Pastor's Blog

Happy Memorial Day!  I am very thankful for the folks who have given their lives for our freedom as a nation.  Praying for those presently in our military.

We were blessed with a really good day in our services yesterday.  We were not “packed” in our morning service but we did have a very good attendance.  I am grateful to those who attended.  The spirit in the service was excellent.  Praise the Lord!

Our “fish & dogs” fellowship was also very, very good.  The folks who set up, cooked, served, and cleaned up are to be highly commended.  Gary & Rachel Walton provided shrimp, pulled pork, buns, condiments, chips, drinks, et cetera which was an additional and unexpected blessing.  Katelyn Johnson made sure we had all of the other things we needed.  John Milton Ladnier organized everything and did an excellent job.  The food was fantastic!  The folks who brought sides and desserts did well – thank you.  The best part of the afternoon/evening was the fellowship among those in attendance.  Great fellowship – to God be the glory!

Our next fellowship will take place in the CAB on Sunday, July 2, and will feature a cake auction and Stacey Dyess’ barbecue.  I am working on another surprise element.  Save the date!

It is my understanding that Chuck Rockwell has been discharged from the hospital and will come home.  Not sure if that has actually taken place but do keep praying for Chuck & Beth.

Miss Vinnie’s son, Buddy, is holding his own and has actually shown some improvement in some areas.  Keep praying for Buddy!

Dana Fawcett’s sister passed from this life last Tuesday.  She was severely burned in an accident involving a propane tank.  The service will take place in North Carolina.  Pray for Dana and her family during this most difficult time.

I have nine couples who have let me know they have been married for fifty plus years.  I have five widows/widowers who have let me know that they were married fifty plus years before their spouse passed from this life.  I need to hear from any other couples within the Friendship family who have been married for fifty plus years or from any widows/widowers who were married that long before their spouse passed.  This special service of recognition will take place on Sunday morning, June 11, 2023.

Vacation Bible School July 10 – 14.  Pray for this ministry.

I pray that you will have a great day with Jesus on this Memorial Day.

Miss Vinnie’s son, Buddy, remains in intensive care.  Pray for him!

Chuck Rockwell remains in the hospital.  Keep praying.

Jennifer Brinkman’s maternal Aunt Carolyn passed from this life at the young age of fifty-four.  Jennifer will be traveling to Maryland for the service and to spend time with her family.  Pray for traveling mercies and for the family during this time of sorrow.

Regular schedule on our campus this morning with Sunday School beginning at 9:00AM and worship at 10:00AM.

Prayer time immediately following Sunday School.

Anniversary love offering will be received this morning for Bro. Jerry Hovel.

Church-wide fellowship “fish & dogs” will take place this afternoon beginning at 5:00PM on the back forty.  Church is providing crawfish, hotdogs and drinks.  You bring the sides and desserts.

Pray for today’s classes and services.  My the Spirit be followed, the Son exalted and the Father glorified!

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

Cecil Guidry called me this morning around 10:00AM to let me know that Miss Vinnie Brewer’s son, Buddy, has been admitted to the hospital.  Having an issue with a fluid build-up.  Join me in praying for Buddy, please.

Tomorrow, 5/28, has been set aside to recognize Bro. Jerry Hovel. The month of May marks the twenty-third anniversary of Bro. Jerry serving on our ministerial staff. We will receive a love offering in the morning service as a tangible way to show our love and appreciation to Bro. Jerry and his family.

Bro. Jerry is married to Tena and they have two sons, Josh & Luke. Obviously, Tena is also a major part of the Friendship family.

So, join us tomorrow in celebrating Bro. Jerry’s anniversary of serving the Lord through the Friendship family. Pass the word!

Regular schedule on our campus in the morning with Sunday School beginning at 9:00AM followed by the service at 10:00AM.  I know it is a holiday weekend and we have folks who will be out of town but I ask those of us in town to be faithful to attend in the morning.

Tomorrow afternoon beginning at 5:00PM we will have a “fish & dog” church-wide fellowship.  Crawfish and hotdogs.  The church will provide the crawfish, hotdogs and drinks.  Those attending who are members of the Friendship family are asked to bring sides and desserts.  Please bring enough for those attending with you plus two more.

We will honor the institution of marriage on Sunday, June 11, as a part of our morning service.  We will be recognizing all couples within the Friendship family who have been married for fifty years plus.  We just need to know who those couples are no later than Sunday, 6/4.  Please do not “assume” that we know.  Best way to let us know is by sending me a personal email.  This is going to be a great service!

The church office will be closed this Monday, 5/29.  I am in town and available in the event of an emergency.

I hope that you will have a great Saturday with Jesus.  Hope to see you on our campus tomorrow!

The church office will be closed today due to some unforeseen circumstances.  In the event of an emergency, please call Lisa’s office and they will contact me.  By the way, the church office will also be closed on Monday, 5/29, for Memorial Day.

“Fish and dog” fellowship this Sunday beginning at 5:00PM.  Please bring sides and desserts.

We need the folks who have been married fifty years or longer to contact me as we are going to recognize these folks on Sunday, June 11, during our morning worship service.  Send me an email or tell me in a church service.

Keep praying for Chuck Rockwell.

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

Good Wednesday morning.  Regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening.  Praying for a good attendance.

This Sunday, 5/28, our morning schedule will be normal with Sunday School beginning at 9:00AM and the worship service beginning at 10:00AM.  I pray that those members of the Friendship family who are in town will be faithful to attend.

Our Sunday evening will not be normal.  We will be having a “fish & dog” fellowship beginning at 5:00PM on the back forty.  Crawfish and hotdogs!  The church will provide the fish, dogs and drinks.  Those attending from the Friendship family are asked to bring sides and desserts.  Please bring enough for those attending with you plus two others as we want to have sufficient for our guests.  Obviously, the dress will be casual.

On Sunday morning, June 11, we are going to honor the institution of marriage by recognizing those couples within the Friendship family who have been married for fifty or more years.  I need those couples to contact me no later than 6/4 so we can be properly prepared.  This is going to be a great service as we focus on “The Heart of the Family!”  Please make plans now to join us for this special service!

Keep praying for those on our prayer list.  Jason Husband got a really good report from the doctor regarding his surgery on his follow up visit.  Praise the Lord!

Our VBS will take place Monday, July 10, through Friday, July 14, from 9:00AM until noon daily.  Pray for this most important week!

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

The Lord blessed the Friendship family with a good day in our services yesterday.  Our buses had a strong day numerically, our SS and worship attendances were very good and the spirit was great.  Our children’s choir did a nice job in sharing the Gospel through their spring musical.  It was a joy to welcome a new member into the Friendship family by transfer of letter as a part of our morning worship.  God is good and we give Him the glory!

Jason Husband has an appointment with the doctor this morning as a follow up to his surgery.  Thank you to Joey & Bibbi for taking him to this appointment and to Jason’s sister, Amanda, for allowing them to do so.  Pray for a good report.

We are going to have a “fish & dog” church wide fellowship this Sunday, 5/28, beginning at 4:00PM.  Crawfish, hotdogs and drinks will be provided by the church.  Those attending are asked to bring sides and desserts.  Please bring enough for those attending with you plus two others.  We will meet on the back forty unless it is raining which will move us into the CAB.  Pass the word and invite others to join you.

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

Soccer games begin at 8:00AM today and end early afternoon.  The season closing ceremony will take place from 6:00 – 7:00PM in our church auditorium.  Pray for this closing day to the spring season to honor God!

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.  Our children’s choir will present their spring musical in the 6:00PM service.  I am praying for a strong attendance in both of our services tomorrow.

Prayer time led by Charles Grant immediately following Sunday School.  Meet in the SS room used by the 38-45 year olds.

Interested in being a participant of a GRACE Ministries mission trip to Guatemala in either December 2023, January 2024 or February 2024?  If so, email me at pastor@friendshipfamily.net.

John Milton drove over late yesterday afternoon with four or five buckets filled with new potatoes.  He gave us more than we wanted.  John is so very kind to my family and me.  Here is a PSA – John Milton is selling these potatoes at a great price but his supply is almost depleted.  Want to purchase some?  Contact him much sooner than later.

Lisa began the process of canning snap beans last night and will be doing so throughout today.  The Lord has blessed the twins and me with some nice looking beans.  We are gathering squash and the corn is on deck.

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

Our spring 2023 soccer season ends tomorrow with games in the morning and then the closing ceremonies from 6:00 – 7:00PM in the church auditorium.  I appreciate Bro. Abel and all those who have been involved with this ministry.  Pray for a great season ending day tomorrow!

Our children’s choir will meet this afternoon beginning at 4:00PM for their final rehearsal prior to this Sunday, 5/21.  The spring musical will be presented Sunday evening beginning at 6:00PM in the auditorium.  Pray for Miss Tena, the other workers and the children involved in this ministry.

Our prayer team, under the leadership of Charles Grant, will meet immediately following Sunday School for a time of prayer before our morning service.  Everyone is invited to join them for this ministry.

The Friendship family has two young ladies graduating from high school this year – Hannah (Mobile Christian) and Lexi (Alma Bryant High).  We will recognize these young ladies in our morning service this Sunday, 5/21.  Congratulations, Hannah & Lexi.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday morning and evening.

Keep praying for those on our prayer list.  No significant changes to report.

Lisa will begin the process of canning green beans today.  There was another picking yesterday afternoon and it was also a solo flight.  However, the twins, Natalie, Gina & Jason took care of snapping all of the beans that have been picked thus far.  I am grateful.

The community garden on our campus is looking great.  William Sessions is doing a nice job of leading this ministry.  Want to help?  Contact William.

Want to join a GRACE Ministries mission trip in December 2023 or January/February 2024?  (This applies to anyone)  If so, contact me personally at pastor@friendshipfamily.net for more information or to sign up.

Aninha, I sent you an email earlier.  Please verify that you received it.  Thank you.

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

Happy fortieth birthday to our son-in-law, Brad Hutto.  In my opinion, Brad is as good as they come!  Great husband and father.  I hope Brad will have a great day.  He is blessed by the fact that his parents have driven down to celebrate this milestone birthday with him.  Happy birthday, Brad!

Short and sweet entry today.  Remember to pray for those folks who have been on our prayer list lately.

They found the Hamil’s son-in-law yesterday morning and basically all is well.  Thank the Lord!

Nanette told us in the service last night that her dad, Terrel Brooks, is retaining some fluid again.  So, keep praying for Terrel and Marie.

Miss Vinnie’s son, Buddy, was not having a good day yesterday.  Keep praying for Buddy!

The funeral service for Lindsey Vice’s first cousin takes place today beginning at noon from the Heritage Funeral Home in Escatawpa, MS.  Pray for the family.

Ladies Helping Hands meets tonight in our Preschool Building beginning at 6:00PM.  All ladies invited to attend.  They are collecting cleaning items for PASCO.  What is PASCO you ask?  Direct your question to Henry Wyse.

Lisa arrived home safe and sound last night (actually early this morning).  Thank God for traveling mercies.

If you are not into gardening, stop reading now.  Here is a “test” for those among our nine readers who have a garden.  If you are picking snap beans on Saturday, 5/13, and you are told that the beans will need to picked again on Tuesday, when would you show up to pick beans?  It is neither a trick question or a hard question.  If you answered Tuesday, 5/16, you win!  If you are one of the twins thinking it meant the second Tuesday of this week. . .

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