Pastor's Blog

We are on a regular schedule this morning and tonight.  Bro. Jerry will be preaching this morning and our evening service will be a special time of musical praise led by Randall Broome and Jeanette Bates.  My prayer is that the members of the Friendship family will be found faithful.

I do not have any updates on those for whom we have been praying.  I do ask that you continue to pray.  Obviously, Terry Lucky remains in the hospital recovering from his heart surgery.

Pastor Terry Rainey was seriously (not life threatening) injured yesterday morning in Guatemala.  A post is on the GRACE blog so I ask you to read it.  Pray for Pastor Terry and that situation.

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

Good morning!  Terry Lucky had three heart by-passes yesterday afternoon and did well.  Thanks to Bro. Jerry and the others from the Friendship family who were there with Carol and the family.

It is my understanding that Jerry Poiroux had surgery either yesterday or the day before.

Do not know if Ruby was discharged from the hospital or not.

Have not heard the arrangements on Vera’s brother, Dan, but keep praying for the family.

I am assuming our men are gathering for breakfast this morning at 8:00AM.  If so, it will be in the fellowship hall and everyone is invited.

Basketball today beginning at 8:00AM.

Bus ministry meeting today at 8:30AM.

Regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening.  Bro. Jerry will preach in the morning and there will be a special song service at 6:00PM.

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

Sorry for no entries the past two mornings.  Also, for not getting February’s daily Bible readings posted.  Will post them either tonight or first thing tomorrow (internet cooperating)

Terry Lucky is scheduled to have heart surgery this morning.

Vera Bosarge’s brother, Dan, passed from this life yesterday.  Her other brother, Troy, is back in the hospital.  Pray for this family.

Ruby Gulley is doing better and “may” go home today.

Bro. Jerry says the memorial service went well last night.  Thanks to each one who helped in any way.

Keep praying for those battling cancer.  I did hear from Dave Sellers saying the Becky is staying the course.

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

Today’s Bible reading – Exodus 25-26; Matthew 20:17-34

I made a mistake!  (Let that sink in!). In yesterday’s entry I mentioned that Mary Cole Holmes gave birth to a baby.  She did.  I failed to mention that Gauge is the happy father (Danny & Liz Cole are happy grandparents too!).  So, I apologize for my mistake.  Cole Daniel Holmes entered this life last Thursday, January 26, 2017, and came in weighing six pounds & fifteen ounces.  He is nineteen and one half inches long.  He was born a little early (37 weeks) so his lungs need a little development.  Congratulations to Gauge & Mary on their newest addition.

Leslie Hacker’s great niece had a section of her leg amputated yesterday.  You may remember the she was involved in an ATV (or whatever it is called) accident Thanksgiving weekend.  The infection simply could not be cured.

Ruby Gulley remains in the hospital.  Bro. Jerry said she did not seem to be as well yesterday.

Lisa Thompson has been in the hospital too.  She has been receiving blood and may go home today.

Norm Pompa also remains in the hospital.  They are trying to get him into a rehab facility.

Jo Nell Barnes is in Arizona with her son.  Not sure if he remains in the hospital or not.

Tim Knighten is now in the “getting over the treatments” phase.

Have not heard from Becky Sellers so I am going with the “no news, good news” philosophy.

Assuming Terry Lucky is still on for his heart cath this week.

The memorial service for Hilda Gunter’s son-in-law is Thursday at 6:00PM from our church auditorium.  Again, if you want to help feed the family following that service, contact Carol Lucky.

Regular schedule tomorrow morning and evening.

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

Today’s Bible reading – Exodus 23-24; Matthew 20:1-16

Internet service has been a bit spotty this morning so let me try to make this quick.

Ruby Gulley remains in the hospital.

Norm Popma was involved in an automobile accident and has been in the hospital for a couple of weeks (I think).  This is Lois Kirscheman’s brother.

Mary Cole gave birth to Cole Daniel Holmes.  His lungs are “weak” so he is obviously in the hospital.

Terry Lucky will have a heart cath at some point this week.

Tim Knighten was able to attend Sunday School and the second morning worship service yesterday.  Amazing!

Lisa Thompson did not get a favorable report the last time she met with the doctors but she continues to fight on.

A memorial service for Hilda Gunter’s son-in-law, Grey Reynolds, will take place this Thursday night, 2/2, from our church auditorium beginning at 6:00PM.  We will feed the family following that service.  If you would like to help with this ministry, contact Carol Lucky.

I am told that our attendance was on the low side yesterday.  I would have loved to have heard that the numbers were up.  I was told that the services were good and for that I am grateful.

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

Today’s Bible reading – Exodus 16-18; Matthew 18:1-20

Ruby Gulley continues to make improvement although Bro. Jerry said she seemed tired yesterday.

Peggy tells me that Tim’s ability to swallow is probably at the toughest spot it has been thus far.  However, he is now over the treatments and that is a good thing.

Jo Nell leaves tomorrow heading to Arizona to be with her son.  Not sure how long she will be gone but do ask that you pray for her as she travels and for her son’s health issues.

Larry Whitehurst will have a MRI today as a follow up to his surgery of several years ago.

Vera Bosarge has two brothers who are in the hospital.  One is awaiting a transplant and the other is have serious complications from a recent surgery.

Bus ministry meeting in the morning at 8:30AM.

Basketball games tomorrow from 8:00AM until 2:00PM.

Gideon Day this Sunday morning in both services.   Jeff Holifield will lead our services.

All forty one team members arrived safe and sound to the mission house yesterday afternoon.  The medical clinic ministry and the house building ministry begin today.

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

Today’s Bible reading – Exodus 14-15; Matthew 17

Ruby Gulley is improving.  Seems her second surgery corrected the problem.

Debbie Kendrick’s mother remains in the hospital but will most likely be heading to rehab soon.

Tim Knighten had his final radiation treatment yesterday – hallelujah!  Now let’s pray that the folks are right in saying he will feel like a new man in three weeks.

Jo Nell’s son who lives in Arizona has been having some physical problems.  Not sure exactly what is taking place and not sure if Jo Nell is going to go to Arizona or not.  Pray for this situation.

Keep praying for Lisa Thompson.

I am told that we had a really good day in our services/classes yesterday.  Our children’s choir had forty in attendance which is great!

I arrived at the mission house safe and sound around 5:30PM yesterday.  Visited with the team that is presently using the mission house.  They leave today.

I pray that you will have a great Thursday 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

Today’s Bible reading – Exodus 12-13; Matthew 16

Regular schedule this morning and tonight.  Bro. Jerry will be teaching in the 10:00AM and 6:30PM services in the auditorium.   All of the other classes will be normal.  By the way, our Girls In Action are seeing some really strong numbers.  That is good stuff!

Lisa will be home in time to cook for the 7:30PM Bible study.  I think the fare will be ham, macaroni & cheese, et cetera.

Ruby Gulley is doing well following her most recent surgery.

Debbie Kendrick’s mother had surgery yesterday.  She is eighty-nine years of age and did well through the surgery.

Robert & Roseanne Barria’s daughter, Darlene, had surgery too.  I believe she was discharged from the hospital yesterday.

Keep praying for Tim Knighten, Becky Sellers and Lisa Thompson.

Lisa and I enjoyed our time in New Orleans.  In my opinion, the best roast beef poboys are in New Orleans.  We ate supper at Katie’s in mid city last night and the food was really good.  I had the aforementioned poboy while Lisa enjoyed a muffuletta.  She said it was the best one she has ever eaten although she could only eat about one fourth of it.

I am sitting in the New Orleans airport waiting on my flight to Atlanta where I will connect to one to Guatemala City.  If all goes well, I will be in GC by 1:30PM.  Lots to do in order to get ready for the team arriving tomorrow.

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

Today’s Bible reading – Exodus 9-11; Matthew 15:21-39

Ruby Gulley had another surgical procedure done yesterday.  Obviously something had gone wrong since her first surgery and they corrected that.  She is on the ventilator for a few days and remains in ICU.

Becky Sellers got a good report from her latest MRI.  That is really good news and we are thankful to the Lord.  Keep praying for Becky!

Debbie Kendrick’s mother has been admitted to the hospital.

I did not get an opportunity to check on Jimmy Tagert’s mother yesterday so I am not sure if she remains in the hospital.

Keep praying for Lisa Thompson and Tim Knighten as they battle their respective malignancies.

The celebration of life service for Miss Kathleen Henderson was well attended.  Her grandson, Pastor Jeff Switzer, did a nice job of sharing a message and remembering his grandmother.  Thank you to those who prepared and served the meal to the family following that service.   Great job and great ministry!

The celebration of life service for Carla Kyser was well attended too.  It is really hard for me to give a fair analysis of any service that I preach.  My main objective was to please God in all that was said and done.  I can only hope He was pleased.  My second objective would be to believe that Carla was pleased if she could have known how the service went.  Knowing Carla, she would have said something sarcastic to me and I would have replied likewise!  (Plus, I would have fussed at her for not telling me what she wanted in her service!)  My third objective was to help comfort the family and to know that they were pleased.  Marisa has most graciously told me that they were pleased.  So, I am thankful!

I was very pleased with Jeanette, Randall, Levi, Adrianna, Alan, Rusty & Brad as they did the musical worship in the service.  Absolutely great job by these talented (ok, Rusty is not talented but I am trying to be kind) folks.  Great spirit of service and cooperation!

I was very pleased with our servant leaders (deacons) and our behind the scenes servants in the fellowship hall serving refreshments, preparing and serving the meal, setting up and taking down the tables/chairs, et cetera.  I can tell you that the family was very impressed with your ministry!  A very grateful and proud pastor!  Carla would have been grateful and proud too!  Thank you!

My original plan was to leave Sunday night and drive to New Orleans as Lisa has a function with State Farm through Wednesday.  So, we adjusted and left from Miss Kathleen’s graveside and came to New Orleans.  Lord willing, I will fly from New Orleans early tomorrow morning and arrive in Guatemala City shortly after 1:00PM.  I will have a full afternoon of preparing for the team that will arrive on Thursday.  I am doing back to back teams this time in order to spend time with more of the folks who are involved and support GRACE Ministries.

So, pray for those who will minister in my absence and for the teams in Guatemala.

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

Mrs. Florence Kathleen Henderson, 89, died Thursday, January 19, 2017. She was born October 13, 1927 in Jackson County, MS. She resided in Moss Point most of her life and was a faithful member of Kreole Avenue Baptist Church. Her final years were lived in Grand Bay, Al, where Mrs. Henderson was a member of Friendship Baptist Church.

She had a deep love for her God and Lord Jesus Christ, her family and her church homes. She was a member of the Eastern Star, Anna O’Neill chapter 37, in Moss Point; and also a member of the Rebekahs.

Mrs. Henderson had an enduring affection for her late husband Earl, whom she is now happily reunited. She enjoyed going to programs, ball games and events as an adoring Grandmother and Great Grandmother.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Earl Henderson; parents, John A. Bennett and Mattie Lou Knight Bennett; her brother, James A. Bennett.

She is survived by her three daughters, Shirley Switzer(Bobby) of Grand Bay, AL, Brenda Miller of Owasso, OK, Kathy Baker, Grand Bay, AL, her son, Richard Henderson (Elva) of Pascagoula, MS; her sister, Genevieve Neal, Moss Point, MS; Grandchildren, Greg Switzer, Jeff Switzer, Joey Switzer, Trisha Martin, Tammy Smith, Tara Crocker, and 14 Great Grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Todd Martin, Greg Switzer, Joey Switzer, Jonathan Switzer, Seth Switzer, Zack Switzer, Bruce Smith and Justin Smith.

A visitation will be held on Monday January 23, 2017 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Holder-Wells Funeral Home Moss Point, MS. The funeral service will follow at 2:00 PM in the funeral home chapel, with Rev. Dr. Jeff Switzer officiating. Interment will be in Griffin Cemetery, Moss Point, MS.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be given in Kathleen’s name to Friendship Baptist Church, P.O. Box 756 Grand Bay, AL 36541.