Pastor's Blog

*This entry is late as I wrote it earlier and thought I had sent it.  Folks, you cannot fix stupid!

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

We had a good day in our services yesterday.  What a blessing to hear Pastor Wes Bates preaching the Word yesterday morning.  He did a very nice job.  I am proud of Wes.   He and Rebekah also did a very nice job on their duet in the second service.  (Ditto for Randall’s solo in the early service)

It was also a blessing to honor and recognize our Veterans in all three of our services.  In total we recognized over twenty men & women who have served in our military.  Always glad to honor our military personnel.  By the way, received a very, very nice note of appreciation from one of our Veterans who was in attendance yesterday.  Let’s just say the day was a blessing to him and his family.

It appears that we are about to experience three days of rain, rain, and more rain.  Folks, be safe on the roads.  It does appear that the weather will be clear and cool on Thursday morning for the Thanksgiving meal.

The CAB is closed to all activities for the next three and one half days as we prepare for the Thanksgiving meal.  There will be no activities in the CAB on Wednesday afternoon/night.

If you are cooking for the meal on Thursday then please remember to have your food in the CAB no later than 9:00AM on Thursday, 11/15.

Lisa arrived safe and sound in Guatemala yesterday afternoon and they celebrated Lizzi’s birthday in a big way.  I am grateful Lisa can be away and that she has folks in her office who can manage very well in her absence.

Lord willing, I will be driving to Birmingham at some point today in order to attend the Alabama Baptist State Convention annual meeting.   I have not attended in a few years but do like to stay in touch somewhat since we are a member of the state convention. I will be back in time for our service on Wednesday morning if all goes as planned.

I pray that you will have a great Monday with Jesus.  Again, stay dry!

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Wow, if I could just live by that verse daily then I would be much better as a follower of Jesus.  Kind – never wrong to be kind.  Tender-hearted – a heart of compassion.  Forgiving one another – even when they do not deserve forgiveness.  Just as God in Christ has forgiven me – ouch!

Happy seventh birthday to our granddaughter, Lizzi Taylor!  Yes, she was born on 11/11/11 at 11:16AM.  Her “mimi” is flying down today to spend a few days with her, her two sisters and her parents.  I hope that Lizzi has an amazing birthday.  She has really picked up the Spanish language and speaks in exclusively when at school.  We are proud of her!  Happy birthday Lizzi!

Happy Veterans Day!  I say a heartfelt “thank you” to all of our veterans!  Likewise, I commend all of those presently serving in our Armed Forces.  We will be recognizing all of our veterans today and giving a gift to each one present in our evening service.

Pastor Wes Bates will be preaching for us this morning in both of our worship services.  My prayer is that many members of the Friendship family will be present.  Then in tonight’s service Randall Broome will lead us in a special time of musical worship.

Remember, we will receive a special love offering in all three services today for the church family at Long Avenue Baptist Church in Port St. Joe, Florida.  This church suffered major flood damage because of Hurricane Michael.  Pray and give as the Lord leads.

We have two openings that just became available on our December 1 – 8 mission trip to Guatemala.  Interested in joining that team?  Contact me personally at pastor@friendshipfamily.net.  First come, first served.

Lord willing, I will be attending the annual meeting of the Alabama Baptist State Convention on Tuesday.  It will take place in Trussville.  It actually lasts through Wednesday noon but I will be back in time for our morning service that day.

I pray that you will have a great Sunday with Jesus.  Go to church.

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Marisa Felps will have surgery this morning as she is having her gall bladder removed.  Pray that all goes well and that she will be home by noon today.  Deacon Larry Whitehurst will go pray with Marisa prior to her surgery.  I appreciate Larry taking the lead on this ministry opportunity.

Eddie & Marcus are laying down the law regarding the sign up for the basketball leagues.  This Sunday night, 11/11, is the absolute deadline.  So, if your child is going to play and has not signed up then you must sign him/her up by this Sunday night.  Questions?  Contact Eddie or Marcus.

We will be receiving a special offering for the Long Avenue Baptist Church in Port St. Joe, Florida this Sunday, 11/11, in all three of our worship services.  This family of fellow believers was hit hard by Hurricane Michael.  Pray and give as God leads.

Pastor Wes Bates will be our guest preacher this Sunday morning.  Pray for him as he prepares and then preaches to us.  I am honored to have him fill our pulpit.

We are honored to be able to recognize our Veterans in our evening service this Sunday.  I am asking all of the Veterans who are members of the Friendship family to please attend our 6:00PM worship service.  Let us publicly thank you for your service to our country!

Lord willing, today will see me visit my parents, two of my uncles, and a long time friend/neighbor.

Coach Collier and his Bobcats will host a first round playoff game tonight.  I am in hopes that they can win and advance.  Coach Collier is a fine man!

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

Joe Lucky, age 71, of Daleville, AL, passed away Monday, November 5, 2018 at Medical Center Enterprise.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Thursday, November 8, 2018 at Daleville Memorial Gardens Cemetery with Rev. Billy Gant officiating. Burial will follow with Searcy Funeral Home and Crematory directing.

Survivors include his wife, Judy Lucky, Daleville, AL; two sons, Ricky Lucky (Sonja) Skipperville, AL; Brian Lucky (Shanda) Newton, AL; three grandchildren, Justin Lucky; Brandon Lucky; Shaley Lawrence (Daniel); two brothers, Terry Lucky (Carol) Grand Bay, AL; Robert Lucky (Jane) Phoenix, AZ.

Obviously you see that Joe is a brother to Terry Lucky who is a member of the Friendship family.  Pray for the service this afternoon and for the family in the days ahead.  Also pray for Terry & Carol as they travel back to Grand Bay.

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Well, we do not normally have public professions of faith on a Wednesday but that was the case in last night’s service.  What a joy to see one after having led Sam Tacon to the Lord a couple of Sundays ago following one of our services.  She then decided to go public last night.  Good stuff.  To God be the glory.

Marisa Felps is scheduled to have her gall bladder removed tomorrow.  Pray that all goes well.

Marcus Albritton & Eddie Hatcher will have their final basketball sign up and evaluation tonight from 5:30 – 8:00PM in the CAB. If your child is going to play this year then you have to sign him/her up and they have to be evaluated.  Need more information?  Contact one of the twins – Eddie or Marcus.

Sad to read about the mass killings in California last night.

Does anyone have an affordable, good car for sale?  Or know of a good dealership?  If so, let me know, please.  (I am asking for someone else)

As the CFB rankings stand right now, Alabama and Michigan would play in a semifinal game.  That would be sweet!  I understand the final rankings will probably be different but it is fun to imagine.

Word is that Bryce Harper will leave the Nationals and sign with the Phillies as a free agent.  Not so fast my friend.  I have “insider” information that the Nationals are working on restructuring Coach Bobby’s contract in order to make room to sign Harper.  You heard it hear first!

Stay dry today, be safe on the roads and have a great Thursday with Jesus.

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Two funeral services today.  At noon there will be a service for Mrs. Virginia DeVaney.  She is also the grandmother of Kendall & Lee Falana’s grandchildren who are an active part of the Friendship family.  Service will take place at Serenity Funeral Home.

At 2:00PM today there will be a service for Mrs. Margaret Pitts.  She was an active member of Cloverdale Baptist and a long time resident of Grand Bay.  That service will also take place at Serenity.  Pray for these two families.

Bernard’s good friend, Willard Garnett, called yesterday to tell me that he will soon be having knee surgery.  (I thought he was calling to offer me a new zero turn mower but. . . )

Marcus Albritton & Eddie Hatcher will hold the final night of basketball sign up and evaluations tomorrow night, 11/8, from 5:30 – 8:00PM in the CAB.  They tell me that a good number of the Friendship family have told them their children are playing but they have not officially signed up or come for the evaluation.  Without those two things then a child cannot participate in the leagues.  So, please pass the word to anyone interested.

If you are cooking a turkey for the senior adult Thanksgiving meal then please see Cecil Guidry (and only Cecil Guidry) this Sunday, 11/11, to get your bird.  You can get your instructions i.e. when to bring it back, sliced or not, et cetera from her at that time.

Looking forward to having Pastor Wes Bates with us this Sunday, 11/11, in our two morning worship services.  I am asking all members of the Friendship family to be in attendance unless providentially hindered.  Pray for Pastor Wes as he prepares to preach to us.

I am considering something special in our evening service this Sunday.  Will let you know if it comes to fruition.

The folks taking part in our December 1 – 8 mission trip to Guatemala need to attend a meeting this Sunday evening, 11/11, immediately following the service.  Meeting will take place in the auditorium.  Important.

Heard from Louise Mason from Arkansas last night.  Did not realize that Monday was her birthday.  She is doing well and misses Guatemala.  I miss seeing her there.

I am writing this entry way early but every indication is that the House will now be controlled by the Democrats and the Senate by the Republicans.  All I can say is “thank God this round of elections is over!”  Well, there is a runoff in Mississippi on 11/27 but I do not think I will be exposed to that much at all as I tend to stay out of Mississippi!

The past couple of days have not been so good to me mechanically.  First, the gearbox on my mower was destroyed by some incompetent person!  When Logan Wainwright took it apart and said “catastrophic” then I just sort of figured that was not good!  You do not even want to know what that is going to set me back financially!

Second, my car began to miss yesterday morning and a warning light came on.  Logan diagnosed that problem too and it was a bad coil.  So, Marisa has ordered me a replacement coil and Logan will install it.  Thanks Marisa.

Logan Wainwright is a very smart young man when it comes to mechanical things.  I highly recommend Logan as your go to person for small engine repairs and minor vehicle repairs.  He is also such a nice young man.

This entry has been too long.  Sorry about that.  I hope you have a great Wednesday with Jesus.

Forgot to mention two things in my first entry today.  Another mistake by me – imagine that!

Tonight from 5:30 – 8:00PM Marcus Albritton & Eddie Hatcher will be in the CAB for basketball sign up and evaluations.  Our leagues are for boys and girls in the first through sixth grades.  Contact either of these guys for more information.

Second, Cecil Guidry tells me that the folks who have agreed to cook turkeys for the senior adults Thanksgiving meal can get those from her this Sunday, 11/11, at the church.  Please make sure that you only get your turkey from Cecil – no one else.

Also, those bringing sweet potato casseroles, fruit salads and cakes need to have those things at the church no later than 9:00AM on Thursday, November 15.

The CAB will be closed on Wednesday, 11/14, in order to set up for the meal the next day.

Please help pass the word about these matters.  If each of our readers contact one other person then we will reach thirty two people.  Thank you!

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

Let me begin with some amazing news!  (I like good news)  Aaron Chinners is in medical school at the University of South Alabama.  Yesterday, he was awarded a scholarship.  Ok, lots of folks get scholarships so what is the big deal?  Try a $160,000 scholarship!  Not $1,600 or $16,000 but one hundred and sixty thousand dollars!  Congratulations to Aaron!  To God be the glory.

Side note on the scholarship – one of the major reasons Aaron was awarded the scholarship is because of the mission trips he has taken to Guatemala.  Just saying!

I encourage all thirteen of our readers to go vote today.  I think you should stagger your times so as to not overwhelm the poll workers.  (By the way, if anyone anywhere has any questions, comments, complaints, et cetera about voting then just contact Kim Tillman – the lady knows it all when it comes to voting whether it is in Alabama, Arkansas, Texas, Washington, wherever!)

McKemie Place tonight.  Everyone invited to attend.  If you need more information then contact Randall or Rita Broome.

Ok, Aaron Chinner’s mother, Glenda, is about to drive me crazy!  (But hey what else is new – LOL!)  Glenda coordinates the angel tree ministry for the Friendship family.  She has a list of needy families and now needs sponsors.  Pleas contact Glenda to volunteer to help or for more information.  (I tried to tell her that we only have thirteen readers and five of those are out of town folks!)

Looking forward to hearing Pastor Wes Bates this Sunday morning in our services.  Pray for those services.

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

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

What a joy to welcome Keith & Aninha Barrett into the Friendship family by transfer of letter from a sister Baptist church.  I have known this couple since 1993 and they have proven themselves faithful.  Join me in making them feel welcome.

We are blessed in that no one from the Friendship family is presently in the hospital.  Marisa Felps got a really good deal on gall bladder surgery so she will be having her gall bladder removed later this week.  Pray for her.

I learned yesterday that Jimmy & Morris Bryant’s nephew, Todd, is not doing well in his battle against his malignancy.  Pray for Todd and his family, please.

Basketball sign up and evaluations take place tomorrow night, 11/6, from 5:30 – 8:00PM in our CAB.  Need more information?  Contact Marcus Albritton or Eddie Hatcher.

I encourage folks to go vote tomorrow.

Nice comeback by the Auburn Tigers against Texas A&M this past Saturday.  I enjoyed the day of catching parts of several games. Hard to believe the season is now in the last month.

It appears we are in for several days of rain.  Be safe on the roads.

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

Well, the good news is that everything needed for the meal has been covered.  Done.  Finished.  Completed.  Amen!  Praise the Lord!

However, we still need those cash donations from those out of town guys!

Again, thank you to those ladies who have so graciously helped get this meal together and for each one who is cooking.  What a blessing!