Pastor's Blog

Bobby Chandler remains in the hospice facility.  Pray for Bobby, Laurie and the family.

Larry Brown remains in an intensive care unit.  Keep praying for Larry, Elaine and family.

Hannah Hatcher continues to recover at home from her surgery.  Keep praying.

I heard from Roseanne Baria this week and Robert is still hanging in there.  He gets knocked down but, in typical Robert fashion, he gets back up!  Pray for Robert & Roseanne.

Our friend, Kristie Potts, is in the hospital and is obviously having some difficulties.  Pray for Kristie, John and the family.

Remember, there will be a retirement reception for Bro. Jerry Hovel this Sunday afternoon, 11/12, from 2:00 – 3:30PM in the Christian Activities Building.  Gifts are accepted and appreciated.  Contact Clara Broadus if you want to help with this reception.

The Thanksgiving meal for the senior adults within the Friendship family will take place this Thursday, November 16, in the CAB from 10:00AM until noon.  Contact Sherry Howell if you want to help with this ministry opportunity.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday, 11/12.  Going to be a great day so join us!

Our blog readership has seemingly hit an all time high as it now stands at eighteen!  Can you believe it?

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

Elaine Brown’s husband, Larry, was taken to the hospital via an ambulance early, early Monday morning.  He was placed in an intensive care unit and remains there this afternoon.  He has been battling a malignancy, has heart issues, and has suffered a stroke.  They are doing more tests to determine the extent of the damage and to make a treatment plan.  Pray for Larry, Elaine and their family.

MAJOR CHANGE – the Thanksgiving meal set for Thursday, 11/16, (one week from today) WILL take place.  Sherry Howell is coordinating this meal and she needs some help.  Younger folks are needed to do either a sweet potato casserole, a dessert or bake and carve a turkey.  If you will help, please contact Sherry or you can call her mother, Clara Broadus.  Again, this is for next Thursday, November 16, 2023.

Why the change?  Yes!  LOL!  (Remember, I had a seizure!)

Bobby Chandler has been moved to an in house hospice facility.  I shared in yesterday morning’s service that Laurie was requesting no visitors for the time being.  She needed time to process things.  Now, Laurie is up to having visitors.  However, her greatest request is for prayer warriors.  So, please join me in praying for Bobby, Laurie and family.

Hannah Hatcher did well through her surgery yesterday.  The doctor said Hannah is going to be uncomfortable for the next three weeks.  Pray for Hannah as she recovers.

Our children will be taking part in a retreat on the island this Friday and Saturday.  Pray for this ministry opportunity.

There will be a retirement reception in the CAB for Bro. Jerry Hovel this Sunday, 11/12, from 2:00 – 3:30PM.  A basket will be available for cards, gift cards, money, et cetera.  If you would like to help with this reception, contact Clara Broadus.

We will consider adding to our Hispanic ministry as Jeff Holifield will present an proposal during this Sunday evening’s service.  Make this a matter of prayer.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday morning and evening.

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

Hannah Hatcher will be having a surgical procedure this morning.  She is a little nervous waiting which is to be expected.  Pray for Hannah and for Ryan & Kayla as they wait with their daughter.

I basically “fired” my source regarding Willie Sprinkle and moved to another one.  Willie has been discharged from the hospital but will be limited in what he can do for the foreseeable future.  The doctors do not want him to be exposed to any infections.  Keep praying for Willie.

Regular schedule on our campus this morning (10:00AM) and tonight (6:30PM).

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

This entry is late and, for that, I apologize.  I could offer excuses but I choose not to do so.  Better late than later!

Hannah Hatcher will have an outpatient surgical procedure in the morning.  Pray that all goes well.

Thank you to those who helped minister to the Linda Green family yesterday.  I appreciate Clara & Rita leading that ministry.

I am not sure if Willie Sprinkle was discharged from the hospital yesterday.  (My source is slacking!)  Regardless, pray for Willie.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.

I am not trying to rub the proverbial salt into a wound but I cannot believe that the University of Mobile beat South last night in basketball.  Wow!

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

The most important thing on today’s agenda for me is the visitation with the Linda Green family and the celebration of life service for Linda.  Let me say this, “Linda has already preached her funeral and she did an excellent job!”  Both the visitation and service will take place at Serenity Funeral Home in Theodore with the visitation taking place from 1:00PM until the beginning of the service at 3:00PM.  Keep praying for the Linda Green family.

If you are helping with the food for the Linda Green family, please have it in our Preschool Building no later that 3:00PM today.  Contact Clara or Rita if you have questions or need more information.

Willie Sprinkle remains in the hospital but is chomping at the bit to get discharged.  Pray for Willie!

Hannah Hatcher will have surgery this Wednesday.  Pray for all to go well.

As you probably already know, Bro. Jerry Hovel submitted his resignation yesterday as he is retiring.  Congratulations to him and Miss Tena.  Details as to what will be taking place to recognize them are forthcoming.  I am always thrilled when any person gets to the point where they can retire.  Good for Bro. Jerry!

Yesterday was a marathon day for me.  Preach in the morning, drive to Birmingham with Deidra to share in an evening service, go to a meeting in Decatur, Alabama and then arrive home at 4:00AM today.  That is after getting home at 3:00AM Sunday morning.  Folks, it is good to be young!  LOL!

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

Linda Kay Green, 80, returned to her heavenly home on November 3rd, 2023, only a week from her 81st birthday. Her devotion to her family and her firm belief in God supported her in her recent struggle and ultimately gave her peace. She was an amazing mother even into her last breath.

Linda was born to the late Myrtis Holmes and Burnest Scott in Pedal, MS. She was immersed in the Christian community that would be her lifelong support from an early age. She worked faithfully with the children in church for decades, teaching generations about Jesus. As well as teaching the adult Sunday class.

Linda was blessed with a large and loving family. She is preceded in death by the love her life, David Green. She is also preceded in death by her brothers, Jake Lewis Albritton, Kenneth James Scott, Clay Scott, her sister, Rosie Nell Scott and granddaughter Victoria Collier.

She is survived by her sisters, Shirley Watts and Sandra Langley, and her brothers, Burrell, Terry, and Glenn Scott. Linda is also survived by her children, Tessie Rivers, Tina Wilkerson (Raymond), Tony Rivers, Tia Heath (Robby), Ty Rivers (Inga), and Tori Rivers. She is loved and missed by her bonus daughters, Dana Wilson (Dan) and Leah Green (Montie). She will be greatly missed by a multitude of grandchildren, Matrisza, Dawn, Savannah, Autumn, Blake, Summer, Bryan, Hannah, Robb, Cortney, Rhea, Harley, Amber, Randon, Jace, Olivia, Diego, Seth, Gabrielle, Mark Alex, Elijah, Kennedy, Claire, Jessie, Ivy, and Jacob. Plus, many great grandchildren.

Linda Green will be escorted from this life by her grandsons serving as pallbearers; Blake Stallworth, Bryan Brinkman, Jace Wilkinson, Diego Rivers. Elijah Butler, Kennedy Butler, and Colt Arceneaux

Mrs. Linda will be buried at Serenity Gardens on Monday, November 6th, 2023. Visitation is from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Service begins in the Chapel at 3:00 pm, with graveside service to follow.

The arrangements for Linda Green are as follows:  visitation with the family on Monday, November 6, from 1:00PM until the 3:00PM celebration of life service.  The visitation and service will take place at Serenity Funeral Home in Theodore, AL.  Members of the Friendship family who want to help with the feeding of the family should contact Rita Boutwell or Clara Broadus.  Pray for Linda’s family.

As far as I know, Willie Sprinkle had surgery on his leg yesterday.  My source has failed me on this one.  Just saying!  Keep praying for Willie!

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.

Time changes tonight so “fall” back one hour before going to bed.  My favorite Sunday, time wise, of the year!  Personally, I wish they would just leave the time pieces alone!  Choose one and stick with it!

Speaking of food, we have enjoyed a great week.  It began on Monday afternoon when John Milton Ladnier showed up with a bag of freshly picked, and shelled, peas.  Are you kidding me!  What a nice surprise!  Thank you John Milton for being so generous to us!

On Thursday afternoon, Sonny & Jeanette Bates showed up with a huge meat (roast) and potatoes meal with all kinds of sides and a delicious dessert.  What a feast!  Thank you Sonny & Jeanette for a fabulous meal.

Yesterday afternoon, Stacey & Gayla Dyess showed up with a ton of chili and the fixins including Mexican cornbread.  Another feast!  Thank you Stacey & Gayla for a tremendous meal too!  (Disclaimer – Stacey is known for his barbecue but after eating at Scrugg’s in Decatur the other week he realized that he could not hang with that cook so he changed menus on me.  Just saying!)

Personally, I knew that Stacey could cook but did not realize Sonny was in that same class!

My friend, Ben Thomas of al.com has done a great job of covering the high school football regular season.  Ben writes great articles.  I was especially blessed by the one he wrote about Soy Taylor on Friday, 10/13.  On to the playoffs now and I will be following Ben’s coverage weekly.  Thank you, Ben!

I pray that you will have a great Saturday with Jesus.  Change you time pieces tonight, if necessary!  (Or leave them be and come March of 2024 they will be right again)

Around 8:30AM today, Linda Green entered Heaven.  I am just now getting back to my laptop in order to share this news.  Pray for Linda’s family.

Linda had made her own funeral arrangements.  The only question right now is the “when?”  I will post the arrangements here once they are completed.

Again, pray for Linda’s family.

Miss Linda Green remains in the hospice facility.  She is very low physically.  Pray for her and for her family as they wait beside her.  Linda Green is a fine lady.

Willie Sprinkle remains hospitalized.  They are still dealing with the infection as they are changing medications, doing more tests, et cetera.  Pray for Willie.

The plan is for Miss Georgia Crawley to have heart surgery next week.  Not sure if she will remain hospitalized until then or not.  Pray for Miss Georgia and her family.

Keep praying for Maria Wainwright as she recovers.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday morning and evening.

Time changes this weekend.  Fall back one hour before going to bed Saturday night.

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