Pastor's Blog

The visitation with the Gary Hickman family (Jimmy & Dede Tagert) takes place tomorrow, January 4, from 5:00PM until 7:00PM at Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home.  The celebration of life service will take place Friday, January 5, beginning at 10:00AM also at the funeral home.  Pray for Jimmy, Dede and the family.

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening.  May we be found faithful!

Jean Hatcher remains in the hospital.  Lots of health issues and the doctors are tackling them one at a time.  Keep praying for Miss Jean.

Ann Clark’s youngest sister, Sue, remains in the hospital.  She is not doing well and continues to need our prayers.

Ann Clark’s oldest (104) sister, Cleo, is at home.  Aunt Cleo is an amazing and godly lady.  Pray for her.

The source of the leaks on our campus have been found and, hopefully, corrected.  Again, thank you to each person who has helped with this issue.

I was told that the adult building and the youth building should have received new roofs yesterday.  The preschool building and the office building should have the same on Friday.  Those guys are fast!

It looks as though today is going to be a cool, wet day in Grand Bay.  The forecasters are calling for a low of thirty-two tonight.  Stay dry and warm!

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

Jimmy Tagert’s father-in-law, Mr. Gary Hickman, has passed from this life.  I ask you to join me in praying for Jimmy and the family during this time of loss.

The visitation with Mr. Gary Hickman’s family will take place this Thursday, January 4, from 5:00 – 7:00PM at the Mobile Memorial Funeral Home on Three Notch Road in Tillman’s Corner.  The celebration of life service will take place on Friday, January 5, beginning at 10:00AM also at the funeral home.

I will post the entire obituary once it is put online by the funeral home.

Keep praying for Jimmy and family.

A belated “Happy New Year” to all thirteen of our readers.

First, I want to say “congratulations” to the many Michigan football fans whom I consider as friends.  Yes, I have heard from many of them and I am now saying, “Go Blue!”  I hope Michigan wins it all!

Miss Jean Hatcher is in the hospital battling multiple problems.  I visited her on Sunday afternoon and she was in good spirits in spite of everything.  Pray for Miss Jean and her family.

My mother-in-law, Ann Clark has two sisters who are not doing well.  Her oldest sister, Cleo, is one hundred and four years old.  She is at home but has gotten very frail.  Her youngest sister, Sue, is seventy-six (I think)  and is in the hospital on a vent.  Things are not looking favorable.  Pray for Cleo, Sue and their families.

Jason Husband will see the doctor next Monday, 1/8, to have some things done in order to begin his radiation.  Radiation will probably begin the week of 1/15.  Keep praying for Jason.

We were blessed with a good service on New Year’s Eve morning.  Thank you Jesus!

I witnessed a miracle yesterday!  Deidra, Lizzi, Sydney, Audrey & I landed in Guatemala at 1:00PM.  We stopped in the city at a McDonald’s for lunch and were on GRACE Mountain at 3:00PM.  If you have ever been here then you know that is nothing short of a miracle.  Traffic was basically non-existent between the airport and here!  Praise the Lord!  By the way, thank you to Eddie Albritton for taking us to the Mobile airport yesterday morning.  He tells me the fifty dollars (plus gas money) he charges is very much in line with the other transportation services.

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

Our basketball leagues will be in action tonight beginning at 6:00PM and then again tomorrow morning beginning at 8:00AM.  Pray for this ministry.

Only one service on our campus this Sunday, 12/31/23.  That service will begin at 10:00AM.

Our students will have a fellowship this Sunday, 12/31/23, in the CAB from 5:00PM until 6:30PM.

The roofing job on the auditorium was either completely finished yesterday or very close to it.  Wow, those guys were going fast!

Special thanks to Allen Glover, Jeff Holifield and Dylan Westbrook for tackling a major job of trying to locate a leak on our campus yesterday.  The leak has not been officially found but those guys have it narrowed down to the most probable location which is underground.  A leak detection company will come on Tuesday, 1/2, to pinpoint the location of the leak.  Pray that goes well and that the leak can be located and repaired.

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

Late entry.  My apologies.  The roofers have already gotten most, if not all, of the shingles off of the auditorium.  Deacon Jeff Holifield is the only one of the nine deacons to show up.  What is up with that?

Spoke to Larry Whitehurst yesterday.  At some point in the future the family will have a memorial service for Jerry Whitehurst.  Pray for the Whitehurst family.

It seems that some of the Friendship family who have been battling sicknesses are on the mend.  There may be others who are just now getting a sickness but we are thankful for those who are improving.

True to form, the alarm in the auditorium went off just before 10:00AM yesterday.  Translated – someone most likely showed up for the morning service.

The weather forecasters are now saying thirty-three for the low tonight followed by two nights of thirty-three.  Hooray!

Basketball this Friday night beginning at 6:00PM and then again Saturday beginning at 8:00AM.  Pray for this ministry.

Only one service this Sunday, 12/31, and that begins at 10:00AM.  We are bringing in a special duet for that service.  Lord willing, I will be bringing the message.  I hope to be joined by many members of the Friendship family!

Youth fellowship in the CAB this Sunday, 12/31, from 5:00PM until 6:30PM.

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

One of Larry Whitehurst’s brothers, Jerry, passed from this life on Sunday morning.  I failed to contact Larry yesterday to see if arrangements have been made.  I have not seen anything online.  Pray for Larry and his family during this time of loss.

No services or activities on our campus today or tonight.  However, the church office is open from 8:00AM until noon and then from 1:00PM until 4:00PM.

This Sunday, 12/31, will see us only have one worship service which will begin at 10:00AM.  No Sunday School and no evening service.

Bro. Dylan will host a fellowship for our students this Sunday, 12/31, from 5:00PM until 6:30PM in the CAB.  All students, 6th – 12th, are invited to attend.

The weather forecasters are calling for low temps in Grand Bay of thirty-eight, thirty-three, thirty-three and thirty-six for the next four nights.  That is a bit chilly for us but it is great!  I am looking forward to it.

FYI, Brad did not know Peg McKamey.  What a shame!  Andy Hamil will need to give him a lecture this Sunday!

Day one of the dog less time went well.  Good stuff!

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

First, my family (Lisa, Deidra and Daphne) are very grateful for the numerous messages we received yesterday.  I cannot speak for Lisa and Daphne but I can say that Deidra and I had our electronic devices turned off.  So, we did not reply to the numerous messages but please know that we are very thankful for each and every one of them.

Second, the best Christmas present we received arrived around 7:00PM Christmas night.  The dog has proverbially “flown the coop!”  I am not a Facebook fan but right now I am saying “thank God for FB!”  Lindsey Vice made one post and the rest is history!  Honestly, I am thrilled that he has found a good home and a couple who will love him, play with him, et cetera.  It is all good!  (Gina made the exchange in front of Bill & Debbie Kendrick’s house just in case they decide to return the dog!)

Third, there will be no services/classes/activities on our campus tomorrow, Wednesday, 12/27.

Fourth, this Sunday, 12/31, will see us have one service for the entire day.  That service will begin at 10:00AM.

Fifth, Bro. Dylan will host a fellowship for our students this Sunday, 12/27, from 5:00PM until 6:30PM.  All students, 6th – 12th, are invited and encouraged to attend.  This fellowship will take place in the CAB.  Games, food and fun!  Pass the word!

Sixth, pray for Deidra, Lizzi, Sydney & Audrey as they will travel back to Guatemala on Monday, 1/1/24.  Yes, I will travel with them but I will return on 1/11.  Pray for Deidra and the girls as they transition back to Guatemala and the ministry God has for them there.

Finally, just received word from Kayla Hatcher that Peg McKamey passed from this life earlier today.  If you have to ask, who is that then never mind!  Ask Andy Hamil the next time you see him!

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

A note to all Baptist readers of the blog – the weather forecasters are calling for rain all day tomorrow (Sunday).  That is the bad news as rain drops and Baptist do not tend to mix.  The good news is that we will be meeting inside so one should not get wet during our classes, services, et cetera.

So, just pretend that you are going to attend an outside sporting event, going shopping, going out to eat, and even are going to pay admission to get in to said event.  Or, just attend the services because Jesus loves you, gave His life for you and because you love Him.

Pastor Clint & Suzanne Landry’s daughter, Maggie, is recovering amazingly well from her surgery.  An answer to prayer.  Keep praying for Maggie.

Larry Whithurst’s brother is not doing well as he is on a ventilator.  Pray for Larry’s brother.

Pray for Rhonda Johnson as she prepares to begin her radiation treatments on Tuesday.

Jason Husband does not yet have a schedule for his radiation treatments.  Keep praying!

Pray for those families who are experiencing their first Christmas without a family member, friend, neighbor, et cetera.

I am praying for a record attendance for our 5:00PM service tomorrow in spite of the weather forecast.  Each person who is going to be on the platform during that service is asked to be present no later that 4:45PM (even a bit earlier will be best).  Attire is Sunday best!  We will be dismissed no later than 6:00PM.

Let’s begin Christmas Eve with a great spirit and number in Sunday School (9:00AM) and the 10:00AM service.  I have a gift for the church family.  I am thinking most folks will like it but there may be one or two upset folks.  We shall see.

The church office will be closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.  Just FYI.

Friendship family, I hope to see you in the morning!  O come let us adore Him!

P.S. – Eddie Albritton is shopping today.  Are you serious!  Personally, I prefer the day before but Christmas Eve being on Sunday makes it more difficult.  Eddie, my shirt size is large!  Just saying!

Rhonda Johnson is from South Carolina and is an active supporter/participant of GRACE Ministries.  A couple of years ago her husband, Perry, was fatally shot while on his job with the telephone company (house call).  A couple of months ago Rhonda was diagnosed with colon cancer which caused her to not be able to take part in the December mission trip.  She will begin radiation this Tuesday, 12/26, followed by chemotherapy treatments.  Pray for Rhonda and her family.

Speaking of radiation, no schedule has yet been set for Jason Husband.  Keep praying for Jason.

My prayers and thoughts have been on Christmas Eve Sunday!  Sunday School begins at 9:00AM followed by worship at 10:00AM.  We will focus on the gifts given to us by Jesus during that service.  Brad & Jeanette will sing “He Gave The Greatest Gift” as a part of our worship.  (I love that song!)  I plan on giving the church a gift too!

Our Christmas Eve service from 5:00PM until 6:00PM is going to be amazing!  We have nine or ten children/youth taking part in that service by singing and/or reading the Christmas story.  A trio consisting of Brad, Jeanette and Ian will sing “We Have Seen The Light” which is also one of my favorites.  I have asked Brad to sing the verses to “Come On Ring Those Bells” which just add to that song in a great way.  Bro. Abel will lead us in partaking of the Lord’s Supper.

So, what could possibly keep members of the Friendship family who are in town from attending these services?  As a follower of Jesus, is there a better place to spend part of your Christmas Eve than in corporate worship with your family?  Personally, I think not.  I am encouraging each member/attender of the Friendship family to make attendance this Sunday an absolute priority.  Pray, invite others to join you and then join us for worship!  “Jesus, we remember this Your birthday!”

Shopping tip from me – you never have to worry about J Jill running out of gift cards even if it is Christmas Eve!  Just saying!

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

Maggie Landry’s surgery was a success!  As a matter of fact, the surgeon did not have to break her chin.  The procedure did not take as long as originally planned.  Maggie was discharged this morning and is presently in the doctor’s office.  She will be taken home once finished at the doctor’s office.  A definite answer to prayer.  Keep praying as she will not be allowed to chew for six weeks.

I am very grateful to have had the privilege of attending Pastor Johnny Maxwell’s dad’s celebration of life service yesterday.  He has already written me this morning thanking Eddie & me for being there.  Thank you to Bro. Abel for filling the pulpit and to our deacons for their unwavering support.  I am blessed!

Tyrone Crawley will meet with the roofing contractor today and we will possible see shingles flying very soon.  I am just glad the auditorium is not a DIY job!

Sunday School this Sunday, 12/24, at 9:00AM.  Morning worship at 10:00AM.  Christmas Eve service at 5:00PM.  Pray, attend, and bring others with you.

Be a blessing to someone this week leading up to Christmas Day!

Speaking of being a blessing, Lisa, Gina & I would love to give a very deserving family a dog for Christmas.  Two years old, up to date on his shots, orchiectomy done, house broken, et cetera.  First come, first served!  Who wants to be blessed?

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