Pastor's Blog

Good morning to all nine of the blog readers!  We were blessed with a really good Sunday in our services.  Evening services could be better attended but I am thankful for those who do attend.

Our morning service received an extra special blessing when Terrel Brooks walked in – how about that!  (Yes, it was good to see Marie but Terrel was the real story!  Just saying.)

It is also always good to have my brother, Eddie, his wife, Sue, and their grandson, Grayson, join us for a service as they did yesterday morning.

Teresa Ladnier continues to recover from her surgery.  She is at home.  Keep praying for Teresa and John.

Continue to pray for Miss Vinnie and her son, Buddy.

Thank you to Jason & Dana Taylor for hosting a birthday party for Jason Husband yesterday.  He was thrilled.  Thank you to each person who gave to the love offering for him.  Jason began planning his party for next year while he was in the middle of his party yesterday – LOL!

John Milton Ladnier came over Saturday morning and side dressed my corn with ammonia nitrate.  John has been such a huge help to me regarding the garden this year.  How about the twins?  Really?

Regular schedule on our campus this Wednesday morning and evening.

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

Happy fifty-third birthday, Jason Husband!  I do not know what today holds for Jason but I hope his day will be great!  He is always excited to celebrate his birthday and I am happy for him.  As a church family, we will receive a “gift” for him during our service tomorrow night.  Again, happy birthday, Jason!

Here are the arrangements for Michelle Fore’s mother:  visitation for family and friends will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Heritage United Methodist Church 4322 Popps Ferry Rd, Diberville, MS 39540, from 1:00 p.m. until the 2:00 p.m. funeral service. Interment will follow in D’Iberville Memorial Park Cemetery.  Pray for Michelle, Lee and family.

Miss Vinnie Brewer is not knowingly near death or anywhere close but she is way up on my personal prayer list and weighs on my heart.  I have known some fine ladies but have never known one finer than Miss Vinnie.  What a jewel for Jesus!  She simply is not feeling well and I ask you to pray with me for Miss Vinnie.

Honestly, part of Miss Vinnie’s issue is her mother’s concern for her son, Buddy.  Obviously, I am not a mother but I do know some about the depths of a mother’s love regardless of her child’s age.  Pray for Buddy and you will be praying for Miss Vinnie!

Teresa Ladnier did well through her surgery yesterday and is at home recovering.  Many folks would say she had rotator cuff surgery but we folks around these parts call it rotator cup surgery.  (Not surgery you can buy a replacement for at Walmark!). Pray for Teresa as she goes through recovery/rehab, please.  John Milton will be a great caregiver to her.

I mentioned Miss Vinnie being a fine lady.  Terrel Brooks is a fine gentleman!  Cool, calm and collected!  He is doing better but certainly continues to need our prayer support.   Pray for Terrel & Marie!

Keep praying for Dale Ellerman.

Miss Maxine, my average numbers this week are 115/71.  The Lord is good!

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.  I hope to be joined by many members of the Friendship family along with many guests.

Ok, daylight has come and is Lisa is demanding that I get in the garden to make it a Santa Claus garden.  Much to do!

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

Once again, late entry!  Sorry!

Teresa Ladnier is most likely in surgery now.  Pray that all goes well.

Nanette messaged me and said that her dad, Terrel Brooks, has had a good week.  He had a visit with his cardiologist yesterday.  It is going to be a “process” but Terrel is making improvement step by step.

Spoke to Miss Vinnie’s son, Burl, this morning.  Buddy saw the doctor yesterday and Buddy is taking life one day at a time.  At this point, nothing surprising is taking place.  Just keep praying for Buddy.

Miss Vinnie saw the doctor and will have an echocardiogram in May.  If you ask Miss Vinnie how she is doing, her reply will be “Miss Vinnie is doing just fine!”  Join me in praying for this dear saint of God!  What a jewel!

Keep praying for Decker Terry as he recovers at home.

Keep praying for Dale Ellerman.

Tomorrow, 4/22, will be Jason Husband’s fifty-third birthday.  Happy birthday to Jason!  We will receive a love offering for him in our Sunday evening service.

JZ and crew should arrive in Mobile around 10:30PM tonight.  They have had a good week.  Again, thanks to everyone who has helped.  Special thanks to Deidra!

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

Very late entry.  No excuses.

The visitation/service for Charles Whitehurst takes place today – visitation from 10:00AM until the noon service time.  First Baptist St. Elmo.

Teresa Ladnier is scheduled to have surgery tomorrow, 4/21.  Pray that all goes well.  She will be sidelined for a few weeks.

I spoke to Miss Vinnie Brewer earlier this morning.  She is not feeling well.  She saw a doctor yesterday and will see another one this afternoon.  Join me in praying for Miss Vinnie.

Miss Vinnie’s son, Buddy, continues to have physical issues but is “some” better.  Keep praying for Buddy.

Nanette Fontenot sent me an email updating me on her dad’s (Terrel) situation.  He is showing improvement and is being pushed my his physical therapist.  He begins cardiac rehab next week and that will be a twelve week process at two times per week.  He is not having to be on oxygen 24/7 and that is good.  His blood pressure has actually increased some although it does fluctuate from time to time.  Lots of moving parts so keep praying for Terrel, Marie and family.

Our good friend, Decker Terry, is recovering at home.  Please pray for Decker!

Keep praying for Dale Ellerman.

The visitation/service for Michelle Fore’s mother will be Saturday afternoon.

Today is JZ’s last full day in Guatemala.  Again, thank you to each person who helped make this trip of a lifetime possible for JZ and his family.  Deidra has done an outstanding job putting all of this together and our friends in Guatemala have jumped into the deep end with her to make it a success.  Ultimately, “to God be the glory!”

Pretty good day at breakfast yesterday.  Thank you to those who helped in any way.

Soccer leagues this Saturday beginning at 8:00AM.  Pray for this ministry.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday, 4/23.

Daphne and I made a very quick trip to Decatur, AL yesterday.  Left home around 11:30AM and pulled back into our driveway at 1:00AM.  Was able to spend about two and one half hours with Mama and Eddie.  Enjoyed Big Bob’s!  Of the females who have served as my driver since January 18, I think Eddie Albritton and Daphne are 1 & 1A.  Just saying!

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

Late, short and sweet entry today!  Our day began with a breakfast for our senior adults.  From the looks of the vehicles in the parking lot there seems to have been a pretty good attendance.  Thank you to each person who helped in any way with this ministry.

We will have our 10:00AM service this morning.  My plan is to dismiss by 10:45AM or so.

There will be no other activities, classes or services on our campus the rest of today.  Translated – no evening classes/services.

As a matter of fact, the church office will be closed this afternoon.  It will reopen tomorrow morning at 8:00AM.  In the event of an emergency, contact any staff member via his cell phone.

The celebration of life service for Larry’s brother takes place tomorrow at noon.

The celebration of life service fo Michelle’s mother takes place Saturday afternoon at 2:00PM.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday!  Soccer on Saturday.

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

Linda Faye Calcote Seymour
January 3, 1945 — April 14, 2023
D’Iberville

Linda Faye Calcote Seymour age 78, of Biloxi, MS passed away on April 14, 2023, at her home in Biloxi.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Mary Bernice and Cade Vernon Calcote; her loving husband, Gerald Seymour; her twin sister, Virginia Raye Calcote, siblings, Janice Saterfield (Ken), Jean Byrd (Jamie); in laws, Edward and Edna Seymour, Arnold Seymour (Dot), Elba Smolcich (Sam); nephew, Randy Seymour; brother, Chester Calcote; and cousin, Bill Smith.

She is survived by her children, Michelle Fore (Lee), of Grand Bay, AL., Melissa Stork (Skipper), of D’Iberville, MS; her siblings Charles Calcote (Cathy) and Michael Calcote (Cheryl) all of Brookhaven, MS., and sister-in-law, Cheryl Calcote, of Zachary, LA; and her two grandchildren, Ava Stork and Taylor Stork; other relatives include, cousin, Juanita Walker; nieces and nephews, Kevin (Carla) Byrd, Mary Karen (Jason) Case, Karl (Dana) Byrd, Mignonne (Henry) Ramagos, Leigh (Lee) Reed, Barry (Lisa) Calcote, Darlene Harveston, Lisa (Brad) Wilson, Sonia York, Shelley (Curtis) Cochran, Brian Calcote, Chad Calcote, Arnie (Shelly) Seymour, Gordon Seymour, Sammy Smolcich, Maria (Jay) Hindmarch, and numerous other relatives and dear friends.

Linda, a native of Brookhaven, MS has been a resident of Biloxi for many years. She earned her elementary education degree from Whitworth College in Brookhaven. She taught at St. Martin Elementary School and at Noah’s Ark. She loved taking care of her family, especially spending time with her granddaughters. She was a member of Heritage United Methodist Church, and a long-time member of the United Methodist Women Group.

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Homecare Hospice, especially her nurse, Krista Miller, and her sitter, Connie Kimbrel, Singing River Cancer Centers Dr. Michael Finan, and his nurse Christina, for the exceptional care they gave to our dear mother.

A visitation for family and friends will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Heritage United Methodist Church, Diberville, from 1:00 p.m. until the 2:00 p.m. funeral service. Interment will follow in D’Iberville Memorial Park Cemetery.

The Riemann Family Funeral Home, 13872 Lemoyne Blvd. at West Jackson County is serving the Family.
An online register is available to view and sign at www.riemannfamily.com

Today promises to be a good day for me personally as Lisa is scheduled to return home from Guatemala late tonight.  O happy day!  (Riding with Gina has made me appreciate Lisa’s driving – just saying!)

Decker Terry was discharged from the hospital yesterday.  Thank you, Jesus.  Keep praying for Decker.

Terrel Brooks continues his recovery at home.  Pray without ceasing.

The visitation and service for Charles Whitehurst takes place Thursday, 4/20, at First Baptist St Elmo.  Pray for the family.

The visitation and service for Michelle Fore’s mother takes place Saturday, 4/22, at Heritage United Methodist in D’Iberville, MS.  Pray for the family.

There will be a breakfast in our Preschool Building beginning at 8:30AM tomorrow, 4/19.  We will then move into the auditorium for our 10:00AM service.  My plan is to dismiss the service no later than 10:45AM.  Everyone is encouraged to join us for this service.

We will not have any activities on our campus tomorrow night, 4/19.  None.  Nada.  Zero.

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

William Charles Whitehurst, age 75, a resident of St. Elmo, AL, passed away on Saturday, April 15th, 2023. He loved the Lord and his family. He was a devoted husband of 55 years, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents Hubert and Ruth Whitehurst, Brothers Ed Whitehurst and Eugene Whitehurst. He is survived by his wife Candy Whitehurst, children Robbie Whitehurst (Tracy), Kristy Abrams (Matt), 11 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Siblings Larry Whitehurst (Judy), Sandra Freeman (Gene), and Jerry Whitehurst. Nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Charles was a member of the IBEW for over 50 years and loved riding his Harley Davidson every chance he got. His greatest joy was spending time with his grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held at St. Elmo First Baptist Church on April 20, 2023 at 12:00 PM. Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Good day in the Lord’s house for the Friendship family yesterday.  Yes, the spring break negatively affected our attendance but that is now the norm in today’s society.  My focus is on those who attended and I am thankful for their faithfulness.

The visitation and celebration of life for Michelle Fore’s mother will take place this Saturday, 4/22, in Biloxi.  I will share the specifics later in the week.

The Charles Whitehurst family will be making arrangements perhaps today.  I will share those once I know them.

Our friend in Montgomery, Decker Terry, remains hospitalized.  Please keep praying for Decker.

Nanette tells me that Terrel remains basically the same – low blood pressure and heart still not strong.  Continue to pray for Terrel.

Dale Ellerman remains with his mother.  Pray for Dale.

Buddy Brewer is some better compared to last week but continues to need our prayers.

There will be a breakfast for our senior adults this Wednesday, 4/19, beginning at 8:30AM.  Others are invited but it would be helpful if you let Bro. Jerry know you plan on attending.  Those attending the breakfast will then join us for our regular 10:00AM service in the auditorium.  Pass the word!

We will not have any classes or services this Wednesday evening, 4/19.  This is spring break week so we are giving our workers a break too.  Again, pass the word.

JZ and his entourage are doing great in Guatemala.  If you have social media then you know more about their happenings than I do.  I am happy for JZ.

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

This entry is late but, honestly, I normally do not post on Saturdays or Sundays.  However, I doing so for two reasons.  My wife called me from Guatemala to tell me that I have not posted yet.  I told her that I do have a life outside of posting blog entries.  Just saying!

The real reason I am posting today is because Larry Whitehurst sent me a message saying his brother, Charles, passed from this life just before 6:00AM today.  Charlie had been sent home from the hospital per his request.  Pray for the Whitehurst family as they walk through this valley.

Also, spoke to Miss Vinnie this morning and her son, Buddy, is doing better this morning.  He had an infusion yesterday and that has proven beneficial.  Keep praying for Buddy.

Decker Terry was taken to the emergency room yesterday due to a fluid build up.  Not sure if he was admitted or not but do ask that you pray for Decker.  Great man.  Great friend!

I do not have the arrangements for Michelle Fore’s mother but will post them once I do.  Pray for the family.

Keep praying for Terrel Brooks and Dale Ellerman.

Brandon, Pam and tribe arrived on GRACE Mountain around 8:45PM last night.  It was a long day for them.  Deidra has posted a blog about their traveling day – shininglightabroad.com.  I encourage our nine readers to simply go there for the latest.

Soccer today.  Garden work today.  Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow.

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