Pastor's Blog

Ella A. Smith (Byrd) Sheffield received a special invitation and was welcomed to Jesus banquet table with open arms at the age of 86, she was born on January 10, 1931 and on November 23, 2017 she went to Jesus. She was a consummate mother, homemaker, seamstress, and cook; therefore, we are all sure that as soon as she arrived to heaven she started insisting on helping with the cooking and arraignments for dinner. We know this because she always enjoyed preparing meals for her family and friends, insisting that everyone eat. Everyone knew that her table was never too small, and one more could always be accommodated, even if seated on the white stool at the bar. Ella was also an artist, sharing her gift from God by painting a mural in her church, and she provided special themed works to her children, grand-children, and great-grandchildren. Her granddaughter Randara has fond memories of painting with grand-momma during summer visits.

Ella had an unwavering faith in God, she was a member of Forts Lake Assembly of God for many years. Ella was very involved with the church and assisted in numerous out-reach activities sponsored by the church, such as preparing food boxes for those in need after hurricanes, preparing meals for Vacation Bible School, and Missionary guest.

She is survived by her second husband Allen J. (Jack) Sheffield. She was the beloved mother to daughters: Barbara Byrd and Tamara (Byrd) Castleberry (Randall), grandchildren Christopher (Sabrina) Byrd and Randara (Castleberry) Fuller (Frank), great-grandchildren Alex, Lexie, Randy, and Montana. Her second marriage to Jack brought into her family Ernest (Peggy) Sheffield, Wayne (Karen) Sheffield, and Norman (Aura) Sheffield, as well as twelve grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, as well as many nephews and nieces.

Ella was welcomed to the banquet hall by her parents Wiley and Nellie Smith, two brothers Sam and Roy Smith, her sister Wilda (Bodiford) Brooks, her first husband Robert E. Byrd, as well as three step-children Allen Sheffield, Jr, Paul Sheffield, and Carolyn (Sheffield) Woodworth.

The family also recognizes special friend Helen Pugh, Stanley and Jane Bragg, Jerry and Rita Sessions, her church family at Forts Lake Assembly of God, friends, and neighbors.

The family will receive friends on Monday November 27, 2017 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at Forts Lake Assembly of God Church located at 12412 Forts Lake Road, Moss Point, MS. A funeral service celebrating her life will be held the following day on Tuesday, November 28, 2017 at 10:00 AM at Forts Lake Assembly of God Church followed by interment at Serenity Gardens Cemetery on Old Pascagoula Road in Irvington, Alabama.

Even though Ella also had a love of gardening and flowers, the family request that in lieu of flowers and gifts that the funds be donated to the Forts Lake Assembly of God Church building fund in her honorarium.

Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine, and none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? Knowing that it was the Lord. John 21:12

Behold I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hears my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him and he with me. Revelation 3:20

Marjorie H. Sellers, age 94, of Grand Bay, AL, passed away Thursday, November 16, 2017, in her home of natural causes. Born, December 17, 1922, in Mississippi. She was a Veteran of WWII, a loving wife, mother, and an amazing grandmother. She enjoyed farming, spending time with family, cooking and helping others. She was a member of Friendship Baptist Church and lived to serve the Lord and bring others to God. She is survived by her 10 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and 9 great-great grandchildren! She was truly loved and bountifully blessed. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, November 27, 2017, at Pine Crest Funeral Home and Cemetery. Visitation Services will be held from 11-1 and Memorial Service at 1 pm and burial service will follow.

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Amy Switzer’s paternal grandmother passed from this life on Thanksgiving Day.  Her celebration of life service will take place this morning at 11:00AM in Selma, Alabama.  Pray for Amy and family.

The visitation with the Marjorie Sellers family takes place today, 11/27, from 11:30AM until the 1:00PM service time.  Everything will take place from the Pine Crest Funeral Home on Dauphin Island Parkway.  Pray for the Sellers family.

The visitation with the Ella Sheffield (Chris Byrd) family takes place tonight, 11/27, from 6:00 – 8:00PM at the Forts Lake Assembly of God Church in Mississippi.  The celebration of life service takes place tomorrow, 11/28, at 10:00AM also at the church.  Pray for the Sheffield family.

Miss Ica Walley took a fall on Saturday and broke her hip.  They did surgery yesterday morning and repaired it.  Not sure what the next step is but do ask that you pray for Miss Ica and family.

We were blessed with a good day in our services yesterday morning and evening.  I continue to be extremely blessed by our Sunday evening attendance week after week.  Thank you Friendship family for being faithful!  What a joy to see the baptismal waters stirred last night as three folks followed Jesus in believer’s baptism.  Certainly a good way to end a day of corporate worship!

No Monday prayer time until January 8, 2018.  Please take note.

GROW ministry tonight at 6:30PM.

I told the church yesterday morning of my Saturday night dream.  It was so life like!  Dreamed Auburn beat Alabama 26 – 14.  Is that crazy or what!  I give my congratulations to the Auburn fans especially those who are family members and friends of mine.   Auburn played well in that game as they have been doing in recent weeks.  As I wrote Saturday, it is just a game but it sure is fun!

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

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Happy birthday to our oldest grandchild, Titus.  He is eight years old today!  I hope he has a great day!

The visitation with the Ella Sheffield (Chris Byrd’s grandmother) will take place on Monday, 11/27, from 6:00 – 8:00PM at the Forts Lake Assembly of God Church in Mississippi.  The celebration of life service will take place at 10:00AM on Tuesday, 11/28, also from the Forts Lake Assembly of God.  Keep praying for this family.

The visitation and service for Miss Marjorie Sellers will take place on Monday, 11/27.  All of that will take place at the Pinecrest Funeral Home on DIP.

Glenda Chinners sent a message during the night asking for sponsors for the Friendship family’s Angel Tree.  She has more “angels” than sponsors.  The first priority is to help those “angels” who attend Friendship and then work from there.  Glenda will be in the services tomorrow so you can contact her.

Regular schedule for the Friendship family tomorrow morning and evening.  Baptism in the evening service.

Phillip Turner will host a coaches meeting for our basketball leagues tomorrow night immediately following our evening service.  That meeting will take place in the auditorium.

Our security committee will not meet tomorrow.

Someone said there is a college football game in this State today.  Forgot all about it – LOL!  There are going to be some very happy campers and some not so very happy campers come about 6:00PM tonight.  Folks, when it is all said and done it is still just a game.  May we all remember that.

I am still surprised that Miami lost yesterday.  Crazy!

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

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Laurie King from Guatemala called me yesterday afternoon to let me know that her husband, John, had a TIA (mini stroke) yesterday around noon.  He had been admitted to a hospital in Antigua.  Laurie now has  John on a strict “doing nothing” regiment for the next week.  That will be difficult for John as he is always going and doing.  However, he does not want to face the wrath of “Nana Laurie!”  Pray for John to have no more physical issues.

As per a regular week, the office is closed today.  Bro. Jerry remains on vacation.  However, I am at home and available in the event of an emergency.

Tough to watch the MSU quarterback suffer an injury last night.  Never like to see that happen to any player but it is part of the game.

Lisa and crew made their Walmart run early last night (why could she not buy groceries then instead of making me go earlier?)  They came home, unloaded and headed out again.  This time they went toward Gulfport, Baton Rouge, Woodville or somewhere!  All I know is that when to bed around 11:00PM Lisa was not home but when I woke up at 5:00AM she was.  Crazy!  Just crazy!

Now Lisa tells me that we have to start decorating for Christmas!  I will not let her start until after Thanksgiving and she told me this morning that today is after Thanksgiving!

Sommer Brock has been duped into believing Texas is a good place per her comment on yesterday’s blog.  We need to pray for Sommer!

By the way, I treated my chickens to a special Thanksgiving meal yesterday – turkey!  After Lisa had carved our bird, I took the remains to the chicken coop.  They had a feast!

Someone has given Soy, Deidra and the girls a couple of nights away in a hotel in Guatemala City.  So they are leaving this morning to take advantage of this gift.  The girls will love it!  I am grateful.

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

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Yes, I know this entry is a bit late – LOL!  I decided yesterday that I would post an afternoon entry today. So here it is!

Cecil Guidry told me this past Sunday that Miss Marjorie Sellers had passed from this life and entered Heaven.  The visitation with her family will take place this coming Monday, 11/27, from 11:30AM until the 1:00PM service time.  Visitation and service will take place at the Pinecrest Funeral Home on DIP in Mobile.  I have been asked by the family to preach Miss Marjorie’s service.  What an honor.  Just know while Miss Marjorie has lived in Texas for many years now she was a tremendous part of the Friendship family while she lived in Grand Bay.  Pray for her family during this time.

As I am typing this entry, Randall Broome has just informed me that Chris Byrd’s maternal grandmother passed from this life earlier this afternoon.  So pray for Chris and his family as they walk through this valley.

Thanksgiving Day 2017 has been good for the Turrentine family.  Titus spent the night last night and I promised him that I would sleep in with him so we did.  Lisa had a list of honey dos whenever I got up – she is a slave driver.  I tried to explain that it is Thanksgiving Day but she was having none of that!  We had a nice family meal around 12:45PM.  Folks, Lisa’s mother makes the absolute best dressing in the world – I love it!  All of the ladies on the hill did a nice job of cooking and Brad did the turkey on his Green Egg.  Good time of fellowship around the table!

I was full from lunch and decided to take a nap.  Lisa says “not so fast my friend!”  She then informs me that I have not bought groceries in like a month and demands that I go to Walmart.  I tried to use the “it is Thanksgiving Day” thing again but to no avail.  One thing about it – I was the only person in Walmart buying groceries!  Lots of workers, lots of police, almost all of the lanes open, and folks sitting in lines but no one buying groceries except me.

I am going to nominate Devon Edwards as husband/father of the year!  Witney and the children left last Friday and went to Texas (I tried to tell her to not go to Texas).  The children all got sick.  So, Witney calls Devon all crying, slinging snot, et cetera.  What does he do?  Boards a plane in Mobile last night to fly to Texas to help her with the children and to drive them back to Grand Bay.  Is that not husband/father of the year stuff?  Men are definitely the stronger vessel (Bible stuff here).  Had the roles been reversed Devon would have toughed it out without ever even letting Witney know about it!  Devon is the man!

By the way, we had some pretty expensive dessert today.  Thanks to Mr. Gary Walton we had a cake that cost five hundred dollars as our dessert!  (I did not eat any as I know the baker!)

About to settle in and watch the Mississippi versus Mississippi State football game.  Hopefully it will be a good game.  I do not have a dog in this fight so I can watch and simply enjoy!

I hope you have had a good day and will enjoy your Thanksgiving evening.

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Hey, what do you know?  An early blog entry.  I was inspired as Lisa told me last night of another blog reader that I did not have in our readership numbers.  That pushes our total number of readers back up to thirteen!  Is that impressive or what?

There will be no services/classes/activities on our church campus this morning or tonight.  This has been a “normal” thing for us during Thanksgiving week for years.  Do not know what to do with a Wednesday night off from church?  Go to the Lighthouse and enjoy fish and grits!

Thankfully, this has been a quiet week with no major happenings.  As far as I know, all is well in South Mobile County.  That is a good thing!

I did make a hospital visit yesterday morning.  The patient was waiting to have one more scan done and then was most likely going to be discharged.  I pray that took place.

The church office will be closed tomorrow as we observe Thanksgiving Day.  I have no plans to go anywhere over the weekend so I am available if an emergency arises.  Call our house phone.

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

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

I am a creature of habit and when I get out of a habit it can be difficult for me to get back into it i.e. writing a blog entry every day.  So, this one is late too!  No excuses.  (Actually I went by to see Bo this morning and she would not stop talking!)

Well our string of not having anyone in the hospital for the past several weeks ended on Sunday.  I do not know if I have the liberty to say who is in the hospital but I did visit yesterday.  Scan today and possible discharge if everything goes well.  Just pray.

Nanette Fontenot has a blood clot near the place where they did her recent surgery.  They are putting her on blood thinner for the next three months in hopes the clot will dissolve.  Pray that comes true.

Remember, no services/classes/activities here tomorrow morning or evening.  This is a quiet week on our campus.

The church office will be open today and then again tomorrow but will be closed on Thursday for Thanksgiving Day.

Lord willing, I will attend Anna’s game at Faith Academy today.  She is pretty pumped about me being there!

Titus has a birthday this Saturday and he is acting like Rita Padilla Broome as he wants it to be a week long celebration!

Soy & Deidra are cooking/serving a traditional Thanksgiving meal to the children in the feeding center tomorrow and Thursday.  It will definitely be different for them.

I do not watch or listen to Finebaum.  I heard that he says both Alabama and Auburn could be in the final four this year.  That would be wild!  Can you imagine if those two teams met each other in the national championship game?  Not sure the national ratings would be high but this State would go crazy!

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

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

Sorry this entry is late.  No excuses.  I also did not post anything for the past several days.  Was unexpectedly out of town on Friday with our oldest twin, Dana, and then expectedly with Lisa, Daphne, Titus, Emmy and Nora on Saturday.  Was able to visit family in Hartselle too so it was all good.

No prayer time tonight.  No GROW tonight.

Let me go back to last Thursday, 11/16.  The annual community senior adult Thanksgiving meal was, once again, a huge success.  Many thanks to each person who helped in any way to make that day special.  Dale Bosarge did a very good job of sharing the Word and doing an illusion.  One sweet lady, age 90, told me she is going to live long enough until she is the oldest person present for that service.  This year’s oldest was 96 years old (two ladies).

We were blessed with a very good day in our services yesterday morning.  Thanks to Bro. Jerry Hovel and those who helped with the food baskets.  Did not have any public decisions but did have some folks talk to me afterwards about decisions they need to make.  God is good.

Last night’s service at the GBCOG was good too.  Al, Brad, Jeanette & Randall all did a nice job with the music which included our choir and the COG praise team.  Associate Pastor Jamie Passman did a nice job of sharing the Word.  The attendance was good and I am thankful for each member of the Friendship family who attended.  The offering went to the “Faith By Works” ministry which is a local ministry here in Grand Bay.

Bro. Jerry Hovel is on vacation this week.  I respectfully ask that he not be contacted about any matter.  I am in town and available all week long with the exception of 2:30PM – 6:00PM on Saturday!

Last night’s weather was great!  Open windows night!  I love it!

Friendship family – no services/activities/classes this Wednesday.

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

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

We were blessed with a really good day in our services yesterday morning and evening.  We give God the glory!  The Friendship family needs to note that we will not have any services/activities next Wednesday, 11/22.

Today is the annual senior adults Thanksgiving meal in our CAB.  I appreciate all who have helped in any way up to this point and all who will help today.

Our bus ministry Thanksgiving meal will take place this Sunday, 11/19, immediately following our 10:30AM service.  Thanks to all who help with that meal too.

The annual community Thanksgiving service will take place this Sunday evening, 11/19, beginning at 6:00PM at the Grand Bay Church of God.  The GBCOG is located on Old Pascagoula Road.  Hall Road ends at Old Pascagoula and that is where the church building is located.  We need a strong attendance from the Friendship family.

Our new system is in place.  There are some adjustments to be made but it “seems” to me that it is going to be great.  I appreciate all who have helped with this matter.

I am trying to decide if jack came to Grand Bay while I was out of town?  I know he was in Michigan with us back in October.  I would love to see him.

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