Pastor's Blog

I ask that you join me in praying for Kaydenz Edwards as she will be undergoing heart surgery around 7:30AM (Alabama time) this morning.  Kaydenz and her parents are anxious.  Rightfully so.  This surgeon is supposed to be the best when it comes to juvenile heart surgery.  Pray without ceasing.

Dede Tagert messaged me last night to share that she and Debbie will be meeting with the funeral directors this afternoon to make the arrangements for Richard’s service.  Keep praying for Debbie, Miss Lois, Tanner and the entire Adkinson family.

Regular schedule on our campus today – morning and evening.  Bro. Abel will be teaching in the auditorium.

We will have a farewell fellowship for Dylan, Elizabeth, Ellie & Cash this Sunday evening immediately following our service.  We need the members of the Friendship family to help by bringing a dessert.  Please bring enough for those attending with you plus at least two more.

We will be licensing and ordaining Bro. Dylan this Sunday evening during the service.  Ordination council will meet at 3:30PM in the auditorium and all ordained men are invited to attend.

Two weeks from today, 4/17, we will having “potluck with the pastor” immediately following our morning service.  Lisa and I will provide the meat (roast), drinks and bread.  You are asked to bring the sides and desserts.  Pass the word!

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

Welcome to the afternoon edition of the blog.  Sorry for no post yesterday.  A few of our thirteen readers are so impatient!  Folks, remember, I do work two days a week!

I am writing this entry from the Pensacola Airport while waiting to board a Spirit Airlines flight to Orlando.  Did you say “Spirit Airlines?”  I did.  Main reason is that it is a direct flight going and coming.

Why Orlando?  Kaydenz Edwards will have heart surgery tomorrow morning.  She is a very special young lady (11 years old) and want to be there in order to minister to her and her parents.  The boys are remaining at home in Pensacola.  Pray that all goes well!

I spoke with Debbie Adkinson a bit earlier and they are still playing the waiting game.  Not sure when they will be able to meet with the funeral directors to finalize the service plans.  Pray for Debbie, Miss Lois, Tanner and the entire Adkinson family.

All ordained men are invited to join us this Sunday, April 7, at 3:30PM in the church auditorium for an ordination council as we will ordain Pastor Dylan Westbrook to the Gospel ministry.  The ordination service (everyone invited) will begin at 5:00PM.  This will be a special service so please do not miss it.

The deacons will host a farewell reception for Dylan, Elizabeth, Ellie & Cash immediately following the evening service.  Members of the Friendship family are asked to bring a dessert to the reception.  Please bring enough for those attending with you plus two more.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow – morning and evening.  Bro. Abel will be teaching in the auditorium.

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

Jesus is alive!  Hallelujah!

We will gather at 8:30AM and then again at 10:00AM this morning to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus!  Child care will be provided for children up to three years of age.  No exceptions, please.

My mind is still reeling from the passing of Richard Adkinson.  Keep praying for Debbie, Miss Lois, Tanner and the entire family.

I pray that you will have a great Easter Sunday with the risen Savior, Jesus Christ!

This morning just before 7:30AM word came to me from Bro. Dylan that Richard Adkinson had unexpectedly passed from this life.  I went to his house and waited with the family until the ambulance company arrived.  Pray for Debbie, Miss Lois and the entire family.  Richard was fifty-eight years old.

As I left the workday at the church, I saw an emergency vehicle at the home of Grady & Carolyn Walker.  Stopped there and an ambulance came to take Carolyn to the hospital.  Not sure what the problem is but she cannot stand up without falling.  Pray for Carolyn & Grady.

Big day today!  Buses running routes this morning, classes for our preschoolers and children.  Preschool church and children’s church to follow.  An egg hunt to end the day.  Special thanks to Bro. Dylan for coordinating this day of ministry.  Thank you to each bus worker, teacher, whomever who will be helping today.  May God be glorified.

Our Buildings and Grounds committee members have been working this week to make sure things are ready for Easter Sunday.  I appreciate their efforts and attitudes!  Thank God for folks who have a “mind to work!”

Easter Sunday will see us have two morning services – 8:30AM and 10:00AM.  Katelyn Johnson sent me this message last night – the nursery & the 2-3 year old classroom will be open Easter Sunday during both services.  Thank you to Katelyn and those who will be taking care of those children.  Good stuff!

A friend from Michigan, Merrie Bannink, passed from this life last Saturday, 3/23.  Today, they will have a visitation with her husband, Jack, and family followed by a celebration of life service in Holland, Michigan.  Pray for the Bannink family during this time.

I received a special request for prayer late yesterday afternoon.  At this point, it is private but I do ask that you join me in praying. God knows the need.

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

Laura Morie’s father remains hospitalized.  He is now in a regular room but is still in very serious condition.  Keep praying.

Kevin Sprinkle shared in last night’s service that Brandon’s & Morgan’s baby, John, “may” have to have a surgical procedure.  I think this decision will be made tomorrow.  Pray for infant John and his parents.

Peggy Knighten continues to battle pain.  Pray for relief for Peggy.

Good day in our services yesterday.  Thank you, Jesus.

Major day this Saturday and then two morning services on Easter Sunday.  Pray.  Attend.  Expect.

Lisa is scheduled to fly home today arriving in Mobile perhaps during the Alabama basketball game.  If so, she will not mind waiting in the Mobile airport for thirty or forty minutes.  Builds character!

By the way, I had a date with another woman this past Monday night.  I just hope Lisa does not find out about it!

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

Morgan McDonald and baby John should be discharged from the hospital at some point today.  They are doing well.  Keep praying for them.

Laura Morie’s father has been moved from CCU to a regular room.  Keep praying for him and the family.

Deidra and Delmy arrived safe and sound to GRACE Mountain yesterday afternoon.  All is well. Lisa will leave GRACE Mountain at some point today and then fly out tomorrow, 3/28.  Beginning tomorrow, the traffic in the city will be extremely heavy due to Easter week.

Joey, Bibbi and family did arrive home around 3:00AM yesterday.  Thank God for His watch care over them as they traveled.

Regular schedule on our campus today – morning and evening.

Buses running, Sunday School classes, preschool church, children’s church, egg hunt, et cetera this Saturday, 3/30.  Classes will begin at 9:00AM.  Our prayer is for many to take part in these activities.

Two morning services on Easter Sunday – 8:30AM & 10:00AM.

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

This entry is way late – duh!  What happened?  I have a red truck!  Just saying!

Bro. Abel visited with Morgan yesterday.  As far as I know, all is well.  Keep praying for Morgan, the baby and Brandon.

I visited with Laura Morie’s father yesterday morning.  He is non-responsive so I prayed for him there in his CCU room.  Keep praying!

Deidra and Delmy left this morning heading home to Guatemala.  It has been a blessing having them here for a few days.  Pray for traveling mercies on their behalf today.  Lisa will come home Thursday.

Joey, Bibbi and family arrived home early this morning. (As far as I know)  Again, I am thankful for their help in Guatemala for the past two weeks plus.

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow.

The bridge’s collapse in Baltimore was awful.  Pray for those involved.

I am fairly certain that MoJo’s Pizza is now open daily.  The number is 251 259 2902.  Good pizza!

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

John Barrett McDonald arrived last night at around 11 last night. 7lb 15oz . 20.5 inches.  Thank you to grandmother, Tina Sprinkle, for letting me know of John’s arrival.  Congratulations to Brandon & Morgan and the rest of the family.  Thank God for a safe delivery and a healthy baby.

I received this comment via email last night – “Incredible weekend!”  I do not disagree as the Lord has proven again and again His goodness to the Friendship family.  Glory to God!

A very special “thank you” to Miss Jeanette Bates and the adult choir for ministering in the evening service.  The attendance was good, not great, but I do appreciate those who were in attendance.  Again, glory to God!

Brandon and Morgan McDonald will welcome a baby into this world at some point today.  Pray that the delivery goes well.

Laura Morie’s father is in CCU in a local hospital and is not doing well.  Please join me in praying for him.

Continue to pray for Shawn Grant as she remains in a physical rehab facility.

Joey, Bibbi and family are set to leave Guatemala later today heading home.  They have done a good job of ministering on GRACE Mountain for the past two plus weeks.  I had to send Ian Tagert down this past Thursday to make sure they finished well but otherwise they are to be commended.  I do know that Hadley’s soccer team is eagerly waiting for her return.  Pray for traveling mercies for them today.

Speaking of traveling, Deidra and Delmy are set to return to Guatemala tomorrow morning.  It has been a blessing to have them here for a few days.  Many thanks to those from Friendship who attended the ceremony honoring Soy last Thursday evening.  What a nice surprise.

Lisa is scheduled to return home Thursday night.  The Alabama basketball team is set to tip off shortly after 9:00PM so I am not sure how Lisa will get home from the airport?  It will not hurt her to wait an hour or so!

Clay, Colby, Peyton & Seth join the church one Sunday and then miss the following Sunday – what is up with that!

Regular schedule on our campus this Wednesday.

Big weekend coming up!  Pray and plan to be present!

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