Pastor's Blog

Visited with Edwin & Eula Mae yesterday.  He is still battling pneumonia and needs our prayers.  Eula Mae has some tough decisions to make and certainly needs us to pray for wisdom on her behalf.

Laurie Chandler’s dad is in the CCU.  Do not know all of the details but ask that you pray for him too.

Morris Bryant’s mother had the hip replacement surgery yesterday.  The surgery went well as far as I know.  Miss Bryant is 93 years old and will need our prayer support as she recovers from this operation.

The attendance at the fellowship meal with Lazaro last night was very good.  It was an excellent time of food and fellowship.  Thanks to Marisa, Carla, Larsyn & Lisa for their help.  Someone set the tables up and I appreciate that very much.  Randy, Ben & Colton set the chairs up.  Raymond, Logan and Bro. Chris took care of the audio & video.  We began the process of folks signing up to sponsor the children in the soon to be completed center.  The response was good.  The food was excellent.  The fellowship was sweet.  The message by Lazaro was tremendous.  Thank you Jesus.

Pray for My Hope America!  Matthews – pray, plan, prepare and invite folks to your house for his special event.  Friendship family – pray without ceasing!

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

Morris Bryant’s mother fell and broke her hip and wrist.  They will be replacing her hip this morning.  Pray for her surgery and recovery.

Edwin Blackmon has pneumonia and is in a local hospital.

We had a good day in our services yesterday.  Our attendance was down a bit.  There is a virus of some sort going around and that kept several folks at home.

Larazo did a nice job of preaching in the evening service.  I appreciate Rita translating for him.  Manolo & Midlred did their usual great job of ministering in song.

The fellowship meal with Lazaro Suruy takes place tonight for those who signed up.  We will begin promptly at 6:30PM and will be dismissed no later than 8:00PM.  This is designed to be for adults and no childcare will be provided.

Pray for My Hope America!

Pray for our services this morning and evening.  Friendship family, participate in them by attending one of the morning services and the evening service.  Sunday School is a great place to study the Word and build personal relationships.  Discipleship Training helps in your personal growth in the Word.  Looking forward to joining you today/tonight.

Remember, Lazaro Suruy will be preaching in our 6:00PM service.

Forgot to give Soy his “props” in yesterday’s blog.  He took care of the chickens while I was away.  My plans were to get up early yesterday morning and mow grass until time to leave for the Bama game.  He had cut almost all of it which allowed me to sleep in and then leisurely get ready to leave.  That makes the third time he has cut grass this Summer but I will take it!

Remember our “pink out” next Sunday morning, 10/27, during the 10:30AM service.  Carla Kyser and Chastity Hamilton will be our special guests in that service.  Plan on joining us and, if possible, wear something pink.

Congrats to AU, USA & UA on their respective victories yesterday.  Good stuff!

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

This entry is being typed as I am headed to the Bama game with Brad, Titus, Soy & Lazaro.  Lazaro and I arrived in Grand Bay around 10:30PM or so last night.  Good conference and safe travels home – thanks be to God.

Anyone planning on taking part in the Monday night fellowship meal must contact me via e-mail by tomorrow night.  We have had a good response thus far.  Roast and potatoes provided.  You bring the sides and desserts.  Enough for those with you plus two.  Thanks!

Lazaro is available for lunch on Monday or Wednesday.  Contact me if you are interested in hosting him.

Lord willing, I will be preaching in both morning services tomorrow and Lazaro will preach the evening service.  Hope to be joined by many members of the Friendship family.

I close with the following sent to me via e-mail this morning:

My family and I were overwhelmed by the love and kindness of the Friendship Family Friday. Actually the visits started Tuesday, with numerous phone calls the rest of the week. The ladies/men who did the meal Friday ministered to my whole family and friends. Also, special thanks to those who attended the service. A church family in times of need is worth more than words can express. We are so blessed that we can get a taste of the Love of the Savior from our Church Family.

Blessings,
The Kendrick Family

The funeral service for Bill Kendrick’s mother will take place at 1:00PM today from the Heritage Funeral Home in Escatawpa, MS.  It will be proceeded by two hours of visitation with the family.  Pray for the Kendrick family!

Miss Mazie Wilson had a surgical procedure done yesterday and is now recovering in the hospital.

The 2013 pastors’ conferences are now history.  Both were successful.  There were some bumps in the road but that is expected.  You may still give to the expense of these conferences.  Thank you to those who have given already.  Thank you to those who have prayed.

Abel, Dale, & Mark are at the airport already and the rest of us will be there soon, Lord willing.

We have had a nice response to the meal with Lazaro Suruy on Monday night.  You must make reservations by this Sunday night, 10/20.  The only way to make reservations now is to e-mail me.  Come join us!

If anyone would like to treat Lazaro to a meal in a restaurant or in your home, he is available for lunch on Monday and Wednesday and for supper on Tuesday.  First come, first served.

Upward basketball evaluations tomorrow afternoon in the CAB.

Hallelujah Festival takes place on 10/31.  Donations of candy and workers needed.

Hope to see you Sunday!

The funeral service for Janice & Juanita’s sister, Emogene, takes place today at 12:00 noon.  It will be preceded by a two hour visitation with the family.  Everything is at Serenity Funeral Home in Theodore.

The service for Bill’s mother, Miss Gladys, takes place tomorrow at 1:00PM also preceded by two hours of visitation with the family.  Everything takes place from the Heritage Funeral Home in Escatawpa, MS.  If you can help with the food to feed the family tomorrow, please contact Miss Vinnie Brewer.

It is imperative that those planning on attending the fellowship meal with Lazaro Suruy make a reservation no later than this Sunday night, 10/20.  I am hearing about a number of folks who are planning on attending but they have not told me so via e-mail or signed up through the church office.  I am making no assumptions – you must sign up as we want to purchase the meat accordingly.  The meal begins at 6:30PM and will take place in the fellowship hall.  We supply the meat (roast) and potatoes and you supply the sides and desserts.  (If you are going to make reservations through the church office, that has to be done today by 5:00PM as the office is closed on Fridays and Saturdays.)

The conference in Guatemala is going well.  Yesterday, we “farmed” the guys out during some down time.  The reports coming back from those services are encouraging.  Dale went to Casa Aleluya and did a wonderful job of sharing Jesus.  Coco did a nice job of translating for him.  Thanks to Dr. Mike Clark for allowing Dale to minister there.  The children were most impressed with Dale’s height and the height of his hair!

He then had an hour yesterday afternoon to share with the participants of the pastors’ conference.  Can you say “big hit?”  That is what he was!

Pastor Abel preached during the evening service and actually ate ribs as he preached!  It was good and he said the ribs were good too!

Pastor Max Lara and I visited Juan Marcos, Lucky and Natalie Rebecca (probably have those names spelled incorrectly) late yesterday afternoon.  The hospital is about 20 miles (+/-) away from the mission house.  We visited for 30 minutes top.  Including the visit time, we were only gone for 3 hours 40 minutes!  The traffic was – wow!  BTW, the baby is fine and weighs 8 pounds 3 ounces.

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

Bill Kendrick’s mother passed away around noon yesterday.  The visitation takes place this Friday, 10/18, from 11:00AM until the 1:00PM service time.  Everything will take place from the Heritage Funeral Home in Escatawpa, MS.  Pray for Bill, Debbie and the family.

The Friendship family will be providing the meal for the Kendrick family on Friday.  If you can/will help, please contact the church office or call Miss Vinnie Brewer directly.  The food will need to be in the fellowship hall no later than 1:00PM on Friday.  Thank you in advance to those who will help.  Thanks to Miss Vinnie for coordinating this ministry.

It is my understanding that Miss Maxine Dupont came home yesterday afternoon.  I believe the hospitals are no empty as far as the Friendship family is concerned.  However, Janice & Juanita’s mother, Miss Mazie, remains hospitalized.

The service for Emogene Riviere takes place tomorrow from Serenity.  Pray for family.

Juan Marcos and Lucky Ruiz are good friends of GRACE Ministries.  She will be having a section today to deliver their first child.  She will be in a GC hospital.  Lord willing, I hope to visit them but the hours are limited when she can have visitors.

Need to hear from the folks who plan on attending the fellowship meal with Lazaro next Monday night at 6:30PM.  You have until Sunday night to let us know.  Lisa and I will provide the roast and mashed potatoes.  You bring the sides and desserts.  I am not concerned about how many attend just want to have the proper amount of food available.  Please do not “assume” that I know you are coming regardless if you serve on the Missions Committee, go on the GRACE trips, et cetera.  I am assuming nothing!

Regular schedule today/tonight.  Bro. Jerry will be leading the morning and evening services in the auditorium.  Hope the members of the Friendship family will be faithful to attend.

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

I apologize for not posting an entry yesterday.  No excuses.

The funeral service for Emogene Riviere will take place on Thursday, 10/17, at 12:00PM preceded by two hours of visitation time with the family.  Pastor Jiggs Ramsey will preach the service.  The visitation and service will take place from Serenity Funeral Home.

Janice & Juanita’s mother, Miss Mazie, has been placed back into the hospital.

Miss Maxine Dupont remains hospitalized (I think).  The hospital told me “no” yesterday but Miss Edna said they told her “yes” so I am uncertain.

Ruby Gulley was supposed to come yesterday and I assume she did.  Winston & Sharon had to take a crash course in giving her care at home and then she was supposed to be discharged from the hospital.

Miriam Moates had a heart cath yesterday morning.  It showed no problems.  Praise the Lord!

Bill Kendrick’s mother remains in a low state.  She is in an area convalescent home facility.

Lee Sessions spent the weekend in the hospital but was released on Sunday afternoon.

Dale Bosarge and I leave today headed for the pastors’ conference in Guatemala.  Pray for the conference.  Thank you to each person who has given financially toward this ministry.

Lazaro Suruy will be our guest for a few days beginning Saturday.  We are going to host a “supper” with him on Monday night, 10/21, beginning at 6:30PM in the fellowship hall.  Everyone is invited.  Lisa and I will provide roast and mashed potatoes.  You are asked to bring a side and a dessert.  We must know by Sunday night if you plan to attend.  E-mail me or call the church office.  This will be a very casual gathering.

“Pink out” on Sunday, 10/27, in our 10:30AM service.  Make plans to join us.

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

Janice & Juanita’s sister, Emogene, passed away yesterday.  She had been battling cancer for several months.  I appreciate Cecil Guidry calling to let me know.  Pray for the family.

Lee Sessions is in the hospital.  Has a large hematoma on his calf which is affecting the blood flow to his foot.

Alan Aldridge’s grandfather passed away yesterday morning.  Alan left early yesterday morning to go home to be with his family in the Tuscaloosa area.  Pray for Alan’s family.

We are on a regular schedule today/tonight.  Lord willing, I will be preaching in all three services.  I hope to be joined by many members of the Friendship family for the services.

The second, and final, training for the “My Hope America” emphasis takes place in the auditorium this afternoon at beginning at 4:30PM.

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

Bill Kendricks mother, Miss Gladys, has been put on hospice care.  Obviously, the medical personnel feel her time on this earth is nearing an end.  She is ready to go to her heavenly home.  Pray for her and the family.

Maxine Dupont has made improvement in her battle against pneumonia.

Ruby Gulley is better.

Bro. Jerry attempted to visit Miss Barbara yesterday but she was in therapy.

The pastors’ conference ended late yesterday afternoon.  The pastors all seemed pleased with the conference.  In my opinion, staying at the camp was a good move.  I appreciate the pastors from El Salvador who worked diligently to put everything together – they did a great job!  I also appreciate Pastor Keith Martin, Pastor Terry Nappier, Student Pastor Chris Taylor and Evangelist Johnny Tucker for coming to lead this conference.  These brothers came at their own expense i.e. airfare, lodging, food, et cetera plus gave the time to do so.  I am grateful to their churches for allowing them to be away as well.  I feel that God was glorified through the entire conference and we certainly give Him the glory for all He did!

Pastor Terry Nappier will remain in El Salvador preaching tonight and then twice on Sunday.  He will then join the conference in Guatemala beginning next Tuesday, 10/15.  The rest of us leave early this afternoon with the expectation of arriving home later tonight.  Pray for our safety in travel.

We are on a regular schedule this Sunday, 10/13.  Lord willing, I will be in the pulpit for all three services.  I hope to be joined by many members of the Friendship family for these services.

Auburn and Bama will win tomorrow.  I think the Aggies will get the Rebels again.  (Would not mind being wrong on that one at all!  It helps that the game is in Oxford.)  Oregon will get the Cardinal tomorrow.  A bunch of ducks can take on a single Cardinal.  Folks, you do realize that I have been wrong in picking games before?

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