Pastor's Blog

Dylan & Elizabeth, along with our children’s ministry, will host another “free” ice cream give away today from 5:30PM until 7:30PM.  Just drive through on the East side of our auditorium.  Simple enough.  Totally free!

Kendall Falana and our Buildings & Grounds Committee will lead a work day tomorrow morning beginning at 8:00AM.  Focus is to be on trimming hedges and pressure washing the buildings.  Contact Kendall for more details.

Our 2021 VBS begins this Sunday evening, 6/13.  It will take place from 5:00PM until 7:00PM.  Pray for this ministry.

I am not looking forward to late this afternoon or early evening.  Why?  Whitney Edwards is going to bring their three children over to say good bye as they are soon moving to Maryland.  They will leave in the morning heading to Texas to visit family before going to Maryland.  Devon, Whitney and the children have been great neighbors for the past four years and have really been like family to us.  Sad to see them leave but such is military life.  I have some really great memories of the Edwards family.  (I hate to see Devon and the children leave – LOL!)

My mother-in-law, Ann Clark, cooked a delicious homemade lunch yesterday and shared with me – pork loin, sweet potato casserole, green beans (not purple), corn on the cob, fried okra, tomatoes, and bread.  The beans, corn and okra were all garden fresh.  Delicious!  I have always said that I have the best mother-in-law in the world and it is true.  Thank you, Ann!

I had one offer to help clean this house before Lisa gets home.  I am grateful but that young lady does not have a bulldozer so I declined her offer.  Lisa has already sent her list of things that have to be done before she arrives home.  Why do the baseboards need to be cleaned?  I mean really.  Have I dirtied the baseboards over the past eight days?

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

A blog entry?  What?  Are you kidding?  Where have you been?  Is this simply a tease?  Why are you guys asking so many questions?

We were blessed with a good day in our services yesterday.  Our morning attendance has gone back up to pre-pandemic levels.  The spirit in those services has been excellent the past couple of weeks.  Praise the Lord!  We need to do better in the area of our evening service attendance.  It is pretty good but could be much better.  Where were you last night?

“Free ice cream Friday” takes place again tomorrow evening, 6/11, from 5:30PM until 7:30PM on the East side of the church auditorium.  Everyone invited!

Work day this Saturday, 6/12, beginning at 8:00AM.  Plans are to trim hedges and pressure wash buildings.  Contact Kendall Falana for specifics.  Thank you to those who have already worked this week and to those who will attend Saturday.

Our VBS begins this Sunday evening, 6/13.  It will take place from 5:00PM until 7:00PM.  Pass the word!

Our Sunday evening worship service will take place from 6:00PM until 7:00PM in the auditorium each night of VBS.

Lisa has been in Guatemala since last Friday, 6/4.  She is scheduled to return home late this Sunday afternoon.  Does anyone have access to a bulldozer?  Need to clean the house before she returns!

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

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.  Yes, it is a holiday weekend and we will have folks out of town.  However, I am praying that those who are in town will be faithful to attend our services.  Lord willing, I will be preaching in all three services.

“The Kingdom Man” Bible study for men takes place tomorrow afternoon from 5:00 – 6:00PM.  Obviously, anyone attending the Bible study is expected to be in our evening worship service.

Tomorrow, 5/30, has been set aside to recognize Bro. Jerry Hovel. The month of May marks the twenty first anniversary of Bro. Jerry serving as our associate pastor/minister of education. We will receive a love offering in all three services as a tangible way to show our love and appreciation to Bro. Jerry and his family. Checks should be made payable to Friendship Baptist Church.

Bro. Jerry is married to Tena and they have two sons, Josh & Luke. Obviously, Tena is also a major part of the Friendship family.

So, join us tomorrow in celebrating Bro. Jerry’s anniversary of serving the Lord through the Friendship family. Pass the word!

There will be a basket placed on the stage to receive cards of appreciation for Bro. Jerry.

Dylan & Elizabeth say there is room for improvement when it comes to the free ice cream ministry.  Pray it will grow each week.

Dylan also let me know that he is now an official college graduate.  Congratulations, Dylan.  By the way, Dylan also got his CDL yesterday – hooray!

Sign up to work in our Vacation Bible School!  See Myrtle or Bro. Jerry.

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

Aninha Barrett sent me a text yesterday afternoon sharing that her brother-in-law, Dave Eldert, passed from this life around 11:00AM our time.  Pray for Dave’s wife, Nancy, and his four children who were all at the hospital when Dave passed.  Brazil is like Guatemala in the fact that Dave’s service will have to take place within twenty four hours from the time of death.

Marie Brooks’ only remaining brother, Levon Hudson, was taken to the hospital on Wednesday.  I do not know the outcome but do ask that you join me in praying for Levon.

Service at the Mission of Hope tonight beginning at 7:00PM.  All are invited to attend.

Free ice cream on our campus tonight from 5:30PM until 7:30PM.  This ministry is being led by Dylan & Elizabeth Westbrook and is designed for children to receive the ice cream.

Regular schedule on our campus Sunday morning and evening.  Anniversary offering for Bro. Jerry in all three services.

Now is the time to sign up to help in our VBS.  Call the church office or contact Myrtle Bowden or Bro. Jerry.

The church office will be closed Monday, 5/31, in observance of Memorial Day.

I have reached a conclusion – green beans are green, not purple.  Just saying!

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

We were blessed with a good day in our services yesterday.  Praise the Lord for His blessings!

Aninha Barrett’s brother-in-law, Dave, is in a hospital in Brazil after having been hit by a motorcycle two weeks ago.  He has now suffered a heart attack in addition to the injuries from his accident.  Pray for his wife, Nancy, and his children who are there with him.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday morning and evening.

Our 2021 VBS is going to take place during June and July.  What?  A two month VBS?  Yes!  Our VBS will take place on June 13, 20, 27 and July 11, 18 & 25 from 5:00PM – 7:00PM each night.  Obviously, these are Sunday evenings.  Different?  Yes.  Do I think it will work?  I do.  The concept comes from Bro. Jerry.  We need guides to help as we will use the rotation system.  Pray for our VBS.

Also, Dylan & Elizabeth Westbrook will host backyard Bible clubs once a week during the Summer.  They will be in a different location each week.  Pray for this ministry.

Mission of Hope service this Friday beginning at 7:00PM.  Everyone invited to attend.

Free ice cream for our children this Friday, 5/28, from 5:30PM until 7:30PM.  Drive through service on our campus.  Hosted by Dylan & Elizabeth and our children’s ministry.

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

The celebration of life service for Jimmy Tagert’s mother will take place today beginning at noon from the chapel of Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home.  Pray for Jimmy and his family.

If you are helping with the meal for the Tagert then please have your food at the church no later than noon today.  Thank you for being involved in this ministry.

I would ask you to continue to pray for those whom we have mentioned in the past few days.  I have no updates except to say that Lester Kirk (Jennifer Brinkman) has been discharged from the hospital.

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and tonight.

Bro. Jerry and I met on Monday and the we had another meeting with Myrtle Bowden yesterday.  As a result of those meetings, our Vacation Bible School is going to take place but with a major change.  It will be one of those “we have never done it this way before” things!  The concept came from Bro. Jerry, I stamped it and Myrtle agreed to try it this year.  The details will be in the letter that will be sent to the Friendship family today.  I like it and think it will be a huge success and a blessing to the Friendship family!

I did have a garden!  I cannot keep up with John Milton Ladnier as he is a master gardener.  On Monday I found another master gardener in the Friendship family as I went to visit Stacey Dyess.  His garden is amazing!  Three things immediately stood out to me – the size of his plants (huge), his irrigation system and the fact that there is not even one blade of grass in his garden!  I was very impressed!  Came home and just plowed my garden under!  It is not enough that I have to see John Milton’s garden daily but now I have this mental picture of Stacey’s garden too!  All I can say is WOW!

I pray that you will have a great Wednesday with Jesus.  Remember, the early church was “in once accord” and “in one place!”

I just posted the obit for Jimmy Tagert’s mother.  If you can help with the meal for the family following the service on Wednesday then please call the church office today.  Thank you to those who are helping.

Aninha Barrett’s brother-in-law, Dave, was hit by a motorcycle like over a week ago.  He is in the ICU in a hospital in Brazil.  His condition is critical.  Pray for Dave and his wife, Nancy.

Keith & Aninha’s daughter, Elisabeth, recently had a surgical procedure that did not have the desired results when all was said and done.  So, she will be having surgery in early June to correct the problem.  Pray for Elisabeth.

Marie Brooks had a bad night on Saturday which kept her from being present yesterday.  Pray for Marie.

It was good to see Debbie Kendrick in Sunday School yesterday.  Hooray!

Keep praying for Lester Kirk, Jennifer Brinkman’s father.  Pray for the doctor’s to have wisdom as they deal with his case.

Also, continue to pray for Jerry & Gloria’s son, Brian.

Tena Hovel & Shelia Booker did a nice job of leading our children’s choir last night.  The children did a nice job.  Dana Faucett and Rhea Wilkinson also did a great job of leading our preschool choir last night.  Those children have tons of energy.  God blessed us with a good service.

Regular schedule this Wednesday morning and evening.

Congratulations to Bro. Abel & Candy!

Bro. Dylan & Elizabeth will be serving ice cream to the children this Friday, 5/28, from 5:30PM until 7:30PM.  Drive through. This will be an every Friday happening.

Mission of Hope service this Friday, 5/28, beginning at 7:00PM at the mission.  Everyone invited.

Parents, we do not want your children so please do not leave them on campus after the services end!  Just saying!

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

Mrs. Emma “Donia” Hickman, born March 28, 1938 passed away peacefully at home on Friday, May 21, 2021. She was 83. She leaves behind her husband of 46 years, Gary K. Hickman; children, Joseph K. Tagert of Mobile, AL, Donna K. Abercrombie of Mobile, AL, Ronald K. Tagert of Valley Cottage, NY, James K. Tagert (Deanna G. Tagert) of Theodore, AL; four grandchildren, Wayne Abercrombie, Jr., Brittany Tagert, Seth Tagert, Ian Tagert; two great grandchildren, Bryce Tagert, K. K. Tagert; nephew, Kenny Miniger of Florence, AL; nieces, Pam Miniger of Florence, AL and Joy Seltzer of Trumbull, CT. Mrs. Hickman was a retired Real Estate Agent “Million Dollar Seller” and an avid Bowler for many years, she “Loved her Bowling Partners on Monday Nights” She loved her family and friends unconditionally, her love for self taught oil paintings of Magnolias and landscapes was one of her greatest accomplishments, pride and joy. She will truly be missed by ALL….Rest in Peace, Beautiful Sweet Angel of God. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 25th, 5-8pm at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 26th, at 12noon from the chapel of Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home. Interment will be in Mobile Memorial Gardens.

Jimmy Tagert’s mother passed from this life yesterday afternoon.  Arrangements pending.  Pray for Jimmy and family during this time.

Received an email from Jerry Whitmore yesterday telling me that their son, Brian, remains in the hospital with hopes of being discharged this weekend.  He has an infection related to his appendix that will be treated by antibiotics for four to six weeks and they will then remove his appendix.  Pray for all to go well.  It was good hearing from Bro. Jerry & Miss Gloria.

Keep praying for Jennifer Brinkman’s father, Mr. Lester Kirk.  As far as I know, he remains in the hospital.

It is wedding day for Bro. Abel & Candy.  Pray that all goes well in the ceremony.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.

Children’s choir musical tomorrow evening beginning at 6:00PM.

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

The doctor found some blockage in Mr. Kirk’s previous bypasses.  They also drained fluid from one of his lungs.  They will check him today and then make a decision as to what comes next in his treatment.  Pray for Mr. Kirk.

I did not talk to Jimmy Tagert yesterday regarding his mother’s condition.  I do ask that you continue to pray for Mrs. Hickman and the family.

I also did not talk to Miss Vinnie about Buddy or her niece.  Keep praying.

Bro. Abel & Candy will have their wedding ceremony tomorrow afternoon.  Pray that all goes as planned.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday morning and evening.  Our children’s choir will present their Spring musical beginning at 6:00PM.

It has been a joy to have my younger brother, Freddie, and his wife, Amanda, with us since last Saturday.  They will travel home today.  Pray for them as they travel.

Full day for me today in the garden and in the yard.  Lisa has given me a “list” of things to get completed today!  What she does not know is that I have a list for her to get completed tomorrow!  Just saying!

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