Blog

Tom Lamey’s father, Wilmer Lamey, passed from this life last Friday.  The visitation will take place today from 10:00AM until the noon service time at the First United Methodist Church of Bayou La Batre.  Pray for Tom, Donna and the family.

Joyce Hacker is hospitalized and needs our prayer support.

Richard Glass remains in a rehab facility.

Beth Rockwell also remains in a rehab facility.

It was a blessing to see Miss Barbara Hamilton in our early service this past Sunday.  Pray for her as she recovers from her recent fall.

Coley & Katelyn Johnson have another date in court today.  Pray for things to continue to go well for them.

Stan & Becky Hatcher are opening their satsuma orchard to the Friendship family this Saturday, 11/20, for a “u pick” event with all proceeds going to our students who will take part in our June 2022 GRACE Ministries mission trip to Guatemala.  The cost is one dollar per pound but larger donations will be accepted.  Please pass the word and make plans to take part in this generous offer by Stan & Becky!

We need our senior adults to sign up by this Wednesday for our “Night of Hope” that will take place this Sunday, 11/21.  Service at 5:00PM and meal following.  Call the church office to sign up if you have not done so already.  Pass the word!

There will be a container on our campus this Monday, 11/22, at 3:00PM to be loaded and then shipped to Guatemala.  We are being given one hour to load it so we need all hands on deck.  Rhett “McGyver” Butler will be present to coordinate this happening.  Pass the word!

I am a fan of college football and root for one team in particular.  My only hobby is attending college football games.  I do not like to see players get injured.  Auburn’s Bo Nix suffered a season ending injury this past Saturday.  Admittedly, I have not been a huge Bo fan over the past three years but his post injury statement made me applaud him.  Bo Nix said, “Bones break and things change, but God is always the same. One of my favorite verses is John 13:7, “Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I’m doing, but later you will understand”. The Lord’s timing is our schedule. The road to recovery begins tomorrow.”  Bo impressed me with that statement!

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

Willie Mae Keenum Roberts (88) passed away peacefully Thursday November 4,2021 at her home in Grand Bay, Alabama. She was born on May 13,1933 in Gatman , Mississippi to Will D and Maggie Sue( Williams) Keenum. She was moved to the Gulf Coast during WW II so her Father could work in the Ship Building Industry. She was a member of Friendship Baptist church in Grand Bay. She loved spending time with her family and watching Alabama Football. She is preceded in death by her Parents, sisters Gracie Keenum and Elizabeth (Libba) Keenum Merrill, Brothers Will D. (Son) Keenum and Billy Keenum, her children’s Father’s Wayne Hawley and Charles F. Roberts, and Grandsons Randy Rockwell and Craig Rockwell. She is survived by Her sister Cecil Rae Keenum, Brothers Bobby Keenum (Kathy) and James Earl Keenum, Children : Maxine Hawley Rockwell Mohning (Paul), Peewee Roberts, Chuck Roberts. Grandchildren : Tracy Rockwell, Steve Rockwell (Shannon), Tiffany Rockwell Neill (Josh) Clint Roberts (Andrea) , Maranda Roberts, Maria Roberts, and Charles Roberts 14 Great Grandchildren and 5 Great Great Grandchildren and Many Nieces and Nephews.

Services will be held Monday November 15,2021 with Visitation beginning at 11:00 AM at Cottage Hill Memorial Funeral Home 7158 Cottage Hill Rd in Mobile, Al with a service to follow at 12:00 PM in the Funeral Home Chapel. Internment will follow at Serenity Gardens on Old Pascagoula Rd.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to Friendship Baptist Church of Grand Bay.

Happy ninety fourth birthday to Miss Kittie Camp!  She has not been feeling well physically and it is my hope that today will be a much better day for her.  Pray for Miss Kittie to have a great day!

The celebration of life service for Miss Willie Roberts takes place today at noon from the chapel of the Cottage Hill Memorial Funeral Home.  It will be preceded by an hour of visitation with the family.  Pray for the Roberts family.

We were blessed with great services yesterday.  It was a joy to welcome Henry & Sue Wyse “home” as they joined the Friendship family in our second morning service.  The spirit in our morning services as really good.

Our “Night of Hope” service was special.  We saw around one dozen salvation decisions during the invitation.  Katelyn and crew did a great job with the meal.  We give God the glory!

Our senior adults have not done such a good job in signing up for our “Night of Thanks” service that will take place this Sunday, 11/21.  We are going to have a service at 5:00PM followed by a meal in the CAB.  Senior adults, please call the church office to sign up.

Stan & Becky Hatcher are doing something really special this Saturday, 11/20.  They are allowing folks to “u pick” their satsumas for one dollar a pound and giving all of the proceeds to our students for the June 2022 GRACE Ministries trip.  We need our folks to show up in big numbers for this happening.

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

We will have a regular schedule on our campus this Sunday morning, 11/14, with worship services at 8:00AM and 10:30AM.  Sunday School at 9:15AM.

Our evening times will be the same as normal (5:00PM & 6:00PM) but the activities will be a bit different.  First, our children’s choir will meet from 5:00PM until 7:00PM.  Note the extra hour.

Second, our worship service will begin at 5:00PM and will be our “Night of Hope” as we will host the men from the mission.  This service is our normal evening worship service only an hour earlier and including the men from the mission.  We will then provide a meal for the men from the mission at 6:00PM in the CAB.

Our “Night of Thanks” will take place on Sunday, 11/21.  We need our senior adults to sign up this Sunday so we can have ample food for that special evening.

We are going to need all hands on deck on Monday, 11/22, as we will load a container bound for Guatemala that afternoon.  Times and more information to come.

Pastor Eddie Burdette and team arrived safely on GRACE Mountain yesterday afternoon.  Evangelist Johnny Tucker is flying there today.  Lisa is scheduled to arrive home late tomorrow night.

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

Happy tenth birthday to our granddaughter, Lizzi!  Lisa is with Lizzi in Guatemala to celebrate.  They will do Pollo Campero for lunch as that is Lizzi’s favorite restaurant in Guatemala.  I hope Lizzi has a great day!  We love you, Lizzi.

A huge “thank you” to all of our Veterans!  Happy Veteran’s Day!

The church office is closed today in observance of Veteran’s Day!

Myrtle Bowden will have a test today that will help the doctors decide the plan of action for Myrtle’s case.  Pray that all goes well.

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

The church office will be closed tomorrow in observance of Veteran’s Day.  All three full time staff members are available in the event of an emergency.  I am very grateful to all who have served in our military.  We celebrate service to our country!

Regular schedule on our campus today and tonight.  Those who signed up to cook a turkey or casserole for this Sunday’s “Night of Hope” can get their supplies at the church tonight.  Questions?  Contact Katelyn Johnson!

Leisa Pouncey’s uncle has passed from this life.  A graveside service will take place tomorrow at Union Baptist.  Bill & Debbie Kendrick are super friends to the Pouncey family.  By the way, Debbie Kendrick writes as encouraging of an email as anyone I have ever received one from.  I like Debbie.  Bill?  Well. . .

Richard Glass has been moved to a rehab facility.  Keep praying.

Beth Rockwell remains in rehab too and needs our prayer support.

Myrtle will have her test tomorrow.

Pastor Eddie Burdette will lead a team to GRACE Mountain tomorrow.  Evangelist Johnny Tucker will travel to Guatemala on Friday in order to preach a revival at Iglesia JET Sunday – Tuesday.  Lisa arrived on the mountain safe and sound last night.  So, the mountain is busy these days – praise the Lord!

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

Richard Glass remains very weak and the hope is to get him moved to a rehab facility.  There have been a couple of glitches in that process so pray that everything will work out.

Beth Rockwell was moved to a rehab facility last week but she is also very weak.  She needs to make good progress over the next two weeks in order to be able to go home.  Pray for Beth and Chuck.

John Milton Ladnier was in our second morning service this past Sunday.  He looked good but tired out pretty quickly (my preaching tends to have that effect on folks).  Keep praying for John!

I “think” I am right in saying that Myrtle Bowden will have a test on Thursday to help the doctors know which route to take in her situation.  Pray for Myrtle.

Miss Willie Roberts passed from this life last Friday morning.  The family met with the funeral directors yesterday afternoon and I believe everything will take place this coming Monday, 11/15.  Pray for Miss Willie’s three children and their families.

We were blessed with good services this past Sunday.  What a joy to see three folks follow Jesus in believer’s baptism as a part of our evening service.  To God be the glory.

I took Lisa to the Mobile airport this morning as she is traveling to Guatemala today.  Pray for safe and timely travels.  Lisa is going to celebrate Lizzi’s tenth birthday on Thursday.

I am loving this cooler weather!  Just saying!

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

Not only did Buddy Brewer come home this past Tuesday, he came home cancer free!  How about that!  To God be the glory!  Miss Vinnie was a happy camper in our service yesterday morning!

Anna Carol Bosarge underwent a surgical procedure this past Monday and was in the hospital overnight.  She did well but is now limited for at least a couple of weeks.  Pray for Anna Carol.

Keep praying for John Milton as he recovers from his surgery.

Myrtle Bowden is scheduled to have her test one week from today.  She is at peace during this time of waiting.  Pray.

Beth Rockwell “may” have been moved to the rehab facility yesterday afternoon.  That will be a twenty one day stay before going home.  Keep praying for Beth.

Richard Glass remains in the hospital. Keep Richard in your prayers.

Miss June Bailey’s surgery went well and she is now in the ICU.  Pray for Miss June!

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday – morning and evening.  Baptism as a part of our evening service.

We were blessed with a good day in our services yesterday.  I am thankful!

As I am writing this entry, it is fifty one degrees in Grand Bay.  We have the windows raised and it feels great!  It will feel even greater when our power bill reflects the savings from not having to run the air conditioner.

Lord willing, Lisa and I will travel North tomorrow in order to visit my mama.  We then come back through T-town on Saturday as we have plans to attend the Bama game.  We will gain a hour Saturday night as the time change takes place.

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

Miss June Bailey, wife of Pastor Jack Bailey and mother of Pastor Joe David Bailey, is having major surgery today.  It is possible that the surgery could last eight hours.  Obviously, it is a very serious surgery so I ask for you to join me in praying for Miss June, the medical team and the Bailey family.  I think I am correct in saying that the surgery is taking place in Nashville, TN.

John Milton Ladnier receive word from the doctor yesterday that his pathology results came back with all lymph nodes being negative.  The doctor said it was the best report John could have received.  John is giving God all of the glory and is very thankful!

As far as I know, Buddy Brewer came home yesterday.  Hooray!  Praise the Lord!

Keep praying for Coley & Katelyn in their court appearances.

Continue to pray for Beth Rockwell too.

Donna Glass will have surgery today.

Richard Glass is recovering from his surgery.

I am praying for another person who had surgery on Monday but I am not at liberty to disclose that name.

Praying for another person who was discharged from the hospital yesterday but am not allowed to share the personal information.

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening.

I stayed up extra late last night as I was following the voting results in Virginia.  I went to bed pleased with the results of those elections.  Hopefully, the folks in Virginia sent a very strong message to the rest of the USA regarding things that matter to the average American.

Congratulations to Les Hacker as his Braves won the WS last night.  I no longer watch any professional sports but I did see the headline this morning that the Braves won last night.

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