Pastor's Blog

We need to lay eight pallets of sod on our church campus tomorrow morning, 3/21, beginning at 7:00AM.  With enough help, I think we can finish within a hour or so.  Will you help?  Please pass the word!  Thank you.

Do you ever find yourself just asking, “why?”  I do – often!  This morning my “why?” comes from Lisa and me purchasing Mama’s car from her over five years ago as she could longer drive.  (Do not get me started on women drivers – LOL!). The government folks want to know what the tag number on that car was the day we made the purchase.  Are you serious!  I am.  (Teddy, get off your soap box and do the blog entry!)

Tomorrow will be a huge day on our campus as it will be opening day for our Spring soccer season.  I can easily see over one thousand people on campus.  It is crazy!  Just crazy!  Yes, there will be a few bumps but I ask folks to be patient.  Pray for Bro. Abel as he leads this ministry.  By the way, opening ceremonies tonight!

Have I mentioned the soccer concession stand?  The five dollar combo meals?  Where the proceeds are going?  That one does not have to watch soccer in order to purchase items from the concession stand?  (Asking for a friend!)

Praying for us to have an awesome Sunday in the Word and worship.  Come join us this Sunday, 3/22, at 9:00AM, 10:00AM and 5:00PM.

The Roberson Trio will be our special guests in our 5:00PM service.  A love offering will be received.  Pray for this service.

Here is one of my hopes for today – we have one opening on the meal train for John & Alaina Peacock.  I would be that opening is filled today!  Even more thrilled if we spill over into May or add additional days in March/April.  Contact Daphne at daphnehutto@gmail.com; (251) 533 4595.  (We will receive a love offering for the Peacocks this Sunday morning)

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

First, I have to begin by saying a huge “thank you” to each person who showed up on short notice to help with the landscaping on our campus yesterday.  Wow, what a blessing!  Gary Walton supervised the group and everything that could be done got done even earlier than expected.  Yes, there were some professionals on hand to lead the effort but the others who came helped get the job done.  Thank you, Friendship family for coming through once again.

Clara Broadus’ surgical procedure went well yesterday.  They kept her in the hospital overnight but she should be discharged today.  Thank you for praying for Clara.  She is a sweetheart!

I do not know if Clinton Stringfellow was moved from the hospital yesterday.  I do know that, regardless, he needs our prayers.

Miss Bonnie Smyly is scheduled to have hip replacement surgery next week.  Pray for her.  Sheila Booker is to be thanked for helping Bonnie out in a great way.

Speaking of Sheila, our Ladies Helping Hands meets today beginning at 10:00AM in the Preschool Building.  All ladies invited to attend.

Our soccer leagues begin play this Satuday, 3/21, at 9:00AM.  I am asking even folks who do not like soccer (my hand is the first being raised) to come support the concession stand.  All proceeds will go toward our June GRACE Ministries mission trip (80%) and toward financially helping the John Peacock family (20%).  The concession stand will be open from 9:00AM until 1:00PM.  Five dollar combos include either a hamburger, Conecuh sausage or hotdog paired with french fries and a soft drink.  Best deal in town!  Best deal in the state!  Pray for Bro. Abel and our soccer ministry.

Still looking for folks to get on the meal train for John & Alaina Peacock.  We are going to provide at least three suppers per week for them through April.  Presently, we have folks lined up through April 2nd.  Contact Daphne Hutto at daphnehutto@gmail.com or (251) 533 4595.  Or, you can do as a couple did yesterday morning and simply give money to cover a meal (think pizza, et cetera).  I have no doubt that the Friendship family will come through again.  Thank you, Friendship family.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday with our evening service being very special as we will host the Roberson Trio.  These are relatives of JoNell Barnes.  Friendship family, come join us for this service.  A love offering will be received!

I pray you will have a great Thursday with Jesus.

P.S. – My wife is a happy camper as she has got to spend time with her friend, Mandi Fortner, this morning.  Plus, she is excited about her mission trip to South Africa.  (I am also excited!)

Gary Walton just contacted me and can use all available help to plant shrubs, bushes, flowers, et cetera this afternoon.  Pass the word, please.  Thank you!  (Gary plans to work until dark thirty so you have a pass to miss this evening’s service if you are working with Gary)

Clara Broadus is having an outpatient surgical procedure done this morning.  Pray that all goes well.

Clinton Stringfellow is scheduled to be moved to hospice facility later today.  Please continue to pray for Clinton.

John Peacock continues to undergo physical therapy.  Keep praying for John & Alaina, please.

The plan is to provide three evening meals (supper) weekly for John, Alaina & the boys through April.  Daphne is coordinating this ministry opportunity so please contact her at daphnehutto@gmail.com or text (251) 533 4595.

Regular schedule on our campus today.

Soccer begins this Saturday, 3/21.  Come and eat!

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

Clinton Stringfellow is in the hospital.  I visited with him yesterday (sat by his bed and prayed) but he was in a deep sleep.  I spoke to his nurse and she said he had fallen asleep a few minutes prior to my arrival (and I had not even started preaching).  Clinton needs much prayer.  Join me in praying, please.

Keep praying for John Peacock and his wife, Alaina.  John needs some miracles to take place in his life.  Remember, love offering for the Peacocks for the next three Sundays.

Also, looking for members of the Friendship family to sign up for the meal train for the Peacocks.  Contact Daphne Hutto (daphnehutto@gmail.com) or (251) 533 4595 to sign up or to get more information.

Someone signed up yesterday to bake two pies for the auction on 3/27.  So, we now have the eight requested plus one.  Thank you to each lady who is baking for this mission opportunity.  As I am writing this, a sweet lady message me to say that she will also do a sweet for the auction so our total is now ten!  Praise the Lord!

I asked for eight men to consider joining us for a trip to Guatemala in September.  Wow, we had ten sign up and tickets were purchased yesterday.  Five of the ten will be first timers to Guatemala.  Exciting!

Bro. Abel will be busy this week getting ready for soccer’s opening Saturday, 3/21.  Pray for this ministry.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow.

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

We were blessed with a really good day in our services yesterday.  God moved among us and I am most thankful.  We saw one public profession of faith and three follow the Lord in believers baptism.  Thank you Jesus.

A happy Mama called me last night to share some great news regarding one of her children.  I rejoice with her!  God is faithful!

Clinton Stringfellow is not doing well.  He has now been admitted to the hospital, again.  Please stop right now and pray for Clinton.

I have another very serious prayer request but it is not one that can be shared publicly.  God knows so please join me in praying.

John Peacock continues his recovery at home.  He has a long road to complete recovery.  The Friendship family has given generously over the past two Sundays to help John, Alaina and their boys financially.  Thank you.  I have asked Daphne Hutto to organize a meal train for the Peacock family which basically means folks will take a night of providing supper for the Peacock family.  Will you help?  Maybe some members of a SS class, a ministry organization, et cetera.  We can/will provide the means to get the meals to them if you cannot do so.  My plan is to do this through the end of April if the participation is sufficient.  You can just tell Daphne which night(s) you are willing to help and she will put you on the list.  Pass the word, please.  Contact Daphne at daphnehutto@gmail.com or (251) 533 4595.  Or, you can order from a restaurant that delivers (or has it delivered).

We have three more Sundays to give to the Peacock offering.  We will end it on Easter Sunday.  Friendship family, pray and give as the Lord leads.  I am praying for a miracle offering when all is said and done.  Why are we helping the John Peacock family?  Simple answer – the Lord laid it on my heart and I am simply obeying Him.

By the way, a men’s Sunday School class at Danville Baptist Church learned of this need and gave a significant offering yesterday.  How about that!  Thanks to my brother, Eddie, for being sensitive to the Lord’s leading.

I am still one cake short of my goal of seven cakes/pies for 3/27.  God will provide.  Interested?  Contact me personally.

I am waiting to receive absolute confirmation via email from two men (those will come this morning) and our September “men only” GRACE Ministry trip to Guatemala will be filled.  We have seasoned men and first timers in the group.  I am excited.

I am doing a horrible job of promoting the car wash certificates.  Friendship family, please help me by asking for them.  Great gift at a great price.

I am excited that Evangelist Johnny Tucker will be our guest messenger on Easter Sunday morning for our 8:00AM & 10:00AM services.  Praying for two overflowing services.

Spring soccer leagues begin this Saturday, 3/21, at 9:00AM.  We need folks to come buy food from the concession stand even if you are not going to watch soccer.  All proceeds will help the ministry portion of our June trip and some of them will go to the John Peacock family.  Pray for our sports ministry.

Hey, God is moving at Friendship and the forces of hell are on the prowl.  Be vigilant.  Put on the whole armor of God.  Resist the devil!

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

Very late entry.  My apologies.

What a beautiful day weather wise.  I know the weather folks predict we will get some cooler tempartures for a couple of nights next week but I fully believe Spring is here.

John Peacock suffered a seizure Wednesday night.  He was taken to the hospital and kept in the ER until late yesterday afternoon.  All of the tests came back good.  Keep praying for John & Alaina.

Speaking of the Peacocks, we will receive a special offering for them this Sunday morning and evening.  We will do this until Easter Sunday.  Thank you for praying and thank you for giving as the Lord leads.

Lord willing, we will observe the ordinance of baptism this Sunday in our 5:00PM service.  Candidates, come prepared.

Remember, the Roberson trio will be our special guests on Sunday, 3/22, in our 5:00PM service.  A love offering will be received.  Pray, attend and give as the Lord leads.

Our adult choir will present their Easter music on Sunday, 3/29, in our 5:00PM service.

Easter Sunday will see us have two morning services – 8:00AM & 10:00AM.

Gary & Rachel Walton are working feverishly to get the landscaping renovation complete by Easter Sunday.  I so appreciate their efforts!

Six ladies have signed up to provide seven cakes/pies for Friday, 3/27, for the USA BCM bake sale.  Need one more but would take up to ten cakes/pies.  Next?

Two men are committed to the September trip with three others strongly leaning that way.  First come, first served.  The proposed dates are Sunday, 9/6, through Saturday, 9/12.  Contact me personally, if interested.

Friendship family, car wash certificates are available now.  What a great gift idea for anyone who owns a vehicle.

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

Keith & Aninha Barrett either left late last night or very early this morning driving to the Chattanooga, TN area in order to attend a funeral service for a friend this morning.  From there, who knows where they will land.  Their plan is to be in our service next Wednesday, 3/18.  Pray for traveling mercies.  (“Old” people really do not need to drive at such odd hours.  Just saying!)

Arnold Strahan was discharged from the hospital.  Keep praying!

Clinton Stringfellow was taken to the hospital but then sent back to the rehab facility.  Continue to pray for Clinton.

I met with someone last night who shared a very serious prayer need.  I am not at liberty to share the details but I do ask for you to pray diligently.  God knows.

John Peacock continues to rehab at home and is making progress.  Pray for John & Alaina and their boys.  We will receive another offering for them this Sunday, 3/15, in both services.

The Lord blessed us with a good day in our services yesterday.  We give Him the glory!

Our Spring soccer leagues begin play on Saturday, 3/21.

The Roberson trio will be our special guests on Sunday evening, 3/22.  Save the date and join us for this special service.

Our adult choir will present their Easter musical on Sunday evening, 3/29.  Pray and make plans to be present.

Easter Sunday will see us have two morning worship services – 8:00AM and 10:00AM.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday, 3/15.  Looking for a move of God among us.  Please join me in praying with expectation.

The church yard is going to be a mess for a few days due to this rain.  Thank you for understanding.  I appreciate Gary & Rachel doing such a great job of leading this landscaping project.  It is going to be very nice once completed.

Our ladies have responded well to the call for cakes/pies for the USA BCM summer missions opportunity.  We have six ladies who have agreed to bake seven cakes/pies.  The goal is eight but we will take ten.  Next volunteer?

We have had two men sign up for the September “men only” mission trip to Guatemala.  I have decided on the dates which will be Sunday, 9/6, through Saturday, 9/12.  This includes Labor Day which will help those men still working to save a vacation day.  Grant Tillman is going to be the next one to volunteer so that leaves us needing five more men.  Contact me personally.  Yes, you have time to get/renew your passport.

Our students have car wash certificates available.  Great gift idea for only ten dollars.  They will also host a pulled pork “to go” only dinner on Sunday, 3/29, immediately following our morning service.  Eight dollars per person with a maximum of thirty dollars per immediate family.  Limited number available on Saturday, 3/28, at the soccer games.

I pray that you will have a great Thursday with Jesus.  (Did I mention our adult choir Easter musical?)

Regular schedule on our campus today beginning at 10:00AM and 6:30PM.  Praying for a good number of the Friendship family members to join us.  Will you be one of them?  I pray so!

Clinton Stringfellow was moved from the rehab facility to the hospital yesterday as he has been diagnosed with pneumonia.  Keep praying for Clinton.

Arnold Strahan was supposed to be discharged from the hospital yesterday but I am not sure if that happened or not.  He was in pain and the decision would depend on how he did in his initial physical therapy session.  Pray for Arnold.

What has been the response thus far for the call for eight women (baking) and the eight men (mission trip) up to this point?  One sweet lady called and graciously committed to bake a cake.  Otherwise, crickets.  My wife would normally bake two or three cakes but she will not be in the country during those days as she will be on a mission trip to South Africa.  We do have one lady who promised to bake a cake last year but then “forgot” to do so.  I wonder if she will step up this year?  Who?  Yep, she is the one!

The concept of having a “men only” building team going to Guatemala is brand new.  Waiting to see the response before going definite.  Why eight?  So each man will have his own room and bathroom.  Again, it will be a Sunday through Saturday trip at some point in September.  Brothers, the ball is now in your proverbial court.

Two things relating to our student ministry.  First, we have  gift “cards” got the Tidal Wave carwash.  They are ten dollars each and allow the holder to get a thirty something dollars wash with an expiration date of early 2027.  All proceeds from this effort will go toward summer camp for our students.

Second, there will be  pulled pork dinners (sandwich, bag of chips, cookie and soft drink/water) available immediately following our morning service on Sunday, March 29.  The suggested donation is eight dollars per plate with a maximum of thirty dollars per immediate family.  Take outs only.  There will be a limited number of the dinners available during the soccer games on Saturday, 3/28.  More information to come.

Speaking of soccer (why would you?), our league play begins on Saturday, March 21.  The highlight of the season will be our concession stand which will once again feature our soon to be famous five dollars combos.  I hope that folks will come just to purchase a combo which will help the ministry portion of our June GRACE Ministries trip.  Here is the good news – you can eat and you do not even have to watch the soccer games!

Pray for Bro. Abel and our soccer ministry.  Bro. Abel did me a huge favor yesterday and I am most appreciative.  It is about Jesus!

Now I will sit back and watch my email inbox go crazy with baking ladies and mission trip men responding.  Just saying!

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