Pastor's Blog

The Lord blessed us with a good day in our services yesterday.  I especially enjoy our Wednesday morning services as we have a great group attend those.  Salt of the earth folks!  Miss Vinnie shared an answer to prayer which was a miracle in the life of her family.  Good stuff.  God stuff!  He is to be praised!

Robert Baria sees a doctor today.  Pray that all goes well.

Keep praying for Chuck & Beth Rockwell.

Our cake auction is going to be a blast!  Had a short conversation with Stacey Dyess last night about the food – it is going to be great.  We have cakes/pies galore!  We have a surprise!  Last night I learned that we “may” have a most unexpected addition to the line up.  Remember, Sunday, July 2, beginning at 5:00PM.

Youth camp next week.  Leave Monday, 6/12, and return Saturday, 6/17.  Pray for this ministry.

GRACE Ministries mission trip Thursday, June 15, through Thursday, June 22.  Pray for this team of twenty-three.

VBS Monday, July 10, through Friday, July 14.  Pre-VBS rally on Sunday, July 9, beginning at 5:00PM in the CAB!  Pray for VBS!

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday, 6/11, with our evening service beginning at 5:00PM.

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

Carolyn Walker did not have the surgical procedure done on Monday as it got postponed.  Long day for Carolyn & Grady.  Not sure when it will be rescheduled but keep praying for Carolyn in the meanwhile.

Marcus and Rachel Hatcher welcomed their third child (first daughter) into this world yesterday.  I do not know all of the details but do congratulate Marcus & Rachel.  My source tells me this is Norman Richerson’s thirtieth great grandchild.  Pray for Rachel and the baby.

The visitation with the Harold Dueitt, Sr. family takes place tonight at Serenity Funeral Home from 5:00 – 7:00PM.  The service takes place tomorrow afternoon beginning at 2:00PM also at Serenity Funeral Home.  Pray for the Dueitt family.

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening.  Hope to have a great attendance.

“The Heart of the Family” service takes place this Sunday morning, 6/11.  Looking forward to honoring God by recognizing those couples who were/have been married for fifty years or longer.  Going to be a great service!

Bro. Dylan will be taking our students to camp next week.  They will be attending a Fuge camp in Clinton, MS.  Pray for this most important week.

VBS workers meeting this Sunday, 6/11, from 4:00PM until the beginning of our service at 5:00PM.  Our VBS will take place Monday, 7/10, through Friday, 7/14 from 9:00AM until noon daily.  A pre-VBS rally will take place beginning at 5:00PM on Sunday, 7/9.  You can pre-register online by using the QR code.  It is very simple and easy to use.  I registered one of our grandchildren so if I can do it then anyone can!

We are there!  Forty-four folks have volunteered to bake a cake/pie for the auction on July 2.  We now have fifty cakes/pies.  I am thinking we are going to get another two or three special cakes but otherwise we are good to go!  Thank you to each person who has joined this ministry effort.  Pray for the Lord to bless it tremendously!

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

Happy birthday to our oldest daughter, Deidra.  How old?  Cannot say but we did celebrate her fortieth birthday last year on this date.  It was a blessing for our family to be able to celebrate in person with Deidra this past Sunday.  I hope Deidra’s day today will be great! Happy birthday, Deidra.

Emory Harold Dueitt, Sr. passed from this life this past Sunday morning at 4:45AM.  There will be a visitation at Serenity Funeral Home tomorrow night, 6/7, from 5:00 -7:00PM.  A funeral service will take place from the chapel at Serenity on Thursday, 6/8, beginning at 2:00PM.  Pray for the Dueitt family during this time.

I did not get an update on Carolyn Walker but hope to do so this morning.  Keep praying.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.

This Sunday, 6/11, will see us celebrate “The Heart of the Family” in our morning service.  We will be recognizing sixteen couples from the Friendship family who have been married for at least fifty years.  It is going to be a special service and hopefully a huge encouragement to all who attend.

VBS workers meeting in the auditorium this Sunday, 6/11, from 4:00 – 5:00PM.  VBS is Monday, July 10, through Friday, July 14, from 9:00AM until noon daily.  There will be a pre-VBS rally on Sunday, 7/9, in the CAB beginning at 5:00PM.  A QR code will be available for folks to register their child(ren).

We now have forty-one folks who have volunteered to bake forty-eight cakes or pies for the cake auction on Sunday, July 2.  That fellowship will begin at 5:00PM and will end with a great surprise!  We need folks to attend and to bid on these great sweets!  Stacy & Gayla Dyess will be the head chefs and the food will be delicious!

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

I went and prayed with Carolyn prior to her procedure.  I have not heard from Grady at this point.  I do know that Carolyn will have to spend tonight in the hospital.  Keep praying!

Carolyn’s son, Ryan, was involved in a serious automobile accident this past Friday night.  He is in ICU.  Pray for all involved.

Chuck Rockwell continues to recover at home.  Keep praying for Chuck & Beth.

Robert Baria continues to have problems with his throat.  Pray for the doctors to find the problem and a solution.

We had a really strong day yesterday.  We were blessed with a good number of guests in the morning service.  Pastor Alfredo Garcia did a very good job of preaching in the evening service and Aninha was spot on as his translator.  Our deacons hosted a fellowship for our Hispanic folks following the evening service and they did very well.  To God be the glory for all He did in our midst yesterday!

“Plus One!”  July 30, 2023!

VBS workers meeting this Sunday, June 11, from 4:00 – 5:00PM.  Evening service begins at 5:00PM.  A QR code will soon be available for folks to register their children for VBS.

Cake auction on Sunday, July 2, beginning at 5:00PM.  Special surprise ending!  We have thirty-seven folks who have signed up to bring forty-one cakes/pies.  Yes, pies are perfectly fine.  Ann’s pecan pies were a hit last year.  Looking for fifty cakes and/or pies.  Email me at pastor@friendshipfamily.net.

Stacey Dyess has brought us boatloads of cucumbers over the past week or so.  How nice is that!  John Milton Ladnier is always bringing us fresh produce too.  Two great guys!

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

Heading to the hospital for Carolyn Walker’s procedure.  Pray for all to go well.

More to come at some point later today.

Miss Vinnie expressed to me yesterday her extreme appreciation to the members of the Friendship family for their support during the time of her son’s Buddy’s sickness and then after his passing from this life.  The number from the Friendship family attending the visitation on Friday night was strong.  I appreciate Betty Creech, Bill & Debbie Kendrick and Carl Ray & Charlotte Moulds attending the celebration of life service yesterday in Wayne County, MS.  Again, Miss Vinnie Brewer is an absolute jewel within the Friendship family and a godly lady.  Keep praying for her and her family.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning.  Our evening service will begin at 5:00PM which is an hour earlier than usual.  Please note the change and pass the word!

Bro. Charles Grant will lead the prayer time in between the ending of our Sunday School and the beginning of our morning worship service.  Everyone invited to join him!

Still looking for folks to volunteer to bake a cake for the cake auction on Sunday, July 2.  I wrote yesterday that we have fifteen volunteers with sixteen cakes.  I received another email yesterday but my list still shows fifteen and sixteen.  So, either I miscounted or failed to write one persons’ name on the list.  Imagine that!  The fact remains that we still need cake bakers for a most worthy cause.  The best way to sign up is to send me an email at pastor@friendshipfamily.net.

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

I am told that the members of the Friendship family did very well in attending the visitation with the Buddy Brewer family last night.  I know that I can speak for Miss Vinnie in saying “thank you” to each person who attended, those who have prayed, brought food, et cetera.  Yes, Miss Vinnie is a jewel and perhaps the most respected member of the Friendship family.  Personally, I know she is a joy to pastor!  Pray for the visitation/service in Waynesboro, MS today.

Candy Garcia had some health issues that necessitated her being in an Urgent Care and then the hospital all day yesterday. She came home yesterday afternoon.  Pray for Candy.  Candy’s mother was with her yesterday as Bro. Abel had childcare duty.  He, or they, probably needed our prayers more – LOL!

Keep praying for Chuck Rockwell as he rehabs at home.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday morning, 6/4, with one exception.  Our evening service is going to begin at 5:00PM. Please note this change.

We now have fifteen folks who have volunteered to bake sixteen cakes for the cake auction on Sunday evening, July 2.  Twenty-five cakes is the desire minimum with fifty cakes them maximum.  Need to know the amount of bakers by Sunday, June 18.

Youth camp (6/12 – 17) and VBS (7/10 – 14) are just around the proverbial corner.  Pray for these ministry opportunities.

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

Wow, where did the month of May go?

The obituary for Buddy Brewer is in an entry from earlier this morning.  It can also be found on the Heritage Funeral Home website.  Keep praying for Miss Vinnie and the entire Brewer family.  I do hope the Friendship family will attend tonight’s visitation in strong numbers.

Chuck Rockwell was discharged from the hospital yesterday and is home.  Pray for Chuck, Beth & Greg as they navigate this season of change.  Chuck is a happy camper about being home.  Keep praying.

Looking for folks to bake a cake for the cake auction that will take place on Sunday evening, July 2.  If you will bake a cake and have not signed up already, please send me a personal email at pastor@friendshipfamily.net.  Thank you to those who have already signed up.

“Home Base” during our Sunday School this Sunday, 6/4.  Praying for a great day!

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

A. B. “Buddy” Brewer, 70, went to be with the Lord on May 30, 2023. Buddy was born on March 28, 1953 to George and Vinnie Mae Brewer. A graduate of Moss Point High School, Buddy spent most of his life in Jackson County, Mississippi until moving to Grand Bay, AL where he currently resided. Buddy was proud to have served in the U.S. Navy Seabees where he was an Equipment Operator 2nd class and had various duty stations over the world during the Vietnam Era. He retired from Mississippi Power as a heavy equipment operator. Buddy was a member of the First Baptist Church of Grand Bay, AL and The Grand Bay Masonic Lodge. He was known for his great personality and usually brought smiles to the faces of those he met. His interests included church, hunting, fishing, and family.

Buddy is preceded in death by his father, George Brewer and his brother-in-law, Hugh Nelson. He is survived by his wife Linda, step-son Darren (Denice) Dunn, step-daughter, Cynthia (Jamie) Welford, his mother, Vinnie Mae Brewer, sisters, Shirley Nelson and Faye (Bobby) Stork, brother, Burl (Lynn) Brewer, 5 step-grandchildren, 5 step-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

The family would like to express thankfulness to family and friends for your outpouring of love during this time. The visitation will be held on Thursday, June 1, 2023 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home, Escatawpa, MS. The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, June 2, 2023 at Corinth Free Will Baptist Church in Wayne County, MS with Rev. David Thomas, Rev. Norman Nowell, and Rev. Ronny Nowell officiating. The family will receive friends from 12 p.m. until service time at the church. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.