Pastor's Blog

As pastor, I am very proud of our deacons, staff, and their wives for the role they played in hosting the fellowship for new members last night.  I enjoyed myself and felt it was a beneficial time for all of us.  I also appreciate our church hostess, Marisa Felps, for being there to help coordinate everything.  We bless the Lord for giving us a good night together!

My older brother, Eddie, and my dad showed up for a surprise visit yesterday afternoon.  They spent the night and will leave this morning heading back to Rocky Ford, AL.  It was great to see them even though the visit was brief.  (Yes, they came to borrow money but at least they came!)

Peggy Benefield is scheduled to have a heart cath at 11:30AM today.  Peggy Knighten has been in tremendous pain since they placed a stent yesterday.  Miss Ellen Rhoads is much improved.  Merwyn Gunter was asleep when I visited with him yesterday morning.  Gage Hudson sees the doctor again today but is no better physically.  Pray for these folks.

We are on a regular schedule today with worship at 10:00AM and the evening activities beginning at 7:00PM.  Actually, childrens’ choir begins at 6:00PM.  We will continue to chase the Goose at 8:00PM.  I pray that many members of the Friendship family will join us these services/Bible studies.

I will not be outdone by Joe David Bailey.  I have my computer guru (Chinese Chris Taylor) working on allowing those interested being able to receive these blog entries via e-mail.  Simply, each time I post a new blog it will automatically go to your e-mail.  JD has three “followers” so my goal is five!

I suspect AU & UA will no longer be in the same division beginning next season.  I think another group of Tigers may be joining the SEC real soon.  They had their chance to remain in the B12 yesterday and they did not say they would.  This will probably mean the end of the AU/UA game being played at the end of the season.  Interesting stuff!

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

Here are three new prayer requests for today:  Peggy Knighten is going into a surgery center this morning because of her kidney stone.  The doctor feels it may be stuck.  Pray that they can get it or cause her to pass it.

Rachel Jackson’s grandmother & Herbert Benefield’s aunt, Ellen Rhoads, is in ICU.  They thought she had suffered a heart attack yesterday but determined that she did not but does have pneumonia.  She is 92 years old.  Pray for her.

Paul & Cristy Leytham’s grandson, Charlie, is in a Miami, FL hospital.  He has been in there for a lot since July.  He is scheduled for surgery today.  He has been a very sick young man.  Pray for him.

A “huge” thank you to Bro. Chris Taylor & Raymond Wilkinson for their work in the CAB yesterday.  Bro. Chris cleaned the floor for tonight’s fellowship as well as the upcoming womens’ conference.  Raymond did anything/everything that needed to be done.  Tony Hacker was around but the only thing he did was go to lunch with us!

Speaking of the CAB, John Curl has finished his part of the painting and what an awesome job he has done!  I have no idea how many hours he put in painting during the renovation but it was many.  He is an excellent painter and I so appreciate all he has done for us.

Likewise, Bro. Benny McGath & Sammy Bowden did much work in recent weeks to get everything done.  I cannot even list all they did but suffice it to say they too did an awesome job!

I am not watching the MLB playoffs but do keep up with the scores.  Nice to see the Yankees on the brink of elimination!  Go Tigers!  Verlander has had an awesome year!

Watched the Bama vs UF game (parts of it) again last night.  Bama won again!

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

Happy 15th birthday to Dana & Gina!  Wow, it is hard to believe that they are now old enough for a driver’s permit.  Lisa and I are blessed to have them as our daughters – God is good!

We were blessed with a good day in our services yesterday.  As a matter of fact, I had a good number of folks come to me after the service last night to share that it was the most meaningful Lord’s Supper they had ever taken part in.  One person said that they almost did not come but were so glad they had because of what they would have missed by staying home.  I too believe it was a God ordained service and I am thankful to those who were present.

If you are a new member, we would love to have you join us for the fellowship tomorrow night, 10/4, from 6:30 – 8:00PM.  We will meet in the Christian Activities Building (CAB).

I want to say “thank you” to those who helped with the food for the Patrick family and for those who helped/attended the wedding shower yesterday.  Great job on both accounts!

Pray for these folks Merwyn Gunter (hospital), Peggy Benefield (heart cath on Wednesday), Gage Hudson (bed ridden), Louise Morris (at home), Carla Kyser (cancer), Judy Brooks (recovering from surgery), Tony Barnes (at home rehabbing knee), Gloria Morrison (cancer), Earl Gunter (treatments), and Chuck Rockwell (treatments in November).

The “Chosen Few Sunday School Class” taught by Greg Boutwell presented me with a card last night.  Inside was enough money to sponsor a pastor for the upcoming pastors’ conference in Guatemala.  What a great gift!  Thank you!

Remember, Evangelist Johnny Tucker is our guest this Sunday, 10/9.  My prayer is that you will be present for these services as he will preach in the 8:00AM, 10:30AM, and 6:00PM services.

My friends in Michigan are pretty excited as the Lions (how ’bout them Cowboys?) are playing awesome and the Tigers are staying even with the Yankees.  Plus, Michigan is undefeated while State has only one loss.  Congratulations!

It was good to see AU & Bama win this past Saturday.  I am so glad Rick Bradley attended the UA vs UF game!

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