Pastor's Blog

“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 7-8; Matthew 15:1-20
Tuesday, January 24 – Exodus 9-11; Matthew 15:21-39
Wednesday, January 25 – Exodus 12-13; Matthew 16
Thursday, January 26 – Exodus 14-15; Matthew 17
Friday, January 27 – Exodus 16-18; Matthew 18:1-20
Saturday, January 28 – Exodus 19-20; Matthew 18:21-35
Sunday, January 29 – Exodus 21-22; Matthew 19
Monday, January 30 – Exodus 23-24; Matthew 20:1-16
Tuesday, January 31 – Exodus 25-26; Matthew 20:17-34

There will be another time of visitation with the Carla Kyser family this morning from 11:00AM until the noon service time.  We will hold the celebration of life service for Carla beginning at noon in our auditorium.  Interment will take place in the Grand Bay Cemetery.

The visitation with the Kathleen Henderson family will take place today from 1:00PM until the 2:00PM celebration of life service.  Everything will take place from the Holder-Wells Funeral Home in Moss Point, MS.  Interment will be in the Griffin Cemetery in Moss Point, MS.

The Friendship family will be feeding Carla’s family and Miss Kathleen’s family today.  Thank you to each person who is helping with this ministry.  Please make sure whatever you bring to the fellowship hall is clearly marked as both families will be eating in the fellowship hall.  You can call the church office if you have questions about where, what time, et cetera regarding the food.

Ruby Gulley remains in the hospital.  Pray for Ruby’s recovery.

Tim Knighten had a better day yesterday.  The feeding process is still a “slow go” but he was able to take some nourishment yesterday.  That is good news!

Becky Sellers attended the visitation with Carla’s family yesterday afternoon.  She looked good and said she was feeling good.  She will see the doctor today and will get the results of a MRI done last week.

Lisa Thompson also attended the visitation with Carla’s family.  Her counts were too low for the treatments to take place last week.  Pray that those counts will rise.

Kim French told me that her dad, Greg Boutwell, had a good day yesterday.  Pray for Greg.  He has been through it and is basically confined to the house which is not Greg at all!

Becky Hatcher’s father is in a Hattiesburg, MS hospital.

Jimmy Tagert’s mother remains in a Mobile hospital.

Jim Chinners’ step-mother will have surgery on Wednesday.

GROW outreach tonight at 6:00PM.

Prayer time in the auditorium tonight from 5:00 – 7:00PM.  Enter/exit through the West side door.

We were blessed with a good day in our services yesterday morning.  The Lord added as a young lady came to me after the first service asking to be saved.  She and I sat in the choir loft as I shared the Gospel and she prayed to receive Jesus.  Glory to God!  By the say, how about that choir yesterday morning!  Great job!

Let me give some props – our servant leaders (deacons) did an excellent job of ministering to Carla’s family yesterday afternoon and last night during the visitation.  I was present for almost all of it but I did nothing but greet folks as the servant leaders took care of everything else!  They also helped Maria Wainwright get the auditorium cleaned and ready for the visitation.  Great job brothers!

I do not know all of the “who” but another group of men and women took care of providing refreshments and a light meal for Carla’s family yesterday.  I do know that Carla’s Sunday School class was involved in this ministry.  Also, great job!

Jodie Crawley was able to make the presentation of the check to Dr. Michael Finan and the Mitchell Cancer Institute last night without crying – miracles do happen!  The check was a gift from Carla and the fun run that took place back in November.

As I watched the body of Christ in action yesterday, it made me really thankful to be a part of the Friendship family!  You made this pastor really proud in a good way!

Nanette Brooks Fontenot was ticked at me yesterday afternoon because I would not go through the receiving line with her.  Said that we used to babysit Carla as a part of our dating.  Are you serious?  The girl has issues – just saying!

Well, rumor has it that we are now up to fourteen readers.  A “closet” reader confessed to Lisa yesterday.  However, I am skeptical for several reasons.  First, not sure this person can read.  Second, not sure they can operate a computer.  Who is this mysterious fourteenth reader?  Let’s just say “KFC” and let it go at that!

Watched a “tad” of the NFL game last night but it was already over before I saw any of it.  I am still in hopes the Falcons can win it all.

Lord willing, I begin my journey to Guatemala this afternoon for the first two GRACE teams of 2017.  It is a long story but it involves New Orleans and State Farm.

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

The celebration of life service for Carla Darlene Felps Kyser will take place on Monday, 1/23, at noon.  The 30-39 years old Sunday School class will coordinate the feeding of the family following that service.  All food should be brought to the fellowship hall no later than 11:00AM as the family will eat in the fellowship hall.

The celebration of life service for Miss Kathleen Henderson will also take place on Monday, 1/23.  It will be held from the Holder-Wells Funeral Home in Moss Point, MS.  Our senior adults ladies Sunday School class will coordinate the feeding of this family.  All food should be brought to the fellowship hall no later than 2:30PM as the family will also eat in the fellowship hall.

Friendship family, thank you in advance for ministering to these two families.  We have lost two vitally important members of the Friendship family.

Here are the arrangements for Carla – there will be a split visitation tomorrow (Sunday), 1/22.  The first visitation will take place from 2:00 – 4:00PM in our church auditorium.  Please be considerate of the family’s private time by not arriving prior to 2:00PM.

It is our hope that the first visitation time will be an opportunity for our senior adults and folks who will attend other churches in the evening to visit with Carla’s family.

From 4:00 – 5:00PM the family will take a break and will eat a light meal in the fellowship hall.

The second visitation will take place from 5:00 – 8:00PM in our church auditorium.  Obviously, we will not be having Discipleship Training or our evening service.

At 6:00PM tomorrow night, Dr. Michael Finan from MCI will be in attendance and will be presented a check for MCI on behalf of Carla.  This was supposed to happen earlier this week but Carla’s physical condition would not allow it to happen.  Carla very much wanted this check to be presented and her family is honoring her desire.

The celebration of life service (and it will be a celebration) will take place Monday, 1/23, at noon from our church auditorium.  There will be a time of visitation an hour prior to the beginning of the service.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Mitchell Cancer Institute in Mobile, Alabama or to GRACE Ministries which is our mission work in Guatemala.

“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 1-3; Matthew 14:1-21

Spoke to Marisa this morning.  They were able to get “some” rest. Pray for them as they make the arrangements at some point today.

Failed to mention in yesterday’s regular entry that Jimmy Tagert’s mother was admitted to the hospital Thursday night.  Pray for Mrs. Hickman.

Ruby Gulley remains in the hospital.  Keep praying.

Becky Sellers, Tim Knighten & Lisa Thompson continue to need our prayer support as they battle their respective malignancies.

(Do you know how “odd” it is to me personally to make that list of those battling a malignancy and not include my friend, Carla?)

Courtney Hubbard started a new trial drug this past Tuesday.  Pray it works as intended.

The celebration of life service for Miss Kathleen Henderson will take place on Monday afternoon.  Miss Kathleen was faithful to the church and was a tremendous prayer warrior!  She will be greatly missed by me!  What an encourager!  Never complained!

Friendship family, please note that it is “possible” we will be making some changes concerning tomorrow night’s service in order to accommodate Carla’s family.  I will spare you the possibilities now as nothing has been finalized but I did want to give you the heads up.  I will post later today once the arrangements are in place.

Carla’s Sunday School class will be in charge of feeding the Felps family following the celebration of life service.  They “may” need to ask for assistance.  Details to come!  Thank you in advance for being flexible and cooperative.

Bus ministry workers meet this morning at 8:30AM.  Pray for this ministry and those involved.

Friendship basketball begins today at 8:00AM and will last until around 2:00PM.

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

Carla Darlene Felps Kyser departed this life for her heavenly today around 11:30AM.  She was surrounded by her parents, Donnie & Marisa, and her brother, Shawn, at the time of her passing.  Arrangements pending.  The 30-39 year old Sunday School class will be in charge of the meal for the family following the service whenever it takes place.

Folks, this one is tough for me write.  Carla was a special young lady in my family’s life.  I am going to miss the iMessages, the back and forth, et cetera.  What a tough young lady who faced and fought her malignancy with strength and grace!  An inspiration!

Pray for Donnie, Marisa, Larsyn, Shawn and the entire family.

Just received word from Pastor Doug Chappelle that his mother-in-law, Miss Mary Lee Owens, passed from this life early Wednesday morning.  There will be a graveside service in Greenville, AL this morning at 11:00AM.  Pray for Miss Mary’s children, Vicky & Kevin and their families.

Just received word from Joey Switzer that his maternal grandmother, Miss Kathleen Henderson, passed from this life and entered Heaven around 11:30PM last night.  Pray for the family as they walk through this valley.  Arrangements pending.

“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 – Genesis 49-50; Matthew 13:31-58

Visited with Miss Kathleen Henderson early yesterday morning and then got an update from Joey Switzer yesterday afternoon.  She is basically being given palliative care.  What a sweetheart of a lady.  Great prayer warrior.  Pray for her!

Visited with Ruby Gulley late yesterday afternoon.  She remains in ICU but is no longer on the ventilator.  Winston was there and they have no idea when she will be moved to a regular room.  Ruby is ready yesterday!

Visited with Carla Kyser yesterday morning and then Daphne and I went back last night.  Carla is basically sleeping although she does awaken briefly from time to time.  Donnie, Marisa and Shawn are faithfully sitting right beside her.  Pray for Carla and for her family.

Again, Carla’s family very much appreciates and desires your prayer support.  It is probably best if folks just pray and not visit as the space is limited and they are trying to rest whenever possible regardless of the time of day.  Thank you for the prayers and for your understanding.

Jimmy Moates will have a PET scan done next Wednesday, 1/25.  Pray for good results!

Joey Switzer is scheduled to have a surgical procedure done next Monday morning, 1/23.  Doing something to his vocal chords.

Greg Boutwell remains at home but his physical condition is no better.  Please continue to join me in praying for Greg.

Second week of Friendship basketball tomorrow beginning at 8:00PM.  Pray for this ministry.

Regular schedule this Sunday morning and evening.  Rain chance is eighty percent tomorrow and fifty percent on Sunday.  I am going out on a limb to make this prediction – no one will miss any sporting events tomorrow due to the rain regardless of the severity.  However, some will possibly miss the services on Sunday morning because of the rain.  Can you say Baptists?

Soy, Rusty and Alan basically begged me to join them in a game of Hearts after the college Bible study on Wednesday night.  I am not a prophet or the son of a prophet.  (However, I do work for a non profit organization).  At 9:15PM, I told Jonny Gaston that by 9:50PM the game would be over and I would be the winner.  Need I say more?

Today is my nephew, Josh’s, forty first birthday.  Happy birthday Josh!  Why do I mention that?  Just so his sister, Jamie, will gripe that I did not mention her on her birthday!  Really no other reason!

I pray that you will have a great Friday with Jesus.  Employ grace today!

“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 – Genesis 46-48; Matthew 13:1-30

As many of you are already aware, Carla Kyser was admitted to the hospital late yesterday afternoon.  The portable oxygen tanks simply could not supply her enough oxygen to keep her level at a comfortable place.  Her brother, Shawn, knows how to handle all of that and even he could not rig it to do so after connecting multiple machines.  In the hospital, Carla will get a much better flow of oxygen.  Marisa sent me a message about 3:30AM saying Carla was resting but had been alert and asking questions.

Marisa and her family are very gracious people.  They are not going to knowingly hurt anyone’s feelings.  However, my suggestion would be that folks pray but not everyone rush to the hospital.  If someone does visit, it should be really short.  Carla and her mother need physical rest.  You can contact Lisa or me at any time via the phone or electronically for an update.  (You can always check out my FB page!)

Miss Kathleen Henderson seemed much worse to me yesterday when I visited.  Last night, they moved her into a “comfort” room and are basically keeping her without pain as much as possible.  I am heading that way first thing this morning.

Ruby Gulley is better and is no longer on the ventilator.  I will be checking on her later this morning.

Becky Sellers, Tim Knighten and Lisa Thompson continue to need our prayer support.  Tim has been hit hard in recent days by the effects of his treatments.  It is my understanding that Lisa had to receive blood because her counts have been too low.  Becky continues to take her treatments.

Good day in our services yesterday.  The breakfast was great!  The fellowship was even greater!  God is good!

Regular schedule this Sunday morning and evening.

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