Pastor's Blog

Today marks my paternal grandmother’s one hundred and twenty-sixth birthday.  My paternal grandfather will mark the same birthday on October 3.

Hurricane Helene has already done much damage and has caused four deaths.  Helene is now a tropical storm but is still causing issues in Georgia and other states.  Pray for those folks who are impacted by the storm.

Michelle Thomas sent me a message in the early hours this morning.  Infant Maxi had to undergo another surgery last night and is now on a machine that is doing all of the work for her heart and lungs.  Obviously, her condition is listed a critical.  Pray for little Maxi, the medical folks and the family.

Heidi messaged me yesterday to let me know that her brother, Chip, has been moved to a hospice facility.  Please continue to pray for Chip, his parents, Heidi and the entire family.

Mission of Hope service tonight at 7:00PM.  Bill Kendrick preaching with Jeanette Bates leading the musical worship.  Everyone invited.  Pray for this service.

Flag football tomorrow beginning at 8:00AM.  Pray for this ministry.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday morning and evening.

Andy’s boys swept the awards (all eight) at the National Quartet Convention on Wednesday afternoon.  Andy is a happy camper!  (I am sure Soy would be proud too!  LOL!)

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

The top of my prayer list this morning is for those folks who are in the path of Hurricane Helene.  The storm surge is expected to be extremely high.  I have always heard the saying, “you hide from the wind but you run from the water!”  Landfall expected tonight somewhere in Florida.  Pray!

Please continue to pray for Chip.  Pray for his family.  Rhett & Heidi are great folks and are such an important part of the Friendship family.

Infant Maxi obviously remains in the hospital and in need of our prayer support.

I talked to Pam Baker Sunday and she told me that her dad, Claude Landry, is now in his third week of radiation treatments.  Claude is a great guy!  Pray for Claude and Kay.

Keep praying for Miss Dottie Clark and Dr. Mike.

Service at the Mission of Hope tomorrow night beginning at 7:00PM.  Bill Kendrick speaking and Jeanette Bates leading the musical worship.  Everyone invited to attend.  Pray for this ministry.

Our flag football ministry under the leadership of Bro. Abel, with an assist from Scott Fontenot, will host the Bryant High girls flag football team for a meal next Tuesday, 10/1.  Several folks signed up yesterday to bake a cake, pie, brownies, et cetera for his meal.  If you can help and have not signed up, please contact Bro. Abel.

A huge shout out to the folks at Sugar Rush Donuts for providing donuts for our student ministry last night.  What a nice act of kindness by them!  We are grateful and our students enjoyed the treat immensely.  The next time you need donuts please consider using Sugar Rush.

Remember the Bible study being led by Bill Kendrick beginning Sunday, 10/6.  Contact Bill for more information.

Jeanette Bates announced yesterday that choir practice for our adults begins this Sunday, 9/29, at 4:15PM in the choir room.  This will be in preparation for Christmas which is closer than you think.  (So’s Eckerds!).  Everyone invited!

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

Regular schedule on our campus today – morning and evening.  As far as I know, the co-op will also have their regular Wednesday.

Heidi’s brother, Chip, remains at the top of my prayer list for those folks battling a malady.  Keep praying!

Ben & Michelle Thomas’ week old granddaughter, Maxi, went through major heart surgery yesterday.  She did well but definitely needs our continued prayer support.  Pray for Maxi, Alyssa, the medical folks and Maxi’s family.

Was able to visit with Wyatt yesterday morning.  He was later discharged from the hospital.  His dad, Joey, was at the hospital when I visited and he hit me up for twenty dollars for lunch – said he forgot his wallet.  Anyway, keep praying for Wyatt.

Today is a regular dialysis day for Carol Lucky.  She goes Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week. Pray for Carol and Terry. Good folks!

Lisa visited with Miss Dottie Clark yesterday morning.  I think it probably did both of them good.  Miss Dottie needs a miracle so please pray.

Obviously, we need to pray for those folks who are in the projected path of tropical storm (for now) Helene which is expected to become a hurricane (looks like a major one) later today.  Those of us on the Gulf Coast understand what those folks are going through so we need to stand with them by praying.

Not sure if Bro. Abel had any responses to his request for help at this Saturday’s flag football games.  Folks, it is so easy that even a deacon can do it!  (By the way, Shawn Siker does a great job and I do appreciate him!)  Will you help this Saturday?  if so, contact Bro. Abel.

Bill Kendrick will be leading a video Bible study featuring Dr. Frank Turek beginning the first Sunday in October at 3:45PM.  Materials cost ten dollars but if anyone cannot pay, no problem.  Contact Bill for more information or to sign up.

Did my mother-in-law feed me yesterday?  Well, if you call pork chops, green beans, baked sweet potato and a pineapple feeding me then the answer is “yes!”  I am blessed.  (And fat!)

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

The following comes from Bro. Abel regarding this Saturday’s flag football: “Shawn will be gone this weekend. I need someone from 8am to 11am to be the game clock person. They will sit under the tent and announce on the PA the two minute warning for the end of each period and play the bullhorn signifying the end of each period, the half and the end of the game.”

Contact Bro. Abel personally if you can help (even if for an hour or so).  Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Heidi Butler sent me a message last night sharing that her brother, Chip, appears to be transitioning from this life to the next.  Pray for Chip and his family during this time.

I failed to get an update on Wyatt yesterday.  That is on me.  I will do so today.  Keep praying, please.

The following comes from Dr. Mike Clark’s journal entry: “We went to a new neurologist in Chimaltenango where Dottie was given tests at the government hospital. Dottie has hydrocephalus. Her head will not swell but in 30 days we will know if she is to have a shunt. The doctor said at her age a shunt surgery would be very dangerous. Need prayer!”  Will you join Lisa and me in praying for Dottie (and Mike)?  Lisa is scheduled to visit them today.

Tropical cyclone nine continues to move toward becoming a hurricane as it enters the Gulf of Mexico.  Projections are that it “could” be a category three by the time it makes landfall which appears to be somewhere in Florida.  Pray and prepare.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow – morning and evening.

My mother-in-law, Ann Clark, cooked chicken & dumplings, cornbread, lima beans and coconut pie yesterday and shared it with me.  I am grateful!  Best mother-in-law ever!

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

Yes, this entry is late.  Katie Tillman asked me at last night’s fellowship if she could write today’s entry.  I agreed.  So, you can imagine my surprise when I checked a few minutes ago to see that she did not follow through.  My apologies.  You live and learn!  I will own this and not pass the buck!  It is on me!

We were blessed with a good day in our service yesterday morning.  We saw thirteen or so public decisions.  Then the fellowship was awesome.  My guess would be an attendance of around two hundred (+/-).  The weather was great!  Our deacons did a fantastic job of hosting the fellowship.  Thank you, brothers!  The church family brought sufficient sides and desserts.  Did you get any of Rebecca’s stuffed brownies?  Who would have ever thought crab meat in a brownie would be tasty?  Rebecca was kind enough to send the leftovers home with me.  How nice is that!

However, the absolute highlight of the fellowship was seeing twenty-five (25) folks follow Jesus in believer’s baptism.  I was thrilled to see families being baptized together.  Thank you, Jesus for an amazing fellowship!

Heidi’s brother, Chip, remains at the top of my prayer list.  Folks, pray for Chip and his family during these days.

Joey & Bibbi’s son, Wyatt, is in the hospital.  Most likely his problem goes back to a tick bite from a couple of weeks ago.  Pray for Wyatt.

Thomas Graham passed from this life last week.  Pray for Jean and the family.  There will be no public service.

Miss Dottie Clark in Guatemala is not doing well.  It is possible the doctor will give an update today.  Pray for Miss Dottie and Dr. Mike, please.

Obviously, we all have our eyes on the almost certain to be a hurricane that will most likely enter the Gulf.  Folks, we will just take it one day at a time.  Pray now for those who will be in the path of this storm.

Regular schedule on our campus this Wednesday – morning and evening.

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

Happy tenth birthday to our granddaughter, Audrey!  I know she will have a good day as she will make sure of that herself.  She will organize her own party!  We love Audrey.  I am glad that Lisa and Curtis & Myrna (paternal grandparents) are there with Audrey on this special day.  Soy & Deidra’s girls are now 10, 11 & 12 – wow!

Sunday School begins at 9:00AM.

Worship service begins at 10:00AM.

Church fellowship begins at 4:00PM at Presley’s Outing.

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

Flag football play begins at 8:00AM today.  Pray for this ministry.

By the way, hungry?  The concession stand will be open from 8:00AM until 11:00AM and they have great prices on their burger baskets.  So, come support out student ministry even if you do not want to attend any of the games.

Congratulations to the Bryant varsity football team as they won last night on a walk off play!  You can watch in on al.com.  How about USA Thursday night?  Pretty impressive!  Go Jags!

Our annual church fellowship at Presley’s Outing takes place tomorrow beginning at 4:00PM.  Baptismal service begins around 4:30PM.  Food will be served beginning around 5:00PM.  Church is providing burgers, dogs and drinks.  You bring the rest.

Yesterday was a marathon day for me as I left at 3:00AM to drive to Hartselle, Alabama in order to attend the celebration of life service for Tommy McCaghren.  Tommy is the father of our niece, Tracie, who is married to Josh Turrentine.  Pastor Jack Bailey did a nice job of sharing the Word.  Tracie spoke and did well too.

I had the privilege of stopping by and visiting with Decker Terry in Montgomery.  Decker is always such a joy to be around.  He is always positive even though he is homebound.  I thank God for bringing Decker Terry into our life and for his support of GRACE Ministries for many years.  Decker is faithful!

Mama is presently battling an UTI.  I was blessed to visit with her for while even though she was not feeling well and was in the bed.  Times I do not take for granted!

So, when I walked in the door at our house just before 8:00PM, I was a little tired.  Just saying!

Sunday School begins at 9:00AM tomorrow.  Morning worship begins at 10:00AM.  Come join us!

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

The Lord blessed us with a good Wednesday.  God is faithful!

Bill Kendrick had a nephew, Jeffrey Kendrick, very unexpectedly pass from this life on Monday, 9/16.  Jeffrey was only forty-five years old.  The family will have a private service this Saturday.  Pray for the Kendrick family during this most difficult time.

Continue to pray for Heidi’s brother, Chip.  Also, keep praying for Carol Lucky.

Miss Dottie Clark is doing better and making improvements almost daily.   Keep praying for Miss Dottie & Dr. Mike Clark in Guatemala.

Flag football league play resumes this Saturday morning beginning at 8:00AM.  Pray for this ministry under the leadership of Bro. Abel.

Regular schedule on our campus Sunday morning.  Fellowship at Presley’s Outing Sunday beginning at 4:00PM.

Special thanks for Clinton Stringfellow for the painting he has done the past two days in the senior adult ladies Sunday School room.  Clinton is a fine gentleman and I appreciate his spirit!

Yes, Lisa arrived safe and sound on GRACE Mountain yesterday afternoon.  That is the good news!  The not so good news is that she will be back in just eleven days!  Just saying!

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

Regular schedule on our campus this morning at 10:00AM and then again tonight at 6:30PM.  Pray for those services!

Carol Lucky has been discharged from the hospital.  Keep praying for Carol as she goes through this recovery time and has her dialysis treatment three times a week.

Continue to pray for Heidi’s brother, Chip.

Lisa leaves this morning heading to spend almost two weeks in Guatemala with Deidra and the girls.  Pray for traveling mercies.

Annual church wide fellowship this Sunday, 9/22, at Presley’s Outing beginning at 4:00PM.  Baptismal service at 4:30PM and the meal begins at 5:00PM.  Thank you in advance to our deacons for a job well done in hosting this fellowship.  Everyone is invited.

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

Happy forty-eighth wedding anniversary to my brother, Eddie, and his wife, Sue.  I hope they will have a great day!  Celebrating at Paige’s Place in Neel.  Does it get any better than that?

Had a nice visit with Carol & Terry Lucky yesterday morning.  The doctor decided to not do surgery but has instead put her shoulder in a cast for the next eight weeks.  Carol “may” have been discharged yesterday but I am not for certain.  Keep praying for Carol.

Heidi Butler’s brother, Chip, is battling a malignancy and needs our prayers.  Pastor Jiggs Ramsey has been faithfully ministering to Chip and his family.  Please join me in praying for Chip, his parents, Heidi and the entire family.

Speaking of Heidi, Rhett and the other CWA workers have reached a tentative agreement with AT&T so they are now back on the job.  As far as I know, that is good news.  They come no better than Rhett.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.

Annual church fellowship at Presley’s Outing this Sunday, 9/22, beginning at 4:00PM.  Details in my letter that went out yesterday.

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