Pastor's Blog

The decision was made yesterday to put the celebration of life service on FB live today.  Now, that means nothing to me as I am clueless.  However, I am told that it will be on Danville Baptist’s FB page.  Special thanks to Fish for making this happen.

Almost forgot, the service will begin at 2:00PM Alabama time.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  (Psalm 46:1)

Eddie Albritton sent me a message yesterday sharing what a wonderful job Bro. Abel did with the celebration of life service for his dad.  He also expressed profound appreciation for the food that was provided saying it was great and sufficient.  Good stuff!

It is possible that Miss Mary Jackson will be discharged from the hospital today.  I know she is ready to be home.  Pray for Miss Mary.

Schedule on our campus for tomorrow, 5/17: 8:00AM – senior adults only in the auditorium.  Others wishing to attend at this hour must watch/listen from either the preschool building or the CAB.  Bro. Jerry Hovel preaching.  Live stream.  On radio.

9:15AM – high school graduate recognition service.  Bro. Abel Garcia preaching.  Live stream.  On radio.

10:30AM – regular service.  Everyone invited.  On radio.

6:00PM – regular service in CAB.  Everyone invited.  Dale Bosarge preaching.  On radio.

The visitation went well last night.  I am very grateful to Morris & Diane Bryant for driving up from Grand Bay to be here.  Great friends.  Thank you Morris & Diane.

I was completely surprised when John & Laura Williams walked into the parlor.  What a nice act of kindness on their part.  Thank you John & Laura.

My first cousin, Tony Gettig, drove down from Michigan to attend the visitation and will be in the service tomorrow.  I was not totally surprised by this move as that is who Tony is.  Thank you, Tony!

My mama’s youngest sibling, Pam, and her husband, Danny, and one of their granddaughters drove over from Florence, Alabama to attend the visitation.  Pam is a sweetheart!  Thank you Danny, Pam & Emily.

Pray for the service today at 2:00PM.

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

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  (Psalm 46:1)

This entry may seem a bit selfish so I will apologize upfront.  Selfish because it will basically focus on what the Turrentine family is going through right now.

I do ask that you pray for the Dyess family and the Albritton family today as they will both have celebration of life services for their respective fathers.  Stacey & family will gather at the graveside in Mississippi at 11:00AM today.  Eddie & family will gather in our auditorium at 3:00PM.  That will be preceded by one hour of visitation.  Pray for Stacey, Eddie and their respective families.

If you are helping feed the Albritton family today, please have your food on the church campus no later than 3:00PM today.  Thank you.

Keep praying for Stella Brinkman.

Lisa and I had a whirlwind of a day yesterday.  We left Grand Bay at 7:15AM and arrived at my parent’s house at 12:15PM.  I spent a little time with family before mama, my three siblings and I left to take care of some business and then we went to the funeral home to make the arrangements.  We then came back and the four siblings sat down and discussed dad’s will among other things.    Lisa and I then left my parent’s house just before 6:00PM and arrived back in Grand Bay at 11:00PM.

So, why did we not just take the necessary clothes and such to stay for the entire time?  Fair question!  My plan was to go up and back on Thursday.  Upon learning of dad’s passing the thought was we would have a visitation on Saturday night and a service on Sunday afternoon.  We would drive home on Thursday night, I would preach Eddie’s Albritton’s service and then we would head North again.  Not so fast my friend!  Over an hour into our trip yesterday morning I found out that the funeral home could not do a Sunday service.  Therefore, our best option was a Friday night visitation and a Saturday service.  That meant that we had to come home after making arrangements and then head back up today.

I am writing this blog shortly after 11:30PM.  Our plan is to leave Grand Bay around 3:30AM heading North.  Why so early?  We will have Jayden with us and I hope he can sleep several hours to help shorten the trip for him.  Pastor, that is crazy!  Yes, that is definitely me!  (I am young, I am young, I am young!).

The arrangements are as follows:  visitation with the family from 5:00PM until 8:00PM tonight, 5/15.  Service tomorrow, 5/16, at 2:00PM.  Visitation and service both at Peck Funeral Home in Hartselle, Alabama.

My dad’s request was for donations to be made to Shining Light Abroad Ministries instead of flowers.  Mama is asking that those donations be made in dad’s memory.

I am thinking/praying it through but it is very possible I may miss this Sunday at Friendship in order to spend some extra time with my mama and siblings.  If you have a problem with that then please contact Will Reynolds and Jason Taylor as they are in charge of handling complaints this week!  Seriously, I appreciate the support that has been given to me through this situation.

Wow, I have been bombarded by e-mails, iMessages, text messages, phone calls, et cetera.  Humbling!  Makes one grateful to have such wonderful friends.  God is good!

Pray for us as we travel today.  Pray for my mama.

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

Funeral service for Charles “Curly” Turrentine, 84, will be Saturday, May 16, 2020 at 2:00 PM at Peck Funeral Home Chapel with Teddy Turrentine, Pastor Jack Bailey and Pastor Joe David Bailey officiating and Peck Funeral Home directing. Burial will be in Johnson Chapel Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, May 15, 2020 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Peck Funeral Home.

Mr. Turrentine died on Thursday, May 14, 2020 at his residence. He was born February 11, 1936, in Morgan County to Robert Earl Turrentine and Edna Lewis Black Turrentine. He was employed by Wolverine Tube, prior to his retirement and also was a carpenter. He was a member of the Decatur Baptist Church and served in several churches in the area. Mr. Turrentine had a heart for missions and served on several mission trips. Preceding him in death were his parents, six brothers and one sister.

The family would like to thank Comfort Care Hospice for their compassion and care during this time.

Survivors include:

His wife: Carolyn Brown Turrentine

One daughter – Melissa Caffery (James)

Three sons – Eddie Turrentine (Sue)
Teddy Turrentine (Lisa)
Freddie Turrentine (Amanda)

A host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, other relatives and many friends.

Pallbearers will be Joshua Turrentine, Cody Smallwood, Adam Glenn, Scottie Davis, Bradley Turrentine, Ronnie Turrentine. Danny Turrentine and Gary Lovell.

In lieu of flowers; please make donations to SLAM Ministries (shininglightabroad.com) P.O. Box 513, Grand Bay, AL 36541.

My brother, Eddie, called me right at 6:00AM to share the news that our dad, Curly Turrentine, passed from this life and entered Heaven just before 6:00AM today.  Dad is now at rest.

My family and I are very grateful for the many prayers, calls, electronic communications, et cetera that have come our way during dad’s sickness.  Keep praying as we walk through this valley for the next several days.

Charles Edward Turrentine February 11, 1936 – May 14, 2020

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  (Psalm 46:1)

Stella Brinkman’s condition remains basically unchanged.  Keep praying!

Mary Jackson remains in the hospital but will hopefully be discharged this Saturday.  Pray!

There will be a graveside service for Stacey Dyess’ father on Friday in Louin, Mississippi.  Pray for the Dyess family.

The visitation with the Eddie Albritton, Sr family will take place Friday beginning at 2:00PM and lasting until the 3:00PM service time.  Visitation and service will take place in our auditorium.  Pray for the Albritton family.

Thank you to those who have signed up to help with the food for the Albritton family.  Please have it at the church no later than 3:00PM on Friday.  I am sure we need more food so call the church office or Tina Wilkinson today if you will help.

Our first day back in the auditorium was fantastic!  We had a good attendance and a sweet spirit.  Bro Abel said the youth service went well too.  Praise the Lord!

Lisa and I will leave this morning driving to Hartselle and then we will drive back tonight.  Crazy?  Yes.  Have to do what you have to do sometimes.  Pray for my dad.  Pray for us to have traveling mercies.

By the way, you win the prize if you know where Louin, Mississippi is located!

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

Gayla Dyess sent me an e-mail this afternoon sharing that Stacey’s father passed away this morning.  Stacey’s folks live in the Bay Springs, Mississippi area.  Obviously, arrangements pending.  Pray for the Dyess family.

The arrangements have been set for Eddie Albritton, Sr’s celebration of life service.  The family will receive friends this Friday, May 15, beginning at 2:00PM in the auditorium of Friendship Baptist Church.  The service will begin at 3:00PM.

We are going to minister to the Albritton family by providing a meal following the service.  If will help, please contact Tina Wilkinson or call the church office before 4:00PM today or between the hours of 8:00AM and 4:00PM tomorrow, 5/14.  We need to provide for fifty folks.  Please have some food in the Preschool Building no later than 3:00PM on Friday, May 15.  Thank you in advance to each person who will help with this meal.

I cannot adequately express to you how good it felt to be inside the auditorium for our service this morning.  We had a nice crowd inside and probably six to ten folks who remained in their vehicles and listened on the radio.  It was so nice to hear folks verbalize their prayer requests and to share their praise reports.

We will meet again tonight at 6:30PM – adults/children in the auditorium and students, 5th – 12th, in the CAB.  Hope to have a good number join us.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  (Psalm 46:1)

Eddie Albritton, Jr called me just as I was leaving Hartselle yesterday afternoon to tell me that his dad had just passed from this life.  Eddie, Sr was only sixty four years old.  I did not see this one coming.  Pray for Eddie’s family.  Arrangements pending.

Mariam Moates sent me a text yesterday afternoon updating me on her sister, Stella Brinkman.  Stella remains on a vent and is now unresponsive.  They will be some neurological tests today.   Pray for Stella, the medical folks and Stella’s family.  Stella is also the sister of Riley Glass.

Mary Jackson will receive a treatment on Friday and, if all goes well, will be discharged from the hospital on Saturday.  She will then go twice weekly for treatments.  Keep praying for Mary.

Bill Kendrick sent me a message saying Debbie’s mother, Mrs. Amonett, is now back in the convalescent home.  She has five stitches in her lip and is battling a UTI that is better but still there.  There is a possibility that Debbie will get to see her today.  Not sure if that is an actual visit or a window visit.  Pray for Mrs. Amonett.

One of my maternal aunts, Nancy Roelof, passed from this life yesterday morning.  She lived in Michigan.  Mama had nine siblings (five boys/five girls).  Three of the brothers and two of the sisters have now passed from this life.  Pray for Aunt Nancy’s family.

Baby Uli, daughter of David & Tess, checked into this world weighing five pounds and seven ounces.

Hallelujah, we will meet in the auditorium today for our two services – 10:00AM & 6:30PM.  Our students, 5th – 12th, will meet in the CAB at 6:30PM.  Friendship family, let’s get back in the routine of attending church in person on Wednesdays!

Daphne & I arrived at my parent’s house around 5:00PM on Monday.  We went back around 8:30AM yesterday morning.  The decline in my dad’s physical condition from Monday night to yesterday morning was pretty obvious.  When the nurse came just before noon she was pretty amazed too.  So, dad is in a declining mode.  The nurse thinks a couple of weeks but I think she is perhaps being too optimistic.  Only God knows.  Thank you to those who are praying and encouraging us during this time.

I plan on going back to Hartselle this week but I do not know the schedule yet.  It will become clearer after learning the arrangements for Eddie’s dad and hearing how dad is doing today.  Honestly, I could leave today if the need presents itself.

Lord willing, I will be at Friendship on Sunday but that could change too.

My maternal grandfather died very unexpectedly fifty years ago today.  I came home from school and was outside shooting basketball when Pastor Jack Freeman drove up to our house to comfort my mama.  I will never forget that.  I think Grandpa was fifty seven years old when he passed from this life.

I am calling on the church to pray about the situation in Guatemala.  Pray for Soy, Deidra and the girls.

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

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  (Psalm 46:1)

Debbie Kendrick’s mother, Mrs. Amonett, took a fall on Sunday night and had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance.  She was admitted, had to receive blood, and obviously got stitches.  Pray for Debbie’s mother.

I was allowed to visit with Eddie Albritton, Sr again yesterday.  There was really no change in his condition.  There seems to be some possible mixed signals coming from the doctor now.  So, please keep praying for Eddie, Sr and the family.

Stella Brinkman remains in the hospital.  Pray for Stella.

Mary Jackson also remains in the hospital and continues to need our prayer support.

Would you stop for a minute and pray for Soy, Deidra, the girls and the folks in Guatemala.  Soy & Deidra are finding some really needy families when it comes to food.  Pray for discernment and compassion.  Pray for the finances to continue to be there to purchase the food needed.  Pray that our June 18 – 25 team will be allowed entrance into the country.  Pray without ceasing.

Speaking of Guatemala, remember Tess Scholz?  “Bless Tess?”  Well, she gave birth to Uliyanna.  I do not know the details at this point but will share them in another entry.

Read last night of the apparent suicidal death of a mega church pastor in South Carolina.  Sad.  Yet seemingly becoming more frequent these days especially among the younger pastors.  Pray for your pastor.

Let me say a word about the 8:00AM service this Sunday which is for our senior adults, age 65 and older, only.  Folks younger than 65 can attend that service but will be asked to sit in either the Preschool Building or CAB and watch on the video monitor.

The 8:00AM (pastor preaching) and 9:15AM (Bro. Abel preaching) services will be live streamed.  The pastor will also preach the 10:30AM and 6:00PM services.

All services will be available on the radio for vehicles on our campus.

Carl Ray Moulds and Charlotte Davis will be united in marriage this Saturday, May 16, at 2:00PM on the back forty of our campus.  The Friendship family is invited to attend.

I am asking all of those folks taking part in our June 18 – 25, 2020 GRACE Ministries trip to attend an important meeting this Sunday evening immediately following our service.  We will meet in the auditorium.

As I mentioned Sunday morning, Classic Sweep & Swirl is no longer open.  Anna Carol’s beauty shop has been operating in Grand Bay for forty one years.  Congratulations to Anna Carol on her retirement even though it came about a few months ahead of the planned schedule.  Anna Carol has always been very kind to me in many ways including giving me free haircuts many times.  May the Lord bless Anna Carol in her retirement.

Daphne & I arrived in Hartselle early yesterday evening.  We spent about two and one half hours with my parents.  Dad was awake most of the time but not very talkative.  His physical condition seems to be about the same per the nurse.  We will spend more time with him today before heading back to Grand Bay.  Thank you to those who are praying.  I am grateful.

I have sad news.  Our blog readership is now down to twelve folks.  It breaks my heart to report that Katie Tillman has fallen by the wayside when it comes to being a faithful blog reader.  They come, they read, they leave.  Such is the life of a blogger!

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