Pastor's Blog

Happy thirteen birthday to our granddaughter, Emmy Hutto!  Now Brad & Daphne have two teens to raise!  Bless them!  Lisa, Dana & I took Emmy to breakfast this morning and we will celebrate with a party tonight.  I hope Emmy has a great day!  We love Emmy!  Happy birthday!

I also want to wish a happy birthday to my younger sister, Deidra Tucker Burleson!  She is not turning thirteen today!  It was good to speak to her via the phone this morning.  Happy birthday, Deidra!

I just posted yesterday’s blog entry.  What happened?  I had written it and then forwarded it to Katelyn Johnson to proof and then send.  Just realized she dropped the proverbial ball!  (That is my story and I am sticking with it!)

I have visited with Miss Annie Hayes and Bro. Chris Scofield’s mother this morning.  Miss Annie “may” be moved to rehab.  Bro. Chris’ mother remains in ICU.

I will visit Grady Walker this afternoon as he too is in the hospital.  Pray for Grady & Carolyn.

Rachel Walton has had an uncle to pass from this life.  Details pending.  Pray for Rachel and her family.

Sharlene Sessions’ brother, Ernie, and his wife, Cindy, are both in need of our prayer support.  Pray without ceasing!

I received the following from a member of the Friendship family earlier today – “I’ve never liked to face anything that makes me feel uncomfortable. I guess I have more of a “head in the sand” kind of personality. But I’m working on my list and praying through them-and shedding some tears. This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done-but I sure needed it. Thank you for bringing Pastor Terry Sunday night. It was truly an eye-opening experience.”  My reply to this person was “wow!”

Friendship family, are you working on your list?

Regular schedule on our campus tomorrow morning and evening.

Bro. Abel & Candy are on a cruise.  Good for them.  (Rather them than me!)

Senior adults (all Wednesday morning attenders), we will have a fish fry next Wednesday, 5/115, immediately following our morning service.  Johnny Sessions is supposed to be catching the fish.  As of now, we have five loaves of bread and two fish – just saying!  However, Johnny seems to think that will be enough.  Remember, Stacey & Gayla are handling the potato salad, Lisa is handling the baked beans and the rest of you are bringing the desserts.  Anyone want to bring coleslaw?  Invite others to join you for this day of food and fellowship!

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

This entry is late.  I apologize.

First, the Lord certainly blessed and we had two wonderful services on our campus yesterday.  God greatly used Evangelist Oliver Cagle and Pastor Terry Glasscock to share His Word with us.  I was challenged and encouraged! Thank God for these two brothers and their willingness to be used by Him!

The visitation with the Houston Busby, Jr. family takes place this morning at Serenity Funeral Home from 11:00AM until the noon service time.  The burial will take place in Leakesville, Mississippi.  Pray for Gary & Rachel, Miss Paulette and the family.

Falling seems to be the order of the day lately.  Karen Walker and Carol Lucky both took falls last week and they have the bruises and discoloration to prove it – ouch!  Then, last night shortly after returning home after our evening service, Miss Annie Hayes called to say that she had fallen and was unable to get up.  So, Brad Hutto, Blake Jenkins and Blaine Jenkins joined Lisa and me in going to help.  Long story short – we had to call 911 to help.  Miss Annie had fallen at 10:30AM on Saturday.  Yes, almost thirty-six hours earlier!  She received no broken bones but is in the hospital.  Pray for Karen, Carol & Miss Annie.

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

Elizabeth & Stacy Sessions will be leading a work time in the garden tomorrow, 5/4, from 9:00AM until 2:00PM.  Any, and all, help appreciated!

Final Saturday of this soccer season begins in the morning at 8:00AM.  Closing ceremonies begin at 5:00PM.  Pray for this ministry!

Sunday will be huge at Friendship!  Evangelist Oliver Cagle will be preaching during our 10:00AM service and our senior adults will be in the spotlight.  Bro. Oliver can preach – do not miss it!  Complimentary catered lunch for our senior adults in the CAB immediately following the service.

Pastor Terry Glasscock will bring the message from the Lord to us in our 5:00PM service.  May be the most important service in 2024 for the Friendship family.  Pray!  Attend!  Respond!

Two of the Scofield boys completely mowed and trimmed our acreage yesterday.  How nice is that!  I am very appreciative!

Travel day for me today.  Lord willing, I will land in Mobile around 11:00PM and should have my luggage in hand by midnight – just saying!  I am grateful to my brother, Eddie, for making this trip with me.  Deidra deserves a medal for putting up with us!  Chino deserves the same!  Pray for Eddie and me to have safe travels today.

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

Gary Walton contacted me late yesterday afternoon to let me know that his “Pop”, Mr. Houston Busby, has passed from this life.  This is the gentleman Gary credits for raising him and instilling a strong work ethic in him.  Pray for Gary, Rachel, Miss Paulette and the entire family.  Arrangements pending.

The visitation with the Winston Gulley family takes place today beginning at 12:30PM and lasting until the 2:00PM service time.  Everything takes place at Serenity Funeral Home.  Pray for the Gulley family during this time.

Continue to join me in praying for Jerry & Sandra Franciso, Mrs. Brannon, and Randy Collins in their respective situations.

The church office will be open this afternoon from 1:00PM until 4:00PM.  Laura Fosmore is serving as church secretary.

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday and it is going to be a huge day.  Evangelist Oliver Gagle in our 10:00AM service and Pastor Terry Glasscock in our 5:00PM service.  Folks, do not miss these services!  Pray!

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

Winston Gulley passed away April 25, 2024 at the age of 85. He was born November 14, 1938 in Mobile, Alabama. He proudly served in the Navy from 1956 to 1959. He supported his family in various occupations throughout his life.

He is preceded in death by his parents Ervin J. & Annie L. Gulley, his wife of 54 years, Ruby M.
Gulley, and several siblings.

He is survived by Christy M. Daniels (daughter) & Thomas L. Daniels, Tracy L. Gulley (daughter) &
Bart G. Nelson, and Winston Robert Gulley (son) & Angela R. Gulley, brothers Lawrence and Bradley
Gulley, sister Nan Jean Cooper, sister-in-law Sharon Jardee, numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed.

Services are as follows: Thursday May 2, 2024 from the Chapel of Serenity Funeral Home. Family viewing will begin at 12:00 p.m.; friends and public at 12:30 p.m. with the funeral service beginning at 2:00 p.m. Interment will immediately follow at Serenity Memorial Gardens.

Good Wednesday morning from GRACE Mountain.  We arrived here safe and sound on Monday afternoon, lost internet connection in the evening and just got it back. Electricity has been hit and miss throughout Chimaltenango which has caused the connection interruptions.

Regular schedule on our campus this morning and evening.  Bro. Abel will be teaching in my absence.

We need all of our senior adults who have not signed up to attend this Sunday’s service/lunch to do so today, 5/1.  Contact Cecil Guidry.  Folks, do not miss the message by Evangelist Oliver Cagle or the meal.  Going to be great!

The visitation with the Winston Gulley family takes place tomorrow, 5/2, from 12:30PM until the service time which begins at 2:00PM at Serenity Funeral Home in Theodore, AL.  Pray for the Gulley family.

Continue to pray for Jerry & Sandra Francisco as he remains at home under hospice care.

Mrs. Brannon continues to need our prayer support as she goes through rehabilitation.

Gary Walton messaged me to share that his “pop”, Houston Busby, is not doing well.  Keep praying for Mr. Houston and Mrs Paulette as he remains under hospice care at home.

Randy Collins, Sr. is also at home under hospice care and is not doing well.  Pray for Randy and his family.

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

Rumor has it that today, April 29, is Norman Richerson’s ninetieth birthday!  Happy birthday, Norman.  I hope his day will be totally great!

As far as I know, Norman is now our second male member who is ninety or above.  We also have two females who fit into that age bracket.

I am told that we had a good day in our services yesterday with Bro. Dylan and Bro. Abel both doing a good job of sharing the Word in the respective services.  I am thankful!

We now focus our prayers on Bro. Dylan and his family as he begins his first pastorate this Sunday, May 5.  Bro. Dylan is now the pastor of the Providence Baptist Church in Hatton, Alabama.  Pray for Bro. Dylan, Elizabeth, Ellie & Cash.

One more Saturday of soccer before the 2024 Spring season is over.  The Lord has blessed and we have seen hundreds of players participate and over one thousand fans show up to support them.  Good stuff.  Thank you to Bro. Abel and each volunteer who has assisted him.

Keep praying for those whose names have been on our prayer list.  I plan on posting Winston’s obit once the funeral home does so.  Pray for the Gulley family.

I am very grateful to Pastor Clint Landry for allowing me to speak from his pulpit at First Baptist Wetumpka yesterday morning.  What a privilege!  It was a joy to sit under the preaching ministry of Pastor Jack Bailey last night.

This Sunday, May 5, is going to be huge for the Friendship family.  Senior adults, we need for those who have not signed up for the lunch that will be catered this Sunday to do so today.  You can contact Cecil Guidry at any time or call the church office (251) 445 5412 today or tomorrow between the hours of 1:00PM – 4:00PM.  Pass the word, please!

Friendship family, do not miss this Sunday’s evening service!

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

The arrangements for Winston Gulley are as follows:  visitation with the family on Thursday, May 2, from 12:30PM until the 2:00PM service time.  Everything will take place from Serenity Funeral Home in Theodore.  Keep praying for the Gulley family.

I visited with Mrs. Brannon on Friday morning.  She has been moved to a regular room and is looking at options post-hospital.  Continue to pray.

Thank you to each person who ministered to the Danny Lewis family.  I miss Danny!

Soccer went well yesterday.  I am told that Bro. Abel wrote a nice piece yesterday on FB regarding the purpose of our soccer leagues.  One more Saturday for this season.  Pray for this ministry.

Bro. Dylan Westbrook will be preaching in our morning service today.  He officially begins his pastorate next Sunday, May 5.  Pray for this morning’s service and for this new ministry opportunity for Bro. Dylan.

Bro. Abel will be preaching in tonight’s service which begins at 5:00PM.  Chapter five of “I Am A Church Member” will be the basis for the message.  Pray for this service.

Senior adults, if you have not done so already, we need you to sign up today for next Sunday’s (5/5) meal.  Cecil Guidry is the point person for this sign up.  Please contact her today!

Pray for me today as I will be preaching for Pastor Clint Landry and the folks at First Baptist Wetumpka.  Lisa and I will drive to Decatur this afternoon to visit with Mama before attending the evening service at Danville Baptist.  Eddie and I leave for Guatemala early tomorrow morning.

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

It is with a heavy heart that I share that Winston Gulley passed from this life last night.  The doctor said his heart simply was not strong enough to endure what it went through.  Pray for Winston’s children and their families, please.  Also, pray for his sister-in-law, Sharon Jardee, as she was very close to Winston.  Arrangements pending.

The visitation with the Danny Lewis family takes place today from 1:00 – 2:00PM from the Norris Funeral Home in Bay Minette, Alabama.  The celebration of life service will begin at 2:00PM.  Burial will be in the Silverhill Cemetery.  Pray for Pam and the family.

Miss Vel Brannon remains in the hospital.  Please continue to pray for her.

Also, continue to pray for Mr. Houston Busby along with his wife, Miss Paulette.

Jerry Francisco has been placed on hospice care.  Pray for Jerry and Sandra.

Soccer leagues tomorrow morning.  Pray!

Regular schedule on our campus this Sunday.  Bro. Dylan Westbrook will be preaching the the morning service and Bro. Abel will do likewise in the evening service.  Pray for these services.

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

Winston Gulley did well through his surgery but some complications have now arisen.  Winston is in CCU.  The surgeon is optimistic but they have left Winston’s chest open just in case additional surgery is required.  Obviously, Winston is being kept asleep.  Pray for Winston and his family.